Welcome in to the New Orleans Pelicans Podcast, the official podcast of your New Orleans Pelicans, a podcast dedicated to everything you need to know about the squad. Here from players, coaches, broadcasters, and those who cover the NBA on a daily basis. It's time to flock up. The New Orleans Pelicans Podcast starts right now.

Welcome in to the New Orleans Pelicans Podcast, the official podcast of your New Orleans Pelicans, a podcast dedicated to everything you need to know about the squad. Here from players, coaches, broadcasters, and those who cover the NBA on a daily basis. It's time to flock up. The New Orleans Pelicans Podcast starts right now.

Well, if we want to welcome to the New Orleans Pelicans Podcast, your official podcast of the New Orleans Pelicans. Mister Jim, I can offer and Gus Catten Gill here with you on a Friday, and it's not Tgif is TGI, Jim, you'll get what we're talking about here in a minute, Aaron Summers is going to join us. Next segment, Jim, We're going to go over a handful of topics with her as the season is now down to a dozen games, game thirteen left to play, which was on when day you and I talked about it in a Wednesday podcast. When you lose by forty six like you did on Monday, there was really only one thing you and I wanted to see, right, competitiveness at Minnesota.

Well, if we want to welcome to the New Orleans Pelicans Podcast, your official podcast of the New Orleans Pelicans. Mister Jim, I can offer and Gus Catten Gill here with you on a Friday, and it's not Tgif is TGI, Jim, you'll get what we're talking about here in a minute, Aaron Summers is going to join us. Next segment, Jim, We're going to go over a handful of topics with her as the season is now down to a dozen games, game thirteen left to play, which was on when day you and I talked about it in a Wednesday podcast. When you lose by forty six like you did on Monday, there was really only one thing you and I wanted to see, right, competitiveness at Minnesota.

And did you get some did your big time? You did time?

And did you get some did your big time? You did time?

Yeah, Well, this is go ahead I.

Yeah, Well, this is go ahead I.

Was that was one of the best wins of the season for sure. It was definitely objectively the best road win of the season, the only win that they've had in a way in this year against a team that has a winning record overall.

Was that was one of the best wins of the season for sure. It was definitely objectively the best road win of the season, the only win that they've had in a way in this year against a team that has a winning record overall.

Well, this is what it sounded like on the Pelicans radio network.

Well, this is what it sounded like on the Pelicans radio network.

That don't hurt my heart just because you hate you hate see anybody go down like that. You know, he's made so many strides this season, and you know sounds cheese, but you know this is a minor setback for a major comeback. Trey gonna do what he needed to do to get back on the court and come back better than ever.

That don't hurt my heart just because you hate you hate see anybody go down like that. You know, he's made so many strides this season, and you know sounds cheese, but you know this is a minor setback for a major comeback. Trey gonna do what he needed to do to get back on the court and come back better than ever.

Randall, Wayne and See poked it away from Conley, big boy, look out, close it up, and then Randall was closing down Ze just stop.

Randall, Wayne and See poked it away from Conley, big boy, look out, close it up, and then Randall was closing down Ze just stop.

And take the world the left hand.

And take the world the left hand.

See he blows through four defenders and scoops it in with a left hand.

See he blows through four defenders and scoops it in with a left hand.

To tell you something, there consequences. They're repercussing the duke.

To tell you something, there consequences. They're repercussing the duke.

We're up one thirty seconds left in the third, Zion and just pounded by Randall.

We're up one thirty seconds left in the third, Zion and just pounded by Randall.

It doesn't matter.

It doesn't matter.

Zion drives in. He scoops it up with a left hand over the top of the boxing down twenty seven per Zike.

Zion drives in. He scoops it up with a left hand over the top of the boxing down twenty seven per Zike.

Go ahead, see stay thirsty, my friend.

Go ahead, see stay thirsty, my friend.

Brown, now z get it to eat, and this time he will finish with a right hand punch. Little frustration right there from the rookie.

Brown, now z get it to eat, and this time he will finish with a right hand punch. Little frustration right there from the rookie.

If at first you don't succeed, try try, try, try, try, try, try try again.

If at first you don't succeed, try try, try, try, try, try, try try again.

It's pretty accurate by my partner. Dose around o'lennox throwing out in the corner. Brown, No dip three? Are you serious? Are you serious? Cowboy? Rotting cowboy in front of our bench. He's got fifteen for me.

It's pretty accurate by my partner. Dose around o'lennox throwing out in the corner. Brown, No dip three? Are you serious? Are you serious? Cowboy? Rotting cowboy in front of our bench. He's got fifteen for me.

Three round is four for six from three.

Three round is four for six from three.

We're up two two minutes left in Minnesota, Olenic drive with two with one tear drop Bruce Brown, brick rebound, take.

We're up two two minutes left in Minnesota, Olenic drive with two with one tear drop Bruce Brown, brick rebound, take.

It by the column, back it out, back it out.

It by the column, back it out, back it out.

Bounce feed Almorado to z Hangs blaze it in.

Bounce feed Almorado to z Hangs blaze it in.

Where lay one?

Where lay one?

With thirteen point six seconds left, where is the and one doesn't matter?

With thirteen point six seconds left, where is the and one doesn't matter?

Curious Dunton doesn't get the call.

Curious Dunton doesn't get the call.

You're up four with thirteen point six seconds, get it in to read back to Conley, Conley chess up to Edwards.

You're up four with thirteen point six seconds, get it in to read back to Conley, Conley chess up to Edwards.

Fake a three, take a three, brick want rebound. C that's gonna do it. That'll do it, that is gonna do it, that will do it. Randal with the fall, and I mean the rest of the people who did not leave earlier, my heavens are are literally sprinting for the exits.

Fake a three, take a three, brick want rebound. C that's gonna do it. That'll do it, that is gonna do it, that will do it. Randal with the fall, and I mean the rest of the people who did not leave earlier, my heavens are are literally sprinting for the exits.

That is an unbelievable way, and that is a brutal, brutal loss for the Timberwolves.

That is an unbelievable way, and that is a brutal, brutal loss for the Timberwolves.

John the Chaser and Telegraph and any with the calls there. Look, Zion was just playing amazing, but you heard in so many of those calls. Jim Kelly Lennik had an incredible game that fourth quarter. Bruce Brown with some big shots there as well. We talked and played some soundbites Wednesday from David Griffin, specifically talking about those two guys.

John the Chaser and Telegraph and any with the calls there. Look, Zion was just playing amazing, but you heard in so many of those calls. Jim Kelly Lennik had an incredible game that fourth quarter. Bruce Brown with some big shots there as well. We talked and played some soundbites Wednesday from David Griffin, specifically talking about those two guys.

If I look at that game.

If I look at that game.

And I'm David Griffin, that's it's exactly what I was trading for right there, right, I mean, those two guys literally helped your star player, Zion Williamson.

And I'm David Griffin, that's it's exactly what I was trading for right there, right, I mean, those two guys literally helped your star player, Zion Williamson.

