It was impossible to watch the Pelicans – Kings game and not see how terrific the Holiday/Evans combo was on both sides of the ball. Their length created turnovers on the defensive end and their speed got open looks for themselves and teammates on the offensive side of the ball. Both guys are combo guards that can defend multiple positions, and even have the strength and craftiness to slow down big men when they have to rotate. Holiday and Evans are the perfect guards for Monty’s system, but there is one tiny problem – Eric Gordon is still here.
Throw away the “heart is in Phoenix” comment and the medical history. Let’s just talk about fit. In a defensive system that asks players to rotate so frequently, Holiday and Evans have the length to close out on shooters and the size to at least make a big work for points when they rotate onto them down low. Eric Gordon can not do either of those things. Offensively, Evans and Holiday are both facilitators while Gordon is a pure scorer. On a team where Ryan Anderson and Anthony Davis need 30-35 shot attempts combined per game, the former is needed far more than the latter.
The eye test tells you these things, but we are getting to a point where there are enough numbers to back it up as well.
The Data
– The top Two-Man combination for the Pelicans this season? You guessed it: Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans. In the 328 minutes that the combo has played together, the Pelicans are +83 (a little more than +12 per 48 minutes). The free throw rate skyrockets up to 33.8% (up over 9%). The teams field goal percentage climbs more than 5%, as does the three-point percentage. Meanwhile, the opposition’s free throw rate goes down and their turnovers go up.
– On the flip side, the Holiday/Gordon two-man combo has been very ordinary. It is the 22nd most effective two man combo, as it outscores opponents by only .9 points per 48 minutes. The team is average from the field, average from three, and the foul rates on both sides are… you guessed it, average.
– The top three-man lineup? Jrue, Evans, and Ryan Anderson. #2? Jrue, Evans, and Anthony Davis. Anybody see a pattern here?
– The only time Gordon shows up in the top lineups is when he appears with Anthony Davis, but that goes for everybody on the Pelicans. When you are on the floor with AD, the team will likely play well. But Jrue and Tyreke put up impressive numbers without Davis on the floor. Can’t say the same for Gordon.
– Best four-man unit by a mile? Yep, Jrue, Evans, Anderson, and Davis. That is the core of this team moving forward and what a core it is. Per 48 minutes, they outscore their opponent by over 20 points while having a rediculously low 10.6 team turnover percentage.
– Eric Gordon makes $30.4 million over the next two years, as his yearly salary continues to increase. Evans makes $32.2 over the next three years as his salary continues to decline.
Conclusion
This team is at its best when it can get Holiday and Evans on the court together. They fit the defensive scheme and they make the players around them better offensively. Eric Gordon is a third wheel, and an expensive one at that. The numbers say that the Pelicans would be better served with a three-and-D type wing next to their Core Four, or a number of pieces that would make the bench stronger so that the Core Four didn’t have to do so much heavy lifting.
The days of being angry at Gordon for his comments or his lack of passion are gone. Instead, it is time that we simply realize where this team is heading long term. The future features a backcourt of Evans and Holiday, and that means Gordon is the odd man out. No hard feelings EJ, but business is business. And quite simply, trading Gordon and moving to a Holiday/Evans backcourt is what’s best for business.
76 responses to “Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans are the Pelicans Backcourt of the Future”
Trade Idea…
Pelicans get Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Ben Gordon
Pistons get Eric Gordon and Al Farouq Aminu
Bobhorncatnets get Josh Smith
Not Ben Gordon…….noooooo!!!
I have to disagree. I think that enough people on the Pels can make up for Gordon’s lack of length. I don’t like the way he rotates but that’s something that can be taught. If you take him out the rotation, you lose more of a perimeter threat. I mean, tyreke ft’s look flat, do you really think opponents will respect his outside shot?
I say keep all three and make Reke and Jrue the ball handlers.
Clef504lol not really much to disagree with. Just watching Gordon and you can see he doesn’t fit. Not a very efficient scorer, horrible help defender and seems a bit too selfish. Really the contract is the ugliest part about him being on this team. He won’t be traded and by the end of the year it will be even more apparent he doesn’t fit.
Clef504Which is a shame because the Pelicans could use the money for better bench pieces. Roberts, Rivers and Amundson have to go.
