Despite the heroic efforts of Anthony Davis, the New Orleans Pelicans have started the season with three straight losses. This combination of factors has prompted many to overstate the obvious — the superstar has not gotten enough help.
Well, they’re not wrong.
When Davis is on the court, the Pelicans offensive rating hums along melodically to a tune of a 107.7 rating and defensively, 102.9. Without him, the music stops: the team is 6 points worse on offense per 100 possessions (101.7) and the defense balloons to a 111.9 mark.
If one removes the superstar’s production, the rest of the Pelicans field goal percentage stands at an anemic 38.