Win the game for sure. I mean those are the kind of wins. I mean, you win in Minnesota, a team that's battling for top six in the West. You know, is a team that made the Western Conference finals. Last year. We know how good they are. For you to go in there and get a win like this. I thought that was really impressive. And I think, you know, even though they're we're going to talk about this later too, that there have been several games where they haven't been in it at all, where they're down by thirty something at home against Orlando, and then in the recent game against Detroit. This was a great bounce back. And I do think that it's been kind of jacky and hide, but you know, some games they've been getting routed, and other games they've been they've looked really good. They also had a recent win against the Clippers, which is another team that is right there in the race for top six in the West. And I mean, one kind of quick fact they have. The Pelicans have six wins this season against teams that have a winning record over the course of the entire year, but two of them have happened in the last ten days. There was the win against the Clippers on March eleventh, and then there was the win Wednesday at Minnesota. So I can't explain it why we're seeing so kind of schizophrenic performances from the Pelicans, but I mean, it does seem when they're right, Like you said, it's This is what you hope for when you added those two guys, that you're able to have the veteran presence and be able to pull out games like this.

Win the game for sure. I mean those are the kind of wins. I mean, you win in Minnesota, a team that's battling for top six in the West. You know, is a team that made the Western Conference finals. Last year. We know how good they are. For you to go in there and get a win like this. I thought that was really impressive. And I think, you know, even though they're we're going to talk about this later too, that there have been several games where they haven't been in it at all, where they're down by thirty something at home against Orlando, and then in the recent game against Detroit. This was a great bounce back. And I do think that it's been kind of jacky and hide, but you know, some games they've been getting routed, and other games they've been they've looked really good. They also had a recent win against the Clippers, which is another team that is right there in the race for top six in the West. And I mean, one kind of quick fact they have. The Pelicans have six wins this season against teams that have a winning record over the course of the entire year, but two of them have happened in the last ten days. There was the win against the Clippers on March eleventh, and then there was the win Wednesday at Minnesota. So I can't explain it why we're seeing so kind of schizophrenic performances from the Pelicans, but I mean, it does seem when they're right, Like you said, it's This is what you hope for when you added those two guys, that you're able to have the veteran presence and be able to pull out games like this.

Now, no basketball analystill to play one. On my talk show Back in the day, Jim I would say, it's probably because of something you've brought up in the past, just you know, using the same schedules. You know, in that schedules rosters or starting lineups, lineups, just you know, working with certain players in combinations more often than not. Obviously you know Trey gets injured, but for the most part, you've had games together with people kind of playing on the court. And I think it's something that we're going to talk about with Aaron here Zions flip the switch. I mean, it's Zion's playing really good basketball, and if he's playing really good basketball and you sprinkle some vets, sprinkle some guys playing. Look, the other thing we played with Aragriffer on Wednesday was, you know some of the young guys playing well. Carlo Mackovic had a nice game. You've me see had a nice game in the win. It's literally what you want to see, and that's why these games do matter.

Now, no basketball analystill to play one. On my talk show Back in the day, Jim I would say, it's probably because of something you've brought up in the past, just you know, using the same schedules. You know, in that schedules rosters or starting lineups, lineups, just you know, working with certain players in combinations more often than not. Obviously you know Trey gets injured, but for the most part, you've had games together with people kind of playing on the court. And I think it's something that we're going to talk about with Aaron here Zions flip the switch. I mean, it's Zion's playing really good basketball, and if he's playing really good basketball and you sprinkle some vets, sprinkle some guys playing. Look, the other thing we played with Aragriffer on Wednesday was, you know some of the young guys playing well. Carlo Mackovic had a nice game. You've me see had a nice game in the win. It's literally what you want to see, and that's why these games do matter.

Hunt Jim, Yeah, I mean Zion's had I don't think I can put a number on it, but it feels like he's had a handful of some of the best games of his career over the last month or two. So I mean the fact that he's at that level where you know he's played, I guess you could characterize it as all NBA. How many times do you think he's looked like an All NBA player lately? I would say it's been often, and I think Wednesday was the case as well, where he goes for twenty nine points, he had eight assists, he was twelve for sixteen from the field that his had three steals. His presence was just very evident. That his ability to kind of take over games. We've seen that more and more, you know, since he came back from his hamstring injury.

Hunt Jim, Yeah, I mean Zion's had I don't think I can put a number on it, but it feels like he's had a handful of some of the best games of his career over the last month or two. So I mean the fact that he's at that level where you know he's played, I guess you could characterize it as all NBA. How many times do you think he's looked like an All NBA player lately? I would say it's been often, and I think Wednesday was the case as well, where he goes for twenty nine points, he had eight assists, he was twelve for sixteen from the field that his had three steals. His presence was just very evident. That his ability to kind of take over games. We've seen that more and more, you know, since he came back from his hamstring injury.

No doubt.

No doubt.

Well, as I alluded to, we're gonna have a really cool conversation here with Aaron, So we'll do that here in a quick second. We'll be right back to wrap things up for this Friday podcast as Jim gives us his things to do on Friday weekend showdown, trending numbers all that, But Aaron Summers joins us. Now here's our conversation, all right, Tom now to bring in with Aaron Summers sideline reporter, team reporter and of course host over in the Gulf Coast Sports and Entertainment Network for the away games, including tonight Aeron. So you know, he got a little time before we go live tonight and see what takes place in Minnesota.

Well, as I alluded to, we're gonna have a really cool conversation here with Aaron, So we'll do that here in a quick second. We'll be right back to wrap things up for this Friday podcast as Jim gives us his things to do on Friday weekend showdown, trending numbers all that, But Aaron Summers joins us. Now here's our conversation, all right, Tom now to bring in with Aaron Summers sideline reporter, team reporter and of course host over in the Gulf Coast Sports and Entertainment Network for the away games, including tonight Aeron. So you know, he got a little time before we go live tonight and see what takes place in Minnesota.

How you doing, I'm doing great. We already have a couple news items today that I got to work through to fit into the show. Because not only are we doing the Pelicans Plus game tonight, where you can be in the interactive chat with myself, Jim, Wes, and Andrew that's gonna be throughout the game. You have to log into Pelicans Plus you can ask us questions. But we just found out that Zion Williamson is not playing tonight, and then the Pelicans just signed to Alfred Payton to a ten day contract, so and I sat a reward for him for being available in and out when we needed him this season, and it's gonna be cool to see him tonight. So yeah, got a ton of stuff going on.

How you doing, I'm doing great. We already have a couple news items today that I got to work through to fit into the show. Because not only are we doing the Pelicans Plus game tonight, where you can be in the interactive chat with myself, Jim, Wes, and Andrew that's gonna be throughout the game. You have to log into Pelicans Plus you can ask us questions. But we just found out that Zion Williamson is not playing tonight, and then the Pelicans just signed to Alfred Payton to a ten day contract, so and I sat a reward for him for being available in and out when we needed him this season, and it's gonna be cool to see him tonight. So yeah, got a ton of stuff going on.

You guys have had a couple games off lately too because of the situation with National TV and stuff like that. Did you on Wednesday? You guys didn't have the you know, the pregame in the post game, did you have withdrawal or was this you know, kind of a nice breather from.

You guys have had a couple games off lately too because of the situation with National TV and stuff like that. Did you on Wednesday? You guys didn't have the you know, the pregame in the post game, did you have withdrawal or was this you know, kind of a nice breather from.

