WEBVTT 1 00:00:01.520 --> 00:00:06.719 This is the baseline, discussing the hot button topics of the nb A. 2 00:00:07.080 --> 00:00:10.679 Welcome everybody, your tune to the baseline. Cali warn Shaw discussing the hot 3 00:00:10.679 --> 00:00:14.800 button topics of the NBA. Who is that time of the year? Man? 4 00:00:15.279 --> 00:00:20.679 NBA basketball tip off started, the NBA season, were getting hyped for 5 00:00:20.760 --> 00:00:24.039 it? Man? And if you guys have been checking out the previews, 6 00:00:24.160 --> 00:00:27.679 right we previewed the Eastern Conference, we previewed the Western Conference. So what 7 00:00:27.800 --> 00:00:32.000 follows up right after that word previews? You know, we can't. We 8 00:00:32.039 --> 00:00:34.840 can't. You know what I'm saying, be true to the name, be 9 00:00:34.960 --> 00:00:38.200 true to the game, unless we actually start calling out who we think might 10 00:00:38.240 --> 00:00:41.840 be hoisting trophies by this time of the year by the end of the year. 11 00:00:41.880 --> 00:00:43.840 So let me go and roll out the red copper to my right hand 12 00:00:43.840 --> 00:00:47.079 man's www. Dot Shaw Sports Dynamic on the PNC. My man, mister 13 00:00:47.079 --> 00:00:50.759 Warrenshaw, repping out of Fort Lauderdville, Florida. What's good, mister Shaw? 14 00:00:51.320 --> 00:00:53.880 I know, man, you're just chomping at the bit. Man. 15 00:00:54.439 --> 00:00:57.880 You know what I'm saying. You're lining everything up right for that opening night? 16 00:00:58.000 --> 00:01:00.399 You know what I'm saying. Got the appetized, is ready, got 17 00:01:00.399 --> 00:01:04.000 the libations ready, you know what I'm saying, got the got the multi 18 00:01:04.159 --> 00:01:07.959 view set up properly. Man, you make it, you make it. 19 00:01:08.000 --> 00:01:11.879 You're making me sad, brother, because ironically, I think, as as 20 00:01:11.879 --> 00:01:15.319 you know, I'll be actually uh taking a little trip, say a little 21 00:01:15.400 --> 00:01:19.560 hiatus the night the season be against season begins, a Liter'll literally be on 22 00:01:19.599 --> 00:01:22.760 a plane looking at it on the screen, probably about this big, you 23 00:01:22.799 --> 00:01:27.920 know. But I definitely on different and in different seats, right Like my 24 00:01:27.959 --> 00:01:32.319 wife will not be My wife will not allow There'll be no basketball on her 25 00:01:32.560 --> 00:01:36.480 seats at all. There will be more housewives or something of that nature, 26 00:01:36.560 --> 00:01:38.040 you know, some some sort of comedy that will be on their lives. 27 00:01:38.799 --> 00:01:44.079 Yeah something, Yeah, she's into that too. So in any event, 28 00:01:44.120 --> 00:01:49.719 I will be regulated to whatever laptop or whatever device Delta has and whatever games 29 00:01:49.760 --> 00:01:53.159 are available I think on tntien. So but I'm excited to tell as you 30 00:01:53.239 --> 00:01:56.920 lude to the NBA season is actually upon us no more you know, himming 31 00:01:56.920 --> 00:02:00.480 and hwing and trying to figure out more or less are about to kick it 32 00:02:00.480 --> 00:02:04.079 off here, right, So exciting times here and we bring back here now 33 00:02:04.159 --> 00:02:07.360 are awards, previews and some predictions as well to that will help us kind 34 00:02:07.360 --> 00:02:09.599 of matricly through the NBA. Cson, Yeah, absolutely, man, And 35 00:02:09.879 --> 00:02:14.560 look, we are always appreciative and we get to this point because you know 36 00:02:14.719 --> 00:02:16.199 that means we're in it, right, We're we're vested in it. We're 37 00:02:16.240 --> 00:02:21.479 invested in the season. And it's another season of the Baseline NBA podcast, 38 00:02:21.599 --> 00:02:23.919 you know what I'm saying, kicking things off and rolling, you know, 39 00:02:23.000 --> 00:02:28.240 with the NBA culture, you know, in their journey as well too. 40 00:02:28.479 --> 00:02:30.960 Before we begin, man, I want to make sure I give a special 41 00:02:31.039 --> 00:02:37.560 shout out, you know, to the lost the Las Vegas Aces. Their 42 00:02:37.599 --> 00:02:44.000 impressive run to now be two time w NBA champions are unprecedented. Shout out 43 00:02:44.039 --> 00:02:46.240 to Beki Hammond and the and the girls out there. Man, they did 44 00:02:46.280 --> 00:02:50.240 their thing, they bawled out. And then also a shout out to the 45 00:02:50.280 --> 00:02:54.240 New York Liberty. I believe it's like twenty years uh since they it's been 46 00:02:54.280 --> 00:03:00.000 twenty years since the Aces. We're able to you know, repeat as champions, 47 00:03:00.400 --> 00:03:04.039 but it's been a long time since the New York Liberty had an opportunity 48 00:03:04.080 --> 00:03:08.439 to compete for a w NBA title. And although they fell short, you 49 00:03:08.560 --> 00:03:12.800 still have to be impressed with the roster, and you have to be impressed 50 00:03:12.840 --> 00:03:16.240 with what is I think brewing now in the w NBA culture that we're seeing 51 00:03:16.759 --> 00:03:23.120 like kind of like a Selter laker Field kind of thing where I think organizations 52 00:03:23.159 --> 00:03:27.599 really understand what it's gonna take to put together a championship winning team. And 53 00:03:27.639 --> 00:03:31.120 when you have people like Hammon and you have you know, up and coming 54 00:03:31.159 --> 00:03:39.120 stars like n s school established stars like Wilson and Stewart, you know, 55 00:03:39.280 --> 00:03:46.039 like, to me, it's the culmination of why the growing fandom and emergence 56 00:03:46.080 --> 00:03:49.800 of the w n B a is live and well. And I just want 57 00:03:49.800 --> 00:03:53.159 to make sure that you know, our show especially calls that out and just 58 00:03:53.199 --> 00:03:57.520 gives those kudos, man, because I got an opportunity to watch the w 59 00:03:57.719 --> 00:04:01.360 NBA Finals and it was exciting to watch. It was great basketball being played, 60 00:04:01.400 --> 00:04:06.120 heady basketball, championship caliber basketball, and I'm glad we're getting to that 61 00:04:06.240 --> 00:04:10.879 those stages where that's where we should be looking at our athletes, where the 62 00:04:10.919 --> 00:04:14.319 male or female, that's what they do, that's what they're coming when they 63 00:04:14.319 --> 00:04:15.480 come into these arenas, that's what they're bringing to the court. Man. 64 00:04:16.480 --> 00:04:19.199 Yeah, I think that's very well said they had an amazing season. The 65 00:04:19.319 --> 00:04:25.000 W was it probably had the highest ratings ever. A lot of people I 66 00:04:25.079 --> 00:04:29.199 saw on social media where having conversations about it. Tapping in and those WMA 67 00:04:29.279 --> 00:04:32.519 finals we were pretty exciting. So I have a degree one thousand percent. 68 00:04:32.560 --> 00:04:38.519 I know there's some controversy and some of the uh ironically they're the final season 69 00:04:38.600 --> 00:04:42.639 awards, especially with the MVP you know on that side, but ultimately, 70 00:04:42.720 --> 00:04:46.319 you know, Wilson and Hammond and company were able to kind of get things 71 00:04:46.360 --> 00:04:48.519 done. Also, shout out to Sidney Coulston, she's on that roster and 72 00:04:49.120 --> 00:04:51.240 you know in this aspect. So this would be a little bit of a 73 00:04:51.240 --> 00:04:55.800 Shameles plug for me. But on my other podcast, Dope Interviews, how 74 00:04:55.839 --> 00:04:59.519 To Introd, had a chance to interview Sidney Coulson's co star in the CID 75 00:04:59.519 --> 00:05:02.800 and TP show, So I actually interviewed Teresa Plaisance and Teresa was on the 76 00:05:02.879 --> 00:05:06.600 Las Vegas Aces last year. So the W is in a lot of ways 77 00:05:06.600 --> 00:05:10.600 just getting a lot of great exposure and we want to be able we can 78 00:05:10.680 --> 00:05:13.079 continue to to put that out there. But look out for that interview and 79 00:05:13.120 --> 00:05:16.199 Dope Interviews here with Teresa TP talking about the sit in TP show coming to 80 00:05:16.360 --> 00:05:19.040 It's already actually out on Fuber right now. So a lot of great w 81 00:05:19.160 --> 00:05:24.079 content out there. Absolutely nothing shameless about your work, sir. I think 82 00:05:24.120 --> 00:05:26.759 you should take more bows, if nothing else, Man, because you're making 83 00:05:26.800 --> 00:05:30.319 that. You making that, if nothing else. The only thing shameless is 84 00:05:30.439 --> 00:05:35.920 how easy you make it seem if you were stepfordless before step Steford. As 85 00:05:35.959 --> 00:05:40.000 I said, I learned from watching you. I learned from watching you. 86 00:05:40.439 --> 00:05:43.279 Man. Anyway, Man, We've got a great show on tap for our 87 00:05:43.879 --> 00:05:46.120 listeners and for those who are just coming on board with us. Man, 88 00:05:46.240 --> 00:05:51.240 this is our annual preview of who we think maybe hoisting trophies at the end 89 00:05:51.319 --> 00:05:55.680 of the year. So and then also we're going to tap in on what 90 00:05:55.800 --> 00:06:00.360 we think will be the finalist for this upcoming NBA finals. So great show 91 00:06:00.360 --> 00:06:02.680 on tapping. As always, we appreciate those hopping on board and riding with 92 00:06:02.720 --> 00:06:06.759 the baseline. Be sure to get at us at NBA Baseline, my Manshaw 93 00:06:06.839 --> 00:06:10.759 at Shaw Sports NBA and me at game Face Lead it shows, Twitter handle 94 00:06:10.920 --> 00:06:14.759 at NBA Baseline, go to www. Dot the Baseline NBA dot com if 95 00:06:14.759 --> 00:06:17.120 you want to catch this episode in all the previous episodes. And also if 96 00:06:17.120 --> 00:06:21.360 you're catching us via video on YouTube and you see the nice blue and white 97 00:06:21.439 --> 00:06:26.360 logo, that's the nineteen Media Group rocks with the nineteen Media Group, that's 98 00:06:26.360 --> 00:06:30.680 our family. Be sure to check out not just us, but also the 99 00:06:30.800 --> 00:06:33.120 great content. Especially during the course of the NBA season. We've got some 100 00:06:33.199 --> 00:06:38.800 great shows that are available for you to listen to if your favorite of If 101 00:06:38.920 --> 00:06:42.199 you know you're like listening to the Los Angeles Laker or follow the Los Angeles 102 00:06:42.279 --> 00:06:45.560 Lakers, you know we got a great podcast that covers them, and we 103 00:06:45.680 --> 00:06:49.759 got great, great guys out there that are just covering the culture, entertainment, 104 00:06:49.800 --> 00:06:53.959 sports, the hold nine. So go to www Dot nineteen MediaGroup dot 105 00:06:53.959 --> 00:06:58.040 com and be sure to check out not just us but the family of great 106 00:06:58.160 --> 00:07:00.720 content creators that are part of the nineth Media Group. Seaw, We're not 107 00:07:00.720 --> 00:07:03.120 gonna waste any time, man. You know how we roll. Baby. 108 00:07:03.160 --> 00:07:09.680 This is our preview NBA Awards preview edition of the show, and obviously we 109 00:07:09.720 --> 00:07:13.000 got a lot of awards to talk into. So look, we take we 110 00:07:13.079 --> 00:07:16.000 base this especially not just from what our own observations are, but also what 111 00:07:16.079 --> 00:07:23.560 the feel is out there. Through the sportsbook agencies primarily like Fan Duel and 112 00:07:23.720 --> 00:07:28.639 MGM, you know, Caesars and things of that nature. And so you 113 00:07:28.680 --> 00:07:31.800 know, we keep it aligned with the awards that are typically given or provided 114 00:07:32.319 --> 00:07:35.839 by the NBA. So the first one we're gonna start with, Shaw will 115 00:07:35.879 --> 00:07:42.600 be who will be the twenty twenty three, twenty four NBA Coach of the 116 00:07:42.720 --> 00:07:46.439 Year. And if you think of the parody of how the NBA is playing 117 00:07:46.480 --> 00:07:49.759 itself out and the way teams have operated in this offseason, which was, 118 00:07:50.360 --> 00:07:54.720 you know, kind of like real busy, you know, minus the major 119 00:07:54.800 --> 00:07:58.759 names, I think it's opened up the doors now Shaw, for there'd be 120 00:07:58.920 --> 00:08:05.000 quite a few different coaches who have an inside shot possibly to hoist that trophy. 