June 5, 2025 • 51 mins
On the New Orleans Pelicans Podcast for Thursday, June 5, 2025, Jim Eichenhofer and Gus Kattengell continue their series of draft previews ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft.
They welcome The Athletic's Will Guillory and Pelicans TV Sideline Reporter/Host Andrew Lopez to discuss the San Antonio Spurs' second overall pick as Guillory breaks down two more 2025 NBA Draft prospects in Ace Bailey and VJ Edgecombe.
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Speaker 1 (00:05):
Welcome in to the New Orleans Pelicans Podcast, the official
podcast of your New Orleans Pelicans. A podcast dedicated to
everything you need to know about the squad here from players, coaches, broadcasters,
and those who cover the NBA on a daily basis.
It's time to flock up. The New Orleans Pelicans podcast
(00:29):
starts right now.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Hellover money and Welcome to the New Orleans Pelicans Podcast,
official podcast of your New Orleans Pelicans, presented by New
Age Products, the official garage and outdoor kitchen provider of
your New Orleans Pelicans. As we get you ready for
the NBA Draft coming up Wednesday, June twenty fifth and
Thursday June twenty sixth, Mister Jamiicenoff Repelicans dot Com, gus
Caatangil with you, going to be joined by Andrew Lopez.
(00:56):
Of course, covers your New Orleans Pelicans. Also the tea
we're going to talk about today, the San Antonio Spurs.
Is we get you ready for the NBA Draft.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
It's coming up.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
Pelicans will select seventh currently in that draft.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
Let's see what happens.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
We talked a little bit about the team that won
the lottery, that was Dallas and where they may go.
We spoke about two players already in Cooper Flagg and
also Dylan Harper.
Speaker 3 (01:20):
We'll talk about a couple more.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
Players here as well as we kind of get you ready,
just jim to paint the picture right as to who
could be around that time, so you know, if there's
a surprise team that moves in a name that we
don't know, who could drop, who could go, and reasons
like that.
Speaker 4 (01:33):
Yeah, we're gonna be talking about the basically twelve guys
in this draft from the list of NBA dot COM's
consensus mock Draft. We're gonna go through those players, and
then we're going to go through all the teams. With
the Pelicans picking seventh, we're talking to someone who covered
each of the first six teams that are picking before
New Orleans, and in this case today we have a
(01:54):
gentleman who is not covering the Spurs now, but did
very recently two seasons ago when Andrew Lopez covered the
Spurs for ESPN dot Com and it happened to be
Wemby's first season.
Speaker 5 (02:06):
So that was excellent timing as well.
Speaker 4 (02:08):
We're lucky to have him here now as a Pelican's
TV sideline reporter but Andrew. As far as the Spurs,
I mean, let's kind of start with big picture. I mean,
this is a team that it feels like a misprint
when I see the list of longest team that hasn't
longest drought for making the playoffs, that the Spurs are
on that list. Now they're up to I think it's
six or seven years that they haven't been in the playoffs,
(02:30):
which is stunning to me just based on what I've
seen from them over pretty much the entire time before
that that I've been here. But I mean, you would
think that that drought will be ending pretty soon, if
not this season, shortly thereafter. I mean, how well do
you think they're positioned right now as far as the
near end and longer term future goes.
Speaker 6 (02:50):
You know, the right before that, I believe they had
set the NBA record, tie the NBA record for most
consecutive playoff perts.
Speaker 3 (03:00):
Yeah, so this.
Speaker 6 (03:02):
Is kind of foreign to them, and I think it
will change soon. The health of Victor wm Binama is
going to be key in that obviously missed some time
this year with a the deep deep vein thumb rosis
in his shoulder.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
Kind of slowed him down.
Speaker 6 (03:18):
They wanted to make sure they kind of shut him
down in February or think right before the series here, Yeah.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
During the All Star break.
Speaker 6 (03:25):
I think it was yeah, so first yeah, yeah, two
of their first three games.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
I believe we're here right after that. As long as
he is good to go, and all indications are he
is good to go. Uh.
Speaker 6 (03:37):
They are very well positioned for this and having that
number two pick kind of just adds to what they're
going to do. They made their splash trade, one of
their splash trades, I should say, they have a lot
more ammunition to be able to go out and make
another splash trade if they want. They went out and
got deer in Fox. They got the Rookie of Year
last year in Stefan Castle.
Speaker 5 (03:59):
So that's two years in AL Rookie of the Year.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Two years in a row, Rookie of the Year.
Speaker 6 (04:04):
You still have other guys like, you know, Calton Johnson
was a guy who three seasons ago averaged I think
twenty one points a game for them, and he's you know,
comfortably coming off the bench. Devin Vecell may find himself
in the same situation next year, depending on how they're
going to play some lineups they have another top ten
pickt Ueremy Sohan, who could also he could start at
the four, he could come off the bench. The player
(04:26):
development there has been key where they have positioned themselves
very well. They went out and made two veteran moves
last year. They signed Chris Paul who played all eighty
two games. They signed Harrison Barnes who was again another
consistent force for them and it started to lift them.
But you know, we can't talk about the Spurs right
(04:48):
now without talking about the fact that this is a
team who's going to have a.
Speaker 3 (04:52):
New head coach, official head coach, I should.
Speaker 6 (04:56):
Say, in Mitch Johnson, who is going to replace Greg Popovich,
who Papa Bitch has dealt with his medical issues, you know,
step down. I think we you know, there was a
lot made about, you know, out out you know, Pel's
guard de Johntay Murray being at that press conferences, But
that's more about the relationship that I think that he
(05:16):
has with Mitch. This is going back to them being
so close when he was an.
Speaker 3 (05:20):
AU guy back in Seattle.
Speaker 6 (05:22):
Yeah, it's one of, you know, one of the closest
people I think he is to to anybody in the league.
So he wanted to be here for there for him
in that regard, that's kind of how people view Mitch
and so obviously Mitch coached except these four games this
year or.
Speaker 3 (05:39):
Something like that for them.
Speaker 6 (05:42):
Which I'm fairly sure because of how the NBA works,
whenever he gets his first win in the twenty five
twenty sixth season, his first, that'll be his first official win.
Everything went to p yeah for this last year while
he was still the acting head coach. But it's it's
very very exciting times there in San Antonio.
Speaker 4 (06:04):
Yeah, that's not great news for no LANs necessarily, but
you know, this is something that you know, this is
a team just like the Mavericks that we talked about
earlier this week. This is a team that is going
to be Their future is very prominent in terms of
what the Pelicans are gonna have to deal with in
the Southwest Division as well as the Western Conference. In
terms of this draft though, with them getting the second pick,
(06:24):
I know, I'll count myself among the group of people
that was not real pleased that the Mavericks and Spurs
ended up one two. But it feels like universally something
that people say that they're on every draft board, Dylan
Harper is gonna go there, and it's it's probably there's
probably no point of you know, predicting what you know,
(06:44):
whether they're gonna pick him or but I mean, assuming
that they do, and you look at what else they have.
You mentioned some of the other players they have. Does
it seem like the kind of like how does he
fit with that? It seems like he's pretty similar from
what I've seen in terms of his style play of
dearon Fox. So can you play those guys together? Stephan
stefan Castle is also kind of a two guard, so
(07:07):
it just seems like they have a bunch of guys
that in the backcourt as well. Again, not something to
complain about, something that is a good problem to have,
but how does how do you think if they go
that route?
Speaker 5 (07:18):
How does how does that all work out with them?
Speaker 6 (07:20):
I'm sure you could figure out some three guard lineups
to get all through of those guys on the floor
at the same time. If you look at it as
a three headed backcoard, I mean, that's thirty two minutes
for each guy if you want to look at it
that way. But there's probably some some scenarios where two
of those guys can be on the FOD at the
same time.
Speaker 3 (07:39):
Like, there's a lot of different things you can do.
Speaker 6 (07:41):
And I think if your Mitch, that's it's a good problem.
I think Dylan Harper's talent overall necessitates making that pick.
No matter what you know. You don't consider VJ. Edgecomb
or Ace Bailey or Trey Johnson or any of those
(08:02):
other guys in that conversation. I think you just you
go ahead and you take the talent and then you
figure everything else out. If there's a piece that doesn't fit,
you can make some moves later on, but get all
the talent you can and then move on from there.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
And I think.
Speaker 6 (08:18):
When you have a guy like Victor Winbgnamo on your team,
it's the true definition. We've talked about positionless basketball before.
That's the true definition of position less basketball. VIC is
gonna be. When I was there, one thing Pop used
to joke about was don't tell Victor he's a center.
(08:39):
It was a very he would joke.
Speaker 3 (08:40):
He was like, sh Victor's not a five.
Speaker 6 (08:44):
Even though Victor was clearly playing the center spider Us.
Because he could be a center on defense, he was
not going to be the center on offense. Vic has
He even said like, sometimes I'm the point guard, sometimes I'm
the two, sometimes I'm the three on offense, just based
on how we're running a play. And if you have
versatility around a guy like that, you're set up to
(09:05):
be in a good spot. And when he's the guy
anchoring your defense. Go back and look at the go
back and look at those odds from February when Victor
got shut down for the season. You had to brought
a lot of money on him to make a dollar
to win Defensive Player of the Year. When I was
covering him, there was a thin He finished second to
Rudy and he made a joke in French to the
(09:28):
French media. Let know, let Rudy have it this year
because the rest of them are mine.
Speaker 3 (09:36):
The rest of them.
Speaker 6 (09:37):
So this is a guy who is you know, as
long as he is healthy, he will be one of
the more transcendent players in the league. You say, joy
to be around, a joy to cover, but they are
they are starting to be set up.
Speaker 1 (09:51):
Now for.
Speaker 3 (09:53):
To make the jump.
Speaker 6 (09:55):
And you know, I think having those veterans this year helped.
But now you move forward with fox Castle, Vic dev
kJ some of these ads on the bet like there's
gonna be guys who maybe started this year or played
like Jildian Champagne played a lot of minutes for them
and could find himself on the back of the rotation
(10:16):
now because of sure everything they have at guard, or
he could find himself playing small ball four or three
or what lots of things that they could do with
the talent that they're going to have around him.
Speaker 4 (10:26):
Last thing for me, and this isn't specific to the Spurs,
but just in general, we hadn't had a chance to
talk to you about this since it happened at the
lottery in mid May. What's your opinion on the what
should go the NBA should do going forward with the lottery.
Should they just stick with it and just be like,
you know, things like this are going to happen. What's
your take on on the some of the cries from
(10:48):
people saying that they need to change it again.
Speaker 6 (10:50):
As as difficult as it is, as especially as a
Pelis fan to watch the MAVs get number one with
a one point eight percent chance, the Spurs to get
number two, and then Philly to get number three. All
three teams don't I don't know if it's happened where
all three teams who get one, two three in the
lottery are all actively trying to.
Speaker 3 (11:10):
Compete the next season.
Speaker 5 (11:12):
Not very often.
Speaker 3 (11:14):
Yeah, just does suck. Yeah, However, I like that outright
tanking was not rewarded. I like that teams who.
Speaker 6 (11:23):
Rested players in December, right, did not get the number
one pick. If you want to change the odds a
little to heavily favor the guys at the top, you know,
instead of a flat fourteen for one, two three, maybe
it's sixteen.
Speaker 3 (11:39):
Whatever, it is, okay, But for.
Speaker 6 (11:42):
The most part I like it because for the most
part it has now I believe the team who has
been number one has not won it since they've changed
the lottery odds, and since it's flattened, I.
Speaker 3 (11:50):
Think maybe one time, okay, out of six or seven years.
Speaker 6 (11:54):
So I'm okay with that because here's because guess what,
you had a six percent chance.
Speaker 3 (12:01):
To get Zion Williamson.
Speaker 5 (12:02):
You won, right, Yeah, we liked, we liked a lottery yea.
Speaker 6 (12:09):
Change twenty nineteen, Yeah right, those same lotteryds can't be
rigged in twenty twenty five because it didn't go for
your team, right exactly, So for me, I think it's fine.
I think it doesn't you know, if if you want
to do this, the only thing I'd like to see
maybe if you want to go and this is something
as soon as your team is eliminated. This is a
(12:29):
forget where I saw this proposal, but it was as
soon as your team is eliminated from the playoffs, wins
count as losses. So if your team is eliminated from
the playoffs in March, your record from March to April
is how.
Speaker 4 (12:44):
You dictate your lotteryts.
Speaker 3 (12:47):
Yeah, and there's different ways to do that.
Speaker 6 (12:49):
And if you want to do something like that, you
have the conversation to try to eliminate taking sure, but
for the actual lottery itself.
Speaker 3 (12:56):
Look, stuff happens to.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
Jim's point, reward winning competing, and I think we did
a radio roundtable tend the season. John de Chazer kind
of brought that up to you along with Jim, if
you take a little bit of both, that's kind of
what he was saying as well. How about you take
the last fifteen ten games of those teams, like give me,
give me a cut off date. You know, you said
March whatever. As soon as you're yeah, a month of
(13:22):
games left or whatever. Okay, final ten. Your win loss
record is where you go. You win the most games,
you pick first, in other words, rewarded, and it's almost
kind of like you see it in certain areas. I mean,
it's almost like the nd season tournament, right where like
those games mattered a little bit more, And it's almost
kind of what we've seen with the NFL and even
(13:44):
the play in game just in the NBA where nine
and ten a couple of years ago, those teams, those franchises,
those fan bases, they're looking to next year. Well, you're
eleven or twelve, or you're nine or ten. It all
matters seven and eight.
Speaker 5 (13:57):
It affects because you don't want.
Speaker 2 (13:58):
To be nine and ten. I love incentivizing competition, creating
competition at the end for both ends of the standings.
