Pelica Debrief
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New Orleans Pelicans: 4 players who need to step up stagnant start

By Willie Lutz

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - NOVEMBER 02: Jrue Holiday #11 of the New Orleans Pelicans tries to drive inside as Abdel Nader #11 of the Oklahoma City Thunder defends during the second half at Chesapeake Energy Arena on November 2, 2019 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Thunder won 115-104. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - NOVEMBER 02: Jrue Holiday #11 of the New Orleans Pelicans tries to drive inside as Abdel Nader #11 of the Oklahoma City Thunder defends during the second half at Chesapeake Energy Arena on November 2, 2019 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Thunder won 115-104. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 26: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Houston Rockets drives to the basket defnded by Nickeil Alexander-Walker #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans in the first half at Toyota Center on October 26, 2019 in Houston, Texas. 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. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 26: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Houston Rockets drives to the basket defnded by Nickeil Alexander-Walker #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans in the first half at Toyota Center on October 26, 2019 in Houston, Texas. 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. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

To begin his rookie season, Nickeil Alexander-Walker isn’t playing smart offense for the New Orleans Pelicans.

New Orleans Pelicans fans have to be frustrated with the early returns from rookie guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Looking revelatory in the preseason, Alexander-Walker looks unseasoned compared to others, settling for a lot of bad looks and sloppy turnovers.

Playing 13.8 minutes per game, Alexander-Walker is averaging 5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists off of the New Orleans Pelicans’ bench. He’s also averaging 7.3 field goal attempts per game, despite shooting just 25% from the floor and 27.3% from three-point range.

The metrics are hideous for Alexander-Walker through six career games. He’s got an 87 offensive rating, compared to a 117 defensive rating, a 6.7 player efficiency rating (league average is 15), the team is 14.1 points better without him on the floor, and he’s got an 8% turnover rate.

While he jumped off the page as an early contributor during the preseason, he’s had no rhythm out of the gate.

Interestingly, the team played against Alexander-Walker’s cousin, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (who plays with the Thunder) on Saturday, a game in which the two performed the always-classic jersey swap.

The cousin Gilgeous-Alexander should be a model for his cousin’s game, as the second-year point guard continues to find comfort as a playmaker and shot creator for his teammates.

Hopefully, it’s just a slow start, not a long-term reflection for the previously impressive rookie. Alexander-Walker being a higher-impact player off the bench with bode well for the New Orleans Pelicans as they try to catch up from their lagging opening stretch.

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