1 00:00:15,599 --> 00:00:21,920 What is up, fellow thermonuclear a effort, I am damn Valley coming at 2 00:00:21,960 --> 00:00:27,120 you with get another mail bag as I finish up day four without caffeine. 3 00:00:27,239 --> 00:00:32,439 The energy I have right now might be artificial or maybe just delirious and coherent. 4 00:00:32,719 --> 00:00:35,600 We're about to find out. Had so many great questions. There's a 5 00:00:35,679 --> 00:00:38,880 chance I might need to split this into a third part, which is fine 6 00:00:38,880 --> 00:00:41,399 because I already announced there will not be a mail back next week because we 7 00:00:41,439 --> 00:00:44,200 get into off season grades. I'm gonna try and get through as many as 8 00:00:44,240 --> 00:00:49,079 possible, but never to keep the off season episodes more manageable length where they're 9 00:00:49,079 --> 00:00:53,159 not like eighty hours each, I might need to split this into a weekend 10 00:00:53,240 --> 00:00:56,359 mail back episode. So thank you all for your questions. It was fantastic. 11 00:00:56,679 --> 00:00:59,079 If this is your first time checking us out, you've stumbled upon us 12 00:00:59,079 --> 00:01:02,799 for some reason, hit that subscribe button on YouTube right now means the world 13 00:01:02,880 --> 00:01:04,760 to me. If you are listening to us for your podcast player, throw 14 00:01:04,799 --> 00:01:10,200 us the permanent subscription, help us download or excuse me, please download every 15 00:01:10,200 --> 00:01:12,640 episode. Tell your friends, family members, acquaintances, coworkers about us, 16 00:01:12,680 --> 00:01:15,519 people on the internet who you know, like Hoops, You can also retweet 17 00:01:15,519 --> 00:01:19,920 our promos on Twitter. Of course that helps out a bunch. Or if 18 00:01:19,920 --> 00:01:22,920 you know people consume a lot of YouTube videos for basketball, tell them to 19 00:01:23,000 --> 00:01:26,159 check us out, me out as we as I try to do a very 20 00:01:26,200 --> 00:01:30,719 thorough, unserious though job of covering the entire MBA at large. Join our 21 00:01:30,719 --> 00:01:34,840 Discord. It's a lot of fun in there. This is a discord dominant 22 00:01:34,840 --> 00:01:37,280 mailbag. Those are the question I'm gonna get too first, so you will 23 00:01:37,280 --> 00:01:41,159 get priority, or at least ensure that there's one mailbag per week with your 24 00:01:41,239 --> 00:01:45,359 question by being in discord in ways that you cannot ensure that on Twitter, 25 00:01:45,879 --> 00:01:49,640 via email, as I've gotten some via direct message or via YouTube, even 26 00:01:49,640 --> 00:01:53,760 though I put out solicitations on YouTube though, So join our Discord. Link 27 00:01:53,840 --> 00:01:57,840 to that is in the YouTube description and the podcast description. Our socials are 28 00:01:57,879 --> 00:02:01,599 either on your screen or in the podcast sla YouTube description. Who That was 29 00:02:01,640 --> 00:02:05,560 a longer intro than I wanted, But let's dive right into this mailbag. 30 00:02:05,640 --> 00:02:08,800 There was a shit ton of really good questions. They're all really good questions, 31 00:02:08,800 --> 00:02:15,159 but this one was especially chock full of them and included a lot of 32 00:02:15,879 --> 00:02:21,439 thinkers. So HP Bergie discord again, as I've been wondering about something for 33 00:02:21,479 --> 00:02:24,879 the next mailbag, how many teams are one player leap away from being legitimate 34 00:02:24,919 --> 00:02:30,159 real contenders. For example, Job made an unexpected MVP level leap last year 35 00:02:30,159 --> 00:02:32,080 and the Grizzlies have the second best record in the league. That is still 36 00:02:32,120 --> 00:02:36,960 fucking wild that it wasn't just the second best record in the West, there 37 00:02:37,000 --> 00:02:39,680 was the second best record in the league. Some teams I thought about for 38 00:02:39,680 --> 00:02:43,759 this where the Timberwolves and the Pelicans if anton Zion make joll Eva leaps. 39 00:02:43,759 --> 00:02:46,120 But are there others the Cavs with MOBILEI, the Raptors with Barnes. What 40 00:02:46,199 --> 00:02:50,479 teams have enough talent that if one guy developed enough, it could take them 41 00:02:50,479 --> 00:02:53,199 into the upper echelon of contenders. That's a fantastic question, And I like 42 00:02:53,680 --> 00:02:59,680 framing it this way rather than what team is one player away, because really 43 00:02:59,719 --> 00:03:02,280 every team could dectually be one trade away if someone like Kevin durandis letting around 44 00:03:02,280 --> 00:03:07,639 out there. But this is a more interesting exercise because it's more attainable if 45 00:03:07,680 --> 00:03:13,520 you have someone on your team who you think can develop into something or make 46 00:03:14,560 --> 00:03:17,919 a bigger leap to where this core that you have as currently constructed could be 47 00:03:19,240 --> 00:03:25,319 a contender. And so look, HP Energy excuse me, HP Bergie, 48 00:03:25,439 --> 00:03:29,840 you already like listed most of the main ones. I'll push back, So 49 00:03:29,919 --> 00:03:31,919 let's go through them here. I don't think the Calvs with Mobile just yet. 50 00:03:31,919 --> 00:03:37,039 There needs to be another offensive dynamic to them on the perimeter that even 51 00:03:37,039 --> 00:03:39,639 if you run more stuff through Mobile, I don't think that you get there. 52 00:03:39,639 --> 00:03:43,800 They could come pretty close though, but that I think you need a 53 00:03:43,840 --> 00:03:49,240 combination of Oh, Mobile makes a leap, plus you acquire someone who's not 54 00:03:49,280 --> 00:03:53,240 already on the roster, and that includes if they resigned Sexton, extant LeVert 55 00:03:53,560 --> 00:03:57,280 whatever. I'm with you on the timber Wolves, they are just I have 56 00:03:57,439 --> 00:04:00,360 there's another question. I think it's going to directly follow this one that they're 57 00:04:00,400 --> 00:04:02,240 going to relate to. People are either there are some people that might be 58 00:04:02,280 --> 00:04:05,919 too high on the Timberwolves. I think generally nationally were too low on the 59 00:04:05,960 --> 00:04:10,840 Timberwolves, especially when you're looking at the regular season. But if you get 60 00:04:10,879 --> 00:04:14,360 the leap from Anthony Edwards and you don't really have to concern yourself with well, 61 00:04:14,360 --> 00:04:16,279 who's going to be the engine of our offense and do we have someone 62 00:04:16,319 --> 00:04:20,399 who can hit off the dribble triples, score from the mid range with the 63 00:04:20,480 --> 00:04:23,959 floater, which we know that he's been working on in the offseason. Finish 64 00:04:24,040 --> 00:04:27,000 tough at the rim, get to the line, who is just that threat 65 00:04:27,040 --> 00:04:29,879 at every level. And then is also a playmaker Dealo is pretty good last 66 00:04:29,959 --> 00:04:32,000 year. He's probably a little bit more of an efficient offensive player than people 67 00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:34,839 credit him for. He's not in every level. Score like that. And 68 00:04:34,879 --> 00:04:39,519 then plus just Anthey Edwards his defensive disruption or if you want to call him 69 00:04:39,519 --> 00:04:43,120 a defensive playmaker as well, that goes a long way. And you're almost 70 00:04:43,120 --> 00:04:46,399 guaranteed to have an elite defense this year if Gobert is going to remain healthy. 71 00:04:46,639 --> 00:04:53,240 So if you get that third superstar like that player who was just recognized, 72 00:04:53,279 --> 00:04:56,079 where I think you call even if you people don't like Gobert in the 73 00:04:56,079 --> 00:05:00,560 playoffs, even people have problems with Karl Anthey Town's defense, those are like 74 00:05:00,680 --> 00:05:05,759 two legitimate, unquestionable I would say top twenty guys, certainly top twenty five. 75 00:05:06,120 --> 00:05:10,439 I would throw anthy Edwards in that conversation I haven't gone through since I 76 00:05:10,439 --> 00:05:13,600 don't do I used to rank the top one hundred players for bleacher Report. 77 00:05:14,000 --> 00:05:16,680 I do not do that anymore. Kind of kind of miss it and I 78 00:05:16,680 --> 00:05:19,959 also kind of don't miss it at the same time. I digress there though. 79 00:05:20,879 --> 00:05:27,399 That being said, like if Anthy Edwards gets to that consensus top fifteen 80 00:05:27,600 --> 00:05:29,639 player, to where right now, I don't know if the Wolves have a 81 00:05:29,680 --> 00:05:32,399 consensus top fifteen player. They might actually have two, but they're gonna be 82 00:05:32,439 --> 00:05:38,199 debates is to wear kN Anthy Towns and Rudy Gobert belong. They're both like 83 00:05:38,439 --> 00:05:42,959 in the All NBA discussion for their respective positions or position they should play the 84 00:05:43,000 --> 00:05:46,319 same one. It's like, yeah, they're close to that, But does 85 00:05:46,399 --> 00:05:49,439 Aunt Edwards become like he's their best shot at getting that top ten guy where 86 00:05:49,519 --> 00:05:54,600 John Morant might have been friends that this year. So if Aunt makes Matt 87 00:05:54,600 --> 00:05:58,600 consensus top fifteen player leap, I would absolutely throw the Timberwolves in there. 