DeionDeion

Herb off the bench is hilarious

And Queen starting? Have you met Willie Green?

A few things we need to understand when it comes to drafting.

1) Fred Vinson won't magically fix every shot. Some kids don't have the mindset, work ethic, coachability, etc to do that. Plus there is a big difference between Fred making Herb someone defenses have to respect vs Trey as someone defenses cannot give any space to.

2) Every kid is going to have deficiencies. So you need to find someone with an elite skill set and build from there. I think we saw in the playoffs that you can never have enough wing defenders or 3-point shooting. That's why I love Dyson Daniels.

3) Whomever we draft, won't play much next season. A guy like Mutherin is great and he'd be exciting, but he won't see much of the court. So why not take a guy that needs some time

4) Tari Eason is elite on the defensive end. He's got switchability, tenacity, etc. If you think he can develop into your Robert Williams/Bam Adebayo in 3 years, you get him. I doubt he can, that may be more Jalen Duren. You could also say Jeremy Sochen if you want to take a gamble at the future replacement "5."



Essentially what I'm saying, is that you can never go wrong with an elite prospect (that only includes the top 4 to me), an elite skillset (wing defending or 3-point shooting), or take a gamble to build out your future frontcourt next to Zion.

The names of those guys might change amongst each of us, but the concept should remain the same

if it's about Zion needing/already having a second surgery (which I really think is going to be the announcement), it makes me wonder about the report that the Pels are trying to be buyers at the deadline

quote:

---

I don't think Shamit would post this if he didn't have an assistant on the team telling him this, but it still seems too crazy to be true.

---

Shamit is very connected and doesn't post for attention. I think it's safe to take him at his word

quote:

---

RobbBobb

---

What's hilarious and also sad to me is that this is a 7-page thread that accomplishes nothing. many posts show there is an understanding of how foolish these conversations are, but many on the left and right both yell aimlessly into the clouds thinking they are making valid points.


newsflash: you rarely ever change anyone's mind on an online forum

quote:

---

So you saying his contract would hamper us, but Adams won’t?

---

what I'm saying is trading away a 35 year old big vs a 28 year old big is WAY harder. Again the contract at his age is what scared Griff off and I cannot blame him.

Reasons SVG was fired:

1) Griff wanted more say in what players got minutes (main one was Bledsoe).

2) Stan was brought in to be an a-hole and some of the players (not Zion) did NOT take it well. Caused a ton of friction

3) Stan was kind of a jerk this season and didn't connect with ownership (remember than Gayle had a great relationship with Alvin).



There is a lot that needs to be sorted out this offseason and it's not just a coach

quote:

---

You forgot Bledsoe who people now claim we need to give our 2021 1st rounder to dump.

---

whoever is saying this is not worth listening to

the only way we trade BI is for a player the caliber of Dame or Beal OR he asks out



outside of that, a BI trade isn't happening

Coach
-I want a coach that can motivate the players, can manage all the personalities, and is on the same page with ownership
-I think since there are so many voices/egos involved in this organization, I say we take a younger coach looking to prove themselves

Hart, Lonzo, Bled, Adams
-Love Hart's toughness on the court, but as a player, he can easily be replaced
-I'd bring back Lonzo for the right price, but I don't think that'll happen
-got to get rid of Bled & Adams

Trades
-I'd probably use at least half of our war chest to make a significant upgrade on the perimeter

Dream Scenario/Highly Unlikely
-go for broke on a Beal trade and then convince Kyle Lowry to sign here

same stuff is happening in Dallas with Luka. it is Griffin's job (and most front office's job) to find a balance between building an organization that can be a 'sustainable winner' while also not wasting seasons you have an all-world talent

quote:

---

What exactly did he ask for?

---

I'm sorry I should've clarified my previous statement. He [Zion] didn't/hasn't specifically asked for anything. But these leaks from his family aren't a coincidence either.

But essentially they want him competing in the playoffs. The internal pressure from Zion on himself and the pressure from his family is immense.

quote:

---

You don't need to contend in year 3. Progression is all the man's asking for

---

no, he's not just asking for progression

quote:

---

t's his second contract where you start being concerned about contending. Zion will not turn down the max.

---

Zion is marketable in any city and his endorsements can cover what he'd lose. plus there is enough smoke to believe that it is not out of question for Zion to turn down the max.

There has been one thing after another about Zion's frustration with the organization.

the question I have for you is are you willing to roll that dice to not compete until the second contract?

quote:

---

If true that is some entitled, pathetic bullshite. This is Zion's team and we want to build around him. What more do you want? Oh right, big sexy market

---

I will tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt, it has nothing to do with New Orleans or its market. It has to do with the talent surrounding Zion.


Also, I'll say that Zion's family has very very very high expectations for Zion and his career. And those expectations don't always align with the timeline, path, and decisions that Griffin makes. That puts Griffin in a very tough position to balance out what he thinks the organization needs and what Zion needs. I'm not absolving him in the slightest, because his job is to balance these things, but it does help understand the situation we are currently in.

I think what we have learned about Griffin is that what he says and what he does seems like 2 very different things

If we go by what he says, he won't make big moves this offseason. He says he wants to build "sustainable success." That tells me he isn't going to overpay until he feels the time is right

If we go by what he does, he will probably make some moves. He said he was "in lock-step" with both Gentry & SVG but fired them both after one season. He also told JJ he'd get him to Brooklyn (allegedly) but sent him to Dallas.




Fact is, he needs to make win-now moves. He has to be aware that if he doesn't win, and Zion wants out, he won't be around to use all that draft capital that he acquired

I don't disagree with anything you've said. But my point wasn't to debate how good KD is on defense and/or how unstoppable he is on offense.

My point was that there is a spectrum to what should be focused on both individually and as a team. And I think what we are seeing is that average defending and above-average pull-up shooting >>>> average pull-up shooting and above-average defending. and that the Pelicans focus team-wide should probably reflect that