Paul Pierce Makes Audacious Prediction About Playoffs as Kevin Garnett Strikes With Reality Check

Can the New Orleans Pelicans surprise everyone this season? At least Paul Pierce has expressed the possibility of an unpopular opinion coming true. ‘The Truth’ has shown confidence in Zion Williamson‘s comeback and his pairing with Brandon Ingram. So much so that he believes the Pelicans may just make it to the Western Conference finals. However, Kevin Garnett has countered the opinion with other realistic possibilities and teams.

Garnett and Pierce recently appeared on an ‘All The Smoke‘ podcast episode. Pierce was asked about the team that is most challenging to the throne. “Man, watch out for New Orleans, bro. I keep saying this. They peaking right now, too. Ain’t nobody talking about them,” Pierce replied. The 2008 MVP backed his statement with Williamson’s fine performances. “I think they’re going to be in the Western Conference finals. I think they’re going to find a way,” he added.

However, he further mentioned that the Pelicans must avoid the Denver Nuggets in the first round to do so. Pierce spotlighted how the Pelicans keep moving and is a team that never really slipped by luck into the play-ins. ‘They’ve been kind of consistent all year and they’ve gotten better,” he stated. However, Kevin Garnett was more concerned about the Pelicans’ record against the top .500 teams. Notably, the Pelicans are 20-16 with teams above .500, which Pierce considers a great position. But KG still wasn’t satisfied and attempted to put the present into perspective.

He asked if the Pelicans can outperform others in a 7-game series and beat the first five teams. “Can you beat Phoenix?… Can you beat the Clippers, can you beat Minnesota?” asked KG. Pierce believes that Zion has the most to prove this season which will be a driving factor for the team, alongside Ingram trying to prove he is one of the stars in this league.

A closer look into the Pelicans’ current position

The Pelicans currently stand #5 in the Western Conference. The team has won 40 of their 66 matches and lost 26, making them stand at a winning percentage of .606. It is worth mentioning that the Pelicans have never appeared in the Conference finals. So Paul Pierce’s statement that they have the most to prove holds certain value. Moreover, Zion’s improved performance and staying healthy this year have boosted team morale.

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Notably, Williamson missed the 2021-22 season because of his foot injury and played only 29 games last season. However, this season, Zanos has to play just 8 more games to cross his career high of total games played in the season. Although the 23-year-old Pelicans star has recently faced an injury issue this season as well, he has made his return against the LA Clippers. Zion has averaged 22.5 points per game in 55 games this season. His assists at 5.1 along with 58.0 field goal percentage are also an assuring factor for the team.

And it is not just Zanos alone but the Zion-Ingram duo that has raised the hopes. Ingram has averaged 22.5 points per game this season, with 5.1 assists. Additionally, the duo has been getting adequate support from Herbert Jones. With a 43.4 3P percentage, the 25-year-old player has produced higher numbers than both his teammates.

However, the Pelicans are challenged by some other teams in the Western Conference who are considered to have a better lineup. Something that even Kevin Garnett hinted towards in his podcast. While the Denver Nuggets have Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon, the Phoenix Suns have Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal.

What are your opinions on the New Orleans Pelicans possibly making it to the Western Conference finals? Let us know your favorite team for the spot in the comments.

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