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.

Welcome back to New Orleans Pelicans Podcast, official podcast if you're New Orleans Pelicans. Gus Cattin, Bill Ja Miac and offer literally on the court here at the Smothery King Centers. The Pelicans are wrapping up their practice here on Thursday, getting ready for two more preseason games. Jim, there was going to be a preseason game today on Friday against Orlando, but obviously Hurricane Milton had an effect on that. Head coach Willie Green had this to say following practice on Wednesday about the cancelation.

Welcome back to New Orleans Pelicans Podcast, official podcast if you're New Orleans Pelicans. Gus Cattin, Bill Ja Miac and offer literally on the court here at the Smothery King Centers. The Pelicans are wrapping up their practice here on Thursday, getting ready for two more preseason games. Jim, there was going to be a preseason game today on Friday against Orlando, but obviously Hurricane Milton had an effect on that. Head coach Willie Green had this to say following practice on Wednesday about the cancelation.

Well, my first thought is not even on the game. It's really just all the folks in Florida that are gonna be impacted bout as hurricane, and you know, hopefully everybody's being saved. People get out and that's the most important thing. It's like, we got to do what's best because of the circumstances right now. So no, yeah, we would like to be able to play for games, but this is more important and you know, we'll see what happens after this, but not a big concern at all.

Well, my first thought is not even on the game. It's really just all the folks in Florida that are gonna be impacted bout as hurricane, and you know, hopefully everybody's being saved. People get out and that's the most important thing. It's like, we got to do what's best because of the circumstances right now. So no, yeah, we would like to be able to play for games, but this is more important and you know, we'll see what happens after this, but not a big concern at all.

So Jim obviously the right thing to do. Now, there's still go to Florida over the weekend to take on the Miami Heat. This is what coach had to say just a few minutes ago about facing Miami on Sunday.

So Jim obviously the right thing to do. Now, there's still go to Florida over the weekend to take on the Miami Heat. This is what coach had to say just a few minutes ago about facing Miami on Sunday.

Yeah, it'd be good, good tests. We'll have a few practice days under our belt in preparation for Miami, and once again we'll get a chance to get get on the floor and really compete and work on our execution.

Yeah, it'd be good, good tests. We'll have a few practice days under our belt in preparation for Miami, and once again we'll get a chance to get get on the floor and really compete and work on our execution.

So Jim, obviously the right thing to do. Not work about the game on Friday, Coach says, it gives you a little more time to practice and work on things and then hey, Sunday, gus to Miami Heat. You remember those two games a year ago.

So Jim, obviously the right thing to do. Not work about the game on Friday, Coach says, it gives you a little more time to practice and work on things and then hey, Sunday, gus to Miami Heat. You remember those two games a year ago.

Yes, they were quite hotly contested. There was definitely some intensity. There was a chokeholder two, there was a couple guys coming off the bench and meeting at the scorers table and swinging at each other. And then when the teams played the second game in Miami. It seemed like that was one of the games that the Pelicans were the most motivated to play, and they had kind of a score to settle, and I think they were very satisfied to get that victory and get some payback against the heat, kind of some emotion. You don't necessarily see that much during the regular season. You play eighty two games and it's a long year. But that was pretty sweet to be able to beat the heat after what happened in the game. In the smoothe case center.

Yes, they were quite hotly contested. There was definitely some intensity. There was a chokeholder two, there was a couple guys coming off the bench and meeting at the scorers table and swinging at each other. And then when the teams played the second game in Miami. It seemed like that was one of the games that the Pelicans were the most motivated to play, and they had kind of a score to settle, and I think they were very satisfied to get that victory and get some payback against the heat, kind of some emotion. You don't necessarily see that much during the regular season. You play eighty two games and it's a long year. But that was pretty sweet to be able to beat the heat after what happened in the game. In the smoothe case center.

Yeah, coach said, Look, there's a balance. You'd love to play a game, you do get some extra time to work on things, and he said he was very specific with what they practiced on Thursday and being able to get in on Friday. Overall, Look, this is a veteran team, not like young, young teams. So it's not like you are having to install and put in new things this year. Jim, that's a little bit different. You can kind of just get to work on refining things. And I kind of feel like that's not a bad thing for this team right now.

Yeah, coach said, Look, there's a balance. You'd love to play a game, you do get some extra time to work on things, and he said he was very specific with what they practiced on Thursday and being able to get in on Friday. Overall, Look, this is a veteran team, not like young, young teams. So it's not like you are having to install and put in new things this year. Jim, that's a little bit different. You can kind of just get to work on refining things. And I kind of feel like that's not a bad thing for this team right now.

Yeah, I mean, I think Willie Green definitely said that they would have liked to played another game against another NBA team, obviously, now they're gonna go almost a week between preseason games. Of they played Monday against Orlando, They're not gonna plague again until Sunday against the Heat.

Yeah, I mean, I think Willie Green definitely said that they would have liked to played another game against another NBA team, obviously, now they're gonna go almost a week between preseason games. Of they played Monday against Orlando, They're not gonna plague again until Sunday against the Heat.

But I guess the positive is that they.

But I guess the positive is that they.

Are getting a couple more practices, and not just practices, but on their home floor. We wanted to see them play better and win more games in the Blender last season, so maybe this will help as far as just getting more acclimated and adjusted to their home arena and their home court.

Are getting a couple more practices, and not just practices, but on their home floor. We wanted to see them play better and win more games in the Blender last season, so maybe this will help as far as just getting more acclimated and adjusted to their home arena and their home court.

All right, well tell you what. We're gonna talk a little bit about the upcoming game on Sunday against the Heat. But it's time to welcome in our very special guest, Will Guillery of the Athletic to get his sense as to what this team could maybe be the season with some of its special players in personnel. A right tom now to welcome in our very special guests and mister jim Ik and offer its ally special when they Brother Martin Crusader joins us, mister Will Gillery the Athletic, Sir, you cover the NBA, cover the pels, the Heat, all that.

All right, well tell you what. We're gonna talk a little bit about the upcoming game on Sunday against the Heat. But it's time to welcome in our very special guest, Will Guillery of the Athletic to get his sense as to what this team could maybe be the season with some of its special players in personnel. A right tom now to welcome in our very special guests and mister jim Ik and offer its ally special when they Brother Martin Crusader joins us, mister Will Gillery the Athletic, Sir, you cover the NBA, cover the pels, the Heat, all that.

How are you man?

How are you man?

Good to see you again? For another season.

Good to see you again? For another season.

I'm doing well.

I'm doing well.

Man.

Man.

This feels extra special because we're doing it in person for once. I'm usually talking to you all over the phone.

This feels extra special because we're doing it in person for once. I'm usually talking to you all over the phone.

I have access. Now will I have access?

I have access. Now will I have access?

I can almost reach out and touch Jimy. Now this feels great.

I can almost reach out and touch Jimy. Now this feels great.

I like that. You know, behind you, I have a loss started. This started this this year. It's kind of a dry eraser board and you can look behind you and that's all the signatures of players that came in for media day. As you can see, everyone's above six six four six, so it's pretty high on the board, so there's a little room on the bottom. Jim, would you like to start a new tradition maybe if we have a guest on the Pelicans podcasting studio, Will Gilly, would you like to be the first non Pelican player to write your name on that at some point this special right now, if you would like it, just do it, you know, just uh kind of like where the red towel is over there, go ahead, you know it's over here to your left there is this is I almost feel like this is live radio.

