The New Orleans Pelicans just missed out on the NBA Summer League Finals. After falling to the Memphis Grizzles, an evaluation of the Las Vegas action is heavy on positive revelations.
Fred Vinson led the New Orleans Pelicans adventure to the cusp of the championship game. The team fell 88-86 to the Memphis Grizzlies, ending the Las Vegas adventure.
Zion Williamson posted the first highlight dunk of his career, ripping the ball and the moment from Kevin Knox. Jaxson Hayes kept the Pelicans in the highlight reel rotation with an assaulting dunk to match Zion’s. Credit Nickeil Alexander-Walker with the assists, of course. Hayes insists.
Frank Jackson posted a thirty-spot in against the New York Knicks and sat on his scoring champ status. Alexander-Walker finishes in third, averaging 24.3 points. He did have an off night against Memphis.
More from Pelican Debrief
- How will the Pelicans round out rotation without Trey Murphy III
- Why you can’t blame Brandon Ingram for all Team USA’s failures
- Ranking 10 worst starters of the Anthony Davis era
- New Orleans Pelicans avoid potential disaster with latest injury reports
- 4 Most underrated players on New Orleans Pelicans current roster
The start of Summer League action was welcomed like never before, both by Pelicans fans and the NBA world-at-large. Only a glimpse of Zion’s full potential was featured, but the future after Anthony Davis is now.
Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, and Brandon Ingram all flocked to Las Vegas to scope out the new rookies. Fresh out of college ball, the adjustment to the pro game can be difficult. Especially in the frantic Summer League setting. Still, most of the players got enough time on the court to assign them summer grades.
Christian Wood was on the roster but never touched the court. His situation with the team is tenuous at best, between contract negotiations and trade options. Luke Petrasek and Makoto Hiejima barely played at all, but surely enjoyed their time with an NBA club.
All three would have to receive incomplete grades. Wood’s future with the team is still to be determined. Petrasek and Hiejima’s best hopes are to be invited back to Las Vegas again next summer.
Frank Jackson is officially healthy and done with playing in Summer League games. Jackson started finding his form during the stretch run last season. Jackson connected on an efficient 11-17 against the New York Knicks. He hit five three-pointers in just 23 minutes. Jackson got his teammates involved but took his shot when they were available. That is all that will be needed of him during the regular season.
Frank Jackson SUMMER GRADE: A+
Jackson’s role in the New Orleans Pelicans team during regular season play was all but solidified. However, there was one guard pushing for regular-season minutes. The wall of back-to-back games pushed back against the rookie in the semi-finals.
It was a pleasantly successful run for the New Orleans Pelicans Summer League squad. Now that the toil of four games in a week has been experienced, the rookies should realize the importance of offseason conditioning.
They’ll want to look good for their regular-season debut. If not, they could face a G-League demotion as soon as preseason.
The New Orleans Pelicans had to wait until the third game to see Nickeil Alexander-Walker in action. He did not disappoint once given the ball.
Guards
Nickeil Alexander-Walker did his best Frank Jackson impression against the Miami Heat, going off for 34 points while controlling the game. He kept the Pelicans close by scoring 16 in the fourth quarter. He sealed the game with free throws in overtime. Alexander-Walker exceeded all expectations in his first game.
More from Pelican Debrief
- How will the Pelicans round out rotation without Trey Murphy III
- Why you can’t blame Brandon Ingram for all Team USA’s failures
- Ranking 10 worst starters of the Anthony Davis era
- New Orleans Pelicans avoid potential disaster with latest injury reports
- 4 Most underrated players on New Orleans Pelicans current roster
Alexander-Walker had another big game against Cleveland, dropping 26 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists. However, he did commit five turnovers. On the other hand, Alexander-Walker is a nuisance to opposing ballhandlers. He could be one of the five best rookie defenders this season.
Alexander-Walker can shoot but would be a bottom end ball-handler over the course of a season. He earned some trust and could earn the fourth guard position behind Lonzo Ball, Jrue Holiday and Frank Jackson or Josh Hart.
Until he can handle running an NBA offense, his shot will not displace any JJ Redick minutes in the rotation. Alexander-Walker showed an ability to make others better by playing them into spots. At his worst, he struggled to get to his spot and hit a shot. After almost two weeks of games, he was due an off night. Alexander-Walker Summer Grade: A
The New Orleans Pelicans featured a draft and stash future talent and one with NBA regular season experience already on his resume. Youth and potential stood out more than last season’s end of the roster veteran.
