Pelicans 2015-2016 Season Preview: Can Anthony Davis Carry This Team on His Back?
By Mike Delayo
This offseason, the Pelicans focused on continuity. They kept most of last year’s roster intact, trusting that the increased cohesion and chemistry in the locker room would lead to improvement on the floor.
Thanks a slew of preseason injuries, the season will once again not start according to plan.
One of these years, the Pelicans may be able to start off the season with a roster of players in tip top shape, ready to live up to their full potential as a unit. But this is not that year.
Below are all of the injuries that the Pelicans are dealing with heading into the start of the season and some of the changes they have made to compensate.
Try not to get hurt while reading!
Quincy Pondexter: Arthroscopic Left Knee Surgery, No Timetable for Return
Apr 7, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Quincy Pondexter (20) against the Golden State Warriors during a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Warriors 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Back in the first week of May, Pondexter had surgery on his knee. According to Scott Kushner of The Advocate, Pondexter had been playing through immense pain for the final two months of the season. Knowing that he would be told to sit out if he was diagnosed, he put off getting an MRI until the season finally came to an end.
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Recovery has been fairly slow for Pondexter, and there is still no exact timetable for his return to action. There is hope that he will be able to return the action around mid-November and miss only a handful of games, but when he will be back at one hundred percent remains to be seen.
While Q-Pon is out, Dante Cunningham and Alonzo Gee will occupy most of the minutes at small forward.
Cunningham made solid contributions in his first season with New Orleans, and he will likely begin the season in the starting lineup. The veteran forward signed a three year, $9 million contract in the offseason as he looks to continue to make an impact.
April 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Dante Cunningham (44) controls the basketball during the second quarter in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Pelicans 97-87. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
His lack of a three point shot has been a glaring weakness throughout his career, but it was one of his main points of emphasis in the offseason. He has not been able to knock it down much in the pre-season so far (2-11), but knowing Cunningham he will do everything he can to continue to improve and do whatever the team needs him to do.
Alonzo Gee, like Cunningham, has been around the block. He has six years of NBA experience, but also spent some time overseas. He brings a well rounded game to the table: he can defend a bit, even though he is only 6′ 6″, he can drive to the basket and he can get hot from three.
The Pelicans actually acquired Gee from the Cavaliers last season, but only to dump him for salary cap space to acquire Omer Asik.
Before getting traded to the Trail Blazers at the trade deadline last season, Gee played very well in thirty nine games for the Denver Nuggets. He shot 48% from the floor, 42% from three, and averaged three rebounds and a steal per game. He is a career 33% shooter from deep, but if he can reach that level from last year for the Pels, he could be a valuable piece off the bench.
These two will share most of the burden at small forward to start the season because…
Luke Babbitt: Strained Left Hamstring, No Timetable for Return
Oct 9, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Scott (32) defends New Orleans Pelicans forward Luke Babbitt (8) during the third quarter at Veterans Memorial Arena.The Atlanta Hawks won 103- 93. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Babbitt strained his hamstring on October 12th against the Chicago Bulls. He was playing fairly well through the preseason, averaging a tick over ten points, three rebounds and two assists per game.
His playing time fluctuated for most of the season, but he was able to stay hot from deep all season long. His absurd 51.3% mark from three point range was not only tops on the team, but the entire NBA! Sure, he averaged less than two shots per game from behind the arc and Kyle Korver made almost four times Babbitt’s 59 (Korver was 221 for 449 on the season, 49.2%) but the numbers are the numbers.
It is really unfortunate to see Babbitt go down so close to the start of the season. I’m not saying he got a little banged up because he cut his hair, but my superstitious self is leaning in that direction. Though there is not yet a timetable for his return the injury does not appear to be too serious, and he could return to the lineup around the same time as Pondexter, around mid November. May Babbitt’s 2014-2015 hair live on forever.
Mar 19, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Luke Babbitt (8) against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Pelicans 74-72. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Though Babbitt remains a one dimensional player, that three point stroke was critical for a team that struggled at times to spread the floor. Unfortunately for the Pelicans, Babbitt is not the only perimeter threat set to miss some time…
Norris Cole: High Left Ankle Sprain, 4-6 Weeks
Apr 23, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Norris Cole (30) reacts after scoring against the Golden State Warriors during the fourth quarter in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at the Smoothie King Center. The Warriors defeated the Pelicans 123-119 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
After signing his qualifying offer to stay with the Pelicans just over a month ago, Norris Cole is already set to miss some time.
While prepping for last Monday’s preseason game against the Bulls Cole sprained his ankle, sidelining the point guard for four to six weeks.
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Cole brought the Pelicans bench, and especially the point guard position, some much needed energy. The career 32% three point shooter knocked down his threes at a 38% clip in the two months he spent in New Orleans, much more reliable production than Jimmer Fredette could provide.
On multiple occasions throughout the end of the regular season and the playoffs, Cole rejuvenated the team with a single play, whether it was a steal and the ensuing breakaway or a deep three. Having a potential momentum shifter like Cole around can make a huge difference, and can ultimately lead to a couple more wins here and there for a team.
He was not necessarily a lock down defender, but he played hard and applied a ton of pressure on opposing offenses. He likes to be on his man all the way down the court to interrupt the transition game of his opponents.
The injury occurred on October 12th, so four to six weeks could land anywhere from November 9th to November 23rd. As long as he returns to the court bringing the same energy he left it with, Cole will be a valuable asset to the Pelicans bench this season.
