With the rash of injuries that has plagued the Pelicans in recent weeks, one upside has been the meaningful minutes logged by the younger members of the roster. It's allowed them to develop and even shine. That's certainly for the case for the player dubbed "Kenny Hustle" by his teammates.
Kenrich Williams joined the team last season as an undrafted rookie out of TCU. Now in his second year, he's earned a reputation for doing the little things that don't always show up on the stat sheet. Rookie Jaxson Hayes explains.
"K-Rich is the one who's always getting all the extra possessions on offense," Hayes said. "He's playing defense, locking everybody up, getting charges, just making the right moves. He don't get a lot of credit for that, but K-Rich is the heart and soul of this team."
For his part, Williams says it's just about doing what needs to be done.
"I think it's just anticipation, just sacrificing your body," Williams said. "Not too many guys are gonna lay down and take a charge. So I try to do all the little things for the team to help the team and get us going. That's what I try to do."
Williams says he's just following the example of the man named the unquestioned leader of the team by David Griffin in the offseason - Jrue Holiday.
"Jrue is the guy," Williams said. "Scoring or not, he just brings that energy to us, plays great defense. He's a good leader. Not only vocally, but he also leads by example."
The Pelicans embark on a three-game road trip tonight in Phoenix against the Suns.