Pelicans looking to get a top 5 pick?

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Originally Posted by Sujaguar00

MM, I understand the argument about "disappointed" fans if the top 5 pick doesn't happen, and the "fanatic" comment. HOWEVER, there are levels to fandom. My fandom doesn't make me irrational. It makes me long for constant improvement and a winning program. If we do NOTHING this offseason, win 50 games next year or make the playoffs, I'm good. (FWIW, getting Jrue and Ryno back makes us a better team than the end of last year).

My issues with the team come when we do (or don't do) things to make us better. I've learned to not live in the moment and let things play out before jumping to conclusions. Dell, Monty, heck probably all the guys at BSS know more about the game than I do. This provides an explanation to defer judgment on personnel moves until I see how it results on the court.

I said all that to say, don't lump ALL fans into the sect that don't know a skip pass from Skip Bayless.

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Well fan, short for fanatic means something specific.

I agree that there are levels, which is why I am trying to find a new word. I am a rec'er myself now. I like that term.

When you actually use your brain, this has little to no chance of happening unless we use one of our future picks, which still may not help (*edit*which MM said below) We may be looking for a pick or deal, sure but a top 5? I know how this even happend possibly "Derp. New Orleans is really active right now. Derp. As active as a team trying to get a....TOP FIVE PICK! DDERPP!" Lol It's called yellow journalism guys. And also may I remind you how credible draft rumors are when every year you hear 10,000 things from "credible sources" that never even come to be?

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Originally Posted by Pelicantoo

I do totally get it, and I feel that way about certain players to the extent that I want to give out the farm to get them. I was half/joking in all honesty. I will say that a Tyreke/Meeks/Hayward backcourt is frighteningly awful on defense.

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lol I hear ya. Deng and Jrue would be lockdown

Even a future pick couldnt help get you into top 5. Teams up there dont have bad contracts they are dying to get rid of and arent trying to get good next year.

I mean, if I were to go down this rabbit hole, the only possible trade would be something like

Jrue and unprotected picks in 2015 and 2017 for #4 and Glen Davis. That would assume the Magic are making a push starting next year, which I highly doubt.

Then, what? Dell takes Embiid and pushes the whole building process back 3 years?

I cant emphasize enough how untrue this is. But the guy got the attention he wanted. Good for him

Let's just trade two first round picks and ryno for Wiggins, and then lock him in the gym until his 3pt shot is money

CHAMPIONSHIP!

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Originally Posted by David Fisher

I believe in Premier League they call fans "supporters". That lacks the connotation of being mindless or zealots I think, which is hilarious considering the audience.

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True story.

MM, to your question about 10-20 years from now, what will the news be like? Did you ever catch the epic tale of Idiocracy? The news will be the least of our problems when a fat guy is sitting on somebody's head, and pointing to you saying , "You're next!"

Did see Idiocracy. Thought it was very smart, and shockingly possible.

U just wish there was a way to reverse the tide, but I highly doubt it

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

Even a future pick couldnt help get you into top 5. Teams up there dont have bad contracts they are dying to get rid of and arent trying to get good next year.

I mean, if I were to go down this rabbit hole, the only possible trade would be something like

Jrue and unprotected picks in 2015 and 2017 for #4 and Glen Davis. That would assume the Magic are making a push starting next year, which I highly doubt.

Then, what? Dell takes Embiid and pushes the whole building process back 3 years?

I cant emphasize enough how untrue this is. But the guy got the attention he wanted. Good for him

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Yep it's pretty unrealistic and illogical. In other words, stupid lol maybe Phoenix really wants EG enough to masterfully execute a trade for us to get a top 5 pick in exchange for the Hobbit and his great contract??

....Screw this, I'm starting a sports blog. Wuggie Writes. Done

Your first post might want to be about refreshing peoples' memories that Phoenix has a whole new FO staff that would have zero interest in Gordon. Not as well known as I tought it was. See them mentioned as a trade partner for him far too often.