The Jim Wes and I still got together and chat out, okay, and before the game and chatted work stuff and everything, and we watched the game, texted back and forth. Yeah, I mean it's hard to just completely walk away. And ironically, the Pelicans keep winning when we don't have postgame shows, so we don't have those nice moments to talk about.

The Jim Wes and I still got together and chat out, okay, and before the game and chatted work stuff and everything, and we watched the game, texted back and forth. Yeah, I mean it's hard to just completely walk away. And ironically, the Pelicans keep winning when we don't have postgame shows, so we don't have those nice moments to talk about.

Yeah, that part is frustrating.

Yeah, that part is frustrating.

Yeah, no, that is frustrating.

Yeah, no, that is frustrating.

One of the things is frustrating, obviously, is the kind of season that we've had.

One of the things is frustrating, obviously, is the kind of season that we've had.

Aaron, I'd love.

Aaron, I'd love.

To get your reaction when Trey Murphy got injured fifty seconds into the game.

To get your reaction when Trey Murphy got injured fifty seconds into the game.

Man, that was tough to watch. I hate it for Trey because he has had to battle back from a few different injuries, and he really seemed like he was hitting his stride. He was getting more comfortable affecting the game in different ways and sliding into that number two for the Pelicans, and it's tough that he is out because he's going to lose an entire summer of continuing to work on his game. He'll be available once the season starts. Good point any setbacks or anything like that, But yeah, how is he gonna come in off of that injury? And then how much better can he be if he had had a whole summer to work on some things?

Man, that was tough to watch. I hate it for Trey because he has had to battle back from a few different injuries, and he really seemed like he was hitting his stride. He was getting more comfortable affecting the game in different ways and sliding into that number two for the Pelicans, and it's tough that he is out because he's going to lose an entire summer of continuing to work on his game. He'll be available once the season starts. Good point any setbacks or anything like that, But yeah, how is he gonna come in off of that injury? And then how much better can he be if he had had a whole summer to work on some things?

Jim, You and I talked about it on the Wednesday podcast about the growth that he had this season, right from going from is this guy a starter in the league too?

Jim, You and I talked about it on the Wednesday podcast about the growth that he had this season, right from going from is this guy a starter in the league too?

Yeah, he is?

Yeah, he is?

And you and I going, Hey, he's got the makings of the is you like to say, the recipe, the ingredients of a good gumbo to be an All Star perhaps eventually in his career. And what's remarkable is listening to Aaron just now, I'm trying to think, has he had more than one season where he's actually had a summer and a start to the season, because he didn't start last season right or this season he got died and start last season.

And you and I going, Hey, he's got the makings of the is you like to say, the recipe, the ingredients of a good gumbo to be an All Star perhaps eventually in his career. And what's remarkable is listening to Aaron just now, I'm trying to think, has he had more than one season where he's actually had a summer and a start to the season, because he didn't start last season right or this season he got died and start last season.

First game of training campers, she's going.

First game of training campers, she's going.

To go into this season not fully healthy.

To go into this season not fully healthy.

I guess maybe between his rookie season and his second year. If I Vegas right, had that goodness maybe that was the one time that he had a a full summer to prepare and he didn't have any obstacles in the way. So but yeah, it hasn't hasn't been very often for sure.

I guess maybe between his rookie season and his second year. If I Vegas right, had that goodness maybe that was the one time that he had a a full summer to prepare and he didn't have any obstacles in the way. So but yeah, it hasn't hasn't been very often for sure.

And I'm bringing that up only because it just kind of maybe goes to add to just how good he really is, right because he's not having the full summer, in the full preseason and all that stuff to kind of get going yet in season weeks in or days in or games into the season. Boomy, he gets better throughout the year. That's not the norm, right, Normally, as Aaron said, you get better quote unquote in the lab, he's getting better during the season.

And I'm bringing that up only because it just kind of maybe goes to add to just how good he really is, right because he's not having the full summer, in the full preseason and all that stuff to kind of get going yet in season weeks in or days in or games into the season. Boomy, he gets better throughout the year. That's not the norm, right, Normally, as Aaron said, you get better quote unquote in the lab, he's getting better during the season.

Yeah, I think so. I mean, some of this is just the reps that he's getting during games. The fact that I think one of the biggest things this season was he was able to apply during games how much more of an improved ball handler he was, and just the fact that he had a bigger role where it wasn't I mean, because of some of the other guys that were out. Obviously Abi was out for a while, Zion was out for a couple of months. He ended up being in a roll where he actually actually got to create a shot a little bit more than he had, a lot more than he had in the past, where when some of those players were all out there, he was really in more of that spot up shooting role. So I mean that was we try to look for silver linings, We try to look for some positives in a year that has gone so awry like this. I definitely think that might be one of them, is that he got to kind of spread his wings and expand his game a little bit more than maybe he would have if his role had been similar to what it was his first three years in the NBA.

Yeah, I think so. I mean, some of this is just the reps that he's getting during games. The fact that I think one of the biggest things this season was he was able to apply during games how much more of an improved ball handler he was, and just the fact that he had a bigger role where it wasn't I mean, because of some of the other guys that were out. Obviously Abi was out for a while, Zion was out for a couple of months. He ended up being in a roll where he actually actually got to create a shot a little bit more than he had, a lot more than he had in the past, where when some of those players were all out there, he was really in more of that spot up shooting role. So I mean that was we try to look for silver linings, We try to look for some positives in a year that has gone so awry like this. I definitely think that might be one of them, is that he got to kind of spread his wings and expand his game a little bit more than maybe he would have if his role had been similar to what it was his first three years in the NBA.

I think it's just evident that there's so much more improvement there for Trey. You know, he is able to improve work on different things throughout the season because of the injuries, he was able to expand different areas of his game, but really attacking them in the summer and working through what he wants from that, I mean, I think he can still work on his ball handling. I think he can still work on creating his own shot, attacking, getting to the rim, and being more consistent from three. You know, we've had the up and down games from him. He hit that slump for a little while earlier this year, recently, and those are things that you need reps for. And hopefully he is going to get healthy as quick as possible and we can see him start to really make some more strides forward, because I really think that. And he'll tell you he wants to be an NBA All Star. He wants to be a top scorer in the league when it's all said and done. I mean, he was not satisfied with top ten and Pelicans, you know, all time scoring. He wants to be top ten in the NBA. So more power to him. I think the drive is there. I think the make up, the athleticism and the talent he just got to kind of hone it in.

I think it's just evident that there's so much more improvement there for Trey. You know, he is able to improve work on different things throughout the season because of the injuries, he was able to expand different areas of his game, but really attacking them in the summer and working through what he wants from that, I mean, I think he can still work on his ball handling. I think he can still work on creating his own shot, attacking, getting to the rim, and being more consistent from three. You know, we've had the up and down games from him. He hit that slump for a little while earlier this year, recently, and those are things that you need reps for. And hopefully he is going to get healthy as quick as possible and we can see him start to really make some more strides forward, because I really think that. And he'll tell you he wants to be an NBA All Star. He wants to be a top scorer in the league when it's all said and done. I mean, he was not satisfied with top ten and Pelicans, you know, all time scoring. He wants to be top ten in the NBA. So more power to him. I think the drive is there. I think the make up, the athleticism and the talent he just got to kind of hone it in.

