SIGN SETH CURRY

(July, 20th 2015) By: Efraim Graber

In the name of all that is holy on this earth, Dell Demps, the GM of the Pelicans had better sign Seth Curry. Reason one is because his name is Curry. Reason two is because he has averaged 26 points in summer league. Usually players  that can average 26 points in summer league, can average decent NBA numbers.

He's also not being one dimensional. Shooting, driving, and making threes. He's doing it in every way. So I beg you Pelicans, don't give him up and look like absolute fools.

- EVERY PELICANS FAN EVER

The French Man - Allexis Ajinca

This 7 foot 2 inch came into the league as a raw, lanky unpolished player from France. He was drafted initially by the Charlotte Bobcats with the 20th overall pick. He blocked shots like everyone who is 7'2" should. But his rebounding was not at its greatest due to his lack of muscle. He bounced around to a few more teams until he finally relocated to the Pelicans where he got his first chance to shine. He had some tutoring from Tyson Chandler and Dirk Novitzki but it didn't seem to stick.



Enter Anthony Davis. You could see when Alexis and Davis were on the court together that Alexis has taken on a lot of his moves and a lot of his mentality. In the few games that Anthony Davis has missed this season so far, Ajinca has stepped in off the bench and has provided defense and surprisingly much offense. Most recently against the Raptors on 2/23 where he hit a number of mid-range shots, if he wasn't wearing a name or number you would have thought it was Davis. He has also cleaned up the offensive boards. When your that high up with the wingspan that he has, it's hard not to get offensive rebounds. 

Davis also has put on 20+ Lbs. since he has come into the league. He started a workout program in the summer to which Alexis joyously showed up to. They did a lot of bulking and training to the point that when you saw Ajinca and Davis after the summer they looked different. See the evolution below:
                                 <--2013          2015-->                                                   

                                 

No Limitations! A New Orleans Pelicans Story

As earlier predicted, the New Orleans Pelicans busted the Hawk's 19 game winning streak. We have a few players to thank for that. Here's an in-depth analysis on those players, how they helped secure the win and how they will secure  a playoff spot in the Western Conference for the Pels. 

Eric Gordon with a stat line of 20 Pts 7 As 3 Rb and 7/11 shooting and 4/6 from three. He is shaping out a nice role as the starting shooting guard on this team. He is also handling the ball a bit more with the injury to Jrue Holiday. In wins this season he averages 47% from 3 point range and a still respectable 36% in losses. He's been slashing and absorbing more hits and contact like the Eric Gordon of old from the Clippers. Check out his progress this season which is most definitely heading in the right direction. 

	PT	Reb	As
Oct/Nov	9.4	3.8	1.9
Jan/Feb	16.5	3	5.9

Tyreke Evans is having a monster season. The single best part about his game as of late has been averting to his original role of the Classic point guard, which is what he won Rookie of the Year with and rachking up the assists. He actually averages 5.8 on the season until this point, but since Jrue Holiday's absensce it's picked up in a special way. Since Jrue has been gone he has averaged 7.7 assists per game, although his scoring has been sporadic over the season(and his career). 

One thing you know you can count on is for Tyreke Evans to be a monster at home. Check out his stats when he plays at the Smoothie King Center and when he plays away. http://on.nba.com/1LIrOkg

 If he doesn't win comeback player of the year, I don't know who should.

Anthony Davis is statistically and impact-fully having one of the best seasons.....EVER. He has a 31.70 PER. Let's just say he stays at this PER for the rest of the season (I think it will go up by the way) He will have the highest PER in NBA history. Don't believe me? See for yourself: http://bit.ly/1DBmQAe.

Last night, coming off a groin injury which Davis obviously forgot about in this play. http://on.nba.com/1z80zWc.

He posted a line of 27 Pts 13 Reb (8 offensive!!) and 2 Blks. Did I mention it was his first game back from injury? Can we just pencil him in for MVP at the ripe old age of 21? Please?For a player like Anthony Davis it's worth it to just show you his whole stat line for the season. 

See why: http://on.nba.com/1u2hT3d

Pelicans Vs Hawks: Stop The Streak

The Pelicans are the perfect team to stop the Atlanta Hawks winning streak. Of course this depends on Anthony Davis's availability for tonight. The Hawks are missing Their two Small Forwards Thabo Sefolosha and Demarre Carroll.

WHO???

The Hawks actually get very gritty defense from these two players as well as an offensive spurt and the occasional dagger 3 from Carroll. On the other side of the ball, you have Tyreke Evans who has been on a tear as of late along with Eric Gordon who looks like Eric Gordon of the Clippers days. The job to gaurd these two players has been left in the hands of Teague,who is a descent defender but known much more for his offensive prowess and also is at a slight height advantage against both bigger guards. It will also be up to Kyle Korver, whose defense is as bad as his 3 point shooting is good. That's saying a lot. Then there's Kent Bazemore, hes fast on his feet, but the lateral quickness and slashing ability of Gordon and Evans will prove too tough for him as well.

As Long as David plays, he along with Asik should be able to clear Horford and Milsap away from the boards with their height as well as size advantage.

Whatever the Case. This should be a good one.

Go get a Wing!

The Pelicans are one step away from contending in the West. Below I will list a few players that I believe can help them get there. 

Joe Johnson: For this to happen they might have to give up a player like Jimmer Fredette and/or Quincy Pondexter packaged with Eric Gordon and a 1st Round Pick. He would bring that “it” factor to the table. All they need is 16 PPG out of him which he can definitely bring. He is also trustworthy to handle to ball and to shoot the ball at the end of games. He can defend the post with his 240 Lb. frame which most small forwards are not even close to, and he can close out on those shooting SF’s. 

Luol Deng: He might be a little harder to pry away from Miami, but including a 1st rounder with a young talent such as Pondexter might just be enough to get Deng off of Miami’s roster. He would provide that defensive mentality that Monty Williams loves. He is also good for 14-17 points a game and is a smart passer from the wing position. 

Glen Rice Jr.: This ones is easy. Just sign him from the Vipers. He’s currently in the D-League after being cut by Washington. We know his talent is there, its just a matter of a coach getting him to play to his fullest potential. This might be worth a shot. 

Pelicans Trade Deadline Possibilities/Hopes

It has been sometime since a New Orleans team has had a Small Forward. Peja Stojakovic comes to mind as the last decent option at the 3. 

I’m thinking we can go cheaper with trade for Jeff Green and send them Eric Gordon and Austin Rivers. With Green’s slashing ability and good size, it would make the Pelicans a formidable force in the western conference. Move Tyreke to the bench as the 3 coming off the bench and for goodness sake don’t let him play Point Guard in the last 3 minutes of games, EVER. Maybe bring in Reggie Jackson to come off the bench as the PG.We’d be looking at a strong team with hardly a whole. For once.

The next option would be a big splash. Bring in Joe Johnson. We can use his clutch shooting at the end of games. The death of the Pelicans has been losing in a lot of very close games this season. Iso Joe would help bring a little more offense to the bunch and of course bring a big 240 lb. frame who can defend the post on  most 3’s and even some 4’s in tight situations. The price you ask? probably Gordon, Rivers and a first rounder. But I’m game.