re: Are We Sure … That the 2018-19 Pelicans Will Be Worse?

Will preface this by saying the game has changed a ton and playing the 5 most nights isn't what it used to be.

That said, even in the today game 5s generally make some type of body contact on every possession on both sides of the court, in part because of boxing out for rebounds, where a lot of contact, both purposeful and incidental, happens.

Over 82 games its can add up and even though ADs injury issues are wayyyyyy overblown, why risk it with him, especially when you have other bigs that can/maybe/hopefully give you great minutes, especially again lesser competition in the regular season.