There are so many great teams competing for the top spot in the NBA Western Conference this year.
Of course, the biggest names in the West are the champion Golden State Warriors, the Phoenix Suns, and Memphis Grizzlies.
But there are other teams hoping to rise through the ranks and leave a lasting impression.
One of those teams is the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Pelicans have their star player, Zion Williamson, back and the chances of them doing great things are larger than ever.
Their chances are so large, in fact, that NBA legend and analyst Charles Barkley thinks they could end the season near the top of the standings.
“They’re going to be in the top four in the West,” Barkley said on TNT Thursday night.
Is that really possible?
Can they really leap-frog over so many other teams and get that far this year?
Pelicans Flying High
Most everyone agrees that the Pelicans will do much better than they have in some time – but the fourth seed in the West?
How likely is that?
They would have to get past some teams like the Lakers and Trail Blazers and Kings (which probably wouldn’t be too hard) and would also have to compete hard and likely overcome teams like the Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets too.
This isn’t impossible, the team really is poised to be terrific.
It’s not just because Williamson is back, it’s because the team has other incredible players like Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, and more.
The Pelicans have come together in the best way at the right time.
Unfortunately, the West is tougher than it has been in some time so this will be a very difficult season to break into the top four.
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