New Orleans Pelicans Check in at No. 28 in Ongoing 30 Weeks| 30 Teams Countdown

December 03, 2018

Anthony Davis

Coming on the heels of the No. 29 Charlotte Hornets, it’s only appropriate that team No. 28 in the Beckett Presents 30 Teams | 30 Weeks NBA Countdown Presented By Panini America is the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans came to New Orleans from Charlotte as the Hornets in 2002 and played under that name until 2013, when they chose their more state-appropriate nickname.

The Pelicans have been marked by two distinct eras in their nearly two decades in New Orleans. The first era consisted of the Chris PaulDavid West years, with Paul leading the team as one of, if not the, best point guards in the league. He was the fourth pick of the 2005 NBA Draft and was immediately a star, leading the team into a new time of success. Paul was aided by the post play and leadership of West. Together, the two were voted captains and took the team to several playoff appearances.

Paul and West eventually left the team, a result that led the Pelicans to receive the first overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. With that first pick, the team chose Anthony Davis, who has been one of the best players in the entire NBA since being drafted. His Rookie Cards were highly sought after at the time and continue to increase in value and popularity with each additional award that Davis picks up for his incredible play.

Be sure to visit the official 30 Teams | 30 Weeks website for more information on this unique countdown.