Time to run it back. Pels win their preseason opener over Orlando. Don't think Ingram played, and Murphy is out with (I believe) a hammy. Murray and Jones were the starting backcourt, CJ hit some 3's coming off the bench and Jordan Hawkins shot pretty well. I didn't see the game, hilites only, but the free agent center, Theiss is his name I think, played fairly well, but he does not look like the kind of body type that's going to hold up for long stints in the paint. Zion looked good, and some day-to-day observers are saying he's in the best shape of his career.
Not a very inspiring pre season. I don't think the projected starting five - Murray, Jones, Zion, Ingram and Theiss - logged a single second on the court together, despite all of them being healthy. We'll have to wait at least 2 weeks to see Trey on the court, the team's medical history suggests it will be a lot longer. I think its going to take awhile to see how the starting and reserve units (looks like a 2nd five of CJ, Jose, Hawkins, Murphy when he's ready and Missi), but there seems to be no option for a big lineup, we'll have to be small and quick, and very disruptive of the passing lanes on defense. Few options for stopping opposing bigs when they get the ball in the paint, and unfortunately, we're going to face a lot of bigs in the Western Conference. We'll see how this works, it all starts tomorrow night vs Chicago. Murphy agreed to a 4-year extension of his rooke contract today.
And for @Jmg, the NBA has a new stat this year. Introducing the Dunk Score: https://www.nba.com/news/what-is-the-dunk-score
oh hell yeah I love a hard dunk, its the pinnacle of basketball accomplishment pelicans may be a new sort of hoops this year. I call it "a point guard and 4 bros". positionless, 5 out. PG: murray bro 1: zion bro 2: ingram bro 3: cj mccollum bro 4: herb jones 6th man bro: trey Murphy. no traditional center
Zion has a non-Covid illness and is questionable for the opener. So is Murray, who is out of town for a family emergency and may not make it back in time. Alvarado has a bad knee contusion and is doubtful.
One Pelican beat writer is supposing when they go with this kind of small lineup, Jones will take the opposing 5. That's a scheme that will rely heavily on keeping the ball out of the paint to begin with.
it fascinating how the game has changed. there really are very few pure post players. ruby gobert, the rookie from Purdue, Zach edey. it does seem like those big fellas would eat the pelicans up inside without any true defensive big. but maybe they will change the lineup when facing a team like that, which really isn't many. most teams have a big who plays plenty outside. I think the 5 out small style is fun to watch.
Pelicans 123, Bulls 111 Would love to go on and on about the positives I saw last night, especially the play of first round draft pick Yves Missi in his NBA debut. But, woke up to the news this morning that Dejaunte Murray may have broken his left hand late in the game. I swear, to be a pro athlete in New Orleans means you must be as fragile as a wet newspaper. Edit: Murray injury confirmed, team says he's out "indefinitely." Also updated Trey Murphy, who's been out 3 weeks with a "hamstring strain." They say he's progressed well and will start conditioning, and (big surprise!) will be evaluated again in 2 weeks. So, at least 5 weeks out with a "strain?" I'm sorry, that seems like a really pussified amount of down time. Criticism of the organization, not Murphy.
Warriors 124, Pelicans 106 Really alarming road trip so far. Needed a last possession jumper by BI and last second block by Zion to beat Portland Friday, then got run out of the gym by the same Portland two nights later. Didn't see either of those, but got to watch last night, and it was pathetic. Pels took a 20 point lead in the first quarter and then got curb stomped the rest of the night. No energy, no movement on either side of the ball. Just like we saw so many times last year, they stood around offensively and watched Zion and BI take turns playing one-on-one. Those two got 31 and 30 each, and no one else even reached double figures. Green talks about wanting to shoot 40 threes a night; they shot 22. Hawkins has been your best guy behind the arc to start the year, and he didn't even attempt a 3 until the last 2 minutes of the game. To make matters worse, Herb Jones injured his shoulder early in the 3rd quarter and didn't return, haven't heard anything about that injury yet. Same two teams again tonight. People are already calling for Willie Green's job, and its going to get louder if we don't see a major improvement in effort tonight.
Warriors 104, Pelicans 89 Better energy, better effort, but couldn't throw the ball in the ocean from the dock. Three straight losses to teams with inferior talent. First of a 4-game home stand Friday against the Pacers, and I see people saying this will be a make-or-break home stand for Willie Green. I doubt it. The list of walking wounded now: Murphy, Murray, C.J., Herb, Theiss. I think Murphy, who has been conditioning for two weeks, is supposed to be evaluated tomorrow, so maybe a chance he plays before the home stand is over, maybe even tomorrow night.
