New Orleans Pelicans: 5 moments in team history that deserve a documentary
By Eliot Clough
4. Semi-finals team of 2017-2018
One of the few bright spots in the Anthony Davis-era came the season he was expected to be the second piece in a duo that included the recently-acquired DeMarcus Cousins. Cousins, along with Omri Casspi were shipped from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Tyreke Evans, Buddy Hield, Langston Galloway and the Pel’s 2017 first and second-round draft picks.
The trade came as a surprise to many in the NBA, as New Orleans was not an expected contender in the Cousins trade sweepstakes — considering the team already had their franchise cornerstone at the center position in Davis, and the Pelicans aren’t typically known as an aggressive team at the trade deadline, or in any other situation at that point in time.
Although the new-look squad didn’t make the playoffs in the little time they had together during the latter half of the 2016-2017 season, it became apparent to the rest of the league that the combination of Davis and Cousins was to be feared in the coming season. The team won 8 of 11 contests after hitting some initial bumps in the road, and Cousins went off for 37 points and 13 rebounds in the first matchup with his former team.
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With the bar set high for 2017-2018, the Pels once again struggled early on, but righted the ship, starting the season 26-21 through their first 47 games. Davis and Boogie were both named All-Star starters — a first-time achievement for Cousins.
Prior to the All-Star break, New Orleans was set to face the Paul and James Harden-led Houston Rockets. Their opponent was 33-13 and held on to second place in the Western Conference, just behind the Golden State Warriors at 39-10.
Despite the daunting task of facing one of the most talented teams in the league, the Pels were propelled to victory behind AD’s 27 points and 11 rebounds in the contest. As the final seconds ticked off the clock, E’Twaun Moore launched a three to seal the victory. Following the miss with a put-back and-one, Cousins was sent to the free throw line.
If Pelicans fans only knew what would ensue.
Following a miss at the charity-stripe, the Kentucky product attempted a hustle play and to aid in ensuring the victory. Moments later, Cousins would go down, writing in pain and grabbing his foot.
It was the Achilles tear heard round the world.
Despite the shock-wave that went through the organization, and no doubt the city of New Orleans, the Pelicans continued to fight the remainder of the season, finishing with a 48-34 record and the sixth-seed in the Western Conference.
Behind the leadership of Davis, Rajon Rondo (who was coined Playoff-Rondo around this time), Nikola Mirotic and current Pelican, Jrue Holiday, New Orleans would go on to sweep the third-seeded Portland Trail Blazers in the first round. The Pels were given little to no chance in this matchup, as literally every ESPN analyst on a 22-person panel picked the Blazers to win in the first-round series.
Surprisingly enough, the Pelicans swept the Blazers out of the playoffs, but they would fall to the eventual-champion Warriors in the semifinals, though, 4-1.
What could have been, and oh, what was.