NFL Tickets
Competition breeds competition, and talent encourages talent, and the NBA Western Conference has both in surplus. This intense parity has put the New Orleans Pelicans in last place, but with the promise of Anthony Davis, we might not be able to label the Pelicans a Southwest cellar dweller for long. But in order to ascend, the Pelicans need to take their lumps, navigate the bumps, and heal from their bruises.
The 10-11 Pelicans battled the 17-7 Dallas Mavericks, a team just one place above them, yet five and a half games ahead. The Mavericks complemented veteran savvy with the multi-faceted talents of Chandler Parsons and the three-point dagger factory of Monta Ellis to edge past New Orleans 112-107.
Although the Pelicans fell one game down, I felt they took one step ahead. Anthony Davis has continued to morph before our eyes — running the floor, finishing fast-breaks, getting hot from 18 feet after starting a cold 1-for-6 in the first half. He’s become more than the sum of his résumé, adding an improved low-post and transition game to his body of shot-blocking work.
Anthony Davis is a star, and his ceiling is even higher than his wingspan. If the Pelicans can find the pieces, they can surpass the pitfalls in the West. If they can maintain Davis as their centerpiece in the process, I believe he can become the cornerstone to a franchise similar to what we’ve seen only 543 miles to the West in San Antonio, the class of the Western Conference.
Someday sooner rather than later, maybe Anthony Davis and the coming-of-age Pelicans will deliver the San Antonio Spurs their coup de gras.
Jerry Landry is a writer for www.RantSports.com. “Like” him on Facebook, follow him on Twitter at @Jerry2Landry or add him on Google+.
Share 
