The Pelicans are one win away from advancing to the second-round by Joshua Lea

Tonight is game three of the first-round series between the Pelicans and Blazers. The Pelicans have a chance to go up 3-0 in this best of seven series.

Tonight is game three of the Pelicans first-round series against the Blazers. All of New Orleans is excited and looking forward to this game. In fact, games three and four at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans are officially sold out.

The Pelicans took the first two games in Portland behind impressive play from Anthony Davis, Rajon Rondo, and Jrue Holiday. Now, with the home crowd behind them, they’ll look to take the next two games and advance to the second round for the first time since the 2007-08 season.

The 2007-08 New Orleans roster featured Chris Paul, David West, and Peja Stojakovic. It’s also worth noting that Jannero Pargo played for this roster as well. Pargo was one of my favorite players that came out of the University of Arkansas. But, I digress.

Now, 10 years later, following a team name change, the Pelicans look to get back into the second round. The fact that the Pelicans are on the doorstep of advancing has many people surprised. NBA Twitter has been buzzing with props to Holiday, Davis, and Rondo about their play during the first two games.

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These last two playoff games and the months leading up to them have been exciting to watch. Clearly, Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday are turning a historic page in their professional careers. Yes, it’s fun to watch. Yes, we should be excited as fans. But, let me say this:

THE PELICANS WOULD NOT BE BETTER OFF WITHOUT DEMARCUS COUSINS

Seriously, let’s not do this. When a player is injured, the rest of the team must step-up and play a different role than normal. That’s exactly what Davis and Holiday are doing. Now, most people that are saying the Pelicans are better without Cousins are what I like to call “numbers guys.” They consistently use stats and analytics to support their arguments.

You can’t say that a team is better without a player when that player is injured. The rest of the team is playing with extra effort to make up for that loss. Sure, the Pelicans are putting up some fantastic numbers, but are they truly better without Cousins?

There’s nothing wrong with using analytics in the NBA. It is a bit overkill at times, sure. However, I see the positives from analytics as well as the negative. Here’s the thing, playoff basketball notably brings out the absolute best in players. The rotation of bench players becomes smaller and the stars play extended minutes.

Would the Pelicans be up 2-0 on Portland if Cousins was healthy?

So, let’s break this down. If DeMarcus Cousins was playing in this series. He would likely be playing instead of Nikola Mirotic. This would put Mirotic coming off the bench. Cousins would likely get his double-double against the smaller Blazers. However, with an extra go-to guy like Mirotic, it would give head coach Alvin Gentry options.

In theory, the Pelicans would be stronger with Cousins not weaker. They would have another option at the stretch-four position. In 48 games this season Cousins posted 25 points and 12 rebounds a game. That combined with the sharp-shooting Mirotic could mean trouble for the NBA next season if both players return to the Pelicans lineup.

Cousins is rumored to be in attendance for game three in NOLA tonight. The Pelicans have a chance to have a special postseason this year. Not only that, they’ll have a chance next year to turn the page and become an elite Western Conference powerhouse.

Saying the Pelicans are better without Cousins is foolish in my opinion. You can’t tell a budding NBA star that the team that has appeared to accept him is better off without him. Especially given Cousins history in this league.

Cousins has come far in this league over the last season. He’s kept his nose clean and stayed out of trouble. You can’t cast him aside because Davis and Holiday have upped their game in a way nobody expected.