2023-06-02 07:35:00
At the end of the season, the majority of NBA players are on vacation and evaluations can therefore begin. At TrashTalk we decided to make a class council for each franchise, with an evaluation for each player: 30 teams, 450 players diagnosed! As for our friends the Pelicans, the results are quite mixed. No one was really bad, but the repeated absences of the executives clearly swayed the group dynamic.
Zion Williamson : Thanos is too strong… when he plays. In the West’s top five before losing Zion, the Pelicans clearly need him but he clearly can’t stand his ground for more than half a season yet. Blame it on bad luck? A little of his fault (or even a lot according to his GM)? Probably both, but what is certain is that when Williamson is on the field he is one of the very best in the league. A great offensive production, to which he even added a few more assists this season, Z is a beast, a real one, but a wounded beast.
Brandon Ingram : not spared by injuries either, BI has however continued the momentum of its last seasons. That’s to say ? That is to say that we went from the talented little nonchalant guy at the Lakers to the real star of the Pelicans. A season in 25/6/5, and above all a huge run from the end of February to try to make the tottering Pelicans flap their wings. After the All-Star Break, Brandon only missed two games and hit the 30-point mark nine times. Indispensable, but too often dispensed with.
C.J. McCollum : CJ McCollum has CJ McCollum all season. 21 points, 6 assists, but percentages not always at the top – go see the play-in game if you don’t believe me – we know what he can do (attack) and what he can’t do (defend). The All-Star who will never be one has shown over a full season that it is not a bad idea to trust him as position 1. Option 3 on paper but option 2 in reality, the last perf of the year of Christian James once morest OKC proves the paper right.
Trey Murphy III : +17 minutes on the floor, +9 average points per game, and even a scratched starter spot following the absence of Zion, if there was a Most Improved Pelican, not too much doubt regarding his identity. Trey jumps high, Trey defends, Trey shoots well, Trey smiles, it’s been a good season Trey. To see the role of the guy in the event of Zion and Brandon’s presence in the long term, but NOLA holds a diamond in the rough between its fingers, healthy for once.
Jonas Valanciunas : if there’s one position Willie Green doesn’t have to worry regarding, it might be center. 14 points, 10 rebounds and a little less than 1 block average in 79 games, Jonas gave us Valanciunas in its purest form. A few 3-pointers to advance the schmilblick and that gives us a modern pivot that takes up space… without taking up too much. Defense, regularity, a beard always well trimmed, JV has well deserved a quiet summer of fishing.
Herbert Jones : it was Bastien’s Gérard d’Or, but there was not the hoped-for progression. In terms of defense, it’s still just as serious, however production hasn’t changed one iota, like its use, which is still around 30 minutes per game. Herb suffers from the comparison with Trey Murphy this season, but given the profile of the kid we stay on the train for a while yet. Above all, there is no doubt regarding his usefulness in an elite team when the Pels are complete.
Nazi Marshall: another nice progression in Willie Green’s roster. The swingman took advantage of the various absences to scratch minutes, a few tenures, and even get a few evenings around 20 points. The percentages are not the best (40% shooting and 30% 3-pointers), but Naji knows how to defend and takes the crumbs given to him.
Jose Alvarado: we hadn’t loved a thief so much since Robin Hood. Jose specializes in stealing balls following a throw-in and we’re having fun. You wouldn’t believe it, but GTA is also a real basketball player who knows how to put the ball in the basket (33% from afar). The kind of guy you don’t give 8,000 balloons to a night, but that’s okay, he’d rather steal them.
Josh Richardson : recovered at Spurs during the season, Josh came to do what he was asked to do: defend on the outside positions, steal balls from them and score a few baskets. An interesting contribution out of the bench in view of its role.
Willy Hernangomez : no, it is “the other” who plays in Hustle (The top of the basket, in French). Willy Hernangomez plays little, and would surely play even less if Jaxson Hayes weren’t Jaxson Hayes. A EuroBasket 2022 MVP trophy not rewarded in Louisiana despite still interesting productivity. 7 points, 5 rebounds in 12 minutes, let’s see if the Pelicans activate their team option.
Larry Nance Jr : difficult to find a better definition of the word soldier. Larry defends, takes the balls given to him in attack, all with efficiency and without complaining. Minutes as a pivot or position 4, here is a role player who role play. Bonus, the former Laker posed his best season in terms of marksmanship (61%). A fly in the ointment, the regular absences during the season that he finished at 65 games.
Devonte Graham : an address still as catastrophic, a trade in the middle of the season, I let you make the link between these two pieces of information.
Jaxson Hayes : a freak out in the Playoffs last season, plus a lot of minutes this season, it smells scorched for Jaxson. Too bad, because his profile might clearly bring in the Bayou, or in many other NBA teams. When your track record on and off the court comes out before your performance with the ball in hand, it’s often a bad sign.
Kira Lewis Jr. : “this year was really not cha Kira.” This one is for the Colombian community. Two peaks above ten points in January, wow!
Dyson Daniels : a discreet rookie season for Aspirateur Daniels, in particular due to his physical fragility. DD had his minutes, but DD didn’t show much. Drafted for his Swiss army knife qualities, Daniels has played fairly consistently throughout the season. A little more meat, a little more balloons, and Dyson sucks it all up next season?
Garrett Temple : Garrett clings to his NBA spot once more and once more. Our vets have talent, but our vets don’t play much anymore. 37 years old, one year of contract, it smells like Farewell Tour for friend Temple.
Dereon Seabron : first five career games, we will wait a bit before knowing if we are dealing with the aquatic version of LeBron James or if it is really just Seabron.
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