SL Game 3 Recap: Double Digits!
Pelicans Summer League Game 3
I never thought I would be so happy to not see Trey Murphy III play basketball. Alongside Naji Marshall, Jose Alvarado, and Dyson Daniels Murphy got the infamous DNP - Coach's Decision we all became accustomed to seeing at the start of last year. This was a game I knew I was going to miss. Yet after seeing the double digit win and game I knew there would be something to see and these young guys have really adopted the "dog" mentality that it takes to be a Pelican as of late. A lot of the same (Plowden/Harper) and a nice little surprise that was Sirvydis and some struggles for Petty Jr. After a struggle giving up 29 points in the 1st quarter the Pelicans went on to win every quarter after that and close out the game 106-88. For me the most impressive thing outside of the 18 point win was that out of the 8 players who played double digit minutes, 5 of them scored in double digits.
Daeqwon Plowden
It feels like a broken record to say that the Bowling Green prospect had a great showing, and even more of a broken record to say that he did suffer an injury but according to reports they opted to keep him out and make sure he is ready for game 4 on Friday. Plowden finished with 18 points 5 rebounds 2 assist and 1 steal while shooting 66% from the field and 60% from the 3 point line which is impressive considering he was regarded as more of a defensive player only averaging over 15 points in college in his COVID year of eligibility. It is not just the scoring, it is how he has found the points, he had a nasty alley and a great dunk that looked effortless while showing he can hit the 3 as well. When he gets to the rim it looks like he is far more athletic than the guys around him which is a great sign for someone who played 5 years in college. He should look more developed and a step ahead and he is. The Pelicans have had some success with guys who play a lot of college ball lately, maybe Plowden will be another name amongst the list of recent success stories the Pelicans have had.
Deividas Sirvydis
I am going to be honest, I did not know how to pronounce this guys name the last few times I checked the stat sheet and I am probably still saying it wrong. So far Sirvydis has managed to accumulate a DNP, 9 minutes and 3 points until last night where he shot 6/10 from the 3 point line bringing home the game high 25 points. He gave us what felt like a Trey Murphy III impression with a quick shot release, ball handling that needs work but you can tell they are confident in, and yet another long player who if they can learn to use their length and become willing on defense they will give a lot of teams a headache with their agility and size being able to guard more than just one position. He seemed very fundamental and despite maybe not being the fastest or biggest guy out there he just did the right thing time after time to ensure he will get some more run to try and prove he deserves another chance somewhere, whether it will be with the Pelicans or someone else is to be determined by these next two games.
The Other Guys
Jared Harper did Harper things again. He is hard nosed and does not let his size slow him down or dictate when he gets to the rim. Harper's time in New Orleans may be coming to an end with the amount of guards we have, even if only one or two of them is a traditional point. I would hate to see Harper go somewhere else, but I personally think his time as a Pelican or Squadron time is done and another team will give him a shot, or a two-way where the Pelicans may value the length of some of the other potential two way guys, especially considering this would be Harper's last two-way eligible year.
John Petty Jr. still has a chance to see the remaining two-way deal as he may have the inside track with how to make this roster from former team mates Herb Jones and Kira Lewis Jr. His shooting seemed to fall off against the Wizards but he still finished with 2 steals and a block, which to me all appeared to be good decisions by him and not purely bad decisions by the opposing player. He briefly was signed with the Pelicans last year after appearing in Summer League with the Pistons so in general his familiarity with the franchise and coaching staff may be a blessing or a curse depending on how he has done behind the scenes with them.
Dereon Seabron already has a two-way locked up with the Pelicans and finally put on a decent display scoring 13 points and sitting right around 55% from the field. If there is any reason the Pelicans signed him early on my guess would be his speed while being able to handle the ball. He is probably one of the fastest guys around and appears to love to run a fast paced offense which is something from a depth guy on an off night you might want to wake other guys up. There was one point that Seabron looked to be trapped with half the Wizards team in the corner and after a couple of craft double dribbles he was suddenly at the rim. I critiqued Harper after game 1 saying it looks like the game needs to slow down for him, this would also apply to Seabron. I don't think he needs to slow down, I just think he needs to learn how to use his speed to his advantage instead of getting out of control.
The Remaining
The remaining 2 games, and the remaining players. They both share one thing in common, and that is the better be very interesting to catch some attention. I will be watching them but I don't think we will see much of anyone who will get meaningful Pelican minutes out there. The remaining games for the remaining players means it is time to go out there and show teams you are more than just a shooter, a defender, or a really tall guy. It will be time for players like Seabron and Plowden to earn their two-way deals, and for others to earn their spots wherever they may wind up. Some of them we will remember in a few years, some of them will fade into the names that come and go from the NBA every year. The remaining games mean something for fans too, it means basketball is that much closer, and the time remaining until our Pelicans suit up is even shorter than we thought.
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