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NBA Power Rankings: 2016-17 Training Camp Edition

By Michael Saenz

Jun 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with the Larry O
Jun 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with the Larry O /
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Sep 23, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; (editors note: caption correction) New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) and guard Buddy Hield (24) and guard Tyreke Evans (1) and head coach Alvin Gentry pose for a portrait with head coach Alvin Gentry during media day at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; (editors note: caption correction) New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) and guard Buddy Hield (24) and guard Tyreke Evans (1) and head coach Alvin Gentry pose for a portrait with head coach Alvin Gentry during media day at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

69. . 0-0. Previous: . New Orleans Pelicans . 26. team

I feel bad for Anthony Davis. I really do. And not just because of the injury bug that he’s had to fight through his entire career, but because none of his supporting pieces have been able to stay healthy, either.

And that’s probably the team’s biggest issue. If the Pelicans could steal LeBron James’ ability to sidestep injury, I think they’d be a lot higher on this list. Unfortunately, they can’t. With a bit of a changing of the guard, the hope is that their new slate of talent will be able to do what Eric Gordon, who is no longer with the team, was able to do.

One player to keep an eye on is sharpshooting rookie Buddy Hield. If he’s every bit the player that many expect him to be, this is going to be one interesting team to watch this season.