Tag: Michael McNamara

  • All Dell Demps Deserves is the Chance to Succeed . . . Or Fail

    Dell Demps is entering his 9th season as General Manager of the New Orleans Pelicans, and what a journey it has been. When he first arrived in 2010, a new coach was just hired without his input and the term “ownership turmoil” would be a vast understatement. As if that wasn’t enough, rumors were swirling […]

  • Trade Targets Part II: Zig While Others Zag

    When you are a small market competing with 29 other teams, you need to find market inefficiencies. Either anticipate where the game is going next and/or grab up undervalued pieces while your opponents have their eye on another prize. The former is hard to do in a market with so many smart executives, but the […]

  • What Makes Sense as the Next Step for the Pelicans?

    July 2nd was a weird day. We can go into every minute detail and break it down several different ways, but let’s just say it was weird and move on. Some people want Dell to battle the false claims Boogie’s camp is spewing, but there really isn’t anything to be gained by that. His job […]

  • In The No Episode 2: We Have An Emergency

      Shamit and Mason bring Mac out of retirement for this one. Boogie leaves the Pelicans to join the Warriors. Rondo leaves the Pelicans to join the Lakers. Oh hey Julius Randle, welcome to New Orleans. Oh boy. Listen on iTunes Listen on Spotify RSS Feed Direct Download

  • Who Makes Sense at 51 and Does it Even Matter?

    For years I have tried to crack the code to finding a gem in the second round. I looked back atthe history of the second round and the profiles of the guys who overachieved and tried to project who fit that mold in the current draft class. By using some simple formulas, I have had […]

  • In the NO Episode 313: Off-season preview

    Michael and I wrap up our era hosting the Pod by going into the off-season.  How much to offer for DeMarcus, can the Pels land Paul George?  Can they go after a big free agent?  What is Rondo worth, and what can be offered to him?  Will the Pelicans be better next year? Want it […]

  • In the NO Pod Ep. 312: Season Retrospective

    Michael and I put a bow on the season, recapping the experience, what we liked, hated, and if the season was a success or not. We then talked about best moments, surprising players, turning points, and ranked this season against previous Pelican/Hornets seasons. I also really enjoyed remembering that Pelicans sweep. Want it on Itunes? […]

  • In the NO Pod Ep. 311: Brooms! Brooms!

    A sweep! Michael and I get to break down quite possibly the most exciting results we’ve had since starting the Pod! We break down what went right, marvel at having three legitimate MVP players for the series (Mike and I stake out our position on them) and I trash Portland. Cuz screw those guys. We […]

  • In the NO Pod Ep. 310: Portland Preview

    Michael and I talk briefly about the Spurs game, and then give a lot of time to Portland! We talk about weaknesses, strengths, X-Factors, defensive schemes, and best players on the court. I ask three burning questions about hiding on Rondo, the all important turnover battle, and baiting the Pels into three point shooting. And […]

  • In the NO Pod Ep. 309: Will the Playoffs ever be settled?

    Michael and I talk about the Golden State win and handicap what is left for the playoff battle. Good news: The Pels control their destiny. Bad news, two losses and they could still be out entirely. Sheesh. We also spend a lot of time handicapping the teams the Pelicans could face in the first round […]

  • In the NO Ep. 308: Battling for Playoff Position

    The war continues in the Western Conference.  Will the Pelicans prevail?  If so, where will they land?  And will it make any difference, since Mike is pessimistic about their chances?  Listen to this podcast, and curse his name and basketball opinions forever. Want it on Itunes? Direct download? RSS Feed? Like the Show or the […]

  • In the NO Podcast Ep. 307: No Rest

    Michael and I cover the 8 games since the last pod, picking the games we enjoyed the most – and the one that disgusted us the most.  Yeah, Houston.  Everyone can’t stand Houston. We talk Frank Jackson out for the year, Diallo playing well, who the best matchups will be for this team, and what […]

  • In the NO Ep 306: Jrue the Terror and 8-0

    Michael and I spend some time glowing about Jrue’s transformation. Then we talk what Mirotic brings to the table, which Pelican is likely to fall off, and what is Diallo, really? We also hit up the coming 4 games, and worry about how insane the Western Conference playoff race is. Want it on Itunes? Direct […]

  • In the NO Pod Ep. 305: Davis on the Warpath

    Michael and I break down the Pelicans’ 6 game winning streak. We dwell on Davis, Mirotic’s addition, and whether Jrue is properly paid for his production. Then we handicap the Western Conference playoff picture, giggle some more over Davis going nuts, and then cover the upcoming games and schedule. Including that awful 5 games in […]

  • In the NO Pod Ep. 304: Mirotic arrives and Davis slacking?

    Michael and I talk about the Pelicans-Bulls trade for Mirotic – and then the Dante one for entirely too long, orobably because I’m so happy to see it happen.  We then address who in New Orleans is most impacted so far by Boogie’s injury, and wonder at Mirotic’s future with the team.  Then we make […]

  • What Else Does Dealer Dell Have Up His Sleeve?

    On January 26th, when news broke that DeMarcus Cousins had been lost for the year, the season seemed all but over. Two terrible home losses to the Clippers and Kings made it even worse, but a trade for Nikola Mirotic and an unexpected road win against OKC has given the Pelicans new life again. Still, […]

  • In the NO Pod Ep. 303: Boogie Injury Fallout and Potential Trades!

    Michael and I talk the stretch of games leading up to Boogie’s Injury, the impact to the team for this year, the playoff chase, and the franchise going forward. With the trade deadline looming, we also looked at what Dell Demps will do to try to keep the team afloat, what teams are sellers, and […]

  • In the NO Ep. 302: Shh, we’re being Positive

    Michael declares he’s going to do the entire podcast talking positively about Pelicans.  He doesn’t pitch a perfect game, but comes close, at least. We talk Rondo and his fluctuating role and minutes, is Jrue an All-Star, who is the team Alpha Dog, and we cover the games of the 3-1 week.  Look, a winning […]

  • In the NO Pod Ep 301: The Key Stretch

    Michael and I tear up Boogie. Then we tear him up some more. Then we tear up Rondo. Then we tear up AD. I guess the Pelicans-Timberwolves game affected us strongly. We talk about trades, and what the team should target, and then we look ahead at a very key stretch for the team. If […]

  • In the NO Pod Ep 300: Looking for an Identity

    Michael and I talk about the Pelicans and their missing identity at the end of games, including in those bad losses in New Orleans.  On the way, we talk about things that surprised us so far this season, I grumble about Rondo, and we give Moore some love.  We look ahead to next week, of […]