Another season is about to begin and that means the initial batch of NBA power rankings has been released this Monday morning. Looking over the four rankings we’ve followed now for years national writers are much higher on the New Orleans Pelicans going into this year than last year. Not terribly surprising considering DeMarcus Cousins gives Anthony Davis a legitimate All-Star running mate in the front court.
Before last season most rankings put the Pelicans in the bottom third of the league. This year the Pels are firmly in the middle of the pack ranking between 12th (CBS Sports) and 17th (NBA.