It’s funny I hear a lot of people talk about Gordon and how his head is down and taking too many shots, but Rhyno takes 4-5 contested mid-range fadeaway shots against a double and we praise that. There has to be a balance. No five players will be perfect on the court. If that was the case, the team would be undefeated. A starting lineup that would have an effective balance for us is Jrue, EJ, Reke, Aminu, and Davis. Force teams to go small against us
Clef504 If you “just take him out” I agree that this team is better with him than without. But remember, you are replacing him with 15 million dollars worth of other players. Could get perimeter threats and more with that
Now I completely agree that he is overpaid. But we have to thank PHX for that.
I feel as though we need to be more patient as fans, remember the Heat took a whole year to get it right. They didn’t make major trades that first year….
I get to the same place, but come at this a slightly different and simpler way: PER.
There are four Pelican players in the top 56 PER in the league, when by odds we should only have two. Who are they? They are Davis (#4 and a 27.24 PER), Anderson (#23 and a 19.40 PER), Evans (#53 and a 18.26 PER), and Holiday (#56 and an 18.21 PER). They all have PERs ranging from “MVP candidate” to “solid 2nd option”.
Who is next on the Pelicans? Try Aminu at #116 (15.80 PER) and Gordon at #117 (15.77 PER)! And they both have PERs midway between “3rd option” PER, 16.50, and average PER for the NBA, 15.00.
So based on PER, who should start at SG?
I got to watch the Pelicans for the first time since Vasquez got traded. I must ask a Pelican’s fans a question:
What did you gain besides an over 80 mill worth of contracts from your backcourt?
The numbers both offensively and defensively are about the same.
I understand that Holiday’s 15 points per game are more fun to watch than Vasquez 15 ppg but they do count the same, this is not figure skating, there is no style points in the NBA. The assists are the same.
You got 12 points a game from Evans and a few assists, for that kind of money you could of found two of them.
With a more experienced, stronger, healthier Davis and Gordon, and a few more pieces that were not available to Vasquez, the numbers both offensively and defensively are about the same.
I seen (next to the Jazz) the worse team in the NBA, the kings, give you a good game.
With over 30% of the season played the Pelicans are in pace to win 33-34 games that’s about 6 more games than last year for 80 mill.
I really don’t get it. All they needed to do is to keep Vasquez, spend some money in some top bigs and after a couple of years you get a top PG and keep Vaz as a top backup and you got a team.
I see you are still weak inside except for Davis( guy looks a lot bigger) who is a superstar in the making but still has not proved to be durable,
One more question, what is Rivers still doing there?
I fallowed New Orleans when Vasquez was there, really like the team, I just did not get this move. There was a reason why Sacramento wanted to dump Evans and Philadelphia did not want Holiday.
Great fantasy numbers, but not going to take you to a championship.
Just wondering.
By the way great stats in the article, I’m an old timer and I still believe the best stat of all is found in the win and loss column,,
Good article.
al asifyouknow While Vasquez was a fun guy to watch, he had several major deficiencies in his game. Vasquez was a slow defender and got eaten up by quicker guards (Last year, Kyrie Irving pretty much made a highlight tape out of their match-up). Having an attacking defensive guard, like Holiday, is essential to Monty’s defensive scheme. Second, Vasquez was a pretty bad driving threat. Watch his tape from last year. He would drive into the lane and if plan A didn’t work, the play usually resulted in a turnover or off-balance shot by Vasquez. While the stats may look the same, Holiday has a much more positive effect on the team and can do all of the things Vasquez couldn’t.
Responding to you comments on Evans, This is only the beginning. Tyreke is learning a whole new role in coming off the bench. And he’s missed a few games to injury. Having a high energy attacker come off the bench can make all the difference in the world (Look at some of the playoff teams last year who had one. Golden State with Jarrett Jack, the Clippers with Crawford, and the Spurs have had one for years in Ginobili). And as the article stated, Tyreke is also the future of our backcourt.
And Austin Rivers is only a second year player. While he has been a disappointment, you don’t just give up on him after a year and a half.
