General Offseason News

The proposed Coach's Challenge rule will be in effect on a provisional basis for all 2023 NBA summer leagues. pic.twitter.com/Bqat0AnfRg

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) July 4, 2023

Orlando waived Bol Bol

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Orlando waived Bol Bol

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I'd take a flier on a 1 year deal.

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Originally Posted by donato

I'd take a flier on a 1 year deal.

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Same. When we are getting blown out by the Oklahoma City Thunder, he would be a fun reason to keep watching.

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Originally Posted by donato

I'd take a flier on a 1 year deal.

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It might be a good idea... if Zion agrees to share half of his every meal with Bol Bol.

2 birds, 1 stone. :p

The Pelicans have waived Garrett Temple, sources tell ESPN.

— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) July 5, 2023

It had to be done.

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Originally Posted by DroopyDawg

It had to be done.

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Hope they do not sign him back at minimum to take a spot on the bench. I would prefer they just convert him to Willie's staff. He offers nothing on the court.

Guess we're not all in for the championship.

ESPN Sources: The NBA's new In-Season Tournament Final Four is set for December 7 and 9 in Las Vegas. Statistics will count for the league's regular season, except for the championship game of the event.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 5, 2023

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Originally Posted by luckyman

ESPN Sources: The NBA's new In-Season Tournament Final Four is set for December 7 and 9 in Las Vegas. Statistics will count for the league's regular season, except for the championship game of the event.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 5, 2023

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Really just a ridiculous add by the NBA. Clearly just a money grab.

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Originally Posted by PELICANSFAN

Really just a ridiculous add by the NBA. Clearly just a money grab.

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They want another avenue for sports betting so yeah. It may be fun at least. There has to be an incentive though for me. Such as an automatic tie breaker or spot in the playoffs if you win. That would REALLY make it interesting

I am curious to see how the NBA handles the schedule during and after the mid-season tourney. If the other 22 teams play their usual regular season schedule but the tourney-qualifying teams’ quarterfinal and semifinal games count towards their regular season games, there is going to have to be some serious schedule juggling by the league since it won’t be known who is participating in those games until late November/early December.

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Originally Posted by Spec3333

I am curious to see how the NBA handles the schedule during and after the mid-season tourney. If the other 22 teams play their usual regular season schedule but the tourney-qualifying teams’ quarterfinal and semifinal games count towards their regular season games, there is going to have to be some serious schedule juggling by the league since it won’t be known who is participating in those games until late November/early December.

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There will be 2 teams that play 83 games and the rest will remain at 82.

Only that final tournament game's stats will count toward the regular season.

Not only is Larry Nance in the middle of setting the NBA record for most summer league games attended in person by an active NBA player in Las Vegas, he was kind enough to give some quality insight on Zion and the Pels. https://t.co/SfpQTtpeUO

— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) July 13, 2023

Nance - answers and questions both roughly paraphrased. Mostly accurate but there will be a few things here and there that aren't exact. Skipping all the questions he's asked about the Lakers.

On the report that Zion doesn't work on his game:

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He is... we've never seen anything like him, and I think everyone can agree with that. THose 1 of 1s do things differently than everyone else. Kevin durant does not train how everyone else trains. We've seen there are 1 of 1s, and for Z, it often takes a little while to learn how to do that. How do you train someone who is 6'6, but moves like a wrecking ball?
I don't know. I think a lot of the answer is that the trainers don't know either and it takes time to learn. He's in a space now where, talking to him, seeing him out here, and obviously we've heard chatter, but I think he's re-focused and he's. . . If I were allowed to bet, I would bet he is going to have a monster year.

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Is he working on the 'skill' elements of his game, is that accurate?

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That's very accurate. The man's touch is probably the best in the NBA. It's insane. He's working on his 3s, his jumpers, his midrange. But with all that being said, when he plays - and we know the health is the issue - but when he plays, the man is a certified monster. So he is working on that stuff, but even if he wasn't you still can't stop him.

