Minnesota Sports Forum

NO lost to the Mavs with 12 bench points (6 from the newly signed Jack) and a combined 2 points from the SG/SF starters. Let's remember that NO trades for Cassi who would have been their starting SF and he busted his thumb so they had to let him go. Can they bring in the perimeter player and shooter they need to to surround Davis and Cousins and work with Jrue? Idk but I think that's maybe easier to figure out than add a star which they needed to do before they added Cousins.

Let's be a little honest here. Most people probably thought it made a lot of sense to deal Cousins if you could get some reasonable return for him. If nothing else it's simple math. We all know the Sixers have two many bigs and they had to deal some. The Kings had a ton too it's just that they weren't as highly regarded outside of Cousins and a solid guy like Koufus. If any of those guys were going to show anything they were going to need to get minutes. They should probably see if they can deal koufus to a team for a draft pick like they did with Belinelli last year (that was actually a good deal for them). The questions are whether or not they got enough in the deal and most people say they didn't. If the Kings decided they basically had to move him...the return they got back was maybe not good enough but wasn't terrible either. It just depends on what Buddy and that draft pick turns into. Those guys don't even have to be stars for them to come out of the deal looming decent. We will see.

Dell Demps saved his job for at least one more year in NO even if it fails. For the record, Cousins and Davis are apparently posting solid to good to great stats... still. The one player who's taking a huge hit? Jrue Holiday. Check it out...

Holiday went into the All Star Break as one of the league's hottest guards. He shot at least 50% from the field in 11 of the final 13 games. He shot at least 58% EIGHT times. It's been 3 games with Cousins on the team...

3 - 12 fg (25%)
5 - 17 fg (29%)
3 - 9 fg (33%

But maybe he's passing better?

18 assists (also down)... + .... 16 TOs. Ooops.

Well, it's good to see things not going well for New Orleans, since they are one of our key competitors for the 8th seed.

It's interesting to see how Holiday has struggled of late now that he's not the clear cut second option. I think it's just a matter of there being an adjustment phase. It can't be easy being the clear cut 2nd option, then suddenly having to start games with the sole purpose of giving two other guys shots. I think eventually he will find his rhythm again.

Q12543 wrote:Well, it's good to see things not going well for New Orleans, since they are one of our key competitors for the 8th seed.

It's interesting to see how Holiday has struggled of late now that he's not the clear cut second option. I think it's just a matter of there being an adjustment phase. It can't be easy being the clear cut 2nd option, then suddenly having to start games with the sole purpose of giving two other guys shots. I think eventually he will find his rhythm again.

Yeah, NO finally played a decent game...only lost to a good OkC team by 8 and were in it all game...but still they are 0-3 in the Boogie era. We've moved ahead of NO after last night's loss, and I think that standings position will stand. Still only a 5% chance to make the playoffs though.