Less than two days after training camp began, all 18 Pelicans players had arrived.
They had already completed a dynasty, but the four consecutive championships Stevens had mentioned at the Championship Parade were their next goal.
But it was also an extremely challenging goal.
Not just for the team, but for the players as well.
After the major roster changes, competition was fierce in the backcourt, on the wings, and even in the paint.
No one wanted to fall behind on a Dynasty Team.
On the second day after the full roster had assembled, Stevens raised training from basic drills to full-court contact.
The most pressing issue before him was the new season's starting lineup.
Two of the five starters had left, so he needed to make adjustments not only to personnel, but also to tactics.
After all, the Walker-Davis Pick and Roll had been Tactic #2 last season, second only to Tang Tian's isolation plays.
But Walker was no longer there.
For the first full-court contact training session, he split the team into a starters group and a bench group.
Nash led the starters while he led the bench, and they played a ten-minute full-court scrimmage.
Nash excelled at offense, while he excelled at defense. Spear against shield—the best way to expose problems.
On the starters' side were Parker and Tang Tian in the backcourt, Green and Davis on the wings, and Dedmon at center.
On the bench side were Alexander and Brogdon in the backcourt, Jeff Green and Siakam on the wings, and Harrell at center.
The purpose behind this lineup distribution was clear: Parker replaced Walker, while Green replaced Butler.
After ten minutes, the starters won 25-15.
Tang Tian scored 10 points, Davis had 8, Green had 3, and Parker posted 4 points and 3 assists.
After