Pelicans vs Thunder (YHT) Game 2 Playoffs! GAMEDAY THREAD!

Why no Jose?

Thru 3 quarters we have not been able to match their intensity. Dort setting the tone on defense and SGA on offense. Going to have to make some serious adjustments in the next game.

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Originally Posted by djrnno

Why no Jose?

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I was wondering too... he is our energy guy that raises the intensity level which has been missing here

Wow! They really called that on Jose? lol

Series over! this team isn?t it. Major changes need to happen in the offseason. Not a “tweak.”

I'm not big on harping on refs.. But the officiating hasn't been beneficial to the Pels at all.

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Originally Posted by Nichols

I'm not big on harping on refs.. But the officiating hasn't been beneficial to the Pels at all.

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Willie won’t call them out. He is scared of a fine. We need a coach that is not scared.

i didnt know we were 0-22 when trailing in the 4th quarter lol...

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Originally Posted by 6warddude

i didnt know we were 0-22 when trailing in the 4th quarter lol...

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It's when trailing going into the 4th, not just being down at all, but yes.

Actually I think it's 0-23 now, isn't it? Not sure.

Lakers game was the big opportunity to finally break the streak and then Zion got hurt.

And just like that JV back out of the game after scoring twice on two attempts. This coach is ridiculous.

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Originally Posted by Darkhorse985

Series over! this team isn?t it. Major changes need to happen in the offseason. Not a ?tweak.?

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Series' dont start until someone loses at home.

The latter part though, I agree with. Cannot stand pat. There are obvious changes to make. I don't think Griff has the courage to make them.

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Originally Posted by 13 - 3

Willie won’t call them out. He is scared of a fine. We need a coach that is not scared.

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He's just not good at his job.

Never forget . Alvin was not our best but at least he was not afraid

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

It's when trailing going into the 4th, not just being down at all, but yes.

Actually I think it's 0-23 now, isn't it? Not sure.

Lakers game was the big opportunity to finally break the streak and then Zion got hurt.

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damn...23 games...i cant remember but i hope 6 of those games were not against the spurs, memphis and houston....if we would have won those 6, we would be over 50 wins and maybe with a healthy zion..

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Originally Posted by Nichols

He's just not good at his job.

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Poorly coached team.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Series' dont start until someone loses at home.

The latter part though, I agree with. Cannot stand pat. There are obvious changes to make. I don't think Griff has the courage to make them.

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From what I've been hearing in this thread, ownership isn't interested in playing for anything significant. So what kind of improvement should one expect?

We're about to see some elite garbage time stat padding, I reckon

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Originally Posted by Nichols

From what I've been hearing in this thread, ownership isn't interested in playing for anything significant. So what kind of improvement should one expect?

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I don't think there will be any. I think WG will re-sign BI for the absurd contract that cannot be justified, because he loves him and BI represents the success of the LA trade to him, and giving up on that without significant gains (that he won't get) will represent a failure to his ego that he can't accept. With that done, we'll have no money or flexibility to do anything else, so we'll just re-sign people and run it back largely the same. Might make a bench move, idk, maybe Naji is a cap-casualty in the end because we don't want to go into the luxury. Make our draft picks.

I have zero faith in Griff to make the moves necessary.

i think we are the kings to okc this season...the way we been playing at home, i dont think we win a game in this series ...

pelicans game and jazzfest will make my weekend...

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

I don't think there will be any. I think WG will re-sign BI for the absurd contract that cannot be justified, because he loves him and BI represents the success of the LA trade to him, and giving up on that without significant gains (that he won't get) will represent a failure to his ego that he can't accept. With that done, we'll have no money or flexibility to do anything else, so we'll just re-sign people and run it back largely the same. Might make a bench move, idk, maybe Naji is a cap-casualty in the end because we don't want to go into the luxury. Make our draft picks.

I have zero faith in Griff to make the moves necessary.

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Ingram commentary aside.. You and others have communicated that the ownership isn't going to go over the cap. So this really isn't about Ingram.

I'm asking what can anyone reasonably expect improvement wise, if the ownership isn't committed to winning?

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

I don't think there will be any. I think WG will re-sign BI for the absurd contract that cannot be justified, because he loves him and BI represents the success of the LA trade to him, and giving up on that without significant gains (that he won't get) will represent a failure to his ego that he can't accept. With that done, we'll have no money or flexibility to do anything else, so we'll just re-sign people and run it back largely the same. Might make a bench move, idk, maybe Naji is a cap-casualty in the end because we don't want to go into the luxury. Make our draft picks.

I have zero faith in Griff to make the moves necessary.

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If BI plays like he did in the 2nd half then he is not the problem. Also, we are literally missing our best player. I bet we would match up better against OKC if SGA was out for this series

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Originally Posted by Nichols

Ingram commentary aside.. You and others have communicated that the ownership isn't going to go over the cap. So this really isn't about Ingram.

