Pelica Debrief
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New Orleans Pelicans Discussion: Five Offseason Questions

By Preston Ellis

Jun 22, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry talks during his introductory press conference as executive vice president Mickey Loomis and general manager Dell Demps (center) look on at the New Orleans Pelicans Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry talks during his introductory press conference as executive vice president Mickey Loomis and general manager Dell Demps (center) look on at the New Orleans Pelicans Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 19, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) and forward DeMarcus Cousins (0) during the first quarter of a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) and forward DeMarcus Cousins (0) during the first quarter of a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

2) The New Orleans Pelicans are now 6-7 in the Boogie Cousins era.  How is the AD/Boogie partnership going? Briefly draw me a timeline of where these two end up, through the end of the 2017/18 season.

Brian:

I believe the partnership is off to a rocky start but that should have been expected.  The Pelicans have undergone a tremendous change with the addition of Boogie which directly affects their style of play.  The up tempo pace doesn’t exactly fit the build and skills and Boogie.  I expect to see improvement next year as they have a full offseason to work on things in New Orleans.  I expect to see a new coach with a system that maximizes the talents of the two bigs.  My prediction by the end of the 2017/18 season would be a 6 seed in the West and a team that won’t likely go far in the playoffs but would not be a matchup anyone would look forward to.

Tyler:

The AD/Boogie era is still a work in progress, but shows promise. It comes down to just simply playing  together more to build on-court chemistry. I want to see Boogie in the post more and doing pick-n-pop set shots at the elbow. As far as a timeline goes, I envision them leading this team to a 4th or 5th seed by the end of next season.

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Wilton:

I think the partnership is off to a rough start but that is expected with a midseason trade. When a new player comes into a new rotation and new style of play, chemistry has to be formed between that player and the entire team. Boogie has to continue to get adjusted to an uptempo pace of the Pelicans.

Beyond that, Anthony Davis had to make adjustment in figuring out where his production is most needed and knowing when to step up more now that he has Boogie. In the final stretch of this season, I think the two will continue to play well with each other.

If the Pelicans do not secure the eight spot in the Western Conference this year, they will come close to it. Next year, I could see New Orleans being anywhere from a sixth to eighth seed in the playoffs. Overall, I like Boogie and AD together as they have the potential to take the franchise very far with the right supporting pieces around them.

Preston:  

I don’t like Demarcus Cousins in a Pelicans’ uniform.  I believe his lethargy and negative attitude on the court will only bring those around him down.  The cameras won’t show you how he really affects a box score.  He had the entire starting five grumbling to the referees last week against the Raptors.  The defense is often tasked with playing four on five while Cousins plays possum after a missed lay in.

With that being said he is a tremendous player, and if he can find the wherewithal to fight night in, and night out, and make those around him better, AD and Boogie could make a solid foundation.  However, I think they finish with another midling record next season, and Boogie leaves in free agency in the 2018 summer.

Eddie:

I agree with Preston in that DeMarcus Cousins’ attitude is a problem. No doubt he is a very talented and skilled player, but his immaturity on the court will, and probably has already, drag to team down further.

However, unless someone like AD can step up and be a true leader, it is then there is a possibility that AD could be someone who can somewhat control Cousins.

As for on court performance with the right coach and system, I can see these two big men being a real threat on both ends.

Rick:

It’s so hard to judge with so few games of them actually playing together. Yet when they share the floor, there’s something special in the air. They clearly enjoy playing basketball together and two players of that caliber are only going to get better together.

If the Pelicans and their fans can have patience with these guys and let their talents mesh, they could be a deadly combo by the time next season comes around.

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