The New Orleans Pelicans have spent years searching for a defensive anchor who can turn the paint into a place opponents would rather avoid. Yves Missi might finally provide the answer, though the expectations surrounding the young center have grown considerably since starring for Cameroon this summer. Zion Williamson has experienced the difference firsthand during training camp, while Joe Dumars and Jamahl Mosley have seen enough to make serious jokes about Hakeem Olajuwon levels of potential.
The Dream is an ambitious comparison for any young center, especially one still learning the finer points of defending at the professional level. However, the Pelicans believe Missi possesses a rare combination of mobility, timing, and athleticism that could eventually make him a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidate.
“It’s great when you see guys go back and play for their national teams because you see their full game,” Dumars told ClutchPoints. “Guys have to come in and play a role in the NBA. Guys have to play a role for us, but you see them with their national team, and you see their full game. And it’s impressive.”
Olajuwon comparisons are not handed out lightly, especially by an executive who spent his playing career competing against some of the NBA's greatest centers. However, something about Missi's international performances convinced Dumars that the Pelicans might be seeing a different version of the player who spent much of his first two NBA seasons in a limited offensive role.
“When Missi first got back this summer from Europe, he came back to the building. Coach Mosley and I were in Coach Mosley's office, sitting, talking,” Dumars shared. “When Missi walked in, it was the first time we saw him, and we called him Olajuwon! You’re over there doing everything! So I think that’s really good. Usually what happens is those guys come back with even more confidence because they played so well for their national teams.”
Zion Williamson knows better than most what it takes to finish around the rim against NBA size and athleticism. Missi has already dunked on Victor Wembanyama too, though, so it's been iron sharpening iron in training camp.
Winning over Zion Williamson
The former top overall pick has built much of his offensive reputation on overwhelming defenders with strength, explosiveness, and an uncanny ability to score through contact. Given that perspective, Williamson's Missi assessment is particularly revealing.
“I love Yves and what he brings to the table,” Williamson beamed. “During our workouts playing fives, (Missi) was protecting the rim. It's not easy trying to finish over him. And he moves his feet, so even when he gets switched on to a guard, we do not have to overhelp because he can go hold his own.”
That last observation might be the most important part of Williamson's endorsement. Missi is not merely a traditional shot blocker waiting near the restricted area. His lateral mobility gives Mosley options when defending pick-and-roll actions, particularly when opponents attempt to isolate a center against quicker guards on the perimeter.
The difference between a serviceable NBA rim protector and an elite defensive anchor often comes down to what happens before a shot is taken. Can the big man contain a ballhandler without surrendering a driving lane? Can he recover after showing help? Can he challenge a shot without abandoning rebounding position?
Williamson believes Missi has the physical tools to accomplish all three for the Pelicans this season.
Pelicans pushing Yves Missi stock
For Mosley, who is trying to establish a more aggressive defensive identity in New Orleans, that versatility could become invaluable. A center who can survive switches without demanding immediate help allows teammates to remain attached to shooters and limits the rotations that frequently create open looks elsewhere.
Article Continues BelowThere is also the psychological advantage of having a dependable presence behind the first line of defense. When perimeter defenders trust their center to protect the basket, they can pressure ballhandlers with greater conviction. Missi still has work to do with positioning, defensive communication, and consistency.
However, the mental ingredients necessary to become a defensive centerpiece are increasingly difficult to ignore.
“I’ve seen it with many guys who go play internationally…,” Mosley noted. “You come back with a different level of confidence. And our job as a coaching staff and an organization is to keep building and instilling that confidence…”
Nobody should be reserving space for another Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy just yet. However, if Missi can turn his international confidence into hold-his-own NBA starter-level production, they will finally have the defensive cornerstone needed to change the franchise's fortunes. The biggest questions under Mosley are how quickly the instincts can catch up with the physical gifts, and how soon Missi can be a postseason catalyst.
Forget the 1-of-7 shooting night in Tulsa to start the preseason. For a team looking to build its identity around defense, the early signs from Missi are encouraging. Whether he can climb into the realm of Olajuwon remains a long-term question, but the Pelicans are all but betting on a big season from their young center.