New Orleans Pelicans are a Better Team Than Record Indicates

Don’t let the fact that Jimmer Fredette gets to play fool you. The New Orleans Pelicans are better than their record indicates.

The Western Conference is just a different animal. Coming into Monday night, a winning record has awarded the New Orleans Pelicans last place in the Southwest Division.

When the Pelicans don’t have it rough in their own division, they get to play the premiere teams of the East. Considering the dearth of talent in the Eastern Conference, this is an ironically unlucky draw. New Orleans have gone against the Washington Wizards and Cleveland Cavaliers twice home and away, and have already entertained the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks on the road. Luckily, the Pelicans get to travel to the Toronto Raptors soon.

The Pelicans are the best last-place team in basketball by a Jacque Vaughn attempted three-pointer, and according to Prediction Machine, they’ve been doing battle against the NBA’s second-toughest schedule.

After their loss to the Wizards, the Pelicans’ 17-17 record leaves them in NBA limbo, the least coveted middle-ground in professional sports. New Orleans is a team you’d like to see acquire one more lottery draft pick, just to see how they could implement a more fortified squad in the West.

Thankfully, they have stocked up on rich young talent in Tyreke Evans, Anthony Davis, Ryan Anderson and Jrue Holiday. If either Austin Rivers or Eric Gordon pan out, or possibly become viable trade options, the Pelicans could soon be departing mediocrity — regardless of who the NBA puts in their way.

Jerry Landry is a writer for www.RantSports.com. “Like” him on Facebook, follow him on Twitter at @Jerry2Landry or add him on Google+.