The New Orleans Pelicans have faced a challenging season, trading away a potential lottery pick and struggling with injuries. They started with a 3-22 record and were 15-41 by the All-Star break. However, since then, they have improved to a 10-7 record. With nine games remaining, they could finish with a winning record, but they are already eliminated from postseason contention. A strong finish could lead to delusions about their performance and future decisions regarding draft picks.
"The New Orleans Pelicans were hit hard by injuries, never once having their full roster available in a year where losing didn't even benefit them. Through their first 25 games, they stumbled to a brutal 3-22 record."
"Since the break, though, with the team finally close to healthy, they've gone 10-7. Not amazing, but above .500-and at least somewhat respectable. With nine games left, you could realistically see them finishing this stretch with a winning record."
"The worst-case scenario might be exactly that, going 9-0. Because then Joe Dumars, who already traded away a potential lottery pick in a stacked draft, might convince himself it was just bad injury luck that kept this team out of the playoffs."
Read at Bleacher Nation
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