New Orleans Pelicans stars return from injury and ignite the team.
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00:00 Pelicans fans is county mostly here with mr. Wilton Jackson of Sports Illustrated. What's going on?
00:06 Well, I'm doing good cow. What's going on with you, man? I'm just happy to be here. It's Friday
00:12 We get a chance to talk about the Pelicans
00:14 I mean, there's someone on a roll now for those those two losses to the jazz
00:19 They get the win against the Sixers and you know, they they won their division in season tournament
00:24 so it's a lot of good things to kind of say about the Pelicans or at least for now why they're
00:29 Somewhat coming together in being healthy. I don't want to say that too loud because you know, they're one you want Jackson
00:36 Don't want to know I got I got you look a lot has been
00:41 Taking place since the last time you and I talked two weeks ago about the Pelicans, but the Pelicans right now, like you said
00:50 The knockout round the advance to the knockout round
00:54 Going three and one in their division the Houston Rockets who were primed and ready to do
01:01 so all they had to do was knock off the
01:03 Dallas Mavericks, but they couldn't do so. Well, thank you very much. We will take that
01:09 In advance, but that should be a pretty good game in that knockout round. Let's talk a little bit about that
01:16 How do you see it going on?
01:18 so that game that they that they're gonna have against the Kings that's gonna be a tough matchup because you're talking about a
01:24 Young Kings team that's like ready locked and loaded
01:27 When you look at the players that they have man that just that that guard play they had have at the perimeter
01:33 I mean, of course, you know what Sabonis can do in the interior in terms of grabbing rebounds and in scoring pretty much
01:39 It will he wants to it's gonna be a tough match for them
01:42 I'm really anxious to see what what what?
01:46 Sacramento's guard players gonna look like in terms of going up against obviously CJ McCullum back in the lineup
01:51 for
01:53 The Pelicans and then also Brandon Ingram, you know seeing where he's gonna come in and step in it
01:58 Then also that matchup of herb Jones and what he's gonna have to deal with in garden potentially probably the Aaron Fox
02:05 Yes, that's that's that's gonna be a good one. That's gonna be a real good one
02:08 Actually see a lot of that about herb has been understated
02:13 His presence back in the lineup has really been the key for the Pelicans more than Zion's
02:20 Retirement in my opinion because the defense that her brains that potential for the fast breaks
02:28 I even just the second chance points really has helped propel the
02:33 the team going forward man, but
02:36 Having CJ to come back at the right time is great
02:41 And now we have news that trade Murphy may be on the court tonight against the Spurs who will be without
02:49 Victor so we'll see how that goes along but you know, let's talk about the Kings again
02:55 the Kings this
02:57 They fell to the Pelicans twice a few games ago. I think one was the 129 to
03:05 93 and then they also lost
03:09 117 to 112 with those games in New Orleans, so
03:16 Well when you look at the matchups, like you said it looks like the Kings can be a formidable
03:22 Opponent against the pills, but the pills have to have some confidence going against the Kings as well
03:28 Right, not only that and then you know how in the last time we talked about we talked about that continuity that chemistry of coming
03:35 together
03:35 Obviously the offense that you know
03:37 The Pelicans are still getting adjusted to in terms of with with desire now you get like a play
03:43 I think a key player in that game now coming back for sure
03:46 Of course Trey Murphy if he's able to come in that's gonna be a thing
03:49 But CJ McCullum becomes very important extremely important because they're now of course you had, you know Dyson Danes
03:55 But there's nobody like CJ McCullum
03:57 They can come back in the lineup score pretty much CJ is able to get a shot whenever he wants to on the court
04:02 I don't expect him to have any problems
04:04 Going up against the Aaron Fox in in terms of that matchup at the guard position
04:09 And so I think him being on the court not so much of his scoring but also the facilitating part as well
04:14 Because him when you have him and Brandon Ingram pretty much playing that two-man ball and found a way to get Zion
