We have won three in a row, simultaneously torpedoing our draft pick (three games ago, we were in 7th, half a game out of 6th, now we're 10th) and making Lakers fans everywhere very upset. It's up to you to judge whether or not that's worth it.
I'm not gonna list too many details here, because the last game we played was against Utah, so it's not worth really writing out too much of the information. What I will write, however, are some of the details surrounding the Utah game.
We won it, 115-112, after being down 19 points early in the match. Utah shot 37% from deep in the game, but what really killed them was Donovan Mitchell being taken out of things. Jrue was his primary defender for most of the time, although he did see others occasionally (most noticeably that Kenrich Williams switch that led to the late offensive foul), and that led to Mitchell - who has averaged basically 29ppg since January 1st - being held to 19 points on 33% shooting, and 1 of 9 from deep. That is painful. It's always worth noting that although he had 9 assists, he had 6 turnovers, which isn't a brilliant ratio.
Essentially, we won because we turned it on later, and the Jazz faltered, scoring less points than the last every quarter: 33, then 28, then 27, then 24. There may be an outside reason for this: the Jazz were coming off another game the night before, a game in which Mitchell played 39 minutes and which came down to the wire against a brilliant Milwaukee team. After they've had some rest, this might be a little different.
Let's see how it goes! The team has shown that they are really capable of tearing it up despite getting interrupted by Anthony Davis, who is selfishly forcing his way onto the court every game just to shrink his own averages for some reason, and it's been fun to watch even if my inner tanker is upset by it. So let's go out there and #DoItBig!
March 6th - New Orleans Pelicans @ Utah Jazz - 30-36
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03-06-2019, 03:32 PMPelicanidaeMarch 6th - New Orleans Pelicans @ Utah Jazz - 30-36
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03-06-2019, 03:35 PMMythrol
I mean, I would 100% take us sneaking into the playoffs ahead of the Lakers just to keep them out. To me that'd be totally worth the drop in the pick.
BTW, at #10 I take Bol Bol. -
03-06-2019, 03:42 PMPelicanidaeDamn right you do.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mythrol
I do think there's a good side to us sneaking into the playoffs, if by some miracle that happens. It proves to the city that we aren't dead in the water even without AD, gives them an underdog to rally behind, and sticks a finger up to the media. Personally, I'd rather delay the finger sticking until next season for a good pick, but I can understand why people would want that now. -
03-06-2019, 04:11 PMAUSSIE_PELICAN
Unlikely we get a top 3 pick.
After that its anyone's guess who has potential.
I say **** LA.
Give me Bol Bol, Hunter, Okpala, Little, Johnson (see what I did there)? Garland or Reid with the Pel's pick 8-14 range. -
03-06-2019, 04:13 PMPelicanidaeTrue that there's less of a guarantee after the top three, but I think there's actually plenty of good talent that getting a top 6 or 7 pick could guarantee you, that dropping out of the top 10 leaves you with almost no chance to get. I'm talking Jarrett Culver, Jaxson Hayes, DeAndre Hunter type players.Quote:
Originally Posted by AUSSIE_PELICAN
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03-06-2019, 04:38 PMbahmamamba
I mean at this idk why we don't just try it really I mean were stuck in a place where it really doesn't matter unless we go on an epic collapse which I don't see happening
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03-06-2019, 04:41 PMbahmamambaand then continue to limit his mins and we still some how when a couple of games ha perfect ending for me. thought you didn't have any help man lolQuote:
Originally Posted by Mythrol
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03-06-2019, 06:41 PMGuardianAngel25No way the Lakers or us will make the playoffs. Would take a historic run and a ridiculous fall off for the Lakers/Pelicans to jump the Clippers/Spurs. No way either one of us makes up a 6-7 games lead with 16 games left.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mythrol
Big fan of BolBol. Been following the kid since he was in HS. Has amazing shooting touch for a big man. With some added weight and strength can become a dominant big. As we get closer to the draft and combine his stock will rise imo but not out of our reach. -
03-06-2019, 06:45 PMP_B_&_GNever say never! We would probably have to get to at least 43 wins which means going 13-3 over the last 16. Sounds impossible but you never know. We would also require help from the Spurs/Clips as you mention.Quote:
Originally Posted by GuardianAngel25
I would really like to make the playoffs just to watch AD sit in the fourth during the playoffs. LOL
Edited to add: 11 of those games are at home. The road games are against weak teams. It could happen. -
03-06-2019, 06:47 PMPelicanidaeI get the feeling he's going to slip some, because he's missed so much due to injury and because there are always worries about extremely tall big men. No idea if he'll slip far enough for us to grab, but I wouldn't be surprised if he went closer to 15 or 20 than some people think.Quote:
Originally Posted by GuardianAngel25
More than just his shooting, I love how he boxes out, he defends well even in space, and he really is a gifted shotblocker. Think he's got tons of potential. -
03-06-2019, 06:51 PMGuardianAngel25Haha yea it’s possible. Just way to much has to go right. I’m just not a big believer mostly cause we can’t control the outcome. I would love to watch AD sit on the bench! Which is why I can’t wait for us to trade his sorry *** and gut another team where we make the playoffs and he doesn’t. If he goes to the Lakers I really think they are going to have a very hard time getting into the playoffs when you look at how tough the West is right now and how much tougher it is going to be next year with more young teams likely taking another step forward with us being one of them. Personally I want him in the West so we have the chance to take him out in the playoffs.Quote:
Originally Posted by P_B_&_G
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03-06-2019, 07:12 PMPelicanidae
Jrue with the first bucket for us!
