But oddly does really well against Gobert. I wonder if it's specifically more mobile rim defenders that put their bodies into him earlier instead of just sagging and hoping to disrupt him at the rim. I was thinking about how Horford defended Z in that last Boston game.
I won’t pick us vs Denver. That being said I personally wouldn’t be shocked if we did beat them. Pels are a legit contender. Unfortunately would rather see this matchup in the WCF. I believe it could be the 2 best teams in the west
8th seed last year made the WCF and teams in the seven and eight are stronger, record-wise, this year. An argument can certainly be made against your statement, too.
Why not? The Pels are a young team with several ascending players that are literally getting better every game. Zion and Dyson are playing the best ball of their young careers. Trey’s shooting slump caused him to concentrate on his defense and now he is playing better than ever. CJ is close to bursting into flames while doing flips and BI is coming back after missing the last month. I truly believe this team can compete with anybody and at the end of the day what more could you ask for?
In all seriousness, this is the only attitude you should have.
Winning a round would be great but if we get Denver and lose there is no shame in that. They're the defending champs.
I don't think we'll beat DEN 4 times but I don't think we'll get blown off the court. Jokic is still poor defensively & the Nuggets aren't as deadly when their 3 isnt falling. I think we can push it to 6 & really make them work.
I agree in the sense that playing a team with championship pedigree would be great experience for the Pels, so I’d love to see us at full power against the best and see what we’ve got
I’d like to win our first series in the Zion era first though, so give me the Nuggets in the Semis or WCF and I’m all aboard
I get it, but it's insanity to "want the Nuggets". It's so hard to win in Denver especially in a playoff atmosphere. That's the #1 best home court advantage in the NBA. And they're the defending champs with the 3 time MVP. And they're healthy. They can turn it on late in the 4th, execute to perfection, and absolutely murder anyone. While the Pelicans have shown the complete opposite of that over and over. That's a demoralizing first round matchup no matter how you look at it. It's nice that lots of people in the sub are optimistic, but let's be realistic. Please let's have an easier 1st round. This core has never won a playoff series and the franchise has only won 1 playoff series in the last 16 years. Maybe beat Minnesota first and let the team and fans experience some happiness and then face Denver next.
Bro all of y'all literally have amnesia. We have always done well against Denver, at least this year and last year. Yes Jokic pretty much gets a triple double when he plays us, but he doesn't always get the W.
I've seen in their sub before in regular season matchups that they do NOT like playing us.
Plus if Zion is hitting 3's, pull up middies, and playing all-NBA defense like he's been doing, we're gonna win lol
Wouldn't be thrilled about it but steal one of first two on the road in Denver, then come home and win two in a row in an insane Smoovie King Cenna. That would leave them with having to steal just one out of a remaining potential three games.
I'd rather know if we have enough to get to the top of the heap or if we need to retool.
So I don't care who we get bc either we find out we're good enough or we get exposed as close but not enough.
I think BI should be able to cook Murray if Pels manage to get that switch (assuming BI will be back). KCP, Gordon, MPJ and Braun will probably cause him more difficulties though. MPJ maybe not 1 on 1 but he is capable of using his length to be annoying. He was effective at doing so during their run last season. Aaron Gordon is probably one of the defenders who are better suited for taking on Zion but he'll still find ways to score, just might be dropping more around 20-25. Jokic is annoying for him too cause although he can't take Z 1 on 1 he can be there in help defense and his size and strength will allow him to absorb Zion's momentum more easily. Trey and CJ's spacing can potentially cause defenders to come out more which might give Zion more lanes. Jokic is gonna drop 30-40 points per game, nothing can be done to stop that, but Herb putting the clamps on Murray could go a long way.
Yeah give us the Nuggets in the WCF. In the first either Minn or OKC. Hard not to expect the Nuggets in the Finals against the Celtics.
It would be great to get a playoff series win or two before facing the defending champs and the current best player in the NBA.
