The New Orleans Pelicans have had an up and down season that is likely to end in disappointment.
Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram are out with injuries and the Pelicans won’t get a real chance to try and make the play-in tournament, which is a shame.
This season has taken its toll on Pelicans’ fans, who have turned on each other on social media, called for everyone from Stan Van Gundy to David Griffin to be fired and can’t even agree if Lonzo Ball is good or not.
This is what happens when perceptions don’t match reality, as the expectations for this young team were set too high, leading to the current disappointment in the fan base.
But the New Orleans Pelicans have gotten better in some areas, have gotten growth from their young players and look to be set up for the future, so it’s not as grim as some fans are making it.
There are still plenty of reasons to watch tonight when the Pelicans take on the Dallas Mavericks in Texas.
New Orleans Pelicans: It’s not over yet!
As Rambo famously said when Colonel Trautman tried to get him to give up, “Nothing is over! Nothing!”
The Pelicans have a snowball’s chance in Hades of making the play-in tournament at this point, but there is still a chance, and I am here to watch this team battle until the bitter end.
They would need the Spurs to lose all of their remaining games while winning out, so it’s not likely, but I am happy to watch the young Pels try to gut out a shorthanded win and keep their slim hopes alive.
It has been good to see the Pels show some fight and with several players competing for future roles, we should still see the Pelicans giving their all.
These types of games matter for young players and even if the Pelicans don’t end up successful, I am glad they have something to play for this late in the season.