Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans make the playoffs

(December 25, 2014 – Source: Chris Graythen/Getty Images North America)

At the beginning of the season, New Orleans Pelicans’ owner Tom Benson informed GM Dell Demps and head coach Monty Williams that they would be relieved of their duties if the team did not reach the playoffs, regardless of any circumstances. The Pelicans, coming off a 34-48 season, making the playoffs in the power-housed Western Conference over the Oklahoma City Thunder? How blasphemous! It’s not even fair for those two whose jobs are on the line! Yet, the Pelicans have just defeated the San Antonio Spurs, making the playoffs for the first time since Chris Paul was traded.

It’s been a bumpy road for New Orleans all season long, hovering at .500 for about 3/4th of the season and dealing with multiple long-term injuries throughout. Eric Gordon missed over 20 games early in the season, Jrue Holiday missed most of the final six weeks of the regular season, Ryan Anderson missed four weeks in perhaps their most pivotal stretch, and of course Anthony Davis missed a lot of games as well.

Everybody thought that Russell Westbrook and the Thunder would pull away with the eighth seed and leave the Pelicans in the dust after the All-Star Break, and when New Orleans went on a five game losing streak late in the year, that seemed to be just the case. However, the Pelicans stayed strong behind their superstar Anthony Davis who averaged 24.3 points on 54% shooting, 10.2 rebounds, 2.9 blocks, and  1.5 steals throughout an amazing season, they made the playoffs and proved every doubter wrong.

The key victory of the season was the Pelican’s last game against the Thunder, when Anthony Davis hit a ridiculous three pointer at the buzzer to give New Orleans a big victory. A big key to their success was at the trade deadline, acquiring players such as Quincy Pondexter and Norris Cole who have both impacted the team in so many ways.

The celebrations have begun for New Orleans fans. However, it’s not over yet, New Orleans has at least four more games guaranteed against the Golden State Warriors. Can they pull another incredible upset?