I like that. You know, behind you, I have a loss started. This started this this year. It's kind of a dry eraser board and you can look behind you and that's all the signatures of players that came in for media day. As you can see, everyone's above six six four six, so it's pretty high on the board, so there's a little room on the bottom. Jim, would you like to start a new tradition maybe if we have a guest on the Pelicans podcasting studio, Will Gilly, would you like to be the first non Pelican player to write your name on that at some point this special right now, if you would like it, just do it, you know, just uh kind of like where the red towel is over there, go ahead, you know it's over here to your left there is this is I almost feel like this is live radio.

And by the way, you know, we also have to say it's of course it's horrible. What's happening in Florida, but we weren't expecting Will to be able to be here in person today because he was supposed to be in Florida.

And by the way, you know, we also have to say it's of course it's horrible. What's happening in Florida, but we weren't expecting Will to be able to be here in person today because he was supposed to be in Florida.

But I guess the he's very disappointed by the way. Silver lining of that is, if you and Eric Spolster were like to go have dinner somewhere, Will Gillery, where where would where would Will Gillery and Eric Spolstra go have dinner in Miami? Is it? Is it Miami Beach? Or we go in Coral Gables or we're going somewhere you know different, Like where are we going to have dinner? If coach s Bolster says, you know, man, it's been a while, like to see you. Let's go out and have dinner, where would you go have dinner in Miami?

But I guess the he's very disappointed by the way. Silver lining of that is, if you and Eric Spolster were like to go have dinner somewhere, Will Gillery, where where would where would Will Gillery and Eric Spolstra go have dinner in Miami? Is it? Is it Miami Beach? Or we go in Coral Gables or we're going somewhere you know different, Like where are we going to have dinner? If coach s Bolster says, you know, man, it's been a while, like to see you. Let's go out and have dinner, where would you go have dinner in Miami?

I think it's hard to go wrong with prime went twelve man, especially if I'm not the guy paying the prime.

I think it's hard to go wrong with prime went twelve man, especially if I'm not the guy paying the prime.

Was always a good time. Yeah, all right, I got that man. Well go ahead, Jim, let's go. I can smell the dry eraser markers say you go. That is the first time n.

Was always a good time. Yeah, all right, I got that man. Well go ahead, Jim, let's go. I can smell the dry eraser markers say you go. That is the first time n.

KRT reach where Eve me c signed.

KRT reach where Eve me c signed.

He's different. Well him and Daniel Tice, well the very top.

He's different. Well him and Daniel Tice, well the very top.

So there you go, Yeah, Well, I guess we could start off by talking about I think the number one topic nationally about the Pelicans right now, which is Zion Williamson. I mean, what do you think about You got to see some of training camp, You got to watch him play in the first preseason game. Where he is right now maybe compared to the way he started some of these previous seasons.

So there you go, Yeah, Well, I guess we could start off by talking about I think the number one topic nationally about the Pelicans right now, which is Zion Williamson. I mean, what do you think about You got to see some of training camp, You got to watch him play in the first preseason game. Where he is right now maybe compared to the way he started some of these previous seasons.

Physically, Yeah, I think you kind of said it with the last word that physically, he definitely looks like a different guy. He looks like he's extremely locked in, extremely focused. You know, I was lucky enough during the off season to be able to spend some time with him out there in Texas, got to see a few workouts with him and kind of hear where his mind was at, and I think, uh, it's it's really uh you kind of see how much his his just mentality, maturity, level, commitment, it's all at a different level. And I think, you know, we talked about this a lot last year that for a lot of guys, it requires you know, going going through some failures, going through some times where you got to look in the mirror and things aren't going your way. And I think you know, during the early parts of Zion's career, there were injuries, there was turmoil within the coaching staff, there was upheaval on the roster, So there was a lot of reasons for him to not necessarily own some of the shortcomings early in his career. But I think in particular that that n Season tournament lost last year in Vegas, where they got embarrassed, lost by forty Lebron's out there stunting on them, I think that was a I think whenever Zion's career is over, I think we're gonna look back at that as a watershed moment in his career where it all kind of crashed down on him and it was kind of a destroy and rebuild type of thing where he kind of had to remove his ego and kind of say, I've got to fix something within myself. I got to approach things differently. And I think ever since then, when you talk to people around the Pelicans, his work ethic has been different. The way he communicates with his teammates is different, the way he's watching film is different. And I think you saw him progressing towards that leading up to him scoring forty in that playing game the Lakers and Unfortunately, of course he got hurt, but I think he kind of built on that during the offseason, and I think he's gonna be a different guy this year. Man. I think he's gonna be outstanding this season. I'm excited to see what he looks like.

Physically, Yeah, I think you kind of said it with the last word that physically, he definitely looks like a different guy. He looks like he's extremely locked in, extremely focused. You know, I was lucky enough during the off season to be able to spend some time with him out there in Texas, got to see a few workouts with him and kind of hear where his mind was at, and I think, uh, it's it's really uh you kind of see how much his his just mentality, maturity, level, commitment, it's all at a different level. And I think, you know, we talked about this a lot last year that for a lot of guys, it requires you know, going going through some failures, going through some times where you got to look in the mirror and things aren't going your way. And I think you know, during the early parts of Zion's career, there were injuries, there was turmoil within the coaching staff, there was upheaval on the roster, So there was a lot of reasons for him to not necessarily own some of the shortcomings early in his career. But I think in particular that that n Season tournament lost last year in Vegas, where they got embarrassed, lost by forty Lebron's out there stunting on them, I think that was a I think whenever Zion's career is over, I think we're gonna look back at that as a watershed moment in his career where it all kind of crashed down on him and it was kind of a destroy and rebuild type of thing where he kind of had to remove his ego and kind of say, I've got to fix something within myself. I got to approach things differently. And I think ever since then, when you talk to people around the Pelicans, his work ethic has been different. The way he communicates with his teammates is different, the way he's watching film is different. And I think you saw him progressing towards that leading up to him scoring forty in that playing game the Lakers and Unfortunately, of course he got hurt, but I think he kind of built on that during the offseason, and I think he's gonna be a different guy this year. Man. I think he's gonna be outstanding this season. I'm excited to see what he looks like.

You mentioned your visit with him in Texas. Can you kind of share with us some of what that was like. It seems like it was kind of a back to the basics, kind of no frills, kind of getting ready for basketball season type deal.

You mentioned your visit with him in Texas. Can you kind of share with us some of what that was like. It seems like it was kind of a back to the basics, kind of no frills, kind of getting ready for basketball season type deal.

As you guys know, as an NBA writer, we used to wait working late at night, so you know, waking up for six am workouts to watch Zion wasn't exactly the greatest part of my summer. You know, I'm not used to setting my a lawn that early in the morning, so that was definitely different. But it was the first time I ever got to experience anything like that, actually seeing an NBA guy in his element working out in a gym, you know, basically by himself getting to be around, you know, some of the people close to him getting to be around you know, a few PELS staff members, and I think ultimately one of the things I wrote about at the time I think that was very interesting in itself, that he made a commitment to having Pelicans people around him throughout the offseason. I think a lot of times early in his career he kind of go away in the offseason and they wouldn't hear from him until it was time to come back, right, And I think he made a commitment to being in constant communication with the team, having people around him in Texas, having assistant coaches out there with him in Texas.

