New Orleans Pelicans: Some good news, the season will start as planned

After hurricane Ida wrecked the city’s power grid, sending nearly all of New Orleans into darkness. The New Orleans Pelicans have offered fans a small ray of hope.

This news is probably the 84th most pressing concern for the people of New Orleans right now but it’s worth mentioning as a way of reminding fans how resilient this city is. The New Orleans Pelicans announced they are planning to start the season as planned. The news comes from Christian Clark of Nola.com and is one of the few bright spots from this hellacious past 48 hours.

The fact that I can even write this piece right now is the smallest kind of miracle that can be experienced right now. I’m lucky enough to be in an area that was somehow impacted seemingly less than the rest of southeast Louisiana by nothing more than chance. But maybe you’re like me and just looking for a little something sweet after the pain.

New Orleans Pelicans: Sports will offer some kind of solace

Training camp is set to begin in less than a month with the team’s first preseason game coming just 35 days from now. There’s little chance the Pels spend the next month in New Orleans. My best guess is the Pels take an NFL-style road trip and have training camp away from their main facility (Birmingham anyone?). Unlike the last time the Pelicans had training camp in another city, the Pels will be back in New Orleans when the season tips off.

But as we begin recouping and rebuilding the area we all love and call home, there is a bright spot on the horizon for Pels faithful. The Smoothie King Center and Superdome sustained very limited damage during hurricane Ida. Once again these buildings will prove a haven for New Orleans residents needing something to put their hearts into after weeks of constant struggle.

Hurricane Ida was one of the strongest storms on record to hit Louisiana, but New Orleans won’t let this or any storm define who she is. The Paris of the South has seen her fair share of disasters but every time the people of the city bring her back to life and make her better than ever; 2021 will be no different.

The cheers and roars from fans will be even louder than you remember. Even the limited crowds of 2020 will feel like standing in a sea of people just waiting for the Krewe of Bacchus to roll on through. Being around other passionate fans after more than a year of Covid induced isolation will have us all dancing for joy as the starting five is introduced on October 20th.

If we can get through the next few weeks with no power (no small task on its own), we will witness the start of a new season. Phoenix may have gone down in ashes during the Finals, in the last NBA action most fans saw. 2021 could see a Pelican take flight from the smoldering embers and claim a seat at the table of Western Conference powers.