The New Orleans Pelicans were supposed to continue to improve defensively. Zach Lowe predicted the arrival of Darren Erman would move this team up at least 10 spots in defensive rating. New Orleans finished last season with the 22nd ranked defense in the league. 12th? That would have been an impressive feat.
Injuries obviously bear some blame on the lack of progress. Quincy Pondexter, the best two-way wing under contract, did not log a single minute. Anthony Davis missed 21 games, Jrue Holiday missed 17, and Omer Asik missed 14 while looking injured for much of the month of November.