Right now, Zion Williamson is the face of a New Orleans Pelicans franchise that has a strong supporting cast of Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum. The basketball world is waiting for the news of Zion’s return because his talent and potential is off the charts. Once Williamson returns to full health, the Pelicans should be a problem in the Western Conference going forward as the team continues to get built.
- 9. Eric Gordon – 15.3 PPG
- 8. Ryan Anderson – 16.1 PPG
- 7. David West – 16.4 PPG
- 6. Jrue Holiday – 17.6 PPG
- 5. Chris Paul – 18.7 PPG
- 4. Baron Davis – 20.2 PPG
- 3. Jamal Mashburn – 21.5 PPG
- 2. Brandon Ingram – 23.52 PPG
- 1. Anthony Davis – 23.73 PPG
- Most Points In New Orleans Pelicans History
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But with barely 2 seasons under his belt and a total of 85 games played, Zion has not played enough games to get recognized as one of the best scorers in franchise history. Throughout the New Orleans-based franchise’s history, there have been some special talents on the offensive end. We have seen the likes of Chris Paul carry the franchise on his back for years, while Anthony Davis had a terrific run as a top-10 talent in the league with the Pelicans. But where do both of these stars rank among the franchise’s all-time great scorers? Here are the 10 best scorers in New Orleans Pelicans’ history.
10. David Wesley – 15.2 PPG
(3 Seasons, 2003-2005)
At age 32, David Wesley joined the New Orleans Hornets with a chance to make an impact as the starting shooting guard. The guard put up 16.7 PPG in his first season, averaging 43.3% from the field and 42.4% from three. Clearly, Wesley was a great addition to the team because of his elite floor spacing.
The following season, Wesley averaged 14.0 PPG and 2.9 APG on 38.9% from the field, 32.3% 3-PT FG, and 75.3% from the free-throw line. In 61 games played, the shooting guard struggled to be efficient but still put up decent scoring numbers before averaging 13.9 PPG in his final season.
9. Eric Gordon – 15.3 PPG
(5 Seasons, 2012-2016)
Eric Gordon had a strong start to his career with the Los Angeles Clippers, averaging 22.3 PPG in his final season before joining the New Orleans Hornets. His scoring was strong in his first season, putting up 20.6 PPG on 45.0% FG although he only played 9 games due to injury. He put up 17.0 PPG and 3.3 APG in 42 games the following season, followed by a season averaging 15.4 PPG.
The scoring guard was capable of attacking the basket and also hitting outside shots, although his career would reach another level when he joined the Houston Rockets. Gordon finished off his stint averaging 13.4 PPG and 15.2 PPG in his final two seasons with New Orleans.
8. Ryan Anderson – 16.1 PPG
(4 Seasons, 2013-2016)
After winning Most Improved Player in his final season with the Orlando Magic in 2012 (16.1 PPG), Ryan Anderson put up 16.2 PPG in his first year with New Orleans (38.2% 3-PT FG). In his second year, the big man had his best season by averaging 19.8 PPG on 43.8% FG, 40.9% 3-PT FG, and 95.2% FT.
Anderson had two more quality seasons before joining the Houston Rockets, as he put up 13.7 PPG and 17.0 PPG as a three-point shooting big man. The former No. 21 overall pick was certainly a great servant for New Orleans because at one point he was one of the best power forwards in the league.
7. David West – 16.4 PPG
(8 Seasons, 2004-2011)
One of the best players to ever play for New Orleans, David West was a solid contributor for the franchise as the sidekick to superstar Chris Paul. The big man had an elite mid-range shot and was adept at scoring in the post, making him a consistent offensive threat. In 8 seasons with the Hornets, West made 2 All-Star Teams. After playing a backup role for the first two seasons, West became a full-time starter in his third season.
He put up 17.1 PPG on 51.2% FG in his first year and 18.3 PPG in his second season on 47.6% shooting from the field. In his two All-Star seasons, West averaged 20.6 PPG and 21.0 PPG for the Hornets while playing a strong role alongside Chris Paul. He finished his career with the Hornets by dropping 19.0 PPG and 18.9 PPG.
6. Jrue Holiday – 17.6 PPG
(7 Seasons, 2014-2020)
A strong two-way guard, Jrue Holiday put up at least 14 PPG in his first two seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans after his final All-Star appearance with the Philadelphia 76ers. In 65 games, Jrue averaged 16.8 PPG in his third season. In his fourth season, Holiday put up 15.4 PPG on 45.4% FG.
