Anthony Davis says the Pelicans will take 100 shots per game, who will take the extra shots?
During the 2014-2015 season, the New Orleans Pelicans were among the bottom teams in shots taken per game. The Pelicans took around 85 shots per game last season, and it seems like next season will be quite different. Star player Anthony Davis said in an interview that new head coach Alvin Gentry wants the team to take 100+ shots per game. So, with that in mind, who will take those extra shots?
Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis is the obvious choice here. He is the proud owner of the biggest contract in NBA history, courtesy of the five million contract he signed this summer. Last season, Davis averaged 17.6 shots per game. What Gentry wants to do is expand Davis’s range up to the 3-pt line. He also noted that he wants Davis to take more shots on the fly, with an up-tempo playing style. Davis is a beast inside, and he has a nice touch on his jumper. The problem is, defenses were mostly ready and settled for him last season. With an up-tempo style, Davis’s shots can sky rocket up to 20 per game. That is Carmelo Anthony (who is also on of the highest paid NBA players) territory and Kobe Bryant, but Anthony Davis is far more efficient than any of them.
Eric Gordon
For the past two seasons, Gordon is relatively healthy, appearing in 64 and 61 games respectively. His shots are down from his first two seasons with the Pelicans, but that should be expected with Anthony Davis in the lineup. However, with more shots available next season, Gordon could see his 11 shots per game rise up to 14 or 15 per game. The shooting guard is tailor made for an up-tempo offense, where he can catch and shoot from the 3-pt line before there is a defender with a hand in his face. Gordon’s 3-pt percentage rose to 44.8% last season, and 39% the previous season.
Jrue Holiday
Holiday is another player that could benefit from the more up-tempo style of play, as the point guard is great in the open floor. He is among the most underrated point guards when it comes to drives to the basket. Few people can drive as hard and as efficient to the basket as Holiday. While he doesn’t have a great jump shot, Holiday can get some extra shots in the fast break. Last year he averaged 13 shots per game, but you can easily see him getting to 15 per game.
Norris Cole
With the move from the Miami Heat to the New Orleans Pelicans, Cole’s shots rose from 6.5 to 9 per game. With a full training camp with the Pelicans, Cole could potential scratch double digit shots per game. He will be the de facto backup point guard, no matter that Tyreke Evans will have the ball in his hands as well. But Cole can run a ton of pick and roll action with Anthony Davis, something that will produce opportunities for the five year veteran.
New Orleans Pelicans Ticket Prices
Since signed by the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2012 NBA Draft Pelicans tickets have risen 74% on the retail market. The retail price on Pelicans tickets during their 2012-2013 season was $51.00 per ticket. The 2015-2016 secondary market ticket price for New Orleans is $89.00 per ticket on average.
New Orleans Pelicans Attendance
The New Orleans Pelicans attendance for home games has also risen. In 2012 they ranked 24th in the league with a total of 498,618 attendance for home games. In 2015 their attendance grew to 683,757. A 37.13% rise in attendance.
