Dein erstes Forum » shooting back on track next week.Au

This story is part of ESPN The Magazines Oct. 31 NBA Preview Issue. Subscribe today!New Orleans PelicansOverall: 66 Title track: 107 Ownership: 86 Coaching: 91 Players: 101 Fan relations: 66 Affordability: 11 Stadium experience: 85 Bang for the buck: 41 Change from last year: -30It was all good just a year ago. The Pelicans jumped 41 spots in these rankings after their first winning season in the Anthony Davis era, and that 45-win season seemed to foretell great things for the team and its leading man. Alas, an encore with more starting lineups (42) than wins (30) pushed the Pels back to the bottom half.Whats goodEven after a 30-win season, the Pelicans rank in the top third of teams in bang for the buck, thanks to the leagues cheapest tickets. At just $30.20 on average, Pelicans tickets are $25 below the NBA average and a full $99 cheaper than the leagues most expensive ticket (the Knicks). Once youre in the door, you get to watch a superstar in the prime of his career. Although doubts have emerged after his left knee debridement in March made it four straight seasons with fewer than 70 regular-season games played, Davis is still only 23 years old and boasts a statistical profile befitting some of the very best in history.Whats badA season ravaged by injuries -- the Pelicans lost 351 games to injury or illness, second-most in the past decade -- forced the front office to undergo a major facelift this past summer. While the likes of Solomon Hill and ETwaun Moore will provide much-needed versatility, particularly for the leagues 28th-ranked defense, the losses of Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon leave the supporting cast a bit light on star power and scoring punch. As a result, the Pels take a big hit here in players (down 52 spots to 101st) and title track (down 30 to 107, New Orleans worst showing).Whats newThe Benson familys courtroom drama, in which owner Tom Benson is trying to move control of a family trust to his wife, not his daughter, put a 32-point drag on the teams ownership score, which is now down to 86th overall and 23rd in the NBA. But if New Orleans can live up to its reputation as the countrys best party host with the 2017 All-Star Game -- relocated to New Orleans after the league moved it from Charlotte -- the Pelicans could bump that back up. Another fan favorite: The Pelicans are putting courtside seats normally reserved for media on sale to the public, offering fans the unique experience of hearing coach Alvin Gentrys colorful in-game monologues loud and clear.Next: Orlando Magic?| Full rankingsHines Ward Womens Jersey . To the surprise of many, it isnt the Wolverines but their in-state rivals the Michigan State Spartans. Joe Gilliam Womens Jersey .C. -- Todd Fiddler scored a hat trick, including the overtime goal, as the Prince George Cougars survived an 8-7 win against the Kamloops Blazers in Western Hockey League play Sunday. http://www.steelerspronfl.com/Youth-Jerome-Bettis-Elite-Jersey/ . Rinne played two periods in his first game since left hip surgery in early May. Gabriel Bourque scored 3:07 into the second period and Austin Watson tallied 5:15 later for Nashville. Franco Harris Steelers Jersey . The formidable trio of Canadian receivers -- individually known as Chris Getzlaf, Rob Bagg and Andy Fantuz -- will share the field at Mosaic Stadium one more time on Sunday. Heath Miller Jersey . Self was acquired from the Buffalo Bandits in a trade for Alex Hill midway through last season, and made his debut in Rochester on March 16, 2013.AUBURN, Ala. -- Bryce Brown scored 19 points, freshman Danjel Purifoy added 14 points and Auburn hit 13 3-pointers in an 83-66 victory over North Florida on Friday night in a season opener for both teams.Freshmen Mustafa Heron and Jared Harper each had 10 points for Auburn.I thought our defense in the first half was tremendous, Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said. In the second half, you know, we didnt play as well defensively. I was disappointed with our rebounding. But to hold a team that averages 84 (points per game) to 66 is good. Were trying to get better. Its a great way to start the season: with a win.The Tigers used their 3-pointers to pull away early, and their athleticism and tenacious defense prevented the Ospreys from clawing back in the second half.The two teams came out jittery as Auburn and North Florida combined for 15 turnovers in the first 11 minutes. Auburn, which was starting three freshmen in guards Heron and Jared Harper and forward Purifoy, committed seven of those.The Tigers lack of size kept North Florida in the game midway through the first half. The Ospreys 6-foot-11 center Romelo Banks, who finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds, gave Auburns Horace Spencer fits. Spencer had to come out for grad transfer LaRon Smith just two minutes into the game, and although Smith wasnt any taller, he provided more-stout defense on Banks.We just didnt have an answer, said North Florida coach Maatt Driscoll.dddddddddddd. Our top guys, our lead guys, our marquee guys, they just didnt have one of their better games. Like, thats gonna happen, so weve got to find a way to play through that.With North Floridas down-low advantage hampered, the Tigers were able to break away as Auburns quick passing and shooting negated the Ospreys hard trapping defense on the perimeter.BIG PICTURE:North Florida: The Ospreys will look to regroup and get their cold shooting back on track next week.Auburn: Pearls young, inexperienced squad kicks off his third year with a win, and the Tigers will look to keep it rolling.STAT OF THE NIGHT:Auburn started three freshmen for the first time since Nov. 20, 2005, when the Tigers started Josh Dollard, Quantez Richardson and Joey Cameron in a 69-54 over Lipscomb.HE SAID ITGive them credit, they shared the sugar, they had a ton of assists. They got no pigs on the team, they look like they really like each other. They can shoot the living dog out of the ball, and they defend well enough and rebound so strong. -- North Florida coach Matt Driscoll.UP NEXTNorth Florida will try to bounce back and notch its first victory against Edward Waters on Monday.Auburn looks to start 2-0 when Georgia State rolls into town next Monday as part of the Cancun Challenge. ' ' '