2022-23 New Orleans Pelicans!


 The New Orleans Pelicans are a super exciting and underrated team in the Western Conference this season. They’re coming off of their first playoff appearance since the Anthony Davis era, and they did this without their 2021 season leading scorer, Zion Williamson. Speaking of Zion, he looks lean, healthy, and primed to have a redeeming 2022-23 season. Brandon Ingram is coming off of a very impressive and intriguing playoff display. His bag looked very lethal. He was hitting back to the basket and face-up mid range shots, pull-up 3’s, catch and shoot 3’s, broke down his defender and drove to the basket frequently. He got to the free throw line a ton and averaged about 6 assists as well, so he was getting his teammates involved. So basically, Ingram is a 6’9 3-level scorer and play maker: 2K Create-A-Player. We all know CJ is a bonafide killer, combo guard bucket getter who can also create for others. He also gives the Pelicans a true leader and someone with playoff experience. One of my favorite sleepers from the 2021 draft, Herbert Jones, can guard any player who steps on the court. In the paint, the 6’11 265lb Jonas Valancuinas aka “Lithuanian Lightning”, holds it down, hoisting down rebounds and deterring layups attempts. He can also get a bucket if need be. Dude shots 36% from 3 last season. 


The Pelicans have a young bench consisting of Grand Theft Alvarado “Jose Alvarado”, Sideshow Jax “Jaxson Hayes”, Trigga Trey “Trey Murphy”, and Larry Nance, and Devonte Graham. All in all, the Pels are a young and exciting team, who could upset a championship contender. They’re not going to win a championship this year or next year, but if Zion and Brandon Ingram continue to become All-Star caliber players, and CJ continues his steady play, they could form one of the best Big 3 in the League and put the Pelicans into championship contention in the near future.


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