Looking at three New Orleans Pelicans players who have the chance to have big seasons after making a jump in training camp
Training camp is one of my favorite moments of the NBA season, it’s what really starts to bring the feeling the basketball is back to me. However, training camp is more than just a good feeling for fans, it’s an opportunity for players to show teams their development and begin to make an impact on their roster. That’s certainly been the case for a few young New Orleans Pelicans this year.
Entering training camp with a revamped roster and new head coach in Stan Van Gundy, one of my biggest questions was how would some of the Pelicans’ younger players adopt the coaching from their new staff. We all knew that stars like Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson along with veterans like Eric Bledsoe, Steven Adams, and J.J. Redick would do just fine, but what about the others?
As it turns out, thanks to the quality coaching Stan Van Gundy provides along with his staff and the presence of veteran players, three young players have really made a jump in this year’s training camp. Those leaps could be a sign of a big season down in New Orleans, so let’s check these players out.
Kira Lewis Jr. hasn’t disappointed so far in training camp, and he could be another strong addition to the New Orleans Pelicans’ young core
#1- Kira Lewis Jr.
The first player that I want to talk about, is one of the New Orleans Pelicans’ newest players, Kira Lewis Jr. Whenever a rookie player is brought to training camp, most people tend to have their eyes on them, and according to all reports, Lewis hasn’t disappointed.
The indication out of training camp is that Eric Bledsoe has really taken Lewis Jr. under his wing to show him the ropes of what it means to play as a lead guard in the NBA. In addition to that, Lewis is making an impression on his fellow players and coaches.
Most of them have noticed that his speed and offensive talent is already at an NBA level and he’s quickly picking up how to execute Stan Van Gundy’s offense. That reporting means that Lewis shouldn’t have too hard of a time adapting to the NBA and that’s a great sign.
Taking the coaching, and being able to execute it from the beginning of the season only means that Kira Lewis Jr. is ready to contribute to the New Orleans Pelicans right now, which will boost their playoff hopes for next season.
So who else has flashed some emerging talent in training camp? Let’s have a look.