New Orleans Pelicans can get out of the Southwest Division Cellar
By Rick Stone
After five straight seasons of being the worst team in the Southwest Division, there’s reason to believe the New Orleans Pelicans can finally finish ahead of a division foe by regular season’s end.
Although there has been one playoff appearance during, it’s been a tough five years for the New Orleans Pelicans.
Even before they were called the “Pelicans”, New Orleans have not seen success in their division. Since the 2010-2011 season, where New Orleans finished ahead of the Houston Rockets, the Pels (Or at the time the “Hornets”) have been last in their division each of the past five regular seasons.
That’s not good. New Orleans Basketball has not seen much to cheer for in the past half-decade.
However, with a new cast of characters and a fresh start, is there optimism that can change?
The Pelicans still have superstar Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday, giving them star power to compete with. They also have balance to the roster, with a plethora of guards that can defend and score. The additions of E’Twaun Moore, Buddy Hield and Langston Galloway brings the team perimeter defense it did not have a year prior.
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It also added wing defense that was lacking, with the addition of Solomon Hill to Quincy Pondexter and Dante Cunningham. It’s a roster that can space the floor and switch effectively…if coached correctly. If the team meshes well, it could mean success.
Still, that might not be enough. The Southwest Division has a reputation of being one of, if not the toughest division in the NBA. The past three seasons, New Orleans has finished with at least 30 wins, yet none of which could compete with the other division foes. That includes 2014-2015, where 45 wins was five away from the next closest team, that being the Dallas Mavericks at 50 wins.
The brand new hope may come from those teams facing decline.
The Spurs are still the juggernauts with Kawhi Leonard. It’s hard to see New Orleans passing them, even after losing Tim Duncan.
The Memphis Grizzlies made deals with Mike Conley and Chandler Parsons to shore up their roster a bit. They still have a formula that should finish higher than the Pelicans.
The Dallas Mavericks still have one of the most underappreciated coaches in Rick Carlisle and used the additions of Andrew Bogut and Harrison Barnes to give their team competitive flavor. Even with last year’s struggles, Dallas should be a contender ahead of the young Pelicans.
Then there’s the Houston Rockets. It might seem crazy, but the Rockets are the one team New Orleans could realistically pass in the standings. Deja Vu to 2010-2011?
Wait, what about James Harden? James Harden is still one of the best scoring guards in the league. Yet, the New Orleans Pelicans’ and other NBA team’s recent acquisitions of capable defensive guards could counter his success.
One of Harden’s biggest strengths is getting good defensive players in foul trouble and facing easier opposition. What happens when the Pelicans role out three players who can guard him throughout the game? It makes it much tougher for sure.
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After James Harden, there’s a glaring issue with the Rockets. They have no defensive players, sans Patrick Beverley and Pablo Prigioni. They also have a lot of players who are streaky to the point of hurting their team.
Trevor Ariza, Eric Gordon, Sam Dekker and Ryan Anderson will more than likely occupy two of the four starting spots in Houston. Other than all being former New Orleans players (or former New Orleans draft picks), they each have a streaky shooter’s touch. When they’re on, they can be a hassle. When they’re off, they only help the opposing team. It’s a formula New Orleans has gone with in the past. It has bitten them in the bum.
Clint Capela is the only true center on the roster and will look to replace Dwight Howard inside. It will be a tall task, especially with his foul troubles in limited minutes last season. As far as depth goes, Houston has some. Corey Brewer, Michael Beasley and Nene Hilario are all capable bench players who can effect games.
They still are not game changers. Brewer is known for his effort and transition game, something Solomon Hill or Dante Cunningham could be able to contain. Beasley is known to shoot, shoot and shoot some more. Another streaker scorer that can benefit the opposition.
Nene has had success, yet has really struggled to find his rhythm. After his numbers fell drastically in the past two seasons as a Washington Wizard, questions are beginning to surface about his effectiveness at the NBA level.
Case in point, the Houston Rockets have a shaky roster with reliance on streaky shooters. It’s not a guarantee, but it’s definitely possible for the New Orleans Pelicans to finish better than Houston this season. That is, if they can figure it out early into the 82-game grind and stay injury free. That alone may be a lot to ask for, but if it does occur, the division cellar might be a thing of the past.
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The past five seasons have been tough to watch New Orleans basketball, however the bottom of the Southwest Division might not be stamped with the Pelicans name this time around. With a young roster and a Houston Rockets team that’s taken a decline in overall roster balance, the New Orleans Pelicans can pass them in the standings, if they can live up to their team’s potential. While the playoffs might be a reach, Anthony Davis and company might be ready to start their climb up the Southwest Division. It will be a long, slow climb, but they certainly can begin that climb by passing Houston in the 2016-2017 campaign.