November 4, 2025 • 24 mins
New Orleans Pelicans TV Sideline Reporter / Host Andrew Lopez joins Jim Eichenhofer and Gus Kattengell on the Pelicans Podcast for Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025 to preview November's slate of games which includes a five-game homestand.
Later, Jim gives us his player of the week, player to watch and trending numbers for the next four Pelicans games.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:06):
Hello everybody, and welcome to the New Orleans Pelicans
Podcast, official podcast of your New Orleans Pelicans.
I'm Gus Katengel joined along with Mr. Jim.
I can offer New Orleans pelicans.com and of course there
he is, the curse himself. Mr. Andrew Lopez, television
silent reporter for your New Orleans Pelicans.
I don't mean that in a bad way. I meant that because we just did
Halloween. You and I were in LA.
(00:28):
Jim, what did you do for Halloween, Sir?
Did you have some fun? Did you?
Drive up. I actually didn't.
I just watched the Pelicans Clippers game.
I thought it was going to be a great Halloween, but then Kawhi
Leonard ruined my night. It was a very interesting
finish. It was an exciting finish.
We'll get into that here if you want a little bit.
But guys, it is where it is where we are.
As we come back briefly for a home game.
(00:49):
We're going to get into the partof the schedule kind of preview
you November for Pels fans for you here as well.
There'll be A5 game homestand inthere and I know Jim, you're
super excited. You're going to get to see the
Lakers twice this month. But Andrew, we'll start with
you, the team's O and six. Yeah.
How do we get here? And more importantly, I think
Pels fans are right now wondering how do we get out of
(01:10):
that and get back to our winningways and start making a way to
climbing? As the graph was saying during
our broadcast, we got to get to 500 and then start playing the
season out here. But getting #1 under our belts
be key. But how did we get to this
point, man? What have you seen so far?
I think it it, it's kind of fun.I go back to something Jeremiah
Fear said the other night. It might have been after the
Clippers game when he said he, he feels like if we if if just
(01:33):
one happens, once the first win comes, you'll start to kind of
start to be able to kind of stagthose a little bit.
I think there's there's kind of probably a, a, a number of
different things. It's easy to look at some of
these raw numbers and see, but Ithink you've had three games,
you just really get out of hand and you've been really
competitive in three games. You got to look at what happened
(01:54):
in those three competitive gamesand and which you can kind of
take from it. I think one thing you need to
see is, is more ball movement onthe offensive end.
See some of those assist numberscome up.
I think, I think it was the Denver game.
There's only 17 assists in that Denver game.
I'm pretty sure. I think they had 18 at half
against the Clippers. So there was already something
(02:14):
going in that direction. And there's, and I think AD
talked about this on the broadcast last night, needs to
be a lot more communication on the defensive end.
I think some of some of these breakdowns when you're going to
zone, when you're going to, to some of these switches, some
guys are assuming some things. And instead I think you just
(02:37):
need to have a little bit of like, hey, let's just just just
talk a little bit more and it seems like a little, you know,
quick things. We, we, we've talked a lot about
the debt. We've talked a lot about the
talent on this team. It's there.
Just think you kind of just needto to kind of like Jeremiah
said, just just just get one andsee where things go.
You know, Andrew, it it is, it is incredible because it feels
(02:58):
like through the first six gamesthat we've watched 2 separate
teams. We've seen the team that had a
chance to beat Memphis, went to overtime against the Spurs, had
a game, it's the Clippers go down to the buzzer and the
unfortunate Halloween ending that we already mentioned.
And then you have the other teamthat has lost three games by 30
plus points and not been competitive.
I mean, I feel like it, it's kind of easy to to look at a
(03:22):
bunch of different things that have been contributing factors
to why the team is where they are.
And obviously there's nothing they can do about oh, and six.
But I mean, going forward, there's a few different
categories. I'm wondering they have to
improve in so many different areas.
And I'll I'll list off a couple things.
I mean, through the first six games, they're 27th in offense,
they're 29th in defense with Brooklyn being the only team
(03:43):
that has been more porous at that end of the floor.
They're 28th and rebounding. Kevon Looney came back Sunday
against Oklahoma City, but I think it's probably going to
take him a little bit of time toget back to 100% assisted
turnover ratio. They're 26th.
I mean, if you look at some of these categories in our quest to
find solutions and not point fingers and say, OK, this is
(04:05):
what's wrong and things have been bad so far.
I mean, what do you think are some of the things that of what
I what I mentioned, what are some of the areas where they can
improve or, and, or things that they have to do better to give
themselves a chance to be more competitive and, and more
consistent from game to game? Well, let's start on the we we
can go in order. Let's let's start on the
offensive end finish in the paint.
(04:27):
I I think you're you're a team that had the stat last week.
I think it was forget which gameit was before, might have been
before the Clipper game, but youwere a team that was like top
five or six in the league and getting back into the paint, but
you were bottom 2IN finishing inthe paint.
Like that doesn't make any sense.
It's, it's, it's tough. And so you, you have to kind of
(04:49):
figure out where you can get better in that aspect, how to
finish, you know, finish stronger at the rim.
I think once you kind of can finish a little bit around the
rim, that's going to open up some 3 point shots.
I think we've seen that start tokind of get going in the last
two games. Those numbers have kind of
started to take a jump defense already kind of talked about the
(05:09):
the communication. You just I, I think talking goes
a long way on on that end. And kind of also, I think one
thing that would help both of those categories quite honestly
is, is pace. I know the coaching staff wants
them to run. You want to kind of get out and
try to use these like use these young legs.
There was another stat last week.
I think this one definitely was before the Clipper game.
