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New Orleans Pelicans: Alexis Ajinca is Awesome

By Owen Sanborn

Mar 4, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center Alexis Ajinca (42) dunks over Detroit Pistons forward Greg Monroe (10) during the fourth quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Pistons 88-85. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center Alexis Ajinca (42) dunks over Detroit Pistons forward Greg Monroe (10) during the fourth quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Pistons 88-85. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Alexis Ajinca has came out of nowhere for the casual NBA fan as of late.

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Is this guy a rookie? Where did he come from? Wait, how long has this guy even been on the team? 

Those are some of the samples of what goes on through people’s head while they are watching a Pelicans game and Ajinca waltzes onto the court (I realize not many people find themselves diving deep into New Orleans Pelicans basketball on a Friday night but hey, we all can’t be Leonardo DiCaprio.).

Residing from France, Ajinca is only 26 years old despite his old man game and look. He previously played for the Charlotte Hornets (then Bobcats), Dallas Mavericks and Toronto Raptors before taking a two-year leave of absence to go play overseas. Now, he finds himself carving out a role on the upstart Pelicans.

While Anthony Davis and Ryan Anderson were out of the lineup due to injury, Ajinca was given the opportunity to play more minutes and he did not disappoint. He showcased the talent and touch that most coaches and general managers could only hope would be ingrained in their big men. Ajinca is a per 36 minutes stats phenomenon, posting over 17 points and 12 rebounds this season. If only there was 36 minutes to dish out to him every night.

Ajinca has a wonderful feel for how to finish around the basket and his 7’2″ frame and long arms allow him to finish over smaller defenders within the painted area. He is capable of being a pick and pop guy near the elbows and free throw area as well — giving Tyreke Evans and Eric Gordon a running mate to keep the offense flowing while playing short-handed.

Given the amount of space he takes up and his healthy wingspan, one would think that Ajinca would post better blocking numbers, or at least wreak more havoc around the rim. He does not always time his rotations properly and lacks the elite athleticism of Davis to be a real force that opposing players should fear.

Opponents shoot nearly five shots at the rim against Ajinca per game and make half of them, putting him right around the league average. Perhaps his defense will improve as his minutes begin to steadily increase because the potential is there for him to be more than simply a serviceable player.

Moving forward, we should expect Ajinca to see a bigger role as a big guy off the bench that can score and rebound for the remainder of the season. He will become an unrestricted free agent this summer and you just know that some smart team out there is going to scoop him up at a cheap price (I will bet anything that the San Antonio Spurs make a run at him because that is just what they do).

The Pelicans’ big man rotation is crowded and Anderson’s eventual return will not help matters, but his play has earned more court time regardless. I am confident that Monty Williams will find a way to shuffle and stagger the rotation in a way that feeds all of the mouths along the New Orleans frontline.

Maybe he will even prepare a croissant for Mr. Ajinca.

Next: NBA: 50 Greatest Players Of All Time

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