Anthony Davis says the Pelicans have the tools to be successful

Anthony Davis told the media that the Pelicans “can’t wait for the season to begin” and are ready to”make some noise here in the loaded West.”

Anthony Davis says he’s tired of losing. That’s fair, his Hornets/Pelicans have not posted a winning season during his tenure and have only been to the playoffs once. During those years, the organization hasn’t make moves that indicated they felt an urgency to win. Their most memorable move from the past five years has probably been the name change.

Speaking with the media at his camp on Tuesday, Davis says things are different now (h/t Associated Press). “We’re doing everything, whether it’s signing players, trading players … to make sure that we try to be a winning organization.”

The Brow’s use of the word “try” is revealing, though unintentionally. The Pelicans’  biggest move this offseason has been re-signing their starting point guard Jrue Holiday to a five-year, $126 million contract. That’s not a move meant to improve a team, it’s something meant to keep it from getting worse.

In the interview, Davis talked about the Pelican’s other big move this offseason, signing free agent Rajon Rondo. He praised Rondo’s passing, saying that it was one of the main reasons for his enthusiasm in signing the former champion.

It’s true that Rondo was once one of the premier pass-first point-guards. He still carries some of the ability but, overall, he’s a throwback that can’t threaten defenses much anymore. If a player isn’t also a scoring threat, their passing ability is diminished. Teams can go into help defense and dare a sub-par shooter like Rondo to beat them.

Davis also mentioned that Rondo’s defense will make him a valuable threat alongside fellow guard Holiday. It’s easy to see where Davis is coming from. After all, Rondo is a four-time All-Defense team member but his days as an elite defender are well behind him.

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While it’s a good thing that Anthony Davis to be optimistic, the Pelicans will have to make a few more moves to be competitive in the “loaded West.”