Entering the 2022-23 NBA season, New Orleans Pelicans fans expect a big jump in the standings with the return of a healthy Zion Williamson and the maturation of a lineup that pushed the Phoenix Suns to six games in the opening round of the Western Conference playoffs.
How close are the Pels to a legitimate championship contender?
To answer that, there must first be an understanding of the components of an NBA championship team. After looking at the past decade of champions, some trends stand out.
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