Game 1 Over Reactions after impressive win

Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans made quick work of the Houston Rockets in the first game of the season. While over reactions are usually regretted by most hopeful contenders, no Pelicans fan should have any shame being proud of the team representing the Crescent City on Opening Night.

Last season was a bit chaotic, from the first game until the last. What started as an experimental season of a big 2 on the blocks, led to a compete roster and game strategy overhaul by the time the Warriors were celebrating the Finals win. Now the New Orleans Pelicans do not have much to worry about injury-wise, and can put their best foot forward. The initial impressions in the preseason left fan fraught with worry. Worry no more.

The Pelicans started in rhythm. They finished smiling like the groomsmen crew behind a wedding second line from the Hotel Orleans strutting around the whole block of Bourbon.

Nikola Mirotic was popping nets and Davis was rejecting all weak attempts at the rim. Elfrid Payton was running fast breaks like a young Jayson Williams.

Anthony Davis finished with 32 points, 16 boards, a crazy 8 dimes from different spots on the floor, 3 steals and those 3 blocks, with 2 early on Clint Capela. The MVP talk was not just marketing words delivered by a Klutch Sports lackey. Davis is serious about being the best player on the planet, and has filled into his body just as a whole team has filled in around the superstar.

The biggest over reaction from Game 1 is that Davis could have done more damage if the game was in any doubt. Davis unleashed is going to win the MVP, and his Russell Westbrook comments will over shadow any quirky stat honors that won Westbrook the award.

Nikola Mirotic jerseys are the hottest item in the NOLA CBD today. The only thing hotter is Mirotic’s shooting form, which was scorching the Rockets. Mirotic’s spacing and confident, quick release provided an extra acre of space in the paint. The Pelicans scored more points in the paint in the opening game against the Rockets than Houston allowed all of last year.

The biggest game one over reactions read on my debit card as a frivolous purchase  of a jersey from a player that might not play a full 4 years, not even a complete term, in NOLA. But the last 40 games of Mirotic has been worth it. The next 81 plus playoffs requires a fan be prepared. Finding a Mirotic jersey is difficult now. A few more games and an All Star selection later, a $100 over reaction will be a good investment.

Would anyone trade Mirotic for Melo and a pick, right now? Anyone that would even ponder a trade needs to sober up. As  for the national prognosticators in the media who soured on the Pelicans and slept on the offseason moves, one can only offer a little slap in the face and a splash of water, and the question “Rondo who?”

To recite the numbers of Elfrid Payton‘s season opening triple-double, one must only quote the great Billy Bob o Varsity Blues fame. Even the non-stat contributions of Payton were all “Ten! It was a Ten-Ten-Ten!” Ten points. Ten boards, Ten dimes. At least ten times Payton pushed the ball from a rebound and past a Houston defender to get a lob in the paint or an open shot from the wings.

Playing with urgency is exactly what this team needs to do. On the micro and macro levels, the Pelicans as constructed, and with Davis, need to feel urgency on the time line and the shot clock. The shot clock on the Pelicans championship window is still early, say 21 seconds left, but New Orleans needs as many shots as it can get at elevating Davis’ game, thus keeping him here and happy.

The biggest over reaction regarding Payton is an underworked and needless joke about New Orleans barbershops raising the level of play of all Louisiana native NBA players. Payton knew he needed a proper lineup, and could not could on LeBron James‘ new show. Between Mirotic’s beard and Payton’s blotch of locks going missing, the NOLA hair patrol has quite a claim, or a coincidence on its hands.

If Julius Randle is going to shoot 50% from deep, start the clock on my debit card for a big purchase of NBA FInals tickets. Julius Randle is the big dog near the porch that can clear the yard and the street. At one point, Jalen Rose pondered on the broadcast if all four Pelicans offensive threats would finish with a triple double.

If Jalen Rose would have nailed the “Davis will have a quadruple double this season” prediction in the very first game of the season, he would have been justified going in on the whole crew, set, channel, and sport of basketball. And he still would not be as hyped as Pelicans fans already dead set on reminding MVP voters of this game until Christmas.

Davis will get a quadruple double this season, and the Pelicans will finish with the most triple doubles by teammates in a game record. The Pelicans even won the 3rd quarter, though they were stuck on 97 too long. Still, that Western Conference Finals series against the Warriors is already whetting lips like the smell of fried gator tails and cold beer.

Sure, these reactions are more over done that hot wings forgotten in the fryer. At an early win this big, and with a little hot sauce, they’ll taste just fine.

The Pelicans are at home this Friday against Sacramento. Look for the Bourbon Street Bullies (New Orleans Street Outlaws) to again pound the points in the paint and push the pace as the season long push for a playoff passport unfolds.