Once again the Pelicans rolled against a team without all of its big guns, as Pierce and John Wall both sat out the game, leaving Gortat and Nene to hold the fort. Still, don’t be confused by the final score (88-84) this was a blowout. Monty played Darius Miller, Austin Rivers, John Salmons, Alexis Ajinca, Jeff Withey, Patric Young and Jimmer Fredette in the fourth and those guys were wrecked by Kevin Seraphin, Otto Porter and Dejuan Blair.
Up until that point, the Pelicans had double diget leads that stretched into the twenties for most of the game. My observations:
- Asik and Davis controlled the glass when they were on the floor together. Gortat pulled free a few contested rebounds, but he and Nene weren’t really able to stop them.
- Asik kept getting free down the middle on pick and rolls as the Wizards chose to stay home on Davis and Gordon and not help much. Asik is not the best at holding on to the ball or finishing, but he’s good enough to make that a dangerous play.
- The Pelicans ran with the Anderson-Asik-Davis frontcourt for a time out there, but it showed some problems. Porter kept getting free for shots. It did turn Anderson into a monster offensive rebounder though. The Wizards were trying so hard to contain Asik and Davis on the glass that Anderson kept slipping in over and over and ripping down offensive rebounds.
- Anderson’s shot was missing, but it didn’t matter because he kept grabbing second chance shots and earning new possessions. The Wizards were also playing with fire. All of his four threes were wide open. That would kill you normally.
- Small Forward Update: Babbitt, Salmons and Miller combined for 41 minutes, 13 points on 7 shots, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 2 steals, 5 turnovers and 8 fouls. At least they hit their shots?
- Rivers had his worst game of the pre-season, as he kept losing the ball and/or dribbling into traffic without a plan. His line isn’t terrible, but he struggled running that second unit in this game.
- Tyreke looked like Tyreke last night, unstoppable power drives and a bricked three pointer that was so wide left it hit the backboard and only grazed the side of the rim.
- Davis had 14 points on 8 shots, 1 assist, 2 blocks, 1 turnover, and zero fouls in 21 minutes. And it didn’t feel like he was dominating out there. All flow of the game. He also had a scary fall in the third that prompted Monty to pull him. The recap claims Anthony suffered a sprained wrist, but he just shrugged it off after the game as not something serious.
- Holiday looked a little lost on offense. Outside of the pick and roll he just kept dribbling into trouble and trying to bail himself out with mid-range jumpers and bad passes. C’mon Jrue!
- Andre Miller likes to grab people. Probably because he walks like an old man now. The refs kept letting him do it too. That annoyed me a bit.
- The team only hoisted 15 threes in this game, a far cry from it’s previous attempts. Of course, the Wizards perimeter defense was so poor, that the Pelicans could get inside at will for most of the game – so threes weren’t needed. At one point early in the game the Pelicans had outscored Washington in the paint 28-8.
14 responses to “Pelicans v Wizards observations”
This article misses the elephant in the living room. Austin Rivers played 24 minutes last night. Jimmer Fredette played 6 minutes. Fredette leads the team shooting 51% from the field and 55% three pointers. Rivers is 36% and 28%. Don’t tell me it’s just a preseason game and doesn’t matter. So go ahead and unveil the small, transparent fig leaf that it’s all about Jimmer being the worst defender in the galaxy, and defense is everything. Like Malone in Sacramento and Thibs in Chicago, Williams is a defensive-minded coach which means that apparently for all of them offense counts for almost nothing. Jimmer’s supposed defensive failings when unfairly, neverendingly held under a defensive microscope, is always the excuse for benching one of the best scorers in the NBA. The double standard is astonishing. Teams can post up 5’9″ Isaiah Thomas all day long, but neither he nor any other NBA player’s defense is under the same scrutiny, many of whom are rank well below Fredette. When Jimmer arrived in Chicago he was officially leading the NBA in three-point % thanks to his 6 for 8 outing against the Knicks when he actually got to play 27 minutes. That of course went away very soon since Thibs somehow didn’t need that kind of offense as the Bulls were nearly swept by the Wizards in the first round of the playoffs. Last year, even after all the focus on defense, the Pelicans won only 34 games (including three 8 game losing streaks) and Sacramento won only 28. Maybe great offense is at least half the equation. Maybe it’s time the culture of the NBA could start to be a little inclusive. And maybe it’s time a few NBA writers do some independent thinking and write honestly and with insight about what’s actually happening on the teams they cover.
How about you sit back and read a few articles before you paint toi much with that broad brush. State your case, then stoo short of bashing people.
We have different and fluid assessment. Sit back and appreciate it.