Well first of all jrue holiday is a HUGE step up from vasquez in defense obviously. I dont think anyone was just expecting Jrue Holiday to come out and average 25 ppg. Looking at stats doesn’t really just tell the whole story, how someone actually plays on the court does and if you saw tha sac game you definitely would know exactly why the Pelicans would want someone versatile like Tyreke who can create for themselves also some insurance for eg. Also these guys are like 23 and 24 years old and have yet to hit there prime, where as I don’t think Vasquez is gonna change too much now(also you can’t really just teach speed). Also about you saying why not just keep him get a top big and somehow get a top pg, i dont think it’s as easy as you are making it seem to get a top big to just come here they are all kind of locked up and everyone wants a top big. I’m pretty shore if you see more of Jrue and Tyreke play you would see why the team would want them not saying that they are the greatest or anything but they honestly vastly improve the team and I think they will only get better with time.
Sorry but very inaccurate… Holiday has been lightyears better than Vasquez on offense and he’s just learning everything and assimilating with his new teammates. That’s not even mentioning how much better he’s been on defense. I can understand possibly questioning the Tyreke signing but the Jrue trade was great for the organization and personally I really like the Tyreke signing as well.
Vasquez is a decent backup, but he was a terrible defender. How can you say all points are the same when one of them gets his 15 much more efficiently. Also, Jrue defers to others much more because this team has a lot more scorers and even though he may not get an assist he is making the smart passes and plays rather than dribbling around the entire possession like Vasquez last year.
Tyreke is also going to continue to improve as he also gets more assimilated as he has been doing lately. He’s also been injured and that’s why his start was slow.
So that’s why we went and got those guys.
I have been loving Tyreke man. Really unique player.
Jared Ennis al asifyouknow Happy Holidays…
I agree with all you said except for the Evans thing.
I guess my question still is:
Is a 6 win improvement worth all that money?
I also seen Thomas burn both of them the other night. All I’m saying is that kind of investment has to produce a winning / playoff team. Your new GM’s rear will be in the fire if they end up with 30 wins, it is believed this was his moves and not necessarily Monty’s wish.
Again, I’m not big on stats but now the fantasy team play is the big thing, but it could be deceiving because some fans just look at that and somehow think they are better because their fantasy team is doing better…lol…Pelicans are 26 th in point allowed they were 29 th last year. Their TO/ASS ratio was 1.44 last year this year is 1.71 that is going from one of the top to one of the worse.
SO I just wondering were the 80 mill has been well spent. Time will tell I’ll talk to you in April…
Vasquez will land in a team and become a very valuable backup, he is averaging in Toronto 9 pts and 5 assist playing 15 minutes a game and playing good team defense. Key here good team defense that is what good teams do.
Happy Holidays to you. I’m relaxing before the storm of a restless Dec.25 th…lol…lol
BrandonVance How much time ..a year or two?
Actually my friend my question is about the money, that kind of investment is big time my friend, two guys about 20 mill a year, that is playoff salary.
Is all I’m asking. What should folks expect and in how long?
Frederick M I’ll paste from my previous comment:
Pelicans are 26 th in point allowed they were 29 th last year. Their TO/ASS ratio was 1.44 last year this year is 1.71 that is going from one of the top to one of the worse.
Those two guys make 20 mill a year ..my question is:
They are in pace for a 34 win season that is 6 games better, is that worth 20 mill a year?
I don’t believe they are. If I was the owner I want a playoff spot even if is the last one for that kind of money. Is all I’m saying .Vaz is irrelevant to the question, Actually they would of saved about 18 mill to get some bigs and accomplish about the same this year.
Jared Ennis al asifyouknow
Here is something that will have “day one” impact for you….. trade with Rockets..
Get Asik and give up one of the 3 guards (Holiday,Evans or Gordon)
That will improve you from day one.
al asifyouknow Jared Ennis al asifyouknow Well personally I believe we will be better than a 6 game improvement. I expect us to be around .500. But that’s just me. Even if we only did improve by 6 games, this is only the beginning. This is the first year we have our core of Anderson, Evans, Holiday, and Davis together. They will get better over time.And Dell is far from the hotseat. It’s not like he was told to put together a playoff team this year or else.And I don’t understand your love of Vasquez. Jrue is twice the defender, way more athletic, and more versatile. Vasquez is in a good role. He is best suited as a back-up. But you’re not gonna be a contender with him as a key piece.
al asifyouknow
What a flame thrower you are. You take very unsophisticated stats and try to craft an argument around them.
