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NBA: Top 5 Benches Thus Far in 2016-17

By Colby Giacubeno

Nov 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) celebrates a play with forward Brandon Ingram (14) as Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Muscala (31) is shown on the play in the fourth quarter of their game at Philips Arena. The Lakers won 123-116. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) celebrates a play with forward Brandon Ingram (14) as Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Muscala (31) is shown on the play in the fourth quarter of their game at Philips Arena. The Lakers won 123-116. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 18, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Terrence Jones (9) attempts a shot against Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Muscala (31) in the first quarter of their game at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Terrence Jones (9) attempts a shot against Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Muscala (31) in the first quarter of their game at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

5. New Orleans Pelicans

PPG: 38.9 (5th)
RPG: 16.9 (9th)
APG: 8.6 (8th)
BPG: 2.4 (3rd)

The Pelicans had to wait until their ninth game of the season to earn their first win of the season. Needless to say, there was speculation just eight games in that they would tank the season and the rumor mill involving Anthony Davis getting close to wanting out was alive and well.

Since then, they’ve gone 6-4 in their last 10 games and are three games behind the eighth-place Los Angeles Lakers.

Jrue Holiday returning to the lineup after missing the first 12 games certainly helped their cause, but a few players on their bench have also been key contributors in the turnaround.

Terrence Jones is quickly becoming one of the biggest bargains of the offseason. Jones signed a one-year deal for a little more than $1 million and is leading the bench in points per game (10.5) and rebounds per game (5.4).

His production has been desperately needed when Davis is off the floor.

Langston Galloway and Buddy Hield have been solid thus far except for Hield’s efficiency struggles. It takes time for players such as Hield to translate their game to the NBA. Picking his spots and adjusting to quicker closeouts can be a huge learning curve that only experience can fix.

Galloway is more of a seasoned player than Hield, obviously, and has his 39.9 field goal and 40 three-point percentages to back that up.

Holiday has been coming off the bench in his first five games back, but it’s safe to say those duties will go to Tim Frazier once head coach Alvin Gentry feels Holiday is back and conditioned.

We have a long way to go until April, so counting out a team within the first couple of weeks into the season isn’t very smart. For the Pelicans, they’ve shown they can compete with any team even though they ended up on the losing end.