(05:32):
At that point, we were tops in the league in our points coming
from guys who were 27 and below,whereas the Clippers were first
in the league and their points coming from 28 and above.
And in fact, against us, the Clippers didn't use one guy who
was under the age of 28. They were all 28 and above in
that game. So you have young legs, use
them, kind of kind of try to usethat to your advantage.
(05:54):
I do think the rebounding is going to prove with Loon on the
floor, boxing out is going to help in that.
I think we've seen a little bit of a big step up from from EVE.
They're trying to kind of use his his wingspan to kind of
bring some shots in. And then it says a turnover.
You just, you just got to care about the ball.
You just got to kind of get oversome silly turnovers.
And I think, you know, part of that is you, you had a really
(06:17):
bad game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, who that's what
they like to do. And you had a a guy in Jeremiah
Fears, who I think he ended up with five turnovers yesterday.
But in the previous two games, his assistant turnover ratio by
himself was 14 to 1, 14 decisions, just one turnover.
So I, I think you can, you need,you need to make some better
(06:40):
decisions and kind of get some more guys on the same page.
But that is something that comeswith, I think, you know, having
9 new faces. So sometimes maybe you, you
know, you, you do have a little bit kind of going on, but your
core is still there. The Z, the Trey, the Herb E like
those guys know what they're doing with each other.
As much as we've talked about the fact that that 25 two and
(07:01):
one only played zero games last year together.
So it it it's one of those things that I think overall
you're going to have to try and kind of fix on the fly.
But I think maybe maybe getting up and running on offense may
kind of help cure some of those other things.
You mentioned the youth of this team, too.
I mean, how much going forward in these next set of games do we
(07:23):
keep looking at? They got to start winning the
hustle game. They got to start winning the
energy game. It seemed like one of the things
that was the most glaring on Sunday against Oklahoma City was
just it felt like they didn't get many 5050 balls.
And I know Oklahoma City is a aggressive team, but it just
seems like that's an area that they've they have to improve.
When I talked to assistant coachJaron Collins at halftime, I, I,
(07:47):
it was one of those like, all right, what, just what is it
like what, what, what do you want to see?
He said he want to see fire and he wants to see fight.
And you, you have to play with fire.
You have to play with energy. You have to just go out there
and, and just, and just go. And I think we saw some of that,
a little bit of that in the second-half.
We, we, we third quarter hadn't been what we, you, you saw
against Denver or anything like that on the trip.
(08:09):
So couple of more things that I think you saw that was just a
little bit better on that side. The three-point shooting, I mean
should we be encouraged a littlebit?
I think you mentioned this briefly that they, I mean they
started out I think through fourgames that were 30th in
percentage. They've shot well enough the
last couple games that they're still not great, but maybe
(08:29):
closer to the middle of the pack.
I mean, do you think that's was that kind of a small sample size
start to the season and that we should be expecting it to be a
little bit better than what it is based on the shooters that
are on this roster? Yeah, I think and a lot of that
to me starts with Trey Murphy. You knew Trey Murphy was going
to get his shot down. You knew it was going to happen.
(08:50):
I think it was a case where we were in in practice the other
day and or in shoot around and Iremember this was, you know, Z
telling him, hey, man, shoot that like this.
That's what you do like that's the Trey Murphy I know and he
goes out. He has five that night.
He had another good night last night.
So he he is in a position where I think you can you know, Trey
(09:14):
is going to get those shots. It's now all right.
When is her shots going to fall?We saw Jeremiah fears start to
knock down some shots. I think he is going to be a big
key to that. And obviously, you know, Jordan
Poole is can have the ability tohit 7 or 8 in the game and go
off for 30 as well. So I think some of that is just
finding a little bit more consistency on the offensive
end. But going back to that magical
(09:35):
40 number that Willie Green wanted to get to in terms of of
three-point attempts per game, you're the more you get to that,
I think the, the, the more you're doing a good job.
And I think that kind of all then opens up things for Z,
gives him some length to the basket.
You he can then kick out. And if he does that, the assist
numbers go up and the three-point numbers go up and
the offense goes up. And it's all kind of connected
(09:57):
to what you want to do. Andrew, I know we're going to
get into the November schedule as we kind of we're going to try
(10:20):
to preview the month ahead with you as we go throughout the
season 1 quick thing though, before we get into that, I mean,
what do we think about the schedule so far?
I mean, I know you, you say it is what it is.
They have zero wins that you gotto find a way to win no matter
if you're playing against the 96Bulls.
But at the same time, I mean, they going into yesterday or
(10:41):
going into the Sunday game against Oklahoma City, they
were, they were, they had playedtwo of the teams that were
undefeated between them and the Spurs.
We, I know you and I, Andrew talked about how going into the
season that most people across the NBA thought that there's a
tier in the West that includes the Pelicans, Portland, Phoenix,
Sacramento, and then you have Utah that people have picked
15th pretty much across the board.
(11:03):
But the Pelicans haven't played any of those teams yet.
So I mean, what do we think about just that?
Part of it hasn't helped either to me that the fact that they've
played against a lot of teams that are that are competitive
and and off to good starts. Yeah, but I, I think that's like
that's the West right now though.
Like you can't avoid it. You you really, I mean, coming
(11:23):
into the season, you had probably, I mean, what 14 teams
who were you would think we're trying to trying to compete for
the play offs and I'm sure Utah would tell you they were trying
to compete for the play offs. Everybody in the West is trying
to win, which which makes it even more difficult.
So you you were getting and thatI think San Antonio, who some
(11:45):
people may have still had in that, that that 7 to 10 range
proving they're they're not there, they're above.
