Dell Demps

Pelicans.com

NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Pelicans announced that after discussions with Dell Demps this morning, the team and Demps have decided to mutually part ways.

“We will immediately begin the process of restructuring our basketball operations department,” stated Pelicans Owner Gayle Benson. “This will include a comprehensive, but confidential, search aided by outside consultants to identify a new leader of our basketball operations, directly reporting to me.”

Danny Ferry will assume the team’s interim general manager duties. Ferry most recently served as the Pelicans’ Special Adviser for the last three seasons and has over 25 years of NBA experience as both a player and front office executive. His previous front office experience includes President of Basketball Operations and General Manager for the Atlanta Hawks (2012-15), Vice President of Basketball Operations for the San Antonio Spurs organization (2010-12), and General Manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers (2005-10).

Benson added, “I would like to extend my appreciation to Dell for his tireless work and commitment to our team over the last eight-plus years. Dell, his wife Anita, and his family have been a credit to our city and I wish them nothing but the greatest success going forward.  As difficult as these decisions are, my responsibility is to provide the leadership and resources necessary to deliver a winning team to our fans and community. I take that responsibility seriously and would like to assure our fans that I am prepared to provide any, and all, resources required to compete for championships. My expectations, and the expectations of our fans, are that this team will compete at a high level for the remainder of the season. While we still have many more critical decisions to make when this season comes to an end, I am focused on making sure we are properly positioned to succeed and that we are headed in the right direction. Finally, I would like to recognize and thank our fans for their support through all of this. I am excited about our future and the opportunities ahead.”

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New Orleans Pelicans part ways with Dell Demps

NEW ORLEANS – New Orleans Pelicans General Manager Dell Demps released the following statement today:

“Anthony Davis will play the remainder of the 2018-19 season for the New Orleans Pelicans. A number of factors contributed to this decision. Ultimately, Anthony made it clear to us that he wants to play and he gives our team the best opportunity to win games. Moreover, the Pelicans want to preserve the integrity of the game and align our organization with NBA policies. We believe Anthony playing upholds the values that are in the best interest of the NBA and its fans. We look forward to seeing Anthony in a Pelicans uniform again soon.”

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Statement from New Orleans Pelicans general manager Dell Demps

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University of the Pacific Athletics will honor former collegiate men’s basketball great Dell Demps by retiring his No. 5 jersey at halftime of the Jan. 17 Tigers’ game against University of San Francisco.

“I am very thankful and honored to have my basketball jersey retired at University of the Pacific,” said Demps, who after playing at Pacific went on to play professionally for 10 years and is currently the vice president of basketball operations and general manager of the National Basketball Association’s New Orleans Pelicans. “I had an absolute fabulous experience being a student-athlete for the Tigers. I want to thank my teammates, coaches and Tiger fans for all of the support, camaraderie and friendships. I learned so much from so many great people on and off the court. Words cannot express my joy and happiness to receive this great honor.”

Demps joins an esteemed group of Tiger alumni honored with retirement of their collegiate numbers. Already retired are Keith Swagerty’s No. 32, John Gianelli’s No. 23, Ron Cornelius’ No. 44 and Michael Olowokandi’s No. 55. All of which went on to play professionally following their respective careers at Pacific.

“I am pleased that Pacific Athletics will honor Dell Demps this season for his contributions to the game and to Pacific by adding him to a prestigious group of men’s basketball players that have had their jerseys retired, expressed Pacific Director of Athletics Janet Lucas. “Dell excelled on the court, in the classroom, and he exemplified the qualities that we continue to look for in our Pacific student-athletes.”

Pacific Athletics, the Pacific Athletic Foundation, and the men’s basketball program will host Demps for his jersey retirement during the Tigers’ West Coast Conference matchup against the University of San Francisco.

A 6-foot-4-inch swingman out of Mount Eden High School in Hayward, Demps was a four-year starter for the Pacific men’s basketball program from 1988-92. He was a three-time All-Big West selection, which included earning First Team honors in 1991-92 and Second Team honors in 1989-90, and was a two-time team MVP for the Tigers.

Demps emerged as one of the most prolific scorers in Pacific history, still ranking second with a career total of 1,742 points. He also remains second among all four-year Tiger players with a
career average of nearly 15.2 points per game. In addition, Demps continues to hold the record for assists in a game with 14 in Pacific’s dominating 108-87 win at UC Irvine on Jan. 7, 1991.