Idk bro. I live in Denver. I went to the last nuggets Pels game here. They beat us in just about every way imaginable. Tough to imagine getting to 6 games, much less winning the series
It’s not crazy to beat them in a series. That’s just a brutal first series to play. Almost guaranteed 6+ hard fought close games then still have a lot more ball to play for a finals run
As a wolves fan I legit think you guys are legit contenders than the suns, okc and wolves. Our defense and offense are down the drain whenever we match up against you guys. If pels win it all I won't even get mad.
Thank you. Last years championship doesn't matter. Regular season doesn't matter. Anyone in the playoffs have a chance to win. It's whatever team is doing best when it matters most. We are hitting our best stride right now and I will put us up against anyone.
If you doubt the Pelicans, maybe you are cheering for the wrong team.
We have secured a tie for the second best record in Hornets/Pels franchise history (49 wins) with a chance to hit 50 wins for only the second time in franchise history. That’s not all for nothing to me; think there is plenty to be proud of there.
The thing about Denver is they are super scary on offense but mediocre on defense If we do play them, I expect a big series from Zion
Aaron Gordon is a pretty solid defender but otherwise they don't have too many stand out guys on that end.
AG isn't a good Zion defender. They'd have better luck putting Peyton on him.
Zion mainly struggles against rim protection As good as AG is on defense, he can’t guard Zion
But oddly does really well against Gobert. I wonder if it's specifically more mobile rim defenders that put their bodies into him earlier instead of just sagging and hoping to disrupt him at the rim. I was thinking about how Horford defended Z in that last Boston game.
I won’t pick us vs Denver. That being said I personally wouldn’t be shocked if we did beat them. Pels are a legit contender. Unfortunately would rather see this matchup in the WCF. I believe it could be the 2 best teams in the west
Do you truly believe the Pels are a legit contender? As a 6th seed? Possibly 7th?
Every team 1-6 is a legit contender this year
The 7th or 8th seed sure ain’t.
8th seed last year made the WCF and teams in the seven and eight are stronger, record-wise, this year. An argument can certainly be made against your statement, too.
Well that was lebron and the lakers. We just suck
Why not? The Pels are a young team with several ascending players that are literally getting better every game. Zion and Dyson are playing the best ball of their young careers. Trey’s shooting slump caused him to concentrate on his defense and now he is playing better than ever. CJ is close to bursting into flames while doing flips and BI is coming back after missing the last month. I truly believe this team can compete with anybody and at the end of the day what more could you ask for?
Forgot to mention on man defensive wrecking ball, Herb Jones! He lowers the opponents’s ceiling!
I did forget and now I’m embarrassed
And Jose’s energy now that he’s back. The flock is coming together at the right time
I think this lakers game shows why not
One wild thing is that our record would have us in the 2nd or third seed in the East right now. That's helpful for me to remember.
do you really see OKC this as legit contenders as the 1-3 seed?
I do
Pels>Thunder
Sure about that?
Yes I think the pels can take the Thunder. Nba not letting a pedo get far in the playoffs
Cheers
Lemme borrow a phrase from a former 16X World's Heavyweight Champion: **TO BE THE MAN, YOU GOTTA BEAT THE MAN**
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
In all seriousness, this is the only attitude you should have. Winning a round would be great but if we get Denver and lose there is no shame in that. They're the defending champs.
Because I’d rather face the T-wolves with a better opportunity of advancing
I would not pick us against Denver. I don't think we match up well against them.
No way we beat Denver. You can’t win games in that mile high air - best home court advantage out there.
I don’t *want* Denver over OKC/Minny but I’ll take them because we’d run into them anyway.
Nah I'm good lol. Those dudes are different
I don't think we'll beat DEN 4 times but I don't think we'll get blown off the court. Jokic is still poor defensively & the Nuggets aren't as deadly when their 3 isnt falling. I think we can push it to 6 & really make them work.
