NBA mascot power rankings, best past and present

30. King Cake Baby/Original Pierre the Pelican: New Orleans Pelicans

Since becoming executive vice president of basketball operations in April 2019, David Griffin has done almost everything right since joining the New Orleans Pelicans organization.

Among his early highlights include hiring an actual basketball training staff, fleecing the Los Angeles Lakers of draft picks and young pieces in the Anthony Davis trade, acquiring Derrick Favors and drafting some guy named Zion Williamson with the No. 1 overall pick in last June’s draft. Not bad for a franchise that seemed destined for obscurity and eventual relocation.

However, if Griffin truly wants to win the hearts of the New Orleans faithful, he should consider banishing the two mascots that roam the Smoothie King Center at every home game.

Let’s start with the first version of Pierre the Pelican, which lasted less than four months. The name and choice of mascot were fine — “Pierre” obviously reflects the city’s origins as a French colony and the pelican’s connection to the state and the team makes total sense. But look at this monstrosity! It’s as if Big Bird had a sociopathic, homicidal brother.

But that feathered fright was nothing compared to the terror that this team chose to unleash on their patrons in 2014. Created in honor of a Mardi Gras tradition, the King Cake Baby’s jurisdiction of terror extends far past the arena, as his misshapen frame and Kubrick stare has also spread his fear to Pelicans office employees and fans in general.

How frightening is the King Cake Baby? Aside from him earning the distinction of creepiest mascot by Now This News in 2018, the creator of the mascot claimed that the movie Happy Death Day — you know, the HORROR MOVIE (a satirical horror movie, but still) — copied his facial designs for the film’s serial killer’s mask. This thing menaces everyone not named Charles Barkley, so why do the Pelicans let him stick around?