04:21 In space together as well all three of them
04:24 I think it bodes well for them
04:26 But you have to have CJ on the court and I think that in this particular case against Sacramento. It should be a good game
04:30 I would expect a potentially a different outcome in that regard as long as the Pelicans can can run their offense effectively
04:38 Definitely rebound the ball and one of the things that's been hurting them is like one thing I noticed about the scene
04:43 They get a lot of free throw attempts. They don't always make the free throws like this
04:47 I'm hoping that with the addition of CJ McCullum being back, you know, Trey Murphy being back to kind of help out with that
04:53 I mean obviously Zion had almost a perfect game almost just a free throw
04:59 Exactly. So like if you if you're able to kind of capitalize on opportunities because he's gonna have those opportunities to get to the free
05:04 Throw line. Let's let's just keep it real
05:06 And so if he's able to get there make the shot or he doesn't make the basket get to the read a lot of make those
05:11 Free throws I think it's gonna bode well for him and just kind of continue to add and boost on those points
05:16 Also another player to none. I thought about it to
05:19 Jonas in terms of crashing the boards. Yes, it'll be a big piece to
05:24 For the for the Pelicans. Yeah, the big guy usually through these type affairs
05:30 He usually gives a double double. So yeah, Jonas would be great for the Pell's going forward
05:37 I think Zion learned something in that last game against the Jazz, you know
05:42 We had the ball final seconds. He was going to basket
05:46 I know you kicked out to Brandon Ingram, but if you're gonna be a star, he's gonna be the man. Yeah
05:55 That means going to where you live that's inside the paint and this season
06:02 He's done a tremendous job with his shot selection inside the paint
06:06 He hasn't taken I think he's taking only a few threes, you know before that he would always be outside
06:12 Sometimes just hit knocking those down. But I think right there. That was a key
06:18 Loss for the Pelicans because they were they needed to win that game. They could have won that game
06:25 yeah, but
06:27 When he did not go inside and take charge like he all he had to do is tried to go to the basket
06:32 I'm pretty sure those guys would have fouled
06:34 Yep
06:35 We wish a performing give yourself at least two points the old-fashioned way to be able to tie the game
06:42 But I like what he has done. I like the mentality that he had going inside
06:48 I think he could be able to take that going forward without Victor in the lineup now talk about those first
06:54 Why do you believe the Spurs have been struggling as of late? I think with the Spurs is simple
07:01 Like this is a young team talking about one of the youngest teams in the NBA
07:04 shout out to coach pop for
07:07 Having the challenge of taking or taking on that challenge of building a young team and no one better than him to do it
07:14 But I think they're just figuring out who they are as a team steel
07:16 And I think that when you look at a player like Victor when we yama there obviously, you know, he's talented
07:21 he saw what he did, you know before getting into the league and even in the first couple games of
07:26 Getting into the league
07:27 But I think the first real game when he saw some of his first
07:30 Struggles was that game where he played in the garden when he had to deal with Julius Randall and that New York
07:35 That Knicks defense and so I think now
07:38 What you're starting to see is that people are better being able to plan for what he's gonna do and what he and what he?
07:43 Brings in terms of his skill set. So a lot of times you see there are times where
07:48 You knew he was gonna he was gonna take like a mid-range jump shot
07:52 Because the wind is only gonna help you in so many different places
07:55 And so like what he's gonna have to learn to do is that obviously as he gets stronger, he's gonna get more physical
08:00 He's gonna be able to do some different things and go up with go up against some of the more physical guys in the NBA
08:05 But now he's still kind of trying to feel his way out
08:07 And I think a lot of it is still due to the fact that because they're still figuring their pieces out as a team
08:13 What does it look like say for example when Giannis is not on the court? Does that mean you know your guards?
08:19 Are you are you gonna be able to still function properly?