It's remarkable you said that because even in games where he didn't have good shooting nights, he's still scoring twenty points and having you know, high lumborough assistant in rebounds. Here's what Zion had to say Wednesday after the win about Trey's injury.

It's remarkable you said that because even in games where he didn't have good shooting nights, he's still scoring twenty points and having you know, high lumborough assistant in rebounds. Here's what Zion had to say Wednesday after the win about Trey's injury.

That don't hurt my heart just because you hate you hate see anybody go down like that. You know, he's made so many strides this season and you know sounds cheese, Well, you know this is a minor setback for a major combat. Trey gonna do what he need to do to get back on the court and come back better than ever.

That don't hurt my heart just because you hate you hate see anybody go down like that. You know, he's made so many strides this season and you know sounds cheese, Well, you know this is a minor setback for a major combat. Trey gonna do what he need to do to get back on the court and come back better than ever.

All right, So Erin you mentioned Zion there. Look, I know he's not playing tonight he had that heart fall on Wednesday, but I know Jim wanted to get your opinion on this too. CJ was asked, is this the best Zion we've seen since becoming a Pelican? What do you make of the way he's played since coming back from injury.

All right, So Erin you mentioned Zion there. Look, I know he's not playing tonight he had that heart fall on Wednesday, but I know Jim wanted to get your opinion on this too. CJ was asked, is this the best Zion we've seen since becoming a Pelican? What do you make of the way he's played since coming back from injury.

I think that this is something that's come up every single game. Yes, this is the best that we've seen Zion Williamson b But for me, it comes to a point where Zion needs to realize everything needs to click for him, that this is what it takes for me to be the top of my game and as accessful as I can be. It seems like the light bulb's kind of gone off for him. He's mentioned it several times where he's got to bring the same effort on the defensive end as he has to offensively. We're seeing it night in and night out with the steals and the blocks. I mean, he has career high and blocks and steals, But then he's not only going and getting his points. On the other end, he has a career highs and assists and rebounds, so all areas of the game, he's attacking at a very high level. Maybe it has something to do with the way that they've handled his minutes, but now he's seeing as those minutes are increasing, this is the kind of effort that it's going to take for me to be the guy night in and night out. And on Wednesday night we saw without a lot of help around him, Sure, sure CJ had a bounce back game. Jordan Hawkins helped, Bruce Brown helped, people helped. But going against Minnesota, who is a better team, he was an absolute game changer because of what he brought as a collective. And I think that for him, it's kind of like he gets it, he sees it, he's doing it now, and he knows what it's going to take night in and night out for that to be the result.

I think that this is something that's come up every single game. Yes, this is the best that we've seen Zion Williamson b But for me, it comes to a point where Zion needs to realize everything needs to click for him, that this is what it takes for me to be the top of my game and as accessful as I can be. It seems like the light bulb's kind of gone off for him. He's mentioned it several times where he's got to bring the same effort on the defensive end as he has to offensively. We're seeing it night in and night out with the steals and the blocks. I mean, he has career high and blocks and steals, But then he's not only going and getting his points. On the other end, he has a career highs and assists and rebounds, so all areas of the game, he's attacking at a very high level. Maybe it has something to do with the way that they've handled his minutes, but now he's seeing as those minutes are increasing, this is the kind of effort that it's going to take for me to be the guy night in and night out. And on Wednesday night we saw without a lot of help around him, Sure, sure CJ had a bounce back game. Jordan Hawkins helped, Bruce Brown helped, people helped. But going against Minnesota, who is a better team, he was an absolute game changer because of what he brought as a collective. And I think that for him, it's kind of like he gets it, he sees it, he's doing it now, and he knows what it's going to take night in and night out for that to be the result.

It's too bad we're not going to see him tonight because I was really looking forward to seeing how he would follow up the performance that he had Wednesday against the Timberwolves. I'm going to go out on a limb here too and say I mean the reason that he's not going to play. He had a hard fall where he landed on his back, and honestly, I had kind of kind of forgotten about that play until this morning when they said he had a low back contusion, and then thought back to it. But I think, you know, along the lines of some of what you were saying, Aaron, I think the game that he had Monday was really impressive too, along the lines of his relentlessness and his determination, because I mean, it was from a team standpoint, it was hopeless. They're down by thirty five points, but he still played with so much energy in the second half. He was dunking on people, he was getting to the basket, he was it didn't seem like his energy dropped it all. So I think that was also, you know, not fun to see because the game was so brutal, but just another sign of the way his motivation and his energy has definitely gone up a lot. And you can see how that's, you know, coming from the fact that his conditioning is so good.

It's too bad we're not going to see him tonight because I was really looking forward to seeing how he would follow up the performance that he had Wednesday against the Timberwolves. I'm going to go out on a limb here too and say I mean the reason that he's not going to play. He had a hard fall where he landed on his back, and honestly, I had kind of kind of forgotten about that play until this morning when they said he had a low back contusion, and then thought back to it. But I think, you know, along the lines of some of what you were saying, Aaron, I think the game that he had Monday was really impressive too, along the lines of his relentlessness and his determination, because I mean, it was from a team standpoint, it was hopeless. They're down by thirty five points, but he still played with so much energy in the second half. He was dunking on people, he was getting to the basket, he was it didn't seem like his energy dropped it all. So I think that was also, you know, not fun to see because the game was so brutal, but just another sign of the way his motivation and his energy has definitely gone up a lot. And you can see how that's, you know, coming from the fact that his conditioning is so good.

Yeah, I mean, I think consistency is key with him, and to your point, and not only on both ends of the court, but from beginning to end, he's started games a lot more aggressive, and he's maintained it throughout and I think that if we can continue to see this version of Zion with a healthy Pelicans team, we're not that far off from being extremely successful. Yeah, it hurts that de Jonte Murty's not going to be available for a lot of the season next year, but man Z's shown that he can be that guy that gets this offense going.

Yeah, I mean, I think consistency is key with him, and to your point, and not only on both ends of the court, but from beginning to end, he's started games a lot more aggressive, and he's maintained it throughout and I think that if we can continue to see this version of Zion with a healthy Pelicans team, we're not that far off from being extremely successful. Yeah, it hurts that de Jonte Murty's not going to be available for a lot of the season next year, but man Z's shown that he can be that guy that gets this offense going.

I think one of the things that's interesting too is you've heard him in the recent weeks and I think even after Wednesday's game on TV Aaron he was telling Andrew, if you want to be the best player in your team, you have to guard the best player on their team and things that nature. So to your point, light bulb going off. Look And I just think at the end of the day, he's well aware that it's your seven. Yeah next year, Yeah, it's her seven next year. The good thing, I think is you are seeing that when every gets together, the health, the mentals, the physical. I mean, he's one of the dominant players in the league. So I had something good I guess to look into next year.

