Tyrese Haliburton learned why the nickname “Not on Herb Jones” is an appropriate nickname during the Pelicans’ latest victory.
Campaign season is starting to heat up, both in the NBA and on American political circuits. Arguably no organization puts in as much effort for a candidate as the New Orleans Pelicans are for defensive ace turned sniper Herb Jones. Trey Murphy III and third-year head coach Willie Green couldn’t figure out what more voters needed to see before the Alabama alum got the proper recognition when the NBA All-Team Defense will come out.
THE work in progress Pelicans are lobbying hard despite mounting evidence suggesting this case should be open and shut during awards season. Jones even has the hard-earned and nationally recognized nickname “Not on Herb.” The latest evidence, however, is overwhelming. Jones kept Tyrese Haliburton scoreless in a 129-102 win at New Orleans. The Pacers All-Star accounted for just three rebounds, three assists and one turnover on the stat sheet.
Murphy III I put it on thick after the victory of March 1. He got the message across using common refrains, rhetorical questions, and a direct-to-consumer pulpit strategy to get the message across.
“I mean, first team defense. I don’t even know what else to say,” Murphy III deadpanned. “He shows up every night against these top players. He deserves to be on the All-Defense First Team ballot. Honestly, I don’t know what (voters) need to see. Just bring up the movie. Are media voters right? Am I right that the media votes? Yeah? So media, please vote for Herb Jones’ All-Defense First Team, sponsored by Trey Murphy III and the Pelicans.
Willie Green, third year head coach detailed in post-match presser how the game plan helped Jones keep Haliburton in control.
“(Haliburton) is a great playmaker and player, an All-Star caliber player,” complimented Green. “But Herb Jones, his defense on Haliburton, I mean. In my opinion, he is an all-first team defensive player on our team. He was everywhere and he did it all season. Actually, the last three seasons, but I think we’ve done a great job mixing up our coverages. Go man, go zone, don’t allow them to get into some of their sets. And then match the final seconds of the shot clock.
Jones finished with six points, two steals, one rebound and one assist in just over 26 minutes of action. These aren’t the flashiest stat lines, of course. Don’t worry though, the Pelicans know that the avid angler shooting nearly 43% from three-point range is capable of scoring 30+ points in a game. It’s been done before, but Brandon Ingram and Murphy III were offensive heavyweights against the Pacers. This allowed Jones to remain stuck on Haliburton. Hopefully the national media will take note instead of rant about Zion Williamson.
About the Author
Chris Dodson has covered Louisiana high school and college basketball on and off for more than a decade. A lifer of bayou basketball, his wiggling gumbo form matches his elbow-dropping celebrations. Fast enough for college hoops, big enough for a football scholarship. He has words and will travel, but not on the field.
