NBA: 5 most improved teams in 2014-15

4. New Orleans Pelicans:
2013-14 Record: 34-48

From the new Hornets to the former Hornets we go. Though the 2013-14 Pellies ranked in the bottom half of the league in both points scored and allowed, the 2014-15 campaign looks a lot more optimistic provided everyone can finally stay healthy. Last year, Jrue Holiday, Eric Gordon, Anthony Davis, Ryan Anderson, Tyreke Evans and Jason Smith missed a combined 202 games, with starters Holiday and Anderson both sitting out for more than half the season.

In other words, it can’t get much worse, right? Anthony Davis should be able to play 70+ games for the first time in his career and he is rapidly developing into a two-way monster who might be able to spread the floor with a consistent jumper soon. Anderson was the team’s leading scorer until his injury last year and will fill a pivotal sixth man role off the bench. Holiday is a former All-Star who will make life easier on his teammates and Evans quietly had a great year last season.

The arrival of Omer Asik also strengthens New Orleans’ porous defense and will cover for Davis on that end. Though the Brow is already a prolific shot-blocker, he is still learning how to contain pick-and-roll scenarios and Asik’s presence in the middle will give the Pellies quite a Twin Tower combo. If everyone can stay healthy this year, there’s no reason NOLA should be left out of the “fringe playoff team” category.