Pelicans Have ‘A Lot of Winning in Our Future,’ CJ McCollum Says

No matter what happens in the play-in finale, CJ McCollum thinks good things await the Pelicans.

“This is the start of something special, for sure,” McCollum said after the Pelicans beat the Spurs in their first Western Conference play-in game. “You see the energy. Feel the energy. My mother is in town; I have some family in town. When we go out to eat, you can feel the city is excited about basketball, as they should [be].”

It’s hard to debate. McCollum has been fantastic since arriving in a February trade with the Trail Blazers. Brandon Ingram continues to prove that he is a rising star. And we’re all assuming Zion Williamson will be healthy enough to play someday.

Along with that Fearsome Threesome, first-year coach Willie Green has shown a knack for getting his men to play to their potential. While the Pelicans struggled at first, they emerged as perhaps the NBA’s best kept secret.

Without a doubt, there is hope.

“There’s a lot of talent here,” McCollum said. “We’re playing the game the right way. It’s going to be a lot of winning in our future.”

The Pelicans will face the Clippers for the right to advance to the playoffs. Tipoff is scheduled for 10 p.m. EST. Vote who you think will win right here.