As you guys know, as an NBA writer, we used to wait working late at night, so you know, waking up for six am workouts to watch Zion wasn't exactly the greatest part of my summer. You know, I'm not used to setting my a lawn that early in the morning, so that was definitely different. But it was the first time I ever got to experience anything like that, actually seeing an NBA guy in his element working out in a gym, you know, basically by himself getting to be around, you know, some of the people close to him getting to be around you know, a few PELS staff members, and I think ultimately one of the things I wrote about at the time I think that was very interesting in itself, that he made a commitment to having Pelicans people around him throughout the offseason. I think a lot of times early in his career he kind of go away in the offseason and they wouldn't hear from him until it was time to come back, right, And I think he made a commitment to being in constant communication with the team, having people around him in Texas, having assistant coaches out there with him in Texas.

So I think that's something that.

So I think that's something that.

He really wanted to make a commitment to the team, kind of showing that his approach was different. And I think also just seeing how he worked and just seeing how committed he was to doing the work, doing two a days. He had a professional chef out there living with him, fixing all of his meals, So I think you saw just where his mentality was different. And again, I just thought though the work he was doing was really impressive, and I think you see just him having a different level of commitment right now. And I think, you know, we've been fortunate enough with this group of guys. We've seen them all kind of as babies, and we've seen them grow up over time, and I think you really saw how much more mature Zion is now compared to where he was in twenty nineteen.

He really wanted to make a commitment to the team, kind of showing that his approach was different. And I think also just seeing how he worked and just seeing how committed he was to doing the work, doing two a days. He had a professional chef out there living with him, fixing all of his meals, So I think you saw just where his mentality was different. And again, I just thought though the work he was doing was really impressive, and I think you see just him having a different level of commitment right now. And I think, you know, we've been fortunate enough with this group of guys. We've seen them all kind of as babies, and we've seen them grow up over time, and I think you really saw how much more mature Zion is now compared to where he was in twenty nineteen.

By the way, I mean usually I see five or six am. It's because I'm coming in from the night before.

By the way, I mean usually I see five or six am. It's because I'm coming in from the night before.

So.

So.

It is a little behind the curtain. There will alone along those lines of what you're saying too. It's something that kind of stood out to me. And I was out there in the early part of training camp with Jim and Todd, and it's interesting I made the observation. I told him like if he didn't know, if he just had walked in and you're looking at practice, like, what's his problem?

It is a little behind the curtain. There will alone along those lines of what you're saying too. It's something that kind of stood out to me. And I was out there in the early part of training camp with Jim and Todd, and it's interesting I made the observation. I told him like if he didn't know, if he just had walked in and you're looking at practice, like, what's his problem?

Why?

Why?

Why is he what is he doing? She's constantly talking to himself like he's he's sitting down after you know, in the middle or towards the end of a drill and you know they're subbing players in and out. But he sits down on the bench and I mean his hands are going, he's pointing on the cord. Daniel Tice is trying to talk to him, and he walked away. Corey Brewers starts, I'm like, who what.

Why is he what is he doing? She's constantly talking to himself like he's he's sitting down after you know, in the middle or towards the end of a drill and you know they're subbing players in and out. But he sits down on the bench and I mean his hands are going, he's pointing on the cord. Daniel Tice is trying to talk to him, and he walked away. Corey Brewers starts, I'm like, who what.

Who's he have a problem with?

Who's he have a problem with?

What's what's going on? And grap is like, no, man, he's he's locked in. It's like you he he's upset about a player they didn't get the ball this way, or didn't score or something. I'm like, I'd never seen that other obviously than what I think we all saw towards the end of last season. And that was the thing that stood out me my final day of practice there on Thursday. That was the first day in that camp for me that I saw that as Graft likes to call it, that tiger stroll, not Tiger Woods, but like the real animal he's stalking, right, It's like it's that walk that he sort of has that gate where the play ends, and you know, he was talking smack to somebody that was gardening. I think it was Greg Munroe, and it was a play that ended and I don't remember if it was a block or a miss. It didn't go in, and he immediately starts pointing to the top of the key where Dejonte is like, give them ball, give them ball. He wanted to run the play again, got it, did a pick and roll, he dunked on him, and then he's still talking smack. And that's what I'm saying that that's different, right, I mean, that's different because we can see that and understand that in a game, the flow of a game, you're on camera, you're playing, but to see that at practice, because that translate, doesn't it.

What's what's going on? And grap is like, no, man, he's he's locked in. It's like you he he's upset about a player they didn't get the ball this way, or didn't score or something. I'm like, I'd never seen that other obviously than what I think we all saw towards the end of last season. And that was the thing that stood out me my final day of practice there on Thursday. That was the first day in that camp for me that I saw that as Graft likes to call it, that tiger stroll, not Tiger Woods, but like the real animal he's stalking, right, It's like it's that walk that he sort of has that gate where the play ends, and you know, he was talking smack to somebody that was gardening. I think it was Greg Munroe, and it was a play that ended and I don't remember if it was a block or a miss. It didn't go in, and he immediately starts pointing to the top of the key where Dejonte is like, give them ball, give them ball. He wanted to run the play again, got it, did a pick and roll, he dunked on him, and then he's still talking smack. And that's what I'm saying that that's different, right, I mean, that's different because we can see that and understand that in a game, the flow of a game, you're on camera, you're playing, but to see that at practice, because that translate, doesn't it.

Yeah, no doubt.

Yeah, no doubt.

And I think it's kind of what what I talked about before, where Zion came into the league, what everybody telling him how great he was, he was going to be the next this, he was going to be the next at And I think over time people have kind of forgotten who he is and how capable he is of being at the top, top level superstar. And I think for the first time, he's coming into this season really feeling like he's got something to prove, really feeling like, now, y'all, y'all really forgot who I am. I gotta show y'all what type of player I am. And of course a lot of that is, you know, things that he's done, the injuries, a lot of that. You can't really blame a lot of people for kind of turning their attention to guys like Wemby or John Moran or some of these other guys. But I think, I mean, we've all seen it. When that dude is locked in and playing at the level he can really play it. There aren't many people in this league who can mess with him at all. He's that level of superstar. And I think what you also saw at the end of last season was it wasn't just him scoring, because that's what we've seen all the time, is him being able to score at a high level once he really locks in defensively the way he has recently. And we've seen a little bit of that during the preseason. We saw it at the end of the last season. That's where he takes this thing to a whole different level and he turns into that all NBA MVP level guy where he's not only scoring twenty five twenty eight a night, but he's getting you steals, he's coming getting blocks from the weak side. That's when it's like, Okay, this guy is just dominating the game in every way possible.

