Chapter 1154: Pelicans "Continue to Win" Third Place

At the end of the preseason, the Pelicans completed their final lineup adjustments.

They cut three non-guaranteed contracts, including Trier, but reached two-way contracts with two players, including Trier.

With a 15+2 lineup, they enter the 2018~2019 season with a full lineup.

The regular season begins soon, and just like in the past, before the start of the season, ESPN also gave each team's strength ranking for the new season.

Without Xiao Hua's intervention, the new season's strength ranking is much more reliable than last season.

1. Lakers

It sounds incredible that James and Durant are playing on the same team.

Not to mention that this team also has Middleton, who averaged 22+5+5 per game last season, and Simmons, who is known as LeBron's second.

Although the bench looks a little weak, they proved in the preseason that they can solve the problem with the starting lineup.

Not to mention, James is still the physical monster who has the stamina to play the entire game.

This may not be the best team in history, but they can definitely be included in this discussion.

2. Spurs

Last season, when Leonard suffered a season-ending injury and Gasol's condition plummeted, Popovich still led the Spurs into the playoffs.

You never know how capable the greatest coach currently in the NBA is.

Now, he's coaching a team with Aldridge, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard.

This is the strongest Spurs team after the peak of GDP, and it is also the team with the best chance to compete with the Lakers in the new season.

3. Pelicans

The reason why I put them before the Bucks, Mavericks and Warriors is because I believe in Don's strength and he always surprises us.

Although they lost Walker and Butler, they still have the dual core of Tang Tian and Davis, plus a group of good role players.

They still have a chance to win a great four consecutive championships, but they must perform convincing enough in the strong dialogue with the Spurs and Lakers.

4. Bucks

They should probably occupy a higher position as they are the only team in the new season that is stronger than last season.

The addition of JJ Redick could solve the offensive spacing issues that plagued them last season.

And as far as I know, Antetokounmpo has practiced shooting this past season, and his performance in the new season will be worth looking forward to.

This alliance always produces heroes, and heroes are always defeated.

I expect him to have a strong impact on Don's MVP.

5. Mavericks

Jokic's departure allowed Nowitzki to choose to continue playing, which may be the best news for Mavericks fans.

Their young forward Dwight Powell will get more opportunities in the new season.

If he can do half of what Jokic did last season, then the Mavericks in the new season will be as good as last season.

After all, we have witnessed Embiid, who is on his way to becoming the league's number one center, and we have also seen the terrifying offensive and defensive strength of this team on the outside.

And, of course, their head coach Rick Carlisle.

6. Warriors

Durant's departure transformed them from the strongest team in the league to a first-tier team.

Although their strength is still good, they need to pay more to win the championship in the new season.

But we still shouldn't forget that this team has a 73-win team, and they still cannot be underestimated.

7. Pioneer

The Trail Blazers proved last season how terrible it is to underestimate them. In the new season, they renewed Nurkic's contract and retained the core lineup of last season.

Lillard was selected to the All-NBA First Team for the first time in his career last season and is at the peak of his career.

We have always excluded the Trail Blazers from being a super team in the past, but in the new season, we have reason to believe that they are a super team.

8. Rockets

9. Thunder

10. Clippers

This is an easily underestimated team, but Luka Doncic has proven through a preseason that he can easily adapt to the intensity of the NBA.

We probably can't treat him like a regular rookie anymore, he's a Tim Duncan type player who dominated his league before he got here.

And they also have Jimmy Butler, the third or fourth best small forward in the league.

As well as Gallinari, Lou Williams, Beverley, Bradley and many other outstanding role players.

Their only weakness is inside, if they can strengthen that before the trade deadline.

Although that sounds a bit fantasy, they will be one of the contenders for the championship.

11. Raptors

12. Celtics

13. Jazz

14. Sun

…

In this list, 10 of the top 12 teams are from the Western Conference.

One can imagine how brutal the Western Conference will be in the new season.

This list has also attracted heated discussions among fans as in the past.

Some people feel that their home team is ranked low, while others feel that other teams are ranked high.

The most interesting thing is the Pelicans fans.

Last season, because of Xiao Hua, they only ranked third in the league in strength rankings.

As a result, this year, they are third in the league again!

After the "Pelicans are the third best team in the league" meme was deeply impressed upon me, I couldn't get rid of it!

However, predictions are predictions, and they are just a warm-up before the start of the season.

While fans are still discussing whether this list is correct, fair or unfair, the door to the new season has quietly opened.

The Pelicans also faced their first opponent of the season at home.

As a coincidence, their opponent in the opening game was the Rockets, their first opponent in the regular season.

D'Antoni had just rejected the Pelicans' invitation to coach, and the result was as if he was cursed.

A disastrous defeat, a disastrous defeat, and after the disastrous defeat, you still have to fight hard.

What a bloody misfortune that lasted eight lifetimes.

Moreover, the key is that this is the opening game of the dynasty team Pelicans, and they have to watch the Pelicans' championship ring award ceremony first.

In the dynasty year, Benson also spent a lot of money, and the championship ring was one size larger than all previous rings.

It is said that the cost of one is about US$1.5 million.

The most luxurious ring ever lived up to its name.

However, as the league's first dynasty team in 15 years, coupled with the huge broadcast contract the Pelicans received last season, no one thinks it is not worth it.

On the contrary, during the ring award ceremony, the Rockets players, from Harden to Paul, and from Paul to other players, had nothing but envy in their eyes.

"I'm going to the Pelicans, I'm going to the Pelicans!"

Even Harden's mind kept wandering with such uncontrollable words.

It is better to surrender to the enemy than to defeat him. This deed was carried forward by Durant, but facts prove that surrendering to the enemy still requires discernment.

After the award ceremony, amid the cheers of the fans, the championship banner was unveiled over the New Orleans Arena.

From 2015~2016 two years ago, to 2016~2017 last year, and to the just-unveiled 2017~2018.

The numbers of the three flags in a row represent their meanings.

Pelican Dynasty!

The players and fans present felt a sense of pride from the bottom of their hearts.

It was just like the feeling Tang Tian had when he looked up and saw those retired jerseys hanging above the UConn Arena when he just traveled through time.