88 00:05:58,800 --> 00:06:00,959 The Pelicans for sure. Or if you told me that Zion plays, because 89 00:06:00,959 --> 00:06:04,519 we kind of have a better idea of what Zion is at his peak thanks 90 00:06:04,519 --> 00:06:08,519 to twenty twenty one. If you told me Zion played in like sixty seven 91 00:06:08,560 --> 00:06:11,319 games at that level last year, I don't even know if it's a matter 92 00:06:11,360 --> 00:06:14,319 of him making a leap, he doesn't like, Okay, maybe he hits 93 00:06:14,319 --> 00:06:16,160 some more stand still threes, and maybe he's just playing better defense, not 94 00:06:16,240 --> 00:06:20,160 leaving, you know, not as inattentive or ball watchy when he's away from 95 00:06:20,199 --> 00:06:25,000 the ball itself. So, but if you told me he played in sixty 96 00:06:25,040 --> 00:06:29,519 seven games, looking at the context of that roster, having brandon Ingram, 97 00:06:29,560 --> 00:06:33,079 having CJ. McCollum, now Larry Nance Junior, seeing what you got from 98 00:06:33,079 --> 00:06:38,800 Herb Jones and Trey Murphy last year on top of Jose Alvarado, they could 99 00:06:38,839 --> 00:06:42,480 absolutely make that jump. I feel like it's a little bit harder for them, 100 00:06:42,519 --> 00:06:46,240 just because the Pelicans are going to be reliant on more inexperience close to 101 00:06:46,240 --> 00:06:48,720 the top of their roster, where it's where it's like, Okay, there 102 00:06:48,720 --> 00:06:53,279 are three sophomores, and Alvarado, Trey Murphy and Herb Jones, we're super 103 00:06:53,319 --> 00:06:57,040 important. What kind of follow up campaign campaigns do they have? And then 104 00:06:57,120 --> 00:07:00,680 how does Dyson Daniels sort of look, how much do they pend on him? 105 00:07:00,680 --> 00:07:04,360 And so that I think I'd probably put the Timberwolves just above them when 106 00:07:04,360 --> 00:07:08,360 we're looking at actual peaks. If you told me that the Pelicans is gonna 107 00:07:08,360 --> 00:07:11,360 better than the Timberwolves next year, and that's more likely you find. But 108 00:07:11,399 --> 00:07:15,720 I think if we did the ninety nine percentile outcome for the Timberwolves, it's 109 00:07:15,759 --> 00:07:19,360 probably slightly better than that of the Pelicans, and maybe like even the fiftieth 110 00:07:19,360 --> 00:07:23,920 percentile outcome, like it just there's I don't know how to describe, but 111 00:07:23,959 --> 00:07:28,759 the Pelicans feel just a little bit less immediate than peaked Timberwolves, if that 112 00:07:28,800 --> 00:07:31,600 makes any sense for anyone. So some other teams that I had, and 113 00:07:32,399 --> 00:07:36,399 you also mentioned the Raptors, they're right there. They're like a team that 114 00:07:36,439 --> 00:07:41,480 I feel like they have a very high floor and they're still might be a 115 00:07:41,480 --> 00:07:45,079 little bit lower. If Scottie Barnes is kind of just like another regular player, 116 00:07:45,160 --> 00:07:47,920 only improves incrementally compared to his rookie season. But if he makes like 117 00:07:47,959 --> 00:07:51,600 the jump and you're running more stuff through him on offense and the jumper, 118 00:07:51,959 --> 00:07:55,439 the set jumper, he's not hitting off the dribble jumpers, but he has 119 00:07:55,480 --> 00:07:59,279 like some moves when he's in the poster from the mid range, if he's 120 00:07:59,360 --> 00:08:03,319 making that like any sort of leap there even like not even a primary playmaker, 121 00:08:03,360 --> 00:08:07,040 but more of a secondary playmaker, not just someone who you're using as 122 00:08:07,120 --> 00:08:11,759 like the third ball handler, but maybe your second ball handler. You absolutely 123 00:08:11,759 --> 00:08:13,800 throw the Raptors into there. I still might. If we're looking at the 124 00:08:13,839 --> 00:08:18,160 highest outcomes of this season, I think it would go Timberwolves, Pelicans, 125 00:08:18,240 --> 00:08:20,720 Raptors. For me, they're all really close. I thought about Pelicans, 126 00:08:20,720 --> 00:08:24,360 Timorwolves, right, but yeah, if assuming no changes to the roster, 127 00:08:24,439 --> 00:08:26,879 of course, and there might be a big one in Toronto since they remain 128 00:08:26,959 --> 00:08:31,879 heavily linked to Kevin Durant. I also think so some teams I try to 129 00:08:31,879 --> 00:08:35,919 come up with that were not on this list. If you already feel like 130 00:08:35,120 --> 00:08:39,759 Philly is grandfathered into this, that fine, that's fine. But if Tyree's 131 00:08:39,799 --> 00:08:43,279 Maxie takes another step forward, given how good he already was, were one 132 00:08:43,360 --> 00:08:46,600 maybe talking about him as a potential All Star candidate, and then two like 133 00:08:46,799 --> 00:08:52,000 you're a little bit less worried about the Sixers and how dependent they are on 134 00:08:52,120 --> 00:08:56,000 James Harden and James aren't being James Harden, and then Joel bead remaining healthy. 135 00:08:56,200 --> 00:09:01,039 So I think you could throw them in there. Phoenix if mchal Bridges 136 00:09:01,120 --> 00:09:05,360 or Cam Johnson kind of makes like a really big offensive leap this year to 137 00:09:05,360 --> 00:09:09,080 where they have another consistent off the dribble creator from the outside in. I 138 00:09:09,120 --> 00:09:13,360 know Deandreton's always go, we're not always, but is their third best player. 139 00:09:13,759 --> 00:09:16,240 They need that. I will call it a guard, but they really 140 00:09:16,279 --> 00:09:20,320 just need more outside in creation. Hopefully that makes sense to people. So 141 00:09:20,360 --> 00:09:22,919 if you wanted to throw them in there, I think they're still already in 142 00:09:22,000 --> 00:09:24,879 the contenders click. But Philly Phoenix where a team to mention, and then 143 00:09:24,879 --> 00:09:30,480 the other one I have Denver. If you get like the leap from Michael 144 00:09:30,519 --> 00:09:33,879 Porter Junior this year and he stays healthy, you're not just like a new 145 00:09:33,919 --> 00:09:37,799 contender, You're one of the title favorites. I've said on this podcast that 146 00:09:37,840 --> 00:09:39,919 I'm when I go through this before the season, I don't know who's gonna 147 00:09:39,919 --> 00:09:43,120 be my title pick, but I kind of have it pinned down to like 148 00:09:43,440 --> 00:09:46,919 the five teams, and the Nuggets are very off. They're like my number 149 00:09:46,919 --> 00:09:48,679 one right as of right now. If I had to pick right this moment, 150 00:09:48,679 --> 00:09:52,600 I would pick them to win the title. Still questions about their bench. 151 00:09:52,799 --> 00:09:56,200 I went on d NVR and talked with Brennan Voight and Adamadez the other 152 00:09:56,279 --> 00:09:58,720 day, so you could go check that out. About why I'm so high 153 00:09:58,720 --> 00:10:03,600 on and maybe they don't belong in this discussion because you could make the argument, 154 00:10:03,639 --> 00:10:05,480 do they really need Michael Porter Junior to be a contender? But if 155 00:10:05,480 --> 00:10:09,120 Michael Porter Junior makes the leap that it looked like he was headed towards were 156 00:10:09,159 --> 00:10:13,679 already kind of making in twenty twenty one, and you scale that to the 157 00:10:13,840 --> 00:10:18,000 entirety of this season, we're talking about a title favorite here, and so 158 00:10:18,080 --> 00:10:22,080 those are the other teams I'd mentioned that that was a really great question. 159 00:10:22,159 --> 00:10:24,519 I don't think any one else springs to mind. If you could go with 160 00:10:24,600 --> 00:10:28,759 Atlanta and you think that DeAndre Hunter finally makes the leap, and he's more 161 00:10:28,840 --> 00:10:33,600 consistent on offense, Uh what in addition to even improving a little bit on 162 00:10:33,639 --> 00:10:39,440 defense and just improving his availability overall, I think I would listen to that. 163 00:10:39,600 --> 00:10:41,480 I think some people might argue, well, what if Patrick Williams makes 164 00:10:41,519 --> 00:10:46,159 the jump for Chicago, that could be another candidate. I kind of run 165 00:10:46,159 --> 00:10:48,600 out of options after that. Depending on how you feel about Memphis, do 166 00:10:48,639 --> 00:10:52,080 you think that they're a contender. Do they need sort of another leap from 167 00:10:52,159 --> 00:10:54,840 a Desmond manor Zeier Williams That would be another team to mention here, I'm 168 00:10:54,879 --> 00:11:01,679 not necessarily sold on them as that bona fide contender right now, which I 169 00:11:01,799 --> 00:11:05,240 recognize is such a stupid ass thing to say about a team that just had 170 00:11:05,240 --> 00:11:07,200 the second best record in the league. That was a great question though. 171 00:11:09,039 --> 00:11:15,399 Gabriel two hundred twelve hundred asked which five teams have the widest error bands for 172 00:11:15,440 --> 00:11:18,960 you going into next season and which five have the smallest by error bands? 