It Just Doesn’t Stop

By:
Published: May 12, 2013

‘Cause you can’t, you won’t and you don’t stop
Oh, ’cause you can’t, you won’t and you don’t stop
Oh, but you can’t, you won’t and you don’t stop
Mike D, come and rock the sure shot

I’ve got the brand new doo-doo guaranteed
Like yoo hoo, I’m on like Dr. John, yeah Mr. Zu Zu
I’m a newly wed, and not a divorcee
And everything I do is funky like Lee Dorsey

— The Beastie Boys, Sure Shot, RIP MCA

News

This week, Eric Gordon underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle. His ankle bothered him during the season, and he played through it, and this procedure was described as a clean-up. He hasn’t seriously injured that ankle before in his NBA career, so it must be a lingering thing or something quite old that got aggravating factor. This should be a nonissue, but fans are justified in keeping an eye on this.

Like the second Death Star, the expanded office space at the Saints-Pelicans site is fully armed and operational despite needing some cosmetic touch-ups. The practice facility itself is well underway.

Practice Facility from the front:

Practice Facility

Practice Facility from the front again:

Practice Facility

Practice Facility from the side, right side of image:

Practice Facility

Expanded Office Space:

Expanded Office Space

Jason Smith and Brian Roberts represented the New Orleans Pelicans Players at Pelicans Night at Zephyr Field. Roberts threw out the first pitch (it was not a strike), and both signed autographs.

Asked if he could have thrown out the first pitch, he said, “I’m a long way from that. I’ve been doing light weights, lifting one pound, then progressing to three pounds.

“It’s coming along, but I probably won’t be able to do basketball stuff until training camp. But I’m wish I could be back with the young guys this summer.”

Smith also toured Baton Rouge, representing the Pelicans, with his visit centering around the annual HoopLA charity game.

Also, Hugo and the Honeybees hosted students with perfect attendance at an Emerge even in Audubon Park. Good job, kids, and keep it going, Hugo.

Here’s a story on Roger Mason’s musical talent, education, and business interests. He plays a little Richard Marx near the start.

Finally, the Advocate has a nice story about Davis, his mother Erainer, and his first year in New Orleans.

Around the Site

The site rebranded.

Mike took a look at the Combine, and Chris Trew rolled out the first annual Dohertys.

Henry Abbott joins In the NO to discuss Davis, Chris Paul, and more.

Comments

I’d love to trade down if we dont get one of the top 4 and pick Dennis Schroder. He looks like the exact type of point that Monty and Dell are looking for. 6’2 with a 6’8 wingspan with amazing speed and quickness. Great in transition, pass first, good jump shot, and a smothering defender. If we were to get those Jazz picks I think we should go with Schroder at 14 and then take a chance on potential with the 21st with either another international player or glenn rice

Hank

This seems to go primarily to the risk side of the risk/reward equation. So I see the Pelicans moving Gordon this off season as even less likely. How much will this help or hurt the reward side? Time will tell, but I expect the Pelicans PR team to spin it as positive as time goes on.

504ever

I agree. As much as I dislike Griffin and the Clippers in general, as of now, they are a more talented team. By the time the Pels are championship contenders, I’d assume 3-4 years, CP3 will be entering his thirties and will likely be on the decline while AD and our other young guys will be entering their best years.

Also, one of the biggest problems we faced this year was lack of depth. If you blow the entire cap space this summer on Paul, you really limit your options in other areas. He’s incredibly talented and I realize I’ll probably be thumbed down but I agree with your idea of patience and savvy decision-making.

Will

42 Sense

For those following the site’s twitter (@BourbonStShots), you know I’ve been watching a ton of playoff basketball, just like many of you are. It’s been a fascinating series, and of course while there are no Pelicans there, there are a number of former Hornets doing some major work for their teams.

These players that were not the answer here are part of an answer, if not the answer, at those theres.

This should say a few things to Pelicans fans.

First, they had a very talented coach on staff in Mike Malone. While they lost the services of Coach Malone, there are others out there.

Do not dismiss upgrades to the coaching staff just because it is not a rollover at the top.

Second, being able to attract key talent is not enough. You have to be able to hold the talent together though the rough times. Chris Paul, Tyson Chandler, David West, and help were a good team. If the franchise could have withstood injury fears surrounding Chandler, New Orleans NBA history could be significantly different today.

Do not dismiss the upgrades to the aspects of the franchise outside of basketball operations that make this franchise more able to ride through the inevitable rough times.

Third, many Hornets left for better teams. While that may frustrate some (Why didn’t they do that here!), it goes to show that not only that the franchise is developing players, but that it is being broadcast. Players want to go to a place where they will be given a chance on their current contract and have a shot at the next one. That makes the franchise attractive to some players. The journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step.

Do not dismiss the success of recent former Hornets in the playoffs to act as a highly visible advertisement for the Pelicans as a destination for at least some free agents.

3 Comments

  1. Pingback: Practice Makes Normal | New Orleans Hornets | BourbonStreetShots.com

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