Pelicans over/under drops for the first season since Anthony Davis arrived in New Orleans

The New Orleans Pelicans hold media day Friday. No, seriously. The off-season is nearly complete. Rejoice!

As the season approaches one of the first things to discover is how Las Vegas views the Pelicans. Last season the Pelicans over/under was a robust 47.5, good enough for 7th in the Western Conference. Injuries, lack of the continuity advertised all summer long, and the inability to adjust to Alvin Gentry’s new scheme contributed to New Orleans falling far short of that goal. Instead the Pelicans won just 30 games. For the 2014-15 season their over/under was set at 41.5 and Monty Williams and company exceeded that number with 45 wins and a playoff berth. Here’s a glance at how the Pelicans over/under has evolved since Anthony Davis was drafted in 2012.

Yes, this is the first year since Anthony Davis was drafted that the Pelicans over/under has decreased from the season before. Ouch. That’s not the direction the franchise hopes to head in as they try to build the case for him to stay beyond this contract.

More concerning to the Pelicans is the lack of clear upward mobility within the Western Conference. Minnesota, Oklahoma City, Portland, and Utah are all at least equally as young but substantially more talented throughout their rosters.

The hope is that somehow Anthony Davis can rekindle the magic of the 2014-15 season, play 70+ games, and put this franchise on his back until Jrue Holiday returns to lighten his load. Ideally a horde of perimeter additions patch up a leaky defense for the first time since Chris Paul wore the Creole Blue. All of these things are certainly possible.

Probable? Get back to me on that one.