Pelicans

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	New Orleans Pelicans (鹈鹕队)
Alias(es)	“New Orleans Spurs,” a nickname reflecting the presence of former Spurs personnel 1164
Affiliation	NBA; Western Conference 407 420
Occupation/Role	Professional basketball franchise
Location	New Orleans 406
Home Arena	New Orleans Arena; also referred to as the Smoothie King Center 406 455
Ownership	Tom Benson initially; Gayle Benson later manages team affairs during his illness. Tang Tian is subsequently identified as the owner 657 880 1019
Core Players	Tang Tian and Anthony Davis during the championship-building period 407 1169
Status	Active; eliminated by the Spurs in the latest documented Western Conference Finals 1384
First Appearance	The proposed Pelicans name is mentioned 334

Background / History

The franchise’s New Orleans history begins with the original Charlotte Hornets relocating in 2002 and making the New Orleans Arena their home court. Before the Pelicans rebranding, fans describe the impending name change as a fresh start for both the team and the city; the pelican is identified as the state bird 334 406.

Chris Paul remains a defining figure after his departure. Two years later, his poster is still the largest displayed in the arena lobby, ahead of those of Eric Gordon and Anthony Davis. Tang Tian recognizes that winning over New Orleans means succeeding Paul in the fans’ affections 407.

Before Tang arrives, the team finishes second-to-last in the Western Conference with 27 wins. Its offseason overhaul includes the departures of Vasquez and Robin Lopez and the acquisition of Jrue Holiday. Monty Williams welcomes Tang as an intended perimeter centerpiece, placing his locker directly beside Davis’s 407.

Story Role / Major Arcs

2013–2014: Return to the Playoffs

Tang’s first month ends with the Pelicans at 8–8 and ninth in the West. The team repeatedly adjusts its lineup to address inconsistent scoring, limited spacing, and weaknesses at center. Gordon becomes the sixth man, while Morrow enters the starting lineup to provide an outside threat 420 427.

The Pelicans waive Lance Thomas and sign Hassan Whiteside to a ten-day contract despite fan skepticism. Whiteside initially struggles with fouls and consistency, but Jason Smith’s wrist injury creates another opportunity. Strong performances against Dallas and Sacramento earn him a two-year contract and a place in the playoff rotation 470 477 483 484.

By the first-round series against the Clippers, the formerly mild-mannered roster has developed a more aggressive playing style. The Pelicans reach the second round, exceeding preseason expectations. Tang finishes his first Pelicans season as scoring champion, Defensive Player of the Year, All-Star Game MVP, and runner-up in regular-season MVP voting 502 530.

2014–2015: A Stronger Frontcourt

At Tang’s urging, the front office signs Trevor Ariza and trades Ryan Anderson. The Anderson deal brings in Mirza Teletovic and Alexey Shved, reducing salary commitments and adding flexibility. Morrow is re-signed for two years and $6 million 541.

Whiteside secures the starting center position after averaging 14.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks during a 6–1 preseason. His partnership with Davis becomes the team’s “Twin Towers,” combining rim protection, rebounding, and finishes from Tang’s pick-and-roll passes 557 563.

The center rotation becomes a source of tension as Whiteside and Jokic compete for minutes. Jokic starts during Whiteside’s internal suspension and later replaces him against the Spurs. With the Pelicans trailing that series 1–3, Tang invites owner Benson to practice; Benson uses the Saints’ Super Bowl comeback to motivate the players 618 625 657 658.

2015–2017: Stevens and the Championship Breakthrough

Stevens introduces a defensive system that better coordinates the roster’s existing individual defenders. The Pelicans finish preseason unbeaten and begin the regular season 5–0, allowing only 82.5 points per game over that opening stretch 700 706 710.

Their depth becomes a major advantage. Jokic and Bojan help defeat Dallas while Tang, Davis, and Ariza are unavailable, and the expanded rotation sustains the team through absences. Against the Rockets in the playoffs, the Pelicans identify Tang’s individual superiority and their bench strength as their two principal advantages 743 793.

