The 2017-18 New Orleans Pelicans season offered a rare glimpse into a high-powered frontcourt experiment that captured the imagination of basketball fans. Built around superstar center Anthony Davis and dominant big man DeMarcus Cousins, the franchise pushed past early-season doubts to sweep the Portland Trail Blazers in the opening round of the Western Conference playoffs. This run proved that a twin-tower system could still thrive in a pace-and-space era, even if injuries ultimately cut their ceiling short.
Behind head coach Alvin Gentry, the roster relied on a fast-paced offensive philosophy that maximized playmaking from Jrue Holiday and Rajon Rondo. While the team faced depth challenges and defensive consistency issues during the regular season, their playoff surge remains a high-water mark for the modern franchise. Understanding how this roster came together, how the pieces fit, and why the team ultimately peaked reveals key lessons in NBA roster construction.
The Foundation: The Davis and Cousins Tandem
The entire architecture of the 2017-18 Pelicans rested on the pairing of Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins. Trading for Cousins midway through the previous season brought two elite, generational big men onto the same floor. Opposing defenses struggled to find answers for a frontcourt that could score from the post, drive past slower defenders, and stretch the floor with perimeter shooting.
Davis was entering his absolute prime, averaging 28.1 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game while finishing third in MVP voting. Cousins anchored the interior alongside him, contributing 25.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per contest before suffering a torn Achilles tendon in January 2018.
- Offensive Versatility: Both big men could initiate the break, draw double-teams, and find open shooters in the corner.
- Rim Protection: Davis served as an elite defensive anchor, erasing mistakes on the perimeter while Cousins controlled defensive glass positioning.
- The Fit Question: Critics initially wondered if two traditional centers could coexist in the modern NBA, but Gentry utilized staggered rotations and high-low passing to make it work seamlessly.
Backcourt Generalship: Holiday and Rondo
While the frontcourt grabbed national headlines, the backcourt provided the necessary defensive toughness and tactical poise. Jrue Holiday delivered the best season of his career, shifting permanently to shooting guard and locking down opposing perimeter stars like Damian Lillard in the postseason. Holiday averaged 19.0 points and 6.0 assists while earning NBA All-Defensive First Team honors.
Rajon Rondo brought veteran championship experience and elite floor generalship. Though his regular-season numbers were modest, his playoff performance elevated the entire team. Rondo orchestrated the offense with precision, averaging 12.2 assists per game in the postseason sweep of Portland.
- Two-Way Squeeze: Holiday's ability to guard primary ball-handlers allowed smaller backcourts zero breathing room.
- Playoff IQ: Rondo acted as an extension of the coaching staff on the floor, calling out opponent sets and controlling the game's tempo.
Filling the Gaps: Wing Depth and Mid-Season Pivots
Building a contender around two max-salaried big men required finding affordable role players who could defend and hit open threes. Solomon Hill missed most of the regular season with a torn hamstring, putting immense pressure on secondary wings like Darius Miller, E'Twaun Moore, and Tony Allen.
Moore enjoyed a career year, shooting over 42 percent from beyond the arc while starting 80 games at small forward. Following Cousins' injury, the front office pivoted quickly by trading for veteran forward Nikola Mirotić from the Chicago Bulls. Mirotić provided instant floor-spacing off the bench, opening driving lanes for Davis and completely revitalizing the team's offense down the stretch.
- Nikola Mirotić Impact: His arrival added a stretch-four dimension that kept the playoff push alive after losing Cousins.
- E'Twaun Moore Efficiency: Quietly provided consistent perimeter scoring when the team needed floor balance.
The Playoff Run and the Turning Point
Finishing the regular season with a 48-34 record earned the Pelicans the sixth seed in a brutal Western Conference. Matched against the third-seeded Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans executed a defensive masterclass. Holiday and Rondo trapped Lillard and C.J. McCollum aggressively, neutralizing Portland's backcourt engine entirely.
The Pelicans swept the series in four games, marking the franchise's first playoff series victory since 2008. In the second round, they ran into the powerhouse Golden State Warriors. While the Pelicans managed to steal Game 3 on their home floor, the sheer offensive firepower of the eventual champions proved too much, ending the series in five games.
"We played with a chip on our shoulder all year. Losing DeMarcus hurt us deeply, but it forced everyone else to step up and redefine our identity."
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the biggest weakness of the 2017-18 New Orleans Pelicans?
Depth on the wing and perimeter shooting consistency were major hurdles. The heavy reliance on Davis and Cousins meant any injury to the frontcourt strained the entire rotation until the mid-season acquisition of Nikola Mirotić.
How did DeMarcus Cousins' injury change the team?
Cousins tore his Achilles on January 26, 2018. While many wrote off their playoff chances, the team adopted a faster, smaller lineup style, leaned heavier on Anthony Davis at center, and traded for Mirotić to maintain floor spacing.
Why was Rajon Rondo so important to that roster?
Beyond his regular-season veteran leadership, Rondo elevated his play in the playoffs. His court vision and tactical command helped dismantle the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round.
Did Anthony Davis win MVP that season?
Davis did not win MVP, but he finished third in the voting behind James Harden and LeBron James after carrying the Pelicans through the emotional and physical toll of losing Cousins.
