Pelicans Seek Playoff Payback in Season Opener Against Warriors Tonight
By Mike Delayo
The Pelicans begin their season tonight against a Golden State Warriors team that not only knocked them out of the playoffs, but went on to win the NBA Finals.
Both teams wanted to start the season with essentially the same rosters that faced off in April, but not all has gone according to plan.
Golden State parted ways with David Lee and acquired Jason Thompson, but that is the only slightly significant change to the championship roster. New Orleans seemed to be on a similar track until the injury bug bit, forcing them to bring a couple of extra bodies aboard.
The most significant differences in the matchup are found in the respective coaching staffs.
Former Warriors assistant Alvin Gentry will now be leading the Pelicans bench, joined by an assistant of his own, Darren Erman.
Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr will be back at some point, but due to complications with back surgery, he will not be leading the Warriors on tonight. That task falls to Luke Walton, Kerr’s new lead assistant, who has zero head coaching experience outside of this preseason.
The Warriors fans are always electric, and Oracle Arena will be packed tonight to see the championship rings distributed and the banner raised.
On one hand this is an insanely challenging environment for any team to enter, even more so for a banged up team like the Pelicans. However, Gentry will get his well deserved ring tonight as well, the final chapter of his run with the Warriors.
Jun 22, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry holds up a jersey during a press conference at the New Orleans Pelicans Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
He can put last season behind him before a minute of this one has been played, and focus fully on trying to lead the Pelicans to similar success.
These teams faced off a total of eight times last season including the playoffs. Golden State won seven of those eight games.
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Anthony Davis carries an 0-7 record when playing Oracle Arena into the opener, but he was able to put on a show in games one and two of the playoffs. In those two contests alone, he totaled 61 points on 49% shooting, 18 rebounds, 6 blocks, 4 assists and 3 steals. Davis will need to put up similar numbers for the Pelicans to have a chance at starting the season off with a win.
Eric Gordon and Ryan Anderson will likely get a lot of shots off tonight as well.
Oct 3, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Eric Gordon (10) shoots the ball in the second quarter the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Gordon is coming off of the best shooting season of his career, drilling 2.3 three pointers a game at a 45% clip. Davis’ playoff performance deservedly got most of the attention, but Gordon played very well himself.
He was a dud in game three of the playoffs, shooting 2-10 from the field and 1-6 from three, but in the other three games he was great. He was 12-26 from three point range, just under 50%, and averaged 22.6 points per game.
Gordon’s stroke looked just as good in the preseason, and the Pelicans will definitely need it. The injury to Tyreke Evans and the minutes restriction on Jrue Holiday means that Gordon is, at least for now, “the man” in the New Orleans backcourt.
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Heading into the final year of his contract, expect Gordon to be as motivated as ever to prove that he is still a forced to be reckoned with.
The Flame Thrower is also heading into the last season of his contract. Anderson was not his typical self last season. Even the most experienced roller coaster connoisseurs were dizzied by Ryno’s shooting percentages.
Anderson is possibly in the best shape of his life after shedding twenty pounds from last year. If he can translate his good health and physical transformation into more consistent production, he has the potential to make this season his best yet.
Oct 19, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) drives the ball during the third quarter as Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) defends at Toyota Center. The Rockets defeated the Pelicans 120-100. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Alvin Gentry and the Pelicans have their work cut out for them tonight.
They enter the battlegrounds of the defending champs, who will no doubt want to put on a show for their home fans.
A win would be a great start to a new era of basketball in New Orleans, but a loss would not be the end of the world.
At worst, Anthony Davis should have a monster night to start off his case for this year’s MVP award.
Let the 2015-2016 NBA season begin!