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I wouldn't trade him because I'd be so scared that he would figure out the health issues and I'd have to live with that for the rest of my life. Thoughts?

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I agree. He's, I often think I might want to get into front office work when I'm done. I think I've got a good mind and understanding of how the league works, but I put on my GM hat sometimes and I look and it's like. . . we were torching the league last year. I mean there was nothing people could do. First in the West and our margin of victory was very large. And it was him. We didn't even really have BI on the court. It was just this guy that was, like I said, just wrecking balling through teams defenses. Taking over games in the 4th quarter. And he hasn't really had a lot of NBA experience, so if he can figure out all this stuff, you've got a top 5 player at 23 years old. Already. How do you. . . I don't know what you do with that.

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He's got to figure out his defense though, right?

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They all do. There's like 3 guys in the NBA that score over 20 a game that play defense. Really? I'm exaggerating a little but it's like, if you are that on offense, let us shoulder some of the burden on defense. We got you. That's what I'm out there for.

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In Zion's appearance on the Gilbert Arenas show, he talked pretty candidly about his diet. Is he eating with the team, and eating reasonably? Are people in his business like that?

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CJ and I do. As the vets on the team, we take them to dinner and we talk about how hard it is to make it in the league it's that much harder to stay. The example I use is, in NBA terms, my man's got a Lamborghini. That's his body. Me? I'm happy in my body, but I'm in my KIA. In terms of NBA bodies. You've had your monster dunks though Sure but i you toss me the ball on offense I'm going to set up a pick and ballscreen, I'm not breaking people down and averaging 27. I don't think I've scored 27 in a game. So I'm in my KIA. I can put regular gas in my car every now and again and nothing's going to happen. You do that to a Lamborghini and it will not run for you. There are certain things you watch guys do that you can't do. Just like we watch you against Minnesota score our final 13 points and win us that game. I can work out as long as I want and that ain't happening. So with the gifts you get, you have to sacrifice some - and he's receptive to it. He's been incredible and the strides he's made since I've known him have been remarkable, truly, but we haven't seen it yet on a court. I would bet this year, like I said, I know we're in Vegas so if I'm betting, I'm betting on that kid.

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Conversations often steer toward Trey Murphy because a lot of people think he might have 20ppg potential. I've heard people say he could be a star. Tell me about him.

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First of all, I can't stand Trey. We don't get along. You can tell him I said it. But I tend to be in the camp of people who say he can be a star. I've seen a lot of it. Brandon when he was young, Randle when he was young, I was in Cleveland when they drafted Garland, I've seen impressive talent. The kind of person/ethic that leads to being a star. Trey has the same ability. His intangibles and physical attributes are off the wall, he's a full blown 6'9 - he's big man - but his ethic is where it shines through. Him and Corey Brewer and T Spoon, they made leaps and bounds with his game and he's pushing for more. I don't think we're talking role player, we're talking potential 2nd or 3rd best player on a contending team.

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I'm not saying they would do this, but I've heard that if the Pelicans put Trey into trade talks they could get into mega-name territory.

They talk about Nance's history moving from team to team, whether he wanted to stay in Cleveland, etc.

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I think New Orleans, like I said, I'm betting on Z and I'm betting on us too.

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BI, CJ, and Zion have barely played together. It's baffling. You haven't had your team at all.

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Objectively, the talent in the locker room is so high. We haven't even mentioned Herb Yes, and I - you know - I'm so happy for him. That money for him? That's going to buy so much land in Alabama for him to fish in. He works so hard and he's a great dude. He's the man. But out locker room. Jose, Naji, Kira, we just drafted Hawkins, EJ just got healthy. Shoot, dyson looks great. Jose and Naji raise the level of our practice 3 notches because of how hard they play, that's what you get from them.

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What's it like guarding JV in practice?

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For the second part of my career I've played a lot of C and, look, I'm about 6'7. Cat's out of the bag, I'm not that big. JV just puts that shoulder into you - Sabonis is the worst, he's so physical - it's the Lithuanians. When they play each other I just sit there like 'I am so happy I'm not out there right now'. Let Keegan Murray slide to the 5 so I can deal with that.

