Is there any way that this Pelicans Summer League team can top that insane comeback from Friday night? Probably not, but beating the Lakers always feels good, even if it is just a collection of second-tier players on their Summer League team. Come to think of it, that basically is what the Lakers regular season roster is comprised of, so I will chalk this up as a legit win if Russ Smith and company can pull it off.
Obviously Russ Smith and Patric Young were the big stories coming out of the last game, but according to the Pelicans staff, this summer is supposed to be all about Withey. They got him the ball early on in the post, but he really couldn’t seem to do anything with it down there. Even though he added some strength since the regular season ended, he still had trouble getting deep position on a relatively undersized Select Team roster. But honestly, I don’t care if Withey can’t score in the low post, because he should never be asked to do that for this Pelicans team in the regular season. He is a garbage man on the offensive end who really needs to learn how to set better screens. And defensively, he is a fantastic shot blocker and changer who sometimes has a really hard time getting off the ground when he is in traffic and trying to secure a rebound.
Elsewhere, the battle continues on the wing , where James Southerland, Josh Carter, Courtney Fells, and Josh Howard are all battling for a training camp invite and a potential backup spot on the Pelicans regular season roster. Meanwhile, the Lakers are lead by a backcourt that features Kendall Marshall and 2014 second-round pick Jordan Clarkson. Kevin Murphy is another dynamic scoring guard and they have their own ‘name player’ from the past as Roddy Beaubois is on their roster. Remember, when Dallas declared Beaubois untouchable in trade talks after a decent first season? That was wise.
Julius Randle is unlikely to play, in part because of concerns with his foot and in part because he hasn’t signed with the team yet. The Lakers are likely hoarding every inch of cap room for now, and Randle’s actual deal will count for 20% more than his cap hold, so that is likely the reason that no deal has been agreed upon. It would have been great to see two SEC rivals in Randle and Young go head-to-head again, but we will just have to settle for Young eating guys like Jerome Jordan alive instead. Tip off today is at 3:30 Central, and NBA.com has lowered their price for the SL package down to just $5. Must buy if you haven’t already.
9 responses to “Game On: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Lakers”
question…
what are the chances of durant coming to NOLA in 2016 after EG contract comes off the books?
the new tv contract may balloon the salary cap to around 80 million..and i’m sure ASIK, EVENS AND HOLIDAY would stay or even take a slight cut if they can get a durant to commit..
Outside of DC, where Durant is from, NOLA can be a desirable destination for a player who want to contend.
(NOLA IS MUCH BETTER THAN OKC I FEEL)
The downside is that we hold on to EG for the duration of his contract..
whatcha think..
wilthomas178 There is a summer league game today and two full seasons of basketball before 2016.
wilthomas178 no chance in hell do u forget we have to resign anthony davis to a max contract and eric gordon leaving would give us da money to do dat for our superstar before we worry about kd enjoy da game today and god bless
Well back on topic I am looking forward to today’s game vs Lakers and tomorrow vs Spurs (5:30). Hoping the draftees do good again, and the guys battling for SF position show some promise…at least these guys can hit some 3’s right, or does AFA’s rebounding mean more with Asik on the way? Agree with you Mc on Withey; such is not our need for his offensive development…defense, putbacks, and other general mayhem = YES
Wow Pels bust out of the gate with 27 in 1st Q…Fells with 11 on 3 treys! Everybody hitting…guess Withey starting it off with a 3pt play was a foreshadowing…
Fells reminding me of a young Lamar Odom, quite the shooter, but has now driven twice after nailing the 3’s earlier…looks very comfortable….P Young still cleaning the glass and just hit his patented jump hook…too wide of a body to be blocked
2nd qtr going as well or better than the 1st…Julius Randle looking mighty good for the Lakers…did run into Young and drew a foul though Young took the collision without moving…commentators talking about how huge he is…had a nice putback slam…8pts so far..2min left in 2nd
Last post as I don’t want to irritate you guys…Haftime Pels 51 – Lakers 36…RSmith with another quiet 1st half 0-4 from field and 4 TOs but really looks to be trying to set up his teammates as he has 5 assists and would have had more if Young doesn’t drop one and Withey could finish…Poor Withey still just not strong enough as at least 2 easy dunks get denied by defense getting there late to stop them…Fells with 16 in 11 min and Dequan Jones with 10 in 8min…both those guys looked great…SF’s??? Smith did have a nice drive thru traffic and he actually went for the dunk but was denied by Lakers C above rim…Guy look more on the same page today offensively for sure…at one point in first half we got to see the BIG WIDEBODY package as Onuaku and Young in at same time…nobody getting around those guys!
Pels win 90-73! Great job by the guys to get the lead and hold it…would have been worse if Beaubois doesn’t get hot at the end and sink some 3’s…Fells 25 was very impressive…RSmith gets interviewed again at end…talking about trying to do whatever he could to help team with defense since offense was not there…finishes with 6. One more game to go but if it goes well we’ll get a nice seed for the league playoffs