Pelica Debrief
Fansided

Top 3 Examples For Using New Orleans Pelicans Depth

By Christopher Dodson

PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 17: Jrue Holiday #11 of the New Orleans Pelicans goes up for a dunk against the Portland Trail Blazers in Game Two of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 17, 2018 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 17: Jrue Holiday #11 of the New Orleans Pelicans goes up for a dunk against the Portland Trail Blazers in Game Two of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 17, 2018 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 12: (L-R) Tayshaun Prince #22, Jason Maxiell #54, Richard Hamilton #32, Rodney Stuckey #3 and Charlie Villanueva #31 of the Detroit Pistons talk on the court during a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on November 12, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. The Pistons won 113-107 in overtime. 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 2010 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 12: (L-R) Tayshaun Prince #22, Jason Maxiell #54, Richard Hamilton #32, Rodney Stuckey #3 and Charlie Villanueva #31 of the Detroit Pistons talk on the court during a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on November 12, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. The Pistons won 113-107 in overtime. 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 2010 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The New Orleans Pelicans made a drastic franchise cultural change this summer. Gentry should get creative, not stay conservative. His system is great, but too much on court status quo makes his team’s easy to plan against.

Everyone knew the 2003-04 Detroit Pistons plan yet they won the NBA Finals anyways. They also had a 13 game win streak in the middle of the season. Unlike Atlanta, the Pistons did not peak too soon.

Chauncey Billups decided to dominate and won the Finals MVP award. Rasheed Wallace and Ben Wallace were two not quite stars trying to make good on their potential.

In his second season, Tayshaun Prince made the type of leap everyone hopes Brandon Ingram can make this year. Rip Hamilton led the team in scoring, as can Holiday. Zion Williamson will surely provide more production than Darko Miličić. Even in the playoffs, the Detroit Pistons had a ten-man rotation.

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The 2014-15 Atlanta Hawks played as a team, knowing wins would come as their depth could slowly increase leads on other team’s reserves. The 2012-13 Denver Nuggets came together in much the same way this year’s New Orleans Pelicans were assembled. The 2003-04 Detroit Pistons found their pride, defense, and won a championship.

The New Orleans Pelicans have the talent. David Griffin believes in Jrue Holiday and this supporting cast. Gentry has the exercised contract option giving him some extra feeling job security. He has to have a conviction that the whole team can execute the gameplan.

The only way to keep the bench engaged and trusting their place on the team is to have faith. Teams that trust each other succeed more often. Deep teams that trust each other make deep playoff runs.

The New Orleans Pelicans may not storm the league with dozen game win streaks. Likewise, there is no need to panic should the team hit a rough spot this season. They can surprise plenty of skeptics by just sticking to the plan. They can surprise other teams with creative lineups.

Next. New Orleans Pelicans Post Free Agency Power Rankings: Zion Not Top 2. dark

Alvin Gentry might even surprise himself and win the NBA Coach of the year award.