January 8, 2025 • 43 mins
On the latest New Orleans Pelicans Podcast for Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, Pelicans.com’s Jim Eichenhofer and Gus Kattengell recap the Pelicans' game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
They'll break down Zion Williamson’s high-flying return to action plus the strong play of Dejounte Murray.
Later, it's Western Conference Wednesday, so Jim gives us his team to watch out for and team whose stock is going up and down.
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Episode Transcript
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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 (00:33):
Hello everyone to welcome to New Orleans Pelicans Podcast, official
podcast of your New Orleans Pelicans. On this Wednesday, January eighth,
Mister Jim, I can offer Gus catt and go with
you as we have another game to talk about tonight,
the second half of a back to back Pels taking
on the Portland Trailblazers. But Jim, two straight wins hells
(00:55):
hosting the Timberwolves last night, and man, I tell you,
it was exciting from the get go when you found
out the news that Zion Williamson was going to play.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
Yeah, and I think the game lived up to that,
the excitement that he was going to be back on
the court. I mean, not only did he play a
really good game, he was hit twenty two points in
only twenty eight minutes, but he managed to pack a
few highlights into that as well. I mean, it was
it was a fun night, and you know, I know
we don't like to talk about moral victories in the NBA,
(01:24):
but I mean that was definitely encouraging. That was one
of the that was probably the most encouraging loss that
the Pelicans have had this year. Just from the standpoint
of that, there's a lot of things that they did
well that you can build on.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
Yeah, no doubt. We've got to talk a little bit
more about that coming up later in this podcast, specifically
about some things that stood out with two players, not
that anyone else on the team isn't worth being talked about,
but specifically those two guys too. And I think there
were some things that stood out in their post game
comments to you and me, and I think a lot
of people that followed his team. So we'll do that. Plus,
of course it is Wednesday, Western Conference Wednesday will get
(01:57):
into all of that and more. But come on, I
know you want to hear what it sounded like on
the Pelicans radio network. John de Chazer, Ty Graffanini from
last night.
Speaker 4 (02:04):
Long Rebound, McCollum, cj Elliam Zion, you gotta be kidding me.
That was from about forty feet away and There is
nothing wrong with the spring of Zion. Williamson Fly Big
Z fly left corner pass intercepted by Murray, steals Zion
three on one bounce feed the DJ lays it in.
Speaker 5 (02:25):
How about Z running the break?
Speaker 4 (02:26):
Took pass off the glass taken by Z running the brake,
go big Z euros in kick it to Murray, sets
his feet right angle three, got it.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
DJ, Please.
Speaker 4 (02:38):
Pick up your phone. Time out, Chris Finch. But what
I love right there, John is Z running the break.
Defense collapses. You got guys wide open.
Speaker 6 (02:50):
That's the element that he continues to bring. When he
gets thrown the other end and he pushes it, you
gotta pick him up. If you're the defender and somebody's
gonna be wide open, Conley, dump it down and go.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
And Zion just swatted it away.
Speaker 4 (03:03):
Murray frontcourt right with six, kick from z with four,
crosses over with two elbow jumper, nothing but net.
Speaker 6 (03:12):
I mean, he basically walked into the shoddy warner. I mean,
I don't know what his reach is, but there's gotta
be condor level.
Speaker 4 (03:19):
That is four steals from Murray, eighteen points and he
nearly got another one.
Speaker 7 (03:24):
And now Zion will poke it away, big boy Grase
sixty your firm left pad punch. It started with Dejonte,
Sion finished it off four up top.
Speaker 4 (03:39):
Oh, we've been waiting for that for two months. Hell's
tie their largest lead, fifty nine to fifty four. Randall
poked away, Zion could get it, and then Murray comes in, show.
Speaker 5 (03:51):
Them a disease.
Speaker 8 (03:52):
Throw it the tag team and he and Zion first,
because not Saint Murray tips it previously for the three
thinkers that on Thief Tiff fit and did not they
come fit for the feel and get the cheap of fifth.
Speaker 9 (04:06):
Going back to thee.
Speaker 4 (04:06):
You think Z's missed being on the floor, I mean
he is soaking up the applause and Zion's back in
their powers in on Randall just throw it up? Why
not left paining good? He sees Julius Randall and that's
just fresh beef eighteen for z with twenty seven a night.
The Zion went past Gobert and there it is, and
(04:31):
one my partner with an asking, ye shall received how.
Speaker 2 (04:34):
About those highlights Jim from condors to fresh me to
just I mean chuckling away from John de Chazer. But
that's the point, right, I mean that's what Zion can
do and bring onto this court.
Speaker 5 (04:45):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (04:45):
I think they captured really well the feeling throughout the game,
but especially that one stretch where it was just the
word I used was ambushing. That Dejonte and Zion just
basically attacked anyone from Minnesota that was bringing the ball
up the court. So to see those two guys combine
the way they did it was it was a lot
of fun. I mean it was I don't know if
therapeutic is the right word, but to see Zion grab
(05:08):
the ball do a three sixty wind mail it was.
Speaker 5 (05:10):
That was so much fun.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
And for people that have been waiting for him to play,
that was such a cool moment to get to see
him not only be back on the court, but also
look as good as he did physically.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Yeah, no doubt. Here's Zion on what Jim just said,
the yell after the dunk.
Speaker 9 (05:25):
Have fun.
Speaker 10 (05:28):
You know, like I said previous question, me and Johns
talk a lot about it, and you know, before the
game and.
Speaker 9 (05:35):
Had to talk.
Speaker 10 (05:35):
He said, man, you go out there, have fun, and
you know we're gonna help you find your rhythm, but
have fun and compete. So you know, in those moments
when the moment presented itself, you know, celebrate, just have fun,
just be grateful for you know what's going on.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
It's crazy. You and I were talking about it at
shoot around and during the game, everyone was talking about it.
I cannot believe that last night was the first regular
season game this season that Dejontey and Zion played together.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
Yeah, I mean it had been I had Jebruary seventh.
I had to actually look up. It was so long
ago that they actually had two preseason games together that
I didn't.
Speaker 5 (06:13):
Even remember that.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
I didn't even remember that they had played twice at
the beginning of preseason, so that's how long ago that was.
But yeah, it was. It was unbelievable. I mean, kind
of symbolic of the way the season has gone. Unfortunately
from a player availability standpoint, that Dejonte played in the
first game broke his hand. That was also the first
game of the season where Zion missed it because he
(06:35):
had an illness, and then he came back the second, third,
and fourth games, but Dejonte was already out with his injury.
So I mean, I think this is something that we
talked about throughout the offseason. I feel like there's a
lot of conversations about man, what kind of impact is
de Jonte Murray and having that kind of point guard
going to have on Zion. So to actually get to
see it play out the way that he the way
(06:56):
that it did, was great and makes you want.
Speaker 5 (06:59):
To see even more.
Speaker 3 (07:00):
You know, you want to see those guys play together
in the upcoming games and just see what else they
can do, no doubt.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
Here's what DJ had to say on it.
Speaker 9 (07:08):
I mean, it was good.
Speaker 11 (07:09):
I'm glad he played with the confidence and the joy,
you know, especially after there's Donk. You just see the
joy and you know, just knowing what he goes to,
what he been through, you know, his happy for him. Uh,
you know, just that's you know, have fun, be patient,
just go play your game, you know, and we all
together through through the ups and downs with together.
Speaker 9 (07:32):
So you know, it was great to play with them.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
Now wondering if ast people are listening to this, they're
starting to catch on to something. Here's what they had
to say really at the start of their post. You know,
game availability. Okay, the Pels played well, those two players
played well. We'll get to DJ's performance here, probably his
best night as a Pelican h in terms of you know,
scoring and steals and all that. But listen to how
(07:55):
they talked about the fact they didn't get to win.
He was ion.
Speaker 10 (07:58):
It was definitely good to be back out there, and
you know, it was just good to see my teammates,
you know, competing. You know, the Timberwolves started off hot,
but you know, nobody was really bothered by. Everybody was like, nah,
were good. Just stick to what we do. And as
far as it's losing the game, it's just XS and
(08:21):
O's h throughout the game, dude. We just gotta be
better at no excuse for it.
Speaker 9 (08:26):
Just got to be better at it.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
Twenty two point six rebounds for sists, three steals the
block at Zion Stats. De Jonte Murray twenty nine six
two as well on his night.
Speaker 11 (08:37):
I mean, we lost, man, I ain't you know, I
don't focus on that. I don't play for steps. I
try to play the game the right way. Obviously, you
know my shots are starting to fall more, uh, you know,
just being aggressive.
Speaker 9 (08:46):
I think I'm always aggressive.
Speaker 11 (08:47):
Uh, you know, obviously could take better shuts just in general,
not today's game, but in general.
Speaker 9 (08:53):
But you know, I don't play for stats.
Speaker 11 (08:54):
You know, I'm here to win, and you know that
takes me scoring twelve points and the next guy is
scoring twenty thirty.
Speaker 9 (09:00):
Whatever. I'm with that. I just want to win games.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
Yeah, I mean, one of the things that I talked
about with a few people before the game yesterday was that,
you know, Dejonte was coming off having a triple double,
but to me, in a bigger picture standpoint, it was
more important for him to start having more efficient shooting games.
Speaker 5 (09:17):
And that's something I think that.
Speaker 3 (09:18):
He referenced as far as just putting the ball in
the basket at a more efficient level.
Speaker 5 (09:24):
But also he mentioned taking better shots.
Speaker 3 (09:26):
You know, it's tough sometimes to have games where you
shoot fifty percent from the field if you're taking three
or four contested you know, fadeaways or mid range shots
that are difficult. So I mean that was I thought
that was a great sign. It's interesting that he still
didn't have a good three point shooting game two for eight,
but I bring that up not as a negative, but
as the fact that he was twelve for twenty from
(09:47):
the field.
Speaker 5 (09:47):
So it just showed you.
Speaker 3 (09:48):
I mean, he was ten for twelve inside the arc,
and we haven't seen him have games like that really
for a while. That was the first game and out
of the last ten where he shot over fifty percent
from the field, So I thought that part was just
as good of a sign as anything else, including the
fact that he had six steals. I mean, he's had
some games lately where he's had a bunch of steals
as well, so that's not new. But the part about
(10:11):
him being more efficient offensively with his field goals, I mean,
maybe it'd be interesting to see.
Speaker 5 (10:19):
It'll be interesting to see over the next stretch too.