173 00:11:18,159 --> 00:11:22,799 I just mean range of outcomes slash win records chans potential slash potential goodness. 174 00:11:24,440 --> 00:11:28,919 This was another fun question that I put a lot of thought into. So 175 00:11:28,159 --> 00:11:31,559 we'll frame it like this. I'm gonna look at the widest range of outcomes, 176 00:11:31,600 --> 00:11:37,399 so like low to high to where they could suck. I'm using his 177 00:11:37,440 --> 00:11:41,480 streams here to be like the best thing that we've ever seen on a basketball 178 00:11:41,519 --> 00:11:45,240 court. And then we'll do like the narrowest range of outcomes to where I'm 179 00:11:45,240 --> 00:11:48,000 not going to focus so much on teams that we know are gonna be bad, 180 00:11:48,600 --> 00:11:52,120 but teams that are good. And maybe they have really high floors, 181 00:11:52,639 --> 00:11:56,200 but what does that say about their ceilings? Do they have the highest ceiling 182 00:11:56,360 --> 00:12:00,279 or maybe they're just their floor is so high that it's it's just close their 183 00:12:00,320 --> 00:12:03,080 ceiling. This one's I feel like less fun. Let's start with the narrowest 184 00:12:03,159 --> 00:12:07,120 range of outcomes, so we'll start here. This is the whole exercise is 185 00:12:07,120 --> 00:12:09,960 fun, but the widest range of outcomes I enjoy a little bit more. 186 00:12:09,120 --> 00:12:13,120 So I have the Clippers here. They feel like they have an absurdly high 187 00:12:13,159 --> 00:12:16,320 floor, even if they're gonna have to deal with more injuries again, and 188 00:12:16,360 --> 00:12:20,240 that their floor is still title contender and their ceiling is title favorite. I 189 00:12:20,360 --> 00:12:24,679 thought about the Phoenix Suns here as well, too, just because I think 190 00:12:24,679 --> 00:12:28,399 they still have a very high regular season floor if you're worried about Chris Paul 191 00:12:28,919 --> 00:12:31,360 kind of have. And that's look when I'm framing it this way, if 192 00:12:31,360 --> 00:12:35,360 you have a very high floor, that narrows a range of outcomes to me, 193 00:12:35,399 --> 00:12:39,799 because you would be closer in theory to your best case outcome. So 194 00:12:39,840 --> 00:12:43,440 I've the Clippers. I have the Suns there just because I feel like we've 195 00:12:43,480 --> 00:12:48,000 soured on them collectively too much since that game seven to Boco versus Dallas. 196 00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:52,200 They deserve to be crucified for it. I don't necessarily endorse them running it 197 00:12:52,240 --> 00:12:56,559 back in full. But if they don't get Kevin Durant and there's not another 198 00:12:56,600 --> 00:12:58,000 trade out there for them to make an addition, this is still going to 199 00:12:58,080 --> 00:13:03,360 be a damn good slash great basketball team that is going to be mentioned for 200 00:13:03,399 --> 00:13:07,159 me at least still among the top five contenders in the league. The Bucks 201 00:13:07,360 --> 00:13:11,879 belong here too. If you have Jannis, like, your floor is just 202 00:13:11,360 --> 00:13:16,279 contender in the East, I think. And so these two it's funny that 203 00:13:16,320 --> 00:13:18,919 they show up here because we were just talking about how they might be one 204 00:13:18,960 --> 00:13:22,879 player or what one player leap away. I think the Nuggets, like we 205 00:13:22,960 --> 00:13:28,039 kind of just soar their saw their floor and it was five six in the 206 00:13:28,080 --> 00:13:33,960 West, but their ceiling is still like one two in the West as well. 207 00:13:33,120 --> 00:13:37,399 And so if they don't need pristine health or availability for Murray or Michael 208 00:13:37,399 --> 00:13:41,639 Porter Junior to be really good, I think you could argue that maybe they're 209 00:13:41,679 --> 00:13:43,519 not a good pick. Just if, as I mentioned, if you get 210 00:13:43,519 --> 00:13:48,120 a leap and good health or Michael Porter Junior not to mention good health from 211 00:13:48,159 --> 00:13:52,000 Jamal Murray, you're probably looking at becoming a title favorite. So I could 212 00:13:52,120 --> 00:13:54,000 understand if you don't think they're valid. And then I also have Toronto here 213 00:13:54,320 --> 00:13:58,759 in large part because I just feel like they're going to be really good. 214 00:13:58,919 --> 00:14:01,879 And you could also would argue that they might be the truest example of this 215 00:14:03,000 --> 00:14:05,840 narrow range of outcomes because as high as I am on Toronto, and I 216 00:14:05,840 --> 00:14:09,440 would talk myself into them beating anyone over the course of a seven game series 217 00:14:09,919 --> 00:14:13,039 as currently constructed, Like, do you really see a pathway for them to 218 00:14:13,240 --> 00:14:18,919 being one of the five best teams in basketball? You can see the vision 219 00:14:18,960 --> 00:14:22,279 with the Nuggets there, and we know the blueprint in Milwaukee, Phoenix and 220 00:14:22,279 --> 00:14:24,320 the Clippers. But with Toronto, it's like, Okay, I don't think 221 00:14:24,360 --> 00:14:28,919 they're gonna fall further than fifth in the East, but what's their path to 222 00:14:28,000 --> 00:14:31,600 becoming two in the East. And so it feels like they have the finite 223 00:14:31,679 --> 00:14:33,360 range of outcome lest they make a move, And I would argue it's for 224 00:14:33,600 --> 00:14:37,960 it would need to be for another just creator type, that person who works 225 00:14:37,000 --> 00:14:41,399 from the outside in and is preferably like not super small. Even though I 226 00:14:41,399 --> 00:14:43,840 like the idea of Don and Mitchell in Toronto, if it's if it's Kevin 227 00:14:43,919 --> 00:14:48,000 Durant, there you go. So those are my narrowest rains of outcomes. 228 00:14:48,320 --> 00:14:50,960 I didn't really know who else to consider here. I think there are a 229 00:14:52,000 --> 00:14:54,840 lot of people that would probably go with Memphis in this, but those are 230 00:14:54,879 --> 00:14:56,840 those are my five teams that they hashed out there. Some people might even 231 00:14:56,879 --> 00:15:01,120 go with Miami or Boston. I think there's some bustability in a bad way 232 00:15:01,440 --> 00:15:07,120 for both teams there. And I also just like, maybe Miami kind of 233 00:15:07,120 --> 00:15:09,320 belongs there because I'm starting to question whether they're going to be like these true 234 00:15:09,320 --> 00:15:13,279 blue contenders. I really would like to see them solve like the four spot 235 00:15:13,399 --> 00:15:16,960 next to p J. Tucker. My widest range of outcomes, this was 236 00:15:18,000 --> 00:15:20,440 way more fun. I actually have seven teams jotted downs. Let me let 237 00:15:20,480 --> 00:15:24,600 me get through my honorable mentions here. I have the Sacramento Kings in the 238 00:15:24,679 --> 00:15:31,440 Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks I almost considered for both narrowest and widest range of 239 00:15:31,480 --> 00:15:33,440 outcomes. They have Luca and so I'm like, they have to be good, 240 00:15:33,720 --> 00:15:37,720 but they just lost their second best player. They're planning on playing Javal 241 00:15:37,840 --> 00:15:43,240 McGee and Christian Wood at the same time, they still lack tertiary shock creation. 242 00:15:43,279 --> 00:15:46,320 It's Spencer Didnwoody Luka and then that's fucking it, Like if you're gonna 243 00:15:46,360 --> 00:15:50,840 trust Tim Hardaway Junior to be that person for you or Jaden Hardy in year 244 00:15:50,879 --> 00:15:56,080 one, you're going to run in two some issues. So I could see 245 00:15:56,080 --> 00:16:00,480 a pathway to them being bad, like pretty bad, talking about falling out 246 00:16:00,519 --> 00:16:03,120 of the play in territory. But I think it's you have Luca and so 247 00:16:03,159 --> 00:16:07,080 that props up your floor a little bit. I just don't think they I 248 00:16:07,120 --> 00:16:11,200 would call it a narrow range of outcomes for them, because I do think 249 00:16:11,200 --> 00:16:14,679 there's that combustibility, but they ended up being an honorable mention here. And 250 00:16:14,720 --> 00:16:18,240 also I would slop them into one of the teams is very contingent upon the 251 00:16:18,240 --> 00:16:22,159 personnel, which is probably gonna change, so they would be like my first 252 00:16:22,240 --> 00:16:25,879 runner up. And then there's the Kings. I don't know. I don't 253 00:16:25,879 --> 00:16:27,639 know that I trust their depth overall, and I definitely am not going to 254 00:16:27,720 --> 00:16:32,360 trust their defense. But if you get to a point where you're just winning 255 00:16:32,399 --> 00:16:34,960 games one hundred and twenty to something or one hundred and thirty to something, 256 00:16:36,480 --> 00:16:38,279 I could see a pavenly with them being really good, not just playing good. 257 00:16:38,279 --> 00:16:41,720 But are they one of the top six teams. I would say that 258 00:16:41,720 --> 00:16:45,879 their ceiling might be six in the Western Conference, but I think that their 259 00:16:45,960 --> 00:16:49,039 floor is also much lower than that. Still, you look at them on 260 00:16:49,080 --> 00:16:53,200 paper and with Keegan Murray, Diaron Fox, Domasa Bonis, Harrison, Barnes, 261 00:16:55,039 --> 00:16:59,759 Davion Mitchell, Malik Monk being there, having Rashaun Holmes is a backup 262 00:16:59,799 --> 00:17:03,720 bag right now, there is talent and like looking at and they're also look 263 00:17:03,759 --> 00:17:07,480 Mike Brown received a lot of credit for some of the work he did defensively 264 00:17:07,519 --> 00:17:12,160 with Golden State. That might just help them systematically in Sacramento. So I'm 265 00:17:12,200 --> 00:17:17,039 not ruling it out. I just don't know if they have the ceiling to 266 00:17:17,079 --> 00:17:19,240 where I'd want to put them in the widest range of outcomes. So the 267 00:17:19,279 --> 00:17:22,599 team, let's get to my actual list. I have the nets on here, 268 00:17:22,720 --> 00:17:26,160 and they could be like easily bounced. I'm not even just basing this 269 00:17:26,240 --> 00:17:30,559 off of Oh, they could have Kevin Durant or not have Kevin Durant. 