The 2014-15 Pelicans ranked 4th best in offensive rebounding% as Anthony Davis and Omer Asik feasted off Tyreke Evans’ wild rim running. In the 2690 minutes Evans played that year, the Pelicans had an Oreb% of 29.0, good enough for 2nd in the NBA. Davis was and is simply a monster finishing around the rim, and putbacks were a big factor in his efficiency numbers that season. So it was a slight surprise to people that Alvin Gentry decided to take offensive rebounding out of the game plan for the Pels in 2015-16.
He needed to improve the defense, the biggest factor in the Pelicans’ horrid start to the season.