The invincible kryptonite of basketball

"Yeah, let's not talk about the games we didn't play. Just because of the appearance, I will leave you behind."

"This is a basketball game! Do you think it's a beauty pageant? And my emperor and Xiaoshuai will lose to you in terms of appearance?!"

"???"

……

The Rockets' first win in the preseason was just the beginning. In the next week or so, the Pelicans successively defeated the Clippers, Jazz, Nuggets and other teams.

In 6 preseason games, they finished with a record of 6 wins and 0 losses.

As fans have discussed on social media, the strength of the Pelicans should have declined significantly without Walker and Butler.

But judging from the game process, the reality seems to be a little different from the imagination.

Brogdon's performance has improved after entering the starting lineup;

Siakam also played more efficiently after getting more opportunities;

Green has recovered the strength of a top role player. Although he didn't take many shots, he made an astonishing 49% of his three-pointers in the preseason;

Even Alexander and Mitchell Robinson, who are still rookies, have shown their respective abilities in the game, one can really break through and the other can really block;

Of course, it was Kuzma who surprised everyone the most.

In sufficient time, he averaged 6 points and 15.5 rebounds in 3.6 games, with an overall shooting rate of 45% and a three-point shooting rate of 40%.

This is what it felt like to play a Klay Thompson replica on the preseason stage.

The first thousand and 190 chapters and four pelicans "consecutively won" the third place

At the end of the preseason, the Pelicans completed the final lineup adjustment.

They cut 3 non-guaranteed contracts including Trier, but reached a two-way contract with two players including Trier.

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

The regular season is about to start, as in the past, before the start of the season, ESPN also gave the strength ranking of each team in the new season.

Without Xiao Hua's intervention, the strength ranking in the new season 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 a point in the preseason, and they can solve the problem with the starting lineup.

Not to mention, James is still the physical monster who has the physical strength to play the whole game.

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

2. Spurs

Last season, when Leonard was reimbursed for the season due to injury and Gasol's state plummeted, Popovich threw the Spurs into the playoffs.

You never know how capable the greatest coach 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 that has the best chance to compete against the Lakers in the new season.

3. Pelicans

The reason why I put them ahead of the Bucks, Mavericks and Warriors is because I believe in Don's strength, 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 hit the great four consecutive championships, but they must play a convincing performance in the strong dialogue with the Spurs and the Lakers.

4. Bucks

They should probably occupy a higher position because they are the only team that is stronger this season than last.

The addition of JJ Redick can solve the offensive spacing problem that plagued them last season.

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

This alliance always produces heroes, and there are always heroes who are 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, the Mavericks will be just as good this season as they were last season.

After all, we have witnessed an Embiid who is moving towards the league's No. [-] center, and we have also seen the terrifying offensive and defensive strength of this team's perimeter.

And, of course, their head coach, Rick Carlisle.

6. Warriors

Durant's departure turned them from the league's strongest team to the first-tier team.

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

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

7. Trailblazers

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

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

We used to always exclude the Trail Blazers from the super team, but in this season, we have reason to believe that they are the super team.

8. Rockets

9. Thunder

10. Clippers

This is a team that is easy to underestimate, but Luka Doncic proved through a preseason that he can easily adapt to the intensity of the NBA.

We might stop treating him like a normal rookie, a Tim Duncan type player who dominated his league before coming here.

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

And Gallinari, Louis Williams, Beverly, Bradley and many other outstanding role players.

Their only weakness comes inside, if they can improve that before the trade deadline.

That may sound fanciful, but they will be one of the contenders for the championship.

11. Raptors

12. Celtics

13. Jazz

14. The sun

……

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

The tragedy of the Western Conference in the new season can be imagined.

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

Some 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 terms of strength.

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

After the meme of "the third Pelicans in the league" is deepened, it can't escape no matter what!

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

While the fans were still discussing whether this list was correct, fair or unfair, the door to the new season had quietly opened.

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

It is a coincidence that their opponent in the opening game is the first opponent of the regular season, the Rockets.

D'Antoni just rejected the invitation of the Pelicans' coach before, and the result was like a curse.

A fiasco, a fiasco, and after a fiasco, you have to bite the bullet and fight.

It was really bad luck for 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 piece is around 150 million US dollars.

The most luxurious ring ever made lives up to its name.

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

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

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

Even Harden's mind is constantly lingering such uncontrolled words.

It is better to join the enemy if you can't beat it.

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

从两年前的2015~2016，再到去年的2016~2017，以及刚刚揭幕的2017~2018。

For the three flags connected, the numbers represent their meanings.

Pelican Dynasty!

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

Just like Tang Tian's feeling when he looked up and saw those retired jerseys hanging above the Kang University Arena when he just crossed.

Chapter 190, The Real Pelicans

This is also the sense of pride of the rich.

This is why the Lakers and Celtics make players flock to them.

Although New Orleans, where the Pelicans are located, is a small city, the ball market has been expanded in recent years, with excessive broadcast contracts and the banner of this dynasty.

It seems to be the new giants of the league.

The emotions of the fans were ignited, and the cheers on the scene continued for a long time during the opening ceremony.

The starters of the two teams have been released one after another.

The Pelicans are the same as in the preseason, with Brogdon and Tang Tian partnering on the outside, Green and Davis on the front line, and Dedmon at center.

The Rockets have made adjustments. Paul and Harden are still on the outside, but Ennis and Tucker are partnered on the front line, with center Capela.

It can be seen that although he does not pay attention to defense, D'Antoni still feels pain when he was stabbed in the penalty area in the preseason.

The two sides made their debut one after another, and Tang Tian continued to sprinkle chalk, bringing the emotions of the scene to the climax.

To say that this season, the Lakers have a significantly higher probability of winning than the Pelicans.

James is also likely to get the second championship of his career.

Under such a background, Tang Tian still insisted on throwing magnesium powder.