The Pelicans went 18-10 after moving Quincy Pondexter into the starting lineup following Jrue Holiday’s season-ending injury in February.
What can New Orleans do with both healthy?
We’ll have to wait a while to find out.
Not only is Holiday on a minutes limit, Pondexter is hurt.
John Reid of The Times-Picayune:
Alvin Gentry said Quincy Pondexter, who had knee surgery in May, will not be available until November.
— John Reid (@JohnReid64) September 25, 2015
Dante Cunningham is likely to emerge as the Pelicans
— John Reid (@JohnReid64) September 25, 2015
starting small forward until Quincy Pondexter returns.
Pondexter is a much better outside shooter than Dante Cunningham, so Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry must find ways to spread the floor. Luckily for New Orleans, Gentry specializes in that.
One solution to increase the talent on the floor, though not necessarily spacing, is leaning more on Tyreke Evans. But Evans will also be needed at point guard with Holiday’s minutes limit, depending how much Gentry wants to use Norris Cole.
The Pelicans aren’t particular deep on the perimeter. This will strain them even further.