NBA
Top 5 Pelicans Players of All-Time + Fan Rankings
Create your own all-time rankings of the top 5 greatest players in New Orleans Pelicans history from Davis to Chris Paul to David West
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Chris Paul set one of his most impressive NBA records on this day in 2008 so it’s a great time to look at the top 5 New Orleans Pelicans/Hornets players of all time with him highlighting the list.
The New Orleans Pelicans were originally known as the Hornets and began their journey as an expansion team in the 2002-03 season. Following the 2012-13 season, they would go on to change their name to the New Orleans Pelicans and the name has stuck ever since.
The Pelicans have not been around as much as other NBA teams, so there is not much to say going about their success. Having gone to the playoffs eight times in 18 seasons, the Pelicans have only had one division title in their franchises’ history.
New Orleans’ story really began in the 2012-13 season. They relocated, they changed owners, they changed their name and they drafted the best player to ever play for them with the first overall pick in Anthony Davis. He would lead them to their first ever playoffs experience ever as the Pelicans in the 2014-15 season.
New Orleans have had great ball handlers on both sides of their history, the Hornets and Pelicans. Their future is also bright with one of the best NBA prospects ever, Zion Williamson, who they drafted in 2019 with the first overall pick as well. A great debate of players in just a short period of time on the court. Honorable mention includes: PF/C P.J. Brown, SF Peja Stojakovic, C/PF Emeka Okafor, and C Jamaal Magloire. With continued success and possibly a future championship run PF Zion Williamson and SF/PF Brandon Ingram could one day make this list.
Here are the top 5 greatest New Orleans Pelicans players of all time. Create your own rankings below!
– 6x All-Star, ’17 ASG MVP, 3x All-NBA, 3x All-Defense
– 3x BLK leader; Career leader in FGM (4,153), PTS (11,059)
– Career leader in FTM (2,572), REB (4,906), BLK (1,121)
Procured by the New Orleans Pelicans as the 2012 No. 1 overall draft pick was the soon-to-be 6x All-Star Anthony Davis. Davis paid immediate dividends as he made three All-NBA and All-Defensive teams in seven seasons. The two-wayed 6-foot-10 tower placed third in MVP voting (2018) and left a statistical imprint on New Orleans, averaging 23.7 points, 10.5 boards, and 2.4 blocks.
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– 4x All-Star, 3x All-NBA, 3x All-Defense, ’06 NBA ROY
– 2x AST champ, 3x STL champ; Leader in APG (9.9)
– Career leader in STL (1,010), AST (4,228), Trip-Dubs (11)
Affectionately referred to as the “Point God”, Chris Paul was Houdini-like on both ends of the court. Paul’s play with the Pelicans proved that he was a natural-born playmaker, dishing out the most assists league-wide for two years in a row. On defense, “CP3” was a masterful pickpocket, stealing the ball 2.4 times per game over six seasons.
Chris Paul's HOF resume:
– 12x All-Star, 2013 MVP
– 4x All-NBA 1st Team, 5x 2nd Team, 2011 3rd Team
– 7x All-Defense 1st Team, 2x 2nd Team
– 2006 NBA ROY
– 5x NBA APG leader
– 6x NBA STL leader
– 2010s NBA STL (1,411) leader
– NBA 75th Anniversary Teampic.twitter.com/z9c9ZywKlb— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) September 3, 2022
– 2x All-Star; Career leader in GP (530) & MIN (17,160)
– Record most FGM (16) & BLK (5) in 1 playoff GP
– Record most GP (12), BLK (23), in a single postseason
Starting his 15-year NBA career with the Hornets, David West directed the league’s attention to his consistency in the scoring and rebound columns. Averaging 16.4 PPG over eight seasons, he generated over 20 PPG for two years which prompted his selection to the All-Star team for his efforts. West corralled 7.3 rebounds and sent back 0.8 shots per game, on average.
– ’13 All-Star, 2x All-Defense; Career leader in 3PM (628)
– PPG (17.6), RPG (4.2), APG (6.8), SPG (1.5) in 7 seasons
– 2nd in career AST (2,833), 3rd in career STL (638)
Completing a seven-year stint with the Pelicans, Jrue Holiday is recognized as the most physically imposing guard in New Orleans history. He hounded opposing point guards each trip down the floor, landing on two All-Defensive squads. His well-rounded feel for the game is evident in his averages of 17.6 PPG, 6.8 APG, 4.2 RPG, and 1.5 SPG.
Jrue Holiday might be 1 of the most underrated players in the game pic.twitter.com/8xo8lI2zAR
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) June 21, 2021
– 2x All-Star, 2004 All-NBA, 2004 STL leader
– Most consecutive GP (9) with 3+ STL, GP (7) w/ 7+ STL
– Longest FGM in NBA history in 2001 (89 feet)
To Baron Davis, scoring came as if it was second nature. His most reputable season was 2003-04 as the headband-wearing one-guard posted 22.9 PPG and 2.4 SPG (league high) en route to All-NBA honors. If Davis had donned the New Orleans garb for longer, he’d be higher on this list but he was traded after just 18 games in his third year.
Baron Davis Hornets Mix🔥
One of the most underrated players of the 2000s! pic.twitter.com/5t3h6CLrdQ
— Hoops Videos (@HoopsVids) November 22, 2018
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