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you listen to podcasts. What is up Hardwinnox listeners. Damp Valley here with
some quick housekeeping notes before we get to our deep dive on the Wizards and
Sixers. And just as a note there, we recorded this podcast before the
Wizards beat the Clippers and holy hell, wow Wizards just wow, they're on
a little bit of a terror by their standards. As always, I do
want to remind you to please rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast
wherever you're getting your podcast, but especially on iTunes, whether or not you
use it, just go to iTunes search Hardwinnox stores at five star rating right
a review. Those help a ton. But also just sort of a mini
announcement, we are going to be recording our weekly mail bags, which will
be publishing every Monday still via the locker Room app now, and so what
you basically can do there, we'll send that a link that will be with
this podcast so that you can keep track of that, and we'll tweet out
on a link when we're going into the locker room, you're basically gonna be
able to listen to it live if you haven't used a locker room at before.
We'll even take questions live if we hopefully get enough people listening, but
we'll have questions in the bank. We already have some of them in the
vault to use, and then we'll always listit them every week and then that
will still be published as a podcast on Mondays. It should be unless we
have something more pressing to go up before it. So nothing essentially changes for
this podcast seed, but please come check us out talk with us live.
We've bandied about the idea of starting a discord channel, but we just weren't
sure if we have the support for it. We have a ton of listens
to every episode, and we love every single one of you guys who do.
Whether you hate listen to us, actually enjoy us, or different to
us, we appreciate all of you. It's just with national podcasts it can
get you know, the relationship is awkward or not awkward, decentralized, detached
because this isn't regional coverage and you know, if you want to go,
you know for hours long EP dives into the Charlotte Hornets, you know,
check out the Charlotte Hornet's podcasts on Blue Wire and there are other writers that
you could go to. So we understand that there's that zoomed out perspective,
but we do try and interact with you guys as much as possible. We
hope that you enjoy this podcast and if you can can talk with us live,
speak with us, lives engage, that'll that'll help, and that'll just
also be fun, you know, just another way for us to connect with
our listeners, whom again for the eightieth time, we super duper appreciate.
So there'll be more information on this as we you know, basically tweet out
the live links if you have not already, they'll definitely go download the locker
Room app on your phone first and foremost, be on lookout for more announcements
via Twitter. We'll send out maybe reminders the next couple of podcasts at the
beginning. But again, this is something that's you know, we're test driving
this for us. We want to make sure that you're there, you're listening,
you're engaging with us. We would love to take live questions. That
would be the goal here and maybe that could lead to a discord channel,
so that you know we can talk amongst ourselves outside of the podcast. I
will send you all of my bad trade ideas. They range from horrid the
only like sort of kind of actually terrible. Anyway, though, let's get
talking some Wizards and Sixers. With forty eight minutes is Chris Kross? What
is up? Hardwin Knox listeners, I am Dan Favalley coming at you without
my fantastic co host Adam Frammel. I am, however, super pleased to
be joined by Chris W. Krause. He covers the Sixers, Wizards,
and MBA at large. He's also an editor for forty eight minutes. Follow
them on Twitter at forty eight minutes. That's spelled out so fo R T
y e I g h T m I n S forty eight mins, so
follow them on Twitter. Also, while you're adical, follow Chris on Twitter
at NBA Krause spelled exactly as it sounds NBA c R O U se and
again covers the Sixers, Wizards, and NBA at large for forty eight minutes.
And as you could probably tell by that intro, we're gonna do some
detis into the Sixers and Wizards, two teams that we didn't have time to
hit in depth before the season started, when we recorded like a zillion podcast
in the span of two weeks. And he Chris exists. I said this
to him when I reached out, he existed, like this really cool niche
of you cover the Sixers and the Wizards, which is just not you know,
two teams that most people normally cover. So Chris, after that long
winded intro intro, thank you so much for coming on. How are you
doing. I'm doing great, Dan, Thanks for having me. I really
appreciate you having me on. Do you get that a lot that you like,
you cover the Sixers and the Wizards predominantly, Like that's just not like
that, it's a specialty. That's just so damn unique. I'm not the
first person to cover two teams. I will say that, you know,
normally it happens where you see, like you know, someone's like doing like
Nets and Knicks coverage. Maybe someone's doing like you know, like Orlando and
Miami. It kind of makes sense. But even then, like you know
that that's that's a pretty far distance between the two. I think I'm the
only person doing both of these specifically right now. But yeah, it's it's
been a weird year, you know, for everybody in all fields. So
you know, I figure, you know what, the double coverage, why
not get a little weirder, you know, this NBA season. Yeah,
I mean they're in the same division and so you know, and you cover
the league at large two. But it's just like, I've never seen those
two specific beats put together. You're sort of alluded to it like it would
normally be Lakers, Clippers or Nick's nets like sort of in there. So
never I've never seen Sixers and Wizards tied together, so I respect it.
Yeah, and their fan bases are two different kind of fan bases, and
I can't speak for all NBA twitters. Both the fan bases I love,
I love particularly, but like the Sixers fan base are very passionate. They
you know, some people may have said they're like a toxic X you know
whatever. You know, one day they love you, next day they don't.
Wizards are like a They're like a mother that's that had like every players
their first child, and you know, and and like you know that that
that is fantastic, But you know, like there is a you know when
when when you're when you're criticizing Garrison Matthew and that's not okay or like,
you know, at least like that's not a you know, there's not I
think anyone wants to hear. Then you know, like it's like, Okay,
Garrison Matthew is probably not going to get you, you know, Andrew
Drummond right or whatever it is. You know, it's kind of and you
know every fan base has that kind of thing too. It was funny in
the beginning of the year, I like proposed like a like a fake trade
for I think it was it was Ben Simmons for like a lot of picks
John Wall, and both franchises like hated it. They were they were like
it was it was like both like neither side was happy with this. And
I was like, okay, no more fake trades between these two franchises.
You treated John Wall for Ben Simmons. I don't know why six or no,
no, no, it was John Wall. And then uh, this
is this is actually when they had Al Horford. I was like, okay,
if you send my proposal was basically like Ben Simmons Al Horford to the
to the Wizards for John Wall. A bunch of young like basically the young
assets and then as many like as much picks as they could go out then
and basically you saying I'm all in with Bradley Beal and Ben Simmons and both
franchises, they're like I wouldn't give up John Wall for that. I'm like,
what are you talking about? And then like you know, it's like
it's it was just like yeah, it was. It was like no more,
no more, no more fixtures between these two franchises because you know,
there's they're holding very very dearly to what they have. And yeah, and
and particularly with the with the Sixers with Simmons, you know, it's like
a it's a love hate relationship up there. Yeah, they seem less detached
to him or more detached to him than the Wizards seem to eastak Bonga,
where he's very much among fans on Twitter teams like there could be savior.
And then with Sixers fans it was like, yeah, we would trade Ben
Zimmons for Bradley Beal. Yeah you know, and and yeah that's the thing.
Bradley's value as just like I think the hardened trade has really uh skyrocket
him his value as well, because he's kind of like the last like like
he's the last like star. People have decided he is the next star that's
going to leave, and it's without look, so let's just start with the
Wizards. By the way, we'll do the anti clickbait thing where normally you
would start with the Sixers and stuff the Wizards at the end, and let's
go to the Wizards. They've people decided that Bradley Beale is just the next
star out and just the reporting is so strong that he doesn't want out,
and he's just set it at least alluded to it so many times. And
I know things can change, but it's interesting how you know his value is
definitely through the roof, particularly when the star market is so bare right now.
But they've like this is a very this is just a situation where it's
not identifying a star that might want out. People have just decided that he
needs to get out. Yeah, And I just don't see it like like
he is ingrained in in the franchise like they're they're like they treat him like
Lebron has gotten treated in the Cleveland in the past, right, like you
have you have a say on personnel, you're there you know, like there's
really nothing that as long as they can do it, they're gonna they're gonna
help him like win, They're gonna help him be more comfortable. They're gonna
make everything around him better, right, And uh, you know, I
don't think he's gonna get that like most most people, most players don't get
that enfranchises So I think he values that a lot. So it's not just
hey, you know, the Wizards aren't winning, let's just trade Bills,
blow it up. It's like it's like Bill's building something here, getting better
every year. And uh, he's you know, he's at a point where
you know, he's capable of carrying a team. Now. I think they're
gonna be much better in the second half because they had they've had some issues
in the first half. But yeah, I don't I will I will be
shocked if he got traded before the deadline. Now beyond that, it really
depends on a lot of stuff. But he's committed to the to figuring this
out right now, and he's he's kind of in the field with the you
know, with his team right here. And look, I when I sent
you an outline, I asked exactly zero Bradley beal trade questions, and so
I feel like if someone who covered the league nationally, I would like a
small trophy for doing that. But I'm with everything you said. There where
a long term I think you could say this about any player and team.
