New Orleans Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans are a professional basketball team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. Founded in 2002 as the New Orleans Hornets, the team changed its name to the Pelicans in 2013. The Pelicans compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Western Conference Southwest Division.

Early History (2002-2007)

The New Orleans Hornets were founded in 2002 as an expansion team of the NBA. The team was owned by George Shinn and his then-wife, Denise Shinn, who relocated the Charlotte Hornets to New Orleans. The team played its first season at the New Orleans Arena and finished with a record of 18-64.

In 2004, the Hornets made their first playoff appearance, led by star players Baron Davis and Jamal Mashburn. However, they were swept by the Miami Heat in the first round.

Hurricane Katrina and Relocation (2005-2007)

In 2005, the city of New Orleans was hit by Hurricane Katrina, causing massive damage to the city and forcing the Hornets to play the majority of their 2005-2006 season at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City. The team finished the season with a record of 38-44 and missed the playoffs.

Due to ongoing concerns about the condition of the New Orleans Arena and the state of the city, the Hornets were forced to play the majority of their 2006-2007 season in Oklahoma City as well. The team finished the season with a record of 39-43 and again missed the playoffs.

David Stern Era (2007-2012)

In 2007, the NBA took over ownership of the Hornets due to financial difficulties faced by the team's previous owners. Commissioner David Stern appointed Jac Sperling as the team's chairman and oversaw a series of changes to the team's management and roster.

In 2009, the Hornets made the playoffs for the second time in team history, led by star player Chris Paul. However, they were again swept in the first round by the Denver Nuggets.

In 2010, the Hornets traded Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Clippers, causing a significant decline in the team's performance. The team finished the 2010-2011 season with a record of 46-36 and lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Los Angeles Lakers.

In 2011, the NBA reached a deal to sell the Hornets to Tom Benson, owner of the New Orleans Saints football team. Benson's ownership brought a renewed sense of stability and optimism to the team.

Name Change and Rebranding (2012-present)

In 2012, the Hornets announced that they would be changing their name to the New Orleans Pelicans, in honor of the state bird of Louisiana. The team also underwent a rebranding, with a new logo and color scheme.

The Pelicans made the playoffs in the 2014-2015 season, led by star players Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday. However, they lost in the first round to the Golden State Warriors.

In the 2015-2016 season, the Pelicans reached the second round of the playoffs for the first time in team history, but lost to the eventual champions, the Golden State Warriors.

In the following seasons, the Pelicans struggled with injuries and inconsistent performances, missing the playoffs in both the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 seasons.

In the 2018-2019 season, the Pelicans acquired star player Zion Williamson through the NBA Draft and made the playoffs for the first time since the 2015-2016 season. However, they were swept by the eventual champions, the Golden State Warriors, in the first round.