New Orleans Pelicans: 3 reasons the season is over
2. No small forward to stifle KD
The biggest weakness in New Orleans’ roster is without a doubt their lack of depth on the wing. Darius Miller and Solomon Hill are the only true wing players to get minutes for the Pelicans and combined they averaged 10.2 points per game during the regular season.
As a substitute during the playoffs, head coach Alvin Gentry decided to go with shooting guard E’Twaun Moore, who averaged a career-high 12.5 points per game in the regular season.
A career 38.5 percent shooter from distance, Moore provided spacing for New Orleans’ offensive attack, but at only 6’4″, 191 pounds, he lacked the size to guard traditional small forwards, and against the Warriors, it’s easy to see why that’d be costly.
Kevin Durant averaged 27.8 points and 4.8 assists on 50.5 percent shooting during the five-game series, feasting on the puny guards the Pelicans tried to stop him with.
Kevin Durant scored 24 points against primary defenders who were shorter than him in Game 4, his most this series. He’s been matched up against shorter defenders throughout the series and taken full advantage. pic.twitter.com/pTM0pko7qW
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 6, 2018
New Orleans tried using Jrue Holiday to defend KD, as the nine-year veteran did a great job in the previous series against the duo of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, but as one can clearly see, Durant is no Lillard or McCollum.
Listed at 6’9″ but most likely taller, and with a wingspan bigger than most centers, even the stingiest of wing perimeter defenders can’t contest Durant’s length, handle and smooth stroke.
To counter his offensive greatness with a guy giving up at least five inches in height isn’t an ideal situation. With limitless range and guard-like handles, it’s just not enough.
The Pelicans didn’t really have any other options, as they decided to go with their five best players and live with the results. Sadly, it’s those results that have them home for the remainder of the playoffs.