I think one of the things that's interesting too is you've heard him in the recent weeks and I think even after Wednesday's game on TV Aaron he was telling Andrew, if you want to be the best player in your team, you have to guard the best player on their team and things that nature. So to your point, light bulb going off. Look And I just think at the end of the day, he's well aware that it's your seven. Yeah next year, Yeah, it's her seven next year. The good thing, I think is you are seeing that when every gets together, the health, the mentals, the physical. I mean, he's one of the dominant players in the league. So I had something good I guess to look into next year.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I mean, it might not feel all the time that he's worth it, because you don't know about his availability, but I think this season he's proved that he's matured. He knows what it takes. And yeah, if this is the version we're going to see of Z every night, then it was worth it because he is an absolute, not even game changer, but franchise changer.

I mean, it might not feel all the time that he's worth it, because you don't know about his availability, but I think this season he's proved that he's matured. He knows what it takes. And yeah, if this is the version we're going to see of Z every night, then it was worth it because he is an absolute, not even game changer, but franchise changer.

Well, twelve games remains, six on a road, six at home. Hopefully some Peals fans will get to see him before the season ends here at the Smoothie King Center. Now, now, Jim, you said you went back and remembered it to the hard fall, So he legit has a bobo.

Well, twelve games remains, six on a road, six at home. Hopefully some Peals fans will get to see him before the season ends here at the Smoothie King Center. Now, now, Jim, you said you went back and remembered it to the hard fall, So he legit has a bobo.

I mean he has a bruise. I mean he landed on his back on our hardwood.

I mean he has a bruise. I mean he landed on his back on our hardwood.

Couple of teams in the NBA, what are some of the reasons for them, perhaps Jim to not be playing well, I don't know. Five starters, six starters, seven of the top players in it.

Couple of teams in the NBA, what are some of the reasons for them, perhaps Jim to not be playing well, I don't know. Five starters, six starters, seven of the top players in it.

I think LaMelo Ball, what was it? He was rested.

I think LaMelo Ball, what was it? He was rested.

Because he's got to get ready for rest.

Because he's got to get ready for rest.

He has to get ready for rest. Yes, the Charlotte head coach had that to say, what do you.

He has to get ready for rest. Yes, the Charlotte head coach had that to say, what do you.

Make of all this?

Make of all this?

Yeah, I mean I think this is something, unfortunately that we saw coming in terms of how hypes this draft classes, and you know, some of the players at the top of it seemed to be guys that, along what Aaron just said about Zion, seemed to be people that are projected to be franchise changers. So but I mean we not only you know, you mentioned Charlotte's case, but Utah objectively was just fined one hundred thousand dollars for the way that they handled LORI marketing.

Yeah, I mean I think this is something, unfortunately that we saw coming in terms of how hypes this draft classes, and you know, some of the players at the top of it seemed to be guys that, along what Aaron just said about Zion, seemed to be people that are projected to be franchise changers. So but I mean we not only you know, you mentioned Charlotte's case, but Utah objectively was just fined one hundred thousand dollars for the way that they handled LORI marketing.

And that's not even a slap on the wrist for this. These teams, like, right, that's insane. If you can trade one hundred thousand dollars for the number one pick in the NBA draft, I think anybody would do that.

And that's not even a slap on the wrist for this. These teams, like, right, that's insane. If you can trade one hundred thousand dollars for the number one pick in the NBA draft, I think anybody would do that.

That's just Jim's expense account.

That's just Jim's expense account.

I mean, Jim was absolutely true. I'd pay one hundred thousand dollars every week now. And the thing, you know, the thing that's interesting too about the Utah situation is it's almost like you know, when people talk about you know, you're trying to put somebody in prison, and you find something like he was littering and you put him in prison for that. Like the marketing thing, to me is only the tip of the iceberg of what Utah is doing. But it was what the league could catch them on because he was a recent All Star, therefore he fell falls under the player participation policy. But I mean, there's so many other things that they've done this year where it's just out of sync with the way that you would handle the season. So, you know, it's just one of those things where it's been jarring to see the way. I do think that this problem has lessened a little bit with when they changed the lottery format in twenty nineteen, and they made it so it's not like the worst team in the league has the best percentage. It's more flattened, is the word that they always use, where the odds aren't that much different between the team that has the worst record in the fifth or sixth worst record percentage wise, but you're still seeing, you know, agregious case is like that worthy Obviously if the NBA has to step in and find you, even if that money isn't drop in the bucket, it's definitely a sign of something that needs to be looked at. In my opinion, I.

I mean, Jim was absolutely true. I'd pay one hundred thousand dollars every week now. And the thing, you know, the thing that's interesting too about the Utah situation is it's almost like you know, when people talk about you know, you're trying to put somebody in prison, and you find something like he was littering and you put him in prison for that. Like the marketing thing, to me is only the tip of the iceberg of what Utah is doing. But it was what the league could catch them on because he was a recent All Star, therefore he fell falls under the player participation policy. But I mean, there's so many other things that they've done this year where it's just out of sync with the way that you would handle the season. So, you know, it's just one of those things where it's been jarring to see the way. I do think that this problem has lessened a little bit with when they changed the lottery format in twenty nineteen, and they made it so it's not like the worst team in the league has the best percentage. It's more flattened, is the word that they always use, where the odds aren't that much different between the team that has the worst record in the fifth or sixth worst record percentage wise, but you're still seeing, you know, agregious case is like that worthy Obviously if the NBA has to step in and find you, even if that money isn't drop in the bucket, it's definitely a sign of something that needs to be looked at. In my opinion, I.

Totally understand this from a fan standpoint. This season for the Pelicans has not been what we wanted it to be. You have so many injuries, you're not winning, Let's just go ahead, throw in the towel and make it worse something, go and get the number one pick. However, you go in that locker room and look every single one of those players in the face and tell them we want you to lose or we're not playing tonight. How is that taken. These players are competitive by nature, They're getting paid to play, and they want to play. I mean, Zion, as much as he's dealt with this, always says he wants to play, he wants to be on the court. So it's a weird. It's a weird situation for I would say front office to handle because you want to maximize your potential in the future, and you can do that in the draft, but you also can't lose your locker room and you can't have these players throw, you know, you can't tell them to throw games. That's just not.

Totally understand this from a fan standpoint. This season for the Pelicans has not been what we wanted it to be. You have so many injuries, you're not winning, Let's just go ahead, throw in the towel and make it worse something, go and get the number one pick. However, you go in that locker room and look every single one of those players in the face and tell them we want you to lose or we're not playing tonight. How is that taken. These players are competitive by nature, They're getting paid to play, and they want to play. I mean, Zion, as much as he's dealt with this, always says he wants to play, he wants to be on the court. So it's a weird. It's a weird situation for I would say front office to handle because you want to maximize your potential in the future, and you can do that in the draft, but you also can't lose your locker room and you can't have these players throw, you know, you can't tell them to throw games. That's just not.

Well, yeah, that's.

Well, yeah, that's.

To your point.

To your point.

And look, I think the interesting thing is we've discussed throughout the season too. When you just look at this roster right and used to look at Alfred Payton coming back for a ten day, I mean, Brandon Boston.

And look, I think the interesting thing is we've discussed throughout the season too. When you just look at this roster right and used to look at Alfred Payton coming back for a ten day, I mean, Brandon Boston.