270 00:17:30,559 --> 00:17:33,680 It's just like, think about it, Kevin Durant trade, what are they 271 00:17:33,720 --> 00:17:37,240 getting back? Are they getting back Jaalen Brown? All of a sudden, 272 00:17:37,240 --> 00:17:41,319 you have like this non all NBA star on your roster, and what does 273 00:17:41,359 --> 00:17:45,319 Ben Simmons look like? Have you traded Kyrie Irving at that point, and 274 00:17:45,359 --> 00:17:48,680 it was it for Russell Westbrook to where you know, he's not even gonna 275 00:17:48,680 --> 00:17:53,160 play in Brooklyn or does he play in Brooklyn at that point. So there 276 00:17:53,160 --> 00:17:56,519 are just so many different outcomes, and this is all the safe and nets 277 00:17:56,519 --> 00:18:00,359 stay the same. You have to deal with the health issues of Kevin Rent 278 00:18:00,480 --> 00:18:03,839 that we've seen in the past three years. There's always stuff going on with 279 00:18:03,920 --> 00:18:08,880 Kyrie Irving, whether it's you know, him just going m ia or refusing 280 00:18:08,920 --> 00:18:11,720 to get the COVID nineteen vaccine that won't be as big of an issue unless 281 00:18:11,720 --> 00:18:15,400 they're playing in Toronto this year, or he's just had some weird injury quirks 282 00:18:15,440 --> 00:18:18,799 throughout his career. So the nets could be all over the place. For 283 00:18:18,839 --> 00:18:22,759 me. I think the rest of these were easy, and we already talked 284 00:18:22,759 --> 00:18:26,200 about three of these teams. I think the Calves are there. They were 285 00:18:26,319 --> 00:18:30,839 darlings for most of last year. Injuries really hit them. Are they that 286 00:18:30,960 --> 00:18:34,599 team that's like third fourth best in the East. But they also kind of 287 00:18:34,640 --> 00:18:40,000 have this floor of well their offense. They haven't done anything to materially improve 288 00:18:40,079 --> 00:18:44,200 it this summer, and they haven't even officially resigned Colin Sexton yet and so 289 00:18:44,319 --> 00:18:47,559 like you're sort of running it back and there actually could be a deficit and 290 00:18:47,640 --> 00:18:52,559 offensive talent depending on what happens with Colin Sexton at this point. So that 291 00:18:52,559 --> 00:18:55,759 would be a team to monitor. And we're looking at look Jared Allen, 292 00:18:55,839 --> 00:18:59,519 Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, they can all get better. How do you 293 00:18:59,599 --> 00:19:03,440 work Boji into this? Does Isaac Korro get any better? The heck does 294 00:19:03,440 --> 00:19:06,559 Colin Sexton get better if he's coming back? So I could see them being 295 00:19:06,559 --> 00:19:08,880 really good or like this is a team that's like firmly in the lottery. 296 00:19:10,759 --> 00:19:14,799 Ditto for the Pelicans. There's the Zion health factor is big. And then 297 00:19:14,799 --> 00:19:18,720 you still look at this roster. They improved a lot defensively, especially in 298 00:19:18,759 --> 00:19:22,480 transition under Willie Green as the season went on. And just like I have 299 00:19:22,559 --> 00:19:25,599 that the way that they pushed the Suns in the first round of the playoffs, 300 00:19:25,599 --> 00:19:29,839 that is tattooed to my memory right now. But like, are they 301 00:19:30,000 --> 00:19:33,960 are we rushing to coordinate them as this team that's the one player leap away, 302 00:19:33,640 --> 00:19:38,359 given the extent to which they will be relying on some youngsters again, 303 00:19:38,960 --> 00:19:44,039 three sophomores and Trey Murphy, Jose Alvarado, and Herb Jones. Plus they're 304 00:19:44,039 --> 00:19:47,200 probably gonna want to develop Dyson Daniels. Are they gonna try and shoehorn some 305 00:19:47,279 --> 00:19:49,599 Kyra Lewis minutes into here? What if DeVante Graham doesn't play well? How 306 00:19:49,599 --> 00:19:52,319 many games the Zion playing? How does he fit? And next say you 307 00:19:52,319 --> 00:19:56,039 own his val and chunis, what are you doing up front if he doesn't 308 00:19:56,039 --> 00:19:59,960 fit well with that is Jackson Hayes, You're gonna try and make that fit? 309 00:20:00,039 --> 00:20:02,599 It happened. There's just a lot of questions here to where I could 310 00:20:02,720 --> 00:20:06,640 envision things going sideways for New Orleans. But I also think that like their 311 00:20:06,680 --> 00:20:11,240 best case outcome is oh their fourth or something wild in the west on The 312 00:20:11,279 --> 00:20:15,240 Minnesota Timberwolves are on here as well. I think this one's pretty straightforward. 313 00:20:15,319 --> 00:20:18,319 I could see them absolutely finishing with the best record in the Western Conference. 314 00:20:18,519 --> 00:20:22,599 I could also see this dual big situation go belly up. I don't think 315 00:20:22,640 --> 00:20:27,599 it will, but it is something drastically different. Even though Jared Vanderbilt and 316 00:20:27,640 --> 00:20:32,839 Karl Anthony Town's played together a bunch last season, this is drastically different from 317 00:20:32,839 --> 00:20:37,920 what they were doing, and so are they a team that if this pairing 318 00:20:37,000 --> 00:20:41,400 doesn't work out, or if this setup doesn't work out, they're pretty top 319 00:20:41,400 --> 00:20:44,440 heavy right now too at the moment, maybe the bench isn't shallow enough. 320 00:20:44,440 --> 00:20:48,160 Do they have enough secondary creation after de Loo and Anthy Edwards? How much 321 00:20:48,200 --> 00:20:52,480 are you going to rely on Jordan McLaughlin and Jalen Noel? Are they going 322 00:20:52,519 --> 00:20:56,599 to give you enough of that element? So I could see the Wolves being 323 00:20:56,640 --> 00:21:00,160 the best team in the Western Conference for the regular season, I'm not I've 324 00:21:00,160 --> 00:21:03,279 been kidding. I could also see him being like, I don't think they're 325 00:21:03,480 --> 00:21:07,680 Their floor is probably in the play in but there aren't many teams that I 326 00:21:07,680 --> 00:21:10,519 don't know, Like, there aren't many teams where it's like tenth to first, 327 00:21:10,720 --> 00:21:14,359 Like that's a really wide range of outcomes, And maybe there's a scenario 328 00:21:14,440 --> 00:21:18,240 where this whole dual big setup just really doesn't work out for them. So 329 00:21:18,240 --> 00:21:22,160 then you would fall out of the plan because that's so central to how you're 330 00:21:22,200 --> 00:21:26,839 directing your roster moving forward. I wouldn't predict that. I think they'll be 331 00:21:26,880 --> 00:21:30,880 closer to their best case outcome than not, but that's still there is that 332 00:21:30,960 --> 00:21:33,079 combustibility would be the word to define this, and then finally I have the 333 00:21:33,119 --> 00:21:37,359 Portland Trailblazers. I mentioned them on this last pot. I think they're ceiling 334 00:21:37,440 --> 00:21:41,519 is like fifth in the West, but they're not especially deep, especially when 335 00:21:41,559 --> 00:21:45,319 you're looking at the front court. And if you don't if Anthony Simons takes 336 00:21:45,319 --> 00:21:48,079 a step back, let alone doesn't improve given all he did last season, 337 00:21:48,359 --> 00:21:51,880 or if you all of a sudden feels like you're too small, or is 338 00:21:51,920 --> 00:21:56,599 there a nur kitchen injury, or you're just wanting for depth like maybe Shandon 339 00:21:56,680 --> 00:22:00,440 sharp Is if he's healthy, is even playing right away? Is is there 340 00:22:00,440 --> 00:22:03,720 a developmental curb that's not helping you? What are you doing with the backup 341 00:22:03,799 --> 00:22:07,799 center spot? How reliant are you on either going small where Jeremy Grants soaking 342 00:22:07,880 --> 00:22:11,839 up a lot, soaking up a lot of the backup five minutes? Or 343 00:22:11,839 --> 00:22:15,200 are you just married to let's say Drew you Banks. At this point, 344 00:22:15,920 --> 00:22:18,559 there are a lot of questions there. Are you good defensively even though you 345 00:22:18,599 --> 00:22:23,200 have this talent like Josh Hart GP two, Jeremy Grant, Justice's winslow even 346 00:22:23,279 --> 00:22:26,640 how much is he playing? Are you getting any improvement from from Keyan Johnson 347 00:22:27,240 --> 00:22:30,240 given you're also reliant on youth to an extent, like, yeah, Amfredy 348 00:22:30,279 --> 00:22:34,880 Simons is young, but he's experienced. There's also just young inexperienced guys here 349 00:22:36,200 --> 00:22:40,079 nots little has just not been healthy throughout his career. Keyan Johnson mentioning there 350 00:22:40,119 --> 00:22:44,680 Shaden Sharp of course, so are your best lineups? Like how what are 351 00:22:44,720 --> 00:22:48,400 you conceding on that is its size? Can you be small if you want 352 00:22:48,400 --> 00:22:52,039 to play Josh Hart and GP two at the same time while having Damian Lillard 353 00:22:52,039 --> 00:22:56,160 and Amfrey Simons on the court? Is Jeremy Grant You're five in that situation? 