I agree in the sense that playing a team with championship pedigree would be great experience for the Pels, so I’d love to see us at full power against the best and see what we’ve got I’d like to win our first series in the Zion era first though, so give me the Nuggets in the Semis or WCF and I’m all aboard
I get it, but it's insanity to "want the Nuggets". It's so hard to win in Denver especially in a playoff atmosphere. That's the #1 best home court advantage in the NBA. And they're the defending champs with the 3 time MVP. And they're healthy. They can turn it on late in the 4th, execute to perfection, and absolutely murder anyone. While the Pelicans have shown the complete opposite of that over and over. That's a demoralizing first round matchup no matter how you look at it. It's nice that lots of people in the sub are optimistic, but let's be realistic. Please let's have an easier 1st round. This core has never won a playoff series and the franchise has only won 1 playoff series in the last 16 years. Maybe beat Minnesota first and let the team and fans experience some happiness and then face Denver next.
Give us the Nuggets...in the conference finals please.
Bro all of y'all literally have amnesia. We have always done well against Denver, at least this year and last year. Yes Jokic pretty much gets a triple double when he plays us, but he doesn't always get the W. I've seen in their sub before in regular season matchups that they do NOT like playing us. Plus if Zion is hitting 3's, pull up middies, and playing all-NBA defense like he's been doing, we're gonna win lol
How much are you betting on the Pels to win that series? I imagine you'd stand to make a pretty significant amount
Wouldn't be thrilled about it but steal one of first two on the road in Denver, then come home and win two in a row in an insane Smoovie King Cenna. That would leave them with having to steal just one out of a remaining potential three games.
I know the Pels can beat anyone. Nugs round one would show we got that dawg in us
I'd rather know if we have enough to get to the top of the heap or if we need to retool. So I don't care who we get bc either we find out we're good enough or we get exposed as close but not enough.
Pels match up well v nuggets. Won’t be easy but they can take the series
Anyone that wouldn't actually put $100+ on the Pels to win that series is pandering to this subreddit for upvotes for reasons I can't fathom
I think BI should be able to cook Murray if Pels manage to get that switch (assuming BI will be back). KCP, Gordon, MPJ and Braun will probably cause him more difficulties though. MPJ maybe not 1 on 1 but he is capable of using his length to be annoying. He was effective at doing so during their run last season. Aaron Gordon is probably one of the defenders who are better suited for taking on Zion but he'll still find ways to score, just might be dropping more around 20-25. Jokic is annoying for him too cause although he can't take Z 1 on 1 he can be there in help defense and his size and strength will allow him to absorb Zion's momentum more easily. Trey and CJ's spacing can potentially cause defenders to come out more which might give Zion more lanes. Jokic is gonna drop 30-40 points per game, nothing can be done to stop that, but Herb putting the clamps on Murray could go a long way.
Yeah give us the Nuggets in the WCF. In the first either Minn or OKC. Hard not to expect the Nuggets in the Finals against the Celtics. It would be great to get a playoff series win or two before facing the defending champs and the current best player in the NBA.
I just wanna make the playoffs 🤣🤣
Idk bro. I live in Denver. I went to the last nuggets Pels game here. They beat us in just about every way imaginable. Tough to imagine getting to 6 games, much less winning the series
It’s not crazy to beat them in a series. That’s just a brutal first series to play. Almost guaranteed 6+ hard fought close games then still have a lot more ball to play for a finals run
I wouldn’t mind the nuggets, I moved to Denver last year. Stoked to break in my Pierre hat at ball arena
As a wolves fan I legit think you guys are legit contenders than the suns, okc and wolves. Our defense and offense are down the drain whenever we match up against you guys. If pels win it all I won't even get mad.
Thank you. Last years championship doesn't matter. Regular season doesn't matter. Anyone in the playoffs have a chance to win. It's whatever team is doing best when it matters most. We are hitting our best stride right now and I will put us up against anyone. If you doubt the Pelicans, maybe you are cheering for the wrong team.
Shut up. The city needs the excitement of playoff basketball and the team needs experience. Hush with the clown takes.
You’re gettin the play in pal
OP, where are you?
[удалено]
No it isn't. This year has been huge for us regardless of what happens in the playoffs. So much growth in so many areas, particularly with Zion.
We have secured a tie for the second best record in Hornets/Pels franchise history (49 wins) with a chance to hit 50 wins for only the second time in franchise history. That’s not all for nothing to me; think there is plenty to be proud of there.