So it, it, it's tough, but I still think you had three very
winnable games. You could have beat Memphis, you
could have beat San Antonio and you could have beat the, the the
Clippers. You know, if that goes to
overtime, I mean, you were you were in those games.
(12:07):
So I think while the schedule has not done you any favors,
there's not a lot of that in theNBA anymore.
There's there's not a lot of just.
Especially if you're in the West.
Yeah, I mean you got 20 teams who who are going to make the
post season It it only really starts to shake out if you if
you know when when injuries start to happen.
(12:28):
So I to to me, I think it's not great, but maybe you can.
I think it's at kind of at the end of this next road trip, you
kind of get a Phoenix, Portland,where the Lakers going to be at
that point. Obviously Lucas probably going
to have a jillion points on the season by then.
You see where you know where things are going with that
probably LeBron being back by then.
But it it there, there just aren't a lot of gimmies at at
(12:53):
this point in in the NBA. Yeah, and I think that's the the
point when I look at the rest ofNovember, you know, Android's
you got to fix it. I mean you're you're going to be
getting these teams that are that are good and every night
there's going to be a star player or team that's, you know,
playing well. So when we kind of take a look
at that November schedule, we'rehome once this week and go back
(13:15):
out. Then there's a 5 game home stand
though here in November. When you look at the home games
remaining in this month, anything you're looking forward
to in terms of matchup wise? You know, I, I, you'd like to
see just being able to be home for five days.
I think we, we have a stretch where it's, I think it's 8:00
and 9:00 that, that you do get to be home.
(13:38):
So that I think's A plus. I, I do look, I like, I like it
when the Lakers come to town. I think it brings a different
energy, much to, much to Jim's chagrin, I'm sure.
But, you know, I, I, I'd like seeing that sort of energy and
the fact that you kind of go Lakers Golden State
(13:59):
back-to-back, Yeah, really Lakers Golden State, Oklahoma
City, back-to-back the star. No.
No favors to the team itself. And then Denver's right.
After all, right, yeah, all four.
Yeah, you get, you know, you getan MVP every night for four
straight nights. So it it's you want to see where
(14:19):
you measure up if, if you can fix some things, that's a
stretch where you could look at and say, all right, did did some
things get fixed? You know, before that you're
coming off of a maybe a Phoenix in Portland two games.
You, you, you know, could be in a better spot to get and then
you see where you're at. And I think those are kind of
where I think I'm at right now in terms of what could we still
(14:42):
see the end of this? You know, before we close, I
wanted to ask you 2 guys becauseyou guys are going to be
travelling throughout the rest of November of the there's
basically 5 different cities that the Pelicans are going to
be visiting throughout November.I guess we could start with you,
Andrew. Which, which city of these of
this group are you most looking forward to?
(15:02):
Well, there's definitely some food in San Antonio that I'm
hoping to get a couple of thingsthat I missed.
But I think overall, like I really, I like Phoenix again,
some good spots there. I feel like you're not in LA
enough to get there, but I thinkof like all things consider like
I always love going to Chase Center.
Like the arena itself is just spectacular and that's that's
(15:28):
one. But there's just again, there's
just something about playing in staples that it's it's just it's
got a feel like you play like when you play in Madison Square
Garden, when you play in Boston,when you play in in I'm sorry,
crypto, that it all kind of justfeels special and those that
(15:48):
that's probably what it is. You don't really get a night in
LA, but I think all of all of these are good cities that I
like, and there's particularly some BBQ that I'm looking
forward to getting when I get toSan Antonio.
Yeah, I got a little taste of that, that Clippers game,
Andrew, to your point being in Los Angeles and just having
that, especially that the way that game sort of ended and that
excitement there, I mean, it is,right?
(16:10):
It's kind of all about being, you know, showman.
And that was interesting. To your point, I've never been
to the Chase Center. And I mean, I it always seems
loud. It always seems like the crowd.
I can't get weight, you know, for a three to go down.
And so look, and that's one of those places historically been a
tough place to play. You know, I I'm going to go kind
of go a little bit on the other way too.
Dallas, Jim and Andrew has has recently seen a tough place for
(16:34):
the Pels to go there and and win.
And for whatever reason, whetherit's getting there late or
there's always been something attached to a Pels Mavs game as
of late in Dallas. And I kind of like to just see,
you know, them be able to get a win in some of these places.
I think he kind of gets some momentum going, Huh?
And you get to go there twice, you got two chances in November
(16:55):
to get a win in there. No, but you're right.
I mean, there's been some some one sided losses there.
There's been some bad breaks andthat kind of thing.
It has been unfortunate most of the trips recently to Dallas,
but hopefully this time will be different.
Yeah, we'll see what takes placehere, Andrew, hopefully the next
time we have you on the podcast,Sir.
We'll be talking about some momentum, a couple of wins and
(17:16):
some of the things that some players have done.
Because we have seen some good moments in these games, even
though they haven't gone the wayNew Orleans has gone, the way
the the rookies have been playing.
And you, Trey Murphy finally getting going here as well as
he's almost bad, a couple of double, double S, even triple
double watch here and there. So let's put it all together and
talk about some wins, huh? I'm just.
Excited to I I'll tell you what,the one thing I'm most excited
(17:37):
to watch this month is Jeremiah Fears play basketball.
I got it. I, I, I want to be during my
fears when I grow up like this. This kid is, he's whatever it
is, he's got it. Sounds good.
Thank you, Andrew, as always man, I appreciate the time.
(18:11):
Our thanks once again to Andrew Lopez, television style and
reporter for your New Orleans Pelicans.
