1 00:00:03,359 --> 00:00:07,080 Hello, everyone, Welcome to the latest episode of Hardwood Knocks. This is 2 00:00:07,080 --> 00:00:11,199 out. I'm from We'll here with my fantastic co host Dan Valley, and 3 00:00:11,279 --> 00:00:16,320 we're coming at you with the assist of a lot of questions for our latest 4 00:00:16,320 --> 00:00:20,480 mailbag episode. We're going to be diving into all of those. Dan apparently 5 00:00:20,559 --> 00:00:23,839 just didn't feel like working out today, a rarity for him, and has 6 00:00:23,879 --> 00:00:27,000 actually done a lot of research on some of these questions. So I feel 7 00:00:27,000 --> 00:00:30,960 like I'm going to be a little bit outclassed if we end up in any 8 00:00:30,960 --> 00:00:34,719 debates here, but we'll see how it goes before we dive into any of 9 00:00:34,719 --> 00:00:38,240 the questions. Though, how's it going, Dan? It is going a 10 00:00:38,479 --> 00:00:41,240 okay over here. I wouldn't say it was a ton of research, but 11 00:00:41,280 --> 00:00:45,560 I have a spreadsheet so that gives you like a clue into how and I 12 00:00:45,600 --> 00:00:49,880 went deep into them, always respect that there were no there were no questions 13 00:00:49,880 --> 00:00:52,679 that went on turned some of them we left out. And as we mentioned, 14 00:00:52,719 --> 00:00:55,679 we'll probably do a second mail bag because we have so many questions, 15 00:00:55,679 --> 00:00:58,000 So we normally do one a week anyway, and we're doing one later this 16 00:00:58,039 --> 00:01:02,079 week because I am disordered and this shit and we did a different type of 17 00:01:02,119 --> 00:01:03,519 episode at the beginning of the week, so we will probably get to your 18 00:01:03,560 --> 00:01:07,680 question if you asked one. Thank you for everyone who did ask one. 19 00:01:07,879 --> 00:01:10,280 We had a lot of good ones, though, and I think two of 20 00:01:10,280 --> 00:01:12,319 them are going to hurt your soul a little bit. Oh, I already 21 00:01:12,359 --> 00:01:17,400 know. I think we should start there too. Well, I mean more 22 00:01:17,439 --> 00:01:19,959 importantly, how are you doing? Forget how am I doing? How are 23 00:01:19,000 --> 00:01:23,280 you doing better than I'm going to be doing in about two minutes? Would 24 00:01:23,280 --> 00:01:27,480 you like me to start somewhere else? No, let's start at the low 25 00:01:27,519 --> 00:01:30,920 point and just move our way up throughout the episode. So we have two 26 00:01:32,000 --> 00:01:36,400 questions on the Hawks. The first one comes from the NBA Chicken, who 27 00:01:36,560 --> 00:01:40,200 is a loyal question asker. I would love to know at NBA Chicken, 28 00:01:40,680 --> 00:01:45,159 why is your Twitter handled? The NBA Chicken, I'm just very curious. 29 00:01:45,680 --> 00:01:48,799 They ask what's going on with the Hawks? Is it a bad road trip 30 00:01:48,879 --> 00:01:53,359 against stiff competition? Or are they not as good as expected? And then 31 00:01:53,439 --> 00:01:59,560 Reginald to ask Hawks why? So he boiled it down to just a great 32 00:01:59,599 --> 00:02:05,040 question. Yeah, just two fantastic questions, very different approaches. So I 33 00:02:05,120 --> 00:02:08,960 actually just wrote a little bit about this but I am curious as the and 34 00:02:09,639 --> 00:02:13,120 if this makes you feel any better, I did say I thought the Hawks, 35 00:02:13,560 --> 00:02:16,719 given the Kyrie Irving bs in Brooklyn, I thought they were going to 36 00:02:16,759 --> 00:02:20,960 finish second in the Eastern Conference. So it's not like I wasn't high on 37 00:02:21,000 --> 00:02:24,400 them and wrong about them. But what are your impressions of this Atlanta team 38 00:02:24,400 --> 00:02:30,000 that has now lost seven of their last eight. Yeah, it's obviously not 39 00:02:30,120 --> 00:02:36,280 ideal, and I do think that the schedule at least plays some part of 40 00:02:36,319 --> 00:02:39,080 that. If you look at who the losses have come to and where they've 41 00:02:39,080 --> 00:02:46,080 taken place. At Washington somewhat excusable, at Philadelphia excusable, at Brooklyn excusable, 42 00:02:46,159 --> 00:02:51,439 at home against Utah excusable, on the road against Phoenix excusable, on 43 00:02:51,479 --> 00:02:54,719 the road against the Warriors excusable, and on the road against the Jazz excusable. 44 00:02:55,240 --> 00:02:59,599 The issue is that that seven losses in eight games, as you said, 45 00:03:00,319 --> 00:03:05,479 which means that it goes beyond the schedule because there is something just a 46 00:03:05,520 --> 00:03:10,039 little off with this team. It feels like we're seeing a regression to the 47 00:03:10,080 --> 00:03:16,719 typical Nate McMillan offense that he's run in previous locations, where the play calling 48 00:03:16,840 --> 00:03:22,080 just lacks a little bit of creativity. It relies a little bit too heavily 49 00:03:22,240 --> 00:03:25,719 on long two pointers, on a lot of sets that are designed to produce 50 00:03:25,800 --> 00:03:30,680 mid range looks, and that just isn't a fit for the personnel of this 51 00:03:30,800 --> 00:03:38,039 Atlanta team, which has a ridiculously good three point creator and assist generator and 52 00:03:38,159 --> 00:03:44,000 Trey Young surrounded by a ton of shooting options who excel from beyond the arc 53 00:03:44,039 --> 00:03:47,759 and can also serve as secondary playmakers. So it feels a lot like this 54 00:03:47,800 --> 00:03:52,319 Hawks offense is kind of stuck in the mud in the half court setting, 55 00:03:52,360 --> 00:03:57,560 trying to kind of halfheartedly go through these motions in a way that isn't designed 56 00:03:57,639 --> 00:04:00,919 to optimize their talent. We're not seeing the ball move a lot. If 57 00:04:00,919 --> 00:04:04,199 you look at the amount of passes teams make per game, only the Dallas 58 00:04:04,240 --> 00:04:08,759 Mavericks have had fewer than the Atlanta Hawks. Up Granted, that's not a 59 00:04:08,840 --> 00:04:13,639 perfect Jason Kidd scout at Jason Kidd, as always, you know it's it's 60 00:04:13,680 --> 00:04:17,120 not a perfect measure. The Detroit Pistons are actually leading the league in passes 61 00:04:17,160 --> 00:04:21,240 made per game, But when it comes to this offense, what should be 62 00:04:21,279 --> 00:04:27,199 more of a free flowing, freewheeling unit with creativity, with a lot of 63 00:04:27,199 --> 00:04:30,920 three pointers generated off the catch. That's just not happening. I do think 64 00:04:30,959 --> 00:04:34,879 it is at least in some part due to, you know, just some 65 00:04:35,000 --> 00:04:41,000 subpar shooting performance, as no one is shooting particularly well against tight contested coverage 66 00:04:41,040 --> 00:04:45,079 to this point of the season. Clint Capella is clearly still hindered by the 67 00:04:45,120 --> 00:04:49,560 achilles injury that he suffered last season. He hasn't had that same explosiveness around 68 00:04:49,560 --> 00:04:54,720 the basket, only shooting fifty nine percent at the rim, and without that 69 00:04:54,839 --> 00:04:58,800 threat, it makes it easier for defenses to key in on Trey when he's 70 00:04:58,879 --> 00:05:01,160 driving into the lane, which makes it harder to find a kickout opportunities. 71 00:05:01,360 --> 00:05:06,000 So it's a convergence of a lot of different factors that all feel fixable. 72 00:05:06,279 --> 00:05:11,079 It's probably a little bit too late, given the Heat's hot start, given 73 00:05:11,120 --> 00:05:15,319 this terrible run to expect the Hawks to move into that conversation for a number 74 00:05:15,319 --> 00:05:18,160 one or number two seed in the East. But it still feels like this 75 00:05:18,199 --> 00:05:23,759 team is going to figure it out sooner rather than later. Yeah, those 76 00:05:23,800 --> 00:05:27,360 are one thing I'll correct myself because people will come to Jason Kid's defense. 77 00:05:27,399 --> 00:05:30,000 I know that Dallas with Luca has never been like this team prided on a 78 00:05:30,040 --> 00:05:33,759 ton of bomb movement, but any chance to troll Jason Kidd, I'm totally 79 00:05:33,759 --> 00:05:38,319 Therefore, someone did stick up for the amount of times that he was having 80 00:05:38,360 --> 00:05:41,879 Luca post up though with the Mavericks this season, which was I was an 81 00:05:41,879 --> 00:05:44,360 interesting taketout, But I think they blamed it on Luca. Someone in my 82 00:05:44,399 --> 00:05:46,560 Twitter mentions I thought that was an interesting way to go about it, because 83 00:05:46,560 --> 00:05:50,240 it would be the coach's job. Even if it was Luca's choice to post 84 00:05:50,360 --> 00:05:54,600 up against non mismatches, it would be the coach's job to ensure that that 85 00:05:54,680 --> 00:05:57,720 stops. So there are a lot of weird decisions going on in Dallas. 86 00:05:57,759 --> 00:06:00,000 Also, can you tell that I lied and actually did have a little time 87 00:06:00,160 --> 00:06:02,720 the prep. I could tell as soon as at the beginning. I was 88 00:06:02,720 --> 00:06:04,399 like, all right, well, obviously he knows up. And then I'm 89 00:06:04,439 --> 00:06:06,360 like, okay, no, he knew. He knew too much of this. 90 00:06:06,600 --> 00:06:11,839 It's interesting because their offense is definitely underachieved. I'm curious is how much 91 00:06:11,879 --> 00:06:14,519 has to do with this stretch where you mentioned you played the Jazz twice. 92 00:06:14,839 --> 00:06:16,800 The Warriors are the best defensive team in the league, so there were just 93 00:06:16,839 --> 00:06:20,240 a bunch of tough matchups there. I'm more keyed in on their defense, 94 00:06:20,360 --> 00:06:24,720 which you could probably explain in part because of this tough schedule. Only the 95 00:06:24,759 --> 00:06:28,040 Grizzlies, by the way, I've played out a harder strength of schedule. 96 00:06:28,079 --> 00:06:32,160 To date, Atlanta's defense is thirtieth in points allowed per possession during this I 97 00:06:32,240 --> 00:06:36,160 called it a stretched do poop, and is now twenty seventh in points allowed 98 00:06:36,160 --> 00:06:41,600 per possession for the year. Opponents, for context, they're only thirty teams 99 00:06:41,600 --> 00:06:46,560 in the NBA. Yeah, thirty of thirty. Honestly, let's just call 100 00:06:46,639 --> 00:06:48,120 him thirty one of thirty. At that point. Over the stretch, they 101 00:06:48,199 --> 00:06:53,839 ranked thirty first out of thirty teams in defense. They opponents are shooting, 102 00:06:53,879 --> 00:06:57,600 and this is overall better than seventy percent around the rim. I feel like 103 00:06:57,639 --> 00:07:01,560 Clink Appella hasn't looked the same year. I do like they're getting by when 104 00:07:01,560 --> 00:07:05,879 he and John Collins play together, but the offenses are shooting eighty one point 105 00:07:05,920 --> 00:07:11,720 eight percent at the rim when Copela is playing without John Collins. That is 106 00:07:11,800 --> 00:07:15,199 wild. I think it speaks to who's playing the four a lot during those 107 00:07:15,240 --> 00:07:19,680 stretches, and there have been when you watch this team, it does feel 108 00:07:19,720 --> 00:07:24,759 like Nate McMillan called it being drunk on emotions. I don't know if that's 109 00:07:24,839 --> 00:07:28,959 necessarily what it is, but there's like there are stretches where it feels like 110 00:07:29,000 --> 00:07:31,399 they're they't they don't want to go back on defense. They are if they 111 00:07:31,439 --> 00:07:34,199 commit a turnover, it feels like they're not even trying to get back on 112 00:07:34,240 --> 00:07:39,480 defense. They're allowing one point five points per possession after a turnover. That 113 00:07:39,600 --> 00:07:43,240 is bad for anyone who I think I'm wondering. I think a lot of 114 00:07:43,240 --> 00:07:46,639 that is stemming from the offensive woes too, just because this is an offense 115 00:07:46,720 --> 00:07:51,160 that last season, on the run to the Eastern Conference Finals with largely the 116 00:07:51,199 --> 00:07:57,480 same personnel, if anything, with lesser personnel, it looked easy, you 117 00:07:57,519 --> 00:08:01,279 know, everything flowed, everything seems seamless. It seemed effortless, and it 118 00:08:01,360 --> 00:08:07,000 just feels laborious this year. Anytime the Hawks enter the half court, they're 119 00:08:07,000 --> 00:08:11,240 working hard to generate even contested looks, and I think that that has an 120 00:08:11,240 --> 00:08:16,000 impact on the other end of the floor. A because they're taxed, be 121 00:08:16,000 --> 00:08:18,839 because they're mentally drained, and it's harder to commit on that defensive end if 122 00:08:18,839 --> 00:08:22,079 you're not in it. Well, there's also the fact that if you're missing 123 00:08:22,120 --> 00:08:28,160 shots, it's going to be statistically easier for opponents to get out and attacking 124 00:08:28,199 --> 00:08:31,720 when your defense isn't set. Their defense has still been bad by those standards. 