121 00:08:05.519 --> 00:08:11.040 Who is it that you feel has the best chance though to wind up 122 00:08:11.079 --> 00:08:16.279 being Coach of the Year this upcoming season. So just jumping right into it 123 00:08:16.319 --> 00:08:20.000 in terms of how the season, I think how the season will unfold a 124 00:08:20.000 --> 00:08:22.759 lot of times with all of these awards, narrative is probably the biggest factor 125 00:08:22.800 --> 00:08:26.519 into what is how the award is going to ultimately be determined or exposure. 126 00:08:26.639 --> 00:08:31.160 Is the best coach in the NBA by most people's accounts, The NBA G 127 00:08:31.360 --> 00:08:33.200 and the NBA GM survey just came out. He was ordered as that as 128 00:08:33.200 --> 00:08:37.399 well too. They didn't get to make the splashy moves that a lot of 129 00:08:37.440 --> 00:08:39.879 them, A lot of people thought they were going to be able to move 130 00:08:39.960 --> 00:08:45.120 make especial when it comes to Damian Lillard. Spoe is the favorite in terms 131 00:08:45.159 --> 00:08:46.919 of the Vegas odds or what are the case may be. But I'm actually 132 00:08:46.960 --> 00:08:52.320 gonna go with Mark daganaw in at OCC. I think if we're going by 133 00:08:52.320 --> 00:08:56.759 what we said in our Western Conference pre we expect okayc to take a massive 134 00:08:56.840 --> 00:09:00.759 leap, and maybe not massive, but a leap that actually has a potentially 135 00:09:00.759 --> 00:09:05.120 squarely in the in the playoff conversation if that happens, especially with chet being 136 00:09:05.120 --> 00:09:07.159 there the full year, another year of SGA continuing to grow, you know. 137 00:09:07.240 --> 00:09:13.080 Jalen Williams, Josh Getty, I think daganall will get that that nod 138 00:09:13.120 --> 00:09:16.399 if you will. And I think it's just a situation where people kind of 139 00:09:16.399 --> 00:09:20.879 see Okay see coming, but maybe not in the same way that I'm predicting 140 00:09:20.879 --> 00:09:22.559 them, you know, to kind of maybe actually fully capture, you know, 141 00:09:22.600 --> 00:09:26.039 a top six seed in the Western Conference. So if that happens. 142 00:09:26.240 --> 00:09:28.639 I think you can get there, and there's lots of other names that you 143 00:09:28.639 --> 00:09:31.080 can can vander about. But I'll kind of pause there, you know, 144 00:09:31.080 --> 00:09:35.399 because I think you know Mark and Mark daganal and and Okay, se is 145 00:09:35.399 --> 00:09:37.919 Is is primed for a big year. I gotta give it to you, 146 00:09:37.000 --> 00:09:41.320 Shaw, you decided to go right in abillity of the beast. To me, 147 00:09:41.639 --> 00:09:45.759 I would find it interesting because I would probably stay away from anyone in 148 00:09:45.759 --> 00:09:50.080 the Western Conference if you don't have too much confidence in any of the guys, 149 00:09:50.080 --> 00:09:54.240 because all of them have an opportunity Mark Malone, Frank Vogel like, 150 00:09:54.279 --> 00:09:58.399 they all have great opportunities to become coaches of the Year. And I think 151 00:09:58.440 --> 00:10:01.879 a lot of it really plays into the scheduling and where teams are set up. 152 00:10:01.879 --> 00:10:07.879 And then obviously too because of this playing tournament right and I'm sorry playing 153 00:10:07.960 --> 00:10:11.840 tournament, but the NBA Tournament in its inaugural season, there are gonna be 154 00:10:11.879 --> 00:10:15.639 some key games and matchups that I really think is going to highlight, to 155 00:10:15.759 --> 00:10:20.559 your point, Shaw, an advantage from Mark Daganolt to really profile how dangerous 156 00:10:20.600 --> 00:10:24.279 the OKC thunder team can possibly be. So that is a great opportunity I'm 157 00:10:24.279 --> 00:10:28.200 gonna go over to the East Coast Shaw, And I know that this sounds 158 00:10:28.200 --> 00:10:33.240 crazy. I think had not the Milwaukee Bucks made the move that they made 159 00:10:33.240 --> 00:10:39.360 and getting Damian Lillard, I would almost go with JB. Bickerstaff. I 160 00:10:39.440 --> 00:10:46.159 feel like even though he has the longest shot of them, he has the 161 00:10:46.200 --> 00:10:52.919 best equipped team that has the cohesiveness that if they win meaningful games and somehow 162 00:10:54.120 --> 00:10:56.320 our neck and neck with the Milwaukee Bucks like they wore a couple a few 163 00:10:56.360 --> 00:11:03.720 seasons ago, he has that opportunity where he can maybe even catch attention to 164 00:11:03.799 --> 00:11:07.879 people about how good a coach he really is, and him taking that lead 165 00:11:07.919 --> 00:11:09.919 forward to taking getting these guys to play the kind of basketball we're saying it's 166 00:11:09.919 --> 00:11:13.440 gonna take for the Cavaliers to be, you know, relevant in their run, 167 00:11:13.480 --> 00:11:16.360 even though there's still not a lot of confidence in that. So I'm 168 00:11:16.360 --> 00:11:20.480 gonna lean now to Adrian Griffin. I think his team is set up that 169 00:11:20.559 --> 00:11:24.639 if as long as the Milwaukee Bucks show a level of dominance, I think 170 00:11:24.240 --> 00:11:28.799 we're kind of expecting them to take with this team, with this roster, 171 00:11:30.960 --> 00:11:35.840 he will probably wind up being the NBA Coach of the Year because outside of 172 00:11:35.039 --> 00:11:41.279 him it's really to me Missoula and Spolstra and what those rosters look like and 173 00:11:41.759 --> 00:11:46.279 what they look like in the in the grand scheme of things, I think 174 00:11:46.320 --> 00:11:50.320 I have more confidence in Adrian Griffin coming out as a Coach of the Year 175 00:11:50.360 --> 00:11:52.480 if they amassed the amount of wins that we're expecting the Milwaukee Bucks too. 176 00:11:54.399 --> 00:11:56.639 Yeah, I don't have an issue with that that pick at all, because 177 00:11:56.840 --> 00:12:00.799 Milwaukee can obviously challenge for the best worker in the league period, so the 178 00:12:00.799 --> 00:12:03.480 coach should get some some sumblat of credit for that. A little controversy going 179 00:12:03.480 --> 00:12:05.919 into the season, though, you know, right before the weekend, Terry 180 00:12:05.919 --> 00:12:11.120 Stotts, who was an assistant coach on that on that staff, ironically, 181 00:12:11.159 --> 00:12:16.000 after they got Damian Lillard as well too, Stotts resigned and there's an article 182 00:12:16.039 --> 00:12:18.440 out there, I think it's from Shams who's some more or less saying that 183 00:12:18.600 --> 00:12:20.679 Griffin and Stotts more or less had some semblance of a falling out already, 184 00:12:20.679 --> 00:12:22.519 and Stots like, listen, I'm not even going to go to the year 185 00:12:22.519 --> 00:12:26.120 with this bs and he just walked away from that entire situation. So I'm 186 00:12:26.159 --> 00:12:30.840 a little uneasy. And that's not to say that Griffin can overcome. But 187 00:12:30.879 --> 00:12:33.480 I'm a little uneasy about stuff like that going in. But I like that 188 00:12:33.559 --> 00:12:37.399 pick in general because I mean it, but it's a love He's like, 189 00:12:37.519 --> 00:12:39.720 listen, you're either with me or you're against me. Yeah, And rather 190 00:12:39.759 --> 00:12:43.679 than riding guys because they've got you know, you know, notoriety, or 191 00:12:43.679 --> 00:12:48.080 they've got a resume showing that they've been successful in the NBA coaching sphere, 192 00:12:48.159 --> 00:12:52.480 whatever the case may be. You know, I think Adrian Griffin is saying, 193 00:12:52.519 --> 00:12:54.120 Hey, I'm marking my own territory on this, and I'm going to 194 00:12:54.240 --> 00:12:58.519 own whether or not this team is going to be successful. I'm not going 195 00:12:58.600 --> 00:13:01.000 to just lean on the pot politics of what typically happens. And this is 196 00:13:01.039 --> 00:13:05.720 nothing against Terry Stotts, but I to your point, Shaw, and I 197 00:13:05.720 --> 00:13:09.519 think it's an excellent point. But it could also bolster Adrian Griffin much less. 198 00:13:09.559 --> 00:13:13.279 Like we'd said the same thing about Darvin Ham and how he handled the 199 00:13:13.360 --> 00:13:16.000 roster last year with the Los Angeles Lakers. And I know, you know, 200 00:13:16.039 --> 00:13:20.039 to your point, the fact that we might not even be mentioning Darvin 201 00:13:20.120 --> 00:13:22.559 Ham as a possible, you know, Coach of the Year candidate. I 202 00:13:22.600 --> 00:13:26.799 think that there's some there's there's there's a pathway for him there, but it 203 00:13:26.840 --> 00:13:31.799 really depends on on what the agenda is for the Los Angeles Lakers, especially 204 00:13:31.840 --> 00:13:35.759 through the course of the regular season, and can they sustain a high level 205 00:13:35.799 --> 00:13:39.240 of winning basketball games in order for him to be validated as a Coach of 206 00:13:39.279 --> 00:13:43.200 the Year candidate. Now, I'm gonna say one last thing, and I 207 00:13:43.200 --> 00:13:45.519 think that's actually a really great point too. You know, Lakers fans are 208 00:13:45.519 --> 00:13:48.000 probably like, what the hell you know? If we're going tourself to Vegas 209 00:13:48.039 --> 00:13:50.559 odds Ham needs to probably be in this conversation to some degree as well too. 210 00:13:52.159 --> 00:13:54.639 But if we're gonna go in terms of narrative, one guy is also 211 00:13:54.759 --> 00:13:58.039 set up extremely well if he can kind of get his team over the Pferbil 212 00:13:58.080 --> 00:14:01.399 hump. And that's Taylor Jans in Memphis, no job Morant for the first 213 00:14:01.399 --> 00:14:05.960 twenty five games, just right her before record. Steven Adams is now out 214 00:14:05.960 --> 00:14:09.000 for the entire year with a foot is shoe. They didn't anticipate that. 215 00:14:09.039 --> 00:14:13.000 They're expecting Adams to be back after he'd missed so much of time last year 216 00:14:13.000 --> 00:14:15.879 as well too. They're still behind the eight ball with Brandon Clark, he 217 00:14:15.879 --> 00:14:20.399 won't be back until January or February. If Memphis can even hold down a 218 00:14:20.440 --> 00:14:22.960 top six seed and what is a very loaded Western Conference with all those things 219 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:26.240 against him, Taylor Jenkins has to deserve some credit for that. So in 220 00:14:26.360 --> 00:14:30.879 terms of narrative, I think he has some things going in his positive direction, 221 00:14:31.240 --> 00:14:33.919 but obviously he needs to play out in a way that keeps Memphis, 222 00:14:33.919 --> 00:14:35.639 you know, squarely in the playoff conversation, real quick, shall before we 223 00:14:35.720 --> 00:14:39.200 jump over to clutch player, what do you think about Willy Green's chances? 