It wasn't supposed to be this way. The New Orleans Pelicans were widely expected to take another step forward this season; building off an improbable run into the playoffs highlighted by an incredible victory over the San Antonio Spurs just to make the second season. Alvin Gentry was going to "be worth five or six wins in close games alone" as an upgrade over Monty Williams. A new offensive system was primed to unleash budding superstar Anthony Davis.
Yeah, about that.