You have competition for the teams at the top that
want to host or want to get that buy or whatever,
and then at the bottom to pick higher.
Speaker 3 (14:18):
I think that's just.
Speaker 2 (14:19):
To me, it makes sense, and I think everybody wins
in that TV ratings win. Everybody wins because the teams
that are trying to win that at the top of
the standings are playing teams that are tanking, well, if
they want to win, it makes a little bit more creative.
Speaker 3 (14:32):
I do see a scenario though, where like, not in
this happens what you like? You reverse tank? Like you tank?
Speaker 6 (14:39):
Oh no, We've got injuries the first three months of
the season, and then all of a sudden, your team's
healthy in February of March, and it's like boom, you
flip the switch and then you go thirty and eight
in the rest of the way and you.
Speaker 3 (14:49):
Get thirty whatever it is.
Speaker 6 (14:50):
But there's ways to do it where I think not
exactly touching the like just because Dallas won in San
Antonio for a second doesn't mean you reset everything.
Speaker 3 (15:01):
Yeah, Like that's a kind of my main point. Again,
do I like it as a you.
Speaker 6 (15:07):
Know, for the Pearls that they went one to Absolutely
not do I change everything because of that.
Speaker 5 (15:13):
No, It's funny.
Speaker 4 (15:14):
The outcry from people to change the lottery kind of
reminded me. This might be a stretch of an analogy,
but it reminded me a little bit of If you remember,
during the season, around the trade deadline, Steve Kerr said,
you know, I think we should move the trade deadline
to during the All Star break and I was like, uh,
you realize that they changed it away from that because
they didn't want the trade deadline during the All Star break.
(15:34):
So it's kind of a similar thing where it's like
people are saying like, well, we should give the worst
teams better odds.
Speaker 5 (15:40):
I'm like, well, that was the system.
Speaker 3 (15:41):
We just changed away from it.
Speaker 4 (15:43):
So it's like, let's let's not go back to what
we already tried to.
Speaker 6 (15:46):
The NBA doesn't want the NBA doesn't want one of
their All Stars getting traded in the middle of the
All Star Game, right, which they have, you know, have
a pr guy whisper into his ear, but he got traded.
Speaker 3 (16:00):
Uh while news is breaking that night, not that that's.
Speaker 4 (16:03):
Ever happened, and me right, And meanwhile, no one cares
any more about the All Star Game that was just played,
because it's like we've all moved on to the biggest
trade that just happens.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
Yeah, that's a different podcast. We love being commissioner here
because one of the things we talked about when it
came to the All Star Game is give me the
USA versus the world, you know, I mean that that'd
be kind of fun to see. I do want to
get out of here with one final thing on you,
because I do think it is interesting that Jim brought
it up and it just kind of popped in my head.
They went twenty some odd years right in a row
(16:33):
where they were a playoff team the Spurs did with
Greg Popovich. I don't feel like we've given enough time yet.
We will at some point. Obviously what he's done stinks.
It went out this way because of health. But that era,
I mean, the word consistency right in in in the
Webster's Dictionary is the picture of Papovich and the Spurs
(16:54):
how to run a franchise, not getting just all that.
Even when it got tumultuous with you know, making Aid
and Kawhi and all that, they still managed it. You know,
one way, shape or form. Mitch Johnson man takes over
you covered them. How are the Spurs different? Are they
not gonna be different? Is that why they went there?
(17:14):
There wasn't a coaching search or something like that. I mean,
I guess that's what I'm asking. Are these still the
Spurs with a guy in Mitch Johnson who you know.
Speaker 3 (17:25):
Who is?
Speaker 2 (17:25):
I mean, he's succeeding one of the greatest coaches of
all time.
Speaker 6 (17:28):
There was a reason that Mitch was picked to do
this in the first place. And I'm talking as an
on an interim basis. This he is, he's been the
guy who has been He was entrusted as Victor's PD
coach from the jump, so he he's had that responsibility
of of a large weight placed on him from from
the beginning. Part of the reason there was no search.
(17:49):
Part of the reason it was this, And I think
it's been reported that Mitch or that Pop basically said like,
this is who I want because of the job that
he did did this year. They have established such a
culture there that whenever we would have conversations amongst the
media about man, who's going to replace Pop, who's gonna
(18:11):
replace Pop? Who's going to replace Pop? Any name you
brought up was somebody that had pretty much already.
Speaker 3 (18:19):
Been in the building at some point. Right you threw
any name out there.
Speaker 6 (18:23):
There was never a time when you were like, oh, well,
so and so could come in, or you know, this
guy could come in, or this guy could come in,
but they hadn't been there. Somebody had passed through that,
whether they had passed through there as a player, whether
they passed through or there and a guy like and
again this is this was just media speculation, This isn't
reporting anything. But I got like Will Hardy came up
(18:46):
through that Spurs system. He was in the Spurs video
room and then kind of went up like that was
like a popular like oh, maybe they could trade for
him or they could do something with it, like whatever.
Speaker 3 (18:54):
It was.
Speaker 6 (18:56):
Well Hardy then, by the way, as soon as Michig
got announced as the head coach, got an extension from Utah.
Speaker 7 (19:02):
Right.
Speaker 6 (19:03):
But it's one of those things where you threw out
a name because they had a tie to how they
did it. That is how they operate, that is how
they want to operate, and it brings that kind of
continuity there.
Speaker 4 (19:15):
And I guess the luxury of that is there's about
eighty seven people in the NBA that are coaches that
used to be.
Speaker 5 (19:20):
With the Spurs.
Speaker 6 (19:21):
So the tree themselves everywhere, Yes, the tree is a
very very large tree.
Speaker 2 (19:26):
It just goes to, I guess say even more what
he was able to do there and what's been there
long doing because it's hard to do, right, I mean,
change is almost a constant in professional sports, and they haven't.
Speaker 3 (19:39):
Think about how many coaching changes happened between the time
that it's absurd. I mean, like I said, which one hundreds.
Speaker 2 (19:44):
When you think of twenty plus years, like it would
be like you've just had a kid, mind eight. Imagine
having a child graduate high school and move on to
college and haven't the playoff.
Speaker 3 (19:56):
Pop was hired in ninety six. Yeah, it's crazy, and.
Speaker 6 (20:00):
Was was fighting his way to come back and try
to do this again another year. It's it's kind of remarkable.
Now you're just going to have a you know, a
grumpy old man hanging around the building making.
Speaker 3 (20:11):
Decisions in a very very lovable way.
Speaker 2 (20:14):
Well, we're happy you're not as grumpy because you're getting
a lot more sleep now. Thank you so much for
your time. We'll be talking with you as we get
closer to the NBA Draft coming up next month in June.
Mister Andrew Lopez, Television solid reporter for your Pelicans.
Speaker 3 (20:26):
Thank you, sir. Go and take a nap right now.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
There he goes naptime. That sounds fantastic. I got a
Little League game coming up. No nap for me, mister
Andrew Lopez, Thank you, sir. Hi Tom Man to welcome
in our guest to talk about players specifically mister Ace
Bailey and VJ. Hedgecomb to give us the background on that.
How he I guess scouted them, mister Jimike and offer.
(20:49):
We welcome in mister Will Gillery, the athletic.
Speaker 4 (20:51):
It's always great to speak to Will. This is always
a highlight of my day. Will, I guess we want
to start out with, you know, as we talk about
Bailey and Edgecomb, I want to ask pretty much all
the guests that we come in that talk about specific
players and kind of evaluating some of the prospects, can
you tell me what's your process of how you kind
of prepare for the draft. I mean, I know you're
(21:12):
also a guy who watches a good amount of college
basketball during the season, which is something I don't think
a lot of us can necessarily say.
Speaker 8 (21:20):
Yeah, I'm definitely a college basketball guy. It's difficult, you know,
what our schedule with the NBA and how fast games are,
and you know, travel and all that to keep up
as much as I want to, but y'all, as y'all know,
I'm a die hard North Carolina fan, so I'll keep
up with my Tar Heels and I usually try to
keep an eye on like the top guys. You know,
I'm always keeping up on like my drafts to know
(21:40):
who the top guys are in the draft. Like I
got to see a lot of the two Rutgers guys
throughout the course of the season.
Speaker 7 (21:46):
I watched some VJ.
Speaker 8 (21:47):
Edge Combe, So you know, I try to keep an
eye on a bunch of those guys. And then throughout
the course of the year, I'll you know, watch a
couple of highlights. I'll pull up some synergy stuff just
so I know what I'm talking about when people ask
me about some of these guys.
Speaker 4 (22:00):
Sure, and I know, as a big NC fan, you're
an expert on the acc but I'm not sure if
that makes you safe to talk about duke players. So,
but that's a whole other conversation in terms of your objectivity.
But you know, speaking about this draft overall, I mean,
one of the players we're going to talk about obviously,
today's Ace Bailey, and I feel like in some ways
(22:23):
he kind of symbolizes a bit of this draft in
terms of the perception that people have about it. And
when I say that, I mean I want to get
your thoughts on this. Am I accurate in saying that?
You know, if you went back a year or two,
maybe eighteen months ago, it seems like there was a
ton of excitement about this draft, and it wasn't just
necessarily the top couple guys that we've already talked about
(22:45):
on Tuesday this week in the podcast episode, but it.
Speaker 5 (22:48):
Went beyond that.
Speaker 4 (22:49):
But it seems like as this draft has gotten closer,
does it seem is it accurate to say that there's
the optimism, maybe the enthusiasm is kind of tamped down
a little bit as far as how much you know,
star players could come from this crop of players.
Speaker 7 (23:05):
Yeah, I mean that's definitely fair.
Speaker 8 (23:06):
I think, you know, this time last year, people were
kind of projecting this class and saying, man, they might
have you know, three, four or five you know, future
All Stars at the top of his draft. You know,
people were looking at Ace Bailey as you know, potentially
a guy who compete for the number one overall spot
with Cooper Flag and Dylan Harper are.
Speaker 7 (23:22):
The same thing.
Speaker 8 (23:23):
And I think, you know, obviously people are still excited
about this draft. I think Cooper Flag is still you know,
one of the top prospects to come out in a minute.
And I think obviously Dylan Harper is a guy who's
still highly regarded. But I think you're right in that
a lot of these guys at the top of his
draft kind of have major flaws that people have identified.
People have seen now that they've played a full year
(23:45):
in college, and they're not as gung.
Speaker 7 (23:47):
Ho about these guys.
Speaker 8 (23:48):
But I do think there's still a lot of excitement
about this these top five, six seven guys, and it
still feels like there's a lot of talent, but it
still feels like there's more risk.
Speaker 7 (23:57):
Than I think people were expecting this time last year.
Speaker 4 (24:00):
As we get into specific players, let's start with Ace Bailey.
I mean, what are some of the things that you've
seen from him and some of the reasons why there
was so much excitement about him as far as even
you know, maybe even before his season at Rutgers, and
some of the things that you think will be big
time strengths for him potentially as he did debuts in
the NBA next season.
Speaker 8 (24:21):
When you talk to people who really like as Bailey,
he brings the two things that you know are a
big priority in today's NBA, which is size and shot making.
I mean, the guy, I mean, they had him listened
at six' ten At, ruggers and then we need to
showed up to other. Combine he wasn't quite six. Ten,
yeah y'all know how that, goes, Right but he's still
a guy with really good size on the, wing shoots
(24:42):
it really high. Up you, KNOW i really like his shot.
Release he shoots like a tall. Guy you, know it
sounds funny to, say but the way he shoots it
is really.
Speaker 7 (24:50):
Difficult to contest his.
Speaker 8 (24:52):
Shots AND i think he's a guy who can not
only shoot three, pointers but he gets into the mid,
range he posts. UP i think he's the guy who's
very confident in his, shot can make and test the,
jumpers and he's a dude where you look at project
what he can be at the next.
Speaker 7 (25:06):
Level he's a guy who can, really you, know make
those shots on a.
Speaker 8 (25:09):
Perimeter and if he continues to improve his, handle he
could be a guy who can get you twenty twenty
five a game purely off of the way he can
make shots on a. Perimeter and then you, know as
he continues the girl as a guy who can score
in a, paint it can go even.
Speaker 4 (25:23):
Further we're going to get into some of the players
that he's been compared to in a. Second and it's
interesting you talk about his high. Release we're going to
see that when we go through the list of players
that people kind of compare him to that there's a
lot of guys that have. That you, know they shoot
the ball above their head and pretty high and they're
very difficult to. Block but before we go into, THAT i,
(25:44):
mean what do you think are some of the things
why people have kind of not Downgraded Ace bailey but
kind of knocked him a little bit or said, like,
hey there's certain things that he needs to improve upon
as he transitions to THE. Nba that things that maybe
people didn't necessarily see, previously you, know earlier in his.
Speaker 7 (26:01):
Career, YEAH i.
Speaker 8 (26:04):
Think i'm one of my models in life is always
your biggest strength can be your biggest, weakness AND i
Think Ace bailey is a guy who kind of personifies
that more than anybody in this. DRAFT i think what
Makes Ace bailey great is that he can make tough
shots from every, angle, contests fade away bank. Shots you
watch his highlight, tape you expect the guy at that
(26:24):
size of that athleticism is a.
Speaker 7 (26:26):
Bunch of you, know huge. Dunks transition.
Speaker 8 (26:28):
Players now it's a whole bunch of just, jumpers like
really crazy jumpers from all over the, players guys hanging
all over. Him AND i, think because he's so good
at making those, SHOTS i think he relies on that too.
Often AND i THINK i joke around With, jim you, know,
OFFLINE i, said As bailey is a guy who prefers bad.
Shots some guys can make bad. SHOTS i think As
(26:49):
bailey is a guy who wants to take bad.