I'm asking what can anyone reasonably expect improvement wise, if the ownership isn't committed to winning?

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And I told you: nothing. We will run it back largely the same. We will get roughly 46-50 wins from pure team talent for the next few years until guys start running out of contracts and deciding to leave, and the team will atrophy back to a re-set. Because there needs to be changes in order to improve, and we cannot reasonably expect that from a Griff/Benson team.

Maybe they surprise us, but that is not a reasonable expectation - that would be a surprise.

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Originally Posted by 6warddude

i think we are the kings to okc this season...the way we been playing at home, i dont think we win a game in this series ...

pelicans game and jazzfest will make my weekend...

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Get there early. Gayle giving discounts. Something SHE NEVER DOES

Pelicans are following OKC’s lead…

Smoothie King Center will open two hours prior to tip and half off all concessions including drinks prior to tip-off for Game 3 and 4. pic.twitter.com/wjAdTUuJh5

— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) April 24, 2024

Celtics, 3 expensive main guys. Lakers 3, Heat 3, Clippers 3, Suns 3, etc.. If this team isn't willing to spend enough for 3 of these types where are we going??

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Originally Posted by hornetsrebirth

If BI plays like he did in the 2nd half then he is not the problem. Also, we are literally missing our best player. I bet we would match up better against OKC if SGA was out for this series

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You are being extremely generous. If BI had played like he did in the second half we would have just lost by 20 instead of 30. He was a -12 in the second half. The only difference is that some of the bad shots went in, which makes it look better on a stat sheet but did not actually represent an improvement in his play overall.

And sure it would be closer if SGA was out, but I'm pretty certain that if we swapped Chet and BI, the Pels don't look this miserable. Chet wouldn't collapse in this same way. We've had 7 quarters of terrible play from BI across 2 playoff games so far, and he wasn't exactly great in the play-ins either.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

And I told you: nothing. We will run it back largely the same. We will get roughly 46-50 wins from pure team talent for the next few years until guys start running out of contracts and deciding to leave, and the team will atrophy back to a re-set. Because there needs to be changes in order to improve, and we cannot reasonably expect that from a Griff/Benson team.

Maybe they surprise us, but that is not a reasonable expectation - that would be a surprise.

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You should have told me this when I first joined this forum lol..

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Originally Posted by Nichols

You should have told me this when I first joined this forum lol..

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The ''war chest'' that Griff was so proud of after the LA trade has been thoroughly squandered. There's not much left to make moves with. The only real shake-ups you can make are with BI and possibly CJ, unless you want to start just emptying the cabinets of Trey and Herb too. Obviously that's going too far.

So it comes down to asking whether you think Griff would trade BI. And I don't think he would, no. So there's nowhere to go.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

You are being extremely generous. If BI had played like he did in the second half we would have just lost by 20 instead of 30. He was a -12 in the second half. The only difference is that some of the bad shots went in, which makes it look better on a stat sheet but did not actually represent an improvement in his play overall.

And sure it would be closer if SGA was out, but I'm pretty certain that if we swapped Chet and BI, the Pels don't look this miserable. Chet wouldn't collapse in this same way. We've had 7 quarters of terrible play from BI across 2 playoff games so far, and he wasn't exactly great in the play-ins either.

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The difference in the 2nd half is that he was aggressive, finally. He had 2 shots in the first half.

Everyone was in the negative plus minus that game. Thats what happens in a blow out. I dont think you can name a single NBA team that can lose their best player and still win a champtionship.

Even Hawkins bringing open ones. Lol

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Originally Posted by hornetsrebirth

The difference in the 2nd half is that he was aggressive, finally. He had 2 shots in the first half.

Everyone was in the negative plus minus that game. Thats what happens in a blow out. I dont think you can name a single NBA team that can lose their best player and still win a champtionship.

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I don't expect to win a championship.

Not get swept in completely embarrassing fashion however, is much more on the table.

Look at what Miami did tonight against Boston without Butler. Did they win? No. But they didn't just embarrass themselves.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

The ''war chest'' that Griff was so proud of after the LA trade has been thoroughly squandered. There's not much left to make moves with. The only real shake-ups you can make are with BI and possibly CJ, unless you want to start just emptying the cabinets of Trey and Herb too. Obviously that's going too far.

So it comes down to asking whether you think Griff would trade BI. And I don't think he would, no. So there's nowhere to go.

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I guess this is where our views diverge. Even though I'm probably being overly optimistic. I'd rather keep the major talent, in hopes of drawing in a third guy. Maybe.. just maybe ownership would consider paying for a 3d guy if an opportunity opened up.

The alternative is moving Ingram, getting 2 players that aren't as good, but possibly fit better with Zion. That team isn't a championship team. A team with Zion, Ingram, and another guy get's you close. But again, if what you're saying holds true, ownership would never spend what's needed to get the 3d guy.