And I think it's kind of what what I talked about before, where Zion came into the league, what everybody telling him how great he was, he was going to be the next this, he was going to be the next at And I think over time people have kind of forgotten who he is and how capable he is of being at the top, top level superstar. And I think for the first time, he's coming into this season really feeling like he's got something to prove, really feeling like, now, y'all, y'all really forgot who I am. I gotta show y'all what type of player I am. And of course a lot of that is, you know, things that he's done, the injuries, a lot of that. You can't really blame a lot of people for kind of turning their attention to guys like Wemby or John Moran or some of these other guys. But I think, I mean, we've all seen it. When that dude is locked in and playing at the level he can really play it. There aren't many people in this league who can mess with him at all. He's that level of superstar. And I think what you also saw at the end of last season was it wasn't just him scoring, because that's what we've seen all the time, is him being able to score at a high level once he really locks in defensively the way he has recently. And we've seen a little bit of that during the preseason. We saw it at the end of the last season. That's where he takes this thing to a whole different level and he turns into that all NBA MVP level guy where he's not only scoring twenty five twenty eight a night, but he's getting you steals, he's coming getting blocks from the weak side. That's when it's like, Okay, this guy is just dominating the game in every way possible.

Because that's why I was going to ask. It's something we get asked and talk about all the time. What is the reasonable expectation? What is the ceiling?

Because that's why I was going to ask. It's something we get asked and talk about all the time. What is the reasonable expectation? What is the ceiling?

Is?

Is?

What are do we expect? And will here? We are we you know, year six, and we're still at that point though. We want to see them in the postseason, right, I mean seeing him in the postseason. He wants to be in that postseason. I think we all agree we got that last little tantalizing taste. I know he last played on Monday in the preseason game, but the last real game was that forty point performance against the Lakers, a team that before that took it to the Pells. Same team, but that was a different z that night. And I think that's that that thing that gets so many Pells fans just salivating if that guy gets in the postseason. He is that type of player that can take a team into another round or further.

What are do we expect? And will here? We are we you know, year six, and we're still at that point though. We want to see them in the postseason, right, I mean seeing him in the postseason. He wants to be in that postseason. I think we all agree we got that last little tantalizing taste. I know he last played on Monday in the preseason game, but the last real game was that forty point performance against the Lakers, a team that before that took it to the Pells. Same team, but that was a different z that night. And I think that's that that thing that gets so many Pells fans just salivating if that guy gets in the postseason. He is that type of player that can take a team into another round or further.

Yeah, there's no doubt, and we've seen consistently throughout his career, you know, other than that Vegas game, when he gets on a big stage, he steps it up. He does what stars as a supposed to do. He rises to the occasion. He lifts you know, the guys around him. And I think you're exactly right. I think that hunger to finally feel what the postseason feels like, and I think will hurt some even more is that they made it twice while he's been here and he's had to watch from the side, right, And I think in particular last year, you really felt how much he was like, man, if I could have played, this thing would look so different. Right. It felt like the Peils were just not a complete team when they played against the Thunder, And of course the Thunder are a great team. They probably would have won that series regardless because of what everything they had. But every game you watched, it's like, man, this thing would look so different as Zion was out there. If Ludor had the guard Zion instead of brandon Ingram makes a difference, It would have made such a huge difference, and we all saw it. So you can only imagine how he felt watching from the sidelines, knowing, like you said, the last time he was on the court he was dropping forty on Lebron and Anthony Davis. So I think he felt, you know, all of that throughout the offseason, that disappointment, that angered all of those emotions. He kind of bothered it all up and put it into his put it into you know, making sure he changed the way he approached things, how he moved on a day to day basis. But again, we can say all of this and all of it sounds good, but he's got to deliver it throughout the season, and he's got to actually be on that playoff stage. He's got to be there when they need him most. I think that's one of the frustrating things for the Pelicans. Like you said, we've seen him reach those heights in place so great, but he hasn't been able to sustain it long enough, and especially sustain it into the postseason. So I think that's ultimately how he's going to be judged. He knows that that you can do whatever you want a regular season, but if you don't perform in that playoff stage, nobody cares. So that's what he has to do this season, and I think that's a pressure everybody within this organization feels this season.

Yeah, there's no doubt, and we've seen consistently throughout his career, you know, other than that Vegas game, when he gets on a big stage, he steps it up. He does what stars as a supposed to do. He rises to the occasion. He lifts you know, the guys around him. And I think you're exactly right. I think that hunger to finally feel what the postseason feels like, and I think will hurt some even more is that they made it twice while he's been here and he's had to watch from the side, right, And I think in particular last year, you really felt how much he was like, man, if I could have played, this thing would look so different. Right. It felt like the Peils were just not a complete team when they played against the Thunder, And of course the Thunder are a great team. They probably would have won that series regardless because of what everything they had. But every game you watched, it's like, man, this thing would look so different as Zion was out there. If Ludor had the guard Zion instead of brandon Ingram makes a difference, It would have made such a huge difference, and we all saw it. So you can only imagine how he felt watching from the sidelines, knowing, like you said, the last time he was on the court he was dropping forty on Lebron and Anthony Davis. So I think he felt, you know, all of that throughout the offseason, that disappointment, that angered all of those emotions. He kind of bothered it all up and put it into his put it into you know, making sure he changed the way he approached things, how he moved on a day to day basis. But again, we can say all of this and all of it sounds good, but he's got to deliver it throughout the season, and he's got to actually be on that playoff stage. He's got to be there when they need him most. I think that's one of the frustrating things for the Pelicans. Like you said, we've seen him reach those heights in place so great, but he hasn't been able to sustain it long enough, and especially sustain it into the postseason. So I think that's ultimately how he's going to be judged. He knows that that you can do whatever you want a regular season, but if you don't perform in that playoff stage, nobody cares. So that's what he has to do this season, and I think that's a pressure everybody within this organization feels this season.

Listening to Zion over the last ten days since training camp began, you can tell how much he's looking forward to playing with Dejontey Murray. What impact do you think Giontae is gonna make on Zion and just the team overall? I mean, is it the kind of thing where maybe we should be making even a bigger deal of his arrival in terms of what it's going to mean for the Pelicans overall?

Listening to Zion over the last ten days since training camp began, you can tell how much he's looking forward to playing with Dejontey Murray. What impact do you think Giontae is gonna make on Zion and just the team overall? I mean, is it the kind of thing where maybe we should be making even a bigger deal of his arrival in terms of what it's going to mean for the Pelicans overall?

Oh, I think exactly right.

Oh, I think exactly right.

And I think for one, you've heard ze kind of joke about it how you know, throughout his time, especially you know since Lonzo Ball and Eric Letzl, that team kind of got broken up where so much of the offense night to night was running through Bi and Zion, And we always talked about point Zion and Brandon Ingram whether he was a pseudo point guard, and those guys were certainly capable of doing it. I mean, his team won forty nine games last year with those guys running the offense night tonight. But I think it takes a toll over time on those guys or they've got to create shots for themselves and everybody else. And I think when those guys were in the gym with Dejontay Murray for the first time in Nashville, it was like, Man, I can't just get easy baskets. I could just run the wing and just get an open shot. I don't have to play one on five to get in mind, and I don't have to, you know, go through three or four guys in the paint to get to what I need. And I think that's what those guys are really excited about, the potential of just being able to get those easy buckets not have to work for every single basket. And I think with dejont I think on the he's excited about I just get to come out and just feed these guys. I don't have to get twenty five for us to compete. I don't have to feel the need to carry everything. When Trey Young's out of the game. I could just come out and just make the game easier for them, and that's gonna make me look good. So I think it's a reciprocal relationship. And I think also those guys have talked a lot about having Dejonte and Herb Jones on defense and the way those two guys create turnovers. And I think when you see the Pelicans teams at their best, it's when they're playing in transition. It's one Z's out there in the break, It's when Herb Jones is on the break Trey Murphy, and I think having Dejonte here is going to create more of those opportunities for those guys to get out and transition to get those easy baskets.

