2023-2024 New Orleans Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans begin their 2023-2024 season tonight against the Memphis Grizzles. Will this be the year that the Pelicans finally put it all together? There may be some added motivation for the Pelicans according to General Manager Trajan Langdon, "We're excited about this year, there's a bitter taste in the mouths of all our players with the way we ended last year and with all the injuries. We weren't able to show what we were truly capable of. When players aren't being talked about and the league forgets about your impact, they have an edge when coming in," says Langdon. It goes without saying, this is a statement year for the New Orleans Pelicans, the question is... what statement is being made?

"I'm Back." - Zion

"What I worked on was being unguardable." The media day quote heard around the World... Or around the entire state of Louisiana at least. Zion Williamson is poised to begin the 2023-2024 season fully healthy and fully motivated. Williamson replaced his patented smile and childlike enthusiasm, with a more business like approached to media day. This new approached didn't show early return in the preseason, often playing uninspiring basketball. One could contribute Williamson's lack luster play to start the preseason to getting acclimated to playing in a NBA game for the first time since January 2,2023 against the Philadelphia 76ers, or it could be adjusting to a new offensive scheme. Zion put all of those worries to rest in the final preseason game, coming out not just locked in offensively as he normally is but also displaying high level effort on the defensive end. Finishing the game with five(5) steals and two(2) blocks, schematically the Pelicans played Williamson as more of a free safety resembling his role at Duke University. This defensive revelation could pay huge dividends if it translates into the season. While all of these things are a welcome site playing the game is not the problem for Zion, it's his availability to play the game that is. When on the floor Zion is a MVP candidate and the Pelicans are a Top 3 team in the West. Yes, Zion is back... but is he here to stay?

Need I Remind You?

After a disappointing showing at the FIBA World Cup, Brandon Ingram enters the 2023-2024 with something to prove... That he is one of the best basketball players in the NBA. Coming off a year where he averaged 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assist per game, a strong argument can be made that we have yet to see Brandon Ingram fully put it all together. Could this be the year that he shows the World  what it witnessed at the FIBA World Cup was an anomaly and this is the year we finally see Brandon Ingram become the complete basketball player. Like Zion the true achilles heel of Brandon is also his availability. Ingram suited up to play in 45 games in the 2022-2023 season, well below what you'd desire to see from one of your star players.  One can only hope that a motivated Brandon Ingram is not only enough to elevate his play, but also the play of the New Orleans Pelicans as a whole. A unhealthy Pelicans team led by a motivated and dare a say angry Brandon Ingram took a fully loaded Phoenix Suns to a game six(6) in the playoffs. Coming in to the season already in playing shape with an added edge the 26 year old going into his eighth season in the association, is looking and expected to take his game to an even higher level.

Will The Real Coach Green Please Stand Up?

According to LinkedIn, it takes 3 to 5 years to create culture in a workplace. This statistic tells us that, this year is the year we should truly see the Willie Green imprint on this Pelicans team. Not only from a statistical standpoint but from a continuity point as well. The Pelicans go into the 2023=2024 season with the same starting five for  consecutive seasons for the first time in the Willie Green era. Coach Green added James Borrego to his coaching staff with the intent of transforming the offensive scheme into a more up pace free flowing modern style. One that supplements the personal and desired playing style of this current iteration of Pelicans. Some would say this is a make or break year for the Pelicans, placing a lot of the burden on Coach Green to get the best out of his often injured superstars. Has the Coach Green Culture fully set in, and is it one that can succeed even in the midst of uncertainty? Only time and the wins and loss total will tell.

The Moral Of The Story

There will be a statement made this year one way or another. This statement hinges heavily on the three individuals mentioned above. According to Ceasars Sportsbook Zion is a 18/1 favorite to win the MVP trophy. The Pelicans as a whole are projected to finish anywhere from 3rd to 11th in the Western Conference according to CBS Sports. The table is set for the Pelicans to finally step into the sustained success that continuous to allude them. With the maturation into stardom of Trey Murphy, the continued development of Herb Jones and Dyson Daniels, the return of double double machine Jonas Valanciunas, and the addition of young sniper the Pelicans have the pieces necessary to be a hard out for any team on any given night... The only question is will the top guys be available to lead the charge. In the words of Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin "Hope Is Not A Plan." Let's hope that the plan the Pelicans have in place will lead to a deep playoff run.

- Dylan Mckneely (@DylanMckneely)