Pelicans star Anthony Davis has made the playoffs just twice in six years. Last season was the first time he won a a series.
That’s atypical for a player of his caliber.
Davis, via Brian Windhorst of ESPN:
“When you look at LeBron, every year you know he’s going to be great and his team is going to have a chance to win the title,” Davis said. “From here on out, I want to be in that conversation every year. Not every other year. Not every few years. Every year. If that’s going to happen, we’re going to have to win, and I’m going to have to be the most dominant player.”
Davis is putting it on himself to be that player.
The big question: Are the Pelicans good enough to be that team?
Both Davis and New Orleans met his expectations in a resounding opening win over the Rockets, but it’s a long season. The Pelicans are good, though flawed. They’ve never contended for a title with Davis, let alone done so annually. As he enters the midst of his prime, it might be now or never.
Davis can become an unrestricted free agent in 2020, and he’s setting a bar. A high one.