Last season, the New Orleans Pelicans were a slight surprise making the playoffs for the first time since they changed their name from the Hornets to the Pelicans. Actually, it was the first playoff appearance for New Orleans since 2011 when Chris Paul was leading the team.
Now, this is Anthony Davis’ team and he’s coupled with some talented players but there has been one consistent issue in the bayou. Injuries.
Jrue Holiday, Tyreke Evans, Eric Gordon were all brought in to be compliments to Anthony Davis on any given night but they haven’t stayed healthy enough for everyone to get a good look at what this roster could do to opponents.
The Golden State Warriors got a small glimpse of it last season during the NBA playoffs when they squared off with New Orleans but they handled them in four games. So of course, Tyreke Evans thinks that the Pelicans, when healthy, can compete for an NBA championship and hold court with the NBA’s reigning champions.
Following from Adi Jospeh of the Sporting News.
Tyreke Evans has clear vision — 20/15, even — and what he sees is a Pelicans team ready to take off. After two years of unceasing injuries for him and teammates in New Orleans, the 25-year-old shooting guard was bold in his 2015-16 goal: an NBA championship.
“I don’t see why we can’t do it,” Evans told Sporting News. “We have a great team. I don’t see our team any different from the Warriors. I think we’re right there, even though this is going to be our first year with coach (Alvin) Gentry. If we push each other and work hard, we can make that next step. It’s not going to be easy, but I think we have that chance.”
Evans has some great confidence in his team and that’s awesome for the Pelicans and their fans alike. The only issue is, Tyreke isn’t right, at all.
The Pelicans can’t compare to the Warriors one bit. First off, the style of the teams is vastly different. While new Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry will come in and install a new fast-paced offense, the pieces they have to execute that aren’t what would help Genty execute this offense. They only had one player last year who played at least 15 minutes per game and play at least 30 games to shoot over 35% from three and that was Eric Gordon. Speed isn’t going to exactly work well either with slower players like Quincy Pondexter, Omer Asik, Alexis Ajinca and Luke Babbit all expected to play some sort of role in the Pelicans rotation.
They can compare in the length department where New Orleans has some guys who can defend multiple positions like Pondexter, Dante Cunningham, Tyreke Evans and Anthony Davis but are they as good as the Warriors? Right now, on paper the answer is no but the Pelicans can easily burn down that paper and put everyone on notice starting in about six weeks time.