Their relationship is probably gonna end at some point if something does happen. I
would I would hazard that this is something that gets resolved over the off season
rather than mid season for a team that's like still trying to figure it out
where it's you know, the the defense has picked up a little bit in
recent week, and Russell Westbrook is perked up, and Davis Parton's is shooting
well again and everyone's in it in the East. And there's also the argument
to be made that is this really the season to make a major move amid
the pandemic when just all the results are I don't know if the words not
skewed, but like how valid are they? Like what can you take away
from this season Where I'm not going to discredit who wins the title or who's
playing well, but if a team does poorly or like can't figure out its
direction, it's just such a bizarre circumstances. And so I too would be
I'd be shocked if he winds up getting moved at the at the deadline.
Yeah, and and I still think regardless of where they're understandings like they're they
know where they want to be and there there's a goal to get there,
and if they don't, you know, it's you know, it's a weird
year. And there's kind of like these built in like excuses, I guess,
which is not not not to say that you know, if if they
end up being like the worst team in the East, which I don't think
that's going to happen, but like at the end up being the worst team
East, they shouldn't be some consequence like you know, at some you know
something's gonna happen, like you know, firing or you know player you have
some sort of player acquisition in the off season. But yeah, they're they
have a such direction and they're not letting like a dip in their in their
production right now affect kind of their long term strategy for the year. Hey
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trip today at visit Hampton dot com. I don't see their long term direction.
I'm gonna be honest with you. They feel sort of aimless because you
need, I think Russell Westbrook to really hit at some point, and maybe
that's a good place to start with him, is that he has perked up
a little bit, but he's still shooting sub thirty five percent on jumpers,
sub fifty four percent on layoups, which is for Russell Westbrook, that's not
great. And he's getting to the rim less. Just what are you seeing
from him? And if you've been impressed with anything lately, what concerns you
long term about this? What is the Is there a key to him becoming
a real value to the Wizards over the next couple of years, because he
does have two years on his deal left after this one. Just what have
you seen from him specifically lately? But if you have any longer term concerns
based off watching the entire season, I don't know about longer term concerns.
I was. I was very worried earlier in the year just by watching how
he was playing. It reminded me of when Derrick Rose came off his first
injury and you could tell like he wasn't driving as much, and like that
was part of his game, you know, he needs he gets he gets
to the hole and then like it opens up the other parts so he's able
to help teammates and do that. And Russell wasn't doing that, And I'm
like, oh, there might be something wrong here, like did like did
Houston know something or whatever? Like who like maybe they just like more comfortable
with this risk than John Wall's risk. But this is still like not a
great risks. He's got a little bit better. He's got a little more
aggressive sense and I think I think, you know, taking more of those
shots and kind of he's got to put his body out there. I mean,
like this is like it's his job of what he does, and it's
tough because like you know, there's this notion of like do we want Russell
to be doing this right now because that those last two years are not going
to look good. I mean, they went in the training camp with a
no Russell well, no, Russell Westbrook dunk role, Like he wasn't allowed
to dunk. They didn't want him taking those extra jumps, and like,
I've never heard of that before. I don't know, I mean, but
like I understand that risk management part part of it. But yeah, there's
there's a lot of these little things that make you worry. But right now,
if you're getting this what we're seeing on the court right now, I
still think you can. You can you can put out a good product with
this version of Russell Westbrook. I think that there is probably one more piece
that the Wizards need to get if they're going to like actually be a good
playoff team over the next two years. Though yeah, they're definitely well,
let's just keep going this way, youngster. Check in this here. Where
are you see from Ruey Hachimura this season? You know Ruy? I like
Ruey a lot. He's basically at the threshold now if he's playing basically one
whole season because he miss some time last year and it was short and season
in this season being shortened, so so he's essentially just entering his second year.
I the comparison I like, and I've heard comparisons of like, oh,
he's like Kawhi Leonard. He's like that kind of player, could have
that kind of rise. I think he's more like LaMarcus Aldridge and that you're
going to see him, you know, like I think ultimately he should really
play the five more. I know he's not he's not quite as big as
not as long as as you would like for that. But if they're not
gonna if they're not going to defend the paint, you know, in an
elite level, you might as well attack it from a different angle. But
I do like him. I do like him long term. I think he's
a piece there, and I think if he just went around the other pieces,
I mean Denny Uh, you know, like like Danny i Wold dies
like he he just has such a feel for the game. And my big
is worried about him is I think he's the most effective when he has the
ball, and he's gonna grow that way, and and you know, whether
he's the piece that can also be with Bradley and and Uh and Russell.
I think that might be the biggest shan but really, I mean really can
be the third or fourth guy and do it really well. So I think
I think Wizzards parents have something really good there. As far as his role
and his projection, yeah, there's the shooting is still definitely a concern with
him. But he's finishing so well at the rim this year. He's close
to seventy five percent there right now. And something that does intrigue me is
this is now year two, and you know it's counting. They're only thirteen
percent of his shots, but he's at forty one point two percent on really
long twos sixteen feet out to the three point line. That's after shooting forty
two point nine percent on those same shots last year. And it would give
me hope. I think that he should be able to back it up more.
And we've seen his three point attempt rate go up this season and maybe
that number improves, and we've seen the dip in his three throw percentage,
but like, he was eighty two point nine percent last year and he's seventy
almost seventy seven percent this year, and so those indicators to me seem like
because you know, I don't think he's going to be hitting these crazy jumpers
off the dribble from that deep, but it feels like he might be someone
who long term can extend his range to where he becomes even more of a
compliment because now you know, if he doesn't have the ball in his hands
defensive stuff to respect him and he's just you know, there's more room for
Bradley Beale and Russell Westbrook specifically to navigate. Yeah, I think you can
mitigate that a little bit. I think as a good point, he definitely
needs to be more of that, you know, if he's going to continue
to play the four or even sometimes he's played the three, dependent on who
they have out there. But like, I think you can mitigate that by
having you just need other shooters around him, right and especially with if you
have him and Russell on the floor, then the other three guys need to
be shooters, which is which is why you're seeing Garrison Matthews in the starting
lineup, which is why you're seeing Mooe Wagner in the lineup as well.
And uh, I just think that, like, yeah, you have to
realize what he is and I think I think you're him the nail on the
head there at what he is right now, and you can hope that he
expands the game, but in the meantime, you got to you gotta kind
of accept him forty years and and the level of growth that he's given you.
So you you briefly mentioned Denny Ava before he's actually seen in my expectations,
I'm surprised that you're concerned about what he does off the ball. I
mean, he definitely looks a lot more fluid at this level on the ball
than I thought, But his just offensive bag in general is so much more
deeper than I thought, where maybe I thought he was probably going to struggle
to do some work on the ball, and that's just hasn't really been the
case for him this season. And so how do you feel about him long
term? What do you think about his fit with the with the rest of
this roster, assuming the skeleton of it remains in place moving forward. Yeah,
I think I think he's really high upside as far as his whole career.
I just I see him. I mean, he's he's a player who
I think is going to need the ball, or at least like needed more
than he's been getting. I mean, he's in the second unit now,
that's probably the right role for him. I know, I know, like
you know, he's a top ten draft pick. You want to start him
right away, But like he's going to get more run and much more concentrated.