Marcos Louzada Silva also had to wait until the Davis trade was complete to make his New Orleans Pelicans debut. He was just as impressive while on the court, averaging 11 points in 27 minutes per game. Silva shot 18-41 over four games while grabbing 3 rebounds and dishing out two assists.
Silva is contracted to play overseas next season but looked ready for NBA minutes already. He has professional poise but needs to grow into his game. He is not afraid of the moment though, as he showed multiple times in clutch end-of-game moments. Marcos Louzada Silva SUMMER GRADE: A-
More from Pelican Debrief
- How will the Pelicans round out rotation without Trey Murphy III
- Why you can’t blame Brandon Ingram for all Team USA’s failures
- Ranking 10 worst starters of the Anthony Davis era
- New Orleans Pelicans avoid potential disaster with latest injury reports
- 4 Most underrated players on New Orleans Pelicans current roster
Trevon Bluiett probably lost minutes, to no real fault of his own. Bluiett was usually one of the better players on the court. He made smart decisions. He played 22 minutes per game and shot 20-47 from the field.
However, he did not have any standout moments. It never looked like Bluiett had a skill that was far more polished than anyone else in Las Vegas. Alexander-Walker had the most impressive passes even though Bluiett was the more experienced in the Pelicans system.
Unlike the rest of the Pelicans NBA players, who mostly sat out, Bluiett played in five games. The Pelicans gave him plenty of chances, but Bluiett showed he is just roster flotsam going forward. Trevon Bluiett SUMMER GRADE: C-
Jalen Adams got extended run in five games, logging 6.6 points in 18.6 minutes per contest. He handed out 3.2 assists per game, while also creating a turnover per game. Jalen Adams SUMMER GRADE: B-
Tony Carr missed Jaxson Hayes on a handful of possessions against Memphis. Had Carr made the open pass, the Pelicans could be playing for a Summer League title. Not that Las Vegas titles mean that much, Finding out if Hayes can handle the passes and finish was more of a priority.
Carr had just as much trouble getting into the paint as he did entering passes into the post players. Once he did get into the paint, he lacked ideas and touch on his floater. Carr focused too much at times on his points than the proper team play. Tony Carr SUMMER GRADE: D
London Perrantes played in three games and shot horribly in each one. He hit only two of eleven shots all summer. He filled out the stat sheet against the Knicks, grabbing five boards, dishing three assists, and blocking a shot. Perrantes was basically smart enough to get the ball to a more talented player and kept the ball moving to cutting teammates, averaging 4 assists in 24 minutes per game. London Perrantes SUMMER GRADE: B
The New Orleans Pelicans’ first game against the New York Knicks had the Thomas and Mack Center packed with fans. Zion Williamson was the main attraction, but he was not the Pelicans leading man in Las Vegas.
The New Orleans Pelicans regular-season roster is basically set for wing depth. Still, David Griffin brought in several players for what amounted to G-League trials. Zylan Cheatham and Aubrey Dawkins were given chances but did little to stand out from the crowd of undrafted summer signings.
Zion Williamson played nine minutes and scored 11 points. They were the most anticipated nine minutes in Las Vegas on July Fourth Weekend. He grabbed three rebounds but dished no assists.
Zion is already one of the world’s greatest dunkers. He has to work on his cardio and a few other skills before he reaches his All-Star potential. The Pelicans were -15 during his time on the court. Zion Williamson SUMMER GRADE: B-
More from Pelican Debrief
- How will the Pelicans round out rotation without Trey Murphy III
- Why you can’t blame Brandon Ingram for all Team USA’s failures
- Ranking 10 worst starters of the Anthony Davis era
- New Orleans Pelicans avoid potential disaster with latest injury reports
- 4 Most underrated players on New Orleans Pelicans current roster
Kenrich Williams averaged 9.8 points in 28 minutes per game, playing in five games. Williams connected on 22 of 54 shots while grabbing ten boards per game. He led the team in minutes (32) against New York, but also had six fouls.
Williams grabbed 13 rebounds in 21 minutes against Chicago, earning his Kenny Hustle moniker.
