Pelicans Summer league observations

All you need to know:

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Yep 20 yrs old. has time to learn.

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Meaning maybe in 2026 he’ll contribute to this organization.

Karlo can move! Fast af for a big man

Yea. That's one thing that pops on screen. He is very mobile. And when we get into the regular season, there's no way a lot of NBA bigs will be able to keep up with him on the offensive end especially if he can score in all 3 levels with any consistency.

Another thing that really pops on screen is his feel, timing, and awareness to find space, dive to the basket, and reset when he sees the play breaking down.

But there's still some questions especially on the defensive end and on the boards that worries me about him. Seems like opposing players can easily get a shot over him and push him around down low. He tends to get into defensive position pretty good due to his mobility but doesn't seem to hold up well in traffic down low. He's boxing out well but tends be unable to corral the ball consistently losing the ball in traffic. We're probably going to have to rely on our bigs to box out and need the other players.to crash the boards. I don't see any one of those guys being able to hold their own on the glass.

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I don't care for his one on one post plays. I don't think they'll work against NBA talent

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Jonas made a career out of those types of moves. I don't think Karlo will ever be the low post force that Jonas is, but I think it provides him with a diversity of offensive skills, which is really helpful.

Missi - Raw as hell. His hands have been the biggest disappointment.

Karlo - He's been awesome. Far and away the best player on the team

Reeves - I like his handle and ability to pass. He's shown he can score in multiple ways

Hawkins - Huge disappointment. Still can't handle or pass. Doesn't look to have put on much weight so he'll still be a liability on defense. He doesn't project to be anything more than bench shooter

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Hawkins - Still looks the same. Slow lateral movement, so he gets beat defensively. Dude can jump but his size usually causes him to lose the ball alot. Jump shot is not consistent. He's there to knock down jumpers..haven't done it in crunch time so far. Needs to go to G league for playing time.

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Please just do away with him. He’s Kira 2.0 and will always just be this.

Guy is a lifetime catch and shoot jump shooter..

No idea why we think it's wise to run it out there in SL and let him what little confidence he may have left after being anchored to the bench last year

-Agree. Don't know why coaches have this obsession for trying to make players be what they aren't. I think Hawkins has a chance to be an elite catch-and-shoot spacer. That's his skill set. He can attack the occasional close out and is a good athlete vertically. But he can't run an offense or be a lead ball handler, so don't ask him to do those things. Right tool, right job.

-Karlo is just what he was in in the G-League. I watched all of his ten games there (I know) and he was very bouncy, could really run the floor, and has solid basketball skills--shooting, passing and even handling -- for a big. In that Sabonis mode. Weak spot is rebounding, which sadly is a Pels weak spot over all. He also gives you some rim protection and defends ok. I think he can be a good role player next season, but let's not get carried away.

-I know Reeves hasn't lit up summer league, but there is something about him I really like. He plays with confidence but doesn't descend into hero ball. He was noted as a shooter, but I think his slashing skills have really stood out. I think he can be a contributor, even if it takes a bit to get there.

-Small PGs have a hard time in this league and we already have one in Jose, but Jordan Ford has a nice game. He looks like a true lead guard and is tricky with the ball as well as a good spacer. I hope we see him in Birmingham. He's a guy I'd like to keep an eye on.