The All-Academic performer averaged nearly 19 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game in his final season with the Tigers. He ranks among the top-five all-time Tigers in three categories: second in three-point field goals made (230), fourth in made field goals (598), fourth in total assists (350), and the fourth player in program history to have played in at least 115 games.

“Dell is a valued member of the Pacific Basketball family and it’s going to be an exciting night to see his jersey get retired, added head coach Damon Stoudamire. “I have known Dell for years
and he has helped out tremendously in my short coaching career thus far.”

After his time at Pacific, the undrafted Demps went on to play 10 years professionally, both internationally and in the NBA. He spent three seasons in the NBA with the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs and Orlando Magic. After coaching in the NBA G League from 2001-03, Demps was a scout for the New York Knicks before moving into basketball operations where he served as the director of pro player personnel for the San Antonio Spurs for five seasons. Demps is currently in his ninth season as the senior vice president of basketball operations and general manager of the New Orleans Pelicans.

Demps was inducted into the Pacific Athletics Hall of Fame during the 2003-04 academic year.

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Pacific Athletics to retire Dell Demps’ No. 5

Jim Eichenhofer

BIRMINGHAM – You have questions, we have answers. Here are some of the most frequently-asked questions related to the new G League team, with helpful assists from New Orleans Pelicans President Dennis Lauscha and General Manager Dell Demps:

What’s the timetable for the team to begin playing in Birmingham?

As renovations continue on the future home of the G League franchise, Legacy Arena in Birmingham, the Pelicans’ temporary affiliate will be in Erie, Pa., for at least the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons. When renovations are complete, Birmingham will become the Pelicans’ affiliate, as early as 2021-22.

What will the G League team’s nickname be?

The plan is for the Birmingham community to be involved in the process of selecting the nickname.

“We’ll start having some fun in naming the team, (by) engaging the fans,” Lauscha said. “And do some other fun marketing things in Birmingham, over the next two years.”

“We started studying the demographics and looking at the Legacy Arena, and discussed the various improvements that are going to be made in the arena,” Lauscha said of the decision to choose the city of 210,000 people. “At the end of the day, we were very impressed with their vision and are very bullish on the market.”

Lauscha noted that based on metrics used by the G League to determine the strength of markets, Birmingham received high marks, in areas such as the demographics of sports fans and TV market size.

In addition, the city’s location in Alabama is in close proximity to New Orleans, allowing players and team personnel to easily shuttle between the two locations. This morning, separate contingents from the Pelicans organization traveled to Birmingham by bus (it’s only about a five-hour drive) and plane (one hour).

“Having the players feel like they’re still connected to the team while they’re on assignment is very important,” Demps said, citing his extensive previous experience as an assistant coach and GM in the G League.

How important was it for the G League team to be located in the Gulf South?

In baseball, some MLB franchises have grown regional fan interest in cities where they have a minor-league affiliate. The Pelicans hope to accomplish the same thing in Alabama, as well as throughout the Gulf South.

“When we bought the basketball team (in 2012), we said right away that we have to develop all seven million people in the Gulf South into basketball fans,” Lauscha remembered. “We really live by that. If you look at our broadcast reach, our telecast reach, we are reaching into all of these communities throughout the Gulf South. We definitely do see this as an opportunity to extend that reach further.”

Both the NFL’s Saints and Pelicans receive fan support beyond Louisiana in Mississippi, southern Alabama and the Florida panhandle, but the organization wants to increase that on the basketball side.

How many employees will the Birmingham team have?

Lauscha estimated that between coaches, ticketing staff and administrative staff, total full-time staff will consist of between 30 and 50 employees. Lauscha added that in the interim period prior to the G League franchise calling Birmingham home, the Pelicans are considering potentially holding a training camp or preseason game there. Houston and Memphis played a preseason game in Legacy Arena on Oct. 2.

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FAQs: New Orleans’ future G League franchise in Birmingham

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Playground court dedication at A.L Davis 10-9-18

Jarrett Jack started 56 games for New York last season, ranking 18th in the NBA in assists, averaging 5.6 dimes. The point guard notched a triple-double in a Jan. 10 game vs. Chicago, along with a 22-point, eight-assist performance vs. New Orleans four days later. Despite those recent accomplishments and a career resume that’s exceptionally thick – 867 games played, over 9,000 points scored and nearly 4,000 assists distributed – as training camp approached this fall, the 13-year NBA veteran remained unsigned.

