Pelica Debrief
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New Orleans Pelicans: 5 Positives from Alvin Gentry’s Final Season

By Aaron Kellerstrass

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 11: Head coach Alvin Gentry of the New Orleans Pelicans talks with Josh Hart #3, Kenrich Williams #34 and Jaxson Hayes #10 during a preseason game against the Utah Jazz at the Smoothie King Center on October 11, 2019 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. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 11: Head coach Alvin Gentry of the New Orleans Pelicans talks with Josh Hart #3, Kenrich Williams #34 and Jaxson Hayes #10 during a preseason game against the Utah Jazz at the Smoothie King Center on October 11, 2019 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. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans (Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images) /

The New Orleans Pelicans took the first step in Gentry’s last year.

The First Step

When you look at the history of any successful team, there is always the year when they took the first step towards consistency.

The Bulls got whooped by the Bad Boy Pistons several times before breaking through, which is sometimes what it takes. Young teams have to get a taste of losing, and also an idea of what it takes to win.

Even though the New Orleans Pelicans didn’t make the playoffs, they got that taste. The eight game finale was more or less a playoff series for the Pelicans; win more than you lose and you move on.

They didn’t, but they still got to play meaningful basketball, which was the stated goal of the season.

It would have been easy for the team to fold when they were 6-22 but they kept battling and got rewarded with eight must-win games in high-pressure situations.

This will be good for the team moving forward. Not only will losing give them a chip on their shoulder to carry into the offseason, but they also got to see first hand what it takes to win in the NBA.

They got to watch Portland give maximum effort, for their stars to lead by example and saw that it takes 100% intensity and effort to win in the NBA. There are no off nights, there is no playing soft if you want to make the playoffs and succeed.

The Pelicans didn’t get as many games as they wanted, and everyone was keen to see that first series with the Lakers, but they did get to play meaningful games, had a learning experience and will hopefully grow as a team.

I give some credit to Gentry for taking a lost season and making something out of it. We could look back and say this was the first step towards becoming a consistent contender.

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