354 00:22:56,240 --> 00:22:59,359 Is it nurkicch? How does he hold up defensively this year if Portland 355 00:22:59,440 --> 00:23:02,880 wants to be a little bit more aggressive on that end. So they could 356 00:23:02,880 --> 00:23:06,759 be pretty bad even if they're healthy. They could also be really really good 357 00:23:06,880 --> 00:23:10,279 And so that's why they were an easy inclusion on this list for me. 358 00:23:10,559 --> 00:23:15,240 Another great question, thank you Gabriel for that one. The Bronx is Hallowed 359 00:23:15,319 --> 00:23:19,119 Ground has an interesting one. I was listening to a pod recently where the 360 00:23:19,119 --> 00:23:22,599 host, who is a player trainer, was critical of players competing in open 361 00:23:22,720 --> 00:23:27,440 runs, parentheticals ProAm games. The host point was that the competition is weak, 362 00:23:27,480 --> 00:23:30,799 so it's not a real workout. Specifically, he was critical of the 363 00:23:30,799 --> 00:23:34,279 defense. He didn't feel players got better going against lower competition. My thoughts 364 00:23:34,279 --> 00:23:37,880 are that these games give players a chance to put to use the new skills 365 00:23:37,880 --> 00:23:41,599 that they are trying to develop. Where does your opinion fall on these types 366 00:23:41,640 --> 00:23:44,039 of games? Do you feel they are useful or is it just players showing 367 00:23:44,039 --> 00:23:48,799 off? I'd probably excuse somewhere in the middle. I want to know what 368 00:23:48,880 --> 00:23:53,359 this player trainer thinks is happening in like practices during the season. Yeah, 369 00:23:53,440 --> 00:23:56,920 there might be some guys that are gonna put up more of a fight because 370 00:23:56,920 --> 00:23:59,839 they're fighting for a roster spot, or this is the only playing time they're 371 00:24:00,119 --> 00:24:06,160 think is in scrimmages in practice, But like practice is not inadequate simulation from 372 00:24:06,160 --> 00:24:08,400 what's happening in an NBA game. And I think you could really just shit 373 00:24:08,480 --> 00:24:12,599 all over any sort of pickup basketball or non actual NBA game, if we're 374 00:24:12,640 --> 00:24:17,240 going to get into that. Does it matter if you're just, you know, 375 00:24:17,319 --> 00:24:19,160 in a gym, hitting all these open three pointers or hitting shots that 376 00:24:19,160 --> 00:24:23,160 you wouldn't normally take in a game. I appreciate any game simulation more than 377 00:24:23,160 --> 00:24:30,240 I would something like that. I do think it's interesting that you believe the 378 00:24:30,240 --> 00:24:33,559 Bronx is hallowed ground. I feel weird calling you by that, but that 379 00:24:33,680 --> 00:24:37,519 is your discord name. I never really thought that element. Oh, that 380 00:24:37,559 --> 00:24:41,359 it gives players a chance to try out like new skills. If we're talking 381 00:24:41,400 --> 00:24:45,359 specifically, probably about ball handling or self created shot making, I'd probably agree 382 00:24:45,400 --> 00:24:48,440 with you there. I wonder how much forethought goes into that. One thing 383 00:24:48,480 --> 00:24:52,400 to kind of think about, though, is does it matter a little bit 384 00:24:52,440 --> 00:24:56,359 that Dejandey Murray, John Collins and Trey Young have already gotten reps together on 385 00:24:56,400 --> 00:24:59,799 the court, Like we think, Okay, that can't matter that much. 386 00:25:00,240 --> 00:25:03,279 They're getting a little bit familiar with one another, and if nothing else, 387 00:25:03,319 --> 00:25:07,119 they're getting to know one another specifically with de Jante Murray and Treyon Collins have 388 00:25:07,200 --> 00:25:10,039 been on the same team before. Also of them playing together. When there's 389 00:25:10,079 --> 00:25:12,200 all the rumblings that owe is John Collins unhappy with Treyon, they're just kind 390 00:25:12,200 --> 00:25:15,519 of hysterical. We do know John Collins wants a bigger role, that's a 391 00:25:15,559 --> 00:25:18,359 fact. So I don't have an issue with these games. Do I think 392 00:25:18,359 --> 00:25:22,599 that they're like super helpful to player development or player improvement. I would probably 393 00:25:22,680 --> 00:25:27,480 argue no, but I don't know why you wouldn't want players in these games? 394 00:25:27,480 --> 00:25:30,640 And do you want them going full So would it be better if they 395 00:25:30,640 --> 00:25:33,440 were going full born risking injury? No, Like I still have that I 396 00:25:33,519 --> 00:25:36,920 was watching. I think I was actually at a bar or a club when 397 00:25:36,920 --> 00:25:41,759 it was happening in my youth when Paul George was injured at the Olympics, 398 00:25:41,759 --> 00:25:44,240 and I remember watching that, it was just like it was gruesome. I 399 00:25:44,279 --> 00:25:47,440 felt terrible for him, and I understand that the stakes were higher there it 400 00:25:47,519 --> 00:25:49,559 was with Team USA, but it was also like, you know, the 401 00:25:49,640 --> 00:25:53,680 stakes for that game was a Team USA scrimmage if I'm not mistaken, So 402 00:25:55,200 --> 00:25:57,559 do you want them to injure themselves? No? So why should they be 403 00:25:57,599 --> 00:26:02,359 going at full tilt in these games when you're looking at oh, playing defense? 404 00:26:02,400 --> 00:26:03,480 If you really want to see them go up against guys are going to 405 00:26:03,519 --> 00:26:08,039 try and play scrappy defense. You could find those guys in pro end games 406 00:26:08,079 --> 00:26:11,880 like to on the other team. So I don't know that's interesting that anyone 407 00:26:11,920 --> 00:26:15,559 would be critical of them. I definitely don't think even if I don't think 408 00:26:15,559 --> 00:26:21,640 they're incredibly helpful. They're they're not harmful, like they're not players aren't regressing 409 00:26:21,880 --> 00:26:26,079 because they're playing in pro am games. So that's a fascinating take that said 410 00:26:26,119 --> 00:26:32,960 player trainer had on a pod. H P. Bergie had another question. 411 00:26:33,480 --> 00:26:36,559 Here's one I've been thinking about. Who's the worst player in the league that 412 00:26:36,599 --> 00:26:40,160 could be the best player on a championship team. I was thinking maybe Tatum, 413 00:26:40,200 --> 00:26:44,160 Jimmy or Paul George. And this is a twofold question, so let's 414 00:26:44,200 --> 00:26:48,759 start there. So yet you name all the good ones. I think Tatum 415 00:26:48,799 --> 00:26:52,039 is too high end for that. Paul George feels like the answer here. 416 00:26:52,319 --> 00:26:56,279 Look, Jimmy, Butler and Tatum are still like they were in the top 417 00:26:56,279 --> 00:27:00,279 ten player conversation last year. And if you can't win a title, if 418 00:27:00,440 --> 00:27:03,200 one of the ten the fifteen best players in the league as your best player, 419 00:27:03,279 --> 00:27:07,000 what are we even doing here? Yes, there's star loading or just 420 00:27:07,039 --> 00:27:11,599 building a better supporter or cast supporting cast. I'm I'm curious if, like 421 00:27:11,279 --> 00:27:15,599 I think Paul George feels like the answer, I still think is it someone 422 00:27:15,720 --> 00:27:21,079 like excuse me, is it someone like Karl Anthony Towns? And I don't 423 00:27:21,119 --> 00:27:23,160 know if that's me being too low on Carlton Towns or is it too high 424 00:27:23,279 --> 00:27:26,000 on Karl Anthony Towns. I mean it is more of a compliment to him, 425 00:27:26,039 --> 00:27:30,519 but like he's someone if if he's my best player, I actually feel 426 00:27:30,519 --> 00:27:33,240 comfortable with what the product could be. You definitely have to build your supporting 427 00:27:33,279 --> 00:27:40,880 cast around him pretty like specifically. So maybe that isn't the best example. 