There's some guys on this team that have.

There's some guys on this team that have.

I wouldn't say benefited because you hate that that's how it happened. But to your point, Arin, it's an opportunity for them. Willie Green has been saying that, look is how you have to look at it.

I wouldn't say benefited because you hate that that's how it happened. But to your point, Arin, it's an opportunity for them. Willie Green has been saying that, look is how you have to look at it.

Those guys want to be in the league. They like living like Jim I can offer here, you know, and traveling in.

Those guys want to be in the league. They like living like Jim I can offer here, you know, and traveling in.

Style, you know, playing hard and getting better because you have more minutes I e. Tray Murphy and what we're seeing was Zion Williamson at the beginning of the year. Do you remember how we were talking about how we're going to play small ball. Look at this team now we're seeing that these bigs alongside z work really frickin' well. We wouldn't have known that had everybody been healthy, because that lineup would have never been something we needed or went to.

Style, you know, playing hard and getting better because you have more minutes I e. Tray Murphy and what we're seeing was Zion Williamson at the beginning of the year. Do you remember how we were talking about how we're going to play small ball. Look at this team now we're seeing that these bigs alongside z work really frickin' well. We wouldn't have known that had everybody been healthy, because that lineup would have never been something we needed or went to.

Willie Green literally just said that on Wednesday two days ago, that if eve me c, that the growth of eve me C is that.

Willie Green literally just said that on Wednesday two days ago, that if eve me c, that the growth of eve me C is that.

David Griffin on Monday said the same thing too.

David Griffin on Monday said the same thing too.

It's like, Hey, if we don't have the injuries and we don't have the season we have, we'll leave me C. Would have we would have been playing right now now, he's a guy that's going to be looked at as one of the top rookies. So you can look at it from a number of perspective, but that's one of the things that you look at. So I mean tanking, I don't.

It's like, Hey, if we don't have the injuries and we don't have the season we have, we'll leave me C. Would have we would have been playing right now now, he's a guy that's going to be looked at as one of the top rookies. So you can look at it from a number of perspective, but that's one of the things that you look at. So I mean tanking, I don't.

Think that's why you still compete to the end because you never know what may come of it.

Think that's why you still compete to the end because you never know what may come of it.

How do you fix it?

How do you fix it?

Is it something like that where if you get fined automatically, should you talk whatever team if you get that, if the.

Is it something like that where if you get fined automatically, should you talk whatever team if you get that, if the.

Fine doesn't bother Jim, I can offer, it's not going to bother the owner of the YouTube.

Fine doesn't bother Jim, I can offer, it's not going to bother the owner of the YouTube.

I agree, which is why I'm saying, is that a way to maybe fix it that if you do get found doing something agreed just where you get fined, you were disqualified from winning them.

I agree, which is why I'm saying, is that a way to maybe fix it that if you do get found doing something agreed just where you get fined, you were disqualified from winning them.

I like that idea. I like that idea. Put them at fourteenth in the lottery and say, hey, that's where you are. I mean, I've brought this up before, maybe going back a couple of months too. I really dislike the conditional first round the protected first round picks, because, for example, Philadelphia is in a situation where they're vastly incentivized to finish with a bottom five record because their pick is top six protected, and if it doesn't fall in the top six, it's going to go to Oklahoma City. I would love to get rid of all of the protections on picks because I feel like that also is happening too often where it's obvious to people, whether the team wants to admit it or not, in the case of the Sixers, that it makes way more sense for them to lose than to win. So I want to get rid of that. But I mean another solution I have, and you know, let's be about trying to come up with solutions on this podcast instead of just complaining Gus. I like, I'm in favor of the idea of having the fourteen teams that are in the lottery everyone has exactly the same percentage chance to get the first pick and all the way through. So therefore you get rid of all of the incentives in terms of, well, if we finish with a worse record than this team, we have a better chance than this just gets to the point, and one of the biggest pushbacks on that would be like, well, it's not fair because if you win fifteen games, you shouldn't have the same percentage chance as a team that just missed the playoffs, and to that, I say, too bad. Just put a better team on the court. It's time to stop having everyone have like a safety net for losing. I just want to come up with it. And this is also something I've talked about several times on the podcasts, like we need to come up with ways to make it important to win today and not next year, not two years from now. And so I think that's another thing. Just get rid of all of the incentives to lose, and I think the last month of the regular season would be so much better. And it would there'd be so fewer times where you I've done this myself as a as a fan, you tune on, you tune into a game and you're like, oh, no, you'll Kich isn't playing, Murray's not playing. I mean, just to pick one example of a game that people were excited to watch recently and they didn't play. That's obviously a different conversation than the lottery teams, but the point being that there's just too many times where you turn the game on and you're expecting it to be the main group of players for this team, these teams, and you're seeing guys that wouldn't even normally be on the court.

I like that idea. I like that idea. Put them at fourteenth in the lottery and say, hey, that's where you are. I mean, I've brought this up before, maybe going back a couple of months too. I really dislike the conditional first round the protected first round picks, because, for example, Philadelphia is in a situation where they're vastly incentivized to finish with a bottom five record because their pick is top six protected, and if it doesn't fall in the top six, it's going to go to Oklahoma City. I would love to get rid of all of the protections on picks because I feel like that also is happening too often where it's obvious to people, whether the team wants to admit it or not, in the case of the Sixers, that it makes way more sense for them to lose than to win. So I want to get rid of that. But I mean another solution I have, and you know, let's be about trying to come up with solutions on this podcast instead of just complaining Gus. I like, I'm in favor of the idea of having the fourteen teams that are in the lottery everyone has exactly the same percentage chance to get the first pick and all the way through. So therefore you get rid of all of the incentives in terms of, well, if we finish with a worse record than this team, we have a better chance than this just gets to the point, and one of the biggest pushbacks on that would be like, well, it's not fair because if you win fifteen games, you shouldn't have the same percentage chance as a team that just missed the playoffs, and to that, I say, too bad. Just put a better team on the court. It's time to stop having everyone have like a safety net for losing. I just want to come up with it. And this is also something I've talked about several times on the podcasts, like we need to come up with ways to make it important to win today and not next year, not two years from now. And so I think that's another thing. Just get rid of all of the incentives to lose, and I think the last month of the regular season would be so much better. And it would there'd be so fewer times where you I've done this myself as a as a fan, you tune on, you tune into a game and you're like, oh, no, you'll Kich isn't playing, Murray's not playing. I mean, just to pick one example of a game that people were excited to watch recently and they didn't play. That's obviously a different conversation than the lottery teams, but the point being that there's just too many times where you turn the game on and you're expecting it to be the main group of players for this team, these teams, and you're seeing guys that wouldn't even normally be on the court.

Oh, I was just gonna say, this has nothing to do with tanking or what not, but we should get rid of back to backs because that is a built in excuse for players not to play. But that's different Tangent.

Oh, I was just gonna say, this has nothing to do with tanking or what not, but we should get rid of back to backs because that is a built in excuse for players not to play. But that's different Tangent.

