In the N.O.

The official @BourbonStShots podcast, hosted by @FearTheBrown, @MasonGinsberg, & @JDub9911 focused on the @PelicansNBA & @NBA at large.

[Shamit Dua @FearTheBrown]

Pelicans hire Jamahl Mosley - story:

[Dan Dickau @dandickau21]

What??? Big Shot is one of the best. Unreal.

[Shamit Dua @FearTheBrown]

New Orleans Pelicans Director of Performance and Sports Science Daniel Bove has accepted a position with the Philadelphia Flyers, multiple league sources tell me.

Bove is someone Zion Williamson has routinely credited with his physical improvement and rehab.

[Shamit Dua @FearTheBrown]

The TPBNC is an elite event. Truly nothing like it across the country and perhaps no better pipeline towards working professionally in basketball (team, agency, league office, player union - you name it).

I'm grateful to be invited every year as a judge. I always learn a ton.

[Shamit Dua @FearTheBrown]

Zion Williamson leads the NBA in points per possession off cuts, minimum 50 possessions. He is shooting an absurd 80.6% from the field off cuts.

Try Murphy not far behind

[Shamit Dua @FearTheBrown]

From trade throw-in to the NBA’s most efficient closer. Saddiq Bey is shooting a staggering 72.2% in the clutch in 2026. The Pelicans have found a keeper and he's earning every bit of his next payday. My feature on Saddiq Bey:

[Shamit Dua @FearTheBrown]

Since Herb Jones returned on 1/23, the Pelicans are:

- 9th on offense
- 15th on defense
- 13th in net rating.

But wait, there's more. In the JB era, the Pelicans are 10-10 when Herb Jones plays, 3-20 when he doesn't.

Insanely impactful player.

[Shamit Dua @FearTheBrown]

If you listen to the pod, you knew Memphis was ready to blow it up. Here is what I was hearing on the Grizzlies 8 days ago

[Shamit Dua @FearTheBrown]

To your point, here are two absolutely key reads he made last night in the clutch

[Shamit Dua @FearTheBrown]

Different rosters, different coaches, same Herb Jones.

5 seasons running now that he's simply been a wildly impactful player for the Pelicans regardless of who is on the court

[Shamit Dua @FearTheBrown]

The Pelicans have the 28th ranked defense in the league with a DRTG of 119.2. But when you remove the rookie minutes, you see that they are capable of defending at a high level. The results are consistent across the board.

[Shamit Dua @FearTheBrown]

The two timeline approach didn't work for the Warriors and is failing for the Pelicans. How should the Pelicans navigate having untouchable vets but rookies who need development?

They can't do both. In my latest I discuss how the decision might already be made for them.

[Shamit Dua @FearTheBrown]

Since Christmas, Pelicans net rating:

Fears and DQ both on: -8.31
Fears and DQ both off: +6.69

It's incredibly difficult to win in the NBA with rookies.

[Shamit Dua @FearTheBrown]

In the last 10 games, the Pelicans are -15.8 per 100 in the Derik Queen minutes and that's a team worst mark.

Borrego is often left searching which big is going to impact any given night, and lately Yves Missi has answered the call.

[Shamit Dua @FearTheBrown]

We're finally back and going LIVE after the Pelicans game this afternoon around 4:30/5p. There's a LOT to cover.

- trade rumors 🤯
- locker vibes 🧐
- coaching impact 📈
- rookies 💪🏾

And so much more! Join us on the YT channel after the game

[Shamit Dua @FearTheBrown]

Did a quick check on which positions each team is getting production from to see how the Pelicans stack up positionally. They are getting the least combined production in the league from the PG, SG, and C positions. Separated out, they are LAST at PG, 27th at SG, and 26th at C.

[Shamit Dua @FearTheBrown]

17 drives for Jeremiah Fears in just 28 minutes against the Bulls

[Shamit Dua @FearTheBrown]

Here's what people need to understand about the draft trade from the Pels side.

1) they had top five valuations on both Fears and Queen, they believed they were trading for a top 5 pick a year in advance

2) they believed this roster could compete

[Shamit Dua @FearTheBrown]

Based on my understanding of the situation, this is not true. The Pelicans knew what they were giving up from the get go.

Multiple OTHER teams, however, didn't understand what best of Pels/Bucks meant without a corresponding WORST of. I've spoken to many different teams on this.

[Shamit Dua @FearTheBrown]

59% of the Pelicans shots last night came at the rim, which is the highest mark they have registered since Willie Green started coaching in 21-22. The Pelicans have registered 4 top 10 marks already in the Borrego era. (Looking back all games since 2021)