New Orleans Pelicans: Grades for 113-80 win over the OKC Thunder
New Orleans Pelicans vs. OKC Thunder: Player Grades for the shooting guards
Shooting Guards
A. . Shooting Guard. New Orleans Pelicans. ERIC BLEDSOE
Bledsoe finally had another good game after putting together a string of bad ones.
Bledsoe was hesitant against the Suns and looked as though he had lost confidence in his shot. Stan Van Gundy put the onus on Bledsoe to be more aggressive and for the Pels to get him some looks moving downhill.
It worked, as Bledsoe was aggressive looking for his shot early, finishing the night 7-of-11 for 17 points.
This is exactly the type of game the Pels need from Bledsoe. He needs to continue to play tough defense and take what the other team gives him offensively. An aggressive Bledsoe adds a new layer to the Pels’ offense.
JJ REDICK. D. . Shooting Guard. New Orleans Pelicans
Something is not right with J.J. Redick.
After making his first 3-pointer of the night, he bricked the next three and looked awkward doing it.
Redick does not look right physically, as he is drifting, rushing and generally looks out of sorts when he has the ball in his hands.
Let’s hope this is just a slump and not a minor injury but Redick continued to struggle against the Thunder.
JOSH HART. A. . Shooting Guard. New Orleans Pelicans
Hart led the Pelicans in plus/minus and minutes against OKC, as the Pels went to their bench for a good chunk of the second half.
Hart racked up another double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds and played solid defense all night. He has been the Pels’ best bench player BY FAR this season and is earning himself a big raise.
. Shooting Guard. New Orleans Pelicans. NICKEIL ALEXANDER-WALKER. A-
Nickeil Alexander-Walker could end up being the bench savior the Pelicans have been looking for in this young season.
He scored 14 points in 19 minutes, held his own defensively against bigger players and looked confident doing it.
The minus comes from his three turnovers and two bad step-back shots he took before the game was decided.
Until the Pels make a trade for a serviceable backup big man, they are going to have to rely on four-guard lineups.
Size aside, NAW offers more off the bench than Nicolo Melli or Jaxon Hayes, and I’d rather see him out there guarding centers than watch either of the Pels’ backup bigs get another minute at this point.