National media perception vs. reality

It's understandable that fans of NBA teams not in San Fran or N.O. are pissed off. The truth is that Cousins could've stayed in N.O. and at more money. Fact. It's also a fact that coming back from an Achilles injury is not a sure thing. Golden State actually is one of, if not the only team, that can run the risk of Cousins never being the same again.

So, frankly, the Pels are better off without him, and with Randle. I hate the optics of losing Cousins, but, everyone knows the team played better AFTER he got hurt.

Losing Rondo is a bigger deal. Can Payton effectively replace him? Jackson? Remains to be seen.

I'm not trying to paint a pretty picture and be overly optimistic, but, I honestly feel like the team is better with Payton and Randle, than Rondo and Cousins, all things (age, injuries) considered.

The national west and east coast media are peeing their pants to get AD away from N.O. and onto the Lakers or Knicks. They will take every opportunity to paint the Pelicans in the worst possible light. frick them. AD will do what he wants, and he may very well decide to ditch the Pels when the opportunity arises. Or, he may not. We'll see. A lot depends on what happens on the court the next couple of years.

I'm not convinced Gentry is the best coach for this team, but it will be interesting to see how the younger players (Payton, Randle) mesh.

The Pelicans made some horrible moves in the past (Asik, Ajinca come to mind; Hill hasn't panned out) but the acquisitions of Payton and Randle look to be really good. Let's see what happens. Anyway, the league was tilted in favor of Golden State when they signed Durant -- THAT'S when everyone was entitled to lose their shite, not now when they sign a guy who may never recover from a serous injury.