The Alvin Gentry Era in New Orleans has been marked by a glut of injuries, slow starts and a failure to contend for the playoffs. Season No. 3will provide little room for excuses as the team moves perilously closer to the day when franchise player Anthony Davis can become a free agent. It’s postseason or bust for the Pelicans.
> One Team, One Stat: Pelicans get defensive (at last)
> 30 Teams in 30 Days: DeMarcus Cousins shapes up for season
> DA’s Offseason Rankings: New Orleans is No. 17
> E’Twaun Moore can provide versatility
ICYMI
The first item of business was to get free agent point guard Jrue Holiday re-signed and back in the fold. The Pelicans did that with a five-year, $126-million deal and then promptly signed veteran free agent Rajon Rondo to play the point, while saying Holiday will shift to shooting guard … The Pelicans lost starting small Solomon Hill to a hamstring surgery … Center DeMarcus Cousins has worked diligently in the offseason to slim down and is reportedly in best shape in years … Veteran Tony Allen, 35, signed on with a one-year free agent deal … Fresh off winning a championship at Golden State, shooting guard Ian Clark signed as a free agent … Shooting guard Frank Jackson of Duke, who was the top pick (31st) in draft, had surgery to repair a broken foot early in September.
THREE POINTS
1. The Pelicans must get their big man combination of Davis and Cousins playing in sync. After Cousins arrived last season, the team finished just 11-14. If the 1-2 combo up front doesn’t work, nothing else really matters.
2. It will be critical for the peripatetic Rondo to step right in and take control of the offense and run the show. He’s the key to putting the Pelicans in the right situations and making the key decisions. A bonus is that Cousins liked playing with Rondo in Sacramento.
3. Davis must stay healthy and stay on the floor. Last season was the first time in a five-year NBA career that the 6-foot-10, 250-pounder didn’t miss at least 14 games in a season. The question remains whether has slender frame can take the pounding.
MAN ON THE SPOT
Gentry replaced Monty Williams, who took the Pelicans to the playoffs in 2015 was supposed to take the team to the next level. Two straight seasons of 30 and 34 wins will give him a short rope. He needs a quick start to survive.
STARTING FIVE
Rajon Rondo | 7.8 ppg, | 5.1 rpg, | 6.7 apg
Five teams in four seasons. He can run an offense, lead a team.
Jrue Holiday | 15.4 ppg, | 3.9 rpg, | 7.3 apg
Switch from point to shooting guard could unlock another offensive weapon.
DeMarcus Cousins | 24.4 ppg, | 12.4 rpg, | 3.9 apg
Explosive talent that needs better fit with Davis to make the Pelicans take off.
Dante Cunningham | 6.6 ppg, | 4.2 rpg, | 0.6 apg
Will need to switch from power forward to small forward due to injury to starter Solomon Hill.
Anthony Davis | 28.0 ppg, | 11.8 rpg, | 2.1 apg
With size and length, has more physical skills than any other player in NBA.
KEY RESERVES
Ian Clark | 6.8 ppg, | 1.6 rpg, | 1.2 apg
After two seasons with Golden State, solid outside shooter is needed boost.
E’Twaun Moore | 9.6 ppg, | 2.1 rpg, | 2.2 apg
Has the potential to become an elite 3-point shooter, which Pelicans could use.
Tony Allen | 9.1 ppg, | 5.5 rpg, | 1.4 apg
The 13-year veteran can still put some teeth into the New Orleans defense.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The Pelicans’ primary objective is to make the twin towers combination of Davis and Cousins work together and not alternatively. There will be position shifting with Holiday and Cunningham and all the changes will make reaching the playoffs a difficult challenge.
Fran Blinebury has covered the NBA since 1977. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on Twitter.
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