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The Super-Max has failed – the importance of small market teams recognizing why
The failure of the super-max New Orleans lost Anthony Davis, San Antonio lost Kawhi Leonard. These players left remarkably different situations for the same reason, they weren’t happy – one decided to leave a heralded franchise where he had won a championship, and finals MVP, the other decided to leave one […]
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Thank You, David Griffin
A very long time ago, in a time where I was still athletic, my soccer coach pulled me off the bus after a game and looked me dead in the eye. We had just won a tournament and it was freezing cold outside. I could see his breath when he said: “you are the engine […]
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Summer League Game 3 Recap: What Just Happened?
Confession: I wrote this after 3 quarters. • Nickeil Alexander-Walker has some real confidence and a versatile game to boot. Aggressive player who is always looking to feed his guys, particularly his bigs. On the first play, he *unsuccessfully* tried to squeeze in a pass to Hayes. A play or two later, he was successful. […]
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Summer League Game 1 Observations
Some very brief thoughts on the Summer League game (writing as game is being stopped for earthquake, hope everyone is okay). No conclusions about players below, just some observations. • Frank Jackson had a very slow start and then heated up en route to 30 points on 17 shots. It was great to see the […]
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In the N.O. Episode 41: Pelicans 2019 Free Agency Breakdown
Shamit and Mason breakdown all the moves the Pelicans have made in free agency thus far. Come for the analysis, stay for the fight over Darius Miller. Oh, and if you haven’t yet – don’t forget to grab your Zion “Let’s Dance” t-shirt. Listen on iTunes Listen on Spotify RSS Feed Direct Download Blue Wire Network
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Structuring The Al Horford Deal
Introduction: At this point there is enough smoke around the Pelicans and Al Horford that this warrants a post. The purpose of this post is to flesh out potential structures for the Al Horford deal. I wish I had the time to make this witty or tell a compelling story about how signing Horford symbolizes […]
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In the N.O. Episode 40: Pelicans 2019 Free Agency Primer
Shamit and Mason discuss how the Pelicans should approach free agency. They talk about best fits, contract lengths, and positional needs. Oh, and if you haven’t yet – don’t forget to grab your Zion “Let’s Dance” t-shirt. Listen on iTunes Listen on Spotify RSS Feed Direct Download Blue Wire Network
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The Real Big Baller
There’s a Big Baller in New Orleans, ladies and gents, and he isn’t going anywhere. No, this isn’t going to be a puff piece on Lonzo Ball, apologies to my Westbank Laker fans. No, I’m not going to say that Zo is “actually better than you think when you look at these advanced stats”, or […]
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Chaos A.D.: Draft Night
The New Orleans Pelicans came out of draft night with the franchise cornerstone, cleaner books, and assets. The path David Griffin, Trajan Langdon, and Bensonia envisioned is becoming clearer to us all. The result of draft night is summarized below along with the current assets. As it stands, the Pelicans will go forward with Jrue […]
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In the N.O. Episode 39: The Pelicans Draft Zion Williamson
It’s the most wonderful night of the year – the Pelicans have drafted Zion Williamson (and also Jaxson Hayes and Nickeil Alexander-Walker). Shamit and Mason give their reactions and breakdown of draft night, as well as the draft afternoon trade. Listen on iTunes Listen on Spotify RSS Feed Direct Download Blue Wire Network
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In the N.O. Episode 38: The Pelicans Trade Anthony Davis to the Lakers
Shamit and Mason synced up during what they thought would be a calm weekend to react to the big Saturday afternoon news. The New Orleans Pelicans have traded Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers for Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, three first-round picks (including No. 4 of the 2019 draft), and one pick swap. […]
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Why the gamble to wait on trading Anthony Davis paid off
The bet the Pelicans made in February The decision the Pelicans made in February, the one where they decided to postpone dealing a discontented Anthony Davis until the summer paid off. Yes, the Pelicans ended up trading Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers anyway. Yes, Danny Ainge’s advice to hold off on dealing Davis because […]
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Chaos A.D.: Timelines
The New Orleans Pelicans find themselves in a strangely familiar position. Armed with the top pick in a draft with a atypically interesting top talent, the franchise is dealing with ownership and management changes while the current talent is in the process of bolting. The details differ from the 2011-2012 time frame and the actual […]
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In the N.O. Episode 37: The Anthony Davis Trade Draws Closer
Shamit and Mason evaluate what will happen next in the Anthony Davis saga and how David Griffin is handling his first off-season in New Orleans. Listen on iTunes Listen on Spotify RSS Feed Direct Download Blue Wire Network
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In The N.O. Episode 36: The Pelicans Begin Listening to Offers for Anthony Davis
Shamit and Mason break down the theory behind various AD trade packages and attempt to quantify the value that each team can provide. Listen on iTunes Listen on Spotify RSS Feed Direct Download Blue Wire Network
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In The N.O. Episode 35: Pelicans Stay Winning by Hiring Trajan Langdon
Shamit and Mason dive into the Pelicans’ recent hot streak. Gayle Benson remains as committed as ever. New hires incoming? Listen on iTunes Listen on Spotify RSS Feed Direct Download Blue Wire Network
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In The N.O. Episode 34: Talking Draft with Ricky O’Donnell
Shamit and Mason are joined by SB Nation’s college basketball and NBA draft expert (as well as the co-host of fellow Blue Wire podcast Cash Considerations) Ricky O’Donnell to chat about Zion Williamson and other potential Pelicans targets if additional picks come to them in return for Anthony Davis. Listen on iTunes Listen on Spotify RSS […]
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Anthony Davis’s trade request was the best thing that could have happened.
A rejection forced change, plus some dumb luck. In late January, Anthony Davis sent a shockwave around the NBA and the Pelicans franchise when he publicly – not- so publicly rejected the Pelicans and requested a trade, with the intention of joining Lebron James on the Los Angeles Lakers. Of course, no […]
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In The N.O. Episode 33: THE PELICANS WIN THE LOTTERY
Zion Williamson will be a New Orleans Pelican. That is all. Actually wait, there is a guy named McNamara who guest stars as the Pelicans’ GM while Shamit and Mason pitch the best trades from opposing teams. Listen on iTunes Listen on Spotify RSS Feed Direct Download Blue Wire Network
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In The N.O. Episode 32: Pre-Lottery Madness
Shamit and Mason discuss the recent news around the Pelicans as the lottery approaches. Listen on iTunes Listen on Spotify RSS Feed Direct Download Blue Wire Network