Pelicans Best Case Scenario
The worst case scenario obviously comes about because of injuries. The median outcome, we have discussed. But what is the absolute best case scenario? Paint the picture, maybe using some historic teams that have some similarities. I will start.
Obviously, the best version of this team sees Zion as the main guy, an MVP caliber player. BI is nice, and its good and all that the team pretends he is the face of the franchise, but he will never get to that tier where he can be a true #1 on a contender. IMO He could be the best guy on a given night, in a playoff game or two even, but Zion can be the best guy in a late round playoff series if it all goes right. So, it starts there -- Zion is Shaq on offense, as far as being unstoppable in the paint and high scoring on high efficiency. Then, the key is him on the other side, where he becomes the young Draymond that he was at Duke. Not Defensive Player of the Year, crafty, older Draymond. But the young Draymond who was a good help defender and could cover bigger wings on ball.
Then, Herb takes the step up offensively that many want to see, with him being able to create more on ball and run some sets while other guys bend the D off the ball. Basically, a version of half court Ben Simmons on offense (and Simmons on D) that actually shoots. Trey becomes what OG became around 2019-2020 - a good 3 point threat who could create for himself a little and just had arms everywhere on D. BI obviously takes another small step - in efficiency and D, but his raw numbers are down a touch, obviously. CJ and Jonas are steady and lead on and off the court, having big nights when Zion and/or BI are taking a night off, but mostly pacing themselves.
I think the historical team that they could most resemble if absolutely everything goes right is the 2001-02 Kings. You got Zion as Webber, scoring and also doing some playmaking for others. Ingram is Peja - who was a little different back then. He wasnt JUST a shooter. 21ppg, but only 4.4 of his 16 attempts were 3's. He actually got to the midrange quite a bit and got to the rim. CJ is a better Bibby, but similar. Can play on or off ball and might be the guy you actually want taking the clutch shot. Jonas as Vlade. Young Trey as Young Hedo. Herb as a longer Christie (who averaged 2 steals a game that year). Young 19 year old Gerald Wallace was on that team and barely played but showed flashes when he got some minutes (Dyson Daniels). Jose Alvarado as pesky, change of pace guard, Bobby Jackson.
Its a solid comp if everything goes right, and that Kings team went 61-21 in a less top heavy West. But if we are talking best, best case scenarios, the Pelicans are riding high in February and just go for it with a trade. And what should they trade for? When you look at the West, I think you are never going to have too much size at the wing to allow you to switch on and off ball screens, and thats why they trade for Harrison Barnes - another King, coincidently.
Playoff rotation is: CJ, Herb, BI, Zion, Jonas, Barnes, Trey, and Nance. Jose gets sprinkled in once and a while to spice things up. Can go fully switchable lineups if they take CJ and Jonas out, without really sacrificing the offense. Have a bunch of different guys they can throw at Luka, Kawhi, and PG. Tons of length to give Steph problems, and can switch all those off ball screens. Can even have Dyson use up some energy and fouls on those guys to wear them down.
Absolute best case scenario is great health (similar to the 07-08 season), and a trade that gets them another playoff tested guy. Win 58 games (a franchise record), and face off with the Clips or Warriors in the WCF, where they have a punchers chance. What you all got?
Obviously, the best version of this team sees Zion as the main guy, an MVP caliber player. BI is nice, and its good and all that the team pretends he is the face of the franchise, but he will never get to that tier where he can be a true #1 on a contender. IMO He could be the best guy on a given night, in a playoff game or two even, but Zion can be the best guy in a late round playoff series if it all goes right. So, it starts there -- Zion is Shaq on offense, as far as being unstoppable in the paint and high scoring on high efficiency. Then, the key is him on the other side, where he becomes the young Draymond that he was at Duke. Not Defensive Player of the Year, crafty, older Draymond. But the young Draymond who was a good help defender and could cover bigger wings on ball.
Then, Herb takes the step up offensively that many want to see, with him being able to create more on ball and run some sets while other guys bend the D off the ball. Basically, a version of half court Ben Simmons on offense (and Simmons on D) that actually shoots. Trey becomes what OG became around 2019-2020 - a good 3 point threat who could create for himself a little and just had arms everywhere on D. BI obviously takes another small step - in efficiency and D, but his raw numbers are down a touch, obviously. CJ and Jonas are steady and lead on and off the court, having big nights when Zion and/or BI are taking a night off, but mostly pacing themselves.
I think the historical team that they could most resemble if absolutely everything goes right is the 2001-02 Kings. You got Zion as Webber, scoring and also doing some playmaking for others. Ingram is Peja - who was a little different back then. He wasnt JUST a shooter. 21ppg, but only 4.4 of his 16 attempts were 3's. He actually got to the midrange quite a bit and got to the rim. CJ is a better Bibby, but similar. Can play on or off ball and might be the guy you actually want taking the clutch shot. Jonas as Vlade. Young Trey as Young Hedo. Herb as a longer Christie (who averaged 2 steals a game that year). Young 19 year old Gerald Wallace was on that team and barely played but showed flashes when he got some minutes (Dyson Daniels). Jose Alvarado as pesky, change of pace guard, Bobby Jackson.
Its a solid comp if everything goes right, and that Kings team went 61-21 in a less top heavy West. But if we are talking best, best case scenarios, the Pelicans are riding high in February and just go for it with a trade. And what should they trade for? When you look at the West, I think you are never going to have too much size at the wing to allow you to switch on and off ball screens, and thats why they trade for Harrison Barnes - another King, coincidently.
Playoff rotation is: CJ, Herb, BI, Zion, Jonas, Barnes, Trey, and Nance. Jose gets sprinkled in once and a while to spice things up. Can go fully switchable lineups if they take CJ and Jonas out, without really sacrificing the offense. Have a bunch of different guys they can throw at Luka, Kawhi, and PG. Tons of length to give Steph problems, and can switch all those off ball screens. Can even have Dyson use up some energy and fouls on those guys to wear them down.
Absolute best case scenario is great health (similar to the 07-08 season), and a trade that gets them another playoff tested guy. Win 58 games (a franchise record), and face off with the Clips or Warriors in the WCF, where they have a punchers chance. What you all got?