NBA 2017-18: 5 Most Improved Teams

3. New Orleans Pelicans- 14 Games (34-48 to 48-34)

New Orleans Pelicans

Last season, the New Orleans Pelicans were perhaps one of the worst-run teams in the league. While they managed to compile a decent record thanks to the excellence of Anthony Davis (and DeMarcus Cousins after the trade deadline), the rest of the team was mediocre. This season, the Pelicans made a good start to the season, which seemed to have fallen apart when all-star DeMarcus Cousins’ season ended with an Achilles injury.

Yet, the best part of the Pelicans season was yet to come as Davis played center surrounded by rangy, defensively astute wings. The Pelicans pushed the pace (highest in the league), as Davis became a dark-horse MVP candidate in the latter stage of the regular season- averaging 28.8 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game. Even more importantly, Davis was excellent on the defensive end of the floor as he provided rim protection along with an ability to switch across defensive positions.

At the same time, Jrue Holiday finally became the side-kick that the Pelicans have always wanted him to be. Like Davis, Holiday is also an excellent defender who can guard up to four positions. Holiday’s excellence can partially be attributed to Rajon Rondo, whose presence freed the UCLA from play-making responsibilities. Rondo’s statistics were typically excellent as he averaged 8.3 points and 8.2 assists per game.

Another important addition for the Pelicans which enabled their improvement was the acquisition of Nikola Mirotic through a mid-season trade. The Montegonian big man helped stretch the floor (making 2.2 threes per game). These player improvements not only helped the Pelicans improve in the Regular Season, they were vital in the playoffs as the New Orleans franchise swept the Trail Blazers in the first round. If the Pelicans can make similar improvements over the next year, then perhaps franchise superstar Davis can be convinced to stay.