Happy to be home 🏠
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) October 23, 2022
🏀: vs Jazz
🕕: 6:00pm CT
📺: @BallySportsNO
📻: @995WRNO#Pelicans | @SmoothieKing pic.twitter.com/xsSwggSZV8
A successful road trip sees the Pelicans make their home debut with a 2-0 record. This time, we face off with the Utah Jazz, who also have a 2-0 record much to the surprise of many. Further, their 2 wins come against teams that most expect to be playoff contenders: Minnesota and Denver. So, should we worry?
My response is simple. We should not take this as a gimme win, and the team will need to play at full intensity to ensure they pick up the W, but neither should we worry that the Jazz are actually awesome. My expectation is still that this season will not be a successful one for the Jazz. However, early they've had a few small things work in their favor, primarily, they're shooting excellently from 3. Secondly, they've massively outrebounded opponents so far: something that shouldn't happen against us.
Now, there's no telling when the good fortune will break for them, but why not tonight? Plus, we've had some issues so far as well that could easily be due a turnaround, so fortunes could go either way: maybe we actually get whistles this time? Who knows!
As always, a win is priority but what I want to see most is effort and intensity whether the luck is on our side or not. Let's see how things go in the Pels 2022-23 home debut!
October 23rd - New Orleans Pelicans vs Utah Jazz - 2-0
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10-23-2022, 08:40 AMPelicanidaeOctober 23rd - New Orleans Pelicans vs Utah Jazz - 2-0
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10-23-2022, 09:51 AMP_B_&_G
Just want to say thanks for making the game threads and the commentary.
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10-23-2022, 09:58 AMMichaelMcNamara
I am happy the Jazz are 2-0. As I have been saying for weeks, you want the teams that are gonna finish with bad records at the end of your schedule, not the beginning. Every year, those bad teams steal wins from good teams that they would never steal in February or March. Almost happened to us vs Charlotte. But we had that scare and the Jazz are coming in 2-0, having beaten two good teams so they won’t be sneaking up on anyone
Pels 132. Jazz 118 -
10-23-2022, 10:09 AMAusPelPortland and Jazz being 2-0 and looking serviceable at least, at this fledgling stage of the season, puts even more pressure on Lakers to do somethingQuote:
Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara
And a reactionary move probably more likely by the day -
10-23-2022, 10:13 AMMichaelMcNamaraOr.... they go the other way and just accept their fate for 2022 and go into the 2023 offseason with a ton of cap space and those picks also. There is no path to a title this year, but I could see a window opening up if they just take it on the chin this season, develop some guys and then get super aggressive in both FA and trades next summer. If they are 5-15 after 20 games and AD is banged up, and only 1 or 2 WC teams are bad, as opposed to 4 or 5, that would make the most sense IMO.Quote:
Originally Posted by AusPel
Now, that would be the smart thing, which means that is NOT what they will do -
10-23-2022, 10:29 AMAs I See ItI'm happy and hope they sustain their success (except tonight). It will be just one more team the Lakers would have to jump down the road to get into the play-in/playoffs. Come on, Portland, San Antonio, Sacramanto, let's bury 'em. I see you, too, OKC!!Quote:
Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara
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10-23-2022, 10:32 AMAs I See It....in that case, LBJ will go rogue and start record chasing.Quote:
Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara
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10-23-2022, 10:41 AMAusPel
Who knows exactly what LeGm wants at this point
I feel like getting some all time records and playing with Bronny are driving him now, rather than title or bust
I think that's our best case scenario -
10-23-2022, 10:45 AMEyquem
I've always liked Jared Vanderbilt defensively, and his +/- per 100 possessions the last two seasons showed that the Timberwolves were a better team with him on the floor vs off. Small sample size of course, but he might be one reason the Jazz are better than expected so far this year. His contract runs through next season. He could be someone to keep an eye on-- I can see a scenario arising where Ainge thinks he's hurting their tank by being too effective, and listens to offers.
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10-23-2022, 10:52 AMAusPel
Vanderbilt is exactly the kind of low usage, excellent defenderdly wing we should look to add
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10-23-2022, 11:56 AMluckyman
After this, the Pelicans enter what is conceivably the most difficult 5-game stretch for any team at any point this season.
