There’s a long list of reasons the Pelicans have started the season 1-11, and at the top of it is they have the very worst defense in all the land. Which if you have Anthony Davis protecting the rim speaks to some serious issues.
But another one is a lack of shot creation. Jrue Holiday is not 100 percent healthy, and that’s not always been his strongest suit anyway. The preseason injury to Tyreke Evans was a big setback on this front — which is why what Alvin Gentry said on Friday. Via Brett Dawson of the New Orleans Advocate:
Alvin Gentry says Tyreke Evans is “on point” in saying he could return next week.
— Brett Dawson (@BDawsonWrites) November 21, 2015
Gentry says Evans will be eased back into action when he’s ready to return, but minutes restriction won’t be as low as 10 or 15.
— Brett Dawson (@BDawsonWrites) November 21, 2015
Gentry also said that he expects Davis and Omer Asik to be healthy and ready to go against the Spurs this week.
The Pelicans need this, even if Evans is not 100 percent yet. His ability to get his own shot and opening things up for others — including Davis — is huge.
With this horrific a start, Evan’s return will not be near enough to pull the Pelicans back up to being a playoff team this season. However, it can begin to make them dangerous and respectable again.
Then next summer GM Dell Demps and the Pelicans front office have a lot of work to do to put a better team around Davis.