October is one of, if not, the greatest months on the New Orleans sports calendar. While the Saints are in just the second quarter of their season, high school and college teams are moving into the heart of their seasons and determining postseason placement.
While news from the gridiron usually dominates the headlines, updates from the hardwood are beginning to push their way to the front and tops of sports pages as anticipation rises in the Big Easy that this could be the season things come together for the New Orleans Pelicans.
After a four-game preseason from Tuesday, Oct. 10, through Tuesday, Oct. 17, the Pelicans’ 2023-24 season will tip off in Memphis on Wednesday, Oct. 25, and run through Sunday, April 14, when the team hosts the Los Angeles Lakers.
After the Pelicans made the playoffs in the 2021-22 season, excitement surrounded the team last year. After getting out to a fantastic start, including being a game out of first place on Jan. 2, head coach Willie Green led his team to second place in the Southwest Division, but the team — plagued by injuries down the stretch of the season — did not qualify for the playoffs. It was a gut-wrenching turnaround that raised the ghosts of opportunity lost during the team’s Chris Paul and Anthony Davis eras.
From top to bottom, on paper, this may be the best roster a New Orleans basketball team has put together.
The Pelicans would like their starting five to be CJ McCollum at point guard, Brandon Ingram at shooting guard, Trey Murphy III at small forward, Zion Williamson at power forward and Jonas Valanciunas at center, but injuries have limited the time these players have all been on the court playing together.
Already, injuries are lingering over the team. Just last month, Murphy hurt the meniscus in his left knee. As of press time, he was undergoing testing to determine if the injury would require surgery, which could keep him out of the lineup for a few months. However, if surgery is not needed, he may be able to return by Halloween.
Until Murphy returns from his knee injury, Herb Jones will have to step up as a starter at the 3 position. Backup guard Jose Alvarado’s lingering leg injury, which cost him the end of the 2022-23 regular season, means Dyson Daniels may be the first option to relieve McCollum and Ingram at both guards’ spots. When Daniels runs the point, look for Jordan Hawkins at shooting guard. Naji Marshall and Larry Nance Jr. will back up Williamson and Valanciunas.
The good news for the Pelicans is that they have respect of those in the know. Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report says the Pelicans have one of the best “Big 3” trios in the NBA with Williamson, Ingram and McCollum. In his list of the Top 100 players in the NBA, Matt Moore of the Action Network included five Pels — Ingram (39), Williamson (40), Murphy (60), McCollum (86), and Jones (100).
Unfortunately for the Pelicans, their “Big 3” have only played about 10 games together since coming together in February 2022. Last season, the three averaged 71.6 points, 16.9 rebounds and 16.1 assists per game. If, and it is a big if, these three can stay healthy and jell on the court together, expectations are sky high for this team. A healthy season from each will no doubt lead to massive success for the Pelicans.
At just 23, Williamson looks to have all the tools to be a dominant player in the NBA. Flanked by Ingram (25) and McCollum (31), he has the talent to lead the team to the top of a loaded Western Conference and the NBA. If the Pels are going to be among the best, their stars must be healthy, available and ready to compete. If (again if) the team can stay healthy, this could be a transformative year for New Orleans basketball.
Chris Price is an award-winning journalist and public relations principal. When he’s not writing, he’s avid about music, the outdoors, and Saints, Ole Miss and Chelsea football.
