re: Are the Pelicans really a playoff team?

quote:

---

All offseason I read about how the Pelicans were closer to a playoff team, this team doesn't exactly look like a playoff team imo.

---

January - March is the softer part of the schedule. That's when we'll see if they have what it takes. They should gain enough ground to end up with a win total in the upper 40s. The question is will that be enough or do you need 50 wins for the 8 seed this year.

quote:

---

Would missing the playoffs and getting a top 10 pick help the Pelicans more than a possible 8th seed and 1st round exit?

---

We traded our 1st to Houston for Asik. There is protection on the pick but I believe we only keep it if we're bottom 3 or 20 and above. So basically if we win the lottery or make the playoffs we keep our pick, any other situation and Houston keeps it. If you think a draft pick this year helps the team you want them in the playoffs so they can keep the pick.

quote:

---

Eric Gordon is a waste of roster space

---

No, he was a waste of cap space, but I'm fine giving him a roster spot. He was actually playing very good on defense and provided spacing on offense. He may not be even close to worth his contract, but he was significantly better than any other options we have available to us.