The NBA made the right call by shutting down its G League Ignite team

The NBA needs to shift its resources around to make a better future for the league

Welcome to Layup Lines, For the Win’s basketball newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Have feedback for the Layup Lines Crew? Leave your questions, comments and concerns through this brief reader survey. Now, here’s Mike Sykes

Happy Friday, folks! Welcome back to Layup Lines. Thanks so much for joining me today. I hope you’ve had an amazing week.

Let’s talk a bit about Thursday’s NBA G League Ignite news. Shortly after it broke, I popped a quick explainer about the league’s decision on the Ignite team and what caused it.

Essentially, Adam Silver and the company decided that the team didn’t have purpose anymore. With NIL deals in college sports and the Overtime Elite league being another option for young hoopers, the NBA decided it didn’t need a team just to pay the players anymore. That’s the rationale behind the closure.

I’d push back a bit on that, though. That was never really the point of the Ignite team. Paying players was part of the impetus, sure. But the NBA wanted to establish its own prep-to-pro pipeline that ensured more players were coming into the league ready to play NBA basketball.

This is still a problem in Adam Silver’s eyes — particularly with American-born players. Ironically enough, when he alluded to canning the G League Ignite squad a few months back, he expounded on that exact point. The next goal for the NBA seems to be improving that process.

“If you’re seeing now, what we’re seeing in terms of that close to 30 percent of the league, players born outside the United States, it’s clear that the development is very different in many of those programs,” Silver said. “More of a focus on practice, less of a focus on games, which seems to be the opposite of many of the youth programs in the United States.”

Silver continued, “I think there’s an opportunity for us to be part of the community that’s developing younger players, elite players.”

To me, this sounds a lot like a pivot. Instead of focusing its resources on players transitioning to pro, Silver seems to want to focus more on ensuring players are prepared for the NBA before they begin to think about that process. At least, that’s how I read that.

The NBA already has its Jr. NBA and WNBA programs. An NBA academy pipeline already exists and has plenty of success stories. But maybe Silver sees a way to improve it that we’re not privy to yet. I’m not totally sure, but I do like where his head seems to be.

As great as the Ignite program was, it didn’t seem to work. It didn’t attract the talent the NBA thought it would. This year’s team isn’t very good either – the team is 2-28 through 30 games. That isn’t very good.

Instead of wasting resources on a failing project, a pivot is more than welcome here.

The Pelicans might be in some trouble

Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans was flying high in our latest NBA Power Rankings, climbing all the way to 5th after winning eight of its last 10 games.

But now, that climb is at risk of turning into a slow descent. The injury bug is back in New Orleans after Brandon Ingram hyperextended his knee in Thursday’s loss to the Magic.

READ MORE: The Celtics are still at the top of the NBA, but the Pelicans are soaring with the contenders now

Ingram will be out for at least the next couple of weeks, according to the latest from the team, and will be re-evaluated. There’s a possibility he could miss even more time.

The timing couldn’t be worse. There is only about a month left in the season before the playoffs start, and the Pelicans were just a game behind the Clippers for the No. 4 seed in the West. This drawback could drop them even further in the standings if the team struggles to win without its second-best player.

Maybe Zion Williamson’s play is enough to sustain all this. We’ll have to wait and see. But, regardless, this is a big blow.

Shootaround

— Nikola Jokic is ridiculous, man. This pass doesn’t make any sense. Here’s Bryan Kalbrosky with more.

— Prince Grimes has more on J.B. Bickerstaff’s problems with sports betting. This is becoming a common theme in the NBA these days.

— John Calipari and two of the best NBA prospects are out of March Madness. I wrote about that upset in TMW this morning. Check it out.

— On the women’s side, UConn’s Aaliyah Edwards has declared for the WNBA draft, leaving some fans in shambles. Here’s Meg Hall with more.

That’s all, folks! We’ll chat again next week. Until then! Peace. Have a fantastic weekend.

-Sykes

NBA Twitter reacts to Lakers’ 44-point win over Pelicans in IST semifinal: ‘Summer League team back in action in Vegas tonight’

Here’s how NBA Twitter reacted to the Lakers blowing out the Pelicans in the semifinal of the In-Season Tournament.

The Los Angeles Lakers are heading to the In-Season Tournament Final to take on the Indiana Pacers.

LeBron James, Anthony Davis and crew dominated since the first half and eventually blew out the New Orleans Pelicans 133-89.

Here’s how NBA Twitter reacted to the second semifinal of the night.

8 impressive facts that tell the tale of the brown pelican

Get to know this unique species.

