The Complete Idiots Guide to Pelicans Misconceptions

Misconception #1: “Anthony Davis’ stats are inflated since he’s on a bad team”

This is one of my favorites. Opposing fans will put Pelicans defenders in a rough position because they force them to choose between “Anthony Davis has good teammates, and so his team should be winning more” and “Anthony Davis has bad teammates, meaning his stats are inflated.”

It’s a load of BS. Anthony Davis is actually one of the least inflated players in the league, and I’m going to prove that.

Mar 4, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) reacts after a basket by guard Tyreke Evans during the fourth quarter of a game against the Detroit Pistons at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Pistons 88-85. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Inflated stats mean a player is getting more attention, shots, and usage than normal because his teammates are significantly worse than him. A great example of this; Evan Turner‘s notorious chucking fiesta on the ’13-’14 76ers.

On the Sixers, he averaged 15.4 shots a game, shot 42% (very inefficient) and had a 24.4% usage rate. Once traded to the Pacers, Turner averaged only 7.0 shots a game, still shot below 43%, and had a 19.1% usage rate.

If a player is

A) Taking a high volume of shots

B) Missing a large majority of those shots

C) Has a high usage rate

Then that player’s stats are likely inflated.

Let’s compare Davis to the rest of the leagues high scoring big men, and see if any of these “Turnerisms” appear true.

Wowie! Anthony Davis actually is underutilized given his production level.

He’s the groups most efficient scorer, while also having the lowest usage rate of the group and the 2nd lowest shot attempts per game. There is literally nothing inflated about AD’s stats, so next time someone tried to claim he’s just putting up empty numbers, very politely explain to them that they have no idea what they’re talking about.

Next: Sharing the Love