Pelica Debrief
Fansided

New Orleans Pelicans: 5 reasons team’s hype is the real-deal

By Willie Lutz

NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 30: Zion Williamson #1, Lonzo Ball #2, Jrue Holiday #11 and Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans pose for a portrait on September 30, 2019 at the Ocshner Sports Performance Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 30: Zion Williamson #1, Lonzo Ball #2, Jrue Holiday #11 and Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans pose for a portrait on September 30, 2019 at the Ocshner Sports Performance Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 14: Nickeil Alexander-Walker #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans handles the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies during the Semifinals of the Las Vegas Summer League on July 14, 2019 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 14: Nickeil Alexander-Walker #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans handles the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies during the Semifinals of the Las Vegas Summer League on July 14, 2019 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The bench is better than it seems, thanks to rookies

When Darius Miller went down with a torn Achilles a month before training camp even started, there was some resignation that the bench wouldn’t be sturdy enough in year one of the reload.

The New Orleans Pelicans’ front office did themselves a lot of favors in the draft, loading themselves with really talented players to grow in the rotation.

Josh Hart is going to be a solid option off the bench, he found a good deal of success in that role with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Another thing you’d love to see is E’Twaun Moore ascending into a greater scoring and spacing role in the absence of Miller.

Moore is entering his ninth season in the NBA, so his game won’t so much change as it will refine. At media day, Moore expressed a desire to attempt at least 6 three-pointers per game, which would certainly be a good move considering he shot 43.2% from that territory a season ago.

While the older guys on this bench can provide a boost, having Nickeil Alexander-Walker off the bench could prove to be a healthy boost. The rookie shined in Summer Leauge action and his poise has been noted by many who keep a close eye on prospects.

Perhaps they’ll take more time to acclimate into their roles than Alexander-Walker, but Nicolò Melli and Jaxson Hayes should also be benefits to the New Orleans Pelicans’ depth.

Melli is 28-years-old and played in Europe for nine seasons before finally making the jump to the NBA, an offer he turned down just two years ago. He’s a sharp-shooter with a career 37.4% three-point rate, giving the Pelicans a big, 6’9″ floor spacing option off the pine.

While he might take a bit of time to get comfortable in the NBA, having a big guy shooting threes off the bench is something Alvin Gentry utilized well with Nikola Mirotić.

For Hayes, it’s going to be an incredibly interesting season. Drafted eighth overall, the 7-footer blew expectations out of the water at Summer League, looking like he could be a huge impact off the bench, if not contend for starting minutes at the end of the season.

No matter what, if this team can rely on their bench for spacing and scoring, they’re putting themselves in a good position. They’re setting themselves up with a bench that can gel in Alvin Gentry’s high-tempo system.

Home/Pelicans News