Chris Dodson Articles - Page 13

Gone are the days of OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam. It’s now the Scottie Barnes Era as far as the Toronto Raptors are concerned. Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett are decent complimentary pieces. Bruce Brown Jr., Jakob Poeltl, and Kelly Olynyk have enough experience and guile to get the Raptors close to the NBA Play-In […]

The New Orleans Pelicans have mixed on-the-margin strategy moves with one big swing for Dejounte Murray to piece together a productive offseason. EVP David Griffin got the deal done with the Atlanta Hawks before some prospects woke up from the NBA Draft’s after-parties. Other signings have been strung out throughout the summer, including one big […]

The Portland Trail Blazers are still in a transitional phase, looking to build a new identity in a post-Damian Lillard world. Scoot Henderson was not exactly the big prize in the 2023 NBA Draft but the organization is ready to make the best of the situation. There were a lot worse outcomes after all and […]

Brandon Ingram has been a foundational piece for the New Orleans Pelicans since being acquired in the 2019 Anthony Davis trade. The former second-overall pick has been consistently impressive, showing growth in various aspects of his game. Unfortunately, the past year has been a difficult one for the 26-year-old. Trade winds have been blowing through […]

The Memphis Grizzlies are gearing up for the 2024-25 NBA season with high hopes of bouncing back from a challenging stretch marked with injuries and suspensions. With key players returning (Ja Morant, Marcus Smart) and big new additions (Zach Edey) to the roster, fans have every reason to expect another NBA playoffs run. Making predictions […]

The Memphis Grizzlies made some bold moves this offseason. First, the front office doubled down on the Go Big in Grind City approach by drafting Zach Edey. Re-signing Sixth Man of the Year candidate Luke Kennard shored up the rotations in anticipation of Ja Morant’s return to the lineup. Other than some two-way contract shuffling […]

The Houston Rockets are entering the 2024-25 NBA season with plenty of reasons for renewed optimism. After an offseason of mostly standing pat, the front office is betting on the development of their young core to make significant strides in the Western Conference. Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, and Steven Adams will serve as the veteran […]

The Houston Rockets are gearing up for an exciting 2024-25 NBA season with a mix of veteran leadership and youthful potential. Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks are ready to compete for a postseason spot. Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., and Cam Whitmore are more experienced. Alperen Sengun is poised to make an All-Star level leap […]

The New Orleans Pelicans have significantly changed their roster this summer, setting the stage for arguably the most anticipated season since Zion Williamon came to town. All-Star additions and a renewed focus on maximizing the potential of their exciting young core have fans expecting an NBA Playoffs appearance at a minimum. The front office is […]

As the 2024-25 NBA season approaches, the New Orleans Pelicans are poised to make a significant impact in the Western Conference. Will the best-case scenario play out though? With a mix of young talent and seasoned veterans, the Pelicans have the potential to exceed expectations. The franchise also has a history of regressing to the […]

It has been a long, hot, winless summer in the city, but that can all be forgotten. New Orleans Pelicans fans have plenty to look forward to now that the NBA’s 2024-25 season schedule has been completely revealed. The front office’s gamble at a point guard upgrade with Dejounte Murray was the biggest move to […]

No move in the NBA player acquisition market is made in a vacuum. There are always salary floors and luxury tax to consider, along with how the move increases the chances of beating other teams. The New Orleans Pelicans swapped out spare parts for Dejounte Murray, getting better on paper. Raising the talent level in […]

When football fans of any level think of the greatest plays, they often envision spectacular offensive drives or game-saving defensive stops. Well, much like their home city, the New Orleans Saints are a bit different. Some of the most iconic moments in the franchise’s history have come from the special teams unit. The unique twist […]

The New Orleans Pelicans are on the clock despite the NBA Draft having wrapped up in June. No, EVP David Griffin’s last two items on the offseason to-do list are sorting out the center position and signing Trey Murphy to a contract extension. The starting and closing options for paint patrolling will be figured out […]

The New Orleans Saints are undefeated after squeaking out a last-second 16-14 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. As the final score suggests, it was a sluggish preseason road opener, but all coaches would rather conduct film studies following a win. This is especially true in New Orleans. The Saints have not won back-to-back preseason openers […]

The New Orleans Pelicans knew they had to make some upgrades this summer. Executive Vice President David Griffin stressed the point during the team’s exit interviews. Being swept out of the NBA Playoffs by the Oklahoma City Thunder exposed some significant weaknesses. Plugging those holes immediately became the priority in a highly competitive Western Conference. […]

In the ever-evolving world of sports collectibles, Leaf Trading Cards has carved out a unique niche by focusing on affordability and authenticity that resonates with every kind of collector. Under the leadership of President Josh Pankow, Leaf made strategic decisions to invest in the future stars of sports through NIL deals, particularly in football, while […]

The New Orleans-based Manning dynasty of Archie, Peyton, and Eli are usually the first names to mind when talking about great Louisiana High School football quarterbacks. Well, much like Outkast at an award show, the northern part of the state has always had something to say in that G.O.A.T conversation. So many products from the […]

The New Orleans Pelicans are at a pivotal juncture with Zion Williamson entering his prime. With a roster brimming with talent, head coach Willie Green faces the challenge of optimizing rotations to maximize team performance. One strategic move that could pay dividends is convincing veteran guard CJ McCollum to embrace a bench role to help […]

Willie Green’s first big decision after being hired by the New Orleans Pelicans was a call to EVP David Griffin about Herb Jones. The first-time head coach was going to start the team’s second-round pick, a rarity in the NBA. It was a gamble that has paid off tremendously. Jones oozes a defensive prowess that […]

