After starting the season 0-8, the Pelicans appear to have finally started turning things around. New Orleans is 6-2 over their most recent 8 games, including wins over three of the top six teams in the Eastern Conference. The resulting question is obvious – what changed?
The most obvious answer is the return of Jrue Holiday, and this certainly plays a huge part (this column is no way intended to undermine that point). Jrue is unquestionably the Pelicans’ second best player, and getting him back also reduces minutes of less effective rotation players pressed into larger roles.