New Orleans Pelicans: This Herb Jones statistic might surprise you

The New Orleans Pelicans have been feisty this season and are still in the running for the play-in tournament even though Zion Williamson hasn’t stepped on the floor.

A big part of this has been Herbert Jones, who has been one of the best defenders in his draft class and has given the Pels a spark of energy and hustle that they were often lacking last season outside of Josh Hart.

Herb has already put himself into the conversation as one of the Pelicans’ top-5 draft picks of all time after being chosen in the second round and exceeding all expectations.

I wrote early in the season that Herb would need to shoot around 35 percent from deep to get rotation minutes (I was wrong, he would have gotten them anyway) and that he was working daily with shot doctor Fred Vinson to get it done.

But once again, Herb Jones has exceeded expectations and is evolving into a plus 3-point shooter for the New Orleans Pelicans.

Herb Jones has been on a tear from behind the arc for the New Orleans Pelicans

Don’t look now, but Herb Jones has been on quite a tear for the Pelicans from behind the arc, something no one could have predicted after he emerged from Alabama as a defensive specialist.

Over his last 19 games, Jones has hit 20-of-47 from long range for an outstanding 42.5 percent.

Jones obviously isn’t a high-volume shooter, but the Pelicans don’t need him to be, as they have plenty of guys who can score, especially when Zion Williamson comes back.

This run has brought him up to 39.7 percent for the season on 1.6 attempts per game, numbers that even his most optimistic supporters would have bet against at the beginning of the season.

Jones is the perfect type of player to put next to Zion and Brandon Ingram, as he covers a lot of weaknesses on defense, can spot up for the open 3-point shot and is very good at slashing to the hoop and finding openings.

Herb Jones is going to be on the All-Rookie team this season and the way he has been playing lately, he might just make the starting five, especially if the Pels can make a late run at the play-in tourney.