Jesse Brooks
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jessecbrooks.bsky.social
Jesse Brooks
@jessecbrooks.bsky.social
Writer, musician, occasional TV commercial actor in New Orleans, Louisiana
He’s the Punxsutawney Phil of the NBA.
February 8, 2026 at 3:45 AM
Definitely not blood on anyone’s hands.
February 5, 2026 at 4:49 AM
Pretty much
February 5, 2026 at 4:47 AM
I don’t mind Trey and his great contract being in New Orleans and long the Pelicans could build a team full of “great guys”. But you can’t even do that if major salary dudes aren’t even playable.

For the right deal, Murphy (or anyone) shouldn’t be untouchable.
February 5, 2026 at 4:31 AM
There’s ways to make these team work but it requires acquiring so much beyond Zion and Murphy, which is impossible when you have so much money tied into non-contributors like Poole and Murphy.

So you have to move what you can, even if they’re in your “core”.
February 5, 2026 at 4:18 AM
Zion’s case is more obvious.

Was a potential superstar, missed time hindered that.

He’s done a lot to get right this season but feels like the train has left the station.

Has maintained being a valuable player, no longer a star.
February 5, 2026 at 4:18 AM
Like watching a bunch of crooked hall monitors out there. They’re talented enough without all the entitlement so it sucks all the fun out of every game they play.
January 28, 2026 at 3:39 AM