The New Orleans Pelicans made several major moves during the offseason. After a vastly underwhelming season last year, the team attempted to get better in a hurry.
They will also be counting on internal growth and health in order to take a leap forward. One key player may be center Alexis Ajinca. The big man has been a bit of a super-sub for the Pelicans the past three seasons as a low-post option off the bench.
But Ajinca has bigger plans this year.
Asked whether he may start, #Pelicans C Alexis Ajinca confidently replied to media, "I will be a starter this year. You'll see."
— Jim Eichenhofer (@Jim_Eichenhofer) September 23, 2016
That’s certainly a bold prediction. Ajinca is currently behind Omer Asik in the depth chart at the center position. And that doesn’t include Anthony Davis’ likely heavy minutes at the five spot.
Starting Ajinca over Asik isn’t completely improbable, however. The Frenchman could be a better fit offensively, because he has at least a bit of offensive skill. Asik has often hindered the team’s offense.
That said, Asik brings more defensively than Alexis Ajinca. Davis is not a great defender just yet so having a rim-protecting center next to him may ultimately make more sense.
If you ask Ajinca, however, he will just tell you he’s going to start, no questions asked.
