SnoTap NBA Preview: New Orleans Pelicans

For the month of October, Mitch Pratt, Andrew Kasmarek and Charlie Tritschler will be previewing the NBA teams for the exciting 2013-2014 season. 

By Mitch Pratt
The Pelicans? Who are the Pelicans? Well, you could call them the artist(s) formerly known as the Hornets or you could just call them the Anthony Davis Show. Last year's number one overall after he dropped 25 points in 26 minutes in the Pelicans preseason opener.

The Pelicans have re-branded from the New Orleans Hornets to a name that's more like the Big Easy. They come now with a new color scheme and some new faces in the mix as the team looks to compete in the tough Western Conference. Will they have what it takes to finally sneak into the playoffs? My guess is yes, they will.

Davis and Holiday pictured.

The X-Factor: New PG Jrue Holiday - The Pelicans gave up Nerlens Noel and a 2014 first round pick to acquire the All-Star point guard to help get them over the hump. Him paired with Eric Gordon (and hopefully a healthy Eric Gordon for Pelicans fans) provides a pretty deadly backcourt for coach Monty Williams with room to improve and possibly both become All-Stars one day.

The Big Question: Is Monty Williams the right coach for this team? - Perhaps a better question would be is Monty Williams the coach to take this team where they want to go but you know what I meant. Anyway, I feel that this team is probably ready to be in the playoffs but before they can become contenders, they might want to pick up a more accomplished head coach. Williams, to me, is a good coach for a rebuilding team like the Pelicans were no more than six months ago but might take them above and beyond a first round playoff exit.

Key Additions: Holiday and G/F Tyreke Evans - I already touched on what Holiday means to the Pelicans but Tyreke Evans is a guy to whom they gave a FAT payday (4 years, $44 million) in the offseason. Some find this to be a curious move because of Evans not improving over the course of his rookie deal but sometimes a change of scenery can help a guy with as much talent as Evans. No one knows if he'll start at the three or back up Eric Gordon and the off-guard. Chances are high that Gordon will get hurt and Evans will see a ton of playing time either way.

Key Departures: C Robin Lopez, 2014 first round pick - Robin Lopez' departure is key because he was becoming a formidable starting NBA center to pair next to Anthony Davis. Sometimes though, you have to let guys go in order to improve the team. And, call it a copout for me to include the Pelicans departing with their first round pick for the upcoming draft but that's how much I value picks in this draft, especially if it could be at the top half of it.

Pelicans Draft: C Jeff Withey...I'm pretty sure he's the only one. - Withey should be a decent center in the NBA but he'll have to bulk up and outplay former Wisconsin Badger Greg Stiemsma for minutes next to Davis.

Prediction: The Pelicans have what it takes to be a seven or eight seed in the West. The questions are: Monty Williams (see above), will Eric Gordon stay healthy and can Davis take that next step and look like an All-Star this year. If those things happen, New Orleans will be dangerous to some extent.