With the 2023-24 NBA regular season now past the quarterpoint, teams are beginning to separate themselves from the pack. We are getting a good idea of which teams could be sellers and which teams will be buyers, looking to elevate themselves to the ranks of the other contenders.
One team that could fall into the latter is the New Orleans Pelicans. This is a very dangerous, deep team that can beat you in a number of ways. The only thing that has held them back in recent seasons is health, as their core players Zion Williams, Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum have all missed chunks of time.
But, with that core now healthy and on the court together, the production has improved. In this week’s NBA Power Rankings, the Pelicans made a big jump up the board, going from No. 17 up to No. 11.
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“While the Pelicans’ big three of Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum have played big roles in New Orleans getting back on track after its in-season tournament semifinal disappointment, center Jonas Valanciunas averaged 19.2 points and 14.6 rebounds over the past five games, shooting 63.2%. New Orleans is 10-5 this season when Valanciunas has a double-double. With those four healthy, the Pelicans, seventh in the West, could begin an expeditious climb as they close out the year with a set of road games,” wrote Andrew Lopez of ESPN.
If those core players can stay on the court, the Pelicans will continue climbing the standings in the Western Conference. Availability is truly the only thing holding this team back from success as they have the pieces to go on a run and make some noise in the conference.
Another team that they will be competing against in the West that is finding their stride is the Los Angeles Clippers. Their early season struggles can be traced back to the blockbuster trade in which they acquired James Harden from the Philadelphia 76ers.
Adding a ball-dominant player of that caliber will take some time to adjust to. When you sacrifice as much depth as Los Angeles did, patience needs to be exhibited as players are stepping into new roles they have to get comfortable in.
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Over the last few weeks, we have gotten a look at what the Clippers could be at full strength with everything clicking. They have won eight games in a row and have gone 13-3 since a six-game losing streak early on in the Harden era. That has helped vault them up the NBA Power Rankings from 13th to seventh.
“Paul George said it would take time for him, Kawhi Leonard, James Harden and Russell Westbrook to “find the new you” in the Clippers’ revamped offense after the Harden trade. And since losing six straight shortly after the trade, it’s safe to say the Clippers have discovered their new identity. They’re the hottest team in basketball, on an eight-game winning streak and winners of 13 of 16 since the slide. The Clippers’ streak will be tested with a back-to-back at Dallas and Oklahoma City before returning home to host the Celtics,” wrote Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.
The next few games will be a great test for Los Angeles, who has responded since Russell Westbrook stepped up for the team and asked to be moved to the bench. Everyone is falling into their roles and getting more comfortable, as the Clippers look to be as dangerous as any team in the NBA.
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