The New Orleans Pelicans picked up a 107-97 win over Melbourne United on Friday morning in their preseason opener. While players like Zion Williamson stole the headlines with his highlight reel plays and impressive stats, there’s another storyline emerging for New Orleans following this win.
Kevon Looney and Yves Missi both played excellently, leaving head coach Willie Green with an impossible choice on who should be the team's starting center going forward.
Looney started the game, logging 18 minutes, and recorded 3 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists while shooting 1-for-3 from the field. While these stats aren’t box office numbers, he was also setting some monster screens that were creating open looks, and he was also protecting the basket, as reflected by his 1 block.
Missi, who came off the bench, had 6 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 assist in 20 minutes of action while shooting 3-for-4 from the field. He also did an incredible job defending at the rim, recording three blocks, and was a beast on the glass.
With both bigs having solid performances in this one, things may get tough for Green as we get closer to the start of the regular season. He’s going to need to decide whether he trusts the second-year big in Missi to hold things down for a team with playoff aspirations or if he's going to go with the safer veteran Looney.
Who I would start if I were Willie Green
Obviously, it’s been just one preseason game that wasn’t even against an NBA team, so I doubt Green has his mind made up on who is going to start at the five on opening night. That being said, at this very moment, I would still put my trust in Looney.
Let me explain…
Now, I honestly think Yves Missi looked 10 times better as a rim protector and scorer than Looney did in this preseason opener. He made some impressive shots and should flash that he could one day be more than a 10-point-per-game guy at the five. However, for the Pelicans to get the most out of Missi, especially offensively, I think he is best suited, as of right now, to come off the bench.
The Pelicans' starting five already has guys who are going to be looking to score and someone who primarily gets their points in the paint, in Zion Williamson. So, if Missi were named the starter, he'd have to adjust his game on the offensive end to fit into a role.
This is the primary reason Joe Dumars signed Kevon Looney, as he is a dirty work big man who focuses on screening and rebounding, which is what this team needs at the five.
The Pelicans are lacking scoring in their second unit, which is another reason Missi could thrive coming off the bench. He wouldn’t have to worry about competing for shots with this team's stars and instead would be able to rock out and do his own thing with the second unit.
The final call on who starts and who comes off the bench is Willie Green’s, but I think going with Looney is the right call for this group.