New Orleans Pelicans: Grades for the loss to the Lakers, including SVG
Pelicans vs. Lakers: Player Grades for the power forward and centers
Power Forwards and Centers
Power Forward. New Orleans Pelicans. ZION WILLIAMSON. C+.
The theme of “started out well, then disappeared” also applies to Zion, who had a great first quarter and then struggled for the rest of the night.
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Zion brought the ball up the floor consistently last night, which was a good thing to see and led to some easy layups as the Lakers tried to figure out how to stop Zion with a full head of steam.
But he tried to do too much, which led to some bad turnovers, two of them trying to hit Josh Hart in the corner for 3-pointers where the pass was either stolen or thrown away.
Zion is still struggling on defense, and right now, SVG is having a hard time finding a spot for him to defend.
. Power Forward. New Orleans Pelicans. NICOLO MELLI. F
Is there is grade lower than F?
Dear New Orleans Pelicans: I am available for backup power forward minutes. I am 5’10”, with questionable length and motor. My strengths include “Being able to hit the basket from ten feet away, not allowing Kyle Kuzma to outrebound me on a free throw where I have inside position and strong veteran leadership.”
In other words, I’m better than Melli. If we see another minute from this guy after last night’s atrocious effort, then SVG and David Griffin have questions to answer.
I don’t care if Wenyen Gabriel is on one leg, he couldn’t be worse. It would literally be impossible.
Centers
B-. . Center. New Orleans Pelicans. STEVEN ADAMS
The Pels really needed Steven Adams to not only keep Anthony Davis in check but to try and draw some fouls against him on the other end, not easy tasks.
Adams did well at times, but the Pels just needed more. He only had seven rebounds and was a non-factor in the second half as the Lakers pulled away.
This loss is not on Adams but his minutes weren’t as effective as normal.
New Orleans Pelicans. JAXSON HAYES. B. . Center
Jaxson Hayes played well in the first half and then disappeared.
If he’s not hurt, then Stan Van Gundy has some explaining to do. Hayes had eight points and four rebounds in eight minutes and then didn’t play as we watched Melli chuck up air balls.
I honestly didn’t understand this one.
It seems the young guys can get into Stan Van Gundy’s doghouse after one bad play, yet guys like Melli can play like high school kids and continue to get minutes.
Speaking of coaching…