125 00:08:31,759 --> 00:08:33,200 To me, I think two of the things, well not two of 126 00:08:33,240 --> 00:08:37,399 the things. Another smaller thing that stands out is like the all bench unit 127 00:08:37,440 --> 00:08:41,159 that they've tried out that needs to go. They can stop playing that always 128 00:08:41,240 --> 00:08:45,120 and forever. I wonder if they do need to play delon Wright a little 129 00:08:45,159 --> 00:08:52,200 bit more to get up their defense. I think more than anything though, 130 00:08:52,279 --> 00:08:54,759 with this team, I'm wondering if they need to figure out a way to 131 00:08:54,799 --> 00:08:58,679 actually consolidate the rotation, maybe decide more consistently which guys aren't playing, because 132 00:08:58,679 --> 00:09:03,000 it Almo feels like the disease of depth to some extent, and I think 133 00:09:03,039 --> 00:09:07,039 you could argue that might be a larger symptom for them on the offensive end. 134 00:09:07,120 --> 00:09:09,600 Is there a trade out there where they can consolidate talent. I think 135 00:09:09,679 --> 00:09:13,519 that's too easy to say because it's hard to really take stock of the trade 136 00:09:13,519 --> 00:09:16,159 market right now. But I'm wondering if it would just behoove them to move 137 00:09:16,159 --> 00:09:22,440 forward with more of a finite or set rotation, or do they have to 138 00:09:22,480 --> 00:09:24,320 take the trade market at some point, because there's that does feel like it 139 00:09:24,360 --> 00:09:28,240 could be an isstry for this team. I do think they have the potential 140 00:09:28,240 --> 00:09:30,120 to be a lot better, And I don't want to read too much into 141 00:09:30,159 --> 00:09:33,960 this eight game stretch just because it's so it's been a hellscape when you look 142 00:09:33,960 --> 00:09:35,720 at their opponents for the most part and very road heavy, as you already 143 00:09:35,759 --> 00:09:41,559 mentioned, I still think even by those standards they've underachieved. The real key 144 00:09:41,600 --> 00:09:45,200 here is just going to be giving more run to Jail and Johnson and Shureef 145 00:09:45,279 --> 00:09:50,519 Cooper. Yeah, play jail and Johnson at the five, and yeah, 146 00:09:50,559 --> 00:09:54,799 just get get freaking weird. But yeah, I'm this team has been disappointing. 147 00:09:54,120 --> 00:09:58,840 Do you still how worried are you? On a scale of one to 148 00:09:58,879 --> 00:10:03,399 ten about them long term? This season? Like a two. I may 149 00:10:03,440 --> 00:10:07,399 be a little higher than that because I am wondering if, like the defense 150 00:10:07,440 --> 00:10:11,200 needs to be a lot better. They've You're right, the offense needs to 151 00:10:11,240 --> 00:10:13,200 be a lot better, but they've been like okay on offense while kind of 152 00:10:13,240 --> 00:10:18,360 sucking because at times, because with this roster composition, you can't just be 153 00:10:18,480 --> 00:10:22,120 okay on offense. I still like, even if they're a fringe top ten 154 00:10:22,200 --> 00:10:26,639 offense, that's a problem. Well when that's big to being more worried about 155 00:10:26,639 --> 00:10:31,679 them than anything then, because I just I think that these are fixable issues. 156 00:10:31,399 --> 00:10:35,080 Not everyone is going to keep slumping. At the same time, You're 157 00:10:35,080 --> 00:10:39,360 eventually going to see some progression from Cam Reddish, from DeAndre Hunter, from 158 00:10:39,440 --> 00:10:43,720 Kevin Herder. Just the regression from everyone at the same time, Wall coupled 159 00:10:43,759 --> 00:10:50,960 with a bad schedule is see seven losses in eight games. I'm gonna go 160 00:10:52,039 --> 00:10:56,000 with like a five point five here, just because I know the stretch has 161 00:10:56,039 --> 00:10:58,519 been tough, but it's just something I'm gonna watch because there's just a lot 162 00:10:58,559 --> 00:11:01,799 annoyed. There's a lot of weird stuff going on. I feel like in 163 00:11:01,799 --> 00:11:03,159 the East right now, where the Nets offense isn't as good as you expect, 164 00:11:03,240 --> 00:11:07,960 Chicago is fantastic, the Wizards are fantastic, the Calves are really good. 165 00:11:07,320 --> 00:11:11,399 Some of these things are going to have to stick over the longer hauls 166 00:11:11,480 --> 00:11:13,480 my point, and so I'm just if I'm the Hawks, I'm mildly to 167 00:11:13,879 --> 00:11:20,159 supermodestly concerned about what I've seen. This next question comes from Jake G who 168 00:11:20,200 --> 00:11:24,159 would be a realistic center the Hornets can go after, either through free agency 169 00:11:24,240 --> 00:11:30,200 or trade to fix their defensive woes. If a trade, I'm imagining a 170 00:11:30,200 --> 00:11:33,840 move centered around PJ. Washington. And please don't bring up Rashaun Holmes, 171 00:11:33,840 --> 00:11:37,279 it hurts too much. This is someone who clearly listens to the podcast because 172 00:11:37,279 --> 00:11:39,679 I have said I believe the Hornets should be find a draft pick for allowing 173 00:11:39,759 --> 00:11:45,519 Rashaun Holmes to resign in Sacramento on the deal that he did. The thing 174 00:11:45,559 --> 00:11:48,399 that I'll mention if before I throw it to you if you have targets, 175 00:11:48,519 --> 00:11:54,320 is Charlotte's defense is so bad and I don't think it comes back to the 176 00:11:54,320 --> 00:11:58,720 center position alone. I do think that's a huge deal as to why you're 177 00:11:58,759 --> 00:12:01,039 looking at them, and there you know, as we record this, they 178 00:12:01,080 --> 00:12:07,600 are twenty seventh in points allowed per possession, twenty seventh in defensive rebounding rate. 179 00:12:07,320 --> 00:12:13,440 They are getting killed too by the opponent's offense when they are getting their 180 00:12:13,440 --> 00:12:18,240 own missus. Opponents are scoring on a very high percentage of those opportunities, 181 00:12:18,639 --> 00:12:22,039 and better center play is a way to address that. As of right now, 182 00:12:22,080 --> 00:12:26,200 Mason Plumberly is your lone true playable center because it's not a Kai Jones, 183 00:12:26,240 --> 00:12:30,759 it's not a Nick Richards, it's not a verning Carry perhaps you believe 184 00:12:30,799 --> 00:12:33,519 and those guys with the longer haul, they're not the answer now. When 185 00:12:33,519 --> 00:12:37,200 PJ. Washington is healthy, he is basically a four masquerading as a five. 186 00:12:37,200 --> 00:12:41,720 They've even tried some very little, but they've tried some Miles Bridges minutes 187 00:12:41,720 --> 00:12:46,200 at the five Miles Bridges is not a five, and so I think it 188 00:12:46,399 --> 00:12:48,639 was. And we talked about this during our Hornet's Outlook with Kanada Edwards, 189 00:12:50,120 --> 00:12:52,559 who's now podcast producer for CBS Sports. Shout out to him for the new 190 00:12:52,600 --> 00:12:58,480 gig. It did feel like they missed an opportunity, as a team that 191 00:12:58,519 --> 00:13:01,159 was more flexible than most this summer to do a better job of addressing the 192 00:13:01,399 --> 00:13:07,240 middle and instead just settle for Mason Plumley. So I guess my point before 193 00:13:07,320 --> 00:13:13,200 thirty was their defense is terrible. I think the interior set up is a 194 00:13:13,240 --> 00:13:15,559 primary example of that. But I also don't know that you look at this 195 00:13:15,600 --> 00:13:18,720 team on the perimeter and say, okay, hey, like if you get 196 00:13:20,000 --> 00:13:22,720 a league average or better sting, like even if you've got a Miles Turner, 197 00:13:22,720 --> 00:13:24,080 because he's the name everyone's gonna say you should trade for. I don't 198 00:13:24,080 --> 00:13:26,799 know that your defense is all of a sudden great when you're looking at the 199 00:13:26,799 --> 00:13:31,120 guys that he's still going to have in front of him for longer stretches of 200 00:13:31,120 --> 00:13:37,320 the game. Miles Turner is probably the obvious answer if you're looking for the 201 00:13:37,360 --> 00:13:39,600 big name, the star player, because he would be a good fit. 202 00:13:39,679 --> 00:13:45,440 We've said that really since midway through last season, when it was obvious that 203 00:13:45,480 --> 00:13:48,120 the Pacers might still move on from him and the Demonto Sabonis Turner pairing. 204 00:13:48,639 --> 00:13:52,120 On the lower end, I might like to see them make a play for 205 00:13:52,159 --> 00:13:56,039 like Daniel Tice, who's on a four year, thirty six million dollar contract 206 00:13:56,080 --> 00:14:01,679 with the Rockets, which is reasonable money for a non star who is going 207 00:14:01,720 --> 00:14:07,279 to be a solid defensive presence in the paint, which is ultimately what the 208 00:14:07,279 --> 00:14:09,000 Hornets need. He's not going to provide much on offense. I'm not sure 209 00:14:09,000 --> 00:14:11,879 how much you need on offense. With LaMelo Ball running the show, with 210 00:14:11,919 --> 00:14:16,320 this new and improved version of Miles Bridges, you're probably giving up PJ. 211 00:14:16,480 --> 00:14:20,679 Washington in any trade in the situation, So I don't know if we can 212 00:14:20,720 --> 00:14:24,559 talk about him there. But there are still other pieces, so it's not 213 00:14:24,679 --> 00:14:26,879 like a swing for the fences move or anything. But I think you'd be 214 00:14:26,919 --> 00:14:31,960 hard pressed to argue that Charlotte should be making a swing for the fences move. 215 00:14:31,240 --> 00:14:35,679 I'd love to see them target someone in that vein if the Spurs are 216 00:14:35,679 --> 00:14:41,120 willing to part with, like Yaka Peartle, another good, typical archetypal defensive 217 00:14:41,159 --> 00:14:46,320 center who's not going to spend much time on the perimeter. Earl's a name 218 00:14:46,600 --> 00:14:50,279 that I would like. He is in the health and safety protocause right now. 219 00:14:50,519 --> 00:14:52,720 I think the problem with Tye is and you might even run into this 220 00:14:52,720 --> 00:14:56,440 problem with Peartle is like and he's been better. Peartles been better on the 221 00:14:56,440 --> 00:14:58,879 defensive glass in the past. And I also don't know with Tys how much 222 00:15:00,080 --> 00:15:03,279 is defensive rebounding percentages deflated by playing a lot of minutes with Christian Wood. 223 00:15:03,279 --> 00:15:07,799 But he's never just been like this super great guy at ending those possessions, 224 00:15:07,799 --> 00:15:09,960 and they do need someone who does that. I just you look at the 225 00:15:11,039 --> 00:15:13,559 market and it's like to find a really solid room protector who might be able 226 00:15:13,559 --> 00:15:16,879 to be pulled out of the paint a little bit. But also it's a 227 00:15:16,879 --> 00:15:20,000 great defensive rebounder. You're probably not going to check all those boxes again, 228 00:15:20,080 --> 00:15:22,000 Miles Turner is one. I'm with you. I don't think they should swing 229 00:15:22,080 --> 00:15:26,679 for the defenses. Miles Turner to me is okay, just because I don't 230 00:15:26,720 --> 00:15:31,600 know that the opportunity costs is monstrous there. But to your what you were 231 00:15:31,639 --> 00:15:35,600 saying, looking at the lower end, does a Nerlands Noel or Mitchell Robinson 232 00:15:35,720 --> 00:15:39,600 become available in New York depending on how the nixt season goes. Robinson's about 233 00:15:39,600 --> 00:15:43,399 to become a free agent this summer. I also don't know. Defensively, 234 00:15:43,440 --> 00:15:46,159 for the most part, I think they would those guys would help, but 235 00:15:46,240 --> 00:15:50,759 Mitchell Robinson isn't the most disciplined defensive rebounder himself either, and so like they're 236 00:15:50,759 --> 00:15:52,320 going to be flaws. And wherever you say, mo Baba has been great 237 00:15:52,639 --> 00:15:56,360 this year, and Orlando did extend Wendell Carter Jr. Again that someone else 238 00:15:56,360 --> 00:16:00,120 who's also slighter. Are you looking for more of like a stronger big and 239 00:16:00,159 --> 00:16:04,600 he will space the floor. That'd be an interesting element around LaMelo ball. 240 00:16:04,639 --> 00:16:07,919 You are getting that. Of course, when you play with PJ. Washington 241 00:16:07,919 --> 00:16:12,360 at the five, you're just getting someone who's longer and taller. And the 242 00:16:12,399 --> 00:16:15,759 other name if you, oh, well, this name would be more offseason, 243 00:16:15,759 --> 00:16:18,159 because look, you go through the free agents and I just named two 244 00:16:18,240 --> 00:16:22,960 of them, and Mitchell Robinson next summer in mo Bamba. It's just like 245 00:16:23,559 --> 00:16:26,360 the market is so Robert Williams, the third would probably be a name that 246 00:16:26,440 --> 00:16:29,440 was bringing to mind for me, and he just signed an extension, so 247 00:16:29,480 --> 00:16:32,120 that gets wonky. You're probably not going to happen this season, would be 248 00:16:32,159 --> 00:16:34,279 my point. If you wanted to swing for the fences, and I just 249 00:16:34,320 --> 00:16:38,120 don't know what the package looks like because of where this team is at in 250 00:16:38,200 --> 00:16:41,759 what they're trying to do and how important he is to them. But DeAndre 251 00:16:41,840 --> 00:16:45,080 Ayton is the name. He will be a free agent this summer. The 252 00:16:45,080 --> 00:16:48,120 Hornets are not gonna have the cap space to go after him. But if 253 00:16:48,120 --> 00:16:49,519 you wanted to create the cap space or try and broke or some sort of 254 00:16:49,519 --> 00:16:53,480 assign and trade, what is the status of Robert Sarver's future with the team 255 00:16:53,519 --> 00:16:56,200 as its chairman, How does that impact what they're doing? With DeAndre Ayton. 256 00:16:56,519 --> 00:17:02,440 I don't think they would move DeAndre Ayton short of them acquiring who they 257 00:17:02,480 --> 00:17:06,039 believe is just like a third star for CP three and Devin Booker, and 258 00:17:06,200 --> 00:17:08,480 Charlotte doesn't have that to offer them right now, so it'd probably have to 259 00:17:08,519 --> 00:17:11,160 be a three or fourteen deal where the Suns are getting someone else back, 260 00:17:11,759 --> 00:17:17,640 Charlotte's sending stuff to that team who has sent enough to Phoenix that it can 261 00:17:17,640 --> 00:17:19,880 be in Charlotte. But I'm also thinking about restricted free agency if you want 262 00:17:19,920 --> 00:17:22,720 to try and come in with an over the top offer or willing to pay 263 00:17:22,799 --> 00:17:26,160 him more and can broker assign in trades, and you're not going to have 264 00:17:26,200 --> 00:17:30,519 a boatload of cap space in the upcoming summer. But there's just there's no 265 00:17:30,640 --> 00:17:33,039 Carol here, and I think you're looking at more so if they're going to 266 00:17:33,119 --> 00:17:37,000 make a win now move this season. What you said stands out the most 267 00:17:37,000 --> 00:17:40,599 to me is that you're probably looking at just like lower end names, and 268 00:17:40,640 --> 00:17:41,759 even those are sort of tough time. I don't know if it's because it's 269 00:17:41,759 --> 00:17:45,720 so early in the season or just those names aren't out there right right now, 270 00:17:45,759 --> 00:17:48,440 but they seem like they're kind of tough to find, and I don't 271 00:17:48,440 --> 00:17:52,240 think that perfect solution exists right there with you. It's tough to come up 272 00:17:52,279 --> 00:17:56,400 with like reasonable names at this stage of the season. It's Turner though, 273 00:17:56,519 --> 00:17:59,799 right, But that's the that's the one who comes close to check. That's 274 00:17:59,799 --> 00:18:03,440 the that's the upper tier answer. I just can't see them making that big 275 00:18:03,480 --> 00:18:07,599 of a play. I think they could just it'd be easier to justify that, 276 00:18:07,880 --> 00:18:10,519 justify that one, because I don't know it costs you as much future 277 00:18:10,559 --> 00:18:15,160 equity in addition to PJ. Washington as another name, and I can't even 278 00:18:15,160 --> 00:18:18,880 think of it, Like if Pascal Siakam became available, would be super interesting 279 00:18:18,920 --> 00:18:21,000 for this team. But it's like, what are you giving up for Pascal 280 00:18:21,039 --> 00:18:25,440 Siakam in that's an area. So but yeah, the Hornets, the Hornets 281 00:18:25,440 --> 00:18:30,279 need an upgrade at center this question. You could eventually look sorry, before 282 00:18:30,279 --> 00:18:33,880 we move on, eventually look at Washington when Thomas Bryant is back, Like 283 00:18:33,920 --> 00:18:40,039 you're going to have Thomas Bryant, Montrez Harold, and Daniel Gafford all in 284 00:18:40,119 --> 00:18:42,400 need of minutes, likely at the five. I don't think any of those 285 00:18:42,440 --> 00:18:48,319 three are ideal fits in Charlotte because they're really all more offensive oriented at this 286 00:18:48,359 --> 00:18:52,799 point. Bryant's probably the best fit as that solid rebounder in addition to what 287 00:18:52,839 --> 00:18:59,039 he brings in the pick and roll game. But just because there's too many 288 00:18:59,519 --> 00:19:02,720 big man and in Washington, I wonder if the price could be diminished enough 289 00:19:02,720 --> 00:19:06,880 that they could get an ill fitting upgrade. Yeah, you're right, Gaffer 290 00:19:07,000 --> 00:19:10,559 would be the best defensively of those three, but none of those three are 291 00:19:10,599 --> 00:19:12,799 moving the defensive needle. Briant would be offensively an interesting fit, like you 292 00:19:12,799 --> 00:19:18,599 said he can be, He's a really feisy rebounder. His question comes from 293 00:19:18,680 --> 00:19:26,400 Tony Spookum's Anthony Morlachi. What are your impressions of the mixtape Jersey's Favorite, 294 00:19:26,519 --> 00:19:30,680 These Favorite, etc. I don't know if you've had time to look extensively 295 00:19:30,680 --> 00:19:34,279 at the NBA City addition jerseys, but I have when they first came out 296 00:19:34,319 --> 00:19:37,880 and I went through them. I have way stronger thoughts than I should on 297 00:19:37,960 --> 00:19:44,400 these things. Yeah, I mean I haven't like studied them or anything. 298 00:19:44,680 --> 00:19:48,920 I think I like most of them. Oh okay, I think I know 299 00:19:48,039 --> 00:19:52,519 you've publicly said that most of them suck, but like I like the Lakers 300 00:19:52,559 --> 00:19:57,599 throwback the Phoenix Valley Jersey is always phenomenal. I like that the Hawks are 301 00:19:57,599 --> 00:20:03,640 bringing back the cartoon hawk. Charlotte's has a nice like color fade. Miami's 302 00:20:03,720 --> 00:20:07,200 is just atrocious. New York's looks good. You know, we can go 303 00:20:07,240 --> 00:20:11,279 on and on here, we could. You'd be wrong about a lot of 304 00:20:11,279 --> 00:20:15,000 them. I think Charlotte's is god awful. And I'm by the way, 305 00:20:15,039 --> 00:20:19,839 I'm not trying to disrespect the actual intent or thematic inspiration behind any of these. 306 00:20:21,000 --> 00:20:26,400 This is pure aesthetics. Yeah, these are pure aesthetics. Charlotte's used 307 00:20:26,400 --> 00:20:29,960 to bring back the pinstripes. I don't know, you don't see those, 308 00:20:30,000 --> 00:20:33,599 like, but do you see many color fade jerseys in the NBA. I 309 00:20:33,640 --> 00:20:37,319 think that's what's cool about the Charlotte's is the transition from the deeper blue to 310 00:20:37,400 --> 00:20:41,920 the lighter teal. Like, that's just it's unique to me because we don't 311 00:20:41,920 --> 00:20:45,200 see it. I think sort of the bee hornet hive element at the top 312 00:20:45,359 --> 00:20:51,359 ruins that for me, I'd rather see that papered all the way down extended 313 00:20:51,440 --> 00:20:56,119 that I disagree because it would just get lost in the court because they use 314 00:20:56,200 --> 00:21:00,279 that honeycomb court. Yeah, I don't know. I hate it. I 315 00:21:00,319 --> 00:21:03,880 think Charlotte's is bad. Uh. Like I said, if the honeycomb I 316 00:21:03,920 --> 00:21:06,680 called the bee high stuff, like if that stuff, if that went further 317 00:21:06,720 --> 00:21:08,400 down, I probably like it more. I'm not a big fan of when 318 00:21:08,440 --> 00:21:14,599 you're not using a lot of the space that's available to you. So like 319 00:21:14,759 --> 00:21:17,480 even could the Charlotte be written it? Like does it have to be in 320 00:21:17,480 --> 00:21:22,240 that script that's going diagonal? It is a little bit busy up top, 321 00:21:22,720 --> 00:21:26,039 but it's not liking Charlotte. I'm gonna pull it down here. That might 322 00:21:26,119 --> 00:21:30,160 be your worst take ever. Fair Enough, I liked those, uh, 323 00:21:30,440 --> 00:21:33,039 I think it was. Mike V. Hill at the time of my podcast 324 00:21:33,079 --> 00:21:37,240 called it one of the most gentrified NBA jerseys he's ever seen, where it's 325 00:21:37,240 --> 00:21:40,920 like the MAVs cartoony text, and I enjoyed it. I agree with you. 326 00:21:41,200 --> 00:21:42,599 So if I had to pick, like my my clear double us, 327 00:21:42,680 --> 00:21:45,960 and I think that's what was my issue here is that there are jerseys that 328 00:21:47,000 --> 00:21:51,680 I'm ultimately fine with where the rockets one is cool, but like I kind 329 00:21:51,759 --> 00:21:55,359 of missed like that huge old school rocket ship on it. So there are 330 00:21:55,440 --> 00:21:59,319 jerseys that I'm fine with, but the actual the actual winds. Atlanta's is 331 00:21:59,400 --> 00:22:03,960 great. This is great. I really really like the Raptors one. You 332 00:22:03,000 --> 00:22:06,559 could quibble over, maybe you don't like that gold black color scheme, but 333 00:22:06,640 --> 00:22:10,160 I love having that actual rapid. It's the ovo elements, so I at 334 00:22:10,240 --> 00:22:14,279 least get it. The Spurs one is fantastic. It's minimalistic, but the 335 00:22:14,400 --> 00:22:18,039 color pattern is just to throwback to the Alamo jerseys from the early two thousands. 336 00:22:18,200 --> 00:22:21,960 Yet, and I wouldn't call these clear double us because they're all there. 