224 00:14:39.279 --> 00:14:46.279 How much of that is resting on Zione Williamson's Hell yeah, really no, 225 00:14:46.279 --> 00:14:50.480 no, I take that back, not all of it a significant amount, 226 00:14:50.559 --> 00:14:52.279 right, Willie Green's a good basketball coach, Yes, and they figured out 227 00:14:52.279 --> 00:14:56.559 ways to get it done without Zion here, especially within the last year. 228 00:14:56.720 --> 00:15:01.879 So I'm still confident in what his ability is. I just think they're at 229 00:15:01.879 --> 00:15:05.200 a stage where for them to have any semblance of growth or for him to 230 00:15:05.200 --> 00:15:09.159 be into that level of conversation, they can't just get by, and they 231 00:15:09.200 --> 00:15:11.840 will not only just get by unless Dan is there and healthy and playing you 232 00:15:11.879 --> 00:15:16.120 know, sixty plus games this year. So he's a great basketball coach and 233 00:15:16.120 --> 00:15:20.879 a great potential pick here, but it's solely almost single handling, dependent on 234 00:15:20.120 --> 00:15:24.320 the availability of all his guys, Zion and brandon Ingram because he's missed a 235 00:15:24.320 --> 00:15:26.519 lot of times as well too. So but I like that conversation life that 236 00:15:26.639 --> 00:15:31.360 you brought that up. Absolutely you're tuned to the baseline Cali Warnshaw discussing the 237 00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:35.639 hot button topics of the NBA. And this is our NBA Awards preview. 238 00:15:35.200 --> 00:15:37.960 We're making our selections who we think might be hoisting trophies at the end of 239 00:15:39.000 --> 00:15:41.080 the year. So let's transition to the NBA Clutch Player of the Year. 240 00:15:41.200 --> 00:15:45.720 Shaw. This is one of those new awards, you know over the last 241 00:15:45.759 --> 00:15:48.559 couple of years, and you and I were talking about this before we jumped 242 00:15:48.559 --> 00:15:52.080 on and started recording this episode. I am still not completely buying this award. 243 00:15:52.440 --> 00:15:56.559 I do. I do like the idea or thought behind it in a 244 00:15:56.600 --> 00:16:00.480 way. I don't know where it's translating to. We typically see when players 245 00:16:00.480 --> 00:16:03.919 do this in a regular season to what it is supposed to look like in 246 00:16:03.960 --> 00:16:07.000 the regular season, and maybe that's just something that just has to, you 247 00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:11.360 know, continue to build as it goes along. You know, last year 248 00:16:11.480 --> 00:16:15.559 Daron Fox wasted this award. Who is it that you probably see become the 249 00:16:15.639 --> 00:16:21.360 NBA Clutch Player of the Year for this upcoming season. So I'm gonna go 250 00:16:21.440 --> 00:16:25.200 with you know what everybody is bantering about going into the NBA season here, 251 00:16:25.320 --> 00:16:30.279 and it's Anthony Edwards. While he's not the highest in terms of the odds 252 00:16:30.360 --> 00:16:34.200 going into it going into the season, I believe he's prime for this level 253 00:16:34.240 --> 00:16:38.120 of impact. And when people talk about the leap, I'm thinking about fourth 254 00:16:38.200 --> 00:16:41.759 quarter scoring. I'm thinking about getting your team over the hump in those clutch 255 00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:45.879 moments. Not necessarily averaging thirty two points a game this year. He can 256 00:16:45.919 --> 00:16:48.919 still be at twenty eight, twenty seven, whatever that is, but do 257 00:16:49.879 --> 00:16:53.399 the bulk of those points come in the most meaningful times. And I think 258 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:57.480 he's primed to take that level of a leap when it comes to his stardom. 259 00:16:57.759 --> 00:17:00.679 The other pick would be lou If he can stay healthy, I think 260 00:17:00.679 --> 00:17:04.799 he will probably have this. If he'll be amongst the top leaders in terms 261 00:17:04.839 --> 00:17:07.839 of fourth quarter scoring and clutch points, I think Dallas will be in a 262 00:17:07.880 --> 00:17:11.839 lot of close games. But I'm gonna head my hedge my bets a little 263 00:17:11.839 --> 00:17:14.759 bit here towards Anthony Edwards and no shape to darreon Fox. I think we'll 264 00:17:14.799 --> 00:17:18.039 still be in the conversation too. But Anthony Anthony Edwards is my PI. 265 00:17:18.200 --> 00:17:19.799 We're gonna put a fast one on you, Shaw. I'm gonna lean more 266 00:17:19.839 --> 00:17:25.279 to SGA. Bro. I think this is an opportunity again for him to 267 00:17:25.400 --> 00:17:27.440 really be in the spotlight. And I don't know where he's gonna be in 268 00:17:27.480 --> 00:17:30.759 the conversation, say of like MVPs. I don't know how big of a 269 00:17:30.839 --> 00:17:34.079 leap. I know that you believe in the confidence and Dagonall is the reason 270 00:17:34.119 --> 00:17:37.880 why you would be leaning towards him to being Coach of the Year. And 271 00:17:37.960 --> 00:17:41.799 sometimes, like these type of awards, some they don't typically tie each other 272 00:17:41.839 --> 00:17:45.440 together. The NBA is one of the few leagues in which if you have, 273 00:17:45.839 --> 00:17:49.200 you know, Coach of the Year and MVP, they usually are not 274 00:17:49.359 --> 00:17:52.319 hand in hand, right, They're They're of separate entities. So I can 275 00:17:52.440 --> 00:17:56.680 understand where you'll probably be like I can see Daggonall being Coach of the Year 276 00:17:56.720 --> 00:18:00.759 before I see SGA. But we've seen SGA put on performances that have been 277 00:18:00.799 --> 00:18:06.119 considered clutch. It's just been a matter of the components around him to really 278 00:18:06.240 --> 00:18:10.240 kind of, you know, exemplify that level of clutch in that clutch gene 279 00:18:10.279 --> 00:18:11.640 in him. I think this is a great opportunity. I think if we're 280 00:18:11.640 --> 00:18:15.519 saying that the OKC thunder is planning to make the type of leap they're gonna 281 00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:18.359 do, SGA is going to be a very very big part of it. 282 00:18:18.440 --> 00:18:21.680 I'm not going to say m v P, you know, consideration part of 283 00:18:21.720 --> 00:18:25.240 it just yet, but I definitely think in the space of what the clutch 284 00:18:25.319 --> 00:18:26.799 Player of the Year is supposed to mean, I think he has as good 285 00:18:26.799 --> 00:18:32.640 a shot as any to be able to hoist that trophy. He's way up 286 00:18:32.640 --> 00:18:37.039 there, and there's no reason to throw or brismirch his name in any capacity. 287 00:18:37.119 --> 00:18:40.519 I'm a big SHA fan. I was thinking about something before we recorded 288 00:18:40.559 --> 00:18:42.599 this weekend and remember not too long ago, Well, I guess it's a 289 00:18:42.640 --> 00:18:45.039 little while ago. You know, we did who you got? Yep, 290 00:18:45.400 --> 00:18:51.839 she ain't. John Moran feeling pretty good, feel pretty confident about that one. 291 00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:57.000 Yeah pretty good? Yeah, yeah pretty good? Yeah jahyowemi bro all 292 00:18:57.119 --> 00:19:00.960 right, let's talk about the NBA six Men End of the Year Shaw. 293 00:19:02.160 --> 00:19:04.160 It's interesting because just as we were talking about the clutch Player of the Year 294 00:19:04.200 --> 00:19:08.119 and how it hasn't garnered momentum. I feel like the sixth Man of the 295 00:19:08.200 --> 00:19:12.640 Year has somewhat faded in momentum. This used to be considered an award of 296 00:19:12.680 --> 00:19:17.559 such high importance. And I'm not saying that any of these guys who would 297 00:19:17.559 --> 00:19:22.000 be in this consideration are not players of high importance. It's just the magnitude 298 00:19:22.039 --> 00:19:26.359 of what this should mean. And I think you brought it up even you 299 00:19:26.400 --> 00:19:27.799 know, a little while ago, Shaw, is is that it feels like, 300 00:19:27.880 --> 00:19:32.359 because we have now you know, moved to this level of positionless basketball, 301 00:19:33.319 --> 00:19:37.799 being labeled as a sixth Man of the Year doesn't seem to have the 302 00:19:37.839 --> 00:19:41.920 same oomph. Because these type of players are players who have either started and 303 00:19:41.960 --> 00:19:45.839 have relegated themselves to basically come off the bench, but are contributing significant minutes. 304 00:19:45.960 --> 00:19:51.599 That almost warrant that, like that there really should be six starting players 305 00:19:51.720 --> 00:19:53.440 rather than just five, right, Like, So, what are we talking 306 00:19:53.440 --> 00:19:56.279 about here now? An NBA six Man of the Year, And whoever it 307 00:19:56.359 --> 00:20:00.119 is you're gonna choose, I want to throw this caveat in this question to 308 00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:04.200 this caveat, Shaw, whoever you choose, how significant will their contribution be. 309 00:20:04.519 --> 00:20:08.759 Is this going to be a numbers based you know, look at the 310 00:20:08.799 --> 00:20:14.880 six man, or do you actually see this person being an X factor type 311 00:20:14.880 --> 00:20:19.000 player in what they can bring to the table. Maybe reimagine the role of 312 00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:23.759 the six man and this award. Yeah, I don't think we're at that 313 00:20:23.799 --> 00:20:26.519 stage yet. It's just going to be the guy who scores the most points 314 00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:30.559 off the bench or has that level of impact. And I think in this 315 00:20:30.680 --> 00:20:33.519 in this way, the odds of makers kind of have it right. You 316 00:20:33.559 --> 00:20:37.440 know, you're looking at quickly Norman Powell Potentially. I think Powe will probably 317 00:20:37.480 --> 00:20:41.920 end up having to start because of the whole kawhipg factor a lot, which 318 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:45.240 would negate his, at least in my ruling, his ability to to legitimately 319 00:20:45.319 --> 00:20:48.119 be a six man for the entire of the year. Quickly, we'll start 320 00:20:48.160 --> 00:20:52.200 some games here and there, but I think he'll primarily be regulated to a 321 00:20:52.200 --> 00:20:53.759 bench role. So that's where I'm going to go a little kind of short 322 00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:56.319 and easy on this one. I wish there was a way. We don't 323 00:20:56.359 --> 00:21:00.519 know all the rotations just yet. Uh So, you know, if Bruce 324 00:21:00.559 --> 00:21:03.839 Brown were to come off the bench in Indiana, he could be somebody who 325 00:21:03.880 --> 00:21:06.759 doesn't just do it from a scoring standpoint, but an all around standpoint. 