Jason Calmes Fair enough. However I have read a lot of articles, especially those written covering the Sacramento Kings who for Jimmer’s entire time there ignored this same kind of treatment. There are many people that share my view, but I do understand that basketball is more the ability to shoot the ball. Of course I think Jimmer is more than a one dimensional player. And there does seem to be a double standard that only applies to him. I would be interested in your reasoned response to my first post. Thank you.
My response is “wait for December.”
We can’t be held responsible for fans or other writers. Some will focus on him, some not. Some will value aspects of his game differently than others.
You give data. Do that. Say your piece. However, let the writers see him play before pre-accusing them of bias.
I, for one, am excited about the signing. I am rooting for him, but time will tell.
Jason Calmes I concur Doc…I expect many Jimmer fans may be new to this site, but I for one have always enjoyed the efforts put forth by the authors associated with it. No stone is left unturned in their varied analyses and offerings. This is a site for fans which I think efforts to be positive even if tongue in cheek at times. It is supposed to be fun and informative reading, so let’s hold back some on the gnashing of teeth. Most likely know Jimmer has a lot of supporters, and I definitely count myself one of them. I’d be very disappointed though to see Jimmer-fans come on and fuel a negative stigma, which these passionately flavored posts unavoidably will do. We welcome the interaction…we want to see him succeed..be cool!
i guess first jimmer fan appearance
Dear God: i’m so happy the regular season will soon be upon us. hank you for blessing us with this wonderful game we call basketball…I confess i took your name in vain when asked to comment about preseason basketball..I’m sorry…i hate the preseason…
Your Servant
Da V
jmald1 keep dreaming
nbafan Take a XANAX li fella..Fredette does have how shall we say limited defensive talent…yes he can shoot the ball and maybe additional minutes are given to another player Rivers as a means to help the team finally decide what the hell to do with him…..and as far being one of the best scorers in the NBA just be honest and tell everyone you’re his uncle…..fig leaf? ( i’m wearing one now by the way) insight? you can get that here..honesty? that as well….independent thinking?…got that as well…..now go take your crayons and make sue you color within the lines….I reman Da V..with all dues respect of course…
nbafan Jason Calmes Preseason is Gods way of teasing fans into thinking it matters….i’ve seen Jimmer play his entire career….one dimensional player..case closed..
OK…
1) Don’t toss Fredette into that fourth quarter reck. He played only 6 minutes – 3 of which were at the end of the game.
2) I agree that Rivers was terrible. Why Monty is increasing his minutes and significantly dropping Fredette’s is beyond me.
3) If you want more three point scoring and someone to spread the floor, you don’t limit Jimmer to 6 total minutes and increase Rivers minutes to 24.
nbafan Who’s your second favorite player? Let me guess… Doug McDermott? Who was your favorite player growing up? Hmmm… Mark Price?
Dear Lord we are going to have to put up all year with these Jimmer Fans! Jesus can they be more bias! No way no how jimmer affect the game more then Austin, no stat line necessary the eye test says enough.
LeJuan__James Before you scream bias, you had better make sure you are not doing the same.Bias is what Jimmer fans are screaming about.All they want is for him to be evaluated fairly.Unfortunately eye tests are subjective and easily influenced by personal bias.Calculating and reviewing player statistics is a good way to keep your personal bias in check.
Defensively, Jimmer has a slightly better overall defensive rating (98.6) than Rivers (98.4). Jimmer is slightly better than Rivers in steals (Jimmer 2.1 vs. Austin’s 1.8 per 48 minutes) and Jimmer’s opponents are scoring slightly less than Rivers’ opponents.
Offensively, It is not even close. Jimmer is making 51% of his field goals and is shooting 55% from 3. Rivers is only shooting 36% and 28% from 3. Jimmer is scoring around 24 point her 36 minutes to Austin’s 11.
I coach at the high school level and occasionally I get a parent demanding that their son start or play more. I could talk until I am blue in the face but I am never going to change that parent’s mind. But the easiest way to end the conversation is to show them the player statistics. The conversation then changes from “you need to be playing my kid more” to “what does my kid need to do to improve”. You need to do the same. Jimmer fans are doing it. River’s fans don’t because they can’t.
It is time for you to quit complaining about Jimmer Fans, and start backing up your Rivers is better assumptions with evidence. You also need to remember that the Jimmer’s fan base means more eyeballs watching the games on TV, more fans in seats at games, and more hits on articles that talk about the Pelicans. This should translate into more games on TV, more revenue, and more news and exposure for the team and the other players. Instead of trashing Jimmer fans, you should be excited for and welcoming the new pelican fans.