It may be a bit early in the season to delve extensively into potential playoff positioning, but during his Black and Blue Report visit Monday, ESPN.com writer Marc Stein noted that the Western Conference doesn't look as powerful as projected. As a result, teams like New Orleans (6-12) that got off to very poor starts aren't in the massive hole you may have anticipated when the Pelicans were 0-8.
“Here's what I think is working in (the Pelicans') favor – the West is down,” Stein said. “After Warriors, Clippers, Spurs, it's wide open. If Anthony Davis keeps doing what he's been doing, (Jrue) Holiday stays on the floor, Tyreke Evans comes back, I think the team as it was put together is better than advertised. It wouldn't surprise me to see New Orleans in the playoffs.”
For the Pelicans to move closer to .500 and the eighth spot in the West, they'll likely need to win games like Tuesday's home contest against the Lakers (9-9). Los Angeles is currently in eighth place, three games ahead of New Orleans. The team's schedule over the next week also features two other games vs. teams currently in the tier below Golden State/Clippers/San Antonio, including West slots 5 (vs. Memphis next Monday) and 6 (at Oklahoma City on Sunday) in the conference standings.
New Orleans also is entering a stretch of 11 home games out of its next 18 contests, through Dec. 30. The Pelicans have won four straight in the Smoothie King Center, defeating Boston, Portland, Charlotte and Minnesota.
Other notes from shootaround at the Smoothie King Center:
The Lakers are listing D'Angelo Russell (knee) as out, while Julius Randle (hip) is questionable. In the Nov. 12 meeting between these two teams, Los Angeles posted a 126-99 win in New Orleans, with Russell pouring in 22 points in 28 minutes. Randle had a near triple-double with eight points, 11 rebounds and eight assists. …
Davis on Holiday's first six games: “He's looked good. Of course, he's still getting his rhythm back and trying to find his way. (Being out so long) is tough for anybody. He still has to get back into game shape and get back to the game of basketball. I think when he really gets back, he'll be even better.”
