Herb Jones had another great night for the New Orleans Pelicans last night against the Warriors, racking up five steals to go along with 13 points and six rebounds.
Of course, a lot of what he contributes does not show up in the scorecard, but Herb Jones is making his impact felt on both ends, playing lockdown defense and improving every night as a threat on offense with his cutting and drives to the hoop.
He leads all rookies in total steals this season and is undoubtedly the best second-round pick from last year’s draft. He should be a lock for one of the All-Rookie teams and has a legitimate chance to make All-Defense soon, if not this season.
That got me thinking about where he ranks among all-time Pelicans’ draft picks, and I think he has already cracked the top five in less than a season, which is pretty impressive. What is even more impressive is that all of the other guys on this list were first-round picks and all but one were in the top four.
Herb Jones rank among Pelicans draft picks
Here is how I would rank Pelicans draft picks. The good news for the current Pelicans is that two of them are on the roster right now:
No. 5- Herb Jones (2021 draft, pick 35)
Jones is one of the best wing defenders in the NBA already as a rookie. He is the perfect complement to Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram as a guy who does not need to score or have the ball in his hands to make an impact.
He’s a big reason why the Pelicans are still hanging around the play-in tournament even though they’ve been missing their best player all season.
No. 4- David West (2003 draft, pick 18)
If we were just talking all-time most popular Pelicans’ players, then West would probably come in number two behind Jrue Holiday. West is near the top of just about every all-time category for the Pelicans after playing his first eight seasons in New Orleans, though they were the Hornets then. West was the consummate team player, a great team defender and a two-time All-Star in New Orleans.
No. 3- Zion Williamson (2019 draft, pick 1)
Zion has as much pure talent (or more) than any player on this list, but we all know he has to stay healthy to fulfill it. His foot injury has lingered over this season like a dark cloud and until he returns, we will continue to have to listen to people question his durability and work ethic. I am hoping Zion comes back, stays healthy and eventually ends up atop this list.
No. 2- Chris Paul (2005 draft, pick 4)
Chris Paul is still going strong. I was tempted to put him at number one, and he might have that argument if the Suns win a title this season, which they could. Paul played his first six seasons in New Orleans and made the All-Star team in four of them and All-NBA in two of them. He will go down as one of the greatest point guards of all time and is an All-Defense player to go along with all of his offensive accolades.
No. 1- Anthony Davis (2012 draft, pick 1)
I can’t stand Anthony Davis if I am being honest. He’s a bit of a crybaby and a snake, but there is no denying that he has been a top player in the NBA since being drafted. He played his first seven seasons in New Orleans, making the All-Star team in six of them, 1st team All-NBA in three of them and added a Defensive Player of the Year as well. I hope someday he’ll get knocked back on this list by one of the current Pelicans and if it were all about likability, Herb Jones would unseat him now.