New Orleans Pelicans: Grades for shorthanded loss to the Clippers

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Clippers: Player Grades for the shooting guards

Shooting Guards

J.J Redick is not really helping the New Orleans Pelicans at this point. After hitting a couple of shots early and looking like he might have a big night, Redick started throwing up bricks again, ending just 2-of-7 from 3-point range.

I’m not trying to pile on Redick, who has had a rough start to the season, but this is starting to look like more than a shooting slump.

After going a combined 8-for-12 from 3-point range against the Hornets, Redick and Hart went 2-of-11 against the Clippers. Hart missed all four of his 3-point attempts, all of which were wide open.

Hart cost Kira Lewis Jr. an assist when he couldn’t knock down the corner 3-pointer after Kira threw him an absolute dime. This has been a problem all season, as Hart plays good defense and rebounds but hasn’t shot well.

Hart had tough defensive assignments all night but he has to hit open shots when he gets them and so far he hasn’t. Hart currently has the worst shooting numbers of his career.

Floaters, runners, step-back 3-point shots, dribble penetration with tough finishes: Nickeil Alexander-Walker was in his bag last night like I’ve rarely seen.

There was a point where he went into full video game mode and absolutely could not miss. He was hitting shots from all over the floor, beating defenders every time he touched the ball and doing it against one of the best defensive teams in the NBA often being defended by Kawhi Leonard.

NAW finished with 37 points on 15-of-23 shooting, including 5-8 from long range. NAW now has a bigger career-high than both Lonzo Ball and Zion Williamson and made his case to be the first option off the bench.

Once the Pels are fully healthy, we need to see a whole lot more Alexander-Walker and a whole lot less Redick.