Right, the 2017 Pelicans roster. Funny you should mention that, or well, funny I’m thinking about it now. I actually had to dig that one up recently. Not for anything super important, mind you. It was one of those classic arguments with my brother-in-law, you know how those go. He’s always convinced he remembers every single player from every team, every year. Especially teams that had a bit of buzz around them.
So we were talking about teams that looked amazing on paper but then, poof, something just went sideways. And of course, the 2017 Pelicans came up. Specifically, that stretch when they had both Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins. Man, the hype around that duo. I remember thinking, “Okay, this is it. These guys are gonna tear through the West.” Two absolute monsters in the paint. Plus, you had Jrue Holiday, who I always thought was, and still is, a heck of a player, super underrated for the longest time.
Anyway, my brother-in-law starts listing off who he thought was on the team, getting a few right, but then throwing in some random names. So, I had to go look it up. Pulled out my phone, quick search, bam. It’s not like it’s ancient history, but you know, names slip your mind. I was mainly doing it to prove him wrong on a couple of guys, if I’m being honest. Petty, I know, but hey, family debates, right?
Seeing that list again, though, it did bring back that feeling from that season. That initial excitement. It’s like when you start a new project, maybe building something in the garage. You get all the best tools, you’ve got the plans, you’re all fired up. And then, halfway through, you realize you’re missing a crucial part, or you drill a hole in the wrong place. That’s what that season felt like, especially after Cousins went down with that awful Achilles injury. Just deflating.
You had guys like Rajon Rondo on that team too, especially for the playoff run they managed to scrape together. Smart player, Rondo. Always knew how to run an offense. And E’Twaun Moore, Solomon Hill… a mix of role players trying to fit around the big stars. But it all hinged on AD and Boogie being healthy and dominant together.
It’s a bit like that one time I tried to make a perfect seven-layer dip for a Super Bowl party. I spent ages getting all the ingredients, followed the recipe to a T. Looked amazing. Then my dog, bless his heart, managed to jump up and stick his whole face in it right before everyone arrived. All that potential, gone in an instant. That’s the 2017 Pelicans for me. A great idea, a flash of brilliance, and then just… what could have been.
So yeah, looking up that roster wasn’t just about winning an argument. It was a little trip down memory lane. A reminder that sometimes, even with all the talent in the world, things don’t pan out the way you expect. That’s sports for you. And life, I guess.