Speaker 3 (10:21):
How much of that is he's benefiting from Zion being
back and the attention that Zion draws. But yeah, I mean,
just across the board, that was I do think that
was the best game that he's played this season. Unfortunately
it wasn't in a win, but just a bunch of
good signs for Dejonte for sure.
Speaker 2 (10:36):
It's interesting you said that. Here is what had coach
Rullye Green had to say on DJ's ninth.
Speaker 12 (10:40):
Number one his defense, he was incredible with his ability
to turn guys over, get steals, getting the pass and lane.
So it started with that and then that triggered everything
for him getting easy baskets. The rim opened up for him.
He knocked down shots that we know he's capable of
knocking down, and it was good to see him have
(11:01):
a really good rhythm, offensive rhythm game offensively.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
Yeah, and I think one of the things that you're
seen it so you know, captivating about that is the
chemistry these two guys go into it, and that's kind
of what I want to get into. Look, it was
a loss, and you know, it's that kind of season,
and it's crazy to think, as we just touched on it,
it's the first game those those two guys have played.
But it's why you and I were so excited with
(11:25):
the Graft and everybody else in Nashville for a training
camp because we could see it. Would see it a
practice like, man, this team, they're gonna be a little
score the defense with Herb and all that, I mean,
and you could see what Zion and his size and
DJ and they were able to get. I mean, Zion
had a couple of steals, Dejonte had a couple of
steals at three for Zion, six for DJ, and that's
nine just between those two. Normally, Herb if he don't
(11:47):
get in foul trouble part gets some. So it just
kind of gives you the idea of what if. And
I asked you this in post game yesterday and then
we'll get into some specifics in our podcast here, But
that what if question, huh, Like what if this two
one have missed? I mean, Zion missed twenty seven games
in a row before last night, you know, the I
(12:07):
has been out, DJ was out. I mean, it's like
the what if on This is gonna be so tough
to overlook this season.
Speaker 3 (12:15):
Yeah, And I think it's interesting too, because we talked
about how frustrating it is that in the thirty seventh
game of the regular season you're finally seeing Zion and
Dejonte together. I mean, I go, if you think about it, though,
you go all the way back to July when Zion
was at Dejonte's press conference and they were so excited
to be playing together. So it's really basically six months
(12:35):
that those two guys have been waiting for the chance
to play in the same game. I mean, preseason is
one thing. It doesn't you're not gonna see the same intensity.
It doesn't really matter what the results are, so in
some ways that doesn't count. So if you think about
it though, it's really that you go all the way
back to July that these guys have been waiting for
this kind of moment where the Smoothie King Center is
going crazy because they're hounding ball handlers. They're coming up
(12:59):
with fast break dunks and different opportunities, and both guys
are just kind of foaming at the mouth. It just
seemed like that was what we pictured during the whole
entire summer, and now we're finally getting to see it.
On January seventh, was the last night's game.
Speaker 2 (13:13):
It's interesting you say that. So let's kind of get
into some specifics that stood out yesterday and you just
brought it up. So we'll start with air the chemistry
between these two guys yesterday there was that sequence that
you heard in the highlights. There where steals and dunks,
the three sixty and all of that. Here's what the
Jean Tim Murray had to say about that chemistry that
(13:37):
was on the court yesterday. We saw it.
Speaker 11 (13:39):
You know me, I love a game, you know, and
I try to understand, you know, my teammates, you know
where they liked the ball, and you know, I watch
them on defense and try to help and always be
in a sponge for them to you know, also tell
me things and help me so and specifically with Zee,
you know, he he he talks more than people say
he does in or does. He talks, you know, just
(14:00):
in a locker room. He's speaking up on things for himself,
for the team, and you know, I think it just
gets better.
Speaker 9 (14:06):
You know.
Speaker 11 (14:06):
Obviously we're happy for him just to be back and
be able to play. You know, obviously we didn't win
the game, so you know, it's tough to talk about,
you know, this and that, but it was just it
was great to go out and.
Speaker 5 (14:18):
Compete, you know, It's it's funny.
Speaker 3 (14:21):
One of the things that Dejonte talked about as well
is that over the course of his career he's shown
that he's a disruptive defensive player, and he was talking
about how he hopes that that kind of stuff rubs
off on other people and if that if it does
that for Zion, which it definitely seemed to do during
Tuesday's game, that's a huge plus. I mean, when we
see Zion being really active defensively, moving his feet, creating steals,
(14:45):
making it difficult for the other team, I mean a
lot of times that leads to easy baskets or dunks
for him at the other end. So I think the
defensive intensity and the way that those guys were just
so aggressive that kind of can bleed into the whole
team over. So I mean, if we keep seeing that happen,
I think that's a huge plus. I mean, one of
the things if you look at the NBA dot Com
(15:07):
defensive rating right now, the Pelicans are twenty eighth in defense.
We know based on the last couple of years, that
they can and should be a lot higher than that.
So I think that's one thing that will kind of
we should kind of track over the next few weeks,
is can they keep moving up in those standings, because
I mean I think recently they were thirtieth in defensive rating.
So I mean, the defensive intensity is one thing I
(15:31):
think people know. The unselfishness on offense is the kind
of thing where it's contagious and it bleeds into the
whole squad when you see people moving the ball the
way that it kind of makes everybody be like, Okay,
if the other guys are going to pass and be unselfish,
I'm gonna do that too. And I'm hoping that that's
what we see with the defensive end as well, so
that they can get to the point where they're just
(15:53):
you know, not having so many games where they're down
by double figures right off the bat, or they end
up losing by twenty points the way we saw when
they were super shorthanded. So I mean that's definitely something
that I mean last night was a good step too.
They only gave up one hundred and four points, so
I mean, it was just unfortunate that the offense, despite
we talked about this in the post game, that they
(16:14):
had thirty one fast break points and they still only
scored ninety seven points. It was just an odd combination
of things that happened on offense. But the defense definitely
took a step forward and had some stretches last night
where you're like, man, if they can play like this,
we're gonna see a lot better results, not just on
the defensive end, but in the win column as well,
no doubt.
Speaker 2 (16:32):
Here's head of coach Willie Green on the fun sequence
that we saw that we were referring.
Speaker 12 (16:36):
That was a fun segment just seeing those guys, you know,
climbing the guys defensively, create havoc, get steals and then
go attack the basket like they did. And that's a
small sample size of what this team is capable of.
Now we got to try to string together more games
like that and put together some wins.
Speaker 2 (16:56):
Yeah, you kind of hurt a lot. I mean a lot.
In the post game presser with Zion Williamson, he kept
mentioning Dejonte over and over and over and over again,
to a point where somebody in the in the room asked, Hey,
you keep mentioning the Jonte a lot, and you know,
do you guys have you know, a bit of a
(17:17):
friendship or a relationship here.
Speaker 10 (17:19):
We talked briefly about it kind of I will kind
of keep him in a loop about like where I
was eyeing where the team wassign for my comeback.
Speaker 9 (17:30):
But like I said, he's that's a.
Speaker 10 (17:32):
Solid dude, man. Like I said, a lot of conversations
we had about ten percent of it was about basketball
ninety it was life. He just he'd always check in.
That's why I said, I got to command him on that, Like,
that's a solid dude.
Speaker 2 (17:48):
In the beginning of that was the question about you know,
did you let him there? Essentially not just that rehad.
But we're going to get to that next about how
good Zion I looked yesterday, and I think that's something
that needs to be talked about. But just when you
hear that, Jim and you mentioned it early in this
podcast de Jonte's introductory press conference, Zion was there. At
(18:08):
that introductory press conference, Dejontey talked about how he was
here to challenge Zion, how they've already had a relationshipout,
how Ze had reached out to him previously for advice
on basketball in life and stuff. So there's been communication
already before they even became teammates. And I just think
(18:29):
you saw that yesterday. You heard that yesterday, and man,
I just I don't think you cannot not pay attention
to the very first thing that Zion said yesterday was
I like to see this team compete. That we competed tonight,
same thing with Dejontay. Both almost sound identical in terms of, yeah,
it was nice, we played well, but we lost. We competed,
(18:49):
we have to do excess and knows better. Like it's
almost like those two guys are on the same page.
Speaker 5 (18:56):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, No.
Speaker 3 (18:58):
I mean one of the things I think of when
I hear them speak too, is I don't want to
put words in Zion's mouth. I'd rather let him speak
for himself for sure, but I wouldn't be surprised if
he spent a lot of the offseason partly the way
that we did, thinking, you know, this is the best
point guard that he's played with, you know, based on
the fact that Dejonte was an All Star. I mean,
(19:19):
we remember last season where the Pelicans kind of did
it was kind of a by committee approach to point
guard as far as the starting point guard role, where
you had guys that you didn't really have somebody that
is quote unquote officially the point guard. It was like
CJ's gonna handle the ball sometimes, Bi's gonna handle the ball.
Zion is in isolation sometimes where he's kind of a
(19:40):
point forward role as well. So I think that Zion
looked forward to just how much easier the game was
gonna come for him to have somebody like Dejonte who's
also a big guard too and can get into the
paint and can set people up. I mean, Zion gets
so many easy baskets just based on his own talent
and just his ability and just all the whole skill
(20:02):
set that he has, including his toucher on the basket.
Speaker 5 (20:04):
But I mean, I just pictured how much.
Speaker 3 (20:06):
How many more times is he gonna have these crazy
high efficient games because he's now he's playing with a
point guard who's gonna give him three or four easy
looks a game where all he has to do is
just catch the ball and dunk it, or catch the
ball and laid in.
Speaker 5 (20:19):
So I think that would be.
Speaker 3 (20:22):
My take on Zion's perspective about Dejonte was just that
he was really optimistic and anxious and looking forward to
being able to benefit from the traits and the skills
that Dejonte has. And now we finally got to see
that Tuesday night in a regular season game.
Speaker 2 (20:37):
Yeah, no doubt, And that was good to see. Now, look,
that's the other thing I want to get into this.
He looked good. He looked real good right from the
get go. You saw the spring, you saw the alley
oop that CJ gave to him. Look, yeah, it is
what it is. You have to mention, Hey, this was
a different It was twenty seven games, it was two months.
(20:58):
He didn't look like he been gone for two months.
You heard Graft say that as well. Here's what Zion
had to say about attacking this rehab.
Speaker 10 (21:05):
Like I said, just being a professional. And as far
as this rehab, you know, me and the Pels, we
worked really hard during his rehab. The focus I had
during this rehab was a bit more extreme. That's why,
like I said, my legs are already under me. Feel like
I didn't even miss a beat, but gained to beat.
(21:29):
And now it's just I don't have to worry about
trying to find the rhythm, like I said, over the
course of three to five games, just kind of there
and figure out those extras and o's and just learn
from it and hopefully win some games off it.
