New Orleans Pelicans: Lofty goals for each of the team’s starters in 2021
By Nick Alvarez
One bold goal that every starter for the New Orleans Pelicans can aim for during the 2021 season
It’s training camp time for the New Orleans Pelicans, and while I hope that every member of the roster is focused on team success, I think right now is the best time for the players to dream big and set goals for this upcoming season.
After all, when players set their own goals, team success can often follow. Just look at this Pelicans team last year, Brandon Ingram recognized that coming to New Orleans was an opportunity for him to shine in ways he never could’ve in Los Angeles. Thanks to the goals he set for himself, he averaged 24 points a game and kept last year’s team competing in a growing season.
Imagine what this season could become if every player on this year’s roster gave themselves a lofty goal to strive for entering this season, then we could be talking about this year’s team exceeding last year’s in every possible way. With that vision in mind, we came up with one goal for each of the Pelicans’ projected starters to strive for in 2021. Let’s get into it.
Eric Bledsoe should look to continue his All-Defensive form on the New Orleans Pelicans in 2021
Eric Bledsoe- Make the NBA’s All-Defensive team
For the past two seasons, Eric Bledsoe has been one of the NBA’s All-Defensive team selections. He has set the standard for how smaller guards should play defense, and I hope that continues with the New Orleans Pelicans in 2021.
In fact, I think it has to if the Pelicans want to have a playoff season next year because Eric Bledsoe is essentially replacing Jrue Holiday on this team. We all know, that one of the reasons the Pelicans had any success last season was because Jrue Holiday played like one of the best on-ball defenders in the NBA.
Looking at what Bledsoe has done in Milwaukee, it was much of the same. At only 6’1″, Bledsoe played the role of “the pest” to perfection. He lived for getting into his man’s jersey and making life difficult for him every time he tried scoring. As a result, he helped the Bucks defense become the best in the NBA last season.
If he brings that same energy to New Orleans under Stan Van Gundy’s defensive coaching, Bledsoe could earn an All-Defensive team nod for the third season in a row while helping the Pelicans improve their 21st ranked defense.