New Orleans Pelicans: Top 10 draft picks in franchise history

#1) Chris Paul

Chris Paul made everyone around him better, which also can come with the luxury of playing his position and not power forward like Davis. David West became a two-time all-star due to having Paul as his teammate, without him he averaged just 5.0 points and 4.2 rebounds (should give him some credit for his own progression, despite it combating my own narrative here).

The team won just 18 games in 2004/05, their win threshold jumped to 38 games in Paul’s rookie season in which he averaged 16.1 points, 7.8 assists, and 2.2 steals per game.

That 2007/08 team was as successful as they were due to Chris Paul, who was second in MVP voting behind Kobe Bryant that year. Peja Stojakovic was 30, and not the same player he was for the Kings, Tyson Chandler was good but not the defensive anchor he would become later in his career, and “Mo Pete’s” efficiency fell off a cliff once he got to New Orleans.

This was a team that won 56 games and took the defending champion, San Antonio Spurs, to the brink of elimination backed by MVP level play from their point guard. Against the third-best defense in the regular season and having the likes of Bruce Bowen playing him airtight, Paul averaged 23.7 points and 10.7 assists on 49.9 percent shooting.

CP3 made four all-star games when in New Orleans, three All-NBA teams, and three All-Defensive teams. The accolades are nearly neck-in-neck with Davis’, it’s just at his peak he had a larger impact on the game.

Paul could do everything, he’d lock up the opposition’s point guard, run out in transition with his insane speed and high basketball I.Q, he could score at will when called upon and he brought out the best in everyone’s offense. Paul led the league in offensive win shares, and in overall win shares in 2007/08—something Davis has never done.

He might not be as talented as Davis is, he definitely doesn’t possess the same physical prowess Davis has, but he led what was the most successful era in Pelicans history. Pelicans record under Chris Paul: 265-224, 10 playoff wins. Compared to under Anthony Davis: 251-323, 5 playoff wins.

Obviously, there are different intangibles, but the Paul era was more prosperous in New Orleans.

With the New Orleans Pelicans selecting Zion Williamson tomorrow, this list is bound to change soon. Till then, this is where the Top 10 stands.