Look at PER, an advanced stat with a slight bias toward offensive stats so it doesn’t give Holiday and Evan full credit for their much greater defensive ability and effect when compared with Vasquez. Holiday and Evans have nearly top 50 in the NBA PERs, Evans (#53 and a 18.26 PER) and Holiday (#56 and an 18.21 PER). That puts them as solid 2nd options on any team, or super high quality starters which is what this article says they are.
Vasquez has PER of 14.30, which is below the NBA average of 15.00 PER (without fully penalizing him for his bad defense) and ranks him #160 in the NBA by PER. Vasquez’s PER makes him a ‘rotational player’, not a starter, which is what he is.
So Vasquez isn’t even comparable to Holiday or Evans as a player!
Further, neither Holiday or Evans have a top 50 salary in the league. So they are bargains in terms of performance for the money.
Finally, if you want to talk about the Pelican’s progress post here at the end of the year. Don’t take our first 30% of the season when we had an unusual number of injuries, and when guys are just starting to get used to each other, and project that into wins for a season. That’s as useful as me saying you wore diapers for the 1st year of you life so you always will.
Go Bait on another board!
al asifyouknow Jared Ennis I would love Asik. But he also has a big contract. Getting Asik also takes minutes away from playing Anderson and Davis at the 4-5. Holiday and Evans are both key parts. Giving anyone of them is just foolish. Gordon is the only one that needs to be moved. And even then, why would Houston want Gordon? (Houston also only wants to trade Asik to an Eastern conference team).
Jared Ennis al asifyouknow Actually that is what I have said from the beginning if you have read the conversation above.
The improvement is not worth 20 mill a year between Evans and Holiday.
Let me leave you with this:
Here is the company that those salaries have in the NBA and tell me if Holiday and Evans are in the same league:
Tim Duncan, Noah, Lawson, Rondo, D Jordan, Curry. and many more.
Those are playoff salaries my friend .
Jared Ennis al asifyouknow They want to dump two folks ..Lin and Asik……..Asik from what I understand is a disgruntled employee..lol..they want him out and the closer they get to the deadline the more they be willing to give him to who ever wants him…
al asifyouknow Jrue is an All-Star and is well worth his contract. He’s only 23. Tyreke makes 11 mil (which isn’t even max). We can afford to pay these guys like that because Anderson is on a great value contract and Davis is on a rookie contract. We have snagged our present and future backcourt for $20 million and they’re both not even in their prime.
And once again, we are not gonna improve by 20+ games in the first year. (I can not reiterate this enough) They are both young and are continuing to improve. Improvement takes time.
504ever al asifyouknow Everybody seamed to have a good pleasant discussion except you so I’ll ignore..
if you would of read the posts you would of understood that this has nothing to do with comparing Vasquez ..The question is about ..was it worth 20 mill a year for Evans and Holiday to have a six game improvement.
I’ll leave you with this from my post:
The improvement is not worth 20 mill a year between Evans and Holiday.
Let me leave you with this:
Here is the company that those salaries have in the NBA and tell me if Holiday and Evans are in the same league:
Tim Duncan, Noah, Lawson, Rondo, D Jordan, Curry. and many more.
Those are playoff salaries my friend .
Thanks folks great fun and very smart comments….. unfortunally there is always one jerk in the bunch..
Feliz Navidad and may God bless you and all your family..
al asifyouknow 504ever
Knew you couldn’t deal with real facts!
Washington has some SF’s. I’d rather Webster but Ariza would do as a starter in front of Aminu
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=meornsa
Asik is just wishful thinking
we could just give Phoenix their guy swapping Okafor’s huge contract for Gordon’s. Okafor’s deal has only 1 year left. throw Marcus Morris and Steamer in the deal to give us a SF and give Phoneix some size back
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=may5ng7
Lets see you’re saying you perfer scrubs on this team besides Rivers instead of an $80 million backcourt.You got to be kidding it’s better to have players that are top 20 talent than some two bit d leauger.
WTH does it matter are you say the NBA best with all-star in their resume desrved huge contracts your argument is nonsense.
Lin is a srcub the Linsainty fun was over two seasons ago.He’s more of an reserve more than anything.
What does it matter you’re not paying their salaty.
Vasuquez is a scrub and always will be an scrub.
I see what you saying give Grevis an 5 years $50 million dollars he’s so talented LMFAO.
