Uh-oh.
The last thing the New Orleans Pelicans need is to experience life without Anthony Davis long term. Short term will suck, too. But they can deal with a few automatic losses that become blowouts that (probably) become 40-point drubbings. They cannot survive the season with him missing extensive time. They’re borderline unwatchable with him; the reality of life without him is harrowing.
Which is why Wednesday night’s development is no bueno.
Davis sat out the Pelicans’ loss to the Orlando Magic with a thigh injury, and head coach Alvin Gentry offered no clarification on whether the All-Star superhuman would miss more time, per the Associated Press (via USA Today):
Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said Davis was injured Monday night against Boston but did not show any signs of being injured immediately following the game. Davis complained of tightness Tuesday and then again during shoot around Wednesday. So the decision was made to sit him against the Warriors.
“With those situations happening you don’t want to take a chance on something happening,” Gentry said. “It’s one basketball game and we will re-evaluate where he is.”
Gentry said it’s uncertain whether or not Davis will miss additional time.
Did I mention this is bad news? Or that the Pelicans cannot afford to lose Davis for any substantial amount of time?
Good, because I meant it, because it’s true, because it’s too damn accurate.
The Pelicans are being outscored by six points per 100 possessions when Davis is on the floor, which is akin to the fourth-worst net rating in the league, according to NBA.com. When he steps off, though, they’re getting blasted by 8.6 points per 100 possessions, the equivalent of the second-worst mark in the league.
If you view that only technically slight drop-off as encouraging, do yourself a favor and stop. Getting marginally worse is bad for the Pelicans, because they’re so darn terrible already. Should Davis miss three, or four, or five, or more games, they’ll be the most depressing sight in basketball, bar none, even if Jrue Holiday is able to make his own return.
For watchability’s sake, keep your fingers crossed that it doesn’t come to that.
