NAW Highlights

I told folks he was a point guard days ago. Believe me now? I REALLY like this kid.

WillGuillory

"We asked Nickeil Alexander-Walker about Jaxson Hayes' dunk and Hayes stopped him mid-sentence to say, "I just want to say, the only reason I got that dunk was because of his fire pass. Don't look at the dunk, look at the pass"



I love this even more reason to like this dude.

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He froze 3 defenders and did a one handed pass around his man’s outside position. That’s great basketball.

NAW is a natural 2 who has great vision and I think he can easily slide into that point role in the NBA. He and Frank should battle each other all season long for minutes. His size, quickness and length at the 1 will also help him defensively which he's also pretty good at as well.

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Originally Posted by RaisingTheBar

NAW is a natural 2 who has great vision and I think he can easily slide into that point role in the NBA. He and Frank should battle each other all season long for minutes. His size, quickness and length at the 1 will also help him defensively which he's also pretty good at as well.

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Right now, just going on their Summer League appearances (which is obviously way too small a sample size), it's not a battle. NAW looks far more ready to run and operate an offense than Frank did in his showings.

It almost seems like the Pelicans rookie class is pretty good at this basketball thing.

After watching Zion in game 1 and the highlights of NAW and Hayes in these two threads, I have come to a few conclusions.

1. We don't need anymore signings. There aren't enough minutes in a game to give to these guys.
2. This very well could be the most talented group of people ever to wear New Orleans uniform. OMG they can fly!
3. We won the off season. While everyone is out there celebrating KD to Brooklyn or Kawai to the Clips, we have quietly put together a draft class for the ages.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Right now, just going on their Summer League appearances (which is obviously way too small a sample size), it's not a battle. NAW looks far more ready to run and operate an offense than Frank did in his showings.

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I agree 100% NAW was my favorite non-Zion pick lol but I was just giving respect to the guy who just went off, has more experience, and from what I hear the front office likes. I'd have no issues if NAW was the 2nd guard off the bench after JJ.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Right now, just going on their Summer League appearances (which is obviously way too small a sample size), it's not a battle. NAW looks far more ready to run and operate an offense than Frank did in his showings.

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I never thought Frank was a point guard... to me he's better off the ball. NAW seems more polished as a player overall whether at the 1 or off the ball. Yes small sample but that sample was VERY impressive.

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Originally Posted by DroopyDawg

I never thought Frank was a point guard... to me he's better off the ball. NAW seems more polished as a player overall whether at the 1 or off the ball. Yes small sample but that sample was VERY impressive.

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It's funny, everything I was begging for Jackson to show in Game 1, NAW showed here in game 3.

I asked for Jackson to show signs of being able to playmake for others, particularly off the dribble. NAW did that.
I asked for Jackson to run the pick and roll, just to show that basic proficiency. NAW did that.
I wanted to see how Jackson's jumper was looking after a long gap of not playing. NAW showed his, and it was smooth.
I wanted Jackson to show how to control the pace and flow of a game, rather than just going for the bucket every play. NAW did that.
NAW showed far more disciplined defense as well, against a tough matchup: White looked good out there, and NAW just held it down.

Add to that that NAW is basically 6'6'', whereas Frank is 6'3'', and that NAW has a 6'10 wingspan compared to Frank's 6'7, the writing seems to be on the wall for Frank, at least as a lead guard.

One game in the Summer League and I'm already a big fun of this guy. His vision and playmaking skills will help him to be productive in NBA games from the instance. I really really hope that in few years people will call him the biggest steal of 2019 draft.

Sign me up for the NAW bandwagon. It's just summer league, but some of the stuff you want to see young kids exhibit, he already has;
Feel for the game
Finishing at the rim
Ability to see the floor (OMG them wraparound passes!
Basketball IQ!!!! Besides playoff Rondo, when was the last time you saw a Pelican pg show advanced Bball IQ.

I can't wait to see more of him. Also, anyone who shows up at the draft with a snakeskin suit doesn't lack for confidence.

I watched a lot of him in college - I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by his handle. I never would've thought he could've been counted on at the point. He looks to have really improved in the offseason. He is already far and away my favorite "Hokie" (I have very few).

