April 19th - New Orleans Pelicans @ Phoenix Suns - Playoff Game 2 - 0-1

[hornetsrebirth]

Unless there is a structural issue with his foot, debut him in game 3 at home. Give the fans that. Like you say, let him play 20 minutes a game - maybe 25 at an extreme push - against mostly bench lineups (emulating the Zion + Bench juggernaut lineups from last season) and run with it.

If it can't be done for structural health reasons, fine. BUt if you're ever going to do it, do it now.

Shoot give him 10 minutes! Can you imagine the blender when he takes the court in game 3? Lets goooooooo

[6warddude]

The problem is that he doesn't seal his smaller man and demand the ball, he kind of just runs back out of the key again trying to avoid getting 3 seconds, I suppose

Yeah I wanted to add that also because it was times where he stood next to Paul and didn't demand the ball come his way....but also we need someone to see that and set him up for that play

[6warddude]

This is an underrated aspect of why Jax was good this game, and bad in the last few. Tonight he was being used to defend ballhandler in the PnR instead of the roller, and that made a huge difference. Treating Jax like a 7'0 wing instead of a big allowed him to maximise his unique mobility and length while minimising his difficult decision making.

I know you pay attention to detail..man seeing him switching on Paul and the defense wasn't swarming out of place was just beautiful to see tonight .

[Pelicanidae]

Pels rookies with 4 play-in + play-off games

Herb: 9.5pts, 4.3rbds, 1.8asts, 1stl, 0.75blks per game on 48.3%FG and 54.5% 3PT (2.8 per game) - +0 overall
Jose: 6.8pts, 1.5rbds, 2.3asts, 0.5stl, 0.3blk per game on 42.8%FG and 75% 3PT (2 per game) - +10 overall
Trey: 7.8pts, 4.3rbds, 1.3asts, 0.8stl, 0blk per game on 45.4%FG and 50% 3PT (4.5 per game) - +38 overall


Rookies. None from the lottery, one went undrafted.

[Taker597]

GSW got three lottery picks and they can barely get minutes in the playoffs.

Pelicans got an Undrafted rookie running the offense , 2nd round pick clocking in 40 minutes as a defensive enforcer, and a basic ****** 18th overall 1st round pick flamethrowing from the perimeter.

[hornetsrebirth]

GSW got three lottery picks and they can barely get minutes in the playoffs.

Pelicans got an Undrafted rookie running the offense , 2nd round pick clocking in 40 minutes as a defensive enforcer, and a basic ****** 18th overall 1st round pick flamethrowing from the perimeter.

Cant say it enough! Love these rookies. Jose is probably my fav player on the team because of the passion that he plays with. Herb is too good of a defender to be a rookie. And even though Trey is giving us everything we desperately needed from the perimeter, we are going to see he is more than that, dude is a complete player!

[Coreyinthe504]

It was such an amazing win. Jaxson Hayes finally applied himself the way we need him to play. I wonder how big a factor Willie Green is in this series just from having information from being apart of their staff.
I haven't been this happy in a long time as a New Orleans Basketball fan. David Griffin has finally had some things go his way and I'm really happy for him too.

[MichaelMcNamara]

To me, Nance was the X factor. Go back and watch that first 5 minutes again. Pels were super sloppy. Nance came in and stabilized so much and then they were toe to toe with the Suns the rest of the way. Was super impressed with him. Jax, Herb, Trey, and Jose all had their moments. Even Devonte was good. But Nance was the role player that really stood out to me. What a massive throw in to that CJ trade

[billfromfinance]

Nance was everywhere and in everything when he was on court. definitely a massive piece to just get thrown in, thanks portland!

[msusousaphone]

When Zion is healthy and as Hayes gets more experienced, our platoon of bigs are diverse enough to handle just about any situation. Considering two of our best players can spread the floor so well.....we're going places.

[PaKwAn]

Bron calling rob pelinka to trade ad for bi

[msusousaphone]

Would you rather have to welcome back Anthony Davis or Eric Gordon?

[MichaelMcNamara]

Without Booker this year, the Suns are 8-6. But only ONE of those wins came against a winning/playoff team. And even that one has an asterisk, as it was against Boston on December 10th, back when they were terrible.

[luigi modelo]

To me, Nance was the X factor. Go back and watch that first 5 minutes again. Pels were super sloppy. Nance came in and stabilized so much and then they were toe to toe with the Suns the rest of the way. Was super impressed with him. Jax, Herb, Trey, and Jose all had their moments. Even Devonte was good. But Nance was the role player that really stood out to me. What a massive throw in to that CJ trade

Nance stood out to me as well. He's a key piece of this roster now and moving forward. He's also a great mentor for Jax imo

[HoustonRox]

Griffin deserves a raise for getting McCollum and Nance for basically nothing.

[Freyfamilyreuni]

Bron calling rob pelinka to trade ad for bi

I think it's safe to say that BI has no interest in playing with Lebron again.

[Creative]

Stay hungry , stay in course and don’t wake Me up


That win was impresive ! Willie You are the Man!

[HoustonRox]

Suns need CP3 to go to supernova in the 4th qtr to win game 1.

They needed Booker to look prime Jordan and score 31 in one half to even keep up for first half of gm 2.

Suns are not that good. Pelicans are 18-3 with McCollum and Ingram playing together.

Pels need to wrap this up in 6 games especially if Booker is out. Dallas is a VERY good match up for the Pels next round, they have nobody that can defend McCollum or Ingram.

[Freyfamilyreuni]

Unless there is a structural issue with his foot, debut him in game 3 at home. Give the fans that. Like you say, let him play 20 minutes a game - maybe 25 at an extreme push - against mostly bench lineups (emulating the Zion + Bench juggernaut lineups from last season) and run with it.

If it can't be done for structural health reasons, fine. BUt if you're ever going to do it, do it now.

I don't know. If this series was a foregone conclusion, I'd agree. But it's putting a lot on Willie's plate to try and integrate Zion into the gameplan now. Especially on defense. Especially with no game conditioning. Even though I suppose, you could give him Graham's minutes, he might give you a more consistent three point threat ...

[DroopyDawg]

Love me some T-Spoon.

[Darkhorse985]

T-spoon was getting me hype.

[DroopyDawg]

[PolishFan]

GSW got three lottery picks and they can barely get minutes in the playoffs.

Pelicans got an Undrafted rookie running the offense , 2nd round pick clocking in 40 minutes as a defensive enforcer, and a basic ****** 18th overall 1st round pick flamethrowing from the perimeter.

And almost everybody wanted to fire Griff

The rooks have been amazing!! (Including the rookie coach )

[AusPel]

Love me some T-Spoon.

I want to see some contrasting Phoenix rooms

[MichaelMcNamara]

And almost everybody wanted to fire Griff

The rooks have been amazing!! (Including the rookie coach )

Not to mention, Jaxson Hayes did look like Siakam for 3 or 4 mins last night!!