NEW ORLEANS -- The New Orleans Pelicans' back-to-the-future experiment, centered on the All-Star front-court duo of Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins, begins in earnest now.
The stakes are high and immediate, because a third-straight non-playoff season could spell regime change, as well as an exodus of players, including Cousins, who are in the final season of their contract.
The situation is so obvious that Davis didn't try to deflect it on Monday during the Pelicans' annual media day event on the eve of training camp.
"We know," Davis said. "It's like we've got one year to basically figure it out.