He's gonna be much more piece of the offense if he's in that second
unit. So that might be where he actually sticks for the foreseeable future,
as long as the first two stars are there. But yeah, I think
and he could eventually grow into a piece that is one of your top two
guys. It's just it's just a little bit of an awkward fit because I
think that he needs he needs the ball, but he's passing. It's just
it's it's like it reminds me of Powcasol. Like it's just like okay,
like you know, like like like you you watch Pow like you know,
in those Laker days, and you're just like, okay, you can just
do so much if you can just see all these angles and and and having
Denny do that as so such a young age, it's, uh, it
gives you a lot of reason to really believe in the future. Yeah,
he he had this pass. I can't remember who they were playing and I
was watching. I think it was the Raptors game where he just, uh,
he just makes just smart passes where it's like he's wide open in the
corner, VC's defense is coming at him, so he's able to find one
of the Wizards just camping out around the basket where it's it's kind of the
obvious pass, but it would have been so easy not to see. And
he can make some really good decisions, uh in transition and like these quick
you know, maybe he doesn't even have the ball. It feels like he's
making these these quicker second passes too, and you watch more than I do,
just a ton, so you know you're concerned about his fit with the
roster as of now, then that's definitely salient. I'm wondering, then,
does he just look much better on a version of the Wizards that doesn't include
Russell Westbrook? Then if your end goal is to is to really start him
and put him in a position where he could make more responsibilities, because Russ
can do some stuff off Denny Avda too, where you know, if Russ
gets going in transition and they have you know, him off to the you
know, running strong side, or if you want Russell Westbrook to cut more,
which it's like he's not a threat as a jump shooter, and so
you get into problems with the half court and if if the concerns are,
oh, we need to get Denny more reps, and you don't want to
view him as a second unit guy long term, he probably looks a lot
better on this team if Russell Westbrook isn't on it. It's just it's just
an awkward fit. But but I do think that Denny has a lot of
room and grow, and you know, he'd easily you know, expand the
parts of his game where he's off the ball, and that's that's a skill,
right, there's a reason why, like, like you go to G
League tryouts and everybody looks good with the ball in their hands, like no,
like like like half these players have never had to be the second unit
and never developed those skills. And I think that then he has a good
chance that I'm actually doing that, especially you know he's there, he has
the talent, he has the attitude, he learns, he like, he
wants to do it, so he so he might get there and it can
make it more smoother as he close along. I do think that we're talking
about a very small sample size though, you know what, like thirty five
games with with with this team, and a lot of players have been in
and out, So I think I think, like I think you probably spot
on with like like seeing what you see and like, Okay, I'm very
impressed because it is impressive given the circumstances. How much money is Garrison Matthews
get in this summer when he's because he is a free agent. I believe
I was actually I was actually surprised that he still that he was like resigned
on a two ways. I thought he was going to get an actual NBA
contract because I also impressed with him last year in the very few minutes that
he played him then that I washed of that where it's yeah, okay,
like I know, the shooting stands out like there's a little bit more there
to him where it feels like he can take some shots off the d and
you know the number of times relative to how much he's playing, like he
can really get to the foul line, Like that's an actual thing that he
can do for your offense. Yeah, And you know, it's funny because
last year Bradley Beale missed a stretch and Scott Books basically put him into that
role in the offense and I didn't do as well. Right, it wasn't
exact same, but it was like it was a four man's Bradley Bill and
so so he has that kind of skill set. Now doing consistently is a
whole another thing. But like I think you're, yeah, you're going to
see somebody take a chance on him. I mean, like wings go out
of premium, you know, especially if you could shoot. So I'm really
curious to see. I mean, like the range, the range for a
wing that that can shoot is probably the most volatile as far as salaries.
I mean, like I don't think we can predict it. Like I think
it'd be much easier to predict someone like Alice Caruso or like some somebody else
and like that that that that's a that's a you know, like an actual
point carder or uh than it is to someone who who can shoot on the
wing. Because we've seen just we've seen crazy contracts and we've seen some guys
get stuff that like like this doesn't make sense, Like like why is Daniel
House only making this and like you know, maybe you know, maybe there's
other reasons why, like you know, like because because he was he was
under contract, and like there was like you know forces that that kept him
in Houston. But like I just feel like the wing market is always so
hard to kind of pinpoint he's he's seen. I don't. I don't want
to say he's redundant on this team. But if you have Denny Avia long
term and then you have David Burton's there, uh, and then you know
you're gonna I think you need your wings to be just more defensively, like
you don't need to lean into the offense first model any further than you do.
And maybe that's where they run into an issue. But he's been like
he's an offensive fire cracktor, and yeah, be nice, he got to
the rim a little bit more. But uh, I'm always just I'm I
don't saying I guess we're not caught off guard anymore because of seeing it from
last season, but I'm like sort of always amazed that there's just there's an
extra layer to his game than just the shooting that people tend to focus on.
Oh, most definitely. And I do want to touch upon, you
know, going away and not not going any anything more towards the offense.
I would if I was running this team, and I don't, I don't
have that job, but like I would just be like we're all offense.
We we don't even care about defense anymore. And like you might say that
that already exists and we're seeing them get a little bit better defensively. But
I would just I would just go small ball lineups and just blitz people like
put Ruey at the five, shooting all around them and just just have like
the second best offense to lead behind like the nets, and just and just
win games that way. And I think that, like, I mean,
there's reasons why you want to play defense. It makes life a lot easier,
you know whatever, and you want to like have schemes and play a
center and do all that. But I would have investigated that, and maybe
they will, you know, maybe maybe they will see maybe they'll do like
a little less version of what Houston did last year. Do you think Ruey
could defend the five though that frequently if he's playing, you know, if
you're let's say he just splits his time at the five. At this point,
he's done, He's done a really good job in like in like low
minutes at that spot, and when he gets switches. I almost think Wally
can guard anybody, you know, I don't think. I don't think the
Wizards trade him. I think I think it would take like a lot to
get trade him, but like he would be so fascinating on the on the
Warriors as as like as like another Draymond Green type player who you know is
obviously younger and has has a little upside, but like, like I think
he's like that kind of defender that you could look at him so okay,
like he's he's going to be an elite defender when it's all said and done,
if he hits if he hits his stride, So yeah, I definitely
think he could. He could really guard like most players in the league.
But he's also like the best defender on the Wizards, which is not really
saying much right now, but but I do think that eventually, you know,
as he continues to growing on this projection, like he's gonna be like
he's going to be one of the top defenders in the league and and and
you know, maybe maybe Guardian centers is going to be like a key to
unlocking like the other part of his game as well, is Washington can out
on Eastock Bonga and Troy Brown Junior. They're playing time just seems so sporadic
for a team that you know, particularly Eastock Boa for what he should bring.
I would I would have expected him to have seen the floor more consistently
to this point. You know, it was funny because like I watched obviously,
I'll watch every game I'm there or whatever, and like sometimes I like
legitimately forget that Tory Brown juniors on the team, and I'm like, oh,
yeah, he's still here, Like like like I don't know, it's
different because you're not in practices every day like last year, like you know,
obviously, Like it's it's like you see you actually see people you know
in person, you know, on the on you're doing the zooms and you're
doing like the you know, just basically watching on TV like everyone else.
Until after the game. It's like you like they will never pan to to
Toroy Brown Junior for like three games in a row, and it'll be like
like it's kind of easy to forget him. But I don't really know what's
going on with with him. I wonder, you know, last year he
had some some plateaus in his game, and I wonder if you know what
they're seeing in practice and and and basically like in training and leaning up this
season, they saw the same thing, and they're like Okay, this is
we know what he is. There's no there's no upside here to continuing this,
and you know, he might just be not in the plans anymore.
And Bonga man, fans love Bonga, you know. And and Bonga is
so intriguing because it's like you don't even know what position he is even now
he's been in the league for what it's like two plus years, and you
know, like I still don't know what really he should be playing. He's
kind of like a point forward who's also like you could play him at the
four, and it's a very it's a very unique skill set. It's just
like he just hasn't got an opportunity to kind of kind of grow his game.
And he's also very young. Man. I think he's like I think
he's twenty or twenty one, so he'll he'll get there. But yeah,
I mean, like right now, they're just on the rotation regularly. Would
you expect Bonga to be on a different team next season because he is a
free agent. I believe Troy Brown Junior has one more one more year left
on his rookie scale, I would say they're probably being back Bonga. But
like, like just because the Bonga is like I mean, they're gonna be
able to put a qualify and offer in formm so like they have a little
control on like if another team makes an offer, if they have to kind
of, but like I would say he's probably back because like you take the
risk unless like some crazy offer comes in, like you know, I mean
we've seen I mean we saw like the Tyler Johnson contract a few years ago
and like restricted free agency and like that kind of thing, Like, yeah,
sure if someone it's like the Kings are like, if the Kings want
to say he's our next Jeary Mee brand, he can make the leap,
great, they're gonna have them. But yeah, I think I think he's
in the plans. Like you you would like to see this out. It's
just right now, you know, it's not really not ruin a rotation,
but you know that's always something you changed, especially with people in it out
of the lineup and you know the COVID things injuries, short and schedule like
it's you really it's kind of a luxury to have Bong at the end of
the end of the rotation. Do you think mor Wagner is going to be
more valuable to them as a keeper beyond the season, or someone that they
can maybe move as part of a larger package or for you know, just
small time value at the trade deadline this year, just because he's look,
he has. The thing I'll say is, I don't think he's a good
defender, but like he has pretty good hands on defense, and like he
does a lot on offense, Like he feels like he's really good finishing and
stride. He probably you definitely excuse me, want him to hit his three
is at a higher clip, but he can space the floor for you too.
And so he's an interesting he's fit on this team that has a lot
of question marks at center, but it also feels like for what they would
need from fours and fives here that I'm not sure that he's like a you
know, necessarily long for this roster. Yeah, And there's some complicating factors,
right, So, like they decline, like Tommy Shepherd declined his fourth
year action, which which puts a limit on how much they can retain it
for now. He might not get that contract and it might be fine,
but if they trade him to somewhere else that also gives the same amount of
limits. So the risk reward is kind of like capped, you know,
because if he outplays a contract for you, he looks like good that you
want to give it to him, you can't. I'd imagine that unless it's
like part of the bigger deal. He's still there throughout the season. He
does bring that, he brings a little bit of shooting for a five that
you that you like. Uh. He he has run his game like like
I'm I would almost bet if you went back in time and and Tommy Shepherd
had time machine, he would he would extend the offer to him based on
what he's playing this year. But but then then again, if he didn't
get the decline, does he does he work as hard? Does he added?
