As players get bigger, stronger and faster coupled with rules of
the game being in constant change, conventional wisdom
suggests that players from different eras cannot be compared.
However, I have decided to defy those odds.
In 2002, the NBA returned to New Orleans for the first time since
1979. The New Orleans Jazz became the Utah Jazz after a five-
year stint in “The Big Easy.” The New Orleans Pelican history is
like a relationship that falls into the “it’s complicated” category.
The original Charlotte Hornets, then owned by George Shinn,
became the New Orleans Hornets but because of the enormous
damage of Hurricane Katrina, the franchise relocated to
Oklahoma City from 2005-2007. The franchise remained known
as the Hornets until 2013, when they became rebranded as the
Pelicans.
With this team, however, we are keeping selections to be New
Orleans centric. It’s a similar reason to why there are no Baltimore
Ravens on the Cleveland Browns Dream Team. New Orleans
has been to the postseason seven times in 18 sessions. New
Orleans has twice reached the Western Conference semifinals,
losing to the San Antonio Spurs 4-3 in 2008 and 4-1 to the
Golden State Warriors in 2018. The former set a franchise record
with 56 regular season wins.
Today, I put together a Pelicans Dream Team. There are some
rigid criteria in making this team. First of all, the player needed to
have played for the Pelicans for a minimum of four seasons --
no exceptions.
Since the free agency era began 30 years ago, that standard
needs to be in place. Two-year rentals don’t make this list. This
roster is all-encompassing from all eras.
Personality or legal flaws are not a deterrent to making this team.
This is basketball, not the Boy Scouts. Being in the Hall of Fame
is the first consideration coupled with impact on the franchise.
The number of All-NBA seasons are a top consideration with
longevity also helping immensely. While I understand it is hard to
compare eras, I’m not going to convolute this discussion.
Generational reminders
Being on the Pelicans during a season of being a contender
does not get you a hall pass on this team. However, being on
the Pelicans during a bad season is no deterrent to getting a
spot on this team. Winning or losing eras, all high-level
performers get considered.
To further the challenge, the modern game has evolved into
positionless basketball. The roster would normally comprise
15 players but for now, only 11 fit my criteria.
So, if you want to make a case for a player being on the team,
don’t just tell me he should be there and why, tell me who you
would remove. Before you make a case to put someone on
the list, ask yourself, “Who do I take off the list at that position?”
Starters
Point guard: Chris Paul
Paul, who is one of the best point guards in NBA history, spent his
first six NBA seasons with New Orleans. He is the franchise's all-
time leader in assists, steals and assists per game and is also
third in franchise history in scoring. When Paul's career is over, a
Hall of Fame induction awaits him.
Paul, who is also now a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder, is
a 10 time All-Star, NBA All-Star game MVP in 2013, eight-time all
NBA (four as a first-teamer), nine-time NBA All Defensive Team
(seven as a first-teamer). Paul was the NBA Rookie of the Year in
2006 and has led the NBA in steals six times and assists four times.
Shooting guard: Jrue Holiday
Holiday recently completed his 11th NBA season, seventh with the
Pelicans. Throughout his career, Holiday has been one of the most
underrated guards in the NBA. Holiday has played both shooting
guard and point guard in his career with New Orleans.
Though Holiday is a capable scorer, his forte is defense as
evidenced by being a two-time NBA All-Defensive team selection,
one as a first-teamer. In his career with the Pelicans, Holiday has
averaged 17.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 1.5 steals
per game.
Small forward: Peja Stojakovic
Stojakovicis known mostly for his time with the Sacramento Kings.
His first season in New Orleans was hampered with injuries but his
collective body of work with the Pelicans was impactful nonetheless.
Throughout his career, Stojakovic was a skilled 3-point shooter
passer.
In 2007-2008, Stojakovic played a key role with the franchise winning
a record 56 games. In his time with the Pelicans, Stojakovic
averaged 14.3 points, and 4.0 rebounds per contest.
Power forward: David West
West played power forward for most of his career but was also
versatile enough to play center and small forward. West played eight
seasons in New Orleans and though he got off to a rough start his
first two seasons, West averaged 16.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.0
assists in his time with New Orleans.
West is the franchise leader in games and minutes played. He is
also second in franchise history and field goals, total rebounds,
blocked shots and total points. West was a two-time All-Star, both
coming in as a pelican.
Center: Anthony Davis
Though Davis did not have an amicable parting from New Orleans,
he is well on his way to a Hall of Fame career. Davis, who is now a
Los Angeles Laker, is the franchise leader in eight different
categories. In his time with the Pelicans, which spanned seven
seasons, Davis averaged 23.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists,
1.4 Steals, and 2.4 block shots.
Davis is a seven-time All-Star, NBA All-Star Game MVP, three-time
All NBA first team, NBA All-Defensive second team in 2018, three-
time league leader in blocked shots and NBA All-Rookie first team
in 2013. Davis has played both a mixture of power forward and
center in his career. He can beat opponents either with old school
low post moves or perimeter shots or driving to the basket.
Bench (alphabetical order)
Ryan Anderson:
Anderson was the epitome of a journeyman, having played for six
different teams over the course of 12 seasons. Throughout his
career Anderson played a mixture of center and power forward.
His most statistically productive years came in New Orleans,
averaging 16.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.
PJ Brown:
Brown has an unusual distinction of donning a Hornets uniform
in Charlotte, Oklahoma City and New Orleans. Brown was an
irritant for opponents but was a solid all-around player. Brown is
one of 26 players in NBA history with at least 8,000 career points,
7,000 career rebounds, 1,000 assists and 1,000 block shots.
During his career with the franchise, Brown averaged 10.3 points
and 8.3 rebounds per game.
Tyreke Evans:
Evans makes this roster primarily by default because one of his
four seasons with New Orleans was injury-marred and the other
of which he was traded back to his original team, the Sacramento
Kings. Evans, however, put up enough production to land on this
roster. In his time with New Orleans, he averaged 14.8 points
and 5.6 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals.
Eric Gordon:
Gordon, who is now a Houston Rocket, spent the better part of
four seasons with New Orleans playing mostly shooting guard
but with a smattering of minutes at point guard. He enjoyed a
solid five years in New Orleans averaging 15.5 points, 3.3 assists
and 2.4 rebounds.
Emeka Okafor:
Okafor played mostly for the Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets but also
added four good but not spectacular years with the franchise in
New Orleans. During his time in The Big Easy, Okafor averaged
9.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.
Head coach: Byron Scott
Scott was part of three NBA championship teams as a player
with the Los Angeles Lakers. Scott, however, has had a
checkered career as a coach on four different teams, including
New Orleans. He gets the nod for this position for two reasons.
He guided the franchise during a difficult and unique time in
franchise history in that they played their games in Oklahoma
City as New Orleans was recovering from Hurricane Katrina.
He also guided the franchise to their best season in 2007-
2008. New Orleans won 56 games in the regular season
and reached the Western Conference semifinals before
losing in seven games to a veteran San Antonio Spurs team.
Scott, however, earned NBA coach of the year honors for
that season.
Team: 2007-2008.
This version of the New Orleans franchise gets the nod and
it's not even close. New Orleans won a franchise-record 56
games. The team raced out of the gates with a 29-12 record.
New Orleans earned the number two seed in the NBA playoffs.
In the first round, New Orleans defeated the Dallas Mavericks
and six games. Although it lost to San Antonio in seven games
in the Western Conference semifinals, the franchise has yet to
achieve similar success.
Team: 2007-2008
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