Pels 2024 Presser

[NickMalone77]

Surprise!

Pels Media Day

I'll admit, the last few season have been very grading and not so enjoyable. We attempted to put our best foot forward and seen it inversely go up our own ass in an attempt to make the playoffs. How's that possible? Some questions are better off not being answered.

So I offer this as an appeasement and apology to the fans of the Pelicans for the basketball they've had to watch the last few years. The days of a championship and competitive team have seen dust accumulate and spider webs attempt to find it's new home in our one championship. Today was also supposed to be a day where I gave my final farewell to the organization but.... Things change. Priorities change. Emotions change. Methods of operation change.

So, I look like an asshole, or feel like one, rambling on about what the people of New Orleans deserve. They deserve better. They deserve a product again that people can be proud of. They deserve a winner and we haven't delivered one in quite some time. The players at the end of last season packed their bags up and knew they were heading elsewhere. I thanked them for fighting every game during last seasons difficult year after going for it and coming up short. The door was closed, hands were in the pockets, and minds were racing as what to do next...

The day after.

We wiped the slate clean. Erased all the chalk boards, assessed our franchise knowing Ekbert and Damion were here long term and we were mostly quiet in terms of how we'd design this next team. We had traded our draft pick away and it ended up somewhere. We had 0 desire to trade into the draft. Saw the draft chips fall and saw new players come into the league. We had some cap to play around with and targeted a few guys we liked. Sent out a few offers and reached an agreement with Monte Palmer and Ramsay Bolton. Ramsay reluctantly returned to Golden State but Palmer trusted us and was excited to settle down in New Orleans with the idea that he'll see minutes.

With RFA concluded. We sat with about 30 some-odd mil left to fill up the roster. Signed a ton of depth pieces to what we felt was a lot of cap value deals. Vets like Steven Adams and Kyle Anderson came in on vet minimums. Dennis Schroder came in to be our lead point guard and took a slight step back but still maintains a lot of good qualities that'll be needed to anchor the starting lineup. Aaron Pastor and Colin Sexton are young guys that will also play a significant role within our lineups this year as we try to find the right mix on the wing. Will there be struggles ahead? Sure. After playing this game from practically the beginning, you'd think that this game is out to get you, but we'll continue to ride the waves and see where it takes us.

[Wombataholic]

Do you think this team can make the playoffs? If not, when do you think the Pels will return to the playoffs?

[NickMalone77]

Do you think this team can make the playoffs? If not, when do you think the Pels will return to the playoffs?

I think this team has a shot to contend at least. A lot is going to depend on the play of our front court to make that happen. We think Ekbert and Damion are two of the best front court products in the entire conference. We will need our wings to give productive minutes and see if we can make an improvement at some point this year to the point guard position. If all of those things come together, we think it's definitely possible this team could make the playoffs as soon as this year.

[WigNosy]

We've heard a lot about your frontcourt. Where do you expect your backcourt production to come from this year?

[NickMalone77]

We've heard a lot about your frontcourt. Where do you expect your backcourt production to come from this year?

Right now, the back court will probably be Schroder and Aaron Pastor. Pastor's overall game despite his lack of speed will be crucial for the team to be productive. Maybe switch it depending on the game and team between Sexton and Pastor.

[Xist2Inspire]

Random Reporter: With both Winkler and McNary in their prime, are you feeling any pressure to gather championship-level talent around them quickly?

[NickMalone77]

Random Reporter: With both Winkler and McNary in their prime, are you feeling any pressure to gather championship-level talent around them quickly?

Both are under contract for at least the next three seasons. It'd be ideal to find a third option to slot with them. We know that we're rather light at the 1 and looking at all options for what can be done. Maybe there's an improvement that can be made at Day 60 or towards the trade deadline that'd help facilitate that kind of action.

Right now, the goal is to make the playoffs. Hopefully next year will be with even more aspirations.

[garbageman]

There was an experimentation out of need with McNary at the 3. Training staff spent a lot of resources making him more athletic in areas where he is already more athletic than his competition at the 4 spot. Are we going to see any more time with McNary at the SF spot?

[NickMalone77]

There was an experimentation out of need with McNary at the 3. Training staff spent a lot of resources making him more athletic in areas where he is already more athletic than his competition at the 4 spot. Are we going to see any more time with McNary at the SF spot?

It's something we may experiment with but a speed of 55 may limit him against quicker wings which may be more perimeter oriented. His strength in rebounding will be needed to help Ekbert limit second chance opportunities for the opponent. He's also not much of a jump shooter as we discovered last year. We're hoping that keeping him at the 4 long-term will fix what plagued him last season,

[AngryBanana]

Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: Do you project either one of your Front court players having any chance at either All Star game nods or even year end awards?

[NickMalone77]

Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: Do you project either one of your Front court players having any chance at either All Star game nods or even year end awards?

If both are healthy and productive, given the state of the Western Conference, and that they were both All Star Starters just two years ago, I definitely think it can happen again. They have the talent to do it. Year end awards? I hope by the end of the year, the league recognizes both to be considered apart of All League Teams.

[IamQuailman]

Can you define cruise control for those playing along at home?

[NOLa.]

Welcome back to the league Nick


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[digiskunk]

Do you think Dennis Schroeder can be a good facilitator of the ball this season, especially considering how lethal your front court is? Do you have faith in him, or will you be looking to make a move to improve at that position?

[NickMalone77]

Can you define cruise control for those playing along at home?

Enjoying whatever journey you’re on and thinking you’re floating control away but in reality you just can’t see it burn to the ground so you’re always in control.

The key is to never let go no matter how badly it’s burned you.

[NickMalone77]

Welcome back to the league Nick


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks Tani. It’s like I never left.

[NickMalone77]

Do you think Dennis Schroeder can be a good facilitator of the ball this season, especially considering how lethal your front court is? Do you have faith in him, or will you be looking to make a move to improve at that position?

I think Schroder will do a fine job. He declined a bit in TC but will be fine to do what’s asked of him.

If there’s an upgrade possible, we’ll look down that avenue also.