New Orleans Pelicans: 2021 Hinges on Beating the Suns and Grizzlies

The New Orleans Pelicans must beat the Memphis Grizzlies and Phoenix Suns to make the playoffs in 2021

Now that we’ve had some distance away from the New Orleans Pelicans‘ collapse in the NBA Bubble, I’ve started thinking about what it all means for 2021. Yes, the Pelicans need better coaching and on-court performance to make the playoffs next season. Sure, they could use a roster upgrade or two, but that’s not what I’m talking about.

I’ve been so focused on the events surrounding the New Orleans Pelicans and how they’ll handle internal development that I haven’t even taken a moment to evaluate the NBA landscape. After finally doing that and looking at some of the other teams in the NBA Bubble, I’m realizing making the playoffs in 2021 is a lot harder than I initially thought.

Think, did you guys forget about some of the other talented young teams that played in the bubble? It’s okay because I did for a second, but now I’m here saying that they’re no joke.

I’m mainly talking about two teams who are on the Pelicans level, the Memphis Grizzlies, and Phoenix Suns. Both of those teams went on big runs to finish ahead of the Pelicans in the Western Conference. If the New Orleans Pelicans want to make the playoffs next season, they’ll have to win against both of those teams.

Why the Memphis Grizzlies and Phoenix Suns are two the biggest threats to the New Orleans Pelicans

I recently wrote that these two teams are potential rivals for the New Orleans Pelicans, and the reason I think they’re huge threats is based on two factors. The first is roster construction and the second is coaching.

If you look at both the Grizzlies and Suns roster, you’ll see a group of extremely talented young players. In Memphis, there’s Ja Morant, Brandon Clarke, and Jaren Jackson Jr. (He’ll be out in 2021 due to injury though). Meanwhile, in Phoneix, there’s Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton to deal with.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg too, considering that both of these teams also sport an impressive amount of young rotation players. This means that as much as we all love hyping up the young stars on the Pelicans roster, two other teams are just as good talent-wise.

What makes me really concerned though is coaching. The Grizzlies and Suns both have young coaching staffs that are in their second year of building their culture. The New Orleans Pelicans, on the other hand, don’t have a coach. This means every time the Pelicans face either of these teams, they’ll be at a disadvantage from a chemistry standpoint.

What does this mean for the New Orleans Pelicans’ playoff hopes in 2021

The point that I’m trying to make is that making the playoffs isn’t a given as some Pelicans believe. Yes, this team is immensely talented and a new coaching situation can bring the best out of that talent, but the rest of the league is compelling too.

The Grizzlies made it to the play-in tournament in the bubble, nearly making the eighth seed in the Western Conference. The Suns were the hottest team in the bubble finishing with a perfect 8-0 record and falling just short of the playoffs.

The New Orleans Pelicans will make a jump next year, but those teams will too. That’s getting the best coaching hire they can and adding the right pieces to this group is extremely important. Staying ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies and Phoenix Suns is one of the keys to the Pelicans having success in 2021.