January 25th - New Orleans Pelicans vs San Antonio Spurs - 5-10

Sigh well, here we go again.

After a long road trip, we?ve got a full week of home games on deck starting with San Antonio tomorrow night! @SmoothieKing | #WeekAhead pic.twitter.com/UPdthL9xfb

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) January 24, 2021

After a hellish road trip that resulted in us getting crushed multiple times including a frankly pathetic loss to Minnesota only days ago, the Pelicans return home to the Smoothie King Centre in the hopes of picking up a win or two. We have won 2 games so far this month, and only 1 in the last 3 weeks, so we're in need.

Tonight's game is against the San Antonio Spurs who, as I write this, are currently playing against the Wizards: that means we play them on the second night of a back to back, which should theoretically be in our favour although it didn't seem to help much against the Wolves.

I'm not going to ramble on about how much we need this. We play the Spurs then the Wizards before we go back to back against Milwaukee and Houston: if we don't pick up a win here, we could easily be on the path to 6-13, which is one of those holes that might be simply too large to climb out of in any plausible manner. We need a win here, and a win against Washington.

Let's cross our fingers and hope people show up this time. Can't just be Zion and 2 quarters of Ingram this time.

Just a note, for those who are interested: over the last 10 games, Zion is shooting 73% from the FT line. So that improvement is looking more and more like it might be a thing. This includes going 24/30 over the last 4 games, for 80%.

This has to be the game SVG makes a lineup change. At the very least to back up his word that he's willing to bench guys who don't play correctly.

The only excuse for him to start Ball is we are looking to trade him and put him in the window (which we are). That’s still not a very good excuse to block Kira and Naw from getting minutes. Hopefully that is rectified tonight. Ball just isn’t doing us any favors with his play right now.

I just wanna see a

Kira naw Ingram Zion Adams starting lineup for 1 game

We can always sign Jimmertime if JJ wants out.

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Originally Posted by HornetGuru

I just wanna see a

Kira naw Ingram Zion Adams starting lineup for 1 game

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Might need to wait until next year to see that. Hopefully we get it this year though...

I’m with all of you guys honestly. I wish we had the patience to do an actual rebuild instead of forcing this playoff now narrative that just never turns out to be realistic. I can get on board with Adams (even if I think we slightly overpaid) and signing short term bros like JJ to bring in veteran presence. I do however wish Stan had the balls to scrap the seniority rules mantra when ish hits the fan. It’s as if we never see the big picture and it’s a big reason AD bounced.

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Originally Posted by JJackisangry

The only excuse for him to start Ball is we are looking to trade him and put him in the window (which we are). That’s still not a very good excuse to block Kira and Naw from getting minutes. Hopefully that is rectified tonight. Ball just isn’t doing us any favors with his play right now.

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If that was our intention... We should of traded him before the season started

I have accelerated through the 7 stages and arrived at acceptance just a month into the season. The Pels are an abject lesson in the suffering that comes from desire. Do I think that with a young all-star, a generational young talent, several experienced role players and a coach with a reputation for putting teams on the floor with tenacity and desire we should be better than this? I do. I really, really do. And worse, I hoped.

Yet we remain more or less what we have been. At least for now. I don't pretend to know what currents move teams to start playing better. We went about as low as you can go in the NBA last season and then, for some reason, began to play pretty well. Of course, Zion's return helped that turn around, as did the return of Favors, but it was still fairly dramatic. What worries me about this year's squad is that we are this bad and we haven't even been hit by the annual injury bug or Covid outbreak. I'd say knock on wood but, eh, I'm a little past caring atm. They'll get better or they won't. They make over the roster or they won't. Whatever. The only thing I resent is when the organization goes out and says it is trying to be competitive but behind closed doors really doesn't care. That's dishonest and makes your fan base feel burned. I really faulted Dell for giving fans the silent treatment when things went badly (scouting in Europe!) and I hoped (there it is again) that Griffin would be much more forthcoming and communicative. So far, he really hasn't been. And that's legit disappointing at least to this long term fan and ticket buyer.

