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.
Antonio Reeves’ Breakout Game: A Glimpse into the Pelicans’ Future
Antonio Reeves: A Rising Star for the Pelicans
Antonio Reeves’ recent performance for the New Orleans Pelicans has sparked excitement and optimism among fans and analysts alike. In a game where the Pelicans faced a tough loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Reeves emerged as a standout player, showcasing his potential to significantly impact the team’s future.
Reeves played nearly 40 minutes, scoring an impressive 34 points, a feat achieved by only a few rookies this season. His ability to score efficiently, even in a blowout, highlights his potential as a key player for the Pelicans. Despite the team’s top eight players being sidelined, Reeves seized the opportunity to demonstrate his skills, proving that his performance was no fluke.
The Pelicans’ decision to draft Reeves in the second round and sign him to a deal is now paying dividends. His ability to take and make shots, particularly from beyond the arc, aligns with the team’s desire to increase their three-point attempts. Reeves’ willingness to drive to the basket and score in the paint adds a much-needed dimension to the Pelicans’ offense, which has struggled in this area.
Roster Challenges and Opportunities
The Pelicans’ current roster situation, plagued by injuries, has opened the door for players like Reeves to step up. With key players like Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram out, the team has had to rely on lesser-known talents. This has raised questions about the team’s roster construction and whether they can play the style they aspire to.
Reeves’ performance suggests that he could be a crucial piece in the Pelicans’ puzzle, fitting well alongside the team’s stars when they return. His ability to adapt and perform under pressure indicates that he should be a regular part of the rotation, even when the team is at full strength.
The Pelicans’ recent struggles have also highlighted the need for a reliable point guard. The addition of Elfrid Payton, who recently returned to the NBA after a two-year hiatus, has shown the importance of having a playmaker on the court. Payton’s ability to facilitate and create opportunities for his teammates underscores the team’s need for a strong point guard presence.
For more insights and a deeper dive into Antonio Reeves’ breakout performance and the Pelicans’ roster dynamics, tune into the Locked On Pelicans podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pelicans Podcast:
- The impact of injuries on the Pelicans’ season
- Analysis of the Pelicans’ salary cap situation
- The role of Elfrid Payton in the current lineup
- Potential strategies for the Pelicans moving forward
- Upcoming games and what to expect from returning players
A refrain I’ve increasingly heard from casuals, like the talking heads on the NBA’s biggest broadcast partners, is that the league is too homogenous these days, that every team just goes out there and chucks up threes. Every game is the same.
Leaving aside the shortsightedness of famous, influential media analysts dumping on their own product, it’s a common enough complaint that I felt an urge to investigate. My eyeballs tell me the league’s never been more diverse and fun, thanks largely to the absurd wealth of stars today with skill sets as bespoke as their draft night suits. Jokic’s Nuggets look nothing like Tatum’s Celtics look nothing like Brunson’s Knicks, and to suggest otherwise is willful ignorance.
As I wrote about for Basketball Poetry yesterday, the current top five offenses are Boston, Cleveland, New York, the Lakers, and Dallas. Those five teams rank first, 14th, 17th, 24th, and 21st, respectively, in share of shots that are triples. You certainly don’t need to launch a million threes relative to your peers to score the basketball successfully.
Of course, that’s a rather superficial analysis. Regardless of rank, what if the absolute numbers are all getting closer together? That would represent a growing sameness.
I looked at shot data from this season, a decade ago, and 20 years ago to see how much the share of three-pointers had changed.
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
Home and Away
Stat Owen Phillips of The F5 looks at how often centers defend guards, how often perimeter players are involuntarily guarded by centers (aka the Tony Allen effect), and much more in his analytical newsletter.
Analysis Jared Dubin of Last Night, In Basketball discusses something related: what kind of players are guarding point guards these days?
Must Read Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic talks about the NBA’s increasing difficulty for defensive-minded, older players, but the real story is that Draymond Green claims to have started lifting just four years ago.
Analysis Antonio Reeves’ breakout performance could convince the Pelicans to consider a change in direction. Reevaluating strategies may be essential for future success.(Pelican Debrief)
Ranking Where does the trio of Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray and Trey Murphy III rank in the league’s “Big Threes?” Check out ESPN’s analysis.
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
The Randomness Of Fantasy Basketball On A Wednesday In The NBA
Nov 20, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) drives to the basket as Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells (0) defends during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images|Petre Thomas/Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Top Five Fantasy Takeaways from Wednesday’s Games
1. Paul George’s Knee Injury Concerns
Paul George’s knee hyperextension during the 76ers vs. Grizzlies game is a significant concern for fantasy managers. While initial reports suggest no structural damage, his availability in the coming games is uncertain. This situation could open up opportunities for other players on the 76ers to step up, making it crucial to monitor updates closely.
2. Unpredictable Pelicans vs. Cavaliers Game
The Pelicans vs. Cavaliers matchup was a bizarre affair, with unexpected lineups and performances. Elfrid Payton started for the Pelicans, and Jaylon Tyson shone for the Cavs, but these anomalies are unlikely to have long-term fantasy implications. Managers should view this game as an outlier and avoid making hasty roster changes based on these performances.
3. Pacers’ Struggles and Tyrese Haliburton’s Slump
The Pacers are facing challenges, particularly with Tyrese Haliburton’s shooting woes. His road performance has been notably poor, possibly due to lingering back issues. Despite this, Haliburton’s track record suggests a turnaround is likely, making him a prime buy-low candidate for managers willing to take a risk on his recovery.
Click the button below to see how Norman Powell’s injury could open up opportunities for the Clippers, and a top 50 player returns to action.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Pelicans podcasts.
New Orleans Pelicans’ big loss: What went wrong against Luka Doncic and Dallas Mavericks? The New Orleans Pelicans suffered a staggering 132-91 loss to the Dallas Mavericks, a blow that significantly impacts their NBA Cup point differential. With star player Brandon Ingram constantly double-teamed, the Pelicans struggled to find offensive support.
New Orleans Pelicans’ playoff hopes: Too early to tank? Can the New Orleans Pelicans Turn Their Season Around? The New Orleans Pelicans, currently at 4-10, are just three games shy of the 10th seed Play-In spot. With key players returning from injury, is it too soon to consider tanking?
New Orleans Pelicans’ fight without stars: Can they maintain momentum? The New Orleans Pelicans stunned the Denver Nuggets with a 101-94 victory, thanks to their impressive offensive rebounding. Brandon Ingram nearly achieved a triple-double, scoring 29 points, grabbing 9 rebounds, and dishing out 7 assists.
