Ranking the New Orleans Pelicans’ Starters Against the NBA’s Best
By Tim Burke
Small Forward
This group has two All-Stars and an All-Defense selection, each of these players can do everything their team needs of them.
Khris Middleton – 21.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists
Middleton is constantly overlooked by fans around the league, he’s frequently labelled as one of the most overrated and overpaid players in the league.
But if any team could add Middleton they would; he’s only missed a large chunk of the season once (torn hamstring in the 2015-16 season) and is the type of long, sharpshooting wing most teams covet.
Not only does he play in nearly all of his teams game but he’s a consistent do-everything player; when Giannis misses time the offensive burden is placed on Middleton and he delivers.
Fans may overlook him but you shouldn’t, the value he provides his team is enormous.
Danny Green – 8.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Green is a former All-Defense player and a two-time NBA champion. He’s usually asked to defend the best shooter on opposing teams and is always up to the task. Green knows not to make risky passes on offense and to move the ball if he’s smothered.
While he doesn’t provide the same level of offensive output as the two people he’s grouped with, he does give the Lakers some much needed floor spacing.
He’s always moving on offense, forcing the defense to move with him or risk a wide open three from a career 40% three-point shooter.
Brandon Ingram – 24.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists
Ingram has made a leap this season and will get a max contract this offseason.
Each year of his young career he’s gotten better, averaging more points and assists each season. Ingram has been everything the Pelicans could want in his first season in New Orleans.
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While his defense isn’t at the same level as his scoring, he still competes on that end of the floor.
He will need to improve at defending bigger players if the New Orleans Pelicans try playing Ingram at the power forward next to Zion but having been named an All-Star this season there’s not much to worry about with Ingram.
Advantage – Khris Middleton
The all-around production he provides makes him more valuable than Ingram, who while getting better just isn’t the defender Middleton is.