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Civil Disobedience
Don’t hate the media; become the media. — Jello Biafra I’ve written a few very personal pieces on this site over the years. Long-time readers and friends will recall my David West Lament, my message to the nay-sayers, and more. Mostly you know me for my old news summaries, boring coverage of laws and analysis, […]
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The Injury Inefficiency Efficiency
The New Orleans Pelicans seem to be plagued with injuries. Some Pelicans fans feel like this is a curse of some sort. Some writers and even employees and players have mentioned, likely in jest and in frustration. The data backs up that the fans are not wrong about the effect of the injuries and which […]
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Are You Ready for Your Solo?
Every team in the NBA as the “polarizing move du jour,” and for the Pelicans, Solomon Hill has given Omer Asik some breathing room. It’s not that either player is an issue in themselves, but the combination of their play, team style, the contract, and the various imaginings of the person judging (with some imaginings […]
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Wasted Seasons?
I keep hearing the term “wasted” season, and it annoys me. Rather than just stew over here, I wanted to try to add some clarity to all sides of the manufactured debate. If one is primarily interested in winning a title this year, the performance this season is going to leave you completely and unambiguously […]
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How the Pelicans have changed
I had a lot of questions this summer stemming from the subtraction of Anderson and Gordon. How was the team going to replace all those threes? Would the team maintain its good turnover rate? Who would dribble off his own foot 5 times a game? Would the free throw rate increase? Could the steal rate […]
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Thanksgiving Scoop
You’ll have to see how the answers turn out, but here are some upward-pointing questions in advance of Thanksgiving. 1. Holiday is back. Are the New Orleans Pelicans now equipped to win “today” against at least half of the NBA a 0.500 or better rate? How about with Evans coming back? 42: I think that’s […]
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Late Early Observations
The New Orleans Pelicans played 12 games without Holiday and 1 game with him. It’s as good a time as any to look at what we’ve been looking at. Davis is not only one of the best players in the NBA, he’s on a mission to prove it. His good performances have, of course, been […]
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Issues of Trust
I’ve spent some time thinking about just has gone wrong with this team that was controllable. Every team makes mistakes. Bad luck aside, I wanted to come up with an answer, and not just some early bad signing. I wanted the real root of the issue. These people are not incompetent. They can be wrong, […]
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Handling The Pressure
The New Orleans Pelicans, for the first time in a long time . . . a very long time . . . quit last night. The team will deny it. The players will deny it. The organization will deny it. A number of writers and fans will deny it or ignore it to grind irrelevant […]
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A Small Defense of the Defense
I am among no small number of people discussing the defense of the New Orleans Pelicans. I have said some good things and bad. Jake has said the same here and on his Locked On Pelicans podcast (which you need to check out). McNamara has said more bad than good, while Ryan seems ok with […]
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The Cavalry
Significant injury has again beset the New Orleans Pelicans, this time striking Lance Stephenson. Stephenson suffered a groin injury in the Suns game, or possibly after, but was diagnosed as an injury where surgery was the best option. The Pelicans have waived Lance, whose contract is both partially guaranteed not terribly high in terms of […]
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The Process and the Losses
The New Orleans Pelicans are not off to a good start as measured by wins. They are 0-6. Just so the point of what I’m saying below is not lost, I just want to come right out and say: While there is a ton to pick on, there is one simple fix that would have […]
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The Pels’ Supporting Cast and Their Missing Second Lead
Much has been made of the Pelicans supporting cast, or apparent lack thereof, recently. If you’re on this blog, you’re sure to have heard, at least a dozen times, “I feel sorry for Anthony Davis! He has such a terrible supporting squad around him! And so they keep losing games… I hope he gets traded […]
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The Transition to Transition
We’ve had just a few New Orleans Pelicans games to watch, so beyond Anthony Davis is good This team needs work There’s not too much to say with great confidence, especially when some important pieces are missing and returning, possibly soon. Watching games against just a 3 teams is bad enough, but when two of […]
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What Is This Process?
I decided to talk to Jason about the team building the Pelicans have done in the AD era. This was started just before the season and went through today, which makes the academic rambling perhaps a little more interesting. Nick: Jason, a new season is upon us, and excitement is in the air. Let’s put […]
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An Early Regular Season Look and a Theory
I think I think . . . Davis never wavered. The headlines were stupid this summer about him taking a step back, as these were from some experts on things who were also inexpert on Davis. Remember, the fact that many . . . but not all . . . national writers have zero sources […]
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There’s Always All-Star Weekend
Before Brett Dawson (@BDawsonWrites) left for a regular gig in Oklahoma City (and a big congrats to him), I discussed the 2017 NBA All-Star Game with him. Opening Day for the NBA with an off day for the New Orleans Pelicans seems the perfect time to remind everyone that the city, and the NBA, won […]
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A Late Preseason Look
Now we’ve seen all 6 preseason games, dealt with a couple injuries, and just 1 cut that was offset by a signing. There’s only so much to take from preseason, but they are definitely making an effort to get the passing going. Last season, the team was starved for passing. It was so starved for […]
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In the NO Podcast Ep. 266: A bad ankle and the pre-season so far
Who is Michael most excited to see play after seeing this pre-season? Is Anthony Davis soft or injury-prone? Is Tim Frazier the answer? Can Asik not suck? These are all questions we answer in this week’s In the NO. Enjoy! Want it on Itunes? Direct download? RSS Feed? Like the Show or the Blog? Follow […]
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Preparing For the Next NBA Trend
Larry Bird, easily considered the best shooter of his generation, hit 649 three-pointers in his career. Steph Curry hit 688 in his last two regular seasons. Larry Bird shot 37.6% from behind the arc over the course of his career. That would have placed him 54th last season, right below Portland Trailblazers 7-foot center Meyers […]