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.
Why Moral Victories Matter for the Pelicans
Photo by Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
As a dedicated follower of the New Orleans Pelicans, I’ve been reflecting on the significance of moral victories for our team. Despite being ten games under .500, these small wins are crucial for evaluating our roster and planning for the future. The Pelicans are at a crossroads, with a salary cap situation that demands tough decisions about who stays and who goes. Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, and Dejounte Murray are all key players, but we can’t keep everyone. It’s essential to determine our core players and make strategic trades to stay competitive.
The Case for Tanking
Many fans are asking when the Pelicans should pivot to tanking for a top draft pick. While it’s tempting to consider this option, especially with the injuries plaguing our team, it’s not a decision to be made lightly. The NBA trade deadline on February 6th is a critical date. By then, we need to decide if trading players like McCollum or Ingram is the right move to shed salary and potentially improve our draft position. However, tanking isn’t straightforward. Competing teams like Washington and Utah are already in full tank mode, making it challenging for us to secure a top pick.
Balancing Competition and Future Planning
Despite the challenges, it’s important to remain competitive. Every game provides valuable data, helping us understand who we can rely on and who might be expendable. Even in losses, we’re learning about our team’s dynamics and potential. This season’s moral victories could translate into real wins in the future, much like Willie Green’s first year when the team made a late push into the play-in tournament. The Pelicans have more talent now, and with players returning from injury, there’s hope for a strong finish to the season.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Pelicans’ strategies and future plans, 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
- Evaluating the potential of Elfrid Payton and Brandon Boston Jr.
- Strategies for navigating the luxury tax
- Upcoming games and key matchups for the Pelicans
Nov 26, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2) shoots the basketball over Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) during the fourth quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro/Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Here’s the thing, Scary Terry has hops. At 30-years-old and with a decade of play under his belt, Terry Rozier can cut like a knife, shake loose defenders, deflect, drive, and kick the ball out to the wing on a layup with the court vision still 20/20. He shoots, too. Tidy jumpers, deep and swooning corner threes, tricky little one-handed layups, fastbreak two-handed deliveries, Rozier runs through them like a personal rolodex.
Perhaps it’s a good reminder, for you as much as me, that age really doesn’t have anything to do with it. For one, despite what we’re led to believe by watching NBA basketball and listening to people talk about it, 30 isn’t old. Besides age, there’s a more important personal factor: whether an athlete keeps up. NBA basketball gets pushed in new directions every season as competitive teams break the mold and not yet competitive teams try to keep up.
Optimization is an unfortunate word in our modern and decidedly capitalist lexicon, but it’s what good athletes do. If there’s a skill to develop, they figure out what it is. Giannis Antetokounmpo in the mid-range this season is a perfect and very successful example. The bigger thing these smaller improvements add up to are teams with a depth of different weapons to pull out against the seemingly unbeatable juggernauts at the top. Occasionally, front offices identify what their unique skillset or style of play can be — think the decidedly big Cleveland Cavaliers, or the micro, play-every-position, Thunder — and build toward it.
For an athlete like Rozier, who many were quick to call a Kyle Lowry 2.0 when he arrived in Miami, the improvisation he’s shown with the Heat was born out of necessity but also an aptitude for reading the room. The Heat are a workaholic organization with a next-man-up mentality they don’t just talk about as an inspirational soundbite, but is twined through the fibre of all that they do.
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.
Home and Away
Analysis The point guard position is in good hands. Shaun Powell takes stock of the position and what the future looks like. (NBA)
Opinion The NBA can tinker with the All-Star Game format all it wants, but there’s only one fix. (The Athletic, subscription required)
Feel Good What happens with the money collected from fines? How the league turns bad moments into good deeds. (SB Nation)
Feel Good Elfrid Payton stepped up during a crucial time for the Pelicans, providing much-needed support and showcasing his resilience and dedication. Payton’s efforts were a testament to his commitment to the team. (NOLA.com)
Opponent The Pelicans’ defense is struggling, offering little resistance at the rim according to a detailed analysis of their opponents’ scoring frequency. This defensive lapse needs urgent attention. (Pelican Brief)
Preview The Raptors will challenge the Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center at 8:00 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Another Lauri Markkanen Injury For Fantasy Basketball Managers To Digest
Nov 26, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward/center Lauri Markkanen (23) on the floor after a collision with San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images | Christopher Creveling/Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images
Injury Concerns and Player Updates
Joel Embiid’s ongoing knee issues are another significant concern. With a history of multiple meniscus surgeries, Embiid’s situation remains precarious. His recent absences highlight the risks associated with drafting him early in fantasy leagues. The high failure rate of such surgeries suggests that Embiid’s availability might be limited, making him a risky trade target.
Donovan Clingan’s grade 2 MCL sprain is also noteworthy. The Portland Trail Blazers plan to reevaluate him in two weeks, but this type of injury typically requires a longer recovery period. With Clingan sidelined, players like Ayton and Rob Williams are expected to see increased playing time, making Williams a valuable addition to fantasy rosters.
Lauri Markkanen’s Injury Impact
Lauri Markkanen’s recent knee injury adds another layer of complexity to fantasy basketball strategies. Markkanen, who has been dealing with back and knee issues, was helped off the court after a knee knock. While the injury doesn’t appear to be a severe ACL or MCL tear, it could sideline him for at least a week, if not longer. This development opens up opportunities for players like John Collins to step up and fill the void, potentially increasing their fantasy value.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Pelicans podcasts.
Why Elfrid Payton’s assists are crucial for New Orleans Pelicans’ success Can Elfrid Payton’s 21 assists redefine the New Orleans Pelicans’ strategy? The Pelicans’ recent clash with the Indiana Pacers showcased a standout performance from Payton, sparking discussions on the team’s evolving dynamics in the NBA.
WTF is going on with Zion Williamson and New Orleans Pelicans? Long injury timelines, agent changes? Is it time for the New Orleans Pelicans to rethink their strategy with Zion Williamson? With controversies swirling around the star player, including a change of agents and injury concerns, the Pelicans face a challenging season.
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