Fansided

NBA Power Rankings: One reason every team can be optimistic

By Ian Levy

BROOKLYN, NY - DECEMBER 3: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on December 3, 2018 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - DECEMBER 3: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on December 3, 2018 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 12: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Jrue Holiday #11 of the New Orleans Pelicans talk at a timeout against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Smoothie King Center on December 12, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 12: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Jrue Holiday #11 of the New Orleans Pelicans talk at a timeout against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Smoothie King Center on December 12, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

New Orleans Pelicans. 14. team. 69. . 15-16. Previous: 14th

Right now, the New Orleans Pelicans are not championship contenders. The traditional shorthand bar for inclusion is a top-10 efficiency ranking at both ends of the floor. The Pelicans are ranked fourth in offensive efficiency and 23rd in defensive efficiency. Considering how much is riding on this season and their efforts to convince Anthony Davis that this is the place for him to stay long term, this hasn’t been an encouraging start.

But the Pelicans do have at least one thing working in their favor — when Davis and Jrue Holiday have been on the floor together they’re outscoring opponents by an average of 12.3 points per 100 possessions, with efficiencies that would rank first in the league on offense and fourth on defense across the entire season. This team, minus Julius Randle, steamrolled the Trail Blazers in the first round last year and there’s every reason to think that the right matchups and a shorter rotation could still lead to a deep playoff run. Things aren’t as bright as New Orleans was hoping this year, but they’re not that dark either.

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