Pelicans C Omer Asik to miss 3 weeks with calf strain

The New Orleans Pelicans announced Thursday that center Omer Asik will be sidelined for the next three weeks, as he recovers from a right calf straing. His only other National Basketball Association season was in 2011-12, when he averaged 2 points and 1.3 rebounds in 21 games for the New York Knicks.

This injury does open up more practice for small-ball, something that Pelicans fans will likely see more of this year.

The statement about Asik’s absence comes shortly after Alexis Ajinca was diagnosed with a hamstring strain that will keep him sidelined for about four to six weeks.

With both Asik and Ajinca on the shelf, the next man up appears to be veteran Kendrick Perkins, whose role in the league has diminished since leaving the Boston Celtics in 2011. The Pelicans are hopeful that Asik can return for the season opening game against the Golden State Warriors though, according to John Reid of The Times Picayune. That means New Orleans may have to enter the season without its top two options in the middle.

This quote seems to indicate that Davis will not be the only one playing out of position against the Hawks. Starting with Friday night’s preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks in Jacksonville, Fla., Gentry may use lineups that include swingman Tyreke Evans and guards Jrue Holiday, Eric Gordon and Norris Cole all paired together with Davis playing center.

While Perkins and Anderson at least provide depth, the Pelicans need Asik healthy if they hope to challenge in the postseason in a daunting Western Conference.

“It doesn’t really stance I play”, Davis said Monday….