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The 4 biggest losers in the NBA’s bubble so far

By Luke Duffy

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 01: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts after coming down against the LA Clippers at HP Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 01, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 01: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts after coming down against the LA Clippers at HP Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 01, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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New Orleans Pelicans
NBA (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

3. New Orleans Pelicans

Many believe the idea of the ninth seed having the opportunity to play their way into the postseason at the expense of the eighth seed if they could beat them twice in a row was so the New Orleans Pelicans could squeak their way in. This would have meant a first-round matchup between Zion Williamson and LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Well, the Pelicans did not play along. They have looked disjointed and flat out painful to watch through most of their stretch in the bubble, while the minutes restriction that Williamson was placed on, but which was not reconfigured so that he would be available late in close games, frustrated both player and fans alike.

A loss to the Spurs on Sunday officially ended any hopes of claiming the ninth seed, and although the future of the franchise is very much in a good place, this may be looked back on as something of a missed opportunity. Not all of their core have played well either, with Lonzo Ball coming in for some criticism which he duly responded to.

Related Story. 3 Pelicans players who've stepped up in the bubble. light

Thankfully for the Pelicans, they have an All-Star in Brandon Ingram who could yet win the Most Improved Player of the Year award, having made the midseason exhibition for the first time earlier this year. Jrue Holiday is one of the best defensive guards in the league and is an all-round great guy.

J.J. Redick saw his streak of making the playoffs every year of his career come to an end, but he’s still such a threat from deep. The point is that the Pelicans can go in various different directions in the coming years, trading away some of their veterans if they feel the need to. That kind of flexibility can go a long way in today’s league and ensures they are in a good place.

But as for their performance in the bubble, well it was disappointing to watch unfold the way that it did. A couple more wins would have had them still in the hunt, and this after they had done the hard bit in defeating the Memphis Grizzlies (the current eighth seed), to give themselves a chance.