Fansided

Holiday wish list for every NBA team

By Ernest Shepard

Jun 14, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) fights for a loose ball with Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) during the third quarter in game five of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) fights for a loose ball with Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) during the third quarter in game five of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 16, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) defends against Utah Jazz forward Trevor Booker (33) during the first half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) defends against Utah Jazz forward Trevor Booker (33) during the first half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

New Orleans Pelicans

This was supposed to be the year of Anthony Davis. This was supposed to be the rise of the New Orleans Pelicans. The hiring of Alvin Gentry as the head coach was supposed to finish unlocking the offensive potential of the team’s biggest star. That has yet to materialize. The Davis and Gentry partnership have stalled coming out of the gate. That is not the fault of either player or coach. What the Pelicans need is a little more time in order to get to know each other.

Just because Anthony Davis is a great player, and Alvin Gentry is a good coach, it does not guarantee instant success. In this lengthy process of creating a contender, patience is the biggest need on the Pelicans’ list.

As the Pelican players and Gentry get used to one another, the struggles have come across the board. The only player who is enjoying a good season as expected is Ryan Anderson. The stretch-four is finally healthy and contributing with his three-point shooting and rebounding.

While the year progress, look for guard Tyreke Evans to begin to thrive after missing most of the season. He is an ideal fit for Alvin Gentry’s offensive game plan. Him, not Davis is the key to what New Orleans does from here on out. If Evans can stay healthy, the Pelicans will continue to rise up the standings. If he does not, it will probably be back to the draft lottery, which is not such a terrible notion given how deep the top-third of the upcoming draft is.

Next: New York Knicks: To Keep or Not to Keep Carmelo Anthony

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