New Orleans Pelicans: 2014 Projected Starting Lineup

Photo Credit: sport.net

Point Guard – Jrue Holiday: There is no question here. Jrue Holiday broke out in 2012 and hasn’t looked back. Last year, he joined the Pelicans, averaging 14.3 points, 7.9 assists, and 4.2 rebounds per game. Holiday is an all-around point guard, being able to shoot – both the from the field and beyond the arc – as well as feed Anthony Davis and other big men down low. He has great size for an NBA point guard, allowing him to grab rebounds as well.

The Pelicans have Jimmer Fredette and Russ Smith backing up Holiday. They have their specialties, but starting in the NBA..? Not for them.

Shooting Guard – Eric Gordon: The Pelicans do not much depth at the shooting guard position. Although he battles with injuries, Gordon is a solid player who can get to the basket and convert. Last season, he averaged a career low 15.4 points per game. He does make better decisions on the court which let him improve his field goal percentage.

Backing up Gordon is Austin Rivers. There has been discussion that Rivers and the Pelicans will cut ties – whether it be by trade or the Pelicans releasing him. If they release him, Gordon should see a rise in minutes.

Small Forward – Tyreke Evans: The former Rookie of the Year has been somewhat of a disappointment ever since he broke onto the scenes in 2009. He joined the Pelicans last year, struggling more than expected. He shot .436 from the field and .221 from three. Those are the second worst percentages he has experienced in his five years.

Also on the roster are James Southerland, Luke Babbitt, and Darius Miller. Evans will not have to worry about them taking his starting spot, although they will fight hard for the backup role.

Power Forward – Anthony Davis: The defensive stud. The double-double machine. Anthony Davis did even better than his Rookie of the Year performance in 2012. The only way Davis doesn’t start is if he gets seriously injured.

Ryan Anderson will be the Sixth Man like he is known for. He is a three-point specialist, but that is not enough to start over Davis. Maybe he’ll grow a few more inches and start at center.

Center – Omer Asik: This is the only position where the starting job is up for grabs. Alexis Ajinca started in 30 of his 56 appearances - due to injuries to the team – averaging 5.9 points and 4.9 rebounds in just 17 minutes per game. The other potential starter is recently acquired Omer Asik, who only played 20 minutes per game for Houston in 2013. Asik is a better rebounder than Ajinca which will give him the edge. That and the $8.5 million dollar contract the Pelicans will need to pay him.

Patric Young and Jeff Withey are also on the roster but are no threat to Ajinca and Asik.

The Pelicans will likely find themselves in the playoffs this year and if Evans and Gordon put together All-Star like years, this team may be a dark horse.