Pelicans

[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.

[CajunEXPRESS]

Agreed. Rivers is still a project. PELS didn't have the time luxury to see if he becomes the 10th pick they put on him.

[raginsaints]

Agreed. Rivers is still a project. PELS didn't have the time luxury to see if he becomes the 10th pick they put on him.

I tried to be optimistic with Rivers for a while but he's garbage. He's not a project. He's just not a good player.

[CajunEXPRESS]

I was being kind. He tries hard.

[raginsaints]

I was being kind. He tries hard.

Yeah... he does try hard.

[pathfinder]

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.

I totally agree Cajunsmike, acquiring Cunningham, Pointdexter, and Cole was huge. In Cunningham and Pointdexter you picked up guys that love to defend and can give you a few baskets now and then. The Cole pickup was huge because of his quickness, experience, and it gave him the ability to be able to score more compared to his days playing with the big three. I think the biggest reward with Cole, is with Jrue Holliday returning the Pels have serious guard depth. I really think this guard depth will push the series against Golden State to 6 or & games. Monty and Dell Demps deserve alot of credit, folks have to realize how tough the western conference and sw division really is. I mean the Pels 8th seed record, equates to a fifth 5th or 6th seed in the East. With the exception of probably the first 10 games, this team hadn't had their full unit together until last weekend against Houston. Props to the whole organization, and Anthony Davis is the leagues next BIG thing.

[jumboragncajun]

I'm not completely on the bandwagon yet, but can the powers that be come Up with something better "#FlockUp"??

[CajunRebel]

An engaged crowd at the Smoothie King Center??

No way!

Beleive it or not yes. I've been to plenty of NBA games in different arenas. This was the first one I've been to that rivaled a great college basketball atmosphere. People on their feet, chanting and yelling the entire game type atmosphere. Really glad I got to go.

[CajunFan3406]

Beleive it or not yes. I've been to plenty of NBA games in different arenas. This was the first one I've been to that rivaled a great college basketball atmosphere. People on their feet, chanting and yelling the entire game type atmosphere. Really glad I got to go.

Only been to a few Hornets games. Seen a bunch on TV. I saw highlights of last nights game, and you're right. Never seen the crowd like that before.