New Orleans Pelicans Season Preview

New Orleans Pelicans

2014 Record: 45-37

2015 O/U 47.5

Who are their stars?

This team only has one true star and they may only need the one to be competitive this year. At age 22, Anthony Davis is in the conversation with the Currys’ and the James’ of the NBA world, and has much more upside than either of them at this stage. He has improved statistically in every category since coming into the league, and averaging a double-double with 24 points and about three blocks a night to go with it is dominant. He is a dominant defender, he can run the floor, guard wings, put on weight this year and potentially is becoming a better three point shooter. There is potential for him to be the biggest threat on a court this season, and at this point there cannot be an excuse to miss the playoffs, even in the West.

Who are the glue guys?

The guys in which surround Davis are great, in that they know their role, but at the same time all have injury issues in their past, and all have their share of questions. To start is Jrue Holiday and how the Sixers are now being sued for pawning him to New Orleans without a clear medical history. His injury caused him to be limited in the playoffs, and only play in 40 regular season games. He has the talent to be a floor general on a playoff team, but he doesn’t have the health to sustain this. Eric Gordon is slated to be healthy and starting at shooting guard, but he hasn’t played 65 games since 2008. When healthy he has great scoring potential, but you just never know what to get. Speaking of not knowing what to get, Tyrieke Evans. Evans has missed much time, but he is a character out there and his flashes of greatness always seem mixed with flashes of let downs. These three guys, when healthy and functioning are enough talent that Davis can propel this team into real contenders. Betting on it all to hit lightning at the right time is the bold call however.

Who are the rotational players?

Their frontcourt should be a big time rotation of guys fitting around Anthony Davis. Omer Asik will need to get the most minutes as the center to help rebound for Davis. Asik has injury concerns, and minutes concerns and behind him is little in the physical rebounder department. The role will go Alexis Ajinca, a 27-year-old foreigner who is unproven. Ryan Anderson is a guy who can play with Davis in some aspects, but if Davis going to step outside the paint it leaves them somewhat thin. Dante Cunningham is a guy who can rebound, but is too small to play the center position, and it would leave Davis guarding centers, which he does not want to do. I am sure he will put in some minutes, there and I am sure it will be fine, but how the rotations play out will be interesting, because Davis gives them a lot of flexibility. Aside from that this team is somewhat thin. Luke Babbit and Alonso Gee will get minutes at the guard position, but it seems like this team is banking on big minutes from Holiday and Gordon. I would suspect Tryieke Evans will get minutes guarding point guards to ease Holiday, and have a guy like Quincy Pondexter getting major bench minutes. Pondexter is a nice bench option, but I think his limits may be tested this season.

Where do they rank? Over Under? How far do they go?

They can bang and scrum and find themselves in the playoffs this year. Due to their troubles, I don’t see them getting higher than a six seed in a tougher conference, but the sixth best team in the West is very impressive when being led by a 22 year old. In all, the total seems a touch high as I saw 47 wins being a good season here. I wouldn’t play it, but I would look for this team to finish in the 45-48 win range, and finish 8-6 in the conference. As for how far they go, it will come down how healthy they are when they hit the playoffs.

Under 47.5 wins, 7th in the Western Conference, 11th in the NBA