Tanking at tanking?

It's the Willie special double switcheroo! 3 - 1 over the last 4. Did he not get the memo?

Ruining the only silver lining of a wasted season, being too stubborn to actually tank. Pels org is incredible at being a terrible org.

What does an actually smart org do? Look at the Spurs... Wemby goes OFS, and they immediately start losing games on purpose to the Pels.

What's next? Playing guys too many minutes in a lost season, getting someone hurt, and ruining our trade possibilities and ruining the first half of next year, too

Willie trying to save his job. I can't blame him. Zion came out with the whole "OMG Kelly Olynyk is the player we have been missing lmao" crap so I can only guess that this is propaganda to soften the blow when Willie inevitably survives the cull. Oh well. Hopefully we pick well in the draft.

I can't be mad at Willie. It's not like he's winning while taking away time from the younglins and he's letting core players like Trey or Zion experimenting like with the return of Point Zion lately

Draft history is cristal clear, tanking does not guarantee having the best prospect, it's pretty common to have a player in the late lottery becoming better than the 2nd or 3rd pick or even both.

Don't fully agree. Antonio Reeves should be getting much more playing time. Also of course you can have better players picked later, but you give yourself a much better chance of getting a difference maker the higher you pick. Justifying winning games at this point of this season is some serious mental gymnastics.

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Originally Posted by donato

Don't fully agree. Antonio Reeves should be getting much more playing time. Also of course you can have better players picked later, but you give yourself a much better chance of getting a difference maker the higher you pick. Justifying winning games at this point of this season is some serious mental gymnastics.

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We should be tanking. I agree. But if that is the case, we should have fired Willie and hired an interim. Willie's job is on the line so I doubt he wants to just throw in the towel. I think he should be fired out of a cannon either way but here we are.

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Originally Posted by JJackisangry

We should be tanking. I agree. But if that is the case, we should have fired Willie and hired an interim. Willie's job is on the line so I doubt he wants to just throw in the towel. I think he should be fired out of a cannon either way but here we are.

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I don't see how he survives no matter what happens the rest of the year. He's shown too many flaws for too long. The argument for not firing him earlier was it's a lost season anyway I guess. But I think there was a time you could have fired him to see what you have in Borrego. It's just Willie has done way too little with what he had even with the injuries. He isn't improving. It's time to go separate ways.

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Originally Posted by donato

I don't see how he survives no matter what happens the rest of the year. He's shown too many flaws for too long. The argument for not firing him earlier was it's a lost season anyway I guess. But I think there was a time you could have fired him to see what you have in Borrego. It's just Willie has done way too little with what he had even with the injuries. He isn't improving. It's time to go separate ways.

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I agree but tell the ownership that. I don't trust them to make the right decision

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Originally Posted by JJackisangry

I agree but tell the ownership that. I don't trust them to make the right decision

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I could see them keeping him, but I really think he's gone this time.

On the bright side, I like that Karlo and Reeves are getting good looks. If there is going to be significant squad turnover we need to find as much depth and as many pieces as possible. We have been pretty decent in the draft so I can see us getting a good pick regardless of where we end up. But damn would a top pick be nice.

I won't watch another game with Willie as the coach I won't do it

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Originally Posted by stevemadden504

I won't watch another game with Willie as the coach I won't do it

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I love basketball and I'd love to watch. But when I know that our ownership and management is not doing everything in their power to be the best they can be, it kind of takes the enjoyment out of it. We don't have any ambition.

It would help if it were easy for me to watch, too. Despite promises otherwise, most of the games have not been shown in the Lake Charles market and other means would take more effort to setup than the team is putting out.

Tank back on track. :thumbup:

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Originally Posted by DroopyDawg

Tank back on track. :thumbup:

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Hopefully we get many more games like last night. Fun to watch and kept it close to make it interesting but pulled out the L in the end.

Dear Santa,

God knows I don't ask for much, but if you could just give me Cooper Flagg and Naz Reid I promise to never bother you again and will even stop telling people you are Krampus's little **********.

Sincerely,
Dago

Best I can offer is a Mo Bamba.

https://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/mo...6Hd04yxabJsGPQ

Pawn Stars Memefrom Pawn Stars Memes

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Originally Posted by P_B_&_G

Hopefully we get many more games like last night. Fun to watch and kept it close to make it interesting but pulled out the L in the end.

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Not fun to me. It's stressful worrying about them winning pointless games

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Originally Posted by Silverfoxx

Not fun to me. It's stressful worrying about them winning pointless games

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We won't win these close games, we don't have a closer.

As much as I anticipate Flagg to be a superstar and the best player of this draft class, drafting him would lead to several issues.

First of all, the circus of the media saying he might return to Duke to avoid playing in NO, then it would pollute the search for a new HC, then the question about his fit alongside Zion and last the narrative of the franchise wasting his carreer

I think that the spotlight and the negativity with it may not help to build a competitive team next year.