Does he add as much? I mean, it's a it's a butterfly
effect, right, but like and and quite frankly one that probably most listeners
don't want to hear about the more the you know, the mob Wagner butterfly
effect. But U but uh but yeah, no, I think that he's
probably likely to be somewhere else next year just based on that. But I
think he could. I think he's going to have a decent career, whether
he's like your second or third uh, you know center on your team.
He's kind of carved that out for himself. I was a little surprised when
they declined his option. I think when they did that in December, I
believe because I don't he like sort of fell off last year, but like
there was a stretch. I think it was the beginning. Yeah, but
he played really well for them, but it was just like what is this
guy costing you? Just why would you decline that rookie scale option? Yeah.
I was a little surprised too, but you know, Tommy really hasn't
had many misses since he's got there. I mean, the fact that he
has Bonga and Wagner are like just the fact that he's like maintained flexibility with
his roster spaces, right because like that happened as part of the Anthony Davis
deal. And and basically I like like, uh, you know, if
you kind of recall, like the Lakers need to dump more salary than they
thought they had to. They got to the cash rais, there were not
enough money and like you know, and and Tommy was right there just like
I got some spaces, like we'll take these assets, and like it's worked
out. I mean, like like you take those kind of chances all the
time, so I think that might have been behind it. It's like,
okay, like having the roster spot and not having a little bit of extra,
you know, not being tied down with this guy. I think I
think he took a calculated risk, not not necessarily wrong either, because like
you know, he might not get more than what they can from from I
think it's like four million dollars. He might not get it, but he
might, and in that case, it's like and also it also declined,
like diminishes him as as a trade asset as well. So yeah, I'm
with you there. It was a little curious, but one of those things
I'd like to say, it's like process over outcome, and outcome wasn't great
here, but I kind of see where he was going with that. Yeah,
we're still just a little bit surprising to me. The Jerome Robinson was
obviously not surprising at all. The thing that's probably most in well maybe not,
but to be about this team right now. So since Valentine's Day they
are eighth in points allowed per possession. Are you seeing anything that would suggest
this is a real change? Is it a product of maybe the schedule they've
played, they have opponents are shooting sub thirty five percent I believe on wide
open threes during this stretch. Or is there something here that's just more sustainable
and maybe they've turned a quarter. Yeah, I think it's twofold. I
mean that coincides with Garrison, Matthew and Wagner coming into the into the starting
lineup, which I think is really the right move. Now, I mean
that's not a sustainable long term playoff lineup, but like you got to work
with the lemons that you have to make the lemonade. And I think that
they do a good job there, and I think the defense intensity and efforts
has come up a little bit better, and people are like, people like
the team is getting like basically a full their full win back. You know,
it's no secret, like a lot of these players didn't play defense for
an entire year, right, And you know you can say, oh,
it's just affort, you turn on a switch. Well, it's really hard
to turn on a switch and kind of pace yourself throughout a game when you
haven't done it. Like, look at what Lebron is doing right now at
his age, he's able to be at a high level for the entire game.
And part of that he's like he knows how to pace himself as far
as energy. Now, not everyone can play at that level, but you
but every player needs to have that like understand what that does. So now
if you're exerting effort on defense a lot more, you're gonna be way more
tired at the end of the game. And I think it took a little
bit to get that back after like a season of just like literally playing ping
pong with other teams in the basketball court. That's that's like a that's like
a little bit deep and maybe like an outside of like like like maybe more
conspiracy thing kind of thing, But I really think that's like like like that
that's kind of what I believe is happening here. I think I think they
took a little bit to get the like the conditioning, the right conditioning understanding
how to pace yourself throughout the game, especially for like feel and the top
guys that are that are playing the allotment of minutes. So what's the end
game here right now for them? This season? They if we're both going
to assume they keep bal which I think is a more than reasonable assumption at
this point, do you just stand pat, do you make a smaller buy
at the trade deadline? Uh? There? Look there, you could say
that they're like on the cusp of the playoff picture because they as we're recording
this, they're in eleventh place, which is only you know, two losses
back of the play in but it's it's also only three losses back of the
four seed in the Eastern Conference as well, So like, what is what
do you see for this team for the for the rest of this season?
I mean, it's an interesting position there. And because like they unless they
want to make a big move, because like most of their guys with with
with higher salary cap, like like they're not guys that are going to bring
some like like like for example, like Robin Lopez at you know seven point
three million is Smith six million. They're not going to bring back anybody probably
better than what they already have right just alone. Right, So, do
they want to attach an asset? Do they want to attach a younger guy?
Maybe somebody wants to take a flyer in Tory bound junior, you know,
Bonder or one of these other guys. But I think it's unless they
go and take I think it's more likely they strip they strip some of these
veterans down, like trade them for for for multiple picks, like like Robin
Lopez I could see getting traded. I mean, he's been great for for
for what what they expect him to be kind of the second center. You
know, they never expected Thomas Brian to go down, so like, you
know, you don't want to have him in the starting lineup. But like,
I think it's more likely they strip down some of the veterans and try
to get the right pieces around these guys, because you know, if Bill
is actually going to be there for another year and and and Westbrook's two years
under contract, I think it's most important right now to get the right guys
around them. And one of the interesting things that I heard a couple of
weeks ago was like, you know, the Chris top for Zingis thing and
like him being like out, like you know, potentially in a rumor,
like the Wizards were like monitoring that. They were like, okay, like
if we brought in the third guy has to be this guy. Now you
don't know what the price tag will be. You know, there's like why
range openions on on on for Zingis and you know, and we talked about
the offensive defense thing. That's not going to be a that's not a defensive
ad. But you know, like I think I think they're looking out for
those kind of big deals. But like it's I think it's unluckily you see
anything crazy this year just based on based on who they can trade and and
what kind of value they can give up and also where they are in the
standings. But they should be able to rise just with more continuity. Though,
is the what's the most realistic improve it then for them to make at
the trade deadline? Is it improve the you know, the Ishmi minutes weren't
going well when he was healthy. Is getting it upgrade over him? And
how old netto? Is it getting a wing of some sort? Is it
getting another big Where do you think is the most realistic type of improvement that
though, that they should look to make or actually will make at the trade
that line. See, I do think they need a wing, right,
Like the Garrison Matthew story is nice and where what he does for them,
you know, and you can say maybe maybe there's other more pressing issues like
like a like an actual center that can defend the rim. I just don't
know where you're going to find that. So I think it's more likely that
you can find another rotation piece if you're willing to give up picks or assets.
So I would I would target that like that the three because the three
is really as an overall roster, not including like Thomas Bryan being because next
year they hope Thomas Brian comes back and he fills that spot at the five.
The three is their biggest problem long term and short term. And even
with any which I think that I think Denny ends up being like a four
for them, and at four in the NBA rather uh, I think I
think you still look at that like three that you know, that wing that
that can kind of like defend a little better as their biggest need. Okay,
So to wrap up with them three quick hitter questions, do they make
the play in or playoffs this season? I would say yes. I would
say there was a lot earlier in the season, you know, Westbrook being
out a lot of players in and out. You know, they they they
had to have their team get COVID and they couldn't like run you know for
a while, and they had to go play like they came back on condition
to play and not that they could do anything else. They they were recovering,
so it's like you needed to like you need, you need the time
to get back in the conditioning. The season just carried on. I think
that they're gonna come out. I wouldn't be surprised if they get somewhere a
couple games below five hundred, like like like, I would not be surprised
if they end up like the seventh or eighth seed and and you know have
that have have that like home advantage in that play and playing game. But
yeah, I think it's it's very, very possible for them. Do think
that's interesting is they've played the easiest schedule in the NBA to date. I
believe if I'm looking if this is updated, and they have the hardest schedule
remaining in the league over the bed, that's going to be tough for them
to crack. So I would almost if I had to pick, I mean,
the East is just wild. Playing definitely seems reachable. But I'm thinking
of like Atlanta getting healthier, Indiana should get healthier. Maybe you see the
Hornets and Knicks fall back down to earth. The bulls are in front of
them right now. I'm gonna say no, I'm gonna be hot. Taking
say, I don't think they make it, but I don't know. There's
a little bit of fool's gold there with the Knicks and Hornets too. This
is not the season to predict that the last two quick hitters. I have
though, are is Bradley Beale on this team next season? I would say,
yes. Is Scott Brooks the head coach of this team next season?
