Summer League accentuates Pelicans’ potential but must be kept in perspective

WE INTERRUPT THIS PROGRAM TO BRING YOU AN ABSOLUTE HAMMER BY JAXSON HAYES pic.twitter.com/NFJsryE7N6

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) July 9, 2019

Let us put this in perspective.

The NBA Summer League is not even the equal of Major League exhibition games or NFL preseason games.

In those games, many of the participants are either regular players or those who will make a roster when the regular season begins.

That is certainly not the case with the NBA Summer League.

This is a preliminary caution before reading any further.

Got that?

Now, let us continue with the positives from the team the New Orleans Pelicans put on the floor in Las Vegas.

First, there was Zion Williamson.

He dazzled in his lone appearance before departing after bumping knees with an opponent.

Naturally, we know he needs work on his jump shot but we knew that prior to the competition beginning.

Yes, he looked a bit hefty but he always does.

Of course, his college coach, Mike Krzyzewski, sounded an alarm for all observers. It even sounded like he was calling out David Griffin and Alvin Gentry, to a degree.

“I thought he never should’ve played just because he’s been on this circuit of awards, the ESPY’s, everything,” Krzyzewski stated to Adam Zagoria of Forbes Sports. “I don’t think he’s in the playing shape or the mental shape to play.”

Is that a yellow light for critics regarding Williamson? Does this cold water douse the white hot excitement about him becoming a star in New Orleans.

Certainly, if Kryzewski is correct, there would have to be a measure of concern.

Any player, particularly one of such significance, should be in good condition and ready for the rigorous challenges of what is to come.

On the other hand, let us not forget that Williamson is just made 19.

While I totally respect Kryzewski and his career accomplishes and respect his opinions, what is he talking about?

You invest the top overall pick in a talented, hot commodity. You have a rookie indoctrination for him to participate in which he is patently aware of for months prior to the draft.

Have we heard this about any other top draft pick or prospect previously in recent years?

The suggestion to sit him initially was questionable at best and that is being generous.

Of course, the Pelicans chose to sit Williamson after the knee scare in his sole appearance. That was a move to err on the side of caution. I respect that decision, though like many, I would love to have seen more of Zion.

Why should be worried about seeing him so much in a meaningless exercise?

We should be worried about him (as he should) getting in tip-top condition to be at his very best by September and ready for the challenge of an 82-game season.

As far as the rest of the Pelicans Summer League entry that truly have a chance to stick in 2019-2020, there are seven players to take a look at.

In his one appearance, Frank Jackson showed the promise that New Orleans had for him a couple of years ago when drafting him despite a chronic foot injury. He scored 30 points and was electric. Perhaps the patience by the Pelicans will pay off with Jackson.

He closed last season scoring in double figures in his final 10 games, averaging 17.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, shooting 43 percent from the field, including 33 percent from 3-point range. While he must improve his shooting and he will never be a primary ball distributor, Jackson is strong and has the ability to get his own shot.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker finished Summer League play in the top three in scoring (24.3 points) and fourth in assists (6.0) in the competition. He showed the ability to get to the rim with either hand and has length. He is a solid, willing defender.

Alexander-Walker showed the ability to hit open shots from distance and struggled a bit when those shots were challenged but that is to be expected. He sees the floor well and found open teammates for buckets. He also showed good defensive instincts and quick hands, averaging 2.8 steals per game.

Trevon Bluett, who has become a Summer League phenom for New Orleans, was good again. He averaged 11.2 points and showed the ability to hit open looks, as he did last year in Las Vegas. Bluett played in just three games for New Orleans a year ago and while he is physical and has very good size (6-6) for a guard, he remains a long shot to make the roster in the fall in a very crowded guard room.

Jaxson Hayes came as advertised.

He is a very good athlete who can run the floor, jump out of the building and finish at the rim. He showed a strange rotation on his jumper but has some ability to shoot it. He will have to fill out and get stronger in the upper body but he is a true shot blocker. His on-the-ball defense has room for improvement. Hayes averaged 16.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocked shots per game while shooting 63 percent from the field.

Marcos Louzada “Didi” Silva can shoot from distance but we knew that. He displayed the ability to drive and score at the rim against smaller defenders, an added plus which will help him in his quest to make a roster crowded with guards who can get to the rim. Silva averaged 11 points, three rebounds and two assists per game. Silva can shoot it but no one is sure about him due to him facing lesser competition in Brazil.

Kenrich Williams, who played in 46 games a year ago for New Orleans in real games, picked up where he left off. Williams averaged 9.8 points and 10 rebounds per game, though you would like to see him shoot it more consistently as a wing player.

Of the other wild card players, the one who showed the most promise is LSU’s Kavell Bigby-Williams.

Despite yielding playing time to Hayes when he joined the squad, Bigby-Williams showed enough to merit an invitation to training camp. He has length (6-11). He can rise quickly to block and affect shots. Bigby-Williams made the most of his minutes, averaging 7.7 points and 7.8 rebounds while shooting 55 percent from the field in just 16.5 minutes per game.

Keep in mind that when assessing the Pelicans roster for the upcoming season, there are not many roster spots available with the young talent on hand, along with the veteran presence of Jrue Holiday and JJ Redick.

It was fun watching the Pelicans in Las Vegas but in the spirit of the city they played in, don’t bet on anyone else not mentioned here ever donning a Pelicans uniform. For that matter, as many as two or three of those mentioned will be hard-pressed to do so. Keep in mind that a roster has 15 players maximum, only 12 of whom dress on game nights.

Such is the plight of the NBA Summer League. Enjoy what you have watched while tempering your emotions.