Pelica Debrief
Fansided

New Orleans Pelicans – Five Major Weaknesses Next Season

By Alex Stokes

NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 29: Head coach Alvin Gentry of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during the second half of a game against the Dallas Mavericks at the Smoothie King Center on March 29, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 29: Head coach Alvin Gentry of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during the second half of a game against the Dallas Mavericks at the Smoothie King Center on March 29, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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Whilst we have examined the strengths of the Pels, unfortunately, there are also some major weaknesses that need to be addressed. Through this post, I will look at the major factors that will affect the Pelicans negatively next season.

The Stacked Western Conference

This is something completely out of the Pels’ hands, but it is major factor nevertheless. If the Pels were in the Eastern Conference, which they should be, they would be a playoff team for sure, somewhere between the 3rd and 6th seed. They would be behind the Cavaliers and Celtics but certainly challenging the Bucks, Raptors, and Wizards for the 3rd seed.

The Pels need success and they need it fast if they want to keep Davis and Cousins together for more than just one season. This off season, three Eastern Conference All Stars have moved West, Jimmy Butler from the Bulls to Timberwolves, Paul George from the Pacers to OKC and Paul Millsap from the Hawks to the Nuggets, making life tougher for all. To be fair, the Jazz lost Gordon Hayward to the Celtics.

OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 12: Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant of the Golden State Warriors poses for a portrait with the Larry O’Brien Trophy after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Five of the 2017 NBA Finals on June 12, 2017 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 12: Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant of the Golden State Warriors poses for a portrait with the Larry O’Brien Trophy after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Five of the 2017 NBA Finals on June 12, 2017 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The top four guaranteed teams to make the playoffs I believe are the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, and Oklahoma City Thunder. After that, It is going to be a free for all for the final 4 spots. The Timberwolves and Nuggets will gain 2 of them, leaving the Pels, Trailblazers, Clippers, Grizzlies, Jazz, and Lakers (probably not really though), challenging for just two positions.

I’m sure, like every other team in the league, we have high hopes for the season ahead, but let’s not kid ourselves at the enormity of the challenge ahead. Just to make the playoffs will be a great success in what could be the toughest conference of all time.

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