It was a relatively mundane weeknight game on the NBA schedule in early winter, but what happened in the Smoothie King Center last Dec. 7 could've served as a 48-minute referendum for what the New Orleans Pelicans were then – and what they hope to be in the future. In a matchup against a fiercely intense Boston team, the Celtics posted a 111-93, steal-your-lunch-money win over the Pelicans, outhustling and outworking the home team. Of New Orleans' 14 turnovers in that game, several consisted of Boston players simply ripping the ball away and racing to the other end of the court for a basket.
Many months later, the impression the Celtics made was evident, based on comments by Pelicans three-time All-Star forward Anthony Davis. Boston's single-minded mentality is exactly how Davis and his teammates hope to play in 2016-17.
“That's how they were able to win games,” Davis said on Media Day of Boston's ferocity leading to positive results, including a 48-win season. “That's what we've bought into and that's what we're looking forward to doing.”
When the Pelicans open their 82-game schedule Wednesday vs. Denver (7 p.m., Fox Sports New Orleans, WRNO 99.5 FM), they'll point to teams such as the Celtics and Memphis Grizzlies as clubs they want to match in terms of intensity and defensive emphasis. Many of New Orleans' offseason moves were made with that objective in mind, particularly after finishing No. 28 in defensive efficiency last season. The Pelicans know that to improve significantly on a 30-52 record, they must become a grittier, tougher squad at both ends of the floor.
“We tried to make sure we were getting two-way players, from the standpoint of being good offensive players as well as good defensive players,” Pelicans Coach Alvin Gentry said, referring to early-July free-agent signings such as Solomon Hill, E'Twaun Moore and Langston Galloway. “The message this year is that number one, we have to play blue-collar desperate, is what I call it. Number two, we have to be the best-conditioned team. Third, we have to play unselfishly.”
The term “grit” has come up often in the weeks leading up to the season opener, a phrase Southwest Division rival Memphis should consider flattering. Like the Celtics, the Grizzlies serve as a prime example to the Pelicans of how unwavering intensity can lead to wins. Even though Memphis had nearly as many injuries as New Orleans did in '15-16, the Grizzlies still found a way to reach the Western Conference postseason at 42-40. It didn't hurt that Memphis went 4-0 head-to-head against New Orleans, including an improbable March overtime victory that prompted complimentary postgame comments from Davis.
“We have to be that grit and grind team just like (the Grizzlies),” Davis said after a 121-114 defeat at FedEx Forum. “No matter who's on the floor they're going to play hard, play aggressive and that's how we have to be. We have to be a team that goes out there for the whole 48 minutes.
“They're definitely a powerhouse team. We're trying to get where they are. I love playing these guys. We just have to find a way to win. This (Memphis) team grinds it out every minute of the game. That's kind of how we want to be.”
In addition to replicating the mentalities of Boston and Memphis, Gentry said both 2016 NBA Finals participants are examples of how New Orleans wants to play. Although Golden State has a reputation as a flashy, highlight-generating offensive juggernaut, it's often overlooked that the Warriors actually finished first and fourth, respectively, in defense over the past two regular seasons (via NBA.com).
“There is a little misunderstanding there, because (intense) is the way Golden State plays,” Gentry said on Media Day. “They have a lot of fanfare in their game, but they're dirt workers. They are blue-collar guys who are very good defensively and share the ball offensively. That's the goal of every coach, to be able to play at a high level defensively, and know you're going to share the ball offensively. Those are the most successful teams. If you look at Cleveland, they were pretty much the same way.
“We signed guys who play with a lot of grit and add a toughness to our team that maybe we were missing last year. Any time you can do that, you feel like your team has an opportunity. As a coach, all you want is your guys to play at a level where you give yourself an opportunity to win the game night in and night out. The only way you can do that is to be good defensively and you have to share the ball, and be able to make some shots. I think we have guys who are capable of that.”
According to Pelicans GM Dell Demps, the man who executed the team's partial makeover, that means a New Orleans club that should play a bit differently than those of the recent past. As the Pelicans try to become one of the NBA's most improved teams, they'll expect and need all-out effort on a consistent basis in an unforgiving division and conference.
“Pelicans fans can be assured that we're going to have some gritty, tough, hard-playing guys every night,” Demps said.