NAW and Hayes reminded me of CP3 and Tyson last night. They were just having a blast, and you can see the chemistry between the two. Of course it’s summer league. But rarely do you see this kind of chemistry and flair on a debut in summer league if ever. It’s promising

Oh NAW, hell NAW

Rewatching his highlights from last night I realized just how much he prefers to go, finish, and pass with his left even though he's technically a righty... reminds me of a certain other guard...

Ever since I checked this guy out I knew it was the right pick. I like Nassir Little’s potential, but this guy has shown it. He has the potential to be one of the better combo in guards in the NBA. The way this kid can use either hand is breathtaking. I hope Nico Melli shows to be a great addition from the jump as well.

C: Favors, Hayes, Okafor
PF: Zion, Melli, Wood
SF: Ingram, Moore/Hart, Miller
SG: Redick, NAW
PG: Jrue, Lonzo, Frank

I think NAW has more potential than both Moore & Hart and won’t be surprised if he gets more minutes really soon. Hopefully Melli can be our backup 4 due to spacing. I still think Jrue is starting at point guard, but maybe JJ comes off the bench. Lonzo could have 3 good shooters with NAW, Moore, & Melli to space it for them lobs to Hayes off the pick & roll!! Man that would be one helluva a 2nd unit IMO.

Opening day lineup will be

Lonzo
Jrue
Ingram
Zion
Favors

Book it

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Originally Posted by HornetGuru

Opening day lineup will be

Lonzo
Jrue
Ingram
Zion
Favors

Book it

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I think pretty much everyone agrees with that.

wouldnt surprise me if they went okafor for the starting lineup for experience sake....as in prior experience with the pels

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Originally Posted by Pels4Life

wouldnt surprise me if they went okafor for the starting lineup for experience sake.

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Favors has far, far more NBA experience than Okafor.

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Originally Posted by Pels4Life

wouldnt surprise me if they went okafor for the starting lineup for experience sake....as in prior experience with the pels

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No chance in hell Okafor starts before Favors.
Favors has way more experience and IQ that he would get up to speed.

Can we get a NAW Frank starting backcourt heading into SL finals

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Originally Posted by HornetGuru

Opening day lineup will be

Lonzo
Jrue
Ingram
Zion
Favors

Book it

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I just don’t like the spacing with Lonzo in there. I don’t see how you can start a team with all 3 of your best shooters on the bench in Redick, Moore, & NAW in today’s NBA. Maybe Jrue &/or Ingram will be good enough shooters to space the floor for Zion, Lonzo, & Favors, but I just don’t see it. Lonzo & Zion need shooters around them to maximize their talent and I don’t think just Jrue & Ingram will cut it unfortunately.

Look what happened with Duke when Reddish was out the game. They left Jones open and he couldn’t hit those open shots. Last year the Lakers had LeBron, Ingram, & Kuzma surrounding Lonzo and they didn’t do so great. They need at least one dangerous 3 point shooter and JJ Redick is the perfect guy to do that for Zion with Moore & NAW for Lonzo.

Finishing 5 will be interesting.
It will switch between Ball and Reddick depending on if offense or defense is needed.

Everyone is drooling over the CLIPPERS starting 5 defense. But, what about the PELS?

Ball
Jrue
Zion
Favors
Hayes

Holy crap!!!! Think about it for a minute....

That lineup could be a top 10 defense, maybe top 5 if they have excellent chemistry.....


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Originally Posted by pelicanchamp

Everyone is drooling over the CLIPPERS starting 5 defense. But, what about the PELS?

Ball
Jrue
Zion
Favors
Hayes

Holy crap!!!! Think about it for a minute....

That lineup could be a top 10 defense, maybe top 5 if they have excellent chemistry.....


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Ingram will start, Hayes won't

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Originally Posted by AusPel

Ingram will start, Hayes won't

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Yeah, I think it's highly, highly unlikely that Hayes will start at all until at least February. Depending on how the playoffs look, he may get his minutes bumped up at that point and maybe start (coming out early) a few games but there's no way he's starting on opening night.