326 00:21:06.759 --> 00:21:10.279 But I think he's probably going to start in Indiana, so that kind of 327 00:21:10.319 --> 00:21:12.440 negates his you know, his his candidacy is so to speak. There's a 328 00:21:12.480 --> 00:21:15.640 couple of people even in the Orlando magically because they have too many guys, 329 00:21:15.759 --> 00:21:19.119 So somebody's gonna have to come off the bench there. But I'm just going 330 00:21:19.200 --> 00:21:22.880 to go with manual quickly to kind of call it safe and make it easy. 331 00:21:22.880 --> 00:21:25.519 All right, I'm gonna go with the monk. I'm gonna go with 332 00:21:25.559 --> 00:21:29.240 the perverted monk, elite monk. There we go. Yeah, I you 333 00:21:29.279 --> 00:21:32.599 know, listen, he he was. I don't want to call it the 334 00:21:32.599 --> 00:21:34.559 resurgence. I think he just found what kind of player he is. And 335 00:21:34.599 --> 00:21:37.720 it's not even so much the fact that he's a six MANI Player of the 336 00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:41.839 Year's just he just has that it factor in him that he wants to score 337 00:21:41.880 --> 00:21:45.119 the basketball. I've never seen this level of aggressive this in him. Maybe 338 00:21:45.160 --> 00:21:47.680 he was listening to some Jay Rude of Damage or you know, before he 339 00:21:47.720 --> 00:21:49.440 decided to get on the basketball court. Now, because he is not the 340 00:21:49.480 --> 00:21:52.359 same type of dude. You know what I'm saying, and he's basically telling 341 00:21:52.400 --> 00:21:56.920 anybody that's in front of him to come clean. So as far as I'm 342 00:21:56.960 --> 00:22:02.079 concerned, you know, until I unders standard dynamics, you know, the 343 00:22:02.119 --> 00:22:06.119 only person who I would probably see in that Elk sort of speak with the 344 00:22:06.160 --> 00:22:08.200 potential to do that would be Emmanuel Quickly from the Knicks, who they have, 345 00:22:08.680 --> 00:22:11.400 you know, as the odds on favorite to do it. But I 346 00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:15.599 just think Malik Monk has more opportunities to do it better. And with the 347 00:22:15.640 --> 00:22:21.440 type of offense that they are playing out there with Brown and with Fox and 348 00:22:22.359 --> 00:22:26.559 Tibonis and company, I think that he's primed and poised that he can definitely 349 00:22:26.599 --> 00:22:32.640 be, you know, an offensive machine for the Sacramento King. So it'll 350 00:22:32.680 --> 00:22:34.279 be interesting to see how, you know, the odds makers look at this 351 00:22:34.319 --> 00:22:37.559 through the course of the year. But right now I'm looking at the perverted 352 00:22:37.599 --> 00:22:41.200 moment. Yeah, I love that too. And there's and we shouldn't pooh 353 00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:45.720 pooh the idea that Brogden can repeat if he stays in Portland, he can 354 00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:48.319 have a very similar year in terms of production. It won't necessarily impact winning 355 00:22:48.319 --> 00:22:52.599 in a way that it did a for Boston per se, but there's a 356 00:22:52.960 --> 00:22:56.519 realistic possibility he could do almost the exact same thing he's there for as long 357 00:22:56.599 --> 00:23:00.559 as he's there. The question here is just is his role going to be 358 00:23:00.599 --> 00:23:03.759 that will he be in Portland or does he go somewhere else where he ends 359 00:23:03.799 --> 00:23:06.720 up starting, or whatever the case may be. And what other name to 360 00:23:06.759 --> 00:23:10.319 watch is if Harden is moved to the Clippers, presumably Russ would then come 361 00:23:10.359 --> 00:23:12.400 off the bench, and then that would have Russ and Norman Powell competing for 362 00:23:12.440 --> 00:23:17.680 that role, which could probably negate pals of candidacy because Russ would be coming 363 00:23:17.720 --> 00:23:19.039 off of the bench and try to produce in that same capacity as well too. 364 00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:22.640 Absolutely your tune to the baseline. Cali warren Shaw discussing the hot button 365 00:23:22.680 --> 00:23:26.119 topics of the NBA and this is our twenty twenty three, twenty four NBA 366 00:23:26.119 --> 00:23:32.160 Awards preview. So Shaw, let's go ahead and do NBA Most Improved Player 367 00:23:32.400 --> 00:23:37.200 odds. This is a pretty good combination, Like you know this to me, 368 00:23:37.359 --> 00:23:41.960 I've always found this to be the next tier before you start profiling your 369 00:23:42.039 --> 00:23:48.759 superstar players and elevating them into those MVP conversations or this is you know, 370 00:23:48.920 --> 00:23:52.519 well, we can't give this dude the MVP, but he's still deserving, 371 00:23:52.559 --> 00:23:56.000 so we'll give them most Improved Player odds. This is just like, that's 372 00:23:56.039 --> 00:23:57.680 the extreme when it comes to this one. But who is it that you 373 00:23:57.759 --> 00:24:03.079 have slated to probably walk away with the with the m IP award. So 374 00:24:03.839 --> 00:24:07.440 there's a couple of guys on the list that I really and I mean really 375 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:11.880 like, But the person I'm going to go with here is al prind Shangoon 376 00:24:12.119 --> 00:24:18.279 in Houston. I think Udoka is going to get a certain level of production 377 00:24:18.559 --> 00:24:22.160 and expect him to play a certain level of defense as well that will have 378 00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:26.839 him hustling and really contributing in a way that we haven't seen in addition to 379 00:24:26.119 --> 00:24:30.440 what he does offensively and rebounding already. Uh, we keep calling him, 380 00:24:30.440 --> 00:24:33.960 you know, the great value you know, yo Kisch if you will, 381 00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:37.759 And I don't think it's it's it's a crazy statement. He's not the MVP 382 00:24:37.920 --> 00:24:41.359 of the league. He's not the NBA Finals you know m VP. Like 383 00:24:41.359 --> 00:24:47.000 we we understand that, but he's he's got a very similar game and feel 384 00:24:47.279 --> 00:24:51.400 where especially when it comes to the offensive side and his ability to operate and 385 00:24:51.519 --> 00:24:55.920 get his teammates involved in stuff. So I like Shangun Easier Picks or Bridges, 386 00:24:56.000 --> 00:25:00.559 and Jordan Poole's obviously going to go nuclear in Washington. H can't be 387 00:25:00.640 --> 00:25:03.240 mad at any of those things. And but the other guy who I really 388 00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:06.279 like is Tyves Maxi. But I'm just gonna go with sham Gooon for this 389 00:25:06.319 --> 00:25:08.039 for the sake argument. Yeah, So it's this is tough, man, 390 00:25:08.119 --> 00:25:12.400 and I would really love to see Kay Cunningham, you know, really elevate 391 00:25:12.480 --> 00:25:17.680 himself in this space. It'll be interesting to see how Monty Williams utilizes him 392 00:25:17.880 --> 00:25:19.359 that he could be put in this in this particular space. And I think 393 00:25:19.359 --> 00:25:23.079 health is gonna still be a big, a big thing, you know. 394 00:25:23.079 --> 00:25:26.680 If he can stay healthy for about you know, seventy five eighty percent of 395 00:25:26.680 --> 00:25:30.000 his games, I think he'll be in contention. But I gotta tell you, 396 00:25:30.079 --> 00:25:33.119 man, if everything continues to go the way it's going right now in 397 00:25:33.160 --> 00:25:37.440 Philadelphia with James Harden, expect this to be the year that they finally, 398 00:25:37.839 --> 00:25:42.400 you know, give Maxi his due. And I think if we're talking about 399 00:25:42.400 --> 00:25:45.640 the seriousness of the seventy six ers, you know, competing and contending, 400 00:25:45.799 --> 00:25:51.680 they cannot do it without Maxi elevating himself to that next level and staying on 401 00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:55.400 that level. And I think that's the only question you know in regards to 402 00:25:55.440 --> 00:25:57.039 that, And I agree with you to your point. It would be so 403 00:25:57.079 --> 00:26:00.440 easy to go with Mikhail Bridges because if you look at what the Nets did 404 00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:04.640 in the off season, it's just give more opportunity for Bridges to really go 405 00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:07.960 out there and just ball out the same way I'm thinking we're expecting Jordan Poole 406 00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:11.759 to kind of go and ball out, right. So, but the problem 407 00:26:11.799 --> 00:26:14.720 that I have with both Pool and Bridges is their volume. Guys, they 408 00:26:14.759 --> 00:26:18.279 have to take so many shots, their level of efficiency. I don't know 409 00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:22.880 if whether or not it's gonna it's gonna compromise an impact of what else they 410 00:26:22.880 --> 00:26:26.599 could bring to the table that makes them deserving of this award. So I 411 00:26:26.599 --> 00:26:29.480 think the person who kind of like brings that all together the best, and 412 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:33.000 you've kind of seen that over the last few seasons while playing in the shadow 413 00:26:33.000 --> 00:26:37.079 of an MVP player of Joel Embiid is a tyrese Maxi, and I think 414 00:26:37.160 --> 00:26:40.799 if we're talking about the seriousness of the Sixers again, Maxi is gonna have 415 00:26:40.880 --> 00:26:44.000 to be that guy. He's gonna have to elevate what we're saying. This 416 00:26:44.079 --> 00:26:49.519 team can't go without embiid Maxi and then whoever else you know they'll have if 417 00:26:49.599 --> 00:26:53.880 Harden continues to be an m I A type type player for the franchise. 