Jim, we could talk to Andrew fora lot longer than we have about
all the little things that the team is doing well too as well.
So I look, one of the things that stand out to me is a player
that he mentioned. Could he be your player of the
week and give me a player to watch if you get my tease, you
(18:33):
know. What you and Andrew set me up
perfectly because the player of the week is Jeremiah Fears.
He he talked about how he's excited to watch him for the
next however many years. Hopefully it's a long time that
he's in a Pelicans uniform. Fears averaged 13 points a game,
1.8 steals. Andrew referenced this as well.
Over the four games that the Pelicans played last week, he
(18:53):
had 20 assists and 10 turnovers.So he had a 2 to one assistant
turnover ratio. We saw in Summer League that
that was a problem. That was something that he
needed to improve upon. He had too many turnovers and
not a lot of assists. It seems like he's turned into
much more of a playmaker and hisdecision making has improved.
So to be able to do that now against real NBA competition
compared to the players that yougo against in Summer League, I'm
(19:15):
impressed by that. The player to watch this week
over the next few games is Trey Murphy.
And the reason I I picked him isbecause he shot 5 for 23 from 3
point range over the first four games of the season.
But in game five against the Clippers and in in game six
against Oklahoma City, he was 5 for 10 from three in both of
those games. So obviously that's 10 for 20
(19:37):
after he started 5 for 23. His shooting splits over the
season are still only 39 from the field, 35 from 3 at 91 from
free throw line, which we expectfrom him.
But I think one of the stats that stands out to me too, that
is keep an eye on is he's only taken 11 free throws in the
first six games, which if you think about how many times he's
(19:58):
driven the ball to the basket orgot a layup up or tried to shoot
over a big, that blows my mind. I don't want to get fined Gus,
so I'll just leave it at that. Trey Murphy, I think is the guy
that we. I expect him to continue to
build on the way he shot the ball the last couple games and
just improve overall because obviously it was an
(20:19):
uncharacteristic start for him through the first few games.
Look, you know me right? What do I love?
What what do I I we did dunks. I I went and look, you heard
Andrew kind of touch on that number that that number, that
stat just blows my mind. One of the top teams getting to
the paint and but not finishing.And Jim, one of the best ways to
finish is a dunk. But in to your point with Trey
(20:40):
Murphy, I was literally talking about that going into that
Oakley OKC game with Graf the the teams are not going to let
him just go out there and try toshoot.
And when he got caught, he was still shooting a good 5-6 feet
beyond the arc there. He has that ability to drive and
finish and play above the rim. The guy was in the dunk contest.
(21:01):
That element we've seen in the past and when that comes
together, this game just goes toanother level.
So I'm with you. I'm watching that too.
I'm watching and hoping that Trey gets above the rim a little
bit more. Trending numbers, man.
We got a couple of some Rd. games here and some Rd. teams
and some teams coming up here that you want to maybe with home
(21:21):
and road for the next, what, 4 matchups?
Yeah, the next 7. Days before we come back and
record again. So Tuesday night Charlotte, the
trending number for that is 6. And the reason I picked the
number six is because they're 6th in offense and 6th in pace.
So I mean they're they're a teamthat is off to a a really good
start offensively. Obviously, they're a team that
(21:42):
it's going to be important for the Pelicans to try to contain
them a little bit and not let them score 120 a 125 points
should be an entertaining game in the Smoothie King Center.
The number for Wednesday againstDallas is 30 and that is the
Mavs rank in offense so far. So they're the last team ranked
in in the league. I know people expected with
(22:03):
Kyrie Irving out that they mighthave some issues running the
offense and they're trying to kind of duct tape together the
point guard situation with the Angelo Russell as well.
But another number that is really shocking to me is they're
actually 25th and rebounding. And if you think about how many
big line UPS they have that theythey basically are playing
without guards. A lot of times they're trying to
(22:24):
play Cooper flag at the at the 1.
You would think that they would be dominating on the boards, but
they're actually 25th. So maybe that's an area that the
Pelicans can take advantage of. Or Saturday's game at San
Antonio, the trending number forthem is 2, and that is they
ranked second in defense right now behind only Oklahoma City.
The Thunder again have a pretty big gap in terms of how
(22:47):
effective they are and everyone else in the league.
But with Wembe kind of patrolling the paint and people
afraid to try to shoot over him,they're the Spurs are second in
defense, which is a huge jump from what they've done the
previous two years. Even with Wembe, they were not a
great defensive team the past two years, which is why they
ended up not even making the play in.
But man, what a improvement. I'm at that end of the floor.
(23:10):
And then lastly, the the trending number for Phoenix,
which is the game next Monday is7 and that is they have seven
players that are averaging double figure points so far,
which I think is shocking because people this is going to
be Devin Booker show they they got rid of Bradley Beal and
Kevin Durant. So now it's going to be on him
to do everything. He's still averaging 30 points a
(23:30):
game. So he's off to a great start.
But I think the surprise of thembeing close to 500 at this very
early juncture is they're getting a lot of other players
to contribute offensively and even came up Sunday night.
They were the first team to beatthe spurs.
So impressive work by Phoenix. Those are the trending numbers
for this week. Again, if you just.
Listen to Jim's numbers there. It gives you an idea of look,
(23:52):
it's Brovember, it's tough now, November high.
It's what it is it it's not easyright now for the Pels got to
get some going. But you can't think of it right.
You got to take one game at a time and and try to go win at a
game. So but as you can hear, going to
be some interesting matchups coming up.
Our thanks again to Andrew Lopezand of course, Jim, as always,
man, it's a pleasure having thischat with you.
