NBA Playoffs 2018: Grading the New Orleans Pelicans players
This season has been a barn burner for the New Orleans Pelicans. Riding Anthony Davis' transcendent play after their other star DeMarcus Cousins went down to injury, they fought to get to the 6th seed in the war of attrition that was the race for the Western Conference standings.
There they made a splash, very comprehensively sweeping the series against the more fancied Portland Trail Blazers, who simply could not cope with the brilliance of Anthony Davis.
Despite going out in the second round against a returning Stephen Curry and a full-strength Warriors, Pelicans players, fans, and the organization can look back at one of the best seasons they've had since drafting Anthony Davis back in 2012. Here we take a look at the Pelicans who made it possible.
(NB: Only the players who have played at least 10 minutes per game during the playoffs are being graded)
#8 Solomon Hill: C+
Solomon Hill has had a relatively quiet season this year - being injured with a torn left hamstring for a part of the season - but he arrived well in time for the playoffs and has been a decent contributor to the team.
Primarily signed to be a wing defender, Hill was also used as a three-point marksman for the Pelicans during their playoff run, fulfilling his role well as a 3-and-D player. He was tasked with guarding Kevin Durant during the second round matchup against the Warriors, no easy feat.
Hill's best moment during their playoff run was an excellent 1st-quarter burst against the Warriors in Game 3 of their second-round matchup, where he took advantage of the Warriors excess defensive attention to Davis to hit three 3-point shots, extending the Pelicans lead from the 11-11 tie up until the point. Prior to this, he had been going at a 2-for-8 clip from 3 point range.