I would say no, Look at that, just something to monitor. And
the Scott Brooks thing, because people have been calling for his job. It
feels like since he got it basically, but it would take like something the
monstrative going wrong for him to be fired mid season at this point, right,
because I don't even even if you're hoping to make the playoffs, like
what is like what could you reasonably miss on, you know, unless you
lose like ten games in a row or something along those lines like what the
Rockets are doing right now. I just don't know what this team can realistically
aspire to that Scott Brooks would have screwed up in a way mid season that
they want to start the process in the middle of the year. Yeah,
no, exactly right, And I think that I think there's a chance that
he comes back, but I think if we get to the point where we're
looking at play in tournament right now, is his best case scenario That was
not expectations right expectations where we were like, Okay, we can be a
top six seed. We don't have to deal with the play in tournament.
And I think unless Brooks does get to that level, then yeah, we
are talking about a new coach at the end of the year. But yeah,
know, like it's not like a bad situation, Like it's it's not
a situation that's going to blow up, Like no one's getting mad at Brooks
and like demanding that he's gone or like you know, like like we've seen
we've seen that with other coaches other places. It's like it's not like kind
of situation. It's harmonious, like like the players love him. He's just
like he's a nice guy. But maybe you need more than a nice guy
right now, you know, going forward, I already dive into some sixers.
Has that for a pivot? Oh yeah, no, definitely. So
I don't want to relitigate this too in depth, but where did you end
up landing? And it's like, really, I think it's still a fair
question, I asked, because the Sixers are our first place in the Eastern
Conference, But would they be in a better position without James Harden had the
opportunity presented itself, and the reporting says that he was on the table and
that the Rockets essentially prefer the Nets deal or Tilmo Forte. I didn't want
to deal with Darren Murray. If it was the Sixers choice, would you
have included enough sweeteners to complete the James Harden trade or were you very much
of the mind that they made Let's say, insofar as it was their decision
that they made the right decision not to. I guess sweetened the package with
Ben Simmons enough to put them on the same level as Houston viewed in Brooklyn's
package. Yeah, I'll preface it with I own a lot of land on
on Ben Simmon's island. Like I am, I believe he's going to be
a future m VP. I'm i'm, I'm, I'm full on like I
think he's going to be probably exceeding most people's expectations. I would have done
whatever I need to do and including including him and other picks to get James
Carton. James Harden's arguably the best player in the league right now. If
you know, you know, you know, whether he's top five, whether
he's whatever he's he could have had he could have been the MVP in each
the last four seasons, right he like, he's just that good. He
puts you in a contender window right now. And if you combine that with
Joel, who has been healthy, who has been playing back to backs.
But but look, we know there's a risk with big Man, especially with
the kind of injuries that he has. I'm taking my shots, and I'm
saying, Okay, James Harden with Joel and a decent team around him,
really, I mean, like with with everything else, even if he gave
up Max, even if he gave up Matise and he gave a future picks,
I would have done it, you know, I just I just I
also do wonder if there was anything that Jerry Moore could have offered the Rockets
to get James Harden, or whether they were just going to string them along
the entire time. Yeah, I think that's probably the bigger issue here is
I don't think they ever had a realistic chance of getting him unless they through
the kitchen sink. Plus Ben Simmons, which I in real time wouldn't have
made the move after watching Harden in Brooklyn. Like, maybe it's easier to
say they should have. I just don't think, Well, what made me
uncomfortable is right, The Ben Simmons Harden's wap easier to justify. But the
assets you attach players you attached to it, Like, that's where it gets
iffy, because you are giving up an all NBA caliber player to get James
Harden, and so the gap not only in Harden's talent, but in the
window in which you can compete for a title with him needs to meet or
exceed that outgoing value. And that's where the questions sort of lied for me.
Yeah, I mean I think I think I don't think there's anyone that
would say, like Brooklyn made a bad trade, you know, given there,
but I think that you might have had people if it was a six
Ers just based on that one actual franchise piece. Yeah, I'm like,
the Brooklyn stuff is weird because those picks look shiny now. But if Harden,
Kyrie and Kadie just stayed together, then that's aren't gonna be bad for
I would say at least three years, like that's at least three years,
and so at that point, like how many swaps and picks if you used
up? The fact that they have them going into twenty twenty seven is definitely
valuable, but I don't think clearly now like and what the injuries Brooklyn's dealt
with the limited availability of Kevin Durant specifically, it's like, it's good to
have James Harden who has been an iron man and can carry you to a
win basically on any given night without the other two stars. And so I
definitely think it. I forget what great I gave him When I graded it
at the time. It might have been like I didn't fail them, but
it might just been like a B minus. I would definitely up that at
this point for them the Sixers, though, So Joella Bie would be my
MVP pick right now if the season were to finish today. What's impressed you
a most about what he's done? And why is it his off the dribble
shooting, you know, not that I'm trying to put words in your mouth.
Oh literally, that's just another level of his game that you're like,
oh my god, like like like everything that Sam Hanky was talking about his
resonation letter of all the greedness that Joel could be Like this is it,
you know, and it's like it's just like to see someone do that and
and everything else that he does. It's like like like I honestly believe he
is the MVP and he will be unless he unless he gets hurt. Like
there is like like we both watched the last night against the Jazz and just
the way he takes over games, and he did that against the Calves and
they lost against the Cavs on on a Saturday. But he's doing it night
after night where where you're not seeing what he like, you've seen the consistency
that you haven't seen before. So I think it's that. I think it's
af terable shooting. And then it's also the consistency with it that is really
just it's it's really remarkable to watch this season. You're gonna know these This
is more for the listeners benefit and maybe they know them too. But last
season, Joel Embiid shot fifty four of one hundred and sixty two on pull
up two pointers. It's at thirty three point three percent. He shot six
of twenty on pull three pointers. That's a thirty percent clip so far this
season on pull up two pointers, he's seventy one of one fifty one,
that's forty seven percent, and then on threes he's ten of twenty one forty
seven point six percent. So he's already hit more pull up threes than he
did I would probably say over the past more than last season, so six
and he's at ten already. So that's just if that improvement it's sustainable,
and I don't want to get I think it's easy to be skeptical that it
isn't because we've never seen him hit them at this level before. But he's
also talked about working on that shot before. I think it was specifically heading
into last season where he was talking about how he could hit these face up
off the dribble jumpers, and look, if he's gonna hit shots like he
did the force over time against Utah if I don't know if the Sixers need
to do anything we talk about what other moves could they make. I don't
know if they need that other significant piece, because I think the thought process
there is right well, Tobias Harrison Simmons, they can't be your primary crunch
time weapons. And even with the yokas just so good in the clutch.
There's this thought process that, well, Jabald Murray really helps you because you
need that from scratch face up scorer, which yokis really is it give the
ball the post that yeah, he could dribble going down hill, but everyone
wants that like Way or Guard who could do it. But Joel beat is
just hitting those shots for the Sixers right now. Yeah, And I think
that you could see this team beating any team in a seven game series.
They just have to, like their foot is completely on the gas and like
you run the risk of it just going something going wrong, right, Like
you are putting so much pressure on Joel to do so much, and I
think that the only reason I would probably say, okay, maybe they should
probably add like another ball handler is to not have Joel do so much right
now. And you know Simmons does a lot when he's there. He's the
other guy, but they don't have that third guy who can be who can
kind of take over. And also like a guy who can shoot like Hoyle
Larry would be amazing just to take some pressure off of it. Kind of
like what like Dennis Shrewder is for Lebron in ad, you know, just
just to have the other guy that you're not. You're just not exerting like
top energy on it every night, and you kind of pace yourself throughout the
season. You know. I do think there's a market for them. I
think I think Kyle Lowry is probably a name I would go. I would
go around the league. Maybe something, Maybe a guy who's like a little
bit cheaper, you know, just sider cup Wise because Danny Green, Danny
Green for fifteen million dollars, like trading him is the easiest way to kind
of bring back and add actual value. But yeah, there's there's there's a
need. But you know, the team itself, if you're if you're like,
okay, playoffs started today, yeah you would. They can match up
with anybody. Ben Simmins, I'm curious what you think about. He's shooting
incredibly well on hook shots this year, basically over sixty percent I think first
past ten or twelve games, and he's hit some really this season in general,
Hiss, they're accounting for a larger share of his shots. They're not
just sort of these you know, standstills like backing down guys and then hitting
look like he's hit someone's on the movie. He's also done very well in
his you know, on his post touches, which again are not like these
monstrous part of his game, but they seem like they could be useful counters
for someone who at this point we just have to assume that he's not going
to ever be like a moderate volume shooter. And so if he's scoring you,
you know, one point two points per post possession and they count for
ten percent of his place, that's huge. Do you buy into that as
like sort of a viable counter? What don't you get the playoff basketball or
is there's still just like too many obstacles to overcome when you have another player
on the floor. He's just still not going to be that threat outside of
you know, let's let's be generous and say the paint and I could that
that's stretching it a little bit too. Yeah, sure, And you know,
it's it's a nice wrinkle to his game because you know, for so
long he could get so close to the rim that it almost didn't matter in
a lot of ways as long as he had like a lot of shooting around
him, because he could just get down to that that area where he's in
that range and now that he's added this shot at a nice efficiency rate,
like it's it's going to be very interesting because if this has just spread out
the floor like they like they have been with that and kind of like you
know, played Dwight up at the top or played Joel up up at the
top and like kind of let Simmons in. It's it's it's almost like it
doesn't doesn't spread the floor in a way that you would want like a three
point shot. We're not there yet. It's almost like a Simmons is like
growing himself out to the three point line for whatever reason, like very slowly.
