What Up Damaja: Sixers visit Jrue and the Pelicans in New Orleans

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Hey, remember Jrue Holiday? He played in Philadelphia for a minute, made the playoffs once or twice, was considered one of the 12 best players in the East for at least one February, then was jettisoned about 15 minutes into the Sam Hinkie era for other stuff that'll hopefully help out at some point. He's in New Orleans now, playing point for the Pelicans, and the Sixers will get a look at his new team firsthand tonight with their first visit to the Big Easy.

New Orleans has had a very slow start to the season, going 3-6, with losses to the woeful Jazz, Lakers and Magic on their rap sheet. Jrue hasn't exactly gotten on famously with his new team either, averaging 14 points and seven assists (with over four turnovers) on just under 40% shooting--numbers all well worse than those he posted in his All-Star campaign last year with the Sixers. Holiday has been largely hurt by the team's bad floor spacing due to a lack of outside shooting, which should improve with the return of injured sharpshooter Ryan Anderson, but for now, Jrue and the Pellies are having a hard time finding rhythm.

Of course, this is all pretty good news for the Sixers. As part of the Jrue deal, Hinkie and company own the Pelicans' first-round pick next year, so New Orleans floundering a little bit and maybe getting up there in the lottery is just peaches for us. That said, can't let them get too bad, lest they maybe fall in the top five of the draft, in which case the Pelicans get to keep the pack until next year. So the Sixers lose tonight, and it's kinda like double-tanking for us. Woo.

8:00 tip from New Orleans. All the best to Jrue and his new buddies as soon as this year ends. Until then, solid below-averageness will do us just fine.

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