Thank you. Likewise, Gus.
(24:13):
That sounds good. We'll see you.
Next time on the New Orleans Pelicans podcast.
Hello everybody, and welcome to the New Orleans Pelicans
Podcast, official podcast of your New Orleans Pelicans.
I'm Gus Katengel joined along with Mr. Jim.
I can offer New Orleans pelicans.com and of course there
he is, the curse himself. Mr. Andrew Lopez, television
silent reporter for your New Orleans Pelicans.
I don't mean that in a bad way. I meant that because we just did
Halloween. You and I were in LA.
(00:28):
Jim, what did you do for Halloween, Sir?
Did you have some fun? Did you?
Drive up. I actually didn't.
I just watched the Pelicans Clippers game.
I thought it was going to be a great Halloween, but then Kawhi
Leonard ruined my night. It was a very interesting
finish. It was an exciting finish.
We'll get into that here if you want a little bit.
But guys, it is where it is where we are.
As we come back briefly for a home game.
(00:49):
We're going to get into the partof the schedule kind of preview
you November for Pels fans for you here as well.
There'll be A5 game homestand inthere and I know Jim, you're
super excited. You're going to get to see the
Lakers twice this month. But Andrew, we'll start with
you, the team's O and six. Yeah.
How do we get here? And more importantly, I think
Pels fans are right now wondering how do we get out of
(01:10):
that and get back to our winningways and start making a way to
climbing? As the graph was saying during
our broadcast, we got to get to 500 and then start playing the
season out here. But getting #1 under our belts
be key. But how did we get to this
point, man? What have you seen so far?
I think it it, it's kind of fun.I go back to something Jeremiah
Fear said the other night. It might have been after the
Clippers game when he said he, he feels like if we if if just
(01:33):
one happens, once the first win comes, you'll start to kind of
start to be able to kind of stagthose a little bit.
I think there's there's kind of probably a, a, a number of
different things. It's easy to look at some of
these raw numbers and see, but Ithink you've had three games,
you just really get out of hand and you've been really
competitive in three games. You got to look at what happened
(01:54):
in those three competitive gamesand and which you can kind of
take from it. I think one thing you need to
see is, is more ball movement onthe offensive end.
See some of those assist numberscome up.
I think, I think it was the Denver game.
There's only 17 assists in that Denver game.
I'm pretty sure. I think they had 18 at half
against the Clippers. So there was already something
(02:14):
going in that direction. And there's, and I think AD
talked about this on the broadcast last night, needs to
be a lot more communication on the defensive end.
I think some of some of these breakdowns when you're going to
zone, when you're going to, to some of these switches, some
guys are assuming some things. And instead I think you just
(02:37):
need to have a little bit of like, hey, let's just just just
talk a little bit more and it seems like a little, you know,
quick things. We, we, we've talked a lot about
the debt. We've talked a lot about the
talent on this team. It's there.
Just think you kind of just needto to kind of like Jeremiah
said, just just just get one andsee where things go.
You know, Andrew, it it is, it is incredible because it feels
(02:58):
like through the first six gamesthat we've watched 2 separate
teams. We've seen the team that had a
chance to beat Memphis, went to overtime against the Spurs, had
a game, it's the Clippers go down to the buzzer and the
unfortunate Halloween ending that we already mentioned.
And then you have the other teamthat has lost three games by 30
plus points and not been competitive.
I mean, I feel like it, it's kind of easy to to look at a
(03:22):
bunch of different things that have been contributing factors
to why the team is where they are.
And obviously there's nothing they can do about oh, and six.
But I mean, going forward, there's a few different
categories. I'm wondering they have to
improve in so many different areas.
And I'll I'll list off a couple things.
I mean, through the first six games, they're 27th in offense,
they're 29th in defense with Brooklyn being the only team
(03:43):
that has been more porous at that end of the floor.
They're 28th and rebounding. Kevon Looney came back Sunday
against Oklahoma City, but I think it's probably going to
take him a little bit of time toget back to 100% assisted
turnover ratio. They're 26th.
I mean, if you look at some of these categories in our quest to
find solutions and not point fingers and say, OK, this is
(04:05):
what's wrong and things have been bad so far.
I mean, what do you think are some of the things that of what
I what I mentioned, what are some of the areas where they can
improve or, and, or things that they have to do better to give
themselves a chance to be more competitive and, and more
consistent from game to game? Well, let's start on the we we
can go in order. Let's let's start on the
offensive end finish in the paint.
(04:27):
I I think you're you're a team that had the stat last week.
I think it was forget which gameit was before, might have been
before the Clipper game, but youwere a team that was like top
five or six in the league and getting back into the paint, but
you were bottom 2IN finishing inthe paint.
Like that doesn't make any sense.
It's, it's, it's tough. And so you, you have to kind of
(04:49):
figure out where you can get better in that aspect, how to
finish, you know, finish stronger at the rim.
I think once you kind of can finish a little bit around the
rim, that's going to open up some 3 point shots.
I think we've seen that start tokind of get going in the last
two games. Those numbers have kind of
started to take a jump defense already kind of talked about the
(05:09):
the communication. You just I, I think talking goes
a long way on on that end. And kind of also, I think one
thing that would help both of those categories quite honestly
is, is pace. I know the coaching staff wants
them to run. You want to kind of get out and
try to use these like use these young legs.
There was another stat last week.
I think this one definitely was before the Clipper game.
(05:32):
At that point, we were tops in the league in our points coming
from guys who were 27 and below,whereas the Clippers were first
in the league and their points coming from 28 and above.
