First Day, First Win
New Orleans Pelicans beat the Chicago Bulls on their first day of the 2021 Summer League Tournament. Led by 17th Overall Pick Trey Murphy's 26 points.
With the 2021 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas under way, the Pelicans get their first match against the Chicago Bulls, and beat them 94-77. The Pelicans young group managed to constantly stay within grasp with the Bulls then pull away in the fourth quarter. Led by rookie Trey Murphy and sophomore Naji Marshall. Let’s break down some individual performances.
Trey Murphy:
Murphy had as great of a first impression as he could have gotten. Murphy finished the game with 26 points (20 in the second half), shooting 6/9 from three to go with nine rebounds. Oh he also caught a body.
THAT’S MY FIRST ROUND PICK! Just like Zion, Jaxson, and Nickeil had back in 2019, Murphy dazzled with his performance. His defense was also very impressive, just gluing himself to any of his opponents. He lived up to being a 3nD prototype wing that many had wrote him in to. He is very much fighting for minutes in the rotation, and making a good case to being the seventh or even the sixth man if he keeps this up.
And He is Zion approved:
Naji Marshall:
Marshall wanted to show the Pelicans why they were right to give him an actual contract and not the 2-way, and he’s starting it off well. Marshall impressed the Pelicans brass by showing off his versatility of playing anywhere from the 2 to the 4, and playing good defense. Naji showed against the Bulls his neat little mid range game. He finished the game with 18 points, shooting 8/15, five boards and 3 steals. Marshall is another one fighting for rotation minutes, really going after the Josh Hart role. Look out Hart, someone about to take your spot!
Herbert Jones:
Herb Jones has lived up to his billing so far. The second round rookie played some of the best defense Pelicans fans haven’t witnessed in ages. AGES! What Jones does well is the little things. The things dads complain about in today’s NBA that nearly all of them lack. Watching him play off-ball defense is a wonder. He makes it a nightmare. His passing attack is also very impressive, though the rest of his offensive game does need work. G-League for him. He finished the game scoring six points, five boards, four assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks. #StatSheetFiller
Kira Lewis:
Kira was.. efficient. There were times you asked for him to do more, but what he did was good. For being his first summer league (none last year due to COVID), he did fine. He ran the offense well, distributed the ball impressively, and showed off that beautiful speed and explosiveness. Kira really is going to be the future point guard for this team, just might need a little more time. He finished the game with 11 points and seven assists.
Didi Louzada:
And last of our notable performances, we have the third year guard/wing fresh from the Australian League. Didi did play in the 2019 Summer League, but that much. Didi did want to show off his new shot, though settled for more drive & pass. He did show better comfortability with the ball in his hands. He of course displayed some really good defense. And had some sneaky good play making skills
Just need to see that jumper in better action! He finished with 3 points, 6 boards, 3 assists and 2 steals.
Other Noteworthy performances:
UDFA Moses Wright scored 9 points and grabbed 5 rebounds.
UDFA Jose Alvarado scored 7 points and 2 assists