New Orleans Pelicans: Ryan Anderson Cleared For Contact

Pelicans power forward Ryan Anderson took to Twitter Wednesday to announce that he has been cleared for contact work.

This is great news for coach Monty Williams and company as Anderson is one of the most lethal 3-point shooters in the league.

After only 22 games played last season, Anderson had to undergo season-ending neck surgery thanks to a nasty fall while playing in Boston against the Celtics. Both Pelican and NBA fans alike were not happy to hear the news as Anderson was slowly transforming into one of the more underrated players around.

During those first 22 games Anderson was on his way to a career season. He  averaged 19.8 ppg while shooting 40 percent from beyond the arc.

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Given his 6’10” frame and respectable rebounding numbers (6.5 per game last season, which is not terrible for a player that does not hang around the paint that often) Anderson is a very valuable player to the Pelicans.

There is a lot of speculation going around whether coach Williams will choose to play small ball (and create more offensive symmetry) by starting Anderson and Davis together in the frontcourt, or create defensive havoc by starting Davis and newly acquired Omer Asik.

This is an interesting predicament for Williams because both sides have their strengths and weaknesses. A lineup consisting of Jrue Holiday, Eric Gordon, Tyreke Evans, Ryan Anderson would be a struggle for any defense to defend, especially if they played with a run and gun mentality.

However, the defensive shortcomings that lineup presents would overcome its offensive prowess.

Expect Asik to partner with Davis in the starting to form defensive wall for potential drivers.

All in all, the addition of Anderson is a welcomed sight for Pelican fans and for team brass.  He is a special floor spacer that could have a similar effect that Channing Frye did for the Phoenix Suns last season.

Plus, he is only 25 years old and has two years left on the four-year, $34 million deal he signed prior to the 2012-13 season.

Hopefully Anderson will get back his sharpshooting ways sooner than later. Keeping him healthy will no doubt be a key cog in a potential playoff push heading into the 2014-15 season.