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New Orleans Finally Looks COMPETITIVE But Still Far From Contention | What Should Pelicans Do Next?



New Orleans Finally Looks COMPETITIVE But Still Far From Contention | What Should Pelicans Do Next?

New Orleans Pelicans lose to San Antonio Spurs 126-119, but the last three games finally reveal what this team actually is: competitive, scrappy, and nowhere near contending. After an 0-6 start that made them look like the league’s worst team, the Pelicans have shown their true ceiling as a play-in hopeful at best.

Jake Madison breaks down the critical depth issues plaguing New Orleans, with bench players like Jordan Hawkins and Micah Peavey struggling while rookies Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen show genuine promise for the future. The discussion covers Trey Murphy’s explosive 41-point performance and growing concerns about player motivation under Willie Green’s coaching, Zion Williamson’s continued absence and diminishing trade value, and why the front office should focus on development rather than win-now moves. Key analysis includes the team’s failure to capitalize when Victor Wembanyama sat, roster construction mistakes, and whether a coaching change could unlock consistent elite performance.

Tune in for an honest assessment of where the Pelicans stand and what direction they should take for the remainder of the season.

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30 Comments

  1. How on earth you can complain about depth when we are playing without 4 of our top 7-8 guys the last 3 games and still have 10 playable guys?!?
    Depth is most definitely not the problem.
    It is WILLIAM JULIUS GREEN, period!

  2. I like many of Jakes takes. Not this one. 2 rooks in the rotation, starting center in year 2. Just because we dont have next years first doesn't mean we are not in a rebuild. Young players need to be around some vets. I don't see the 2 timeline. Pels have depth but not enough talent at this point. They are growing. Yes I am tired of building but thats where we are. Go Pels.

  3. I used to enjoy your show, but lately your takes have been confusing. You criticized the GM for giving up the unprotected pick, yet now you're saying it was a great move, just that you don't trust them on other decisions. So which is it? Are you just filling airtime, or is this genuinely how you see things? It's hard to follow.

  4. There’s 71 games left in this season. Talk to me after the All Star break. You can get back in the lottery with a Zion, Murray and/or Poole trade.

  5. The depth is good. Come on, Jake. The 1st unit has to come out with more energy or swap out a few, to help get them going.

  6. If Willie Green refuses to play his bench then he will never have debt on a team this bad they should let the players play and get comfortable on the court against top Competition

  7. I`m looking at the Suns now and it`s the same old thing Willie does not know how to rotate players, looks like playground basketball no game plan, going down the court run and shoot no passing Fire Willie! where`s Tom Thibodeaux?

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