Pelica Debrief
Fansided

New Orleans Pelicans: The 3 best quotes from media day

By Willie Lutz

NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 30: JJ Redick #4 of the New Orleans Pelicans poses for a portrait on September 30, 2019 at the Ocshner Sports Performance Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 30: JJ Redick #4 of the New Orleans Pelicans poses for a portrait on September 30, 2019 at the Ocshner Sports Performance Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – AUGUST 25: Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry talks with Executive VP of Basketball Operations for the Pelicans David Griffin during the BIG3 playoffs at Smoothie King Center on August 25, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/BIG3 via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – AUGUST 25: Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry talks with Executive VP of Basketball Operations for the Pelicans David Griffin during the BIG3 playoffs at Smoothie King Center on August 25, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/BIG3 via Getty Images) /

“They didn’t put us on national TV 30 times to take a beating” ~ David Griffin

This season, the New Orleans Pelicans are going to be something of a media spectacle.

It wasn’t enough to just have the most-hyped first overall pick since LeBron James. They traded for Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Derrick Favors. Then, they added J.J. Redick. Plus, they have Jrue Holiday. It’s an embarrassment of riches.

The Pelicans don’t expect championship glory in the first year of their rebuild, but at the very least, there’s an expectation that this team will be competitive.

David Griffin has a point. If it was the spectacle alone, that would be one thing, but this team has enough talent to keep it close, if not win, every night.

Considering the medium of national television, it’s important to remember that usually when you’re playing on ESPN, TNT, etc., you’re going to be playing really good teams. Getting smacked over and over again by the Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, or Golden State Warriors is more thoroughly disappointing when the whole country is watching.

When the team opens the season against the Toronto Raptors, they’re already playing on TNT, so the spotlight starts early for this young roster. In fact, three of their first four games are going to be on national television.

It’s pretty clear that the team will lean on Holiday and Williamson in big spots this season. The very well could be one of the best big-twos in the league if Zion excels early and often.

For the New Orleans Pelicans, this means they need to come together as a unit, so they can start playing solid, team-oriented basketball early in their 2019-2020 campaign. Otherwise, it might be a longer season than anyone anticipated.

Home/Pelicans News