But, it’s an awkward fit…
At their best, New Orleans will outscore you, outrun you, and outsmart you. Their style of play recalls that of the Warriors (for whom Gentry served as associate head coach in their first championship year), which is what makes their Semifinals matchup with Golden State so fascinating. The differences, though, are written in the stars.
The beauty of DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis is founded in their abilities to do just about anything. They’re dribble-driving, rim-protecting shooters whose unselfishness mirrors their hunger to win. What one lacks, the other makes up for: DeMarcus is a gifted passer and playmaker, while Anthony’s combination of speed and athleticism is impossible to match.
They’re not just “big men” – they’re generational talents. When either one of two 6-foot-11 All-Stars can dawdle on the perimeter and magnetize a shot-blocker out of the paint, anything goes.
Offensively, Boogie and AD’s most pressing half-court issue is deciding “who’s the guy to pop, who’s the guy to roll” off the elbows, a good problem to have when either one can score off the dribble, in the mid-range, or from three. They’ve made it a habit to make room for each other accordingly, and one or the other will almost always manage a clean look; Rondo’s telescopic court vision only compounds this issue for opposing defenses.
Holiday and E’Twaun Moore can shoot, drive, or make a play for someone else. Rondo will hit at least some of the threes defenders let him have. On the fast break, where the Pels make a living, Anthony sprints up the floor for a lob while DeMarcus trots up for perfect trail three positioning, should they need.
With Rondo conducting the floor, Holiday’s first full season as a Pelican (out of five) saw him benefit from playing at the 2 in an offense where he can still dish out assists and score 25 on any given night. He’s become one of the most brilliant two-way players in the league, living large in a Klay Thompson-like role. One of the Pels’ best early-season performances was a blowout win over LeBron James and the Cavs, a glimpse of just how frightening this team can be when its core peaks in rhythm: AD had 30 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks; Boogie had 29 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists; Jrue had 29 points and seven assists.
Contrary to popular belief, including Cousins, the Pelicans’ floor-spacing is actually devastating. They operate a ticking time bomb of an offense that could explode at any moment; the Pels finished 2017-18 ranked first in pace, second in field goal percentage, third in points, and third in assists. Meanwhile, Davis and Holiday are among the best defenders at their respective positions. These are ingredients for victory – the Pelicans just need to get the proportions right.
Would we need to have this discussion if Boogie and AD were each four inches shorter? If we must continue to poke the concept of “positionless” basketball, can we at least acknowledge that Cousins and Davis may as well be guards? That they happen to be very tall people doesn’t mean they can’t equally thrive together. Critics continue to stuff them into a “twin towers” box that doesn’t quite accommodate them – DeMarcus and Anthony are happy to make their own lane, and we should feel privileged to watch them find their way.