Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

Previewing the New Orleans Pelicans with The Bird Writes and Pelican Debrief

By Philip Rossman-Reich

NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 29: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans react during the first half of a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Smoothie King Center on November 29, 2017 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. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 29: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans react during the first half of a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Smoothie King Center on November 29, 2017 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. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The New Orleans Pelicans are an intriguing team that have struggled in some areas and succeed in others. I chat with Pelicans writers to preview the game.

The Orlando Magic have had things rough for the last month or so. Losers of 17 of their last 20 games, they went from one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference and one of the best stories in the league to one of the most disheartening.

The last game the Orlando Magic were fully healthy came Oct. 30 in a win over the New Orleans Pelicans. There Marreese Speights was draining 3-pointers and the Magic could seemingly do no wrong.

At 5-2, Orlando was the story of the league. Things have fallen apart quickly since then. D.J. Augustin injured his hamstring and the cascade of injuries began.

The losses have continued to pile up. And Orlando, featuring a top-10 offense and defense at the time, have fallen into despair once again. The Magic’s surprise run to a Playoff spot has turned back into a December eye on the Lottery.

The Pelicans have also had their ups and downs this season. Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins have found a way to work together. But it is definitely not consistent.

Like some of the star-studded Magic teams of the early 2000s, the Pelicans are supremely talented but have struggled to play that way consistently. At 15-16, New Orleans is still well within the Playoff spot. Both Davis and Cousins have had fantastic year. But the Pelicans have been terrible on defense. And even their fans are complaining about consistent effort.

Life is much easier with Davis and Cousins on the roster. They can cover up a lot of mistakes.

And they have for this Pelicans team. It is still not clear what New Orleans team Orlando will get when the team comes to town Friday at the Amway Center.

It is not certain what team the Magic will be either. Orlando is still down several players due to injury and the team’s losing streak has certainly cast a pall over the team.

To get ready for tonight’s game and to recap where the Magic are at this season, I joined Preston Ellis on The Bird Writes Podcast. On today’s episode of Locked On Magic, we discussed where the Magic are at and what will happen in tonight’s game:

In addition, I went out looking for a better understanding of the Pelicans and spoke with Chris Conner of Pelican Debrief to preview tonight’s game.

Here is our question exchange, and be sure to check out my responses to his questions about the Magic over at Pelican Debrief later today.

Philip Rossman-Reich, Orlando Magic Daily: So how exactly has the DeMarcus Cousins/Anthony Davis pairing worked? The Magic tried that two bigs thing last year and it was . . . not so good.

Chris Conner, Pelican Debrief: Well, it is working from a statistical perspective. The Pelicans are not struggling with the things most people thought they would. They are spacing the floor well and are sixth in 3-point shooting. Boogie and AD are unlike any two bigs ever paired together.

I do not think we have ever seen two top-flight big men with the various abilities these two have. From ball handling to playmaking and shooting, they offer quite the matchup problem. Their biggest issue has been the turnovers and the inconsistencies in effort on defense. They could use additional wing help to improve the team. If we are judging solely the tandem, they have worked well together.

If the Pels can address the turnovers and the defense, they will close games out better. Which should equal more wins.

OMD: Everyone talks about the Pelicans’ bigs, but what has worked about their backcourt and perimeter players?

Pelican Debrief: The Pelicans have done a good job of making the best of their backcourt. They have not asked guys to do more than their abilities offensively. E’Twuan Moore has shot the ball well. And Jrue Holiday has been exceptional off the ball. The coaching staff has allowed him to attack wherever he desires on the floor. When those two are aggressive the Pelicans are a completely different team.

Rajon Rondo’s leadership and craftiness have been a welcomed edition. He is still one of the better playmakers in basketball and has improved as a shooter. Jameer Nelson (who I will get into shortly) and Tony Allen have brought leadership and poise. Ian Clark has also had his moments.

The offense has not been the problem for New Orleans.

OMD: The Pelicans acquired Magic fan favorite Jameer Nelson. How has he fit in? Has he made any kind of impact on the team? Can we borrow him for like a few weeks?

Pelican Debrief: Sure, let us borrow any of the athletic wings you guys have. Jameer has been great. He has started some games, and he has closed others. Jameer brings an added veteran presence past NOLA teams have missed. Now if only he could play defense.

Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic /

Orlando Magic

OMD: Do the New Orleans Pelicans have enough to make the Playoffs? What makes a successful season for them and how do they achieve it?

Pelican Debrief: They can, especially with so many teams of the Western Conference figuring themselves out. A successful season means a playoff appearance at worst. The current roster should be enough, but any 6-foot-6 to 6-foot-8 small forward would be welcomed. With DeMarcus Cousins’ pending free agency, the Pelicans do not have beyond this season to get things right.

They also have a newly rumored Anthony Davis trade circulating daily. It is difficult to see a future with AD if this season falls apart.

OMD: What is your perception of the Orlando Magic and where they are at right now?

Pelican Debrief: The Magic are so tough to figure out. Mainly because I think they have one of the better-talented rosters in basketball. I would argue top 10 honestly. Injuries have played a big role in their demise as you mentioned. I personally would like to see them move Elfrid Payton and Nikola Vucevic. They have a plethora of athletes that would be extremely fun to watch in an even faster system. They are currently seventh in pace, so maybe as the team gets healthier we will see a resemblance to their start of the season.

Next: Orlando Magic lacking fight and everyone knows it

My thanks to Chris for answering some of our questions ahead of tonight’s game. You can follow him on Twitter @impatientbull.