CJ McCollum credits Lakers for Pelicans' turnaround this season

New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum.

It’s not often a team can pinpoint the exact moment in a season that catapulted its turnaround. But the Pelicans (45-28) know well that their loss to the Lakers in the semifinals of the in-season tournament was their watershed moment.

On that early December night, the Pelicans were destroyed 133-89 by the Lakers, causing many in the media to write them off as a playoff contender.

ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith poked fun at Zion Williamson’s weight, suggesting that the Duke product wasn’t committed to being a pro. Others urged the Pelicans to blow up the team. Some even sympathized with coach Willie Green for being given a subpar roster.

All that negativity ended up being the wake-up call they needed.

Since that loss to the Lakers, the Pelicans have a record of 33-17 after starting the season 12-11.

Following his Pelicans’ 107-100 win over the Bucks on Thursday, guard CJ McCollum shed light on the significance of the loss to the Lakers last December.

“The Lakers beat the snot out of us in the in-season tournament,” McCollum told NBA TV. “For us, it was a way to look in the mirror and figure out how we can be better defensively. We needed to figure out how to depend on our athleticism, length and communication. The best playoff teams defend at a high level in the half court and have players that can close games and score throughout. I think we have both.”

With a few weeks left in the season, the Pelicans have the fifth-best defensive rating in the league.

Before the Dec. 7 wake-up call against the Lakers, they were tied for 17th. The turnaround has been real.

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