The story in the Crescent City all year has been about the pitiful Pelicans’ defense. From the season opening jump ball through Dec. 17th, our Pels played like some voodoo spell was cast upon them from the depths of of the French Quarter! They ranked 28th out of 30 teams with a 114.4 Defensive Rating! DISGRACEFUL! During that stretch, they accrued a 6-22 record. Queue rebellion!

“Blow it up!” “Fire Gentry!” “We taking LaMelo #1!” -Pels fans on social media.

If Griff doesn’t make a move to fire Gentry, he’s not only gonna lose his credibility with the fan base, he’s gonna lose the butts in seats no matter if he has Zion or not. Right now we all feel like we were sold fools gold — Public_B_Enemy (@BSPN_NewOrleans) December 10, 2019

YEET!

Just as fans began to embrace the tank, the Pelicans hit ’em with a curve-ball! Since Dec. 18th, the Pels rank 11th with a 107.8 Defensive Rating. To top it off, they have a mother-flocking 9-4 record during that same period! What has changed to spark this turnaround?

2 Things: Sexual Favors & Individual D.

Get ya mind out the gutter! Derrick Favors is a true, big bodied rim protector, and the Pels missed him in the beginning of the season. His return to health has been invaluable to the team. His return, not surprisingly, was also met with improved individual defensive numbers for most of the flock! Let’s take a look!

Individual DFG% Until 12/17/19

Player Age Pos. DFG% FG% Diff% Jrue Holiday 29 G 40.7 45.3 -4.8 Frank Jackson 21 G 41.0 44.3 -3.4 Josh Hart 24 G-F 42.9 45.2 -2.3 Jaxson Hayes 19 C 46.7 47.6 -0.8 Kenrich Williams 26 F 47.2 45.3 1.9 Brandon Ingram 22 F 47.3 45.3 2.0 Lonzo Ball 22 G 48.2 44.6 3.6 NAW 21 G 49.1 44.6 4.6 JJ Redick 35 G 49.5 44.8 4.7 E’Twaun Moore 30 G 48.5 43.8 4.7 Jah Okafor 24 C 53.5 48.0 5.5 Nicolo Melli 28 F-C 55.1 45.8 9.3 Derrick Favors 28 C 59.4 46.7 12.6

All stats from NBA.com.

It should be noted, that Derrick Favors was playing through an injury during the beginning of the season, and he missed time to handle a personal matter. However, Jrue, Frank, Josh and Jax were the only players able to negatively impact their opponents shots(which is a positive) early on. Kenrich and Ingram were borderline respectable. The rest were practically turnstiles!

25 PPG scorer Donovan Mitchell driving into the lane



Pelicans defense: pic.twitter.com/CNB4fxpmn9 — kidoLFC (@Kido10LFC) November 24, 2019 This guy offered a live look at the Pelicans’ defense during that run.

Effects of a Healthy Favors

Player Age Pos. DFG% FG% Diff% Kenrich Williams 26 F 27.7 44.7 -17.0 E’Twaun Moore 30 G 36.8 45.5 -8.7 Jaxson Hayes 19 C 41.0 46.5 -5.5 Frank Jackson 21 G 43.6 45.7 -2.2 Lonzo Ball 22 G 42.2 44.3 -2.1 Jrue Holiday 29 G 44.2 44.7 -0.5 Nicolo Melli 28 F-C 45.9 46.3 -0.3 Brandon Ingram 22 F 45.6 44.4 1.2 Derrick Favors 28 C 50.0 48.3 1.7 Jah Okafor 24 C 51.7 49.0 2.7 Josh Hart 24 G-F 48.3 45.2 3.1 NAW 21 G 48.3 44.0 4.3 JJ Redick 35 G 50.0 44.0 6.0

All stats from NBA.com.

The impact is real! Ten of thirteen players have seen an improvement since Favors returned. And, of the three who regressed, Jrue and Frank are still holding their match-ups below their season FG%. Ever been at the bar, and feel a lot more confident telling some asshole where to shove his pool cue, because you’ve got your corn-fed friend backing you up!? We are seeing the same thing transpire on the NBA court right now with the Pelicans’ defense. Favors’ presence is allowing everyone to play more aggressive on D.

J.J. Redick also sitting tonight but Favors has been at the heart of the Pelicans resurgence (8-3 in their last 11, 4th in Net Rating)…



When Favors plays 21+ minutes: Pelicans are 9-6

When Favors plays 20 or fewer: Pelicans are 5-19 https://t.co/nNWaNBySr7 — Sean Grande (@SeanGrandePBP) January 11, 2020

Playoffs Within Reach!?

They are surging at the right time! To this point of the NBA season, New Orleans has faced the toughest strength of schedule in the league. They have made it through the storm, and there are reasons to be hopeful! Currently, they sit just 4 games out of the eighth seed with 41 games remaining. They have the eighth easiest strength of schedule remaining. And, Jrue Holiday, J.J. Redick and some guy named Zion are all expected back within a week! Take Flight, Pels! It’s looking up!

"Our anticipation is that he'll play his first game on the 22nd at home vs. San Antonio"



Full statement from @dg_riff on the return of @ZionWilliamson 🎥⤵️ pic.twitter.com/t889IPH0aZ — New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) January 15, 2020

Now that LSU has beat the piss out of Clemson, the Pelicans are the only real show in town! And, HTM is here for it!

-Ghost