337 00:22:22,000 --> 00:22:25,000 They're repetitive basically, but they're solid. I like both the Suns and 338 00:22:25,079 --> 00:22:30,519 Utahs. Those are those Those are fantastic in there. No Golden States is 339 00:22:30,640 --> 00:22:34,440 Golden States is great because it's playing off of their typical city jersey, which 340 00:22:34,599 --> 00:22:40,680 just has one of the better alternate logos in the NBA. And the addition 341 00:22:41,000 --> 00:22:44,519 of the lightning on the sides, I think it's pretty eye catching. I 342 00:22:44,680 --> 00:22:47,759 like those. The lightning is creative. You could have been more creative with 343 00:22:47,799 --> 00:22:52,240 the rest of the jersey. I'm also just them the Knicks, the Celtics, 344 00:22:52,799 --> 00:22:53,920 like, let's see them take more chance. And I'm really saying this 345 00:22:55,000 --> 00:22:57,559 to the Celtics than Nicks, like take more chances here, like these jerseys 346 00:22:57,640 --> 00:23:02,039 are always just so, don't take as many chances as the heat because those 347 00:23:02,079 --> 00:23:06,359 are garbage. I respect the attempt, though, and no, I don't 348 00:23:06,359 --> 00:23:07,839 think it was just bad. I don't think this one came out well. 349 00:23:07,920 --> 00:23:11,400 But I like it better than I like New York's or Boston's. I like 350 00:23:11,519 --> 00:23:17,119 it better than Charlotte's, the other one that I loved. I love Orlandos 351 00:23:17,680 --> 00:23:19,839 is great. I love the just the orange in there, the way that 352 00:23:19,920 --> 00:23:25,240 they have the star representing as the magic and even as the dot like annotation 353 00:23:25,319 --> 00:23:27,359 on the eye. And I like the orange and the black and plus those 354 00:23:27,400 --> 00:23:30,920 orange pin stripes coming down on the black. I think they hit a home 355 00:23:32,000 --> 00:23:36,000 run here too. I think we can all agree that Dallas might have perhaps 356 00:23:36,079 --> 00:23:40,440 the worst one of the three worst jerseys here. Okay, okays is bad. 357 00:23:40,759 --> 00:23:42,039 It's one of them. It's clearly the one. I think it's the 358 00:23:42,119 --> 00:23:47,640 worst. I don't even know how you mentioned Alexey pokahevskis don't look like he's 359 00:23:47,720 --> 00:23:52,039 naked whenever he's wearing it. We haven't mentioned the Lakers, but I would 360 00:23:52,039 --> 00:23:56,039 put them near the top two. I really like how they're keeping the purple 361 00:23:56,200 --> 00:24:00,400 from the Purple and Gold, but also paying homage to the blue from the 362 00:24:00,440 --> 00:24:04,079 Minneapolis era. I think it looks really clean with that old school but also 363 00:24:04,240 --> 00:24:07,799 new school font on the number with the drop shadow, it just looks really 364 00:24:07,839 --> 00:24:11,640 good. I agree with the drop shadow on the number. I probably again, 365 00:24:11,799 --> 00:24:15,440 I'm just not a fan of like we're pulling the name logo all the 366 00:24:15,480 --> 00:24:19,839 way up to the top and it's just not taking up like enough space for 367 00:24:19,960 --> 00:24:22,480 me. But I do they're one of the better ones. I just they 368 00:24:22,519 --> 00:24:27,319 weren't among my favorites. And I don't have an issue with Philadelphia's is fine, 369 00:24:29,359 --> 00:24:33,599 Minnesota's is fine. I'm not the biggest fan of like the Clippers is, 370 00:24:33,680 --> 00:24:34,759 even though I kind of like the color scheme. I don't like the 371 00:24:36,599 --> 00:24:41,440 pure white with only the slight you know, orange like cream cycle outline text 372 00:24:41,559 --> 00:24:44,839 for the numbers. I don't mind the bucks either, the sides. Really 373 00:24:44,960 --> 00:24:47,799 like the sides and the bucks a lot. Yeah, I also cannot stand 374 00:24:47,839 --> 00:24:52,920 the Pacers, and I've been criticized for this take in the past because I 375 00:24:52,000 --> 00:24:56,319 don't like the jerseys that it's based off of that Reggie Miller made famous. 376 00:24:56,559 --> 00:25:00,480 But I'm just sucking I'm such a sucker for symmetry that, like the diagonal 377 00:25:00,599 --> 00:25:04,480 stripe just ruins it for me. The white diagnose stripes that you're talking about, 378 00:25:06,039 --> 00:25:08,599 just the fact that it's asymmetrical like that, jarringly. It's one thing 379 00:25:08,720 --> 00:25:14,640 for text, but a different thing for the background. New Orleans is is 380 00:25:14,680 --> 00:25:18,759 apropolo of its season, which is to say, nondescript Memphiss is boring. 381 00:25:19,279 --> 00:25:22,759 De Troits is fine, Rip Cities is fine. I'm not. I don't 382 00:25:22,799 --> 00:25:26,759 like Chicago's like that. I feel like I can see my reflection in it 383 00:25:26,839 --> 00:25:30,480 even by looking at the image just on the computer, and there's just not 384 00:25:30,680 --> 00:25:33,720 enough space taken up, Like the number needs to be bigger, Chicago needs 385 00:25:33,759 --> 00:25:36,839 to be bigger. Whatever. So there are teams I don't want to say 386 00:25:36,880 --> 00:25:38,200 I'm indifferent to it, but like I'll give them a thumbs up. But 387 00:25:38,400 --> 00:25:41,200 I don't think it's out of creativity. I think it's they played it safe 388 00:25:41,240 --> 00:25:45,759 and there's there's value in that, I suppose, Like Sacramentos is fine to 389 00:25:45,799 --> 00:25:48,519 me too, Like right in that Lakers tire, I normally see more that 390 00:25:48,640 --> 00:25:52,279 stand out and I'm like, oh, I love this, And that really 391 00:25:52,359 --> 00:25:56,319 only happened with like half a dozen or so. I think it's tough. 392 00:25:56,440 --> 00:26:00,759 In some cases like Washington. I don't think it's the most aesthetic pleasing with 393 00:26:00,880 --> 00:26:03,559 the two red stripes near the top. But I also get exactly what they're 394 00:26:03,599 --> 00:26:10,279 doing, which is having West Unselled Junior's team give a throwback tribute to the 395 00:26:10,359 --> 00:26:15,000 jersey's warn by West Unselled and Elvin Hayes, and those Washington bullets might be 396 00:26:15,440 --> 00:26:18,440 Eve entered the Coach of the Year chat, speaking of the awards letter that 397 00:26:18,519 --> 00:26:23,640 we did. I'm not crazy. The sides of Denver's are fine, but 398 00:26:23,799 --> 00:26:27,319 like when you look at the text where it's so clunky, it looks like 399 00:26:27,480 --> 00:26:33,359 it says like Dever is basically what I'm reading. I hate all of it, 400 00:26:34,920 --> 00:26:40,279 but you have I get. I get. It's another one of those 401 00:26:40,279 --> 00:26:44,359 where I understand what you're doing because this is the tribute to the Rainbow Skyline 402 00:26:44,440 --> 00:26:49,279 jerseys, but it looks terrible with those jutting outside panels. I just I 403 00:26:49,400 --> 00:26:52,160 can't stand those. The nets is fine to me, but like again, 404 00:26:52,240 --> 00:26:56,000 that's a it's not as uncreative, like there's more of a like the throwback 405 00:26:56,079 --> 00:26:59,880 harkening to the new jerseys. You can't look at it and not think it 406 00:27:00,119 --> 00:27:03,640 draws and Petrovitch right, which is that's a good emotion to invoke. So 407 00:27:04,200 --> 00:27:11,640 let's try this. What are your five favorite ones? Phoenix, the Lakers, 408 00:27:14,440 --> 00:27:22,279 Atlanta, Houston, and I'm gonna go with Charlotte, much to your 409 00:27:22,359 --> 00:27:25,920 chagrin. Wow, so my five favorite we share our interests in Atlanta. 410 00:27:26,319 --> 00:27:30,079 The Spurs are there for me, The Raptors are in there, the magic 411 00:27:30,319 --> 00:27:33,640 the Raptors are my sixth for what it's worth, And I have to go 412 00:27:33,880 --> 00:27:37,599 between either Utah or Phoenix. Here is like that last inclusion, I think 413 00:27:37,680 --> 00:27:41,440 I'll go with I'm gonna go with Utahs. I really just love the collar 414 00:27:41,480 --> 00:27:44,519 of blend on that but they could be tied for fifth. You'll allow me 415 00:27:44,559 --> 00:27:45,759 to cop out, like I have six of my top five? What are 416 00:27:45,799 --> 00:27:49,359 your five least favorite? The five absolute worst? And I'm gonna tell you 417 00:27:49,480 --> 00:27:53,240 right now, Charlotte's is in my bottom five. I'm gonna go with Okay, 418 00:27:53,359 --> 00:28:00,000 see Oklahoma City, that's also okay, Okay, I do do it. 419 00:28:02,079 --> 00:28:06,400 I think those are by far the worst. New Orleans just doesn't even 420 00:28:06,519 --> 00:28:11,920 count, so we'll put them there. I think Chicago's is terrible for the 421 00:28:11,000 --> 00:28:15,799 reasons you gave. The Sixers are really bad and Dallas is going to be 422 00:28:15,880 --> 00:28:19,599 my fifth, so there are a lot of options. Still, No, 423 00:28:19,759 --> 00:28:26,079 I forgot about Miami. I will I'll drop Chicago for Miami. I at 424 00:28:26,160 --> 00:28:30,920 least like that Miami's is different and stand out, like I understand it does 425 00:28:32,039 --> 00:28:33,079 it looks like a ransom note. I'm not the first one to say it 426 00:28:33,119 --> 00:28:37,400 looks like a ransom note, but like, I wonder if I would like 427 00:28:37,519 --> 00:28:41,119 it even more, if like somehow and I know it's different because these are 428 00:28:41,119 --> 00:28:44,079 getting tucked in when players are wearing them or Chris Paul is gonna tell on 429 00:28:44,160 --> 00:28:47,039 you if it's not. But like, even still, like, can we 430 00:28:47,160 --> 00:28:49,400 bring that down? Can there be more space between? I also just think 431 00:28:49,480 --> 00:28:53,559 like there's probably too much, you know, discrepancies in the texts and the 432 00:28:53,640 --> 00:28:57,079 colors in there. But I at least appreciate the swing. And so I 433 00:28:57,160 --> 00:29:03,920 look at these and if I can see in iota emoticon of creative effort, 434 00:29:03,640 --> 00:29:07,880 I can I can applaud it. And so with that said, I don't 435 00:29:07,920 --> 00:29:14,440 like New orleanss, I don't like okaycs, I do not like Chicago's Charlotte's. 436 00:29:14,480 --> 00:29:18,799 Is there my fifth one. I want to say it's the News because 437 00:29:18,799 --> 00:29:22,400 they're perpetually boring. But can we talk a little bit about like how not 438 00:29:22,640 --> 00:29:30,279 cool Cleveland's is, Yeah, because I can't even tell it's Cleveland's, right, 439 00:29:30,480 --> 00:29:33,240 So it's just like, I don't know, I'm gonna throw them in 440 00:29:33,319 --> 00:29:37,319 my bottom five instead of the Knicks. But I'm just gonna says tribute Jersey 441 00:29:37,319 --> 00:29:41,680 should just be like a picture of lebron as the logo Dallas needs to be 442 00:29:41,759 --> 00:29:45,160 in there too. Wow, I got. There's just there's too many bad 443 00:29:45,200 --> 00:29:49,960 ones. That's my point. So to Boston, New York specifically be more 444 00:29:51,160 --> 00:29:53,400 like these Jersey's got to be more creative moving forward. Like those are the 445 00:29:53,440 --> 00:29:57,599 two teams that I feel like I'm constantly just disappointed in what their alternates look 446 00:29:57,680 --> 00:30:02,960 like. I think part of that is at least by design, with Boston 447 00:30:03,039 --> 00:30:07,279 in particular, because the Jersey just has never changed and never will change. 448 00:30:07,319 --> 00:30:11,559 But with an opportunity like this, you got you gotta take it a little 449 00:30:11,599 --> 00:30:14,319 bit. Yeah, I mean New York and Boston's were boring as hell. 450 00:30:14,440 --> 00:30:18,799 That's that's my official stance on this. We have two spurs questions, So 451 00:30:18,000 --> 00:30:23,480 let's start with this one is this one's fun ty yeger Set asked, who 452 00:30:23,599 --> 00:30:27,519 is an underrated player you guys like from San Antonio. I want to see 453 00:30:27,519 --> 00:30:34,559 if you can guess the owner of this stat who ranks second on the Spurs 454 00:30:34,880 --> 00:30:41,880 and made off the dribble jump shots this season? Like, who are the 455 00:30:41,920 --> 00:30:44,759 top two names? I'm sorry I phrase that. I phrase that very poorly. 