The team returns to the Western Conference Finals against Golden State seeking revenge for the previous season’s defeat, then reaches the Finals against Cleveland. Its first championship is followed by a home-opening ring ceremony; Tang’s 62-point performance in three quarters of Finals Game 7 remains a centerpiece of that victory 805 817 880.

Alvin Gentry subsequently accelerates the offense without abandoning the defensive foundation. The Pelicans eliminate the Warriors in another playoff comeback and celebrate another championship parade after the 2016–2017 season 882 979 1001.

2017–2018: The Four-Star Team

The offseason replaces established championship contributors with a core of Tang, Davis, Jimmy Butler, and Kemba Walker. Holiday and Jokic move to Dallas, while Ariza is traded to Houston in a deal that brings Kuzma and a future second-round pick to New Orleans 1019 1042.

Attempts to clear further salary space encounter resistance. A proposed Lou Williams trade falls through after his physical, and league president Xiao Hua intervenes against the Pelicans’ plans. Walker offers to take a pay cut and accept a 1+1 contract 1020.

The resulting team emphasizes rapid defensive counterattacks and the four stars’ shared familiarity through the Brothers of Hard Work. It wins 80 regular-season games and captures the 2017–2018 championship, completing a three-peat 1036 1169 1229.

2018–2019: Pursuit of a Fourth Title

Walker and Butler’s departures force another reconstruction. Tony Parker joins to mentor Alexander, Brogdon becomes a starter, and players such as Siakam and Kuzma receive greater opportunities. Despite predictions of decline, the Pelicans finish preseason 6–0 1164 1167 1168.

Midseason additions include Marc Gasol, whose defense and passing help reverse a difficult game against Embiid’s Mavericks, and Anthony, who signs a fully guaranteed veteran-minimum contract. The Pelicans enter the playoffs pursuing a fourth consecutive championship and later appear in the Finals against the Bucks 1201 1202 1217 1229 1268.

Later Western Conference Finals

A later Pelicans lineup includes Brogdon, Holiday, Durant, Ariza, and Davis. Davis takes a more visible motivational role, while Tang watches from the stands and encourages the team. New Orleans wins Game 5 against San Antonio 88–87 but loses Game 6, 91–90, on Leonard’s last-second shot 1379 1384.

Personnel and Lineups

Leadership and Coaching

Person	Role and Contribution
Tang Tian	Player and central leader; advises on development, draft prospects, and roster construction. Later identified as general manager and owner 443 657 1004 1019
Dempsey / Demps	Front-office executive who handles trades, signings, and roster reinforcement in consultation with Tang 541 1004 1026
Monty Williams	Head coach during Tang’s first seasons; accepts private tactical suggestions and adjusts player roles 407 427 455
James Borrego	Assistant coach who leads defensive practice and gathers players for Benson’s visit 407 483 657
Steve Nash	Coaching staff member whose arrival improves player development and Gordon’s catch-and-shoot stability 556 559
Stevens	Head coach responsible for the coordinated defensive system, expanded rotation, and later lineup rebuilds 700 743 1167
Alvin Gentry	First assistant coach who simplifies half-court offense and increases transition speed 882

Documented Starting Lineups

Period	Starting Five	Notes
Early 2013–2014	Holiday, Gordon, Tang Tian, Anderson, Davis	Opening-season lineup recalled when the rotation is reviewed 484
First major adjustment	Holiday, Morrow, Tang Tian, Davis, Jason Smith	Gordon moves to the sixth-man role 427
Subsequent adjustment	Holiday, Morrow, Tang Tian, Davis, Ajinca	Ajinca replaces the struggling Smith 450
2014 playoffs	Holiday, Tang Tian, Aminu, Davis, Reggie Evans	Regular lineup against the Clippers 502
2014–2015	Holiday, Tang Tian, Ariza, Davis, Whiteside	Finalized after preseason 557
Spurs series adjustment	Holiday, Tang Tian, Ariza, Davis, Jokic	Jokic replaces Whiteside at center 652 658
2018–2019 opening lineup	Brogdon, Tang Tian, Green, Davis, Dedmon	Retained from preseason into the regular-season opener 1167 1170
Later Spurs series	Brogdon, Holiday, Durant, Ariza, Davis	Davis plays center 1379

Playing Style

Coordinated Defense

• Stevens builds around the individual defensive strengths of Davis, Ariza, Tang, and Holiday, supported by defenders such as Biyombo and Aminu 700.
• The team uses a 2–1–2 zone against Houston to exploit the Rockets’ limited mid-range offense 733.
• Stevens switches back to man-to-man when Paul’s mid-range scoring makes the zone unfavorable 760.
• A 2–3 zone helps the four-star team establish an early advantage against Oklahoma City 1043.