It’s an expired anyway this team can still sign Hamilton & Gotat next summer.
Watch more games and you’ll see for yourself the upgrade at pg and what evans does for team. Just looking at the numbers doesn’t tell you the true story.
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=laer7v6
This trade is contingent on Phoenix being serious about making a playoff run this year, and if they are, the trade is great for all three teams. Phoenix gets a bona-fide scorer in exchange for a guy who otherwise wouldn’t likely see a minute on the court. Orlando goes into full-on tank mode to increase their chances for getting a top-3 pick. NOLA gets a great 3-and-D wing to space the floor and a big-bodied bruiser to pair with AD down low. What do you think?
I tend to be a fairly critical person, this article is spot on though. I thought the same thing after watching the Sac Town game. Players roles are just so much more well defined both on offense and defense when EG is off the court.
MKG is hurt…
I would wonder if Lakers would have any interest in EG/Rivers for Pau Gasol… Or even just a straight up Rivers for Sacre.
Clef504Anderson does not take those shots early in the clock, and he is not a guard whose role should be to involve others some times. Gordon rarely looks for others, and when he does his passes are often not on target or crisp. Of our guards, only Holiday is looking consistently to distribute. We need one more of our “point-capable guards” to develop that habit and skill.
Gasol with AD my god that would good frontcourt for a few years.
Affalo yes but an 6’9 center/forward no.
Papa Pelican That may be true but this is about two guys who they paid 20 +million a year and you will not make a playoff type of improvement.
You may win 30-35 games, no playoff, but hey I’m sure your fantasy team is doing real well Papa Pelican and after all that is what is most important …lol…
Philadelphia and Sacramento’s GM’s un-fethered the Pelicans or dumped some over priced property on you….Now that is funny my friend..
Who played good defense on Ruby Gay, almost shut him out. Who is the scond best defensely player on the team, who shot a three pointer at the end of the game and score. Who shooting almost 50% from the feild. Who is playing about 24 minuie a game and being affectectlty. Who was critial in the Pelicanss 3 game winning streak in overtime and hit a 3 pointer. Who can play both foward and center position Hint, they call him the Chief! We talking about an effective winning line-up Davis, Aminu, Anderson, Holiday and Evans best defense winning line-up Davis, Amiino, Ajinca, Holiday and Evans. We goty Block shots, defense, scoring, fast break scoring and three point shootters, Put Anderson in place of Ajinca for Free Throws in crital moments. This is facts, why can’t nobody else see it. How they say it Come On Man!
Davis is Franhise Player, Most important players Holiday, Evans, Aminu, Anderson. Gordon, Smith, Roberts, Ajinca, and Rivers are also important in geting to the playoffs, we got what it takes.
dxxpxx There is no way in hell the Wizards or Rockets accept that trade
dalshearer Talk to you about the worth and wins and losses in three months…lol,,That will be a one way conversation…lol
Your basketball IQ must be in stupid mode because Evans is worth money Gordon on the other hand is not since he hadn’t had an healthy season besides this season his rookie year.We know this guy can ball but not for this team he doesn’t fit the system.You’ve high price players on worst teams so the best teams pay the best players which is stupid because since it take big money to lure free agents or in re signing current players even in a small market like New Orleans you’ve to pay more anyway.So in your fantasy world you want players on rookie contracts and mid level contracts well you’ll be the lottery team for decades.
It’s going to take a trade i perfer an 3 & D than Aminu
al asifyouknow Papa Pelican bro this isn’t a one year rental type of thing like you’re implying by pulling stats from this team who’s core has only played a total of 8 games healthy together (which can even be questioned seeing that Evans has rolled his ankle bad 3 times in 2 months). Right now those stats are meaningless because the grand scheme will be much more rewarding in just a year or two and beyond. We are talking about two 23 year old guys (one an All-Star, the other former ROY) who still have loads of potential and have been playing very well together as this unit continues to figure it out, coupled with a rising superstar at PF, and the best stretch-4 PF in the league.
