The New Orleans Pelicans improved to 3-0 without DeMarcus Cousins in the lineup Sunday with a performance over the Denver Nuggets -- one of the three teams between them and a playoff spot -- that showcased the blueprint of the pre-Boogie era in its ideal form: A switching, feisty defense negating good offense; the pace and floor spacing opening opportunities for the supporting cast; Anthony Davis doing amazing things.
The 25-point victory was the type of game that makes you forget all of the offensive drudgery before the All-Star break and ponder an alternate timeline wherein Davis and the Pelicans double-down on small ball and divert the resources surrendered in the Cousins trade toward souping up the existing product.