Pelica Debrief
Fansided

New Orleans Pelicans: 30 greatest players in franchise history

By Jerran Anderson

Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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Desmond Mason, New Orleans Hornets
Desmond Mason, New Orleans Hornets. (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Desmond Mason was quite the savvy veteran when he arrived in New Orleans/Oklahoma City as a member of the Hornets franchise. He had already won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 2001, becoming the first player in Seattle SuperSonics franchise history to win the contest. As an All-Rookie performer, his career had quite the highlights prior to his arrival.

After posting productive seasons with the then-SuperSonics and the Milwaukee Bucks, Mason brought his talents to the Hornets’ franchise. While he didn’t win any dunk contests, he did manage to have a productive time.

Mason appeared in 145 contests (130 starts) across two seasons as a double-figure scorer and rim-runner on the wing. He produced 10.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game through 70 appearances in his first season with the Hornets. In his second year, he saw a boost in his production with an increase in starts.

He averaged 13.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game on 45.2 percent shooting from the field. He put up a personal-best 28 points twice during the regular season, ironically two days apart.

On Jan. 6, 2007, he put up 28 points on 11-of-15 (73.3 percent) shooting from the field. Then on Jan. 8, he posted 28 points on 10-of-18 (55.6 percent) shooting from the floor.

Mason finished his two seasons with the franchise putting up 12.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. When his contract ended after the 2006-07 NBA season, Mason re-joined the Bucks as a free agent.