And Idiocracy maybe coming faster than we know it. Instead of bunkers for a zombie apocalypse maybe someone should start making bunkers for the stupidity fallout? You guys should watch the news more, only if you want to get depressed of course.

I just enjoy seeing our team's name being mentioned in all these rumors. Don't ever remember it being like this.

But then, when it dont come true, what does it matter that they were mentioned?

I guess I am trying to understand the value people see in unrealistic rumors. Is it just a short term thing that distracts you from otherwise being bored? Because there is certainly no long term benefit. When Thursday comes and goes w/o us getting a top 5 guy, there will be no benefit then. So, is it just a short term escape from boredom that this provides?

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

But if this is the criteria to start really getting into a topic that we all know is completely illogical, I just think it sets people up for disappointment. But that is the choice of each individual person.

I just hope that when we grade the offseason, we do it without the idea of these rediculous rumors floating around in our mind.

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I won't be disappointed if this rumor doesn't materialize and I think the vast majority see it for what it is: an outlandish, unsubstantiated, unrealistic rumor. But it's something different, i.e., interesting to discuss. I'd be surprised if even a small minority based the success or failure of the offseason on one rumor. I think it's common knowledge that some of the trades that Guru proposes (nothing personel Guru, just an example) are unrealistic. But that doesn't mean they can't be a topic of conversation. Nobody saw the Jrue trade coming last June, and most would have said that it was unrealistic if it had been proposed before it happened.

In my opinion, just the fact that it was leaked makes it more unlikely to ever occur.

I guess I just wonder where the line is though. I mean, building a time machine and bringing Larry Bird back from 1984 to play for us would be a real interesting scenario, but I doubt we get a ten page thread going on it. So, whats the line?

I guess it is me. I personally dont find it interesting to discuss things that arent possible. Seems like I am the oddball, and I am cool with that. Just genuinely trying to understand.

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

If you can keep a rational head, I guess there is no downside. I guess I just wish actual gameplay would ignite conversations as much as false rumors did. One way or another, it will be over in 6 days.

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I wish actual players would ignite excitement as much as an unknown draft pick does.

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

I guess I just wonder where the line is though. I mean, building a time machine and bringing Larry Bird back from 1984 to play for us would be a real interesting scenario, but I doubt we get a ten page thread going on it. So, whats the line?

I guess it is me. I personally dont find it interesting to discuss things that arent possible. Seems like I am the oddball, and I am cool with that. Just genuinely trying to understand.

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People are different, I don't think it's any more complicated than that. And thank God for the differences, the world would be pretty boring if every one thought the same things.

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

So we are just gonna ignore that this tweet came from somebody who has no track record in the NBA and that is beyond unlikely? This thread is just going to continue on until Thursday, with everyone getting their hopes up and then nothing close to this comes to fruition.

Then, Dell has a solid offseason, but doesn't pull a miracle out of thin air and folks are disappointed because they got all excited about rumors that couldn't possibly happen in any realistic world.

Ugh.

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Be disappointed?? I would be disappointed if we made a trade to get into the top5 and break up the core

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

Now I see the problem.

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No need for that, my family and many friends have worked very long hours at the TP for decades. Papers are dying and they are doing the best they can to be relivent vs the internet. Just as I should apologize for saying the guy who wrote about Kris Humphries did a poor job for BSS, I think you should take a step back and think about how hard it is to still work for a paper, and instead of judging them and telling everyone in this forum how silly they are for thinking about such rumors, wouldn't a true journalist go check with their sources to debunk said rumor instead of criticizing their readers.

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Originally Posted by PelicanFever

Be disappointed?? I would be disappointed if we made a trade to get into the top5 and break up the core

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:grphug::grphug::grphug::grphug:

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Originally Posted by LouisianaPride

For Example, I don't think Roger Goodell is the Anti-Christ.

