nba superlatives

Pelicans.com

Now in his sixth NBA season, New Orleans forward Brandon was an All-Star during his first campaign with the Pelicans, making the 2020 Western Conference roster. When he lists his top moment as a pro, however, it’s a basket that led to a win for his team in Ingram’s second season. That 2017-18 regular season marked Ingram’s emergence as a double-digit scorer, with him nearly doubling his points average from his rookie year. As Ingram points out, his favorite slam of his NBA career actually took place over a man who’s currently a New Orleans player development coach:

Most memorable moment in the NBA: “A game-winner at Philadelphia with the Lakers in 2017.”

Most memorable dunk in the NBA: “Against Philly again, playing with the Lakers at home, dunking on Corey Brewer.”

Most embarrassing moment in the NBA: “Getting dunked on (by Kelly Oubre) here in New Orleans against Phoenix.”

Most surprising thing about the NBA as a rookie: “I didn’t realize how much freedom we had. You come straight from college, where you have classes throughout the day. (But in the NBA), you can do a two- or three-hour workout and then don’t have anything else you have to do for the rest of the day.”

Toughest player to face at his position: “Kevin Durant.”

Most underrated player in the NBA: “Jrue Holiday.”

Best uniforms in the NBA (besides the Pelicans’): “Charlotte Hornets.”

Favorite road arena: “Barclays Center in Brooklyn.”

Favorite road trip, based on the city: “It’s a four-way tie between Toronto, Miami, New York and (the) California (cities).”

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NBA Superlatives 2021-22: Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram

In the two-decade history of New Orleans’ NBA franchise, perhaps no Pelicans player has had more local ties than Garrett Temple. Both he and his father played college basketball at LSU, which is why Garrett is a Baton Rouge native. He’s also an avid New Orleans Saints fan whose debut in the NBA coincided on the calendar with the NFL franchise’s greatest moment. The 35-year-old discussed his background with Pelicans.com, including the fact that one of his favorite athletes as a youngster was a certain LSU Tigers center and all-time great:

Best moment as an athlete: “Probably getting a call for my first 10-day contract in the NBA, in February 2010. My New Orleans Saints were in the Super Bowl as I was headed to the airport to my first NBA game. So getting that call for the first 10-day call-up back in 2010 was probably my best moment.” (Note: Temple’s official NBA debut with the Houston Rockets came Feb. 9, 2010, just two days after the Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV).

How he chose his current uniform number of 41: “My dad wore 41 at LSU. He integrated the basketball program in 1970. I wore it in high school, and my older brother wore it in college as well. I was No. 17 a lot of my years in the NBA, but I’m going back to 41 this year.”

One thing fans might be surprised to know about him: “I’ve traveled to Africa three times, to see the slave castles in Ghana, and I’ve seen the pyramids in Egypt as well.”

Favorite thing about New Orleans: “The food and the people. I’m from right down the road, but the food and the people, you can’t get much better.”

Pregame ritual: “I listen to music. I might listen to a certain album two or three games in a row, then move on to the next album. I just make sure I get into my zone. I also have to take my gameday naps always.”

First job: “Does first job involve getting paid? Because I worked for my dad, but I wasn’t getting paid. I had to help out with a lot of the rent houses and construction stuff. But my first one was a desk job as my dad’s assistant, which was tough, because he’s very unorganized.”

Favorite athlete as a kid: “Michael Jordan. Shaquille O’Neal was a close second, because I grew up right down the street (from LSU) watching him.”

What he’d be doing if he weren’t an NBA player: “I’d probably be practicing law right now or trying to be a prosecutor or assistant district attorney.”

Closest friends currently playing on other NBA teams: “I’ve been in the league for a while, so I’ve got a few. Bradley Beal, Kyle Lowry, George Hill, those guys are probably my three closest friends. Justin Jackson, Langston Galloway.”

