Goal 1. Return to the Western Conference Semifinals
Of course, coach and PR speak would say every team’s primary goal is to win a championship. That said, with the way the Golden State Warriors are currently constructed (at least this upcoming year), that’s probably the case for one team. A few others will contend, too, but for the New Orleans Pelicans (who are not perennially in the postseason), I would say winning a playoff series again is nothing to sneeze at.
Barring significant injury, they do the talent and considerable small-ball ability to make the playoffs in the West. Davis should be in the MVP conversation again this season, Holiday is one of the better two-way guards in the NBA, and Payton should be a viable throwback point guard.
Nonetheless, the Pelicans need to stick to their guns. Payton should not be shooting out of the paint often, Davis should not be settling for three’s when Randle is in with him, and New Orleans must do its best to hide Payton and Mirotic defensively.
In theory, the New Orleans Pelicans are going to be jockeying for position with the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, San Antonio Spurs, Portland, Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and perhaps a healthier Memphis Grizzlies to avoid the elite teams in the West. If New Orleans has to face Golden State, the Houston Rockets, or Utah Jazz in the first round (or the Lakers without home court), there’s no way they’d make it to the second round.
In a ridiculously deep Western Conference, getting a playoff series win again for a middling roster would be a pretty respectable finish to the year.
