Intelligence can come in many forms – there is basketball IQ, street smarts and book smarts, to name just a few categories. When New Orleans players were asked to name the smartest player on the roster, the query was kept open-ended, allowing for a range of responses. The Pelicans seemed to lean toward a couple of the club’s older, more experienced NBA pros while answering, but there were also a few mentions of a trio of second-year players.
Among your Pelicans teammates, who is the smartest?
Devonte’ Graham:“I would say either Garrett Temple or CJ McCollum.”
Jaxson Hayes: “Me.”
Willy Hernangomez: “Probably Herb Jones or Garrett.
Brandon Ingram: “B.I. of course.”
Herb Jones: “Garrett.”
Kira Lewis Jr.: “That’s a tough one. I’m going to go with Garrett.”
Naji Marshall: “I have to go with CJ on that. If you’re talking about street smarts, it’s me, Jose Alvarado or B.I.”
Trey Murphy: “If I can’t say myself, I’ll say it’s a tie between Garrett and CJ.”
Larry Nance Jr.: “Can I say myself? I think I’m the smartest. CJ is going to say himself, too.”
Garrett Temple: [after a long pause] “I don’t even want to say it, but probably Trey Murphy. I think I would classify myself as one of the smartest – experience plays a factor in that – but Trey went to Rice and then he went to Virginia, so he might be decently book smart. We’re not talking about street smart. Don’t tell him that, or his ego will explode! Explode.”
Jonas Valanciunas: “Garrett Temple.”
Zion Williamson: “I guess it would depend on how you look at it. The most vocal smart person – outside of myself, no, I’m just playing – would be CJ. He really knows how to articulate himself. He and Garrett really know how to get their point across. They are always dropping knowledge and hidden gems on teammates.”