The New Orleans Pelicans took the court at 4:30 am CT on Friday, taking part in the first NBA game on Australian ground.

It was a great event for Australian fans, but local fans who set their alarms early were still treated to their first glimpse of this Pelicans team.

The slimmed-down Zion Williamson performance will get a ton of praise, and rightfully so, but it was actually the showing from Trey Murphy that has stuck in the hours since the game ended.

Murphy looked like every part of the second star that New Orleans needs to get back on solid ground as a franchise. He started to look like an alpha on the basketball court.

The 25-year-old led the Pelicans in scoring with 18 points, as well as adding a rebound and three steals.

It wasn't the best shooting day for him, 2-for-7, but that could actually be a great sign for New Orleans. No one is doubting that his shot will be fine; he is one of the best sharpshooters in the league.

It's the fact that he was still able to put up 18 points in 19 minutes in mostly other ways that fans should focus on.

Murphy showed off the mid-range game, took it to the rim, initiated contact, worked both roles in the pick-and-roll and more. It was an all-around performance.

This is the next step in his game. What he needs to have happen for him to become a true All-Star candidate, which could very well be on the board this season.

"He's somebody that wants it," said head coach Willie Green after the game when talking about Murphy's role expanding this year. "I want him to continue to mix it up. He's such a great cutter. He's a really good shooter off the catch. He can drive and finish, now adding that to his game offensively."

Green also spoke earlier this offseason about making sure that they don't get away from what Murphy already does well. Making an impact off the ball.

When Murphy wasn't making something happen himself, he was still able to rely on Jordan Poole and even Williamson to help create for him.

The two-man game of Williamson and Murphy is something that the Pelicans have spent time working on this offseason, and it was fun to see in action already. Williamson had three assists to his teammate in the first five minutes or so.

The speed and shooting threat of Poole seems to compliment his teammates as well.

When all three are on, they each carry gravity with them on the court. Someone is always going to get a good look.

Williamson was asked about his teammates' development after the game, and he was also excited about the possibilities.

"[Murphy] definitely made that jump last year in terms of showcasing [the pick-and-roll]. I'm not worried about it at all," laughed Williamson before pointing out that his teammate had a couple of 40-point games last year. "I support it."