Speaker 2 (21:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (21:43):
And I mean, as we record this around ten thirty
or so, we don't know yet about his status for
tonight's game. Will probably get that around twelve thirty, twelve
forty five. The deadline for the second game of back
to back is one PM. But I mean, he it
was so encouraging the way that he looked. I mean,
I think it was, I mean, just based on not
just him in terms of how long he'd been out,
(22:05):
but any NBA player, if they've been out for two months,
you don't expect them to you know. As he mentioned it,
he said he thought he gained a step instead of
worrying about losing a step.
Speaker 5 (22:13):
So yeah, that part of it, I did. It did
seem like.
Speaker 3 (22:16):
Though that everyone, whether it was they saw him at
shoot around, they saw the videos of him warming up
before games, I think everyone just took a look at
him and was like, man, he looks like he's in
really good shape.
Speaker 5 (22:27):
He looks like he's ready to go.
Speaker 3 (22:29):
And so to see him follow through with that during
the game, during the twenty eight minutes that he played
was great.
Speaker 5 (22:36):
I do think that, you know.
Speaker 3 (22:38):
There was a couple of times I think Dejontey mentioned
this too, that he was winded a little bit, but
that's to be expected. You can't replicate NBA action and
playing in games. So I'm guessing that we're gonna see
him just continue to take take steps forward in that
area as well, that you know, by Friday's game or
Sunday's game or the end of the road trip, that
will see him be able to pla even more minutes
(23:01):
and just get that basketball NBA conditioning back.
Speaker 2 (23:04):
No doubt. Here's what dejonte said. Seeing seeing Zion on the.
Speaker 9 (23:07):
Cord his his win, I think was good.
Speaker 11 (23:10):
Uh, and that was important, you know, I pay attention
to all the little things. Uh, you know, the dunk
was crazy, you know, just knowing how long he's been
out and just see that he could still do that.
I think that's just a testament to the work he's
put in, you know, to recover and come back to
be able to play.
Speaker 9 (23:27):
With his teammates. You know.
Speaker 11 (23:28):
But the thing that stood out for me, like I said,
was you know, just his win and like I tell him,
continue to attack rehab. You know, tomorrow today he's attagging it.
Speaker 9 (23:37):
Tomorrow.
Speaker 11 (23:38):
You attag it every single day. You know, take care
of your body and it just allows.
Speaker 9 (23:42):
You to be available.
Speaker 11 (23:43):
You know, the best ability is availability, and I think
for him, everybody knows that's the thing, and he wants
to play. He wants to be available. So you know,
the s guy's a limit. If you know he's available,
you know, just continue to take care.
Speaker 9 (23:55):
We got to take care.
Speaker 2 (23:56):
And you hear that word available several times and that
and again, I love this relationship that you have between
those two. It kind of seems like it. Willie Green
all Zion's conditioning.
Speaker 12 (24:07):
It's incredible his ability to impact the basketball game when
he's on the floor, and he had a little bit
of Russ, But that's as good as I've seen him,
you know, after being out for as long as he's
been out, and it's credit. It's a credit to both,
is a credit to coach Aaron Miles, and you know,
(24:29):
the most important person is in credit to Zion the
work that he's been putting in to get himself ready
to get on the floor and compete with his teammates.
Speaker 2 (24:37):
That's Keay.
Speaker 6 (24:38):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (24:38):
I mean, I think if there's one thing that if
you want to nitpick with his game last night, he
had four turnovers. I think some of that there was
a play in the fourth quarter where the Pelicans were
in desperation mode because they're down a couple possessions. I
think they inbounded to him or he had the ball
and he was trying to dribble through a couple guys
in the Timberwolves and lost it out of bounce. It
plays like that, I think we'll see go away as
(25:00):
he gets into more of a rhythm. I think maybe
at that point in the game too, he'd played you know,
relatively speaking, he'd played a lot of minutes. So I'm
sure we're gonna see different parts of his game, including
the turnovers improve as he just gets gets his feet
back under him and gets used to playing even more.
Speaker 2 (25:17):
I think the third thing there, so you know, we
touched on this chemistry that kind of you can see
building if that was already there between DJ and Zion,
and also the fact that you saw the rehab looks
like it went really well. I mean, obviously to see
where he was. The other thing, too, Jim, is something
that you touched on Monday, and you've touched on here
(25:38):
over the last couple of podcasts. Yeah, as some of
these guys started coming back being healthy in December and
stuff like that, that's great. And as fans as media,
we wanted to see him off and running. You know,
this team's gonna look exactly how we always wanted. We
haven't played together, and Wes Johnson was in here last
week and he said, look, man, it's he wants to
(25:58):
go this way and I maybe want to go this way.
And you're gonna learn that the more you start playing together.
You mentioned on Monday, it's the longest stretch you had
with the starting lineup. Well that ended yesterday in a
good way. But now Zion's back, so kind of getting
into that, I think One of the things that was
interesting was yesterday was a team high and transition point, right,
(26:20):
was that that's fast break points thirty one. Yeah, okay,
so that was the season high that you saw there.
So you're you're seeing this team play better and you're
seeing certain aspects of that. Listen to what DJ had
to say about that.
Speaker 11 (26:32):
I think we was just solid more than usual. Uh,
you know, and obviously he's gonna have a ball, you know,
so you know it helps for not just myself, the team,
and you know just what he's gonna cause of guys
is running at him and coming at him and getting
us open looks. And even in transition, I to all
my teammates, you know, if you're closer to the ball,
I'm a run and or tell me to get out
(26:54):
of the way.
Speaker 9 (26:54):
Whatever.
Speaker 11 (26:54):
I think we just got to continue to learn how
to play with each other.
Speaker 9 (26:57):
Man.
Speaker 11 (26:57):
You check this season out and it's just like we
haven't really got to play with each other just being healthy.
So you know, it's tough, no excuses, like I always say,
next man up mentality, But you know, I think we
were solid.
Speaker 9 (27:10):
You know.
Speaker 11 (27:11):
Besides, I think a run they went on and we
just couldn't really recover. But I think we were solid overall.
Speaker 2 (27:17):
And look, two wins and a and a game that
they led in yesterday and had a chance. Has Willie
Green feeling like this.
Speaker 12 (27:25):
Yeah, it's definitely a confidence booster for our group coming
off to two wins and then to get Z back
and then you know, go against a really good Minnesota
team tonight and you know, go to total go toe
to toe with them. So that's that's again momentum that
we can build off of. Now, there's some things we
need to improve on, but getting Z back and for
the most part, trying to get all of our guys
(27:46):
and get healthy, it's extremely important for us to try
to you know, gain some momentum and get some wins
under our belt.
Speaker 3 (27:53):
I mean, it's obviously it's going to be important over
the next stretch that they keep adding some wins to
the win that they more competitive. But I do think
even beyond just this recent stretch of the last few
games where they won two against the Wizards and they
were right there, I think within a possession or two
of the Timberwolves at the end of the game last night,
I think if you do go back, you know, two
(28:13):
three weeks to the beginning of the homestand and I
can totally understand people listening to this and being like Jim,
who cares they lost all the games? But I mean,
if you compare the way that they played earlier in
the season for a lot of the of November and
then a lot of December as well, and then you
can look at the fact that, you know, the knixt game,
they were up by double figures before Brunson went crazy.
(28:35):
They lost to Denver in overtime. They had a game
against Memphis where they're really competitive, They lost by three
to the Clippers. They had the New Year's Day game
against Miami that was maybe a little bit of a
dip in performance. But and then you go into the
two games against the Wizards, so we're talking, you know,
eight ten games where they definitely have played better. Obviously,
they only got two wins in that entire stretch, but
(28:56):
it does seem like they're making some steps forward to
the point where you know, we're at the halfway point
of the season and they only have seven wins, but
you would think in the last forty one games of
the season that they'll be able to win a lot
more than seven eight ten games that they'll be able
to play, you know, at least closer to five hundred
and just start picking up wins on a much more
(29:16):
frequent basis than what we've seen so far.
Speaker 2 (29:18):
He look, I hear you. I mean I get what
you just says. But here's the thing, though, there were
a lot of games where it didn't play hard.
Speaker 3 (29:23):
There were a lot of games where you know, they
talked about it after the game that you would be
saying that, right, that's the head coach saying, hey, we
need a sense of urgency.
Speaker 2 (29:32):
We need to come out playing with fours. We need
to get up into them defensively. So yeah, I mean, look,
it's one of those things you have to look at
the ingredients, like in a good gumbo or in your case,
maybe a good pizza or something like that. Right, you know,
I just or a good pasta you like. You like
lobster too, right, good lobster, So yeah, exactly, gotta have
(29:52):
the right amount of butter lobster. Exactly, gotta have all
the main from Massachusetts. Yeah, you got I love that.
So that's my point is I think you see that
to look at it and look, it's something that you
and Wes talked about and others on our podcast as
to what are your goals from here or now? What
are you looking at? It's not maybe standings, it's not
you know, seating, it's what are you looking at to
(30:16):
make decisions in the next couple of weeks and months
and stuff. So I think that's the key there. So anyway,
tough loss yesterday in that you know, you didn't get
to win. But as you mentioned, the Smoothie King Center
was excited. You can hear it in the calls that
graphin JD had. I mean, we've spoken almost twenty five
minutes about some of the positive things we saw that legit.
(30:38):
This isn't like we're trying to find something. Sure that
three sixty dunk was spectacular. Nine steals between those two
players is something else. Seeing those two players kind of
be unhappy that they lost but played well. I like
that if I'm a fan, So it's all good.
Speaker 3 (30:54):
And I mean one thing too that I looked at
the Pelicans were plus eight was Ion on the court
last night. So his plus minus was a positive eight
and he only, as we said, he only played twenty
eight minutes. I mean, could have showed a wood of
ifs and butts. But I mean, if he plays his
normal amount of minutes, maybe that is a win. So
going forward, if you start to see him, if you
start to see the team be as effective while he's
(31:15):
on the court as well as they were last night,
and his minutes go up, I think that also will
be a factor, you would hope and them having a
better chance to start picking up wins on a consistent basis.
Speaker 2 (31:26):
And look, as we close out this part of the podcast,
how many nights to see Jim McCullum go one to fourteen?
Not many that five points?
Speaker 5 (31:34):
Yeah, yeah, that doesn't happen. Incredible.
Speaker 2 (31:36):
I mean, it's crazy you can score fifty one night
five the next.
Speaker 3 (31:40):
I mean, it's I think some of it just shows.
