Nobody wants the Princess???

[Cajunsmike]

I can. That's been the hallmark of Dell Demps and Monty Williams (hopefully changes under Gentry, but I've got my doubts). Outside of Anthony Davis, they've shown a complete disregard for/disinterest in developing young players. Frankly, if we were in the East, it would be a good formula. We'd be a regular top 4 seed. The West requires a bit more depth and athleticism to break through. If our roster were ever fully healthy for a full season, we could be a pretty dangerous team. But we've been in "build for now" mode for years, which usually includes sitting drafts out because we traded for vets and/or sold draft picks (we sold our only pick tonight to the Clippers). I know the NBA isn't the NFL where you need key contributors every year from the draft, but we need to embrace youth a little more than we have.

Lots of the Pelicans "vets" are young, most are under 26. Biggest problem they have had with the trades is the injuries. When healthy, Jrue Holiday is a more than competent point guard. It is unfortunate he has missed the better part of both seasons he has been in New Orleans. I agree that the Asik trade does not look so good now. However, they would have drafted 18th where a rookie is a hit and miss proposition. Asik may go back to the Pels, but if he does it will be at a more reasonable salary. As far as Hunter goes, I think he matured greatly this past season and he made our school and every other one in the SBC about 40 grand when he hit the winning shot in the NCAA tourney first round. Therefore, I wish him well. Note, it does not matter where you go in the first round. All 1st round picks get guaranteed contracts. 1st pick of the 2nd round can get cut the first day of camp and he gets nothing.

[zephyr]

I can. That's been the hallmark of Dell Demps and Monty Williams (hopefully changes under Gentry, but I've got my doubts). Outside of Anthony Davis, they've shown a complete disregard for/disinterest in developing young players. Frankly, if we were in the East, it would be a good formula. We'd be a regular top 4 seed. The West requires a bit more depth and athleticism to break through. If our roster were ever fully healthy for a full season, we could be a pretty dangerous team. But we've been in "build for now" mode for years, which usually includes sitting drafts out because we traded for vets and/or sold draft picks (we sold our only pick tonight to the Clippers). I know the NBA isn't the NFL where you need key contributors every year from the draft, but we need to embrace youth a little more than we have.

I think I get what you are saying although I don't agree with everything, it makes sense. Please understand that the Pelicans are one of the youngest team in the NBA. We actually had to switch to a youth model after the David West and Chris Paul years which is partly to blame for the lull over the past 4-5 years. We've built with youth from AD, Jrue, Rivers (traded), Withey, Xavier Henry(traded) etc.. Even Eric Gordon is in his mid 20's and Tyreke is early 20's as well.

You are right about athleticism, especially in the front court where we lack. Asik is not as good defensively as people think and I'm trying to figure out how these same people that think he's a top level defender think he's going to be even better in a faster paced system. We lack athleticism at the SF and we haven't had a true SF since Trevor Ariza. This is the one spot that I truly hope we take a dive in free agency and produce. Pondexter is nice but I'd like to see a young, athletic and talented SF that we could count on for years.

[zephyr]

And on Hunter, I think he went to one of the best places he could possibly go to. Their guard play is OK but doesn't shoot all that well from the outside and their bigs will open up space for shooters. He could do very well there.

[CajunEXPRESS]

The scouts worry about Hunter was his slight build. Wondered how he would hold up. They were not worried about his game.

[CajunEXPRESS]

I think I get what you are saying although I don't agree with everything, it makes sense. Please understand that the Pelicans are one of the youngest team in the NBA. We actually had to switch to a youth model after the David West and Chris Paul years which is partly to blame for the lull over the past 4-5 years. We've built with youth from AD, Jrue, Rivers (traded), Withey, Xavier Henry(traded) etc.. Even Eric Gordon is in his mid 20's and Tyreke is early 20's as well.

You are right about athleticism, especially in the front court where we lack. Asik is not as good defensively as people think and I'm trying to figure out how these same people that think he's a top level defender think he's going to be even better in a faster paced system. We lack athleticism at the SF and we haven't had a true SF since Trevor Ariza. This is the one spot that I truly hope we take a dive in free agency and produce. Pondexter is nice but I'd like to see a young, athletic and talented SF that we could count on for years.

Youth does not equal good. IMO the Pels draft badly. Holiday, even when rarely healthy, is only OK. The Pels could have gotten a guy as good as Asik on the free agents market, and Gorden has never played to his begrudged contract.

They need to be s serious contender when the Brow's contract is up.

[zephyr]

The scouts worry about Hunter was his slight build. Wondered how he would hold up. They were not worried about his game.

Size is always a concern when draft time comes up and there are many examples each year that pretty much debunk that concern. If a guy can play, he can play, even if he is of slight stature.

[zephyr]

Youth does not equal good. IMO the Pels draft badly. Holiday, even when rarely healthy, is only OK. The Pels could have gotten a guy as good as Asik on the free agents market, and Gorden has never played to his begrudged contract.

They need to be s serious contender when the Brow's contract is up.

Uh, Jrue Holiday when healthy is likely considered a top 10-15 PG in the league. In early parts of last season, the team's offense was much more efficient when he was running the show. He also can move over the SG spot and he is one of the better defending PG's in the league.

I'm not an Asik guy, at all, as I feel he is completely overrated but I didn't have a problem with the move as he was considered an elite level defender and rebounder which this team needs but the problem is that they overpaid for him.

I don't see how the Pelican's draft has been that bad over the years since they had to give up high draft picks for Asik, Jrue and Tyreke, all young good players. Its hard to say you had a good draft when you are getting mid and late second rounders who are very possibly not going to make your squad.

I would also say that outside of AD, Gordon was your best player last year. Shot a career best and nearly league best from 3pt range in terms of percentage as he was our only consistent perimeter shooter. While his defense lacks sometimes, he's been pretty consistent over the past couple of years and has stayed relatively healthy.

[CajunEXPRESS]

Some he is say 15th pg. that makes him average in a league of thirty. Holiday that is.

So you're giving Gorden another max contract?

The only pick the Pels had since Davis was Rivers, the CP3 trade. And the other kid from Kentucky. Neither doing much. Everyone drafts Davis.

[zephyr]

Some he is say 15th pg. that makes him average in a league of thirty. Holiday that is.

So you're giving Gorden another max contract?

The only pick the Pels had since Davis was Rivers, the CP3 trade. And the other kid from Kentucky. Neither doing much. Everyone drafts Davis.

Who is some? I guarantee you that many thought he was better than average or he wouldn't have gotten the contract he did. Have you watched him in his brief time here or are you going by what you've read on some tweet? I can guarantee that if you polled my GM's, they would have him better than average....assuming he's healthy of course.

Nobody is giving Gordon a max deal nor has he had one. He's making $15 million per year next year. That is high but its not a max deal and his numbers from this past year would support him being one of the higher paid players on the team.

Whether you like him or not, Rivers is going to be a pretty decent player in this league. He's had his moments with the pelicans and even with the Clips. He had a 35 point game shortly after getting traded. I think once he gets confident in his outside shot, he could be a very solid player. He's not a bust if that is what you are referencing.

[CajunRebel]

The Pelicans have a bunch of players who are making more money than they should be making. When you play in a league with a salary cap, this is a recipe for mediocrity. We're going to have to figure out a way to around this if we ever hope to compete for a championship.

Evans, Gordon, and Holiday aren't bad players. We're just paying them too much money. We need to add a few more pieces to the puzzle.