At least 10 huge brown pelicans swarm behind a fishing boat as it enters the marina near Loreto, Mexico’s malecón. These Baja pelicans aren’t taking no for an answer. They want whatever discarded fish they can get.

More pelicans hunch on the rocks, waiting for the next boat. They flap and dive bomb, they reach their beaks into the air and show off their weird gullets. During my four days in Loreto, I visit the malecón pelicans six times. It’s the best pelican viewing ever. It also makes me want to learn more about these huge birds with lots of personality. Discover some brown pelican fun facts in the list below, and learn more about Baja with resources like this.

A colorful sculpture spelling out "Loreto."
Loreto, the place for brown pelican watching! / Photo by Teresa Bergen

Matt Ryan meets Matt Ryan and Matt Ryan at Saints practice

Matt Ryan met up with Matt Ryan and shook hands with Matt Ryan at New Orleans Saints practice on Friday:

Now this is funny. The New Orleans Saints held a meeting of the Matts at the team practice facility on Friday, which they shared in a video on social media. Saints public relations staffer Matt Ryan and New Orleans Pelicans forward Matt Ryan shook hands with former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan, these days working as a CBS Sports analyst.

It’s not something you see everyday. The Saints’ Ryan has been a big part of the team’s presence on social media and fan outreach efforts. The Pelicans’ Ryan has been playing his heart out as a surprise starter with Brandon Ingram dealing with a knee injury — on Thursday night, he put up a career-high 20 points in 35 minutes, going 6-of-8 from the three-point line while logging two rebounds and two assists.

And of course we should acknowledge the Ryan from CBS Sports. After finishing his storied NFL career with the Colts, Ryan turned to broadcasting, and he’ll be in the booth for Sunday’s game between the Saints and Chicago Bears (which is why he was in town). He also played for the Atlanta Falcons earlier in his career where he helped Cameron Jordan set the NFL record for the most sacks of a quarterback by a single defender.

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Zion Williamson makes surprise cameo at Saints training camp

Pelicans star Zion Williamson made a surprise cameo at New Orleans Saints training camp, sprinting outdoors in 100-degree heat:

There have been a number of surprise appearances at New Orleans Saints training camp this year, with big-time player agent Drew Rosenhaus roaming the sidelines on Wednesday and legendary former Saints quarterback Drew Brees expected to visit practice on Friday. But on Wednesday, one local star athlete made an unexpected cameo during the early-morning heat: Zion Williamson.

The Associated Press’s Brett Martel reports that the New Orleans Pelicans superstar was spotted sprinting outdoors under supervision of trainers, using a practice field unoccupied by the Saints at the time. That doesn’t sound like much on its own, but it’s big news for Williamson and the Pelicans. The 23-year-old has missed a lot of time with injuries in his pro career and often been criticized by fans and outside observers for poor conditioning.

So it’s a good sign that he’s testing his surgically-repaired foot and the hamstring that took him out of action last year. To do so outside in New Orleans means a lot to anyone who knows anything about the area this time of year. At the time Williamson was reported to be working outside, AccuWeather reported a “RealFeel” temperature index accounting for heat, humidity, and shade at 108 degrees Fahrenheit.

That’s challenging for anyone, but it’s a serious hurdle for a young athlete seeking to improve himself. It’s good to see Williamson working with team personnel to tackle it. Hopefully his efforts pay off when the Pelicans open their 2023 season in a few months. Saints stars like Cameron Jordan, Alvin Kamara, and Derek Carr have been spotted cheering Williamson and the Pelicans courtside, so we’ll be keeping an eye out for more crossovers.

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Larry Nance Jr. refreshingly defended Zion Williamson’s after yet another critique about his work ethic

Larry Nance Jr. has had enough of the Zion Williamson criticism.

Zion Williamson can’t catch a break this summer. It’s been rough for the Pelicans’ star.

First, obviously, he was injured for the second half of the season after an electrifying start with the Pelicans that had the team sitting at the top of the Western Conference.

Not even that fantastic start could buy Williamson enough goodwill to keep his relationship with the team out of the news. He was unfairly blamed for the Pelicans’ end to the season where he didn’t play because of his hamstring injury. That never really went away.

There’s also reporting out there that the relationship between Williamson and his teammates essentially doesn’t exist.  ESPN’s Brian Windhorst previously reported that there was “limited relationship” there.

On top of that, you’ve also got everything going on off the court in Williamson’s personal life that reportedly has the Pelicans “dismayed,” according to SNY’s Ian Begley. I’m not quite sure what that means, but it was apparently enough to have the Pelicans consider trading him for a chance at Scoot Henderson.