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If it was possible on Pelican Report, I would red thumbed the **** out of you for this =)

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

Even a future pick couldnt help get you into top 5. Teams up there dont have bad contracts they are dying to get rid of and arent trying to get good next year.

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Larry Sanders comes to mind, the dude just checked into detox.

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Originally Posted by AirForce1

If it was possible on Pelican Report, I would red thumbed the **** out of you for this =)

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Fair enough :D

Gonna be a fun week... already getting unpossible scenarios for the Pels.

I only saw this in the first place because Mason Ginsberg retweeted it and talked about so decided to share it

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

But then, when it dont come true, what does it matter that they were mentioned?

I guess I am trying to understand the value people see in unrealistic rumors. Is it just a short term thing that distracts you from otherwise being bored? Because there is certainly no long term benefit. When Thursday comes and goes w/o us getting a top 5 guy, there will be no benefit then. So, is it just a short term escape from boredom that this provides?

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It tells me Dell is putting in work. And possibly extra work for us to be involved in so many rumors.

I don't even think this would be a good deal for us unless we can dump Gordon's contract with it. I believe, like usual, moves will be made that we haven't even heard an inkling of rumors on. When I hear rumors about the Pels, I doubt that specific move will be made because it never has. I know the reports do not come out of our camp, we are as tight lipped as can be. But they do tell me Dell is working his butt off and perhaps looking for more than just a tiny move. I feel something bigger coming (and I also have other reasons to believe this). And that is what gets me excited, knowing we are not just sitting around complacent with a 34 win team. We are working hard to improve on that.

Maybe nothing happens, but I will know we tried.

But this particular move would make no sense to me. It jives with everything we have done the past 2-3 years. We know Dell wants "young vets" and we know Monty isn't interested in coaching more rookies.

False rumors dont tell me he is putting in work. The fact that he is always putting in work tells me he is probably putting in work. He has never been idol. Has always been amongst the most active GMs. I dont need a made up rumor to tell me he is working as hard as he possibly can to improve the team.

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

I guess I just wonder where the line is though. I mean, building a time machine and bringing Larry Bird back from 1984 to play for us would be a real interesting scenario, but I doubt we get a ten page thread going on it. So, whats the line?

I guess it is me. I personally dont find it interesting to discuss things that arent possible. Seems like I am the oddball, and I am cool with that. Just genuinely trying to understand.

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As someone who frequents reddit.com/r/nba, I have to disagree with you on this one. The top post there yesterday was "Would Lebron still be the best player in the league if he had to wear flip flops." But yes, it's just a cure for short-term broedom. I'm nearly alone here but I'd rather add Tucker and Blatche and hopefully Morrow than trade an asset for a Late 1st rounder, or trade a bunch of assets for a top 5 pick.

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Originally Posted by Pelicantoo

As someone who frequents reddit.com/r/nba, I have to disagree with you on this one. The top post there yesterday was "Would Lebron still be the best player in the league if he had to wear flip flops." But yes, it's just a cure for short-term broedom. I'm nearly alone here but I'd rather add Tucker and Blatche and hopefully Morrow than trade an asset for a Late 1st rounder, or trade a bunch of assets for a top 5 pick.

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And this is not what fandom was about 20-30 yrs ago, which leads to my bigger question: What is it like 20-30 yrs from now?

I feel like an old man at 33 yelling at kids to appreciate the game and stop with the riff raff. By 53 or 63, I will be unbearable.

I know its me - I need to change, because the tidal wave will not. But I cant bring myself to do it.

We wouldn't have to give up all of that to get a top 5 pick. We could give up jrue and a 1st and get in the top 5. If philly can get the number 6 pick and another 1st rounder, surely we could go jrue + 1st for a top five pick

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Originally Posted by Pels23

We wouldn't have to give up all of that to get a top 5 pick. We could give up jrue and a 1st and get in the top 5. If philly can get the number 6 pick and another 1st rounder, surely we could go jrue + 1st for a top five pick

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The difference is that Philly found a team that wanted to start winning immediately. Who in that top 5 is hitting the accelerator button and wants to win immediately? They are all building incredibly slow, aside from Cleveland - who has Kyrie.

