Category: New Orleans Pelicans Blog

Pelicans blog – New Orleans Pelicans basketball blog

Jaylen Brown and Brandon Ingram named NBA Players of the Week

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown and New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram have been named NBA Players of the Week, for games played December 23-29, 2019. With Brown as the Eastern conference Player of the Week and Ingram from the West.

It’s the first time in Brown’s four-year career he’s received Player of the Week honors.

Brown, 23, averaged a team-high 27.0 points on 62.2% shooting (57.9% 3-PT), 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.0 steal over three games at Toronto and at home against Cleveland and Toronto. He was the only Eastern Conference competitor to produce at least 25.0 points on 60.0% shooting throughout the week.

The fourth-year forward reached the 30-point mark in both of Boston’s victories, including a career-high 34-point performance on 13-of-20 shooting (5-10 3-PT) against the Cavaliers on Dec. 27. Brown scored 30 points (76.9% FG) the previous game on Christmas Day in Toronto, marking the first time in his career he’s produced 30+ points in consecutive games.

Brown is the first Celtics player to receive Player of the Week honors since guard Isaiah Thomas did so in Feb. of 2017.

In 27 games this season (all starts), Brown is averaging 20.6 points (51.8% FG, 40.0% 3-PT), 7.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 33.6 minutes played. He’s one of four NBA players averaging at least 20.0 points on 51.0% shooting in 2019-20, joining Giannis Antetokounmpo, Karl-Anthony Towns and DeMar DeRozan.

Ingram helped lead New Orleans to a 4-0 week while averaging 25.3 points on .493 shooting from the floor, including .542 from three-point range and a perfect 1.000 from the free throw line, as well as 7.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.0 steals. The fourth-year pro finished the week ranked fourth in the NBA in total points scored (101), was one of four players to average at least 25.0 points while shooting over .450 from the field and over .500 from three-point range (of the four, Ingram held the highest FT%), and was one of just two players in the NBA to average at least 25.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.0 steals. Ingram led the Pelicans in scoring three out of their four games, and assists twice. On Christmas Day, Ingram connected on a career-high seven three-pointers at Denver, setting a new NBA Christmas Day record for three-point field goals by an individual.

Ingram becomes the eighth player in franchise history to earn Player of the Week honors, joining Baron Davis, Jamaal Magloire, Chris Paul, David West, Greivis Vasquez, Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins. It is the first time in Ingram’s career he has earned Player of the Week honors.

In 30 games this season, Ingram is averaging 25.3 points (10th in NBA), 7.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.0 steals.

Lonzo Ball shines, Pelicans win 4th straight game

The Pelicans on Sunday faced a badly-injured Rockets team that was without James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Clint Capela. But no win is automatic in the NBA. Work must still be put in. But the Pelicans have a bit of a flow lately and handled business. Here’s the New Orleans Times Picayune reporting:

The Rockets were forced to insert Austin Rivers and Eric Gordon into the starting lineup and dust off other little-used pieces. Somehow, their skeleton crew still set off fireworks.

Houston hit 15 3-pointers, but New Orleans countered with 18 makes of its own from behind the arc to pull out a 127-112 win. A sizzling Lonzo Ball hit seven 3s, a new career high, and E’Twaun Moore scored 25 points off the bench as the Pelicans won their fourth game in a row.

New Orleans, which outscored Houston 41-19 in the fourth quarter, has ripped off five wins in six games. It is now just 3½ games back of the eighth seed in the Western Conference.

Ball played perhaps his best all-around game in a Pelicans uniform, finishing with 27 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists.

For much of the season, the story of the Pelicans has just been wait-and-see until Zion Williamson is eventually healthy enough to make his NBA regular season career debut. And yes, that’s still the big season-long picture, but lately, New Orleans is playing solid basketball.

Pelicans sign Andrew Harrison to two-way contract

The New Orleans Pelicans signed guard Andrew Harrison to a two-way contract today.

