TIP 3 gets expert opinion on eventful week in New Orleans

As the OKC Thunder continue a brutal scheduling segment, TIP 3 dives in with Pelican Debrief to talk about their crazy week prior to the tip.

The OKC Thunder are right back at it again following the heart breaking loss in Denver.

Heading into the match we touch base with FanSided Affiliate Pelican Debrief and feature columnist Chris Connor.

Since the squads last met so much has changed for both the  OKC Thunder and New Orleans Pelicans. Both squads have suffered significant losses and each has made palpable improvements. Entering the match the teams are separated by a half game in the standings.

With that, let’s dive into the TIP 3:

Pelican Debrief weighs in:

NBA Mourns for Cousins:

Regardless of what team your affiliated with, the loss of DeMarcus Cousins to an Achilles injury sent reverberations across the NBA. The timing of the injury was particularly cruel given Boogie is in his contract season, entering free agency this July. Moreover, the Pelicans appeared fairly solidly entrenched on the playoff ladder. In his eight professional seasons Cousins never experienced the postseason.

In terms of the injury, OKC Thunder fans share Pelicans’ fans pain after losing Andre Roberson. The loss of both players has palpable affects on the hardwood. Personally, my heart goes out to the big man.

Q1: The Cousins Process:

All reports have the Pelicans firmly committed to keeping Cousins in the mix. What is the scuttlebutt in New Orleans? Is management definitive in their statements to bring back Cousins? And, can you provide some insight on DeMarcus Cousins state of mind following the injury.

Connor sheds some light:

The Pelicans are absolutely keen on keeping Cousins long term. In fact, one of the hiccups in their latest trade with the Bulls involved them making sure they were financially setup to afford him in the offseason.

With every move they make aimed at keeping Anthony Davis long term, Boogie is a must. Especially considering how close the two superstar big men are.

The only struggle at this point is the risk they’d be taking in Cousins. An Achilles rupture is one of the more difficult injuries to recover from. Offering the max to a guy and not knowing how they’ll bounce back long term is a risk. But given the situation, the Pels don’t have much of a choice.

That’s just the bad side, the positive angle is the man Cousins is. He’s had to overcome a bunch in his career and life. More than anything he’s had to repeatedly prove himself to the world. This injury is just another example.

One would assume Boogie was originally angry and confused. He had fully committed himself to winning. He had changed his game and the Pels were playing their best basketball, polishing off their best win.

As soon as things looked like they were all about to take off, he’s out for the season. You could imagine that could really fracture a person’s confidence. Cousins appears to have a good support system. He definitely has one with the Pels.

No matter the odds, people wouldn’t be wise to count him out.

Q2 Mirotic packs his boxing gloves and heads to New Orleans:

New Orleans may not have pulled a trade on par with the Pistons, but it’s no less impressive given the message it sends the fans and players.  Nikola Mirotic offers depth, floor spacing and gives the Pelicans immediate versatility.

Where do you envision Alvin Gentry primarily utilizing Mirotic? Will he start and if so, does that move Anthony Davis to the center role for the majority of his minutes? 

Connor opines on Mirotic’s role:

I expect Alvin Gentry to use Niko Mirotic the same way he used Ryan Anderson. Mirotic will more than likely be the sixth man, and give the team instant offense off of the bench.

That would mean Mirotic would be apart of the finishing five to end the first half and the game. The key will be if the Pels lock up Greg Monroe.

Monroe would be the preferred and likely starter. If he doesn’t end up coming back home to NOLA, I could then see Mirotic possibly starting.

Many outsiders have pleaded for AD at the Center full time. And while Davis will do whatever best helps the team, he has been open about his want to stay at power forward.

Q3: Monroe possibility, other trades and needs:

The other key news out of New Orleans is the rumored pursuit of Greg Monroe. Reports are Gentry reached out to Monroe specifically to sell him on joining the Pelicans and to presumably discuss his potential future.

Certainly, his presence would add much needed depth for the Pelicans.

Notably between sending this questions and Connor’s response Monroe has elected to go to Boston instead based on the money offered as per Adrian Wojnarowski.

How accurate are the reports Monroe is a done deal? Is there further information (plans for long term commitments in the summer)?

Are there any other rumored players New Orleans is actively pursuing?  And, which areas of the roster do you feel need the greatest attention?

Connors offers his take (prior to above news):

I don’t know about it being a “done deal” but I would assume it’s close. Monroe is of course from New Orleans and would get the biggest opportunity to produce with the Pels. No other team interested could offer him the chance to start right away. That seems to be what’s most important to him currently.

I can’t imagine Monroe being back after this season however. The Pelicans won’t have much to offer him role wise or financially. The only chance he’ll have at returning is if negotiations break down with DeMarcus Cousins, or they simply decide to go into a different direction.

In addition to Monroe a nice wing player would be welcomed. They were rumored to be pursuing Tyreke Evans again, but after trading their first rounder that’s probably unlikely.

Some are picturing a scenario where they trade a few second rounders and Alexis Ajinca’s contract for a SG/SF. Overall the Pelicans lack the assets to demand much. With dealing Dell Demps you still never know. We’ll just have to stay tuned.

Finally, the Pelicans sit just a half game back of the OKC Thunder in sixth. OKC is in the middle of a brutal schedule segment having flown through copious time zones and enter the evening playing the second night of a back to back set after a heart breaking loss.

Does this give the Pelicans the edge this evening? Who wins and by how much?

Connor’s prediction:

Well I would imagine playing at home should energize the Thunder. Whatever they lack in energy they should be cancelled out by the opponent they’ll be facing.

The Pels won’t have many guys to dress. Mirotic won’t play until Saturday at the Wolves, and Monroe (if he signs) soon afterwards.

It would take super human performances from Jrue Holiday, AD, and Rajon Rondo. Additionally they’ll need some unheralded players to have big nights. I know OKC have dropped some games versus inferior teams, but they should still have the edge

Thanks again to Chris Connor of Pelican Debrief for his insights and taking the time to prep Thunder Nation prior to the tip.

To get you further prepared for the game check out our full game day preview. And make sure to follow us on Twitter during the game and check back post game for player grades