The New Orleans Pelicans are 1-12 for the season after losing at home last night to the Brooklyn Nets.
The Pels have yet to win at home this season, and it would be easy for this team to hang their heads and feel sorry for themselves with Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram on the bench.
Few (if any) teams in the NBA could overcome the loss of their two best players and the Pelicans are no exception, as they have struggled mightily without the centerpieces of their team.
We still have no timeline for Zion’s return but Brandon Ingram is getting close, so hopefully we’ll see some semblance of what this team can be soon.
There are no moral victories in the NBA, and the New Orleans Pelicans aren’t a team of kids who need a pat on the head, but I’ve enjoyed watching this team even though they are losing and there are signs that these are not the same Pels as we’ve seen in the past.
These New Orleans Pelicans don’t quit
The results have not been there yet, but I have been impressed by the way this team keeps playing hard even though they are shorthanded.
This was the case again last night, as the Pelicans went down big early but just kept chipping away. They were down as many as 21 points in the second half, but didn’t quit on their coach and were able to make a game of it.
The Pelicans have bought in to what coach Willie Green is selling, which includes non-stop effort and energy on defense.
This is something that has been missing the last few seasons, and it’s a good sign that the culture is starting to change in New Orleans even though the team is not winning.
This team plays a lot harder than last season but currently just doesn’t have the talent to compete against teams like the Nets.
People are calling for David Griffin’s head, especially after his embarrassing altercation with Alvin Gentry, but the truth is that we can’t really judge this roster by wins and losses when Zion and BI aren’t playing.
The pieces are there and the guys are playing hard, which will eventually pay off when and if this team is ever at full strength.