Pelican Power

By Max Berger

The New Orleans Hornets recently announced that they would be changing their nickname to the Pelicans as early as the 2013-2014 season. However, this team needs much more than a name change.

AP Photo/ Don Ryan

The Hornets enter Friday, December 14 with the worst record in the Western Conference and fourth worst in the entire NBA at 5-16. They have lost five straight and face an uphill battle to even contend for a playoff spot, which, at this point in time seems unlikely to happen. New Orleans ranks 28^th out of 30 teams, scoring only 91.3 points per game.

With all of that being said, how could I be saying that this team has some room for optimism?

First off, the Hornets are the second youngest team in the NBA, behind only the Houston Rockets, with an average age of 23.8 years old. Their number one overall pick in the draft this past June, power forward Anthony Davis, recently missed an eleven game stretch with an ankle injury where the team went 2-9 without him. Actually, two of the games they’ve won since season have been with Davis, and when on the floor he’s put up solid numbers. At the young age of nineteen, with averages of 15 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game, Davis should really elevate the team if he stays injury free.

Also, three of New Orleans’ other starters are 25 or younger as well, with center Robin Lopez, small forward Xavier Henry and point guard Greivis Vasquez, not to mention shooting guard Austin Rivers off the bench who was also just selected in the draft. Vasquez has been a pleasant surprise thus far this season, as the third year man is currently sixth in the league averaging 8.2 assists per game. The 6’ 11” 211 pound Venezuelan should provide a nice frontcourt-backcourt combo with Davis for years to come.

If Robin Lopez and Austin Rivers can develop throughout the year, maybe not next year, but a few years down the road the Pelicans will be able to fly into the Western Conference playoff picture. While they may be grounded now, the Pelicans, led by Anthony Davis, should soar in a season or two.