The End Of The First

Dylan Mckneely • December 7, 2023

"And that'll do it for the first quarter here in New Orleans, your Pelicans' lead the field 12 to 10. Stay tune for the start of the second." - Joel Meyers(probably)

The New Orleans Pelicans completed the first quarter of their schedule by advancing in the inaugural NBA In-Season tournament by defeating the Sacramento Kings 127 - 117 in Sacramento. This win concludes a quarter of ups and downs, with our arch nemesis, "Sir Injury Bug," occasionally appearing. While the beginning of this season does not resemble that of the last one in which the Pelicans had a fully healthy Zion Williamson available to start(14-8 in 22-23), one could argue that this team is in a better position for success from an overall standpoint. Let's look into the first quarter and see what the Pelicans did well.

Catch And Shoot 3's Are MONEY

While the Pelicans aren't shooting a high amount of three-pointers (26th in the NBA in attempts), 93.8% of their made three-pointers come off of passes. Matt Ryan is leading the way, shooting 46.5% on 4.8 catch-and-shoot three-point attempts per game. The Pelicans have four players in the Top 25 on catch-and-shoot attempts in the entire NBA. This stat heavily favors the Point Zion scheme the Pelicans had begun to deploy more often as the first quarter of the season progressed. With Trey Murphy's return from injury and the emergence of rookie shooter Jordan Hawkins(more on that later), this could be a vital part of the Pels' push for the playoffs.

Jordan Hawkins Is A Rookie Veteran

On draft night, the New Orleans Pelicans selected Jordan Hawkins, to the dismay of many of the Pelicans' fanbase. Jordan Hawkins may not have been what the fanbase wanted then, but he has swiftly become a favorite and a pivotal piece of the Pelicans rotation. Possessing what NBA Champion and color commentator Antonio Daniels would call "a wetter," Jordan "Hawk" Hawkins is a viable threat from three-point range, shooting 37.3%, while leading the team with 150 attempts. Not only is Hawkins a willing and able shooter from deep, but he also has the makeup of an elite two-level scorer possessing a lethal midrange package. Hawkins is third on the NBA Rookie ladder behind second-year rookie Chet Holmgren and talented Frenchman Victor Wembanyama. What makes Hawkins so unique, beyond his shooting prowess, is his unbothered demeanor. There's never a moment too big for the 21-year-old rookie, often asking for the ball in crucial moments and attacking the boards to grab a pivotal game-swinging rebound. While Jordan is a gifted offensive threat, his lack of defensive ability could potentially hinder his playing time with a fully healthy Pelicans roster. Hawkins recorded his first Healthy DNP of the year against the Kings, which can only point to the fact that he is the only rotation player with a negative plus/minus (-3.2). One can only hope that by gaining muscle mass and his teachable mentality, Hawkins will grow into a capable defender as his career progresses. The future is bright for this young star, and he is, without a doubt, the steal of the NBA Draft at this current moment.

Herb Jones Is To The Pelicans What James Brown Is To The Music Industry

Herb Jones is more than just a gifted defender; 20.7% of the team's possessions end in a Herb Jones assist. Jones is also shooting a career-high 35% from three while adding 64% from inside the arc and 88% from the free throw line. The twenty-five-year-old, three-year pro is evolving into a top-tier do-it-all forward right before our eyes. Jones is the most crucial piece in the overall success of the New Orleans Pelicans. He may never get the fanfare of Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, or even Trey Murphy III. Still, the success of all of those individuals weighs heavily on the availability of Herb Jones. This strikes a unique resemblance of the relationship between the honorably nicknamed "Hardest Working Man In Show Business" James Brown, and two of the most prominent music and pop culture superstars, Michael Jackson and Prince. Brown never reached the popularity of Jackson and Prince but is credited as the most influential artist in both world-renowned celebrities' careers. James Brown is also the most sampled artist of all time, being sampled a whopping 8,877 times, with a significant amount of those samples garnering commercial success. While Brown may never be celebrated in the same breath as Michael Jackson or Prince, one could argue that Brown made it possible for those individuals to reach their levels of success by being so great at what he does best. The same can be said for Herb Jones and the Pelicans. Herb Jones has the uncanny ability to correct his teammate's defensive lapses before those lapses hurt the team. He's also developed the ability to space the floor, pulling defenders away from the basket with the threat of Jones not only shooting but making the corner three-point shot. While Herb is already one of the most respected defenders in the entire NBA, he is more than a defender to this Pelicans team. Jones is the Heartbeat, the engine, and the hardest working man in a Pels Business. 