And I think for one, you've heard ze kind of joke about it how you know, throughout his time, especially you know since Lonzo Ball and Eric Letzl, that team kind of got broken up where so much of the offense night to night was running through Bi and Zion, And we always talked about point Zion and Brandon Ingram whether he was a pseudo point guard, and those guys were certainly capable of doing it. I mean, his team won forty nine games last year with those guys running the offense night tonight. But I think it takes a toll over time on those guys or they've got to create shots for themselves and everybody else. And I think when those guys were in the gym with Dejontay Murray for the first time in Nashville, it was like, Man, I can't just get easy baskets. I could just run the wing and just get an open shot. I don't have to play one on five to get in mind, and I don't have to, you know, go through three or four guys in the paint to get to what I need. And I think that's what those guys are really excited about, the potential of just being able to get those easy buckets not have to work for every single basket. And I think with dejont I think on the he's excited about I just get to come out and just feed these guys. I don't have to get twenty five for us to compete. I don't have to feel the need to carry everything. When Trey Young's out of the game. I could just come out and just make the game easier for them, and that's gonna make me look good. So I think it's a reciprocal relationship. And I think also those guys have talked a lot about having Dejonte and Herb Jones on defense and the way those two guys create turnovers. And I think when you see the Pelicans teams at their best, it's when they're playing in transition. It's one Z's out there in the break, It's when Herb Jones is on the break Trey Murphy, and I think having Dejonte here is going to create more of those opportunities for those guys to get out and transition to get those easy baskets.

And I think that's when this.

And I think that's when this.

Team is extremely dangerous because they have so many options that they can hurt you with when they're playing in the open court.

Team is extremely dangerous because they have so many options that they can hurt you with when they're playing in the open court.

Sometimes I think about some of the stats that people have listed about Zion's career the first few years that he's played, where it's like the only guy that's averaged twenty something points and shot sixty percent from the field. It's kind of frightening to think about what his efficiency could go to with a point guard that sees the floor like Dejonte and somebody that can get into the paint. So, I mean, that's definitely something that I think will be worth watching. Is I mean, can he take It's hard to ask a guy who's on high volume to say to say to him, like, yeah, I know you shoot sixty percent, but can you go can you go up from that? But I think it is it is possible that he'll do that. And I mean for BI and some of the other guys as well, I think, you know, the offense has been pretty good, but I think they need to get to top five, top ten efficiency. So I think that's something that Dejonte could bring in terms of the starting lineup. And obviously, so far with Trey Murphy being out and BI hasn't didn't play in the first preseason game and isn't going to play into the last game, it's made things a little easier in terms of figuring out who's gonna start. But I mean, what are your thoughts on what you think they're gonna do or just their ability to kind of throw so many different possible combinations of five guys out there.

Sometimes I think about some of the stats that people have listed about Zion's career the first few years that he's played, where it's like the only guy that's averaged twenty something points and shot sixty percent from the field. It's kind of frightening to think about what his efficiency could go to with a point guard that sees the floor like Dejonte and somebody that can get into the paint. So, I mean, that's definitely something that I think will be worth watching. Is I mean, can he take It's hard to ask a guy who's on high volume to say to say to him, like, yeah, I know you shoot sixty percent, but can you go can you go up from that? But I think it is it is possible that he'll do that. And I mean for BI and some of the other guys as well, I think, you know, the offense has been pretty good, but I think they need to get to top five, top ten efficiency. So I think that's something that Dejonte could bring in terms of the starting lineup. And obviously, so far with Trey Murphy being out and BI hasn't didn't play in the first preseason game and isn't going to play into the last game, it's made things a little easier in terms of figuring out who's gonna start. But I mean, what are your thoughts on what you think they're gonna do or just their ability to kind of throw so many different possible combinations of five guys out there.

Yeah, I gotta I gotta watch my words whenever we get to this conversation, because if I refer to Zion as the center, I think Willie Green might crash to the roof and tackle me. Because the words been put down, we are not allowed to refer to Zion Williamson as a center. He is the point guard of this TVs. The whatever you want to call Zion or this DNG, but you just don't call him a center. So I think there is potential where Zion's gonna play without a traditional center in the starting lineup. I think that might be the lineup we see the most where you can call HERB Jones the center. You could call CJ. McCollum the center if you want to. But I think they're gonna play small a lot. I think they're gonna be certain nights where you gotta throw a Daniel Tyss or even me Ce out there to kind of bang with a Jokich or an NB down the post. But I think with the way this roster is built, they want to play small as much as possible. What they want to use their depth on the wing. They want to have more shooters on the court, and I think it's going to be very interesting how successful they can be doing that, right because I think as much as the league has trended smaller ever since the Warriors have kind of taken over the league and did what they did with that death lineup, I think you've seen consistently the MVPs of this league being NICOLEA, Jokics, Joel Embiid, Giannis Antokumpo, big guys who dominate in the paint, and even the guys who aren't MVPs. Anthony Davis is one of the elite guys in the West. You can go down the list. A lot of these teams have really good, really dominant big guys in the paint. And how the Pelicans can compete with that, I think is gonna really tell a story of how far this season, how they can go this season. But I do think that we saw them lean into this a little bit at the end of last season. Right If you look back at that game they won at Phoenix late last year where they started Jonas Vanachulas played them three minutes and they went out and basically dominated that game against Phoenix. So Zion had I think it was the best game of his career on that night, yea. And I think they kind of saw that and they said, huh, what if we do this a little bit more? What if we kind of lean into this. And I think more than anything, what they saw with those lineups is, man, when you just spread the floor for Zion and you take those guys out of the paint, it makes it so difficult for defenses because you got to keep him away from the rim, but you also got to protect the three point line with Trey Murphy with Herb Jones, and it's hard to do both right. It's hard to keep those bodies in front of Zion but also prevent him from spraying out of hitting three pointers. And I think that's where you hear Willy Green say we've got to take forty threes, We've got to get more threes up because he understands that opens up the paint even more for Zion and Brandon Ingram. So I think they're gonna want to play small as much as possible. They want to play fast, but I think a lot of that is going to be determined by a how much those guys are committed to doing the little things like rebounding, like you know, being communicating on their switches, kind of doing the stuff where you can make up for your lack of size, but also committing to actually getting those threes up, taking the right types of shots, not bailing defenses out. So I think it's gonna be about how much those guys are committing to doing the right things night tonight. And also if Zion can raise his level and really play at the MVP level where you know, he could just make anybody look good, regardless who you put out there with them.