428 00:27:40,920 --> 00:27:45,359 Paul George is is just a fantastic answer. I think Tatum's probably Twyan for 429 00:27:45,359 --> 00:27:48,640 that. I don't think Jaylen Brown is like you can't really put him in 430 00:27:48,640 --> 00:27:52,680 in that discussion. Trey Young probably too high end there as well. So 431 00:27:52,920 --> 00:27:57,559 I do I think Paul George is the answer here? I think I think 432 00:27:59,519 --> 00:28:03,960 my answered this next question might rankle some people, but bam Adebayo should probably 433 00:28:03,960 --> 00:28:08,279 be in this discussion and he's not. I still need to see like more 434 00:28:08,359 --> 00:28:11,359 from him offensively. The versatility is there, and I'm not telling him to 435 00:28:11,359 --> 00:28:15,559 start chucking threes, but there feels like there's a toggle on off switch with 436 00:28:15,599 --> 00:28:18,359 his offensive aggression. But yeah, I think Paul George is just that's someone 437 00:28:18,400 --> 00:28:23,079 who's very easy to build around and very very easy to plug and play alongside. 438 00:28:23,160 --> 00:28:27,319 Other stars, I will die that the answer is actually Frank Neil Kina, 439 00:28:27,519 --> 00:28:33,119 but in actuality like if like I kind of want to say Shae Gil 440 00:28:33,200 --> 00:28:37,799 just Alexander, It's just the talent isn't around him right now in Okay see, 441 00:28:37,640 --> 00:28:42,720 but that might be someone I would consider as well. This one's probably 442 00:28:42,720 --> 00:28:47,880 more just apropo if you've done that one before. Who are the best worst 443 00:28:47,880 --> 00:28:49,880 players in the league that could be the second best player in our championship team? 444 00:28:49,920 --> 00:28:52,720 For the best, I was thinking hard and kyrieer Booker. For the 445 00:28:52,759 --> 00:28:56,839 worst, I was thinking Lavine Middleton or Jamal Murray. I hate that you 446 00:28:56,880 --> 00:28:59,200 took all the good ones. When I was reading through this and prepping for 447 00:28:59,200 --> 00:29:02,960 this podcast, I was like, fucking Paul George is on here at Middleton 448 00:29:03,200 --> 00:29:04,960 would be my answers, like I think Middleton is the floor on what you'd 449 00:29:04,960 --> 00:29:11,119 want as your second best player. I don't necessarily understand who can be the 450 00:29:11,160 --> 00:29:17,200 best second best player on a team. Is the implication that they're so that 451 00:29:17,400 --> 00:29:22,440 players are so good sometimes that they're be harder to fit alongside equals or who 452 00:29:22,480 --> 00:29:26,000 would be their superiors to which I could dig that, but I would say 453 00:29:26,079 --> 00:29:33,519 right now, like the second best number the best number two in the league, 454 00:29:33,720 --> 00:29:37,599 or the best the best second best player in the league. I think 455 00:29:37,759 --> 00:29:42,319 is hardened in Philly if we're assuming a beat is the best player and that's 456 00:29:42,359 --> 00:29:45,559 still general. If it's not hard and I would probably say it is Devin 457 00:29:45,599 --> 00:29:48,119 Booker. Would I have him in front of Paul George at this point? 458 00:29:48,240 --> 00:29:52,039 Yeah? I would, but hard and I still give him the benefit of 459 00:29:52,039 --> 00:29:53,960 the debt. I think this is gonna be a monster year for him. 460 00:29:55,079 --> 00:30:00,559 Quite frankly, So if that's the question who's the best second best player in 461 00:30:00,599 --> 00:30:04,759 the league, it's harder Booker for me, And I'm look, I can't 462 00:30:04,759 --> 00:30:07,839 even put Booker there because I think Booker is the best player on the Suns, 463 00:30:07,880 --> 00:30:12,400 and so the answer for me is James Harden. I would be curious, 464 00:30:12,440 --> 00:30:15,039 like, is Devin Booker the answer to the first question? Can he 465 00:30:15,079 --> 00:30:18,559 be the best player you win a championship? I actually believe the answer is 466 00:30:18,640 --> 00:30:21,319 yes. But am I selling too low on Devin Booker by putting him in 467 00:30:21,359 --> 00:30:22,960 there? Which is why I didn't put him in the in there? I 468 00:30:22,960 --> 00:30:27,920 think Paul George is a a great proxy for that. I'm just curious, 469 00:30:27,839 --> 00:30:32,240 is to like where Bam at a bio fits in this discussion. Can you 470 00:30:32,279 --> 00:30:34,480 win a title? Is he like too high end is the second best player? 471 00:30:34,960 --> 00:30:40,960 Yeah, like he's in that kind of Levigne or Jamal Murray territory for 472 00:30:41,039 --> 00:30:42,359 me, And so I think the better question be can you win a title 473 00:30:42,359 --> 00:30:47,519 with bam is your best player? And I think Miami like their best path 474 00:30:47,559 --> 00:30:51,359 to a title is probably the answer that question being yes, So he probably 475 00:30:51,359 --> 00:30:53,960 belongs to that first discussion. And could he be the answer then I'm just 476 00:30:55,000 --> 00:30:57,359 not sure if you could win a title with him as the your best player. 477 00:30:57,680 --> 00:31:02,599 So yeah, I I would go with Middleton as the worst number two, 478 00:31:02,799 --> 00:31:07,319 And then Paul George is the worst number one. And anyone who thinks 479 00:31:07,319 --> 00:31:10,720 that it's not Paul George one, what is your actual picked in two? 480 00:31:10,799 --> 00:31:14,000 Could we at least like we need to pour one out for Paul George here 481 00:31:14,799 --> 00:31:18,960 because he he was fantastic last season when when he was healthy and the whole 482 00:31:18,000 --> 00:31:21,799 pandemic pe thing took on a life of its own, and I think we 483 00:31:21,960 --> 00:31:26,720 veered too far from reality with him. Anthony Davis could probably earn the honor 484 00:31:26,759 --> 00:31:30,960 of the second best, second best player in the league. I actually I 485 00:31:32,559 --> 00:31:33,599 don't want to say this, but I'm not sure if you can win a 486 00:31:33,599 --> 00:31:37,319 title with him as the best player on your team. Was he better than 487 00:31:37,440 --> 00:31:44,400 Lebron in the twenty twenty like playoff run? No? Overall, So that's 488 00:31:44,799 --> 00:31:48,680 would be a more fascinating question. Does he belong Like can you win a 489 00:31:48,759 --> 00:31:52,599 title with Anthony Davis as your best player night and night out best player? 490 00:31:52,599 --> 00:31:55,400 I think the answer is no. I'd be more inclined to think that it's 491 00:31:55,440 --> 00:31:57,680 Paul George than it is Anthony Davis. Is that is that wild? Like? 492 00:31:57,720 --> 00:32:00,559 Am I? Am? I a fucking idiot? I? I think 493 00:32:00,599 --> 00:32:07,759 I just value consistent every level shot creation a bit more. And if even 494 00:32:07,759 --> 00:32:09,720 if you're running the offense through Anthony Davis, a lot of it needs to 495 00:32:09,720 --> 00:32:15,720 be done through someone setting the table for him. Michael Lebron. And yeah, 496 00:32:15,759 --> 00:32:17,440 he had that bubble run, and he's had moments where just like his 497 00:32:17,559 --> 00:32:21,839 jumper is falling and he can really create for himself, but it never just 498 00:32:21,880 --> 00:32:24,880 feels consistently enough or a at a high enough clip for it to be in 499 00:32:24,880 --> 00:32:30,400 that discussion. And so is he like the best player you can't win a 500 00:32:30,440 --> 00:32:34,039 title with? Is your number one option? Like that's like, let's just 501 00:32:34,079 --> 00:32:37,079 totally flip the tables on this. Who would be the answer to that question? 502 00:32:37,359 --> 00:32:39,839 If anyone's listening to this in discord on Twitter, let me know who 503 00:32:39,920 --> 00:32:45,440 is the best player that you can't win a title with as your number one 504 00:32:45,480 --> 00:32:50,960 option. I think it's problem like Ivy days might be the answer there. 505 00:32:52,039 --> 00:32:57,000 I hope at least I'm I'm using myself with framing it that way. Christopher 506 00:32:57,200 --> 00:33:01,160 asked with teams having some difficulty moving a player four years left on their contract, 507 00:33:01,279 --> 00:33:06,640 you first see an eventual move to making long term contracts three years. 508 00:33:07,200 --> 00:33:09,240 I would consider three years on long term contract right now, just the way 509 00:33:09,240 --> 00:33:15,920 that extensions have worked predominantly and guys wanted to hit free agency sooner or again, 510 00:33:15,160 --> 00:33:19,200 we've seen a lot of like two year extensions or even like the three 511 00:33:19,279 --> 00:33:22,440 year specials. And I don't think that it's hard to move people with four 512 00:33:22,480 --> 00:33:25,440 years left in their contracts. It's just Kevin Durant is in his thirties, 513 00:33:25,559 --> 00:33:30,759 like mid thirties at this point, and is one of the five seven best 514 00:33:30,759 --> 00:33:35,759 players in basketball, So he's going to have a say where he goes no 515 00:33:35,799 --> 00:33:38,480 matter what, even if he definitely doesn't have the leverage, and so I 516 00:33:38,480 --> 00:33:44,440 actually don't think it's the contract length so much as player specific. Here, 517 00:33:45,440 --> 00:33:49,319 if this was like, I'm trying to think of an example of a player 518 00:33:49,359 --> 00:33:52,720 that maybe doesn't have the cachet to force a trade in the first place, 519 00:33:52,160 --> 00:33:55,680 like you know, if it was like, Let's use Jalen Brunts as an 520 00:33:55,680 --> 00:33:59,000 example. Let's say the Nicks wanted to trade him in the middle of the 521 00:33:59,119 --> 00:34:01,839 year, and once he's trade eligible, that's a contract that you could move. 522 00:34:02,079 --> 00:34:05,759 That's the four one O four is not and it's and it's declining. 