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Other notes:

Nance played Warhammer in college.
Roy Hibbert was 'his' vet when he came into the league.

BREAKING: Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown has agreed to a five-year, $304 million supermax contract extension with the franchise, per sources. This is the richest deal in NBA history, negotiated by agent Jason Glushon.

Fully guaranteed, with a trade kicker. No player option. pic.twitter.com/MQ6NKILY8Q

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 25, 2023

And this is why you accept that paying Trey $30m a year isnt' a huge deal. Stuff like this is on the horizon for even borderline stars.

2x allstar, 1x All NBA gets you $60m a year.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

BREAKING: Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown has agreed to a five-year, $304 million supermax contract extension with the franchise, per sources. This is the richest deal in NBA history, negotiated by agent Jason Glushon.

Fully guaranteed, with a trade kicker. No player option. pic.twitter.com/MQ6NKILY8Q

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 25, 2023

And this is why you accept that paying Trey $30m a year isnt' a huge deal. Stuff like this is on the horizon for even borderline stars.

2x allstar, 1x All NBA gets you $60m a year.

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This is why I hope the Pels are able to convince BI to take the 3 year $145 million extension he is eligible for now.

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Originally Posted by PELICANSFAN

This is why I hope the Pels are able to convince BI to take the 3 year $145 million extension he is eligible for now.

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And it's also exactly why he won't, imo.

Especially cause if he puts it off until the end of his Pels contract, he's eligible for that 10 year. Lots and lots of money.

It's also exactly why I - and many others - were worried about keeping the team as is, this year. Not much time before a contract the size of Mars lands on us.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

And it's also exactly why he won't, imo.

Especially cause if he puts it off until the end of his Pels contract, he's eligible for that 10 year. Lots and lots of money.

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Unfortunately, I agree.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...up-puerto-rico

New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado will not participate for Puerto Rico in the upcoming FIBA World Cup next month, it was announced Thursday.
Puerto Rico released its roster for the World Cup and Alvarado wasn't listed. The national team said the Pelicans didn't allow Alvarado to participate because of the stress reaction he had in his tibia that cost him the end of the 2022-23 regular season.
Former NBA guard Carlos Arroyo, who serves as the general manager for the Puerto Rican national team, said an MRI performed last week revealed that the injury hasn't fully healed.

Why not. This place is beyond dead.

Hawk ��#Pelicans pic.twitter.com/07RNG6aBEk

— Pelicans Lead (@PelicansLead) August 1, 2023

Listen to how Devonte' Graham got traded from the Pelicans. Very interesting... what do you think? #Pelicans

Shoutout to @TidalLeague and the Run Your Race podcast for the clips. pic.twitter.com/nfrQjnBaXM

— Jacob Compton (@PelsPress) August 1, 2023

On Friday Night, Team USA lost two B Team

BI: #7 in Blue
Herb: #38 in Gray
3M3: #45 in Gray

IMO Best Performance was by Cade Cunningham; he totally outplayed Brunson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4D4FcD3DDxA

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Originally Posted by As I See It

On Friday Night, Team USA lost two B Team

BI: #7 in Blue
Herb: #38 in Gray
3M3: #45 in Gray

IMO Best Performance was by Cade Cunningham; he totally outplayed Brunson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4D4FcD3DDxA

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Jalen Duren looked great, too

Random post but watching the Saints preseason game and hearing Joel's voice is like therapy.

Sounds like BI is falling off on the National team. Losing minutes to other players and not doing much when he is on the floor.

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Originally Posted by hornetsrebirth

Sounds like BI is falling off on the National team. Losing minutes to other players and not doing much when he is on the floor.

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Shocker.

Interview with former Pels/Hornets FO exec Dan Purcell.
https://youtu.be/wgBI0pbslCU

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Originally Posted by hornetsrebirth

Sounds like BI is falling off on the National team. Losing minutes to other players and not doing much when he is on the floor.