I've talked about this so many times on the show
about even Steph Curry has games where he just hitdn't
make a shot right, and so it is.
Speaker 5 (31:50):
It's just one of those things.
Speaker 10 (31:51):
Though.
Speaker 3 (31:51):
It's like, if you players that rely on three point shooting,
even as great as Steph Curry is, which is the
greatest three point shooter ever in the history of the game,
if a big, if a huge chunk of your shots
are jumpers, it's not gonna be there every night. You're
gonna have nights where you don't make him. So that's
my explanation for how you go from a fifty point
game to a few nights later you go one for fourteen.
Speaker 5 (32:12):
That's just part of the game.
Speaker 3 (32:14):
If you're not getting layups and you're not getting dunks,
you know, sometimes that's if you your diet is.
Speaker 5 (32:20):
Just jump shots.
Speaker 3 (32:21):
There's nights where your legs aren't there, your rhythm isn't there,
and that's what you end up with.
Speaker 2 (32:25):
It's incredible in it. I mean, as you mentioned, Steph
Curry had a night this year he did not score right,
and as you said, he's arguably one of the best scores.
Speaker 3 (32:34):
Yeah, he's one of the best. He's definitely the I
think he's the best shooter of all times. It's incredible
or part of it you could debate, but the but
the shooting part is like, here's my mountain of list
of items of why he is the best.
Speaker 2 (32:46):
Yeah, that's incredible. Like when you think about it, I
mean that guy literally can close his eyes and probably
can make buckets. I mean it's just like the field.
He'll know right when he's off his hand to go
an entire game.
Speaker 3 (32:58):
Mm hmm, yeah, I mean something crazy, right too, is
that it just shows you sometimes to the defense in
the NBA too, that it's some nights.
Speaker 5 (33:08):
Rhythm and right. Yeah, it's crazy.
Speaker 2 (33:10):
Yeah, that is uh, that's something I would never bet on,
and we can't, by the way, we can't do that, true,
very true.
Speaker 1 (33:17):
All right, y'all.
Speaker 4 (33:18):
Now it's time for Western Conference Wednesday.
Speaker 10 (33:21):
Mister Ichenhoffer will tell us whose stock is up and
whose stock is down.
Speaker 5 (33:27):
So let's get started. Jim, what is our team to
keep an eye on for this week?
Speaker 3 (33:32):
You know, Gus, I'm going in a little bit of
a different direction for the team to watch this week.
Speaker 5 (33:37):
Earlier for most of the earth.
Speaker 3 (33:38):
By the way, it's great to have Western Conference Wednesday
back because it was interrupted by Christmas and New Year's Day,
so it's great to have to be back in action.
But I mean, earlier in the season, a lot of
times I would pick teams that were kind of near
maybe near the top of the standings in the West
or in the middle of a race. But this week
I'm gonna pick somebody that has a direct correlation to
(33:58):
the Pelicans and that my team to watch is the
Utah Jazz because they have nine wins the Pelicans have seven.
So I mean it's gonna be baby steps maybe for
the Pelicans, but can they catch at least Utah. Can
they move out of the bottom spot of the West.
Over the next seven days, the Jazz have home games
against the Heat and the Nets. They have a road
(34:19):
game against Phoenix. But I think more importantly than that,
later in January, they have two games here against New Orleans.
So I mean maybe by the time that the Jazz
come here in late January, the Pelicans will be in
a position where they say, Okay, we beat them in
these two games, and we move ahead of the Jazz.
We put them behind us, and then we start looking
at who's next on the list of teams that we
can catch. But for right now, like I said, let's
(34:44):
just look at the win column. The Jazz have nine wins,
the Pelicans have seven. We'll see if the Pelicans can
make progress there. As far as stock up and stock
down goes, I have two teams that are very related
to each other in the standings. My stock up is
the Sacramento Kings, who have won five games in a row.
They're five and one under interim head coach Doug Christie.
(35:05):
They're in eleventh place now in the Western Conference and
they're only a half game out of tenth. They also
have three games remaining against the Pelicans, all of them
are in February, so that's something that you can mark
your calendars with that. The Kings are actually here for
two nights in a row for home back to back
for the Pelicans on February twelfth and thirteenth, right before
the All Star break, and then stock Down. Related to
(35:27):
the Kings, Golden State Warriors are now tenth in the
West and they're only a half game ahead of Sacramento,
so that play in race between those two teams in
Northern California is.
Speaker 5 (35:37):
Getting very heated and very tight.
Speaker 3 (35:39):
And the Warriors, i mean, the biggest reason I picked
them for stock Down. They're now six and fifteen after
they started the season twelve and three. They were actually
twelve and three when they beat the Pelicans in the
Smoothie King Center. I'm sure people remember that game from
back in November, but that was really kind of the
turning point of their season in a negative way. That
they've only won six out of their last twenty one
game and games since then, and now they're in a
(36:02):
very perilous position as far as even just being in
the top ten with only that slim lead that they
have over the Kings. And last note on the Warriors,
they there's one the last Friday in March, the Golden
State will play against New Orleans. That's the final meeting
of the season between those two teams, and that should
do it for a Western Conference Wednesday, All.
Speaker 2 (36:22):
Right, quickly before we get on out of here, We'll
be again with you again on Friday, Portland, New Orleans
tonight at seven Portland twelve and twenty three Pelicans seven
and thirty. They played the first two games earlier in
the season, and then they played one here as well.
I don't know, man, in meeting four, what's the one
thing to pay attention to. We'll talk a little bit
more about it in Pelicans warm up.
Speaker 3 (36:43):
Yeah, I mean, I'm really just curious to see what
happens with the Pelicans having a different collection of players
available for this game than the last time they played
the Trailblazers.
Speaker 5 (36:53):
I don't think Zion played in that game.
Speaker 3 (36:54):
The last time that they played them here or the
only time that they played them in New Orleans.
Speaker 5 (36:59):
Another thing too.
Speaker 3 (37:00):
I mean, we're gonna get more injury updates on the
Pelicans later, sure, but Jeremy Grant is out for the
for Portland, Matiz Thibel is out for them as well,
and they actually have two guys that are pretty important
that are questionable Denny Avdia with a right wrist brain
and Donovan Klingen, who's listed as rest as questionable.
Speaker 2 (37:18):
It's a log flight jam, yeah.
Speaker 3 (37:20):
I mean, they just they played in Detroit on Monday,
so they didn't have to fly all the way from
Oregon to here. But nonetheless there's a few guys for
them that might be out as well tonight, So just
something to keep an eye on that. We'll get more
updates as the day progresses. But yeah, Jeremy Grant, I think,
in particular, did some serious damage against the Pelicans in
the two games that they played out there, so he's
(37:41):
not going to be on the floor tonight, so that's
one less guy that they have to worry about. But
I mean, I think Anthony Simons has had some huge
games lately for them, and Shade and Sharp as well
as somebody that has started to really gain a lot
of attention for the way that he's played with his
scoring ability, his athleticism and that kind of thing. So,
I mean, Trailblazers have been a real problem. I mean,
(38:02):
if you think about it too, the one of the
three games that the Pelicans won against them, they needed
Brandon Ingram to make a game winner in the last
couple of seconds. So I mean even the game that
they won was difficult. So I'll be curious to see
how the Pelicans do just But I think the Pelicans
are in a better position, especially compared to the third
time they played Portland, as far as player availability and
(38:24):
guys that are gonna be on the floor, especially with
you know, Dejonte didn't play in any of those three
games against Portland.
Speaker 2 (38:29):
I have an email ready to go, mister Doug Tatum.
Rest not going tonight. How do you think that's going
to go? If I just send press send.
Speaker 5 (38:35):
Right there, I think it'll probably get deleted.
Speaker 2 (38:37):
Jim says, rest tonight needed no coverage. You think you
can pretty incredible anyway, Mister Jim aikad Offers always been appreciated.
He will be there and he's got Are you gonna
be part of Pelicans warm up?
Speaker 5 (38:49):
I'm I'm definitely gonna be there. Look at that. You
sent the invite and I'm willing to accept it.
Speaker 2 (38:54):
Well, you know what, mister Andrew Loope is becoming a dad.
He's you know, taking care of the newborn, So congrats
to him. Aaron Summers has helped out on the television side,
so she's in the sideline reporter, so normal home third segment.
The conductor Chris Moran, he was under the weather, so
we had Robert Carol.
Speaker 3 (39:12):
We had a lot of moving partes, a lot of
Next Man and Next Woman out.
Speaker 2 (39:16):
Oh by the way, if you're a Pels fan and
you've been you didn't go to the game, and you might,
you might want to go to Pelicans dot com. The
parking's different right now, so where you're used to parking,
you're probably not parking there. I'm sure if your season
ticket holder, you've got information from the team already. If
you're not a season ticket holder, I seriously urge you
to go to Pelicans dot com and go check that out.
(39:37):
We're parking by Loyola, We're parking in a whole different lot.
We're not parking in the dome. All of this is
in preparation for the Super Bowls. It's not just this.
Speaker 5 (39:45):
Week, it's the month of January.
Speaker 2 (39:48):
So if you're just give yourself extra time, there's one
way in and one way out. Essentially, you can't get
off at the Superdome exit, which is what we've always done.
So you're getting off and coming in Loyola. If you're
listening to this and going, what are you talking about?
Pelicans dot com go check it out, it's a little
bit different to get in. And that's all months now.
(40:10):
We're down to seven home games left, including tonight, so
it's it's something to pay attention to.
Speaker 3 (40:14):
Yeah, and I mean last night was definitely under the
learning was I was gonna say, a new challenge Gus.
Speaker 5 (40:20):
But there was also an accident.
Speaker 3 (40:21):
I don't think it was a serious accident, but there
was an accident at the corner of Girod and Loyola
four thirty, so.
Speaker 5 (40:29):
That made it even worse.
Speaker 3 (40:30):
Hopefully that something like that won't happen again tonight where
it complicates things even more. But but yeah, hopefully things
will will be a little bit more smooth than there's
just that was just a case of some really bad luck.
Speaker 2 (40:41):
Basically, just get yourself some time. It's it's we were told,
give yourself an extra thirty minutes. Sure minimum, I would
say that because again it's just and on your way out.
Be patient, because uh yeah, it was a good twenty
five minutes to get out that garassle.
Speaker 3 (40:57):
Yeah, it was a little late by the time we
so maybe get a little nap in today too, on
our game day, just to gear up a little bit more,
just to be ready exactly right.
Speaker 2 (41:06):
Anyway, We'll see you on Friday on the next edition
of the New Orleans Pelicans Podcast.
