February 3rd - New Orleans Pelicans vs Phoenix Suns - 7-12

[Pelicanidae]

Two #Pelicans players listed as questionable for tomorrow night?s game vs. PHX @SmoothieKing | #WBD https://t.co/uGdEbUFm2V

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) February 2, 2021

So, we dropped another one, another one that was winnable, and it was dropped - yet again - by a series of terrible late game choices. Those choices occurred on the floor in some cases, and on the sidelines in others; Zion was yet again benched late, presumably for 'defensive' reasons but given that the lineup that replaced him played zero defense either that recipe didn't really work out. Ingram had another poor second half (poor game overall, in terms of shooting) and without Adams the interior defense took yet another step down.

Tonight we take on a team that is much better than the Sacramento Kings; the Phoenix Suns. They're 11-8 and still managed to pick up a few wins during the 4 game stretch Booker was out; he's just returned. They're the 16th rated offense but the 5th best defense, behind contributions from a somehow-still-great Chris Paul, an improved defensive Booker, and some really great team contributions from the likes of Mikal Bridges who is having something of a break-out year. They are top 10 in defensive rebounding and assists, while also giving up the 5th fewest turnovers in the league.

We have our work cut out for us going into this one. I don't expect a win, that would be a surprise. What I want to see is some fight from the guys, and maybe some adjustments made from the coaching too: we've tried this annoying ''bench Zion late while the offense dies before bringing him in for the last 90 seconds and not giving him any shots'' technique about 7 times now and it's failed every time. Just play the dude. Christ.

And no more Kira/NAW/Bledsoe all at once lineups please. That's gross.

[AUSSIE_PELICAN]

Honestly how can you even be bothered anymore?
You have some determination. Wish we could say the same about the team we watch.

[Pelicanidae]

Honestly how can you even be bothered anymore?
You have some determination. Wish we could say the same about the team we watch.

I like basketball.

[13 - 3]

Surely we won’t let Monty embarrass us on national tv again? Right?

[Fedupfan]

Surely we won?t let Monty embarrass us on national tv again? Right?

Not only will they embarrass them, we will hear the exact same post game excuses we have heard for 6 years.

[JJackisangry]

If we come out as flat as we did last time, it will be a whooping sandwich. Oh- TRAED BLedZO

[AusPel]

I like basketball.

Which makes it all the more puzzling

[Eman5805]

Not only will they embarrass them, we will hear the exact same post game excuses we have heard for 6 years.

Works for me.

[13 - 3]

Works for me.

So we are tanking. But can we do that right?

[ramsters60]

So we are tanking. But can we do that right?

oh, come on... there is no thought of tanking, on their part, nor should there be.... things will eventually play out though....

[6warddude]

well i hope adams sit out tonight...i want to see how hayes and Hernangomez do...

[Taker597]

Not only will they embarrass them, we will hear the exact same post game excuses we have heard for 6 years.

This will is the one time to not be fed up... Let's tank.

[As I See It]

well i hope adams sit out tonight...i want to see how hayes and Hernangomez do...

I'll ask the question again...

If we were to trade JAX to anyone straight up, in return could we get.....

...an eighth overall lottery pick?
...any Lottery Pick at all?
...A first round draft choice (non-lottery)?
...a couple of second round draft picks?
...a can of Spam and and a bag of Pork Rinds?

[13 - 3]

Gosh if we lose to this guy tonight

https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2...s-former-teams

Was fired by the Pistons in June 2018, just a month after being the hatchet man on Stan Van Gundy

Win for Stan

[PELICANSFAN]

I'll ask the question again...

If we were to trade JAX to anyone straight up, in return could we get.....

...an eighth overall lottery pick?
...any Lottery Pick at all?
...A first round draft choice (non-lottery)?
...a couple of second round draft picks?
...a can of Spam and and a bag of Pork Rinds?

Not sure we could get more than a couple of 2nds at best at this point. However, he was taken with the idea that he was raw and would take time to develop. The most concerning thing is that at this point, he does not seem to have a feel for the game. If Hernangomez could be a viable backup, Hayes may do well playing in the GLeague for a while just to learn the basics.

[PELICANSFAN]

Gosh if we lose to this guy tonight

https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2...s-former-teams

Unless he is coaching or playing on the court, not sure we can lose to him.

[6warddude]

I'll ask the question again...

If we were to trade JAX to anyone straight up, in return could we get.....

...an eighth overall lottery pick?
...any Lottery Pick at all?
...A first round draft choice (non-lottery)?
...a couple of second round draft picks?
...a can of Spam and and a bag of Pork Rinds?

lol dude im on your side....in my book hayes playing by default...i just want to see if hernangomez can get a double double tonight to justify why he is not the 2nd big off the bench...

[6warddude]

Not sure we could get more than a couple of 2nds at best at this point. However, he was taken with the idea that he was raw and would take time to develop. The most concerning thing is that at this point, he does not seem to have a feel for the game. If Hernangomez could be a viable backup, Hayes may do well playing in the GLeague for a while just to learn the basics.

imo hayes should have been in the g-league after we drafted him....

[As I See It]

Not sure we could get more than a couple of 2nds at best at this point. However, he was taken with the idea that he was raw and would take time to develop. The most concerning thing is that at this point, he does not seem to have a feel for the game. If Hernangomez could be a viable backup, Hayes may do well playing in the GLeague for a while just to learn the basics.

Seems I've heard this song before... in fact, someone suggested this shortly after he was drafted. So, of course, I couldn't agree more with you. He needs to crawl (learn the A-B-C's of the game) before he walks...and Lord knows, he's a long, long way from running.

[Eman5805]

So we are tanking. But can we do that right?

They implies we’re losing on purpose. We aren’t. We’re trying to win as much as we can.

I’m hoping this crap roster can continue to stink it up long enough to dig us into too deep a hole for the inevitable seasons saver trade to dig back out of.

Maybe finish like 9th or 10th in the lottery.

[PelicanNation]

Great.. another nationally televised beatdown coming..Cp3 will pick us apart as usual.. being a fan of this team is depressing.

[ramsters60]

Great.. another nationally televised beatdown coming..Cp3 will pick us apart as usual.. being a fan of this team is depressing.

upsets happen, but as of now, Phoenix is a better squad with better coaching.....

[13 - 3]

Great.. another nationally televised beatdown coming..Cp3 will pick us apart as usual.. being a fan of this team is depressing.

Don’t forget about E'Twaun Moore too.

[6warddude]

Great.. another nationally televised beatdown coming..Cp3 will pick us apart as usual.. being a fan of this team is depressing.

not tonight...team will rise up and win just like we did against the bucks....the national tv jinx is over....

[HornetGuru]

I'll ask the question again...

If we were to trade JAX to anyone straight up, in return could we get.....

...an eighth overall lottery pick?
...any Lottery Pick at all?
...A first round draft choice (non-lottery)?
...a couple of second round draft picks?
...a can of Spam and and a bag of Pork Rinds?

Probably around 14-25