Last year was one of rebranding and rebuilding for the Pelicans.

They had a new name to go with some young faces. They even introduced a new mascot, twice.

The first Pierre the Pelican proved to be too scary for kids. So a softer, more friendly looking Pierre soon followed.

And the city of New Orleans even hosted the All-Star Game.

Those facts showed that this franchise may be a work in progress, but it is also on the radar of the rest of the NBA.

For that they can thank Anthony Davis.

After being the league’s top draft pick, the All-Star center enters his third season off an outstanding summer when he helped Team USA to a gold medal at the World Championships.

Davis helped lead the Americans who suffered through injuries and player defections. Still Davis remained on the club and reaped the benefits of his hard work.

“I got better, not just as player, but as a person,” Davis said of his summer work. “Hanging around those guys, the coaches, you are going to get better. Having coach there, knowing what I need to work on for the season, was even better.’’

Pelicans head coach Monty Williams served as an assistant on the team, showing Davis is not the only one getting attention in New Orleans.

However, Davis is the main reason people in New Orleans are thinking playoffs after winning just 34 games last season. That won’t be easy in the Western Conference, but a .500 record would be a big step forward.

Either way, Davis thinks this year has potential.

“We have a lot of great pieces here,” Davis said. “I think we have a great team.”

Davis said he hopes to improve on the solid numbers he put up last year when he averaged 20.8 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.8 blocks a game.

The front office also got him help, adding center Omer Asik from Houston. Asik can rebound and is a solid defender who should free up Davis some from under the basket.

But perhaps the biggest addition to the club was somebody who was on the team but injured last season. Ryan Anderson, a 3-point specialist, missed 60 games with a neck injury and the Pelicans slipped to 29th in the league in 3-point shooting.

Anderson, a power forward who averaged 19.9 points a game while stretching the floor before his injury, will be asked at times to play the three spot as the Pelicans flip from small to big lineups at times.

“It’s something I’m comfortable doing,” Anderson said. “For me, it’s whatever it takes to be out there and helping the team.”

Other players have pointed to a healthy Anderson’s return as a key to the season. However, he doesn’t see it that way yet.

“I’m just happy to be back out there,” Anderson said. “There are definitely some moments when I can help the guys out, but I’m really just happy to be back out there.”

If Anderson and guard Eric Gordon can stay healthy then the outside shooting game will be much improved.

Gordon averaged 15.4 points and just over three assists a game when in the lineup. He is joined in the backcourt by Jrue Holiday, who came over in a trade with Philadelphia.

Holiday averaged 14.3 points and almost eight assists a game before having his season end early with a right leg stress fracture.

Having the backcourt stay healthy and returning to form might be the key to the Pelicans’ season. Improved play by former first-round pick Austin Rivers would help as well.

“We have a number of guys who are still trying to make their mark in the league,” Williams said. “Our young guys have to go out there and get better.”

Having more firepower on the floor should be a big help to Davis especially.

“It is going to help a lot,” Davis said. “We have more weapons on the floor. Everybody has their special things on the floor and we just have to put it all together.”

One interesting area is the small forward, where the Pelicans are expected to start Tyreke Evans, who is usually a big guard. The 6-foot-6 Evans would be considered undersized and play when New Orleans goes small.

“I don’t think he’s a small forward but he may be able to play in that position,” Williams said. “I just think he’s a really good player and obviously you try to figure out ways to get him the ball.”(MGNonline)