New Orleans Pelicans: 3 takeaways from 2017-18 season opener
By Ryan Piers
Boogie boogied
Cousins’s numbers staggered slightly in 17 games with the Pelicans last season. But playing through a minor ankle injury, he looked stellar on opening night. Yes the 28-10-2 line is impressive, but seven blocks. I’m sorry, wrong punctuation. SEVEN blocks!
According to offensive/defensive ratings, last year was Boogie’s best offensively. But defensively, it was his worst. With new sidekick Davis usually drawing the tougher post matchup, Cousins should be free to roam the floor and seek out opportunities to swat errant floaters. He did so a couple times in last night’s first quarter.
Yes, there was the technical foul. Cousins reacted to a fan yelling “a couple f-bombs and flipping me off.” But usually that kind of language from fans sitting within earshot of players warrants ejection. Either way, the technical occurred with 50 seconds left in the game and didn’t impact the outcome.
The takeaway from Boogie’s 2017-18 debut with the Pelicans was hugely positive. He looked great on both ends of the floor and was the only New Orleans player with a positive plus/minus. Cousins’ importance to the Pelicans can’t be overstated. Hopefully that’s the Boogie the Big Easy fans will see all year.