418 00:26:55.799 --> 00:26:59.319 Yeah, my only argument is the hardened thing. That's why I'm not confident 419 00:26:59.319 --> 00:27:02.799 in the Maxi pick. I think he's I think he's awesome. I do. 420 00:27:02.920 --> 00:27:07.359 I think he's awesome. Navigates through that, right, Shaw, Like, 421 00:27:07.440 --> 00:27:11.079 if Nurse isn't going to tolerate James Harden, and neither will Maury and 422 00:27:11.160 --> 00:27:15.680 listen, Nurse has to you know, he's at he's at the mercy of 423 00:27:15.759 --> 00:27:18.839 Maury Moury is like, look, I'm done with this dude. I understand 424 00:27:18.839 --> 00:27:22.839 we gotta pay him and all this other kind of stuff, but you do 425 00:27:22.960 --> 00:27:26.599 not you do not allow him to affect what we we have to. You 426 00:27:26.640 --> 00:27:30.200 know, in the next couple of years, you have to start making decisions 427 00:27:30.200 --> 00:27:32.759 about what do you want to do with Maxie. How where does this team 428 00:27:32.799 --> 00:27:37.160 go with with a guy like max Yeah, So that's my thing, Like, 429 00:27:37.240 --> 00:27:42.240 I don't see Maury and Nurse compromising what potentially could be damaging for years 430 00:27:42.240 --> 00:27:47.319 to come. At the expense of a James Harden if it means Maxi has 431 00:27:47.319 --> 00:27:48.839 got to be that guy. Maxie's got to get that ball. Like, 432 00:27:48.920 --> 00:27:53.400 I'm not saying this sabotage of bald, I'm just saying I just the way 433 00:27:53.440 --> 00:28:00.839 things are trending. How how you make Harden? You derelevise Harden. I 434 00:28:00.839 --> 00:28:03.920 know that's not completely the word, it's my word. I'm sorry, but 435 00:28:03.000 --> 00:28:08.920 how you derelevise Harden goes a long way on how you you make Maxi relevant. 436 00:28:10.559 --> 00:28:15.200 I'm gonna put that in the show RELEVI. There you go, the 437 00:28:15.240 --> 00:28:21.119 revolution will not be ah Man your tunes of the base, like Cali Wardshaw 438 00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:23.720 discussing the hot button topics of the NBA coming up, we got Defensive Player 439 00:28:23.720 --> 00:28:27.839 of the Year, Rookie of the Year, MVP, and then oh we 440 00:28:27.880 --> 00:28:30.440 also have to make our picks for who's going to the finals. So we 441 00:28:30.519 --> 00:28:33.079 got that and so much more. So you don't want to miss out. 442 00:28:33.119 --> 00:28:37.240 But first, if you like using debit over credit, I just learned about 443 00:28:37.279 --> 00:28:42.119 something that's definitely a game changer. Discover cash back debit. It's a checking 444 00:28:42.119 --> 00:28:47.680 account that rewards everyone with cash back on everyday purchases, which means you can 445 00:28:47.680 --> 00:28:51.480 get cash back on tickets for the game, snacks team merch all with no 446 00:28:51.599 --> 00:28:56.119 fees, making this season a total win. Check out eligibillion terms at discover 447 00:28:56.240 --> 00:29:02.440 dot com Slash cash back debit Discover Bank member fd I see more. Baseline 448 00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:07.759 Cali Warn't Show, Don't go away. We are back. Cali warnt Show 449 00:29:07.799 --> 00:29:11.359 based on NBA podcast. This is our twenty twenty three to twenty four NBA 450 00:29:11.400 --> 00:29:15.599 Awards preview show. So let's get it moving, get it popping.'s 451 00:29:15.599 --> 00:29:21.000 get a crack of loac In Shaw, NBA Defensive Player of the Year, 452 00:29:21.039 --> 00:29:26.559 who is our debo for the defensive side of things. Shaw. I'm going 453 00:29:26.599 --> 00:29:30.119 to lean into optimism in a way that I don't usually going into an NBA 454 00:29:30.240 --> 00:29:36.119 season, And to me, the best defensive player in the NBA went healthy 455 00:29:36.200 --> 00:29:41.160 is Anthony Davis. I think he changes the game. I thought you're about 456 00:29:41.200 --> 00:29:45.559 by his government name like our boy Jabari does Anthony Marshawn Davis shut out to 457 00:29:45.640 --> 00:29:51.279 JD. I think we've been bounding this drum and waiting for He's Marshawn. 458 00:29:51.440 --> 00:29:53.559 He's Bistmo. You want him in Bismo, don't you? Yeah? You 459 00:29:53.599 --> 00:29:57.160 do? We do? We do it. I feel like he has a 460 00:29:57.240 --> 00:30:03.480 renewed and presence. Darvin Ham, as you alluded to earlier, has a 461 00:30:03.519 --> 00:30:07.640 good pulse of this team. It's just about Ady keeping up with his body 462 00:30:07.039 --> 00:30:11.079 and whether or not he's hitting threes or not hitting threes, or contributing offensively. 463 00:30:11.480 --> 00:30:15.599 The defense is always there. So if he can play the sixty five 464 00:30:15.680 --> 00:30:19.200 games minimum, I think he can win this ward almost going away. While 465 00:30:19.480 --> 00:30:23.519 there's a lot of fervor for Evan Mobley I think right now in Cleveland, 466 00:30:23.559 --> 00:30:30.400 which I don't think is a bad selection in any capacity, Anthony Davis has 467 00:30:30.000 --> 00:30:36.359 a way to do it that's both kind of on the intangibles and allowed things 468 00:30:36.400 --> 00:30:38.880 that you see that are just like oh my god and aw dropping to me, 469 00:30:40.240 --> 00:30:42.200 it's ad if he can stay healthy and play the sixty five games. 470 00:30:42.440 --> 00:30:45.319 Yeah, So I think that's the key, right And if you look at 471 00:30:45.359 --> 00:30:48.799 what the odds makers basically did they have, Evan Mobley is having a better 472 00:30:48.799 --> 00:30:52.759 opportunity winning defensive played the year over Anthony Davis. That the only reason why 473 00:30:52.839 --> 00:30:56.279 is because Anthony Davis is never available for the requisite number of games you know, 474 00:30:56.480 --> 00:31:00.039 at the end of the season. In comparison and to those who have 475 00:31:00.079 --> 00:31:04.279 previously won Jared Jackson, Giannis Kupo. You know, so Mobley has somewhat 476 00:31:04.279 --> 00:31:07.519 of a little, you know, small inside track to getting to that. 477 00:31:08.559 --> 00:31:11.839 I like the Anthony Davis pick, but I'm gonna go with with with the 478 00:31:12.279 --> 00:31:17.319 with the freak. Okay. I don't know what it is about Giannis Shaw. 479 00:31:18.440 --> 00:31:22.759 I don't know if maybe there's another element to this that he's he has 480 00:31:22.799 --> 00:31:26.079 to prove or wants to prove. I think that he recognizes that the way 481 00:31:26.160 --> 00:31:32.559 to the Milwaukee Bucks being the team that he expects them to be, they 482 00:31:32.599 --> 00:31:37.200 have to be better defensively. Now, last year they squandered a great defensive 483 00:31:37.440 --> 00:31:41.920 season by Brook Lopez. To say that he will replicate that in this upcoming 484 00:31:41.960 --> 00:31:45.359 season, I think is a stretch. You know what, I'm saying that 485 00:31:45.559 --> 00:31:52.640 to me puts more the onus on Atakumpo's presence on that basketball court. And 486 00:31:52.839 --> 00:31:56.720 listen, let's couple this with what it is. Damian Litla has never been 487 00:31:56.720 --> 00:32:02.000 a solid defender, not like Drew. So it's back on Giannis's shoulders, 488 00:32:02.240 --> 00:32:07.079 and I think he wants to prove to people that he is not just the 489 00:32:07.079 --> 00:32:12.359 most dominant basketball player offensively when he needs to be, but he can also 490 00:32:12.440 --> 00:32:15.000 be the most dominant defensive player on the court. And we've said if the 491 00:32:15.039 --> 00:32:19.880 Milwaukee Bucks have an expectation to win this championship, it's got to be them 492 00:32:19.920 --> 00:32:24.759 being better defensively, and it really starts with Yanni's emphasis again to dominate on 493 00:32:24.799 --> 00:32:29.279 the court, not just in the paint because of his size, but his 494 00:32:29.319 --> 00:32:32.839 ability and versatility to defend the wing players, which is made a resurgence again 495 00:32:34.200 --> 00:32:38.440 in their ability to stop penetration from the three point line down. You gotta 496 00:32:38.480 --> 00:32:42.279 have Giannis on that type of level or in that type of game, and 497 00:32:42.319 --> 00:32:45.519 I think he's going to do that this season. Validity in that statement on 498 00:32:45.559 --> 00:32:50.400 thousand percent. Dame brings gravity offensively that will allow Yiannis to actually exalt more 499 00:32:50.480 --> 00:32:53.119 energy on the defensive side of the basketball. So no complaints. I can 500 00:32:53.160 --> 00:32:57.039 see how that could absolutely go that way. Jannis is saying all the right 501 00:32:57.079 --> 00:33:00.359 things. He's motivated going into the season, wants an NBA champ ship, 502 00:33:00.440 --> 00:33:02.200 knows he has a running man and Dame, yes, Lopez, yes, 503 00:33:02.200 --> 00:33:06.759 even Middleton are not the same defenders they used to be, but Giannis can 504 00:33:06.799 --> 00:33:08.519 make up for that, especially with having the help of dame on the side. 505 00:33:08.839 --> 00:33:12.559 Can I throw Can I throw an X factor player? Though in this 506 00:33:12.640 --> 00:33:16.440 one Shaw who can shake things up? Of course? Thank you. Jalen 507 00:33:16.480 --> 00:33:22.319 Brown. Watch for him in the Celtics, Okay, because now that Drew 508 00:33:22.400 --> 00:33:30.119 Holliday is there, I think Jalen is going to learn from Drew on how 509 00:33:30.160 --> 00:33:37.200 to be a defender that is not exerting so much that he can't give when 510 00:33:37.240 --> 00:33:42.799 it's necessary because of the emphasis that they have to be offensively like. He's 511 00:33:42.839 --> 00:33:46.359 gonna help show him how to have that balance and listen, last year, 512 00:33:46.519 --> 00:33:52.440 the Celtics relied on on on Brown almost as much as they relied on Marcus 513 00:33:52.480 --> 00:33:58.359 Smart in his ability to defend multiple players, which we're expecting that to still 514 00:33:58.359 --> 00:34:00.519 be the case. Even if we're saying that Drew Holliday is on that court 515 00:34:00.559 --> 00:34:05.799 and he's still a defensive bulldog. I still think that the highlight of where 516 00:34:06.200 --> 00:34:12.000 Brown's elevation can be is his ability to defend multiple players, star players on 517 00:34:12.039 --> 00:34:15.800 the opposition and to really have success against those guys. Watch for Brown. 