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To me that is just more opportunity for him to get hurt and pointless for us so I’ll gladly take less wear and tear. Hopefully he isn’t becoming disillusioned with basketball though as some players go through that from time to time. We need he and Zion at their best.

Heard BI lost his starting spot on Team USA. It’s a bit troubling. The problem with BI is his style of play is too ISO, which isn’t going to play well when he’s playing with other stars. Unfortunately that doesn’t bode well with him being a good fit with Zion.

We should bring in Hollis Jefferson. He is looking like a Kobe clone.

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Originally Posted by AtlPel

We should bring in Hollis Jefferson. He is looking like a Kobe clone.

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Lol

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Originally Posted by msusousaphone

Random post but watching the Saints preseason game and hearing Joel's voice is like therapy.

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Now people can realize who BI really is. He is really good at taking and making bad shots. But they are still bad shots, inefficient ball stoping shots. If this team wants to do anything, we need Zion to be clear #1 option.

Having a healthy Zion will give BI more space. I’m sure we’ll also stagger them as much as we can.

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Originally Posted by Mrakar

Now people can realize who BI really is. He is really good at taking and making bad shots. But they are still bad shots, inefficient ball stoping shots. If this team wants to do anything, we need Zion to be clear #1 option.

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Yall just get on here and type any silly arse thing huh?

Tweet below jibes with what I've been saying (and forced to argue) when BI is on the floor. Clearly isnt being used in that role for fiba, for better or worse. He's barely shot or handled the ball at all.

But instead of wasting time explaining the dynamics of fiba play vs the nba, I'll just leave the tweet.

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Originally Posted by Mrakar

Now people can realize who BI really is. He is really good at taking and making bad shots. But they are still bad shots, inefficient ball stoping shots. If this team wants to do anything, we need Zion to be clear #1 option.

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Haters hate, so hate away.

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Originally Posted by luckyman

Yall just get on here and type any silly arse thing huh?

Tweet below jibes with what I've been saying (and forced to argue) when BI is on the floor. Clearly isnt being used in that role for fiba, for better or worse. He's barely shot or handled the ball at all.

But instead of wasting time explaining the dynamics of fiba play vs the nba, I'll just leave the tweet.

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Makes you wonder then why he keeps jacking up long 2's.

Some notes on working with Willie Green:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jnr_hWw74G4

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Originally Posted by luckyman

Yall just get on here and type any silly arse thing huh?

Tweet below jibes with what I've been saying (and forced to argue) when BI is on the floor. Clearly isnt being used in that role for fiba, for better or worse. He's barely shot or handled the ball at all.

But instead of wasting time explaining the dynamics of fiba play vs the nba, I'll just leave the tweet.

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You can always find some stat where player is overachieving. Reallity is that he is jacking long 2's too much and playing below average defense. If he was that good as you guys think, wouldn't he be able to carry this team to playoffs then? It's not like our role players are awfull...

While other teams are driving, drawing fouls and shoting 3's we are playing old style basketball with Ingram and CJ jacking up long 2's. This team can only go as far as Zion takes them since he playes efficient basketball. If Zion is injured we can only be a play-in team.

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Originally Posted by Mrakar

You can always find some stat where player is overachieving. Reallity is that he is jacking long 2's too much and playing below average defense. If he was that good as you guys think, wouldn't he be able to carry this team to playoffs then? It's not like our role players are awfull...

While other teams are driving, drawing fouls and shoting 3's we are playing old style basketball with Ingram and CJ jacking up long 2's. This team can only go as far as Zion takes them since he playes efficient basketball. If Zion is injured we can only be a play-in team.

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This logically makes no sense. If all a player does is jack inefficient long 2s, then why would the NBA double-team/triple team said player at such a high rate? 10th highest in the entire NBA?

This factually makes no sense because only 8% of his shots were, in fact, long 2s last year. CJ 14%.

