Pelicans Making MAJOR Change…
The Pelicans are making a major change at one of his roster positions, but is it the right move? We’re going to debate that inside this episode and also give you an update on some roster moves the team just made this morning inside this edition of Pelicans Digest. What’s good with it y’all? It’s your Mel the MIC back once again inside Pelicans Digest. Thank you so much for subscribing. If and if you haven’t done it yet, baby, you missing out man. This is what we call the shots man. We’ve been batting at about 750 so far. And thank you so much uh to everybody that subscribed. But if you’re still a part of the majority that still are watching and haven’t subscribed, man, come on, man. Hit that subscribe button, man. Like the video, share this video with your fellow Bells fans and you’ll get the latest updates on what’s going on with the squad. And uh we got some breaking news this morning as the Pelicans are now back in the States after the Australia runs with the NBL, which was a lot of fun to watch. uh exciting basketball if you’re a Bellicus fan to see this team sort of start to look like it’s jelling together and you start to see some of the depth that this team has. Uh but we also got uh a possible I don’t want to say it’s possible, but I did come across an an article, okay, uh from Chris Lambert from Pelican Debrief that I want to discuss with y’all here here at Pelicans Digest fam. I want to discuss this with y’all in this episode. uh and it’s about the center position uh with the Pelicans. We’re going to get into that in a matter of minutes. Uh but first, we got to give you the breaking news of the day here uh with the Pelicans as they are now back in the States and they already got busy making some moves and some cuts to the roster. Uh they of course you got to get the roster down to about 19 players with your G-League or with your two-way players as well. And uh this was an expected move uh because when they signed these two guys, we we kind of reported that uh the chances were high that this was just an exhibit 10, which is it was it was an exhibit 10 contract. They were in training camp and also the Pelicans still get to retain their G-League rights. And we’re talking about the signing or should I say the cutting of Jaylen McDaniels and Garrison Brooks. Uh and of course Jaylen McDaniels uh was to me the the more I guess I guess better signing of the two, but there was but we expected this to be them to get cut because we knew that they was just coming in for training camp getting death and also the Pelicans retain their G-League rights. Uh so it’s more than likely going to happen with those two guys is you’re going to probably see him in Birmingham this season. Both Hordes are now likely to link up with the Bellicus G-League club, the Birmingham squadron. And Brooks and McDaniels remain with Birmingham for at least 60 days. Each player will be eligible for a bonus up to $85,000 on top of his standard NBA GL salary. All right. So, uh again, when those guys were signed, we kind of made the announcement. We kind of made it clear that those guys were probably going to be uh cut at some point, but the main focus was to keep their G-League right. Put them on the G-League roster. McDaniels, uh who’s been in the league for about I think three and a half seasons now. uh could I don’t know if there’s a development there or something. He did get some burn in the Australia series uh this past weekend. So, he did get some burn and he did get some looks. Uh so, I think the Pelicans may see something in him. I don’t know. But, you know, I I seen him make some some things, do some things here and there on the court. Nothing mindblowing. Uh but he’s also the brother of Jaden McDaniels. Uh as you know, he’s the star defensive player uh for the Minnesota Timberwolves. So, I guess the the Bells are going to take a flyer on him and Brooks and bring them down to Birmingham. Uh, so those guys have been cut, though, and the roster is now officially down to 19 players as well as three two-way players. Uh, so this I think this is this is it. This might be 2025 2026 New Orleans Pelicans as we know it right now. And this this uh and I came across a story though uh as we wrap up that talk with uh with McDaniels and Brooks. I came across an article a couple of days ago after the first uh Australia game the Pelicans had uh from Chris Lambert from uh Pelican Debrief. And you know I don’t be agreeing with Chris on a lot of stuff but I still respect Chris’s opinion on a lot of things and a lot of his takes. He does be making some on point takes from here and there. I respect that man opinion. I respect that man’s uh thoughts on this. But I wanted to take this to the audience because I thought this was a fascinating conversation to have uh with y’all, which is uh the Bellicans uh Willie Green. And he wrote in his article, Willie Green is left with an impossible roster decision after he wrote this after the first uh game in Australia. And and the debate that he’s trying to kick up and I’m I’m kicking up as well is who should be your starting center on over the night. You want to go with uh Kavon Looney or do you want to go with E Missy? Okay. Who do y’all want to go with on over the night? Now, when I first started this channel, uh, just after draft night, you know, and after I called the Kavan Looney signing, you know, I went even in the same video that I talked about explaining why, uh, the Pelicans signed Kevon Looney, uh, I pointed out in that video that Looney, that Missy actually should be the starting center on the night in that same video that same video where we announced the the the the signing of Looney. I say that uh Missy should be your starting center over the night because he he gave decent minutes last season. He’s constantly improving. Uh but I I sort of changed my mind on this and Chris Lambert’s article sort of made me also change my mind on this as well. Uh cuz I I from what I seen in the games in Australia, I know it’s just preseason games and it’s not NBA competition. I know it wasn’t the top tier competition of the world, but for what I saw in the minutes between Looney and Missy, Missy numbers wise, statistics wise jumped out of the board. Now overall over the two games in the weekend uh uh in Australia, Looney had a line of seven points, five rebounds, three