New Orleans Pelicans forward Herb Jones has sparked widespread debate after ESPN ranked him No. 97 on their Top 100 NBA players list. The ranking has ignited fan discussions and drawn criticism from those within the league, including one of Jones’ former teammates. Larry Nance Jr. has been vocal in his support for Jones, taking to social media to call out ESPN’s analysts for what he believes to be a gross undervaluation of the Pelicans forward. Is Herb Jones ranked too low? Larry Nance Jr. criticizes ESPN for undervaluing the Pelicans forward.
Despite being widely regarded as one of the NBA’s most versatile perimeter defenders, Jones barely made it into ESPN’s rankings, landing just one spot ahead of veteran point guard Mike Conley. Some players ranked ahead of Jones include Al Horford, Jalen Suggs, Keegan Murray, and Brook Lopez—a list that Nance and many others feel should not surpass the rising star.
After seeing Herb Jones ranked so low, Nance expressed his discontent on X (formerly Twitter), stating:
“These people have no idea what they’re doing #Justice4Herb.”
These people have no idea what they’re doing #Justice4Herb https://t.co/QpHPfLmvsp— Larry Nance (@Larrydn22) October 15, 2024
Nance, who played alongside Jones for several seasons in New Orleans before being traded to the Atlanta Hawks, knows Jones’ abilities up close and personal. Having witnessed Jones’ on-court talents, Nance clearly believes that ESPN’s analysts failed to account for the Pelicans forward’s growth, especially following a career-best season.
In the 2023-2024 season, Herb Jones appeared in 76 games, averaging 11.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. Most notably, he made significant strides in his three-point shooting, an area of his game that had previously been seen as a weakness. Last season, he knocked down 41.8% of his shots from beyond the arc, a career high. In addition to his offensive production, Jones’ defensive prowess continued to shine. He was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team and finished fifth in the Defensive Player of the Year voting—accolades that seem to have been overlooked in ESPN’s rankings. The question remains, is this further evidence that Herb Jones ranked too low?
As the 2024-25 NBA season approaches, Herb Jones is gearing up to take on a new, potentially groundbreaking role for the Pelicans. In his first three seasons, Jones has primarily served as the team’s point-of-attack defender. However, following key roster changes during the offseason—including the addition of Dejounte Murray via trade and the departure of center Jonas Valanciunas in free agency—the Pelicans are exploring different strategies for their lineup.
According to ESPN insider Shams Charania, head coach Willie Green is considering deploying Jones in a surprising position this season: as the team’s starting center. During an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Charania revealed that the Pelicans are leaning towards a positionless approach for their lineup.
“I’m told Herb Jones is essentially going to serve as the starting center for the Pelicans,” Charania stated. “We’re not talking about fives; we’re talking about position-less.”
Shams says Herb Jones will start at center for the Pelicans
Hmmm pic.twitter.com/e0srxNlpXw— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) October 10, 2024
This experiment is not entirely new in today’s NBA. Teams like the Golden State Warriors have successfully implemented small-ball lineups with undersized players filling in at traditionally larger positions. However, slating Jones as a center pushes the boundaries of this trend. Standing at 6-foot-8 and weighing 210 pounds, Jones certainly has the wingspan (seven feet) to challenge other bigs, but defending the NBA’s centers on a nightly basis will be an entirely new challenge.
While the concept of a positionless lineup is gaining traction across the league, the Pelicans’ decision to utilize Jones in such a role comes with risks. He has already proven he can guard multiple positions, but now he’ll be tasked with defending much larger and more physically imposing centers. His ability to adapt to this new role will be closely monitored throughout the season, and if successful, it could solidify his reputation as one of the most versatile defenders in the league.
There’s no denying the talent of Herb Jones, but ESPN’s ranking feels like a missed opportunity to truly recognize the impact he has had on the Pelicans’ success. In an age where defensive versatility is increasingly valued, one would expect someone like Jones—who is both a defensive stalwart and improving offensively—to rank higher. The criticism from Larry Nance Jr. resonates with many who have closely followed Jones’ development, especially after his standout performances last season. It remains to be seen how the Pelicans’ lineup experiment will work out, but one thing is clear: Jones’ contributions deserve more respect.
Herb Jones ranked too low at No. 97 not only feels like a disservice to the player but highlights a larger issue with ESPN’s methodology in creating its Top 100 list. Ranking systems are always subjective, but when a player like Jones, who excels at both ends of the floor and has the stats and accolades to back it up, is placed so low, it raises questions about how much weight is given to defense and overall impact. As Larry Nance Jr. bluntly put it, “These people have no idea what they’re doing.” The placement of Herb Jones on this list feels more like an oversight than an accurate reflection of his worth.
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