I was gonna ask you, is you'd have to cut You'd have to cut it from eighty two games, because I don't think in the window that they have on the calendar, with a lot of these arenas also having hockey teams, where they could ever get it to where there's no back to backs as long as they play eighty two game schedule and still have like an All Star break and still have all the other parts of the schedule. But I mean, I think most of us are in favor of if they could cut it down to like seventy seventy six games. But the problem with that is, like everyone's like, hey, when when you ask a group of people in the NBA, whether it's the players, whoever, Hey, you want to reduce the schedule, Yes, they all raise their hand and they say you want to take less money? And then everyone puts their hand hand down. So but I mean, I like the idea too of getting rid of the back to back so or at least reducing them to the point where maybe you only have five or six. I don't think they can ever get to zero as long as we play. We're playing eighty two games.

I was gonna ask you, is you'd have to cut You'd have to cut it from eighty two games, because I don't think in the window that they have on the calendar, with a lot of these arenas also having hockey teams, where they could ever get it to where there's no back to backs as long as they play eighty two game schedule and still have like an All Star break and still have all the other parts of the schedule. But I mean, I think most of us are in favor of if they could cut it down to like seventy seventy six games. But the problem with that is, like everyone's like, hey, when when you ask a group of people in the NBA, whether it's the players, whoever, Hey, you want to reduce the schedule, Yes, they all raise their hand and they say you want to take less money? And then everyone puts their hand hand down. So but I mean, I like the idea too of getting rid of the back to back so or at least reducing them to the point where maybe you only have five or six. I don't think they can ever get to zero as long as we play. We're playing eighty two games.

The NFL extended their season, I mean, is that not a possibility for the NBA if you want to spread it.

The NFL extended their season, I mean, is that not a possibility for the NBA if you want to spread it.

Out a little bit further, So we end what second week of April? Mid April's call it date April. What if you end at the end of April. Yeah, right, I think in April early May, because I mean my thing is, I mean, you just go as long as you want. Instead of starting October third, start October thirtieth.

Out a little bit further, So we end what second week of April? Mid April's call it date April. What if you end at the end of April. Yeah, right, I think in April early May, because I mean my thing is, I mean, you just go as long as you want. Instead of starting October third, start October thirtieth.

Yes, And I mean that's what I word, because.

Yes, And I mean that's what I word, because.

The playoff teams, you're in the championship, like that's the it's a long time to be playing.

The playoff teams, you're in the championship, like that's the it's a long time to be playing.

But I don't know.

But I don't know.

I think I think with Utah, and I told this to Jim earlier, if you are so blatantly tanking like they are they are, and they have been since January, then they should automatically get the last pick in the lottery, like automatically.

I think I think with Utah, and I told this to Jim earlier, if you are so blatantly tanking like they are they are, and they have been since January, then they should automatically get the last pick in the lottery, like automatically.

I like it.

I like it.

I think that we should still apply some advantage to some of the teams that are worse off because there is there's different market sizes, there a different amount of money people will spend. We want to try to make this as equal competitive, as equally competitive as we can, which also means we need to figure out what the heck is going on with the East because none of those teams have been eliminated from the playoffs yet, which is wild because two of those teams are worse than us. But again another tangent, you know.

I think that we should still apply some advantage to some of the teams that are worse off because there is there's different market sizes, there a different amount of money people will spend. We want to try to make this as equal competitive, as equally competitive as we can, which also means we need to figure out what the heck is going on with the East because none of those teams have been eliminated from the playoffs yet, which is wild because two of those teams are worse than us. But again another tangent, you know.

I had a friend recently who said that the way the NBA teams, you know, such as the ones that we've cited, have behaved, they don't deserve the right to have parody. And I think that there's a good point there somewhere in the mix of like the system only works. When they originally set up the lottery system, it was with the understanding that it works if everyone is trying their hardest to win games, and the team that has the worst record legitimately is the worst team with the they put out maximum effort, and they still were terrible. They still had the worst record. But once you start tinkering with it and having all these other artificial things that go into the system, the whole thing falls apart in terms of what it was intended to be. So, I mean, I think that is a that is something to think about.

I had a friend recently who said that the way the NBA teams, you know, such as the ones that we've cited, have behaved, they don't deserve the right to have parody. And I think that there's a good point there somewhere in the mix of like the system only works. When they originally set up the lottery system, it was with the understanding that it works if everyone is trying their hardest to win games, and the team that has the worst record legitimately is the worst team with the they put out maximum effort, and they still were terrible. They still had the worst record. But once you start tinkering with it and having all these other artificial things that go into the system, the whole thing falls apart in terms of what it was intended to be. So, I mean, I think that is a that is something to think about.

That.

That.

It's like at a certain point when you behave a certain way, it's like a little kid that you have to kind of discipline and be like, you know, if you're gonna have if you're gonna eat sixteen balls of ice cream, we're gonna have to take the ice cream away from you. It's kind of like that. I feel like in a certain way, it's like I don't feel sympathy for any team that does intentionally does stuff like that and be like, oh, well, you know, we need to treat them fairly that we need to make sure that they get the pick that they should get based on the record. It's like they don't deserve the pick that they should get if they're if they it was artificial the way they got to the record they got.

It's like at a certain point when you behave a certain way, it's like a little kid that you have to kind of discipline and be like, you know, if you're gonna have if you're gonna eat sixteen balls of ice cream, we're gonna have to take the ice cream away from you. It's kind of like that. I feel like in a certain way, it's like I don't feel sympathy for any team that does intentionally does stuff like that and be like, oh, well, you know, we need to treat them fairly that we need to make sure that they get the pick that they should get based on the record. It's like they don't deserve the pick that they should get if they're if they it was artificial the way they got to the record they got.

Can we relegate them like they do over We talk about that them to the G League?

Can we relegate them like they do over We talk about that them to the G League?

Yeah, we were thinking about either something like that. But I mean, look, the other thing too, is that just there's a level of respect in there with you, the fan, the paying customer, the people actually goes Aaron. If you go to dinner expecting something and maybe that meal isn't there, or there's no water, there's no utensils. I mean, if you're going somewhere to expect something, right, we go to the movie, Well, the sound's not working today, You're just gonna have to read the closed caption. I mean, we wouldn't stand for that.

Yeah, we were thinking about either something like that. But I mean, look, the other thing too, is that just there's a level of respect in there with you, the fan, the paying customer, the people actually goes Aaron. If you go to dinner expecting something and maybe that meal isn't there, or there's no water, there's no utensils. I mean, if you're going somewhere to expect something, right, we go to the movie, Well, the sound's not working today, You're just gonna have to read the closed caption. I mean, we wouldn't stand for that.

Anytime you go.

Anytime you go.

To the grocery store and only four out of seven times the grapes are fresh, I would or I would never go back to or.

To the grocery store and only four out of seven times the grapes are fresh, I would or I would never go back to or.

You can be like, hey, unfortunately today you can only shop from asles seven to ten.

You can be like, hey, unfortunately today you can only shop from asles seven to ten.

Aisles one through six is closed today. I mean that wouldn't because.

Aisles one through six is closed today. I mean that wouldn't because.

