Anthony Davis professes loyalty to Pelicans: 'I don't plan on leaving' New Orleans

[Champ]

Jeff Duncan article.


http://www.nola.com/pelicans/index.s...r_orleans_news

he media session was part of the league's pre-event publicity for the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday at the Smoothie King Center, but a handful of the questions specifically addressed Davis' happiness with the club, which is in danger of missing the playoffs for the fourth time in Davis' five seasons in New Orleans.

"I don't plan on leaving, so make sure you write that down," Davis said when asked about trade speculation.

Another questioner asked Davis about an Internet rumor speculating that he and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook could eventually join forces with the Lakers in Los Angeles, where his agent, Arn Tellem of Wasserman Media Group is based.

"I don't pay attention to (the rumors)," Davis said. "I don't know who said it or how it came about. I'm with the Pelicans right now."

Everyone feel better now? I have it written down.

[jprdbulldog20]

@Greg_Monaco I wanna play with Oklahoma City for my whole career

— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) April 28, 2009

[PelsFan2313]

What is he supposed to say?

[AUSSIE_PELICAN]

Would you tell your boss that you hate your job and that you want to leave?

[NMThreeMVP]

Would you tell your boss that you hate your job and that you want to leave?

Sure, if I had a contract and I was talented enough to work somewhere else if anything happened to that contract.

[NMThreeMVP]

Has anyone posted about what the new CBA means for AD's next contract? What sort of advantage will the Pelicans have monetarily over everyone else in order to keep him in NOLA?

[billfromfinance]

Has anyone posted about what the new CBA means for AD's next contract? What sort of advantage will the Pelicans have monetarily over everyone else in order to keep him in NOLA?

I believe it allows us to assign him Designated Player and use that, which allows up to 35% of cap (even if we have no cap space left).

TBW did a decent breakdown here:
http://www.thebirdwrites.com/2016/12...ntract-options

[Champ]

Would you tell your boss that you hate your job and that you want to leave?

Didn't Chris Paul do that?

[tthier2]

Didn't Chris Paul do that?

Chris Paul was more fake than the Durant comments

[kinglio21093]

There's so much pressure on NBA stars to ditch the small market and head elsewhere. The media always talks about it. I know he loves NOLA, but so many people are gonna be in his ear by the time that contract runs out that it's gonna be too much for him.

I wouldn't blame him to be honest though. This organization is pretty much a disaster and Anthony should be canonized for the fact that he's only played in 4 career playoff games in his career and hasn't lost his mind.

[kidjock24]

If we don't put a contender around him by the end of this current contract, we don't deserve him.

[Mythrol]

It's so funny. He says I don't plan on leaving, then when he addresses the laker rumor he says, "I'm with the Pelicans RIGHT NOW."

He's saying the right thing in his first comment but his last comment is telling. He is a NBA superstar. We will either win with him or he will eventually leave. It's pretty obvious that is the way it is.

[ramsters60]

Very insightful write up about AD on nba.com....

[luckyman]

Interview with Gentry. Scary McGrady asked a few questions. Talked about AD and getting a team around him. The injuries.

[UNO Gracias]

Injuries, what injuries? Everyone is healthy, and we suck.

[kinglio21093]

Injuries, what injuries? Everyone is healthy, and we suck.

He can't really throw his team under the bus, so he just used last years excuse.

[shanesy]

I think he is talking about Jrue and Tyreke being out to begin the year as well as Quincy. If I recall both ajinca and asik were also banged up to begin the year (that doesn't mean much as both are not very useful anyway). Moore had the toe injury keeping him out for a some of games. So to be fair there were injuries but not as significant as last year. Don't think that is why we are not a very good team though and it is an excuse for our record by Gentry. What else is he to do though.

[luckyman]

Injuries, what injuries? Everyone is healthy, and we suck.

If you listened to the interview, he was mainly talking about last year. The team they went to the playoffs with the year before (also an injury riddled year). Even mentioned EG breaking his finger twice, in the same spot, LAST year.

And then he mentioned for this year the team has been .500 with Jrue. Which is a fact since he's been starting. He simply stated some facts.

[UNO Gracias]

Injuries are a weak excuse. We are .500 with Jrue starting, and sub .500 when he plays (he had 6 games when he came off the bench). Injuries can't be an excuse for this team. We are just meh.

Whats with the lead comment "you had to work harder for your opportunities." The guy was bounced as a HC how many times? Dude is a high end retread.

[Eman5805]

Obviously Quincy Pondexter is the key to our team's success.

[luckyman]

Injuries are a weak excuse. We are .500 with Jrue starting, and sub .500 when he plays (he had 6 games when he came off the bench). Injuries can't be an excuse for this team. We are just meh.

Whats with the lead comment "you had to work harder for your opportunities." The guy was bounced as a HC how many times? Dude is a high end retread.

They are a weak excuse if maybe 1 or 2 guys go down for a few games. When half your team misses half the season that's something else. And Jrue wasn't injured this year. Other guys were. This is also a team with 7 new players, so it takes time to get on the same page.

I'm one to admit Gentry is probably not the coach for this team long term. I see a team too free wheeling and severely lacking discipline.

But the significant injuries were real and extraordinary. They are anything but an "excuse." The Clippers and Grizzlies sure as hell looked pedestrian when injuries hit them.

[UNO Gracias]

Obviously Quincy Pondexter is the key to our team's success.

He's going to be like Jordan wearing the 45.