New Orleans Pelicans: NAW and Hayes’ chemistry on full display in debut

Thanks to an archaic NBA rule, New Orleans Pelicans’ Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Jaxson Hayes’ debut was prolonged two additional games—but the wait was well worth it.

Well, that was fun, wasn’t it? The New Orleans Pelicans had their way with the Chicago Bulls Monday night, beating them 109-72 in Summer League play. It wasn’t just that they set the tempo early and maintained the pace in which they wanted to operate all game—it’s the fact that they just looked like they were having fun out there.

We’ll get to the Jaxson Hayes dunk, don’t worry, but for now let’s start with the 17th overall pick in the draft, Nickeil Alexander-Walker. He started the game off by nailing a three-pointer in the corner and kept the momentum going registering 23 points, 8 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks on 9/16 shooting.

Some of those assists, by the way, were absolute dimes. You knew it was coming, without further adieu…

The dunk is sensational, very well could be the best dunk of the summer—but zone in on the pass. Every inch of Alexander-Walker’s 6’9 wingspan is on display. The wraparound pass with his off-hand is a thing of beauty. And that wasn’t the only play in his debut where he displayed his ability to throw dimes with the left.

Here’s a bullet pass to Hayes who managed to go undetected behind the Bulls’ defense following the missed free throw.

https://twitter.com/NBACanada/status/1148416078080565249?s=20

One more for good measure, here he finds Hayes coming off the off-ball screen set by Jalen Adams for the perfectly executed alley-oop.

Alexander-Walker looked comfortable out there, was active on the defensive end and had no issue initiating the offense and creating for himself. You can sense the chemistry between Alexander-Walker and Hayes growing—its good reason for Pelicans fans to be salivating at the mouth.

Speaking of Hayes, he didn’t play poorly in his debut, either. There was the aforementioned poster that left temporarily took over Twitter, but that one play didn’t encompass his entire debut.

In 20 minutes of action, Hayes accounted for 28 points (10-15 FG), 4 rebounds, 3 blocks and overall just commanded the paint. His rim-running abilities on this roster are going to be a problem for the opposition, he has to be accounted for or you’ll see many performances like the one on Monday night.

His post-up game needs fine-tuning, his body has to get stronger to back down the more physical four’s/five’s the NBA has to offer—gym time with Zion Williamson and Jrue Holiday will likely help. But this isn’t an article primarily focusing on what needs improving, we’re all victims of the moment, let’s keep it rolling.

Just look at these highlights, the emphatic rejections, the monstrous throwdowns, let us have this for the time being.

The Pelicans’ second-round draft selection, Marcos “Didi” Louzada Silva, put his talents on display in his debut as well. Really couldn’t have asked for a better debut for the three draft picks. Louzada finished the night with 13 points (3/4 from distance), two blocks and two steals.

The Pels will look to keep the momentum going when they play the Cleveland Cavaliers this Wednesday at 6:30 PM CT. There are good reasons to be excited, all these highlights and Zion Williamson wasn’t even playing. The future in the Big Easy is bright.