Impressive win by Miami with no Butler in Boston

The good news is: I got a lot of paperwork done.

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Originally Posted by msusousaphone

The good news is: I got a lot of paperwork done.

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https://media1.giphy.com/media/cNfdC...euhJ/giphy.gif

My Dallas Stars played at the same time. Was hoping to have at least one team make a deep run.

Now I have to spend quality time with my kid.

Batman Sad GIFfrom Batman GIFs

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Originally Posted by msusousaphone

My Dallas Stars played at the same time. Was hoping to have at least one team make a deep run.

Now I have to spend quality time with my kid.

Batman Sad GIFfrom Batman GIFs

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I’m going to sleep

https://media3.giphy.com/media/L1Q87...WQNc/giphy.gif

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Originally Posted by Nichols

Celtics, 3 expensive main guys. Lakers 3, Heat 3, Clippers 3, Suns 3, etc.. If this team isn't willing to spend enough for 3 of these types where are we going??

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We have 3 expensive main guys. Problem is, they do not seem to work together at a high level.

Everyone wanted them to win for this. All they do is make fans suffer.

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Originally Posted by PELICANSFAN

We have 3 expensive main guys. Problem is, they do not seem to work together at a high level.

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I don't believe CJ is a main guy anymore. I put him in the category of a premier vet that can give you a good 25 minutes per game. But shouldn't be counted on to shoulder the load of what's driving a teams success.

I'm thinking someone like Siakam, Zack Lavine, Paul George, or even Porzingis. Players in that tier.

With that being said, I understand what you guys are saying about the ownership. So I suppose it's just unrealistic to expect or want a team configured in that manner.

Anyone got audio of David Wesley last night? There is a report he went on radio and called the team and coaching staff quitters last night.

0 3pt attempts for Ingram last night

Big disappointment... weak defense, waaaayyyy too soft - without commitment. We won't win any Playoffs game without Z, with BI and CJ playing so poorly...

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Originally Posted by 13 - 3

Anyone got audio of David Wesley last night? There is a report he went on radio and called the team and coaching staff quitters last night.

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He's not wrong.

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Originally Posted by Creative

Big disappointment... weak defense, waaaayyyy too soft - without commitment. We won't win any Playoffs game without Z, with BI and CJ playing so poorly...

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BI and CJ have really disappointed. BI is way too soft and tentative. Very disappointing.

Celtics lost last night, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum went to the podium to speak.

Suns Lost, KD & Booker went to the podium

Bucks lost, Dame & Middleton went to the podium

Clippers lost, Kawhi went to the podium

Pels lost, JV & Herb went to the podium

— Pro Pels Talk (@ProPelsTalk) April 25, 2024

Say what you will about Zion as a leader, but he's in the sidelines doing Willie Green's job for him and when we lose, he's always up there in front of the media answering for it. You can tell he isn't always happy, but he takes responsibility.

BI rarely ever on the podium. Dude loves to duck the smoke.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Celtics lost last night, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum went to the podium to speak.

Suns Lost, KD & Booker went to the podium

Bucks lost, Dame & Middleton went to the podium

Clippers lost, Kawhi went to the podium

Pels lost, JV & Herb went to the podium

— Pro Pels Talk (@ProPelsTalk) April 25, 2024

Say what you will about Zion as a leader, but he's in the sidelines doing Willie Green's job for him and when we lose, he's always up there in front of the media answering for it. You can tell he isn't always happy, but he takes responsibility.

BI rarely ever on the podium. Dude loves to duck the smoke.

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He?s soft as Charmin, physically and mentally.

Let Zion coach the team. He did more than Willie. Surely he can’t hurt himself doing that. Right?

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Celtics lost last night, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum went to the podium to speak.

Suns Lost, KD & Booker went to the podium

Bucks lost, Dame & Middleton went to the podium

Clippers lost, Kawhi went to the podium

Pels lost, JV & Herb went to the podium

— Pro Pels Talk (@ProPelsTalk) April 25, 2024

Say what you will about Zion as a leader, but he's in the sidelines doing Willie Green's job for him and when we lose, he's always up there in front of the media answering for it. You can tell he isn't always happy, but he takes responsibility.

BI rarely ever on the podium. Dude loves to duck the smoke.

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Win or lose he's rarely there. So how is that ducking smoke??

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Originally Posted by Nichols

Win or lose he's rarely there. So how is that ducking smoke??

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Just another reason not pay him.
He's not a leader, alpha or a star.
I will laugh when **** wit Griff pays him 45M a year

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Originally Posted by AUSSIE_PELICAN

Just another reason not pay him.
He's not a leader, alpha or a star.
I will laugh when **** wit Griff pays him 45M a year

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That's fine if you feel that way.. But some of the commentary in here is silly. My response was to a contradictory statement that was made. If you don't like Ingram or want him on the squad, I'm sure it's because of basketball reasons. I get it. But as I said, let's not get silly with it.