Harrison, 6-6, 213, appeared in 11 games earlier this season (one with Memphis, 10 with Cleveland), averaging 4.1 points, 1.5 assists and 1.4 rebounds in 13.5 minutes per contest. Selected 44th overall by Phoenix in the 2015 NBA Draft out of the University of Kentucky, Harrison has appeared in 139 games (64 starts) for Memphis and Cleveland, holding career averages of 7.2 points, 2.8 assists and 2.0 rebounds in 21.2 minutes per game.

According to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, “Harrison started out this season with Memphis but was waived on Nov. 1. He was picked up by the Cavaliers just eight days later. ”

More from the Times-Picayune: “Harrison becomes the fourth Kentucky player on the Pelicans’ roster joining Anthony Davis, Julius Randle and Darius Miller. Harrison and Randle played together as freshman at Kentucky during the 2013-14 season.”

Harrison will wear #1 for the Pelicans and be available for the team’s home game tonight against Dallas.

New Orleans’s roster now stands at 17, including two two-way players (Harrison and Trevon Bluiett).

Per NBA rules, each team is allowed to carry two players on two-way contracts in addition to the standard 15 players on the roster. Players signed to two-way contracts will spend the majority of the year in the NBA G League, but can be called up to their NBA team for a maximum of 45 days during the season.

NBA Players of Week: Nikola Vucevic and Anthony Davis

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

A post shared by Orlando Magic (@orlandomagic) on

Magic center Nikola Vucevic has been named the NBA’s Eastern Conference Player of the Week, and Pelicans forward-center Anthony Davis the Western Conference Player of the Week for games played between November 11-18, 2018.

It marks the second time that Vucevic has won the award during his career and the first time a Magic player has won the award since Vucevic earned it for the period ending Mar. 30, 2014.

During four games last week, Vucevic averaged 27.8 ppg., 10.5 rpg., 4.0 apg. and 1.25 stlpg., while shooting .581 (43-74) from the floor and .471 (8-17) from three-point range. He led Orlando to a 3-1 record with wins over Philadelphia, the L.A. Lakers and New York. Vucevic tallied three double-doubles and scored 28-or-more points in three consecutive games, becoming the first Magic player since Dwight Howard accomplished the feat Mar. 1-5, 2012.

Vucevic has played and started in all 17 games this season, averaging a team-high 20.4 ppg., a team-high 10.8 rpg., 3.6 apg., 1.12 stlpg. and 1.12 blkpg. in 30.5 minpg., while shooting a team-best .556 (144-259) from the floor, .452 (19-42) from three-point range and .813 (39-48) from the free throw line. He has led (or tied) the Magic in scoring seven times, in rebounding 13 times and in assists twice.

Davis led the Pelicans to a 3-1 week behind averages of 34.3 points (ranked 2nd in the NBA), 14.0 rebounds (4th in the NBA) and 2.0 blocks (T-5th in the NBA). Davis helped lead the Pelicans to a win at Toronto – handing the Raptors just their second loss of the season, and their first loss at home, behind 25 points and a season-high 20 rebounds – a 19-point comeback victory against New York on Nov. 16, registering a season-high 43 points to go with 17 rebounds and five assists, and capped off the week with 40 points, eight rebounds and a career-high-tying eight assists, while shooting 20-of-21 at the free throw line, Nov. 17 vs. Denver. Davis finished the week as one of just five players (at least 50 field goal attempts) to shoot at least .500 from the floor, .400 from three-point range and .850 from the free throw line.

This marks the fifth time Davis has earned Player of the Week honors during his career, and the first time during the 2018-19 season, becoming the first player in franchise history to earn multiple Player of the Week honors in the same season since Chris Paul in 2008-09.

Davis is currently averaging 27.5 points (ranked fifth in the NBA), 12.7 rebounds (ranked tied for sixth in the NBA) and 2.8 blocks (ranked second in the NBA) on the season for the Pelicans.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

A post shared by New Orleans Pelicans (@pelicansnba) on

Pelicans will own a new G League team based in Birmingham, Alabama

The New Orleans Pelicans have acquired the right to own and operate an NBA G League team that will play in the renovated Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama. The team is expected to debut in Birmingham in the 2022-23 season following the renovations.