518 00:34:15.960 --> 00:34:20.119 I think he has an opportunity to sneak in there to be in consideration for 519 00:34:20.199 --> 00:34:23.559 the deep boy. Well, I'll throw one more in there. Uh, 520 00:34:23.599 --> 00:34:27.960 and I think what I've seen in preseason, and it's going to lead into 521 00:34:27.960 --> 00:34:31.639 our next award through but I've seen enough. Oneyama is definitely a dark horse 522 00:34:31.639 --> 00:34:38.280 candidate I think for this award for defense. You it's it's insane. The 523 00:34:38.280 --> 00:34:44.280 the just he's so I'll use a word that's not a word, limsy, 524 00:34:44.519 --> 00:34:47.920 Right, He's like, he's like fantastic out there, flimsy and long like 525 00:34:49.480 --> 00:34:53.000 limsy. He's like, he's like mister fantastic out there. Man. He's 526 00:34:53.079 --> 00:35:02.760 just that's what we call Victor. Yeah, it's it's I think he's I'm 527 00:35:02.800 --> 00:35:05.960 just gonna leave it at that. He's got a he's got an outside shot 528 00:35:06.039 --> 00:35:07.280 to be Defensive Player of the Year in his rookie season. All right, 529 00:35:07.440 --> 00:35:12.000 nice, nice, Well, so now we can go ahead and transition Shaw 530 00:35:12.039 --> 00:35:15.239 to NBA Rookie of the Year, right, and listen, I think this 531 00:35:15.400 --> 00:35:19.000 is an impressive list, probably more impressive than over the last couple of years, 532 00:35:19.079 --> 00:35:22.679 because every one of these guys I really do have, I really do 533 00:35:22.800 --> 00:35:28.079 think have a great opportunity. I think obviously the spotlight in the marketing and 534 00:35:28.360 --> 00:35:31.440 all of the hype around Victor, you know, puts emphasis that he's a 535 00:35:31.519 --> 00:35:35.599 shoe in. But I really think that when you look at each of these 536 00:35:35.679 --> 00:35:38.760 players, and probably you know, even though it sucks for chet Holmgrim because 537 00:35:38.760 --> 00:35:44.039 maybe last year he could have very much have been a Rookie of the Year 538 00:35:44.679 --> 00:35:47.480 winner, so to speak. If you look at what Chip Holmgreen can bring 539 00:35:47.559 --> 00:35:52.599 to the table for ok C and the level of success required. If his 540 00:35:52.840 --> 00:35:55.480 calling card is what he can bring defensively to the table for OKAC and that 541 00:35:55.639 --> 00:36:00.400 team takes significant leaps in doing so, he can very much be in that 542 00:36:00.519 --> 00:36:05.960 conversation Shaw. So it's really interesting how this NBA Rookie of the Year is 543 00:36:06.079 --> 00:36:08.440 lining up, because this might be the one that I think might be toughest 544 00:36:08.480 --> 00:36:13.119 for people to call on, even though it's easiest because Victor is in the 545 00:36:13.280 --> 00:36:19.039 in the conversation to win it automatically. I'd say Scoot has impressed me in 546 00:36:19.119 --> 00:36:22.039 the in the preseason and understanding what it would be, but as we talked 547 00:36:22.079 --> 00:36:24.639 about on the conference previous last week, not really sure what the role delimination 548 00:36:24.800 --> 00:36:28.079 is going to be firm just yet. So that's why I have him just 549 00:36:28.280 --> 00:36:34.679 outside of this conversation. Chet was my pre pre preseason pick, but as 550 00:36:34.760 --> 00:36:39.800 I've watched and kind of witnessed the magic that is Banyama. I think it. 551 00:36:39.920 --> 00:36:43.199 I truly do think it's his award to lose. So, uh, 552 00:36:43.480 --> 00:36:45.760 Chet will be awesome, Scoot will be awesome, Random Miller if they decide, 553 00:36:45.800 --> 00:36:50.000 you know, Gordon Haywood it's time for him to regress and go to 554 00:36:50.079 --> 00:36:52.360 the bench. That Randon Miller can maybe get some run out here as well 555 00:36:52.440 --> 00:36:54.920 too. And the Thompson twins have also impressed as well, to a zeer 556 00:36:55.119 --> 00:37:00.320 more so than a man for minutes in Detroit. Yeah, they're just not 557 00:37:00.320 --> 00:37:05.480 gonna get in great chance there, But I'll go with Manyama just there's really 558 00:37:05.519 --> 00:37:07.079 not much else to say. He's he's been phenomenal and as long again as 559 00:37:07.079 --> 00:37:10.519 he can play the minimum amount of games, then I think he's he's got 560 00:37:10.559 --> 00:37:14.840 this one locked up, right, And I think what we're looking at here 561 00:37:14.920 --> 00:37:16.400 again, Shaw, is he's going to have the opportunity. He's going to 562 00:37:16.480 --> 00:37:20.920 have the numbers. I am more so looking at those second tier guys and 563 00:37:21.039 --> 00:37:23.199 where they're all, you know, where they can all elevate to and to 564 00:37:23.320 --> 00:37:28.920 me, the one who has the best leap forward, so to speak, 565 00:37:29.119 --> 00:37:32.760 is Chet Holmgren Because I don't think people are putting as much emphasis of what 566 00:37:32.840 --> 00:37:37.679 he can bring to the table offensively because Okac is already a great team offensively, 567 00:37:37.760 --> 00:37:42.519 but his contributions could be significant to his Rookie of the Year candidacy. 568 00:37:42.679 --> 00:37:45.639 Right, But if he is solid on the defensive side of the basketball, 569 00:37:45.719 --> 00:37:52.440 with a level of consistency and the spotlight being on Okac Thunder in critical games 570 00:37:52.480 --> 00:37:57.199 at the early outset of the season, he can start generating generating that conversation 571 00:37:57.599 --> 00:38:00.320 early early. We'll see if that plays. And you know, I'm kind 572 00:38:00.360 --> 00:38:04.039 of you know, putting it on, but I agree with you, it's 573 00:38:04.119 --> 00:38:07.760 woman Yannis to lose. But I'm really like, I like what I saw 574 00:38:07.880 --> 00:38:09.480 from home grin and what I think he can bring to the table, and 575 00:38:09.559 --> 00:38:13.800 it can all just come together right for him to kind of, you know, 576 00:38:15.039 --> 00:38:17.440 nudge Wemby a little bit, you know, make those OKC Spur games 577 00:38:17.559 --> 00:38:21.239 really interesting. You know what I'm saying through the course of the year, 578 00:38:21.360 --> 00:38:25.280 start brewing up some rivalry there now will talk and they already they had a 579 00:38:25.320 --> 00:38:30.480 great preseason matchup and it's it's it's been a lot of fun. So some 580 00:38:30.559 --> 00:38:34.360 people called it the Skinny Bowl when when they cook kiss each other. So 581 00:38:35.599 --> 00:38:37.280 yeah, it's it's gonna be a good It's gonna be a good year. 582 00:38:37.320 --> 00:38:42.840 No sorry, Spurs and Thunder will be musty musty TV this year is both 583 00:38:42.880 --> 00:38:47.559 of those guys are playing. It's the thinning. You're tune to the base 584 00:38:47.679 --> 00:38:52.280 like Cally Wards, Shaw discussing the hot button topics of the NBA and this 585 00:38:52.440 --> 00:38:57.559 is our twenty twenty twenty twenty three, twenty four NBA Awards preview. All 586 00:38:57.639 --> 00:39:04.000 right, Shaw, time for us to do that mv MVP odds Shaw. 587 00:39:04.119 --> 00:39:08.039 So, last year Joel Embi finally got his We are happy for him, 588 00:39:08.719 --> 00:39:15.559 no more complaining, okay, and if nothing else approved, we gave you 589 00:39:15.639 --> 00:39:19.400 the m v P and yet you still can't get that that that damn team 590 00:39:19.440 --> 00:39:23.920 to the finals. So it's you know, listen, now that we understand, 591 00:39:24.400 --> 00:39:29.440 Now that it we're done with the sympathy given, let's really talk about 592 00:39:29.480 --> 00:39:31.800 who's gonna get this damn award? Shaw? So, so who you who? 593 00:39:32.159 --> 00:39:37.320 Who you have slated to win MVP Awards. I don't have a super 594 00:39:37.559 --> 00:39:44.360 sexy pick here, it's a well dame got They don't come off looking super 595 00:39:44.440 --> 00:39:49.199 sexy. Definitely does not look super sexy, right, His numbers and everything 596 00:39:49.239 --> 00:39:52.400 about him is super sexy. But you know, but it's the narrative, 597 00:39:52.519 --> 00:39:57.280 right, And I think because they didn't want to award him three in a 598 00:39:57.400 --> 00:40:00.119 row, uh and Joel had played as as he did, led the league 599 00:40:00.159 --> 00:40:05.679 in scoring, et cetera. I just don't know that you can deny Jokich 600 00:40:05.719 --> 00:40:09.920 another award this year. Gianna says, you alluded to extremely motivated, so 601 00:40:10.079 --> 00:40:14.840 should be out for blood. Could potentially do things on the defensive side and 602 00:40:14.880 --> 00:40:16.559 win that award, as we talked about a little bit earlier, which would 603 00:40:16.559 --> 00:40:21.360 also give him another leg up here to be in the MVP candidacy. They 604 00:40:21.480 --> 00:40:23.400 just kind of always throw Luca in the conversation. I just don't think Dallas 605 00:40:23.440 --> 00:40:27.440 is going to get enough wins. While his numbers statistically will be amazing, 606 00:40:27.760 --> 00:40:31.000 I just can't go there. We keep away for Tatum to take that level 607 00:40:31.039 --> 00:40:36.519 of a leap, I don't know that he can with all the help that 608 00:40:36.639 --> 00:40:39.519 he has here now. So I think it's it's while Boston should be amazing, 609 00:40:39.599 --> 00:40:44.480 I don't know if Tatum will be able to garner the credit as a 610 00:40:44.559 --> 00:40:45.559 result of that, because people will look and say, well, you have 611 00:40:45.679 --> 00:40:49.519 Gelen Brown, you have Chris steps for Zingis, Andrew Haughty here now on 612 00:40:49.599 --> 00:40:52.519 your roster. So that just kind of like leads me back to Jokich. 