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Saints vs. Pelicans: Who will have the better winning percentage in 2017?

By Dean Mullen

May 25, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Travaris Cadet (left) and running back Adrian Peterson (left middle) and running back Trey Edmunds (right middle) and running back Alvin Kamara (right) participate in running drills during organized team activities at the New Orleans Saints training facility. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
May 25, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Travaris Cadet (left) and running back Adrian Peterson (left middle) and running back Trey Edmunds (right middle) and running back Alvin Kamara (right) participate in running drills during organized team activities at the New Orleans Saints training facility. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Pelicans just finished their draft last night. Now it’s time to gauge what team has the best chance to win this in 2017.

The last three years have been rough for the fans of professional sports in New Orleans. There was only ONE winning season in the last three years between the two teams. The New Orleans Saints have finished 7-9 the last three years for a winning pct. of 43.7%. The math is easy there.

On the other hand, the Pelicans had one winning season in 2014-15 at 45-37. Strangely enough, their winning pct. averaged out over three years was 44.3%. The difference is actually under 1% from both teams over three years. The odds of those numbers being that close has to be astronomical. Regardless, both teams hope to turn the tables this year.

There is so much irony that can be drawn from the close comparison. Both Sean Payton and Alvin Gentry find themselves on a warm seat getting hotter by the month. Of course, Payton definitely has much more accolades and duration in his career. Gentry’s seat is much hotter. That being said, there is more similarities that seems a bit coincidental.

Drew Brees is no doubt the KING of New Orleans. Anthony Davis though is a rising PRINCE, looking to make the leap forward towards a championship. This season is the most important for both coaches and general managers. As a consequence, there’s a willingness to take more risks than normal. The Saints made a blockbuster trade sending Brandin Cooks over to the Patriots. Additionally, the Pelicans also made a huge trade by acquiring DeMarcus Cousins by giving up players and picks.

Would this scenario occurred a year ago? Probably not. At any rate, the stakes are high for both franchises in 2017. It’s also hard to compare a 16 game schedule to an 82 game long NBA journey to June. But there has to be progress for each of them. The NBA playoffs are no doubt an easier task than the NFL postseason. Although the Pelicans are no shoo-in for a playoff spot. Conversely, the NFL only has 12 playoff spots versus the 16 for the NBA.

In my opinion, the New Orleans Saints have a slightly better chance to rise above .500 to make it to the playoffs. Hopefully, both teams will improve significantly this year. All streaks come to an end. Winning games and losing them. This would be a great year to break the chain of disappointments.

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