Micah Peavy on his on-ball defense, Derik Queen | New Orleans Pelicans
tremendous, man. It was really fun. Um I’ve been working a lot, you know, in the conditioning league. Um just getting better my shooting and just um just making winning plays. That’s what coach told me when I get out there. Just just do what I do. No pressure. Um I felt like I I made an impact even though I didn’t score. Um I think I brought it on the defensive end and I think that’s I mean we had a a really good defensive game. I think it was our best defensive game all year. So I just want to continue to just bring that every game. Micah, can you talk about that? Last two games, two wins, and it does seem like defensively things are tightening up. Yeah. Um, I think those are that’s a point of emphasis for us is just get better on our defensive end, and I think guys are just taking um taking pride in our defense right now. Um, not getting scored on. Can you point to what’s really working for you? Like for instance, we noticed that there’s less breakdowns. Opponents are having a much tougher time scoring against you in the restricted area. What else are you noticing out there? Um, just like I said, guys um caring about getting scored on. I think that’s the main thing about defense, just it’s about your want and I think guys want to play defense right now. So, I think it’s it’s going to show in these coming games. Seemed like you were really good on the ball in the in the game against Dallas. Um what what do you think are some of the biggest uh maybe adjustments or changes from college to the NBA? Is it just the talent is different? Is that the main thing? Yeah, talent. Um how strong everybody is? Um, you know, you’re playing against guys who are 610, but they they’re playing on ball with the like I’ll say when we played Orlando, that’s when I was like, “Oh, this is this is different from college cuz I had to guard Paulo and France and they were 610 guys 250 and they’re bringing the ball up and and making plays for themselves.” So, I think that’s the big difference between college and NBA. For somebody who has always kind of hung their hat on defense, I mean, how satisfying is it to see to kind of know that that is translating even though you’re playing guys who are, you know, stronger and long, like, you know, taller than than what you’re used to. Oh, yeah. It it means it means that uh what I’ve thought about myself is is true. Um I’ve always thought I was one of the one of the best defenders and um I think just playing these guys uh I I just see that I I can be out there with them and yeah, my defense is up there with the with the top guys. Was there a moment where you kind of like noticed it or maybe it was a was it in one of those Orlando? Is it a play you made that you’re like, “Oh, like that’s all right. I I feel that.” No, it’s just, you know, just getting continuing getting stops just just builds your confidence on defense. That’s where I get my confidence on defense and the offensive end is going to come. Um just reps and being out there is it’s going to come. How much have you learned from a guy like Herb who also obviously thrives on defense? Um he’s helped me a lot. Uh, I remember the first game in Australia, he said I wasn’t talking enough. And he said just just being out there directing traffic, just just talking on the backside, it helps everybody. So, uh, I mean, if you watch me play, I’m I’m really really trying to do that. He he told me in the locker room, he’s like he was like, “How much did you score?” I was like, “I didn’t score anything.” He said, “But you made a huge impact on the reason how we won this this game.” And I was like, like, appreciate it. Like, I mean, coming from a defender like that, it means a lot. Going off of Herb, you also have like think like a guy like Cory Brewer who’s like athletic defender. What what’s it like having him? Uh it’s it’s great. Um I mean he gets out there and plays, like I said, the conditioning league. He plays against us. Um he’s he’s taught me a lot about cutting cutting off ball. Um yeah, and I I’ve watched a couple of his clips to see how he got those easy buckets. Um I think he said he scored 40 or 50 points without shoot without making a three or something like that. So, I mean, seeing guys like that, um, it’s it’s good to have them around. Michael, we’ve seen Derek be very instrumental in getting you guys these two wins. I don’t want to ask you if you’re surprised to see because we know he’s got the talent package, but what stands out to you about his play? Um, yeah, like I’m not surprised. Um, I’m in the gym with him every day. We’re me, him, and fears are the first people here every day. Um, and what sticks out is just his ability to make plays for others. Um, and his defense. Uh, you know, coming in, I I didn’t know of Derek as a defender, but I think these past couple games, his deflections and his steals, I think he had what, four last game. Um, so that stuck out to me a lot. Um, you know, they uh people make fun of him say he’s a pizz in practice, but I think he’s showing he could really he could really play defense. What is it about this this rookie class like the Pelios, all three of y’all and around the league, it just seems a little bit different. Um, sure. I I think I think we all believe that we we we belong here and and we can play right away. Um, I think it’s just our confidence and and Yeah. And and it helps when our vets um give us confidence and tell us to just just play free and and have fun. Going having gone to Georgetown and um Derek being in Maryland, did you follow his college career much at all? Did you know much about them? Yeah, of I mean we played each other in a in a scrimmage before the year. Um so yeah, I followed them. They’re rivals that they play today. So, you know, we Oh, they did. Yeah. So, you know, when Georgetown wins, uh, we’re going he going to have to do something for sure. For, uh, for somebody who hasn’t watched Derrick Queen play, how do how would you describe like his game? It’s just such a unique style. Yeah. Um, I would say like a baby Joker, a Sangon. Um, you know, not very athletic, but, you know, make plays for others, can get downhill, crafty. Um, and yeah, they he gets his hand on on the ball a lot on defense. So yeah, he he makes up for his athleticism with his long arms and getting deflections and stuff. You think of like the pace he plays with? It just seems like it’s kind of It’s his own It’s his own pace. Um doesn’t let anybody speed him up. Uh yeah, he’s he’s super slow, but he going he gets by his defenders because of because of the way he can play, his craftiness. the
New Orleans Pelicans forward Micah Peavy speaks with the media after Pelicans practice at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025 ahead the team’s game against the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday, Nov. 8.
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