613 00:40:53.800 --> 00:40:57.960 There's a there's again the tired narrative of like, well, we don't want 614 00:40:57.960 --> 00:41:00.000 to give somebody X amount of awards in a row. He didn't win it 615 00:41:00.079 --> 00:41:04.239 last year, Denver still expected to be great. He's still expected to be 616 00:41:04.320 --> 00:41:07.840 great himself individually. So that's where I'm going to go with it. You 617 00:41:07.880 --> 00:41:10.639 could argue Embiid could have a chance because of all the turmoil around him, 618 00:41:10.880 --> 00:41:15.039 and Philadelphia is able to still retain the top four seed in the Eastern Conference 619 00:41:15.079 --> 00:41:19.880 with the hard end mess happening, then Embiid should deserve a lot of credit 620 00:41:19.960 --> 00:41:22.760 for that. But I just don't think the voters are going to go that 621 00:41:22.840 --> 00:41:24.679 way. There's a lot of voters remorse for giving it to Emba last year, 622 00:41:25.079 --> 00:41:28.199 and I just think he's going to be out of it for this upcoming 623 00:41:28.239 --> 00:41:30.719 season. So Lea's be back to Nicola. Well, it's interesting that they 624 00:41:30.760 --> 00:41:34.480 don't have the likes of like Steph Curry and Anthony Davis, you know, 625 00:41:35.239 --> 00:41:37.559 listed high up the food chain, so to speak, because I think crazy 626 00:41:37.679 --> 00:41:42.039 that next year. Yeah, Yeah, it's interesting because what we're saying is 627 00:41:42.159 --> 00:41:45.639 is that for either of those teams to really get to an NBA finals, 628 00:41:45.719 --> 00:41:50.599 it's going to really take that level of play from those type of players to 629 00:41:50.719 --> 00:41:54.079 do so, and I think they're very much capable of doing it. I 630 00:41:54.559 --> 00:42:00.280 agree with you because I think Shaw it's hard not to see Yokic positioning himself 631 00:42:00.360 --> 00:42:04.639 again at doing it. And if you look at the way that Mike Malone, 632 00:42:04.760 --> 00:42:07.320 I don't know what kind of you know, Svengali, you know, 633 00:42:07.559 --> 00:42:10.800 thing he's got going on in these dudes you don't hear, you know, 634 00:42:10.840 --> 00:42:15.800 the Jamal Murray's and the Aaron Gordon's and the Michael Porter juniors, you know, 635 00:42:15.920 --> 00:42:20.800 talking like I would love to get me an MVP title, you know 636 00:42:20.800 --> 00:42:24.039 what I'm saying, an award, MVP award at some point in my career 637 00:42:24.159 --> 00:42:30.199 or whatever the case may be. It almost feels like they are comfortable recognizing 638 00:42:30.320 --> 00:42:35.679 who the centerpiece of their lavish you know what I'm saying, their lavish living 639 00:42:35.760 --> 00:42:39.519 space is, It's Jokic, and they they they believe that they become better 640 00:42:39.639 --> 00:42:44.679 players because of what Yoki brings to the table, which puts more emphasis on 641 00:42:44.960 --> 00:42:49.159 why he's an MVP player year in and year out right. So it's interesting 642 00:42:49.320 --> 00:42:52.800 until something shakes that narrative loose. I think it's Jokic. I will say 643 00:42:53.360 --> 00:42:59.480 a hard second place, regardless of Damian Lillard being on that team, is 644 00:42:59.559 --> 00:43:05.320 Jannis to Tokumpo. And to your point, I'm expecting Yannis to have monster 645 00:43:05.480 --> 00:43:08.119 numbers, and I want to see if whether or not Adrian Griffin is gonna 646 00:43:08.239 --> 00:43:15.440 let let Jannis loose. I think that over the last few seasons you've seen 647 00:43:16.280 --> 00:43:22.519 Bundenholzer kind of coddle Yannis protect Jannis right and put more emphasis on the rest 648 00:43:22.559 --> 00:43:27.239 of the other guys, and maybe to his demise. I think Jannis not 649 00:43:27.360 --> 00:43:29.719 saying he doesn't have any faith in his team, not saying he doesn't have 650 00:43:29.719 --> 00:43:31.239 any belief in his team. I think he fully believes. I think he 651 00:43:31.320 --> 00:43:36.599 fully believes that he needs to be out there for as many minutes necessary to 652 00:43:36.760 --> 00:43:39.480 put an exclamation point on the dominance that he believes that the Milwaukee Bucks should 653 00:43:39.519 --> 00:43:43.760 have as a basketball team. And there's also one other little narrative shot that 654 00:43:43.840 --> 00:43:46.599 may not get talked about. It's not to pit against players against players because 655 00:43:46.840 --> 00:43:51.480 as far as I'm concerned, how the Milwaukee Bucks handle the situation with you, 656 00:43:51.599 --> 00:43:55.559 Holliday was wrong. I think that there is a genuine friendship and appreciation 657 00:43:57.079 --> 00:44:00.559 for Holiday and Jannis and and obviously actively with their families and what they've done 658 00:44:00.599 --> 00:44:06.400 with the Milwaukee community and at large the basketball community. But I do think 659 00:44:06.719 --> 00:44:12.119 there is that egoism in certain players that when that talk gets thrown out there 660 00:44:12.159 --> 00:44:16.880 about how Drew Holliday helped get Giannis that title, right, you don't think 661 00:44:16.920 --> 00:44:21.320 Giannis doesn't think about that now that Drew isn't there, He wants to be 662 00:44:21.440 --> 00:44:24.960 the person responsible of getting not just his second title, but getting Damien his 663 00:44:25.119 --> 00:44:30.239 title, as much as we think that Damien coming to the Milwaukee Bucks is 664 00:44:30.320 --> 00:44:34.239 getting a title for Giannis. Again, I really think Jannis believes that he 665 00:44:34.400 --> 00:44:37.639 is going to be the reason why that team always is in contention to win 666 00:44:37.679 --> 00:44:43.840 a championship, and so that type of thought process I don't think gets talked 667 00:44:43.840 --> 00:44:46.079 about at times, But that's exactly the kind of ego you want. And 668 00:44:46.159 --> 00:44:49.840 a guy who believes that he should be the most dominant player in the league, 669 00:44:49.960 --> 00:44:52.280 and I think that may elevate him if Jokic doesn't win it, it 670 00:44:52.360 --> 00:44:57.159 would not be surprising for me if Jannis winds up winning it, because I 671 00:44:57.239 --> 00:45:00.559 believe that he thinks that he can win it without Drew Holliday and that he's 672 00:45:00.599 --> 00:45:05.199 getting Damian the title, not vice versa. I have nothing to add. 673 00:45:05.519 --> 00:45:08.599 Giannis is an amazing and awesome pick. I'm right there with you. If 674 00:45:08.679 --> 00:45:13.199 not then Giannis after that, it's a crapshoot for me. Tatum can get 675 00:45:13.239 --> 00:45:15.119 into this, maybe you could throw Luco bo and if you were so inclined 676 00:45:15.280 --> 00:45:19.039 Sga as we talked about a little bit a while ago, but then you 677 00:45:19.239 --> 00:45:21.320 just like kind of fighting for a scrap. So I think it's kind of 678 00:45:21.400 --> 00:45:23.960 a two horse race going into the season with those two guys as we mentioned, 679 00:45:24.000 --> 00:45:27.920 and you know, and no American, no American is going to win 680 00:45:28.000 --> 00:45:30.079 this here for a little while, you know, I mean, and no 681 00:45:30.159 --> 00:45:34.119 Curries in the conversation as well too. But I just can't see him usurping 682 00:45:34.159 --> 00:45:36.920 all those other guys here. I think Janis and Yokic are the other two 683 00:45:36.960 --> 00:45:39.239 clipses. Can you really think about this shaw in a year where we didn't 684 00:45:39.239 --> 00:45:44.039 want to talk about how it's you know, sympathy handouts for the MVP award. 685 00:45:44.199 --> 00:45:49.719 I wonder if John Moran is kicking himself immensely, because this damn well 686 00:45:49.760 --> 00:45:52.679 could have been a really good year for John Moran to sneak in and really 687 00:45:52.719 --> 00:45:57.119 get those conversations. If he was, if he's to be as good as 688 00:45:57.239 --> 00:46:00.000 everyone expected him to be for the Memphis Grizzlies, and where the Memphis Grizzlies 689 00:46:00.079 --> 00:46:05.079 really have been and should be at this particular time frame. Yeah, well, 690 00:46:05.280 --> 00:46:08.639 I jah, we don't even need to really go there. I think, 691 00:46:08.719 --> 00:46:10.599 yes, it's it's gonna be a wasted year. And now they have 692 00:46:10.719 --> 00:46:14.800 some more issues as we alluded to earlier on. But if we're talking about 693 00:46:15.039 --> 00:46:19.000 way out their sleepers when it comes to health, what about Jaw's counterpart, 694 00:46:19.039 --> 00:46:22.320 his draft mate in terms of Zion Williamson. If Zion again, we know 695 00:46:22.400 --> 00:46:28.880 that's a big if, but if he's available, New Orleans has shown that 696 00:46:29.000 --> 00:46:32.119 when he's there, they are awesome, and we talked about Wildy Green as 697 00:46:32.159 --> 00:46:36.480 well. So I don't think Zion's going to win the MVP. But when 698 00:46:36.480 --> 00:46:39.039 we talk about those third and fourth place votes and those types of candidates, 699 00:46:39.440 --> 00:46:43.920 Zion could sneak into this if he's able to play the sixty five games and 700 00:46:44.000 --> 00:46:47.000 keep the Orleans you know competitive in the Western Conference. Absolutely your tune to 701 00:46:47.039 --> 00:46:52.599 The Baseline Calie warren Shaw discussing the hot button topics of the NBA are twenty 702 00:46:52.679 --> 00:46:57.079 twenty three twenty four NBA Awards preview coming up. We give you our pick. 703 00:46:57.199 --> 00:47:00.840 So who's coming out of the West, where the fists are and who 704 00:47:00.920 --> 00:47:02.519 ultimately is gonna wind up going there? So you do not want to miss 705 00:47:02.639 --> 00:47:07.400 out. But first, if you are looking for the ultimate destination for NBA 706 00:47:07.519 --> 00:47:10.079 gear, look no further than with the NBA Store. With a huge selection 707 00:47:10.159 --> 00:47:15.039 of authentic and high quality products including jerseys, hats, and accessories, the 708 00:47:15.159 --> 00:47:17.840 NBA Store has everything you need to show off your team pride. Plus with 709 00:47:19.039 --> 00:47:22.000 exclusive and limited edition items, you can make your collection truly one of a 710 00:47:22.079 --> 00:47:25.719 kind, and with an online presence, you can shop from anywhere in the 711 00:47:25.840 --> 00:47:30.079 world. Don't miss out on the latest trends and experiences. Visit the NBA 712 00:47:30.159 --> 00:47:32.360 Store today by clicking our affiliate link. If you're listening to us on your 713 00:47:32.360 --> 00:47:36.320 favorite audio platform, be sure to check the link in the description of the 714 00:47:36.400 --> 00:47:39.679 show. The Baseline is working in affiliation with the NBA store slash Fanatics and 715 00:47:39.760 --> 00:47:45.599 will be compensated for your patronage by utilizing our link and as always, we 716 00:47:45.800 --> 00:47:52.199 thank you for your support. More Baseline Cali Warrenshaw Don't go away, Yes, 717 00:47:52.280 --> 00:47:57.000 Sir, Cali Warrenshaw. Baseline NBA podcasts are twenty twenty three, twenty 718 00:47:57.039 --> 00:48:00.679 four NBA Awards Preview and Shaw nice way for us to cap the show off 719 00:48:01.480 --> 00:48:07.039 to make those picks. Man who we think is going to be participating in 720 00:48:07.119 --> 00:48:10.920 the Western Conference Finals in the Eastern Conference Finals. It's very interesting, you 721 00:48:12.000 --> 00:48:15.800 know, fan do odd makers have it? You know, Celtic Suns, 722 00:48:16.000 --> 00:48:22.760 Bucks Suns, There's a lot of confidence in the Suns, you know, 723 00:48:22.760 --> 00:48:28.280 to hell with the Nuggets. You know what I'm saying, How do you 724 00:48:28.400 --> 00:48:30.519 have this late at y'all? Who you have is your finalist from the West 725 00:48:30.559 --> 00:48:35.440 and the East and who ultimately do you see you know, playing against each 726 00:48:35.440 --> 00:48:39.400 other? So in the in the Western Conference, like the Western Conference Finals 727 00:48:39.480 --> 00:48:45.920 first, there is there's a reason to be optimistic about Phoenix. I'm just 728 00:48:45.039 --> 00:48:50.199 so skeptical about their injury history. I think we're going to get a repeat 729 00:48:50.280 --> 00:48:57.760 to some degree of Lakers and Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals. And I 730 00:48:57.880 --> 00:49:01.599 think the NBA script writers have a have a team here ready for us for 731 00:49:01.760 --> 00:49:06.800 Lebron to kind of kind of compete for a title or Banner eighteen and Title 732 00:49:06.840 --> 00:49:12.000 six. I guess for him, Yeah, I'm gonna go with the Lakers 733 00:49:12.039 --> 00:49:15.760 coming out of the Western Conference. And then on the other side of the 734 00:49:15.840 --> 00:49:22.800 basketball court, I have the Eastern Conference being Boston and Milwaukee and scriptwriters again, 735 00:49:22.719 --> 00:49:28.039 Boston and l LA meeting up for the NBA Championship. I think Milwaukee 736 00:49:28.320 --> 00:49:32.840 has just again it is exactly even. They can very very well be there 737 00:49:32.920 --> 00:49:37.920 themselves. It would not be surprising any capacity to me. The East to 738 00:49:37.960 --> 00:49:42.360 me is Boston and Milwaukee, the West is Denver, LA and Phoenix. 