Two Pelicans appear in anonymous NBA player poll

Annually, The Athletic interviews a large number of NBA players to get the player's pulse on their peers. The anonymous NBA player poll is one of the most interesting pieces of media that come out every year as it gives insight to the thoughts straight from the men that play the game we all love. 142 NBA players were interviewed in 2024, more than one-third of the league.

Two Pelicans were honored by their peers in the annual survey.

Herb Jones was named as the best defender in the NBA on 8.3% of ballots, good for fourth among all NBA players. Jones finished behind Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama (15.2% of votes), Celtics all-star Jrue Holiday (12.9%), and Pelicans first-round playoff opponent, Lu Dort (9.8%) of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Jones gained national notoriety for his defensive acumen this season. The third-year wing has guarded the oppositions best player all season, and he's being tasked with shutting down league MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in New Orleans' current playoff series against Oklahoma City.

The other Pelican to be recognized by his peers was Brandon Ingram. Ingram, 26, was named as the league's most underrated player on 4.0% of ballots, good for sixth in the league. Derrick White (10.3%), Jalen Williams (10.3%), Jrue Holiday (7.1%), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (5.6%), and De'Aaron Fox (4.8%) finished above Ingram in this poll.

Ingram was named as an all-star once in his career, 2020, the same year he won the NBA's Most Improved Player with the Pelicans.

The Pelicans' home arena, the Smoothie King Center, was named as player's favorite arena to play in on 0.4% of ballots, while being named on 6.2% of least favorite area's to play in ballots.