Yeah, I gotta I gotta watch my words whenever we get to this conversation, because if I refer to Zion as the center, I think Willie Green might crash to the roof and tackle me. Because the words been put down, we are not allowed to refer to Zion Williamson as a center. He is the point guard of this TVs. The whatever you want to call Zion or this DNG, but you just don't call him a center. So I think there is potential where Zion's gonna play without a traditional center in the starting lineup. I think that might be the lineup we see the most where you can call HERB Jones the center. You could call CJ. McCollum the center if you want to. But I think they're gonna play small a lot. I think they're gonna be certain nights where you gotta throw a Daniel Tyss or even me Ce out there to kind of bang with a Jokich or an NB down the post. But I think with the way this roster is built, they want to play small as much as possible. What they want to use their depth on the wing. They want to have more shooters on the court, and I think it's going to be very interesting how successful they can be doing that, right because I think as much as the league has trended smaller ever since the Warriors have kind of taken over the league and did what they did with that death lineup, I think you've seen consistently the MVPs of this league being NICOLEA, Jokics, Joel Embiid, Giannis Antokumpo, big guys who dominate in the paint, and even the guys who aren't MVPs. Anthony Davis is one of the elite guys in the West. You can go down the list. A lot of these teams have really good, really dominant big guys in the paint. And how the Pelicans can compete with that, I think is gonna really tell a story of how far this season, how they can go this season. But I do think that we saw them lean into this a little bit at the end of last season. Right If you look back at that game they won at Phoenix late last year where they started Jonas Vanachulas played them three minutes and they went out and basically dominated that game against Phoenix. So Zion had I think it was the best game of his career on that night, yea. And I think they kind of saw that and they said, huh, what if we do this a little bit more? What if we kind of lean into this. And I think more than anything, what they saw with those lineups is, man, when you just spread the floor for Zion and you take those guys out of the paint, it makes it so difficult for defenses because you got to keep him away from the rim, but you also got to protect the three point line with Trey Murphy with Herb Jones, and it's hard to do both right. It's hard to keep those bodies in front of Zion but also prevent him from spraying out of hitting three pointers. And I think that's where you hear Willy Green say we've got to take forty threes, We've got to get more threes up because he understands that opens up the paint even more for Zion and Brandon Ingram. So I think they're gonna want to play small as much as possible. They want to play fast, but I think a lot of that is going to be determined by a how much those guys are committed to doing the little things like rebounding, like you know, being communicating on their switches, kind of doing the stuff where you can make up for your lack of size, but also committing to actually getting those threes up, taking the right types of shots, not bailing defenses out. So I think it's gonna be about how much those guys are committing to doing the right things night tonight. And also if Zion can raise his level and really play at the MVP level where you know, he could just make anybody look good, regardless who you put out there with them.

You gave us rhyme or reason, which is something that I took out of Willie Green. I think a little bit ago, a couple of press conferences go him saying specifically what he had learned from last year, and I thought it was a very detailed answers after the game on Monday in which he said, yeah, look, we looked at how I do things, how does our offense do things, How can we use him better? And that's a you know, retrospective look of Okay, let's sit down and do those things. And I think that's where five out came from.

You gave us rhyme or reason, which is something that I took out of Willie Green. I think a little bit ago, a couple of press conferences go him saying specifically what he had learned from last year, and I thought it was a very detailed answers after the game on Monday in which he said, yeah, look, we looked at how I do things, how does our offense do things, How can we use him better? And that's a you know, retrospective look of Okay, let's sit down and do those things. And I think that's where five out came from.

Right.

Right.

We were speaking with Wesley Johnson earlier this week about that, specifically our new television analyst, What is that gonna do? And you just said that there's a reason they're doing that is the reason they're playing these lineups. I know, media and fan people not us, you know, but oh, it's because they can't get a trade for another center or so maybe something that I don't know. But the point is, I think it's important what you just said. The genesis of why they're doing what they're doing is what you just said. It's what Wesley Johnson just said that they're trying to, yes, not only give Zion space, but it's also to create the three point shot, which is something this team wants to do. So it's almost like two birds, wood and stone.

We were speaking with Wesley Johnson earlier this week about that, specifically our new television analyst, What is that gonna do? And you just said that there's a reason they're doing that is the reason they're playing these lineups. I know, media and fan people not us, you know, but oh, it's because they can't get a trade for another center or so maybe something that I don't know. But the point is, I think it's important what you just said. The genesis of why they're doing what they're doing is what you just said. It's what Wesley Johnson just said that they're trying to, yes, not only give Zion space, but it's also to create the three point shot, which is something this team wants to do. So it's almost like two birds, wood and stone.

So the thing in it, Oh, no doubt. I think they definitely put a whole lot of thought into it.

So the thing in it, Oh, no doubt. I think they definitely put a whole lot of thought into it.

I think, you know, for years, they've been putting a lot of thought into how do you build a team around Zion?

I think, you know, for years, they've been putting a lot of thought into how do you build a team around Zion?

Right?

Right?

And I think you've seen several iterations of this. They had the Drew Holliday Linzo build, right, they had the Steven Adams build. They try to do. You know, they brought in CJ. Let's see how CJ fits into this thing. I think it's been constantly evolving. I think part of it also is the fact that he's missed so much time, right, so they haven't had opportunities to see how it looks.

And I think you've seen several iterations of this. They had the Drew Holliday Linzo build, right, they had the Steven Adams build. They try to do. You know, they brought in CJ. Let's see how CJ fits into this thing. I think it's been constantly evolving. I think part of it also is the fact that he's missed so much time, right, so they haven't had opportunities to see how it looks.

You know, for long stretches with some of these lineups.

You know, for long stretches with some of these lineups.

But I think the conclusion they've come to over time is that we just got to clear the way for him and just just open up those runways and allow him to make those easy passes to the perimeter and put not only the right shooters, but the right just athletic guys around him where they can make up for what he lacks defensively or they can you know, get out on the fast break. And it's not just Zign you're worried about. You gotta stop Herb Jones in transition, you gotta stop Trey Murphy in transition. So I think, yeah, I think it's constantly evolving. You know, what the best lineups look like around Zion, how you can make him most effective. But I think a big part of that it's just him consistently bringing it night tonight, him consistently doing what it takes to help those other guys out. So I think that might end up looking different next year. Who knows, but I think there's no doubt that they put a lot of thought into what it's supposed to look like around Zion, But ultimately he's got to be out there performing night tonight so they can find some of those answers.

But I think the conclusion they've come to over time is that we just got to clear the way for him and just just open up those runways and allow him to make those easy passes to the perimeter and put not only the right shooters, but the right just athletic guys around him where they can make up for what he lacks defensively or they can you know, get out on the fast break. And it's not just Zign you're worried about. You gotta stop Herb Jones in transition, you gotta stop Trey Murphy in transition. So I think, yeah, I think it's constantly evolving. You know, what the best lineups look like around Zion, how you can make him most effective. But I think a big part of that it's just him consistently bringing it night tonight, him consistently doing what it takes to help those other guys out. So I think that might end up looking different next year. Who knows, but I think there's no doubt that they put a lot of thought into what it's supposed to look like around Zion, But ultimately he's got to be out there performing night tonight so they can find some of those answers.

I think sometimes we don't want to put too much stock into preseason results, but I think one of the things that was interesting to watch in the game against Orlando, which is a really good rebounding team, really good defensive team, pretty big lineup, was that the Pelicans held their own rebounding wise. It feels like that's something that we're going to have to keep a close eye on, is if they're going to keep trotting out small lineups as long as they can be competitive. I think on the boards, it's that'll be a problem. It's it won't be a problem.

