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New Orleans Pelicans: 5 Reasons To Stay Optimistic

By Gerald Bourguet

Nov 18, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) talks to guard Ish Smith (4) during a timeout from action against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) talks to guard Ish Smith (4) during a timeout from action against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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New Orleans Pelicans
Nov 17, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Ish Smith (4) shoots over Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Denver defeated the Pelicans 115-98. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Ish Smith Filling His Role

Most NBA viewers weren’t familiar with Ish Smith until this season, but ask any Phoenix Suns fan about him and you’ll receive a glowing review about his speed and passing ability, along with a lighthearted joke about his complete lack of a perimeter shot and some sort of ringing endorsement about his place in this league as a backup point guard.

It’s taken Smith less than 13 games to earn a similar response from the Pelican faithful who are probably thanking their lucky stars he appeared to fill in for such an injury-stricken backcourt. Though he’s only started in three games, Smith is actually averaging more minutes per game than Jrue Holiday, who’s been on a minutes restriction and is starting to look more and more like a non-factor.

Luckily, Smith’s speed and energy has been a welcome addition to the Pellies, even if the fact that he’s been in such an expanded role speaks volumes about the dire injury situation New Orleans has faced this season.

In 28.8 minutes per game, Smith has posted 10.5 points and 7.9 assists per game, shooting 41 percent from the floor and a career high 33.3 percent from three-point range. Those shooting percentages obviously aren’t great, but Smith’s speed has allowed him to blow by defenders and zip passes to open teammates.

Smith is undersized and he’s not a very good defender, but he’s registered four double-digit assist games this season (including a career high 13 assists in New Orleans’ win over the Spurs) and has been scoring much more efficiently (53.8 percent) over the last three games.

He probably shouldn’t be an NBA starter, but for the injury-ravaged Pelicans, Ish Smith has been one of the best backup point guards in the league.

Next: No. 2

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