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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Injuries

The curse has struck early this season. Before a game has even started, we have already lost our starting small forward for most the regular season, but injuries have always plagued the Pels.

LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 27: Anthony Davis (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 27: Anthony Davis (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

Examples of this include Jrue Holiday, last year was the most games he has played for the Pels in 4 years, playing in 67 games. I know he missed the early due to personal reasons, but the 3 seasons prior, he only played 65, 40 and 34 games, missing the rest due to injury.

As stated above, Pondexter has not played for 2 seasons. The most Davis has played was last year, playing 75 games, the first time he had played over 70 games in his career.

Tyreke Evans in his last 2 seasons with the Pels only managed 25 and 26 games (before he was traded, and played 14 games for Sacramento). Eric Gordon’s highest amount of games played in a season was 64 and Ryan Anderson after his first year with the Pels where he played 81 games, then followed up with 22, 61 and 66 games.

Asik started well, playing 76 and then 68 games, but last year was struck down with injuries, playing only 31 games and Ajinca over his 4 years has played 56, 68, 59 and 39 games.

Next: DeMarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo: A True Love Story

I think we can all see a pattern here over the last few years with the Pels both past and present. Whilst injuries cannot be helped, there certainly feels like there is a bit of a curse on the team. If the Pels are to be successful this year, they certainly need a bit of luck on their side with this one and hopefully can get through a year injury free.

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