The Pelicans received good news this off season when CJ McCollum signed a two year extension with the team. This past summer, Zion signed an extension for over five years. Normally, not too significant for a rookie to sign their first extension but there was speculation he wouldn’t. The team has their two best players in Zion and Brandon Ingram on contract for the next few years. The stars are locked up and the talent on the team is dangerous. They’ve started slow, but despite the early injuries to Zion and Ingram they currently stand at 21-12 and third in the ever fluctuating Western conference.
The team was only two wins away from defeating the number one seeded Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference playoffs last year. Their offense finished number one in the playoffs last year according to CleaningTheGlass. There was only a six game sample size, but they were missing arguably their best player in Zion against a healthy Suns team. It is Willie Green’s second season as head coach, the team is projected to improve this year.
Zion is the catalyst that can push them over the top. His talent is what gives the team potential to exceed expectations. His play thus far indicates a player who remains just as explosive as ever. It’s been some time since he was close to an All-NBA player his first full season following his injury-riddled first year. At this point, it depends on his defense and his health for what he’ll ultimately become. He still has issues maintaining health at this point in his young career. He’s young enough to bounce back from it but it’s not what the team wants to see.
Zion may be their best player, but Ingram was their best player last year. In his first year in the playoffs, he averaged 27 points per game with a 58 percent true shooting percent percentage. He played a significant role in how good their offense was in the playoffs. It was a small sample size but against a team like the Suns, his performance can’t be dismissed.
The addition of CJ McCollum was also a significant reason for the team’s success last year. There were many who considered the trade for him inconsequential at best, but he proved incredibly valuable. He ended last season as their leading scorer and one of the team’s most valuable players. His return ensures the team will remain just as difficult to contain.
The team performed much better in the latter half of last season and they are hoping momentum continues this season. It was an uneven start but still exceeded many of their early season starts. Zion, Brandon and CJ may be their three best players: however, the surrounding cast encompasses an incredibly talented team. Jonas Valančiūnas was an astute pickup last year whose done a great job manning the middle. Herbert Jones was only a rookie, yet did a phenomenal job on defense and should only improve. Trey Murphy has looked good so far this season. Jose Alvarado is more than just a pest on defense and is a solid player who should play well.
The Pelicans have talent all over the court and are a legitimate dark horse favorite in the West. They have the coaching and talent to make a run. Their only potential weakness is not having a more true point guard, and even that’s less of an issue now in today’s game, which doesn’t require a “true point guard.” CJ McCollum and Jose Alvarado have enough talent to man point. Even Zion has proven capable of running point in spurts. There is understandable optimism with this team, and if they continue to play well together, their potential to make an impact in the playoffs cannot be ignored.
