ESPN's preseason rankings had New Orleans as the seventh team in the tough Western Conference. With arguably one of the best players in the league in Anthony Davis, the Pelicans went 45-37 last year and make the playoffs. They lost in the first round, but it was a season to build on.
The Pelicans had fired coach Monty Williams and brought in Gentry, the Warriors associate head coach, to get to the next level. But New Orleans is off to a 7-19 start this season. Only the Lakers are worse in the West.
Friday saw another listless effort, especially on the road where the Pelicans have only two wins this season.