re: ESPN Ranks All 500 NBA Players (500-14 so far)

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Trend 1: Having a top 10 player
Success rate: 85.7%

Trend 2: Having 2 players in the top 50 (thanks, MazonMafia)
Success rate: 87.5%

Trend 3: Having 3 players in the top 50
Success rate: 100%

Trend 4: Having 4 players in the top 100
Success rate: 90%

...Trend 1: Having a top 10 player
Result: Failure

Trend 2: Having 2 players in the top 50
Result: Success (Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday)

Trend 3: Having 3 players in the top 50
Result: Failure (Ryno fell short by a few spots)

Trend 4: Having 4 players in the top 100
Result: Success (Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday, Ryan Anderson, Eric Gordon, Tyreke Evans made the cut, which means that the Pelicans had one more than the benchmark of 4).

...The 12-13 Denver Nuggets, however, seem to be a decent comparison for what this Pelicans squad could be. The team featured many very good, borderline All-Stars, but no established superstar. Denver’s roster from last year was full of athletic, fast players, and its depth + athleticism but lack of superstar made it a perfect candidate for the “we’re built for the regular season but probably won’t go far in the playoffs” club.. and that’s exactly what happened. The Nuggets finished 3rd in the conference with 57 wins, which was 1 more than the Clippers and Grizzlies managed.

The difference between this year’s Western Conference and last year’s starts at the top. The Clippers and the Rockets appear to have improved, and in reality, the top 5-6 spots in the conference look pretty set. The Pelicans’ goal is clear: they want to make the playoffs. The preseason results have brought optimism, and Anthony Davis’s play is stirring up excitement. The trends from last year say the Pelicans can make it and NBA Rank says the talent is there.. what do you think?

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