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Originally Posted by JJackisangry

I?m with all of you guys honestly. I wish we had the patience to do an actual rebuild instead of forcing this playoff now narrative that just never turns out to be realistic. I can get on board with Adams (even if I think we slightly overpaid) and signing short term bros like JJ to bring in veteran presence. I do however wish Stan had the balls to scrap the seniority rules mantra when ish hits the fan. It?s as if we never see the big picture and it?s a big reason AD bounced.

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But we are doing an actual rebuild. Do you not remember 7 straight years of trading 1st round picks to compete for an 8th seed spot?

I get that we are talking about a narrative, but not actualization of what's really happening.. The team is clearly making moves to do the best to compete, but really stealth tanking to a high degree with taking on Bledsoe and not making any worthwhile moves that cost high value long term assets.

I do get tired of playoffs or bust narrative, but the team is 100% not acting in that manor at all to be honest. They really spent the past off season mostly course correcting a lot from the disastrous 2019 off season and they really weren't aggressive at all this off season.

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Originally Posted by Taker597

But we are doing an actual rebuild. Do you not remember 7 straight years of trading 1st round picks to compete for an 8th seed spot?

I get that we are talking about a narrative, but not actualization of what's really happening.. The team is clearly making moves to do the best to compete, but really stealth tanking to a high degree with taking on Bledsoe and not making any worthwhile moves that cost high value long term assets.

I do get tired of playoffs or bust narrative, but the team is 100% not acting in that manor at all to be honest. They really spent the past off season mostly course correcting a lot from the disastrous 2019 off season and they really weren't aggressive at all this off season.

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I’m don’t think I even mentioned tanking in my post though. I meant giving time to youngsters when it is appropriate and even at this point in time we are opting for the likes of Lonzo and JJ over Kira and Nickeil. That is something that needs to be addressed.

And by full rebuild, I mean actually developing your talent as opposed to gifting minutes to useless expirings that won’t be here next season.

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Originally Posted by JJackisangry

The only excuse for him to start Ball is we are looking to trade him and put him in the window (which we are).

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The problem with that is the more Ball plays... the more his trade value swirls around the toilet.

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Originally Posted by JJackisangry

And by full rebuild, I mean actually developing your talent as opposed to gifting minutes to useless expirings that won’t be here next season.

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Yassss... That's incredibly frustrating, and I agree.

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Originally Posted by DroopyDawg

The problem with that is the more Ball plays... the more his trade value swirls around the toilet.

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Agreed. I can understand why Bledsoe is playing (as much as it pains me to say it), but Lonzo is tanking his value when he plays. If we were trying to show him off, Bledsoe if far from the ideal partner in the backcourt as they are both horrendous half-court playmakers.

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Originally Posted by DroopyDawg

The problem with that is the more Ball plays... the more his trade value swirls around the toilet.

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At this point... It's in the septic tank.

postponed. UGH

This was the Pelicans' second game of the season that has been postponed. They just came home from a two-week road trip. Were supposed to start a six-game homestand. pic.twitter.com/WhJyFXcmR9

— Christian Clark (@cclark3000) January 26, 2021

Give us more practice time.

Ok, let’s try again!

Zion is 16-22 in his first 38 games. Other guys records in their first 40:

Durant: 9-31
LeBron: 13-27
Steph: 12-28

Reminder to all the kids: Stay in School.

— Crescent City Hoops (@CCHoopsNOLA) January 26, 2021

Interesting little tid-bit.

No more scheduling 2 week road trips?

Sources tell @wojespn and me that the issue with the postponement in the Spurs-Pelicans game is with a potential coronavirus exposure to a non-team member of the traveling parties of both teams in recent days.

The NBA is taking extra precautions with these situations.

— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) January 26, 2021

Career Numbers through 38 games:

Zion Williamson: 22.8ppg, 6.8rpg, 2.0apg. 58.1% FG%, 36.8% from 3*, 65.0% FT. +2.0 BPM. Record: 16-22
Kevin Durant: 19.8ppg, 4.3rpg, 2.2apg. 40.5% FG%, 29.9% from 3, 86.8% FT. -8.6 BPM. Record: 9-29
Lebron James: 19.9ppg, 5.8rpg, 6.3apg. 41.7% FG%, 26% from 3, 76.3% FT. -2.4 BPM. Record: 12-26
Steph Curry: 12.6ppg, 3.7rpg, 4.4apg. 45.8% FG%, 42.7% from 3, 84.1% FT. -3.6 BPM. Record: 11-27
Nikola Jokic: 8.5ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.7apg. 54.3%FG, 36.4% from 3*, 78.2% FT. +1.6 BPM. Record: 13-25 [only 18mpg]
Michael Jordan: 26.3ppg, 5.3rpg, 5.0apg. 51.2%FG, 16.6% from 3*, 83.7%FT. BPM unavailable. Record: 19-19

Just giving a comparison there of what some present day greats (and of course, a classic great) looked like in the metrics after 38 games. Zion is, of course, younger than most of them were at that point as well: Jokic was older in his first game than Zion is now, for example, and Michael Jordan didn't join the NBA until he was already nearly 22 (21yrs, 252 days in his first game).

So Zion's scoring, rebounding, and even assist numbers are actually pretty strong among that field. Obviously his FG% stands out as well, and he actually has the best BPM among guys whose BPM we have (MJs wasn't available, but I would guess his was better). 16-22 record actually pretty strong, compared to the records of these other great players at a similar career point.

You can decide for yourself if this means anything, I just thought it was neat.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Career Numbers through 38 games:

Zion Williamson: 22.8ppg, 6.8rpg, 2.0apg. 58.1% FG%, 36.8% from 3*, 65.0% FT. +2.0 BPM. Record: 16-22
Kevin Durant: 19.8ppg, 4.3rpg, 2.2apg. 40.5% FG%, 29.9% from 3, 86.8% FT. -8.6 BPM. Record: 9-29
Lebron James: 19.9ppg, 5.8rpg, 6.3apg. 41.7% FG%, 26% from 3, 76.3% FT. -2.4 BPM. Record: 12-26
Steph Curry: 12.6ppg, 3.7rpg, 4.4apg. 45.8% FG%, 42.7% from 3, 84.1% FT. -3.6 BPM. Record: 11-27
Nikola Jokic: 8.5ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.7apg. 54.3%FG, 36.4% from 3*, 78.2% FT. +1.6 BPM. Record: 13-25 [only 18mpg]
Michael Jordan: 26.3ppg, 5.3rpg, 5.0apg. 51.2%FG, 16.6% from 3*, 83.7%FT. BPM unavailable. Record: 19-19

Just giving a comparison there of what some present day greats (and of course, a classic great) looked like in the metrics after 38 games. Zion is, of course, younger than most of them were at that point as well: Jokic was older in his first game than Zion is now, for example, and Michael Jordan didn't join the NBA until he was already nearly 22 (21yrs, 252 days in his first game).

So Zion's scoring, rebounding, and even assist numbers are actually pretty strong among that field. Obviously his FG% stands out as well, and he actually has the best BPM among guys whose BPM we have (MJs wasn't available, but I would guess his was better). 16-22 record actually pretty strong, compared to the records of these other great players at a similar career point.

You can decide for yourself if this means anything, I just thought it was neat.

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I've decided. This is like reading a classic where all the odd pages are blank, To read these incredible stats, you would think that basketball is like American Football, where players only play one side of the ball.

I'll just add Anthony Davis first 38 in the same format since most of us witnessed all of those:

AD: 12.6 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 0.8 apg, 52% fg%, 0% 3pt %, 70.8% ft%, -2.4 +/-, 14-24 record, 1.8 blk, 1.2 stl, 91 pace

I added pace because obviously that will inflate numbers a bit in this current era. Zion's pace has been around 105 ish. But I'm sure per possession would still be vastly in Zion's favor on the offensive side of the ball.

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Originally Posted by As I See It

I've decided. This is like reading a classic where all the odd pages are blank, To read these incredible stats, you would think that basketball is like American Football, where players only play one side of the ball.