And in fact, against us, the Clippers didn't use one guy who
was under the age of 28. They were all 28 and above in
that game. So you have young legs, use
them, kind of kind of try to usethat to your advantage.
(05:54):
I do think the rebounding is going to prove with Loon on the
floor, boxing out is going to help in that.
I think we've seen a little bit of a big step up from from EVE.
They're trying to kind of use his his wingspan to kind of
bring some shots in. And then it says a turnover.
You just, you just got to care about the ball.
You just got to kind of get oversome silly turnovers.
And I think, you know, part of that is you, you had a really
(06:17):
bad game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, who that's what
they like to do. And you had a a guy in Jeremiah
Fears, who I think he ended up with five turnovers yesterday.
But in the previous two games, his assistant turnover ratio by
himself was 14 to 1, 14 decisions, just one turnover.
So I, I think you can, you need,you need to make some better
(06:40):
decisions and kind of get some more guys on the same page.
But that is something that comeswith, I think, you know, having
9 new faces. So sometimes maybe you, you
know, you, you do have a little bit kind of going on, but your
core is still there. The Z, the Trey, the Herb E like
those guys know what they're doing with each other.
As much as we've talked about the fact that that 25 two and
(07:01):
one only played zero games last year together.
So it it it's one of those things that I think overall
you're going to have to try and kind of fix on the fly.
But I think maybe maybe getting up and running on offense may
kind of help cure some of those other things.
You mentioned the youth of this team, too.
I mean, how much going forward in these next set of games do we
(07:23):
keep looking at? They got to start winning the
hustle game. They got to start winning the
energy game. It seemed like one of the things
that was the most glaring on Sunday against Oklahoma City was
just it felt like they didn't get many 5050 balls.
And I know Oklahoma City is a aggressive team, but it just
seems like that's an area that they've they have to improve.
When I talked to assistant coachJaron Collins at halftime, I, I,
(07:47):
it was one of those like, all right, what, just what is it
like what, what, what do you want to see?
He said he want to see fire and he wants to see fight.
And you, you have to play with fire.
You have to play with energy. You have to just go out there
and, and just, and just go. And I think we saw some of that,
a little bit of that in the second-half.
We, we, we third quarter hadn't been what we, you, you saw
against Denver or anything like that on the trip.
(08:09):
So couple of more things that I think you saw that was just a
little bit better on that side. The three-point shooting, I mean
should we be encouraged a littlebit?
I think you mentioned this briefly that they, I mean they
started out I think through fourgames that were 30th in
percentage. They've shot well enough the
last couple games that they're still not great, but maybe
(08:29):
closer to the middle of the pack.
I mean, do you think that's was that kind of a small sample size
start to the season and that we should be expecting it to be a
little bit better than what it is based on the shooters that
are on this roster? Yeah, I think and a lot of that
to me starts with Trey Murphy. You knew Trey Murphy was going
to get his shot down. You knew it was going to happen.
(08:50):
I think it was a case where we were in in practice the other
day and or in shoot around and Iremember this was, you know, Z
telling him, hey, man, shoot that like this.
That's what you do like that's the Trey Murphy I know and he
goes out. He has five that night.
He had another good night last night.
So he he is in a position where I think you can you know, Trey
(09:14):
is going to get those shots. It's now all right.
When is her shots going to fall?We saw Jeremiah fears start to
knock down some shots. I think he is going to be a big
key to that. And obviously, you know, Jordan
Poole is can have the ability tohit 7 or 8 in the game and go
off for 30 as well. So I think some of that is just
finding a little bit more consistency on the offensive
end. But going back to that magical
(09:35):
40 number that Willie Green wanted to get to in terms of of
three-point attempts per game, you're the more you get to that,
I think the, the, the more you're doing a good job.
And I think that kind of all then opens up things for Z,
gives him some length to the basket.
You he can then kick out. And if he does that, the assist
numbers go up and the three-point numbers go up and
the offense goes up. And it's all kind of connected
(09:57):
to what you want to do. Andrew, I know we're going to
get into the November schedule as we kind of we're going to try
(10:20):
to preview the month ahead with you as we go throughout the
season 1 quick thing though, before we get into that, I mean,
what do we think about the schedule so far?
I mean, I know you, you say it is what it is.
They have zero wins that you gotto find a way to win no matter
if you're playing against the 96Bulls.
But at the same time, I mean, they going into yesterday or
(10:41):
going into the Sunday game against Oklahoma City, they
were, they were, they had playedtwo of the teams that were
undefeated between them and the Spurs.
We, I know you and I, Andrew talked about how going into the
season that most people across the NBA thought that there's a
tier in the West that includes the Pelicans, Portland, Phoenix,
Sacramento, and then you have Utah that people have picked
15th pretty much across the board.
(11:03):
But the Pelicans haven't played any of those teams yet.
So I mean, what do we think about just that?
Part of it hasn't helped either to me that the fact that they've
played against a lot of teams that are that are competitive
and and off to good starts. Yeah, but I, I think that's like
that's the West right now though.
Like you can't avoid it. You you really, I mean, coming
(11:23):
into the season, you had probably, I mean, what 14 teams
who were you would think we're trying to trying to compete for
the play offs and I'm sure Utah would tell you they were trying
to compete for the play offs. Everybody in the West is trying
to win, which which makes it even more difficult.
So you you were getting and thatI think San Antonio, who some
(11:45):
people may have still had in that, that that 7 to 10 range
proving they're they're not there, they're above.
So it, it, it's tough, but I still think you had three very
winnable games. You could have beat Memphis, you
could have beat San Antonio and you could have beat the, the the
Clippers. You know, if that goes to
overtime, I mean, you were you were in those games.
