Pelicans: 5 way-too-early takeaways from Summer League win over Bulls
New Orleans Pelicans: Naji Marshall doesn’t belong in Summer League
Two things became clear about Naji Marshall from the first Summer League game.
The first is that he doesn’t belong in Summer League. Marshall looked like a man among boys for most of the game and showed a skillset that belongs in an NBA rotation, not with the kids in Summer League.
light. Related Story. Where David Griffin blew it in the Lonzo Ball saga
He also showed that the Pelicans are no longer interested in being a “quiet” team. One of the most noticeable differences in the first game was the vocal communication the Pels had, led by Marshall, whether he was calling out defensive assignments or encouraging teammates from the bench.
The Pels need a vocal leader and need to communicate more in general, as this was one of their big problems last season, especially on the defensive end.
It was nice to see Naji encouraging teammates and barking out orders. He ended with 18 points, five rebounds, three steals and two assists, showing that he is ready to make an impact for the Pels this season.