456 00:30:45,160 --> 00:30:48,920 Dejante Murray is going to be number one. I don't know that Kelton 457 00:30:48,000 --> 00:30:52,240 Johnson has ever taken a pull up jumper because he just attacks the runt every 458 00:30:52,279 --> 00:30:53,880 time. So I'll go with the cell as number two. I hate that 459 00:30:53,920 --> 00:30:57,119 you've got that right, But Devin Missell is number two. He's shooting fifty 460 00:30:57,160 --> 00:31:02,599 two percent from mid range. His like ability to do more on offense is 461 00:31:02,599 --> 00:31:04,640 an actual thing, and he's my pick. I'm sorry to cut in front 462 00:31:04,640 --> 00:31:07,559 of you for that, but I found that. Oh please do as well, 463 00:31:07,640 --> 00:31:11,559 so just talk for both of us. Look, he's I think he's 464 00:31:11,559 --> 00:31:14,359 shooting like off the catch shooting, which by the way, he's shooting a 465 00:31:14,440 --> 00:31:18,880 higher clip a higher effective field goal percentage on off the dribble jumpers than catching 466 00:31:18,920 --> 00:31:21,799 shoot jumpers. I actually view that for the type of player that he is 467 00:31:22,200 --> 00:31:25,559 as like a positive. I think he's going to end up being this more 468 00:31:25,880 --> 00:31:29,640 well rounded, comprehensive player on offense than really expected, someone who can only 469 00:31:29,680 --> 00:31:32,480 cut and catch and shoot or maybe move around to me like he can. 470 00:31:32,519 --> 00:31:34,599 I don't know if he's ever been running a crap ton of pick and rolls, 471 00:31:34,960 --> 00:31:38,480 but I really like what I'm seeing from his in between game, and 472 00:31:38,559 --> 00:31:41,039 you combine that with his outside shooting, and then the hustle is gonna give 473 00:31:41,039 --> 00:31:45,319 you on defense. They I'm going to say this now, and I know 474 00:31:45,000 --> 00:31:48,279 people are still going to say, maybe Murray. There might be some Barrick 475 00:31:48,319 --> 00:31:52,519 White holdouts, maybe there's a Josh Primo fan here, And I really do 476 00:31:52,640 --> 00:31:59,240 like Josh Primo. Devin Vassel is their best and most important player of the 477 00:31:59,279 --> 00:32:01,319 bigger picture, and I think he's usurped. It was really dejan Day. 478 00:32:01,359 --> 00:32:05,640 Murray was kind of unchallenged there. And it's not just that he's aged out 479 00:32:05,680 --> 00:32:07,880 of it, but I think that Devin Vassell is the single most important player 480 00:32:08,279 --> 00:32:12,480 to the San Antonio Spurs moving forward. Maybe that's not a spicy take. 481 00:32:13,279 --> 00:32:16,559 I don't think it's that spicy. You'll probably get some Dejende Murray fans pushing 482 00:32:16,640 --> 00:32:21,000 back on it. Just given the strides he's already taken this season and the 483 00:32:21,079 --> 00:32:24,799 fact that guards, like true lead guards are, they tend to be a 484 00:32:24,880 --> 00:32:29,519 little bit more valuable in the team building process. But just in terms of 485 00:32:29,559 --> 00:32:32,359 all around ability, I get exactly where you're coming from. Did you see 486 00:32:32,400 --> 00:32:37,279 that Dejan Day Murray's dad called out Derek White on Twitter for sucking and did 487 00:32:37,319 --> 00:32:40,359 not? I think I've just like, I found a Twitter setting where I 488 00:32:40,480 --> 00:32:45,799 just mute every family member of any athlete ever, and it's wonderful. I 489 00:32:45,039 --> 00:32:47,599 couldn't. Derek White had like an O of ten performance. I think it 490 00:32:47,680 --> 00:32:50,680 was I can't remember who they played, but it was No November seven, 491 00:32:50,839 --> 00:32:54,000 and Dejan Day Murray's dad was subtweeting him, but it wasn't really a subtweet. 492 00:32:54,039 --> 00:32:57,920 It was he might as well have just added Derek White on it. 493 00:32:58,200 --> 00:33:00,799 So Derek White has struggled, and I think coach I have even mentioned something 494 00:33:00,839 --> 00:33:04,000 about it. He's traditionally one of the more that's a guy who, by 495 00:33:04,039 --> 00:33:06,720 the way, I wonder if he could I don't. Maybe you wouldn't want 496 00:33:06,720 --> 00:33:08,519 a trade for him because he's in the first year of that extension. But 497 00:33:08,559 --> 00:33:13,240 I'm just wondering if he's a guy who could be had via trade that you 498 00:33:13,279 --> 00:33:15,640 wouldn't have expected because the Spurs are kind of sort of rebuilding. He is 499 00:33:15,920 --> 00:33:20,440 twenty seven. The upside there is going to be limited. It's just who 500 00:33:20,519 --> 00:33:23,119 wants to pay. You know, an average of sixteen million dollars a year 501 00:33:23,200 --> 00:33:28,720 for this guy over the next four which includes this season, So that's something 502 00:33:28,799 --> 00:33:30,880 monitored. This next question from about this, I'm going to give an answer. 503 00:33:32,799 --> 00:33:36,519 The cell was my answer, but I think another one is worth highlighting 504 00:33:36,599 --> 00:33:39,279 since you already took that one. Thaddius Young needs some love here. I 505 00:33:39,400 --> 00:33:44,559 know that he's a bigger name because he's older, but he's forgotten about at 506 00:33:44,599 --> 00:33:47,359 this point. And while he's only playing seventeen point six minutes per game over 507 00:33:47,519 --> 00:33:52,200 eight appearances for the Spurs this season, per one hundred possessions, twenty point 508 00:33:52,240 --> 00:33:54,799 four points, eleven point seven rebounds, nine point four assists, three point 509 00:33:54,880 --> 00:33:59,559 nose steals, two point three blocks, shooting sixty four point four percent from 510 00:33:59,559 --> 00:34:01,559 the field, playing maybe the best defense of his career. In a wide 511 00:34:01,640 --> 00:34:07,359 variety of roles, he has just been one of those do whatever it takes 512 00:34:07,480 --> 00:34:12,039 fill a bunch of roles in a low minute role who can boost the Spurs 513 00:34:12,239 --> 00:34:15,679 in such a wide variety of ways that I think he's playing himself into a 514 00:34:15,760 --> 00:34:21,400 bigger role on a more competitive team on his next contract. It's funny that 515 00:34:21,440 --> 00:34:23,320 you mentioned him too, because he's really only playing even as much as he 516 00:34:23,480 --> 00:34:27,880 is out of necessity. Like if Yaka Perotle isn't enter the least health and 517 00:34:27,880 --> 00:34:30,840 Safty protocols. I'm curious he what happens when he comes back, so he's 518 00:34:30,880 --> 00:34:34,599 forever good. I thought about him as a trade target for Charlotte as a 519 00:34:34,599 --> 00:34:36,840 small ball five. I just don't know if he's going to give you enough 520 00:34:36,880 --> 00:34:38,760 of the rebounding element. But if you're looking for just the smarter defender to 521 00:34:38,800 --> 00:34:43,280 plug in the middle, he's way more suited to play well. I don't 522 00:34:43,280 --> 00:34:45,519 want to say way more student, but I think he is, you know, 523 00:34:45,280 --> 00:34:52,039 more capable of anchoring smallball five lineups than a PGA Washington. Next question 524 00:34:52,320 --> 00:34:57,719 comes from jobs. If you were going to make the Spurs better by changing 525 00:34:57,840 --> 00:35:02,400 the current starting lineup with only current available players, what change would you make 526 00:35:02,960 --> 00:35:10,360 if any and I have to imagine that the best starting lineup for this team 527 00:35:12,079 --> 00:35:16,920 is going to involve the de Gante Murray, Derek White backcourt, Purtle at 528 00:35:17,000 --> 00:35:22,199 center when he's available, and then I think at the forward positions, you 529 00:35:22,320 --> 00:35:28,960 need the spacing Doug McDermott provides, and I would rather have the versatility Devon 530 00:35:29,039 --> 00:35:35,719 Vassell provides and bring Keldon Johnson as that aggressive go to score against bench units. 531 00:35:37,599 --> 00:35:42,760 I am, I totally get that from you. I've thought that maybe 532 00:35:42,800 --> 00:35:45,519 they were onto something when they were so committed to separating Derek White and dejan 533 00:35:45,599 --> 00:35:50,079 Day Murray at this point, that they should do it again, that those 534 00:35:50,119 --> 00:35:52,360 have not been the minutes that have hurt them this season. But I would 535 00:35:52,400 --> 00:35:57,320 like to see, especially based off how poorly or I don't want to say 536 00:35:57,360 --> 00:36:00,639 poorly but inconsistently Derek White has been this season, give me Murray with Lonnie 537 00:36:00,679 --> 00:36:05,840 Walker, Devin Vassell, Kelvin Johnson and Daddy is Young. I get that 538 00:36:05,880 --> 00:36:07,519 you would probably want to play if you want to throw Yaka Purdle in there 539 00:36:07,519 --> 00:36:09,880 other than Daddy is Young. But if you're actually asking me, am I 540 00:36:10,000 --> 00:36:14,400 trying to field the best lineup that I think is going to be do the 541 00:36:14,480 --> 00:36:17,280 most damage at both ends from the jump. Those are the five that I'm 542 00:36:17,320 --> 00:36:21,000 probably rolling out. I do think what they probably should look at overall, 543 00:36:21,440 --> 00:36:24,239 even if you're keeping the White Murray pairing, does Lonnie Walker need to be 544 00:36:24,320 --> 00:36:28,079 in there just to have like another layer of shot creation. And I think 545 00:36:28,280 --> 00:36:31,280 I do think, excuse me, I do think Doug McDermott's floors basing is 546 00:36:31,320 --> 00:36:35,800 important. But in that scenario, I do wonder do you replace Doug McDermott 547 00:36:35,800 --> 00:36:37,280 with Lonnie Walker just so that you have that floors basing coming off the bench 548 00:36:37,280 --> 00:36:40,159 which were all of a sudden to be down another ball handler. So, 549 00:36:40,360 --> 00:36:45,159 but that's the My lineup would be the Vassell, Lonnie Walker, Murray, 550 00:36:45,639 --> 00:36:50,280 Kelvin Johnson and Daddy is Young Crew. I think that's the I think that 551 00:36:50,360 --> 00:36:55,239 would be a fire unit for for San Antonio. Nothing to add there. 