New Orleans Pelicans: Grades for offensive explosion vs. Grizzlies

Pelicans vs. Grizzlies: Grades for the shooting guards

Eric Bledsoe has not been good lately, mostly on defense, as he has not playied with energy and at times didn’t seem to care.

Bledsoe had recorded only two steals over the last seven games before last night, which is strange for an All-Defensive player who averages 1.4 per game for his career.

Bledsoe brought more energy last night, ending with two steals and a block, though he didn’t shoot the ball well.

The Pels don’t need scoring from Bledsoe, they need defense, so he needs to bring energy on that end consistently.

What can you say about Josh Hart? He called out his teammates before the game and then backed up his words with 27 points and nine rebounds.

It was nice to see someone on the Pelicans show some spine, as Hart did when he basically called his teammates soft before the game.

I hope they took it personally, as it takes effort night in and night out to win in the NBA. Hart’s shot has been better lately and he is up to 36 percent from long-range for the season. If Hart can continue to knock down 3-pointers while doing his thing on defense and the boards, the Pelicans will be a different team.

J.J. Redick may have to change the name of his podcast from “Old Man and the Three” to just “Old Man,” as he looked cooked on defense last night. He did hit a couple of shots but continues to be a negative off the Pels’ bench. It didn’t matter last night but the Pels still need big upgrades off the pine if they wan to compete for a playoff spot.