The New Orleans Pelicans are an American professional basketball team based in New Orleans. They compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Western Conference Southwest Division. The team plays its home games at the Smoothie King Center.
The Pelicans were founded in 2002 as the New Orleans Hornets. They were originally owned by George Shinn, but he sold the team in 2012 to Tom Benson. In 2013, the team’s name was changed to the Pelicans to reflect the state’s official state bird.
- Team Name: New Orleans Pelicans
- Short Name: Pelicans
- Team Owner(s): Gayle Benson
- Prominent Players:
- Brandon Ingram
- CJ McCollum
- Jonas Valanciunas
- Devonte’ Graham
- Herb Jones
The Pelicans have never won an NBA championship, but they have made the playoffs five times. Their best season came in 2018, when they reached the Western Conference Finals.
The Pelicans are led by Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, Jonas Valanciunas, Devonte’ Graham, and Herb Jones. Ingram is a 6’7″ forward who is known for his scoring ability. McCollum is a 6’3″ guard who is known for his shooting and playmaking. Valanciunas is a 7’0″ center who is known for his rebounding and interior scoring. Graham is a 6’1″ guard who is known for his three-point shooting. Jones is a 6’6″ forward who is known for his defense and hustle.
The Pelicans are a young team with a lot of potential. They are expected to be a playoff contender in the Western Conference in the upcoming season.
History about New Orleans Pelicans Basketball Team
- Founded: The New Orleans Pelicans were founded in 2002 as the New Orleans Hornets. They were originally owned by George Shinn, but he sold the team in 2012 to Tom Benson. In 2013, the team’s name was changed to the Pelicans to reflect the state’s official state bird.
- Moved to Oklahoma City: The Hornets temporarily moved to Oklahoma City in 2005 due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. They played in Oklahoma City for three seasons before returning to New Orleans in 2008.
- Playoff Appearances: The Pelicans have made the playoffs five times in their history, most recently in 2022. Their best season came in 2018, when they reached the Western Conference Finals.
- Notable Moments:
- 2003: Chris Paul is drafted by the Hornets with the 4th overall pick in the NBA draft. Paul would go on to become one of the most successful players in franchise history.
- 2008: The Hornets return to New Orleans after playing three seasons in Oklahoma City.
- 2018: The Hornets reach the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history. They would eventually lose to the Golden State Warriors in the conference finals.
- 2022: The Pelicans make the playoffs for the first time since 2018. They would eventually lose to the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the playoffs.
The Pelicans are a young team with a lot of potential. They are expected to be a playoff contender in the Western Conference in the upcoming season.
Coaching Staff Information about New Orleans Pelicans Basketball Team
Head Coach:
- Willie Green
Green is a former NBA player who played for the Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, and Los Angeles Clippers. He retired from playing in 2012 and began his coaching career as an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors in 2015. He was hired as the head coach of the Pelicans in 2021. Green’s coaching philosophy is to play an up-tempo, aggressive style of basketball. He wants his team to defend at a high level and create turnovers that they can turn into easy baskets.
Assistant Coaches:
- Fred Vinson
Vinson is a former NBA player who played for the New Jersey Nets, Portland Trail Blazers, and Boston Celtics. He retired from playing in 2004 and began his coaching career as an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics in 2005. He was hired as an assistant coach with the Pelicans in 2021. Vinson is known for his expertise in player development. He has helped develop a number of young players into All-Stars, including Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
- Kenny Atkinson
Atkinson is a former NBA head coach who was the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets from 2016 to 2020. He was fired by the Nets in 2020 after missing the playoffs in three consecutive seasons. He was hired as an assistant coach with the Pelicans in 2021. Atkinson is known for his offensive coaching skills. He helped develop a number of young players into All-Stars, including D’Angelo Russell and Caris LeVert.
- Mike Miller
Miller is a former NBA player who played for the Orlando Magic, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Washington Wizards, and Los Angeles Clippers. He retired from playing in 2015 and began his coaching career as an assistant coach with the Miami Heat in 2016. He was hired as an assistant coach with the Pelicans in 2021. Miller is known for his defensive coaching skills. He helped the Miami Heat win two NBA championships in 2012 and 2013.
- Ronald Nored
Nored is a former college basketball player who played for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He was a two-time All-American and helped the Fighting Irish win the 2015 NCAA championship. He began his coaching career as an assistant coach with the Fighting Irish in 2016. He was hired as an assistant coach with the Pelicans in 2021. Nored is known for his player development skills. He has helped a number of young players improve their game, including Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson.