552 00:36:55,280 --> 00:37:00,280 We'll move on then, But we were I mean, it's another fun and 553 00:37:00,320 --> 00:37:04,119 it's kind of a testament to how much we might have underrated them at the 554 00:37:04,159 --> 00:37:07,519 start of the year in terms of where this franchise was out in a at 555 00:37:07,679 --> 00:37:14,800 in a pseudo rebuilding process that they do have so many options. Dan Starmer 556 00:37:15,039 --> 00:37:19,960 ask should the Wolves still trust Karl Anthony Towns to be a number one option 557 00:37:20,119 --> 00:37:22,920 to take the team forward. I have a follow up question, is Karl 558 00:37:22,960 --> 00:37:29,199 Anthony Towns even the Minnesota was the number one option. It definitely doesn't seem 559 00:37:29,280 --> 00:37:32,119 that way, especially coming off of a game against the Golden State Warriors in 560 00:37:32,159 --> 00:37:37,119 which Anthony Edwards exploded for forty eight points. But I think the answer is 561 00:37:37,199 --> 00:37:45,639 still yes, because it's really hard to pin the blame for the timberwolves perpetual 562 00:37:45,760 --> 00:37:50,159 struggles on Karl Anthony Towns's shoulders. Yes, at the time of recording, 563 00:37:50,639 --> 00:37:52,679 they're only three and seven. They've been one of the worst teams in the 564 00:37:52,760 --> 00:37:59,440 league when you factor in strength of schedule. But what Towns provides is still 565 00:38:00,159 --> 00:38:05,800 absolutely magnificent on the offensive end, Like he's still going to push towards twenty 566 00:38:05,840 --> 00:38:09,440 five point on a nightly basis. He's a willing and able passer. He's 567 00:38:09,480 --> 00:38:15,119 currently shooting forty seven point one percent from beyond the arc on seven attempts per 568 00:38:15,159 --> 00:38:17,840 game. As a true big man, he gets the line, he can 569 00:38:17,880 --> 00:38:22,960 make his free throws, he can challenge any defender with a face up jumper 570 00:38:23,039 --> 00:38:29,119 by taking him off the bounce. He can fill any role on offense because 571 00:38:29,199 --> 00:38:34,599 he is a generationally talented offensive big man. So it's really hard for me 572 00:38:34,679 --> 00:38:37,880 to want to give him any of the blame, specifically with regards to his 573 00:38:38,039 --> 00:38:42,559 offense, just because the Wolves continue to struggle. It's not like this is 574 00:38:42,960 --> 00:38:47,280 an ideal lineup meant to optimize him. He's still putting him alongside Anthony Edwards, 575 00:38:47,320 --> 00:38:50,880 who is best with the ball in his hands at this point. You're 576 00:38:50,880 --> 00:38:54,000 still putting him alongside Gangelo Russell, who is still best with the ball in 577 00:38:54,079 --> 00:38:58,360 his hands. At this point. You're not surrounding him with a ton of 578 00:38:58,440 --> 00:39:01,719 good shooters. You're not putting a ton of high quality defenders. You're counting 579 00:39:01,719 --> 00:39:07,679 on Jaden McDaniels to fill in all of the cracks on defense for josh Akogi 580 00:39:07,800 --> 00:39:13,400 to continue to make an impact on the wings as a defender. It's just 581 00:39:13,599 --> 00:39:16,280 it's not optimized for him to succeed. And I think I said Jaden McDaniels 582 00:39:16,320 --> 00:39:22,159 when it should be Jealen McDaniels. And my apologies there. Wait, you 583 00:39:22,239 --> 00:39:25,599 think you said I don't know, I'm Dade McDaniels is the player that we're 584 00:39:25,639 --> 00:39:29,400 talking about. So whatever happens to give me a funky look, and I 585 00:39:29,559 --> 00:39:32,159 doubted myself and I shouldn't have. I don't remember giving you a funky look 586 00:39:32,159 --> 00:39:36,440 about anything. So Jaalen McDaniels is on the Charlotte Hornet, So I was 587 00:39:36,480 --> 00:39:38,639 not looking at you funny about that. I apologize if I was. I 588 00:39:39,679 --> 00:39:44,599 am just Day more of the Dade More NBA podcast. It's a great podcast, 589 00:39:44,639 --> 00:39:46,400 and day Moore does a great job covering this team. Has talked about 590 00:39:46,400 --> 00:39:50,639 this a lot. The Wolves are trying to implement this more free flowing offensive 591 00:39:50,679 --> 00:39:55,199 system, and he thinks that they were more focused on the defensive end and 592 00:39:55,239 --> 00:39:59,960 training camp and just haven't had enough time or didn't put enough focus into learning 593 00:40:00,039 --> 00:40:01,800 the tenants of what they're trying to do. I also think if you're looking 594 00:40:01,920 --> 00:40:06,960 for more of a a read and react team, I don't know if they 595 00:40:07,039 --> 00:40:09,679 have the personnel for it, just like I've never viewed D'Angelo Russell as that 596 00:40:09,760 --> 00:40:14,440 type of a player. For one. You are dealing with a lot of 597 00:40:14,519 --> 00:40:16,199 one way players too, where Josh and Cook is going to really help you 598 00:40:16,280 --> 00:40:21,000 on defense. But that's not I don't he's that guy on offense. The 599 00:40:21,039 --> 00:40:25,119 answer to that is absolutely not. Jake Klayman is still on this team's pay 600 00:40:25,199 --> 00:40:28,079 roll. FY I for anyone who cares. I think I might have called 601 00:40:28,119 --> 00:40:30,880 that contract to steal when he signed it, though, so I shouldn't be 602 00:40:30,000 --> 00:40:34,079 doing any I shouldn't be doing any trolling here. I would almost wonder. 603 00:40:34,960 --> 00:40:37,840 I feel like Karlnton Towns needs to be doing more, so when you look 604 00:40:37,880 --> 00:40:40,519 at the percentage of his possessions that he's finishing as either the rollman or the 605 00:40:40,559 --> 00:40:45,760 pick and pop guy, they're at a career low right now. He's averaging 606 00:40:45,840 --> 00:40:50,199 fewer drives per game in slightly more minutes, I believe this season than last 607 00:40:50,239 --> 00:40:53,039 season, and I'm just like, can they try? I guess if you 608 00:40:53,079 --> 00:41:00,079 want to get him moving, I get that, But I feel like the 609 00:41:00,159 --> 00:41:02,039 spacing needs to be better, because even when they're playing lineups where it looks 610 00:41:02,079 --> 00:41:07,119 like they're five out the bodies in the world's games and moments that I've watched, 611 00:41:07,480 --> 00:41:12,840 they feel very clustered together where it's like you're loading up in not even 612 00:41:12,920 --> 00:41:15,320 one side of the floor, but one area or spot on the floor, 613 00:41:15,599 --> 00:41:19,880 And I'm curious as to how much that impacts him and can you put the 614 00:41:19,960 --> 00:41:22,280 ball? And it's like, why not run inverted pick and rolls? Maybe 615 00:41:22,360 --> 00:41:27,280 you don't have the smaller player to run it with. But Karl Anthony Towns 616 00:41:27,760 --> 00:41:30,239 has the vision, he has the handle and just be like, hey, 617 00:41:30,360 --> 00:41:32,960 we're just gonna Karl Anthony Towns is gonna run a pick and roll and I 618 00:41:34,119 --> 00:41:37,400 understand that's like, I'm not saying that is the answer, but I would 619 00:41:37,519 --> 00:41:39,960 argue that you can do more things with Towns, or that he is capable 620 00:41:40,000 --> 00:41:44,000 of shouldering. I don't even want to say just a heavier role, but 621 00:41:44,039 --> 00:41:46,719 a more complicated role than he has right now. And so I don't think 622 00:41:46,760 --> 00:41:52,360 he is. He and Anthony Edwards remain their timeline, and I'm still I 623 00:41:52,480 --> 00:41:54,599 will say this more often than not. I don't think it's icy. He's 624 00:41:54,679 --> 00:42:00,159 closer to a top fifteen player than he is to a top thirty or top 625 00:42:00,199 --> 00:42:05,719 twenty five player like there's he would be in my top fifteen to twenty maybe 626 00:42:05,719 --> 00:42:09,679 even higher than that, And so you know, you don't like it's he 627 00:42:09,840 --> 00:42:13,679 is not like the issue. There are things that you would like him to 628 00:42:13,679 --> 00:42:15,840 do better, especially on defense, but they've also cobbled together like a pretty 629 00:42:15,880 --> 00:42:21,039 effective defense this year. And so that's why I play so much stock and 630 00:42:21,199 --> 00:42:22,960 not only is dating more super smart and covers this team so well, Like 631 00:42:23,119 --> 00:42:25,639 that just makes a lot of sense when you start to think about with what 632 00:42:25,719 --> 00:42:30,119 he's saying. I don't know with what I'm saying about Karl Anthy Town's tracks, 633 00:42:30,239 --> 00:42:34,480 but I think overall he has the ability to show their more complicated role. 634 00:42:34,519 --> 00:42:37,960 And I don't want to say that they're marginalizing him because it's not this 635 00:42:37,079 --> 00:42:40,639 season specifically. I think you could look at almost any Karl Anthony Town season 636 00:42:42,119 --> 00:42:45,239 and say the exact same thing that I'm saying now, which is he could 637 00:42:45,280 --> 00:42:46,239 do more if you need him too, And I get they don't need to 638 00:42:46,320 --> 00:42:50,159 because you mentioned it with Anthony Edwards. That's part of the problem here. 639 00:42:51,159 --> 00:42:52,480 So I don't know if it's just a matter of the talent around him needs 640 00:42:52,519 --> 00:42:55,440 to be better, or is there actually room for him to do more but 641 00:42:55,559 --> 00:43:01,000 he's so complimentary, or he's every act on offense is so scalable that I 642 00:43:01,079 --> 00:43:05,920 think we almost take it for granted. In a lot of ways. It 643 00:43:06,039 --> 00:43:09,840 feels a little similar to Steph Curry, where I'm not sure you could give 644 00:43:09,960 --> 00:43:15,239 him too much responsibility within an offense, and Chris Finch hasn't done that to 645 00:43:15,320 --> 00:43:20,639 this point. Much like Steve Kerr hasn't with the Golden State Warriors two different 646 00:43:20,719 --> 00:43:25,519 levels, but it feels like you could reasonably run every single play through Karl 647 00:43:25,559 --> 00:43:29,960 Anthony Townty. Yeah, he'd wear down, but good things would happen. 648 00:43:31,079 --> 00:43:35,199 In the interest of keeping this podcast undern nowur, let's make these the last 649 00:43:35,280 --> 00:43:39,519 two or three questions right here. I sent you this one. Did you 650 00:43:39,559 --> 00:43:42,679 want to wait for the second part of this mailbag or do the one about 651 00:43:42,679 --> 00:43:45,039 Helio Centrist Let's do Let's do that in the second one. Okay, that 652 00:43:45,119 --> 00:43:49,239 question is fascinating. So there's there's your teaser. That could just prompt way 653 00:43:49,280 --> 00:43:52,920 too long of a discussion here. So all right, This one comes from 654 00:43:52,960 --> 00:43:57,079 WIKA one. Do you think the Clippers offense will pick up? And if 655 00:43:57,159 --> 00:44:00,079 so why? The caveat I will say is they're shooting has picked up from 656 00:44:00,079 --> 00:44:05,079 where it was to start the season because they were they were laying some ricks 657 00:44:05,159 --> 00:44:07,320 from the outside and they've definitely regressed from last seas where they're hitting everything from 658 00:44:07,320 --> 00:44:14,000 beyond the arc. But it was bad to start the year, not really. 659 00:44:14,679 --> 00:44:17,079 Kawhi Leonard was so central to what they did on both ends of the 660 00:44:17,159 --> 00:44:22,440 floor. There's just an awful lot of responsibility on Paul George's shoulders. So 661 00:44:22,719 --> 00:44:28,119 I like to look at the four factors that Dean Oliver came up with way 662 00:44:28,199 --> 00:44:31,119 back when whenever this kind of question comes up, and the Clippers, according 663 00:44:31,159 --> 00:44:36,400 to Basketball Reference, currently rank eleventh and effective fuel field goal percentage, which 664 00:44:36,920 --> 00:44:39,480 feels pretty reasonable, I would say, given the talent on this roster on 665 00:44:39,519 --> 00:44:45,719 the offensive end, their tenth and turnover percentage nothing to really complain about. 