Over the last week, something strange has happened to the New Orleans Pelicans; they’ve won three of their last four games. For a team starting a player called up from the D-League, career role players and Omer Asik, that’s impressive. Granted, the Nuggets, Knicks and Nets aren’t exactly world-beaters, but the Pelicans also put on a feisty performance against the San Antonio Spurs. So, what’s changed?
For starters, the Pelicans are playing with something that has been missing for really the entirety of the season: intensity. It’s difficult to question a professional athlete’s determination when considering how difficult it is for a player to reach the NBA level, but there is a noticeable difference between the current roster that is largely playing to prove they deserve a place in this league and the established talent hanging out on the injury report.