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Why Anthony Davis Needs More Touches
I’m not going to lie, it’s weird being upset about an offense ranked 8th in the Association. With the Pelicans’ defense coming in at 7th worst a lot of people would rather we focus our efforts discussing that. But with the team underachieving (most likely; it depends on your expectations) everything should be on the […]
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Monty Williams’ Loss Aversion May Be Causing Losses
As part of my resolution to expand my so-called game here on the site, I’m going to try to talk a little more about the on-court play of the New Orleans Pelicans. Right now seems the perfect time to talk about losses and why they happen, or at least one reason. The team just dropped […]
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Notes From the Underground: New Orleans Pelicans Practice 12.29
The New Orleans Pelicans practiced today, after splitting a back-to-back against two championship contenders in the Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs over the weekend. Tomorrow, the Pelicans will host the Phoenix Suns, who are winners of six straight and are currently holding the 8th and final playoff spot out West (and are two games […]
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Piecing Together the Pelicans Rotation Without Gordon
Eric Gordon is out indefinitely with a torn labrum. Depending on whether he needs surgery or not, Gordon could miss two weeks, or the majority of the season. He has started all 12 games this season, averaging 9.5 points per game on 39.8% shooting from the field, 34.1% from beyond the arc, and 1.2 steals […]
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Moleskin Moments: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Sacramento Kings 11.18
Monday night’s heartbreaker is the kind of loss that, as a fan, you have nightmares about. The kind of game you overthink about the implications of despite the fact that it’s only November. So coming into Sacramento to play the Kings on the second night of a back-to-back, the Pelicans were hoping to bounce back. […]
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Moleskin Moments: Cavaliers vs. Pelicans, Meat Pies and Cheese Fries
Bourbon Street Shots hosted our first watch party of the season at Tracey’s. Tracey’s is a great sponsor and a better po-boy shop/bar (many years ago, they were one of my first po-boys, and on the same street where I used to play basketball.) I walked into the game at halftime, emulating the casual fan […]
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Notes from Underground: Practice 11.6
They were working on Eric Gordon’s baseline three point shot throughout the practice, he was looking good. Didn’t miss until I made a comment. Tyreke Evans’ was the last guy at practice, working on catch and shoots from three point and mid-range shots as well. Balance will be key with his jumpshot. He was definitely […]
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The New Normal For Eric Gordon
There is no doubt Eric Gordon is having an absolutely abysmal start to the New Orleans Pelicans Seasons. After talking to various people both inside and outside the Pelicans organization, there is a prevailing theory that his lack of touches is a major factor in his dwindling stat line. When told that I thought, ‘Yeah, […]
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Moleskin Moments: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Charlotte Hornets
So at this rate, the New Orleans Pelicans are asking a lot of me, based on the analytical stat of them being 1-0 when I attend their games. Playing against Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets, or Bobnets (the other rendition of that gimmick probably sounds too much like a curse/slur), the Pelicans were hoping to pick up a […]
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Finding the Right Role for Eric Gordon
There are good and bad things to evaluate from last night’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks; Michael McNamara and James Grayson chronicled many of those takeaways. Undoubtedly one of the biggest concerns was Eric Gordon’s 0 point, 4 turnover performance in 34 minutes of action. While Gordon may not be part of the the team’s long-term plans, if […]
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In Defense of Being Young
Aside from having seemingly every player injured for significant portions of the season, there has been nothing more frustrating in the last 2 seasons than watching opponents carve up New Orleans defenses night after night. The last two versions of New Orleans basketball have played unequivocally shameful defense. There have been a lot of explanations thrown […]
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A Critical Time for Austin Rivers
With the New Orleans Pelicans roster pretty much set, the onset of training camp and preseason is key Monty Williams to get an idea of the rotation he plans to use. Players will have an opportunity to edge out one another for limited minutes. And there is no one on the Pelicans who needs a […]
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Season in Review: Anthony Davis
“ There’s no other place I’d rather be.” – Anthony Davis, when discussing the city of New Orleans at All-Star weekend, 14th February 2014. In the two years since New Orleans won the draft lottery there has been mass transformation to a franchise fighting to get back into the playoffs. The team has evolved its roster […]
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Season in review: Greg Stiemsma
There’s an old mother’s saying that goes something like, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” For the New Orleans Pelicans Center Greg Stiemsma there wasn’t a whole lot to say. Last off-season Dell Demps made a trade that sent Robin Lopez to Portland. In doing so the Pelicans […]
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Looking at the Pelicans’ Defensive Decline
In Monty Williams’ first season as head coach of the New Orleans NBA franchise the team’s MO was defense. That slow grind it out style led to a playoff berth, a 6 game series against the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, and a defensive ranking of 10th in the league. Since that 2010-2011 season, […]
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Anthony Morrow emerges for the New Orleans Pelicans
I don’t even think about that [contract situation], I’m just trying to focus on winning these last few games. But I appreciate this opportunity because it’s been a blessing for me. — Anthony Morrow, April 6, 2014, The Advocate. Anthony Morrow came into the NBA shooting 46 per cent from three in his rookie season. […]
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Monty Williams’ Future in New Orleans
It is no secret that little has gone as planned this season for the new-look New Orleans Pelicans. Armed with the most offensive weapons since the Paul/West/Peja/Chandler days and positioned as one of the youngest rosters in the league, the plan was for this team to at least make a push for a playoff berth […]
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Do Coaches Really Matter?
Whether you like it or not, one of the main storylines of this offseason will be Monty Williams. More specifically, should Monty Williams retain his job as the Pelicans head coach? It seems like most Pels fans think that Monty has had enough time with the team and has shown too little. Some have even […]
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Five Takeaways Monty Williams Will Take From This Season
To get this out of the way, Pelicans Head-Coach Monty Williams will be back next season. Whether you think he should or not does not matter, your opinion on this will not affect the outcome. Maybe after next season, but as of right now it bears little in the discussion of building for this basketball […]
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In the NO Podcast Ep. 171: Fire Monty?
Michael and I address all the losing and the fact he’s joined the Fire Monty club. How hot should Monty Williams seat be? We also spend some time on Carmelo in the Knicks game, and a bit of time on Tyreke Evans and if he’s worth his contract, as well as rank the various Pelican […]