New Orleans Pelicans: Power Ranking the Yacht Club

New Orleans Pelicans: Yacht Club Power Rankings #2 and #1

#2:  New Orleans Pelicans (28-36)

Key Injuries: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Darius Miller

I know, I know, the New Orleans Pelicans owned the Portland Trail Blazers this year, so how can I put them at number two?

It’s easy, the Blazers were last year’s Western Conference Finalists, are finally healthy, and have a few more wars under their collective belts.

As far as pure talent and roster depth, the New Orleans Pelicans are probably the best team at the Yacht Club.

They were playing well once Zion returned, particularly Lonzo Ball, who had elevated his game and was red-hot from 3-point range before the suspension of play.

If Ball can keep it up, the Pelicans can beat just about anyone. They are one of the fastest paced, most dynamic offenses in the league and when they get hot from long-range and get out on the fast break, they are nearly unstoppable.

But the game slows down in a playoff atmosphere, and the Pelicans have not yet proven they can effectively run half court sets on either end. They turn the ball over way too much, don’t get back on defense very well and can’t stop big wings.

But the Pelicans can score and they also have one of the best individual talents of the Yacht Club teams in Zion Williamson.

If Zion can carry the Pelicans through the lean times when their 3-point shots aren’t falling and if the bench can hit shots consistently, the Pelicans can not only overtake Portland, but catch and beat Memphis for the eighth seed.

They are only 3.5 games back and will likely get two shots at Memphis, so the Pels may be able to catch them outright, though it will be difficult.

The Pelicans are one of the Yacht Club teams that no one wants to play in the playoffs because when they are playing well, they are as good as anyone.

The Pels are young, but they are dangerous.

#1: Portland Trail Blazers (29-37)

The Trail Blazers get the top spot in the Yacht Club Power Rankings based on a couple of things.

They are finally back to full strength. Both Jusuf Nurkic and Rodney Hood should be back from injury, so this will be one of the only times of the season when Portland has had its full roster.

Another reason is that they made the Finals in the West last year and have way more playoff experience than any of the other five teams. They know how to deal with the pressure of must-win games.

The last reason is Damian Lillard. Lillard is probably the best overall player of the fringe teams, an All-NBA talent who could absolutely explode for eight games and carry the Blazers on his shoulders.

The Pelicans did sweep the season series, but the Blazers aren’t going to be playing the Pelicans.

Portland also owns a tiebreaker against the Pelicans due to a wonky rule that rewards winning percentage even though Portland has played two more games than New Orleans.

Portland is hoping they can tap into some of last year’s magic and make another run to the Western Conference Finals. They are the team to beat at the Yacht Club, and the mostly likely to make things difficult for the NBA’s upper class.