No way Ingram gets benched either. I've expressed my doubts about Ingram in the past but he was a top 2 pick and if you want to give him the best chance to reach his potential at this point in his career, you've gotta give him that vote of confidence and let him start.

Ingram has insane potential. Playmake, scoring, his three ball was amazing before the clot. Elite length.

I've been on record repping Ingram over Tatum more than once

I can see NAW playing the SF position on the bench as well. He has the size and length to play SF at times especially on the bench. We put Moore at SF in the starting lineups at times. Frank/JJ/NAW at the PG/SG/SF position would be one hell of a trio off the bench. Offensively NAW would likely run the point more then the other 2 but all 3 give us capable scorers and passers. Our team has so much versatility to do near whatever we want. Very excited to see this kid develop. He reminds me a lot of Malcolm Brogdon having a very similar overall skill set. The only difference is NAW is a more gifted natural passer with better vision. It’s early but it sure looks like we hit on all 3 draft picks who will eventually turn into legit NBA starters with each having real talent to be stars.
Ball/NAW/Ingram/Zion/Hayes.. that is absolutely insane to have 5 players under 21 with the talent they all have. We already have a team that can sustain itself for near the next 10 years. Not another team in the NBA that has 5 players at that age much less having the talent of that group.

NAW definitely has the length to play SF

I really see him as our best asset. He's more NBA ready at his position than Zion is

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Originally Posted by AusPel

Ingram has insane potential. Playmake, scoring, his three ball was amazing before the clot. Elite length.

I've been on record repping Ingram over Tatum more than once

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You and me both! I’ll stay on record that Ingram will be the better player with a much higher ceiling then Tatum. Not a SF under 25 years old with his talent. His defense is very under rated as well where he can be a top 5 defender at the SF position as early as next year. His individual defense has been near elite the past 2 years but has played with what has been a terrible team defense. Having Ball and Jrue on the court with him will be huge. Like you said his 3pt shot was very good at 39% in year 2. It took a dive for a little last season but once they finally learned how to use him with Lebron he again jumped over 40%.

Like Griffin said having Ball/Jrue/Ingram on the floor gives you 3 capable playmakers that move the ball when before all we had was Jrue. This team has had such a crazy over haul in such a short period of time. Ingram is going to be a star and I really don’t think he could be in a better place to achieve that. The little crew of Ingram haters around here will not pick every little thing next year like they have been doing. Kids going to be a star! I think he might start off a little rusty do to not being able to play basketball for a long time. I expect to see the player we saw towards the end of last season around the all star break. A 21 year of SF with elite length scoring
19-22ppg/3-6apg/4-7rpg on near 50% FG and 40% 3pt while being a plus defender. I have no doubt we have a top 7 SF in him next season.

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Originally Posted by AusPel

NAW definitely has the length to play SF

I really see him as our best asset. He's more NBA ready at his position than Zion is

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I agree. If he gets decent minutes, like 15-20 minutes, he could prove himself to be a future starter if not future STAR. It’s all on YouTube. It’s all on paper. The kid has it. He’s a natural and he’s the kind of player that doesn’t look like he has any significant weaknesses. We got really lucky imo. I honestly think he’s going to be a star at some point.


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Originally Posted by GuardianAngel25

You and me both! I’ll stay on record that Ingram will be the better player with a much higher ceiling then Tatum. Not a SF under 25 years old with his talent. His defense is very under rated as well where he can be a top 5 defender at the SF position as early as next year. His individual defense has been near elite the past 2 years but has played with what has been a terrible team defense. Having Ball and Jrue on the court with him will be huge.

Like Griffin said having Ball/Jrue/Ingram on the floor gives you 3 capable playmakers that move the ball when before all we had was Jrue. This team has had such a crazy over haul in such a short period of time. Ingram is going to be a star and I really don’t think he could be in a better place to achieve that. The little crew of Ingram haters around here will not pick every little thing next year like they have been doing. Kids going to be a star!

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Add Zion and NAW to the list of facilitators too. My god. NAW is gifted. He really is more of a PG than SG but I agree combo guard is his position because he’s awesome off the ball.