(12:07):
So I think while the schedule has not done you any favors,
there's not a lot of that in theNBA anymore.
There's there's not a lot of just.
Especially if you're in the West.
Yeah, I mean you got 20 teams who who are going to make the
post season It it only really starts to shake out if you if
you know when when injuries start to happen.
(12:28):
So I to to me, I think it's not great, but maybe you can.
I think it's at kind of at the end of this next road trip, you
kind of get a Phoenix, Portland,where the Lakers going to be at
that point. Obviously Lucas probably going
to have a jillion points on the season by then.
You see where you know where things are going with that
probably LeBron being back by then.
But it it there, there just aren't a lot of gimmies at at
(12:53):
this point in in the NBA. Yeah, and I think that's the the
point when I look at the rest ofNovember, you know, Android's
you got to fix it. I mean you're you're going to be
getting these teams that are that are good and every night
there's going to be a star player or team that's, you know,
playing well. So when we kind of take a look
at that November schedule, we'rehome once this week and go back
(13:15):
out. Then there's a 5 game home stand
though here in November. When you look at the home games
remaining in this month, anything you're looking forward
to in terms of matchup wise? You know, I, I, you'd like to
see just being able to be home for five days.
I think we, we have a stretch where it's, I think it's 8:00
and 9:00 that, that you do get to be home.
(13:38):
So that I think's A plus. I, I do look, I like, I like it
when the Lakers come to town. I think it brings a different
energy, much to, much to Jim's chagrin, I'm sure.
But, you know, I, I, I'd like seeing that sort of energy and
the fact that you kind of go Lakers Golden State
(13:59):
back-to-back, Yeah, really Lakers Golden State, Oklahoma
City, back-to-back the star. No.
No favors to the team itself. And then Denver's right.
After all, right, yeah, all four.
Yeah, you get, you know, you getan MVP every night for four
straight nights. So it it's you want to see where
(14:19):
you measure up if, if you can fix some things, that's a
stretch where you could look at and say, all right, did did some
things get fixed? You know, before that you're
coming off of a maybe a Phoenix in Portland two games.
You, you, you know, could be in a better spot to get and then
you see where you're at. And I think those are kind of
where I think I'm at right now in terms of what could we still
(14:42):
see the end of this? You know, before we close, I
wanted to ask you 2 guys becauseyou guys are going to be
travelling throughout the rest of November of the there's
basically 5 different cities that the Pelicans are going to
be visiting throughout November.I guess we could start with you,
Andrew. Which, which city of these of
this group are you most looking forward to?
(15:02):
Well, there's definitely some food in San Antonio that I'm
hoping to get a couple of thingsthat I missed.
But I think overall, like I really, I like Phoenix again,
some good spots there. I feel like you're not in LA
enough to get there, but I thinkof like all things consider like
I always love going to Chase Center.
Like the arena itself is just spectacular and that's that's
(15:28):
one. But there's just again, there's
just something about playing in staples that it's it's just it's
got a feel like you play like when you play in Madison Square
Garden, when you play in Boston,when you play in in I'm sorry,
crypto, that it all kind of justfeels special and those that
(15:48):
that's probably what it is. You don't really get a night in
LA, but I think all of all of these are good cities that I
like, and there's particularly some BBQ that I'm looking
forward to getting when I get toSan Antonio.
Yeah, I got a little taste of that, that Clippers game,
Andrew, to your point being in Los Angeles and just having
that, especially that the way that game sort of ended and that
excitement there, I mean, it is,right?
(16:10):
It's kind of all about being, you know, showman.
And that was interesting. To your point, I've never been
to the Chase Center. And I mean, I it always seems
loud. It always seems like the crowd.
I can't get weight, you know, for a three to go down.
And so look, and that's one of those places historically been a
tough place to play. You know, I I'm going to go kind
of go a little bit on the other way too.
Dallas, Jim and Andrew has has recently seen a tough place for
(16:34):
the Pels to go there and and win.
And for whatever reason, whetherit's getting there late or
there's always been something attached to a Pels Mavs game as
of late in Dallas. And I kind of like to just see,
you know, them be able to get a win in some of these places.
I think he kind of gets some momentum going, Huh?
And you get to go there twice, you got two chances in November
(16:55):
to get a win in there. No, but you're right.
I mean, there's been some some one sided losses there.
There's been some bad breaks andthat kind of thing.
It has been unfortunate most of the trips recently to Dallas,
but hopefully this time will be different.
Yeah, we'll see what takes placehere, Andrew, hopefully the next
time we have you on the podcast,Sir.
We'll be talking about some momentum, a couple of wins and
(17:16):
some of the things that some players have done.
Because we have seen some good moments in these games, even
though they haven't gone the wayNew Orleans has gone, the way
the the rookies have been playing.
And you, Trey Murphy finally getting going here as well as
he's almost bad, a couple of double, double S, even triple
double watch here and there. So let's put it all together and
talk about some wins, huh? I'm just.
Excited to I I'll tell you what,the one thing I'm most excited
(17:37):
to watch this month is Jeremiah Fears play basketball.
I got it. I, I, I want to be during my
fears when I grow up like this. This kid is, he's whatever it
is, he's got it. Sounds good.
Thank you, Andrew, as always man, I appreciate the time.
(18:11):
Our thanks once again to Andrew Lopez, television style and
reporter for your New Orleans Pelicans.
Jim, we could talk to Andrew fora lot longer than we have about
all the little things that the team is doing well too as well.
