The New Orleans Pelicans will try to stay undefeated in Summer League tonight in a matchup vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The young Pels have looked impressive so far, particularly Naji Marshall and Trey Murphy III, who have played well on both ends.
Kira Lewis Jr. has done a good job directing the offense, the Pels have had energy on defense and Willie Green has shown that his coaching style will not be the same as Stan Van Gundy’s.
This Cavaliers game offers some interesting matchups that will test the Pelicans in several ways, but will give their young defenders a chance to show what they can do.
Here are the three I most look forward to watching.
Pelicans Summer League: Didi Louzada vs. Isaac Okoro
The Cavs have a wonky roster so it’s hard to say which players will go head-to-head but I’d love to see Louzada bounce back and have a big game against Okoro if these two end up doing battle.
Louzada hasn’t had a great start to Summer League so far, so will be eager to get after it on the defensive end and show that he is worthy of a place in the rotation this season.
Okoro is a very good perimeter defender himself, and both are guys who are going to block shots and swipe a lot of steals.
Defense is the key to getting out in transition for easy buckets and both Louzada and Okoro want to be the guy who gets it started.
Let’s see if Didi Louzada is up to the challenge.
Pelicans Summer League: Kira Lewis Jr. vs. Broderic Thomas
Kira Lewis Jr. and Broderic Thomas took very different paths to get to the NBA. Lewis Jr. was a teenaged lottery pick and one of the youngest players taken in last year’s draft.
He managed to get minutes off the Pels’ bench and is poised for a bigger role this season.
Thomas went undrafted in 2020, is already 24-years-old and has little chance of actually making the Cavs’ rotation.
Thomas is an underdog who has had to scrap to get even this far in the NBA, and since he is trying to earn a spot in the rotation, he’ll be hustling, defending and doing everything he can to slow Kira Lewis Jr. down.
But this is a matchup that Kira should dominate, as he is the more talented guy and expected to be a key piece of the Pelicans’ bench.
Kira can’t take Thomas lightly, as he is going to bring it, but I expect him to have a big game as the Cavs don’t have anyone with the quickness to contain him.
Pelicans Summer League: Trey Murphy III vs. Evan Mobley
Mobley was the 3rd overall pick in the NBA Draft and a guy many expect to be a superstar.
He is a 7-footer with good length who has mostly been playing forward for the Cavs so far. He can step away from the hoop, though is offensive game is still developing.
He’s already a very good defender and shot blocker, and his combination of size and skill are going to be a challenge for the Pelicans’ defenders.
I’m sure multiple guys will get their chance at Mobley, as I can see the Pelicans giving him a lot of different looks, but I am most interested to see if Trey Murphy III gets any time guarding his fellow rookie forward.
One of the reasons I think Murphy III is going to thrive in New Orleans is that he has plus length which should allow him to defend up and down the lineup.
If he’s a guy who can defend on the wing and also step up to guard power forwards and centers like Mobley, then he is going to be valuable piece and could eventually find himself in the Pelicans’ starting five.
Murphy III is eager to show that he is better than the 17th pick and will get his chance against one of the top players from the draft.