Speaker 7 (26:51):
Shots he loves bad.
Speaker 8 (26:52):
Shots AND i, think you, know at times it looks
great when they go, in BUT i, think you, know
early in his career it'll drive some coaches crazy his shot.
Selection AND i think, also you, know with him being
so big and, long his handle isn't quite where it
needs to be quite, yet he's not as comfortable getting
to the, rim putting the ball on the ground, two,
three four times and getting through. DEFENSES i think he
(27:14):
will more often than not you see him dribble once
or twice and then pull up rather than getting all
the way to the. Rim that's something that he's going
to need to improve over. Time BUT i, think you, know,
again with the way he makes, shots it's really. Impressive
BUT i think just the way he deciphers the, GAME
i think needs to improve.
Speaker 7 (27:31):
Overall in his shot selection in.
Speaker 4 (27:33):
General it's interesting when you talk about a player taking difficult,
shots BECAUSE i think that's one thing that we see too,
is you, know it's one thing to take contested shots in,
college but then you try to do the same thing
in THE, nba and you're talking about a completely different
equation as far as the, difficulty the, length the, height
the athleticism of the defenders that you're going against is
(27:55):
just a major difference to go from you, know The
Big ten to The Western, conference but to go into
some of the player. Comparisons we try to do this
to try to give people a little bit better feel
of what we're talking about if you maybe. Play people
didn't get to See rutgers play very much the season
or at. All SO i want to give you the
list of a few handful of, names and you can
(28:17):
tell me which of these comparisons you like the. Best
these are you, KNOW i definitely did not do a scientific.
STUDY i just kind of basically peruved some different websites
that had comparisons For Ace, bailey and here's a handful
of the names that came. Up we're talking About Michael Porter,
Junior Rishard, Lewis Jabari, Smith Rudy, Gay Danny, granger who's
(28:38):
a local, guy went to high school in The New orleans.
Area but AS i mentioned earlier, too a lot of
these guys are if you watch their shooting, form these
are guys that are very difficult to block their shots
because they're. Big you, know a lot of these guys
are like six, nine six, ten but they also shoot
above their. Head so of those NAMES i, listed do
any of them you like any of them in?
Speaker 9 (29:01):
Particular, YEAH i really like The Michael porter com for,
sure BECAUSE i Think Michael porter is the guy we've
seen score at a higher level in this, league but he's
not known for necessarily putting the ball on the.
Speaker 8 (29:12):
Ground AND i Think Michael porter And As bailey are
very very comparable in. THAT i think a big part
Of Michael Porter junior's.
Speaker 7 (29:20):
Success in the league is because he landed with a
great team right.
Speaker 8 (29:23):
Here he fits very well with the way The nuggets,
play AND i think He's.
Speaker 7 (29:27):
Bailey a big part of his success at the next
level is landing in the right.
Speaker 8 (29:31):
SITUATION i think he's the guy if you just drop
him on The wizards and let him take eighteen shots
a game next. YEAR i think that might be bad
for his, development just because he probably needs into more
of his bad. Habits he doesn't necessarily gain that understanding
of what a good shot looks, like how to get good,
shots how to function within a team.
Speaker 7 (29:50):
Concept AND i think what's great For Michael Porter junior.
Speaker 8 (29:53):
Is getting to play next To, jokis getting to play
next To Jamal, murray getting to play Under Michael malone
for much of his, career and kind of, learning you,
know how to bring the most out of. Himself AND
i think that's gonna be a big question for As
bailey is what situation he lands in and what type
of coaching he. GETS i think it's gonna be a
big part of the, because like when you just watch
him on the, court of talent is.
Speaker 7 (30:13):
Obvious the guy is extremely, talented but it's just.
Speaker 8 (30:16):
About the neck up with him man just figuring out
the right way to, play the right shots to, take
and how to contribute to.
Speaker 5 (30:22):
Winning this might be a tough.
Speaker 4 (30:24):
ONE i, mean we have twenty three seasons now Of
New orleans basketball in the. Books is there anybody that
you can compare him to that's played here over these
last two plus.
Speaker 5 (30:34):
DECADES i really thought.
Speaker 8 (30:38):
This one, through And jimkin to attest to this as
a guy who's followed The peills probably as long AS
i have this.
Speaker 7 (30:44):
Franchise doesn't have a long list of really talented. Threes,
yeah to look back, on.
Speaker 8 (30:50):
RIGHT i mean we were talking not too long about
Bred niggil probably be in the best ball for, it
and franchise history would shout out to Be, eye but
that doesn't say a whole lot about Your.
Speaker 7 (30:59):
French so WHEN i see.
Speaker 8 (31:02):
HIM i think his build kind of reminds me Of Trevor,
ariza just how he looks on the. Court obviously he
doesn't play Like Trevor, ariza BUT i think just the
way he looks on the court Is Trevor ariza. Ish,
Yeah AND i think kind of the shot selection at
times can be a little Bit drew holiday, ish maybe
not as much getting into the, paint but Where Drew
holliday at times kind of leaned on that step back
(31:23):
a little bit too, much or he'll get into the
land and take a fade away rather than getting all
the way to the. Rim AND i think As bailey
has got a little bit at in that in, him
but he's closer to six to eight rather than like six'
Four HOLIDAY so i think that's the big issue With
With as bailey is that he's six seven six eight
and teams want him to play like that rather than
(31:44):
looking like a six, to four you know two guard who.
Speaker 7 (31:46):
Wants to shoot a whole bunch of.
Speaker 3 (31:47):
Three pointers let's MOVE.
Speaker 4 (31:50):
To, vj EDGECOMBE and i want to start with him
kind of a similar question Related To, ace bailey where
this is a name, You Know i'm i've said this many.
Speaker 5 (32:01):
Times before i'm not a.
Speaker 4 (32:02):
Draft expert i'm kind of casually listening to people who
know way MORE than i do about. The process it
seems like he was a name though that was really
hyped as somebody that you heard about me even going
back a couple. Of years and obviously there's still a
ton of enthusiasm and optimism about what kind of player he.
Can BE but, i mean is it somewhat Similar To,
ace bailey where, you know as we've gotten closer to
(32:24):
the to The obviously june twenty, twenty five where he's
going to be drafted in a couple, of weeks that,
it's been people have kind of taken a little bit
of a step back in terms of, you know just,
you know massive hype about his potential or what he
can be IN.
Speaker 3 (32:36):
The, NBA.
Speaker 7 (32:39):
Yeah i think a.
Speaker 8 (32:39):
LITTLE bit i think there's NOT as i Think ast
bailey is a much more polarizing figure amongst.
Speaker 7 (32:45):
Some of the. DRAFT folks i think there are some
people who just straight up just don't Like.
Speaker 8 (32:48):
Ast bailey don't Like the. Shatti, TAPE yeah i don't
like some of the quotes he's put. Out there he's
kind of hasn't shridded himself in glory with some of
the stuff he said at the combine and, you know
kind of, saying, Like hey i'll take bash because those
THE shots i, work on and people kind of want
to hear him, Say no i'm going to take less
bad SHOTS when i get to the and he's been, it's,
Like no i'm a guy who makes.
Speaker 7 (33:08):
Bad shots THAT'S who. I AM and I.
Speaker 8 (33:10):
Think vj edgecombe is A guy i think it's in
some ways it's the OPPOSITE where i think a lot
of people see the physical gifts and the shot making
and the passing and ACUMEN.
Speaker 7 (33:21):
And vj SHCOMB and i think.
Speaker 8 (33:22):
HE'S he i think his natural state is to take
more of a, back SEAT and i think that was
some of the frustration with him during his one Year,
at baylor that he wasn't a guy who was getting
twenty twenty five every game when he Was, at bailor
EVEN though i guess Seem at baylor. Was decent they
had a couple of, good players but he was clearly
the best guy on, that team and he didn't necessarily
look like that every time you turn On the. Baylor
(33:43):
GAME and i think a lot of that was purely
just based, on aggression right and how much he had,
the ball how much he was. Really attacking but what
you really love. About vj edgecomb is just he's just an.
Incredible athlete had like six threey sixty, four speed explosiveness
you put on. HIS tape, i mean he's got like
somebody these crazy chased, down blocks some wild atlu put.
(34:05):
Back dunks he's a guy who's extremely exciting when you.
Speaker 7 (34:09):
Just see the positive stuff he's able to do on.
THE floor a really.
Speaker 8 (34:12):
GOOD defender i think he's a guy who can check
a lot of boxes. For YOU but i think the
question is is he a guy who's going to be
A Real all star down.
Speaker 7 (34:20):
THE line i think it's a.
Speaker 4 (34:21):
Real, QUESTION yeah, i mean will you said EXACTLY what
i THOUGHT when i watched tape of him or YouTube videos.
Speaker 5 (34:27):
Of him just the athleticism.
Speaker 4 (34:29):
Is unbelievable it stands out within the first couple of
plays you watch. Of, HIM so i mean it sounds
like it is it kind of? Just aggressiveness assertiveness is
the thing that people are wondering about him that it
sounds like. He, has obviously his athleticism, is elite that's
going to come INTO the nba and be one of the.
Top athletes but is it, just that, you know maybe
(34:50):
just his mindset is something that teams want to see out.
Speaker 5 (34:52):
OF him i.
Speaker 7 (34:54):
Think that's part.
Speaker 8 (34:55):
Of, it also just similar To, AS biley i think
he's got to improve his handle a, little bit just
be more comfortab making plays off, the dribble running pick,
and roll. READING defenses, i mean this is a guy,
last year remember he was a part Of the bahamas, national,
team right so he was a very, young guy a
part of that team that was trying to qualify For.
The olympics he Played With buddy hill on, that team
(35:16):
Played With DeAndre ayton on. That team so he's a
guy who's been around, older players understands how to play,
a role understands how to.
Speaker 7 (35:23):
Fit IN but i think, you know he hasn't necessarily had.
Speaker 8 (35:27):
As many reps as Like A, dylan harper where we're
handing you, the ball you're running, the offense you're gonna
get these guys. Their shots we're down four points for
two minutes left in, The game we're just gonna give
you the ball at the top of the key and
let you. Make plays he doesn't have as many of
those reps doing that kind. Of STUFF and i think
you talk about a guy, number three number four, overall
(35:49):
pick you want to see.
Speaker 7 (35:50):
A little bit more, than. That right you don't want
a guy who's just gonna be on the wing shriving up.
Speaker 8 (35:54):
Late games if you're a top, five pick you want,
a GUY like, i said who could potentially Be An,
all star who go canna be a guy who scores
eighteen twenty two. A GAME and i think you see
those traits, in HIM but i think you just want
to see him kind of put it on the court
rather than, you know kind of depends so much on
his potential.
Speaker 4 (36:11):
The pro Comparisons that i've Seen for edgecombe are really
an interesting mix of guys that Have Been, all stars
guys that have Been Briefly, all stars and then really good.
Role players so the four NAMES that i saw just
going through different draft Stuff, on Edgecombe Where, Victor Oladipo, Contavious,
Caldwell Polpe, russell Westbrook And. Jalen green any of those
(36:32):
four guys that you really like as far as, A, COMPARISON.
Speaker 8 (36:36):
Yeah I think oladipo for sure jumps OUT because i
think he was very Similar in indiana right where people
just saw a lot of potential, in him where he
wasn't necessarily running a whole bunch of pick. And rolls
it took him a few years IN the nba to really,
figure out, you know.
Speaker 7 (36:49):
Who, he was how, to play how to really Be
That all.
Speaker 8 (36:51):
Star guy but you saw, the size, the athleticism. THE
speed i think all of that Exists. WITH edgecomb i
think probably maybe even a Tier above oladipo when he
came into the league as far as just explosiveness. And
SPEED but, i think, You Know jalen green is ANOTHER
one i really Like Because jalen green coming out was just.
SO fast i remember that was the first thing that
jumped OUT when i watched HIM At g league at
(37:11):
night was just how fast he was and, transition situations,
you know running off, pin down just he played the
game at such a. Great SPEED and I think edgecombe
as a guy could be similar. To THAT but i
think he's more defensive Minded Than. Jalen green, SO yeah
I think edgecombe is a GUY that i really. REALLY
like i think he's a guy who's gonna come in
and contribute immediately just because of his mindset.
Speaker 7 (37:32):
AND like, i said his understanding of how to play.
Speaker 8 (37:35):
A ROLE but i think he's similar To as badly
in that his situation is gonna matter because how much
they're gonna ask him to kind of bring out the
stuff that we've, Talked about like if he goes to
a Team, like utah, you know are they gonna put
the ball in his? Hands immediately are they gonna demand
him to be the? Point guard if he Goes, to
charlotte how does he fit next To a. LAMELLO ball
(37:58):
i think it's a lot of his. FUTURE goes i
think it's gonna be depending on where his lantic spot is.
Speaker 5 (38:03):
As well Leslie.
Speaker 4 (38:05):
On edgecombe, for Me any pelicans players past or present
that are reminiscent, OF him.
Speaker 8 (38:14):
I dug d for, this One and jim is gonna
enjoy this one, because again super athletic, two guards not
a long list of those when you look Back in,
pelican's history but a guy that kind of just popped
into my.
Speaker 7 (38:27):
Mind.
Speaker 8 (38:27):
Randomly uh he gives me a little Bit Of. Desmond
mason remember, That, name yes, of Course M desmond mason
with a, JUMP shot i, would say because He's desm
mason had. Zero's UPSIDE but I think edgecombe is a
guy who's gonna knock down some. Three pointers he's a
threat from beyond. The art he's not like A Like
trey Johnson Or kanka.
Speaker 7 (38:46):
Nipple shooting, three pointers but he can knock.
