It may be a bit early in the season to delve extensively into potential playoff positioning, but during his Black and Blue Report visit Monday, ESPN.com writer Marc Stein noted that the Western Conference doesn’t look as powerful as projected. As a result, teams like New Orleans (6-12) that got off to very poor starts aren’t in the massive hole you may have anticipated when the Pelicans were 0-8.
“Here’s what I think is working in (the Pelicans’) favor – the West is down,” Stein said. “After Warriors, Clippers, Spurs, it’s wide open. If Anthony Davis keeps doing what he’s been doing, (Jrue) Holiday stays on the floor, Tyreke Evans comes back, I think the team as it was put together is better than advertised.