Losing Cole for any amount of time would have been rough, but the injury hurts even more right now because of the unfortunate timing.
Tyreke Evans: Arthroscopic Right Knee Surgery, No Timetable for Return
Apr 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans (1) is defended by San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Spurs 108-103 and earned the 8th seed in the Western Conference Playoffs. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Evans thrived as the Pelicans’ primary ball handler last season, putting up numbers comparable to when he won Rookie of the Year in 2009. Heading into the season it appeared that he would once again be placed in this role, not just because he excelled at it but because Jrue Holiday will start the season with a strict minutes restriction. (even though he has claimed that he is “pain free”)
After playing fairly well in two preseason games, Evans was held out of action for a few days due to a “sore knee”. A “sore knee” is what essentially kept Eric Gordon out for most of two seasons, so that diagnosis was not a very encouraging sign for Pelicans fans.
However, the surgery is by no means a season ending one. Evans will likely be back in the lineup in mid to late November, only needing a few weeks to recover from the minor procedure.
If you have not noticed already these string of injuries to the perimeter players of the Pelicans poses a pretty big question: who is going to handle the ball until they return?
If you answered Nate Robinson, you are correct!
The Pelicans signed the veteran point guard on October 16th. Whether they knew Evans would be missing time or not, Robinson was still a decent add to a bench in desperate need of some healthy talent.
Oct 19, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Nate Robinson (2) passes the ball during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. The Rockets defeated the Pelicans 120-100. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Now it seems he will immediately be thrust into a starting role, at least for the first few weeks of the season.
Robinson dunked his way onto the radar of NBA fans with his three Slam Dunk Contest wins as a New York Knick. Since those years, he has made stops in Boston, Oklahoma City, Golden State, Chicago, Denver, and most recently, Los Angeles.
He is a career 43% shooter from the field, and 36% from three while averaging eleven points and three assists per game. Even though he has been a reserve for most of his career, Robinson has performed when it has mattered most. Who could forget when he and Glen Davis randomly dominated the Lakers in Game 4 of the 2010 NBA Finals?
Yes, it really happened!
Whether or not Robinson will be able to handle heavy minutes at the point remains to be seen, but even when he returns to a role on the bench he should be a solid veteran presence on this Pelicans team.
If you thought all of these perimeter injuries were a lot, you may want to turn back here. Because the frontcourt is not exactly in tip top shape.
Omer Asik: Right Calf Strain, 3 Weeks
Alexis Ajinca: Right Hamstring Strain, 4-6 Weeks
Apr 12, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center Omer Asik (3) stretches for the loose ball as Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) looks on during the first quarter at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The Pelicans dished out $78 million dollars to lock down two centers for the foreseeable future. Both of those guys might not be available for the start of the 2015-2016 season.
Omer Asik went down with a calf strain in the first week of October. The three week timetable for his return would slot him at the end of the month, potentially before the season opener on the 27th. If the calf is the only issue, and he is able to return without missing much action, the Pelicans would be extremely pleased.
There is some cause for concern though. Asik was dealing with back issues for most of the season last year. One would hope that this most recent injury is just an entirely new entity, but it is likely that there is some kind of connection there. Back and leg injuries are never good, especially for big men. Hopefully Asik will be able to return to good health soon and stay that way, because the Pelicans really need him on the court.
Mar 19, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center Alexis Ajinca (42) against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Pelicans 74-72. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Though filling up the stat sheet has never been his forte, Asik always has an impact when he is in the lineup. He effectively uses his big frame to defend the low post and the rim from opposing big men and slashers alike.
He is a force on the defensive glass as well, whether he is actually claiming the rebound or boxing out his man so his teammates can swoop in for the board.
Do not let the ugliness of Asik’s game fool you. It may not be pretty to look at, but it is definitely effective.
The more dirty work he does the less Anthony Davis has to do, which is a big reason they extended his contract in the first place.
Ajinca would have been the next man up at center, but he strained his hamstring just days before Asik went down.
The French big man might have been the most surprising player on the team a year ago. He shot 55% from the field, a solid number for centers as is.
Ajinca was not just laying up rebounds or throwing down dunks though. He utilized his soft touch on an array of post moves and mid ranged shots, enough so that he became a legitimate scoring threat off of the bench as the season progressed.
Ajinca signed a four year, $20 million deal in the offseason, the most valuable deal of his career by a long shot. When he (hopefully) returns in November or December, his scoring off of the bench will be a welcomed with open arms by the rest of his team.
Until Asik and Ajinca return, the Pelicans will look to Kendrick Perkins to hold down the center position. It sounds bad at first, but…..
No, actually that is as bad as it sounds.
Oct 9, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center Kendrick Perkins (center) takes a shot during warmups before the game against the Atlanta Hawks at Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Davis will likely play some minutes at the five, and if Asik is not able to return sooner rather than later, do not be surprised if the Pelicans rent a center from free agency for a couple of games.
Once again, the Pelicans are faced with a mountain of injuries to start the season.
At the very least, none of them appear to be threatening for the long term. Until they are back at full strength, Davis will have to carry this team on his back (which he is very capable of doing).
This team could be deadly if health is on their side, but we will just have to wait and see what happens.
Check back tomorrow for an in-depth look at the Pelicans schedule for the 2015-2016 season.
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