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03-06-2019, 07:15 PMGuardianAngel25
One thing I love about Randle is his ability to come out of every off season making huge improvements in this game. These are the kind of players I’m willing to bet on and want on my team. Scary to think how good he can become as he’s just 24 years old and has given us no reason to believe he has peaked.
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03-06-2019, 07:15 PMPelicanidae
Mitchell takes a three!
Jrue contests it!
Clank. -
03-06-2019, 07:17 PMGuardianAngel25Yea I agree it’s possible he falls as well. What scares me is it just takes 1 team to fall in love and big men with his talent are rare. History shows teams are willing to take this risk with Embid as a good example.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pelicanidae
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03-06-2019, 07:19 PMPelicanidaeYeah, it's kind of a risk to pin all your hopes on him. You're totally right that someone might fall in love and take the risk with him, so it's important to have other names in mind that you like as well. Bol Bol could go anywhere from 7th to 20th, I think.Quote:
Originally Posted by GuardianAngel25
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03-06-2019, 07:20 PMGuardianAngel25
I keep envisioning this team with Beal on it. The addition of Beal alone we would be a playoff team and a perfect fit in the modern NBA. Throw in our draft picks and a potential 20+ ppg SF like Tatum/Ingram!? I’m so excited for this offseason!
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03-06-2019, 07:21 PMGuardianAngel25This is a pretty weak class for bigs and that is likely to be our biggest need. You have any other players you like outside of Zion?Quote:
Originally Posted by Pelicanidae
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03-06-2019, 07:22 PMGuardianAngel25
Is it just me that loves every time AD clanks it!?
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03-06-2019, 07:25 PMPelicanidaeI'm bigger on RJ Barrett than a lot of people are at this point, I've noticed he's kind of fell off in hype a little but I like him.Quote:
Originally Posted by GuardianAngel25
I really like Jarrett Culver, he plays a lot taller than his listed height and his game is super smooth. I think it will translate pretty well to the NBA.
Obviously Bol Bol. Jaxson Hayes is intriguing, he's not lighting me on fire but he's super super young and his physical tools (6'11, 7'6 wingspan) are pretty awesome.
DeAndre Hunter is probably one of the safer signings, I don't think his ceiling is super high but he looks like he'd be pretty fit for the league.
I'm not as big on Okpala as some people are, I think his game (especially when it comes to ball handling and driving) is fairly similar to Culver's but not as dynamic, but I do like him and he's got skills that shoot translate well to the NBA. -
03-06-2019, 07:26 PMPelicanidae
Super slow first quarter. The Jazz have adjusted pretty well on defense since last game, but we aren't quite executing as well as last game. Shooting 35% from the floor, that's pretty absurd.
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03-06-2019, 07:34 PMGuardianAngel25Yea I’m a huge R.J. Barrett fan and think he is the next Devink Booker with more potential. Kid is the total package and taking away Zions hype would have many considering him the best player in the draft. Just hard to go away from Zions potential. I haven’t really looked into the big men much in this class and being a Duke fan I have spent most of my time watching them. Thanks I’m gonna go dig into some of the players you mentioned later.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pelicanidae
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03-06-2019, 07:36 PMPelicanidae
Super super super super slow first quarter. Wow.
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03-06-2019, 07:40 PMGuardianAngel25
Wouldn’t it make more sense to sit AD the first half and letting him come out after half time? Pretty obvious he could care less about winning but doesn’t wanna hurt his career numbers missing another half season.
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03-06-2019, 07:42 PMGuardianAngel25
Okafor needs to go train with Jokic this off season. Maybe I’m alone but I really think he can be a very good NBA center that isn’t a liability defensively.
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03-06-2019, 07:44 PMPelicanidae
Jrue is 3 of 3.
AD is 2 of 5.
Randle is 2 of 6.
Payton is 2 of 5
Jrue da goat -
03-06-2019, 07:44 PMPelicanidae
Correction: Jrue is 4 of 4
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03-06-2019, 07:55 PMWildlifeAirGrp
Joel Myers is pure gold...but you knew that already.
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03-06-2019, 07:59 PMbahmamamba
we just play better with out ad man its so weird
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03-06-2019, 08:06 PMbahmamamba
I love how the ref that had to over turn his out of bounds call came right down and called a "moving" pick sad ******
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03-06-2019, 08:07 PMPelicanidae
End of the first half, we're down 11.
