It’s beginning to look a lot like the 2019-2020 NBA regular season is effectively over. Rather than sit around and wait for basketball to come back into our lives, let’s reflect on what the season has dished up to this point.
We’ll take a look at each and every NBA team over the coming weeks, assessing what went right, what didn’t go to plan, and where their journey took them as well as where the team hoped it would take them.
Today, we investigate three teams that, for different reasons, help make the argument for those that want to abolish conference seedings for the playoffs and move to a league wide 1-16 format: the New Orleans Pelicans, Orlando Magic and Portland Trailblazers.
New Orleans Pelicans
Record: 28-36 (10th in the Western Conference)
82 game pace: 36-46
Expectations
There was little to no consensus coming into the season as to what the Pelicans should be aiming for. With the Lakers young former core in Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart coming over in the Anthony Davis trade, and the addition of heralded rookie Zion Williamson, the team was suddenly young and talented. Did that indicate a steady approach, letting the youngsters play through their mistakes to gain long term growth? Or did the additions of Derrick Favors and JJ Redick, alongside incumbent star Jrue Holiday mean that the team was going to make a playoff push?
In short, nobody really knew what this team was, but everyone was excited for the journey.
What went right
He may hove only graced us with his presence for a short time, but Williamson was everything we’d hoped for. From his 4th quarter explosion in his debut game, to the gravity defying blocks, to bullying the reigning MVP, Zion was electric. His partnership with Ball is mouthwatering: the preternatural passing savant and the impossibly athletic finisher.
When healthy, the less heralded signings of Favors and Redick were invaluable. Redick only did exactly what he has done for well over a decade: provide perfect spacing by knocking down jump shots. In 26 minutes per game he knocked down 2.9 three pointers at a white hot 45.2%. Favors provided stout interior defense for a team that desperately needed it. He missed over 20 games due to injury and a the loss of his mother, but when he played, his positional defense and excellent rebounding (amazing how many boards you can get when Rudy Gobert isn’t around!) gave the team a base to build from.
The biggest winner this season for the Pellies might have been Brandon Ingram, who finally blossomed. Being out of the glare emanating from LeBron James (and Lakers in general) spotlight seemed to take a weight from Ingram’s slender shoulders as he put up his first All Star campaign. With averages of 24.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and a steal a game (needless to say, all career highs) he was undoubtedly the go to player for New Orleans this season. The greatest and most important improvement in his game was his deep shooting. Ingram had never averaged more than a single trey per game in Los Angeles, yet dropped 2.4 of them here at an excellent 38.7% clip.
What went wrong
Injuries. That’s it. If it wasn’t for injuries, this team would undoubtedly be in the playoffs.
Williamson famously hurt his knee in his final preseason hit out and missed 45 games as a result. Favors of course missed significant time and that left the team with the softest centre this side of Frank Kaminsky. But Holiday, Ingram, Ball and Redick, as well as important 2nd unit swingman E’Twuan Moore all missed at least 9 games each.
After being so shallow thought the Davis era, this team was suddenly very deep. They could mix and match at the guard and wing positions, but really didn’t have anybody that could replicate what Favors and Williamson gave them. That ultimately cost them.
The outcome
Depending on where you stood at the beginning of the season, you’re either doing backflips, or doing backflips with a tinge of disappointment about not making the playoffs. Either way, you’re pretty excited about where this team could be in the next few years.
The young core of Williamson, Ingram, Ball, Hart, Frank Jackson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Jaxson Hayes is impressive. That’s not to say there aren’t holes to fill. Hayes will need to develop to give Favors broken body more of a rest. Redick will be 36 before the end of this season; he can’t keep racing around screens forever. The building blocks are there, however. This is a team with perhaps the brightest future in the NBA.
