With the 2020 NBA season most likely concluded due to the COVID-19 outbreak, it is time to accept it and celebrate the basketball greatness we have witnessed this past year. With the league-wide 2020 NBA Awards already announced, it is time to give out awards at the team level. To keep it interesting and to spread the love, no player was allowed to win more than one award. Here are the 2020 NBA awards for the New Orleans Pelicans.
2020 NBA Awards: New Orleans Pelicans Edition
Most Valuable Player- Jrue Holiday
Jrue Holiday had a fantastic season with the Pelicans, shooting 50% from the floor and 35% from beyond the arc. The Pelicans’ veteran guard averaged 19.6 points per game in 34.9 minutes per outing this season.
Even with rookie sensation Zion Williamson making noise after his return from injury, Holiday paved the way for the Pelicans’ success on the court.
The team finished with a record of 28-36, New Orleans was carried by Holiday’s shot selections on the court. Holiday has been with the Pelicans for seven seasons. To date, this is his second-best season playing basketball in the Crescent City.
Defensive Player of the Year – Derrick Favors
Derrick Favors was a wrecking machine on the defensive end for New Orleans in 2019-20. His 6.6 defensive rebounds per game to go along with 3.3 offensive rebounds and 0.6 steals per game earn him this award.
The 2019-20 season was his first with the Pelicans after he spent eight seasons with the Utah Jazz. Favors has always been a solid defensive-minded player. He proved that with the Pelicans this season.
He led the team in rebounds on the defensive end and contributed heavily on both ends. Though the season is likely over, it’s hard to imagine that the veteran would not have continued his success at the defensive end for the Pelicans.
Rookie of the Year- Zion Williamson
Giving the Pelicans’ rookie of the year award to Zion Williamson should bring no debate. His first-year numbers back up his claim, even though he missed time due to injury.
Despite the injury concerns, Williamson still managed to average 23.6 points per game on 58.9% shooting from the floor. Most NBA fans knew what Zion would bring to the court when he made his debut after injury. Williamson could have been a candidate for the New Orleans Pelicans MVP award, but he can only win one.
With a three-point percentage of 46.2%, Williamson was a threat both inside the paint and beyond the arc. To compliment those stats, the rookie finished with a stellar 64.5% from the free-throw line. On the defensive end, Zion averaged 3.9 rebounds per game to along with 0.8 steals per outing.
Sixth Man of the Year – Josh Hart
Josh Hart was outstanding for the New Orleans Pelicans off the bench in 2019-20. He averaged 10.2 points per game on 41.6% shooting from the floor. In Hart’s three seasons in the NBA, this season was by far his best in terms of production on the court. Hart shot 14.3% from three-point range but went 58.1% from the free-throw line.
When the Pelicans needed points off the bench, Hart proved to be that standout role player that could earn minutes and contribute. With Hart’s first year in New Orleans likely complete, his contributions earned him the sixth man of the year award in the 2020 NBA awards for the New Orleans Pelicans.
2020 NBA Awards: New Orleans Pelicans Edition Final Thoughts
The New Orleans Pelicans’ season saw one of the best rookies display his skills after injury. Zion Williamson became a quick fan favorite long before he stepped on the court at Smoothie King Center. Veteran guard Jrue Holiday continues to prove his worth to the franchise, and defensive gauntlet Derrick Favors gave the team a chance to be better on that end of the court in the future.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images