National Basketball Association

E'Twaun Moore Could Salvage New Orleans Pelicans Season

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

The New Orleans Pelicans season could be salvaged from an array of injuries at the guard position by their new combo guard E’Twaun Moore.

After a great summer that included signing E’Twaun Moore and other solid role players, the New Orleans Pelicans have yet again been handed a tough hand to start the season.

Starting point guard Jrue Holiday will not be with the team to start the campaign, due to being with his wife during trying times. The next capable player to start in his place is Tyreke Evans. However, Evans is suffering a right knee injury. It will keep him out to begin the upcoming year.

The season has yet to begin and the Pelicans have lost two of their floor generals. Therefore, New Orleans will have to do some experimenting in order to pass the time.

Some say young point guard Tim Frazier could be the best fit for the starting role. During Holiday’s injury last year, Frazier took over the offense. He had success at the position, even if it did not result in wins.

However, the expectations of this team may precede Frazier’s skills. While Tim has the ability to run an offense and pass effectively, his defense lacks and his shooting is not a strong suit. If the Pelicans want a playoff run, Frazier in the starting role may not be the answer.

The answer may reside in one of their newer signings:

E’Twaun Moore.

E’Twaun Moore does not have the statistical advantage to Tim Frazier. Last year in Chicago, Moore averaged 7.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. Averaging just over 21 minutes per contest, it doesn’t blow many away.

Still, his style of play could be just what the Pelicans need.

Moore played last year in Chicago, which was known for it’s slower paced basketball. Yet when injuries hit hard for the Bulls, they went for higher paced action. E’Twaun was the point during Derrick Rose‘s injury issues.

In his time, Moore showed a greater presence to get the offense flowing. While he was not the beneficiary of that action, he did keep the flow smooth. His ability to shoot the long ball kept defenses honest. Moore shot 45.2% from behind the arc in 2015-2016.

Moore brings a combo threat Frazier and every other guard on the roster do not have. He has the ability to be a facilitator, yet can still be an offensive threat on his own.

It’s something the New Orleans Pelicans desperately need.

Without Jrue Holiday, the Pelicans offense became limited. Moore can open it back up. Buddy Hield and Quincy Pondexter can still space the floor, while Anthony Davis controls the paint. The only healthy, available point that can keep those options open and be his own threat is Moore.

There are other options. Langston Galloway had success in New York and could transform into a decent point guard. However, while he possesses the offensive capabilities, his passing needs plenty of work. For a team that wants to make a big leap this season, Galloway might take more time than they have.

For the Pelicans to stay a possible contender in the Western Conference, they will need their best chance to win now. That looks to be E’Twaun Moore. His skill set compliments the current roster better than anyone else.

The New Orleans Pelicans have found themselves in a difficult spot once again. Due to injuries to their point guards, they need one of their newer signings to step up and be able to help the team win. E’Twaun Moore can be the guy to bring them success in the beginning of this trying season. It’s up to the coaching staff to give him the chance to show what he can do.