The Pelicans still have to win one more game in Los Angeles on Friday night in order to secure a playoff spot, but veteran guard CJ McCollum expressed confidence after New Orleans’ first play-in win over San Antonio on Wednesday that the team is pointed in the right direction in both the short- and long-term.
“This is the start of something special, for sure,” McCollum said, according to Andrew Lopez of ESPN. “You see the energy. Feel the energy. My mother is in town; I have some family in town. When we go out to eat, you can feel the city is excited about basketball, as they should [be]. There’s a lot of talent here. We’re playing the game the right way. It’s going to be a lot of winning in our future.”
If the Pelicans can clinch the No. 8 seed, they’d be significant underdogs against the NBA-best Suns, with Zion Williamson still not expected to be available, so their playoff run could be brief. Still, McCollum is optimistic about what the future holds, according to Lopez, who writes that the 30-year-old says he plans to visit Williamson and other teammates at their houses this offseason to get to know them better.
“I think that’s how you build chemistry,” McCollum said. “That’s how you build cohesiveness.”
Here’s more from around the Southwest:
- Herbert Jones may not get any Rookie of the Year votes, but the first-year Pelicans forward helped spark a defensive turnaround in New Orleans this season, writes Christian Clark of NOLA.com.
- In his latest Substack article, Marc Stein says his best read on the Spurs‘ coaching situation is that Celtics assistant Will Hardy – who was formerly an assistant in San Antonio – could be at the front of the line to succeed Gregg Popovich if the longtime Spurs coach decides to step down this offseason.
- After being named the G League MVP for 2021/22, Rockets two-way player Trevelin Queen also took home the Finals MVP award, averaging 34.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG, and 3.5 APG on 56.1% shooting in a pair of Rio Grande Valley Vipers victories over the Delaware Blue Coats. Danielle Lerner of The Houston Chronicle takes a closer look at Queen’s path to the NBA and explores what’s next for him. “I got emotional (signing a two-way contract earlier this season) because I’ve been waiting my whole life, but I just know there’s more work to do,” Queen said. “I know I can do more than the two-way, so I just want to let them know.”
- In a mailbag for The Athletic, Kelly Iko answers readers’ questions about the Rockets‘ long-term view of a Jalen Green/Kevin Porter Jr. backcourt, the prospects Houston should target with Brooklyn’s first-round pick, and which free agents might be of interest to the team.
Rockets need to acquire/draft some big guys. If they can get a dominant center, it would greatly improve this team
Poor Holgrem if he ends up playing with those 2 selfish guards …
If Suns dont want Ayton, he should go to Houston. Ayton,Green,Porter would be a good core. they can trade Gordon, Wood for some good vets too
Aynto makes any core look good. But why favor Houston? Memphis can afford him and success there is sure.
Jalen Green has been fantastic, as I said last summer he will be a superstar no doubt about that… now KPJ they gotta get rid of him, he ain’t good enough to be the starting PG of a competing team, not to mention that he is a headcase!
Green has a lot to improve to be a superstar …
Im in NO hurry if I’m Hou
Wood and Gordon for Hayward (1 of Pj Bouk or Kai) 1 1st with a 1st rd swap year after …perhaps they could get 2 firsts if Cha feels there’s no other direction to go and Hou clamps down hard
Might look like an overpay for Cha but they not only get financial relief for 2 years on Hayward they get some really good expiring talents next year as well that fit.
Cha also saves 3~5 mill for 23′ which will be much needed for Bridges