The 2010-11 season was a successful and revitalizing year for the franchise now known as the Pelicans, then competing as the New Orleans Hornets, as they finished with a strong 44-38 record. Under the leadership of first-year head coach Monty Williams and the elite playmaking of All-Star Chris Paul, the team boasted one of the league's top-rated defenses and secured the seventh seed in the Western Conference. Their competitive campaign culminated in a hard-fought postseason appearance where they showcased their resilience by challenging the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers in a spirited six-game first-round series. The fourth overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft and the 2006 Rookie of the Year, Chris Paul was a legendary floor general for the New Orleans Hornets who earned four All-Star selections and led the league in both assists and steals twice during his six-season tenure with the franchise.