Speaker 1 (41:11):
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 can offer
(41:31):
and Gcat Underscore seventeen. We'll see 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 (00:33):
Hello everyone to welcome to New Orleans Pelicans Podcast, official
podcast of your New Orleans Pelicans. On this Wednesday, January eighth,
Mister Jim, I can offer Gus catt and go with
you as we have another game to talk about tonight,
the second half of a back to back Pels taking
on the Portland Trailblazers. But Jim, two straight wins hells
(00:55):
hosting the Timberwolves last night, and man, I tell you,
it was exciting from the get go when you found
out the news that Zion Williamson was going to play.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
Yeah, and I think the game lived up to that,
the excitement that he was going to be back on
the court. I mean, not only did he play a
really good game, he was hit twenty two points in
only twenty eight minutes, but he managed to pack a
few highlights into that as well. I mean, it was
it was a fun night, and you know, I know
we don't like to talk about moral victories in the NBA,
(01:24):
but I mean that was definitely encouraging. That was one
of the that was probably the most encouraging loss that
the Pelicans have had this year. Just from the standpoint
of that, there's a lot of things that they did
well that you can build on.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
Yeah, no doubt. We've got to talk a little bit
more about that coming up later in this podcast, specifically
about some things that stood out with two players, not
that anyone else on the team isn't worth being talked about,
but specifically those two guys too. And I think there
were some things that stood out in their post game
comments to you and me, and I think a lot
of people that followed his team. So we'll do that. Plus,
of course it is Wednesday, Western Conference Wednesday will get
(01:57):
into all of that and more. But come on, I
know you want to hear what it sounded like on
the Pelicans radio network. John de Chazer, Ty Graffanini from
last night.
Speaker 4 (02:04):
Long Rebound, McCollum, cj Elliam Zion, you gotta be kidding me.
That was from about forty feet away and There is
nothing wrong with the spring of Zion. Williamson Fly Big
Z fly left corner pass intercepted by Murray, steals Zion
three on one bounce feed the DJ lays it in.
Speaker 5 (02:25):
How about Z running the break?
Speaker 4 (02:26):
Took pass off the glass taken by Z running the brake,
go big Z euros in kick it to Murray, sets
his feet right angle three, got it.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
DJ, Please.
Speaker 4 (02:38):
Pick up your phone. Time out, Chris Finch. But what
I love right there, John is Z running the break.
Defense collapses. You got guys wide open.
Speaker 6 (02:50):
That's the element that he continues to bring. When he
gets thrown the other end and he pushes it, you
gotta pick him up. If you're the defender and somebody's
gonna be wide open, Conley, dump it down and go.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
And Zion just swatted it away.
Speaker 4 (03:03):
Murray frontcourt right with six, kick from z with four,
crosses over with two elbow jumper, nothing but net.
Speaker 6 (03:12):
I mean, he basically walked into the shoddy warner. I mean,
I don't know what his reach is, but there's gotta
be condor level.
Speaker 4 (03:19):
That is four steals from Murray, eighteen points and he
nearly got another one.
Speaker 7 (03:24):
And now Zion will poke it away, big boy Grase
sixty your firm left pad punch. It started with Dejonte,
Sion finished it off four up top.
Speaker 4 (03:39):
Oh, we've been waiting for that for two months. Hell's
tie their largest lead, fifty nine to fifty four. Randall
poked away, Zion could get it, and then Murray comes in, show.
Speaker 5 (03:51):
Them a disease.
Speaker 8 (03:52):
Throw it the tag team and he and Zion first,
because not Saint Murray tips it previously for the three
thinkers that on Thief Tiff fit and did not they
come fit for the feel and get the cheap of fifth.
Speaker 9 (04:06):
Going back to thee.
Speaker 4 (04:06):
You think Z's missed being on the floor, I mean
he is soaking up the applause and Zion's back in
their powers in on Randall just throw it up? Why
not left paining good? He sees Julius Randall and that's
just fresh beef eighteen for z with twenty seven a night.
The Zion went past Gobert and there it is, and
(04:31):
one my partner with an asking, ye shall received how.
Speaker 2 (04:34):
About those highlights Jim from condors to fresh me to
just I mean chuckling away from John de Chazer. But
that's the point, right, I mean that's what Zion can
do and bring onto this court.
Speaker 5 (04:45):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (04:45):
I think they captured really well the feeling throughout the game,
but especially that one stretch where it was just the
word I used was ambushing. That Dejonte and Zion just
basically attacked anyone from Minnesota that was bringing the ball
up the court. So to see those two guys combine
the way they did it was it was a lot
of fun. I mean it was I don't know if
therapeutic is the right word, but to see Zion grab
(05:08):
the ball do a three sixty wind mail it was.
Speaker 5 (05:10):
That was so much fun.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
And for people that have been waiting for him to play,
that was such a cool moment to get to see
him not only be back on the court, but also
look as good as he did physically.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Yeah, no doubt. Here's Zion on what Jim just said,
the yell after the dunk.
Speaker 9 (05:25):
Have fun.
Speaker 10 (05:28):
You know, like I said previous question, me and Johns
talk a lot about it, and you know, before the
game and.
Speaker 9 (05:35):
Had to talk.
Speaker 10 (05:35):
He said, man, you go out there, have fun, and
you know we're gonna help you find your rhythm, but
have fun and compete. So you know, in those moments
when the moment presented itself, you know, celebrate, just have fun,
just be grateful for you know what's going on.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
It's crazy. You and I were talking about it at
shoot around and during the game, everyone was talking about it.
I cannot believe that last night was the first regular
season game this season that Dejontey and Zion played together.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
Yeah, I mean it had been I had Jebruary seventh.
I had to actually look up. It was so long
ago that they actually had two preseason games together that
I didn't.
Speaker 5 (06:13):
Even remember that.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
I didn't even remember that they had played twice at
the beginning of preseason, so that's how long ago that was.
But yeah, it was. It was unbelievable. I mean, kind
of symbolic of the way the season has gone. Unfortunately
from a player availability standpoint, that Dejonte played in the
first game broke his hand. That was also the first
game of the season where Zion missed it because he
(06:35):
had an illness, and then he came back the second, third,
and fourth games, but Dejonte was already out with his injury.
So I mean, I think this is something that we
talked about throughout the offseason. I feel like there's a
lot of conversations about man, what kind of impact is
de Jonte Murray and having that kind of point guard
going to have on Zion. So to actually get to
see it play out the way that he the way
(06:56):
that it did, was great and makes you want.
Speaker 5 (06:59):
To see even more.
Speaker 3 (07:00):
You know, you want to see those guys play together
in the upcoming games and just see what else they
can do, no doubt.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
Here's what DJ had to say on it.
Speaker 9 (07:08):
I mean, it was good.
Speaker 11 (07:09):
I'm glad he played with the confidence and the joy,
you know, especially after there's Donk. You just see the
joy and you know, just knowing what he goes to,
what he been through, you know, his happy for him. Uh,
you know, just that's you know, have fun, be patient,
just go play your game, you know, and we all
together through through the ups and downs with together.
Speaker 9 (07:32):
So you know, it was great to play with them.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
Now wondering if ast people are listening to this, they're
starting to catch on to something. Here's what they had
to say really at the start of their post. You know,
game availability. Okay, the Pels played well, those two players
played well. We'll get to DJ's performance here, probably his
best night as a Pelican h in terms of you know,
scoring and steals and all that. But listen to how
(07:55):
they talked about the fact they didn't get to win.
He was ion.
Speaker 10 (07:58):
It was definitely good to be back out there, and
you know, it was just good to see my teammates,
you know, competing. You know, the Timberwolves started off hot,
but you know, nobody was really bothered by. Everybody was like, nah,
were good. Just stick to what we do. And as
far as it's losing the game, it's just XS and
(08:21):
O's h throughout the game, dude. We just gotta be
better at no excuse for it.
Speaker 9 (08:26):
Just got to be better at it.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
Twenty two point six rebounds for sists, three steals the
block at Zion Stats. De Jonte Murray twenty nine six
two as well on his night.
Speaker 11 (08:37):
I mean, we lost, man, I ain't you know, I
don't focus on that. I don't play for steps. I
try to play the game the right way. Obviously, you
know my shots are starting to fall more, uh, you know,
just being aggressive.
Speaker 9 (08:46):
I think I'm always aggressive.
Speaker 11 (08:47):
Uh, you know, obviously could take better shuts just in general,
not today's game, but in general.
Speaker 9 (08:53):
But you know, I don't play for stats.
Speaker 11 (08:54):
You know, I'm here to win, and you know that
takes me scoring twelve points and the next guy is
scoring twenty thirty.
Speaker 9 (09:00):
Whatever. I'm with that. I just want to win games.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
Yeah, I mean, one of the things that I talked
about with a few people before the game yesterday was that,
you know, Dejonte was coming off having a triple double,
but to me, in a bigger picture standpoint, it was
more important for him to start having more efficient shooting games.
Speaker 5 (09:17):
And that's something I think that.
Speaker 3 (09:18):
He referenced as far as just putting the ball in
the basket at a more efficient level.
Speaker 5 (09:24):
But also he mentioned taking better shots.
Speaker 3 (09:26):
You know, it's tough sometimes to have games where you
shoot fifty percent from the field if you're taking three
or four contested you know, fadeaways or mid range shots
that are difficult. So I mean that was I thought
that was a great sign. It's interesting that he still
didn't have a good three point shooting game two for eight,
but I bring that up not as a negative, but
as the fact that he was twelve for twenty from
(09:47):
the field.
Speaker 5 (09:47):
So it just showed you.
Speaker 3 (09:48):
I mean, he was ten for twelve inside the arc,
and we haven't seen him have games like that really
for a while. That was the first game and out
of the last ten where he shot over fifty percent
from the field, So I thought that part was just
as good of a sign as anything else, including the
fact that he had six steals. I mean, he's had
some games lately where he's had a bunch of steals
as well, so that's not new. But the part about
(10:11):
him being more efficient offensively with his field goals, I mean,
maybe it'd be interesting to see.
Speaker 5 (10:19):
It'll be interesting to see over the next stretch too.
Speaker 3 (10:21):
How much of that is he's benefiting from Zion being
back and the attention that Zion draws. But yeah, I mean,
just across the board, that was I do think that
was the best game that he's played this season. Unfortunately
it wasn't in a win, but just a bunch of
good signs for Dejonte for sure.
Speaker 2 (10:36):
It's interesting you said that. Here is what had coach
Rullye Green had to say on DJ's ninth.
