Featured Matchup: New Orleans Pelicans
In August, as the summer is quickly approaching its end, news across the NBA becomes a rarity. The league hits its ultimate slow point before beginning to ramp up toward the end of September.
The release of the 2019-20 regular season schedules in early August tends to be the one sliver in time that peaks the fans interest. Fans and the Media use the schedule release as an opportunity to get themselves excited about what may be in store for the upcoming season.
In regards to the Sixers, I like to use the schedule release date as an opportunity to pinpoint a handful of games that initially piqued my interest the most. Year to year, these games tend to be rather straightforward. The high-interest games tend to fall into the categories of rival clashes, revenge games, or a meeting of two championship contenders.
This year one of the games that sparked an immediate interest was Friday, December 13th, when the New Orleans Pelicans come to Philadelphia. The Pelicans provide a level of intrigue that is near the top of the NBA heading into the 2019-20 season for a number of reasons.
The Unpredictability of Their Performance
There seem to be many varying opinions on just how good/bad the Pelicans maybe next year. I am by no means saying that New Orleans should be a “measuring stick” game for Philadelphia, as the Sixers should be significantly more successful and talented. However, New Orleans has created a group of young talent that could compete for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. By trading Anthony Davis to the Lakers, the Pelicans were able to acquire talent to be competitive today, while also setting themselves up for the future.
Projected 2019-20 Starting Lineup
PG: Jrue Holiday
SG: JJ Redick
SF: Brandon Ingram
PF: Zion Williamson
C: Derrick Favors
The youth of the core that they have assembled, however, does provide a great deal of uncertainty and unpredictability when attempting to examine their upcoming season. In a perfect world, this is a lineup that thrives in producing offense in transition. In the half-court, dribble handoff and pick and roll combinations between Redick, Holiday and Williamson also have exciting potential.
JJ Redick Returns to Philadelphia
December 13th will also be JJ Redick’s first time returning to Philadelphia. Redick had a very successful tenure in Philadelphia, setting the Sixers’ all-time record for made 3 pointers in a season. He also quickly developed a rapport with Joel Embiid that fans are still worried about how the Sixers’ will replace. Many fans thought that Redick would be back in Philly this season after he expressed his desire to finish his career as a Sixer, however, the Sixers did not have the money to compete with New Orleans’ lucrative offer. Redick will surely receive an ovation the night that he returns as fans express their gratitude for his two years with the team.
First Look at Zion Williamson
Lastly, the Pelicans coming to town provides the Sixers and Sixers’ fans their first in-person look at rookie phenom Zion Williamson. For years, it feels like we have heard and talked about Zion being “the next Lebron James”. Zion had a very flashy 2019 freshman year at Duke before the team lost in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament to Michigan State. The first overall pick was also voted by his peers as the most likely to win next year’s Rookie of the Year award. The uber-athletic big man built his college game around explosiveness and athleticism. His finishing ability and advanced footwork within the paint allowed him to thrive on the offensive end of the floor.
It will be fascinating to see what defensive game plan coach Brett Brown puts in place in order to keep Zion in check. I have my doubts about how Zion’s game is able to translate to the NBA level, however, December 13th will be our first personal experience as to whether or not Zion was worth the hype.
Featured Image: Philly Voice / Kyle Neubeck
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Categorized:Sixers