Can Ian Clark make an impact for the New Orleans Pelicans bench this season?
On Aug. 3, 2017, fresh off after winning the Larry O’Brien trophy back in June, Ian Clark left the Golden State Warriors and signed with the New Orleans Pelicans. This was a much-needed signing for both parties involved in the process.
Last season with the Warriors, Ian Clark averaged 6.8 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. That stat line is nothing to really write home about.
But the Pelicans didn’t sign Ian Clark on a one-year minimum salary deal on those specific numbers. They signed him because of his shooting, which is desperately needed on the Pelicans bench for this upcoming season.
Clark shot nearly 37 percent from the 3-point line on a championship team that drains threes like open gym layups.
For the New Orleans Pelicans, they see his steady shooting as the key to add a scoring punch to their bench. The Pelicans bench averaged 37.1 points per game last season, but was dreadful with their 3-point shooting at 33.8 percent, per NBA.com. Even their field goal percentage ranked 21st in the league at an abysmal 43.5 percent.
So what can he do to turn their bench troubles around?
Outside shooting and efficient scoring is what the Pelicans needed to address. Signing Ian Clark is the first step to rectify those issues.
The fifth-year player out of Belmont University was one of the most consistent middle-of-the-pack bench players this past season. He knows his role, which is shooting the open jumper or cutting to the basket.
Playmakers like Rajon Rondo and Jrue Holiday will turn Ian Clark into their favorite sharpshooter this upcoming season. He excels at catching and shooting the three, with 96 percent of his shots being assisted according to NBA Stats.
It doesn’t necessarily need to be the point guards making the play for him. Both DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis are well-equipped to make the right passes and reads as well.
Another issue that’ll need to be addressed
Also the one thing that Ian Clark will get abundance of compared to his stint at Oakland would be minutes. Last season he averaged 14 minutes per game, which was why his overall numbers were down across the board.
When he did get a decent amount of minutes on the court, he was electric. He had two amazing performances earlier last season in Portland, where he had a couple of 20-point games.
Clark’s best performance from last season would have to be against the San Antonio Spurs back in March. With the majority of the starters taking the night off on a primetime Saturday night broadcast, Ian Clark made it his time to shine. He scored 36 points added five rebounds and was a perfect 3-for-3 from the 3-point line.
Many assumed that Clark would get a more bigger role off the bench in the playoffs, but it wasn’t meant to be.
Golden State’s loss is the Pelicans’ gain for the 2017-18 season. Ian Clark is on a one-year contract to show his newly signed team that he’s the long-term solution for their bench woes.
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The question is: Can Ian Clark be one of the brightest spots for the Pelicans bench for this upcoming season?