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

The difference is that Philly found a team that wanted to start winning immediately. Who in that top 5 is hitting the accelerator button and wants to win immediately? They are all building incredibly slow, aside from Cleveland - who has Kyrie.

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Not mention that this draft is graded as one of the highest in recent memory while last year draft was graded as one of the lowest in recent memory.

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

The difference is that Philly found a team that wanted to start winning immediately. Who in that top 5 is hitting the accelerator button and wants to win immediately? They are all building incredibly slow, aside from Cleveland - who has Kyrie.

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Not mention that this draft is graded as one of the highest in recent memory while last year draft was graded as one of the lowest in recent memory.

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

And this is not what fandom was about 20-30 yrs ago, which leads to my bigger question: What is it like 20-30 yrs from now?

I feel like an old man at 33 yelling at kids to appreciate the game and stop with the riff raff. By 53 or 63, I will be unbearable.

I know its me - I need to change, because the tidal wave will not. But I cant bring myself to do it.

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I think the key is to be less demanding of the people you are posting to unless you're very sure they can take it.

Do the same thing that you currently do; that is put up information that backs your point, and put forward your point, and if people blow you off and continue what they're doing, then so be it. If conversation gets out of control, block or ban users that are messing things up or move threads to the dump.

I personally enjoy the insight you and Schwan bring to the conversation, and it makes me alot smarter in my discussion with friends about NBA in general. I also trust that you have better inside info than most so your comments on topics like this have more weighting than others. But telling people to stop wishing, not going to happen. It's a big part for many people of what makes following the NBA fun, and you'll just get frustrated trying to stop it.

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Originally Posted by da ThRONe

Not mention that this draft is graded as one of the highest in recent memory while last year draft was graded as one of the lowest in recent memory.

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I think this needs to be cleaned up a bit. I think this one is seen as having better high end prospects. I dont think that it is necessarily better 9-60. I think it is pretty similar to most, including last years in that regard and will play out that way. Its top tier, though, is comparable to a class like 2012, without the once in a decade type player, though.

I dont think, though, overall it is going to go down as one of the best. Will be deeper than 2012, but w/o the high end talent. I think it will be close to the 2011 draft when it is all said and done. A good draft, but not one that changed the league.

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

I think this needs to be cleaned up a bit. I think this one is seen as having better high end prospects. I dont think that it is necessarily better 9-60. I think it is pretty similar to most, including last years in that regard and will play out that way. Its top tier, though, is comparable to a class like 2012, without the once in a decade type player, though.

I dont think, though, overall it is going to go down as one of the best. Will be deeper than 2012, but w/o the high end talent. I think it will be close to the 2011 draft when it is all said and done. A good draft, but not one that changed the league.

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This is your opinion which is fine and should carry some weight especially here, but this is not the consensus thought on this draft and was illustrated when Chad Ford released his tier list. So there's nothing to "clean up" you are just giving your take on the draft which happens to be different than most of the NBA scouts and "insiders".

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

The fact that he is always putting in work tells me he is probably putting in work.

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Classic stuff, there.

It's a pipedream but I would love Vonleh. Picture a defensive minded Bosh.

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

But then, when it dont come true, what does it matter that they were mentioned?

I guess I am trying to understand the value people see in unrealistic rumors. Is it just a short term thing that distracts you from otherwise being bored? Because there is certainly no long term benefit. When Thursday comes and goes w/o us getting a top 5 guy, there will be no benefit then. So, is it just a short term escape from boredom that this provides?

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It's entertaining!

Doesnt make a ton of sense. We dont have the assets to get Wiggins/Parker and none of the other top prospects are a great fit for us. Wouldn't give up Jrue

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

I think this needs to be cleaned up a bit. I think this one is seen as having better high end prospects. I dont think that it is necessarily better 9-60. I think it is pretty similar to most, including last years in that regard and will play out that way. Its top tier, though, is comparable to a class like 2012, without the once in a decade type player, though.