I'm pretty sure, despite only playing 55 games 2 years ago (Zion playing ZERO), he did lead this team into the playoffs. That was with a bunch of rookies, half year of Josh Hart and a CJ addition in February.

I'm pretty sure, despite only playing 45 games last year (Zion a paltry 28), he damn near led this team back into the playoffs again with a winning 42-40 record. That was with a bunch of 2nd year players and a broken down CJ.

I'm not doing this retarded back and forth with people arguing with a bunch of bad faith non facts again. Have at it.

His skill at hitting contested long twos will be a great asset come important playoff games when defenses tighten up in big moments.

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Originally Posted by luckyman

This logically makes no sense. If all a player does is jack inefficient long 2s, then why would the NBA double-team/triple team said player at such a high rate? 10th highest in the entire NBA?

This factually makes no sense because only 8% of his shots were, in fact, long 2s last year. CJ 14%.

I'm pretty sure, despite only playing 55 games 2 years ago (Zion playing ZERO), he did lead this team into the playoffs. That was with a bunch of rookies, half year of Josh Hart and a CJ addition in February.

I'm pretty sure, despite only playing 45 games last year (Zion a paltry 28), he damn near led this team back into the playoffs again with a winning 42-40 record. That was with a bunch of 2nd year players and a broken down CJ.

I'm not doing this retarded back and forth with people arguing with a bunch of bad faith non facts again. Have at it.

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Let him be, Lucky. He wants a guy who has played less than 38% of his teams games over his four year career to be 'the Man". Remember how 'The Enigma' has led the team to the multiple playoff berths? Me neither. Talkin' and doing are two different things. Brandon has. The other guy? Not so much.

With some, reason just doesn't work.

Enuff said!!!

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Originally Posted by donato

His skill at hitting contested long twos will be a great asset come important playoff games when defenses tighten up in big moments.

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Exactly. He can make tough shots. Sometimes you are forced into those shots and he can take them and make them. It is an asset. If he was bad at them and taking them, I would understand the complaints. I would not be making a fuss over one of his best traits. If there was anything that discouraged me last year offensively it was that he was a little less clean handling the double teams and traps. I think the injury played a part in his struggles but it was noticeable.

BI gets demoted.

USA loses to Lithuania.

Kerr completely bungled that USA FIBA team. Sad to see my country lose but BI is vindicated in my book. Very poor showing from what should have been a great group.

Love to get Andreas Obst on Pelicans. We need shooting.

Top 5 trio? Sounds about right Greg Swartz, whoever you are.

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Williamson, Ingram and McCollum have only logged a total of 335 possessions since coming together in February 2022, yet they have walloped opponents by nearly 20 points per 100 possessions in the process. When Williamson was lost for the season on Jan. 2, 2023, New Orleans was just a game out of first place in the West at 23-14 overall.

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The trio combined to average 71.6 points, 16.9 rebounds and 16.1 assists per game in 2022-23, with three-point averages ranging from 36.8 to 39.0 percent. There's enough offensive firepower here to carry New Orleans to the NBA Finals, and the defense with all three on the floor was at an elite level as well (104.1 rating, 99th percentile).

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Naturally, the NBA champion Denver Nuggets trio of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon were No. 1 on the list. They were closely followed by the Phoenix Suns trio, then the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers respectively.

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https://www.si.com/nba/pelicans/bask...the-nbas-elite

It was a great semifinal...to see our Boys now in the final is so big for us here in Germany...Guys like D.Schrempf and clearly D.Nowitzki has opend the door for this Generation to play this great Sport that dont have a high standing here in Germany.

But as an longtime Basketball Fan... follow the NBA since the early 90s...its also a clear thing that if all countrys would start with the best Players, it would be a different Worldcup. So many NBA Players dont want play on that Tournament.
I am sad about that. I know how hard a NBA season is and how important it is to stay healthy and that, but i would love to see more Superstars on this Cup to represent this great sport all 4 Years.

Any interest in the Pelicans signing Cam Payne? Pop is releasing him. He can't go directly back to Phoenix per the CBA.