Pelicans

[Ragin4U]

Beating the Spurs was no easy feat last night. SA has been playing the best ball in the league lately and Pop didnt rest his horses. They were playing for a better seed. Good, gutsy win for the Pels
Getting Holiday back was huge, not just for the end of the regular season but facing off with GS, Pels need Holidays defense to lock down the Splash Brothers. Dont think Pels can win the series but I think they can push GS to 6 games.

[zephyr]

If you attend a game in person, you pick up how skilled these athletes are. This and their speed do not come through on TV. Folks that say no defense is played in the NBA do not know what they are talking about. Yes the Pelicans are fun to watch right now and they are headed in the right direction. Next season could be fun in basketball as I expect both the cajuns and Pels to continue to do well.

I've made about 10 games this season and was bummed to not make the GSW game a week ago but couldn't make it happen. Games in person are not even close to watching on TV. You don't truly get a grasp on how fast and athletic these guys are until you see them in person. Games are put on very well by SKC staff and my family really enjoys going.

AD is the one player I would want to build my franchise around at this point and time over any other player. He's growing every year as an all around player, is a solid young man who you don't have to worry about behavior issues and really enjoys being in NOLA. However, this team is one offseason move away from being a true contender along with keeping key guys healthy for a first time like Jrue Holiday and Ryan Anderson (if they keep him).

The pelicans have an interesting salary cap situation with Asik being a free agent and I think they could free up some good money by letting him walk but we will see what happens. I don't expect them to beat the GS Warriors but at least we actually get to watch playoff basketball with our homestate team and I hope some people around here take notice.

[zephyr]

It's Wiggins' award.

You are correct

[zephyr]

---I don't keep up with the pro game but does EP have a chance as was mentioned on here for the Rookie of the Year in the NBA???

He will be in the running, there is no doubt, but as mentioned above it will either go to Wiggins or possibly even Mirotic from Chicago as he came up huge the last several months of the season.

[zephyr]

Haven't kept up much with them as much as I usually do. Is Eric Gordon finally playing like he wants to be there or still the same ole, same ole?

As mentioned prior, EG has been playing very well this year. His knee issues truly seem to be behind him. As a matter of fact, he missed time last year with the shoulder but no knee issues whatsoever. It's true he is not as explosive but he doesn't need to be. He has shot the 3 as well this year as he ever has and while I don't know if he is worth a max contract, he has been a solid contributor all year. The key to this year was the mid-season acquisitions of Dante Cunningham, Quincy Pondexter and of course, Norris Cole. Those guys made this a playoff team. We just weren't going to get it done with Luke Babbit starting at the SF spot.

[wcd35]

As mentioned prior, EG has been playing very well this year. His knee issues truly seem to be behind him. As a matter of fact, he missed time last year with the shoulder but no knee issues whatsoever. It's true he is not as explosive but he doesn't need to be. He has shot the 3 as well this year as he ever has and while I don't know if he is worth a max contract, he has been a solid contributor all year. The key to this year was the mid-season acquisitions of Dante Cunningham, Quincy Pondexter and of course, Norris Cole. Those guys made this a playoff team. We just weren't going to get it done with Luke Babbit starting at the SF spot.

If you read ESPN, you'd think Dell Demps is the worst GM in the league. Each of those moves were perfect. I mean, Kevin Pelton gave the Cole for Salmons grade a D and a C on the Rivers for Pondexter trade.

It will be huge to not have back to back games. That should make Jrue Holiday available for every game. Hopefully he can get 20+ minutes each and build up his minutes if posssible

[zephyr]

If you read ESPN, you'd think Dell Demps is the worst GM in the league. Each of those moves were perfect. I mean, Kevin Pelton gave the Cole for Salmons grade a D and a C on the Rivers for Pondexter trade.

It will be huge to not have back to back games. That should make Jrue Holiday available for every game. Hopefully he can get 20+ minutes each and build up his minutes if posssible

I was a little skeptical of getting rid of Austin Rivers because he flashed some really good things in his time here. It appeared he only needed some confidence to put it together. He is an athletic combo guard who can get to the hoop but his outside shot has not been what I thought it would be. You would have swore, after watching him bury that 3 to beat UNC a few years ago, that he was a perimeter assassin but he has struggled in the pros with the perimeter shot. However, he dropped more than 30 the other night for the Clips.

I loved the Cunningham and Cole acquisitions. I thought it was a mistake for Miami to let him go over Chalmers particularly after watching Chalmers stink it up last season. I didn't know a whole lot about Pondexter but he's a 3 who can shoot the perimeter shot which they haven't had since Ariza left. The biggest contribution all of these new guys have is what they bring in the lockerroom. They are all leaders in their own right and play hard every night.

[wcd35]

Yep, as soon as Pondexter got on this team, AD was gushing about his leadership on and off the court. Big add for that plus he shot 46% from 3 after the all-star break

[zephyr]

Yep, as soon as Pondexter got on this team, AD was gushing about his leadership on and off the court. Big add for that plus he shot 46% from 3 after the all-star break

The biggest hole this team had was overall production at the SF spot. Every great team has a SF who can impact the game on both sides of the court and many of the best players in the game are SF like LBJ and Durant. We had Aminu for several seasons who just couldn't put it together and it was maddening. He was solid defensively but couldn't stretch a defense with an outside shot. Now, we have a SF who is willing to play defense but can hit the 3 and is a leader. Great value there. Cunningham can play the 3 or 4 but doesn't quite have the range as QP but plays hard on both sides of the court.

[Cajunsmike]

Poindexter is also a guy who grew up in Memphis and came back to the Pelicans as a much more solid player than when he left. Getting him essentially for Rivers was a huge positive for the team. Rivers has had a few good games with the Clips but he has also had several poor performances. Poindexter was a contributor down the stretch on defense. They did not have a defensive oriented small forward. Now they do which makes them more of a complete team. Cole of course was also huge as they now have an energy guard off the bench with meaningful playoff experience. The moves Dell Demps made in January and February saved the season despite how negatively the national media rated the moves. In fact they may have saved his own job and that of his coach as well.