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NBA: Preseason Ranking for the Western Conference

By Tj Porreca

Jul 7, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Kevin Durant addresses the media in a press conference after signing with the Golden State Warriors at the Warriors Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 7, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Kevin Durant addresses the media in a press conference after signing with the Golden State Warriors at the Warriors Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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11. New Orleans Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans are coming off of a season in which they won just 30 games. The once-promising Pelicans saw their season get derailed by injuries. It will be interesting to see how the Pelicans bounce back this season.

Certainly, the Pelicans have talent, led by Anthony Davis. But they must stay healthy. As good as Davis — a three-time All Star — has been in his young career, he has never played a full 82-game season. Davis missed 21 games last season, and the highest amount of games he has played in a season is 68 (in 2014-15).

When Davis is healthy, though, he is one of the young stars in the NBA. He is capable of doing things on the floor that few others can, and New Orleans goes as Davis goes.

New Orleans got a great player in the first round of the NBA Draft, as they took advantage of Buddy Hield‘s slight fall. Hield dropped to sixth in the first round after many estimated he could go higher, but the Pelicans didn’t leave him on the board any longer.

Hield was an extremely exciting player to watch during his time at Oklahoma, and he’ll now take his prowess to New Orleans.

The Pelicans have a chance to exceed this ranking, but they must stay healthy after an injury-riddled 2015-16 season.

Next: No. 10