Pretty bad half for the entire team, to be honest. Jrue was scoring really well, very efficient, but not much playmaking. Randle had his worse half in a while, only 4 points on 2 of 7 shooting, 3 turnovers with only 1 assist, got a team worst -14 +/-. Hopefully he pulls that back in the second half. -
03-06-2019, 08:30 PMGuardianAngel25I love both Joel and Wesley. Such a good duo that we are lucky to have.Quote:
Originally Posted by WildlifeAirGrp
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03-06-2019, 08:32 PMbahmamamba
Snyder looks like such a Coke head [emoji23]
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03-06-2019, 09:03 PMPelicanidae
Looked like we were making a good comeback for a moment there but the Jazz grabbed a hold of things again, kept the deficit up to around 15.
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03-06-2019, 09:06 PMPelicanidae
Randle leads the team in minutes played.
Diallo and Okafor have both played under 10 minutes.
It's happening again. -
03-06-2019, 09:16 PMPelicanidae
This is part of why I don't like the ''trying to win'' strategy, at least with Gentry as coach.
I've said time and time and again that if we play hard, with the young guys involved, and just happen to win, I'll take it.
But with Gentry, trying to win means youth gets glued to the bench (Okafor, Diallo), in favour of just pumping minutes through Randle. That is antithetical to our future, as it gives us no chance to develop depth in those younger players, and it's the only way Gentry knows how to win. One of his biggest problems has always been rotations, and we're seeing it again. We're down double digits with only 2 minutes to go, and he STILL won't play Okafor or Diallo! -
03-06-2019, 09:17 PMbahmamambaand yet i get **********ed at for that sentiment lolQuote:
Originally Posted by Pelicanidae
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03-06-2019, 09:18 PMUNO GraciasI would gladly pay that coke head to be our coke head.Quote:
Originally Posted by bahmamamba
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03-06-2019, 09:21 PMPelicanidaeSame.Quote:
Originally Posted by UNO Gracias
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03-06-2019, 09:21 PMUNO GraciasThe good thing is that we know what we have in those guys, and we also know that Gentry is a gone pecan after this year, so the new guy will be able to coach them up properly (something that Gentry has shown an inability to do).Quote:
Originally Posted by Pelicanidae
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03-06-2019, 09:31 PMPelicanidaeI get it, but I just hate the fact that we're wasting playing time they could get, while making our pick worse, on the stupid and vain assumption that trying to win by benching them is somehow going to develop them better than accepting losses while playing them.Quote:
Originally Posted by UNO Gracias
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03-06-2019, 10:26 PMGuardianAngel25
Yea it would be real smart to screw over a player we made a promise to who signed with us on a 1 year deal friendly deal to showcase himself for his next contract. I’m sure FAs would be lined up to come play here. I’m sure that would sit over real well with Randle who is playing at a very high level in favor of players who aren’t half the player he is currently. Like Uno said these coaches know what we have and they will get good minutes and better opportunities when AD is out. We are doing exactly what we should be doing. Dumbest move we could currently make would be slashing Randles minutes.
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03-06-2019, 10:33 PMPelicanidae
Screw over? How?
What promise?
FAs already don't come here.
High level on one side of the ball.
Randle is already going to get paid in the summer. He's had a bunch of big games, he's been on the Pels twitter, the Pels instagram, the Pels site, he's been pushed a bunch, given Player of the Game mentions he hasn't deserved at times. I'm not saying play him 5 minutes or anything. I'm saying we've already put out that Jrue's minutes are going down. They have been, although not as much as I would want.
Why play ANYONE more than about 30 minutes now? Why bother? Randle is not going to show any skills in 40 minutes that he doesn't show in 30, and his numbers wouldnt even necessarily go down: Jrue's numbers have gone up since his minutes got cut. -
03-06-2019, 11:05 PMGuardianAngel25
How you can’t understand slashing Randles minutes for the reasons I stated is a terrible idea blows my mind. Saying FAs already don’t come here is such a good reason to. Because we have lured in any super stars does not mean FAs don’t come here. We have had quite a few good players come here with Randle and Payton coming this season. Randle in particular is playing at a very high level wether you wanna dis credit it or not and just about nobody especially basketball layers agree with you. He has a +64 and that’s not some fluke. You simply don’t slash minutes from a player who signed to play a certain role on a friendly deal and in a contract year that will change his life. Playing the rest of the season absolutely matters to him and why wouldn’t it? Have you ever played any sports and know the importance of competing to athletes? I highly doubt he’s cool letting players who are currently half as good take his minutes as he loses knowing he can have a bigger impact. Come on man. Or you can just argue to be right which I fully expect. Nothing else to say regarding this.
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03-06-2019, 11:25 PMPelicanidaeAnd now we've moved on from ''do you even watch basketball'' to ''do you even play sports''.Quote:
Originally Posted by GuardianAngel25
Dude, just step away from the keyboard. You don't know how to use it. -
03-07-2019, 12:35 AMGuardianAngel25
No more like you have moved on to picking that out of the entire discussion because you have such a problem admitting you might be wrong. Nothing crazy stating you obviously don’t watch Ingram with some of the things you spew and that is obvious. Asking if you have ever played sports is a pretty logical question again with some of these ideas that the best atheletes in the world are just suppose to lose games and not really care about having their minutes slashed especially when playing at a very high level that will impact the rest of your life. LoL I’ll step away from the keyboard since I’m not a little kid that needs to be heard and always have the last word.