Pelica Debrief
Fansided

The 10 things we’ve learned about the New Orleans Pelicans through 10 games

By Willie Lutz

NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 11: JJ Redick #4 of the New Orleans Pelicans is helped up by his teammates during the game against the Houston Rockets on November 11, 2019 at the Smoothie King Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 11: JJ Redick #4 of the New Orleans Pelicans is helped up by his teammates during the game against the Houston Rockets on November 11, 2019 at the Smoothie King Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 11: Derrick Favors #22 of the New Orleans Pelicans grabs the ball from Russell Westbrook #0 of the Houston Rockets during the game on November 11, 2019 at the Smoothie King Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 11: Derrick Favors #22 of the New Orleans Pelicans grabs the ball from Russell Westbrook #0 of the Houston Rockets during the game on November 11, 2019 at the Smoothie King Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The New Orleans Pelicans aren’t close to being a playoff team

Starting the season 2-8 is a pretty good indicator for a lot of teams, but this team is pretty far from being ready to make the leap into the Western Conference Playoffs.

So far, aside from the Denver Nuggets, the Pelicans have been out-classed by the more elite playoff-level teams they’ve faced, while still not being able to stick with teams they should be able to at least keep on an even playing field.

When they played the Houston Rockets on Tuesday, they stuck around in the first half, but then were blown away when Mike D’Antoni came out with his second-half adjustments.

light. Related Story. 5 Takeaways as Pelicans fall to Rockets

Compounded by their league-worst scoring defense, allowing 122.4 points per game and allowing opponents to shoot 46.7% from the floor, the New Orleans Pelicans are having a hard time even staying in games.

There’s more to say about Jrue Holiday than this, but he’s simply been very disappointing for this team after being called on as a leader in the offseason.

Granted, Derrick Favors has left a lot to be desired from his own game, another player this team would’ve hoped to add more early. Favors is averaging 7.6 points and 8 rebounds after coming over in a trade from the Utah Jazz during the offseason.

On media day, the playoff conversation came up with players, coaches, and front office personnel over and over again, but right now, this team doesn’t look close to that mix.

They’re currently being given a 15% chance to make the playoffs by Five Thirty-Eight, who also project the team to finish 36-46 after their metrics showed an optimistic outlook in the preseason.

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