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pelicans-draft-war-room-2019

Pelicans Draft War Room 2019

1)      After a two-day break from games, New Orleans (23-29) visits San Antonio (31-22) at 7:30 p.m. tonight. The Pelicans are expected to be extremely short-handed again, with various key contributors remaining sidelined by injury. Pregame coverage on Fox Sports New Orleans and WRNO 99.5 FM begins at 7.

2)      One of those players is Anthony Davis. Watch Davis’ full Friday press conference in Metairie.

3)      Read a recap of Davis’ media session.

4)      Listen to Friday’s Black and Blue Report, featuring a guest appearance by Pelicans TV play-by-play voice Joel Meyers.

5)      Rookie two-way guard Trevon Bluiett underwent surgery on his right thumb.

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Five things to know about the Pelicans on Feb 2, 2019

SAN ANTONIO – Instead of a commonplace team chant such as “1-2-3, Pelicans,” in recent games New Orleans players and coaches have come out of huddles saying “1-2-3, have fun,” a message that appears to represent more than just some altered phrasing. New Orleans center Jahlil Okafor said after Saturday’s shootaround that the Pelicans are emphasizing the enjoyment of playing, something that can get lost during the grind of an 82-game season – perhaps even more so when there’s overwhelming focus on the business side of the sport. Much of the discussion of late surrounding the team understandably has been on Anthony Davis’ status, as well as Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.

“It’s really easy to forget why we’re playing the game of basketball and that’s because we fell in love with it,” Okafor said Saturday, when asked specifically about the squad’s focus on fun. “The older guys on our team have really just been emphasizing to make sure we’re still having fun. Obviously it’s a business and there is a lot going on right now, but at the end of the day, we’re playing basketball. We should have fun. It kind of takes some of the stress off of our shoulders.”

Other notes from Saturday’s shootaround in Texas:

Okafor is one of several Pelicans who’ve gotten a significantly greater chance to play in recent games than they did early in the 2018-19 season, at least partly due to injuries to Davis, Nikola Mirotic, Julius Randle and E’Twaun Moore. While Okafor is trying to establish himself in the NBA after some excellent moments as a Philadelphia rookie, first-year pros such as Frank Jackson and Kenrich Williams are in new roles at this level they’ve never filled previously. Jackson is in the starting backcourt next to Jrue Holiday with Elfrid Payton sidelined, while Williams established a career high in rebounding, then in scoring, over the past two games.

“I feel like everybody wants to prove you belong here, regardless of what the situation is,” Jackson said. “Our main focus and goal is just to win basketball games. That’s ultimately what we want to do.”

“We just want to come out and play hard,” Williams said. “We know the odds are against us. We’re down almost our whole starting five. We just want to come out, play hard, play together and have fun.” …

A week ago San Antonio came into the Smoothie King Center and piled up 126 points, but New Orleans has been noticeably better on the defensive end in the two games since that matchup. One major area of focus for the Pelicans will be three-point defense, after the Spurs went 11/24 in last weekend’s game.

“They’re the best three-point shooting team in the league,” Jackson said, referring to San Antonio’s 40.9 percent rate from the arc. “Just knowing where (Spurs offensive players) are (on the court), being pulled in, staying active, bouncing around on defense, flying around (are NOLA keys). Knowing who’s on the court. From there, run our game plan.”

DeMar DeRozan sat out the previous matchup, but he is back in the lineup for the Spurs.

“We’ve got to take away the three,” Williams said. “They’re going to have DeRozan back, so that’s going to be a key piece for them. We’ve got to play hard, play together and help each other.” …

Williams on the Pelicans’ effort and hustle impacting a better team defensive performance this week: “That’s a big part of it. We’re helping each other, helping the helper. We’re just trusting each other and playing hard.”

“The last couple games we felt like we played the right way,” Okafor said. “We’ve been playing hard, playing together, playing for one another. Just keep that same mindset and apply that to tonight’s game. San Antonio’s a very good team, especially on their homecourt, but we like the way we’re playing. We’re going to keep doing that.”

pelicans-shootaround-update-by-hub-international-amid-distractions-new-orleans-emphasizing-enjoyment-of-playing

Pelicans shootaround update by HUB International: Amid distractions, New Orleans emphasizing enjoyment of playing

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NBA All-Star 2018: Anthony Davis goes bowling

nba-all-star-2018-anthony-davis-at-nba-cares-day-of-service

NBA All-Star 2018: Anthony Davis at NBA Cares Day of Service

Greg Bensel, senior vice president for communications and broadcasting, issued this statement Monday on New Orleans Pelicans owner Tom Benson:

"Mr. Benson spent the night at Ochsner Hospital last evening. He is doing very well this morning, after experiencing some brief weakness following a very busy weekend that included attending the Saints Hall of Fame induction Friday night, the Pelicans game Saturday night and then the Saints game Sunday morning. He was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure. He will be home tomorrow and back in the office later this week. "Mr. Benson wanted to thank everyone for their well wishes and added, 'Gayle and I could not be more proud of our Saints and Pelicans players and hope you join us as we cheer on the Pelicans tonight. We look forward to seeing everyone back in the Superdome this Sunday.'”

update-on-new-orleans-pelicans-owner-tom-benson

Update on New Orleans Pelicans owner Tom Benson

NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Pelicans announced today the team has waived forwards Cliff Alexander and Perry Jones.

Alexander, 6 feet 8, 245 pounds, appeared in all four of the Pelicans’ preseason contests, averaging 2.3 points and 3.8 rebounds in just under nine minutes per game. Jones, 6-11, 235, appeared in three preseason games for New Orleans and averaged 3.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists in just over 15 minutes per contest. 

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New Orleans Pelicans waive Alexander, Jones

MEMPHIS – The New Orleans Pelicans ended their four-game preseason slate with a 142-101 loss to the Grizzlies at the FedEx Forum on Friday, Oct. 13. The Pelicans' starters got extended playing time in the first half but all but forward Dante Cunningham stayed on the bench in the second half.

The Pelicans will return to Memphis for the regular-season opener Wednesday, Oct. 18 before opening their home slate Friday, Oct. 20 vs. the defending world champion Golden State Warriors.

Guard Jrue Holiday led the Pelicans in the first half with 14 points while big men DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis added nine and seven points, respectively.

When Memphis guard Mike Conley made a layup with 9:34 to play in the third quarter to give the Grizzlies a 30-point lead, 84-54. Conley finished with 19 points in limited action.

Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins left the game in the second quarter with a slight limp but re-entered the game later that period. ...

Forward Dante Cunningham was the only regular Pelicans starter on the court when the second half started. Coach Alvin Gentry said he wasn't planning on playing his starters too long in the final game of the preseason. ...

Pelicans swingman Tony Allen received a nice ovation from the FedEx Forum crowd when he was introduced in the second quarter. Allen, a key member of the Grizzlies for seven seasons, did not play Friday night. 

5 for 5: Memphis rookie Dillon Brooks made all five of his 3-point attempts in the first half as the Grizzlies made a sizzling 64.7 percent in the first half.

23.1: The Pelicans' shooting percentage from 3-point range in the first half. One of the reasons Memphis led by 24 points at halftime.

4-1: New Orleans grabbed an early three-point lead to start the game but after that it was all Memphis.

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Preseason postgame recap: Grizzlies 142, Pelicans 101

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