New Orleans Pelicans two biggest flaws EXPOSED in blowout loss to Cavaliers | Can it be FIXED?
New Orleans Pelicans’ glaring weaknesses in defensive rebounding and three-point shooting threaten their path to true contender status. Can Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver find the elusive “unicorn” center to pair with rising star Derik Queen?
Jake Madison breaks down the Pelicans’ tough loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, spotlighting Derik Queen’s impressive 21-point, 7-rebound, 5-assist outing and the team’s ongoing struggles with lineup combinations, especially alongside Zion Williamson. Key topics include the impact of poor defensive effort, the challenge of trading twos for threes in today’s NBA, and whether Zion’s future lies in the starting lineup. Upcoming decisions for the front office could reshape the Pelicans’ core—will new strategies finally fix this long-standing problem and bring playoff hopes back to New Orleans?
Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms
🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-pelicans/
Locked On NBA League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, WNBA & More
🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/leagues/nba
#NewOrleansPelicans #ZionWilliamson #NBA #pelicans
Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans.
Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
DoorDash
From tipoff to overtime, stay in your bag and order on DoorDash.
Get snacks, drinks, gear — whatever gets you through the season — delivered right to your door.
DoorDash. In your bag all season long.
PrizePicks
Download the PrizePicks app today and use code LOCKEDONNFL to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup.
Click Here: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNBA
Robinhood
You expect more from yourself. Expect more from your money. Get started today at robinhood.com/yourmoney. Your money. Your move.
All investments involve risk, including loss of principal. Options, futures, and crypto trading carry significant risk and may not suit all investors. Securities offered through Robinhood Financial LLC, member SIPC. Futures trading is offered by Robinhood Derivatives, LLC and not SPIC or FDIC protected. Crypto offered through Robinhood Crypto, LLC (NMLS ID 1702840), not FDIC or SIPC protected. Portfolio management offered by Robinhood Strategies, an SEC-registered advisor.
Gametime
Today’s episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.
FanDuel
Today’s episode is brought to you by FanDuel. The NBA and NFL seasons are here, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.
FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)
27 Comments
Trade Zion for the future of this team pelicans are pretenders not contenders
Everydayer!!
Cavs have shooters and were shooting 3s
Pels don’t have enough shooters and our defense is lacking today.
Man, I know you see your views are getting lower. I’m sick of you. I’m unsubscribing. I’m tired of hearing it and fans like this one sucker in a comment peace.
Back to back game against good team, will give the pelicans a pass
The Pelican was just tired. They looked tired that's why a lot of the shots fell short
Zion needs to be traded before next season
We need a shooter like Klay Thompson.Tre not enough
Happy Xmas all from the 🇬🇧
Every dayer comment
Zion is not a part of the future, Derik Queen is.
You get confidence when you can get the rebounds you know you get another chance center needs to rebound better
The Cavs are the best shooting team in the league from long range. We're the worst team in the league at defending the perimeter. This one was a ready made disaster that anyone could have seen coming.
We too tired after the back2back
Hi Jake
It was an ugly game to watch for Pelican fans. Everyone have a happy and safe Christmas.
Open 3s generated by lack of controlling dribble penetration. Our inability to keep the ball handler in front of us is definitely an issue.
This is why I’m not ready to annoint Barrego just yet.
2:30 No, it's only 9 extra points, since they'd have made those same shots from 2-point land. Thus, 27 points instead of 18 points. The Cavs took 11 extra shots. That is the winning difference.
This comment is made off the title, the only thing that was exposed to me is Hawkins, I thought he would of developed by now, his defense is TRASH & his shooting isn’t elite like I thought it would be when he got drafted
The analysis here (by Jake) is correct and most replies here aren't off (team lacks three point shooters and defense is still a work in progress). But Cleveland was having an on-night, shooting lights out, and the Pels on a back to back. Not just any back to back but long trip to the east after that tiring win the night before. Couple key defenders out, we could have used Herb. And Poole's perimeter defending. It's just one of those nights. I'm not concerned about this loss. But what's important is how they respond!
Poole was out.. His shooting was missing . As well as Herb. People overreact to a loss. It's called they were tired and missing a few guys
So, now is Derek Queen team?? Jajajajjajaa. He is 6’9 playing center. Please trade Zion. This franchise is the worst ever. Zion need a better place.
Missing 2 key players hurts. BUT we diffently need more 3 point shooters. It was nice to see Queen hit a few 3s
No we do not need to shoot more three pointers! An old awful game plan. The game is about quality shots. 40 to 50 3 point shots ..,is the craziest game plan ever! Teams are figuring out. That they are not Golden State.!…not even Boston! Teams are not winning like that! The Pelicans missed layups and played bad defense! Probably also tired 3 games in 4 days. On a back to back… Man I am tired.. At the Blender ..almost as much as work these few games! We good let James do his thing…One of the first things Joe Dumas said…. Is he’s not crazy about a whole lot of 3s…
I think in that situation Looney should have come in and double team mitchell
Jake wait till Murray comes back you`re going to see how much he was missed