New Orleans Pelicans 2017: A Season In Review

Let's dive deep into the New Orleans Pelicans 2016-2017 season, guys. For Pelicans fans, this season was a rollercoaster of hope, disappointment, and glimpses of brilliance. With Anthony Davis leading the charge, there were expectations for a playoff push, but injuries and inconsistencies ultimately defined their campaign. Let's break down the key moments, analyze the roster, and see what went right (and wrong) for the Pelicans during this intriguing season. The season started with a lot of anticipation. After missing the playoffs the previous year, there was a renewed sense of optimism. Anthony Davis, fresh off another stellar individual season, was expected to carry the team. The front office made some moves in the offseason to bolster the roster, hoping to provide Davis with the support he needed to lead the Pelicans back to the postseason. Jr Holiday was a key player in the backcourt, expected to provide scoring and playmaking. The team also looked to develop young talent, hoping to find valuable contributors for the future. However, the early part of the season was challenging. The team struggled to find consistency on both ends of the floor. Injuries to key players disrupted the team's rhythm, and they had a difficult time stringing together wins. Despite Davis's outstanding performances, the Pelicans found themselves near the bottom of the Western Conference standings. The coaching staff worked tirelessly to find the right combinations and strategies, but the team struggled to execute consistently. There were moments of brilliance, but they were often overshadowed by stretches of poor play. The Pelicans needed to find a way to turn things around if they wanted to salvage their season.

Roster Overview: Strengths and Weaknesses

When you talk about the Pelicans' 2017 roster, you immediately think of Anthony Davis. AD was an absolute beast, putting up MVP-caliber numbers. His scoring, rebounding, and shot-blocking were consistently elite. Jrue Holiday was another crucial piece, providing a steady presence at point guard with his scoring, playmaking, and defensive tenacity. However, beyond these two, the roster had its share of question marks. The team struggled to find a consistent third scorer. Players like Terrence Jones and E'Twaun Moore had their moments, but they weren't reliable enough to consistently take the pressure off Davis and Holiday. The Pelicans also lacked depth at several positions. Injuries often forced them to rely on inexperienced players who weren't quite ready for significant roles. The frontcourt, outside of Davis, was particularly thin. Omer Asik's limitations were exposed, and the team lacked a true stretch four to space the floor. Defensively, the Pelicans had their issues as well. While Davis was a dominant rim protector, the team struggled to contain dribble penetration and defend the perimeter. Their defensive rotations were often slow and disjointed, leading to easy baskets for their opponents. Despite these weaknesses, the Pelicans showed flashes of potential. When Davis and Holiday were both playing at their best, and the supporting cast was contributing, they were a tough team to beat. However, those moments were too infrequent to translate into consistent success. The front office recognized the need for change and made a significant move during the season to address some of these roster deficiencies.

Key Acquisitions and Departures

During the 2016-2017 season, the Pelicans made a blockbuster trade, acquiring DeMarcus Cousins from the Sacramento Kings. This move sent shockwaves through the league, as it paired two of the NBA's most dominant big men in Davis and Cousins. The hope was that this duo would form an unstoppable offensive force and elevate the Pelicans into a true contender. However, the addition of Cousins also came with some uncertainty. Cousins was known for his volatile personality and his tendency to clash with coaches and teammates. There were questions about how he would fit into the Pelicans' locker room and whether he and Davis could coexist effectively on the court. In terms of departures, the Pelicans waived several players throughout the season to make room for new acquisitions. These moves were largely inconsequential, as the players who were waived were not significant contributors to the team. The focus was clearly on building around Davis and Holiday and adding pieces that could complement their skill sets. The trade for Cousins was a high-risk, high-reward move. If it worked, the Pelicans could become a force in the Western Conference. If it didn't, it could set the franchise back for years. Only time would tell whether the gamble would pay off. The initial returns were mixed. The Pelicans struggled to integrate Cousins into their offense, and their defensive issues persisted. However, there were also moments of brilliance, as Davis and Cousins showcased their immense talent and potential. It was clear that it would take time for the two stars to develop chemistry and for the team to fully realize its potential.

