NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The New Orleans Pelicans made a move at the trade deadline last season that placed their team in the top half of the Western Conference. This season, they will hopefully have the services of their top player and his addition should put them possibly in the top 4 or 5. That’s a bold statement to make but why should any of us doubt what they can do when healthy?
The addition of CJ McCollum and the growth of Brandon Ingram was a great 1-2 punch during their run to the playoffs. But this season, they should see the return of Zion Williamson? He’s set to make his return after missing the entire 2021 campaign. What that means is that the Pelicans have a true Big 3 and the NBA should be worried.
Last season, after coming to the Pelicans via the Portland Trail Blazers, McCollum averaged 24.3 points per game to pair with Ingram and his 21 points and 6.7 rebounds. Now you add in Williamson and the 27.0 points and 7.2 rebounds he averaged in 2020 and this core has every reason to believe they could be one of the best in 2022. Can you name another Big 3 with this type of production on a regular basis?
Look at the Golden State Warriors and their Big 4. They can’t do it. The Phoenix Suns have a nice core but Chris Paul is no longer a feared player to pair with Deandre Ayton and Devin Booker. The Memphis Grizzlies have 4 players who average over 15 points a game but do they provide the same firepower as the Big 3 in New Orleans?
The one team that may come close are the Los Angeles Clippers and that’s depending on how John Wall returns to game action. But all in all, the Pelicans can very easily position themselves to be in the top four in the West if their Big 3 can find their footing and chemistry.
The Pelicans New Big 3 Is A Force
McCollum is a dangerous perimeter player. And while all fingers are pointing to him starting the season at PG, the Pelicans must find a way to get a true facilitator in the backcourt with him. McCollum is better playing off the ball despite his 5.8 assists he averaged last season. As good as Ingram is, he’s better suited at SF than he is at SG. Injuries last season and some inconsistent play from others forced the Pels to readjust their lineups after the trade deadline.
The early news is that former starting PG Devonte’ Graham will be the odd man out in rotations which puts McCollum in a position he’s never been in before. Can he be a floor general and find the sweet spots for everyone else? Last season, he and Ingram found their chemistry and the same with Jonas Valanciunas. But now they must incorporate Williamson into the fold.
Williamson is a monster. If he’s in shape, what frontcourt in the NBA can hold Williamson, Ingram, and Valanciunas? Between the three of them, that’s 67 points and 24 rebounds per game. But that’s if they decide to slide Ingram back to his natural position.
On paper, the New Orleans Pelicans have a formidable roster no one is talking about. While all the focus is on the Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, Clippers, and Suns, it’s the Pelicans and their Big 3 that may shock everyone.
