Pelica Debrief
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New Orleans Pelicans: Power ranking the Southwest Division

By Xaiver Aguiar

Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans Nickeil Alexander-Walker #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Jaxson Hayes #10 of the New Orleans Pelicans (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans Nickeil Alexander-Walker #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Jaxson Hayes #10 of the New Orleans Pelicans (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 22: Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots the ball over Derrick White #4 of the San Antonio Spurs at Smoothie King Center on January 22, 2020, in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: The user expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, the user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 22: Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots the ball over Derrick White #4 of the San Antonio Spurs at Smoothie King Center on January 22, 2020, in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: The user expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, the user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

#4 – San Antonio Spurs

The least inspiring roster in the entire league is the San Antonio Spurs. A far cry from a dynasty built from the ground up, the current roster infrastructure of the Spurs is put together with balsa wood. Greg Popovich is the second-best coach in the history of the sport, and this team has made him look like he has a second job as a mall Santa.

They lost their best player, DeMar DeRozan, which made their off-season already start in a poor direction. I think the greater issue was it is 2021, and DeMar DeRozan was the team’s best player.

The best player on the team now is Keldon Johnson, who I actually like a lot. I am a firm believer in Team USA propelling players to another level and expect Johnson to do just that this season. Even when he was on the court for international play, Johnson looked like he belonged.

I’ve always believed in Dejounte Murray, but beyond that, it’s like pulling teeth trying to get excited about any of these players. A team that has zagged on the small ball era of basketball that is centered around spacing overpaid for a guy who all he can do is shoot in Doug McDermott. Lonni Walker IV had crazy hair at one point; have I mentioned that yet?

Jakob Poetl deserves a shout for having ridiculous defensive metrics and resurrecting his career. Thad Young is always solid and seems to be valued by good teams. That is where players of note end for this team.

It doesn’t help they botched this past draft, grossly over drafting Alabama guard Josh Primo. It was one of the more mind-boggling reaches in recent memory and criticized by seemingly everyone. They haven’t even played a game yet, and I think it’s already safe to say I would rather have Chris Duarte and Trey Murphy III over Primo.

The only reason I have them here is out of respect for coach Popovich. I expect them to rattle off close to 30 wins, which is about 12 more than they probably have any business winning. This team is far from talented but should play hard every night.

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