New Orleans Pelicans: 1 optimistic prediction for each player
It hasn’t been particularly fun to be a fan of the New Orleans Pelicans lately.
Although some of us liked the offseason additions and subtractions, there was already plenty of debate about whether the Pelicans improved from last season when they finished 11th in the Western Conference.
The news about Zion Williamson‘s injury didn’t help, as he is set to miss at least the first few weeks of the season, which could put the Pels in a big hole in a crucial year for the franchise.
Related Story. Trying to find positives in Zion's injury. light
If you did a cursory lap around Pelicans’ Twitter you’d find a lot of negativity, Zion and David Griffin bashing and overall despair.
But this is still the time of the year for optimism, as every team still has a chance and every team still has hope.
That includes the New Orleans Pelicans, who I think are going to surprise some people this season, hang in there with Zion Williamson out and then make a run at the playoffs.
For that to happen, individuals will have to reach and exceed expectations, so here is one optimistic prediction for each guy.
New Orleans Pelicans: Optimistic predictions for the veterans
Garrett Temple: Garrett Temple will be a solid veteran off the Pels’ bench who will provide some stability but not play big minutes. Him not playing would be a great sign for the New Orleans Pelicans as a team, as it means their young guys have stepped up.
Tomas Satoransky: Satoransky will have a career high in 3-point percentage and be point guard who closes a lot of games for the Pels.
Willie Hernangomez: Hernangomez will be the Pelicans’ third center and have a career-year in points and rebounds.
The young bench
Didi Louzada: Louzada will play in more than half of the Pelicans’ games and will show elite potential as a perimeter defender.
Naji Marshall: Marshall will be the Pelicans’ most important bench player and eventually work his way into the starting lineup.
Herb Jones: Herb Jones will lead all rookies in steals and be the key that unlocks the Pelicans’ version of the “Death Lineup.”
Kira Lewis Jr.: Kira Lewis Jr. will seize the backup point guard role and lead the team in assists.