What Reddit Users Are Saying About the New Orleans Pelicans This Season

As I scroll through the various NBA team subreddits this season, I’ve noticed something special brewing in the New Orleans Pelicans community. There’s a palpable sense of cautious optimism, a feeling that this team might finally be turning a corner. I’ve been following the league for over a decade, and I can tell you, the vibe around the Pelicans right now is different from the hesitant hope of previous years. It’s more grounded, more tangible. A lot of this, from what I’ve gathered, stems from the team’s evolving identity and the leadership of Zion Williamson, who seems to be embracing a new level of maturity. It reminds me of a piece of wisdom I once heard, a quote from a former PBA player to his son: "Kung gusto mo ako (gayahin), ito ang mga gagawin mo." In English, that translates to, "If you want to be like me, these are the things you will do." That sentiment, that passing down of a blueprint for success, feels incredibly relevant to what’s happening in New Orleans this season.

The conversation on r/NOLAPelicans is dominated by Zion’s physical transformation and his apparent commitment to the game. Users are posting side-by-side photos from last season and this one, pointing out a leaner, more explosive physique. The stats back up the eye test; he’s averaging 26.8 points on a career-high 58% shooting from the field through the first 28 games. But it’s not just the numbers. The discourse has shifted from "Is he healthy?" to "How dominant can he be?" There’s a shared belief that he’s finally internalizing that old coaching adage. He’s not just relying on his god-given talent anymore; he’s doing the things a professional must do to be great. He’s studying film, he’s communicating on defense, he’s making the extra pass. It’s the "gayahin" part of the quote in action. He’s building a replicable process for excellence, and the fans are loving every minute of it. I personally believe this is the version of Zion we were always promised, and his synergy with Brandon Ingram is reaching new heights, creating a one-two punch that’s a nightmare for opposing defenses.

Beyond the star power, the Reddit community is rightly obsessed with the team’s depth. The emergence of Trey Murphy III as a bona fide three-and-D wing has been a game-changer. The subreddit is flooded with clips of his gravity-defying dunks and his lightning-quick release from beyond the arc, where he’s shooting a blistering 41.5%. Then there’s Herb Jones, a player who has become a cult hero. The advanced stats nerds and the casual fans on the subreddit are united in their love for his defensive tenacity. The phrase "Not on Herb" has become a meme and a mantra. This depth creates a culture where everyone has a role, and everyone is held accountable. It feels like the entire roster has bought into that same philosophy of "ito ang mga gagawin mo"—this is what you will do. Jose Alvarado brings relentless energy, Larry Nance Jr. provides veteran savvy, and rookie Jordan Hawkins has shown flashes of being a microwave scorer. It’s a roster constructed not just with talent, but with a specific, hard-nosed identity in mind.

Of course, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing, and the subreddit is a honest reflection of that. The primary concern, as always, is health. A recent three-game losing streak sparked a flurry of posts analyzing the team’s over-reliance on Zion and Ingram to create offense. When one of them is out, the offensive flow can sometimes stagnate. There are also nuanced debates about Coach Willie Green’s rotations, particularly his trust in certain veterans over younger, more dynamic players during crucial moments. I’ve found myself in these threads, arguing that consistency in rotation builds chemistry, even if it’s frustrating in the short term. The fanbase is intelligent and passionate; they see the potential for a deep playoff run, but they’re also scarred by past disappointments. This creates a healthy skepticism that tempers the overwhelming optimism. They know that potential is one thing, but doing the work, "ang mga gagawin," day in and day out, is what separates good teams from great ones.

Looking at the Western Conference landscape, Reddit users are cautiously projecting a finish anywhere from the 4th to the 6th seed, with a real chance to win a playoff series for the first time since 2018. The analytics crowd points to the team’s net rating of +3.2, which places them firmly in the upper tier of the conference. The eye-test crowd points to the grit they’ve shown in close games, boasting a 12-8 record in games decided by five points or less. From my perspective, this blend of statistical strength and clutch performance is the hallmark of a team that is maturing together. They are learning how to win, and more importantly, they are building a sustainable model for success. The wisdom of that PBA player’s quote resonates deeply here. The Pelicans aren’t just a collection of talented individuals hoping to win. They are a team that is being built the right way, with a clear blueprint for what each player must do. If they can stay healthy and continue on this path, the chatter on r/NOLAPelicans will soon shift from hopeful speculation to confident expectation, and I, for one, can’t wait to see it.