assist, one steel, and one block. Okay, that was Looney’s numbers. Missy’s numbers over those games were 16 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, one steal, and three blocks. Now, the difference is Missy played a whole lot more minutes than Looney because Looney is still, as you probably saw, was still getting his game legs back from the season. Missy has been playing all summer long. He’s been playing and practicing all summer long. So, his legs are there and ready to go. So, and so with that being said, Missy ended up playing almost double the amount of minutes in the in the Australia series, which is why he was able to rack up those kind of numbers. So, so he was able to play more minutes than than Looney did. The thing is between the two, and I think we got to get to understand this as Wells fans, that we got to look inside the numbers and deeper inside the numbers, is that Looney, when I saw him playing, I was watching him on his minutes on the floor, is involved in the offense. It’s a centrical part of the offense that is going to be allowing that’s going to allow the other guys like Zion, Jordan, and Trey to score. And that’s what we got to understand as we get ready to go into the season. If you wanted Missy there at that position, Missy is still too raw and still is still while he’s a great rim protector and a rebounder when it comes to running an offensive play. Bing my mic. I’m hitting my mic. I’m getting all excited. When it comes to running an offensive play that the Pelicans want to run in certain sets, Missy still doesn’t have a grasp of that in my opinion. And I have to agree with Chris Lambert’s take on this because he says in the article with both bigs having solid performances in this one, things may get tough for Green as we get closer to the start of the regular season. He’s going to need to decide whether he trusts a secondyear big and missy to hold things down for a team with playoff aspirations or if he’s going to go with the SA veteran in Looney. And I think that’s a good Hey, listen. Listen, this is not be clear on this y’all. We don’t have to argue and get vehemently angry about this. This is a good problem to have. I said this in the last video. This is a good problem to have. This is a good problem to have. You got to be thankful with this. This is a good problem to have. Damn. Which one am I? Do I go with the world champion veteran, one of the oldest players on my team, the most experienced players on my team at center, or do I go with the young all rookie? I mean, you got to feel great about that. This is a great argument to have. But again, when I when I looked at the numbers, I mean, I literally sat on this all night last night. I was supposed to post this video yesterday, but I literally sat on this all night because I wanted to look at the games with Missy and Looney when it played. I went back in my league bags, looked at the games again. Looney, again, I have to say this, is more involved in the offense. is going to be more central to the offense and making sure that we get some plays going and getting some offense going with with the with the starters and that’s something Chris point out again the Pelican starting five already has guys who are going to be looking to score and someone who primarily gets their points in the paint and Zion Williamson so if Missy were named a starter he had to adjust his game on the offensive end uh to fit into a role and that’s the thing and that’s why I come back to too. You There was some plays that Missy that they were trying to set up and run with Missy when he was on the floor. Uh, and most of most of the one play in particular, I think Jeremiah Beers had the ball and Missy was supposed to come up into the key, come up into the top of the key or not the top of the key, but up at least towards the free throw line and set a pick for players to go by. But Missy set the pick at a wrong angle. Now again, this is just one play, but Missy set the pick at a wrong angle, which enabled the defender to still get between him and Pierce or I think it was Fierce. I’m trying to remember who it was, but I think it was Fierce, but he he released it too early. And that’s and and the player was able to get in between one of Australia was able to get into was able to knock the ball away and almost cause a turnover. And you don’t see that with Looney because you got to remember Looney is part of a Golden State Warriors team whose whole thing was picking and rolling to get Steph Curry open. So he knows how to set picks and screens. Him and they they have mastered that. They know how to master that. So if you want to run your offense more efficiently like the Pelicans are trying to do, you’re going to have to go with Looney. I mean, because at the end of the day, he’s going to allow the guys to be able to get over. Now, Missy, of course, is going to be fantastic to have on your in your front court on your second line. It is going to be amazing to have him there to have a rim protector and a shot blocker and a lot of those nonzion minutes that we talked about. It’s going to be crazy, man, if you So, that’s gonna be crazy right there to have him on your second unit. And even if you did put Looney on the second unit, it’ll be the same thing. You can still run the same kind of thing. It nothing too much could change. But I think for the sake of H and Trey and and now you starting to see Sadi Bay again. Sadique Bay put up 21 that night a couple of games ago, the second game, put up 21 that night. You I think you got the pieces there. I but I I I I have to go with Looney. What are your thoughts though? Let’s go ahead and get the debate started. Who do you want to see as your starting center on opening night? Eve Missy or Kavan Looney? Give me your thoughts. Clap back with him in the comments. Again, no need to get vicious and violent and angry about this. This is a good problem to have. And if you’re part of the 70% that still haven’t subscribed to Bellicus Digest, man, go ahead and hit that subscribe button and let’s get the subscriber community growing, man. And uh cuz we going to be going live real soon. I’m also going to be checking in from the Smoothie King Center this season. So, make sure that you like, subscribe, and share this channel with your fellow bells fans. Is Mels talking about them Bells. Let’s argue.
