The Pelicans added a pair of young building blocks in Julius Randle and Elfrid Payton this summer and the new personnel could lead to an even faster pace of play, William Guillory of The Times-Picayune writes.
The addition of two athletic young players – Randle is still just 23 years old while Payton is 24 – will serve the Pelicans well. Guillory writes that New Orleans led the league in pace after DeMarcus Cousins went down with an Achilles injury in January.
“We want to play fast, we want to defend, we want to get out in transition,” Pelicans general manager Dell Demps said. “The other thing is these two guys are very unselfish players, which would fit great with our group.”
There’s more from the Southwest Division:
- The Grizzlies see fourth-overall pick Jaren Jackson Jr. as a Defensive Player of the Year-type player, J. Michael of The Indianapolis Star writes. “He’s a natural talker and in order to be a great defender you got to be a natural talker. That’s what he is,” Memphis assistant Greg Buckner said.
- The Spurs chose not to withdraw their qualifying offer from Darrun Hilliard before Friday, meaning they won’t be able to do so without Hilliard’s blessing, Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News writes. Hilliard remains a restricted two-way free agent.
- The Spurs have downgraded rookie Chimezie Metu‘s wrist injury from a sprain to a fracture, Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News writes, noting that Metu will wear a cast but will not require surgery.
Pelicans late season success also comes with Mirotic playing the 4 next to AD. Idk how well Randle fits next to AD.
He’d be a phenomenal sixth man for them.
Not really cant shoot, not good defensively, high turnovers to assists ratio. Would have been better off stay with lakers for winning sake.
‘winning sake’ lol
Randle is am EXTREMELY versatile player. I don’t have any doubts that he’d fit in perfectly with Mirotic. Those two can be dangerous within the same line-up, and I’m pretty sure the same can be said for Randle and AD.
However, even with that being said, I have to agree with iangroc. I think, especially when AD needs a breather, the Pelicans can use Jrue and Randle in the pick n roll, and if they so choose, they could run their offense through Randle at the top of the key.
Randle is a vastly underrated, all-around player. If he is given the ooportunities, he can easily score you 15 PPG, he can get you 8-10 RPG, AND he is also an adept passing big, that can make passes and setup his teammates. In doing so, I don’t see any reason why he couldn’t also average about 5 APG..
Randle was an excellent addition for the Pelicans, and if he improves his outside shot, then the pairing of Randle and AD will be just as effective as their former pairing of AD and Boogie..Heck, it could be even more efficient and more effective, especially considering the Pelicans will be able to run more, and play athe a faster pace with Randle..
I definitely think the Pelicans will perform at a higher level this year than most expect; however, in the end, it will be their lack of talent and overall depth at the shooting guard and wing positions, that will be their unfortunate undoing..
It always been about if he develops a jumper sadly he hasnt and is approaching his ceiling of a tweener small forward power forward. Really only plays with his back to the basket as a shooter around 15 ft and in and slasher abit a not a great one. He also lacks true court vision when playing as a ball handler, hes a solid rotational player off the bench but for someone who has aspirations of starting i doubt he starts over mirotic who floor spacing is better than randles.
Mirotic most likely will be the 6th man. Instant offense off the bench. It would be nice if all 3 of AD , Randle, and Mirotic get 30+ minutes a night. Good 3 man rotation at the 4 and 5.
So right now, only 2 of the first 11 players drafted in 2014 are still on the team drafted by them. Joel Embiid and Aaron Gordon, while Marcus smart hasn’t signed yet. That’s pretty incredible
It was supposed to be a beast class too, i remember watching the hype regarding jabari, wiggins and randle and none of them have turned out to be anything truly special crazy!
Exum?
JR is a beast he can show off better this season.
Can you use identifying names please. It’s not a “JR” article, whoever you mean. There’s a lot of JRs.
Jaren Jackson Jr wanders a bit on the court, but wow does he ever snap to it and get his hand on the ball released anyway near him, still in summer ball. He often looked lost even in-system at MSU.
He is going to get many blocks not just by reach & timing but also deception– he doesn’t look dangerous!
If he starts, JJJ may lead the NBA in blocks, turnovers & fouls. It’s a bit of a waste that he went to a team already with Marc Gasol, who is not so close to retirement. Neither is best purposed at the 4.
Can you plz use identifying names? There is no JJJ in the article…. Back at ya
Thanks for reading!