Speaker 8 (38:48):
Him DOWN and i think he's a guy kind of
like kind of those similar, like Uh Those, Gerald Wallace,
desmond mason old school guys who were just, super athletic
flying around. Playing defense we don't see as many of
those guys because, it's like if you can't shoot IN,
today's nba you. Can't PLAY but I think edgecone brings
some of those elements with a little bit of a
(39:09):
better jumper and maybe not as good as size as.
Speaker 7 (39:12):
Those guys but That's what edgeconbe kind.
Speaker 8 (39:15):
Of reminds, me of, as though really, great defender super
athletic going to catch some lobs. And transition but how
much can he kind of spread his wings and do
all of the other things is gonna be the.
Speaker 7 (39:26):
BIG question.
Speaker 2 (39:27):
I think what's, interesting well as we wrap up and
just looking at these two players and obviously the top
two players projecting here, as well and the draft is this.
Speaker 7 (39:35):
Is a very.
Speaker 2 (39:35):
Talented draft there's a lot of. Good players But as
JIMMY and i have talked in, the past and you
guys just kind of mentioned here when y'all are, discussing
it it really kind of depends where they go as
to how they're going to be used and, fit, wise
right because you look at the Possibility of dallas obviously
if they stay, Up There sam tallio's got some. Good
players whoever Comes To. New Orleans new orleans has a
(39:56):
lot of players that already played lots of minutes and.
Establish themselves it really is going to be interesting to
see where talented players go and how they're going to
be utilizing what's going to be expected of him immediately.
Speaker 7 (40:07):
Or.
Speaker 8 (40:07):
NOT huh i mean we might get to this a little.
Bit later but like the, perfect example all you gotta
do is look AT The, nba, Finals Right tyrese halliburton
was drafted By The, sacramento kings had to play Next To.
Daron fox we had no clue he was this guy
until he got Traded. To indiana they put the ball in,
his hands and now he turns Into The. All star
Right Shake gilges alexander just drafted To. The clippers he's
(40:28):
playing next to a bunch of, Veteran Guys, Lou Williams.
Montres harrow he's. Not exactly they don't put the ball
in his hands. As much he gets Traded, To okay
see he turns INTO. The MVP so i think a
lot of, these guys you see, the talent you see,
the potential but a big part of it is landed
in the situation.
Speaker 7 (40:45):
That can bring the best out.
Speaker 8 (40:46):
Of YOU and i think that's gonna be a big
factor with a lot of. These Guys And, COOPER flag
i mean Landing in Dallas With anthony davis and all.
THOSE guys i don't think we've seen in a long
time a number One pick land in the situation.
Speaker 4 (40:59):
Like, that, yeah well you Mentioned the HALLIBURTON. And, SGA
obviously I mean heliburton is a we find we, FOUND
out i mean the guy's elite upper tier assistant. Turnover
ratio he comes to a team where they already have
a point Guard. With SACRAMENTO so i think that. Is
interesting that's a really good point that sometimes you can't
get the most out of some of these players until
(41:20):
they're until they're in the.
Speaker 5 (41:21):
The, ideal fit in the.
Speaker 4 (41:22):
Ideal role And obviously sga on the ball is he's
AN m vp because of how good he is at.
Doing that but before, WE go i guess we should
talk a little bit ABOUT The. Nba finals can you
do you HAVE A nba? Finals prediction do you have who's?
Gonna win and how many games the series is?
Speaker 5 (41:39):
Gonna, Go.
Speaker 8 (41:41):
Yeah i'm gonna be the born guy who comes on
And says okac. IN five, I think, I mean JIM
and i have been talking about this the. WHOLE season
I think okac is just a tier above. EVERYBODY else,
i think uh. THERE there i think there are four
wins away from completing one of the one of the
more special seasons we've seen over the past couple of
decades with sixty eight regular season wins running Through The.
(42:03):
WESTERN conference mvp what. THEY'RE over i think that was
sixty one sixty two double, digit victories which. IS crazy,
I mean i HEARD somebody i forgot who. SAID it
I wish i could give, them CREDIT but i heard
somebody say in their Analysis that okase won sixty eight
games and if they spoted everybody in the league, nine
(42:24):
points they would still be a fifty plus win team.
Speaker 7 (42:30):
THIS year, I, mean okay they're just and.
Speaker 8 (42:35):
They do that to the, regular season and they've continued
to do it during the playoffs multiple games where they've
won at home by thirty, plus points just dominating, the
field and they're doing it with a team for the
twenty two to twenty three. YEAR olds, i mean it's
it's crazy what they've been able to do. This season
and you see during the course of this playoffs they're
learning from these experiences and, getting better which is scary
(42:57):
for the rest of the league that the team that
we Saw against denver like a completely different team that
we saw then Play, against Minnesota and i'm sure that
evolution is gonna Continue against Indiana and indiana brings their
own set, of PROBLEMS but I think okac is just a.
Speaker 7 (43:11):
Different, ANIMAL yeah, I.
Speaker 4 (43:12):
Mean i think we definitely will probably say this If
oka see wins, this series and especially if they win,
it quickly if they win it in, you know four or.
Five games but, to me it's one of those things
WHERE sometimes i feel like maybe we overthought things throughout
the season that they were just so much better than
a lot of. Other teams they Won the west by a,
Ridiculous margin they had the number one seed clinched before
(43:35):
we even Got, into april and that kind. OF thing,
i mean if they do win this, SERIES convincingly i
think it's one of those things where it's like you
kind of want to slap yourself in the head and, be, like,
oh yeah maybe we should have thought that the team
that won sixty eight games and just rolled through everyone
would also go on and win the championship because they've
had one of the best seasons that we've seen in a.
Speaker 5 (43:55):
Long time LAST thing i wanted to ask.
Speaker 4 (43:57):
You too, you know we haven't talked about this because
we haven't gotten, together LATELY but i wanted to ask
You about, indiana too in terms of them Winning. The
EAST and I know i've heard already in the four
or five days between them Winning the east AND The,
Nba finals i've heard thousands of takes, About THIS but,
i mean how do you see them winning it in,
(44:18):
terms of, you know the parody that we're seeing IN
the nba and the fact that, you know they just
seem like they came out. Of nowhere and obviously there's
also the conversation about, you know these are two TEAMS
that i franchises that you wouldn't say, are marquee but
it's also. Small MARKETS and, i mean what is your
what's your takeaway?
Speaker 5 (44:38):
From? That what what's your opinion?
Speaker 4 (44:40):
Is this you think this is good FOR, the nba
the fact That the pacers won that Won the eastern
or in the finals, Right, now.
Speaker 8 (44:49):
No it's FUNNY because i think this is Exactly What
adam silver wanted right when they negotiated THIS.
Speaker 7 (44:53):
New cda they.
Speaker 8 (44:54):
Wanted parody they wanted new teams in the in the
final four of.
Speaker 7 (44:57):
The playoffs they wanted to see some.
Speaker 8 (44:59):
New faces they didn't want to exist IN the Nba
where lebron makes it to ten, consecutive finals where we
have the same finals matchup four years in.
Speaker 7 (45:08):
A ROW the nba just didn't want.
Speaker 8 (45:11):
That anymore they wanted to do especially as some of
these older guys start transitioning out lebron. Kd stuff They Want,
Shake Gilches Alexander tyrese Halibert And. Jalen brunson they want
these guys on the big stage to develop these, younger
stars to introduce them TO the. Nba FANDOM and i
think it's hilarry is BECAUSE the nba has tried so
hard to become WHAT the nfl has presented themselves, to
(45:33):
be and NOW the nfl has kind of turned them
INTO the nba right Where the chiefs are making it
To The super bowl. Every year we Just Saw chiefs
eagles for the second time Of The. Super bowl, next
year we're looking at this, and, say yeah it's probab
Gonna be chiefs. Back again it's probably gonna Be the.
Eagles AGAIN so i THINK the nfl has been known
for me in the, parody league and now they're looking
more LIKE the nba AND the nba on the, other
(45:53):
side what is the seven consecutive years where we're gonna
right channel looking more LIKE the nfl with the parody
and the uncertainty and the playoffs start and you really
don't know what's.
Speaker 7 (46:05):
Gonna HAPPEN and i think that's WHAT the.
Speaker 8 (46:06):
Nba Wants now we'll see how, that GOES because i
think a big part of my childhood growing up WAS watching,
nj dominate Was watching, lebron dominate Was watching, steph dominate
and people fell in love WITH, the nba watching superstars.
Be superstars and now what does it look like when
that dynamic doesn't exist to the. SAME extent i think
(46:26):
it's gonna be. Really interesting BUT the nba is getting
what they want.
Speaker 7 (46:30):
For sure.
Speaker 2 (46:30):
It's interesting i'm gonna keep an eye on it because from,
THIS aspect i Was watching Okac's run will and you
mentioned a little bit too. AS well i remember growing
up And watching jordan And those bulls teams and when
they had won that second three p, in particular like
you just knew throughout, the season like this is the
better team in, the league and then the, playoffs started
(46:51):
like it's just gonna be so hard to beat them. Four,
times NOW watch. Okc play they know who, they are they've,
played together Like just SGA's demeanor and ACCEPTING The mvp
trophy holds it up for second and walks out with
the rest of his team like they're just and then
in THE middle i think it was the last game that,
(47:11):
They won jim He Surpassed michael jordan with the most
thirty point games in the playoffs or something.
Speaker 3 (47:16):
LIKE that, i mean.
Speaker 2 (47:17):
It's very, bull Like and i'm careful to do That
because i'm not calling them, the bulls but it's bullik
in that they've, looked dominant they've looked better than, everyone
else their, best PLAYERS, the mvp their best Players doing jordan.
Like stuff not saying they're gonna run make a, run
here but it's something that popped up in. My head
(47:37):
and then you bring up what you said though seven
straight seasons of, you know somebody, else playing, you know winning.
The title so it is gonna be interesting to see what.
Speaker 8 (47:45):
Happens, there, yeah, No NO and i think if we're
going to talk about the potential of a, NEW dynasty
I think okc would be, the answer right because they
have all of these.
Speaker 7 (47:53):
Young guys they've got every single traff pick for the
rest of.
Speaker 8 (47:56):
The decade They've Got, sam PRESTY who i would consider,
one of.
Speaker 7 (48:00):
If not THE greatest gm to ever do it in.
Speaker 8 (48:03):
This league so they've got the all of the building
blocks you will want if you're going to build a
dynasty IN. Today's nba but, of course, you know with
this league and with THE, new cba the question is going,
to be, all right now.
Speaker 7 (48:15):
You won now you got to pay all of.
Speaker 8 (48:17):
These, Guys Now ched holmgren wants, More, Shots Now jayalen
williams wants. More, Shots Hey casey wallace wants to be. A.
STARTER now, i mean you know that comes along. With,
winning now that's the new dynamic that they're gonna have to.
Speaker 7 (48:29):
Deal.
Speaker 4 (48:29):
WITH yeah i think they actually dealt with that with
the previous iteration OF the okc team that went to
the finals where they had To Let james harden go
under a COMPLETELY. Different cba but it, is interesting you
know that that's something that's going to, come UP and
i think it's going to be really fascinating to see
how much more of a factor the money part of
it is and the salary cap is now with some
(48:50):
of the restrictions that they've.
Speaker 8 (48:51):
Added, IN yeah, I Mean jayalen Williams And chet holmgren
are extension eligible, this SUMMER and i think one, OTHER
guy i don't want to say Lou dort as extension aim,
As WELL so, i, think okay she's gonna be handling
a whole lot of money this summer coming off, of potentially,
you know the first title in.
Speaker 2 (49:08):
Franchise, history yeah, you know you MENTIONED the NFL, and
nba and the first thing popped in my Head s
gym was talking about that Was The san francisco forty.
Speaker 3 (49:14):
Nine ers they look like a.
Speaker 2 (49:15):
Team that was going to be there for, a, While
right but to, your point, player here, player, there quarterback
a couple of, other players they want, their deals their
their contracts are. Coming up and now that that team
looks a, little, different right not, the same a. Little
different so it is interesting to see where.
Speaker 7 (49:31):
It.
Speaker 3 (49:31):
Goes man three weeks.
Speaker 2 (49:33):
Will UNTIL The Nba draft wednesday the, twenty Fifth and
thursday to twenty sixth rounds one, and two so we
don't have much longer to go before we find out
where these, prospects go Where the, pelicans select and who.
They select an end free, agency STARTS which i keep
hearing from a lot of people nationally that it could be,
a big a big offseason when it comes to. Free
(49:55):
agency just ten to fifteen. Seconds here do you think
it's going to be a heavy free, AGENT.
Speaker 8 (50:00):
Period, i mean less, free agency. MORE trades i think
it's gonna be a bunch of. Crazy, trades, Okay sure
obviously the ones at the Top OF. GIANNIS kd i
think everybody's kind of expecting. Those TWO and i think
there's definitely gonna be a couple more. Big ones.
Speaker 7 (50:12):
FOR sure i think it's gonna be a big off season,
of trades.
Speaker 2 (50:15):
No doubt, all, right man as always appreciate, the Time
Mister will gillory.
Speaker 7 (50:18):
Of the athletic absolutely appreciate.
Speaker 2 (50:20):
You, guys yeah, For sure thank, You man thank you
for tuning us in here on the special edition Of
The pelicans podcast Presented By New, age products official garage
and outdoor kitchen provider.
Speaker 3 (50:31):
Of Your New.
Speaker 2 (50:31):
Orleans pelicans we'll see you next time On The New Orleans.
