New Orleans Pelicans: 5 overreactions to 114-92 win over Miami Heat

New Orleans Pelicans: Steven Adams is an impact center

Overreaction #5: Steven Adams is 1000 percent better than Derrick Favors on both ends

Ok, so this one might not be an overreaction.

Favors was given way too much credit last season for being the best interior defender on a horrible defensive team but took none of the blame for them being horrible in the first place.

Adams has already changed things in the middle, as the Heat really didn’t look comfortable in the lane, especially when he and Zion were “forming a *&%$@!& wall” in the paint.

Adams didn’t have a block in the game but his presence made a big difference.

Same on the offensive end, where Adams is a huge step up from Derrick Favors, who was essentially useless on that end. Not only did Adams extend possessions with five offensive rebounds, but he had a nice little two-man game with Zion several times from the high post.

Adams is skilled at taking the ball at the high post and either using the dribble handoff to screen a defender or kicking it out to the open shooter.

He also found Zion cutting to the rim once for a dunk, a play that we will see a lot of this season.

It’s clear Adams is going to help this team in myriad ways and will be the impact addition of the offseason.

Game one is in the books and things went well for the New Orleans Pelicans. Let’s hope these overreactions turn out to be normal things and that the Pels are ready to make a leap as a team.