re: Pelicans 109 VS Kobe Bryant 102 / Final / Official Game Thread

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The three biggest moves in terms of cap affect with Demps are matching PHX to keep Gordon, trading for Jrue and trading for Reke

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There was probably pressure to keep Gordon from higher up and his upside at the time was very high so It made some sense why.

Jrue trade was fine,the 2013 draft was dreadful and we gave up a 10th pick that was used on a fricking euro. Yes that 10th pick may have been nice but it's such a clusterfrick.

Reke has played at a near all star level so I don't see the issue.

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Not only has brought in 3 ball-dominant guards into the starting 5,

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So has PHX pretty much. Jrue/EG aren't ball-dominant,tyreke is the only one.

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but it also handicapped the team with the long term deals and lost draft picks, which has led to a shitty bench and no real room to improve until Gordon comes off the books after next season and/or Asik doesn't ink a long term deal following this season.

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Long term deals that are far lower than what we would've had to shell out for parsons/hayward etc. Gordon isn't going to be here long term and Asik is a big piece of the puzzle.

We'll have big money in 2016.

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From a purely basketball perspective, AD doesn't get nearly enough touches that he should because he's mostly running with Jrue, Evans and, to a lesser extent, Gordon who need the ball in their hands to make an impact.

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Jrue has played mostly off ball and his usg rate is actually quite low(31st among PGs). AD is fourth in usage rate.

Gordon has been taking outside shots and playing outside D so he's fine without the ball.

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Yeah AD is putting up ridiculous lines night in and night out, but tonight he only put the ball up 16 times. He should, at minimum, be taking 22 shots every game, but with the way this roster has been put together, that won't always be the case, which is not good at all.

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He's so efficient at scoring that's not needed. Maybe a couple of more shots but why complain about 25/12 a game with the highest PER in the modern ERA?

Yes there could be adjustments but I like what i saw tonight.

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In my opinion, the Asik trade was the first move that Demps made that really seemed like he was building around Davis. A true center that bangs down low and grabs every board on either side of the floor allows Davis to roam around and play his more natural role.

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Agreed and it's worked great.

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The only real downside of it is that it cost us a third straight 1st round pick and he could easily bail after 1 season.

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We have his bird rights and by all accounts he likes it here. We could easily keep that pick too,even if we don't who cares about an 18th pick?

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Hopefully, more moves that compliment Davis will be coming along, but with our cap and draft situation, there will have to be strings pulled.

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Making some small moves to help the bench would be good.