523 00:34:06,240 --> 00:34:08,239 Maybe some teams want to appreciate that, but the declining scale I think helps 524 00:34:08,280 --> 00:34:10,960 a lot of teams plan for the future. So I don't think it's the 525 00:34:12,000 --> 00:34:15,079 contract length so much as the player. If Shake Gillishawxander went on the market 526 00:34:15,119 --> 00:34:20,440 tomorrow, is he like too good? Does he have the cachet to request 527 00:34:20,440 --> 00:34:22,119 to trade and limit his options? I'd argue, no, he's just so 528 00:34:22,239 --> 00:34:25,679 young and Okay, see also won like Brooklyn probably doesn't give a fuck. 529 00:34:27,280 --> 00:34:30,400 But knowing how Sam pressI operates, I'm not saying Shay's gonna request to trade. 530 00:34:30,440 --> 00:34:32,440 I'm on records saying the thunder should keep him. So if there are 531 00:34:32,440 --> 00:34:36,519 any okay, see fans listening to this, let's just clarify that I think 532 00:34:36,559 --> 00:34:40,920 the bigger issue here, or it's not the issue, but what I think 533 00:34:42,199 --> 00:34:45,000 Christopher kind of alludes to that's going to be interesting. Are we just going 534 00:34:45,039 --> 00:34:49,760 to see more shorter term deals before that we get that cap spike, whether 535 00:34:49,800 --> 00:34:52,679 it's in twenty five, twenty six, whatever it's supposed to be. At 536 00:34:52,719 --> 00:34:55,679 this point, our player is gonna prep to want to hit free agency that 537 00:34:55,840 --> 00:34:59,280 first summer, let's say twenty twenty six, or do they want to kind 538 00:34:59,280 --> 00:35:01,239 of be in twenty twenty seven since there's cap smoothing, so you want to 539 00:35:01,239 --> 00:35:06,960 get two medium jumps in there. That's something I absolutely think that we could 540 00:35:06,960 --> 00:35:09,719 see when we're looking at extensions that are going to be signed, or just 541 00:35:09,800 --> 00:35:15,360 players like stars who are in their prime and who were still being there in 542 00:35:15,440 --> 00:35:20,800 their prime in twenty six twenty seven, that might be how they approach deals. 543 00:35:20,800 --> 00:35:22,000 And even just some of the more min end talent, like if it's 544 00:35:22,039 --> 00:35:25,360 just you're younger, you're still going to be in your prime and in the 545 00:35:25,400 --> 00:35:30,840 summer of twenty six or twenty seven, I could see you signing a shorter 546 00:35:30,920 --> 00:35:32,719 term deal. What's interesting is that Zach Lavine did not do that, and 547 00:35:32,760 --> 00:35:36,760 I thought he was the perfect case study. This year he signed the full 548 00:35:36,880 --> 00:35:39,920 five year bolt with Chicago. He has injury concerns in his rearview, including 549 00:35:39,960 --> 00:35:45,280 to end this season with maybe that factor into it a little bit. But 550 00:35:45,480 --> 00:35:49,679 I do think that we'll see shorter contracts over the next summer or two become 551 00:35:49,679 --> 00:35:54,079 a little bit more common as players try to position themselves to capitalized as much 552 00:35:54,119 --> 00:35:59,760 as possible off what's going to be in impending and probably multi year cap spike, 553 00:36:00,039 --> 00:36:04,519 and we all assume that smoothing is going to happen the big fella, 554 00:36:04,840 --> 00:36:08,519 as Bamtebaio is looking to have his fourth different starting power forward next to him, 555 00:36:08,760 --> 00:36:10,800 seems to be a struggle to find the perfect fit. Who do you 556 00:36:10,880 --> 00:36:15,320 view is the best potential fit next to them right now and then long term. 557 00:36:15,159 --> 00:36:17,800 I will say I don't think that players on the heat roster. I 558 00:36:17,800 --> 00:36:22,039 think they found some really good fits with Jay Crowder only to let him leave, 559 00:36:22,079 --> 00:36:24,760 and then PJ Tucker, who it seems like he wanted to leave Miami 560 00:36:24,840 --> 00:36:28,440 could have offered him the same contract Philly did. I don't know if they 561 00:36:28,440 --> 00:36:31,960 would have wanted to have hard tapped themselves for PJ. Tucker at that point, 562 00:36:32,119 --> 00:36:37,400 so they found the fit. I was looking. I scoured rosters, 563 00:36:37,400 --> 00:36:42,039 and I came up with some names I wanted to think, like higher end 564 00:36:42,480 --> 00:36:45,719 trade targets or at least semi aggressive trade targets that they could go after. 565 00:36:46,199 --> 00:36:51,000 And I think these total line of immediate fit and long term fit. I 566 00:36:51,000 --> 00:36:54,280 have Jay Crowder on this list. John Collins would be fun. Naxie Cleibo 567 00:36:54,280 --> 00:36:58,559 would be an understated example. Kelley Bridge Juniors in the final year of his 568 00:36:58,639 --> 00:37:00,840 deal. I guess from a space perspective, I don't necessarily love it, 569 00:37:00,880 --> 00:37:04,559 but Kelly Bridge and your shot the three ball well enough for that to work. 570 00:37:04,960 --> 00:37:07,039 Here's a name, and I know he's been, or maybe he hasn't 571 00:37:07,039 --> 00:37:09,159 been. I feel like I've read somewhere he was linked to the EAT, 572 00:37:09,360 --> 00:37:14,519 but like Miles Turner where it's BAM and I don't know who you consider the 573 00:37:14,559 --> 00:37:16,199 four in that scenario, but that would be a front court setup. I 574 00:37:16,239 --> 00:37:20,440 would like to see. Marcus Moore's senior, of course, would work. 575 00:37:21,239 --> 00:37:24,239 Harrison Barnes if things go off the rails in Sacramento, Boyo Bardonovitch right now 576 00:37:25,079 --> 00:37:28,559 in Utah, Like, is there a way, Like what do you need 577 00:37:28,599 --> 00:37:31,440 to give up if it's a Duncan Robinson for Brillon Bardonovitch swap, Like how 578 00:37:31,519 --> 00:37:36,440 many sweeteners do you need to include? Kyle Kuzma could be really interesting here, 579 00:37:36,519 --> 00:37:37,639 and then this is I don't know if it's my favorite, but if 580 00:37:37,639 --> 00:37:40,960 things go off the rails in Portland, Jeremy Grant, they didn't give up 581 00:37:40,960 --> 00:37:45,039 a ton to get him, and so it was just they used that they 582 00:37:45,079 --> 00:37:47,840 took him into a trade exception and gave up like the meat and potatoes of 583 00:37:47,880 --> 00:37:52,280 that deal was that Milwaukee pick in twenty twenty five. And so if you 584 00:37:52,280 --> 00:37:54,360 can get another first round pick for him from a team that won't have cap 585 00:37:54,360 --> 00:37:58,280 space and wants to resign him, if you want to move him, that's 586 00:37:58,320 --> 00:38:01,880 another name that's bringing him one. I try to think of like really younger 587 00:38:01,920 --> 00:38:07,159 types that, oh, could they be available and you could try to go 588 00:38:07,159 --> 00:38:10,000 after them, And I just don't know that that player like would actually be 589 00:38:10,920 --> 00:38:15,079 gettable. Would Charlotte be willing to move on from PJ. Washington? I 590 00:38:15,079 --> 00:38:19,920 think he's probably good enough defensively, in addition to stretching the floor where that 591 00:38:19,960 --> 00:38:22,639 could potentially work. Grant Williams in Boston. I don't know why Boston would 592 00:38:22,679 --> 00:38:27,440 say Grant Williams. Grant Williams is such a direct rival, but that could 593 00:38:27,440 --> 00:38:31,480 be appairing that works out. But those were like the trying to think of 594 00:38:31,599 --> 00:38:35,719 younger type names where if you were going to take a flyer on them, 595 00:38:35,840 --> 00:38:38,679 that's the route you could go. And I don't think there was nobody else 596 00:38:38,800 --> 00:38:45,440 that specifically like skewing younger that sprang to mind for me here jolt the goat. 597 00:38:45,800 --> 00:38:50,719 What do you think about the recent push by teams that go big? 598 00:38:50,800 --> 00:38:53,719 Seems counterintuitive to the space and pay small ball era, but we're in But 599 00:38:53,760 --> 00:38:58,360 more teams seem to embrace starting multiple big men that have perimeter skills. I 600 00:38:58,360 --> 00:39:00,360 eat a Timberwolves, Cavs, Grizzlies, even the Celtics. All those teams 601 00:39:00,360 --> 00:39:04,079 had great success last year when healthy and the timber will seem to make a 602 00:39:04,119 --> 00:39:06,639 lot of sense on papers. This is a fat or is this more indicative 603 00:39:06,920 --> 00:39:09,320 of the full realization of the modern big unicorn big man? I think it's 604 00:39:09,360 --> 00:39:14,000 more so the ladder and I think what teams are trying to do here is 605 00:39:14,039 --> 00:39:20,960 that you want to still maintain the ability to have a dynamic and diverse offense, 606 00:39:21,360 --> 00:39:23,840 but can you do it while also kind of upping your defensive ceiling. 