[casey38rayParticipant]

 I believe this team is the most underrated teams in the league. People forget that Jrue Holliday missed half the season, Ryan Anderson missed most of the season, Anthony Davis was in his second season, and they played with a lot of unreliable centers that they had to call Alexie A…… from oversees to play center. Now they have Jrue Holliday healthy, Ryan Anderson healthy, and they brought over one of the best defensive big man over in Omer Asik. 

Anthony Davis is primed to take another leap to be the next superstar in this league. I already believe he’s the best big man in the game and he have gotten taller and bigger to be 7′ 240 pounds and a 7’7" wingspan. 

This team should be great defensively with Jrue Holliday returning, Anthony Davis playing the power forward position full time this year, and Omer Asik presence in the paint. They have liabilities in Eric Gordon in the starting line update but the shooting guard position is weak so you don’t really have to worry. This team should finish in the top 10 in defense next year.

The Pelicans also have a pretty nice bench as well with super subs in Tyreke Evans and Ryan Anderson both being able to take over a game. Tyreke Evans have gotten better towards the end of last season to resemble to rookie of the year version of himself. He can be like a Manu Ganobli in terms of playing style and being the closer in the 4th quarter. People fail to realize how good Ryan Anderson is. Ryan Anderson averaged 19 points last year before he got injured and he should return to his old form.

This team lack a starting caliber small forward and they should try to aquire Chris Douglas-Roberts or Michael Beasley can help in that category. They also lack a quality back up point guard in I suggest them to sign Ramon Sessions to hold that spot.

Their Roster is:

PG: Jrue Holliday, Austin Rivers, Jimmer Fredette, Russ Smith 

SG: Eric Gordon, Tyreke Evans 

SF: ?, Darius Miller 

PF: Anthony Davis, Ryan Anderson, Patrick Young 

C:   Omer Asik, Alexie A…..

That roster seems that they can win 50 games and become the 6th or the 7th seed in next year playoffs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[DunksNJordans23Participant]

 I would guess that the starting Small Forward spot will be occupied by either Ryan Anderson or Tyreke Evans. They were playing around with a 3 gaurd line up for a little while last year. Purely assumption on my part but I would love to see Darius Miller get some burn.

I can’t wait to see how Anthony Davis continues to develop, playing along side Asik should really help him become a better Power Forward after playing Center a lot of his first two seasons.

 

 

[casey38rayParticipant]

 Monty Williams stated that he like Tyreke Evans as the 6th man and having him back up Jrue Holliday and Eric Gordon. I would like them to sign Chris Douglas-Roberts or Michael Beasley to occupy the small forward position. Also the backup point guard is suspect as well so I would like them to try to get Ramon Sessions to be the back up point guard.

[casey38rayParticipant]

 Monty Williams stated that he like Tyreke Evans as the 6th man and having him back up Jrue Holliday and Eric Gordon. I would like them to sign Chris Douglas-Roberts or Michael Beasley to occupy the small forward position. Also the backup point guard is suspect as well so I would like them to try to get Ramon Sessions to be the back up point guard.

[DunksNJordans23Participant]

 I would guess that the starting Small Forward spot will be occupied by either Ryan Anderson or Tyreke Evans. They were playing around with a 3 gaurd line up for a little while last year. Purely assumption on my part but I would love to see Darius Miller get some burn.

I can’t wait to see how Anthony Davis continues to develop, playing along side Asik should really help him become a better Power Forward after playing Center a lot of his first two seasons.

 

 

[TyroberParticipant]

 If they stay healthy then the Pelicans are definitely in the playoffs. They were just so beat up last year that they couldn’t really get anything going for them. Having Asik next to Davis will be a nightmare for the other teams. I am very excited to watch them play this year.

[TyroberParticipant]

 If they stay healthy then the Pelicans are definitely in the playoffs. They were just so beat up last year that they couldn’t really get anything going for them. Having Asik next to Davis will be a nightmare for the other teams. I am very excited to watch them play this year.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

My mainline comparison for Anthony Davis (before he came out) was Pervis Ellison.  Pervis had ONE great year, which was very similar in terms of stats to what Anthony Davis put up last season.  Unfortunately, Ellison couldn’t stay healthy. 

My UPSIDE comparison for Anthony Davis was Kareem.  Brow is a beast.  He can do it all with a blend of athleticism, skill, and finesse.  I called him a possible 6’10 Kareem.  BUT, if he is now 7 feet tall then that comparison could be even closer.

Davis already has an Olympic gold medal.  A world cup championship might mean more for Anthony Davis since he is one of the main guys.  Then, he would be a LOCK for the 2016 (and 2020) Olympic teams.  Now, it looks like Anthony Davis is a MVP sleeper pick next year. 