CJ McCollum Is The Perfect Veteran For This Team

CJ McCollum is having a career year in steals, assists, and blocks while still scoring an efficient 20 points per game on 50% shooting from two. and 36% from three. While those are impressive statistics for the Pelicans' third option, McCollum's most significant contribution to this team cannot be quantified in numbers. CJ is the consummate professional who unapologetically holds his teammates accountable privately and publicly, often highlighting his behind-the-scenes conversation with franchise cornerstones Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. This attribute in a veteran player who also supplies on-court production has been the missing link of the New Orleans Pelicans organization since the departure of future Hall Of Famer Chris Paul.

After being sidelined by injury, CJ returned to the lineup against the Philadelphia 76ers, contributing a full stat line of twenty points, four rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block. McCollum's steady nature on and off the court has been a breath of fresh air for this organization. 

Is This The Deepest Team In The NBA?

A group of basketball players are posing for a team photo.

With seven double-figure scorers, ten 35% or more three-pointer shooters, six 60% field-goal shooters, and ten players having a positive plus/minus per 100 possessions, this is, without a doubt, the deepest team the New Orleans Pelicans have ever deployed. One could argue that this is one of the deepest teams in the entire NBA. The 12-10 record may not show that at first glance, but when you take into consideration that the Pelicans have had their opening night starting lineup on the floor to start a game only six games out of a possible 22(27%) and have been without budding young star Trey Murphy III, and fan favorite Jose Alvarado the majority of the season, one could say that things could be a lot worse. With the revelation of top-tier young defender Dyson Daniels, the gravity-shifting shooting ability of NBA Journeyman Matt Ryan, "the knife" Naji Marshall, and the surprising contribution of Cody Zeller, this Pelicans team can play multiple different styles of basketball. This level of depth is a luxury that most organizations rarely can garner, yet here the Pelicans are. 

With so much depth and talent, one has to wonder how Coach Green will manage the minutes of this team moving forward. How do you keep team morale high through the inevitable DNPs that will mount up for players deserving of playing time? Furthermore, do the Pelicans commit long-term to resting Zion on back-to-backs, or is this a short-term plan? With the consistent lineup changes due to injury and the number of pivotal minutes played by first and second-year players, the first quarter could be considered a success despite the team's current overall record. The Pelicans' unlucky injury track record helped them develop their young talent while coming out of it with an above .500 record.  Now, we gear up in Las Vegas to begin the second quarter. Will the Pelicans put it all together and make a run, starting with winning the In-Season Tournament? Tune in tonight at 8 pm central time for tip-off.

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Why Peyton "Pop" Houston Could Play a Major Role in LSU's Pursuit of Easton RoyalWhy Peyton "Pop" Houston Could Play a Major Role in LSU's Pursuit of Easton Royal

By Auston Taylor • July 8, 2026
 LSU has made it clear that five-star wide receiver Easton Royal remains one of its top priorities in the 2027 recruiting class. Although Royal is currently committed to Texas, LSU has continued to recruit him aggressively. Based on recent recruiting events and public reporting, one factor that could strengthen the Tigers' position is the presence of quarterback commit Peyton "Pop" Houston. While no outcome is guaranteed in recruiting, Houston's relationship with Royal has become one of the more intriguing storylines surrounding LSU's 2027 class. According to recruiting coverage from The Opening and reports from And The Valley Shook, Houston and Royal showcased noticeable chemistry while competing together on the national stage. Houston also drew attention by winning the event's longest throw competition with a reported 67-yard throw, further reinforcing why many evaluators consider him one of the premier quarterback prospects in the 2027 class. In my view, Houston has the potential to become much more than another highly rated offensive commitment. Elite quarterbacks often become magnets for other top recruits, and early signs suggest Houston could have that kind of influence on LSU's 2027 recruiting class. Why Houston Matters in Royal's Recruitment Quarterback and wide receiver relationships have become one of the most influential factors in modern recruiting. Elite receivers aren't simply choosing a school—they're choosing an offense, a coaching staff, and perhaps most importantly, the quarterback who will help maximize their abilities. If Royal ultimately views Houston as LSU's quarterback of the future, it gives the Tigers another compelling selling point. Rather than asking Royal to imagine what the offense could become, LSU can point to chemistry that has already been displayed during national recruiting events. That doesn't guarantee a commitment flip, but it does provide LSU with something tangible that few recruiting pitches can offer: an established connection between two elite prospects. LSU's History Shows Why This Matters LSU's greatest offensive seasons have consistently featured elite quarterbacks throwing to elite receivers. During the Tigers' historic 2019 National Championship season, Joe Burrow captured the Heisman Trophy while throwing to arguably the greatest receiving corps in college football history—Ja'Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, and Terrace Marshall Jr. That offense rewrote NCAA record books and remains the standard for modern college football offenses. A few years later, history repeated itself. Jayden Daniels won the 2023 Heisman Trophy while benefiting from one of the nation's most explosive receiving duos in Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. Daniels' remarkable development was certainly his own, but LSU's elite receiving talent allowed the offense to reach another level. The lesson is clear: great quarterbacks elevate receivers, but elite receivers also help quarterbacks reach championship-level production. That history gives LSU a compelling message for recruits considering Baton Rouge. Peyton "Pop" Houston's Development Houston's rise as one of Louisiana's premier quarterback prospects is backed by more than recruiting rankings. Evaluators consistently praise his arm strength, touch, ability to extend plays outside the pocket, and willingness to attack defenses vertically. His continued development at Evangel Christian Academy has made him one of the foundation pieces of LSU's 2027 recruiting class. The Bigger Picture If LSU eventually pairs Peyton Houston with Easton Royal, it would represent much more than another recruiting victory. It would signal that LSU landed a quarterback capable of attracting elite talent around him while adding a receiver willing to build alongside that vision. Programs that consistently compete for championships often see recruiting momentum build this way. Elite quarterbacks attract receivers. Elite receivers attract additional offensive talent. Once that cycle begins, recruiting classes can quickly become special. None of this guarantees that Easton Royal will flip his commitment. Texas remains in a strong position, and recruiting decisions can change for countless reasons. However, Houston's emergence gives LSU something every elite program hopes to have: a quarterback capable of becoming the centerpiece of an entire recruiting class. LSU has already witnessed what happens when championship-caliber quarterbacks are paired with elite receivers. Joe Burrow won the Heisman Trophy. Jayden Daniels won the Heisman Trophy. If Peyton "Pop" Houston eventually helps bring Easton Royal to Baton Rouge, it could become one of the defining recruiting stories of LSU's 2027 class—and perhaps the first step toward building another explosive Tiger offense.