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Off the Court 2021-22: Pelicans guard/forward Garrett Temple

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An offseason trade addition from Memphis, New Orleans starting center Jonas Valanciunas is now in his 10th NBA season, which makes him the Pelicans’ second-most experienced player in the league. The 29-year-old spent the first 6 1/2 seasons of his NBA career with Toronto, reaching the playoffs five consecutive years from 2014-18. He returned to the NBA postseason in 2021 with Memphis, after posting a 20-20 game in the Grizzlies’ play-in tournament victory over San Antonio.

The fifth overall pick of the 2011 NBA Draft, the native of Lithuania sat down with Pelicans.com to discuss some of the top moments from his decade playing professionally in North America:

Most memorable moment in the NBA: “Probably the first bucket I scored. It was really memorable because it was a start, a beginning.”

Most memorable dunk in the NBA: “I’m not a high jumper, you know? That’s a tough one. I’m not a high jumper, so every dunk is memorable for me.” [smiles]

Most embarrassing moment in the NBA: “When I missed putting my mouth guard in a cup of water, like three times. Something had happened on the court and I was really (upset). It was hilarious.”

Most surprising thing about the NBA as a rookie: “Adversity. It was a tough season, A lot of traveling, a lot of games. That was new for me, coming from Europe, where there is less games, less traveling. Playing back-to-backs, sometimes even twice a week, that was surprising for me. To keep up with the schedule, you’ve got to be mentally and physically ready.”

Best uniforms in the NBA (besides the Pelicans’): “I like the Utah Jazz's.”

Favorite road trip, based on the city: “Miami.”

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NBA Superlatives 2021-22: Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas

Now in his fifth season in the NBA, Josh Hart, 26, has spent his career in L.A. and La., arriving in New Orleans via a 2019 trade from the Lakers. The Villanova University product joined Pelicans.com to discuss some of the standout moments from his career, including the time the Worldwide Leader in Sports fortuitously cut away from a potential game-winning basket in Los Angeles:

Most memorable moment in the NBA: “That’s a tough one. Probably scoring 30 points against the Clippers.” (Note: Hart tallied his career high in scoring on April 11, 2018, as a member of the Lakers, during the final game of his rookie season).

Most memorable dunk in the NBA: [laughs] “I don’t really dunk. I don’t have that many, so I guess all of them are memorable, because they are so rare.”

Most embarrassing moment in the NBA: “I was in L.A. and we were playing I think San Antonio. For some reason I was on the floor at the end of a close game my rookie year. I got the ball and missed a layup, but mid-layup, ESPN flipped to another show or a commercial. I missed the layup. I guess that my most embarrassing-slash-best thing ESPN did for me, because they didn’t show my missed layup.”

Toughest player to face at his position: “Probably James Harden.”

Most underrated player in the NBA: “I would say Jrue Holiday, but I think he’s shaken that underrated label. So maybe C.J. McCollum. I think he’s an even better player than what he’s portrayed.”

Best uniforms in the NBA (besides the Pelicans’): “Lakers, for sure. Their jersey is always fire, so you have to go with the Lake Show.”

Favorite road arena: “Moda Center in Portland is by far the best I’ve played in.”

Favorite road trip, based on the city: “New York, Philadelphia, Washington. If you have that road trip, it’s perfect. I’m from the East Coast, so all of those places are kind of like home for me.”

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NBA Superlatives 2021-22: Pelicans forward/guard Josh Hart

Just two weeks into his initial regular season with New Orleans, point guard Devonte’ Graham has already proven to be a big-shot maker, averaging 5.0 points in fourth quarters, which ranks second on the Pelicans behind Brandon Ingram (7.3). Graham also delivered in the clutch for Charlotte during his three seasons in the Queen City, including canning a three-pointer in 2019 that serves as the top moment of his pro career so far.

The fourth-year NBA veteran sat down with Pelicans.com to discuss his career and thoughts on the league:

Most memorable moment in the NBA: “I hit a game-winner in Madison Square Garden. That would be my top moment.”