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Originally Posted by AusPel

NAW definitely has the length to play SF

I really see him as our best asset. He's more NBA ready at his position than Zion is

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Yea he has a great all around game and gives us a 2 way player capable of guarding 3 positions. He’s got very similar size to Kent Bazemore. My comparison for him is Brogdon/Bazemore for him. Getting anything close to those guys would be huge. I think he is going to be better. I don’t think he is more NBA ready then Zion but I don’t think he’s far from it. In a couple of years when they do redrafts on this draft I think we will have 3 of the top 6 picks.
Once Hayes puts on some size and strength he will be a top 5 Center in the NBA. That kids talent along with his shooting touch and soft hands like Griffin said is incredible. He is so good around the rim and he is still as raw as it gets. You just don’t see that type of touch from bigs and it is very rare to get one. IMO we got one of the best finishing bigs around the rim I have seen since AD.

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Originally Posted by pelicanchamp

Add Zion and NAW to the list of facilitators too. My god. NAW is gifted. He really is more of a PG than SG but I agree combo guard is his position because he’s awesome off the ball.


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Oh yea I know! I was mostly talking about the starting lineup and what will be the main facilitators in it. Zion absolutely can as well especially in the NBA which is built for a player like him. Those 3 all have the ability to create like a PG and I would put NAW in that category as well. Adding 3 more ball handlers and creators in 1 off season with Ball/NAW/Ingram is just insane. So much pressure is now taken off Jrue. I think early on we will keep it simple for Zion asking him to just attack while we have others put him in positions to get easy buckets. Either way whatever we decide to do we can now do it thanks to the versatility we have added to this team. We have upgraded every single position on this team with what will be better players except for losing AD. Not much of a drop off with Zion!

I know its just SL. I'm trying to repeat it in my head. But I want this youngster as the backup point guard as a rookie. Dont care if he struggles early. He will figure it out. His command of the game reminds me of a young Chris Paul. You cant teach confidence like that.

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Originally Posted by luckyman

I know its just SL. I'm trying to repeat it in my head. But I want this youngster as the backup point guard as a rookie. Dont care if he struggles early. He will figure it out. His command of the game reminds me of a young Chris Paul. You cant teach confidence like that.

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I've said it before and I'll say it again: one of the absolute most important things to consider for a player, especially a young player, that gets overlooked far too often is feel.

People look at box score stats, or they see a highlight dunk or a deep three, and for a lot of casual fans (no insult to casual fans, obviously it's perfectly legit to just enjoy something as a hobby) but it's easy to miss feel. It doesn't make a top 10 highlight reel, it doesn't look as gaudy as 30 points in the box score, but it's just vital. All top prospects have it, all superstars have it. NAW has it.

Obviously just feel isn't enough. If you're 4'7'' with a 2'' vertical and no jumper, no amount of 'feel' is going to save you. There needs to be a baseline physical ability. But if you're 6'6'' with a 6'10'' wingspan, can pass with both hands and shoot from deep, then feel is what sets you apart from physically gifted Summer League stars and lets you be a real NBA player.

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Originally Posted by luckyman

I know its just SL. I'm trying to repeat it in my head. But I want this youngster as the backup point guard as a rookie. Dont care if he struggles early. He will figure it out. His command of the game reminds me of a young Chris Paul. You cant teach confidence like that.

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yeah same him Redick and hart as the bench whoo it could be exciting as the starters

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I fully agree with your assessment. he's so similar to jrue with a better shot.

I know it’s just Summer League but man Nickeil Alexander-Walker is already making major splashes as a scorer and facilitator. There’s no way you can keep NAW off the court if he continues this kind of play. You have to find a way to give him as many minutes possible. He’s already what we want out of Lonzo; someone that can put others in position to get buckets and he already has a great shot, which Lonzo still needs to improve on. Nickeil looks like he can translate his SL play into At Least 12-16 ppg and 5-8 apg if he gets minutes. The more NAW develops, Lonzo becomes more in his way imo.

