news

Daniel Sallerson and Jim Eichenhofer wrap up their player recaps for the 2021-2022 season on the Pelicans Podcast presented by SeatGeek. Last up is Pelicans center Willy Hernangomez who played in 50 games this season, averaging 9.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg, &amp; 52.0 FG percentage.

:45 - Jim and Daniel discuss Willy's ability to be ready at any given moment.3:37 - Jim and Daniel discuss Willy's positivity. 7:59 - Jim shares some of his responses from the twitter poll question about Willy Hernangomez.

willy-hernangomez-season-recap-pelicans-podcast-seatgeek-may-25-2022

Willy Hernangomez Season Recap | Pelicans Podcast

Check out our daily collection of Pelicans news and notes from local and national reporters around the Internet on May 25, 2022.

Advantages and challenges facing New Orleans Pelicans this offseason

With 8:30 left in the fourth quarter, the New Orleans Pelicans had a chance to tie their improbable first round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns at 2-2. The NBA world outside of New Orleans may not have known Jose Alvarado’s name yet, but they would soon.

2021-22 Pelicans Season in Review: Devonte’ Graham

On the interior walls of the Ochsner Sports Performance Center in Metairie, there are numerous almost life-size photos marking memorable moments from the 2021-22 season, including a few featuring Devonte’ Graham. The guard, who was responsible for at least two of the top highlights of the campaign, has made sure to commemorate those in his own home.

pelicans-news-around-the-web-5-25-22

Pelicans News Around the Web 5/25/22

NBA experience: Six seasons (two with Pelicans)

Key stats: 9.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 52.0 FG percentage

Willy Hernangomez 2021-22 Pelicans Season Overview

With Willy Hernangomez essentially filling the role of third center prior to the February trade deadline, other NBA teams dialed up New Orleans, wondering about the backup’s availability. Despite Hernangomez’s minimal on-court impact at the time, the Pelicans were not interested in making a deal.

“We refused to trade him,” a smiling Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin said April 29. “Because of what he gives the group (from a chemistry and locker-room standpoint).”

Hernangomez has been one of New Orleans’ most beloved teammates since he first set foot in the Crescent City two years ago. He’s also been a player the club can most count on in a pinch, even if he’s been idling on the bench for an extended period. For instance, Hernangomez piled up 29 points and 10 rebounds at Philadelphia on Jan. 25, as New Orleans nearly pulled off a road win despite being severely undermanned. It was Hernangomez’s first game action in over three weeks. Down the home stretch of the regular season, when the Pelicans cemented a play-in tournament spot, he was a productive force, notching double-figure points in 10 of his final 17 appearances, even though he only sporadically topped 20-plus minutes of playing time.

“My season personally I think was my best career season so far,” Hernangomez said April 29. “I think I proved that I can play in this league. Obviously I would’ve loved to play more minutes. I think I deserve to be playing every game. But at the end of the day, I’m a team guy. Whatever the team needs to win, I will take it.”

Hernangomez registered nine double-doubles and averaged a double-double over his eight starts (13.6 ppg, 10.3 rpg). He led New Orleans in rebounds per 36 minutes (14.5) and was fourth in points per 36 minutes (19.4), illustrating how effective he was regardless of how long he was on the court. The native of Spain also helped the Pelicans’ bench drastically improve during the second half of the season, a pivotal factor in New Orleans reaching the playoffs for the first time in four seasons.

“Amazing,” Hernangomez said of the Pelicans starting 1-12 but then reaching the postseason. “It was an incredible year. From the beginning – (which was) so hard, so tough – it was something amazing to be in the playoffs. New Orleans, the city was unbelievable. My first playoffs. It was a season I’m going to remember for my (lifetime).”

8: Rank among all NBA players (minimum 50 games) in rebounds per minute for Hernangomez. He averaged 14.5 boards per 36 minutes, trailing only Andre Drummond, Rudy Gobert, Clint Capela, Hassan Whiteside, JaVale McGee, Omar Yurtseven and Nikola Jokic.

2: Rank among all NBA players (minimum 50 games) in offensive rebounds per minute for Hernangomez, who averaged 6.1 O-boards per 36 minutes. Memphis center Steven Adams (6.3) was the only player ahead of him in the category.

2: Times Hernangomez finished with a double-double this season despite receiving 15:38 or less of playing time. He had 17 points and 10 rebounds at Atlanta on March 20 in only 14:37.

Willy Hernangomez’s Three Most Notable Games

No. 1: March 20, New Orleans 117, Atlanta 112

The Pelicans notched a key road victory behind stellar work off the bench by Hernangomez (17 points, 10 rebounds) and Jose Alvarado (15 points, three steals). Hernangomez pulled down seven offensive boards, tied for his third-highest tally of the season.

No. 2: April 7, New Orleans 127, Portland 94

In typical Hernangomez fashion, the center produced a double-double in the second half alone, with 11 points and 13 rebounds, including five caroms at the offensive end. He totaled 17 points and 14 boards as the Pelicans took a step toward sealing the West’s No. 9 seed.

No. 3: Jan. 25, Philadelphia 117, New Orleans 107

In Pelicans.com’s entire review series for 2021-22, this is the only noteworthy individual performance listed that occurred in a defeat, but Hernangomez’s 29-point, 10-rebound game vs. the 76ers and Joel Embiid deserved mention. The 29 points were a career high.

Each player review features a poll or question directed to the New Orleans fan base. For Hernangomez, the poll question was: What was the most valuable contribution made by him in 2021-22? His reliability was the runaway winner (66 percent), followed by rebounding (29 percent) and scoring (6 percent). Many of the comments under the poll were not related to on-court production, including:

@Sabe376: His ability to act as a catalyst to bring the group together. People talk about glue guys on the court. My perception was Willy was the glue guy off the court even before CJ arrived.

