The New Orleans Pelicans never really had much of a chance to make the Western Conference playoffs last season. Do they really have any better chance this season?
What Went Wrong Last Season?
When a team finishes well out of the playoffs as the Pelicans did last season, a lot of deficiencies exist, not just one or two. The Pelicans could not defend without fouling. They ranked 27th in the NBA in fouls, and that’s the kind of thing that catches up with a team not just in terms of allowing free throws to the opposition, but in terms of getting players in foul trouble and having to put a less-than-ideal group of five players on the floor for extended minutes.
The Pelicans were 19th in the league in assists and no better than 17th in terms of field goals made, field goals attempted, and two-point field goal percentage. Worst of all, though, the Pelicans were 29th in the NBA in terms of three-pointers made and attempted. The percentage was actually reasonable, ranking sixth in the league (.373), but the Pelicans just didn’t attempt enough threes. This validates the new statistical analysis you see in basketball. Teams are realizing that they need to shoot more threes, especially from the corners, which have shorter distance to the basket than the wing or top of the key threes.
Offseason Changes
In order to become a better three-point shooting team, the Pelicans brought aboard Jimmer Fredette, a player with more range than a lot of other NBA gunners. John Salmons is another wing the Pelicans hope can provide some perimeter shooting in an attempt to bolster the offense, which has to become a lot more effective from beyond the arc. To supplement the team’s moves to bolster its perimeter offense, the Pelicans also acquired big-man Omer Asik from the Houston Rockets in hopes of added size and rebounding. Asik also figures to help alleviate some pressure from burgeoning star Anthony Davis.
Players who have left are shooting guard Anthony Morrow, power forward Louis Amundson, small forward Al-Farouq Aminu, small forward Josh Childress, center Melvin Ely, power forward Arinze Onuaku, point guard Brian Roberts, power forward Jason Smith, forward James Southerland, center Greg Stiemsma, and small forward Lance Thomas. Draftees include point guard Russ Smith of Louisville and power forward Patric Young from Florida.
Projected Finish
To be frank, the Pelicans just don’t have a very high ceiling. In the West, at least six or seven playoff spots are basically already spoken for. The Pelicans would do well to finish 10th in the West, but they probably won’t get there. It will be interesting to see how New Orleans finishes when compared to Minnesota, which has lost Kevin Love; the Los Angeles Lakers, which have a hollowed-out roster surrounding Kobe Bryant; and Denver, which is trying to remake itself under head coach Brian Shaw. If some Western teams fail, New Orleans could sneak into the top 10 in the West, but everything’s going to have to go just right for that to happen.
Pick: 12th In The Western Conference