A 2005 first-round pick who’s suited up for eight different NBA franchises, it takes a lot to faze the 34-year-old at this stage, but even he was somewhat perplexed to still be on the free-agent market after such a productive year in the Big Apple. New Orleans officially added Jack on Sept. 19, ending what had been a long offseason of waiting.

“It was a bit surprising to me,” a candid Jack said when asked about being a late-offseason pickup. “I thought I had a pretty solid year last season, and I think I’ve cemented myself as being an NBA player for some years now. To be playing the waiting game that late, it was unfamiliar territory for me. Nonetheless, I’d rather go to the right fit, instead of just signing anywhere. I think (New Orleans) is a good fit for me. I’m going to come in and try to do what I’ve done for the last (13) years.”

New Orleans cycled through multiple backup point guards on 10-day contracts in ’17-18, never finding a permanent solution. Meanwhile, Jack experienced his best and healthiest season since ’14-15, when he played 80 games for a Brooklyn team that reached the playoffs. Prior to an ACL injury Feb. 6 to Kristaps Porzingis, the Knicks were much more competitive than expected, at 18-18 on Dec. 30 after Jack posted 15 points and seven assists to beat the Pelicans in the Smoothie King Center. He averaged 18.5 points and 7.5 assists against New Orleans in last season’s two head-to-head matchups.

In addition to what Jack still provides between the lines, the Pelicans obtained a player with ample experience, one Dell Demps and the organization have now acquired three separate times (trade in ’10, in-season signing in ’17).

“I think they just appreciate what I bring to the table, personally and professionally,” Jack said of the Pelicans’ perspective. “I always hold myself to a high standard in those two categories.

“Dell expressed those things. Even though they have some seasoned guys here, they still have a very young group. The next-oldest player here is maybe 29, E’Twaun (Moore). Having guys around in these atmospheres that they are trying to get to, the culture they want, I guess I’m one of those pieces. I’m going to try to be as much of a positive influence as I can be.”

For all of the positives Jack can bring to a roster, he wasn’t naïve about one potential factor behind his unsigned status for much of this summer. He realized that as a 34-year-old point guard, NBA teams sometimes tend to first explore flashier options with more “upside.”

“Obviously right now I’m not oblivious to that,” Jack said of his age. “Everybody wants to get younger in this league – that’s kind of the sexy thing to do, for whatever reason. I mean, I’m about to be 35 in October. I understand the hesitancy. Age is the thing they like to throw out (as justification to not to sign an older player). You never know exactly what people’s reasoning is, but like I said, I’d rather get called into something that’s a good fit than just go anywhere.”

While looking back on last season and ahead to ’18-19, Jack describes his approach as relying on what’s always worked for him, since even before he entered the NBA as a highly-decorated prospect who’d led Georgia Tech to the ’04 Final Four.

“I stuck to my blueprint, what I’ve done the entire time,” he said. “It’s been about fighting and scrapping through everything, tough times, bumps in the road, injuries. But always keeping a competitive mindset.”

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Entering 14th NBA season, Jarrett Jack leans on experience, track record of success

Today's Black and Blue Report presented by SeatGeek is hosted by Daniel Sallerson as he welcomes on Jim Eichenhofer to preview the Pelicans season and John DeShazier to recap the Saints Week 3 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

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Black and Blue Report presented by SeatGeek: September 24, 2018

1)      New Orleans’ 2018-19 season begins officially Monday, with Media Day events taking place this morning and afternoon.

2)      Ahead of a scouting trip, Dell Demps addressed the media Friday. Watch his press conference here.

3)      One common theme for the Pelicans this season will be their desire to build on and potentially surpass their excellent ’17-18 campaign.

4)      Listen to Friday’s Black and Blue Report for takeaways from Demps’ media availability.

5)      Training camp practices will commence Tuesday at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Camp and the team’s five-game preseason docket will be used partly to acclimate several new players into Alvin Gentry’s system and rotation.

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Five things to know about the Pelicans on Sept. 24, 2018

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