607 00:39:23,880 --> 00:39:27,480 And so if you look at a lot of the teams that we roll through, 608 00:39:27,559 --> 00:39:29,599 yeah, Orlando was one of them, and they were not good on 609 00:39:29,639 --> 00:39:35,719 defense, But four of the top ten defenses from last year started two bigs 610 00:39:36,320 --> 00:39:38,519 Boston and Golden State, who are the two best defenses in the league, 611 00:39:38,840 --> 00:39:44,559 and then Cleveland was sixth and Memphis was fifth. And so what I think 612 00:39:44,559 --> 00:39:47,519 teams are at least trying to do is that they want to give themselves a 613 00:39:47,559 --> 00:39:52,920 defensive edge with players and size who are not going to compromise their ability to 614 00:39:52,960 --> 00:39:57,960 go against the grain or be versatile on offense. And I think what they've 615 00:39:58,000 --> 00:40:00,159 also decided in some cases that it will be easier to figure out a way 616 00:40:00,199 --> 00:40:06,320 to be an elite offense while having two bigs, maybe when it's imperfect on 617 00:40:06,400 --> 00:40:08,960 offense, than it is to be like, hey, let's downsize and overcome 618 00:40:08,960 --> 00:40:12,519 that. And so you look at the Warriors would be a great example. 619 00:40:12,559 --> 00:40:15,719 They finished seventeen in an offense last year, but when Steph was on the 620 00:40:15,760 --> 00:40:20,639 court, they have that transcendent talent to carry them to well above average offensively. 621 00:40:21,239 --> 00:40:24,199 You trust in Boston they were tenth in offense, so they were it 622 00:40:24,320 --> 00:40:27,800 was not the same case of Golden State. But they have someone like Jayson 623 00:40:27,840 --> 00:40:30,280 Tatum. You trust that he's going to elevate your actual ceiling. Is easier 624 00:40:30,280 --> 00:40:35,320 for him to do that than it is to downsize and play Jayson Tatum himself 625 00:40:35,320 --> 00:40:38,360 with the five and still maintain a good defense and not worry about the wear 626 00:40:38,400 --> 00:40:43,480 and tear on his body as well. And so let's Cleveland would be like 627 00:40:43,920 --> 00:40:50,159 one of the best examples here, and even you could throw Minnesota since it's 628 00:40:50,199 --> 00:40:52,679 going into the first year of this experiment for them, even though you had 629 00:40:52,719 --> 00:40:57,119 the town's Vanderbilt dynamic last year. But Cleveland, like they've decided to play 630 00:40:57,159 --> 00:41:00,760 basically three bigs at points and think that they can still drum up enough offense 631 00:41:00,800 --> 00:41:04,320 and that they're not going to be able to replicate that same versatility as easily 632 00:41:04,679 --> 00:41:07,880 on defense. And so if you think that it's size and then mobility, 633 00:41:07,079 --> 00:41:10,239 size, mobility, and length, some combination of the three, if not 634 00:41:10,360 --> 00:41:14,119 all three, is going to give me that pathway to an elite defense, 635 00:41:14,159 --> 00:41:17,960 And then you because I do feel like it's easier for a singular player to 636 00:41:19,039 --> 00:41:22,679 have an impact on offense versus defense, where I do think it's more team 637 00:41:22,679 --> 00:41:25,960 and personnel dependent. And Rudy Gobert would be a perfect example. He punches 638 00:41:25,960 --> 00:41:30,440 your ticket to a top ten defense by on his own every single season. 639 00:41:30,639 --> 00:41:35,079 But if you get to the playoffs, you need like more defensive talent around 640 00:41:35,159 --> 00:41:37,559 him, or it's going to be easier to make life hell on him. 641 00:41:37,559 --> 00:41:39,480 And you could say offensively, you need the same thing. You don't just 642 00:41:39,519 --> 00:41:44,960 want the one player run everything through. But over the longer term, it 643 00:41:45,000 --> 00:41:51,079 does feel like one player on offense can have a much bigger dent on the 644 00:41:51,079 --> 00:41:55,400 product, impact on the product in the higher leverage moments than someone on defense. 645 00:41:55,519 --> 00:41:59,800 And so if you think that this model is a way to really beef 646 00:41:59,880 --> 00:42:04,280 up your defense and maybe even counter some of the teams that are going small, 647 00:42:04,320 --> 00:42:07,519 we talk about how the timber was going to match up if the Clippers 648 00:42:07,559 --> 00:42:09,639 decided to downsize against them, for instance, in a playoff series or just 649 00:42:09,760 --> 00:42:14,519 a game. Maybe you're trying to force teams outside of their comfort zone. 650 00:42:15,440 --> 00:42:17,039 Do the Clippers when they don't have the size to run two bigs can you 651 00:42:17,119 --> 00:42:20,639 sort of beat them into submission there, And so I think those are the 652 00:42:20,679 --> 00:42:23,719 elements that go into it. But I mostly think that teams are always looking 653 00:42:23,719 --> 00:42:29,440 for, like not cheat codes, but counters to what's happening the new trends. 654 00:42:29,480 --> 00:42:32,400 This is just a natural counter. But it also feels like a conscious 655 00:42:32,440 --> 00:42:38,000 or maybe even subconscious decision that hey, we can build like these terrifying defenses 656 00:42:38,039 --> 00:42:43,639 with size and dual bigs and then still just be good enough on offense even 657 00:42:43,679 --> 00:42:46,599 if the fit is imperfect, and places like Boston, it's not imperfect because 658 00:42:46,599 --> 00:42:52,000 al Orford's based on the floor and you have Rob Williams is a passer running 659 00:42:52,000 --> 00:42:54,880 down the lane and also just like a lob catcher and good rim diver there. 660 00:42:55,280 --> 00:42:59,280 So yeah, there are times where where it works out just fine. 661 00:42:59,320 --> 00:43:01,599 But even in a fist where maybe a Steven Adams and Jared Jackson Jr. 662 00:43:01,599 --> 00:43:07,480 Aren't the ideal fit alongside one another just because yeah, Jaren Jackson Junior's space 663 00:43:07,559 --> 00:43:10,079 is the floor and Steven Adams can be your primary screen setter there, but 664 00:43:10,119 --> 00:43:14,719 Steven Adams is more limited offensively than a Robert Williams the third to me and 665 00:43:14,800 --> 00:43:17,000 Steven Adams de fan I nobody does for you on the offensive class. So 666 00:43:17,519 --> 00:43:21,320 it feels like that type of a decision where teams are looking at this and 667 00:43:21,360 --> 00:43:27,000 saying, oh, we it's easier for us to cobble together really good offense 668 00:43:27,039 --> 00:43:30,320 if the personnel isn't perfect, so long as we have that one sort of 669 00:43:30,360 --> 00:43:32,599 guiding force, then if you flip flop it on the defensive end, and 670 00:43:32,679 --> 00:43:38,079 that maybe just the size is better to beat up on some of these teams 671 00:43:38,079 --> 00:43:42,079 that want to run smaller. Do I think this trend is here to stay. 672 00:43:42,400 --> 00:43:46,960 I honestly don't know. I think the Timberwolves might be the ultimate litmus 673 00:43:47,000 --> 00:43:52,800 test for this, and that's because it's such an extreme when you're looking at 674 00:43:52,800 --> 00:43:55,519 the pay that was allocated to it and the caliber of talent that's upfront. 675 00:43:55,719 --> 00:44:00,599 This isn't like Draymond Green and Cavan Looney where there's one star in a non 676 00:44:00,679 --> 00:44:05,400 star or Al Horford sort of at the end of his prime or the end 677 00:44:05,440 --> 00:44:08,280 of his talent of his career. Verse with Robert Williams the third who's at 678 00:44:08,280 --> 00:44:13,679 the beginning of his prime. Even Jared Allen and Evan Mobley, they're both 679 00:44:13,719 --> 00:44:15,400 at the beginning of their primes, and only one of them is expensive right 680 00:44:15,440 --> 00:44:19,960 now, so you haven't had to like make that extra pot commitment. And 681 00:44:20,000 --> 00:44:24,159 I think how Minnesota fairs during the regular season as well as in the playoffs 682 00:44:24,239 --> 00:44:28,159 is going to say a great deal about whether this is something that catches on 683 00:44:28,559 --> 00:44:31,800 more so around the league. I'm gonna actually stop it there. I got 684 00:44:31,840 --> 00:44:35,440 through all the discord questions. I will get to the mailbag and YouTube. 685 00:44:35,440 --> 00:44:37,480 One's in a separate one that will go live on Saturday. So hopefully you 686 00:44:37,519 --> 00:44:42,800 just appreciate the extra content. This was all great. If you have not 687 00:44:42,880 --> 00:44:45,960 already, please remember to rate, review and subscribe to us wherever you're getting 688 00:44:45,960 --> 00:44:47,880 your podcast. If you're on YouTube, hit that subscribe button, hit like 689 00:44:49,079 --> 00:44:52,199 comment, help the algorithm, love us back. Let's you blust it the 690 00:44:52,559 --> 00:44:55,400 hell up as always, and maybe get the shout out to the one, 691 00:44:55,800 --> 00:45:00,920 the only, the indelible, Frank Nila Kina