Speaker 12 (10:40):
Number one his defense, he was incredible with his ability
to turn guys over, get steals, getting the pass and lane.
So it started with that and then that triggered everything
for him getting easy baskets. The rim opened up for him.
He knocked down shots that we know he's capable of
knocking down, and it was good to see him have
(11:01):
a really good rhythm, offensive rhythm game offensively.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
Yeah, and I think one of the things that you're
seen it so you know, captivating about that is the
chemistry these two guys go into it, and that's kind
of what I want to get into. Look, it was
a loss, and you know, it's that kind of season,
and it's crazy to think, as we just touched on it,
it's the first game those those two guys have played.
But it's why you and I were so excited with
(11:25):
the Graft and everybody else in Nashville for a training
camp because we could see it. Would see it a
practice like, man, this team, they're gonna be a little
score the defense with Herb and all that, I mean,
and you could see what Zion and his size and
DJ and they were able to get. I mean, Zion
had a couple of steals, Dejonte had a couple of
steals at three for Zion, six for DJ, and that's
nine just between those two. Normally, Herb if he don't
(11:47):
get in foul trouble part gets some. So it just
kind of gives you the idea of what if. And
I asked you this in post game yesterday and then
we'll get into some specifics in our podcast here, But
that what if question, huh, Like what if this two
one have missed? I mean, Zion missed twenty seven games
in a row before last night, you know, the I
(12:07):
has been out, DJ was out. I mean, it's like
the what if on This is gonna be so tough
to overlook this season.
Speaker 3 (12:15):
Yeah, And I think it's interesting too, because we talked
about how frustrating it is that in the thirty seventh
game of the regular season you're finally seeing Zion and
Dejonte together. I mean, I go, if you think about it, though,
you go all the way back to July when Zion
was at Dejonte's press conference and they were so excited
to be playing together. So it's really basically six months
(12:35):
that those two guys have been waiting for the chance
to play in the same game. I mean, preseason is
one thing. It doesn't you're not gonna see the same intensity.
It doesn't really matter what the results are, so in
some ways that doesn't count. So if you think about
it though, it's really that you go all the way
back to July that these guys have been waiting for
this kind of moment where the Smoothie King Center is
going crazy because they're hounding ball handlers. They're coming up
(12:59):
with fast break dunks and different opportunities, and both guys
are just kind of foaming at the mouth. It just
seemed like that was what we pictured during the whole
entire summer, and now we're finally getting to see it.
On January seventh, was the last night's game.
Speaker 2 (13:13):
It's interesting you say that. So let's kind of get
into some specifics that stood out yesterday and you just
brought it up. So we'll start with air the chemistry
between these two guys yesterday there was that sequence that
you heard in the highlights. There where steals and dunks,
the three sixty and all of that. Here's what the
Jean Tim Murray had to say about that chemistry that
(13:37):
was on the court yesterday. We saw it.
Speaker 11 (13:39):
You know me, I love a game, you know, and
I try to understand, you know, my teammates, you know
where they liked the ball, and you know, I watch
them on defense and try to help and always be
in a sponge for them to you know, also tell
me things and help me so and specifically with Zee,
you know, he he he talks more than people say
he does in or does. He talks, you know, just
(14:00):
in a locker room. He's speaking up on things for himself,
for the team, and you know, I think it just
gets better.
Speaker 9 (14:06):
You know.
Speaker 11 (14:06):
Obviously we're happy for him just to be back and
be able to play. You know, obviously we didn't win
the game, so you know, it's tough to talk about,
you know, this and that, but it was just it
was great to go out and.
Speaker 5 (14:18):
Compete, you know, It's it's funny.
Speaker 3 (14:21):
One of the things that Dejonte talked about as well
is that over the course of his career he's shown
that he's a disruptive defensive player, and he was talking
about how he hopes that that kind of stuff rubs
off on other people and if that if it does
that for Zion, which it definitely seemed to do during
Tuesday's game, that's a huge plus. I mean, when we
see Zion being really active defensively, moving his feet, creating steals,
(14:45):
making it difficult for the other team, I mean a
lot of times that leads to easy baskets or dunks
for him at the other end. So I think the
defensive intensity and the way that those guys were just
so aggressive that kind of can bleed into the whole
team over. So I mean, if we keep seeing that happen,
I think that's a huge plus. I mean, one of
the things if you look at the NBA dot Com
(15:07):
defensive rating right now, the Pelicans are twenty eighth in defense.
We know based on the last couple of years, that
they can and should be a lot higher than that.
So I think that's one thing that will kind of
we should kind of track over the next few weeks,
is can they keep moving up in those standings, because
I mean I think recently they were thirtieth in defensive rating.
So I mean, the defensive intensity is one thing I
(15:31):
think people know. The unselfishness on offense is the kind
of thing where it's contagious and it bleeds into the
whole squad when you see people moving the ball the
way that it kind of makes everybody be like, Okay,
if the other guys are going to pass and be unselfish,
I'm gonna do that too. And I'm hoping that that's
what we see with the defensive end as well, so
that they can get to the point where they're just
(15:53):
you know, not having so many games where they're down
by double figures right off the bat, or they end
up losing by twenty points the way we saw when
they were super shorthanded. So I mean that's definitely something
that I mean last night was a good step too.
They only gave up one hundred and four points, so
I mean, it was just unfortunate that the offense, despite
we talked about this in the post game, that they
(16:14):
had thirty one fast break points and they still only
scored ninety seven points. It was just an odd combination
of things that happened on offense. But the defense definitely
took a step forward and had some stretches last night
where you're like, man, if they can play like this,
we're gonna see a lot better results, not just on
the defensive end, but in the win column as well,
no doubt.
Speaker 2 (16:32):
Here's head of coach Willie Green on the fun sequence
that we saw that we were referring.
Speaker 12 (16:36):
That was a fun segment just seeing those guys, you know,
climbing the guys defensively, create havoc, get steals and then
go attack the basket like they did. And that's a
small sample size of what this team is capable of.
Now we got to try to string together more games
like that and put together some wins.
Speaker 2 (16:56):
Yeah, you kind of hurt a lot. I mean a lot.
In the post game presser with Zion Williamson, he kept
mentioning Dejonte over and over and over and over again,
to a point where somebody in the in the room asked, Hey,
you keep mentioning the Jonte a lot, and you know,
do you guys have you know, a bit of a
(17:17):
friendship or a relationship here.
Speaker 10 (17:19):
We talked briefly about it kind of I will kind
of keep him in a loop about like where I
was eyeing where the team wassign for my comeback.
Speaker 9 (17:30):
But like I said, he's that's a.
Speaker 10 (17:32):
Solid dude, man. Like I said, a lot of conversations
we had about ten percent of it was about basketball
ninety it was life. He just he'd always check in.
That's why I said, I got to command him on that, Like,
that's a solid dude.
Speaker 2 (17:48):
In the beginning of that was the question about you know,
did you let him there? Essentially not just that rehad.
But we're going to get to that next about how
good Zion I looked yesterday, and I think that's something
that needs to be talked about. But just when you
hear that, Jim and you mentioned it early in this
podcast de Jonte's introductory press conference, Zion was there. At
(18:08):
that introductory press conference, Dejontey talked about how he was
here to challenge Zion, how they've already had a relationshipout,
how Ze had reached out to him previously for advice
on basketball in life and stuff. So there's been communication
already before they even became teammates. And I just think
(18:29):
you saw that yesterday. You heard that yesterday, and man,
I just I don't think you cannot not pay attention
to the very first thing that Zion said yesterday was
I like to see this team compete. That we competed tonight,
same thing with Dejontay. Both almost sound identical in terms of, yeah,
it was nice, we played well, but we lost. We competed,
(18:49):
we have to do excess and knows better. Like it's
almost like those two guys are on the same page.
Speaker 5 (18:56):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, No.
Speaker 3 (18:58):
I mean one of the things I think of when
I hear them speak too, is I don't want to
put words in Zion's mouth. I'd rather let him speak
for himself for sure, but I wouldn't be surprised if
he spent a lot of the offseason partly the way
that we did, thinking, you know, this is the best
point guard that he's played with, you know, based on
the fact that Dejonte was an All Star. I mean,
(19:19):
we remember last season where the Pelicans kind of did
it was kind of a by committee approach to point
guard as far as the starting point guard role, where
you had guys that you didn't really have somebody that
is quote unquote officially the point guard. It was like
CJ's gonna handle the ball sometimes, Bi's gonna handle the ball.
Zion is in isolation sometimes where he's kind of a
(19:40):
point forward role as well. So I think that Zion
looked forward to just how much easier the game was
gonna come for him to have somebody like Dejonte who's
also a big guard too and can get into the
paint and can set people up. I mean, Zion gets
so many easy baskets just based on his own talent
and just his ability and just all the whole skill
(20:02):
set that he has, including his toucher on the basket.
Speaker 5 (20:04):
But I mean, I just pictured how much.
Speaker 3 (20:06):
How many more times is he gonna have these crazy
high efficient games because he's now he's playing with a
point guard who's gonna give him three or four easy
looks a game where all he has to do is
just catch the ball and dunk it, or catch the
ball and laid in.
Speaker 5 (20:19):
So I think that would be.
Speaker 3 (20:22):
My take on Zion's perspective about Dejonte was just that
he was really optimistic and anxious and looking forward to
being able to benefit from the traits and the skills
that Dejonte has. And now we finally got to see
that Tuesday night in a regular season game.
Speaker 2 (20:37):
Yeah, no doubt, And that was good to see. Now, look,
that's the other thing I want to get into this.
He looked good. He looked real good right from the
get go. You saw the spring, you saw the alley
oop that CJ gave to him. Look, yeah, it is
what it is. You have to mention, Hey, this was
a different It was twenty seven games, it was two months.
(20:58):
He didn't look like he been gone for two months.
You heard Graft say that as well. Here's what Zion
had to say about attacking this rehab.
Speaker 10 (21:05):
Like I said, just being a professional. And as far
as this rehab, you know, me and the Pels, we
worked really hard during his rehab. The focus I had
during this rehab was a bit more extreme. That's why,
like I said, my legs are already under me. Feel like
I didn't even miss a beat, but gained to beat.
(21:29):
And now it's just I don't have to worry about
trying to find the rhythm, like I said, over the
course of three to five games, just kind of there
and figure out those extras and o's and just learn
from it and hopefully win some games off it.
