Derik Queen DELIVERS Seven Assists and Elite Rebounding to Save Pelicans From Painful Winless Start
New Orleans Pelicans secure their first win of the season behind rookie Derik Queen’s breakout performance, but Zion Williamson’s hamstring injury casts a shadow over the 116-112 victory against Charlotte. Can the Pelicans survive without their star while navigating a brutal upcoming schedule?
Jake Madison breaks down Queen’s game-changing 12-point, 8-rebound, 7-assist performance that showcased his unicorn potential as a playmaking center. The discussion covers Jose Alvarado’s clutch 18-point outing, Trey Murphy’s 21-point awakening, and Jordan Poole’s concerning struggles shooting 3-of-14 from the field. Madison analyzes Zion’s grade one hamstring strain that will sideline him for at least 7-10 days during crucial matchups against Dallas, San Antonio, Phoenix, and Golden State.
Key topics include Willie Green’s coaching decisions, Karlo Makovic’s energy off the bench, and whether this 1-6 team can build momentum without their primary advantage creator.
Tune in for an honest assessment of the Pelicans’ first victory and the challenges ahead without Zion Williamson.
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38 Comments
Hi Jake, DQ was great in the final 1/4, Karlo was having his best game so Willie benched him , Fears had it going so we get more Poole /Hawkins , we have pieces to be good but Willie is a hack coach , shock Zion's hamstring
A win is a win. Sooo…Willie green is safe I guess??
This is Queen and Fears team now. Let's trade Z for an unprotected first round pick next year. Preferably for new Orleans pick.
Queen should take every single minute that looney had and throw Karlo in there as well
The Pels very seriously need to establish an identity as a team now, and they have invested so much in Derik Queen that he needs to start and play significant time each game to develop. I think they need to start Jose at PG b/c he brings the experience and energy. They need to develop a pick and role game like Karl Malone and John Stockton had for the Utah Jazz many years ago. I would start Jose, Poole, Herb, TM3, and Queen. It is time to move on from Zion Williamson. The Pels has tried to construct this team around Zion for the past 7 years. It has not worked. It has never worked b/c Zion's lack of availability and development of his limited at the rim game which may have worked in the 80's, 90's, & early 2000's but at 6'6" it will be hard for him to dominate the league consistently b/c all opposing teams have to do in put a big man on him and double team him & once they stop his momentum the game is lost for the Pels. Trade Zion to a good team where he can be a role player not the leader. Jose, Poole, Herb, TM3, & Queen are able to score at all three levels and should be able to play solid defense. The Pels identity needs to be moving the ball and scoring at all 3 levels, and playing fast, and playing good defense. I don't see why the bench & role players can't contribute to that culture and that identity as well. Finally, it is also time to move on from Willie Green. His claim to fame was supposed to have been defense and this team has not really played good team defense under his leadership so it's just time to go in another direction with a new coach!!!!
Poole needs to be the 6th man…Queen needs to start along side one of the other bits for now while Z is out. Peavy should be getting Hawkins' minutes.
We should beat Dallas. Their best player is Flagg. We have Poole, Fears, Murphy, Bey, and Alvarado if he is hot. Can we get good coaching. If Herb can defend Flagg we can win.
Matkavic and Queen should be playing more. Free Fears in this game.
Trade zion at some point this year for best return. Future picks would be good . He's just to inconsistent to be the superstar
I was doubting Queen, but he played great
Every dayer
Willie made the right call letting Jose finish – because Jose was the main guy ignoring Willie's play calls.
Goddam finally he could be a baby jokic with this pin point passes
Derrick Queen is a beast.
We fleeced Atlanta!
While it’s nice we won, I don’t like how it was without Zion. Don’t want ppl thinking we should rebuild around Queen or Fears. Zion is the franchise.
As a Poole fan since day 1 his last game and overall season this year so far has been disappointing to see. Last year on the wizards his defense improved and had a lot of effort on that end. This year the effort is non-existent. Then on the offensive side I think Poole struggles with being that second option guy or when he's not bringing the ball up which he has to improve on and just simplify his game instead of doing too much. Hopefully he can improve hes a hard worker
Poole needs to take more regular 3's and mids. He dances too much around the 3 point line
Only bad news about Zion is that he is still on this team.
Zion needs to get on LeBrons training regime.
I loved watching Queen. And like you said, even though he had 2 turnovers at the end, and even though he is making rookie mistakes, he is not being tentative. This team has been plagued by players holding back or letting a few missed shots get in their heads.
Queen might just save joe dumars
Queen was good against a team with no real bigs
Trey just needed to get back to “Afro Murphy” apparently 😅
Was their boos at the game?
DQ is Zion's replacement.
Poole is undisciplined, needs to recognize when his shot is off. He needs to down shift and become a playmaker
Derrick Queen and Karlo are the answer to Zion always being hurt .
“In the grand scheme of the multiverse “😂😂😂
A record of 6 – 76 you mean
I don't know why he kept Hawkins in there so long. He does nothing
The ball movement was improved bc Zion wasnt lurching around out there holding the ball looking to drive to the left
Watching Koa Peat made me mad at the front office all over again
We need more Karlo
Zion for Morant, who says no?
Karlo had 6 rebounds in 15 minutes, Queen 8 in 18. What do you mean Karlo wasn't giving you rebounding? Karlo was doing great. Willie just did his usual nonsense and benched the hot hand.
Derik queen had a night because Zion didn’t play. Trey woke up because Zion didn’t play. Can they play like this with Zion is the question.
I think Zion is done with this team. I love Zion but time for him to move on with another team. I don’t even think he’s hurt.
nice win Pelicans. Ya'll sent Hornets fans into panic mode. Everyone in Charlotte is prepping for the next tank storm.
So we keeping Willie Wonka scheme?