New Orleans Pelicans: Major strengths and weaknesses entering 2021
By Nick Alvarez
The New Orleans Pelicans bench unit has a lot of potential but very little experience beyond a couple of veterans
Weakness #1- The Bench Unit
I’m not going to fault David Griffin for not adding to the team’s bench too bad. In fact, I already covered yesterday that given the amount of money the Pelicans spent this offseason, he might not have been able to.
Unfortunately, that doesn’t change the fact that this year’s Pelicans might struggle to find consistent production from their second unit, just like they did last season. Sure, Josh Hart and J.J. Redick should do some damage, but the others I’m not so sure.
Nicolo Melli is supposed to be this team’s version of Davis Bertans, a dynamic stretch big with a consistent 3 point shot, but he only shot a meager 34 percent from deep last season. Wenyen Gabriel has upside, but he’s yet to perform consistently in the NBA. That’s before even mentioning the uncoordinated and very raw Jaxson Hayes.
It doesn’t stop their either, what about the back-up point guard position? Sure, Lonzo Ball or Eric Bledsoe could go to the bench, but all accounts are suggesting that the duo will be the starting backcourt to open the season. That leaves the Pelicans relying on the unproven Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and rookie Kira Lewis Jr. to perform.
What this tells me, is that the New Orleans Pelicans will be a team that relies heavily on their starters to play big minutes for most of this season. That’s certainly not the worst thing in the world for this season, but fans should hope this bench comes together quickly.
Maybe, the team’s latest strength could help them get there.