I think sometimes we don't want to put too much stock into preseason results, but I think one of the things that was interesting to watch in the game against Orlando, which is a really good rebounding team, really good defensive team, pretty big lineup, was that the Pelicans held their own rebounding wise. It feels like that's something that we're going to have to keep a close eye on, is if they're going to keep trotting out small lineups as long as they can be competitive. I think on the boards, it's that'll be a problem. It's it won't be a problem.

You won't you don't have to.

You won't you don't have to.

You don't want to get into where you're getting pounded there and you're gonna have to start changing things up. But kind of switching to one of the other stories I think we've seen so far from training camp. Jordan Hawkins seemed like he had a really good training camp where he was making every shot, and then in the first preseason game against Orlando, he played really well, definitely one of the positive highlights of that game. What are your thoughts on just the potential that he has this year to make an impact and maybe provide the Pelicans with somebody off the bench. It feels like almost like he's like a secret weapon. Like people talk in the offseason a lot about the offseason moves that they made, obviously the players that they added, and some of the stars. But to me, he seems like maybe he's a little bit under the radar, especially from a national perspective.

You don't want to get into where you're getting pounded there and you're gonna have to start changing things up. But kind of switching to one of the other stories I think we've seen so far from training camp. Jordan Hawkins seemed like he had a really good training camp where he was making every shot, and then in the first preseason game against Orlando, he played really well, definitely one of the positive highlights of that game. What are your thoughts on just the potential that he has this year to make an impact and maybe provide the Pelicans with somebody off the bench. It feels like almost like he's like a secret weapon. Like people talk in the offseason a lot about the offseason moves that they made, obviously the players that they added, and some of the stars. But to me, he seems like maybe he's a little bit under the radar, especially from a national perspective.

No doubt, and you're exactly right. When you talk to people around a team, they love Jordan Hawkins. They are super high on his potential. They are very excited about the work he's done throughout the offseason. We've heard him say, you know, we were talking about, you know, what was it like to get things started in Nashville training camp. He's like, I've been in training camp for the past two months. I've been working every day in New Orleans preparing and you know, he talked about, you know, during your rookie season, when you're preparing for the draft, you don't really get a real offseason, right You're flying from state to state to work out for all of these teams. You don't get really any consistency with your workouts, with your meals where you are. So I think this was a much different offseason for him with how he was able to work day to day, how he was able to focus on what he needed to do to improve day to day.

No doubt, and you're exactly right. When you talk to people around a team, they love Jordan Hawkins. They are super high on his potential. They are very excited about the work he's done throughout the offseason. We've heard him say, you know, we were talking about, you know, what was it like to get things started in Nashville training camp. He's like, I've been in training camp for the past two months. I've been working every day in New Orleans preparing and you know, he talked about, you know, during your rookie season, when you're preparing for the draft, you don't really get a real offseason, right You're flying from state to state to work out for all of these teams. You don't get really any consistency with your workouts, with your meals where you are. So I think this was a much different offseason for him with how he was able to work day to day, how he was able to focus on what he needed to do to improve day to day.

And I think you've seen.

And I think you've seen.

Some of the fruits of that labor come to fruition with the way he's built up his body.

Some of the fruits of that labor come to fruition with the way he's built up his body.

I think he's physically stronger.

I think he's physically stronger.

You see him, you know, being more comfortable taking bumps. He talked about, you know, just being more mature in the way he uses running off of screens, creating shots for himself. And I think that's gonna be something very interesting, especially without Trey Murphy early in the season, how much they utilize him as that guy to come off the bench and really switch up the offense where we're running a whole lot of pick and roll with our starting the unit, and then we bring in Jordan Hawkins, and we're just running them off of screens, We're running them off of flares.

You see him, you know, being more comfortable taking bumps. He talked about, you know, just being more mature in the way he uses running off of screens, creating shots for himself. And I think that's gonna be something very interesting, especially without Trey Murphy early in the season, how much they utilize him as that guy to come off the bench and really switch up the offense where we're running a whole lot of pick and roll with our starting the unit, and then we bring in Jordan Hawkins, and we're just running them off of screens, We're running them off of flares.

You gotta worry about him.

You gotta worry about him.

It's not just him getting open knocking down shots, but then you overreact to them and that leads to other guys getting open shots. So I think that's something they really really want to utilize. And of course he does a lot of the stuff they want to do right. They want to shoot more threes, they want to play more in transition. These are all things that you know, feed into the strengths in his game. So I think he's the guy with a whole lot of potential and they can consistently get him playing, and they've got him out there with Trey and CJ. This team has the potential to be one of the best three point shooting teams in the league. And I think that's where you've heard that consistent mission from the coaching staff is like, we have guys who can make threes at.

It's not just him getting open knocking down shots, but then you overreact to them and that leads to other guys getting open shots. So I think that's something they really really want to utilize. And of course he does a lot of the stuff they want to do right. They want to shoot more threes, they want to play more in transition. These are all things that you know, feed into the strengths in his game. So I think he's the guy with a whole lot of potential and they can consistently get him playing, and they've got him out there with Trey and CJ. This team has the potential to be one of the best three point shooting teams in the league. And I think that's where you've heard that consistent mission from the coaching staff is like, we have guys who can make threes at.

A high level. They just got to shoot them right, They.

A high level. They just got to shoot them right, They.

Got to get them up because you can see, you know, Trey Murphy forty percent, guy CJ. McCollum was shot with forty three percent last year. Hawkin certainly has the potential to be a forty percent guy. Herb Jones jumped up and became a forty percent guy. So you've got the shooters, you just got to get the attempts up.

Got to get them up because you can see, you know, Trey Murphy forty percent, guy CJ. McCollum was shot with forty three percent last year. Hawkin certainly has the potential to be a forty percent guy. Herb Jones jumped up and became a forty percent guy. So you've got the shooters, you just got to get the attempts up.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And I think the other thing too that was interesting for Monday guys was him talking about it got to the free throw line seven times. That's something that you know, we've seen in Vegas, We've seen in a lot of different things, even that game in Washington where he's that much. This guy can shoot everything. It's not just threes, which is why I've always been a big fan of him, and I always tell, you know, poor Jim. I'm texting him during the game, like, ah, nobody can.

And I think the other thing too that was interesting for Monday guys was him talking about it got to the free throw line seven times. That's something that you know, we've seen in Vegas, We've seen in a lot of different things, even that game in Washington where he's that much. This guy can shoot everything. It's not just threes, which is why I've always been a big fan of him, and I always tell, you know, poor Jim. I'm texting him during the game, like, ah, nobody can.

Make a shot.

Make a shot.

This guy can come in and hit elbow jumpers, he can hit baseline jumpers, he can drive to the basket, he can shoot free throws, he can shoot three. So again it goes back to what I was saying with Willy greenback on Monday. I think they did a concerted effort to look at the talent they had, how can we best use everybody? And it just feels different. Will it just feels again We'll see right on the twenty third. But it just feels like this team has a better understanding of its roster and now it's just a matter of going out there and doing it as we close up. Man, anything else stan out to so far as we get ready for the final two preseason game Sunday against Miami and then Tuesday against Houston.