The Pelicans are making a MAJOR change at one of its positions. Melz On The MIC breaks down the Center debate.
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Looney Or Missi? Who Starts Opening Night?…Pelicans News
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Kevon Looney, Yves Missi, Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, NBA Trade Rumors, NBA Free Agency, NBA Draft, NBA Finals Preview, Fantasy Basketball Advice, NBA Betting Odds, NBA Jersey Review, Player Performance Breakdown, Sports Analytics, NBA Highlights, NBA News Update, NBA Stats, NBA Roster Moves, NBA Predictions
22 comments
😂😂😂 this debate is laughable. Willie should lose his job within the first three minutes of the season if he starts Kevon Looney.
I think Looney should start but Missi should get minutes
Looney should definitely start beginning the season. Please bring Yves on slowly. Maybe by december Yves can get the nod. I know Yves worked on his game but sometimes he just processes things too slowly. Reacts to rebounding slowly, biting on pump fakes. Dont rush him. Not saying he should ever start but bring him up slowly. Last year was good for laying foundation for NBA now its about seeing if he could be a consistent contributing starter
Talk to me when we stop playing NAIA College-like competition.
Pelicans digest is not a fan of the Pelicans. The station was made by LeMedia to cause confusion in the squad and belittle Zion.
I would prefer Looney to start and then bring in Missi for handling teams with their second unit…. he would be a best with our second unit… IMHO
I appreciate you brother, keep them coming. Prayer for your recovery 💪🏾
I think Looney should start, and let Missi learn from him. I think the Second Line gonna be better than expected with Jose, Fears, Bey, Missi, Karlo, Queen, and probably Herb.
We had this issue on my team as well. Younger guy clearly pushing the older guy for the starting job. I think the best scenario is to start Looney even though he’s not the better player. This gives the vet the confidence and opportunity to be the guy from the start while also giving missi motivation to become better as he comes off the bench (and giving him a chance to dominate in the second group). One guy will be looking to keep his starting spot as he is seeking another contract and the other will be trying to prove why he’s the guy now. That’s a win win IMO🤷🏾♂️
Looney sets NBA screens like they're supposed to be set because of his years with Golden State being in their offense. He'll teach Missi to be a more complete center.
Looney has years of championship experience.. He knows how to do the little things that help Zion, Poole and Murphy do their thing.
Yves needs to start and play a lot
This isn’t a debate — Looney is starting at least for the beginning of the season — potentially the entire season.
💯 percent agree
Looney is 6'8 in the west and more older than younger…No he shouldn't be starting Missi is a rising star who plays def and rebounds is young and runs the floor let him continue to develop on the floor
Lookin' good Melz! Loyal N.O. basketball fanatic since the ABA Bucs in the Loyola Fields House and the Municipal Auditorium. Yeah, I'm old. Start experienced Looney, plug in Missi for lots of minutes. We will see a lot of combos involving Missi, and fewer with Looney.
Mel Mel!
Looney
Gotta go with the seasoned veteran general. Looney is the starter. That way Missi can watch and learn how to back up K Looon
Murray should and missi should be in the 2nd unit, so they can be able do they thing
Missi good but he still young & can learn from looney , it’s only going make him better
2nd unit should be
Murray / Jose / bey/ Karlo/ Missi