The Pelicans Are In First Place And They’re Finally Becoming A Thing
Last night the Utah Jazz finally put a stop to the New Orleans Pelicans’ seven-game win streak in a 121-100 pasting, but that doesn’t change the fact that the Pelicans are awfully good this year. And people are beginning to notice and get behind the team.
Here was something showing just how big a deal the Pelicans are starting to become…
The Pelicans have been sizzling in December and own the best record in the Western Conference, and hype around the team is higher than possibly ever before.
Everything is hot right now, and that includes the people trying to get their hands on an item the team gave away for free: plush Pelicans hats that were handed out prior to the Nov. 18 clash against the Boston Celtics.
The hats were a hit, even as the Eastern Conference juggernaut Celtics took down the Pelicans 117-109. But only those in attendance walked away with them, and there were no sales of the hats for those who couldn’t attend.
A combination of all those factors has led to one of the more unlikely resale markets developing, with hats listed on sites like Ebay for close to $200.
One listing, which was set to expire on Thursday, Dec. 15, already had 31 bids as high as $177. It was listed as being shipped from an address in Baltimore, Maryland.
The resale market is not unlike what happens around Mardi Gras season, with handmade parade throws often landing for sale online within days of the events. While these types of sales don’t feel quite as grimy, it does indicate that one sentiment shared online would probably be appropriate: The team should put a number of them up for sale (one per person), to eliminate the secondary market.
Until then, wear the hats with pride. There’s a lot of Pelicans action left to watch. Wouldn’t want the ears to get chilly.
Was it just how cool the hats were? Well…
This isn’t quite as bad as selling Mardi Gras throws but I put it in the same category.
Also, what madman is spending almost two bills on this hat? pic.twitter.com/a1EuXeCerb
— Jeff Nowak (@Jeff_Nowak) December 14, 2022
We’re going to say it’s not the hats. People will get into stupid-looking gear all the time for whatever reason, but what’s clear is this team is getting folks fired up about NBA basketball for the first time since the Chris Paul years.
And they should. Between Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram (who’s missed 12 games due to injury), and C.J. McCollum this team has a trio of stars who can match up with anybody – and the second-line guys, like Jonas Valanciunas at center, Jose Alvarado at point guard and Troy Murphy and Hebert Davis on the wings, are really good complementary players as well.
They’re fun to watch. And with New Orleans needing a winner in the worst way, something the Saints sure as heck aren’t providing, the fans are latching on.