New Orleans Pelicans: Positives and Negatives from the First Scrimmage

New Orleans Pelicans: Positives and Negatives from the Shooting Guards

E’Twaun Moore

The Good: The E’Twaun Moore floater was on point last night. He got into the lane and showed nice touch on a couple of bunnies. He made both of his 3-point attempts and ended the night with 14 points, tied for the team high.

The Bad: Moore looked like he’d spent the hiatus hanging out with me. He is officially in “guy at the playground who never misses and has a skyhook” shape.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker

The Good: NAW was used as the primary ball handler for much of the second half, a move I hope not to see in games that matter. He was aggressive with the ball and had a couple of nice drives, one that he finished at the rim after blowing by everyone and one where he kicked out to Josh Hart for a three-pointer. He looked healthy and oh so tall.

The Bad: NAW took a bunch of bad shots, including some ill-advised three’s early in the shot clock. His handles were shaky and his feet were slow on defense. He has a long way to go before he is a consistent contributor, but there were signs.

Josh Hart

The Good: I watched Hart a lot last night, and though his name wasn’t called much, he does so many things that contribute to winning basketball. The Pels played small-ball most of the night and weren’t killed on the boards, mostly because of Hart, who always seems to be in position. He grabbed five boards, played good defense and knocked down two of his three shots.

The Bad: It’s the first game and they’re already doing him dirty:

J.J. Redick

The Good: The Pelicans showed they can go small, putting Redick at small forward for much of his time on the floor. He showed he could hold his own, flashing into the passing lane for a nice steal and grabbing three boards. If the Pelicans choose to go small, Redick’s defense will be key and he played well on that end.

The Bad: The Kings of Leon tattoo. Always.

Jrue Holiday

The Good: Holiday looked like he could get into the lane at will and he did. He had a couple of nice finishes around the rim and his drives opened up shots for his teammates, including an early Jaxson Hayes’ dunk. Holiday looked ready to go on both ends.

The Bad: Watching Holiday brick two free throws in a row was not fun. He really needs to make free throws. The Pelicans have the worst free throw shooting starting backcourt in the NBA, which is a big disadvantage when they are big and can bully defenders in the lane. Jrue posted up early in the game and got the foul, only to miss the two free throws. This has to stop.