They’re still a long way from making the NBA Finals but the New Orleans Pelicans are coming together.
The team just leap-frogged over the troubled Los Angeles Lakers to take the ninth seed in the West and have won their last two games.
They have a slew of problems still but they’re getting better and better and have found a good rhythm within their squad.
A huge part of that is newcomer CJ McCollum, who was traded from the Portland Trail Blazers and has immediately had an impact.
CJ McCollum has found a home with the Pelicans 💯 pic.twitter.com/H0etYJ0WT1
— Pelicans Nation (@PelsNationCP) March 21, 2022
McCollum is seemingly having a blast playing with his new team.
He recently said, “It’s fun to play with them, it’s fun to be a part of what we’re trying to accomplish.”
The Pelicans have been dealt a bad hand this year with the Zion Williamson situation but there is reason to have optimism about their future.
McCollum And His Mates
To be fair, McCollum isn’t alone on the team.
He is surrounded by a group of some very promising, talented players.
Brandon Ingram, Jonas Valanciunas, Jose Alvarado, Devonte’ Graham, and Herb Jones are just some of the young stars powering the Pelicans.
Right now, the team is positioned to be a part of the NBA Play-In Tournament.
They will likely go toe-to-toe against the Lakers, a team they have defeated in the regular season.
That means that even without Williamson the Pelicans have a chance of making the playoffs.
Even if they don’t get far, they are showing that things are moving in the right direction.
If Williamson returns next season, this team could finally be ready to live up to its promise.
NEXT: Zion Williamson Is Conjuring Up An Unfortunate Comparison