Speaker 2 (21:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (21:43):
And I mean, as we record this around ten thirty
or so, we don't know yet about his status for
tonight's game. Will probably get that around twelve thirty, twelve
forty five. The deadline for the second game of back
to back is one PM. But I mean, he it
was so encouraging the way that he looked. I mean,
I think it was, I mean, just based on not
just him in terms of how long he'd been out,
(22:05):
but any NBA player, if they've been out for two months,
you don't expect them to you know. As he mentioned it,
he said he thought he gained a step instead of
worrying about losing a step.
Speaker 5 (22:13):
So yeah, that part of it, I did. It did
seem like.
Speaker 3 (22:16):
Though that everyone, whether it was they saw him at
shoot around, they saw the videos of him warming up
before games, I think everyone just took a look at
him and was like, man, he looks like he's in
really good shape.
Speaker 5 (22:27):
He looks like he's ready to go.
Speaker 3 (22:29):
And so to see him follow through with that during
the game, during the twenty eight minutes that he played
was great.
Speaker 5 (22:36):
I do think that, you know.
Speaker 3 (22:38):
There was a couple of times I think Dejontey mentioned
this too, that he was winded a little bit, but
that's to be expected. You can't replicate NBA action and
playing in games. So I'm guessing that we're gonna see
him just continue to take take steps forward in that
area as well, that you know, by Friday's game or
Sunday's game or the end of the road trip, that
will see him be able to pla even more minutes
(23:01):
and just get that basketball NBA conditioning back.
Speaker 2 (23:04):
No doubt. Here's what dejonte said. Seeing seeing Zion on the.
Speaker 9 (23:07):
Cord his his win, I think was good.
Speaker 11 (23:10):
Uh, and that was important, you know, I pay attention
to all the little things. Uh, you know, the dunk
was crazy, you know, just knowing how long he's been
out and just see that he could still do that.
I think that's just a testament to the work he's
put in, you know, to recover and come back to
be able to play.
Speaker 9 (23:27):
With his teammates. You know.
Speaker 11 (23:28):
But the thing that stood out for me, like I said,
was you know, just his win and like I tell him,
continue to attack rehab. You know, tomorrow today he's attagging it.
Speaker 9 (23:37):
Tomorrow.
Speaker 11 (23:38):
You attag it every single day. You know, take care
of your body and it just allows.
Speaker 9 (23:42):
You to be available.
Speaker 11 (23:43):
You know, the best ability is availability, and I think
for him, everybody knows that's the thing, and he wants
to play. He wants to be available. So you know,
the s guy's a limit. If you know he's available,
you know, just continue to take care.
Speaker 9 (23:55):
We got to take care.
Speaker 2 (23:56):
And you hear that word available several times and that
and again, I love this relationship that you have between
those two. It kind of seems like it. Willie Green
all Zion's conditioning.
Speaker 12 (24:07):
It's incredible his ability to impact the basketball game when
he's on the floor, and he had a little bit
of Russ, But that's as good as I've seen him,
you know, after being out for as long as he's
been out, and it's credit. It's a credit to both,
is a credit to coach Aaron Miles, and you know,
(24:29):
the most important person is in credit to Zion the
work that he's been putting in to get himself ready
to get on the floor and compete with his teammates.
Speaker 2 (24:37):
That's Keay.
Speaker 6 (24:38):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (24:38):
I mean, I think if there's one thing that if
you want to nitpick with his game last night, he
had four turnovers. I think some of that there was
a play in the fourth quarter where the Pelicans were
in desperation mode because they're down a couple possessions. I
think they inbounded to him or he had the ball
and he was trying to dribble through a couple guys
in the Timberwolves and lost it out of bounce. It
plays like that, I think we'll see go away as
(25:00):
he gets into more of a rhythm. I think maybe
at that point in the game too, he'd played you know,
relatively speaking, he'd played a lot of minutes. So I'm
sure we're gonna see different parts of his game, including
the turnovers improve as he just gets gets his feet
back under him and gets used to playing even more.
Speaker 2 (25:17):
I think the third thing there, so you know, we
touched on this chemistry that kind of you can see
building if that was already there between DJ and Zion,
and also the fact that you saw the rehab looks
like it went really well. I mean, obviously to see
where he was. The other thing, too, Jim, is something
that you touched on Monday, and you've touched on here
(25:38):
over the last couple of podcasts. Yeah, as some of
these guys started coming back being healthy in December and
stuff like that, that's great. And as fans as media,
we wanted to see him off and running. You know,
this team's gonna look exactly how we always wanted. We
haven't played together, and Wes Johnson was in here last
week and he said, look, man, it's he wants to
(25:58):
go this way and I maybe want to go this way.
And you're gonna learn that the more you start playing together.
You mentioned on Monday, it's the longest stretch you had
with the starting lineup. Well that ended yesterday in a
good way. But now Zion's back, so kind of getting
into that, I think One of the things that was
interesting was yesterday was a team high and transition point, right,
(26:20):
was that that's fast break points thirty one. Yeah, okay,
so that was the season high that you saw there.
So you're you're seeing this team play better and you're
seeing certain aspects of that. Listen to what DJ had
to say about that.
Speaker 11 (26:32):
I think we was just solid more than usual. Uh,
you know, and obviously he's gonna have a ball, you know,
so you know it helps for not just myself, the team,
and you know just what he's gonna cause of guys
is running at him and coming at him and getting
us open looks. And even in transition, I to all
my teammates, you know, if you're closer to the ball,
I'm a run and or tell me to get out
(26:54):
of the way.
Speaker 9 (26:54):
Whatever.
Speaker 11 (26:54):
I think we just got to continue to learn how
to play with each other.
Speaker 9 (26:57):
Man.
Speaker 11 (26:57):
You check this season out and it's just like we
haven't really got to play with each other just being healthy.
So you know, it's tough, no excuses, like I always say,
next man up mentality, But you know, I think we
were solid.
Speaker 9 (27:10):
You know.
Speaker 11 (27:11):
Besides, I think a run they went on and we
just couldn't really recover. But I think we were solid overall.
Speaker 2 (27:17):
And look, two wins and a and a game that
they led in yesterday and had a chance. Has Willie
Green feeling like this.
Speaker 12 (27:25):
Yeah, it's definitely a confidence booster for our group coming
off to two wins and then to get Z back
and then you know, go against a really good Minnesota
team tonight and you know, go to total go toe
to toe with them. So that's that's again momentum that
we can build off of. Now, there's some things we
need to improve on, but getting Z back and for
the most part, trying to get all of our guys
(27:46):
and get healthy, it's extremely important for us to try
to you know, gain some momentum and get some wins
under our belt.
Speaker 3 (27:53):
I mean, it's obviously it's going to be important over
the next stretch that they keep adding some wins to
the win that they more competitive. But I do think
even beyond just this recent stretch of the last few
games where they won two against the Wizards and they
were right there, I think within a possession or two
of the Timberwolves at the end of the game last night,
I think if you do go back, you know, two
(28:13):
three weeks to the beginning of the homestand and I
can totally understand people listening to this and being like Jim,
who cares they lost all the games? But I mean,
if you compare the way that they played earlier in
the season for a lot of the of November and
then a lot of December as well, and then you
can look at the fact that, you know, the knixt game,
they were up by double figures before Brunson went crazy.
(28:35):
They lost to Denver in overtime. They had a game
against Memphis where they're really competitive, They lost by three
to the Clippers. They had the New Year's Day game
against Miami that was maybe a little bit of a
dip in performance. But and then you go into the
two games against the Wizards, so we're talking, you know,
eight ten games where they definitely have played better. Obviously,
they only got two wins in that entire stretch, but
(28:56):
it does seem like they're making some steps forward to
the point where you know, we're at the halfway point
of the season and they only have seven wins, but
you would think in the last forty one games of
the season that they'll be able to win a lot
more than seven eight ten games that they'll be able
to play, you know, at least closer to five hundred
and just start picking up wins on a much more
(29:16):
frequent basis than what we've seen so far.
Speaker 2 (29:18):
He look, I hear you. I mean I get what
you just says. But here's the thing, though, there were
a lot of games where it didn't play hard.
Speaker 3 (29:23):
There were a lot of games where you know, they
talked about it after the game that you would be
saying that, right, that's the head coach saying, hey, we
need a sense of urgency.
Speaker 2 (29:32):
We need to come out playing with fours. We need
to get up into them defensively. So yeah, I mean, look,
it's one of those things you have to look at
the ingredients, like in a good gumbo or in your case,
maybe a good pizza or something like that. Right, you know,
I just or a good pasta you like. You like
lobster too, right, good lobster, So yeah, exactly, gotta have
(29:52):
the right amount of butter lobster. Exactly, gotta have all
the main from Massachusetts. Yeah, you got I love that.
So that's my point is I think you see that
to look at it and look, it's something that you
and Wes talked about and others on our podcast as
to what are your goals from here or now? What
are you looking at? It's not maybe standings, it's not
you know, seating, it's what are you looking at to
(30:16):
make decisions in the next couple of weeks and months
and stuff. So I think that's the key there. So anyway,
tough loss yesterday in that you know, you didn't get
to win. But as you mentioned, the Smoothie King Center
was excited. You can hear it in the calls that
graphin JD had. I mean, we've spoken almost twenty five
minutes about some of the positive things we saw that legit.
(30:38):
This isn't like we're trying to find something. Sure that
three sixty dunk was spectacular. Nine steals between those two
players is something else. Seeing those two players kind of
be unhappy that they lost but played well. I like
that if I'm a fan, So it's all good.
Speaker 3 (30:54):
And I mean one thing too that I looked at
the Pelicans were plus eight was Ion on the court
last night. So his plus minus was a positive eight
and he only, as we said, he only played twenty
eight minutes. I mean, could have showed a wood of
ifs and butts. But I mean, if he plays his
normal amount of minutes, maybe that is a win. So
going forward, if you start to see him, if you
start to see the team be as effective while he's
(31:15):
on the court as well as they were last night,
and his minutes go up, I think that also will
be a factor, you would hope and them having a
better chance to start picking up wins on a consistent basis.
Speaker 2 (31:26):
And look, as we close out this part of the podcast,
how many nights to see Jim McCullum go one to fourteen?
Not many that five points?
Speaker 5 (31:34):
Yeah, yeah, that doesn't happen. Incredible.
Speaker 2 (31:36):
I mean, it's crazy you can score fifty one night
five the next.
Speaker 3 (31:40):
I mean, it's I think some of it just shows.
I've talked about this so many times on the show
about even Steph Curry has games where he just hitdn't
make a shot right, and so it is.
Speaker 5 (31:50):
It's just one of those things.
Speaker 10 (31:51):
Though.