We loaded with backcourt depth, and all of them can shoot and score except Lonzo. Lonzo can be an assist machine, but he doesn’t offer much of anything in shooting. That’s a huge liability when his starter minutes prevents better scorers from seeing the floor

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Originally Posted by SonOfNOLA

We loaded with backcourt depth, and all of them can shoot and score except Lonzo. Lonzo can be an assist machine, but he doesn’t offer much of anything in shooting. That’s a huge liability when his starter minutes prevents better scorers from seeing the floor

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You can only have so many scorers on the floor at once before they start to get in each other's way, especially if they are scorers who need the ball in their hands to create offense. Obviously guys like Redick who just run around and shoot don't present that issue, but guys like Ingram certainly do.

It's easy to say ''Oh well, Lonzo can be an assist machine, but doesn't offer shooting'', but it's equally easy to turn it around and say (for example) that ''sure, Frank Jackson can really score but he offers literally nothing else''. Which is also true. The question then becomes how do you roll out a lineup with maximum versatility so that your offense remains dynamic? If you roll out nothing but scorers, scorers, scorers, who need the ball in their hands and who are mediocre-to-poor at creating for others and defending, then you have an issue.

NAW's breakout to me makes, more than anyone else, Frank redundant. Which would you rather have, a two man duo in NAW/Lonzo which has top tier length, serious height, extreme defensive versatility, elite playmaking, and a middling level of shooting, or a two man duo with NAW/Frank which is kinda mediocre length, average height, defensively okay, with only one playmaker with very good scoring?

For me, the answer seems fairly obvious. The goal of a team should be to have as many players as possible who can do as many things as possible. That means that one dimensional guys with only one ability get bumped before guys with a multifaceted game do. Lonzo has, for all of his awful scoring, multiple top tier NBA skills. Frank has only one skill, and he's not elite (on an NBA level) at it. Guess which name gets crossed off first?

I mean, think about it. You need 2 starting guards, and two backup guards, realistically. With Lonzo/Jrue/NAW/Hart, you have a group of four that contains three very good passers, four very good defenders (2 of which are elite), 2 of which can shoot, 3 of which can score.

If you have your 4 man set be NAW/Jrue/Hart/Frank, then your group only contains 2 very good passers, 3 very good defenders (only one of which is elite), in exchange for one extra shooter. Do you take a huge step down in defense, playmaking, and size in exchange for a decent but not monumental leap in scoring? I don't.

Edit: I'm describing the bare minimum core. Obviously for this year going forward, Redick and Moore are also there and will get minutes, and we'll see Jrue and Hart probably play SF minutes sometimes.

TBH, Griff should be playing Frank more in Summer League to bump his value right up

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Originally Posted by AusPel

TBH, Griff should be playing Frank more in Summer League to bump his value right up

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TBH ? Does that mean IYO ? Because TBH, I'm gonna trust Griff over IYO.

That’s true Frank is a below average passer and skillset is redundant. I’m looking moreso at NAW’s upside, the fact that Jrue Holiday is here long term playing both guard spots, and the all-around players we have in Moore and Hart. The more NAW improves and remains consistent as both a passer and scorer, he can’t stay off the court

In a crowded backcourt how does the Pels ensure the best production gets minutes? JJ Redick is not far away from retirement so NAW will presume Redick’s top bench guard role at the very least when his short contract is up. Josh Hart provides depth at SG and still young. E’Twaun Moore is one of the most versatile players in the league and isn’t a bad option for backup PG. Jrue Holiday can start at either SG or PG, which makes it easier for NAW to slide in at either guard position as well. Jrue may not be Rondo level in assists but he can still make plays at PG and fill the stat sheet up in assists. That’s why I feel like Lonzo hinders us at putting the best backcourt out there as possible. Jrue and NAW at any of the 1 & 2, with Hart and Moore backing them up, is better than Jrue and Lonzo as long as NAW continues to improve. NAW knows how to time passes, getting into passing lanes, and a solid on-ball defender, based on scouting reports I’ve read, so he has room to develop into a great defender

Maybe I’m overstating NAW’s upside but I just hope we don’t sit NAW a lot just because the trade and Lonzo dad compels the Pels to give Lonzo major minutes. Hopefully Lonzo and NAW split even in pt because NAW is already a playmaker and major contributor to the team

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Originally Posted by SonOfNOLA

