New Orleans Pelicans 2021-22 season: Week 3 awards

Another tough week is in the books for the New Orleans Pelicans. Let’s take a look back at who performed well for the Pels.

An 0-3 week will dampen the mood of any fanbase in sports but it only compounds the feeling in the Big Easy. The Pels have a 1-10 record three weeks into the season and hope is fading fast.

There are some mitigating factors to the malaise sweeping over New Orleans right now. Mainly the lack of a certain erstwhile 300 pounder to dominate the paint offensively. Missing their skinny midrange assassin only adds to the clunkiness of the Pels offense, and not having a human straightjacket (Herb Jones) on the floor has hurt the defense.

Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram combined for 50.8 points per game last season, no team can withstand losses of that magnitude and still compete.

But that’s where the encouraging signs start to shine through. I’ll say this repeatedly because it’s true; head coach Willie Green has gotten this team to buy in and play hard every night. There have been myriad opportunities for the Pels to steal a game from an opponent only to come up short. Let the top end of this roster come back and see how hard it is to beat the Pels.

Right now the New Orleans Pelicans have guys who are in unfamiliar roles and bench players are being asked to step up, which hasn’t worked out well so far, as the depleted bench has been terrible.

It’s hard to judge any part of this team without it’s two best players, so hopefully things will start to hum once they return.

Let’s not waste any more time toiling in the darkness, on to the awards.