As has always been the case, including last week when the status of Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant was uncertain, the New Orleans Pelicans will enter Friday’s game vs. Cleveland preparing as though a big-name opponent will be on the floor. As of New Orleans’ morning shootaround, it was still uncertain if LeBron James (knee) will suit up for Cleveland. James missed Thursday’s game against the Thunder, after he had been officially listed as questionable. The Cavs did not hold shootaround today because they played last night.
“As an athlete and a fan of his, you always want to play against a great competitor, because you know it’s going to be a great game,” said fellow All-Star Anthony Davis of James. “When you’re going against someone like that, whether it’s LeBron, KD, you know they’re going to bring that energy, so you have to match it or exceed it. Even if he’s not (playing), I’m still going to bring that energy.”
Davis, who was surrounded by media this morning, including an ESPN crew, expressed admiration for James, a teammate on the 2012 USA Basketball gold-medal squad at the Olympics.
“I used to watch LeBron all the time,” said Davis, who was only 10 years old when James debuted in the NBA with Cleveland. “Still to this day, I watch their games. He just amazes the crowd, amazes you as a player, even when you’re on the floor, with the things he can do. He’s 6-8, can pass the ball, shoot, dribble. He can do a little bit of everything. That’s the great thing about him. He’s a phenomenal player.”
Given Davis’ fantastic individual start to 2014-15 – which includes a historically-great PER – the 21-year-old was asked if he puts himself in the same elite category of players that includes James, Durant and others. Davis disagreed, citing the lengthy NBA track records of those players, as well as their team achievements.
“Not at all,” Davis said of whether he should be included with that company now. “I haven’t accomplished anything. This team is on the rise, but we have a lot to improve. We haven’t made the playoffs yet. ‘One of the best players’ talk isn’t even in my head. I’m trying to figure out what I can do to help the team win and do better defensively, and at least try to make the playoffs first. I have a lot to learn, a lot to improve on. Those guys have done so much for their team that I haven’t yet. I have to keep my head on straight and improve each and every day to get better.”
With James’ status uncertain, Davis and the Pelicans are focusing on trying to do whatever possible to get back in the win column after Wednesday’s narrow defeat in Dallas. New Orleans also can get back to .500 overall if it defeats Cleveland, as it continues a daunting stretch of its December schedule.
“All I care about is that we try to get that win,” Davis said of Friday’s game.
Other notes from Friday’s shootaround:
- If James plays, it’s likely that Pelicans small forward Luke Babbitt will see some defensive time guarding the All-Everything forward. Babbitt has grown accustomed to difficult matchups, including facing Durant in the Dec. 2 game vs. OKC. “It’s a big challenge,” Babbitt said of James. “He’s probably the best player in the league and has been for some time. It will be a big-time challenge but this is a must-win for us. We need to take care of homecourt.”
- Eric Gordon said the timetable is 3-4 weeks for a decision to be made of whether he will need surgery on his left shoulder. The shooting guard is hoping to avoid surgery.