The final three seasons with the Pelicans is where Holiday was at his best, averaging at least 19.0 PPG each year. The guard has a strong frame which gave him an advantage in attacking the rim and was also adept at hitting outside shots. Of course, his scoring resume gave Holiday a chance to become an NBA champion with the Bucks shortly after.
5. Chris Paul – 18.7 PPG
(6 Seasons, 2006-2011)
One of the best guards in NBA history and a legend for the New Orleans-based franchise, Chris Paul is unsurprisingly one of the top-5 scorers in their history. The miniature point guard was powerful for his size and extremely quick with his dribble moves. Even though he is a pass-first point guard, CP3 is an elite talent at scoring the ball.
Paul won Rookie of the Year by putting up 16.1 PPG and 7.8 APG, and would soon make his first of four straight All-Star appearances in his third season. CP3 would average 21.1 PPG and 22.8 PPG in his first two All-Star seasons, while also leading the league in assists and steals in both years. Paul finished his career with the Hornets putting up 18.7 PPG and 15.9 PPG.
4. Baron Davis – 20.2 PPG
(3 Seasons, 2003-2005)
In his fourth NBA season, powerful guard Baron Davis joined the New Orleans Hornets and averaged 17.1 PPG in 50 games played. Davis shot 41.6% from the field, 35.0% from three, and 71.0% from the free-throw line. The following season, Davis would make his first All-Star Team with the franchise.
Baron put up 22.9 PPG, his career-high, while also leading the league in steals. An elite dunker and powerful attacker at the rim, defenders could not really stop him from getting to his spots. In the final season with the Hornets, Davis averaged 18.9 PPG while continuing to showcase his elite passing skills.
3. Jamal Mashburn – 21.5 PPG
(2 Seasons, 2003-2004)
Jamal Mashburn had an impressive career as a scorer, as he had a strong resume as an offensive star for multiple teams. Interestingly, Mashburn made his only All-Star Team in his first season with the New Orleans Hornets at age 30. He put up 21.6 PPG on 42.2% from the field and 38.9% from three.
The following season, Mashburn would play his final season as a knee injury would effectively mark the end of the forward’s career. He averaged 20.8 PPG in only 19 games played, clearly getting in a groove to possibly make his second straight All-Star Game. Unfortunately, Mashburn’s career would get derailed because he could have been a strong scorer.
2. Brandon Ingram – 23.52 PPG
(3 Seasons, 2020-2022)
Brandon Ingram has a chance to become a special player because he has already made an All-Star Team and won Most Improved Player with the Pelicans. An All-Star caliber scorer, Ingram made his All-Star appearance in his first season by dropping 23.8 PPG on 46.3% from the field and 39.1% from three.
Ingram would average 23.8 PPG the following season on 46.6% from the field and 38.1% from three. The lengthy forward also began showcasing his improving playmaking skills, averaging 4.9 APG. This season, the former No. 2 overall pick is averaging 22.8 PPG and a career-high 5.5 APG.
1. Anthony Davis – 23.73 PPG
(7 Seasons, 2013-2019)
Anthony Davis was taken No. 1 overall in the 2012 NBA Draft, making the All-Rookie Team by averaging 13.5 PPG. The following season, the talented big man would make the first of six straight All-Star appearances with the franchise. Davis averaged 20.8 PPG, 10.0 RPG, and a league-leading 2.8 BPG. In his third season, Davis dropped 24.4 PPG.
Already one of the best bigs and most talented players in the NBA, Anthony Davis 24.3 PPG, 28.0 PPG, 28.1 PPG, and 25.9 PPG in the next four seasons. A rare kind of power forward/center with guard-like skills, AD shot 51.7% from the field, 31.4% from three, and 79.5% from the free-throw line.
Most Points In New Orleans Pelicans History
Here are the ten players with the most total points in New Orleans Pelicans history:
1. Anthony Davis – 11,059
2. David West – 8,690
3. Chris Paul – 7,936
4. Jrue Holiday – 7,321
5. Brandon Ingram – 4,093
6. Ryan Anderson – 3,702
7. Eric Gordon – 3,390
8. P.J. Brown – 3,231
9. Peja Stojakovic – 3,135
10. Tyreke Evans – 2,982
