New Orleans Pelicans facing first season without an established star

David Griffin could decide on a total rebuild of the New Orleans Pelicans roster. For the first time in franchise history, the team might not have an established star. How might that affect the teams’ perception?

The NBA moved the Hornets, now New Orleans Pelicans, in 2002. I was ecstatic. Having just graduated from high school, I’d have a local team to cheer for when college level discretionary income allowed for me to attend a game or buy a new jersey. (Still waiting on some Jrue Holiday options, if you’ve got time to fix that David Griffin. I’d appreciate it. Christmas version blue Pelicans script on white. Obliged.)

The best part about the new team in the Crescent City was the imported roster had playoff potential and recognizable stars. Baron Davis was hampered, but respected. Jamal Mashburn turned his career year into an All-Star selection. David Wesley, Jamaal Magloire, PJ Brown, Stacey Augmon, and Kenny Anderson rounded out the rotational core.

A team battling injuries was unable to topple the Philadelphia 76ers in the postseason. Even with Mashburn and Davis at less that full fitness, New Orleans forced a sixth game. Allen Iverson went supernova, scoring 45 in a four point Hornets loss. Paul Silas was fired, though the team showed promise.

Injuries and a coach fired after making the playoffs. The ails of the franchise began in the inaugural season.

The second season was again marred by injuries to Mashburn, though Davis and Magloire stepped up and made the All-Star team. The Tim Floyd coached squad made the playoffs as the fifth seed in their final season as an Eastern Conference team. A Game 7 loss to the Miami Heat in the first round cost Tim Floyd his job after one season.

Again, another season of “if only” the team’s star group could have had a full season. And again, another coaching search for a team in limbo took place. A healthy Mashburn would have meant a second round series against the Indiana Pacers, who lost to the eventual NBA Champs Detroit Pistons, the most underdog champion of the past decade. Again, with a healthy star and a little luck, what could have been?

The third season was not a charm. New coach Byron Scott had to deal with injuries, again. Fading star Mashburn was lost for the season then traded away. Baron Davis was traded to Golden State, Wesley to Houston. The team started with stars, and imploded immediately.

The Hornets did have characters in Chris “Birdman” Anderson and a rookie J.R. Smith. The third season lacked production from the established stars on the roster, but the team had them under contract for a while. However, New Orleans was about to get their biggest star yet.