The New Orleans Pelicans drafted Herbert Jones with the 35th pick and already it looks like a steal.
Jones was a standout in Summer League even though he didn’t put up huge numbers, as he played defense all over the floor, provided energy and looked like the type of “glue guy” who would potentially fit well with Zion Williamson.
Players chosen in the 2nd-round are long shots to make an impact right away, but Herbert Jones played all four years at Alabama, is 22-years-old and is just off a season where he won SEC Player of the Year, made All-American and won SEC Defensive Player of the Year.
Jones wasn’t even the top scorer on his own team, so you know his defense must have been good to take home so much hardware in the loaded SEC.
He has a lot of similarities with another guy who was taken with the 35th pick, none other than Draymond Green.
New Orleans Pelicans: Herbert Jones has more in common with Draymond Green than just draft position
Yes, both Jones and Green were taken with the 35th pick, but that is not where the similarities end.
Green was also a four-year college standout who racked up All-American, Big Ten Player of the Year and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors. And like Jones, some teams thought he was “too old” to be a top prospect.
Also like Herbert Jones, scouts questioned Green’s athleticism and whether he would have a position in the NBA. Both players use high basketball I.Q., a huge wingspan and hustle more than jump out of the gym athleticism.
Green is a better playmaker and rebounder than Jones was in college, but both are guys who can defend up and down a lineup and allow their teams to go small.
Green’s defense was the catalyst behind the “lineup of death” that the Warriors released during their multiple title runs.
Herbert Jones and fellow rookie Trey Murphy III should allow the Pelicans to play small ball around Zion Williamson at times, which should give them an advantage in certain matchups.
Draymond Green is an NBA Champion, Defensive Player of the Year and six time All-Defense selection so it’s a leap to say Herbert Jones could end up being like him, but there are some similarities and I am excited about what Jones brings to the New Orleans Pelicans.