Tang Tian and Shampoo (Third Update!)

"The Pelicans had a good Pre-season, but the Pre-season was just the Pre-season. ESPN thinks the Pelicans are the strongest just because of one Pre-season?"

"I also think ESPN's predictions this year are a bit ridiculous. Forget the Warriors—the Cavaliers added so many quality role players, the Spurs got Aldridge, and there are also the Rockets' Big Three. What about the Pelicans? Even if Bojan and Gordon cancel each other out, the Pelicans are still missing Whiteside! Why?!"

"They're underestimating the Rockets way too much. A top-three center, a top-two Shooting Guard, and the number-one Point Guard, yet they're only ranked fifth? That's absurd!"

"Yeah, and the Mavericks and Lakers too. I think the Mavericks can definitely be fifth. As for the Lakers, with Kobe, they're going to be fifth from last? What a joke!"

"Did you notice? Ford didn't make this year's list. It was made by someone named Pelton."

"Did Ford get fired after being proven wrong too many times? But this Pelton is clearly worse than the last one. These so-called experts get less expert with every generation. Why not hire me? I could do a more professional job than him!"

This round of ESPN predictions drew more mockery than any in recent years.

But it also reflected the views of most fans. They did not think the Pelicans, who had made no major additions, could fight their way out among the Western Conference powerhouses.

The Pelicans' season debut was a home game against the Hornets, and there were still two days until the game. Stevens arranged full-team practices every day.

Although he was easygoing by nature, he was much stricter than Monty Williams when it came to practice.

After practice ended that day, the players chatted and laughed in the locker room.

They had been