Most memorable dunk in the NBA: “I don’t have too many! [laughs] I’ve probably got like two dunks in the NBA. So my first dunk was probably the best one.”

Most embarrassing moment in the NBA: “My rookie year, I came to the game thinking that I was playing and I dressed up (in Charlotte game gear). I was about to run out of the tunnel (as an active player) and they told me, ‘What are you doing? You’re not even supposed to be dressed up (to play).’ ”

Most surprising thing about the NBA as a rookie: “It wasn’t really a surprise, but the most challenging (thing) was being and staying mentally prepared and ready to play. Like in my most embarrassing moment, thinking I’m about to play and then not playing, but the next game I might play 20 minutes. Staying mentally locked in.”

Toughest player to face at his position: “That’s a hard one, but I’m going to go with Kyrie Irving, Trae Young, Damian Lillard, Steph Curry. All the guards.”

Most underrated player in the NBA: “My guy (Denver point guard) Monte Morris. I like guys like me and him – second-rounders, four-year guys who don’t get a lot of hype but are huge impact guys for their teams.”

Best uniforms in the NBA (besides the Pelicans’): “Miami or Denver. Miami has those colorways.”

Favorite road arena: “I think it’s a tie between Portland and Milwaukee.”

Favorite road trip, based on the city: “Phoenix.”

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NBA Superlatives 2021-22: Pelicans guard Devonte’ Graham

New Orleans guard Tomas Satoransky is only in his sixth NBA season, yet that’s tied for the third-most experience on the Pelicans’ roster, with Garrett Temple (Year 12) and Jonas Valanciunas (Year 10) the only teammates who’ve been in the league longer. Satoransky is also the second-oldest New Orleans player, having just celebrated his 30th birthday Saturday (Oct. 30).

Now with his third NBA franchise, the native of the Czech Republic discussed his career and the league with Pelicans.com:

Most memorable moment in the NBA: “Probably getting a triple-double in a game three years ago with the Wizards (18 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists). That was pretty nice.” [smiles]

Most memorable dunk in the NBA: “On Brook Lopez, also three years ago.”

Most embarrassing moment in the NBA: “I never really get dunked on badly, but I had a couple ankle-breaker crossovers by Mike James last season. He stepped on my foot, just for the record. [smiles] Also James Harden did something similar to me. But who doesn’t he do that to? So it’s nothing unusual.”

Most surprising thing about the NBA as a rookie: “The travel. It was something I didn’t expect how it was going to be. It’s crazy how everything goes so fast and traveling all around the United States.”

Toughest players to face at his position: “Steph Curry, Kawhi Leonard.”

Most underrated player in the NBA: “There are a couple of them, but I’ll just pick one and say Danilo Gallinari.”

Best uniforms in the NBA (besides the Pelicans’): “I used to love those blue uniforms of the Denver Nuggets. I also like the Miami Heat’s Vice uniforms.”

Favorite road arena: “I like the new arenas of the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors.”

Favorite road trip, based on the city: “Probably on the East Coast, going to New York or Brooklyn. I love to (visit) there. I wouldn’t want to live there, but there are so many things to do there, and I get to see a lot of friends of mine.”

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NBA Superlatives 2021-22: Pelicans guard Tomas Satoransky

Now in his second season with New Orleans, center Willy Hernangomez has a unique vantage point on the NBA, having grown up in Spain dreaming of playing in the league. He and his brother Juan – a forward for the Boston Celtics – have faced each other roughly a dozen times since they were drafted in the mid-2010s. The 26-year-old Juan holds “draft bragging rights” over his 27-year-old sibling, having been picked by Denver just outside of the 2016 lottery, after Willy was a second-round choice in 2015.

Willy, who split the first four years of his NBA career playing for New York and Charlotte, joined Pelicans.com to discuss the league and some of his top moments:

Most memorable moment in the NBA: “The first time I played against my brother (Juan). My family was there. It was at Madison Square Garden when I was playing for the Knicks. It was a very, very emotional moment, playing against your brother, and having your parents and sister there in the arena.”