In an effort to accelerate player development, the team will begin play next season in Erie, Pennsylvania, as the Erie BayHawks, while its permanent home at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC) undergoes renovations. The name and identity of the team in Birmingham will be announced at a later date. The Pelicans organization will engage with the Birmingham community to determine an identity that best represents the city and the region.

“I’m so pleased to welcome the New Orleans Pelicans to the NBA G League’s growing family,” said NBA G League President Malcolm Turner. “The Pelicans join the league at an exciting time: We’re on the brink of 30 teams and are coming off our most productive season to date. I look forward to fans in Birmingham enjoying NBA G League basketball for seasons to come.”

“This is a tremendous day for the Pelicans organization,” said Pelicans owner Gayle Benson. “I’d like to thank the City of Birmingham, Mayor Woodfin and Tad Snider of the BJCC for being such fantastic partners in the endeavor. These are exciting times for this region, and we feel so fortunate to be a part of it.”

“We know this has been a lengthy process, but we wanted to ensure that we found the best partner for this endeavor, as we are fully invested in our team and building basketball in the Gulf South,” said Pelicans President Dennis Lauscha. “We’ve done our due diligence and researched markets across the region, and no one matched the interest and investment that the City of Birmingham will provide. Our NBA G League franchise is prepared to move to Birmingham as soon as the infrastructure and resources are in place, and we are willing to wait until renovations to Legacy Arena are complete to ensure we have the best facilities in the entire NBA G League. We are very anxious in becoming an active member of the Birmingham community. Additionally, we are excited to be able to accelerate our commitment to player development and establish our presence in the NBA G League by beginning play next year in Erie. We feel fortunate to be able to keep professional basketball in Erie, a city that has supported the team since 2008.”

“We are so excited to enter the NBA G League with our own exclusive affiliate,” said Pelicans Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations Dell Demps. “As a former coach and general manager in the G League, I fully understand the importance of player development and the significance behind giving players a chance to gain valuable experiences in game situations ones that can’t be replicated in practice or the film room. The opportunity to begin our operations next year in Erie is a great situation for our organization. The infrastructure is already in place, the transition in taking over basketball operations for the BayHawks will be seamless, and it allows us to accelerate our player development program. We’re thrilled that Birmingham will be the permanent home to our NBA G League team and look forward to bringing our brand of basketball and investment to the community. I’d like to thank Mrs. Benson, Dennis Lauscha and Mickey Loomis for their efforts to make this happen and their commitment to providing the resources we need to be successful.”

The Pelicans will partner with the BayHawks’ current management team, led by Owen McCormick and Matt Bresee, to operate the team in Erie. Most recently, the group in Erie has been in partnership with the Atlanta Hawks to host that team’s NBA G League affiliate while its arena in College Park, Georgia, is being completed. Erie has been the home to an NBA G League team since the 2008-09 season.

“We’re grateful to the New Orleans Pelicans organization for this opportunity to keep NBA G League basketball in Erie,” said Bresee, president of the BayHawks. “The league continues to experience tremendous growth and we’re thrilled for our fans, corporate partners and the Erie region as a whole that the Pelicans will be starting their NBA G League franchise here.”

Located just under 350 miles northeast of New Orleans, Legacy Arena will undergo a $123 million renovation and expansion prior to welcoming an NBA G League team. As part of the updates to the building, enhancements to Legacy Arena will include a new façade, new entrances and an expansion that will add a suite level and premium club space.

“We’re thrilled to have the Pelicans coming to Birmingham,” said Birmingham Mayor Woodfin. “We have worked hard to make sure we have the right assets in place so that we’re ready when opportunities come along to make our community an even better place to live. This is good for our residents, it’s good for our economy and it’s a great day for Birmingham.”

“Since opening in 1976, Legacy Arena has been fortunate to enjoy a rich sports history. We look forward to the opportunity to open the next chapter with the announcement that the New Orleans Pelicans organization will make Birmingham the home of its NBA G League team,” said Snider, CEO of Legacy Arena and BJCC. “When renovations to the arena are complete, Birmingham will have a very special venue that we’re confident will be a great facility in which to enjoy a first-class basketball experience.”

