Young Pelicans flying high while Lakers are in meltdown

By Ed Daniels, Sports

One of the best things about the Pelicans’ playoff run is that it is happening without Zion Williamson.

Williamson, who clearly thinks he’s ready to play, is like the rest of us, a spectator, as the Pelicans became one of the biggest stories of the NBA playoffs.

NBA basketball in New Orleans, still to this day portrayed by national media as having one foot out the door, is thriving.      

Brandon Ingram, part of the Anthony Davis trade (remember him?), has emerged as one of the top players in the league. Ingram is 24.

  Rookies Jose Alvarado (24), Herb Jones (23) and Trey Murphy (21) have all made giant contributions. All have blossomed under rookie head coach Willie Green.

Almost three years after the Pelicans traded Davis to the Lakers, the two organizations are headed in opposite directions.       

Davis, hurt (again), played in only 40 games. LeBron James’ agent has denied that his client wants out of Los Angeles.

   And, the biggest news from the other LA is the continuing meltdown over the portrayal of many of the franchise stars of the ’80s in the HBO series “Winning Time.”

Lakers legend Jerry West has demanded an apology from the producers of the show, who have portrayed West in a very unflattering way.

One scene in the series has West, in a fit of anger, tossing his NBA finals MVP trophy through a glass window in his office.

The best performance in Los Angeles this season is from actor John C. Reilly, who is absolutely spot-on in his portrayal of Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss.

The Lakers’ meltdown this season has produced another giant asset for New Orleans.

The Pelicans have the Lakers’ first-round pick, No. 8 in the June draft. The pick was top 10 protected, so when the Lakers’ season cratered, the Pelicans won again.

As for Zion, he is eligible to sign a max extension this offseason, one that would kick in for the 2023-24 year. Even though he has played only 85 games in three seasons, he is going to get paid.

But, where does he truly want to play? There’s always chatter about the Knicks – you know, the woebegone franchise that missed the playoffs again and hasn’t won a playoff series since 2013.

If the Pelicans made Zion available, the potential suitors would be lengthy. In a brief NBA sample size, Williamson has proven to be an elite scorer. His health is another issue.

But, Zion or not, what the last few weeks has proven is with or without him, New Orleans has a suddenly shiny hoops future.

Ed Daniels is sports director at ABC26 WGNO. He can be reached at [email protected].