Most memorable dunk in the NBA: “I’ve got a lot of them. [laughs] But I’d say in the NBA, a dunk on Andre Drummond my rookie year I think. It was one of my best dunks.”

Most embarrassing moment in the NBA: “When I was in Charlotte I tried to dunk on somebody, but I just fell down and the ball didn’t even touch the rim. It was terrible. I tried to forget about it.”

Most surprising thing about the NBA as a rookie: “Everything. The NBA is something unique. My motivation is still the same since the first day. This is my sixth year in the league and 10th as a professional. There is nothing like the NBA. Every day you’re going to have fun and really be happy and proud of where you are.”

Toughest players to face at his position: “Joel Embiid. One of favorite ex-teammates, Steven Adams. And right now one of my current teammates, Jonas Valanciunas. Those three are beasts.”

Most underrated player in the NBA: “I’m a big fan of Devonte’ Graham. Having him on my team, I think he’s going to have a breakout season, for sure. Also, my brother in Boston.”

Best uniforms in the NBA (besides the Pelicans’): “I like Miami’s uniforms. Boston’s are nice because (many basketball) legends (wore them).”

Favorite road arena: “Miami because it’s a Latino city – I feel at home there. Or Madison Square Garden.”

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NBA Superlatives 2021-22: Pelicans center Willy Hernangomez

New Orleans guard/forward Garrett Temple has seen just about everything over a 12-year NBA career that has spanned over 600 games and 200 starts, along with 30 playoff games. The Baton Rouge native and LSU product has now appeared in 50-plus games in each of the past nine regular seasons, with New Orleans being the 11th franchise he’s played for since debuting in February 2010. His frequent address changes in recent years made TNT’s studio crew declare Temple a “Who He Play For?” Hall of Famer, with Charles Barkley consistently unable to identify where Temple is suiting up at the start of every NBA regular season. If Temple’s name and face come up again on TNT’s popular mini-game show, Sir Charles should know that the 35-year-old is currently thrilled to be a member of his home state’s NBA franchise in New Orleans. Pelicans.com asked Temple about some of the highlights from his lengthy professional career:

Most memorable moment in the NBA: “When I was on Washington and Paul Pierce hit a game-winner in the (2015) playoffs. They interviewed him after the game asked him, ‘Did you call bank?’ And he said, ‘I called game!’ That was dope. Winning that game with Truth hitting that shot for us was dope.”

Most memorable dunk in the NBA: “How do y’all know I even had a dunk?! It was my last year I played for Washington, playing against the Atlanta Hawks. It might have been the last game of the season. I had a nice little dunk on a fast break over (Thabo) Sefolosha.”

Most embarrassing moment in the NBA: “I was on Shaqtin’ A Fool for throwing the ball to the referee. I was trying to swing the ball (to a teammate), not realizing it was the referee there, not a player. So that was probably the worst thing.”

Toughest player to face at his position: “I play a few different positions, so if they’re playing Kevin Durant at small forward, he’s tough to guard. If I’m guarding point guards, it’s Steph Curry, Kyrie Irving and Damian Lillard. Bradley Beal is tough to guard as well (at shooting guard). I guard the people who are in the toughest spots in terms of offensive talent.”

Most underrated player in the NBA: “Dillon Brooks is very underrated. He was a teammate of mine in Memphis and has really grown tremendously. I think C.J. McCollum is underrated. Until last year, Jrue Holiday’s defense was very, very underrated. People are finally giving him his roses now.”

Favorite road trip, based on the city: “Toronto is a diamond in the rough. People don’t really understand how nice Toronto is. Diverse. Obviously Miami is great weather – I’ve been (on teams) in cold cities the last few years. But until I came to the Pelicans, New Orleans was one of my favorite road trips because I get to see my family.”

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NBA Superlatives 2021-22: Pelicans guard/forward Garrett Temple

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