As the domestic campaign gets underway this weekend in France, projected 2023 top draft pick and teenage center Victor Wembanyama spoke with understandable caution about preferring team fit as well as a favourable environment rather than just being the No. 1 selection. Zion Williamson’s strength-and-conditioning coach provided an encouraging endorsement, Robert Williams III (knee) will miss the start of the season and more besides. Read the round-up here. Continue reading
Tag: New Orleans Pelicans
NBA Q&A: Big questions answered, predictions made as 21-22 season into business months
A few weeks removed from the All-Star break and now into the home straight for another eventful NBA season, I spoke to LA Clippers fan and NBA expert Jack Brown earlier this month – discussing multiple topics including: under-the-radar players, intriguing offseason storylines, the MVP race as well as why he has a surprise team emerging from the West come playoff time. Continue reading
CJ McCollum to the Pelicans: This exit from Portland felt inevitable, but also long overdue
Midway through his ninth NBA campaign, after 564 regular season games and 57 more in the playoffs, Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard CJ McCollum has been acquired as part of a seven-player trade package sending him to the New Orleans Pelicans. It’s the end of an era in Oregon for the 30-year-old, while opening up new opportunities elsewhere. But why now?
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Zion Williamson still weeks away from season debut, as foot injury recovery continues
As he continues rehabbing his foot injury, New Orleans Pelicans’ All-Star forward Zion Williamson is out for another 2-3 weeks after head coach Willie Green told reporters that he’s progressing in his recovery. His NOLA teammates (1-6) need him back sooner rather than later. Continue reading
Veteran sharpshooter JJ Redick to bypass training camp, assessing options
After an abrupt and messy departure from New Orleans saw him traded to the Dallas Mavericks at the trade deadline last season, veteran shooting guard JJ Redick revealed he wouldn’t be participating in training camp on his own podcast – so will likely bide his time waiting for the right opportunity before agreeing terms with a team at some stage for the 2021-22 season. Continue reading
Multiple NBA teams targeting wantaway Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen
Lauri Markkanen was tipped to be a future All-Star after an impressive first two NBA seasons. If that’s still to be the case, the Finnish power forward will do it away from Illinois as multiple teams – Boston and Dallas among them – are keeping a close eye on his deteriorating situation. Continue reading
Necessary or excessive? Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRozan join Chicago
A young playmaking point guard continuing to quietly improve his three-point shot, an under-appreciated spark plug from the bench in Los Angeles and a four-time All-Star shooting guard who is routinely disrespected despite his leaguewide pedigree. How much have these three acquisitions raised Chicago’s ceiling in an Eastern Conference with two clear frontrunners? Continue reading
Lonzo Ball, Dennis Schroder among Chicago Bulls’ free agency guard targets
After falling two games shy of the postseason play-in tournament, reports claim Chicago want a starting point guards in the upcoming free agency period to bolster their offensive repertoire alongside All-Star duo Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic. Pelicans’ RFA Lonzo Ball and Lakers guard Dennis Schroder are linked, while Kyle Lowry and Spencer Dinwiddie are also named.
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Time ticking: Stan Van Gundy has work to do, as Pelicans players unhappy
The Stan Van Gundy era in New Orleans has endured an underwhelming start this season, with some reported tension between the veteran head coach and his players – merely seven months after agreeing a four-year deal to succeed Alvin Gentry. How long will things continue like this? Continue reading
Preview: New Orleans Pelicans vs Houston Rockets – Who continues their momentum?
Brandon Ingram had 28 points, Zion Williamson impressed with 21 on 13 shots alongside a career-high seven assists as the Milwaukee Bucks (11-7) had their two-game winning run snapped emphatically away from home overnight. Can they sustain that level of efficiency against a well-rested Houston Rockets (8-9) team in the second of their back-to-back slate? Continue reading
NBA Previews: Bucks host Lakers, Jazz target successive wins over Pelicans
Two NBA match previews as the Milwaukee Bucks (9-5) look to respond after a heartbreaking defeat against the Brooklyn Nets as they host the defending champion Lakers (11-4), while Stan Van Gundy’s New Orleans Pelicans (5-8) hope to avoid successive defeats against a resurgent Utah Jazz team (10-4) after a sluggish start to the regular season. Who will come out on top? Continue reading
Oklahoma City Thunder rightly building around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
After a whirlwind month which saw his mentor Chris Paul depart for Phoenix, a new head coach appointed, multiple teammates leaving in trades or free agency, it’s become increasingly clear that the Oklahoma City Thunder are both prepared and willing to build their team around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander going forward – a belief echoed by GM Sam Presti earlier this weekend. Continue reading
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