The scrappy New Orleans Pelicans dropped their season opener to Tyrese Haliburton's Indiana Pacers, but Yves Missi provided a major silver lining in Jamahl Mosley's official debut. Posting 13 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, three blocks, and two steals against Ivica Zubac was impressive, but more importantly, it looked naturally easy for someone who started playing the game a few years ago.
Those numbers alone suggest the 22-year-old belongs in Mosley's starting lineup, even if the Pelicans still have considerable work ahead. Knowing Missi and Jeremiah Fears are the future is a new development the front office can work with as they move forward building a contender. It would be easy, and correct, to consider that news the first real test passed this season.
Rim protection, running the floor, and following Mosley's ‘All Crash' game plan led to a great start to the night. Zubac finished with 16 points and 15 rebounds, but Missi refused to disappear. More importantly, Missi showed that his value extends beyond traditional center responsibilities. His mobility in pick-and-roll coverage, ability to recover defensively, and willingness to challenge shots are essential to making Mosley's system work.
“That’s what we have challenged (Missi) to do,” Mosley told ClutchPoints. “Going man to man against a great big Zubac and what he is capable of doing, but we always say it’s never just that one person's responsibility. With them shooting as many threes as they do, and I’m not going to say Missi and (Williamson) got to get all the rebounds, our guards have got to get in there and help too. It’s a five-man job to get the job done on any great player.”
The same big man basics led to a strong individual finish in the fourth, even if the Pelicans didn't pull out the win.
Article Continues Below“I thought Yves was incredible, absolutely incredible,” Mosley said. “Everything that we are talking about him being and doing was exactly what he showed tonight. Being able to protect the rim, being able to get out in transition, being there in the pick and roll covering for others as the low man; he did a lot of very good things for us tonight. His energy and effort are what we are going to continue to need.”
Mosley said the Pelicans would be graded in five-game increments. Well, Missi has earned an A+ so far. Next up for the Cameroonian are Jaren Jackson Jr. (Utah Jazz), then Nikola Jokic twice (Denver Nuggets), with Zach Edey (Memphis Grizzlies) waiting after a Halloween head-to-head versus Asa Newell (Atlanta Hawks).