The New Orleans Pelicans are making significant moves this offseason. Yves Missi and Antonio Reeves are the front office’s most recent NBA Draft additions. Trading Dyson Daniels and Larry Nance Jr. ensures a new-look squad will grace the Smoothie King Center court next season. Fans not the arena will notice a big difference in how […]

The New Orleans Pelicans’ quest to find a suitable trade partner for Brandon Ingram has hit another roadblock. The Utah Jazz were once considered one of the most sensible potential destinations for the talented forward. Utah President Danny Ainge put a damp town on those small fires by inking Lauri Markkanen to a long-term contract […]

Offseason breaks lead to odd stats. There is one that is disheartening for both the New Orleans Pelicans and Nike’s Jordan Brand. Zion Williamson has blown out more Nike sneakers (1) in front of President Obama than appearances in NBA Playoffs games (0). The All-Star had a career-high in games played last season but came […]

The Houston Rockets entered the 2024 NBA offseason with high hopes of building on their promising 2023-24 campaign. With a young core showing significant improvement and a clear mission to accelerate their rebuild, the Rockets aimed to add complementary pieces to their roster. However, despite their best efforts, one decision stands out as their biggest […]

The Las Vegas NBA2K25 Summer League trip was a disappointment for the New Orleans Pelicans going by the win-loss records. Fans hoping for Jordan Hawkins (2023) and Yves Missi (2024) to prove worthy of their first-round pick statuses had good reason to feel short-changed after going winless (0-5) in Sin City. Missi was a bit […]

The New Orleans Pelicans are gearing up for another season under head coach Willie Green’s stewardship. Now going to his fourth year in charge, the Detroit Mercy alum is facing some new challenges, with some more welcomed than others. Fitting in Dejounte Murray around Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram is a good problem. The challenge […]

Executive Vice President David Griffin has made significant moves this offseason, including acquiring All-Star guard Dejounte Murray and signing veteran center Daniel Theis. New Orleans also nabbed promising Baylor big man Yves Missi and sharpshooting Kentucky guard Antonio Reeves in the 2024 NBA Draft. However, the revamped front office stuck with the homegrown core despite […]

The 2024 Paris Olympics have been a stage for many remarkable performances. Two representatives from the New Orleans Pelicans have been making their marks on the Games, though their respective national teams are getting far different results. Jose Alvarado (Puerto Rico) and Daniel Theis (Germany) are making significant impacts and lasting memories but only one […]

The New Orleans Pelicans are due for some new threads, and luckily enough, NBA Jersey Leak Season is just getting started. Some teams will have five looks, others just four, and the Boston Celtics will have another notch on their golden championship stags. Fans of the Pelicans will have a chance to add something new […]

The NBA’s Southwest Division is no joke. The Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, and San Antonio Spurs all have reason to believe they will make the NBA Playoffs next season. Each organization has made significant moves this offseason in free agency and decision-makers are now turning the scouting pages to focus […]

The NBA Draft and Summer League sessions are in the past. Some events (like Men’s Soccer) have already kicked off but the 2024 Paris Olympics do not officially open until July 26. Free agency has cooled off as much as the trade market. The downtime can lead to stir-craziness. Fortunately, fans can find an outlet […]

The New Orleans Pelicans had to replace nearly all of the team’s minutes at the center position from a season ago going into the initial NBA Free Agency frenzy. Jonas Valanciunas jumped ship in a sign-and-trade to the Washington Wizards. Dependable backups Larry Nance Jr. and Cody Zeller were sent to the Atlanta Hawks in […]

The NBA’s summer events are all old news now that the Miami Heat have won the NBA 2k25 Summer League Championship. Veterans are wrapping up vacations while rookies prepare for the ramped-up intensity of a first professional training camp. There is no time off for several Southwest Division stars though. Jose Alvarado (Puerto Rico) and […]

The NBA’s Summer League schedule starts in California, includes a stayover in Salt Lake City, and ends with a two-week whirlwind in Las Vegas. Lottery picks and late second-round selections battle European-based talents and undrafted free agents. G-Leaguers on two-way contracts made their cases for guaranteed spots once the 2024-25 NBA regular season rolls around. […]

The New Orleans Pelicans did not win a game during NBA2k25 Summer League play in Las Vegas. That has not stopped the front office from handing out deals to a couple of the team’s most crucial contributors. The franchise’s 2022 second-round draft-and-stash prospect, Karlo Matkovic, signed a contract in the middle of the summer slate. […]

The highs of winning and the consequences of losing in Las Vegas can vary wildly. One person’s jackpot is just another’s spare change. Players vying for roster spots and training camp considerations during NBA Summer League action are no different. An experienced lottery pick and a rookie second-rounder will be judged differently even when posting […]

It is vacation time for practically everyone in the NBA with a guaranteed contract. Executives, players, coaches, and even the referees are ready for a break after a long season, the draft, and then a month of Summer League preparations. Some players must stay ready though as teams like the Utah Jazz still have roster […]

The New Orleans Pelicans are leaving NBA2k25 Summer League action without a win but the organization is not coming home completely empty-handed. There are plenty of lessons to learn from a winless venture in Las Vegas. EVP David Griffin and head coach Willie Green were just a few in attendance to see firsthand exactly what […]

The NBA’s Summer League sessions are a wrap as far as the Utah Jazz are concerned. Fans and the front office have seen enough to know what needs to be prioritized going into training camp. This year’s team needs a bit more direction in a difficult Western Conference. The newest batch of rookies will likely […]