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If you think rookie Jokic or Curry were incredible defenders I would urge you to go back and rewatch them play lmao

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Originally Posted by luckyman

I'll just add Anthony Davis first 38 in the same format since most of us witnessed all of those:

AD: 12.6 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 0.8 apg, 52% fg%, 0% 3pt %, 70.8% ft%, -2.4 +/-, 14-24 record, 1.8 blk, 1.2 stl, 91 pace

I added pace because obviously that will inflate numbers a bit in this current era. Zion's pace has been around 105 ish. But I'm sure per possession would still be vastly in Zion's favor on the offensive side of the ball.

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If you want to normalise for pace, using per 100 possession stats is a good way to do it. You're right that today's pace is a bit higher than it was, say, 10 years ago: it's also true that it's slower than it was in the 60s, 70s, and early 80s. Unfortunately, I'm not sure how to pull up per 100 stats for only a certain portion of a season in order to find it for 38 games of play. If anyone else knows, they can feel free to add.

Fun fact: Pace is how you get stuff like Wilt averaging 50 for a season. The year he did that, the Philadelphia Warriors had a pace of 131.1. So far this season, for comparison, the fastest team is the Wizards, and they only play at about 105: we play at about 98.8, and last season we played at around 103. They were so fast back then, guys like Wilt were getting so many more possessions to shoot on than today's stars, or stars of the 90s.

For comparison, Wilt in his 50-per-game season only averaged about 38 points per 100, which is still great, but is much more in line with what other great scorers produce today: per 100, Bradley Beal is averaging 44 points for example, and averaged 39 last year. Jordan averaged more than 38 points per 100 for 10 different seasons, and Lebron has done it 4 times as well.

Of course, we'll never get to see how Wilt would have looked in a slower era, or whether these guys would really scale up in a faster one, but it's worth noting as a historical curiosity.

What do y’all think of Jimmer’s 70? Real or propaganda? I think it is real.

Game Wednesday still on or does COVID not want to see that either?

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

If you think rookie Jokic or Curry were incredible defenders I would urge you to go back and rewatch them play lmao

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And this somehow defends and normalizes Zion's disastrous defensive showing? LMAO

You sound like an underaged teenager who gets caught drinking beer: "Come on, officer, all teenagers do." SMH

I will say this, without reservation, on your behalf; you are quite a good apologist for Mr. Williamson."

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

If you want to normalise for pace, using per 100 possession stats is a good way to do it. You're right that today's pace is a bit higher than it was, say, 10 years ago: it's also true that it's slower than it was in the 60s, 70s, and early 80s. Unfortunately, I'm not sure how to pull up per 100 stats for only a certain portion of a season in order to find it for 38 games of play. If anyone else knows, they can feel free to add.

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As far as I know most "per possession" stats, as I mentioned, are per 100, so it goes without saying.

And I too, do not have the energy to dig all that up. But again, I think we all know the outcome will be Zion >> AD offensively in this time frame. At that point in his career, AD was pretty much 100% assisted or a clean up man. Zion is far advanced in his offensive arsenal regardless of the extra possessions in his favor.

And I believe there is some documentary that touches on the pace they played at in the 60s. But as far as scoring comparisons you'd also have to account for the fact they had no 3 point line. Not that Wilt would have shot any.

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Originally Posted by luckyman

As far as I know most "per possession" stats, as I mentioned, are per 100, so it goes without saying.

And I too, do not have the energy to dig all that up. But again, I think we all know the outcome will be Zion >> AD offensively in this time frame. At that point in his career, AD was pretty much 100% assisted or a clean up man. Zion is far advanced in his offensive arsenal regardless of the extra possessions in his favor.

And I believe there is some documentary that touches on the pace they played at in the 60s. But as far as scoring comparisons you'd also have to account for the fact they had no 3 point line. Not that Wilt would have shot any.

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Yeah, it's extremely difficult to compare eras in general, but particularly for the pre 3pt line era. Someone like Wilt wouldn't have been shooting threes, you're right, but someone like Jerry West probably would have and it's hard to estimate that kind of thing today.

Some people have taken to using per 75 figured because 75 possessions more roughly estimates the number of plays the average star plays in a modern NBA game, whereas 100 possessions is more like the total number in an average game.

And yeah, Zions far more developed offensively than early career AD was. It took AD years before he really added any passing game, for example.