The Last Dance: The New Orleans Pelicans Resemble the 1988-89 Bulls
The Foundation of a Dynasty
The 1988-89 Bulls were still two years away from their first title, but the first signs were there.
They already had a superstar in Jordan and the year before had drafted Pippen, who had an unremarkable rookie season.
But in 1988-89 Pippen started to transform into the second-best player on a title team, averaging 14.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.9 steals.
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Horace Grant also started to come into his own. People might not have known it, but the blueprint was there, the Bulls already had the three guys in place who would lead them to greatness.
They just weren’t quite there yet.
The same could be said of the New Orleans Pelicans, who already have three guys in place who could keep them in contention for years to come.
Zion Williamson has his Robin in Brandon Ingram, a deadly scorer, who is not the defender Pippen was, but can absolutely be the second best player on a title team.
They have Lonzo Ball, a do-everything point guard who can defend larger opponents and lives to throw alley-oops to Zion.
The New Orleans Pelicans, much like the 1988-89 Bulls, are not ready to win a title, but the foundation is there.
Are the Pelicans just a few years away from taking over the NBA? If so, they are going to have to take down a legend and beat his stronger and more experienced team.