With the absence of Zion Williamson, the Pelicans are a team stuck in purgatory. Zion’s return from injury has been delayed time and time again, and even when he does play again, his history suggests he will be back on the sidelines before too long. So the front office is stuck. If you can only play with the ball in your hands you wont fit well next to Zion when he’s healthy, and if you work best in a system built around one central superstar you will be ineffective when he’s injured. The Pelicans found a young player who can do both. And they found him in the second round. Thirty-four players were selected in the 2021 NBA draft before the Pelicans drafted Herb Jones. Today the NBA updated their Rookie of the Year Rankings. Jones was 7th and one of just two second round picks in the top 10. Herb leads all rookies in steals with 81, which is also among the top 10 across the entire league. He’s also 2nd in blocks, trailing only defensive phenom Evan Mobley. Despite losing multiple ...
Looking at basketball through statistics and film study to analyze players, teams, and the league at large.