But it is a nice wrinkle, and I think it's I think it's
it just makes it even more hard to defend on there. It's like it's
it's it's like another it's like a it's like a dominant post player who has
the agility of a point guard to get down there. Like he's very unique
in his own way. And I think we get distracted too much by the
shooting, because this is still a top twenty five guy in the league with
how he is right now, and there are very few players he's firmly in
the defensive Player of the Year conversation. At this point, I would guess
they'll probably finish top three. When I did it a month into this season,
I actually had him beat a little bit higher than him on my ladder
when I did my top three predictions for the year because I thought Ebid was
you know, he's he's a monster on defense, but it felt like he
was playing up higher at points too, which is having a baby that could
do that was incredible. But he's been huge for them, and he could
defend any player on the court, and there are so few players where you
could basically say, like, hey, go delete that guy from the planet,
and Ben Simmons can do that and so and then still you know,
sort of disrupt things away from his primary assignment. So still a fantastic player.
And I agree with pretty much everything you said there. If if he's
going to hit those shots, if he can do it on the move,
like that's the bigger things. Like I don't know how much it helps them
if he's doing it exclusively from post ups, but if it's you know,
the sweeping hooks that he's hit a little bit, I think that could end
up helping them a bunch in the postseason. Yeah, you know, just
this is the extra rikles he's bringing on really both sides of the floor,
like like defensively, He's like, I do think he's gonna win the defensive
player here, which is you think he's gonna win? Yeah, I think
he's gonna end up getting it, which was I mean, Doc's campaigning for
it, but then you have like juel In talking about how that's his goal,
and I'm like, like, it's a little weird, you know,
you both you both guys are the same thing. Like it's like and it
just goes back to do these guys fit together? And I think they've they've
made it work the best they can. I mean, everything's like Rosie right
now, and they've decided that, like these two do fit together in the
sense that they don't stagger them as much as they did under Brett Brown.
And they've done they've even done things where it's not happening a lot. But
I can't remember which Jim was watching, but like Ben Simmons was the screener
while Joel Embid was on the floor. As when they're trying new stuff,
and I'm fine with them, just like I don't think it doesn't work.
It could work. They're definitely not the cleanest fit, but yeah, there's
that level of awkwardness there. I do sort of appreciate though, how it
felt like, at least previously a little bit, the Sixers were trying to
like separate them or just be like they have to operate independent of one another,
almost even though they were winning the minutes with those two on the floor.
And it does seem like this season they've just decided that, no,
you know what, We're gonna play our two best players together a bunch,
because that's what you do. Yeah, exactly. They're like, we gotta
get these reps in here. They want all the data they can get.
I think Daryl Moore is like, I need this see if we're gonna make
this work. I want to put everything into making this work. And I
think I think it will work. I think it's fine. I think it's
been very good. I just think the co campaigning for a Defensive Player of
Year is a little word like, do you remember a team that had two
legit defensive players of your candidates? No, they're both probably going to finish
in the top five, too, right, I'd imagine, I mean you
might if Joel wins MVP is probably not gonna win DEFENSI Player of the Year
just because like how people vote, you know whatever. But I'm just trying
to think of names. It's like Rudy, I think it's gonna come down
to Rudy Gobert Ben Simmons at this point. And I still don't know how
I would weigh like the Joel Embi Ben Simmons debate, but Rudy Gobert and
Ben Simmons are gonna be there, Miles Turner's definitely going to be there,
and then after that it's like, well, who are you who are you
going with there? I don't think Jannie isn't gonna have the same love and
the Bucks have done a lot of different stuff defensively this year. I also
think that people are going to look more closely at how he's not necessarily guarding
the best player because they use him to just you'll cover up so much,
which is important. So maybe he's still in the top five, but I'm
trying to think of you know, the name sort of run out soon,
and so if you're gonna say five people are gonna finish higher than Joel and
beat on that ladder. I just don't know who they're gonna be. Yeah,
And you know, it's been a weird year in that, like you
know, I'm zoomed in on these two teams. That the fact that,
like I haven't seen much of Indiana outside when they played these guys, But
just from what I'm seeing him, like his mouths, Turner is like blocks
of it. Is it kind of like empty stats in a way. I
mean, he's getting the blocks, that's nice, but like, and he
obviously has an impact. I just I just wonder if like they are as
as as valuable as the stat may indicate. Where he's like leading the league
and by a margin I think Turner is. And I caught a lot of
ship from Pacers fans when I left him off. I aired on the wrong
side when I wrote it. It was a mother to the season. I
probably should have just done a look at where this ladder is right now,
but I decided to just make predictions and forecast, and I left him off
the top three. The value he has on defense to them is real,
Like it goes so far beyond his blocks, just the way that he's able
to be in all these spots at once and recover to the rim or or
get out and can test jumpers, so I think his value is real.
But people do look at the overall defensive standings, and right now, the
Pacers defense just isn't. Uh, you know, if we're looking at teams
where it's I would assume you want your defensive player of the year to come
from a top ten defensive team, they're sixteen, and there's you know,
it's that's not. Part of that stuff gets to me a little bit because
it's not fair to say that, like Miles Turner isn't playing forty eight minutes
a game every single game for them, and he's actually shown that he could
anchor some lineups on his own because of a lot of the things he's doing
defensively. But stuff that factors in is and they're in the seventy six percent
tile of defense when he's on the court. That should matter, but I
don't even know that's seventy six percentile would high enough to do it. And
then with him specifically, it's, well, he's not going to play as
many minutes as some of these guys, and if he's going to continue to
shoot so poorly from three as he has been lately, are you inclined to
limit his minutes and then go with Sabonis at the five more so I think
there are more uh you know, bumps that come into his case. But
I do absolutely think that he is a transformative defender. Yeah, and no
doubt. I just I just like it, and I think it's are I
think we're gonna see some weird stuff in the voting this year because of the
condemned schedule. I think your average media person that's covering your team is not
seen as much outside of their team as they're used to, which is a
problem because that you know, we want Andre Drummond get Defensive Player of the
Year votes last year or sure, yeah, yeah, yeah. It's like
it's like it's like okay, like are we like what are we doing?
And this year it's like you just have more games, more nights, and
like like I mean I've seen Rudy go up against Joel and I've seen Miles
Turner up against Droell this week, right, and I'm like looking at them,
like I'm like, why are either one of these guys Defensive Player of
the Year candidates? But you know, I know there's more to the story,
right, you know, like like Joel is like probably one of the
top matchups right for for this and I mean he's he's just playing out of
his mind. So if these are like the best, you know, if
these are the guys playing the best and he's playing the best against them,
I mean, I think that that helps his the MVP case. But I
think a lot of a lot of writers maybe narrative might help a little more
this year than it has in the past because because you just don't have the
time to see multiple games, because if you're covering your team then you're then
a lot more of your nights in a congested amount of time is taken up.
And yeah, it's just I think I think the narratives around these players
are going to creep up as a more as a bigger factor this year.
I would actually agree with you. I think that's something that people definitely look
at because you know, maybe it feels like even like maybe BAM should be
getting more love in this discussion. But I think they bring this back to
the sixers. I absolutely think it. Beat and Simmons will both be in
top five. And I can't remember the last time, maybe it's been recently.
I have to go back and look and see when the last time two
players were from the same team, were you know, finished in the top
like maybe a Mike like it couldn't be that far away, but like a
Jordan Pippin type deal. I'm just trying to think of pairings like Paul George
and Kauai would have that potential. But that's not gonna happen this year anyway.
I'm digressing terribly at this point. What's the biggest change you've seen from
Dubaia's Harris this season? And as a preface, I did something where I
just ranked shooters relative to the value they were providing shots from all the different
distances. I did quarter threes, above the break threes, and then mid
range just because I considered those the perimeter shots. He graded out as one
of the ten most valuable shooters by value added in the league this season.
And and and you kind of you kind of see that right now, like
what he's what he's bringing to this this this team, and I think I
think it's two twofold, right Doc. The familiarity has with Doc Rivers,
like that's kind of where they broke out in in LA. And when he
was in LA, he was really playing the four. I mean he was
he was paired with Dineal gallinari as the other forward who essentially was a three
a four space and guy, it's just way better for him to be in
that position where where he does he doesn't have to worry about two big men
and the lane is also open and he can't be a little more freer with
with how how they do things and the kind of sets that they run.
