The New Orleans Pelicans are one of the most intriguing teams in the Western Conference. While they have an exciting young core that features three top-two picks in Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, they also have a handful of talented veterans like Jrue Holiday, JJ Redick and Derrick Favors.
The sheer quantity of young players the Pelicans have on their roster could make it hard for them to get wins right away, but Lonzo Ball believes the quality of the veterans on the team will help the young players through their growing pains and lead to a successful season.
“We have a great mix of older guys, younger guys. I feel like we have everything we need to go pretty far,” Ball said at Pelicans media day on Monday. “We’re going to take it one game at a time and go from there. Like I tell the young guys: It’s a long year. You’re going to win some game, you’re going to lose some games — learn from it and move on.”
Ironically, Ball is stuck between being a young player and veteran himself. While he’s technically entering his third season in the NBA, he’s played less than 100 games through those two seasons and is just 21 years old.
Ball might not be as much of an unknown quantity as Zion Williamson or Jaxson Hayes, but he has the same “X-Factor” potential that they do. It goes without saying, but the Pelicans will surely be hoping Ball looks more likes a veteran next season.