08:21 Who's gonna take that next step that that next I guess I'm gonna say a little bit leadership role
08:26 But then next role after him in terms of scoring because he can't just be just Victor
08:30 It has to be other players and even when he's on the court the office obviously still has to run in
08:35 In in sync with him as well. So I think they're still trying to kind of figure that out
08:41 And it's gonna take some time. I don't see them believe it or not
08:44 Right now in their current state
08:47 Just putting together a long string of games of wins, but they'll I know they'll find a way to get out of this one
08:53 But like I said, it's a bunch of you know, you know some some different things that they're trying to learn
08:58 And like I say, it's just a matter of just continue to get those reps and continue playing with each other. Yeah, definitely
09:04 Guys, if you thought it was gonna be immediate stir them up in
09:09 Championship in San Antonio think again
09:12 Three wins only 15 losses the Pelicans. They are now at 10 and 9 themselves
09:18 Of course, the injury bug has been an issue, but it seems like the Pelicans are getting healthy. Like we said
09:25 CJ has returned Trey Murphy may return tonight as well
09:30 But Larry Names jr. One of the key supporting guys. He
09:35 activated his rib fracture in practice and
09:39 he's going to be sidelined against I
09:42 Would say for another four to six weeks out there
09:47 Hopefully Larry Nance can be able to come back because one thing about Nance
09:52 He may not give you a whole lot of points, but he'll give you a lot of energy
09:57 He would give you a lot of passion and activity out there going for balls blocking, you know
10:03 Whatever it needs to be done that dirt work that dirty wood that needs to be done. He puts in that work. So
10:11 Hopefully Larry could be able to come back as well as Jose Alvarado. We got news on yesterday from
10:18 Coach that he may miss tonight's game as well. There's still a possibility if I looked on the last injury
10:26 Report, I think let's see here
10:32 We are looking at him as questionable for night tonight and Trey Murphy is probable Larry Nance is out
10:40 As well as we may get Matt Ryan back into the wind up, but he's doubtful right now
10:46 We'll see how that goes any last comments or thoughts about these
10:51 Pelicans I think cow right now tonight is an opportunity for them to add another win like there
10:59 You know, no Victor Zion is coming off of a big game
11:02 Essentially, I don't see anybody as a major threat to Zion doing damage in the post
11:07 He should continue doing damage in the post in this game against the Spurs
11:11 I'm looking to see you know, CJ McCullum obviously came back had 20 points in 28 minutes in that game against the Sixers
11:18 This is another game to get you know, get the wind back under him get back acclimated to you know
11:23 game speed and things like that, this is a this is a game that I think could serve as a
11:29 I'm not gonna say this is gonna be an easy win because it's the Spurs but I think this could be a good opportunity to
11:33 Continue to build on the chemistry that they're starting to build and as you said, you know
11:37 Some of the main pieces coming back. Like I said, Jordan Hawk is sharp shooting. He's still doing that
11:42 You know, he needs to be able to see like, okay
11:45 What is it like when we have all of these players together?
11:47 And what does my role look like when people like CJ McCullum and the Trey Murphy's and Zion we're all in one accord
11:54 Do it does that mean I have the same same amount of shots? Maybe not but
11:59 The shots that you do get you got to be able to make them when it's time to make them that's right
12:04 We call them Hawkeye
12:07 Man has been
12:09 Points out the lights out at times and sometimes he's gone
12:13 into the FBI missing in action report
12:17 Trying to miss hurt missing persons, but you know, that's what a rookie does
12:24 He's up and down and we don't expect a total consistency from him
12:29 but you do know that you're going to get some production out of
12:33 Him as well as Dyson Daniels who's done a very very good job
12:39 in lieu of having
12:42 CJ out of the lineup. All right
12:45 Let's talk about this the NBA knockout rounds are approaching right
12:53 But as a whole it looks like the excitement level has increased over the past couple of weeks
13:01 Why do you think this is going to be such a?
13:04 important
13:07 Year for this going forward. Yeah, you know, I know we're talking about 500 grand payout
13:14 But it has to be something more to than that. What's your thoughts?
13:18 Well, so Cal beyond I know you've seen the movie all about the Benjamins, right?