Now, you’ve got folks questioning Williamson’s work ethic and his drive to get better. Fox Sports 1’s Ric Bucher most recently reported that Williamson has “no interest” in developing a floater or a pull-up jump shot.

First of all, that’s extremely hard to believe. The problem with Williamson isn’t that he necessarily hasn’t gotten any better in his time in the NBA. Rather, it’s that he hasn’t actually played as many games as we’d all like to see.

If you wanted to question whether he should change his body or workout differently to maintain health? Alright. Maybe that’s a bit more fair. But as far as improving? Nah. That doesn’t seem like an issue.

It must not be one. Because Williamson’s teammate, Larry Nance Jr., quickly came to Williamson’s defense on this one.

“I don’t understand the constant attempts to drag Z’s name… . I’m in the gym with this dude all season andhe’s consistently putting in work on his touch, jumper and skill shots. These dudes need to stop putting out fake stories just for clicks. It’s pathetic.” 

It was refreshing to see a teammate come out and defend Williamson in this way — especially considering all of the criticism that has come about his relationship with the team.

Sure, Nance goes a little hard here in this response. But you can understand the frustration considering how Williamson has been talked about over the last few months.

None of this is going away. Where there’s smoke, there’s certainly fire. The only thing that makes criticism like this fade into the background is actually playing and winning.

Hopefully, we’ll see a bit more of that from Zion and crew this season.

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Pelicans exploring trade options for PG Kira Lewis Jr.

Former Alabama PG, Kira Lewis Jr, may be on the Pelicans trade block

Kira Lewis Jr. was the New Orleans Pelicans’ first-round selection (No. 13 overall) in the 2023 NBA draft, but it appears as if the young point guard may be on the move in the coming days. Lewis spent two seasons with the Crimson Tide basketball program before foregoing his remaining eligibility. Alabama fans have got to see Lewis playing alongside Herb Jones for the past few years, but it appears as if that is coming to an end.

Lewis had seen his minutes and role diminish each of the past three seasons and the Pelicans have seemingly decided it was best for his future to get a fresh start. Lewis only averaged 9.4 minutes a game in 2023, so I think he would agree that getting a new opportunity with more minutes is crucial for his development. It isn’t known yet who the potential trade suitors could be, but I imagine there will be a handful of teams interested in the 22-year-old.

Through three seasons in the league, Lewis has averaged 14.4 minutes a game and averaged 5.8 PPG, 1.4 RPG and 1.9 APG. He had also spent some time with the Pelicans G-League affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron, this past season.

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Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

New Orleans Pelicans decline Herb Jones team option for the 2023-24 season

Former Alabama stand out, Herb Jones, set to be a restricted free agent this summer

The New Orleans Pelicans have opted to decline Herb Jones’s team option for the 2023-2024 season. At first glance, it might seem like bad news, but the move is set up in a way that Jones will be a restricted free agent this summer and both Jones and New Orleans can towards a long-term extension.

If the Pelicans would have picked up the team option for the upcoming season he would be unrestricted after the next season, so they needed to protect and pay him

Jones was selected out of Alabama in the 2021 NBA draft with the No. 35 overall selection in the second round. Jones has been an absolute steal for the Pelicans as he has been a massive asset for the team, especially on the defensive end. Jones was an NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2022 but took a big step forward in 2023 averaging 29.6 minutes a game with 9.8 PPG, 4.1 RPG, and 2.5 APG. However, Jones really made his mark in the play-in game when he played 39.1 minutes and posted 20 points, five rebounds and five assists.

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Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Everyone’s unfairly blaming Zion Williamson for the disastrous end to the Pelicans’ season

Don’t blame Zion Williamson for why the Pelicans are where they are.

The New Orleans Pelicans season got off to such a strong start this year. In December, the Pels were actually at the top of the Western Conference.

Zion Williamson looked like a potential MVP candidate. He was literally bullying teams and was just straight up disrespectful with some of his dunks. New Orleans was riding high on all of this excitement.

But then Zion got hurt. He had a hamstring injury that kept him out for a few weeks. Then he re-aggravated it and it kept him out even longer.

Now, we’re here. The Pelicans have been booted back into the lottery with Williamson watching as the Thunder eliminated New Orleans from the NBA play-in tournament.

And it wouldn’t be the Pelicans if it didn’t come without some sort of controversy.

Before the game, video of Williamson dunking during warm-ups surfaced on social media.

Now couple that with quotes from Williamson saying that he is, indeed, physically ready to return to play but not quite there mentally, per the Associated Press.

