NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The New Orleans Pelicans are entering the 2022-23 NBA season with high hopes. Zion Williamson is healthy and now paired with a core that includes CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram. Just last year, things were looking bleak for the Pels. There were rumors that Williamson wanted out and the team was treading toward the bottom of the Western Conference. The trade deadline came and things began to turn around.
The Pels have a legit Big 3 but can the second unit deliver? This is what Willie Green will need to address this season. Will McCollum continue his upward climb now that’s he out from under Damon Lillard’s shadow in Portland? Will Ingram take that next step to stardom? And how will Williamson respond after missing an entire season?
New Orleans Pelicans Guards
According to ESPN Depth Charts, McCollum will begin the year as the starting PG for the Pels. This is nothing new for the former SG as he manned this position for the Pels when he came over and averaged 24.3 points and 5.8 assists. Joining him in the backcourt for the starting unit will be Ingram. Last season, Ingram averaged 22.7 points, 5.6 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game. As far as backcourt goes, the Pels are not receiving much fanfare and that’s ridiculous. In the second unit, the Pels will have defensive-ace Jose Alvarado and Devonte Graham backing up McCollum and Ingram.
New Orleans Pelicans Forwards
Herbert Jones will resume his duty as the starting SF as his defense late in the season last year was crucial to the Pels making a playoff run. Jones averaged 7.4 FGA per game last season, with 2.2 being from beyond the arc. With Williamson back, Jones will get more open looks. Zion is the key here at the PF position. In 2020, he averaged 27 points and 7.2 rebounds. Backing Jones and Zion up will be Trey Murphy lll and Larry Nance Jr. Both players performed well down the stretch for the Pels last season and were crucial to the team earning a playoff berth.
New Orleans Pelicans Centers
The unsung hero of last season should be Jonas Valanciunas. Despite all the credit going to McCollum and Ingram, Valanciunas was just as vital to the resurgence of the New Orleans Pelicans. Last season, Valanciunas averaged 17.8 points and 11.4 rebounds. While he had to man the paint without Williamson, Jonas proved he could hold his own. Backing him this year will be Jaxson Hayes who was solid in 2021 with averages of 9.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in just 20 minutes of action.
New Orleans Pelicans Coach
Let’s not forget that Willie Green is new to this. In his first full season as a head coach, Green was given a team that lost its best player then made a major move at the trade deadline. For those looking for him to fail, all Green did was lead his team to the playoffs in his first season. This year he will be equipped with a team who should challenge for one of the top spots in the Western Conference. The Pelicans were able to fly under the radar in 2021. However, this campaign will be slightly different. Can Green and the Pelicans keep their composure?
