Don’t forget about Micah Peavy.
While New Orleans Pelicans' first round draft picks Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen have received most of the ink so far this season, the team's second round pick is showing that he belongs, too.
Peavy was drafted out of Georgetown mainly for his defensive prowess. But in Monday’s 126-109 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, his offensive game showed up as well.
Peavy’s previous career-high was just 4 points. On Monday, he scored 16 points while shooting 7-of-9 from the floor.
“It felt great,” Peavy said. “In practice I’m shooting and knocking down shots. To finally see it in a game feels good. I wish we could have got a W today, but I got a little positive out of it just getting my confidence up for the next game.”
He will look to carry over that success Wednesday night when the Pelicans (2-12) wrap up their 5-game homestand against the Denver Nuggets (10-3). The Pelicans have lost six straight games. It's their second 6-game losing skid of this young season.
Peavy also had a career-high in assists (4), made 3-pointers (2) and minutes played (24).
“My coaches are telling me to just keep playing with confidence,” Peavy said. “The past few games I had been turning down some shots. They told me to keep going and I just let t fly today.”
He grabbed four rebounds, one shy of his season-best in that category. He played the second most minutes off the bench, only trailing Jordan Hawkins.
“I thought he came out and gave us great energy,” said interim coach James Borrego. “Crashing the boards. Defensively, he really impacted that game. So I’m really proud of him. He responded tonight and that was a bright spot for sure.”
As usual, he was tasked with coming off the bench and helping guard the opponents’ best player. On Monday, it was OKC guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the league’s Most Valuable Player last season. Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 23 points, 8 points less than his 31.9 pointer per game average. Peavy relishes those type assignments.
“That’s what I ask for,” Peavy said. “I ask for them to put me on the best player because I think I’m one of the best defenders in the NBA. (The coaches allowing me to do that) means what I think about myself is true.”
Peavy leans on Herb Jones for advice on how to guard certain players. Peavy's locker is right beside Jones' locker, so he's always asking questions.
“It’s great a learning from a defender like him,” Peavy said. “I want to be a first-team defender like he was.”
While Peavy wants to have a Jones-like impact on defense, he desires a Jose Alvarado-type impact off the bench.
“Energy,” Peavy said. “I want to be that spark plug off the bench. I see how Jose goes in and he’s the spark plug and I want to do that as well. Do whatever it takes to be on the floor and make winning plays. Especially with my defense. That’s where I think I can help the team the most. And then knock down shots like I did today.”