New Orleans Pelicans: What should the starting five look like?
By Nolan Jensen
Derrick Favors
We’ve talked about the acquisition of Derrick Favors and what he brings to the table in a previous article, here. To provide a brief insight into what Favors is as a basketball player, he’s really valuable. It’s broad, it’s not exactly specific, but it’s very true.
Hayes and Wood won’t be ready to take on starter responsibilities, maybe down the road in their development—but not yet. Favors is the overwhelmingly safe option.
He’s a defensive anchor, never in his career that he had a defensive rating in any season lower than 108. His activity on that end can be illustrated by his block percentage (4.8%) and steal percentage (1.5%). He had a DWS last year of 3.5, to put that into perspective in the 17/18 season his teammate, Rudy Gobert, had a DWS of 3.5 (he won DPOY that season).
His offensive dynamic is admirable as well. He’s not a stretch five, but he’s good in the pick and roll, has a variety of post moves and crashes the offensive glass well (17th in the NBA in ORB per game).
Next. Expectations for J.J. Redick. dark
He’s not exactly flashy, but what he does well, he really does well. He provides this lineup with a strong defensive identity and is no slouch offensively as well. Favors should be the starting five entering next season.