So I look, one of the things that stand out to me is a player
that he mentioned. Could he be your player of the
week and give me a player to watch if you get my tease, you
(18:33):
know. What you and Andrew set me up
perfectly because the player of the week is Jeremiah Fears.
He he talked about how he's excited to watch him for the
next however many years. Hopefully it's a long time that
he's in a Pelicans uniform. Fears averaged 13 points a game,
1.8 steals. Andrew referenced this as well.
Over the four games that the Pelicans played last week, he
(18:53):
had 20 assists and 10 turnovers.So he had a 2 to one assistant
turnover ratio. We saw in Summer League that
that was a problem. That was something that he
needed to improve upon. He had too many turnovers and
not a lot of assists. It seems like he's turned into
much more of a playmaker and hisdecision making has improved.
So to be able to do that now against real NBA competition
compared to the players that yougo against in Summer League, I'm
(19:15):
impressed by that. The player to watch this week
over the next few games is Trey Murphy.
And the reason I I picked him isbecause he shot 5 for 23 from 3
point range over the first four games of the season.
But in game five against the Clippers and in in game six
against Oklahoma City, he was 5 for 10 from three in both of
those games. So obviously that's 10 for 20
(19:37):
after he started 5 for 23. His shooting splits over the
season are still only 39 from the field, 35 from 3 at 91 from
free throw line, which we expectfrom him.
But I think one of the stats that stands out to me too, that
is keep an eye on is he's only taken 11 free throws in the
first six games, which if you think about how many times he's
(19:58):
driven the ball to the basket orgot a layup up or tried to shoot
over a big, that blows my mind. I don't want to get fined Gus,
so I'll just leave it at that. Trey Murphy, I think is the guy
that we. I expect him to continue to
build on the way he shot the ball the last couple games and
just improve overall because obviously it was an
(20:19):
uncharacteristic start for him through the first few games.
Look, you know me right? What do I love?
What what do I I we did dunks. I I went and look, you heard
Andrew kind of touch on that number that that number, that
stat just blows my mind. One of the top teams getting to
the paint and but not finishing.And Jim, one of the best ways to
finish is a dunk. But in to your point with Trey
(20:40):
Murphy, I was literally talking about that going into that
Oakley OKC game with Graf the the teams are not going to let
him just go out there and try toshoot.
And when he got caught, he was still shooting a good 5-6 feet
beyond the arc there. He has that ability to drive and
finish and play above the rim. The guy was in the dunk contest.
(21:01):
That element we've seen in the past and when that comes
together, this game just goes toanother level.
So I'm with you. I'm watching that too.
I'm watching and hoping that Trey gets above the rim a little
bit more. Trending numbers, man.
We got a couple of some Rd. games here and some Rd. teams
and some teams coming up here that you want to maybe with home
(21:21):
and road for the next, what, 4 matchups?
Yeah, the next 7. Days before we come back and
record again. So Tuesday night Charlotte, the
trending number for that is 6. And the reason I picked the
number six is because they're 6th in offense and 6th in pace.
So I mean they're they're a teamthat is off to a a really good
start offensively. Obviously, they're a team that
(21:42):
it's going to be important for the Pelicans to try to contain
them a little bit and not let them score 120 a 125 points
should be an entertaining game in the Smoothie King Center.
The number for Wednesday againstDallas is 30 and that is the
Mavs rank in offense so far. So they're the last team ranked
in in the league. I know people expected with
(22:03):
Kyrie Irving out that they mighthave some issues running the
offense and they're trying to kind of duct tape together the
point guard situation with the Angelo Russell as well.
But another number that is really shocking to me is they're
actually 25th and rebounding. And if you think about how many
big line UPS they have that theythey basically are playing
without guards. A lot of times they're trying to
(22:24):
play Cooper flag at the at the 1.
You would think that they would be dominating on the boards, but
they're actually 25th. So maybe that's an area that the
Pelicans can take advantage of. Or Saturday's game at San
Antonio, the trending number forthem is 2, and that is they
ranked second in defense right now behind only Oklahoma City.
The Thunder again have a pretty big gap in terms of how
(22:47):
effective they are and everyone else in the league.
But with Wembe kind of patrolling the paint and people
afraid to try to shoot over him,they're the Spurs are second in
defense, which is a huge jump from what they've done the
previous two years. Even with Wembe, they were not a
great defensive team the past two years, which is why they
ended up not even making the play in.
But man, what a improvement. I'm at that end of the floor.
(23:10):
And then lastly, the the trending number for Phoenix,
which is the game next Monday is7 and that is they have seven
players that are averaging double figure points so far,
which I think is shocking because people this is going to
be Devin Booker show they they got rid of Bradley Beal and
Kevin Durant. So now it's going to be on him
to do everything. He's still averaging 30 points a
(23:30):
game. So he's off to a great start.
But I think the surprise of thembeing close to 500 at this very
early juncture is they're getting a lot of other players
to contribute offensively and even came up Sunday night.
They were the first team to beatthe spurs.
So impressive work by Phoenix. Those are the trending numbers
for this week. Again, if you just.
Listen to Jim's numbers there. It gives you an idea of look,
(23:52):
it's Brovember, it's tough now, November high.
It's what it is it it's not easyright now for the Pels got to
get some going. But you can't think of it right.
You got to take one game at a time and and try to go win at a
game. So but as you can hear, going to
be some interesting matchups coming up.
Our thanks again to Andrew Lopezand of course, Jim, as always,
man, it's a pleasure having thischat with you.
Thank you. Likewise, Gus.
(24:13):
That sounds good. We'll see you.
Next time on the New Orleans Pelicans podcast.
Host
Jim Eichenhofer
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