Speaker 1 (50:34):
Pelicans podcast thanks for listening To The New Orleans. Pelicans
podcast join us three times per Week on pelicans, dot
Com the pelicans, mobile App the, iHeartRadio app or where
you get, your podcast and be sure To give Jim
and guss a follow on X At JIM underscore i
(50:55):
can Offer And gcap, Underscore seventeen will you? Next time
right here On The New orleans pelicans podcast
Welcome in to the New Orleans Pelicans Podcast, the official
podcast of your New Orleans Pelicans. A podcast dedicated to
everything you need to know about the squad here from players, coaches, broadcasters,
and those who cover the NBA on a daily basis.
It's time to flock up. The New Orleans Pelicans podcast
(00:29):
starts right now.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Hellover money and Welcome to the New Orleans Pelicans Podcast,
official podcast of your New Orleans Pelicans, presented by New
Age Products, the official garage and outdoor kitchen provider of
your New Orleans Pelicans. As we get you ready for
the NBA Draft coming up Wednesday, June twenty fifth and
Thursday June twenty sixth, Mister Jamiicenoff Repelicans dot Com, gus
Caatangil with you, going to be joined by Andrew Lopez.
(00:56):
Of course, covers your New Orleans Pelicans. Also the tea
we're going to talk about today, the San Antonio Spurs.
Is we get you ready for the NBA Draft.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
It's coming up.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
Pelicans will select seventh currently in that draft.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
Let's see what happens.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
We talked a little bit about the team that won
the lottery, that was Dallas and where they may go.
We spoke about two players already in Cooper Flagg and
also Dylan Harper.
Speaker 3 (01:20):
We'll talk about a couple more.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
Players here as well as we kind of get you ready,
just jim to paint the picture right as to who
could be around that time, so you know, if there's
a surprise team that moves in a name that we
don't know, who could drop, who could go, and reasons
like that.
Speaker 4 (01:33):
Yeah, we're gonna be talking about the basically twelve guys
in this draft from the list of NBA dot COM's
consensus mock Draft. We're gonna go through those players, and
then we're going to go through all the teams. With
the Pelicans picking seventh, we're talking to someone who covered
each of the first six teams that are picking before
New Orleans, and in this case today we have a
(01:54):
gentleman who is not covering the Spurs now, but did
very recently two seasons ago when Andrew Lopez covered the
Spurs for ESPN dot Com and it happened to be
Wemby's first season.
Speaker 5 (02:06):
So that was excellent timing as well.
Speaker 4 (02:08):
We're lucky to have him here now as a Pelican's
TV sideline reporter but Andrew. As far as the Spurs,
I mean, let's kind of start with big picture. I mean,
this is a team that it feels like a misprint
when I see the list of longest team that hasn't
longest drought for making the playoffs, that the Spurs are
on that list. Now they're up to I think it's
six or seven years that they haven't been in the playoffs,
(02:30):
which is stunning to me just based on what I've
seen from them over pretty much the entire time before
that that I've been here. But I mean, you would
think that that drought will be ending pretty soon, if
not this season, shortly thereafter. I mean, how well do
you think they're positioned right now as far as the
near end and longer term future goes.
Speaker 6 (02:50):
You know, the right before that, I believe they had
set the NBA record, tie the NBA record for most
consecutive playoff perts.
Speaker 3 (03:00):
Yeah, so this.
Speaker 6 (03:02):
Is kind of foreign to them, and I think it
will change soon. The health of Victor wm Binama is
going to be key in that obviously missed some time
this year with a the deep deep vein thumb rosis
in his shoulder.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
Kind of slowed him down.
Speaker 6 (03:18):
They wanted to make sure they kind of shut him
down in February or think right before the series here, Yeah.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
During the All Star break.
Speaker 6 (03:25):
I think it was yeah, so first yeah, yeah, two
of their first three games.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
I believe we're here right after that. As long as
he is good to go, and all indications are he
is good to go. Uh.
Speaker 6 (03:37):
They are very well positioned for this and having that
number two pick kind of just adds to what they're
going to do. They made their splash trade, one of
their splash trades, I should say, they have a lot
more ammunition to be able to go out and make
another splash trade if they want. They went out and
got deer in Fox. They got the Rookie of Year
last year in Stefan Castle.
Speaker 5 (03:59):
So that's two years in AL Rookie of the Year.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Two years in a row, Rookie of the Year.
Speaker 6 (04:04):
You still have other guys like, you know, Calton Johnson
was a guy who three seasons ago averaged I think
twenty one points a game for them, and he's you know,
comfortably coming off the bench. Devin Vecell may find himself
in the same situation next year, depending on how they're
going to play some lineups they have another top ten
pickt Ueremy Sohan, who could also he could start at
the four, he could come off the bench. The player
(04:26):
development there has been key where they have positioned themselves
very well. They went out and made two veteran moves
last year. They signed Chris Paul who played all eighty
two games. They signed Harrison Barnes who was again another
consistent force for them and it started to lift them.
But you know, we can't talk about the Spurs right
(04:48):
now without talking about the fact that this is a
team who's going to have a.
Speaker 3 (04:52):
New head coach, official head coach, I should.
Speaker 6 (04:56):
Say, in Mitch Johnson, who is going to replace Greg Popovich,
who Papa Bitch has dealt with his medical issues, you know,
step down. I think we you know, there was a
lot made about, you know, out out you know, Pel's
guard de Johntay Murray being at that press conferences, But
that's more about the relationship that I think that he
(05:16):
has with Mitch. This is going back to them being
so close when he was an.
Speaker 3 (05:20):
AU guy back in Seattle.
Speaker 6 (05:22):
Yeah, it's one of, you know, one of the closest
people I think he is to to anybody in the league.
So he wanted to be here for there for him
in that regard, that's kind of how people view Mitch
and so obviously Mitch coached except these four games this
year or.
Speaker 3 (05:39):
Something like that for them.
Speaker 6 (05:42):
Which I'm fairly sure because of how the NBA works,
whenever he gets his first win in the twenty five
twenty sixth season, his first, that'll be his first official win.
Everything went to p yeah for this last year while
he was still the acting head coach. But it's it's
very very exciting times there in San Antonio.
Speaker 4 (06:04):
Yeah, that's not great news for no LANs necessarily, but
you know, this is something that you know, this is
a team just like the Mavericks that we talked about
earlier this week. This is a team that is going
to be Their future is very prominent in terms of
what the Pelicans are gonna have to deal with in
the Southwest Division as well as the Western Conference. In
terms of this draft though, with them getting the second pick,
(06:24):
I know, I'll count myself among the group of people
that was not real pleased that the Mavericks and Spurs
ended up one two. But it feels like universally something
that people say that they're on every draft board, Dylan
Harper is gonna go there, and it's it's probably there's
probably no point of you know, predicting what you know,
(06:44):
whether they're gonna pick him or but I mean, assuming
that they do, and you look at what else they have.
You mentioned some of the other players they have. Does
it seem like the kind of like how does he
fit with that? It seems like he's pretty similar from
what I've seen in terms of his style play of
dearon Fox. So can you play those guys together? Stephan
stefan Castle is also kind of a two guard, so
(07:07):
it just seems like they have a bunch of guys
that in the backcourt as well. Again, not something to
complain about, something that is a good problem to have,
but how does how do you think if they go
that route?
Speaker 5 (07:18):
How does how does that all work out with them?
Speaker 6 (07:20):
I'm sure you could figure out some three guard lineups
to get all through of those guys on the floor
at the same time. If you look at it as
a three headed backcoard, I mean, that's thirty two minutes
for each guy if you want to look at it
that way. But there's probably some some scenarios where two
of those guys can be on the FOD at the
same time.
Speaker 3 (07:39):
Like, there's a lot of different things you can do.
Speaker 6 (07:41):
And I think if your Mitch, that's it's a good problem.
I think Dylan Harper's talent overall necessitates making that pick.
No matter what you know. You don't consider VJ. Edgecomb
or Ace Bailey or Trey Johnson or any of those
(08:02):
other guys in that conversation. I think you just you
go ahead and you take the talent and then you
figure everything else out. If there's a piece that doesn't fit,
you can make some moves later on, but get all
the talent you can and then move on from there.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
And I think.
Speaker 6 (08:18):
When you have a guy like Victor Winbgnamo on your team,
it's the true definition. We've talked about positionless basketball before.
That's the true definition of position less basketball. VIC is
gonna be. When I was there, one thing Pop used
to joke about was don't tell Victor he's a center.
(08:39):
It was a very he would joke.
Speaker 3 (08:40):
He was like, sh Victor's not a five.
Speaker 6 (08:44):
Even though Victor was clearly playing the center spider Us.
Because he could be a center on defense, he was
not going to be the center on offense. Vic has
He even said like, sometimes I'm the point guard, sometimes I'm
the two, sometimes I'm the three on offense, just based
on how we're running a play. And if you have
versatility around a guy like that, you're set up to
(09:05):
be in a good spot. And when he's the guy
anchoring your defense. Go back and look at the go
back and look at those odds from February when Victor
got shut down for the season. You had to brought
a lot of money on him to make a dollar
to win Defensive Player of the Year. When I was
covering him, there was a thin He finished second to
Rudy and he made a joke in French to the
(09:28):
French media. Let know, let Rudy have it this year
because the rest of them are mine.
Speaker 3 (09:36):
The rest of them.
Speaker 6 (09:37):
So this is a guy who is you know, as
long as he is healthy, he will be one of
the more transcendent players in the league. You say, joy
to be around, a joy to cover, but they are
they are starting to be set up.
Speaker 1 (09:51):
Now for.
Speaker 3 (09:53):
To make the jump.
Speaker 6 (09:55):
And you know, I think having those veterans this year helped.
But now you move forward with fox Castle, Vic dev
kJ some of these ads on the bet like there's
gonna be guys who maybe started this year or played
like Jildian Champagne played a lot of minutes for them
and could find himself on the back of the rotation
(10:16):
now because of sure everything they have at guard, or
he could find himself playing small ball four or three
or what lots of things that they could do with
the talent that they're going to have around him.
Speaker 4 (10:26):
Last thing for me, and this isn't specific to the Spurs,
but just in general, we hadn't had a chance to
talk to you about this since it happened at the
lottery in mid May. What's your opinion on the what
should go the NBA should do going forward with the lottery.
Should they just stick with it and just be like,
you know, things like this are going to happen. What's
your take on on the some of the cries from
(10:48):
people saying that they need to change it again.
Speaker 6 (10:50):
As as difficult as it is, as especially as a
Pelis fan to watch the MAVs get number one with
a one point eight percent chance, the Spurs to get
number two, and then Philly to get number three. All
three teams don't I don't know if it's happened where
all three teams who get one, two three in the
lottery are all actively trying to.
Speaker 3 (11:10):
Compete the next season.
Speaker 5 (11:12):
Not very often.
Speaker 3 (11:14):
Yeah, just does suck. Yeah, However, I like that outright
tanking was not rewarded. I like that teams who.
Speaker 6 (11:23):
Rested players in December, right, did not get the number
one pick. If you want to change the odds a
little to heavily favor the guys at the top, you know,
instead of a flat fourteen for one, two three, maybe
it's sixteen.
Speaker 3 (11:39):
Whatever, it is, okay, But for.
Speaker 6 (11:42):
The most part I like it because for the most
part it has now I believe the team who has
been number one has not won it since they've changed
the lottery odds, and since it's flattened, I.
Speaker 3 (11:50):
Think maybe one time, okay, out of six or seven years.
Speaker 6 (11:54):
So I'm okay with that because here's because guess what,
you had a six percent chance.
Speaker 3 (12:01):
To get Zion Williamson.
Speaker 5 (12:02):
You won, right, Yeah, we liked, we liked a lottery yea.
Speaker 6 (12:09):
Change twenty nineteen, Yeah right, those same lotteryds can't be
rigged in twenty twenty five because it didn't go for
your team, right exactly, So for me, I think it's fine.
I think it doesn't you know, if if you want
to do this, the only thing I'd like to see
maybe if you want to go and this is something
as soon as your team is eliminated. This is a
(12:29):
forget where I saw this proposal, but it was as
soon as your team is eliminated from the playoffs, wins
count as losses. So if your team is eliminated from
the playoffs in March, your record from March to April
is how.
Speaker 4 (12:44):
You dictate your lotteryts.
Speaker 3 (12:47):
Yeah, and there's different ways to do that.
Speaker 6 (12:49):
And if you want to do something like that, you
have the conversation to try to eliminate taking sure, but
for the actual lottery itself.
Speaker 3 (12:56):
Look, stuff happens to.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
Jim's point, reward winning competing, and I think we did
a radio roundtable tend the season. John de Chazer kind
of brought that up to you along with Jim, if
you take a little bit of both, that's kind of
what he was saying as well. How about you take
the last fifteen ten games of those teams, like give me,
give me a cut off date. You know, you said
March whatever. As soon as you're yeah, a month of
(13:22):
games left or whatever. Okay, final ten. Your win loss
record is where you go. You win the most games,
you pick first, in other words, rewarded, and it's almost
kind of like you see it in certain areas. I mean,
it's almost like the nd season tournament, right where like
those games mattered a little bit more, And it's almost
kind of what we've seen with the NFL and even
(13:44):
the play in game just in the NBA where nine
and ten a couple of years ago, those teams, those franchises,
those fan bases, they're looking to next year. Well, you're
eleven or twelve, or you're nine or ten. It all
matters seven and eight.
Speaker 5 (13:57):
It affects because you don't want.
Speaker 2 (13:58):
To be nine and ten. I love incentivizing competition, creating
competition at the end for both ends of the standings.
You have competition for the teams at the top that
want to host or want to get that buy or whatever,
and then at the bottom to pick higher.
Speaker 3 (14:18):
I think that's just.
