New Orleans Pelicans: Grades for shorthanded loss to the Clippers
Pelicans vs. Clippers: Player Grades for the power forward and centers
Power Forwards
New Orleans Pelicans. NICOLO MELLI. F. . Power Forward
At this point, I do not need to see another Melli minute. The Pels either need to go small or try Wenyen Gabriel.
I still have no idea what Melli does other than stand around the 3-point line and look confused. He made one shot last night and actually raised his shooting percentage.
Centers
Center. New Orleans Pelicans. STEVEN ADAMS. A-.
Last night’s game was further proof of Adams’ value to the Pelicans.
He helps this team in so many ways that do not show up in the scorebooks, namely his picks, which were freeing up NAW all night to get into the lane.
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Adams’ offensive rebounds kept the Pels in the game early when they were having trouble making a shot.
He is also an underrated passer, adding another five assists last night. Whatever the Pels’ struggles have been, it sure isn’t Adams fault, as he’s been the best and most consistent player on the team this season.
B. . Center. New Orleans Pelicans. JAXSON HAYES
That might have been the best game of Jaxson Hayes’ young career.
He was energetic and active, grabbing 10 boards (including five offensive) in just 19 minutes. This is exactly how the Pels need Hayes to play. He doesn’t need to score (other than putbacks or lobs) but just needs to play hard and get after it on the boards.
SVG is doing a good job with Hayes, as he has the 20-year-old focused on his role.
A loss is still a loss and the schedule is not going to get any easier with the next game vs. the Lakers, but it was nice to see the young Pelicans make the most of their opportunities.
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