I would surely celebrate the pels winning the lottery butif not dodging the bullet may be a blessing in disguise.

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Originally Posted by Blattman

As much as I anticipate Flagg to be a superstar and the best player of this draft class, drafting him would lead to several issues.

First of all, the circus of the media saying he might return to Duke to avoid playing in NO, then it would pollute the search for a new HC, then the question about his fit alongside Zion and last the narrative of the franchise wasting his carreer

I think that the spotlight and the negativity with it may not help to build a competitive team next year.

I would surely celebrate the pels winning the lottery butif not dodging the bullet may be a blessing in disguise.

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Unless things have changed, the deadline to declare for the draft is well before the draft lottery, so he will have to decide whether he's returning to Duke (hint, he's not) before he knows who has the #1 pick. We'd be a much more attractive destination for a coach with the #1 pick as opposed to without it. Can't argue about wasting his career...that'll definitely be the narrative.

It will be the same old media circus if Flagg ends up here. We didn't deserve all of that flak with Zion, but in the end we proved them right despite having a promising situation. I hate that we give these clowns ammunition to use against us. Hopefully Flagg has a good head on his shoulders if he ends up here.

Zero chance he returns to Duke. That's a non-issue.

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Originally Posted by ml wave

Unless things have changed, the deadline to declare for the draft is well before the draft lottery, so he will have to decide whether he's returning to Duke (hint, he's not) before he knows who has the #1 pick. We'd be a much more attractive destination for a coach with the #1 pick as opposed to without it. Can't argue about wasting his career...that'll definitely be the narrative.

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Lottery is on May 12th, withdrawal date is on June 15th. Before NIL, the withdrawal deadline date was not as important since once the prospect hired an agent they were no longer able to withdraw, for Zion it was still the case so the narrative about him withdrawing didn't last long. In Flagg's case it's 1 month of media speculation guaranteed.

For the HC hiring, having Flagg will force the FO to look for a Name or giving more talking point to the media. History say that may ends poorly because they might prefer to take the low risk route.

Again, I'm not hoping against winning the lottery but let's be real it would be insufferable with the talking heads.

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Originally Posted by Blattman

Lottery is on May 12th, withdrawal date is on June 15th. Before NIL, the withdrawal deadline date was not as important since once the prospect hired an agent they were no longer able to withdraw, for Zion it was still the case so the narrative about him withdrawing didn't last long. In Flagg's case it's 1 month of media speculation guaranteed.

For the HC hiring, having Flagg will force the FO to look for a Name or giving more talking point to the media. History say that may ends poorly because they might prefer to take the low risk route.

Again, I'm not hoping against winning the lottery but let's be real it would be insufferable with the talking heads.

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Our roster is arguably in one of the best situations for any of the top prospects. In any case, he's not going back to Duke.

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Originally Posted by donato

Our roster is arguably in one of the best situations for any of the top prospects. In any case, he's not going back to Duke.

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Who are the top coaching prospects? I'm out if the loop on all that.

I saw the Jeff Van Gundy is with the Clippers. I thought he would have been a good hire when we went with his brother but he was out of coaching at the time so there was risk. I wonder if he can still get it done as a HC? Nit that we should but who else is out there?

What about promoting Borrego?

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Originally Posted by P_B_&_G

Who are the top coaching prospects? I'm out if the loop on all that.

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Same. No idea. Hopefully some others here have more insight.

Might as well do the Reverse Ted Lasso and bring in a British snooker coach. Go for it, Dae!

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Originally Posted by donato

Our roster is arguably in one of the best situations for any of the top prospects. In any case, he's not going back to Duke.

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I agree, but it already started with the talking heads, Boogie Cousins had an interview lately saying Flagg should return to Duke if either the Hornets, Pels or Wizard win the lottery. O'Connor dropped also a podcast saying why Flagg wouldn't return to school. But if it's already out now, be sure that we will have more in May.

For the HC search, it depends on your criteria. In my opinion we need to focus on a coach that know both winning a title in small markets and adapting his team playing style to his roster. Currently there's 2 head coaches that qualify : Malone and Pop, so unless Malone is fired this summer, I'd look into their assistant and former assistant and if possible with a previous HC experience so Becky Hammon (Aces may let her go due to the whole harassment case), Ryan Saunders and Brett Brown. James Borrego fit the description but his history as HC is less than stellar and I can't say that he had a positive impact on the team this year.

If we forget about the head coaching experience, I also like David Adelman and Popeye Jones, especially the later given his extensive resume as assistant and former NBA player.

I'd also say that Tiago Splitter, Terry Stotts or Noah LaRoche could be interesting candidates.

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Originally Posted by Blattman

I agree, but it already started with the talking heads, Boogie Cousins had an interview lately saying Flagg should return to Duke if either the Hornets, Pels or Wizard win the lottery. O'Connor dropped also a podcast saying why Flagg wouldn't return to school. But if it's already out now, be sure that we will have more in May.

