NBA in Threes: Nikola Jokic and too much eating; LeBron rolling early
By Jade Johnson
New Orleans Pelicans
If you’d told me that the New Orleans Pelicans would pick up their first win of the season against the Denver Nuggets I probably would have said you’re crazy. But that’s what makes this early season of NBA basketball so intriguing. Unlikely things are going to happen.
One of the things that stood out right away in this matchup is that these two teams are on opposite ends of the NBA pace of play spectrum. In the first half of play, there were multiple offensive possessions where the Pelicans got their shots off within the first five seconds of the possession.
Initially, I wondered whether the pace would become a liability since, generally, that’s what happens when teams have “pace without purpose”, to borrow a phrase from Chris Webber. That wasn’t the case in this game at least. The Pelicans kept it close through the first half before outscoring the Nuggets by seven in the third quarter. In the second half, the Pelicans’ pace did slow down a bit and there was more ball movement before a shot was taken.
Brandon Ingram and Jahil Okafor led the way combining for 51 points. Although he only scored nine points, Lonzo Ball was +17 with eight assists, a steal, and a block. I think nine is below his potential scoring ceiling. I love his ability to facilitate but until he starts looking for his shot just a little bit more he’ll be existing below his potential for the Pelicans.
J.J. Redick who averaged 18 points a game last season is still working on finding his rhythm through five games. No doubt, Redick finding the form we’re accustomed to seeing from him is a matter of when not if. In any case, he wins my all-time award for the best pre-game getup.
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