(Photo: Parker Waters)
The New Orleans Saints season ended a month ago.
The New Orleans Pelicans’ hopes of reaching the post-season ended about that same time.
But followers of both of New Orleans’ professional sports franchises had an opportunity to reflect on the on-field and off-the-field contributions of four successful and extremely popular players Thursday.
Drew Brees was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
Tyer Shough won one rookie of the year award and placed second in another.
Demario Davis was the Saints’ nominee for the prestigious Walter Payton Award.
And Jose Alvarado, one of the most popular Pelicans, was traded to the New York Knicks shortly before the trade deadline.
Second-round draft choice Shough finished second to Carolina wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan in the voting for AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, which was announced during the NFL Honors broadcast Thursday night. But earlier in the day Shough won the Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, which is voted on by fans.
But neither vote is particularly significant. What is significant is that Shough had a remarkable rookie season even though he didn’t start any of the first eight games of the season.
He gave every indication that he’s capable of exceeding any reasonable expectations for any No. 40 overall pick and appears capable of providing New Orleans with a top-flight quarterback for the foreseeable future – the first one the Saints have had since Brees retired after the 2020 season.
It would be unfair to compare Shough to Brees, but Shough doesn’t need to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer in order to be the centerpiece of a Saints renaissance, provided the front office and the coaching staff surround him with assets similar to those that Brees had.
Davis was the Saints’ nominee for the Payton award, which Brees shared with former Chargers teammate LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006, but Washington Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner was selected for the honor, which recognizes outstanding community service and excellence on the playing field.
Now for Alvarado.
The undrafted free agent (2021) from Georgia Tech quickly became and consistently maintained his status as a fan favorite for his underdog story, unfailing hustle, smarts and appreciation for his new hometown.
He will be missed.
(Photo: Stephen Lew)
Alvarado spoke often of how New Orleans had become home, and wasn’t looking to relocate. But the most attractive place to go would have been his hometown of New York.
So best of wishes to him.
The trade of Alvarado was disappointing to Pelicans fans not only because of his popularity but also because the team’s only move at the trade deadline wasn’t seismic.
The trade of Alvarado, who will enter the final year of his contract next season, for fellow backup guard Dalen Terry, two second-round draft picks and financial considerations, won’t significantly alter New Orleans’ prospects positively or negatively.
The only thing more boring than following an NBA team that is out of play-in contention before the All-Star Break is watching that team stand pat through the trade deadline.
Acquiring a fresh face who might provide a lift could be interesting. Getting rid of an unpopular or disappointing player for future asserts could provide hope for future improvement.
But choosing not to do anything involving a starter coming or going is, well, boring.
That’s what transpired – or more accurately didn’t transpire – in recent days with the team with the second-worst record in the NBA.
But the worst thing any team can do – whether they’re enduring the Pelicans’ plight or enjoying a less boring circumstance than the one in New Orleans – is to make a trade, especially one involving one or more key players, just for the sake of making a trade.
Pelicans basketball chief Joe Dumars and general manager Troy Weaver have a lot of work to do in order to make their team post-season relevant in 2027. Getting a significant head-start at the trade deadline would have been nice.
But Dumars and Weaver obviously felt the relatively insignificant Alvarado trade was the best they could do. They have a significant rebuilding challenge in the off-season, especially with the absence of a first-round draft pick.
Maybe they’ll find the basketball equivalent of Brees or Davis, though that seems highly unlikely. It would be more realistic to think they might find someone approximating the value of Shough or Alvarado.
“Jose Alvarado embodied effort, toughness, and heart every time he stepped on the floor,” Dumars said in a statement released by the Pelicans on Thursday night. “He gave everything he had and represented our organization the right way.”
Brees, Davis, Shough and Alvarado offer a range of on-field and on-court accomplishments.
But all have performed in a manner that made them Crescent City sports royalty.