SDH's 2013/2014 NBA Worst to First Previews and Predictions: 20. New Orleans Pelicans

+New Orleans Pelicans  Overall Win/Loss Record :  27-55,  fifth place Southwest Division	Last Season’s Rank 27	Projected 2013/2014 Finish 20
Last Season’s Team Statistics and League Rank Points Scored: 94.1 (25th) Points Allowed: 97.9 (14th) Team FG%: .448 (15th) Opponent’s FG%: .471 (26th) Team FT%: .776 (8th) Team Three Point FG%: .363 (11th) Rebounds per game: 41.6 (17th) Opponents rebounds per game: 39.3 (39.3) Turnovers per game: 13.7 (11th) Opponents turnovers per game: 12.7 (27th)	Returning Individual Statistical Leaders Scoring (ppg): Eric Gordon (17.0) Rebounds per game:  Anthony Davis (8.2) Minutes per game: Ryan Anderson (30.9) Assists per game: Eric Gordon (3.3) Field Goal Percentage: Anthony Davis (.516) Free Throw Percentage:   Brian Roberts (.910) Three Point FG Percentage: Darius Miller (.393)  Steals per game: Al-Farouq Aminu (1.2) Blocked Shots per game:  Anthony Davis (1.8)
Projected Starters Based on Talent, Tenure, Paycheck and Potential Impact: C. Anthony Davis PF. Ryan Anderson SF. +Tyreke Evans  SG. Eric Gordon PG. +Jrue Holiday	Second Unit Roster Order Ranked on Talent, Tenure, Paycheck and Potential Impact: F. Al-Farooq Aminu F/C. Jason Smith G. +Austin Rivers  G. Brian Roberts C. Greg Stiemsma
Analysis: Last season the New Orleans Hornets were a bit of a let down considering the fact that they made all these off season moves acquiring sharp shooting Ryan Anderson and Robin Lopez along with securing the number one overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, Anthony Davis.  This was supposed to be the season where the Hornets were finally going to come out of the shadows and have a chance to get a taste of the limelight; however, that did not happen as New Orleans continued to fly under the radar once again. Anthony Davis did not have the outstanding impact that many had hoped and anticipated as he played very conservatively and not with the same intensity that he did while leading the +Kentucky Wildcats  to the 2012 NCAA Championship.  Neither did their new additions Ryan Anderson and Robin Lopez have the impact that both the teams and fans hoped for as the Hornets managed to win just 27 games despite in investing 55$ million in the two of them over the next five years.  So the Hornets decided to take drastic action to assure that such a season would never happen again and went about a transformation that led many to be shocked, baffled, while excited at the same time. The team first tore off their and teal and yellow colors for a new name, a new look and a new attitude by changing their colors from the bright yellow and teal for a more darker navy and gold trim. They also squished the Hornets name and logo wiping it away with a new name, new logo and new identity now calling themselves the New Orleans Pelicans.  With a new name and new look, the new New Orleans Pelicans hope to reignite interest and excitement in a city that has not truly accepted or welcomed them upon their arrival.  Since moving from their previous home in Charlotte in which they enjoyed packed arenas and screaming fans, the sentiment for the team has been lukewarm at best as the Hornets had trouble to fill up their arenas as they ranked among the worst in the league in home court attendance.  With the new name, new logo, new look and new attitude, the hope is that the people's sentiment will finally turn around as it will finally drum up the excitement that was anticipated when the team originally arrived in the Big Easy. Along the outer cosmetic change, the new look Pelicans also went about a full reconstruction of the roster that will resemble the high flying and swift swooping characteristics of their new identity. They started on draft by acquiring the player best suited to lead the new offensive identity the Pelicans in All Star point guard Jrue Holiday trading the rights of 6th overall pick, Kentucky center +Nerlens Noel to the +Philadelphia 76ers  in order to get him via sign and trade.  The Pelicans then went on a mission to get quicker and more athletic by acquiring swing man Tyreke Evans in a sign and trade deal with the +Sacramento Kings  while sending center Robin Lopez to the +Portland Trail Blazers for the rights of second round pick, the +Kansas Jayhawks' +Jeff Withey.  With the new additions of Holiday and Evans, the Pelican look to have a small, quicker and streamlined starting five with a three manned back court of Holiday, Evans, and Eric Gordon while having a small but quicker two man front court of Anthony Davis and Ryan Anderson. Such a lineup will certainly be entertaining to watch as it will most likely be a fast, free flowing, run and gun, high octane offense which will certainly be in line with the new look and attitude; however, with such a small lineup on the floor, it may also be a hindrance to this new look team if they plan to make a playoff run. In essence, what the Pelicans essentially did in the off-season was choose style over substance sending two already solid players in Lopez and Vasquez for two smaller players known for their explosiveness and athleticism.  The Pelicans smaller size will certainly hurt them particularly on the defensive end, but offensively, they will definitely be more fun and exciting to watch as it will definitely take advantage of the skills and athleticism that Anthony Davis possesses.  Before, he was essentially looked into playing as a basic power forward not doing anything that spectacular other than grabbing rebounds and swatting the errant shot here and there.  Now he has the chance to use all the skills such as his exceptional point guard skills as he could push the ball upon securing a rebound or rejecting a shot and start and finish on a fast break to the basket.  A team such as this one will certainly be very fun to watch and they will almost certainly be featured on every highlight reel on every sports news cast; however, all of that will be superficial if the Pelicans cannot get to the playoffs as will most likely happen in this case. Such a small lineup that is basically built for speed cannot be considered as a long term solution for team trying to crack through the glass ceiling in an already mercilessly tough and competitive Western Conference.  It is doubtful that they will even move ahead of last place of the division let alone make the playoffs with the way the Southwest Division looks with last season's Western Conference finalists +Memphis Grizzlies and +San Antonio Spurs, along with a brand new and improved +Houston Rockets who boast two of the league's best in +James Harden and +Dwight Howard.  With such a top heavy division, the best that Pelicans have to look forward to is the fight for fourth place against the +Dallas Mavericks, a severely aging team that was once a powerhouse in the West now headed on a downward spiral.  Add already the established +Los Angeles Clippers, +Oklahoma City Thunder, +Golden State Warriors and +Los Angeles Lakers with greatly improved teams such as the Portland Trailblazers and +Minnesota Timberwolves, the playoff chances for the Pelicans get even slimmer.  Nonetheless, such a bleak outlook does not seem to bring down the morale for this new look franchise who looks to soar up high to a new direction and most certainly, a brighter future.