I think I think, I just think he may have been like miscasted as
as as a as a small forward for a while or like trying to fit
as that, and I think that's I think it's Doc rivers familiarity and and
and playing the right position now where he has a chance to grow and he
can he I mean, you could argue that he should be an All Star
this year. There was definitely a case for him, and he's got all
fuzzy at the end. I very easily would have taken Trey Bam or maybe
even Jimmy Butler over him, but Chris Middleton too, But yeah, I
mean he was in that, Like if you were mentioning the twenty candidates or
All Star spots in the East, he was definitely in it. Yeah,
I have an All Star theory and I have no I have no backing behind
this, but I think that some of the teams that did not go to
the Bubble were rewarded a little bit higher this year. Interesting, you know,
And I'm not I'm not just just on this level, right. You
know, they lost out on from revenue, right, so I don't you
know, it could just be nothing, but you know, Julius Randall,
Zach Lavine, who there was there was one more that was there that that
was from a Bubble team. I forget for a non Bubble team, but
I'm John Blink, who the third go was. Like, I was like,
okay, now, I think zach Lavine is a bonafide All Star.
I think Julie Randall is a bonafide All Star. But I wonder if it
would have been a much like a little more debate if it was a you
know, if it wasn't for that factor. But that's just my conspiracy theories.
Conspiracy had you know, no like I said, no information on that
or anything like that. I'm just like hmm, like, okay, like
you guys, get you guys, get your markets a little bit more glamorized.
This is All Star weekend, so which non star so basically, which
non Tobuyas Harris, Joel Embie, Ben Snibbons player has most impressed you this
season on The Sixers. Oh you know you sent me the question. Listen,
Like my first instinct last night was Dwight Howard and I don't have a
better answer than that. I think Dwight Howard has just been like from what
I expected. I was like, oh, I'll be a backup center,
you know, Like I didn't. I didn't think he was particularly that great
last year in LA he has been just everything they needed out of a backup
center filling and when they needed him to be, he's been like great locker
room guy. He's been like he's he's just been like so supportive of the
stars. I think that I just have to give it to Doy Howard.
He's like the you know that that like just just everything you want out of
a role player, and it's it's just it's just what he's he's become,
and I think that it's going to extend his career a couple of years.
Even even more so than than most people realize. Is a secondary ball handler,
shot creator, whatever you want to call it. The still the biggest
concerned need for this team or do you think they'll be comfortable in sort of
rocking with you know, Tyrese Maxie, shake Milton if they get into the
play well not if when they get into the playoffs. See, that's the
thing. I don't think you can. I don't think you can rely on
like, like, I'm a believer in Tyrese Maxie going forward. I think
he's gonna be like a really nice piece. I just don't know that you
can rely on him now this year, just based on what we've seen so
far, which is why I do think a trade will come. I just
don't know how big that trade will be. I mean, Darryl Moorey,
during his tenure with the Rockets, made the second most trades in the league,
going behind the Sixers. And Sam Pinky was there for part of that,
just like just like Matt scientists there. So you know, it's like,
ah, like I think we're gonna see Daryl make a trade before the
deadline? Are there? So to that end, are there any targets like
non from your targets, not Bradley Beale, not Kyle Lowry that you'll that
you like for them, or that you think you could envision them targeting when
Miami was struggling. I thought I thought Warren Dragons was was an interesting,
uh potential ad. I don't know that that happens now, but who knows.
I mean, like like he'll be whether he has a long term future
there or not. You know, like Miami likes him. Miamis has another
pick to give up for that deal, so like they're they're probably motivated not
to not to give him give him away, but if they can get you
know, uh you know they get they get a pick back for him.
I think maybe that that could be a move. I think that kind of
player that like that point guard who can play off the ball as well,
is really what they need. I mean, Shigmillan has been great, but
like he should really be like they're like he should really be like their fourth
guy handling the ball rather than a third Yeah. I mean you get into
a playoff situation and you do have the question is our shake Milton or is
shake Milton or Tyres Maxy? Like can they get give you enough shooting too,
because neither of them are Massy specifically, like he's shooting a ton of
threes or threes all that one And I think Milton's only is he below thirty
one percent right now? I should check that before. He's definitely been hot
cold this year. I don't know his own season, but like it's a
yeah, he's like It's just it's just like, what's kind of guy you
want? The same that with Danny Green. I'm not sure Danny Green is
like the fifth starter for this team or at least what you want this team
to do. But I mean it's so so I definitely think the move is
coming. I mean, what would you do if you were if you were
like the Sisters guy, Like would you like or if you were Darren Moorey
Rather? What's tough is so when I go through the list of names that
I think people should target, so many teams are just going to talk themselves
into being in the playoff race the right now. Because so many teams are
just in the playoff race right now, So I don't look at anyone is
just eminently available. And so for them specifically, it's like, you know,
it does Could they get a Terry Rozier would be perfect for them,
but I don't think Charlotte is going to move him this year. Could they
get like a Thomas Saturanski from Chicago or Chicago just gonna I mean, Zach
Lavine would be a good fit in Philly too. But focusing on non premier
targets, it's like, how many of these teams are gonna, you know,
be sellers And that is something that I think we've yet to see outside
of you know, okay see will be a seller. So George Hill makes
some sense for this team if if you could get him and you don't need
to give up Danny Green in that scenario, which I also thinks help so
he would be but there's also gonna be like a trillion teams going after Can
you go a super low end and just think with someone like Javon Carter,
can we use him and he'll hit more of his threes if he's on our
team. The problem there, though, is if you want someone who can
handle the ball too, he's just that's not going to be your your guy
that you turn to. And so I think they're going to be in a
market where they're just probably aren't as many options and they could end up with
like a low thing where it's right, the Knicks are just looking to get
rid of Austin Rivers at this point they get up with someone like that who
helps. But I just I'm wondering if they could get a big needle mover,
maybe an Evan Fournier if he's available, That would be someone who's really
good for them. Their names out there, it's just so tough, and
look, they don't have if you don't want to give up Danny Green,
which I think would be reasonable because your defense is still gonna be fine without
him and he's not going to close, you know. I think at this
point they seem if you had to predict their most you know, they're most
relied upon closing unit, like it's gonna be a bead Simmons, Curry,
Tobias Harris and probably shake Milton over Danny. Like maybe you mix and match
that a little bit. But at the same time, I would't understan why
you wouldn't want to give up Danny Green if the player you're acquiring isn't necessarily
going to be in the best version of your your closing lineup, and so
there's the lemma there. I think I was just a fault to George Hill.
Feels like he would be a really good fit for them. Yeah,
I think he's been linked to them before. You know, I wonder if
that's going to be a buyout thing more than anything else. And my guests
would be no, because before he had his right thumb surgery, he was
shooting like sixty something percent on drives and he could still stroke it from three.
And you have the option with that non guaranteed year on his deal next
season, I think for ten million, give the option of either waving him
for one or that might be useful just to bring back. So having that
little extra option of keeping him around, I think we'll go along, right,
So my expectation would be that he actually gets moved rather than bought out.
Yeah, because I do think he was playing really well. And like
you know, when you when you look at like the market for someone making
less ten million dollars a year, like most of these teams, most of
these contenders could probably squabble together enough salary to even to make that move.
And the sisters could do that as well. I mean, you throw Mike
Scott and one of the younger guys together, you're almost there. Is that?
Is that? Like? Enough? Is that? Is that what you
want to? Like? Do we want to give up Matisse Thyble for George
Hill right, And I think that's where that's where I think the difference between
like the trade and it may not take it. Maybe maybe the Thunder like
give us two second round picks or whatever it is, you know, even
this year's first for the Sixers, Like if it's a matter of justill like
like like what we know we're going to be in the in the bottom half
or the bottom bottom, like you know, like five to ten. Yeah,
sure, we'll get this over to you, and like, yeah,
that's the price and ensure. But I mean, I know, I know
teams are like if they trade matist table, like there's there's a lot of
just for for that guy. I mean, like he's he's like he's gonna
be in the you know, like all NBA defense, his conversation for the
rest of his career as long as he stay south. He's got work in
his offensive game. But like I think, if I'm a team like the
Thunder, if I'm a team like the Calves, I'm a team like even
the Wizards, probably you know, I'm looking at him and I'm saying,
okay, like if they trade him, I want to be I want to
know what that pricetag is because uh, you know, like I really think
that that's that that's their best, their golden ticket right now. I will
say, if Kyle Lowry ends up getting moved to Philly or anywhere else,
I'm gonna be so because it'll want it'll shock me. I don't think it's
gonna happen. I will also be I don't words, I'll be fascinated to
see what the package ends up being, because I think it has to be
like close to a monster hall for Toronto to do it. Unless Lowry just
flat out asked for out and he's coming up on free agency and they're still
like they're good. Now, I don't know why he would necessarily ask for
out, So I'll be shocked if he's moved, and I think it takes
like a really good offer to get him, which is why you know,
when people mentioned like the Clippers of the Lakers, is Lowry landing spots like
okay, cool, but what are those guys giving to Toronto Exactly? It
is it's like it's like, you know, like they don't have any picks,
they can't do anything right the Sixers could you know, it's just how
much do you want to give up for that? But yeah, I don't.
