As I sit here watching the New Orleans Pelicans' preseason games, I can't help but feel that familiar mix of excitement and skepticism about their playoff chances this year. Having followed this team through multiple seasons of rebuilding and roster changes, I've learned that potential doesn't always translate to postseason appearances. The recent comments from veteran players like Porter about team chemistry particularly caught my attention - "More than adjusting to Coach Yeng, it's going to be more of adjusting to my teammates," he mentioned in a recent interview. This simple statement reveals so much about where this team stands right now.
Looking at their current roster, the Pelicans have what appears to be a playoff-caliber team on paper. Zion Williamson's health remains the million-dollar question - when he's on the court, he's averaging 26 points per game with that incredible 61% shooting efficiency that makes defenders look like they're moving in slow motion. But his availability has been the team's Achilles' heel, and frankly, I'm not convinced we'll see him play more than 60 games this season. Then there's Brandon Ingram, who's developed into one of the league's most reliable mid-range scorers, though his three-point consistency still needs work. CJ McCollum brings that veteran presence every playoff team needs, but at 32, I wonder how much he has left in the tank for a full 82-game grind followed by postseason basketball.
What really fascinates me about this Pelicans team isn't just the star power - it's how Porter's comments about "adjusting to teammates" and finding that "magka-amuyan" (getting that chemistry) reflect the broader challenge. Basketball isn't just about assembling talent; it's about creating that seamless connection where players move like they're reading each other's minds. I've seen teams with less talent make deep playoff runs because they had that chemistry, while more talented squads crumbled under the pressure. The Pelicans have incorporated several new rotation players, and based on what I've observed in their first 12 games, they're still figuring out how to maximize each other's strengths.
The Western Conference landscape makes their playoff push even more challenging. You've got Denver looking dominant, Phoenix with their superstar trio, Golden State still dangerous despite their age, and young teams like Sacramento and Memphis hungry to prove themselves. Realistically, I'd slot New Orleans somewhere between 6th and 10th in the conference - good enough for the play-in tournament, but making the actual playoffs will require either exceptional health or one of those magical seasons where everything clicks unexpectedly early.
Statistics from last season tell part of the story - they finished 42-40, which placed them 9th in the West. Their offensive rating of 115.3 ranked 15th, while their defensive rating of 114.8 sat at 16th. These numbers scream "average team," and average doesn't typically get you far in the brutal Western Conference. What gives me hope, though, is their performance when Zion played - in games he started, they went 28-24, which translates to about 46 wins over a full season. That's definitely playoff territory.
Coach Willie Green deserves more credit than he gets nationally. I've been impressed with his ability to develop young talent while maintaining a competitive system. His challenge this season involves balancing the development of younger players like Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III with winning now. Murphy's three-point shooting at 40.6% last season provides crucial spacing, while Jones might be the most underrated defender in the entire league - I'd take him over most All-Defensive team selections for his versatility.
The financial aspect also plays into their playoff equation. With approximately $134 million committed to their current roster, they're positioned to make moves if needed, though their flexibility decreases significantly next summer. This creates a subtle urgency - if they're hovering around .500 come February, I expect them to be active at the trade deadline to bolster their playoff chances.
From my perspective, having covered the NBA for over a decade, the Pelicans' playoff hopes hinge on three key factors beyond just health. First, their three-point defense must improve - they allowed opponents to shoot 36.8% from deep last season, which placed them in the bottom third of the league. Second, they need to figure out their closing lineup - too often last season, they struggled in clutch moments, going 18-23 in games within five points in the final five minutes. Third, and perhaps most importantly, they need to develop that instinctual connection Porter referenced, where players anticipate rather than react.
I'm cautiously optimistic about their chances, though I wouldn't bet my savings on them securing a top-six spot. The play-in tournament seems like their most likely path to the postseason, which means they'll probably need to win two elimination games against similar-level opponents. Given their roster construction and the Western Conference landscape, I'd project them finishing with around 44-45 wins, which should be enough for the 7th or 8th seed. They have the talent to surprise people and make a first-round series interesting, but expecting more than that feels premature until they prove they can stay healthy and develop that championship-level chemistry Porter so eloquently described.
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