Speaker 3 (31:51):
It's like, if you players that rely on three point shooting,
even as great as Steph Curry is, which is the
greatest three point shooter ever in the history of the game,
if a big, if a huge chunk of your shots
are jumpers, it's not gonna be there every night. You're
gonna have nights where you don't make him. So that's
my explanation for how you go from a fifty point
game to a few nights later you go one for fourteen.
Speaker 5 (32:12):
That's just part of the game.
Speaker 3 (32:14):
If you're not getting layups and you're not getting dunks,
you know, sometimes that's if you your diet is.
Speaker 5 (32:20):
Just jump shots.
Speaker 3 (32:21):
There's nights where your legs aren't there, your rhythm isn't there,
and that's what you end up with.
Speaker 2 (32:25):
It's incredible in it. I mean, as you mentioned, Steph
Curry had a night this year he did not score right,
and as you said, he's arguably one of the best scores.
Speaker 3 (32:34):
Yeah, he's one of the best. He's definitely the I
think he's the best shooter of all times. It's incredible
or part of it you could debate, but the but
the shooting part is like, here's my mountain of list
of items of why he is the best.
Speaker 2 (32:46):
Yeah, that's incredible. Like when you think about it, I
mean that guy literally can close his eyes and probably
can make buckets. I mean it's just like the field.
He'll know right when he's off his hand to go
an entire game.
Speaker 3 (32:58):
Mm hmm, yeah, I mean something crazy, right too, is
that it just shows you sometimes to the defense in
the NBA too, that it's some nights.
Speaker 5 (33:08):
Rhythm and right. Yeah, it's crazy.
Speaker 2 (33:10):
Yeah, that is uh, that's something I would never bet on,
and we can't, by the way, we can't do that, true,
very true.
Speaker 1 (33:17):
All right, y'all.
Speaker 4 (33:18):
Now it's time for Western Conference Wednesday.
Speaker 10 (33:21):
Mister Ichenhoffer will tell us whose stock is up and
whose stock is down.
Speaker 5 (33:27):
So let's get started. Jim, what is our team to
keep an eye on for this week?
Speaker 3 (33:32):
You know, Gus, I'm going in a little bit of
a different direction for the team to watch this week.
Speaker 5 (33:37):
Earlier for most of the earth.
Speaker 3 (33:38):
By the way, it's great to have Western Conference Wednesday
back because it was interrupted by Christmas and New Year's Day,
so it's great to have to be back in action.
But I mean, earlier in the season, a lot of
times I would pick teams that were kind of near
maybe near the top of the standings in the West
or in the middle of a race. But this week
I'm gonna pick somebody that has a direct correlation to
(33:58):
the Pelicans and that my team to watch is the
Utah Jazz because they have nine wins the Pelicans have seven.
So I mean it's gonna be baby steps maybe for
the Pelicans, but can they catch at least Utah. Can
they move out of the bottom spot of the West.
Over the next seven days, the Jazz have home games
against the Heat and the Nets. They have a road
(34:19):
game against Phoenix. But I think more importantly than that,
later in January, they have two games here against New Orleans.
So I mean maybe by the time that the Jazz
come here in late January, the Pelicans will be in
a position where they say, Okay, we beat them in
these two games, and we move ahead of the Jazz.
We put them behind us, and then we start looking
at who's next on the list of teams that we
can catch. But for right now, like I said, let's
(34:44):
just look at the win column. The Jazz have nine wins,
the Pelicans have seven. We'll see if the Pelicans can
make progress there. As far as stock up and stock
down goes, I have two teams that are very related
to each other in the standings. My stock up is
the Sacramento Kings, who have won five games in a row.
They're five and one under interim head coach Doug Christie.
(35:05):
They're in eleventh place now in the Western Conference and
they're only a half game out of tenth. They also
have three games remaining against the Pelicans, all of them
are in February, so that's something that you can mark
your calendars with that. The Kings are actually here for
two nights in a row for home back to back
for the Pelicans on February twelfth and thirteenth, right before
the All Star break, and then stock Down. Related to
(35:27):
the Kings, Golden State Warriors are now tenth in the
West and they're only a half game ahead of Sacramento,
so that play in race between those two teams in
Northern California is.
Speaker 5 (35:37):
Getting very heated and very tight.
Speaker 3 (35:39):
And the Warriors, i mean, the biggest reason I picked
them for stock Down. They're now six and fifteen after
they started the season twelve and three. They were actually
twelve and three when they beat the Pelicans in the
Smoothie King Center. I'm sure people remember that game from
back in November, but that was really kind of the
turning point of their season in a negative way. That
they've only won six out of their last twenty one
game and games since then, and now they're in a
(36:02):
very perilous position as far as even just being in
the top ten with only that slim lead that they
have over the Kings. And last note on the Warriors,
they there's one the last Friday in March, the Golden
State will play against New Orleans. That's the final meeting
of the season between those two teams, and that should
do it for a Western Conference Wednesday, All.
Speaker 2 (36:22):
Right, quickly before we get on out of here, We'll
be again with you again on Friday, Portland, New Orleans
tonight at seven Portland twelve and twenty three Pelicans seven
and thirty. They played the first two games earlier in
the season, and then they played one here as well.
I don't know, man, in meeting four, what's the one
thing to pay attention to. We'll talk a little bit
more about it in Pelicans warm up.
Speaker 3 (36:43):
Yeah, I mean, I'm really just curious to see what
happens with the Pelicans having a different collection of players
available for this game than the last time they played
the Trailblazers.
Speaker 5 (36:53):
I don't think Zion played in that game.
Speaker 3 (36:54):
The last time that they played them here or the
only time that they played them in New Orleans.
Speaker 5 (36:59):
Another thing too.
Speaker 3 (37:00):
I mean, we're gonna get more injury updates on the
Pelicans later, sure, but Jeremy Grant is out for the
for Portland, Matiz Thibel is out for them as well,
and they actually have two guys that are pretty important
that are questionable Denny Avdia with a right wrist brain
and Donovan Klingen, who's listed as rest as questionable.
Speaker 2 (37:18):
It's a log flight jam, yeah.
Speaker 3 (37:20):
I mean, they just they played in Detroit on Monday,
so they didn't have to fly all the way from
Oregon to here. But nonetheless there's a few guys for
them that might be out as well tonight, So just
something to keep an eye on that. We'll get more
updates as the day progresses. But yeah, Jeremy Grant, I think,
in particular, did some serious damage against the Pelicans in
the two games that they played out there, so he's
(37:41):
not going to be on the floor tonight, so that's
one less guy that they have to worry about. But
I mean, I think Anthony Simons has had some huge
games lately for them, and Shade and Sharp as well
as somebody that has started to really gain a lot
of attention for the way that he's played with his
scoring ability, his athleticism and that kind of thing. So,
I mean, Trailblazers have been a real problem. I mean,
(38:02):
if you think about it too, the one of the
three games that the Pelicans won against them, they needed
Brandon Ingram to make a game winner in the last
couple of seconds. So I mean even the game that
they won was difficult. So I'll be curious to see
how the Pelicans do just But I think the Pelicans
are in a better position, especially compared to the third
time they played Portland, as far as player availability and
(38:24):
guys that are gonna be on the floor, especially with
you know, Dejonte didn't play in any of those three
games against Portland.
Speaker 2 (38:29):
I have an email ready to go, mister Doug Tatum.
Rest not going tonight. How do you think that's going
to go? If I just send press send.
Speaker 5 (38:35):
Right there, I think it'll probably get deleted.
Speaker 2 (38:37):
Jim says, rest tonight needed no coverage. You think you
can pretty incredible anyway, Mister Jim aikad Offers always been appreciated.
He will be there and he's got Are you gonna
be part of Pelicans warm up?
Speaker 5 (38:49):
I'm I'm definitely gonna be there. Look at that. You
sent the invite and I'm willing to accept it.
Speaker 2 (38:54):
Well, you know what, mister Andrew Loope is becoming a dad.
He's you know, taking care of the newborn, So congrats
to him. Aaron Summers has helped out on the television side,
so she's in the sideline reporter, so normal home third segment.
The conductor Chris Moran, he was under the weather, so
we had Robert Carol.
Speaker 3 (39:12):
We had a lot of moving partes, a lot of
Next Man and Next Woman out.
Speaker 2 (39:16):
Oh by the way, if you're a Pels fan and
you've been you didn't go to the game, and you might,
you might want to go to Pelicans dot com. The
parking's different right now, so where you're used to parking,
you're probably not parking there. I'm sure if your season
ticket holder, you've got information from the team already. If
you're not a season ticket holder, I seriously urge you
to go to Pelicans dot com and go check that out.
(39:37):
We're parking by Loyola, We're parking in a whole different lot.
We're not parking in the dome. All of this is
in preparation for the Super Bowls. It's not just this.
Speaker 5 (39:45):
Week, it's the month of January.
Speaker 2 (39:48):
So if you're just give yourself extra time, there's one
way in and one way out. Essentially, you can't get
off at the Superdome exit, which is what we've always done.
So you're getting off and coming in Loyola. If you're
listening to this and going, what are you talking about?
Pelicans dot com go check it out, it's a little
bit different to get in. And that's all months now.
(40:10):
We're down to seven home games left, including tonight, so
it's it's something to pay attention to.
Speaker 3 (40:14):
Yeah, and I mean last night was definitely under the
learning was I was gonna say, a new challenge Gus.
Speaker 5 (40:20):
But there was also an accident.
Speaker 3 (40:21):
I don't think it was a serious accident, but there
was an accident at the corner of Girod and Loyola
four thirty, so.
Speaker 5 (40:29):
That made it even worse.
Speaker 3 (40:30):
Hopefully that something like that won't happen again tonight where
it complicates things even more. But but yeah, hopefully things
will will be a little bit more smooth than there's
just that was just a case of some really bad luck.
Speaker 2 (40:41):
Basically, just get yourself some time. It's it's we were told,
give yourself an extra thirty minutes. Sure minimum, I would
say that because again it's just and on your way out.
Be patient, because uh yeah, it was a good twenty
five minutes to get out that garassle.
Speaker 3 (40:57):
Yeah, it was a little late by the time we
so maybe get a little nap in today too, on
our game day, just to gear up a little bit more,
just to be ready exactly right.
Speaker 2 (41:06):
Anyway, We'll see you on Friday on the next edition
of the New Orleans Pelicans Podcast.
Speaker 1 (41:11):
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 can offer
(41:31):
and Gcat Underscore seventeen. We'll see you next time right
here on the New Orleans Pelicans Podcast.
Host
Jim Eichenhofer
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