Its so typical of non-Pelicans fans looking from the outside in to see us making these deals as a ‘quick fix’ to just get to the playoffs this year but that wasn’t it at all. Its for these young core group of 4-5 very talented guys to grow together to become a consistent juggernaut and play basketball at an San Antonio Spurs type of winning level (our coach and GM are Spurs disciples). All of these guys are on contracts that’ll keep them here 3+ years. This year will be a year of feeling each other out, figuring out what schemes and lineups fit best, etc. Playoffs would be nice but as a realistic fan Im not ‘EXPECTING’ them to get there quite yet. However I’d I do see them finishing around .500 which I would still consider a success for Year 1. The real expectations will come next year as far as playoffs.
Come back in 1-2 years with your stats and such proving our trades/signings wrong, not after a 6-week sample size
Papa Pelican Need to win with this kind of investment and win now not three years from now.
Thomas is better than both of them and only makes 800.000 lol….see you in the playoffs in a few years…lol
eMariii123 Orlando wouldn’t do that trade. They could get way more for Afflalo. And with their record, they don’t need to make trades that would help them “tank”
al asifyouknow “Thomas is better than both of them”. HAhahaahah. It’s now obvious that you are a troll. We don’t need to win now. Holiday is 23, Tyreke is 24, Anderson is 25, and Davis is 20. With a team that young, why do we need to win now? That is one part of argument that just makes no sense to me. As mentioned before, these guys have only played 8 games together. In the 8 games they have been together, they have been dominant.
al asifyouknow
Al, I noticed you weren’t man enough to respond to the facts in my post below. I think I know why…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5kPUFxXYLs
I doubt this happens but it is wishful thinking. http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=pqljgw9
We get to dump Gordons contract, get some role players, and go into the off-season with $14 mil.
The Pistons (and I think they are the ones who say no) get another scoring guard in Gordon, a young and talented guy in Shumpert, Jordan replaces Monroe’s void, and they get Aminu.
The Clippers get their guy the supposedly want in Melo.
The Knicks don’t lose Melo for nothing as they get Monroe, and a few solid role players.
I doubt Gordon gets moved, and even if he does, I doubt it’s in a blockbuster trade like this. I can dream though.
Happy holidays to all
If I can trade EG……I will shipped him to the bobcats for ben gordon and MKG…..maybe we need to throw in a pick or some fillers to make it work….
Will we get an Aminu lineup data piece showing how he needs to be on the court more?
Evans certainly needs to play more and Gordon is certainly overpaid for his production. But you’re ignoring a lot of on court evidence that this is just a mediocre team and going overboard because a pumped up Evans destroyed his former team (which also happens to be one of the worst defensive teams in the league).
Both Evans and Holiday make defensive mistakes during games. Pinning the defensive problems of this team on Gordon is absurd. Anderson doesn’t fit the defensive scheme, should they move him too?
The 4 man lineup example is a bit dishonest. Gordon switched with Evans is not as good, as you correctly point out, but it is still quite a potent lineup, which you neglect to point out. Also, how many minutes has that 4 man group played WITHOUT Gordon?
To me there are much more thoughtful ways to discuss how to make the backcourt better than “Gordon is the problem. Team must trade him”
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=kppou8g
jus messing with the trade machine bro
Papa Pelican be nice to al
thouse You trying to be funny, once again you got to know talent when you see it. Anderson defend better than Jason Smith I try not to put any player dowm, Gorden need to be a team player and I know he can and play some defense. I not tryiny to put Aminu on a pesitial you just got to know what you got. I think the Pelicans should build around Davis, Aminu, Holiday, and Evans. I love Anderson because he play hard and is a clucth shooter even thought he likes on defense. I think the Pelican can make a run in the next few games. You win as team and lose as a team.
Yep, 3 months from now everything should be pretty clear; at least for those that watch the games. Although, it’s already pretty clear. And last year will go down as career highs for Vasquez.
Bottom line is the team has improved it’s roster. Maybe enough to squeak into playoffs, but not enough to get past 1st round in the West.
Now when this team matures and plays better team defense, and coach figures out how to keep this teams intensity up for four quarters; they’ll be able to shake some things up.
lawstar Not trying to be funny at all.
Just asking questions of the author. He uses two points (Gordon doesn’t fit the scheme on defense and his lineup data isn’t great) to which I took exception.
I love Anderson. He is among the most efficient offensive players in the league and is probably the most important offensive player on this team. But he in no way, shape, or form fits the bill of what Monty wants from bigs on defense. If not fitting the defensive scheme is a huge deal, then let’s apply that to every player.
