After a tumultuous start to the 2021-22 NBA season for New Orleans, where headlines focused more on the injured Zion Williamson than the Pelicans on the floor, they have turned their season around.
Starting 1-12, the Pelicans are now hosting Wednesday’s Play-In game between the 9 and 10 seeds out west after bringing their record up to 36-46.
The most headline-grabbing change for the Pelicans this season was the addition of star guard CJ McCollum. McCollum, a long-time Portland Trailblazer, has averaged 24.3 points and 5.8 assists in 26 games with New Orleans, helping lead a resurgence to a playoff position that many had given up on.
But McCollum isn’t the only reason the Pelicans could be dangerous in this season’s playoffs. Another key will be their defensive dynamo duo of rookies, Herb Jones and Jose Alvarado.
LATEST NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS INFO: NBA Play-In Tournament: 3 Things To Watch In Pelicans vs Spurs
This season, Herb Jones, a second-round pick, has vastly outperformed expectations, posting 9.5 points per game and, most notably, 1.7 steals and 0.8 blocks per game in 69 starts with New Orleans. Jose Alvarado only joined the rotation midway into the season but has been a massive boost to the team’s bench unit. This season, Alvarado led all NBA rookies in assist-to-turnover ratio and was second in steals (behind Jones).
On top of those three, don’t forget Pelicans star Brandon Ingram, who will appear in his first playoffs in six NBA seasons. He’s an immensely talented three-level scorer who can get tough buckets.
Despite their losing a 36-46 record overall, the Pelicans posted a 29-26 record with Ingram in the lineup. We haven’t seen much with BI and CJ, but New Orleans’ record is even better with those two active at 9-6.
LATEST NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS INFO: NBA Play-In Tournament: 3 Things To Watch In Pelicans vs Spurs
Anchoring the defense and scoring 17.8 points per game on offense is Jonas Valanciunas, the Pelicans’ massive-yet-nimble center. Valanciunas was third in the NBA with 50 double-doubles and was critical to the Pelicans finishing third in the league in offensive rebounds.
With the inside presence of Valanciunas, the unwavering scoring ability of CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram, and the defensive thievery of Herb Jones and Jose Alvarado, the Pelicans may be scarier than they seem.
Of course, the biggest obstacle to a Pelicans playoff run is the Phoenix Suns, which New Orleans would face in the first round. This season, the Suns have been the league’s best team and would be heavily favored in a match-up with New Orleans.
LATEST NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS INFO: NBA Play-In Tournament: 3 Things To Watch In Pelicans vs Spurs
But New Orleans does have a sliver of hope in the match-up. New Orleans won one of the match-ups between the two teams this season shortly after the addition of CJ McCollum. In the 117-102 win, the Suns could not handle the scoring of CJ and BI, who combined for 60 points. New Orleans would undoubtedly need an explosion of scoring from those two to have a chance.
Despite the tough match-up, New Orleans will be a team to watch this postseason – and they have more talent than teams might think.
