Preview of the San Antonio Spurs versus the New Orleans Pelicans game

It should go without saying that there are high expectations when one is selected first in an NBA draft. Whether just or not, the results frequently determine the hopes of a franchise and its fan base. Because of the nature of projection, extraordinary skill attracts extraordinary attention, both positive and negative. Additionally, the idea of exceptionality always inspires hope, the most brittle of all currencies.

Naturally, nothing is certain, and this is what keeps people talking and speculating about sports at all levels of interest. To some extent, the urge for an ebb and flow in narrative is inherent to human interest. An even stronger desire than the desire for supremacy exists for the deified to fall from grace.

However, being the best player available is not a guarantee of success in the sports industry. The Cleveland Cavaliers, for instance, have had a record six chances to select first in the NBA draft. To show for it, they have won precisely one championship.

Despite having four possibilities of their own, the Orlando Magic only have one banner. Conversely, the Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets have won four titles between them despite never having the good fortune to pick first.

In the history of the NBA, there have been 75 number one picks overall. Out of those players, only 11 have been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, and two more are expected to do so soon.

I suppose this facilitates understanding the morbidity of the fascination. There is a significant risk of catastrophe. The pleasure of victory, too, since five of those top picks have won 20 championship trophies in all (and counting) together. Or, if you would rather, about 27 percent of all NBA titles.

This adds an extra degree of intrigue to every possible match between participants chosen at random. When two teams play 82 games to complete a narrative line, the main attraction of regular season match-ups is the story line itself, and in that regard, the contrast between the two players in question is not particularly important.

That, of course, depends on whether this matchup takes place tonight at all.

At the end of the season, Zion Williamson—who at 6’6″ and 300 pounds looks like a bulldozer version of Shaquille O’Neal’s “Diesel” frame—seems to be recovering from yet another injury, a detail that is all too frequently left out of accounts of his career.

Williamson is now qualified for the end-of-season accolades after 65 games played. It would also be fascinating to watch if the Pelicans decide to sit him out of this game against the Spurs, who are in the cellar, in an effort to save him for a lengthy playoff run, given that a postseason presence is all but assured.

In stark contrast to Victor Wembanyama, who has been emphasizing preventative maintenance over the last few years, before even entering the league, Williamson has finally started to try to maintain playing shape, and those 65 games in a season are the most he has played in his five years in the league without breaking down.

There are numerous differences between the two.

Naturally, Victor is extremely tall and slender, and his shot arsenal somewhat resembles that of Kevin Durant. Zion is a refrigerator that has legs, forward motion, and a firm yet delicate touch that surrounds the basket. The matchup screams unstoppable force against immovable object from every angle.

Rather than the star players, the two teams differ most significantly from one another. Even though the Pelicans and Spurs have both had their fair share of snakebite this season, the Pelicans boast a roster that includes nine players who, according to Basketball Reference’s box plus/minus, seem implausible. (The same quantity as the Boston Celtics, who are leading the league; nevertheless, one could argue that Boston has 10)

Even the most optimistic Spurs fan would find it difficult to imagine a scenario in which this Pelicans team wins 60 games if not for the injuries and the fact that they play in the perpetually unpleasant Western Conference.

Nevertheless, the Pelicans do have several vulnerabilities that the Spurs might take advantage of. The Pelicans, who rank just above middling offensively (13th in scoring, 12th in offensive rating), have struggled to find big men to pair with Zion Williamson who can create space on the interior. This could give Wembanyama, who is coming off a nine-block performance against the Nuggets and Nikola Jokic, a virtual buffet of blocks, and further stifle their offensive flow.

The Pelicans are worse on the offensive glass (18th in offensive rebound percentage and 17th in offensive rebounds) as a result of their spacing problems, which should help the Spurs deny them second chance opportunities during possessions that are stalling.

Even with Zion playing, the Spurs have a legitimate chance to defeat the Pelicans if they can keep them off the offensive glass, make things a little chippy and physical, and prevent them from making more three-pointers when the interior breaks down. The Pelicans are also among the lowest three teams in the league in terms of free throw percentage (20th) and three pointers made (20th).

I believe Williamson will play because the Pelicans are doing everything they can to hang onto their seventh-place ranking until Brandon Imgram heals. In terms of entertainment, I am convinced that my prediction will please both the NBA league office and fans.

New Orleans Pelicans at. San Antonio Spurs April 5, 2024 | 7:00 CT
KENS5 to see; WOAI to listen (1200 AM)

Spurs injuries: Devin Vassell (foot), Jeremy Sochan (ankle), Cedi Osman (ankle), Charles Bassey (knee), Day-to-Day (foot), Keldon Johnson; Out (knee), Dominick Barlow

Zion Williamson (day-to-day; finger), Jose Alvarado (out; oblique), Brandon Imgram (out; knee), and Larry Nance Jr. (day-to-day; unknown) are the Pelicans’ injuries.

Visit The Bird Writes to read the viewpoint of the Pelicans’ supporters.

This evening, PtR’s Game thread will be open for anyone who wants to discuss the game. Additionally, you may keep up with the action by following PtR on Twitter.

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