A lot of fans don't know that, right, I mean they buy tickets months in advance, they have certain packages. Maybe we look at it differently, guys, because we work in a building where you know, we see we see the people that are charged to trying to sell tickets and get packages together, and we're also normal people where we all depend on our dollar and how far we can have it to right. So I think there's a level of respect that which is probably why I think you get so and say been out of shape upset by that, because yeah, I mean, but you're right though, I mean there's a level of respect to that. You know. It's like, because I want to ask your expertise on this, because you also cover the Saints, which you've been busy the last couple of days as free agency has started and you know, talking to players like that. Why is it work in the NFL? I know, a couple of years ago the league said, hey, the league was resting, the teams were rusting players.

A lot of fans don't know that, right, I mean they buy tickets months in advance, they have certain packages. Maybe we look at it differently, guys, because we work in a building where you know, we see we see the people that are charged to trying to sell tickets and get packages together, and we're also normal people where we all depend on our dollar and how far we can have it to right. So I think there's a level of respect that which is probably why I think you get so and say been out of shape upset by that, because yeah, I mean, but you're right though, I mean there's a level of respect to that. You know. It's like, because I want to ask your expertise on this, because you also cover the Saints, which you've been busy the last couple of days as free agency has started and you know, talking to players like that. Why is it work in the NFL? I know, a couple of years ago the league said, hey, the league was resting, the teams were rusting players.

The last two weeks.

The last two weeks.

So they made a change where they made a conference games towards the last four month of the season where it mattered where you won your division. Right, I'm sorry, division games? Yeah, but still you covered a team in the Saints this year that at halftime, we're leading the Bucks in the last game of the year, and Spencer Rattler and then we're doing everything they could to win. Saints had no business going to the playoffs. Wasn't gonna happen. All they're gonna do was Jim's favorite thing, spoiler scale here.

So they made a change where they made a conference games towards the last four month of the season where it mattered where you won your division. Right, I'm sorry, division games? Yeah, but still you covered a team in the Saints this year that at halftime, we're leading the Bucks in the last game of the year, and Spencer Rattler and then we're doing everything they could to win. Saints had no business going to the playoffs. Wasn't gonna happen. All they're gonna do was Jim's favorite thing, spoiler scale here.

Why does it work in the NFL?

Why does it work in the NFL?

Though?

Though?

Why?

Why?

Why are those games competitive with guys they are not? The Saints are going to pick first. They weren't gonna pick first but they show up to play the last game.

Why are those games competitive with guys they are not? The Saints are going to pick first. They weren't gonna pick first but they show up to play the last game.

I think that it has to do with the limited number of games, that each one is so much more important that you can't you don't know what's going to happen, so you're not going to start tanking so to speak, early in the season. Or there's players this is their livelihood and if they have this one opportunity to play, like Spencer Rattler at the end of the season, to show that he's not a fluke or whatever as far as being drafted and he can do all the things. It's just the injuries around him that he is going to give it everything he's got and you can't tell him not to.

I think that it has to do with the limited number of games, that each one is so much more important that you can't you don't know what's going to happen, so you're not going to start tanking so to speak, early in the season. Or there's players this is their livelihood and if they have this one opportunity to play, like Spencer Rattler at the end of the season, to show that he's not a fluke or whatever as far as being drafted and he can do all the things. It's just the injuries around him that he is going to give it everything he's got and you can't tell him not to.

Yeah, I mean, that's another reason why for the case of shortening the NBA schedule too to I mean, I feel I'm sure a lot of people would say that if you cut it to seventy from eighty two, that still wouldn't make that much of a difference. But I think the scarcity of the games definitely makes a huge difference. I mean, think about it. You only if you're an NFL player, you only get seventeen opportunities in games to prove how good you are. You know, the future of your career, whether you should be re signed, how much money you should make in free agency. I'd have to go back and look, but I mean, by Thanksgiving the Pelicans had played seventeen games. There's just there's just you know, you just don't. I mean, part of this is human nature too. You just it's impossible to value every single NBA game the way that you do with the NFL. So I can totally see that that that's a huge difference. I mean, this is a whole other conversation too. I've thought about this many times when people compare the NFL and the NBA. To me, the biggest advantage you can argue about the game itself, you know how much people like the physicality of football over basketball or over other sports. But to me, the biggest advantage that the NFL has is the game schedule. Because if the NBA schedule was seventeen games in the NFL was eighty two. Granted, it's physically impossible play eighty two football games, but just bear with me on this analogy. If the schedules were flipped, I think the NBA would be a lot more if there was seventeen is not possible, but say it was the NBA season was thirty games. I think the NBA would have a lot The ratings for each individual game would be so much higher, maybe the league would be more popular. They came up with eighty two games seventy something years ago when they were trying to figure out how how do we put games in this arena when hockey's not playing, So it's it doesn't really make sense to play eighty two games, but it's just it's it was a grandfather and in and it's been that way ever since.

Yeah, I mean, that's another reason why for the case of shortening the NBA schedule too to I mean, I feel I'm sure a lot of people would say that if you cut it to seventy from eighty two, that still wouldn't make that much of a difference. But I think the scarcity of the games definitely makes a huge difference. I mean, think about it. You only if you're an NFL player, you only get seventeen opportunities in games to prove how good you are. You know, the future of your career, whether you should be re signed, how much money you should make in free agency. I'd have to go back and look, but I mean, by Thanksgiving the Pelicans had played seventeen games. There's just there's just you know, you just don't. I mean, part of this is human nature too. You just it's impossible to value every single NBA game the way that you do with the NFL. So I can totally see that that that's a huge difference. I mean, this is a whole other conversation too. I've thought about this many times when people compare the NFL and the NBA. To me, the biggest advantage you can argue about the game itself, you know how much people like the physicality of football over basketball or over other sports. But to me, the biggest advantage that the NFL has is the game schedule. Because if the NBA schedule was seventeen games in the NFL was eighty two. Granted, it's physically impossible play eighty two football games, but just bear with me on this analogy. If the schedules were flipped, I think the NBA would be a lot more if there was seventeen is not possible, but say it was the NBA season was thirty games. I think the NBA would have a lot The ratings for each individual game would be so much higher, maybe the league would be more popular. They came up with eighty two games seventy something years ago when they were trying to figure out how how do we put games in this arena when hockey's not playing, So it's it doesn't really make sense to play eighty two games, but it's just it's it was a grandfather and in and it's been that way ever since.

To y'all's point. Behind you.

To y'all's point. Behind you.

On the TV, they're showing highlights from the first round, full day of the NCAA March madness. Right, they play thirty some odd games, and those games all matter, right, because it's it's seeding all that your polls all matter and to help get you the seeds into the turn.

On the TV, they're showing highlights from the first round, full day of the NCAA March madness. Right, they play thirty some odd games, and those games all matter, right, because it's it's seeding all that your polls all matter and to help get you the seeds into the turn.

So each game does matter.

So each game does matter.

Winning your conference, your conference tournament, how you can play in if you win the conference turn. So they make each game something valid. I know the NBA try to do that mid season tournament and stuff.

Winning your conference, your conference tournament, how you can play in if you win the conference turn. So they make each game something valid. I know the NBA try to do that mid season tournament and stuff.

I think there should be something with their division because it doesn't matter if you win your division in the NBA, like what's the point of you even having them?