The Pelicans Keys to Their Playoff Push
By Mike Delayo
Dec 12, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) leaves the court with a chest injury during the first quarter of a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Cavaliers 119-114. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
4. Everyone MUST Stay Healthy
Success in this department lies solely in the hands of the basketball gods.
Last season, New Orleans was littered with injuries. Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday, Ryan Anderson and Tyreke Evans all missed long stretches over the season. Through 27 games, the core has remained mostly intact. Omer Asik missed a few games during a stretch, but he is back to banging and seems to be back to normal. Aside from a game missed from Davis and Evans, the team has managed to stay on the floor.
The more these guys can play with each other on the floor the more they will learn to co-exist, which will almost certainly lead to increases all across the court. Almost every team in the Western Conference has a core that has played more minutes with each other and that is not a stat to laugh at. The Pelicans have playoff caliber talent, it just needs to be given a chance.
Teams usually do not have impact players waiting in the wings, so it is critical that everyone stays healthy. In the case of the Pelicans there is one player yet to make an impact, and the team’s playoff aspirations may lie with him.
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