Last game was depressing, frankly. It wasn't so much that we won: as I've said, if we play the young guys heavy minutes, the fringe players, and just happen to win off the back of their grind, I'll take it. I won't LOVE it, because after all the wins are meaningless and they actively harm our draft pick, but it's hard to be angry or mad when you win that way.
Instead, it was that Alvin Gentry proved, once and for all, if ANY doubts about his future were still harboured, that he needs to go. The man does not understand context, he does not understand the arc of a season, he doesn't understand delayed gratification. He is not true head coach material. If we end up picking 13th in this draft (god forbid), then know that it is Alvin Gentry's fault. Straight up. Maybe that sounds harsh: maybe it is, but has Gentry not had the benefit of the doubt for a long time? Have we not been lenient for too long? He's been an up-and-down coach at best for his entire time with us, and the losing seasons outweigh the winning seasons at this point. It's time for him to go.
And, as if to add insult to injury, tonight we play the LA Lakers! Who will not be playing Lebron, because they've decided to sit him. And the NBA League Office has said precisely nothing about it. They will be allowed to sit a fully healthy Lebron James, who is under contract long term, just because they don't feel like playing him right now. Meanwhile, we were forced into putting AD onto the floor for at least 20 minutes a game despite him actively attempting to sabotage our season.
Between these two things, I'm pretty annoyed. So what I want is to come out tonight and lose. That's all. I want this season to be over, I want us to win ZERO moregames, I want Gentry gone and replaced by Ettore Messina or Becky Hammon or someone with some real promise like that. I want to get AD out of here, and look towards a legitimate new future instead of continuing to stare down into the abyss of the regular season.
I'd say ''let's go and #DoItBig!'' like I usually do, but I'm afraid Gentry will take it literally.
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03-31-2019, 02:06 PMPelicanidaeMarch 31st - New Orleans Pelicans vs Los Angeles Lakers - 32-45
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03-31-2019, 03:28 PMPelicanidae
Gentry said Anthony Davis will not play tonight #Pelicans
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) March 31, 2019
So, tonight: No AD, no Jrue, no Moore, no Miller, no Jackson.
Players available: Payton, Randle, Bertans, Wood, Diallo, Kenrich, Clark, Okafor, Johnson, Hill.
9 players available. One of them has been on the team for 2 games. One came over from Euroleague. One an undrafted rookie. One a career end-of-bench man. One widely considered a huge bust for most of his career thus far (Okafor). Randle and Payton. -
03-31-2019, 03:42 PMPelicanidae
It’s left foot tendinitis for Kyle Kuzma. Luke Walton said Moe Wagner would start in his place. Meanwhile, Lance Stephenson will start for LeBron. LAL are arguably without their top 5 players (LeBron, Ingram, Kuzma, Ball and Hart). https://t.co/HIXZ4cg3Fg
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) March 31, 2019
This game is going to be excruciating. -
03-31-2019, 04:14 PM13 - 3
Who can tank better?
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03-31-2019, 04:16 PMPelicanidaeLA without Lebron, Ball, Ingram, Kuzma, and Hart vsQuote:
Originally Posted by 13 - 3
NOLA without AD, Jrue, Moore, Miller, and Jackson.
Somehow I think we're still better, but I hope I'm wrong. -
03-31-2019, 04:56 PMTinman
Go Mavs !!!!!!!
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03-31-2019, 05:02 PMPelicanidaeThis makes up for their loss a few games ago. We expected them to win that, and lose this. Instead, they lost that, and won this. It's not really ''fixing'' anything, but it's good anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tinman
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03-31-2019, 05:10 PMTinmanThis could be a really BIG tank game for us. Dallas has to play Memphis H/A , so somebody has to win 1 & possibly 2 .Quote:
Originally Posted by Pelicanidae
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03-31-2019, 05:11 PMPelicanidaeI don't even know how high it is possible for us to get in the lottery odds at this point. Can we still get 6th, if everything goes right?Quote:
Originally Posted by Tinman
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03-31-2019, 05:12 PMPelicanidae
First play of the game.
Randle and Okafor just watch as Rondo drives to the basket.
Brilliant. -
03-31-2019, 05:13 PMPelicanidae
Okafor just shot a three.
Brilliant -
03-31-2019, 05:14 PMTinman
If we lose out, we are guaranteed at least 7th.
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03-31-2019, 05:16 PMPelicanidae
Lol at the fact we can't miss right now
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03-31-2019, 05:17 PMPelicanidaeOkay niceQuote:
Originally Posted by Tinman
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03-31-2019, 05:24 PMPelicanidae
Clark can take contested mid-range jumpers all night, if he wants.
