Ranking the New Orleans Pelicans’ Starters Against the NBA’s Best

Point Guard

You can quibble with my placing of LeBron at point guard but let’s be honest, he’s pretty much always been the lead ball handler on his teams throughout his career.

This season he’s just been given the title of “point guard” even though in effect he’s been one for a while now. Either way, he leads the NBA in assists.

Here’s a breakdown of the point guards.

 Eric Bledsoe – 15.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists

Bledsoe has long been a defensive menace that teams try to stay away from. He made the NBA All-Defense First Team for the 2018-19 season. He’s been good at getting to the basket throughout his career but his jumper has the tendency to be streaky.

As long as opposing point guards have to go through him to start their offense, Bledsoe’s team will have a head start. Something the Bucks have used to great advantage this season as Bledsoe plays the fewest minutes per game of this group.

 LeBron James – 25.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, 10.6 assists

What is there to say about a living legend playing some of the best basketball in his 17th NBA season?

Well, for the first time in his career LeBron is leading the league in assists (10.6) by more than one assist per game. Trae Young is second with 9.3.

He’s also shooting better from both two-point (57%) and three-point (34.9%) range than his career percentages (54.9% and 34.4% respectively).

With LeBron leading the team there’s never a doubt they will get into their offensive sets and score efficient baskets. When LeBron wants to guard the opposing teams best player he has shown he’s still up to the task.

While it may not have happened as often this season, there’s every reason to believe he was saving some for the playoffs.

 Lonzo Ball – 12.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 7.0 assists

The strides Lonzo has made this season have shown that he is one of the best young point guards in the NBA.

Eight years younger than Bledsoe and 13 years younger than LeBron, Lonzo will be around for a long time.

He’s eligible for a contract extension if/when this offseason begins, and it will be interesting to see if the  New Orleans Pelicans offer him a max deal or wait a year like they did with Ingram.

Capable of defending multiple positions, Lonzo offers a ton of value as an all-around player. If he can maintain the gains he’s made as a three-point shooter this season he will only become more dangerous.

 Verdict – LeBron James

LeBron is just too good of a player for this one not to go his way. Lonzo has gotten much better this season and if LeBron wasn’t in this category probably would have won.