New Season, Same Shenanigans

Yesterday, October 22nd, your New Orleans Pelicans dropped the first game of the season against the Memphis Grizzlies with a final score of 122-128. The team looked hot out the gate, Jordan Poole started the game blazing scoring the first 8 points of the game for New Orleans and ending the first quarter with 10 on 80% shooting from the field. While Poole started hot, Zion came out cold scoring 2 1Q points and going 0/4 from the field.

I had quite a few takeaways from this game, some positive and some not so great. For starters, I think Herb Jones was spectacular in his first regular season game since January of last year. Jones had 17 points shooting 43% from the field and 3/5 from deep. As always the big story with Herb is his defense. Totaling three steals, three offensive rebounds, and a block, Herb was, in my opinion, the most impactful player on the floor for the Pelicans last night.

Following Jones’ great return, Jeremiah Fears also had a strong game in his NBA debut, scoring 17 points and dealing 2 assists in 18 minutes of play, shooting 70% from the field. My biggest criticism of Fears last night was his defense. Oftentimes lackluster, it looked as though Fears felt lost on defense. There were several possessions where he was out of position on D leading to late closeouts on 3’s and open lanes to the basket. I understand that adjusting to NBA play takes time, and by no means am I saying that he will be a negative defender throughout his career, but to me watching him play felt like watching Jordan Hawkins play in years past. Two very talented players on the offensive side of the ball that just don’t have it on the other side of the court. Additionally, Derik Queen had 3 points and 5 boards in 15 minutes on the court. I don’t want to speak on Queen quite yet this season seeing as he is still recovering from his wrist injury.

Although I don’t want to speak on Queen this early into the season, he does lead me into my next topic, the Pelican’s center rotation. I don’t think Missi and Queen can be the only two options at the 5 for a playoff contending team, especially not this early in their careers. I do still think there is time for Missi to develop into a great interior defender and Queen a strong offensive weapon but for now, it doesn’t even seem like a possibility. Both guys looked clunky and outmatched last night which is frustrating for a team that hasn’t had a consistently strong frontcourt since AD and Boogie Cousins.

The Pelicans face the Spurs next on October 24th at 7:00PM CST.