The Statement Year

Dylan Mckneely • October 25, 2023

2023-2024 New Orleans Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans begin their 2023-2024 season tonight against the Memphis Grizzles. Will this be the year that the Pelicans finally put it all together? There may be some added motivation for the Pelicans according to General Manager Trajan Langdon, "We're excited about this year, there's a bitter taste in the mouths of all our players with the way we ended last year and with all the injuries. We weren't able to show what we were truly capable of. When players aren't being talked about and the league forgets about your impact, they have an edge when coming in," says Langdon. It goes without saying, this is a statement year for the New Orleans Pelicans, the question is... what statement is being made?


"I'm Back." - Zion

"What I worked on was being unguardable." The media day quote heard around the World... Or around the entire state of Louisiana at least. Zion Williamson is poised to begin the 2023-2024 season fully healthy and fully motivated. Williamson replaced his patented smile and childlike enthusiasm, with a more business like approached to media day. This new approached didn't show early return in the preseason, often playing uninspiring basketball. One could contribute Williamson's lack luster play to start the preseason to getting acclimated to playing in a NBA game for the first time since January 2,2023 against the Philadelphia 76ers, or it could be adjusting to a new offensive scheme. Zion put all of those worries to rest in the final preseason game, coming out not just locked in offensively as he normally is but also displaying high level effort on the defensive end. Finishing the game with five(5) steals and two(2) blocks, schematically the Pelicans played Williamson as more of a free safety resembling his role at Duke University. This defensive revelation could pay huge dividends if it translates into the season. While all of these things are a welcome site playing the game is not the problem for Zion, it's his availability to play the game that is. When on the floor Zion is a MVP candidate and the Pelicans are a Top 3 team in the West. Yes, Zion is back... but is he here to stay?

 

Need I Remind You?

After a disappointing showing at the FIBA World Cup, Brandon Ingram enters the 2023-2024 with something to prove... That he is one of the best basketball players in the NBA. Coming off a year where he averaged 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assist per game, a strong argument can be made that we have yet to see Brandon Ingram fully put it all together. Could this be the year that he shows the World  what it witnessed at the FIBA World Cup was an anomaly and this is the year we finally see Brandon Ingram become the complete basketball player. Like Zion the true achilles heel of Brandon is also his availability. Ingram suited up to play in 45 games in the 2022-2023 season, well below what you'd desire to see from one of your star players.  One can only hope that a motivated Brandon Ingram is not only enough to elevate his play, but also the play of the New Orleans Pelicans as a whole. A unhealthy Pelicans team led by a motivated and dare a say angry Brandon Ingram took a fully loaded Phoenix Suns to a game six(6) in the playoffs. Coming in to the season already in playing shape with an added edge the 26 year old going into his eighth season in the association, is looking and expected to take his game to an even higher level.


Will The Real Coach Green Please Stand Up?

According to LinkedIn, it takes 3 to 5 years to create culture in a workplace. This statistic tells us that, this year is the year we should truly see the Willie Green imprint on this Pelicans team. Not only from a statistical standpoint but from a continuity point as well. The Pelicans go into the 2023=2024 season with the same starting five for  consecutive seasons for the first time in the Willie Green era. Coach Green added James Borrego to his coaching staff with the intent of transforming the offensive scheme into a more up pace free flowing modern style. One that supplements the personal and desired playing style of this current iteration of Pelicans. Some would say this is a make or break year for the Pelicans, placing a lot of the burden on Coach Green to get the best out of his often injured superstars. Has the Coach Green Culture fully set in, and is it one that can succeed even in the midst of uncertainty? Only time and the wins and loss total will tell.


The Moral Of The Story

There will be a statement made this year one way or another. This statement hinges heavily on the three individuals mentioned above. According to Ceasars Sportsbook Zion is a 18/1 favorite to win the MVP trophy. The Pelicans as a whole are projected to finish anywhere from 3rd to 11th in the Western Conference according to CBS Sports. The table is set for the Pelicans to finally step into the sustained success that continuous to allude them. With the maturation into stardom of Trey Murphy, the continued development of Herb Jones and Dyson Daniels, the return of double double machine Jonas Valanciunas, and the addition of young sharp shooter Jordan Hawkins, the Pelicans have the pieces necessary to be a hard out for any team on any given night... The only question is will the top guys be available to lead the charge. In the words of Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin "Hope Is Not A Plan." Let's hope that the plan the Pelicans have in place will lead to a deep playoff run.

- Dylan Mckneely (@DylanMckneely)

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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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