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03-31-2019, 05:25 PMPelicanidae
Nice off-ball movement from Payton there
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03-31-2019, 05:34 PMPelicanidae
Hustle from Wood
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03-31-2019, 05:35 PMPelicanidae
Hey, Wood's doing this weird thing where he stands kinda sideways just beside an opposing player so as to obstruct and guide their movement when their motion is manipulated by the ball handler. What's that called?
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03-31-2019, 05:36 PMTinmanCorrection- Washington would have to win at least 1 more game also.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pelicanidae
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03-31-2019, 05:36 PMPelicanidae
Wood with the BUZZER BEATER!! HIGH ARCING SHOT
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03-31-2019, 05:37 PMPelicanidaeOkay fair, they play the Bulls and the Knicks before the season ends. They'll probably win one of those.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tinman
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03-31-2019, 05:53 PMPelicanidae
Lol, Solomon Hill
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03-31-2019, 05:58 PMPelicanidae
Julius just jammed his finger. Hope it's not sprained or broken or anything.
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03-31-2019, 05:59 PMPelicanidae
Solomon with the NICE dunk! Have not seen that for a while
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03-31-2019, 06:09 PMPelicanidae
10 points and 6 rebounds in the first half for Christian Wood tonight, and some key hustle plays.
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03-31-2019, 06:16 PMAUSSIE_PELICANTake him off.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pelicanidae
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03-31-2019, 06:17 PMDaFranchise80
Heard there’s a guy in attendance wearing a red AD clown shirt trying to get AD’s attention on the bench :hihi:
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03-31-2019, 06:19 PMTinmanI believe Kendrich will be a in seats 9-12 on the bench next year. Wood will be in the rotation.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pelicanidae
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03-31-2019, 06:29 PMPelicanidaeCould be. Wood definitely has the potential, but I think it depends on who we end up drafting/keeping in FA. If we end up with Zion + Randle in the PF spot, and Okafor in the C position, who knows if Wood will get regular minutes?Quote:
Originally Posted by Tinman
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03-31-2019, 06:35 PMPelicanidae
You know the defense is weak when Javale McGee can dribble the ball fullcourt, cut through the paint around three defenders (none of whom move even two feet in either direction) and lands the jump hook. Amazing.
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03-31-2019, 06:38 PMPelicanidae
Absolute sin that Wood is playing so little tonight.
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03-31-2019, 06:39 PMSilverfoxxKnatQuote:
Originally Posted by Pelicanidae
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03-31-2019, 06:45 PMPelicanidae
Caruso has a lot of bounce for a dude who looks like an accountant
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03-31-2019, 06:46 PMDaFranchise80
Gentry must’ve been hearing us. He has his tank lineup in right now.
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03-31-2019, 06:47 PMPelicanidaeHe read my game thread OP tonight.Quote:
Originally Posted by DaFranchise80
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03-31-2019, 06:49 PMPelicanidae
Down 21 as the 4th starts.
Lost the 3rd by 22. -
03-31-2019, 06:55 PMTinmanLooks like he belongs in "Boogie Nights"Quote:
Originally Posted by Pelicanidae
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03-31-2019, 06:58 PMPelicanidae
Awful shooting game for Wood tonight. Just dreadful.
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03-31-2019, 06:59 PMTinman
Memphis may actually be trying to WIN, to keep their 2021 pick. It's probably worth more than picking 8th this year.
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03-31-2019, 07:00 PMDaFranchise80
Welp, all of the pro tankers got their wish tonight.
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03-31-2019, 07:05 PMPelicanidaePossibly. It would make some sense, especially if they think they can tread water until then with Conley, JJJ, etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tinman
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03-31-2019, 07:05 PMPelicanidaeDelayed gratification. Lose now to win later.Quote:
Originally Posted by DaFranchise80
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03-31-2019, 07:15 PMPelicanidae
Good loss.
Wood: 15 points, 11 rebounds, a steal and a block. Started incredibly inefficiently, improved towards the end.
Randle's finger is fine. -
03-31-2019, 07:17 PMMythrolIf they were smart they would be trying to win. They should have tried to win even more this year and just give up a late lottery pick.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tinman
Still, even if it's the 8th pick this year that's less valuable than the 2021 1st. Especially when you consider they are probably trading Conley this summer and will try to be bad for a couple years. Better to lose the pick now. -
03-31-2019, 07:26 PMGuardianAngel25
Solid game by the bigs tonight.. Good loss.
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03-31-2019, 07:36 PMTinmanAgreed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mythrol
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03-31-2019, 08:55 PMmsusousaphone
C'mon, Memphis and Washington!
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03-31-2019, 09:22 PMTinmanGo Wiz ! This has been a LOVELY night, thus far.Quote:
Originally Posted by msusousaphone
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04-01-2019, 12:25 AM13 - 3
Jokic getting ejected is great for the Pels tank
— Shamit Dua (@FearTheBrown) April 1, 2019