00:00What an incredible week it has been with the New Orleans Pelicans taking Australian basketball by storm.
00:08We get one last look at the Pelicans today before they head off for their regular season.
00:13They take on the South East Melbourne Phoenix at a sold out John Kane Arena in the NBL NBA series.
00:20On Friday night Jeremiah Fears will come in at one late chase to the Pelicans line up with Murphy not playing due to some saunas.
00:28We'll get to that very very shortly as well. The Pelicans have bounded out of the huddle.
00:32They are ready to go for this one and the Phoenix, we haven't seen South East Melbourne play since last Thursday
00:38when they took on Melbourne in the Crosstown Throwdown and they were very disappointing in that performance.
00:43So a chance for them to bounce back as well.
00:45He'd be anxious as well, he's another one that has NBA aspirations still just a young man.
00:51One thing we haven't actually talked about with this difference in the games is the NBA ball.
00:56The ball is a leather ball and it takes a little bit getting used to you know,
00:59the more sweat on your hands the better it feels so early on in the game it's a bit of a different feel
01:04but I guess Nathan didn't realise that.
01:06Based themselves on the defence and this is different to what we've seen in the first two games.
01:10They're much more retreated, not picking up and well they might need to have a look at some weak side health
01:16particularly when Zion has got the ball.
01:21Williamson away to a good start again. Sobe, nice find inside for Hunter.
01:25Yeah that's a tough match up though.
01:27The NBA, NBL Melbourne series, a sell out once again at Rod Laver Arena.
01:34Pull catch and shoot, it's good.
01:37Yeah I mean he found his range on that first one I think.
01:40Five points already for Jordan Poole, their leading scorer.
01:44Flat looking jumper from Gourjov Gak, who checks into the game.
01:49Looney in transition.
01:53That's one thing they definitely want to see.
01:56Phoenix certainly don't want to see, they need to do a better job contesting the ball.
02:01Contesting the boards.
02:03Done that to themselves a little bit, they've been so busy enjoying the nightlife most nights as well.
02:08So, you know, it's a credit to what Melbourne's delivered for the entire team.
02:12I like to see a little bit more ball movement.
02:14They've just got a wide open three from some ball movement.
02:17Those ones are going to look a lot better on film.
02:22Need to be more disruptive because right now they're in their preferred defensive positions.
02:29Yeah, 100%.
02:30If they cross that split line a couple of times, you know, the defense has to move.
02:33LaPoole with a crossover, nice take.
02:39And the finish.
02:41Sharp from Jordan Poole.
02:44Yeah, I mean, this man here has it going.
02:46That's three.
02:48That's it.
02:49He's feeling comfortable.
02:53As we saw on Friday night, the Pelicans are looking to get into their offense quickly and attack.
02:59An attack they are doing.
03:00Find a way to take this pace out of the game, Phoenix, because it's right in New Orleans' sweet spot at the moment.
03:07Foster the youngster.
03:09Against the shot clock.
03:10Nice finish.
03:11Yeah, good to see that.
03:17Foster for a Ketchalier.
03:19There we go, there's another one to drop.
03:21First time we see a Ketchalier in a South East Melbourne Phoenix jersey.
03:25Hasn't played the first couple of games because of personal reasons.
03:29They're having all sorts of problems stopping New Orleans shooting the three ball.
03:33Listen, it's high pressure in this game.
03:36I actually thought they would come out and be like, you know, cool breeze.
03:39Look, this has the energy of a regular season game, right?
03:44Didn't even have a perimeter shot.
03:46Yeah.
03:47You've got to guard the perimeters too, right?
03:48A lot of the game now is a lot of switching, a lot of, you know, getting out of position.
03:52And position-less is what they're trying to move to.
03:55So, is that something you would do?
03:56I would definitely not wear sunglasses in one month, nor would my teammates let me wear them.
04:02Gaze.
04:04Gaze.
04:05Back in 2000.
04:06That was Vince, that was not me.
04:08You were, you were provoking him.
04:11You were never provoked.
04:12Would you?
04:13You weren't a tougher out there very much, man.
04:15Anything when there's one more than the Lakers is anything.
04:18You know what I'm saying?
04:19Anything better than one of the Lakers is anything.
04:21It's great, you know?
04:22Man, they didn't forget you about what you bought in 2008.
04:25I don't know, man.
04:26Look at LeBron.
04:27LeBron's down there 50, playing still.
04:29Oh, man.
04:30That's incredible.
04:31Jumper from Hawkins.
04:33Wow, look at him.
04:34He's up to eight points.
04:35Man.
04:36What a bomb out by watching.
04:37That's huge.
04:38That's huge.
04:39I think you need veterans.
04:40Veterans are able to not only share the knowledge.
04:44He sees and understands the game differently than what he was given credit for throughout points of his career.
04:49Pass from Hunter to Maldonado.
04:51The Phoenix is staying now, Hunt.
04:53A lot of players watch film and say they watch film, but, man, there's access to these people instead of just picking up, you know, from video.
05:02Matjavich gone up ahead.
05:04Transition from the Pelicans who want to play fast this season.
05:08You know, from video.
05:10Matjavich gone up ahead.
05:12Transition from the Pelicans who want to play fast this season.
05:16So, I wanted to say earlier about Jordan Poole.
05:19If you don't know Jordan Poole, it's his nickname.
05:22Nice laugh, by the way.
