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

Center

This group provides elite rim protection and leads some of the best defenses in the NBA this season.

 Brook Lopez – 11.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists

Brook Lopez has changed in a way not many would have envisioned back when he was with the Nets. A dominate post player back in those days, Lopez has become more of a 3-and-D type of player with the Bucks.

His three-point percentage is way down this year (29.6%) from last (36.5%), but the rest of his numbers are pretty much the same.

Lopez’ biggest asset is the rim protection, as his 2.4 blocks per game rank second in the NBA behind only Hassan Whiteside (3.1). Teams also shoot a lowly 47 percent of the shots he defends to go in (best in the league).

 JaVale McGee – 6.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 0.6 assists

McGee is another player who’s changed a lot over the course of his NBA career. Although his changes have more to do with the mental aspect of the game, he was known as a player who would lose track of the action in the game and make boneheaded mistakes.

This year he’s been excellent in his role with the Lakers, averaging 1.5 blocks per game and playing good sound basketball. The Lakers use him and Dwight Howard as the center for most of the game and then “play small” by moving Anthony Davis to center late in games.

 Derrick Favors – 9.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists

Favors impact as the anchor of the defense has been much-needed in the first season without Anthony Davis on the roster. He’s also been very efficient from the field, as his 62% field goal shooting is the highest in his career.

Favors has meant a lot to the Pelicans when he’s on the floor. The problem is he’s missed 19 games this year. If he had been healthy all year the Pelicans would most definitely be in better position to make the playoffs and compete.

 Advantage – Brook Lopez

The rim protection and health (he’s missed only four games this season) give Lopez the advantage here.

Results

Milwaukee Bucks – 3

Los Angeles Lakers – 1

New Orleans Pelicans – 1

Not super surprising considering the Bucks have the best record this season and are completely dominating teams. With this lineup they have a +180 net rating, although the Bucks and Lakers would tie with two apiece if Davis were classified as a center.

The New Orleans Pelicans only having one “win” in this should not be dispiriting, most of the roster is very young and getting better. Give it a couple of years and the results could be much more favorable for them.

Thanks for reading, and stay safe out there!