That’s true Frank is a below average passer and skillset is redundant. I’m looking moreso at NAW’s upside, the fact that Jrue Holiday is here long term playing both guard spots, and the all-around players we have in Moore and Hart. The more NAW improves and remains consistent as both a passer and scorer, he can’t stay off the court

In a crowded backcourt how does the Pels ensure the best production gets minutes? JJ Redick is not far away from retirement so NAW will presume Redick’s top bench guard role at the very least when his short contract is up. Josh Hart provides depth at SG and still young. E’Twaun Moore is one of the most versatile players in the league and isn’t a bad option for backup PG. Jrue Holiday can start at either SG or PG, which makes it easier for NAW to slide in at either guard position as well. Jrue may not be Rondo level in assists but he can still make plays at PG and fill the stat sheet up in assists. That’s why I feel like Lonzo hinders us at putting the best backcourt out there as possible. Jrue and NAW at any of the 1 & 2, with Hart and Moore backing them up, is better than Jrue and Lonzo as long as NAW continues to improve. NAW knows how to time passes, getting into passing lanes, and a solid on-ball defender, based on scouting reports I’ve read, so he has room to develop into a great defender

Maybe I’m overstating NAW’s upside but I just hope we don’t sit NAW a lot just because the trade and Lonzo dad compels the Pels to give Lonzo major minutes. Hopefully Lonzo and NAW split even in pt because NAW is already a playmaker and major contributor to the team

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Well you kinda said it yourself. Redick's not far away from retirement: two years from now he may well decide to hang it up for good as his contract ends, and if he doesn't he'll definitely be taking a much reduced role in whatever team he goes to.

You mention Moore, but I don't see him as a factor to be honest. He's going to be here this year, sure, but his contract is expiring and because of the weakness of next free agent class, he may well be offered a silly contract next summer anyway, in which case he'll definitely be let go. There's no guarantee he'll even make it out of this season to be honest, as his contract is a valuable trade piece. In any case, I don't factor him into long term plans because I don't think he'll be on the team in, say, 2 years time.

I agree that in the short term, it's probably the case that Moore takes more of NAW's minutes than we would like. However, by the end of the season (especially if Moore gets moved) I think we'll see a lot more of NAW than we will in the first few months, and the guard rotation will generally revolve around the Lonzo/Jrue/Hart/NAW group that I talked about earlier. I don't see NAW and Lonzo as competing for minutes, really at all: they have different skill sets and slot into different lineups. The competition for NAW is Moore and Frank, and NAW is already paving a good path towards replacing both of them sooner rather than later due to his superior size, passing, and defensive versatility.

I don't really see NAW as starting, at least not in his first year, regardless of how good he is. We know that Gentry is a big fan of Lonzo, at least on paper, and we also know that Gentry tends towards trusting guys he knows more than new faces. Generally, anyway. There's no doubt in my mind that we're starting Lonzo and Jrue. The question is, who replaces Jrue when he goes to the bench? To start the season, it will probably be Moore, which I see as a big step down, but assuming Moore either falls out of that automatic backup spot as the season goes on (or is traded) you essentially have to ask whether it's Frank or NAW who takes the backup-Jrue slot. The superior answer to me is clearly NAW, because his skillset is similar in so many ways and he provides much more versatility on both ends than Frank does. Lonzo doesn't really factor into the situation for me any more than, say, Ingram factors into how much we end up playing Hayes: completely different positions, competing for different roles in different minutes.

I don’t see Frank doing too much here in NOLA. NAW has blown past him by leaps & bounds. We just don’t have room for him on this roster. I think he will make the team as our like 7th guard lol. But I think Hart & Moore will likely see a lot of time as our 3rd guard or backup small forward. I don’t see why we signed Darius Miller 7+ million a year, but we did need another legit small forward. I think it was a little of an overpay though. I see Lonzo, Jrue, & NAW ahead of him from a point guard standpoint. The only way he will likely play point guard is if we have another horrible, injury riddled season again. I Unless we blowing a team out or on the other end of that, but I would rather NAW get those minutes anyway.

I think if Frank ever makes it to a possible 6th man type player it will be with another team. We have just got too talented over night and we have a ton more picks as well.