One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for this Thanksgiving

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – NOVEMBER 19: Herbert Jones #5 of the New Orleans Pelicans strips the ball from Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers during the third quarter of a NBA game at Smoothie King Center on November 19, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. NBA; Thanksgiving (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving: New Orleans Pelicans – Herb Jones is a keeper

This has been a tough season for the Pelicans, and I don’t want to rehash the events that have happened up to this point. But kernels of hope can be found in even the darkest of seasons, and one kernel that has become tasty popcorn is Herb Jones.

Rookies who average six points and three rebounds in 25 minutes a game aren’t usually impactful players. Herb is different. He has an innate feel for the game, knowing exactly when to cut, when to screen, and when to switch defensive assignments.

He usually guards the opposing team’s best perimeter players, like the Wolves’ Anthony Edwards, whom Jones has held to 2-12 shooting and 3 turnovers in 91 possessions. On a team that is typically outscored by a ghastly 11 points per 100 possessions, the Pelicans somehow win the minutes Herb plays.

The lineup of Devonte’ Graham, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Brandon Ingram, Herb, and Jonas Valanciunas has absolutely mashed opponents in limited time together, which is something to monitor moving forward.

Herb will likely never be a superstar, but he’s the exact kind of dirty work player that every team needs to succeed, and in Zion’s absence, he’s been the most pleasantly surprising thing about the Pelicans this season.