The same three words you would use to describe how the New Orleans Pelicans looked before the All-Star break are the same three you would have used last year at this time.
Not very good.
The wins just haven’t been there.
As a result, neither has fan enthusiasm.
Here’s a look back at the highs and lows (sorry, there will be more of the latter) of the season so far.
1. Willie Green’s firing
It took just 12 games to get to this one. The Pelicans lost their first six games and started 2-10 when executive vice-president of basketball operations Joe Dumars pulled the plug on the Willie Green era. Green was in his fifth season. Green dealt with plenty of bad luck as far as injuries in his first four seasons, but the rocky start to this season was too much for him to overcome. It wasn’t just that the Pelicans were losing, but also how they were losing that inevitably did him in.
2. Same ole, same ole
The Pels are 15-41. This time a year ago, they were 13-42. So things are pretty much the same. Before the season began, most people thought the Pelicans had a chance to perhaps make a play-in push if they could stay healthy. Well, they have been healthy for the most part. Yet the results haven't changed. Finishing games has been their biggest downfall. The Pels have the third worst record in the NBA. The good news is the schedule lightens up some for the remaining 26 games, especially considering the Pels play several teams that appear to be in full tank mode.
3. The 5-game winning streak
The Pelicans reeled off five consecutive victories in mid-December. It included a win where the Pels rallied from a 25-point hole to beat the Houston Rockets. The other wins came against the Portland Trail Blazers, Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers and Dallas Mavericks. Other than Houston, none of those teams will likely make the playoffs. But still, seeing the team reel off five straight wins looked like they may have turned a corner. But the best they’ve done since then is was putting together a pair of 2-game winning streaks.
4. Zion Williamson’s availability
Williamson’s career has been plagued by injuries. But he’s played in 30 consecutive games, his longest stretch of availability since entering the league in 2019. It hasn’t translated into wins, but to see Williamson address the biggest chink in his armor has been refreshing to see. And while I know players shouldn’t get pats on the back for doing what they are supposed to do (play games), at least Williamson made sure he’s there for his teammates.
5. No Poole party
Biggest disappointment? It has to be this. Jordan Poole was supposed to be a key part of this team. It’s why he’s the second highest paid player on the roster. Only Williamson makes more. Poole hasn’t played in the last nine games and his spot in the rotation looks to be gone for good. The 3-point shooting (33.6 %) and championship pedigree he was supposed to bring just hasn’t quite happened.
6. Bey watch
While Poole hasn’t been what the Pelicans have hoped for, the other player involved in the CJ McCollum has been. Saddiq Bey missed all of last season with the Washington Wizards recovering from a torn ACL suffered the season before. He’s been one of the Pels’ most consistent players. He’s averaging 16.5 points and 5.9 rebounds and has started 41 games. Not bad for a player who was looked at as an afterthought in the trade.
7. Trey Murphy’s shooting
The best individual performance of the season so far was Trey Murphy going off for a career-high 44 points against the Milwaukee Bucks. Murphy set a franchise record for most 3-pointers in a game with 12. He and Steph Curry are the only two players this season to make that many treys in a game. Murphy also became the franchise's all-time leader in made 3-pointers this season, surpassing McCollum.
8. The rookies
Only 10 rookies are selected for the Rising Stars game, which was played Friday night to start off All-Star weekend. Two of those players are Pelicans, which tells you all you need to know about the season they’ve had. Queen has recorded two triple doubles and Fears was two assists shy of recording one in Wednesday’s loss to the Miami Heat. Fears has played in every game and Queen has appeared in all but one. Dumars found two of the best players in the draft class, which could lay a solid foundation for the future.
9. The trade
All types of trade rumors swirled around prior to the deadline last week. But the Pelicans made only one move, trading fan favorite Jose Alvarado to the New York Knicks for Dalen Terry, who was waived the next day. The Pels also got two second round draft picks and some cash. The roster after the All-Star break will look like it did before the break, except the team’s most energetic player is now missing.
10. Borrego’s audition
The Pels were 2-10 under Green to start the year. They are 13-31 since Borrego took over. But they are 5-5 since Borrego went to the starting lineup of Williamson, Murphy, Bey, Queen and Herb Jones. How well that starting five does after the All-Star break could ultimately decide Borrego’s future in New Orleans. It’ll also determine if the post All-Star part of the season is as bad as the first half was.