I don't see a scenario where he liked the Clippers or the Lakers could
do anything crazy. That's why you don't see it. Yeah, yeah,
I mean unless like they get like, Okay, we like this guy,
Horton Tucker, we'd love him, you know whatever, and like you have
like a situation like like the King's owner would Buddy Healed right, Like,
I just don't think that's Toronto though, you know, yeah, I mean
you could. They could do some interesting stuff if people are in love with
THHT. They have the Dennis Shrewder salary, they have Tress too. Those
are two guys that I don't necessarily I mean, Schroeder's essential to them now.
But if you I've I've entertained whether the Lakers should roll the dice,
I'm Victor Oladipo by like, are the Rockets going to get an offer better
than you know, Truder a second and THHT And maybe Lakers don't want to
keep up PHT for that, that's fine, But if you attach THT or
even A I don't think it could be in expiring guys like someone like Caruso
might be intriguing to teams, but they could go after him in free agency
if they want. But I've entertained, like, do they try and make
that high end swing because I don't think Shruder's the guy to anchor the no
Lebron lineups, And while those minutes are fewer and further between in the playoffs,
you still want another reliable creator on the wings. And I'm just I'm
curious to see whether that's him, and I'm not saying it's definitively not him,
but they could, look, they could move Tress and attach him to
salary and make a smaller type move there. You could get to probably Victual
Ladipo's salary by step laddering and starting with Tres and using THHT as the thing.
But that's you know, Kyle Lowry just makes so much money, and
first of all, those teams just don't have expect endable guys making a ton
of coin aside, unless you view Dennis Shooters expendable. So who's the let's
say, the Sixers, I think, And I don't know if it's ideal,
but I feel like the most likely outcoming you can correct me if I'm
wrong, is that they probably do something along the lines of salary filler and
picks maybe their own first round pick this year. But if they move an
actual player as an asset, not just salary filler, who's the most likely
one to be moved? Is it with Hestiable at this point or could it
be Maxie? Could it be Shake Milton. I think it's Tiable only in
the fact that he's the guy who's probably available, who has the highest trade
value, right, So I mean, all the all the coins on who
they bring back if they need to include him. But like if you're if
you're talking about Kyle Loward, you're talking about like I mean, Keith Pompey,
was you know, entertaining like a Looctor Oladipo, Like what would that
would that look like? And that would that would certainly entail Thiable going going
to Houston. I don't know that that's a great fit for for the Sixers
to get Ladipo, But yeah, if you're getting guy like that like thible
Is, he's the centerpiece in it. I think Maxie. I think I
think there's a reason why you heard the rumors of that they didn't want to
give up Maxie in the hardened deal, Like they believe in Maxie. He's
just not quite ready now, Like but he could be that guy. He
could be the starter in in a couple of years, and he might be
a point guard if you if you do trade Simmons for another piece and that
piece happens to be a win. But they're very They're very high on Maxie.
But I think most likely you see Diables as a main piece. If
it's not, if it's not that kind of deal, then yeah, this
year's first and and Mike Scott and Salary Piller, maybe it makes more sense.
Should they be considered the East favorites at this point even if they do
nothing? Uh, there's I think you can everyone points to the Nets.
I think is their most immediate threat. I'm just curious if they do nothing.
They have Simmons and Thible and they obviously haven't beat but they have Danny
Green. They even have Maxie. They could used to give you some ball
pressure like they could they could bump like the Nets. They're not going to
stop James Harton, Kevin Durant and everything like. They have more bodies than
most to throw at Brooklyn. And so I'm wondering, even as currently constructed,
if you think that they deserve to be favorites of the East or whether
that honor goes to I would presume you would pick Brooklyn or Milwaukee. Yeah.
You know, it's interesting because I do think that the Sixers match up
well, like somewhat well, right, And I think I think Milwaukee matches
up well, Like I would almost argue that Milwaukee has the right pieces to
match up player for player with their stars, you know, with yeah for
sure, be honest, and Drew and Chris Middleton, Yeah, and just
they need a little more time together because I mean, like they haven't like
like Drew missed a lot of time and I think I think he just came
back, you know, and and uh, you know, they need a
little more time to like Gell and actually get everything going. And uh,
they match up well. But I want to say that Sixers should be the
favorite. But like I I've watched Brooklyn every chance I can get, every
time they're not playing on a night when one of my teams are playing,
and like, I just don't see it. I'm like, how how does
any of these teams beat this team? Like I just don't like James harden
with with Kyrie is a third option and Kevin Duran healthy without an injury,
I don't understand how you beat this team could because because everybody else around like
all these other all these other players, like Joe Harris is really good.
You know your fourth guy, and then you go all the way down it
to like, you know, all the way down the eighth guy, ninth
guy. Like it don't matter as much once you get to the playoffs,
right, Like there's gonna be on the floor and you're gonna have hard and
carrying the team. You're gonna have have Durant carrying the team at times,
you have Kyrie, And if you have one of those guys carrying the team
the entire forty eight minutes, I just don't see how any team and He's
beats them. Yeah, it's tough to imagine them being beat four times and
seven tries. But when I look at them against Philly, it's like,
who who's guarding Joel and Beat in this situation? Like it's not shouldn't be
DeAndre Jordan? How many minutes is that gonna get you? And then the
thought of Jeff Green or Kevin Durant or Nick Klaxton, is Bruce Brown gonna
be defending Joel and Beat? At this point, I think it goes back
to like like last year the Wizards beat the Sixers and all they did was
they they they beat up Joell on the post and they let him get twos
and then they shot three and the threes went in, so they got one
win on them. Now, that's that's kind of the formula. That's that
that that Brooklyn can do. But they just have way better person able to
execute and great you know, have draw in the posts every time two points
two points, two points. If if you can't, if you can't stop
and slow down the offense that Brooklyn has, and they're they're equipped to do
it. If anyone can do it, it's it's it's it's them on Milwaukee.
But like, I just cannot. I just don't see a scenario.
I'd be very I'd be very shocked. I would love to see it.
I want I want a parade in Philly. I mean the saying there is
is preparation process parade. That's what they're saying in the building in Philadelphia,
and I love it. It gets me hyped up. I leave, I
leave, Zoom calls like oh my god, like I should like you know,
like like because the last parade in Philly was amazing. You know you
want you want another one now, especially once we're able to actually do that,
it'd be it'll be fantastic. I just don't see it unless like the
Nets have an injury, like it's they're they're just that good, like James
Harden is that good. And that's just that's just my take. I mean,
I haven't I haven't watched every single Nets game to be able to be
like, Okay, here's the weaknesses. And I'm sure Doc Rivers and his
team are are definitely on that way, way more than than I would be,
or you know, most people would be. I just it's just very
tough for me to say, Okay, like the Nets are not the favorites
right now. Is there anything I didn't ask you about either of these teams
that you wanted to get to before we got out of here, or anything
that's undercovered about the Sixers of the Wizards that you maybe have missed, something
that's misconceived about them, anything at all that we did not talk about.
One interesting thing from going from last year where we had games in Washington that
were like they you know, it was an offensive shootout, like I think
the Rockets came in. It was like one fifty eight to one, like
like like one one fifty or whatever for the one game, and like it
was like it was like crazy amount of points in these games. You go
from that to watching like good defensive teams. It was like I remember in
the beginning season, I was like, oh, I was like this six
or seems kind of boring compared to that. But then you're like, okay,
now I'm like okay, now much, I'm watching a good team,
Like this is actually fun to watch. But yeah, it's like, uh,
it's just watching these two different teams. They're two different styles, and
uh, it's a it's very interesting. So but but I will say,
like, you know, I want to pump up the Wizards a little bit.
They're they're fun watching. You know. They don't have any ESPN games,
you know, because I don't know why. I don't know why they
wouldn't do that, you know, put the hot offensive team on ESPN.
But I would say check them ou when they're on NBA TV a couple of
times in the last half of the year. Brady Beale is a joy and
Garrison Garrison Matthews is like controlled chaos. So yeah, they're they're worth a
watch. Yeah, it's it's fun times I'm watching it. Chris, thank
you so much for coming on. If you guys are not following Chris at
MBA Crouse, that's at MBA c R O U s E. He covers
the Sixers, Wizards, and NBA at Large for forty eight minutes. Follow
them on Twitter at forty eight men's spelled out fo r T y E I
g h T m I n S. Chris. I'm sure I'll be bothering
you again in the future. Thanks again for so thank you again so much.
Excuse me for coming on. I put up melon. Always a good
time down h