It hasn’t always been easy to objectively measure a team’s performance in categories such as effort and intensity, but during the 2016 playoffs, NBA.com debuted a new “hustle stats” section, tracking several unique categories such as loose balls recovered, charges drawn and contested shots by defenders. When the New Orleans Pelicans begin their 2016-17 campaign this fall, they’re likely to put considerable emphasis on areas such as those, for at least two reasons: One, they need to dramatically improve their defense, after ranking 28th in efficiency last season. Two, several of their most significant summer acquisitions were brought in to make the Pelicans a more aggressive, hard-playing squad.
“I’m excited about the prospects of the people we’ve added, because they’re going to give us a little grit and toughness that we were lacking last year,” second-year head coach Alvin Gentry said on a recent episode of the Black and Blue Report. “I think it’s a situation where everything could really be good… Collectively, they will change the culture in our locker room. The thing I like about them is there is a toughness about them that we really need on this team. They’re young, hungry guys trying to carve out a reputation and a legacy for themselves in this league. They play extremely hard, they’re unselfish players, high-character guys. You add those kinds of ingredients to your locker room, it’s going to be better.��
New Orleans (30-52 during an injury-ravaged 2015-16 season) also wants to continue emphasizing playing at a faster pace under Gentry. Per NBA.com, the Pelicans ranked 11th in possessions per 48 minutes (98.91) last season, but Gentry’s most successful recent teams have placed much higher. New Orleans placed in the top 10 in pace during only one month of '15-16 (sixth in March, with a lowest rank of 19th in December).
“In general, they’re guys who like to get up and down the court, pretty athletic guys,” Gentry said of July free-agent additions Solomon Hill, E’Twaun Moore, Langston Galloway and Terrence Jones. With Media Day just 11 days away, here’s a closer look at the quartet of primary Pelicans acquisitions:
SOLOMON HILL
Age: 25
NBA overview: The University of Arizona product’s role fluctuated over his three seasons with Indiana, with him making his biggest impact during the 2014-15 regular season, when Pacers All-Star forward Paul George had to sit out nearly the entire campaign due to a broken leg. Hill started 78 times and appeared in all 82 games. Last season, Hill made numerous big shots in a first-round playoff series vs. Toronto, shooting a red-hot 11/19 from three-point range.
Quote to note: “I love his aggressiveness. I love his toughness. I love his motor. I think he represents everything that we want to represent. I think he has a chance to be an exceptional defender. You know, he’s cutting his teeth against some of these great scorers. Not just the Kobe Bryants of the world, but the J.J. Redicks. You know, the guys that are unique coverages. He’s finding his way and has a great ‘figure it out’ mentality, which is a really good thing.” – Former Pacers Coach Frank Vogel, speaking to the website SportsonEarth.com during the ’14-15 season
E’TWAUN MOORE
Age: 27
NBA overview: The Purdue product and Indiana native spent the past two seasons with Chicago, after splitting his previous three pro seasons between Boston (as a rookie) and Orlando (2012-13 and 2013-14). One of his fortes in the league has been three-point shooting, highlighted by connecting on a career-high 45.2 percent last season. For his career, he’s a 36.9 percent shooter. Moore fought his way into a long-term NBA paycheck after being picked No. 55 overall (also his uniform number) in 2011.
Quote to note: “A pest on the defensive end. He fights through screens as hard as any player in the league and tries to stay attached to his man at all costs. He rarely loses focus defensively and excels at guarding smaller, quicker players.” – The website Today’sFastbreak.com on Moore
LANGSTON GALLOWAY
Age: 24
NBA overview: After going undrafted in 2014, the Baton Rouge native excelled with New York’s D-League team, then was called up by the Knicks, making his debut Jan. 7, 2015. Just five games into his NBA career, he opened eyes with a 21-point performance against New Orleans, in a win at Madison Square Garden. The St. Joseph’s (Pa.) product was a mainstay in the New York rotation from there and appeared in 127 consecutive games for the Knicks.
Quote to note: “During a rather dismal campaign for the franchise, the youngster was a rare bright spot. He brought hustle, heart, grit, and determination. Galloway’s defensive intensity impressed the team, as did his ability to cut through the lane on offense.” – The New York TV station SNY on Galloway, following his surprising rookie season
TERRENCE JONES
Age: 24
NBA overview: After winning a national title for Kentucky – alongside Anthony Davis – in 2012, Jones was a Houston first-round pick and went on to play four seasons for the Rockets. His breakout season was 2013-14, when as a second-year pro he started 71 times for a Houston squad that went 54-28. Jones’ two most recent seasons were short-circuited by injuries, but he also made 24 starts for a 2014-15 club that reached the Western Conference finals.
Quote to note: “His story is one of hard work and determination. Stuck in the D-League with four power forwards ahead of him in the rotation, Jones impressed the coaching staff and eventually made it back to Houston. His length, athleticism, and hard-working attitude have all contributed to this skillset, and it has done wonders for the Rockets.” – The Houston website TheDreamShake.com on Jones’ path from seldom-used rookie to integral member of a 54-win team