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For Those Boarding the Zion Bandwagon
We always knew the Zion Williamson bandwagon would be full and we’ll find out how crowded it truly is once the wheels start turning at 8:30 tonight in front of a nationally televised audience. The New Orleans Pelicans have won 11 of the last 16 games and they will attempt to inch closer to the […]
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It’s Time
The New Orleans Pelicans enter the last third of January at 16-27, 12th in the West, and just 0.5 game ahead of the tie at 13th and 14th. The next couple of weeks is not a normal couple of weeks, however. Rather, it is full of interacting uncharacteristically important events, each with the potential disproportionately […]
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From Old Hoops to New Hopes
While the LSU Tigers defeated Clemson 42-25 in the National Championship to remain perfect, the New Orleans Pelicans quietly won another game. In a dramatic overtime finish, nearly completely unnoticed by the State of Louisiana, the Pelicans defeated the Detriot Pistons 117-110. So what, right? It was a regular-season NBA game and the sub .500 […]
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Connection Vs. Creation
In October, I wrote in detail about Lonzo Ball and his potential role on the Pelicans. While my main point of contention was around the antiquated positional label, “Point Guard”, I touched briefly upon how I view playmakers in two different categories: Connectors and Creators. I want to expand upon this idea a bit and […]
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Cutting the Pelicans’ Tether
The New Orleans Pelicans sit at 14th in the West at 13-25 with their next three games are all on the road. The midpoint of the season and the likely debut of Zion provide a good time to take stock. We will be inundated with these these takes soon, but I wanted to take an […]
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In the N.O. Episode 61: Zion’s Return and Playoff Hopes
Shamit and Mason discuss what the Pelicans’ roster and rotations should look like around Zion given his pending return, and then debate whether or not the team’s playoff hopes are still alive.
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Looking Up to the Bottom
The New Orleans Pelicans enter 2020 at 11-23. This is not good. Still, with more than half the season left to play, the Playoffs are not beyond discussion because of the way the bottom half of the West currently sits. Last season, the Clippers held the 8th seed in the West with 48 wins, while […]
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Brandon Ingram’s Max Contract
It’s officially 2020 and by now it is amply clear that Brandon Ingram is in line for a maximum contract in July. The Pelicans and Ingram had an opportunity to agree to an extension earlier this summer, and many of his draft mates did indeed agree to high value deals. However, with Ingram working his […]
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Happy Ass-Whipping
As the holidays slide past along with the change of seasons, it is natural to consider the past, present, and future, as so much of the cultural importance of this time of year is about birth, death, and renewal. It’s also about gifts and giving. Here is the list of gifts I’m openly requesting from […]
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Can the Pelicans Be Good?
On Wednesday night, New Orleans received a Christmas miracle. The Pelicans, currently second to last in the Western Conference standings, beat the Denver Nuggets 112-100 in front of a nationally televised audience on ESPN on the road in the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets (21-9) are currently the second-best team in the Western Conference and were […]
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A Very Pelicans Christmas
Despite some improved play as of late, it appears that the 8-23 New Orleans Pelicans will need a Christmas Miracle to get a win over the Denver Nuggets, currently the No. 2 team in the Western Conference. That miracle will not come in the form of rookie Zion Williamson who has yet to make his […]
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Take a Bow
It’s been around eight months since the New Orleans Pelicans hired David Griffin to be the Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations. His hiring was part of a major transformation of the franchise than included restructuring Basketball Operations, trading Anthony Davis, filling out the roster for this season and beyond including the draft of Zion […]
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In the N.O. Episode 57: McNamara Returns to Talk Trades
The ever mysterious Michael McNamara returns to discuss how the Pelicans should approach the upcoming trade season.
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Trade Season is Coming and the Pelicans Need to Be Aggressive
After an offseason full of collecting assets and quality players, inspiring press conferences, an exciting summer league, and a perfect preseason, David Griffin had a 100% approval rating. Even national media members were drooling over the prospects of the Pelicans future, and Pelicans fans were flying high. Cut to less than 8 weeks later, and […]
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Brandon Ingram: No Turning Back
I am analytical by nature. I’m a sap, too, but usually my analytical side is stronger. This colors how I watch basketball and thus makes me a bit annoying to watch games with. I rarely get caught up in the emotion of the game. Instead, my relentless muttering in games tends to be objective (and […]
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In the N.O. Episode 54: Are the Pelicans Playoffs?
Shamit and Mason look ahead in an effort to figure out what the rotation will look like when everyone is healthy, then discuss if the Pelicans are a playoff team and what it will take to get there.
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Early Season Eye Test Part Two — The Bigs
As we continue to forgo the urge to look at the stats, and instead focus on what our eyes are telling us, I turn my attention to the bigs. Unfortunately, we have yet to see a regular season minute from the most important big man, but we have had opportunities to see a decent amount […]
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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? All that and more in this episode from Shamit & Mason.
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The Blame Game
So far in this very young season, the Pelicans have played 7 games & have a 1-6 record. When you see that record, you may be disappointed, especially if your expectations were to win now. You may be thinking, “THIS PELICANS ROSTER IS BETTER THAN THIS! IT MUST BE THE COACH’S FAULT!” as you air […]
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Fine with the Struggles
The New Orleans Pelicans are struggling mightily, and I feel fine. This is not ideal; in fact, far from it. I’m not claiming “moral victory” or pointing to close losses or margins or any of that. I’m just fine with this. Let me tell you why, and maybe you will feel better or, better yet, […]