For the HC search, it depends on your criteria. In my opinion we need to focus on a coach that know both winning a title in small markets and adapting his team playing style to his roster. Currently there's 2 head coaches that qualify : Malone and Pop, so unless Malone is fired this summer, I'd look into their assistant and former assistant and if possible with a previous HC experience so Becky Hammon (Aces may let her go due to the whole harassment case), Ryan Saunders and Brett Brown. James Borrego fit the description but his history as HC is less than stellar and I can't say that he had a positive impact on the team this year.

If we forget about the head coaching experience, I also like David Adelman and Popeye Jones, especially the later given his extensive resume as assistant and former NBA player.

I'd also say that Tiago Splitter, Terry Stotts or Noah LaRoche could be interesting candidates.

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Yeah nothing stops the talking heads from spitting absolute nonsense. It's a shame that we have to fight the media. They love to sow discontent and ruin any team that doesn't fit their narrative. It's borderline rigging.

Flagg is so far in first place on every big board that it's going to make for low clicks on articles leading up to the draft. They have to generate interest any way possible.

They are going to play up his brand new "injury issues" as a reason the #1 team is considering to pass on him even though there isn't a chance in hell they do that.

Coop hinting he wants to be a Pelican �� pic.twitter.com/OiogiHAtFG

— Brady (@sideshowbrady) March 13, 2025

Coop is ours.

Flag is a great player and the obvious #1 pick but if we dont get that spot I wouldn't mind Johni Broome , I think he would be a real dog for the Pels.

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Originally Posted by Pierre Pelican

Flag is a great player and the obvious #1 pick but if we dont get that spot I wouldn't mind Johni Broome , I think he would be a real dog for the Pels.

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We don't have a second rounder and he's projected at the end of the first round / in the second round. Definitely won't go anywhere near where our first pick is.

https://youtu.be/7W-eAtOR5dY?si=CnU6h_qqUqE6ggUZ



After cooper flagg and Dylan Harper the best selection we could make to pair with our roster is Jase Richardson. His ******** is as repeatable as anyone's ********. He's avg 15 ppg since becoming a starter in a winning team. A faster CJ Mcollum... kinda Jamal Murray-ish.

We can't wait around hoping edgecomb learns to shoot well when u need to put him
in the court w zion

funny, I just watched richardson for the first time last night and totally buy into his ability. to me he reinds of Brunson, same size, aggressive, strong, multiple scorer, good handle. he would be soooo good for these Pelicans

My list goes-
Flagg
Harper
Ace
Trey Johnson
Fears

Love to have a couple late first early seconds and get Isiah Evan’s and Dink Pate

Damn. Pels announcing that TMIII tore his labrum and has a partial tear of his right rotator cuff.

It's funny how low you guys are on Edgecomb, his shooting numbers on 3p are better than Harper's and he shoots 4.5 of them per game so it's not like it's a small sample. I go back and forth with him or Harper as the number 2 prospect.

Jordan Hawkins should be shopped for a late 1st

He's been terrible. A shooter who can't shoot. Why would anyone give a late 1st?

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Originally Posted by tdcreator

My list goes-
Flagg
Harper
Ace
Trey Johnson
Fears

Love to have a couple late first early seconds and get Isiah Evan’s and Dink Pate

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i dig your list. except youre sleeping on jase richardson. he's undoubtedly better than Fears and probably better than Tre Johnson, although i like him as well.


id like a late first as well for rasheed flemming

The good news on the Trey injury is that it is a surgery with a relatively high success rate so he should be fine. The bad news is that it's typically a five month recovery so this could be the 3rd season in a row he goes into a season recovering.

ryan anderson damaged his right shoulder 8 years ago and never regained his shooting touch as before injury....just sayin

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Originally Posted by msusousaphone

The good news on the Trey injury is that it is a surgery with a relatively high success rate so he should be fine. The bad news is that it's typically a five month recovery so this could be the 3rd season in a row he goes into a season recovering.

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Five months from now is mid-August, the season starts in mid-October.

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Originally Posted by clark griswald

ryan anderson damaged his right shoulder 8 years ago and never regained his shooting touch as before injury....just sayin

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On the flip side there's Drew Brees. Maybe Trey comes back and turns into Curry!

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Originally Posted by ml wave

Five months from now is mid-August, the season starts in mid-October.

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Some people can take a year though. But a high end athlete should be on the shorter end of recovery time.

The good news is I don't think we will catch the 6ers and we definitely won't catch San Antonio. The bad news is we are probably too good for the Hornets or Jazz to pass up. 4th is probably where we will end up unless we go on a big run with very few games left and the Sixers with a game in hand.

Pelicans favored tonight vs. 76ers even with Zion out. A loss sure would give some extra room and a chance to "catch" the Hornets.

edit: Now I see CJ is out too.