NBA Season Preview 2018-19: Every team’s best case scenario
By John Hugar
New Orleans Pelicans
Butler could go here, too, couldn’t he? Man, he is messing this up. Okay, the Pellies. Well, losing DeMarcus Cousins hurts — at least on paper — but the team started playing better after his injury, and they look to carry the energy the pushed them past the Blazers in this year’s playoffs, as Anthony Davis finally lived up to his mind-blowing production and proved that he can win.
Last year was likely Jrue Holiday’s best season as a pro, including his lost All-Star year in 2013. Holiday has developed an identity as a do-it-all point guard. He distributes, he scores, and he’s as a tough a defender as you’ll find. A repeat appearance in the second-round (or further) will depend on a repeat performance from Holiday. Elsewhere, Julius Randle and Elfrid Payton are welcome additions, as both are talented players who will benefit from finally being on a winning team.
How far the Pelicans go will ultimately depend on the answer to one question: has Anthony Davis finally become one of those Guys Who Just Wins? As in, if he’s on your team, you’re in the playoffs no matter what. If that’s where he is, expect the Pelicans to win another playoff series, and maybe even put some fright into the likes of the Warriors and Rockets.