That’s one of the guys you build around.  He KILLED the Grizzlies early last season in Memphis.  But, I was actually cheering for him. 

If you take the natural progression for uber-talented 7 footers it is Kareem to Tim Duncan to Anthony Davis.  He is in that category instead of the Wilt-Shaq category. 

I would play him in some twin towers lineups.  I actually like him more with Jeff Withey.  Withey is a long, athletic shot blocker and those two could really shut down the post.  Then use Asik off the bench.  Put Tyreke Evans or Ryan Anderson at the 3.  Then Gordon and Jru in the backcourt. 

Or, go small with Davis at the 5, Ryan Anderson and Tyreke at the forward spots, with a couple of guards in the backcourt. 

They are a team that might not make the playoffs but could ruin your road trip anyway.  I would also put the young, athletic T Wiggins in that category too. 

With this team, you build around Anthony Davis.  EVERYBODY ELSE is expendable. 

Think about doing the twin towers thing so you save Davis a bit on defense.  Withey would be my top option here. 

Or, do the small ball thing with Davis at 5, Ryan Anderson at 4, a specialist like Darius Miller or Salmons at the 4, and a backcourt of Tyreke handling the ball with Jimmer as an off the ball shooter. 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

My mainline comparison for Anthony Davis (before he came out) was Pervis Ellison.  Pervis had ONE great year, which was very similar in terms of stats to what Anthony Davis put up last season.  Unfortunately, Ellison couldn’t stay healthy. 

My UPSIDE comparison for Anthony Davis was Kareem.  Brow is a beast.  He can do it all with a blend of athleticism, skill, and finesse.  I called him a possible 6’10 Kareem.  BUT, if he is now 7 feet tall then that comparison could be even closer.

Davis already has an Olympic gold medal.  A world cup championship might mean more for Anthony Davis since he is one of the main guys.  Then, he would be a LOCK for the 2016 (and 2020) Olympic teams.  Now, it looks like Anthony Davis is a MVP sleeper pick next year. 

That’s one of the guys you build around.  He KILLED the Grizzlies early last season in Memphis.  But, I was actually cheering for him. 

If you take the natural progression for uber-talented 7 footers it is Kareem to Tim Duncan to Anthony Davis.  He is in that category instead of the Wilt-Shaq category. 

I would play him in some twin towers lineups.  I actually like him more with Jeff Withey.  Withey is a long, athletic shot blocker and those two could really shut down the post.  Then use Asik off the bench.  Put Tyreke Evans or Ryan Anderson at the 3.  Then Gordon and Jru in the backcourt. 

Or, go small with Davis at the 5, Ryan Anderson and Tyreke at the forward spots, with a couple of guards in the backcourt. 

They are a team that might not make the playoffs but could ruin your road trip anyway.  I would also put the young, athletic T Wiggins in that category too. 

With this team, you build around Anthony Davis.  EVERYBODY ELSE is expendable. 

Think about doing the twin towers thing so you save Davis a bit on defense.  Withey would be my top option here. 

Or, do the small ball thing with Davis at 5, Ryan Anderson at 4, a specialist like Darius Miller or Salmons at the 4, and a backcourt of Tyreke handling the ball with Jimmer as an off the ball shooter. 

[prophetmeirParticipant]

So  you basically just sub created anthor post off mine lol, but yea I agree their very deep at every spot. I wish they could have kept Amuni I thought he could really grow. But Pat young and Asik make this team 15 games better.

[prophetmeirParticipant]

So  you basically just sub created anthor post off mine lol, but yea I agree their very deep at every spot. I wish they could have kept Amuni I thought he could really grow. But Pat young and Asik make this team 15 games better.

[ballislife33Participant]

The story with the Pells is going to be the same story it has been for the past two years. If this team stays relatively healthy they can contend for the 7 or 8 seed in the west.

[ballislife33Participant]

The story with the Pells is going to be the same story it has been for the past two years. If this team stays relatively healthy they can contend for the 7 or 8 seed in the west.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

ballislife,  I agree.

We could do worse than a Tim Duncan-Anthony Davis first round matchup.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

ballislife,  I agree.

We could do worse than a Tim Duncan-Anthony Davis first round matchup.

[scootover7Participant]

 The Pelicans are one of the many teams in the Western Conference who could make the playoffs.  The saddest thing is the division they are in.  The Spurs, Rockets, Mavericks, and Grizzlies are in their division, and are all good teams.  Could all 5 of the teams in the Southwest division make the playoffs this up and coming season from the Western Conference?  I do believe it’s a possibly.  Anthony Davis is one of my favorite rising stars in this league.  Adding Omar Asik I feel was genius.  Jrue Holiday and Ryan Anderson healthy will play a big factor.  The only thing I believe that could stop the Pelicans from making the playoffs in the Western Conference is injuries.  The Western Conference I admit though is tough compared to the Eastern Conference.  I am looking forward to watching this 2014-2015 NBA Season.  