“I can pretty much do everything, but it’s just a matter of the level that I was playing at before my hamstring,” Williamson continued. “I don’t want to go out there and be in my own head and affect the team when I can just be on the sideline supporting them more, because I know myself. If I was to go out there, I would be in my head. I would hesitate on certain moves and it could affect the game.”

That’s reasonable, right? Williamson has been on the sideline since January because of his hamstring issue. He’s working his way back into playing shape. So, naturally, in the Pelicans’ biggest game of the season, it stands within reason that Williamson wouldn’t want to return and mess things up.

But no. Fans, media and everyone else didn’t take it that way. Instead, they went in on him for somehow not being there for his team. Some even called for Williamson to be traded.

NBA fans might not see Zion Williamson again until next season and that stinks so much

The playoffs are almost here, y’all!

Welcome to Layup Lines, our basketball newsletter where we’ll prep you for a tip-off of tonight’s action, from what to watch to bets to make. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox every afternoon

Howdy, folks. Welcome back to Layup Lines. It’s Sykes here to usher you into the last weekend of regular season basketball. Let’s talk about Zion Williamson.

Chances are we won’t see the Pelicans superstar at all for the rest of this season.

The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Will Guillory are reporting that Williamson is “unlikely” to be ready for the Pelicans’ appearance in the NBA Play-In tournament. Charania added that the team has been “cautious with Williamson’s comeback as he continues rehab process.”

Words cannot describe how unfortunate that is.

Williamson has been out since January 2 with a hamstring injury. At the time, the Pelicans were 3rd in the conference and just a half-game out of 1st place. For a time, the Pelicans were actually the west’s top team. The team looked like a legitimate title contender and Williamson looked like an MVP.

Now, here New Orleans is. Back in the same spot the team was in last season — play-in bound and facing a tough road ahead without their best player.

It’s impossible not to wonder about the future of this team at this point. Zion Williamson is the face of it now, sure. But questions about whether the team can depend on him to be there when it counts are legitimate.

For Williamson’s career, he’s averaging 25.9 points per game on 60% shooting from the floor. That’s incredible. But it doesn’t matter — at least, not as much as it should. Why? Because he’s only played in 114 games in his NBA career and he’s been in the league for four seasons.

The Pelicans have something special when he plays. When he doesn’t? New Orleans is just another NBA team. And, for a team with so much promise, that’s beyond disappointing.

Please, Basketball Gods. Get Zion healthy and keep it that way. For the good of the game.

The Tip-Off

Some NBA goodness from around the USA TODAY Sports network.

The Dallas Mavericks have to be the most disappointing team in the NBA this season. To go from the Western Conference Finals with one of the best five or so players in the league to missing the postseason completely? That’s a disaster.

Well, that hasn’t exactly happened yet. The Mavericks can still make the play-in tournament, but Dallas needs to win out to have a shot. And, well, let’s just say the Mavs don’t seem to concerned about that. Dallas is sitting most of its rotation on Friday.

Our Christian D’Andrea has more.

“The team will be without Irving, Tim Hardaway Jr., Christian Wood, Josh Green and Maxi Kleber for a showdown with the Chicago Bulls. Those five players have 108 starts for the team between them. While it’s reasonable to assume the Bulls could rest their veterans after locking in a spot in the Eastern Conference’s play-in, the Mavericks are content to let their postseason hopes lie with Luka Doncic, Reggie Bullock, Dwight Powell, Jaden Hardy and JaVale McGee.”

Let’s be honest — tanking to get and keep a high draft pick is the smart thing for Dallas to do. It just isn’t going to make Luka Doncic happy at all.

This summer could get extremely messy in Dallas. That’s a situation to watch.

One to Watch

(All odds via Tipico.)

Heat (-4.5, -190) @ Wizards (+160), O/U 217.5, 7 PM ET

(AP Photo/Matt Kelley)

Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat are sitting in 7th currently and trying to work their way out of the play-in tournament. The Wizards are absolutely tanking right now — Washington is sitting starters and has already been eliminated from the postseason. This is an easy Heat win. The question is where Miami will be positioned when the playoffs start. We’ll have to see where things go with the Nets to figure that out.

Shootaround

— Kevin Durant proved how silly the NBA’s new CBA rule is with one tweet.

Charles Barkley and Shaq are up to their regular shenanigans. These two are hilarious, man.

—Here’s a look at the full WNBA Draft order ahead of Monday’s action

— Russell Westbrook got a good bit of revenge against the Lakers. That had to feel good.

Enjoy the weekend, y’all.