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The New Orleans Pelicans made two notable changes to the starting lineup during the brief offseason, one each in the frontcourt and backcourt. The backcourt change saw Jrue Holiday leave for Milwaukee with Eric Bledsoe coming in, creating an intriguing dynamic with fellow starter Lonzo Ball.
In the trade that brought in Bledsoe, Steven Adams also came to New Orleans. The big man has gained a reputation around the league both for his durability and strength. Adams steps into the void left by Derrick Favors, who returned to Utah after one season in New Orleans.
Ball spoke last week about Adams’ fit in the starting lineup alongside Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, Bledsoe and himself.
“I think it’s a perfect fit,” Ball said. “He’s probably the strongest guy in the league. He also has great touch as well, so I know I can hit him on the pocket pass. But everybody knows how big he is, how strong he is. He seems like a good guy, and I’m excited to get out there and start playing with him.”
As a roll man last season, Adams finished in the 78th percentile offensively, per Synergy. As a like-for-like replacement, he was better in pick and rolls last season than Favors, who finished in the 61st percentile.
While one of Ball’s biggest takeaway from the acquisition was how he will fit in the team’s offense, Williamson’s thoughts on Adams were almost strictly about his physicality after the first day of practice on Sunday.
“Steven’s a great guy,” Williamson said. “You can just sense it from just meeting him for like five minutes. He’s a great guy and on the court, you can see he’s a hard worker. Steven is strong. Like I thought I was strong, but seeing it up close on the same team, it’s crazy. Steven is really strong and he’s a great basketball player.”
Josh Hart had the same thoughts on Twitter about Adams as the trade was in its final stages of completion.
We really got the strongest bigs in the league
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) November 24, 2020
Adams and Bledsoe, along with incumbent JJ Redick, also bring a level of postseason experience that few others on the roster have. Redick’s playoff experience is extensive. Last season was the first in his career he did not make the playoffs. Adams and Bledsoe have playoff experience as well; each played in the postseason in the bubble.
“Their leadership is definitely going to help,” Ball said of the trio. “Those are three key vets in the league and to have them all over here, we’re thankful for them. We’re going to look to those guys in pressure situations. We know they came through before. We definitely are going to look to them here.”
With the addition of the play-in game, Ball and the Pelicans have plenty of reason to believe they’ll be a playoff contender even in their first season under new head coach Stan Van Gundy.
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