13:23 Yes, sir
13:25 Show me the money
13:27 In all seriousness like that that's that's only part of it
13:33 Shout out to LeBron for when you when I can't remember who the reported accident was like
13:37 Yeah, like am I gonna share it? We'll see about that. But no
13:40 I don't know but in all seriousness though
13:44 Like I think is it gives players that the energy the passion the motivation to play for something when you're just starting the season
13:52 I mean because everybody's excited once the season starts off and this is in any sport but specifically NBA
13:56 Everybody's excited everybody, you know, you've been in training camp. You've been going up against your your teammates, you know for x amount of time
14:03 It's like I want to play against somebody else and now knowing that you know
14:07 Yeah
14:07 The money is is a motivator but to play intense basketball in the first month like the type of basketball that we're used to seeing
14:15 And you know March April May June you start talking about the finals
14:19 You're getting that now like this matchup that we're gonna get on Monday Kings and Pelicans
14:24 Like this is the same Kings team that was down to the Warriors and came back and beat them
14:30 I almost cut the game off when they when they were when the Warriors and when I was like, okay
14:34 well, you know more is it they're gonna take care of this game then I watched I said, uh,
14:39 Maybe not because they you know, this is this is not looking good
14:43 But I just say that you know to say like this is a young
14:47 Incoming, you know high-flying Sacramento team with a lot of talent
14:51 Same with the Pelicans like if they I'm telling you cow and you know
14:54 This is better than me if the Pelicans can stay healthy who knows where they could go
14:59 Yeah, look at it even and even just looking at like we know with the Lakers
15:03 I mean, obviously there's always the question mark with with Anthony Davis, but the brun year 21 like dude is still is
15:11 I mean
15:13 You can't even describe it
15:16 But how are you able to do this and then with the Suns they've been on a tremendous streak, you know
15:22 obviously, you know with Kevin Durant and
15:24 D-book, but I'm obviously ready to see
15:27 How Bradley bill is gonna really really fit into that when they start kind of building into the mold of where they want to go
15:32 And we're not gonna even talk about the East like, you know, of course you got the books and the Knicks
15:37 They're gonna play on Tuesday
15:38 Patience Celtics. Here's the thing the Pacers if you love offense
15:43 Like do oh my gosh. Yeah
15:47 You cannot ask for more offense. That's right. You can score
15:52 Pelicans knew that yeah. Yeah, they they can shoot it. It's gonna be exciting man. And I like the fact it's gonna be in Vegas
16:01 Get and it's gonna be
16:04 Close to the holiday time and all the other stuff and it's just I think at first people were skeptical
16:11 right
16:13 didn't know what to really think about how it was gonna be tipping off this
16:18 NBA in season tournament
16:20 But now that it's here and you see how some of these guys are advancing
16:26 It's gonna give us some good basketball at least enough to talk about here in the media as well. So
16:34 We will continue to focus on those guys
16:37 But tonight the New Orleans Pelicans host the San Antonio Spurs without Victor
16:44 when being
16:46 When you be
16:49 Wendy I'm with Wendy
16:51 Just cloud again when beyond so
16:56 We'll see how those guys do. I am Kyle T. Mosley from the Pelican scoop. That's mr
17:03 Wilton Jackson from spots illustrated
17:06 Well tell everybody how they can find you on the world wide web
17:11 So you can find me on twitter at Wilson reports
17:14 Hopefully like I said me and Cali continue doing this every week
17:18 We'll be breaking down the Pelicans and all the big storylines from there
17:21 That's pretty much it. And like I said doing stuff for si calm, you know as far as like news in all sports
17:28 So catch me there
17:30 and guys if you don't know he
17:33 Just got a fellowship. He's gonna be a part of the
17:37 the National Association of
17:40 What sports were editors are this one's gonna be the Associated Press Sports Editors?
17:46 Diversity Fellowship APSC so I'll start that in in January. So I'm really excited about that man
17:53 He's doing some awesome stuff readers content. He has a great podcast that's coming out
17:59 I think you have a special guest that you're gonna have on next week's show as well. So check Wilton with Wilton
18:06 Reports, I'm counting mostly again from Pelican scoop. That's Wilton Jackson. Thank you. Well
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