With coaching camp and preseason quick approaching for the The New Orleans PelicansThe franchise will give attention to making an attempt to take one other step ahead this season.
Final 12 months, the Pelicans had been in a position to qualify for the playoffs because the eighth seed after qualifying by the NBA Play-In Event. Nevertheless, they didn’t have their star, Zion Williamson, within the sequence towards the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunderand the sequence did not go effectively for New Orleans.
This offseason, the Pelicans made a splash with a commerce with the Atlanta Hawks, They acquired level guard Dejounte Murray. The younger level guard is a superb participant on each ends of the ground and can assist enhance the group.
Final season we noticed the core of Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum all having stable particular person seasons, and the hope is that Murray will match proper in with them.
Whereas many of the focus is on Williamson and Ingram, McCollum continues to be an excellent participant within the league. Whereas he will not be at his peak like he was with Damian Lillard on the court docket, Portland Path BlazersMcCollum continues to be excellent.
Just lately, CBS Sports activities Ranks Prime 100 Gamers within the league and the Pelicans guard got here in at 74th, down 4 spots from final season.
“Solely seven gamers have averaged at the least 20 factors in every of the final 9 seasons: LeBron James, Steph Curry, Anthony Davis, Damian Lillard, Paul George, DeMar DeRozan and… CJ McCollum. The veteran guard has been one of the dependable scorers of his technology and is coming off one other stable season with the Pelicans. His capability to play with or with out the ball in his arms has been a giant cause for his continued success and can make it simpler for Dejounte Murray to combine with the Pelicans. — Jack Maloney”
The truth that McCollum is ranked 74th at the beginning of the season may be a little bit of a letdown. Whereas he is presently New Orleans’ third offensive choice behind Williamson and Ingram, he nonetheless averaged over 20 factors per recreation final season.
The veteran guard additionally had an important season behind the arc final season, taking pictures 42.9 p.c from three-point vary. Seeing gamers like Alex Caruso and Jalen Suggs ranked above him is a bit stunning, as McCollum has maybe turn out to be underrated across the league.
With loads of expertise in New Orleans early within the season, McCollum’s scoring streak could also be coming to an finish, however he stays an excellent participant within the league.
