The New Orleans Pelicans have seen a few changes in personnel this offseason. They remain a young exciting team and will be an intriguing watch this year.
After a disappointing ending to the 2019-20 NBA season, which saw the New Orleans Pelicans give a very feeble attempt at making the western conference’s play-in games down in Orlando, the team will look to get back on track with the start of a new season.
New head coach Stan Van Gundy will bring a breath of fresh air to the Big Easy. He’s a coach that players seem to like playing for, and will be important to the development of the team’s young stars. Losing two starters in Jrue Holiday and Derrick Favors will leave plenty of roles to be filled for the upcoming season.
Luckily the Pelicans have brought in Eric Bledsoe and Steven Adams, two proven starters who will be more than capable of performing at a high level and becoming leaders to the younger players.
Bledsoe is natural and brings the defensive aspects of the game to the table that will be important with Holiday’s departure. Adams is a solid center and brings that toughness down low – something the Pelicans have been desperate for and will be more than desperate for with the loss of Favors.
The Pelicans will definitely be looking to make the playoffs this year. It’s not going to be easy. It never is in the west. There are plenty of teams that will be there or thereabouts, as there was last season. The loss of Holiday is a big one but, ultimately I think the additions outweigh the Pelicans’ losses this offseason. They should be a playoff team and I believe that will be the case. Here, we’re going to rank the Pelicans’ starters for the 2020-21 NBA season.