This guy can come in and hit elbow jumpers, he can hit baseline jumpers, he can drive to the basket, he can shoot free throws, he can shoot three. So again it goes back to what I was saying with Willy greenback on Monday. I think they did a concerted effort to look at the talent they had, how can we best use everybody? And it just feels different. Will it just feels again We'll see right on the twenty third. But it just feels like this team has a better understanding of its roster and now it's just a matter of going out there and doing it as we close up. Man, anything else stan out to so far as we get ready for the final two preseason game Sunday against Miami and then Tuesday against Houston.

I think, like you said, I think there are a lot of answers kind of were given to them. With Trey Murphy being out, I think is going to be maybe a little more difficult for Willy Green to figure out what these lineups look like night to night once they're fully healthy and they have all the pieces. Because they have so much perimeter talent, it's gonna be difficult to play all of these guys like to night. It just is what it is gonna be certain nights where like last year, where it's gonna be like, man, why is the Jose playing? Why is it Hawk playing? There's gonna be nice like that, just because they have so much talent. But also I think one guy I'm just gonna keep an eye on all years, even Mesie, just because the need for size, like we talked about on this team, and I think there are some people who got to see him in Nashville and they're.

I think, like you said, I think there are a lot of answers kind of were given to them. With Trey Murphy being out, I think is going to be maybe a little more difficult for Willy Green to figure out what these lineups look like night to night once they're fully healthy and they have all the pieces. Because they have so much perimeter talent, it's gonna be difficult to play all of these guys like to night. It just is what it is gonna be certain nights where like last year, where it's gonna be like, man, why is the Jose playing? Why is it Hawk playing? There's gonna be nice like that, just because they have so much talent. But also I think one guy I'm just gonna keep an eye on all years, even Mesie, just because the need for size, like we talked about on this team, and I think there are some people who got to see him in Nashville and they're.

Like, man, he might be a little further along than we thought.

Like, man, he might be a little further along than we thought.

I think they drafted him understanding that it was gonna be a little bit of a project. This was a guy who didn't start playing basketball until he was fifteen sixteen years old, only played one year at college basketball, but his skill set as a big guy who knows how to play in the dunker spot, who can catch lobs, who can block shots, he fits a lot of what teams want in centers today. But it's just about him getting the necessary experience and understanding of how to play on the NBA level. And I think I think he's a little bit further along than some people think. And I think it wouldn't surprise me if he kind of works his way into their rotation at some point. But I do think it's going to probably not make It's not gonna be open, and I don't think they're gonna play him thirty minutes or anything like that. But I do think that is gonna be a guy where everybody's saying they need centers, they need more size. I think eve mecI can be a guy who could potentially answer some of those questions. Down the road once he gets more experience under his belt.

I think they drafted him understanding that it was gonna be a little bit of a project. This was a guy who didn't start playing basketball until he was fifteen sixteen years old, only played one year at college basketball, but his skill set as a big guy who knows how to play in the dunker spot, who can catch lobs, who can block shots, he fits a lot of what teams want in centers today. But it's just about him getting the necessary experience and understanding of how to play on the NBA level. And I think I think he's a little bit further along than some people think. And I think it wouldn't surprise me if he kind of works his way into their rotation at some point. But I do think it's going to probably not make It's not gonna be open, and I don't think they're gonna play him thirty minutes or anything like that. But I do think that is gonna be a guy where everybody's saying they need centers, they need more size. I think eve mecI can be a guy who could potentially answer some of those questions. Down the road once he gets more experience under his belt.

Good point.

Good point.

Final thoughts, Jim, Yeah, I mean, I think he's unique. He has such a unique background because he's only played basketball for a few years. There aren't that many guys in the NBA that have that description to you know, how they enter the league. But I feel like he goes he alternates between watching some of the things he does and you say he's kind of raw and other times where you say, where did that footwork and reverse layup in the game against Orlando come from? Like that's not a guy who's I mean, you see guys that have played for ten to fifteen years that can't do that. So I mean, he he gives you glimpses of things that I can see why there's excitement about his promise down the road because I mean, he's some of the stuff that he's already picked up in the short amount of time that he's played makes me think, I mean, if you see the four files in the second quarter, but then you see some of the other good stuff that he did as well. So it's gonna be I think it's gonna be really interesting watching him and fun watching him the way that he develops throughout the season.

Final thoughts, Jim, Yeah, I mean, I think he's unique. He has such a unique background because he's only played basketball for a few years. There aren't that many guys in the NBA that have that description to you know, how they enter the league. But I feel like he goes he alternates between watching some of the things he does and you say he's kind of raw and other times where you say, where did that footwork and reverse layup in the game against Orlando come from? Like that's not a guy who's I mean, you see guys that have played for ten to fifteen years that can't do that. So I mean, he he gives you glimpses of things that I can see why there's excitement about his promise down the road because I mean, he's some of the stuff that he's already picked up in the short amount of time that he's played makes me think, I mean, if you see the four files in the second quarter, but then you see some of the other good stuff that he did as well. So it's gonna be I think it's gonna be really interesting watching him and fun watching him the way that he develops throughout the season.

Well, that's what I was gonna say.

Well, that's what I was gonna say.

If you're a big guy in the pain of even me see run, I'll say, watch ahead, because he's gonna be dropping some elbows on some folks. You don't mind picking up three files in three minutes, So that's gonna be one thing to keep an eye on too.

If you're a big guy in the pain of even me see run, I'll say, watch ahead, because he's gonna be dropping some elbows on some folks. You don't mind picking up three files in three minutes, So that's gonna be one thing to keep an eye on too.

Well, I'll tell you what you were saying, watch your head that way. I'll close up by saying watch your head the other way. As you were, you heard me ask the question of Willy Green Tuesday's first practice, on I mean Wednesday's first practice. On the Tuesday night practice, we saw he had a put back dunk on the Jean Tam Murray, who had position in front of the rim, was grabbing the rebound right. He was on his way to get it, and mes he jumped over him to grab the ball, And like I'm not kidding, I asked Willy Green, was his head above the backboard? I just want people to understand what that means. Was his head above the back.

Well, I'll tell you what you were saying, watch your head that way. I'll close up by saying watch your head the other way. As you were, you heard me ask the question of Willy Green Tuesday's first practice, on I mean Wednesday's first practice. On the Tuesday night practice, we saw he had a put back dunk on the Jean Tam Murray, who had position in front of the rim, was grabbing the rebound right. He was on his way to get it, and mes he jumped over him to grab the ball, And like I'm not kidding, I asked Willy Green, was his head above the backboard? I just want people to understand what that means. Was his head above the back.

You mean the square, not above the entire backboard.

You mean the square, not above the entire backboard.

That would be a feed.

That would be a feed.

Yeah, but I mean it was never unbelievable. I mean he jumped completely over the rim, I think and grabbed him and just I mean, and Dejon days not short, and that's one there's one of the things that I've seen in seeing him this closed. He's not a small point guard man, He's he's got some size on him. But it was crazy just to see that that's uncoachable, I mean not uncoachable. Sorry that you either have that coach you can't coach athletics and you don't for sure exactly. Well, thank you for your time, man, appreciate it.