New Orleans Pelicans: Grades for nail-biting loss vs. Nuggets

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Nuggets: Grades for the guards

Eric Bledsoe had a downright atrocious start to the game, but the New Orleans Pelicans guard turned it around big time.

Bledsoe’s first four minutes can be summed up with a huge sigh. He started with: an airball from three, a poor closeout that led to two points for the Nuggets, a missed corner three, a turnover on a drive after being called for the travel, a blocking foul, another defensive breakdown that led to a three-pointer, and an offensive foul for a moving screen.

That’s why it was also a big sigh, but this time of relief, when Bledsoe’s head didn’t drop and he proceeded to have a pretty good game.

Bledsoe ended up with 17 points and four assists. I enjoyed how he played with the intention to get downhill and wreak havoc from there. Bledsoe still has not lived up to expectations but he has undoubtedly been better since the trade deadline.

Putting in some more performances like this will hopefully see his trade cache rise again.

Kira Lewis Jr. struggled on both ends of the floor against Denver.

Lewis wasn’t overly bad offensively, but he also didn’t really contribute much besides one three-pointer. He had the chance to come into the game early because of Eric Bledsoe’s foul troubles and didn’t make the most of his chance. That’s fine for one night because he has definitely made the most of his rookie season so far.

It was on defense where Lewis truly suffered. He was unsure of how to guard Facundo Campazzo all night, who repeatedly got the upper hand on the Pels’ rookie. Campazzo is slower and less athletic than Lewis, but one thing you cannot underestimate is experience.

The Argentine guard’s craftiness and nous completely overwhelmed Lewis. This would have been a great game to have Nickeil Alexander-Walker available.