739 00:49:42.880 --> 00:49:45.079 But I'm gonna go with the Boston and the Lakers competing for Banner eighteen, 740 00:49:45.480 --> 00:49:49.880 for the ultimate prize in NBA Championship glory and history, and Lebron you know, 741 00:49:49.960 --> 00:49:53.199 getting yet another title before he retires. Yeah. So for me, 742 00:49:53.320 --> 00:49:59.079 I think it's it's gonna be Nuggets and Sons. But I think the pathways 743 00:49:59.119 --> 00:50:02.039 to those teams will be different than how it played out last year, where 744 00:50:02.800 --> 00:50:07.920 I feel like the Nuggets, you know, they're gonna do what they do 745 00:50:07.960 --> 00:50:10.880 they're gonna dominate, gonna have a great record. I think their pathway will 746 00:50:10.920 --> 00:50:15.719 be, you know, relatively easy. I think for the Suns, their 747 00:50:15.800 --> 00:50:20.719 pathway to getting to the to the finals has to be through the Los Angeles 748 00:50:20.840 --> 00:50:23.400 Lakers. I don't know what it is. I'm not It's not that it's 749 00:50:23.480 --> 00:50:27.400 my belief that, you know, because of Bradley Beal. I think it's 750 00:50:27.440 --> 00:50:32.079 more the belief of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker and what they're gonna what they'll 751 00:50:32.159 --> 00:50:37.599 do if they get themselves into, you know, the into the playoff picture. 752 00:50:37.639 --> 00:50:38.920 I think that they feel like they have to right or wrong, and 753 00:50:39.000 --> 00:50:44.119 I think it's just long overdue for them. Whether or not that's gonna mean 754 00:50:44.159 --> 00:50:46.639 that they're gonna win, you know, the the the finals. I don't 755 00:50:46.719 --> 00:50:52.000 completely buy it yet, but Frank Vogel has that magic touch. Man be 756 00:50:52.119 --> 00:50:53.480 ironic, you know what I'm saying, if he figures out a way to 757 00:50:53.519 --> 00:50:57.199 get the Suns to the finals. But I think it's what would be great 758 00:50:57.199 --> 00:51:00.599 if Vogel was able to go against the Lakers in the Western Conferent his finals, 759 00:51:00.639 --> 00:51:04.239 the team that fired him after he won them a championship. I want 760 00:51:04.320 --> 00:51:07.360 to see that right, I want to see that. So don't let my 761 00:51:07.559 --> 00:51:13.440 pick diminish what my desire is telling me that I want to see, because 762 00:51:13.719 --> 00:51:15.760 I will be there for that. At the end of the day, I 763 00:51:15.840 --> 00:51:22.480 think the Nuggets give themselves another opportunity to defend their championship. That being said, 764 00:51:22.760 --> 00:51:24.840 I agree with you. I think it's gonna come down to the Bucks 765 00:51:24.880 --> 00:51:30.599 and the Celtics. And I want to buy into to Missoula, man, 766 00:51:30.880 --> 00:51:36.000 I really do. I want to buy into the team. It's hard to 767 00:51:36.199 --> 00:51:39.320 bro it's hard to and it's hard to deny yourself of seeing what you're seeing 768 00:51:39.360 --> 00:51:45.800 from Milwaukee. I think it's gonna be Bucks Nuggets, and I think when 769 00:51:45.840 --> 00:51:49.119 it's all said and done, I think the Bucks wind up winning this championship. 770 00:51:49.159 --> 00:51:52.559 Man. And I say this to say, if the Celtics and the 771 00:51:52.639 --> 00:51:55.360 Bucks play each other in the in the Eastern Conference Finals, this is gonna 772 00:51:55.360 --> 00:52:00.320 go seven games. I think it's gonna go seven games. I don't think 773 00:52:00.400 --> 00:52:02.159 that the I don't think I think it's gonna be a little bit different where 774 00:52:02.519 --> 00:52:06.000 you know, the Celtics, you know, laying egg or nothing like that. 775 00:52:06.119 --> 00:52:09.960 I think that both teams are gonna just basically just go go go at 776 00:52:10.000 --> 00:52:16.159 each other, leave nothing uh in doubt on the basketball court through the seven 777 00:52:16.159 --> 00:52:20.199 games. It's gonna be a brutal series for whoever wins. And I think 778 00:52:20.199 --> 00:52:22.960 whoever comes out of it is gonna be even stronges. It's like, you 779 00:52:22.000 --> 00:52:25.320 know, super Saiyan strong. You know what I'm saying going into that finals, 780 00:52:25.559 --> 00:52:28.559 like if they got through whoever they got through in the East, to 781 00:52:28.639 --> 00:52:30.159 hell, whoever they damn well see in the West, even though the West 782 00:52:30.559 --> 00:52:35.519 is amongst the toughest right to do it. But I'm just saying, man 783 00:52:35.679 --> 00:52:38.199 like, it's it's I want to buy into the Celtics getting there. I 784 00:52:38.280 --> 00:52:42.760 want to see that championship dream you're talking about y'all between the Celtics and the 785 00:52:42.880 --> 00:52:50.239 Lakers. But I'm telling you, bucks, boy, I don't like this 786 00:52:50.400 --> 00:52:55.039 version of Yannis man, I don't. I don't know company did this move 787 00:52:55.119 --> 00:52:59.599 to piss off on this you know move in holiday the way that they did, 788 00:52:59.679 --> 00:53:04.000 But that's like, you know what I'm saying, that's Bruce Banner like 789 00:53:04.119 --> 00:53:06.559 kind of move that they did. Man, Now we have no idea what 790 00:53:06.719 --> 00:53:10.679 kind of gamma nonsense this boy is on. So I cannot I can't be 791 00:53:10.760 --> 00:53:15.519 mad with that pick. Milwaukee is tough, like they are tough. So, 792 00:53:15.719 --> 00:53:19.639 as I said, I'm just trying to lean into some some optimism and 793 00:53:19.840 --> 00:53:22.199 maybe my Celtics slip is showing here a little bit, trying to get Boston 794 00:53:22.239 --> 00:53:24.639 into the NBA Finals, because every year I pick against them, I'm just 795 00:53:24.719 --> 00:53:27.199 like, listen, I don't see it. I don't see it. I 796 00:53:27.239 --> 00:53:30.920 don't see it. And there's reasons to feel like they're going to throw up 797 00:53:30.960 --> 00:53:35.960 on themselves, as some people have said on other shows, Willy Beaman. 798 00:53:37.800 --> 00:53:40.599 So but I'm going to go against my better judgment and and say Boston will 799 00:53:40.639 --> 00:53:45.199 get it done this year. They have all the firepower they need. It 800 00:53:45.239 --> 00:53:46.639 will be a knockout, dragout series. And that's why I think a lot 801 00:53:46.679 --> 00:53:51.400 of people would pick the Western Conference winner to be the NBA champion, because 802 00:53:51.440 --> 00:53:53.320 you presumably think Milwaukee and Boston are going to beat the hell out of each 803 00:53:53.320 --> 00:53:58.000 other in the Eastern Conference finals and may not have enough to ultimately bring it 804 00:53:58.079 --> 00:54:02.000 home. But I think they will again. Celtics Lakers for Banner eighteen. 805 00:54:02.960 --> 00:54:07.039 All the chips down and let's go SEEZ trying to get this one here. 806 00:54:07.480 --> 00:54:09.239 I listen, I give you kudos, man, You really if you really 807 00:54:09.360 --> 00:54:15.519 believe in in poor Zingis's ability to stop the freight train, that is I'm 808 00:54:15.639 --> 00:54:17.360 convincing myself, you know, like you're looking in the mirror. I think 809 00:54:17.440 --> 00:54:22.280 I can. I think believing in the unicorn. Man, I'm trying to 810 00:54:22.360 --> 00:54:25.440 get there. So you know, if you put if you'd like just tap 811 00:54:25.519 --> 00:54:29.920 me for a strong wind comes, I'll blow the other way. So let's 812 00:54:29.960 --> 00:54:32.199 let's not talk about it anymore because I'm I'm not confident, but I'm trying 813 00:54:32.239 --> 00:54:36.519 to portray comp trying trying to display it. All right, that's listen, 814 00:54:36.639 --> 00:54:38.159 this was why it was great. We were doing audio before video, so 815 00:54:38.519 --> 00:54:44.360 just so you know you put this on you. Yeah, anyway, man, 816 00:54:44.400 --> 00:54:46.599 awesome show this week, Bro, so much good stuff man. And 817 00:54:47.000 --> 00:54:50.480 again, just when we get to this time of the year, we're actually 818 00:54:50.559 --> 00:54:54.000 talking about the individual awards, and yet even in our individualism, so to 819 00:54:54.039 --> 00:54:58.440 speak, in our in our analytics of the individualism, we still talk about 820 00:54:58.440 --> 00:55:00.960 how the team aspect of things are so relevant and important for these guys. 821 00:55:01.400 --> 00:55:06.239 It speaks to how great this NBA upcoming NBA season is gonna be. Brother, 822 00:55:07.000 --> 00:55:09.559 It's gonna be phenomenal. So I can't wait for everybody to enjoy the 823 00:55:09.679 --> 00:55:14.639 ride that is a six month NBA season, the injuries that are sure to 824 00:55:14.719 --> 00:55:17.559 come, unfortunately, but just the great narrative, the stories that we're that 825 00:55:17.599 --> 00:55:22.280 we're gonna just engage in kind of throughout. We would hope that we don't 826 00:55:22.360 --> 00:55:25.320 have too much negativity off the court, nonsense and things like that that take 827 00:55:25.639 --> 00:55:30.480 away from the narrative on the floor. But who's going to be the first 828 00:55:30.559 --> 00:55:32.519 coach to be fired, who's the big who's the next big name, who's 829 00:55:32.559 --> 00:55:36.519 going to be traded? Who makes a smaller move that you know, kind 830 00:55:36.559 --> 00:55:39.239 of impacts the team for the good that we may not even think is really 831 00:55:39.280 --> 00:55:44.239 the situation here right now? What rookies are going to stand out and really 832 00:55:44.280 --> 00:55:47.199 step up here outside of the Chets and the one Mayamas and Holmes, sorry 833 00:55:47.239 --> 00:55:52.400 and the school Henderson's of the world. There's just so much to digest throughout 834 00:55:52.400 --> 00:55:54.760 the course of an NBA season, and the baseline is here for y'all season 835 00:55:54.800 --> 00:55:59.800 eleven. Man, let's get it absolutely once again, we appreciate everybody. 836 00:56:00.280 --> 00:56:02.840 We're jumping on board with our twenty twenty three, twenty four NBA previews for 837 00:56:02.840 --> 00:56:06.920 the baseline Cali Warren Show. We appreciate you guys. You know we do 838 00:56:07.920 --> 00:56:08.360 catch up with you. Thanks time,