05:25Unsuccessful.
05:26Long rebound, Malik Lewis.
05:28Here we go.
05:29There's that ball movement you were talking about, Katie.
05:31Ball movement to an open three, though.
05:33That's different.
05:34Foxwell and Malik Lewis.
05:35So, small line-up out here for the Phoenix right now.
05:38Which means...
05:39Look at that.
05:40Dribble meditations.
05:41That's what we want.
05:43A decent amount of time living in Melbourne every year.
05:45Yeah.
05:46Well, he...
05:48Oh, look at Williamson.
05:49Behind the back.
05:50The flow!
05:51Mark has nearly got taken out.
05:56Pelicans really getting this ball to hum around.
05:59Shot clock at four.
06:00Sadiq Bey with another deep three.
06:03That's tough.
06:06One of the hardest rollers in Australian basketball.
06:08Jordan Hunter.
06:09Peavy.
06:10Quick release three.
06:11Ooh!
06:12That's the bottom of the net.
06:13There's a lot of positives that the Pelicans can take away from this weekend.
06:18Meesey being one of them.
06:19Ooh!
06:20Thunderous, Jim.
06:21And the work they do before a game, it's a full-on workout.
06:22It's not just a regularly warmed up.
06:23Look out!
06:24There's a long period of time.
06:25In your moments, you're working on your game shots.
06:26And Meesey comes down the lane with another bit of thunder.
06:28John Brown brings the ball up the floor.
06:29All hands on deck to get these rebounds.
06:30And it pays off.
06:31Timeout, Pelicans.
06:32He's marching through.
06:33He's kind of hovered around this mark for much of the second, of this third quarter.
06:34Yeah, it is.
06:35And it's a full-on workout.
06:36It's a full-on workout.
06:37It's a full-on workout.
06:38It's not just a regular, it warmed up.
06:39Look out!
06:40There's a long period of time.
06:41In your moments, you're working on your game shots.
06:42And Meesey comes down the lane with another bit of thunder.
06:43John Brown brings the ball up the floor.
06:44All hands on deck to get these rebounds.
06:45And it pays off.
06:46Timeout, Pelicans.
06:48He's marching through.
06:49He's marching through.
06:50He's kind of hovered around this mark for much of the second, of this third quarter.
06:56Yeah, it is.
06:57And just the results, not as significant, I think, is the way in which the Phoenix can
07:05get to turn the value out of this.
07:07And they continue to find a way.
07:09And down the other end, Morato just looks like he's done himself a mission.
07:14It's a good time for sure.
07:16I'm sure they'll play cautious with this one and let him rest.
07:21He's been, like you said, he's been such a good, good thing for the game of basketball
07:25out here.
07:26But for them, he's their heart and soul on defense.
07:28You know, he gives them so much energy out there.
07:30And it's fun to watch him play.
07:32And quicker.
07:33You just get forced to play quicker and make it a bit tougher.
07:39Oh, hello.
07:40And reset.
07:41Nice hustle from McGowan's trying to make life difficult for Foster.
07:48Took it into the paint and somehow gets it to work.
07:52Shot without any paint penetration and that's not what they want.
07:55So, it's all about different looks.
07:58It's going Daniels for Hawkins.
08:00Lays it up.
08:01To the Phoenix today.
08:03Again, would have loved to see Malik shoot that last one.
08:07I know it would have been a quick shot, but they got the penetration.
08:12They got a swing, swing.
08:13Let it fly, young fella.
08:15This swing form is saving.
08:17Soghi checks it from the three-point line.
08:19They're 11-31.
08:20No, this is a beautiful place to play.
08:22Fans are right close to the court.
08:26Hoping Josh gives them a longer look next game.
08:35That counts.
08:36He turned down.
08:37Team that won 49 games two seasons ago.
08:41You know about the injuries that happened a year ago.
08:44Zion.
08:45Oh, that was nice.
08:46Zion.
08:47Show that he can get on the glass and lock it right.
08:50We watched Kristen Schumate in the warm-up on Friday.
08:53This guy has got some unbelievable hops.
08:57He's bringing a nice pass for Dickinson.
09:00Kristen Schumate for the nice take.
09:03Another of these young guys looking for opportunities with the Pels this season.
09:08Tough finish from Foster.
09:11Heading into the NBL season.
09:13Big man Dickinson.
09:14The flop with the left hand.
09:18Sign with the Pelicans in May.
09:20Hunter Dickinson after going undrafted.
09:23A genuine success.
09:25The New Elite Pelicans come to Australia, play two games, and capture the hearts and the imagination of a nation.
09:34They win today 127 to 92.
09:37Hey, Sadiq.
09:38Let's just talk about the fact, hey, it's been a long time since you've been able to play some basketball games.
09:42How good do you feel out there?
09:43Yeah, man.
09:44It's grateful to God, man.
09:45It's been over a year and a half.
09:47I pray every day just to be able to finish the game healthy.
09:50So I'm just grateful to be back out here, man.
09:52And the opportunity in Australia, man, it's a blessing.
09:57What has this experience been like just this week, being out here, being able to see these fans, see all these Pelicans jerseys, see all these NBA fans, and kind of get put on the show for these guys?
10:06It's been great, man.
10:07It's been great, man.
10:08Melbourne's had just a great city.
10:09They put it on for us.
10:11Great atmosphere, and it's just a blessing, man.
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