NBABy Matt Clapp on

Earlier this month, the Phoenix Suns had their league-worst defense on full display when their five players on the floor stood around while the Boston Celtics’ Marcus Smart nailed a (very) wide-open three. It was hard to imagine a defensive possession being worse in the NBA, or really at any level of basketball.

Then this “effort” from the New Orleans Pelicans came along during Sunday night’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers, which the Pelicans actually won (despite allowing 124 points).

With under eight minutes to go in the fourth quarter and the Pelicans up three points, Philadelphia rookie star Ben Simmons got ready to set up a play at the three-point line, and the Pelicans basically let him walk in for the easiest “drive” and dunk he may ever have.

Maybe this was a case of the Pelicans just saying, “Well, we can’t stop this guy even when we try on defense, so why waste the effort?”

But, sheesh, that defense would look bad in a game of “21” at the rec center.

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

He can be followed on Twitter at @Matt2Clapp (also @TheBlogfines for Cubs/MLB tweets and @DaBearNecess for Bears/NFL tweets), and can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.

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