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Pelicans take a step towards identity
For most NBA teams in a rebuilding year, it typically takes at least a month before visual evidence of a defined identity begins to appear on the court. For the New...
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In the N.O. Episode 53: The Improvement of Jaxson Hayes and JJ Redick
Shamit and Mason talk about the Pelicans’ recent improving play, focusing on Jaxson Hayes and JJ Redick. We discuss what these guys are doing effectively and their roles going forward, and...
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In the N.O. Episode 52: The Pelicans Win Their Second Game
The Pelicans have won their second game. Can they replicate the process for more wins? Is Kenny Hustle the key to unlocking the starting lineup? Has anybody been good at defense?...
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In The NO Episode 10: Scrutinizing Schemes, Rationalizing Randle, and Theorizing Trades
The Pelicans continue their up and down trend, so Shamit & Mason are back to talk about it. What are the Pels trying to do schematically, what is preventing them from...
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In The N.O. Episode 9: Defense, Davis, and Andrew Harrison?
Shamit and Mason discuss what’s wrong with the Pelicans’ defense, how much blame AD deserves for the team under-performing, and react to the Andrew Harrison addition as the news breaks. Listen...
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Jrue Holiday 2018 Defensive Highlights
Jrue deserves to be First Team All Defense this year. The Pelicans are a whopping 9.2 points per 100 possessions better with Jrue on the court – this surpasses DPOY candidates...
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Film Study: Pelicans’ Transition Defense
Earlier this month, I shared the biggest issue holding the Pelicans back from competent defensive metrics: their transition defense, specifically after missed shots. However, that article only covered the “what”, not...
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The Pelicans’ Defense: Lost in Transition
It is no secret that the Pelicans have really struggled in preventing opponents from scoring this season, but simply stating that fact gets us no closer to figuring out why. The...
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Rajon Rondo and the Pelicans’ Struggling Defense
Whether you want to use the “eye test” or the actual numbers, it is clear that the Pelicans have benefitted from Rajon Rondo’s presence on the offensive end of the court....
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Grainy Defense
“What’s the basketball vision right now? What kind of team are they? We don’t know.” It took until the last day of the regular season, but by the time...
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A Holiday Weekend – How the Former Allstar Will Immediately Help the Pelicans’ Defense
During last week’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers, the best word David Wesley and Joel Meyers came up with to describe Jrue Holiday’s offense was “smooth.” After the game Alvin...
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Darren’s Detailed Defense
The Pelicans had offense in mind when they hired Alvin Gentry. However, offense was not Gentry’s main concern when answering questions at his introductory press conference. When asked about what he...
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The Pelicans’ Surprisingly Reasonable Path to a Top-10 Defense
As we all know, the Pelicans have again endured countless injuries which have again derailed the team’s quest for its first playoff berth since Chris Paul left town. Despite this recurring theme,...
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Weakside Eyes for Your Ears
((Gerry is not only writing articles, but he is also delivering short podcasts here at Bourbon Street Shots. We posted these in the open thread the other night, but here they...
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The New Orleans Pelicans’ Biggest Problem
I am about to introduce a ground-breaking concept, so prepare to be amazed. In the game of basketball, there are only three ways (excluding the clock expiring at the end of...
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Offense isn’t the Problem and Opponent BS Rate
Everyone always spends a lot of time talking about offense. We rail at players shot selection, wonder why Jrue doesn’t generate more free throws, boo and hiss at the jumpshots of...
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The Pelicans Defense – and why they can’t hold a lead
The season is young, and game to game numbers can shift fairly dramatically as the Pelicans run into teams that are hot – or not – or having babies like they...
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Beneath the Screen: Anatomy of a Defensive Breakdown
I wanted to switch gears a little bit this week and focus on defense. This season, the Hornets clearly have not played up to the level that their defense-first head coach...
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The Hornets are not a good Defensive Team
At least the Hornets are one of the top defensive teams, right? Not so fast!
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Why you should appreciate Ariza
This play from Friday’s game against the Wolves just stuck in my head. Maybe two months ago, I was on the Podcast saying I was done with Ariza. This play is...