NBA Southwest Division Outlook: Will The San Antonio Spurs Reign Continue?
By Drew Clark
New Orleans Pelicans
2015-16 Record: 30-52, 12th in the Western Conference
Like Memphis, the New Orleans Pelicans suffered their fair share of injuries. Despite keeping the group that many pegged to be a potential playoff threat together, the Pelicans lost two of their starters and went to work in free agency.
The biggest signing was probably Terrence Jones from division foe, Houston. Jones could be a nice complement to Anthony Davis, especially if they want to play Davis at center. Other additions include: Alonzo Gee, Langston Galloway, Solomon Hill, and Lance Stephenson. Stephenson, though not as great as he was in Indiana, showed brief flashes of brilliance while in Memphis, but barely garnered interest as a free agent
The biggest addition came through the draft in lottery pick, Buddy Hield. Hield is praised for his work ethic and sniper three-point shooting ability. New Orleans also drafted Cheick Diallo, who was highly rated out of high school, but never flourished at Kansas so he could develop well.
Anthony Davis was anointed a top three player by many experts heading into the year and was expected to carry his team. Unfortunately, he dealt with nagging injuries for most of the year, like the rest of his team, and finished 22 games under .500 in Alvin Gentry’s first year as head coach.
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Can they compete? Nothing is out of the realm with a talent like Davis on the roster, in what can be considered a down Western Conference. I see another lottery year in their future, but will be one of many teams competing for the eighth seed in the West.