The Pelicans may be missing former No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson, but CJ McCollum and star forward Brandon Ingram have been developing an impressive rapport in the weeks since McCollum arrived from Portland, writes Christian Clark of NOLA.com.
“Those two guys set the tone for us,” Pelicans head coach Willie Green said after Sunday’s blowout win over the Lakers. “When they are playing like that and playing off of each other and making the simple plays, it’s beautiful basketball to watch.”
McCollum, who went out to dinner with Ingram and Green last week, tells Mark Medina of NBA.com that he advised Ingram “to be the most aggressive version of himself and not worry about me.”
“He’s been great. We can all see what he’s doing on the floor and his ability to score and to free up other guys,” Green said of the newly-acquired guard. “Now teams can’t load up as much on Brandon and can’t double Jonas [Valanciunas] as much when he’s on the floor.”
Here’s more from around the Southwest:
- After defending Williamson last week to reporters, McCollum stressed in his conversation with Medina that he just wants to support his new Pelicans teammate while he recovers from his foot surgery and wasn’t bothered by the fact that it took them a couple weeks to touch base. “I just want to be there for him and be someone to lean on who has gone through injuries and doubt and anxiety and all of the things that are associated with being removed from the team due to injury,” McCollum said. “He’s a really young, talented player that has got a lot on his plate right now. I think it’s important for him to focus on the process and on the rehab. The rest of the things will handle itself. But when he gets back, we’ll hit the ground running. That’s a guy that changes any franchise and their trajectory.”
- Rockets guard Dennis Schröder, who had to settle for a one-year, $5.9MM contract in free agency last summer, has hired new representation, signing with Priority Sports, per Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter link). Schröder is averaging a career-high 7.8 assists per game in his first five appearances with Houston, but has shot the ball erratically, making just 34.5% of his attempts from the floor, including 21.7% of his three-pointers.
- After picking up his 13th technical foul of the season on Sunday, Mavericks star Luka Doncic is now tied for the league lead and is just three technicals shy of earning a one-game suspension, tweets Tim MacMahon of ESPN. As MacMahon notes, with Dallas in the midst of a playoff race, Doncic has vowed that won’t happen.
Always wondered why 16 was the magical number for being suspended by technicals..
“A lot on his plate” was unfortunate phrasing
Nice
After Schroder missed on his deal on the Lakers and took the Celtics gig I thought it was a great decision. Him Smart JRich Brown Tatum Horford etc they would be a 5th seed and have a good playoffs run but that turned out horribly wrong.
Kinda tough to see where he goes now. He’s having trouble shooting the ball. His defence is still really good and can still run an offence well.
LA Clippers could be a good option, imagine Schroder PG and Kawhi on the perimeter. That would make for a crazy good defence. He can also space the floor and help run the offence. In tandem with Reggie Jackson they would be solid at the 1 spot. Plus would add to the rivalry with the Lakers. But hard for them to clear cap space tho.
That’s where my Sixers come into this hahaha
Trade Danny Green for Marcus Morris. Greens deal isn’t guaranteed so LA can waive him and create some cap space. Marcus Morris come over to us having been born and raised in Philly it would be a return home for him. He then convinced his brother who is a FA to come join him back home aswell. Speaking of family reunions, Austin Rivers decides to come back and play under his dad aswell. With one last roster spot we get Boogie Cousins on the vets min.
Leaving the Sixers with Maxey Harden Harris Morris and Embiid. On the bench Rivers, Thybulle, Niang, Morris and Cousins. With back ups Shake and Korkmaz also there for depth.
Clippers with the extra cap space get Dennis Schroder on a 2 year 20mil deal. Robert Covington also resigns on a 2 year 20mil deal. With their last deal they get DeAndre Jordan on the vets min.
Leaving the clippers with Schroder PG Kawhi Covington Zubac and off the bench Jackson Kennard Powell Batum and Hartenstein. With Mann, Boston Jr and Jordan as depth.
Clips don’t/ wont have any cap space in any scenario this offseason (or the next 3) even if they dumped a player or 2
Better chance they will be completely hard capped
Bi annual is there best shot at Dennis who I agree would be a good p/u for them at that price
Not even offloading Morris 15mim deal for Green who you when waive, freeing up 15mil?
Either way get Schroder for the Bi Annual and resign Covington you’d be a solid team
Nope, there’s no cap for Clips for a long time
They will have a hard time staying under the hard cap as is to allow better exceptions – But yea the clips will be just fine if healthy
There is no rivalry when a team has won nothing lol
Can still be a rivalry they share the same building.
Clippers Lakers rivalry is better than Bucks Raptors (the last two champions from the east)
If the Pelicans got a better PG they could make some noise. Graham is a backup 6th man.
He’s hurt a lot but Brogdon would be a perfect fit. Because of that he’d be available. Nance, Hayes, Temple, and a pick would do it imo.
Brogdon
CJ
Ingram
Zion
Val
Can’t see why would you suspend a guy like Luka?
Who cares if a player gets 16, 30 or more T’s, good ole Shee got 41 in a season if I recall correctly, so why punish a guy at 16, just makes no sense at all!
I always thought CJ was a solid choice for Hawks. Cause they needed a vet a closer. Someone to take pressure off of Young. Plus considering what Pels paid. It would have been more than worth it.
In 7 gms his stat line ——— avg 36 mins
FG% .528, 3PT % .434, 5.9 reb, 5.6 ast,
28.0 pts …….. Hawks would be a dangerous team with this guy. Oh Well !!!!
Worked out perfectly for Mccolum… Hawks needed a bigger backcourter with Tre… at least Schlenk would think so.
It’s not a bad idea to sign Schroder. And let him mentor this young group. But then I would move Porter. Rockets should get a top 3 pick. Personally I stay away from Holmgrem. Ivey is a nice talent. He’s got plenty upside. But he plays same position as Green. I would be looking at Banchero or Griffin. Both will be solid NBA players. Plus with their next pick Rockets can get a center. Having a real PG helps all these players development. Schroeder makes it easier for them to transition into NBA. So he’s worth signing for 15 mill 3-4 yrs.