@Pubs2Dubs: His joy that he brought his teammates!

@CadeJosephh: Option 4… morale booster!

willy-hernangomez-2021-22-pelicans-season-in-review

2021-22 Pelicans Season in Review: Willy Hernangomez

Erin Summers breaks down the highlights from New Orleans Pelicans center Willy Hernangomez's 2021-22 NBA season.

highlights-willy-hernangomez-2021-22-pelicans-season-recap

Highlights: Willy Hernangomez 2021-22 Pelicans Season Recap

photos-willy-hernangomez-2021-22-season-in-review

Photos: Willy Hernangomez 2021-22 Season in Review

Daniel Sallerson and Jim Eichenhofer continue their player recaps for the 2021-2022 season on the Pelicans Podcast presented by SeatGeek. Next up is Pelicans guard Devonte' Graham who played in 76 games this season, averaging 11.9 ppg, 4.2 apg, &amp; 84.3 FT percentage.

2:25 - Jim summarizes Graham's 2021-22 season.3:38 - Jim and Daniel discuss Devonte's two game winning shots.7:35 - Jim and Daniel share their thoughts on how Zion Williamson can open things up for Devonte' . 13:45 - Jim shares some of his responses from the twitter poll question about Devonte' Graham.

devonte-graham-season-recap-pelicans-podcast-seatgeek-may-24-22

Devonte' Graham Season Recap | Pelicans Podcast

NBA experience: Four seasons (one with Pelicans)

Key stats: 11.9 ppg, 4.2 apg, 84.3 FT percentage

Devonte’ Graham 2021-22 Pelicans Season Overview

“I have a couple of them framed,” Graham said April 29, when asked about his pair of early-season, game-winning three-pointers at Utah and Oklahoma City. “Those are always going to stick with you, when you make shots like that.”

In addition to beating the Jazz and Thunder in the final seconds of road games, Graham was a prominent part of the rotation early, starting in all 54 of his pre-All-Star-break appearances. He alternated between the first unit and a reserve role following the trade acquisition of CJ McCollum.

LISTEN: DEVONTE GRAHAM RECAP ON PELICANS PODCAST PRESENTED BY SEATGEEK >>

Along the way, Graham was an X-factor for New Orleans, leading the Pelicans by a wide margin in three-point makes over the course of the season (his 192 treys were more than twice as many as the 95 from “runner-up” Nickeil Alexander-Walker). Graham’s deep balls were much-needed – even when they weren’t game-deciders – because the Pelicans finished 28th among the 30 teams in average threes made per game (10.6, ahead of only Chicago and Washington). It’s an area where New Orleans and Graham (34.1 percent) hope to improve next season (the Pelicans were 27th in three-point accuracy), particularly with Zion Williamson back in the mix to create more open looks.

“Zion can help anybody’s game out,” Graham said. “He makes life easier for everybody. Didn’t play with him (this season), but played against him (previously). Even saw it in his workouts. He’s incredible.”

Despite a down season for New Orleans from the perimeter and the absence of its 2021 All-Star forward, the Pelicans still overcame a 1-12 start and finished the season on a high note with an improbable playoff berth.

“You couldn’t script it,” Graham said of the team’s year. “The positive mindset we had all season, through the ups and downs, everybody just staying the course and believing in each other, you can’t script that.”

Asked in his April 29 exit interview about the Pelicans’ future potential, Graham responded, “I think it’s going to be scary. Us seeing and experiencing these playoffs are going to make us even hungrier. This summer is going to be a huge for us.”

8: Times Graham sank five or more three-pointers in a game during the regular season, including three instances over a four-game span in mid-December.

316: Team-high assists by Graham during the regular season. Next in total assists was Brandon Ingram with 307.

6: Career playoff games for Graham after he made his NBA debut vs. Phoenix in Round 1. Graham has participated in the play-in round two straight years (Charlotte in 2021).

Devonte’ Graham’s Three Most Notable Games

No. 1: Dec. 17, New Orleans 116, Milwaukee 112

A home victory over the defending NBA champions featured 8/12 three-point shooting by Graham, who added a pair of free throws for a 26-point night. He also had three steals.

No. 2: March 24, New Orleans 126, Chicago 109

Graham poured in a season-high 30 points on 8/12 shooting from the field, highlighted by 5/7 three-point accuracy (he shot 11/18 on treys against the Bulls in two meetings this season).

No. 3: Jan. 24, New Orleans 117, Indiana 113

A 25-point, six-assist outing by Graham, including double-digit points in each half, helped the Pelicans overtake the Pacers in the Smoothie King Center.

Each player review features a poll or question directed to the New Orleans fan base. For Graham, the poll question was: What was your favorite game-winning three-pointer by the guard this season? There were two from which to choose. Graham’s trey from 61 feet in Oklahoma City on Dec. 15 received the most votes, picking up 67 percent of ballots. The Nov. 26 pull-up trifecta at Utah garnered 33 percent. A couple comments from Twitter users who voted for the Jazz winner:

@loziuu: OKC was pure luck. Utah was (cojones).

@NTGraff: For me it was Utah. The opportunities to win in that building always have been few and far between league-wide. That was a stone cold dagger. (Editor’s note: @NTGraff is also known as Pelicans radio broadcaster Todd Graffagnini).

devonte-graham-2021-22-pelicans-season-in-review

Erin Summers breaks down the highlights from New Orleans Pelicans guard Devonte Graham's 2021-22 NBA season.