New Orleans Pelicans Basketball Team information about players
| Player | Number | Position | Height | Weight | Draft Year | Rating |
| Brandon Ingram | 14 | Small Forward | 6’7″ | 215 lbs | 2016 | 87 |
| CJ McCollum | 3 | Shooting Guard | 6’3″ | 210 lbs | 2013 | 85 |
| Jonas Valanciunas | 17 | Center | 7’0″ | 255 lbs | 2011 | 82 |
| Devonte’ Graham | 4 | Point Guard | 6’1″ | 185 lbs | 2017 | 79 |
| Herbert Jones | 5 | Small Forward | 6’6″ | 220 lbs | 2019 | 77 |
| Jaxson Hayes | 10 | Power Forward | 6’11” | 220 lbs | 2019 | 75 |
| Trey Murphy III | 24 | Shooting Guard | 6’9″ | 215 lbs | 2021 | 73 |
| Jose Alvarado | 15 | Point Guard | 6’0″ | 185 lbs | 2019 | 72 |
New Orleans Pelicans Basketball Team’s last 10 years of records
| Season | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-2023 | 36 | 46 |
| 2021-2022 | 31 | 41 |
| 2020-2021 | 33 | 49 |
| 2019-2020 | 23 | 49 |
| 2018-2019 | 34 | 48 |
| 2017-2018 | 48 | 34 |
| 2016-2017 | 41 | 41 |
| 2015-2016 | 30 | 52 |
| 2014-2015 | 45 | 37 |
Season Preview: New Orleans Pelicans Basketball Team
Major changes to the roster:
The Pelicans made a number of major changes to their roster in the offseason. They traded for CJ McCollum and Larry Nance Jr., and they signed Devonte’ Graham and Tomas Satoransky in free agency. These moves have significantly improved the Pelicans’ offense and defense.
Strengths:
The Pelicans have a number of strengths. They have a talented starting lineup that includes Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, Jonas Valanciunas, Devonte’ Graham, and Larry Nance Jr. They also have a deep bench that includes Herbert Jones, Jaxson Hayes, Trey Murphy III, Jose Alvarado, and Kira Lewis Jr.
Weaknesses:
The Pelicans have a few weaknesses. They are a young team and they lack experience. They also have a small size at the center position.
Potential challenges they may face:
The Pelicans may face a few challenges in the upcoming season. They will need to find a way to integrate their new players into the lineup. They will also need to stay healthy, as they have a number of players who are injury-prone.
Overall, the Pelicans are a young and talented team that is expected to be a playoff contender in the Western Conference in the upcoming season. They have the potential to make some noise in the playoffs, but they will need to overcome their weaknesses and stay healthy if they want to make a deep run.
Upcoming games:
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| October 20 | Houston Rockets | 7:30 PM |
| October 22 | Oklahoma City Thunder | 7:30 PM |
| October 24 | Denver Nuggets | 8:00 PM |
| October 27 | Phoenix Suns | 7:30 PM |
| October 29 | Golden State Warriors | 7:30 PM |
| November 1 | San Antonio Spurs | 7:00 PM |
| November 3 | Dallas Mavericks | 7:30 PM |
| November 5 | Los Angeles Clippers | 10:30 PM |
| November 7 | Utah Jazz | 7:00 PM |
| November 9 | Memphis Grizzlies | 7:00 PM |
FAQs about the New Orleans Pelicans Basketball team
Who is the head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans?
Willie Green is the head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans. He was hired in 2021.
What is the New Orleans Pelicans’ home arena?
The New Orleans Pelicans’ home arena is the Smoothie King Center. It is located in New Orleans, Louisiana.
What are the New Orleans Pelicans’ most popular traditions?
The New Orleans Pelicans have a few popular traditions, including: * The “Boogie Down”: Fans dance in the aisles during timeouts and breaks in the action. * The “Grindhouse”: Fans chant “Grindhouse” throughout games. * The “Let’s Go Pelicans!”: Fans chant “Let’s Go Pelicans!” throughout games.
What are the New Orleans Pelicans’ biggest rivals?
The New Orleans Pelicans’ biggest rivals are: * Houston Rockets * Dallas Mavericks * San Antonio Spurs * Memphis Grizzlies * Oklahoma City Thunder
What is the New Orleans Pelicans’ mascot?
The New Orleans Pelicans’ mascot is Pierre the Pelican. He is a pelican who wears a Pelicans jersey and a cowboy hat. Pierre is known for his high-energy antics and his interactions with fans.
