The New Orleans Pelicans had a tough 2015-2016 season only winning 30 games. New coach, Alvin Gentry couldn’t imagine going through such a tough season, especially after just winning a championship with his former team, the Golden State Warriors. The injury bug hit the Pelicans hard, and players’ game appearances were definitely limited: Anthony Davis (61), Eric Gordon (45), Tyreke Evans (25), Ryan Anderson (66) Jrue Holiday (65), Norris Cole (45), and Alexis Ajinca (59).
As injuries was the reasoning to a disappointing season previously. This upcoming season is starting off rough, and it hasn’t even started. In recent news, two-time gold medalist in U.S. women’s soccer, Lauren Holiday, has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. She is the wife of Pelicans point guard, Jrue Holiday. The devastating news will sideline the starting point guard for at least the start of the season. “My family comes before basketball,” Jrue Holiday stated to the Times- Picayune. No one can blame the former all-star for choosing the woman he loves over the game he loves. With that being said, The Pelicans staff has to find a new starting point guard to replace Holiday. Now, the depth chart states that newly acquired point guard, Langston Galloway, is next to take the helm.
Galloway was a nice combo guard for the New York Knicks, averaging 7.6 points in 24.8 minutes a game. That stat can definitely be better, though, especially if he is trying to help the Pelicans win more. A stat he must increase as well is his assist (2.5). That shouldn’t be a problem with a man named Anthony Davis as your teammate, but you never know. As things could look great for Galloway, another Pelican can see significant minutes and make a great impact, and O “Buddy,” he is something special.
In the 2016 NBA draft, The New Orleans Pelicans select, from the University of Oklahoma, Chavano Rainier Hield, or as you know him as Buddy. Hield is listed as a shooting guard, but has the skills to be a talented point guard. His last season in college, he shot 50 percent from the field, and averaged 25 points per game. With numbers like that, he might be the best shooter of the 2016 draft class. Scoring is an over-glorified stat in the NBA, so with Hield’s scoring ability, he could possibly have a very high chance to become this year’s Rookie of the Year. With Galloway’s inexperience and Holiday’s absence, Hield can see significant minutes and possibly a starter for the recovering Pelicans.
The Pelicans got a glimpse of their draftee during NBA Summer League. He showed promise as he averaged 16.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists in five games. He can help Davis with scoring since the departing of two great scorers, Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon. Davis can help the rookie out with his assist tally, and at 6’4, Hield can dominate the boards as much as a guard can. For the 6th overall pick in the draft, you might want to see him as a top three rookie this year with Ben Simmons and Jabari Parker.