Kenrich Williams SUMMER GRADE: C
Zylan Cheatham featured in all six games, averaging 20 minutes per contest. He accounted for just under six points (5.8) and just over six rebounds (6.5) per game. He played a balance and effective shift every time he touched the court.
Cheatham was pressing the issue at times during possessions then hesitant to take a shot the next time down the court. He did not shoot many three-pointers in college, and those habits carried over to Las Vegas. Zylan Cheatham SUMMER GRADE: C-
Javon Bess played in five games and yet only hit one shot. He was timid in an otherwise chucker friendly Summer League environment, taking only nine shots in Las Vegas. He did not even manage double-digit assists in the NBA’s summer session. He did grab three steals and five rounds against the Knicks. Javon Bess SUMMER GRADE: D
Aubrey Dawkins was never in Las Vegas to try and take over the point guard duties. Dawkins needed to show he could play competent defense and run off the ball offense. He was to try and copy either Jrue Holiday or JJ Redick, depending on the lineup. Aubrey Dawkins SUMMER GRADE: D
The New Orleans Pelicans gave Jaxson Hayes and Kavell Bigby-Williams all the minutes they could handle. Both showed they have lots of useful potential skills but need time to develop.
Jaxson Hayes had one big highlight but also a double-double night against Miami, posting 15 points and 12 rebounds. Jaxson Hayes can also hit three-point shots. In fact, his jumper from the elbow and wing three-point form looks better than Zion Williamson’s technique.
More from Pelicans News
- How will the Pelicans round out rotation without Trey Murphy III
- Why you can’t blame Brandon Ingram for all Team USA’s failures
- New Orleans Pelicans avoid potential disaster with latest injury reports
- 3 New Orleans Pelicans whose role will increase next season
- Pelicans getting the fans involved with their upcoming festival
Hayes won the battle over Daniel Gafford, scoring 28 points, grabbing four rebounds, and blocking three shots. Hayes was 10-15 from the field but did commit five fouls.
However, Hayes weighs less than some guards. Establishing a position on the low block will be difficult until he can leverage some muscle into his game. Hayes has a feel for the game, so he will score his fair share of putbacks attempts and find his dump off dunks cuts.
His rim rolling and dunk technique is on point, and on a highlight reel loop. He showed the quickness to defend the perimeter. He can time his blocks, even if he does chase an attempt or two for no reason.
Those bad habits are inherent in all teenaged big men. Hayes has been used to dominating the competition at the rim. He shot over 86% at the rime while at the University of Texas, and the Big 12 is no slouch conference.
Hayes must be forgiven for thinking he can get to every shot. With his length, he has been able to his whole career. Now he will learn the rebounding game. Hayes had an almost flawless summer. His flaws though, leave him behind Jahlil Okafor on the depth chart to begin the season. Jaxson Hayes SUMMER GRADE: B+
The New Orleans Pelicans are investing heavily into player development. Kavell Bigby-Williams proved he is worth at least an Exhibit 10 contract during Summer League action.
Kavell Bigby-Williams played the 16 minutes per game that Hayes sat. The Pelicans never saw much dropoff in their rebounding or defense. Bigby-Williams average 7.7 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. He was one of only three Pelican players to feature in all six games.
More from Pelican Debrief
- How will the Pelicans round out rotation without Trey Murphy III
- Why you can’t blame Brandon Ingram for all Team USA’s failures
- Ranking 10 worst starters of the Anthony Davis era
- New Orleans Pelicans avoid potential disaster with latest injury reports
- 4 Most underrated players on New Orleans Pelicans current roster
Bigby-Williams shot 55% from the floor and averaged almost one block per contest. The former LSU big man would not have very many NBA minutes in New Orleans but would be a starter in the G-League. He hit both of his free throws against New York and looked able to shoot from midrange.
Bigby-Williams will have has local fans thanks to playing at LSU and never-ending energy. However, he has the hands of Omer Asik. Bigby-Williams needs to work on cleaning controlling the ball and moving it along. Taking extra seconds to corral the ball gives the defense too much time to adjust and swarm him. Kavel Bigby-Williams SUMMER GRADE: C+
Bigby-Williams gave the team exactly what was needed, plus some extra offense. He proved willing to put in the work, but the Pelicans cannot invest big minutes into his development at the NBA level. Putting him with the G-League team would attract a few more fans from around Baton Rouge.