666 00:44:45,760 --> 00:44:49,639 There, their twentieth and free throws per field goal attempt, which has been 667 00:44:49,639 --> 00:44:52,199 a persistent issue for this team because it does settle for a lot of jumpers, 668 00:44:52,280 --> 00:44:57,400 it doesn't have the personnel that really consistently attack the basket in a way 669 00:44:57,440 --> 00:45:01,760 that draws contact. And their twenty ninth in offensive rebounding percentage, and that's 670 00:45:01,840 --> 00:45:07,480 the one to me that feels like it could have some sort of trend in 671 00:45:07,599 --> 00:45:12,480 the positive direction. After all, they did finish twelfth in the category last 672 00:45:12,559 --> 00:45:17,400 year. But until that happens, it's hard to know why exactly we should 673 00:45:17,440 --> 00:45:22,760 expect that much more from this team, especially as the year goes on and 674 00:45:22,320 --> 00:45:29,360 Paul George isn't at full strength and he's had to shoulder an inordinate responsibility for 675 00:45:29,480 --> 00:45:31,679 much of the season. Like, I don't see any reason to believe that 676 00:45:31,800 --> 00:45:36,280 we're gonna look at this team, no matter what personnel combinations they use, 677 00:45:36,880 --> 00:45:40,079 and view it as a top six, top seven, top eight offense in 678 00:45:40,119 --> 00:45:45,480 the NBA this season. If they can stave off being a bottom ten offense, 679 00:45:45,480 --> 00:45:47,880 I'd probably call it an accomplishment. If we assume Kawhi Leonard doesn't play. 680 00:45:49,159 --> 00:45:52,679 And I think some of these issues persisted last year, they're just all 681 00:45:52,719 --> 00:45:55,559 exacerbated by the fact that Kawhi Leonard isn't here, and so, like the 682 00:45:55,639 --> 00:46:00,880 point guard rotation has always been lackluster, with how in can aistant Reggie Jackson 683 00:46:00,920 --> 00:46:06,480 has been, how poorly Eric Bletso has shot, Like that's a real problem 684 00:46:06,559 --> 00:46:08,960 for them now because you only have sort of Paul George to be that primary 685 00:46:09,519 --> 00:46:13,199 creator type. And I know, look, I know that pig and rolls 686 00:46:13,199 --> 00:46:17,360 aren't the biggest part of their offense. But you have Reggie Jackson averaging point 687 00:46:17,599 --> 00:46:21,719 six three points per pick and roll possession as the ball handler. That's the 688 00:46:21,760 --> 00:46:27,679 eighteen percent tile of efficiency. Eric Bletso Adam is averaging point two nine points 689 00:46:28,079 --> 00:46:30,480 per possession as the pick and roll ball handler. You look at you, 690 00:46:30,800 --> 00:46:34,880 you laugh, But that's point two nine points per possession, more than you 691 00:46:34,880 --> 00:46:39,840 would have fair Enough, they are among the most ISO heavy teams in the 692 00:46:39,920 --> 00:46:44,639 league, and they're only averaging point eight six points per possession in those situations. 693 00:46:44,719 --> 00:46:47,320 That's the thirty eight percentile. This team has never been one that puts 694 00:46:47,360 --> 00:46:51,639 a ton of pressure on the rim. They're also not finishing that well there. 695 00:46:51,840 --> 00:46:52,679 That's a problem. If you're not going to put a ton of pressure 696 00:46:52,719 --> 00:46:55,440 on the rim, you want to make the most of those opportunities. Also, 697 00:46:55,480 --> 00:46:59,519 because you don't have Kawhi Leonard, who's just an expert in drawing fous 698 00:46:59,599 --> 00:47:01,440 from any where, there's going to be a cap on how many times you 699 00:47:01,480 --> 00:47:05,000 can get to the free throw line, which is another it can be in 700 00:47:05,039 --> 00:47:07,000 them. I think people were critical that they didn't get to the room enough 701 00:47:07,079 --> 00:47:08,519 last year, but I actually believe they were in the top ten of foul 702 00:47:08,639 --> 00:47:12,360 rate last year. I'll free throw atemp three. Excuse me, I'll double 703 00:47:12,400 --> 00:47:15,039 check that while I'm talking here. So I think the elements, some of 704 00:47:15,119 --> 00:47:19,760 the elements that are plaguing them now were an issue last year. It's just 705 00:47:19,840 --> 00:47:21,679 you had Kawhi Leonard, so a lot of them were masks, and they 706 00:47:21,719 --> 00:47:24,519 were fourteenth and free throw attempt rate last year, so still higher than they 707 00:47:24,599 --> 00:47:28,239 were, and you just don't have the personnel to address it right now. 708 00:47:28,320 --> 00:47:30,719 And the other thing that's hurting them is they're middle of the pack in three 709 00:47:30,760 --> 00:47:34,920 point percentage, but it's lower than the league's best mark, which is where 710 00:47:34,920 --> 00:47:39,079 they were last year. And so I think I would say, where are 711 00:47:39,119 --> 00:47:43,719 they at an offense right now? They're nineteenth in points scored per possession. 712 00:47:43,920 --> 00:47:45,880 I don't want to say that's their ceiling. But if you're asking me whether 713 00:47:45,880 --> 00:47:49,880 I would expect them to finish their eighteenth if you're asking me whether I would 714 00:47:49,920 --> 00:47:52,119 take the you know, them finishing better than eighteenth or lower than eighteenth, 715 00:47:52,400 --> 00:47:58,159 I'd probably take lower. I think there's a realistic path to like a very 716 00:47:58,239 --> 00:48:00,320 middle of the pack finish, but I just don't see it beyond that, 717 00:48:00,639 --> 00:48:05,119 and even that would require a lot to go right. And look, even 718 00:48:05,159 --> 00:48:07,360 getting to this point, you've needed Paul George to just be an absolute monster 719 00:48:07,800 --> 00:48:10,639 over the past like week and a half, however long. It's been so 720 00:48:12,320 --> 00:48:19,400 food for thought there. This question comes from fifty shades of brow. If 721 00:48:19,440 --> 00:48:22,079 the Nuggets decided to go all in this season. Is there any player that 722 00:48:22,159 --> 00:48:28,079 would really make a championship level difference or are as they as good as they 723 00:48:28,159 --> 00:48:36,000 can be? M I just I don't see like a consolidation trade for this 724 00:48:36,199 --> 00:48:40,480 team because the depth has already been an issue without Jamal Murray in the lineup, 725 00:48:40,559 --> 00:48:45,679 with Michael Porter Junior struggling, even with Will Barton playing lights out basketball 726 00:48:45,159 --> 00:48:52,280 on both ends of the floor, even good so ridiculously good, and Yokich 727 00:48:52,320 --> 00:48:57,199 has been a bona fide MVP candidate, a legitimate threat to go back to 728 00:48:57,280 --> 00:49:00,840 back in that department, also a legitimate threat to Marquis Morris, but carry 729 00:49:00,880 --> 00:49:07,360 one. So I just don't see it because unless you're selling low on Porter, 730 00:49:07,119 --> 00:49:12,440 what are you going to give up without destroying what little depth you're already 731 00:49:12,480 --> 00:49:17,320 working with, Because this team has struggled immensely in the non Yokich minutes, 732 00:49:17,400 --> 00:49:22,599 Monte Morris has regressed significantly. Again, Porter has really struggled, and it's 733 00:49:23,039 --> 00:49:27,320 caused this team a lot of issues. JA Michael Green, Jeff Green like 734 00:49:27,519 --> 00:49:31,760 nothing, nothing is working. So I just I don't see it here because 735 00:49:32,199 --> 00:49:37,880 you don't have the trade juice to go out and acquire a star without significantly 736 00:49:37,920 --> 00:49:42,960 altering the chemistry this team or potentially giving up Jamal Murray, which just isn't 737 00:49:43,000 --> 00:49:45,639 going to happen. So I think this is the roster that you're looking at, 738 00:49:46,079 --> 00:49:50,679 and it is still a roster capable of making a title run if it 739 00:49:50,800 --> 00:49:53,320 is at full strength, and if Porter can be the player the Nuggets thought 740 00:49:53,320 --> 00:49:57,599 he was going to be when he signed a massive extension and then forgot how 741 00:49:57,639 --> 00:50:00,960 to play basketball. Yeah, there are I don't think you can call him 742 00:50:00,000 --> 00:50:04,480 as good as they can be. By the way that went over Indiana, 743 00:50:04,519 --> 00:50:08,320 though without Yo kis without Michael Porter jumps Murray incredibly impressive. What you run 744 00:50:08,400 --> 00:50:13,639 into an issue with them is who are you actually moving to make the impact 745 00:50:13,719 --> 00:50:16,199 trade? Because you just signed Gordon to that extension and I don't think his 746 00:50:16,360 --> 00:50:20,000 raise was low enough. Yeah, he's not going to be trade eligible this 747 00:50:20,159 --> 00:50:22,039 year, so you can't move him. You're not going to move Michael Porter 748 00:50:22,159 --> 00:50:27,360 Junior when he's part of the poison pill provision for signing his extension. You 749 00:50:27,519 --> 00:50:30,360 could move Will Barton, but he's been so good. What's the trade that's 750 00:50:30,400 --> 00:50:35,119 getting you an upgrade over Will Barton? Who's a memory you're starting up. 751 00:50:35,119 --> 00:50:37,320 You're not training Jamal Murray when he's injured. That just doesn't make sense for 752 00:50:37,400 --> 00:50:40,360 you. So and you're not moving yr kis so like you're just limited in 753 00:50:40,440 --> 00:50:45,280 the type of trade filler you have now, I don't think. And this 754 00:50:45,440 --> 00:50:47,639 also isn't the season to go all in because what's going on with Michael Porter 755 00:50:47,719 --> 00:50:51,760 Jr's back. Let's see what Jamal Murray looks like when he returns. You've 756 00:50:51,800 --> 00:50:54,000 bought yourself a little bit of time by blocking everyone down long term, so 757 00:50:54,039 --> 00:50:58,760 there's no real rush here. A name I would keep an eye on based 758 00:50:58,800 --> 00:51:01,760 on how many how much is how many issues they've had on the bench and 759 00:51:01,880 --> 00:51:07,519 how much their offensive struggled this year Eric Gordon in Houston because you do have 760 00:51:07,599 --> 00:51:10,800 the Monte Morris Jeff Green contracts. Is salary matching? What else are you 761 00:51:10,880 --> 00:51:15,079 including or what's the sweetener there? And you're probably looking at a three team 762 00:51:15,480 --> 00:51:19,079 situation because I don't know why Houston necessarily would be interested in either of those 763 00:51:19,079 --> 00:51:22,639 players unless they're attached to Bones Highland, who I would not give up for 764 00:51:22,320 --> 00:51:25,199 Eric Gordon. But like that's the type of move is okay? You can 765 00:51:25,239 --> 00:51:30,960 cobble together two contracts and take back maybe a veteran that doesn't fit with another 766 00:51:30,000 --> 00:51:32,800 team's timeline, and maybe maybe Houston just wants to break up Eric Gordon into 767 00:51:32,800 --> 00:51:37,800 two smaller salaries. Though though Jeff Green would probably be pretty pissed if if 768 00:51:37,840 --> 00:51:40,400 he ended up in Houston after intersigning in Denver. But like, it doesn't 769 00:51:40,440 --> 00:51:44,239 have to be him. You can use the step ladder trades to get there. 