Season Highlights and Lowlights

Like any NBA season, the Pelicans' 2016-2017 campaign had its share of highs and lows. One of the biggest highlights was undoubtedly the acquisition of DeMarcus Cousins. The excitement surrounding the pairing of Davis and Cousins was palpable, and fans eagerly anticipated seeing what the two superstars could accomplish together. Another highlight was Anthony Davis's continued dominance. Davis put up incredible numbers throughout the season, solidifying his status as one of the league's best players. He consistently delivered highlight-reel plays and carried the team on his shoulders. However, there were also plenty of lowlights. Injuries to key players plagued the team throughout the season, disrupting their rhythm and preventing them from building any sustained momentum. The team's defensive struggles were another major disappointment. Despite having a defensive-minded coach in Alvin Gentry, the Pelicans consistently ranked near the bottom of the league in defensive efficiency. The team's inability to close out games was also a recurring issue. They often found themselves in close contests, but they struggled to execute down the stretch and secure victories. These struggles led to frustration among the players and the coaching staff. The Pelicans knew they had the talent to be a playoff team, but they couldn't seem to put it all together consistently. The pressure mounted as the season wore on, and the team's performance suffered as a result.

Statistical Standouts

Looking at the Pelicans' stats from 2016-2017, Anthony Davis was the clear leader. He averaged a whopping 28.0 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game. Those are MVP-caliber numbers, folks! Jrue Holiday also had a strong season, averaging 15.4 points and 7.3 assists per game. He provided a reliable scoring and playmaking presence in the backcourt. DeMarcus Cousins, after being acquired mid-season, averaged 24.4 points and 12.4 rebounds in the games he played for the Pelicans. He quickly established himself as a key contributor. However, beyond these three, the statistical contributions were less impressive. The Pelicans struggled to find consistent scoring from their other players. The team's overall offensive efficiency was mediocre, and they often relied too heavily on Davis and Holiday to carry the load. Defensively, the Pelicans were also below average. They allowed opponents to score too easily and struggled to force turnovers. Their defensive rebounding was also a weakness, as they often gave up second-chance opportunities to their opponents. The Pelicans needed to improve their overall team statistics if they wanted to compete with the top teams in the league. They needed to find more consistent scoring from their supporting cast and improve their defensive efficiency. The front office recognized these needs and worked to address them in the offseason.

Coaching and Management

Alvin Gentry was the head coach of the Pelicans in 2017, and he faced a tough challenge trying to mold the roster into a cohesive unit. Gentry is known for his offensive-minded approach, and he tried to implement a fast-paced, high-scoring system in New Orleans. However, the team struggled to consistently execute his offensive schemes. The front office, led by General Manager Dell Demps, made the bold move to acquire DeMarcus Cousins, signaling their commitment to building a contender around Davis. However, the trade also put pressure on Gentry to quickly integrate Cousins into the team and find a way to make the Davis-Cousins pairing work. The coaching staff experimented with different lineups and rotations, trying to find the right combinations to maximize the team's potential. However, they struggled to find consistency, and the team's performance often fluctuated. Gentry faced criticism for his defensive strategies, as the Pelicans consistently struggled on that end of the floor. There were calls for him to make changes to his coaching staff, but he remained loyal to his assistants. The front office also faced scrutiny for their roster construction. While they had assembled a talented group of players, there were questions about whether the pieces fit together effectively. The Pelicans needed to find a way to improve their chemistry and cohesiveness if they wanted to achieve their goals.

Overall Season Assessment

So, let's wrap it up: the 2016-2017 season for the New Orleans Pelicans was ultimately a disappointment. Despite having two superstars in Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins, the team failed to make the playoffs. Injuries, inconsistent play, and defensive struggles all contributed to their struggles. The acquisition of Cousins created excitement and hope, but it didn't immediately translate into wins. It takes time to build chemistry, especially when you're dealing with such strong personalities. The Pelicans showed flashes of potential, but they weren't able to sustain it consistently. They needed to address their roster deficiencies, improve their defensive efficiency, and find a way to develop better team chemistry. The future of the franchise hinges on their ability to build a winning team around Davis and Cousins. The front office faced a critical offseason, as they needed to make the right moves to surround their stars with the talent and support they needed to succeed. The Pelicans' fans remained hopeful that the team could turn things around and become a contender in the Western Conference. But they knew that it would take hard work, dedication, and a bit of luck to achieve their goals.

Looking Ahead: The Future of the Pelicans

Looking forward, the New Orleans Pelicans had a lot of questions to answer after the 2016-2017 season. The biggest question was,