Pelicans.com continues its look back at the 2014-15 season with player-by-player analysis of the team:
2014-15 OVERVIEW
As the Pelicans’ biggest acquisition of the 2014 offseason, Asik arrived in New Orleans in exchange for a protected first-round pick (New Orleans made the ’15 playoffs, making that pick the 18th overall in next month’s draft). The 7-footer from Turkey was brought in to provide the Pelicans with a true center next to Anthony Davis in the frontcourt, while adding much-needed rebounding and interior defense.
It took some time for the Pelicans to become more cohesive around their new starting pivot, but they were one of the NBA’s most improved defenses in the second half of the regular season.