Speaker 2 (14:19):
To me, it makes sense, and I think everybody wins
in that TV ratings win. Everybody wins because the teams
that are trying to win that at the top of
the standings are playing teams that are tanking, well, if
they want to win, it makes a little bit more creative.
Speaker 3 (14:32):
I do see a scenario though, where like, not in
this happens what you like? You reverse tank? Like you tank?
Speaker 6 (14:39):
Oh no, We've got injuries the first three months of
the season, and then all of a sudden, your team's
healthy in February of March, and it's like boom, you
flip the switch and then you go thirty and eight
in the rest of the way and you.
Speaker 3 (14:49):
Get thirty whatever it is.
Speaker 6 (14:50):
But there's ways to do it where I think not
exactly touching the like just because Dallas won in San
Antonio for a second doesn't mean you reset everything.
Speaker 3 (15:01):
Yeah, Like that's a kind of my main point. Again,
do I like it as a you.
Speaker 6 (15:07):
Know, for the Pearls that they went one to Absolutely
not do I change everything because of that.
Speaker 5 (15:13):
No, It's funny.
Speaker 4 (15:14):
The outcry from people to change the lottery kind of
reminded me. This might be a stretch of an analogy,
but it reminded me a little bit of If you remember,
during the season, around the trade deadline, Steve Kerr said,
you know, I think we should move the trade deadline
to during the All Star break and I was like, uh,
you realize that they changed it away from that because
they didn't want the trade deadline during the All Star break.
(15:34):
So it's kind of a similar thing where it's like
people are saying like, well, we should give the worst
teams better odds.
Speaker 5 (15:40):
I'm like, well, that was the system.
Speaker 3 (15:41):
We just changed away from it.
Speaker 4 (15:43):
So it's like, let's let's not go back to what
we already tried to.
Speaker 6 (15:46):
The NBA doesn't want the NBA doesn't want one of
their All Stars getting traded in the middle of the
All Star Game, right, which they have, you know, have
a pr guy whisper into his ear, but he got traded.
Speaker 3 (16:00):
Uh while news is breaking that night, not that that's.
Speaker 4 (16:03):
Ever happened, and me right, And meanwhile, no one cares
any more about the All Star Game that was just played,
because it's like we've all moved on to the biggest
trade that just happens.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
Yeah, that's a different podcast. We love being commissioner here
because one of the things we talked about when it
came to the All Star Game is give me the
USA versus the world, you know, I mean that that'd
be kind of fun to see. I do want to
get out of here with one final thing on you,
because I do think it is interesting that Jim brought
it up and it just kind of popped in my head.
They went twenty some odd years right in a row
(16:33):
where they were a playoff team the Spurs did with
Greg Popovich. I don't feel like we've given enough time yet.
We will at some point. Obviously what he's done stinks.
It went out this way because of health. But that era,
I mean, the word consistency right in in in the
Webster's Dictionary is the picture of Papovich and the Spurs
(16:54):
how to run a franchise, not getting just all that.
Even when it got tumultuous with you know, making Aid
and Kawhi and all that, they still managed it. You know,
one way, shape or form. Mitch Johnson man takes over
you covered them. How are the Spurs different? Are they
not gonna be different? Is that why they went there?
(17:14):
There wasn't a coaching search or something like that. I mean,
I guess that's what I'm asking. Are these still the
Spurs with a guy in Mitch Johnson who you know.
Speaker 3 (17:25):
Who is?
Speaker 2 (17:25):
I mean, he's succeeding one of the greatest coaches of
all time.
Speaker 6 (17:28):
There was a reason that Mitch was picked to do
this in the first place. And I'm talking as an
on an interim basis. This he is, he's been the
guy who has been He was entrusted as Victor's PD
coach from the jump, so he he's had that responsibility
of of a large weight placed on him from from
the beginning. Part of the reason there was no search.
(17:49):
Part of the reason it was this, And I think
it's been reported that Mitch or that Pop basically said like,
this is who I want because of the job that
he did did this year. They have established such a
culture there that whenever we would have conversations amongst the
media about man, who's going to replace Pop, who's gonna
(18:11):
replace Pop? Who's going to replace Pop? Any name you
brought up was somebody that had pretty much already.
Speaker 3 (18:19):
Been in the building at some point. Right you threw
any name out there.
Speaker 6 (18:23):
There was never a time when you were like, oh, well,
so and so could come in, or you know, this
guy could come in, or this guy could come in,
but they hadn't been there. Somebody had passed through that,
whether they had passed through there as a player, whether
they passed through or there and a guy like and
again this is this was just media speculation, This isn't
reporting anything. But I got like Will Hardy came up
(18:46):
through that Spurs system. He was in the Spurs video
room and then kind of went up like that was
like a popular like oh, maybe they could trade for
him or they could do something with it, like whatever.
Speaker 3 (18:54):
It was.
Speaker 6 (18:56):
Well Hardy then, by the way, as soon as Michig
got announced as the head coach, got an extension from Utah.
Speaker 7 (19:02):
Right.
Speaker 6 (19:03):
But it's one of those things where you threw out
a name because they had a tie to how they
did it. That is how they operate, that is how
they want to operate, and it brings that kind of
continuity there.
Speaker 4 (19:15):
And I guess the luxury of that is there's about
eighty seven people in the NBA that are coaches that
used to be.
Speaker 5 (19:20):
With the Spurs.
Speaker 6 (19:21):
So the tree themselves everywhere, Yes, the tree is a
very very large tree.
Speaker 2 (19:26):
It just goes to, I guess say even more what
he was able to do there and what's been there
long doing because it's hard to do, right, I mean,
change is almost a constant in professional sports, and they haven't.
Speaker 3 (19:39):
Think about how many coaching changes happened between the time
that it's absurd. I mean, like I said, which one hundreds.
Speaker 2 (19:44):
When you think of twenty plus years, like it would
be like you've just had a kid, mind eight. Imagine
having a child graduate high school and move on to
college and haven't the playoff.
Speaker 3 (19:56):
Pop was hired in ninety six. Yeah, it's crazy, and.
Speaker 6 (20:00):
Was was fighting his way to come back and try
to do this again another year. It's it's kind of remarkable.
Now you're just going to have a you know, a
grumpy old man hanging around the building making.
Speaker 3 (20:11):
Decisions in a very very lovable way.
Speaker 2 (20:14):
Well, we're happy you're not as grumpy because you're getting
a lot more sleep now. Thank you so much for
your time. We'll be talking with you as we get
closer to the NBA Draft coming up next month in June.
Mister Andrew Lopez, Television solid reporter for your Pelicans.
Speaker 3 (20:26):
Thank you, sir. Go and take a nap right now.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
There he goes naptime. That sounds fantastic. I got a
Little League game coming up. No nap for me, mister
Andrew Lopez, Thank you, sir. Hi Tom Man to welcome
in our guest to talk about players specifically mister Ace
Bailey and VJ. Hedgecomb to give us the background on that.
How he I guess scouted them, mister Jimike and offer.
(20:49):
We welcome in mister Will Gillery, the athletic.
Speaker 4 (20:51):
It's always great to speak to Will. This is always
a highlight of my day. Will, I guess we want
to start out with, you know, as we talk about
Bailey and Edgecomb, I want to ask pretty much all
the guests that we come in that talk about specific
players and kind of evaluating some of the prospects, can
you tell me what's your process of how you kind
of prepare for the draft. I mean, I know you're
(21:12):
also a guy who watches a good amount of college
basketball during the season, which is something I don't think
a lot of us can necessarily say.
Speaker 8 (21:20):
Yeah, I'm definitely a college basketball guy. It's difficult, you know,
what our schedule with the NBA and how fast games are,
and you know, travel and all that to keep up
as much as I want to, but y'all, as y'all know,
I'm a die hard North Carolina fan, so I'll keep
up with my Tar Heels and I usually try to
keep an eye on like the top guys. You know,
I'm always keeping up on like my drafts to know
(21:40):
who the top guys are in the draft. Like I
got to see a lot of the two Rutgers guys
throughout the course of the season.
Speaker 7 (21:46):
I watched some VJ.
Speaker 8 (21:47):
Edge Combe, So you know, I try to keep an
eye on a bunch of those guys. And then throughout
the course of the year, I'll you know, watch a
couple of highlights. I'll pull up some synergy stuff just
so I know what I'm talking about when people ask
me about some of these guys.
Speaker 4 (22:00):
Sure, and I know, as a big NC fan, you're
an expert on the acc but I'm not sure if
that makes you safe to talk about duke players. So,
but that's a whole other conversation in terms of your objectivity.
But you know, speaking about this draft overall, I mean,
one of the players we're going to talk about obviously,
today's Ace Bailey, and I feel like in some ways
(22:23):
he kind of symbolizes a bit of this draft in
terms of the perception that people have about it. And
when I say that, I mean I want to get
your thoughts on this. Am I accurate in saying that?
You know, if you went back a year or two,
maybe eighteen months ago, it seems like there was a
ton of excitement about this draft, and it wasn't just
necessarily the top couple guys that we've already talked about
(22:45):
on Tuesday this week in the podcast episode, but it.
Speaker 5 (22:48):
Went beyond that.
Speaker 4 (22:49):
But it seems like as this draft has gotten closer,
does it seem is it accurate to say that there's
the optimism, maybe the enthusiasm is kind of tamped down
a little bit as far as how much you know,
star players could come from this crop of players.
Speaker 7 (23:05):
Yeah, I mean that's definitely fair.
Speaker 8 (23:06):
I think, you know, this time last year, people were
kind of projecting this class and saying, man, they might
have you know, three, four or five you know, future
All Stars at the top of his draft. You know,
people were looking at Ace Bailey as you know, potentially
a guy who compete for the number one overall spot
with Cooper Flag and Dylan Harper are.
Speaker 7 (23:22):
The same thing.
Speaker 8 (23:23):
And I think, you know, obviously people are still excited
about this draft. I think Cooper Flag is still you know,
one of the top prospects to come out in a minute.
And I think obviously Dylan Harper is a guy who's
still highly regarded. But I think you're right in that
a lot of these guys at the top of his
draft kind of have major flaws that people have identified.
People have seen now that they've played a full year
(23:45):
in college, and they're not as gung.
Speaker 7 (23:47):
Ho about these guys.
Speaker 8 (23:48):
But I do think there's still a lot of excitement
about this these top five, six seven guys, and it
still feels like there's a lot of talent, but it
still feels like there's more risk.
Speaker 7 (23:57):
Than I think people were expecting this time last year.
Speaker 4 (24:00):
As we get into specific players, let's start with Ace Bailey.
I mean, what are some of the things that you've
seen from him and some of the reasons why there
was so much excitement about him as far as even
you know, maybe even before his season at Rutgers, and
some of the things that you think will be big
time strengths for him potentially as he did debuts in
the NBA next season.
Speaker 8 (24:21):
When you talk to people who really like as Bailey,
he brings the two things that you know are a
big priority in today's NBA, which is size and shot making.
I mean, the guy, I mean, they had him listened
at six' ten At, ruggers and then we need to
showed up to other. Combine he wasn't quite six. Ten,
yeah y'all know how that, goes, Right but he's still
a guy with really good size on the, wing shoots
(24:42):
it really high. Up you, KNOW i really like his shot.
Release he shoots like a tall. Guy you, know it
sounds funny to, say but the way he shoots it
is really.
Speaker 7 (24:50):
Difficult to contest his.
Speaker 8 (24:52):
Shots AND i think he's a guy who can not
only shoot three, pointers but he gets into the mid,
range he posts. UP i think he's the guy who's
very confident in his, shot can make and test the,
jumpers and he's a dude where you look at project
what he can be at the next.
Speaker 7 (25:06):
Level he's a guy who can, really you, know make
those shots on a.
Speaker 8 (25:09):
Perimeter and if he continues to improve his, handle he
could be a guy who can get you twenty twenty
five a game purely off of the way he can
make shots on a. Perimeter and then you, know as
he continues the girl as a guy who can score
in a, paint it can go even.
Speaker 4 (25:23):
Further we're going to get into some of the players
that he's been compared to in a. Second and it's
interesting you talk about his high. Release we're going to
see that when we go through the list of players
that people kind of compare him to that there's a
lot of guys that have. That you, know they shoot
the ball above their head and pretty high and they're
very difficult to. Block but before we go into, THAT i,
(25:44):
mean what do you think are some of the things
why people have kind of not Downgraded Ace bailey but
kind of knocked him a little bit or said, like,
hey there's certain things that he needs to improve upon
as he transitions to THE. Nba that things that maybe
people didn't necessarily see, previously you, know earlier in his.
Speaker 7 (26:01):
Career, YEAH i.
Speaker 8 (26:04):
Think i'm one of my models in life is always
your biggest strength can be your biggest, weakness AND i
Think Ace bailey is a guy who kind of personifies
that more than anybody in this. DRAFT i think what
Makes Ace bailey great is that he can make tough
shots from every, angle, contests fade away bank. Shots you
watch his highlight, tape you expect the guy at that
(26:24):
size of that athleticism is a.
Speaker 7 (26:26):
Bunch of you, know huge. Dunks transition.
Speaker 8 (26:28):
Players now it's a whole bunch of just, jumpers like
really crazy jumpers from all over the, players guys hanging
all over. Him AND i, think because he's so good
at making those, SHOTS i think he relies on that too.
Often AND i THINK i joke around With, jim you, know,
OFFLINE i, said As bailey is a guy who prefers bad.
Shots some guys can make bad. SHOTS i think As
(26:49):
bailey is a guy who wants to take bad.
Speaker 7 (26:51):
Shots he loves bad.
Speaker 8 (26:52):
Shots AND i, think you, know at times it looks
great when they go, in BUT i, think you, know
early in his career it'll drive some coaches crazy his shot.