770 00:51:44,280 --> 00:51:46,199 I just don't. I don't think a huge move is realistic for them. 771 00:51:46,480 --> 00:51:51,000 I'm with you there. We have another question on the Nuggets, and 772 00:51:51,000 --> 00:51:53,079 you actually touched upon this one. It also comes from fifty Shades of brow 773 00:51:53,679 --> 00:52:00,679 Does what Barton have any case for most improved player? Absolutely? The issue 774 00:52:00,800 --> 00:52:05,559 is that so do like fifty other players right now because it's the start of 775 00:52:05,599 --> 00:52:08,639 the season and we have yet to see what kind of growth is actually scalable 776 00:52:08,800 --> 00:52:15,480 for a full season. So I'm kind of viewing Barton much in the same 777 00:52:15,559 --> 00:52:21,159 way that I view like the Seth Curry candidate Harrison Barnes as a candidate where 778 00:52:21,199 --> 00:52:27,440 these are veteran players where they're thriving both because of the opportunity and because of 779 00:52:27,559 --> 00:52:31,920 improved play, and that level of opportunity might not be sustainable as quarter as 780 00:52:32,000 --> 00:52:36,320 healthy and more effective as Murray is back on the court, and as some 781 00:52:36,440 --> 00:52:39,199 of the hot shooting regresses. I don't think there's any doubt that Barton has 782 00:52:39,320 --> 00:52:45,679 been a frustrating and sometimes polarizing player in Denver, especially among Nuggets fans, 783 00:52:46,239 --> 00:52:51,679 because he does play a high variance style of basketball. He makes a lot 784 00:52:51,760 --> 00:52:54,880 of mistakes because he's so aggressive, because he has so much energy that he 785 00:52:55,480 --> 00:53:01,599 deploys in often useful, often detrimental ways. So he is just more naturally 786 00:53:01,679 --> 00:53:06,199 an up and down player, and we're just seeing a really high up right 787 00:53:06,280 --> 00:53:09,039 now. Maybe his baseline level of play has changed and will be better throughout 788 00:53:09,039 --> 00:53:14,519 the remainder of the season. If he's able to maintain how he's played to 789 00:53:14,599 --> 00:53:17,039 this point, he'll absolutely be a candidate for Most Improved Player. I just 790 00:53:17,119 --> 00:53:22,880 don't know that I expect him to sustain this well enough or long enough to 791 00:53:22,920 --> 00:53:25,360 be a legitimate candidate at the end of the season. Yeah. Right now, 792 00:53:25,440 --> 00:53:29,960 he's averaging seventeen point five points, four point four assists per game, 793 00:53:30,280 --> 00:53:34,079 shooting fifty three point four percent on twos and forty three point three percent on 794 00:53:34,239 --> 00:53:37,480 threes, all of those marks would be career highs. By the way I 795 00:53:37,960 --> 00:53:40,079 look, you could certainly move him in there. And he's also just been 796 00:53:40,199 --> 00:53:44,519 outrageous. He's shooting sixty nine percent at the rim, which would be by 797 00:53:44,559 --> 00:53:46,760 far and away the highest mark of his career. Hitting a ton of his 798 00:53:46,840 --> 00:53:50,880 threes. I haven't noticed like a huge difference. He's in the eighty third 799 00:53:50,960 --> 00:53:53,039 percentile and efficiency is the scorer out of the pick and roll. But I 800 00:53:53,079 --> 00:53:55,480 just haven't noticed this huge difference in his game, Like he's not hitting a 801 00:53:55,519 --> 00:53:59,519 ton of these tough off the dribble jumpers. He still does put pressure on 802 00:53:59,559 --> 00:54:02,400 the defense the ball in his hands. So it feels like, is this 803 00:54:02,599 --> 00:54:07,559 just a matter of a sudden uptick in importance because you don't have Jamal Murray 804 00:54:07,639 --> 00:54:09,199 and Will Barton has been healthy. I'm not trying to detract from him. 805 00:54:09,239 --> 00:54:13,519 I just think he's gonna have a tough time competing with the likes of an 806 00:54:13,559 --> 00:54:16,199 Ogna Nobi or a Tyler Hero. I would still prow seth Curry into that, 807 00:54:16,239 --> 00:54:20,559 but I don't think he's ultimately gonna end up being a finalist or Miles 808 00:54:20,599 --> 00:54:24,960 Bridges where there's like more material changes and growth in their actual portfolio rather than 809 00:54:25,039 --> 00:54:28,800 just a production. But I think is of right now early in the season, 810 00:54:29,280 --> 00:54:30,280 you could certainly mention him, and I like the way that you put 811 00:54:30,360 --> 00:54:35,920 it in the Harrison Barnes sort of seth Curry territory. I think he absolutely 812 00:54:35,920 --> 00:54:38,920 deserves a case there. This final wrap up from fifty Shades of Brow was 813 00:54:39,159 --> 00:54:42,840 how high would the Nuggets need to finish in the West for Yokis to repeat 814 00:54:42,880 --> 00:54:47,199 as MVP. If they're in the top four, he's gonna have a chance. 815 00:54:49,039 --> 00:54:51,800 Historically it's it's like third or second. But I just think the West 816 00:54:51,920 --> 00:54:55,519 is so weird this year, and he has the anecdotal boom of probably no 817 00:54:55,679 --> 00:55:00,079 Murray this year. What if Porter Junior's struggling like this long list season, 818 00:55:00,119 --> 00:55:02,320 what if he just misses a ton of time with this back stuff. I 819 00:55:02,320 --> 00:55:06,559 haven't seen any updates on that, but you can correct me if I'm wrong 820 00:55:06,599 --> 00:55:10,320 there. So I think he's listened as questionable for the right it's next game 821 00:55:10,440 --> 00:55:15,679 for Friday's game, but I think he's already been downgraded to out. But 822 00:55:15,800 --> 00:55:19,400 the fact that he wasn't straight up listed is out might be at least encouraging. 823 00:55:19,920 --> 00:55:22,440 So I think the anecdotal boost is there to where if the Nuggets finished 824 00:55:22,440 --> 00:55:25,639 fourth and Nakoleokisch continues to be this good, he'll he'll have a strong case 825 00:55:25,880 --> 00:55:30,880 there quick last two quick hitters or actually this will be the last question. 826 00:55:30,599 --> 00:55:35,760 Uh, and it's it's along the let's go with this one. So I'm 827 00:55:35,800 --> 00:55:37,199 asking it because I know you're everyone's tired of it. But we did have 828 00:55:37,239 --> 00:55:43,480 the report from Shams where he talked to people within the Sixers and Clutch Sports 829 00:55:43,480 --> 00:55:46,440 agent Rich Paul, who represents Ben Simmons. Clutch Sports also represents Shams by 830 00:55:46,480 --> 00:55:51,599 the way, as as far as I know that, there's just I'm very 831 00:55:51,719 --> 00:55:57,800 uncomfortable with the way that debates over Ben Simmons' mental health status are just playing 832 00:55:57,840 --> 00:56:02,519 out with warring leaks in the media or reports in the media. It's very 833 00:56:02,599 --> 00:56:07,400 uncomfortable for everyone's sake at this point. I understand the business part of it 834 00:56:07,480 --> 00:56:09,840 to where no, you don't just move Ben Simmons for the sake of moving 835 00:56:09,880 --> 00:56:13,960 Ben Simmons. I want this situation to get resolved one way or the other, 836 00:56:14,079 --> 00:56:16,800 because I take the mental health aspect of this very seriously. In this 837 00:56:16,960 --> 00:56:22,639 industry, like if you're not having support from your bosses or upper management, 838 00:56:22,719 --> 00:56:24,719 and they're not checking in on you, and you think they have ulterior motives 839 00:56:24,719 --> 00:56:29,320 and they really just don't give a fuck about you, which you know. 840 00:56:29,480 --> 00:56:31,320 Rich Paul said that he is still liked working with the six or Shront office, 841 00:56:31,320 --> 00:56:36,119 So I'm not trying to ascribe that type of a boss mentality to Philadelphia. 842 00:56:36,639 --> 00:56:38,559 It's just it's very awkward, it's uncomfortable, and it sucks. And 843 00:56:38,599 --> 00:56:44,039 Blake Murphy tweeted about this that he's worried mental health is going to be now 844 00:56:44,199 --> 00:56:47,119 used to weaponize, you know, treatments and how it's viewed moving forward based 845 00:56:47,119 --> 00:56:51,800 off health this is playing out. So I'm asking this question just because it's 846 00:56:51,800 --> 00:56:53,639 semi topical. If you have any thoughts on that, please share them to 847 00:56:53,679 --> 00:56:57,400 close out here. But the actual question is would you rather see Ben Simmons 848 00:56:57,719 --> 00:57:00,800 to the Pacers, the Raptors or the King? And that comes from r 849 00:57:00,880 --> 00:57:04,639 K And I know I know some people are for tee from Ben Simmons talk. 850 00:57:04,679 --> 00:57:06,920 I really want what's best for him, and I think what's best room 851 00:57:07,000 --> 00:57:10,400 is probably not be in Philly anymore. But it is just it's I still 852 00:57:10,440 --> 00:57:14,039 love the exercises of he wants out. What would be the team that you 853 00:57:14,079 --> 00:57:17,719 would love to see him on if if nothing was a restriction. I really 854 00:57:17,800 --> 00:57:21,840 like of the teams you mentioned, Sacramento, that's the one, right, 855 00:57:22,239 --> 00:57:24,320 he addresses so much of what they need too. Yeah. Absolutely, just 856 00:57:24,440 --> 00:57:29,760 the idea of him running out there with Deer and Fox, with Tyrese Haliburton 857 00:57:29,960 --> 00:57:34,519 and with Rishawn Holmes. Yeah, and look he gives them more side. 858 00:57:34,559 --> 00:57:37,199 Granted, some of those could be moved in a trade, but like I 859 00:57:37,239 --> 00:57:38,880 would, I would imagine you're not at this point because I think the value 860 00:57:38,880 --> 00:57:45,039 has dropped enough and that that quartet would be super fun to watch. I 861 00:57:45,079 --> 00:57:47,280 would say the trio is at least intact after the trade where you're not moving 862 00:57:47,320 --> 00:57:50,800 Fox, and why would the Sixers want homes? I mean, I get 863 00:57:50,840 --> 00:57:52,920 he's good, but to back up, Joella, I don't think I could 864 00:57:52,960 --> 00:57:57,239 move Haliburton. I don't think you. I think you could do it, 865 00:57:57,280 --> 00:57:59,960 and I wouldn't. I want to make that clear, and I would assume 866 00:58:00,039 --> 00:58:01,800 that they're not willing to otherwise maybe a deal would have been done. But 867 00:58:02,159 --> 00:58:07,000 yeah, if that's your quartet, like, that's just absolutely fantastic. Did 868 00:58:07,039 --> 00:58:09,639 you have any thoughts on the bet the latest in Ben Zimmons, I'll put 869 00:58:09,639 --> 00:58:13,639 if anyone saw us, it would be in air quotes because it just feels 870 00:58:13,679 --> 00:58:20,039 like we're on a treadmill of negativity and and malpractice with this is being handled. 871 00:58:21,320 --> 00:58:28,480 It's uncomfortable, it feels wrong. It is a situation that just needs 872 00:58:28,519 --> 00:58:35,760 to end quickly because I'm worried about where it's going to go next. If 873 00:58:35,760 --> 00:58:37,400 I would encourage everyone to just rewind and listen to what Dan had to say 874 00:58:37,400 --> 00:58:40,119 again because it is just spot on, don't ever do that. My voice 875 00:58:40,159 --> 00:58:43,519 is too nasily. This was fun. If we didn't, we have a 876 00:58:43,559 --> 00:58:45,599 ton of questions in the bank and I might throw out another solicitation. But 877 00:58:45,679 --> 00:58:49,360 we have enough questions that I did not get through that we could probably just 878 00:58:49,360 --> 00:58:52,480 do a separate mailbag. So we will do a separate mailbag. Anyone. 879 00:58:52,800 --> 00:58:55,840 We did record this before the brawl or you know, four players were rejected 880 00:58:55,880 --> 00:58:59,760 in Pacers Jazz when Turner and Barry got into it, so we did not 881 00:59:00,000 --> 00:59:04,400 talk about that. Maybe we'll talk about on the next podcast if it's warranted. 882 00:59:04,440 --> 00:59:08,039 But the NBA this week has been emotions. Tensions have been running high 883 00:59:08,400 --> 00:59:12,119 in some of these games. If this is your first time listening to us, 884 00:59:12,159 --> 00:59:15,519 Please please, pretty please continue giving us that permanent subscription, especially if 885 00:59:15,519 --> 00:59:17,639 you've made it this far. Anyone who's already subscribed, please make sure you're 886 00:59:17,679 --> 00:59:21,920 downloading you over episode, telling your friends, family members, acquaintance as co 887 00:59:22,039 --> 00:59:24,320 workers about us, and definitely make sure to continue rating, reviewing, and 888 00:59:24,400 --> 00:59:29,280 subscribing to us wherever you get your podcasts, and also on iTunes even if 889 00:59:29,320 --> 00:59:32,239 you don't use it, because that helps us out in the podcasting Chiz arts 890 00:59:32,480 --> 00:59:37,159 a ton. Follow us on Twitter at Hardwood Knox, follow us on YouTube 891 00:59:37,199 --> 00:59:39,199 YouTube dot com so or hardwar Knox we will come up, and on Instagram 892 00:59:39,320 --> 00:59:44,559 at Hardwood Underscore Knox. You can follow NBA Math at MBA Underscore Math, 893 00:59:44,920 --> 00:59:51,320 follow Sports Math at sports What Is Sports Math, Sports Underscore Math, Sports 894 00:59:51,880 --> 00:59:55,760 the Score, Sports Underscore Math at the Underscore, Sports Underscore Math, and 895 00:59:55,960 --> 01:00:00,159 all the parent accounts that are affiliated with it. Until next time, we'll 896 01:00:00,199 --> 01:00:07,559 leave you at the shout out to the one, the Only, Frank nil keener h