[scootover7Participant]

 The Pelicans are one of the many teams in the Western Conference who could make the playoffs.  The saddest thing is the division they are in.  The Spurs, Rockets, Mavericks, and Grizzlies are in their division, and are all good teams.  Could all 5 of the teams in the Southwest division make the playoffs this up and coming season from the Western Conference?  I do believe it’s a possibly.  Anthony Davis is one of my favorite rising stars in this league.  Adding Omar Asik I feel was genius.  Jrue Holiday and Ryan Anderson healthy will play a big factor.  The only thing I believe that could stop the Pelicans from making the playoffs in the Western Conference is injuries.  The Western Conference I admit though is tough compared to the Eastern Conference.  I am looking forward to watching this 2014-2015 NBA Season.  

[ExumInfernoParticipant]

 With the two giants in the paint, Davis and Asik, the lineup with smaller players for the other spots with Evans starting at small forward should work.  Everything I have read from the Pelicans and their coach says that Evans will start at small forward.  He is going to be for them what Manu was for the Spurs, when they started him and had big Duncan and another large center on the floor.

Anderson is a great shooter, a 6th Man of the Year candidate.  Asik won’t be someone to finish games on the floor, due to turnovers and free throw percentage, so Anderson will be spreading the floor and hitting clutch shots when teams double Davis down low.

Jimmer and Babbitt could surprise, they can hit shots.  Patric Young could be better than 30 or 40 players who were picked in the draft, he is physically ready for the NBA compared to most other new players.

They are a chance to get into the playoffs, and Davis might be a top 5 player in the NBA, but for them to have a big season it will mean E Gordon plays up to his contract level, and maybe John Salmons does a lot more than expected too.  Obviously they need a healthy team for a change too.

 

 

 

[ExumInfernoParticipant]

 With the two giants in the paint, Davis and Asik, the lineup with smaller players for the other spots with Evans starting at small forward should work.  Everything I have read from the Pelicans and their coach says that Evans will start at small forward.  He is going to be for them what Manu was for the Spurs, when they started him and had big Duncan and another large center on the floor.

Anderson is a great shooter, a 6th Man of the Year candidate.  Asik won’t be someone to finish games on the floor, due to turnovers and free throw percentage, so Anderson will be spreading the floor and hitting clutch shots when teams double Davis down low.

Jimmer and Babbitt could surprise, they can hit shots.  Patric Young could be better than 30 or 40 players who were picked in the draft, he is physically ready for the NBA compared to most other new players.

They are a chance to get into the playoffs, and Davis might be a top 5 player in the NBA, but for them to have a big season it will mean E Gordon plays up to his contract level, and maybe John Salmons does a lot more than expected too.  Obviously they need a healthy team for a change too.

 

 

 

[HitsterParticipant]

Anthony Davis if he continues to develop at his current rate looks a potential franchise player. The Pelicans decided to build around him by making trades to bring in Holliday and Asik and signed Tyreke Evans via FA.

To talk about them as a play off team may be a bit of a leap, the Suns won 48 games last year and didn’t make the play offs. But for a team which only won 34 games last year, I would expect the Pelicans to be above .500 next season. Last season Anderson missed 60 games, Holiday missed nearly 50 games, Davis 15 games, there was no Asik. Plus they progressed from 27 wins to 34 wins last year so a bigger jump seems likely this year.

Asik and Davis give them a huge defensive presence and they can either go with a 3 guard line up from PG to SF or could use Ryan Anderson as an SF where his size would create mismatches. They will have bench scoring in either Evans or Anderson depending how Monty Williams sets his starting line up.

So if everyone stays sound NOP look to have a very promising upcoming season. 

[HitsterParticipant]

Anthony Davis if he continues to develop at his current rate looks a potential franchise player. The Pelicans decided to build around him by making trades to bring in Holliday and Asik and signed Tyreke Evans via FA.

To talk about them as a play off team may be a bit of a leap, the Suns won 48 games last year and didn’t make the play offs. But for a team which only won 34 games last year, I would expect the Pelicans to be above .500 next season. Last season Anderson missed 60 games, Holiday missed nearly 50 games, Davis 15 games, there was no Asik. Plus they progressed from 27 wins to 34 wins last year so a bigger jump seems likely this year.

Asik and Davis give them a huge defensive presence and they can either go with a 3 guard line up from PG to SF or could use Ryan Anderson as an SF where his size would create mismatches. They will have bench scoring in either Evans or Anderson depending how Monty Williams sets his starting line up.

So if everyone stays sound NOP look to have a very promising upcoming season. 

[Author]

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