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2010 Thunder played the 2010 Lakers in a very close and competitive 1st round series. They eventually lost in the final minute of game 6 that could’ve gone either way.

2022 Pelicans played the 2022 Suns in a very close and competitive 1st round series. Similar to the 2010 Thunder, they also eventually lost in the final minute of game 6 that could’ve gone either way.

Both were 1st Seed vs 8th Seed. With the 1st seed being defending Western Conference champions. The 8th seed being a lottery team the previous season and making a major breakthrough to reach the playoffs with a young and upcoming team.

The 2010 Lakers and 2022 Suns best players were shooting guards (Booker, Kobe). Both were hobbled (Booker with hamstring, Kobe knee and broken finger). Which probably helped both the Pelicans and Thunder a little in taking their respective series to 6 games.

These two series were also the playoff debuts for both Kevin Durant and Brandon Ingram. KD was younger player with a higher ceiling, but I don’t think the separation between 2022 Ingram and 2010 KD is that big. Especially comparing their debut playoff performances.

Obviously the Pels don’t have a young Harden or Westbrook. However they have a dynamic young trio of rookies with Herb, Murphy and Alvarado.

Who wins in a 7 game series between the two teams? -(This is assuming post deadline Pelicans after acquiring McCollum and getting BI back)

Also if Zion is able to return fully healthy with continued improvement of the rookies&BI, could you see the Pelicans making a similar leap forward like the Thunder did in 2011 and then 2012?

i would love to see herb against young durant tbh

i think with hindsight knowmedge of the jump okc would make in 2011 is hard to argue against them, just more rsw talent and athletism imo

falcolombardi wrote:i would love to see herb against young durant tbh

i think with hindsight knowmedge of the jump okc would make in 2011 is hard to argue against them, just more rsw talent and athletism imo

Yea, Herb’s length is probably one of the few athletes I feel that can put a good contest on KD’s jumper. Definitely a matchup worth watching.

Sefolosha on Ingram also another one to watch for. Ingram was able to hold his own against Bridges / Crowder. Wonder how Ingram would handle Thabo.

In regards to 2011, I don’t think Ingram will match KD. However I think a healthy Zion can impact the game more than 2011 Westbrook or 2011 Harden.

Obviously Harden and Westbrook took big leaps that was difficult to predict back in 2010. However can’t deny Zion is truly special and unique talent. It’s also scary for the rest of the league how well the Pelicans rookies handled the Suns. Obviously nothing is guaranteed, but the Pelicans look to be an absolute force going forward. With a lot of draft capital to construct the roster around the core

I thought that the thunder had the potential to be a dynasty even back in 2010... They were so young, they won 50 games with a great second half of the season, KD had won the scoring title(the youngest ever to do it) and was second in the MVP voting and they won 2 games, almost forced a game 7 against the lakers

The Pelicans have good potential but they will need Zion to be healthy and serious (like being in good shape) to be contenders

This is frankly an insulting question. OKC won 50 games, the Pelicans won 36 and only made it due to the play in. If Booker plays the entire series it's probably over in 4-5 games.

Stan wrote:This is frankly an insulting question. OKC won 50 games, the Pelicans won 36 and only made it due to the play in. If Booker plays the entire series it's probably over in 4-5 games.

How about 2022 Pelicans + Healthy Zion vs 2010 Thunder?

Also I will say this, The Pelicans 36 win record is mis-leading. They started 1-12 because they were missing their 2 best players in Ingram and Zion. With a rookie coach Willie Green making mistakes on his coaching mistakes that probably cost them more games early in the season. Once Ingram came back and they got McCollum the Pelicans were closer to a mid 40s win team. Also 3 rookies were getting major minutes who were clearly much better in the 2nd half of the season. Once they got into the play-in race at the end of the regular season, You can make a strong argument they were playing good enough to be the 6th seed had they played that way the entire season.

The 2010 Thunder were a big suprise. But back in 2010 they weren’t seen as a juggernaut that they were in 2012. James Harden was still a rookie averaging 9 a game. Westbrook looked like a good co star, but he clearly had flaws and wasn’t really a superstar more of a fringe all star / very good player. KD was a scoring champ, but he wasn’t the KD that was competing against Lebron for best player in the league. KD was the leading scorer but his efficiency wasn’t in prime form. I’d say at the time he was behind Lebron, Kobe, Wade, CP3, Dwight. Probably somewhere in top 10, but closer to Carmelo than the group in the top 5 for that season. The Thunder took a very big leap the following 2 seasons as Durant took a big leap for the 2012 season where his efficiency shot up.

You mention Booker was out, but the Pelicans were up 77-74 in game 2 at the time Booker was injured. In game 6, it took CP3 playing the game of his life for the Suns to narrowly pull it out. Likewise, Kobe was playing on an injured knee in the first round that clearly limited him. He got it drained after that series and played much better the following 2 rounds against Utah and Phoenix. Even though Kobe didn’t miss any games, the Thunder were clearly getting a less effective version of him.

2010 Thunder. The Pelicans fought well but they would have lost in 4 or 5 games if Booker stayed healthy while Thunder's performance against the Lakers was legit. In terms of how seemed like they had more potential at the time easily the Thunder, even though Westbrook and Harden's ceiling weren't as clear back then, Green's somewhat met them in the middle, and Durant by himself made them more promising.