NBA – 5 questions about the New Orleans Pelicans playoff: Finally positive vibes again

After a botched start to the season, the New Orleans Pelicans rolled up the field from behind and even made the playoffs despite franchise star Zion Williamson not playing a game. There is hope again in the Big Easy, independent of Zion.

1. How would you rate the Pelicans’ season?

“It’s all so frustrating,” said Pelicans coach Willie Green at the end of November when New Orleans was shot out of the home arena by the Minnesota Timberwolves (86:110). At this point, the Pelicans were second to bottom in the West (record: 3-16) and looked set for another losing season.

It was to be otherwise, New Orleans caught on without Zion Williamson (no game of the season due to a broken foot), engineered a trade for CJ McCollum and Larry Nance Jr., edged the Los Angeles Lakers and qualified via two play-in Even play for the playoffs, where they put up a good fight against the best team in the league, the Phoenix Suns. One only has to look at the home games and one will immediately recognize that this team has finally managed to ignite a euphoria in this football-influenced city.

And much more: A direction can again be seen in how to be competitive over the years. Brandon Ingram impressed as a scorer in his first playoffs, McCollum was a good fit alongside the forward. In addition, some moves from boss David Griffin ensured that this team is surprisingly deep.

Especially in the 2021 draft, Griffin had a lucky hand. The three rookies, Trey Murphy (#17), Herb Jones (#35) and Jose Alvarado (even undrafted) all played important minutes and made you want more with their refreshing, passionate style of play. Despite all the background noise surrounding Williamson, rookie coach Green managed to form a tight-knit unit.

“His influence is huge,” Ingram said after losing to the Suns. “He always has an open ear, cheered us up and always stayed positive despite the initial problems.” There’s finally some positive vibes back in a franchise that’s always in danger of losing its best players and whose very existence is constantly being questioned.

The fact that all of this was possible without Williamson makes it even better. The 21-year-old hopeful was given a clear indication that the franchise is moving in the right direction and has a future.

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