Transition Offense

• Gentry increases the speed and frequency of defensive counterattacks while simplifying set plays 877 882.
• Tang, Walker, Butler, and Davis combine quick passing with shared court awareness, producing four dunks in their first four possessions against Milwaukee 1036.
• Tang’s ability to alternate between scoring and passing allows the offense to punish both single coverage and defensive help 783.

Shooting and Bench Production

• Three-point shooting is a defining characteristic, particularly among role players 1040.
• Jokic organizes offense through passes to cutters and perimeter shooters, though his defensive mobility remains vulnerable to targeted mismatches 559 760.
• Bojan and Dinwiddie become important playoff contributors as Stevens expands the rotation 743 793.
• Outside shooting can fail even when Tang creates open opportunities; the 2018–2019 opener requires early personnel and tactical changes after a 12–2 Rockets start 1170.

Competitive Record

Achievement	Documented Result
2013–2014 playoff breakthrough	Reaches the second round in Tang’s first season 530
Dominant start under Stevens	Opens 5–0 with a 16.5-point average winning margin 710
Pre-Christmas league lead	Holds a 28–1 record after an opening 25-game winning streak and three subsequent victories 732
2015–2016 championship	First of the three consecutive championship banners 1169
2016–2017 championship	Second consecutive title 1169
2017–2018 championship	Completes the three-peat after an 80-win regular season 1169 1229
Later Western Conference Finals	Eliminated by the Spurs after consecutive one-point results in Games 5 and 6 1384

Rivalries and External Relationships

• Spurs — Recurring playoff opponents, including the series in which Benson intervenes to restore morale and the later Western Conference Finals decided by Leonard 657 1384.
• Warriors — Eliminate the Pelicans before their championship breakthrough; subsequent conference-finals meetings emphasize revenge and playoff comebacks 805 979.
• Cavaliers — Finals rivals and opponents in the first championship-ring home opener 880 1143.
• Rockets — Frequent tactical opponents under D’Antoni, who chooses Houston after being close to becoming the Pelicans’ coach 732 733.
• Mavericks — Acquire Holiday and Jokic as the Pelicans acquire Butler; Embiid openly challenges New Orleans’s four-star construction 1030 1042.
• Hassan Whiteside — Develops from a ten-day signing into a starter, then becomes a hostile former player with Miami and Cleveland 470 557 765 880.
• Xiao Hua / Adam Silver — League president involved in attempts to obstruct the Pelicans’ roster plans; players later direct subtle provocations at him during the second ring ceremony 1020 1043.

Arena and Team Culture

• Arena history: The New Orleans Arena was built in 1999. Hurricane Katrina severely damaged it in 2005, prompting complete renovation of the flooded locker-room floors and walls 406 407.
• Locker-room atmosphere: Tang initially finds a harmonious young roster. Metta World Peace later serves as a vocal locker-room leader 407 557.
• Christmas gifts: Tang gives teammates supercars during his first Pelicans season and later organizes a two-day yacht party in the Mississippi River Bay 590 732.
• Fanbase growth: Championship success and broadcast revenue turn the small-market franchise into a new league powerhouse; Pelicans games draw full houses even on the road 1056 1170.
• “Third-best” meme: ESPN’s third-place preseason ranking becomes a recurring joke among fans despite the team’s dominance 1042 1060 1169.
• Pregame rituals: Tang adopts a magnesium-powder toss, followed later by a head-pat introduction ceremony that becomes a shared belief among players and fans 1043 1259 1268.