New Orleans Pelicans: 3 secret weapons team has for NBA Disney

New Orleans Pelicans: Jaxson Hayes Could be a Secret Weapon

Jaxson Hayes, Center

Jaxson Hayes is a highlight reel waiting to happen.

His combination of athleticism and leaping give him the ability to affect the game in exciting ways.

Haters will say that big dunks are only worth two points, the same as a boring layup, but Hayes’ dunks and blocks resonate with his teammates and fire everyone up. Watch J.J. Redick’s reaction after this dunk, whose overall impact is worth more than two points.

But Jaxson Hayes will need to provide more than an occasional super dunk, he might be an important part of the Pelicans’ game plan for a couple of reasons.

The first is that Derrick Favors often gets in foul trouble early in games and has to head for the bench. If this happens the Pelicans cannot simply rely on moving Zion Williamson to center, they need someone who can come in and play the position effectively so that Zion isn’t stuck guarding a five.

Hayes has trouble staying out of foul trouble himself, so this will be something to watch, as the Pelicans are not deep at center.

The other reason Hayes is important is that he provides things that Favors does not. Hayes can run the floor (as you saw in the highlight above) and is a better shot blocker than Favors, though Favors is certainly a better defender overall.

If Favors stays out of foul trouble, Hayes probably won’t get a ton of playing time, but he can still affect the game by running the floor, playing hard and inspiring his teammates.

If Hayes is called into extended action, he could be a difference maker that most teams won’t see coming, a guy who could throw down an unexpected double-double with a couple of blocks and steal a game.

Every game down the stretch is essentially a playoff game, so stealing one you weren’t supposed to win could be the difference between catching the Grizzlies and not.