Quinn Cook's Dream Turns Into Reality With New Orleans

Yes, Quinn Cook played for Mike Krzyzewski but it wasn't all glory for him before he got there. It took a lot of hard work. 

When he was in high school, Quinn Cook was highly regarded, but a knee injury slowed him down and that continued at Duke. "according to https://www.dukebasketballreport.com/2017/7/13/15963922/quinn-cook-update-duke-basketball-nba-pelicans

It took him a while to regain his form but he overcame the injury and carved out a unique role at Duke. This culminated in his senior year when he willingly gave up the point guard spot to freshman Tyus Jones. "according to https://www.dukebasketballreport.com/2017/7/13/15963922/quinn-cook-update-duke-basketball-nba-pelicans

Amile Jefferson did the same thing for Justise Winslow and the result was a national championship. "according to https://www.dukebasketballreport.com/2017/7/13/15963922/quinn-cook-update-duke-basketball-nba-pelicans

For Jones and Winslow the path to the NBA was smooth but not so for Cook. It took him awhile but he never stopped working and is now a Pelican (along with rookie Frank Jackson, also a Duke product). "according to https://www.dukebasketballreport.com/2017/7/13/15963922/quinn-cook-update-duke-basketball-nba-pelicans

As for their last summer league game, There was no lack of motivation for the summer Pelicans.

After three consecutive losses, including a pair of last-minute defeats, it was a group eager to prove its last-place seeding in the Las Vegas summer league tournament was not representative of its ability. "according to http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/sports/pelicans/article_d62d46a6-6750-11e7-938b-c706eb5defc5.html

And for at least one day, the message was sent. New Orleans tallied the most points in summer league thus far, racking up a 105-95 victory over the Atlanta Hawks in the first game of tournament play Wednesday at Cox Pavilion. "according to http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/sports/pelicans/article_d62d46a6-6750-11e7-938b-c706eb5defc5.html

The No. 8-seeded San Antonio Spurs, who received a bye, await New Orleans on Thursday in the second round. "according to http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/sports/pelicans/article_d62d46a6-6750-11e7-938b-c706eb5defc5.html

The Pelicans overcame a remarkably sloppy start to post their best game of the summer. A double-digit deficit in the first quarter was the result of surrendering 12 points off turnovers in the first five minutes, allowing Atlanta to reel off a 14-0 run. "according to http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/sports/pelicans/article_d62d46a6-6750-11e7-938b-c706eb5defc5.html

But the Pelicans settled down, and they efficiently attacked the rim. New Orleans found creases for dribble-drive opportunities and routinely scored in the paint and at the free-throw line as part of its monumental offensive effort. "according to http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/sports/pelicans/article_d62d46a6-6750-11e7-938b-c706eb5defc5.html

Quinn Cook is playing up to his potential in the summer league for New Orleans. As for his last game, he converted seven straight shots, including a pair of 3-pointers in his first 13 minutes on the floor. And arguably more important than Cook’s marksmanship was where it came from. "according to http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/sports/pelicans/article_d62d46a6-6750-11e7-938b-c706eb5defc5.html

He showed a proficiency at contributing on and off the ball, proving his ability as a combo guard. It’s a quality he’ll need to continue over the next few months because coach Alvin Gentry has said he’d like to pair Jrue Holiday next to a guard who can play both positions. "according to http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/sports/pelicans/article_d62d46a6-6750-11e7-938b-c706eb5defc5.html