Jake Madison here, the host of the daily Locked On Pelicans podcast, with your daily Locked On Pelicans newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Pelicans and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Pelicans’ Strategic Dilemma: To Tank or Not to Tank?
Image by Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
In the fiercely competitive Western Conference, the New Orleans Pelicans face a critical decision: should they tank the season or push for a playoff spot? As a dedicated Pelicans insider, I find myself torn between the allure of a high draft pick and the potential of a healthy roster making a late-season surge.
The Case Against Tanking
Currently sitting at 4-10, the Pelicans are just three games shy of the 10th seed, which would secure them a spot in the Play-In tournament. Despite the rough start, the Western Conference remains open, with several teams like the Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs expected to falter. The Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks are also struggling, leaving room for the Pelicans to climb the standings.
The return of key players like CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, and Jordan Hawkins could be the catalyst for a winning streak. Historically, the Pelicans have shown they can string together victories, as evidenced by their seven-game winning streak in the 2022-2023 season. With a fully healthy roster, including Zion Williamson, the team has the talent to compete with the best.
Evaluating the Big Men
The Pelicans recently recalled Karlo Matkovic from the G League, signaling a potential shake-up in the rotation. Yves Missi has solidified his role as the starting center, providing consistent defense and rebounding. His presence is crucial, especially with the anticipated return of defensive stalwarts like Dejounte Murray and Jones.
Daniel Theis, who started the season strong, has seen his minutes dwindle. His effectiveness is closely tied to Williamson’s presence on the court, and without Zion, Theis’s impact diminishes. Trey Jemison has stepped in, offering size and rebounding, but his offensive limitations are evident. His hands need improvement, and his defensive rebounding rate lags behind his peers.
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl has been a pleasant surprise, contributing hustle and three-point shooting. However, his role may decrease once Williamson returns. This opens the door for Matkovic, who brings a versatile skill set that includes shooting, rim protection, and rebounding. His ability to stretch the floor could complement Williamson’s game, providing a new dynamic to the Pelicans’ offense.
The decision to tank or compete hinges on the team’s performance in the coming weeks. If they can close the gap in the standings and get healthy, a playoff push is within reach. However, if the losses continue to mount, the Pelicans may need to consider pivoting towards the draft.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Pelicans’ strategic decisions, tune into the Locked On Pelicans podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pelicans Podcast:
- Karlo Matkovic’s potential impact on the Pelicans’ rotation
- The role of Yves Missi as the starting center
- The Pelicans’ injury updates and their impact on the season
The Sixers are no longer just bad, they’re cornered
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) looks on against the Miami Heat during the third quarter at Kaseya Center|Photo by Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Look, I held off as long as I could, told myself it was only an awkward start. I looked to silver linings, to the tendency that things going wrong for this long tend to right themselves. I looked to the surrounding conditions for clues and when none revealed themselves, I decided to stay positive but now, it’s time: time to talk about the Philadelphia 76ers.
Beyond what Sixers fans know intimately and don’t need reiterated (things are bad), the mood around the franchise is starting to feel closer to cornered than merely frustrated. Last night, after a third quarter collapse against the Heat in Miami, the Sixers held a postgame meeting that lasted over an hour. The game already had a bizarre feel to it, Philly led by 19 before being down 20, and Joel Embiid went from being listed as doubtful to starting. No one on the Sixers roster looked especially comfortable, a trend that’s emerged throughout the team’s first full month of regular season play.
Slipping now to the bottom of the Eastern Conference, with a record of 2-11 I still feel the need to double check as I write this, one thing has become abundantly clear — the Sixers don’t have room to hedge.
There’s no scapegoat to pin the team’s shoddy performance on, not this early in the season. Even when healthy, and Embiid, George and Maxey are on the floor together, it’s been for naught. Both the teams wins came in arduous overtime, one without George and both without Embiid. The Sixers win against the Hornets was missing Maxey completely.
Here’s a problem I’ve wondered about since Daryl Morey landed George in what was declared an undisputed win for the franchise and the best move of the offseason — what about Philadelphia’s role players? To clear the books for cap space enough to sign George, Daryl Morey liquidated the team’s working roster — 13 of the team’s 15 man squad became free agents. Tobias Harrias and Nicolas Batum may not be spring chickens in NBA terms, but they provided the mechanical support the Sixers are now woefully lacking. This isn’t the Sixers only problem, that much has been made clear, but it’s a big one.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Biz Former NBA stars Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady are looking to buy a minority stake in the NFL’s Buffalo Bills (CityTV)
Must Read Knicks forward OG Anunoby says he’s tired of being known for his defensive prowess. (The Athletic, subscription required)
Injury CJ McCollum says he’s never seen injury issues like the ones plaguing the Pelicans this season. It’s been a rough ride for the team. (NOLA)
Preview The Pelicans will take on the Mavericks in a showdown at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. Read the preview.(NBA)
3peat (ICYMI)
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Pelicans podcasts.
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