Final Season Review: Ring Bound?
Writing this final installment of the season feels unreal. The ups and downs of this season have really felt like a few seasons put into one. It doesn't feel like Willie Green is a 2nd year head coach. It doesn't feel like Brandon Ingram is 25 years old. Zion still only 21. Our two core pieces and one entering "prime" years and the other not even touching them. There is a lot to be positive about with this young squad despite feeling like the regular season was filled with negatives; Ingram and Zion both missing 50% of regular season games, Jose dealing with injuries, Nance and CJ playing through injuries. The season was a roller coaster that felt like a combination of the Jester and the Zephyr at Jazzland.
None of that answers the question, are we ring bound? The easy answer is no, because we face two elimination games despite being 1st in the West at one point. We face two chances at season ending losses or season extending wins. There is hope, and that hope lies in the fact that the guys we do have always seem to play to the competition, and the competition only gets tougher. We tend to take the "challenge" heads on despite dropping key games. Last year I had no idea that the Pelicans would make the playoffs let alone give the defending champs a run for their money. The team certainly plays with a chip sometimes, but when that chip on their shoulder is heavy they tend to lean into it and play their best ball. We can only hope that is the case this post season.
Ring bound or not, we still have a lot of upside on this roster with young guys and a whole lot of upside I hate to say I am still very optimistic about the Pelicans future. We have drafted well in recent years despite what people will say. We have young guys with confidence issues, not skill issues. Once Willie Green grows with these players I truly believe the sky is the limit. We saw what can happen when a players coach gets some experience under his belt with Monty leaving and winning in Phoenix. Will Willie Green follow suit? Do we have the duo that needs a smart veteran point to help us make the next step? Time can tell, and I will enjoy listening.
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