The Pelicans new forward Dante Cunningham has now logged almost 36 hours in New Orleans and is in the midst of adjusting to his new life and his fresh start.
It's a welcome adjustment after a troubling offseason when Cunningham was accused of domestic violence, charged, then ultimately cleared after the allegations were proven to have been an elaborate fabrication.
"The best part has been the team: everyone has had something positive to say, trying to help me acclimate, from the players, to the coaches, to the staff," Cunningham said. "It's been so nice and has made it much easier."
Cunningham's start with the Pelicans qualifies as baptism by fire. He joined the team on the road last week the morning before the team took on the red-hot Golden State Warriors. Then came a back-to-back weekend matchup with the Clippers and Lakers, a Monday night in a New Orleans hotel, followed by a Tuesday clash with Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks.
"A lot of times, I am out of place, not where I'm supposed to be," Cunningham said. "But the best thing I can do is bring energy to the team: energy and effort. I can control that. I can run, rebound and go for the ball."
Cunningham says he is learning the system and gets more comfortable each time he steps on the court.
"Every game it gets better and starts to feel more normal," Cunningham said. "That first game, everything was going 110 miles per hour. Now it's starting to slow down."
The Pelicans are using Cunningham as the power forward in the reserve unit, but he's also expected to be called upon to play a big defensive three role as well. As long as he's on the court, Cunningham says he doesn't care what position or what role.
"I just like to play basketball," Cunningham said with a smile.
That's music to coach Monty Williams' ears with a tough stretch of opponents just ahead, including the Dallas Mavericks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder.
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