The Pelicans had another below average season in 2013/14, finishing with a 34-48 record which placed them fifth in the South West Division and 12th in the Western Conference. Anthony Davis led the team in scoring with 20.8 a game and he also led the team in rebounds with 10.0 a game. Jrue Holiday led the Pelicans in assists with 7.9 a game.
This offseason for the Pelicans has been quiet, but appropriate. What I mean by appropriate is that the Pelicans have made moves that they have needed to. The Pelicans picked up defensive center Omer Asik and his 14.9 million contract. A huge contract for a player who just can average a double-double, but it is a player and contract that they need to hold onto, with the Pelicans desperately needing a true defensive center which they have been lacking since they traded away Robin Lopez. The Pelicans also signed veteran swingman John Salmons to a very cheap 2 million deal, this gives the Pelicans experience and a great outside presence, with Salmons shooting 37% from beyond the arch during his career. The Pelicans also signed sharpshooter Jimmer Fredette, who has been a disappointment during his career, but he can shoot the ball which is what the Pelicans need, especially with their weaker bench that they have. Unfortunately the Pelicans lost solid back up PG Brian Roberts to the Charlotte Hornets and also one of their better players of recent times, defensive forward Al-Farouq Aminu, who signed with Dallas.
This offseason for the Pelicans has been quiet, but appropriate. What I mean by appropriate is that the Pelicans have made moves that they have needed to. The Pelicans picked up defensive center Omer Asik and his 14.9 million contract. A huge contract for a player who just can average a double-double, but it is a player and contract that they need to hold onto, with the Pelicans desperately needing a true defensive center which they have been lacking since they traded away Robin Lopez. The Pelicans also signed veteran swingman John Salmons to a very cheap 2 million deal, this gives the Pelicans experience and a great outside presence, with Salmons shooting 37% from beyond the arch during his career. The Pelicans also signed sharpshooter Jimmer Fredette, who has been a disappointment during his career, but he can shoot the ball which is what the Pelicans need, especially with their weaker bench that they have. Unfortunately the Pelicans lost solid back up PG Brian Roberts to the Charlotte Hornets and also one of their better players of recent times, defensive forward Al-Farouq Aminu, who signed with Dallas.
(Picture credit to Hoops Hype)
The Pelicans roster is highlighted with star players such as Anthony Davis, Eric Gordon, Tyreke Evans, Ryan Anderson and Jrue Holiday, these five players are the Pelicans main assets and are the players who do bulk of the work for the team. Those five players were usually the starting five last season, but this year it is different, with Asik who will become the starting center. The Pelicans have solid role players that accompany these five, including veteran John Salmons, Rivers and Fredette. Unfortunately for the Pelicans really have no depth after these eight, with Ajinca, Babbitt, Miller, Withey, Smith and Young all capable of playing, but whether or not they are able to make an impact is questionable. It may be within the Pelicans best interests to perhaps play a nine or 10 player rotation, just because minutes could be allocated better as 80% of the players would be able to have an impact on the game, in saying this, all players in this team can make an impact in any way they choose, but if the Pelicans want to win games they will have to decide who they want each game. In saying this, in my opinion, the Pelicans lineup should be as follows:
PG: Jrue Holiday (Rivers/Smith)
SG: Eric Gordon (Salmons/Fredette)
SF: Tyreke Evans (Miller/Babbitt)
PF: Anthony Davis (Anderson/Young)
C: Omer Asik (Ajinca/Withey)
The Pelicans have the right depth at each position, but the ability of the bench players is questionable, Rivers has been out of sorts ever since he joined the NBA, Salmons is at the end of his career, Miller has the potential to play well, but hasn't shown it, Anderson is the stand out of the bench, last season he averaged 19.8 points a game, a career high. Look to him this year to continue this as he will be the main option when the second unit is on the court. Alexis Ajinca is a solid but obviously nothing flashy.
The Pelicans are half way there in terms of being a team that can consistently compete, with their obvious weakness being there bench, unfortunately it looks like that players such as Davis, Evans and Holiday will have to play extended minutes which may not be ideal for them, as it can cause injuries if players are overworked. This season is set to be similar to last NBA season for the Pelicans, unfortunately, I think that they will finish with a 33-49 record which will place them in the 12th seed, just like last season. The upside for the Pelicans though is that they have a true up and coming NBA star in Anthony Davis, who might just be the surprise tip for the MVP this season.. We will have to wait and see.
- Daina Coulter
The Pelicans roster is highlighted with star players such as Anthony Davis, Eric Gordon, Tyreke Evans, Ryan Anderson and Jrue Holiday, these five players are the Pelicans main assets and are the players who do bulk of the work for the team. Those five players were usually the starting five last season, but this year it is different, with Asik who will become the starting center. The Pelicans have solid role players that accompany these five, including veteran John Salmons, Rivers and Fredette. Unfortunately for the Pelicans really have no depth after these eight, with Ajinca, Babbitt, Miller, Withey, Smith and Young all capable of playing, but whether or not they are able to make an impact is questionable. It may be within the Pelicans best interests to perhaps play a nine or 10 player rotation, just because minutes could be allocated better as 80% of the players would be able to have an impact on the game, in saying this, all players in this team can make an impact in any way they choose, but if the Pelicans want to win games they will have to decide who they want each game. In saying this, in my opinion, the Pelicans lineup should be as follows:
PG: Jrue Holiday (Rivers/Smith)
SG: Eric Gordon (Salmons/Fredette)
SF: Tyreke Evans (Miller/Babbitt)
PF: Anthony Davis (Anderson/Young)
C: Omer Asik (Ajinca/Withey)
The Pelicans have the right depth at each position, but the ability of the bench players is questionable, Rivers has been out of sorts ever since he joined the NBA, Salmons is at the end of his career, Miller has the potential to play well, but hasn't shown it, Anderson is the stand out of the bench, last season he averaged 19.8 points a game, a career high. Look to him this year to continue this as he will be the main option when the second unit is on the court. Alexis Ajinca is a solid but obviously nothing flashy.
The Pelicans are half way there in terms of being a team that can consistently compete, with their obvious weakness being there bench, unfortunately it looks like that players such as Davis, Evans and Holiday will have to play extended minutes which may not be ideal for them, as it can cause injuries if players are overworked. This season is set to be similar to last NBA season for the Pelicans, unfortunately, I think that they will finish with a 33-49 record which will place them in the 12th seed, just like last season. The upside for the Pelicans though is that they have a true up and coming NBA star in Anthony Davis, who might just be the surprise tip for the MVP this season.. We will have to wait and see.
- Daina Coulter