He’ll Take the Pelicans Back to the Playoffs
Last season, after Cousins went down for the season, the Pelicans had to play the final 34 games without their second-leading scorer. Many thought the season was lost, especially after the team lost five of its first six without the starting center.
Yet, despite losing Cousins, New Orleans went 21-13 to finish the season and grabbed the 6thspot in the extremely difficult Western Conference.
Now, it’s not realistic to say that Anthony Davis did this all on his own. Guard Jrue Holiday had his best-ever season, averaging 19 points per game, but his performance in the final 34 had a huge impact. He had 19 20-plus-point games in that stretch. Still, there’s no way New Orleans makes the playoffs without Davis.
To say Davis stepped up in Boogie’s absence would be an understatement. During that 34-game stretch, the big man scored 35 or more points 10 times, had 25 double-doubles, and one triple-double that included 10 blocks.
He was a monster, and he helped get the Pelicans on track for the playoffs where they thoroughly demolished the Portland Trail Blazers in four games.
