Chapter 1 The Beginning

The preseason ended, and the Pelicans completed their final roster adjustments.

They cut three non-guaranteed contracts, including Trier, but reached two-way contracts with two players, including Trier.

With a 15+2 lineup, they entered the 2018-2019 season with a full roster.

The regular season was about to begin, and as in the past, ESPN released its power rankings for each team before the season started.

Without Xiao Hua's intervention, the new season's power rankings were much more reliable than last season's.

1. Lakers

James and Durant playing on the same team sounds unbelievable.

Not to mention that this team also has Middleton, who averaged 22+5+5 last season, and Simmons, who is known as the second LeBron.

Although the bench looks a little weak, they proved one thing in the preseason: they can solve problems with their starting lineup.

Not to mention, James is still the stamina monster who has the energy to play the entire game.

This may not be the strongest team in history, but they can definitely be included in this discussion.

2. Spurs

Last season, with Leonard out for the season due to injury and Gasol's decline in form, Popovich still led the Spurs to the playoffs.

You never know how strong the greatest active coach in the NBA is.

Now, he's coaching a team with Aldridge, Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard.

This is the strongest Spurs team since the peak of the GDP era, and the team most likely to compete with the Lakers in the new season.

3. Pelicans

The reason I put them ahead of the Bucks, Mavericks, and Warriors is because I believe in Tang's strength, he always surprises us.

Although they lost Walker and Butler, they still have Tang Tian and Davis as their core, plus a group of good role players.

They still have a chance to win a great four-peat, but they must put on a convincing performance in their head-to-head matches with the Spurs and Lakers.

4. Bucks

They probably should be ranked higher, because they are the only team in the new season that is stronger than last season.

The addition of JJ Redick can solve the offensive spacing problems that plagued them last season.

And as far as I know, Antetokounmpo has been practicing his shooting in the past season, and his performance in the new season will be very worth looking forward to.

This league always produces heroes, and there are always heroes who are defeated.

I expect him to put a strong impact on Tang's MVP.

5. Mavericks

Jokic's departure made Nowitzki choose to continue playing, which may be the best news for Mavericks fans.

Their young forward Dwight Powell will get more opportunities in the new season.

If he can do half of what Jokic did last season, then the new season's Mavericks will be as good as last season.

After all, we have witnessed Embiid, who is moving towards the league's first center, and we have also seen the terrifying offensive and defensive strength of this team's perimeter players.

Of course, there's also their coach, Rick Carlisle.

6. Warriors

Durant's departure turned them from the strongest team in the league into a top-tier team.

Although they are still strong, they need to put in more effort to win the championship in the new season.

But let's not forget that this team has a 73-win foundation, and they are still not to be underestimated.

7. Trail Blazers

The Trail Blazers proved last season how terrible it is to underestimate them. In the new season, they re-signed Nurkic and retained the core lineup from last season.

Lillard was selected to the All-NBA First Team for the first time in his career last season, and he is at the peak of his career.

We used to exclude the Trail Blazers from the super teams, but in the new season, we have reason to believe that they are a super team.

8. Rockets

9. Thunder

10. Clippers

This is a team that is easily underestimated, but Luka Dončić proved through a preseason that he can easily adapt to the intensity of the NBA.

We may no longer be able to treat him as an ordinary rookie. He is a Tim Duncan-style player who dominated his league before coming here.

And they also have Jimmy Butler, the third or fourth best small forward in the league.

As well as Gallinari, Louis Williams, Beverley, Bradley and other excellent role players.

Their only weakness comes from the inside. If they can strengthen this point before the trade deadline.

That sounds a little mysterious, but they will be one of the contenders for the championship.

11. Raptors

12. Celtics

13. Jazz

14. Suns

……

In this list, 10 of the top 12 teams are from the Western Conference.

The fierce competition in the Western Conference in the new season is conceivable.

This list, like in the past, has also sparked heated discussions among fans.

Some feel that their team is ranked too low, while others feel that other teams are ranked too high.

The most interesting are the Pelicans fans.

Last season, due to Xiao Hua's reasons, they were ranked only third in the league in the power rankings.

As a result, this year, they are again third in the league!

The meme of "third in the league Pelicans" can't be escaped after being further impressed!

But predictions are just predictions, and they are only a warm-up before the season starts.

Just when fans were still discussing whether this list was correct or fair, the door to the new season had quietly opened.

The Pelicans also welcomed their first opponent of the season at home.

Coincidentally, their opening game opponent is the Rockets, their first opponent in the regular season.

D'Antoni had only rejected the Pelicans' head coach invitation before, but it was like being cursed.

After crushing defeats, crushing defeats, and more crushing defeats, they still have to bite the bullet and play.

It's really bad luck that has been accumulated for eight lifetimes.

Moreover, the key is that this is the opening game of the Pelicans' dynasty team, and they have to watch the Pelicans' championship ring presentation ceremony first.

In the dynasty year, Benson also spent a lot of money, and the championship ring was one size larger than all previous rings.

It is said that the cost of one ring is about 1.5 million US dollars.

The most luxurious ring in history is well-deserved.

However, as the first dynasty team in the league in 15 years, coupled with the huge broadcast contracts that the Pelicans obtained last season, no one thinks it is not worth it.

On the contrary, during the ring presentation ceremony, the Rockets players, from Harden to Paul, from Paul to other players, had nothing but envy in their eyes.

"I want to go to the Pelicans, I want to go to the Pelicans!"

Even Harden's mind was constantly filled with such uncontrollable words.

The deed of joining the enemy if you can't beat them was brought to prominence by Durant, but the fact proves that you still have to have good judgment when joining the enemy.

After the award ceremony, amidst the cheers of the fans, the championship banner was unveiled above the New Orleans Arena.

From 2015-2016 two years ago, to 2016-2017 last year, and the just unveiled 2017-2018.

The three consecutive banners, the numbers represent their meaning.

Pelicans Dynasty!

The players and fans in the audience felt a sense of pride from the bottom of their hearts.

Just like when Tang Tian had just transmigrated and looked up at the retired jerseys hanging above the UConn arena.