The season came to an end for the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night as they were taken down by the number-one seed Phoenix Suns in the first round of the playoffs.
This wasn’t the way the team envisioned their season ending but the power of the Suns was just too much for them.
However, there are plenty of reasons to look forward to the Pelicans’ future.
A message to @B_Ingram13: you are a star young fella. No matter this outcome. You should know this about yourself. As for @Zionwilliamson, know you are holding title-contention for the @PelicansNBA in your hands. You get healthy and ready, skies the limit for this franchise.
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) April 29, 2022
Stephen A. Smith sure thinks so and he took to Twitter to celebrate the young, up-and-coming team.
Firstly, Smith had a message for Pelicans superstar Brandon Ingram: “You are a star young fella. No matter this outcome. You should know this about yourself.”
Smith then directed his attention at Zion Williamson, who missed the whole season because of a foot injury but is planning to return at the start of next year.
“As for @Zionwilliamson, know you are holding title-contention for the @PelicansNBA in your hands. You get healthy and ready, skies the limit for this franchise.”
Is Smith right: are the Pelicans the future of the league?
Pelicans Flying High
Even though they were taken out in the first round, the Pelicans should be very happy with this season.
You have to remember that most people thought the team wouldn’t even reach the playoffs.
In fact, they were supposed to be one of the worst teams in the entire NBA.
Apparently, the young squad didn’t get the memo because they have been consistently over-performing and impressing for the last few months.
They gave the top-seeded Suns a run for their money despite being an eighth seed.
And they did that while missing their biggest star.
With Williamson back in the rotation next year, the Pelicans really could be in the running for the best in the West.
NEXT: The Pelicans Could Be One Piece Away From Contending