David Griffin confident Pelicans can thrive in a small market

Small market teams are left to fend for themselves. Nothing is given. David Griffin is fully aware of the challenges at hand. But don’t tell him that this path can’t lead to success for the New Orleans Pelicans.

David Griffin was introduced to the media Wednesday in his initial press conference as Vice President of Basketball Operations for the New Orleans Pelicans. He gave a passionate speech detailing how thrilled he is to be taking on his newfound role. No stranger to smaller markets, Griffin won a championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016—ending the city’s 52-year drought without a championship. He understands well the struggles smaller markets have.

It’s difficult to compete with the larger markets that bring the attraction of bright lights. And with the player empowerment movement, establishing your own brand is appealing to superstars, and larger markets provide them that opportunity.  But with the correct framework—and a little more attention to detail—those teams that don’t acquire the biggest superstar in free agency can still consistently find themselves competitive.

Griffin touched base on the importance of an organic rebuild which long-term success can be attributed to. He did not have that in Cleveland. Soon after he was hired, LeBron James returned home with aspirations of bringing the city its first NBA championship. Instantly, the Cavaliers went from rebuilding through the draft to being title contenders. There was never an organic approach to their rebuild. Back-to-back first overall selections were shipped off in a package centered around Kevin Love to help James and Irving to the promised land.

That’s not going to be the case in New Orleans. Here, Griffin has the privilege of orchestrating a system that fits together and has prolonged prosperity. And with the right moves and personnel around him, New Orleans can be fully confident that the team is heading down the correct path.

Chances are, the New Orleans Pelicans won’t attract the biggest names in free agency this summer, and that’s okay. Griffin alluded to what the San Antonio Spurs have achieved this millennium. a team that rarely enters free agency with deep pockets to sign the largest names in the league. They’ve built through the NBA Draft with impressive scouting and picked up under-the-radar guys that are afterthoughts to the larger market teams handicapped by lucrative contracts on their rosters.

The blueprint is there, and it can be done. The Milwaukee Bucks enjoyed their most successful season since 2001 this year. How did they get there? Through the draft, making smart trades, and acquiring pieces that fit the mold of their system while simultaneously not overpaying them.

Indiana and Oklahoma City are other recent examples. Though neither franchise has won a championship, they have both enjoyed deep playoff runs despite playing in a smaller market. As Griffin pointed out, it means more to win in a smaller market. The process is that much harder and the ultimate payoff is that much sweeter.

David Griffin is fully invested in bringing this city a championship. That’s the ultimate goal. It’s not going be easy, as we all comprehend too well. This organization has only seen the second round of playoff action twice. But if there ever was a man to oversee a smaller market team rise to prominence, it’s David Griffin. The New Orleans Pelicans are in good hands.