Anthony Davis is the engine that makes the New Orleans Pelicans go. Alvin Gentry is a great coach, Jrue Holiday is a seasoned veteran with a killer instinct, Nikola Mirotic is playing the best basketball of his career, and Julius Randle is a junkyard dog willing to go toe-to-toe with anyone.

But despite the dangerous supporting cast, the fate of the Pelicans rests on Anthony Davis' shoulders.

“Of course, I know that in order to win games, a lot of pressure is going to be on me,” Davis told Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports while sitting at his locker stall Wednesday night. “If we lose, it’s on me. If we win, they give my team the credit and I’m fine with that.

Article Continues Below
More New Orleans Pelicans News
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) drives to the basket past Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) in the second half at Target Center.
Pelicans rumors: Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III no longer untouchableDavid Yapkowitz ·
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) looks on during the second quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center.
Pelicans’ Zion Williamson accused of rape in recent LA court filingBrett Siegel ·
timberwolves, Kevin Durant, Dejounte Murray, and Jarrett Allen
3 early Minnesota Timberwolves trade targets in 2025 NBA offseasonGarrett Kerman ·
Naz Reid playing for Timberwolves with T-Wolves logo in background.
Ranking 3 best Naz Reid free-agency destinations if he leaves TimberwolvesBailey Bassett ·
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) looks to pass the ball against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the second half at Smoothie King Center.
NBA rumors: Bucks star named ‘ideal’ Zion Williamson Pelicans partnerPreston Byers ·
Duke Blue Devils guard Kon Knueppel (7) shoots the ball against Alabama Crimson Tide center Clifford Omoruyi (11) during the second half in the East Regional final of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center.
Ranking 5 best Kon Knueppel destinations in 2025 NBA DraftJulian Ojeda ·

Davis cemented himself as one of the best players in the NBA last season after his monster regular season and dominant first-round performance in the playoffs. It's not crazy to place Davis among the top two or three players in the league. Top five is probably a safer projection, but the fact of the matter is Davis is one of the best players in the game.

More often than not, Davis is the best player on the floor no matter who New Orleans is matched up against. It's only natural that fans and media will look to Davis when the team is struggling. That comes with the territory when you have superstar status, and it sounds like Davis is willing to accept the challenge.