I like Aminu. He gets tons of shit because he has very obvious flaws. But he does vital things for this team. His lineup data with guys like Evans, Davis, Anderson is very good, but I don’t see posts pointing this out. Aminu needs to play more.
I agree completely with your last two sentences. What bugs me about this post is that it feels like a hit piece on an easy target. Gordon is the fan whipping boy for everything over the last two years. Much of it is deserved scorn. He’s been better this year, but he is not worth his salary at all. In my opinion, there are better ways to talk about this than what was presented.
Dumping blame on Gordon for the terrible TEAM defense because he “doesn’t fit the scheme” is lazy. Calling Gordon out for too many shots when he has a lower Usage rate than Evans, Davis and Anderson is lazy as well.
thouse lawstar I thought that it was clear, but in case it wasn’t – Gordon is not “to blame” at all. He did not put the team together. He did not sign the contract. The data does not tell me that he is a bad player. It just tells me that the $15 million could be spent better if the team had the opportunity to get out of the contract. Ryan Anderson makes nearly half that amount and provides a skill that literally nobody else on this roster can provide.
As I said in the article, this has nothing to do with Gordon’s past. It is simply an evaluation of how the team is constructed. If Gordon was making 8 or 9 million, then this article probably wouldn’t have been written. It is not a “hit piece”. I would LOVE it if Gordon was essential to the team, since I think he is practically untradeable. But I can’t manipulate the numbers. I just write what they tell me.
Clef504 with Ej the problem is not the scoring or roles(the fab five plays just fine with him) is if u want to put a name on it the “rudy gay syndrome” that he thinks is a scorer… and thinks that he doesn´t need to do anything else, so he doesn´t want to rebound or defend,etc,etc, if he wanted he could be a lot better,but the motor and will just aren´t there. And just for note, Rivers has the exact same problem, and a lot of AAU combo guards, even Evans in Sac but now he´s showing his real value now.
BTW in Memphis Gay wasn´t this shell of NBA player
504ever in the case of Aminu that number is actually pretty good b/c the super low usg, in Gordon´s case is horrible
Just a quick thought. I would keep Gordon over Evans…..your SHOOTING guard should be able to shoot. Even though Gordon’s numbers are down he is still a better shooter. Tyreke can’t shoot at all. We keep saying Evans is a guard…..yea, a point guard or a undersized SF.
And just so everyone know……I’m a complete Austin Rivers fan…..under no circumstance do I agree with any trade involving him lol
http://www.livefyre.com/profile/10677122/a The Pelican was trying to protect their investment in Gordan that why the sign him, and the Pelican belive he can be the player they projected. Before he got hurt in the Kings game he was having a outstanding game, but he need to play good defense and share the ball when double team the team is still getting use to each other and growing. Go Pels! I be at the game Friday against the Nuggets
thouse lawstar I agree whipping Gordan is not the way, and I never say nothing negative all I am saying he needs to do the little things other than scoring we know he can score the same with Anderson, but they still growing as a team and I belive they will be a playoff team. Gordan is not Lazy and can be a great player. They had not been healtly all season. The Pelican had to keep their investment which is smart. The Franshise is Anthony Davis who has Champonship writen all over him he remind me of a young Addul Jabber with more than a Sky-Hook.
LMFAO Rivers is a bust and a scrub.
Michael McNamara Your second paragraph isn’t clear at all. The data tells me that Gordon is an inch shorter than Holiday, but he has a longer wingspan by 2 inches and weighs more. Seems like a fit based on length and size.
No one thinks Gordon is worth his contract. He doesn’t convert at the rim or draw enough FTs to validate his $$$. But this team has much deeper issues than one overpaid player.
The best thing for this team would be for Evans and Gordon to switch roles. Having Evans starting with Holdiay has proven to be our best backcourt this season, and as you stated is our backfield of the future going forward. Gordon coming off the bench in a sixth man role, where he can have the ball in his hands constantly and creating for the 2nd unit would be devastating. Evans has been really good with that 2nd unit, but Gordon’s ability to knock down the 3 would open that unit up even more.
That being said, if Monty were to make that move Gordon would start crying and go into the tank. So even though I think it would be the best move, I don’t think it’s possible.
Papa Pelican have you seen gasol play in the last 3 years? yeah he’s tall but he’s no where near the player he used to be