Even more annoying that almost all of them (Dallas, Phoenix, Clippers, Lakers) will be coming off 2 days between games. Only the Warriors will come here on a back-to-back, which they will likely rest some guys against Orlando. -
10-23-2022, 12:00 PMPelicanidaeThanks for the thanks! Been doing it with only a handful of missed games (where others have stepped in) for about 4.5 seasons now, no plans on stopping.Quote:
Originally Posted by P_B_&_G
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10-23-2022, 12:02 PMPelicanidaeThe good news is that if we pick up the win tonight, and then beat the Lakers (as we should) then even if we lose against Dallas, Phoenix, LAC, and GSW, we'll still be 4-4 to start the year despite a very tough schedule.Quote:
Originally Posted by luckyman
If we manage to steal a win as well, perhaps against Phoenix who are not looking like they're going to reproduce last year's magic, then all of a sudden we're 5-3 after 8 games despite, as you mentioned, having one of the hardest 5 game stretches in the NBA. -
10-23-2022, 12:03 PMPleaseWinPels*every teamQuote:
Originally Posted by AusPel
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10-23-2022, 12:09 PMTaker597I sent you a PM. Not sure if this forum sends out notifications for PMQuote:
Originally Posted by Pelicanidae
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10-23-2022, 12:12 PMAusPel
I was the first to openly thank PeliDae for his GameDay freds, so there
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10-23-2022, 01:09 PMP_B_&_GI did it for a little while a season or two before you joined. So I know how it gets difficult some times to be able to do them for so many gamesQuote:
Originally Posted by Pelicanidae
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10-23-2022, 01:22 PMEyquem
The odds on a Pelican championship have already dropped from +4200 to +3000, after just two wins... glad I got in a few bets on the bigger odds!
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10-23-2022, 01:32 PMAusPelThis would have to be one of the biggest outliers of all time to win itQuote:
Originally Posted by Eyquem
It's coming from Boston. Milwaukee or GSW. Not Pelicans
I'm even thinking Dallas with Wood could contend, that's how much Luka elevates everyone around him with even above average offensive talent
Also Clippers have insane talent, but I don't know they just don't scream title material? -
10-23-2022, 02:23 PMPelicanidaeI don't really see Dallas as contenders on the highest stage. Obviously Luka is a mega-talent but the rest of that roster has arguably gotten worse from last year, while the rest of the West has mostly gotten stronger. It would be even more difficult for them, I think, than last year.Quote:
Originally Posted by AusPel
Agreed on the Clippers though, mostly dependent on Kawhi's health. There's already been some rumblings about it, including the potential rumour that he might be brought off the bench sometimes to help manage his injuries, and without him healthy and active I don't think they're a playoff noisemaker at all. Second round at best. -
10-23-2022, 02:37 PMAusPel
When I say insane talent with Clips, not a big 4 or anything. Just a deep, deep roster (bearing health)
I mean, the Pels top 4 is probably comparable to anyone -
10-23-2022, 04:32 PMMG3n2K9
Willie Green says Jaxson Hayes will be able to play tonight
— Will Guillory (@WillGuillory) October 23, 2022
Macs last update was that he was going to be evaluated at the end of the month & most thought December would be the earliest he plays. I know athletes sometimes make remarkable recoveries but this is a big shift. I'm wondering is this a situation where the original diagnosis was wrong or if this is it a play through it or have season ending surgery. -
10-23-2022, 04:53 PMhornetsrebirthMost sources reported 2 - 4 weeks, and its been a little over 2 weeksQuote:
Originally Posted by MG3n2K9
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10-23-2022, 04:55 PMPelicanidaeThe injury he had has a huge range of possible recovery times depending on severity, and we never got told the severity. Could just be that it was a very minor version of the issue and he's fine now.Quote:
Originally Posted by MG3n2K9
If so, we basically shouldn't see Hernangomez again until JV needs a night off. -
10-23-2022, 05:01 PMMG3n2K9They reported that he sustained a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) & would be reevaluated in two weeks.Quote:
Originally Posted by hornetsrebirth
The thought was that evaluation would determine their course of action & how long he would be out.