re: The Playoff Rosters, Team Building Philosophy, and the Future of the Pelicans

Pelicans nab the 3 pick overall and Suns get the 5 pick. Pelicans trade 3 and Gordon to Suns for 5, 30, and Dudley. Pelicans still able to take Burke with the 5 and with the 30, they take Deshaun Thomas or Archie Goodwin. Sign Al Jefferson and Devin Ebanks as their free agents. We become the best of both worlds.

New wave of old school line up:
Pg Burke 6-0 and 190
Sg Dudley 6-7and 225
Sf Anderson 6-10 and 240
Pf Davis 6-10 and 230 (currently says 220, but let’s add 10)
C Jefferson 6-10 and 289

This is a big, rugged team that has the ability to push opponents around with their size and quickness up and down the court. 4 of the 5 play great post and perimeter defense- Ryno may need some work this offseason. They will be dominate in the post- Jefferson and Davis. Shoot Corner 3s all day long with Burke at 38.4%, Dudley at 39.1%, and Anderson 38.2%

Smaller ball lineup:
Pg Burke
Sg Dudley
Sf Ebanks
Pf Anderson
C Davis- 8.2 rebounds

To me, this line up spells out ISO, perimeter scoring, and jumpers from the elbow. Davis can clean up the missed jumpers, more than Bosh of the Heat, but less than Chandler of the Knicks. He can also provide a little more scoring than Chandler, but less than Bosh. Ebanks is an athletic SF with a unique skillset. Davis and Ebanks combined could make up for the fact that there is no one worthy of comparison to Lebron or Melo in 2013 draft or free agency that will be a Pelican at the start of next season.

2013-2014 Pelicans Roster:
Pg Burke- Vasquez- Roberts
Sg Dudley- Rivers- Mason Jr.
Sf Ryno- Ebanks- Miller- Deshaun Thomas or Archie Goodwin
Pf Davis- (Ryno)- Smiht- Amundson- for shitz and giggles
C Jefferson- Lopez- (Smiht)

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Pelicans nab the 3 pick overall and Suns get the 5 pick. Pelicans trade 3 and Gordon to Suns for 5, 30, and Dudley

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Not liking that at all.

You are correct.

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Artest / MWP has exactly one ring, which he won with the Lake Show. IIRC, that was when they beat the Celtics a few years back.

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correct

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Last few championship teams:

Miami- finesse
Dallas-kind of a hybrid
Lakers-finesse
Lakers-finesse
Celtics-hybrid but more towards defense
Spurs-defense

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Disregarding the types of teams these are my thoughts are how can the Pelicans compete with these teams?

The first thing that comes to mind is you have big, physical defenders for LeBron, Dirk, and Pierce and quick defenders for Kobe, Rondo, Manu, Parker -- your not going to stop these guys completely but you need guys to slow them down, tire them out, get frustrated


Second you need a closer - LeBron, Dirk, Kobe, Pierce, Manu/Duncan - if not a superstar then someone who can create a shot and hit when needed


Third you have to be able to score efficiently from every where on the floor and in different ways -- one way this comes is from someone (does not have to be a PG) setting up teammates by getting by the first man and getting into the lane then finishing or dishing -- if that player dishes the ball then you need players who can hit there shots


My philosophy...I know these 3 things we need are obviously easier said than done but I don't think we need superstars to get to the point to compete with the big boys

I see us like the Spurs who did not have a superstar per say...a true team where everyone contributes in a different but beneficial way

CP3 or Bledsoe
Austin Rivers/ KMart
Danny Grander or Deng/DM
Ryno/ Aminu
AD/JSmith

We can note trade Gordon to The Suns until July 13

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If we were to get pehovic in FA, I think the best move for the pelicans would be to draft Burke. Burke would bring someone that can create their own shot to the team which we need, and in this draft you aren't going to find an AD type immediate talent, but Noel & Burke are the two guys from this draft that I think can have a very positive impact on the team and help speed up the rebuilding process.

I think trading Vazquez away in this scenario would be a bad idea unless demps was offered something that he just couldn't refuse (come on KD for Vazquez ) Vazquez could easily be one of the best backup PG in the league and someone I think could help the pelicans in the playoffs.

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This is my hope. I really like Burke and I also like the idea of having Vasquez to help bring him along in the first year or two. Also, keeping Vasquez' leadership around would be a plus. Like you said, if Burke ends up surpassing Vasquez, Gravy could be a fantastic guard off the bench at a good salary. *Fingers crossed*

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Yeah, Pau is not Marc.

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Marc is a much more rugged version of Pau. He has all the skills that Pau has, but he's tough enough to bang down low. Plus Marc is a better passer.

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We better be getting more than Dudley and #30 if we're trading Gordon and moving back two spots.

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