Selection AND i think, also you, know with him being
so big and, long his handle isn't quite where it
needs to be quite, yet he's not as comfortable getting
to the, rim putting the ball on the ground, two,
three four times and getting through. DEFENSES i think he
(27:14):
will more often than not you see him dribble once
or twice and then pull up rather than getting all
the way to the. Rim that's something that he's going
to need to improve over. Time BUT i, think you, know,
again with the way he makes, shots it's really. Impressive
BUT i think just the way he deciphers the, GAME
i think needs to improve.
Speaker 7 (27:31):
Overall in his shot selection in.
Speaker 4 (27:33):
General it's interesting when you talk about a player taking difficult,
shots BECAUSE i think that's one thing that we see too,
is you, know it's one thing to take contested shots in,
college but then you try to do the same thing
in THE, nba and you're talking about a completely different
equation as far as the, difficulty the, length the, height
the athleticism of the defenders that you're going against is
(27:55):
just a major difference to go from you, know The
Big ten to The Western, conference but to go into
some of the player. Comparisons we try to do this
to try to give people a little bit better feel
of what we're talking about if you maybe. Play people
didn't get to See rutgers play very much the season
or at. All SO i want to give you the
list of a few handful of, names and you can
(28:17):
tell me which of these comparisons you like the. Best
these are you, KNOW i definitely did not do a scientific.
STUDY i just kind of basically peruved some different websites
that had comparisons For Ace, bailey and here's a handful
of the names that came. Up we're talking About Michael Porter,
Junior Rishard, Lewis Jabari, Smith Rudy, Gay Danny, granger who's
(28:38):
a local, guy went to high school in The New orleans.
Area but AS i mentioned earlier, too a lot of
these guys are if you watch their shooting, form these
are guys that are very difficult to block their shots
because they're. Big you, know a lot of these guys
are like six, nine six, ten but they also shoot
above their. Head so of those NAMES i, listed do
any of them you like any of them in?
Speaker 9 (29:01):
Particular, YEAH i really like The Michael porter com for,
sure BECAUSE i Think Michael porter is the guy we've
seen score at a higher level in this, league but he's
not known for necessarily putting the ball on the.
Speaker 8 (29:12):
Ground AND i Think Michael porter And As bailey are
very very comparable in. THAT i think a big part
Of Michael Porter junior's.
Speaker 7 (29:20):
Success in the league is because he landed with a
great team right.
Speaker 8 (29:23):
Here he fits very well with the way The nuggets,
play AND i think He's.
Speaker 7 (29:27):
Bailey a big part of his success at the next
level is landing in the right.
Speaker 8 (29:31):
SITUATION i think he's the guy if you just drop
him on The wizards and let him take eighteen shots
a game next. YEAR i think that might be bad
for his, development just because he probably needs into more
of his bad. Habits he doesn't necessarily gain that understanding
of what a good shot looks, like how to get good,
shots how to function within a team.
Speaker 7 (29:50):
Concept AND i think what's great For Michael Porter junior.
Speaker 8 (29:53):
Is getting to play next To, jokis getting to play
next To Jamal, murray getting to play Under Michael malone
for much of his, career and kind of, learning you,
know how to bring the most out of. Himself AND
i think that's gonna be a big question for As
bailey is what situation he lands in and what type
of coaching he. GETS i think it's gonna be a
big part of the, because like when you just watch
him on the, court of talent is.
Speaker 7 (30:13):
Obvious the guy is extremely, talented but it's just.
Speaker 8 (30:16):
About the neck up with him man just figuring out
the right way to, play the right shots to, take
and how to contribute to.
Speaker 5 (30:22):
Winning this might be a tough.
Speaker 4 (30:24):
ONE i, mean we have twenty three seasons now Of
New orleans basketball in the. Books is there anybody that
you can compare him to that's played here over these
last two plus.
Speaker 5 (30:34):
DECADES i really thought.
Speaker 8 (30:38):
This one, through And jimkin to attest to this as
a guy who's followed The peills probably as long AS
i have this.
Speaker 7 (30:44):
Franchise doesn't have a long list of really talented. Threes,
yeah to look back, on.
Speaker 8 (30:50):
RIGHT i mean we were talking not too long about
Bred niggil probably be in the best ball for, it
and franchise history would shout out to Be, eye but
that doesn't say a whole lot about Your.
Speaker 7 (30:59):
French so WHEN i see.
Speaker 8 (31:02):
HIM i think his build kind of reminds me Of Trevor,
ariza just how he looks on the. Court obviously he
doesn't play Like Trevor, ariza BUT i think just the
way he looks on the court Is Trevor ariza. Ish,
Yeah AND i think kind of the shot selection at
times can be a little Bit drew holiday, ish maybe
not as much getting into the, paint but Where Drew
holliday at times kind of leaned on that step back
(31:23):
a little bit too, much or he'll get into the
land and take a fade away rather than getting all
the way to the. Rim AND i think As bailey
has got a little bit at in that in, him
but he's closer to six to eight rather than like six'
Four HOLIDAY so i think that's the big issue With
With as bailey is that he's six seven six eight
and teams want him to play like that rather than
(31:44):
looking like a six, to four you know two guard who.
Speaker 7 (31:46):
Wants to shoot a whole bunch of.
Speaker 3 (31:47):
Three pointers let's MOVE.
Speaker 4 (31:50):
To, vj EDGECOMBE and i want to start with him
kind of a similar question Related To, ace bailey where
this is a name, You Know i'm i've said this many.
Speaker 5 (32:01):
Times before i'm not a.
Speaker 4 (32:02):
Draft expert i'm kind of casually listening to people who
know way MORE than i do about. The process it
seems like he was a name though that was really
hyped as somebody that you heard about me even going
back a couple. Of years and obviously there's still a
ton of enthusiasm and optimism about what kind of player he.
Can BE but, i mean is it somewhat Similar To,
ace bailey where, you know as we've gotten closer to
(32:24):
the to The obviously june twenty, twenty five where he's
going to be drafted in a couple, of weeks that,
it's been people have kind of taken a little bit
of a step back in terms of, you know just,
you know massive hype about his potential or what he
can be IN.
Speaker 3 (32:36):
The, NBA.
Speaker 7 (32:39):
Yeah i think a.
Speaker 8 (32:39):
LITTLE bit i think there's NOT as i Think ast
bailey is a much more polarizing figure amongst.
Speaker 7 (32:45):
Some of the. DRAFT folks i think there are some
people who just straight up just don't Like.
Speaker 8 (32:48):
Ast bailey don't Like the. Shatti, TAPE yeah i don't
like some of the quotes he's put. Out there he's
kind of hasn't shridded himself in glory with some of
the stuff he said at the combine and, you know
kind of, saying, Like hey i'll take bash because those
THE shots i, work on and people kind of want
to hear him, Say no i'm going to take less
bad SHOTS when i get to the and he's been, it's,
Like no i'm a guy who makes.
Speaker 7 (33:08):
Bad shots THAT'S who. I AM and I.
Speaker 8 (33:10):
Think vj edgecombe is A guy i think it's in
some ways it's the OPPOSITE where i think a lot
of people see the physical gifts and the shot making
and the passing and ACUMEN.
Speaker 7 (33:21):
And vj SHCOMB and i think.
Speaker 8 (33:22):
HE'S he i think his natural state is to take
more of a, back SEAT and i think that was
some of the frustration with him during his one Year,
at baylor that he wasn't a guy who was getting
twenty twenty five every game when he Was, at bailor
EVEN though i guess Seem at baylor. Was decent they
had a couple of, good players but he was clearly
the best guy on, that team and he didn't necessarily
look like that every time you turn On the. Baylor
(33:43):
GAME and i think a lot of that was purely
just based, on aggression right and how much he had,
the ball how much he was. Really attacking but what
you really love. About vj edgecomb is just he's just an.
Incredible athlete had like six threey sixty, four speed explosiveness
you put on. HIS tape, i mean he's got like
somebody these crazy chased, down blocks some wild atlu put.
(34:05):
Back dunks he's a guy who's extremely exciting when you.
Speaker 7 (34:09):
Just see the positive stuff he's able to do on.
THE floor a really.
Speaker 8 (34:12):
GOOD defender i think he's a guy who can check
a lot of boxes. For YOU but i think the
question is is he a guy who's going to be
A Real all star down.
Speaker 7 (34:20):
THE line i think it's a.
Speaker 4 (34:21):
Real, QUESTION yeah, i mean will you said EXACTLY what
i THOUGHT when i watched tape of him or YouTube videos.
Speaker 5 (34:27):
Of him just the athleticism.
Speaker 4 (34:29):
Is unbelievable it stands out within the first couple of
plays you watch. Of, HIM so i mean it sounds
like it is it kind of? Just aggressiveness assertiveness is
the thing that people are wondering about him that it
sounds like. He, has obviously his athleticism, is elite that's
going to come INTO the nba and be one of the.
Top athletes but is it, just that, you know maybe
(34:50):
just his mindset is something that teams want to see out.
Speaker 5 (34:52):
OF him i.
Speaker 7 (34:54):
Think that's part.
Speaker 8 (34:55):
Of, it also just similar To, AS biley i think
he's got to improve his handle a, little bit just
be more comfortab making plays off, the dribble running pick,
and roll. READING defenses, i mean this is a guy,
last year remember he was a part Of the bahamas, national,
team right so he was a very, young guy a
part of that team that was trying to qualify For.
The olympics he Played With buddy hill on, that team
(35:16):
Played With DeAndre ayton on. That team so he's a
guy who's been around, older players understands how to play,
a role understands how to.
Speaker 7 (35:23):
Fit IN but i think, you know he hasn't necessarily had.
Speaker 8 (35:27):
As many reps as Like A, dylan harper where we're
handing you, the ball you're running, the offense you're gonna
get these guys. Their shots we're down four points for
two minutes left in, The game we're just gonna give
you the ball at the top of the key and
let you. Make plays he doesn't have as many of
those reps doing that kind. Of STUFF and i think
you talk about a guy, number three number four, overall
(35:49):
pick you want to see.
Speaker 7 (35:50):
A little bit more, than. That right you don't want
a guy who's just gonna be on the wing shriving up.
Speaker 8 (35:54):
Late games if you're a top, five pick you want,
a GUY like, i said who could potentially Be An,
all star who go canna be a guy who scores
eighteen twenty two. A GAME and i think you see
those traits, in HIM but i think you just want
to see him kind of put it on the court
rather than, you know kind of depends so much on
his potential.
Speaker 4 (36:11):
The pro Comparisons that i've Seen for edgecombe are really
an interesting mix of guys that Have Been, all stars
guys that have Been Briefly, all stars and then really good.
Role players so the four NAMES that i saw just
going through different draft Stuff, on Edgecombe Where, Victor Oladipo, Contavious,
Caldwell Polpe, russell Westbrook And. Jalen green any of those
(36:32):
four guys that you really like as far as, A, COMPARISON.
Speaker 8 (36:36):
Yeah I think oladipo for sure jumps OUT because i
think he was very Similar in indiana right where people
just saw a lot of potential, in him where he
wasn't necessarily running a whole bunch of pick. And rolls
it took him a few years IN the nba to really,
figure out, you know.
Speaker 7 (36:49):
Who, he was how, to play how to really Be
That all.
Speaker 8 (36:51):
Star guy but you saw, the size, the athleticism. THE
speed i think all of that Exists. WITH edgecomb i
think probably maybe even a Tier above oladipo when he
came into the league as far as just explosiveness. And
SPEED but, i think, You Know jalen green is ANOTHER
one i really Like Because jalen green coming out was just.
SO fast i remember that was the first thing that
jumped OUT when i watched HIM At g league at
(37:11):
night was just how fast he was and, transition situations,
you know running off, pin down just he played the
game at such a. Great SPEED and I think edgecombe
as a guy could be similar. To THAT but i
think he's more defensive Minded Than. Jalen green, SO yeah
I think edgecombe is a GUY that i really. REALLY
like i think he's a guy who's gonna come in
and contribute immediately just because of his mindset.
Speaker 7 (37:32):
AND like, i said his understanding of how to play.
Speaker 8 (37:35):
A ROLE but i think he's similar To as badly
in that his situation is gonna matter because how much
they're gonna ask him to kind of bring out the
stuff that we've, Talked about like if he goes to
a Team, like utah, you know are they gonna put
the ball in his? Hands immediately are they gonna demand
him to be the? Point guard if he Goes, to
charlotte how does he fit next To a. LAMELLO ball
(37:58):
i think it's a lot of his. FUTURE goes i
think it's gonna be depending on where his lantic spot is.
Speaker 5 (38:03):
As well Leslie.
Speaker 4 (38:05):
On edgecombe, for Me any pelicans players past or present
that are reminiscent, OF him.
Speaker 8 (38:14):
I dug d for, this One and jim is gonna
enjoy this one, because again super athletic, two guards not
a long list of those when you look Back in,
pelican's history but a guy that kind of just popped
into my.
Speaker 7 (38:27):
Mind.
Speaker 8 (38:27):
Randomly uh he gives me a little Bit Of. Desmond
mason remember, That, name yes, of Course M desmond mason
with a, JUMP shot i, would say because He's desm
mason had. Zero's UPSIDE but I think edgecombe is a
guy who's gonna knock down some. Three pointers he's a
threat from beyond. The art he's not like A Like
trey Johnson Or kanka.
Speaker 7 (38:46):
Nipple shooting, three pointers but he can knock.
Speaker 8 (38:48):
Him DOWN and i think he's a guy kind of
like kind of those similar, like Uh Those, Gerald Wallace,
desmond mason old school guys who were just, super athletic
flying around. Playing defense we don't see as many of
those guys because, it's like if you can't shoot IN,
today's nba you. Can't PLAY but I think edgecone brings
some of those elements with a little bit of a
(39:09):
better jumper and maybe not as good as size as.