I dont think, though, overall it is going to go down as one of the best. Will be deeper than 2012, but w/o the high end talent. I think it will be close to the 2011 draft when it is all said and done. A good draft, but not one that changed the league.

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disagree, this class is one of the deepest in recent years imo

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

And this is not what fandom was about 20-30 yrs ago

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What do you know about what it was like 30 years ago? It's exactly what it was like 30 years ago, and 40 and 50. And it's what it'll be like in another 20 or 30 years.

I doubt this is true, but if it were I'm not really interested in moving Ryno for a Vonleh, Gordon, etc. I'd take Wiggins and Parker, but that's about it.

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Originally Posted by Tomdda

What do you know about what it was like 30 years ago? It's exactly what it was like 30 years ago, and 40 and 50. And it's what it'll be like in another 20 or 30 years.

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This is simply not true. My dad is a huge sports fan and we have talked since I was a kid. They didnt spend the majority of their talking about rumors, looking at possibilities years from now, and wondering how they could get this guy or that guy on their team. They focused on the guys they had and lived and died with each game. In the present.

I am trying not to judge the present form, and I said I was the problem and needed to change, but there is no way I will believe it is not vastly different.

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Originally Posted by da ThRONe

This is your opinion which is fine and should carry some weight especially here, but this is not the consensus thought on this draft and was illustrated when Chad Ford released his tier list. So there's nothing to "clean up" you are just giving your take on the draft which happens to be different than most of the NBA scouts and "insiders".

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Ford and others got this "2014 is the best ever" bandwagon going last year. Almost everybody outside of Ford has jumped off that statement and still say it is strong, but not one of the best ever. Aside from maybe Parker, all the guys thought to be franchise caliber guys have underperformed. Have not heard one analyst call anybody in this draft a franchise pillar, asie for maybe Embiid before he got hurt.

But yes, it is my opinion. Just like it is theirs. I just think you are remembering the old narrative, not the more recent one. Look at Kevin Pelton's analysis for instance. He actually deemed it a below average draft. And his numbers are similar to Hollinger's metrics, so he probably would have said the same thing.

We'll know in a couple of years. Not like we will remember to bring it back up or care by then.

The reason for so many rumors nowadays is the oversaturation of news via social media. People leaking info to make a name for themselves as an insider.

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Originally Posted by IamQuailman

The reason for so many rumors nowadays is the oversaturation of news via social media. People leaking info to make a name for themselves as an insider.

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Nailhead meets hammer.

A few weeks ago we hear (well I heard on this site) half the teams in the top of the lottery are looking to trade their picks.

A few weeks later we hear a rumor of the Pels are looking into making a move to get in the top of the lottery.

In the words of that angry guy from 12 Angry Men "What in the hell is going on around here?"

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Originally Posted by Eman5805

Nailhead meets hammer.

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If you (not you specifically, insiders haha) throw enough crapghetti against the wall, something will eventually stick haha

I agree, but it starts with the customer not the salesman in my opinion. If people wanted hardcore analysis and game breakdown, the media would service that. But when ESPN puts up two minutes of game breakdown and two minutes of Tim Tebow rumors and Tebow gets 20 times better ratings, they would be fools not to shift their coverage that way.

Same with reporters - they get their name by breaking a story, not breaking down the game. Outside of Zach Lowe, I would bet 90% of basketball fans cant name a reporter who breaks down the game, but most of them can name the "sources" guys.

My point is that we can change it. We blame ESPN and other outlets, but they just give consumers what they want. It is up to the consumers to change their desires.

Just because somebody wants jrue holiday doesn't mean theyre in win now mode. Jrue is a young talented point guard. A team like orlando could pair him up with Oladipo and have their guards for the future.