Tight End Room Outlook: Revamped and Ready To Roll

By Kaden Arkeder • July 4, 2026
The tight end room has some fresh blood and they look poised to be more impactful heading into next season. With the new arrivals of Noah Fant and third round draft pick Oscar Delp the offense will have the ability to play more in multiple tight end sets to create mismatches for the defense. Multiple tight end sets should allow the Saints to improve the run game and conversely the play action game. Playing in tight end heavy sets was something they were unable to do more of last year due to injuries and lack of talent at the tight end position. Mainstay and the only returning starting caliber player is Juwan Johnson. Johnson had a good year last year as one of the few reliable targets in the passing game aside from Chris Olave. Johnson is looking to build on a solid year where he had 77 receptions for 889 receiving yards with 3 touchdowns. He was a security blanket when Rattler was starting and had quite a few big plays when Shough took over as the starting quarterback. With Shough coming into the season as the presumed starter I expect their connection to be even better next season. Someone hoping to have a better connection with a new QB is Noah Fant. Fant was a first round pick back in 2019 with the Broncos but has never quite lived up to his draft status. Fant will be playing on his third team in three years as he seeks to be a quality rotational piece in the offense and find stability for his career here in New Orleans. Fant should be utilized more in the passing game than in the running game but should be able to hold his own when called upon to do his part on run downs. Fant has been on a statistical decline since his time with Denver as his best receiving season came in at 68/670/4 back in 2021. Although his stats have been declining Fant still has plenty to offer with his athleticism and should produce more given a better opportunity. After Fant in the depth chart should be Oscar Delp who could be the x-factor of the tight end room after being selected in the third round of the draft this year. Delp brings a versatile option to the offense as he can lineup in various spots and handle the rigors of blocking in the run game. Delp’s calling card in college was his elite athleticism which jumps off the screen when you watch his tape. He has the ability to turn a five yard catch into an explosive play with how quickly he can get to top speed. Delp is an adequate, willing blocker where like most new tight ends in the league has room to improve in the blocking area of his game. With his versatility and athleticism I believe Delp will play a pivotal role in the offense this upcoming season. With Delp presumed to round out the depth chart at tight end the remaining tight ends will be competing for spots on the practice squad or spots on another team. This group includes Cody Hardy, Treyton Welch, Moliki Matavao, and Zaire Mitchell-Paden. We’ve seen Welch and Matavao from last season fill in admirably after some injuries but are best served as bench options at this point in time in their development. This group of roster hopefuls should hopefully provide some good competition from one another as we progress through training camp and preseason here shortly. Overall this group has a lot more promise heading into this season as it did last year. By getting younger and more athletic the tight ends will play a more prominent role in Kellen Moore’s offense. Whether it’s Juwan building on last season or Fant having a bounce back year or Delp proving to be revelation, the team is going to have plenty of options to choose from to attack the defense. Exactly what this team needed after not having enough last season.
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