Speaker 7 (39:12):
Those guys but That's what edgeconbe kind.
Speaker 8 (39:15):
Of reminds, me of, as though really, great defender super
athletic going to catch some lobs. And transition but how
much can he kind of spread his wings and do
all of the other things is gonna be the.
Speaker 7 (39:26):
BIG question.
Speaker 2 (39:27):
I think what's, interesting well as we wrap up and
just looking at these two players and obviously the top
two players projecting here, as well and the draft is this.
Speaker 7 (39:35):
Is a very.
Speaker 2 (39:35):
Talented draft there's a lot of. Good players But as
JIMMY and i have talked in, the past and you
guys just kind of mentioned here when y'all are, discussing
it it really kind of depends where they go as
to how they're going to be used and, fit, wise
right because you look at the Possibility of dallas obviously
if they stay, Up There sam tallio's got some. Good
players whoever Comes To. New Orleans new orleans has a
(39:56):
lot of players that already played lots of minutes and.
Establish themselves it really is going to be interesting to
see where talented players go and how they're going to
be utilizing what's going to be expected of him immediately.
Speaker 7 (40:07):
Or.
Speaker 8 (40:07):
NOT huh i mean we might get to this a little.
Bit later but like the, perfect example all you gotta
do is look AT The, nba, Finals Right tyrese halliburton
was drafted By The, sacramento kings had to play Next To.
Daron fox we had no clue he was this guy
until he got Traded. To indiana they put the ball in,
his hands and now he turns Into The. All star
Right Shake gilges alexander just drafted To. The clippers he's
(40:28):
playing next to a bunch of, Veteran Guys, Lou Williams.
Montres harrow he's. Not exactly they don't put the ball
in his hands. As much he gets Traded, To okay
see he turns INTO. The MVP so i think a
lot of, these guys you see, the talent you see,
the potential but a big part of it is landed
in the situation.
Speaker 7 (40:45):
That can bring the best out.
Speaker 8 (40:46):
Of YOU and i think that's gonna be a big
factor with a lot of. These Guys And, COOPER flag
i mean Landing in Dallas With anthony davis and all.
THOSE guys i don't think we've seen in a long
time a number One pick land in the situation.
Speaker 4 (40:59):
Like, that, yeah well you Mentioned the HALLIBURTON. And, SGA
obviously I mean heliburton is a we find we, FOUND
out i mean the guy's elite upper tier assistant. Turnover
ratio he comes to a team where they already have
a point Guard. With SACRAMENTO so i think that. Is
interesting that's a really good point that sometimes you can't
get the most out of some of these players until
(41:20):
they're until they're in the.
Speaker 5 (41:21):
The, ideal fit in the.
Speaker 4 (41:22):
Ideal role And obviously sga on the ball is he's
AN m vp because of how good he is at.
Doing that but before, WE go i guess we should
talk a little bit ABOUT The. Nba finals can you
do you HAVE A nba? Finals prediction do you have who's?
Gonna win and how many games the series is?
Speaker 5 (41:39):
Gonna, Go.
Speaker 8 (41:41):
Yeah i'm gonna be the born guy who comes on
And says okac. IN five, I think, I mean JIM
and i have been talking about this the. WHOLE season
I think okac is just a tier above. EVERYBODY else,
i think uh. THERE there i think there are four
wins away from completing one of the one of the
more special seasons we've seen over the past couple of
decades with sixty eight regular season wins running Through The.
(42:03):
WESTERN conference mvp what. THEY'RE over i think that was
sixty one sixty two double, digit victories which. IS crazy,
I mean i HEARD somebody i forgot who. SAID it
I wish i could give, them CREDIT but i heard
somebody say in their Analysis that okase won sixty eight
games and if they spoted everybody in the league, nine
(42:24):
points they would still be a fifty plus win team.
Speaker 7 (42:30):
THIS year, I, mean okay they're just and.
Speaker 8 (42:35):
They do that to the, regular season and they've continued
to do it during the playoffs multiple games where they've
won at home by thirty, plus points just dominating, the
field and they're doing it with a team for the
twenty two to twenty three. YEAR olds, i mean it's
it's crazy what they've been able to do. This season
and you see during the course of this playoffs they're
learning from these experiences and, getting better which is scary
(42:57):
for the rest of the league that the team that
we Saw against denver like a completely different team that
we saw then Play, against Minnesota and i'm sure that
evolution is gonna Continue against Indiana and indiana brings their
own set, of PROBLEMS but I think okac is just a.
Speaker 7 (43:11):
Different, ANIMAL yeah, I.
Speaker 4 (43:12):
Mean i think we definitely will probably say this If
oka see wins, this series and especially if they win,
it quickly if they win it in, you know four or.
Five games but, to me it's one of those things
WHERE sometimes i feel like maybe we overthought things throughout
the season that they were just so much better than
a lot of. Other teams they Won the west by a,
Ridiculous margin they had the number one seed clinched before
(43:35):
we even Got, into april and that kind. OF thing,
i mean if they do win this, SERIES convincingly i
think it's one of those things where it's like you
kind of want to slap yourself in the head and, be, like,
oh yeah maybe we should have thought that the team
that won sixty eight games and just rolled through everyone
would also go on and win the championship because they've
had one of the best seasons that we've seen in a.
Speaker 5 (43:55):
Long time LAST thing i wanted to ask.
Speaker 4 (43:57):
You too, you know we haven't talked about this because
we haven't gotten, together LATELY but i wanted to ask
You about, indiana too in terms of them Winning. The
EAST and I know i've heard already in the four
or five days between them Winning the east AND The,
Nba finals i've heard thousands of takes, About THIS but,
i mean how do you see them winning it in,
(44:18):
terms of, you know the parody that we're seeing IN
the nba and the fact that, you know they just
seem like they came out. Of nowhere and obviously there's
also the conversation about, you know these are two TEAMS
that i franchises that you wouldn't say, are marquee but
it's also. Small MARKETS and, i mean what is your
what's your takeaway?
Speaker 5 (44:38):
From? That what what's your opinion?
Speaker 4 (44:40):
Is this you think this is good FOR, the nba
the fact That the pacers won that Won the eastern
or in the finals, Right, now.
Speaker 8 (44:49):
No it's FUNNY because i think this is Exactly What
adam silver wanted right when they negotiated THIS.
Speaker 7 (44:53):
New cda they.
Speaker 8 (44:54):
Wanted parody they wanted new teams in the in the
final four of.
Speaker 7 (44:57):
The playoffs they wanted to see some.
Speaker 8 (44:59):
New faces they didn't want to exist IN the Nba
where lebron makes it to ten, consecutive finals where we
have the same finals matchup four years in.
Speaker 7 (45:08):
A ROW the nba just didn't want.
Speaker 8 (45:11):
That anymore they wanted to do especially as some of
these older guys start transitioning out lebron. Kd stuff They Want,
Shake Gilches Alexander tyrese Halibert And. Jalen brunson they want
these guys on the big stage to develop these, younger
stars to introduce them TO the. Nba FANDOM and i
think it's hilarry is BECAUSE the nba has tried so
hard to become WHAT the nfl has presented themselves, to
(45:33):
be and NOW the nfl has kind of turned them
INTO the nba right Where the chiefs are making it
To The super bowl. Every year we Just Saw chiefs
eagles for the second time Of The. Super bowl, next
year we're looking at this, and, say yeah it's probab
Gonna be chiefs. Back again it's probably gonna Be the.
Eagles AGAIN so i THINK the nfl has been known
for me in the, parody league and now they're looking
more LIKE the nba AND the nba on the, other
(45:53):
side what is the seven consecutive years where we're gonna
right channel looking more LIKE the nfl with the parody
and the uncertainty and the playoffs start and you really
don't know what's.
Speaker 7 (46:05):
Gonna HAPPEN and i think that's WHAT the.
Speaker 8 (46:06):
Nba Wants now we'll see how, that GOES because i
think a big part of my childhood growing up WAS watching,
nj dominate Was watching, lebron dominate Was watching, steph dominate
and people fell in love WITH, the nba watching superstars.
Be superstars and now what does it look like when
that dynamic doesn't exist to the. SAME extent i think
(46:26):
it's gonna be. Really interesting BUT the nba is getting
what they want.
Speaker 7 (46:30):
For sure.
Speaker 2 (46:30):
It's interesting i'm gonna keep an eye on it because from,
THIS aspect i Was watching Okac's run will and you
mentioned a little bit too. AS well i remember growing
up And watching jordan And those bulls teams and when
they had won that second three p, in particular like
you just knew throughout, the season like this is the
better team in, the league and then the, playoffs started
(46:51):
like it's just gonna be so hard to beat them. Four,
times NOW watch. Okc play they know who, they are they've,
played together Like just SGA's demeanor and ACCEPTING The mvp
trophy holds it up for second and walks out with
the rest of his team like they're just and then
in THE middle i think it was the last game that,
(47:11):
They won jim He Surpassed michael jordan with the most
thirty point games in the playoffs or something.
Speaker 3 (47:16):
LIKE that, i mean.
Speaker 2 (47:17):
It's very, bull Like and i'm careful to do That
because i'm not calling them, the bulls but it's bullik
in that they've, looked dominant they've looked better than, everyone
else their, best PLAYERS, the mvp their best Players doing jordan.
Like stuff not saying they're gonna run make a, run
here but it's something that popped up in. My head
(47:37):
and then you bring up what you said though seven
straight seasons of, you know somebody, else playing, you know winning.
The title so it is gonna be interesting to see what.
Speaker 8 (47:45):
Happens, there, yeah, No NO and i think if we're
going to talk about the potential of a, NEW dynasty
I think okc would be, the answer right because they
have all of these.
Speaker 7 (47:53):
Young guys they've got every single traff pick for the
rest of.
Speaker 8 (47:56):
The decade They've Got, sam PRESTY who i would consider,
one of.
Speaker 7 (48:00):
If not THE greatest gm to ever do it in.
Speaker 8 (48:03):
This league so they've got the all of the building
blocks you will want if you're going to build a
dynasty IN. Today's nba but, of course, you know with
this league and with THE, new cba the question is going,
to be, all right now.
Speaker 7 (48:15):
You won now you got to pay all of.
Speaker 8 (48:17):
These, Guys Now ched holmgren wants, More, Shots Now jayalen
williams wants. More, Shots Hey casey wallace wants to be. A.
STARTER now, i mean you know that comes along. With,
winning now that's the new dynamic that they're gonna have to.
Speaker 7 (48:29):
Deal.
Speaker 4 (48:29):
WITH yeah i think they actually dealt with that with
the previous iteration OF the okc team that went to
the finals where they had To Let james harden go
under a COMPLETELY. Different cba but it, is interesting you
know that that's something that's going to, come UP and
i think it's going to be really fascinating to see
how much more of a factor the money part of
it is and the salary cap is now with some
(48:50):
of the restrictions that they've.
Speaker 8 (48:51):
Added, IN yeah, I Mean jayalen Williams And chet holmgren
are extension eligible, this SUMMER and i think one, OTHER
guy i don't want to say Lou dort as extension aim,
As WELL so, i, think okay she's gonna be handling
a whole lot of money this summer coming off, of potentially,
you know the first title in.
Speaker 2 (49:08):
Franchise, history yeah, you know you MENTIONED the NFL, and
nba and the first thing popped in my Head s
gym was talking about that Was The san francisco forty.
Speaker 3 (49:14):
Nine ers they look like a.
Speaker 2 (49:15):
Team that was going to be there for, a, While
right but to, your point, player here, player, there quarterback
a couple of, other players they want, their deals their
their contracts are. Coming up and now that that team
looks a, little, different right not, the same a. Little
different so it is interesting to see where.
Speaker 7 (49:31):
It.
Speaker 3 (49:31):
Goes man three weeks.
Speaker 2 (49:33):
Will UNTIL The Nba draft wednesday the, twenty Fifth and
thursday to twenty sixth rounds one, and two so we
don't have much longer to go before we find out
where these, prospects go Where the, pelicans select and who.
They select an end free, agency STARTS which i keep
hearing from a lot of people nationally that it could be,
a big a big offseason when it comes to. Free
(49:55):
agency just ten to fifteen. Seconds here do you think
it's going to be a heavy free, AGENT.
Speaker 8 (50:00):
Period, i mean less, free agency. MORE trades i think
it's gonna be a bunch of. Crazy, trades, Okay sure
obviously the ones at the Top OF. GIANNIS kd i
think everybody's kind of expecting. Those TWO and i think
there's definitely gonna be a couple more. Big ones.
Speaker 7 (50:12):
FOR sure i think it's gonna be a big off season,
of trades.
Speaker 2 (50:15):
No doubt, all, right man as always appreciate, the Time
Mister will gillory.
Speaker 7 (50:18):
Of the athletic absolutely appreciate.
Speaker 2 (50:20):
You, guys yeah, For sure thank, You man thank you
for tuning us in here on the special edition Of
The pelicans podcast Presented By New, age products official garage
and outdoor kitchen provider.
Speaker 3 (50:31):
Of Your New.
Speaker 2 (50:31):
Orleans pelicans we'll see you next time On The New Orleans.
Speaker 1 (50:34):
Pelicans podcast thanks for listening To The New Orleans. Pelicans
podcast join us three times per Week on pelicans, dot
Com the pelicans, mobile App the, iHeartRadio app or where
you get, your podcast and be sure To give Jim
and guss a follow on X At JIM underscore i
(50:55):
can Offer And gcap, Underscore seventeen will you? Next time
right here On The New orleans pelicans podcast
Host
Jim Eichenhofer
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