Five current Pelicans have NBA G League experience: Ian Clark, Cheick Diallo, Tim Frazier, Solomon Hill and Darius Miller. Since the NBA G League began in 2001, New Orleans has called up a total of 31 players, including 18 over the last three seasons, and assigned four players to the NBA G League for development or injury rehabilitation. Additionally, Demps and assistant coach Chris Finch both spent time honing their craft in the NBA’s official minor league with the Austin Spurs and Rio Grande Valley Vipers, respectively.

With today’s announcement, the NBA G League expands to a record 28 teams for the 2019-20 season.

Clippers trade Wesley Johnson to Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans have acquired forward Wesley Johnson from the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for center Alexis Ajinca.

In a subsequent transaction, the Clippers then waived Ajinca.

“Wes is a versatile player and a consummate professional who impacts the game on both ends of the court, and brings a strong, positive presence to the locker room,” said Frank. “We want to thank Wes for his contributions to the Clippers organization, and wish him, and his family, the best of luck in New Orleans.”

Johnson, 31, averaged 5.1 points and 2.9 rebounds in 17.8 minutes across 222 appearances (52 starts) in three seasons with L.A. The eight-year NBA veteran holds career averages of 7.2 points and 3.2 rebounds in 22.7 minutes through 571 games (321 starts) with the Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers. The Corsicana, Texas native was originally drafted by the Timberwolves with the 4th pick in the first round of the 2010 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-7 forward played his first two years of collegiate basketball at Iowa State before transferring to Syracuse.

Ajinca, 30, holds career averages of 5.3 points and 3.9 rebounds across 293 appearances in seven NBA seasons with Charlotte, Dallas, Toronto and New Orleans. A native of Saint-Etienne, France, the 7’2”, 248-pound center was selected 20th overall by Charlotte in the 2008 NBA Draft.

Pelicans waive Jarrett Jack and Garlon Green

The New Orleans Pelicans have waived guard Jarrett Jack and forward Garlon Green.

Green, who was originally signed on July 24 after playing on the Pelicans’ summer league team in Las Vegas, appeared in four preseason games, averaging 4.0 points and 1.5 rebounds. Jack, who signed with New Orleans on September 19, appeared in three preseason games, averaging 3.3 points, 2.0 assists and 1.0 rebounds.

New Orleans’s roster currently stands at 16, including one two-way player (Trevon Bluiett).

Pelicans waive Darius Morris and Brandon McCoy

Pelicans waive Darius Morris and Brandon McCoy

The New Orleans Pelicans have waived guard Darius Morris and center Brandon McCoy.

McCoy, who signed with the Pels on September 29, played in three preseason games, and averaged 2.7 points and 2.7 rebounds.

Morris, originally signed on September 4, appeared with New Orleans in three preseason contests, and averaged 1.7 assists per game.

New Orleans’s roster currently stands at 18, including one two-way player (Trevon Bluiett).

Pelicans finish NBA preseason 0-5

Preseason is just a warmup, but it’s still not exactly a positive sign when a team fails to register a single win. Here’s The Advocate reporting on the Pelicans, who lost all five of their 2018-19 preseason games:

Nothing matters until next Wednesday’s regular-season opener at Houston, but the New Orleans Pelicans joined a very small list by losing their preseason finale against the Toronto Raptors.

Despite facing what amounted to a junior varsity lineup while playing their regular starters in a dress rehearsal for the games that count, the Pelicans could not muster up enough defense to win, falling 134-119 on Thursday night at the Smoothie King Center.

Toronto never trailed in the second half, shooting 53 percent from the floor and 43.8 percent from the 3-point line.

“It’s concerning,” coach Alvin Gentry said. “More so than anything, we’ve got to do a much better job of just guarding the ball and keeping it in front of us.”

Pelicans sign center Brandon McCoy

The New Orleans Pelicans have signed free agent center Brandon McCoy.

It is very likely a non-guaranteed deal that merely brings McCoy to training camp.

McCoy, 7-1, 250, went undrafted in the 2018 NBA Draft. The Chicago native spent one season at UNLV, appearing in 33 games and averaging 16.9 points, 10.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks.

McCoy will wear #12 for the Pelicans. New Orleans’ training camp roster now stands at 20.