Speaker 1: What is up, fellasic goes, I am dam a valley
coming at you with the one the Only mister morianson
of the NBA podcast, fame of Yabu Sports, fame of
HBO Max fame, and of course of only Fans celebrity.
We are gathered here today to give you a reason
to visit the NBA's darkest, dankest, sometimes most egregiously ugly
corners for the rest of the season. We're gonna talk
reasons to continue watching the NBA's worst teams. Inverted tank jobs,
deliberate tank jobs. I don't even know if there's not.
Is there an in inverted tank job?
Speaker 2: Right?
Speaker 1: That's like, we know the Kings endeavored to be good
this year, but they're not trying to be good anymore
because Milwaukee doesn't. They're trying to shut down Jannis still
as we they want to be.
Speaker 2: So no, there's no.
Speaker 1: It's the there's a very clear line of separation between oh,
these teams are headed, they and then the top ten
in each conference. There's no one that's gonna re end
it is gonna go into the top ten in the
East of the West that's not already there.
Speaker 2: So we're gonna give you reasons to continue watching these teams.
We will be quick because we want to.
Speaker 1: We don't want to go I mean, I have some
nerdy notes on these players that I watch film on,
but uh, we're gonna go quick.
Speaker 2: We're gonna go through these.
Speaker 1: But there are reasons to still watch these teams when
your favorite team isn't playing. First and foremost, though more,
how are you doing.
Speaker 3: I'm doing very well. It should be noted that we're
going to do this East West right, like we're gonna
split it into two, So that's one thing. And uh,
we're gonna start with the East, and I'm looking forward
to that because god, there are so many bad teams.
By the way, you know, I need there's something I
haven't told you, and I think it's time because now we're.
Speaker 2: You're raising your OnlyFans sub prices.
Speaker 3: That too. I thought, didn't you get the email?
Speaker 2: Wow?
Speaker 3: All right? I thought. I send it out to everyone.
Speaker 1: And sometimes it gets filtered to spam because if it's
not suitable for work.
Speaker 3: Oh right, yeah, yeah, I always say that stuff to
your work email that doesn't work. No, But I actually
need to pay you a compliment because there was something and.
Speaker 2: It wasn't even me no sound disgusted and shocked at
the same time. I'm not.
Speaker 3: It was actually because someone someone actually uh pointed this
out to me, and I was like, oh, wow, you're
actually right. So whenever I'm getting introduced on any type
of American podcast, my last name is always being you know,
pronounced with a D beforehand, like Jensen, You're the only
one who actually does it right with the why sound Jensen.
I never like connected that until someone pointed out to me, like,
that's Dan's the only one who got it, Like, did
you just hammer that point into your into his head?
I was like, no, I don't. I never brought it
up like you've done that automatically from the get go.
So like, kudos to you for taking that name which
always has like a D sound in English and just nope,
flippiting on his head and doing the right thing. I
appreciate you.
Speaker 2: Thank you.
Speaker 1: I'm sure if I followed the script of typical podcast
guests or when I'm talking about a player, I listened
to stuff that like the for before you came on.
I probably listened to make sure how you were pronouncing
it yourself. I still get tripped up for the first
few times, whether it's a guest or if it's a player,
I'll still I'm probably. I'm sure I labored through it
a couple of time. Yours is easy, Jensen isn't a bit,
but like attend to Koombo as an example, I'm sure
I wasn't pronouncing correctly, but I do try to get
them right. So thank you for the level of craft
cord that goes into podcasting. Your your name is your name.
You need to need to get around. I didn't know
people referred to you as Jensen. I guess that's how
it's for us, That's how it's spelled. But yeah, now,
well it's just been a thing I think.
Speaker 3: So I actually ended up having a conversation with this
person because it turns out both he and I actually
liked the movie Erin Brockovich with Julia Roberts, which is
like twenty six years old. But there's a character there
named Donna Jensen, and it's consistently set with a d
sound beforehand, and we we kind of speculate that that
could be wide like that's where the name like hit
its highest popularity point in the US, and that might
have been the moment when people started saying it with
a D sound.
Speaker 2: Let's begin here, though, we'll work east to west. Like
you said, I will give you the.
Speaker 1: I We'll give you the first Eastern Conference team that
we talk about.
Speaker 2: Who do you want to talk about?
Speaker 3: This is so easy because we have to find like
reasons as to keep watching this team. For me, it's
the Wizards. It's the Wizards, like, still a bunch of
young guys. They're losing a ton. I don't care. It's
all about development. I mean it is, it's all about development.
I just love the fact that this is such a young,
scrappy team. They're they're still trying to I don't want
to say like they want to be necessarily competitive. The
players do, obviously, but they don't come in with the
mindset of, oh, it's only about our own development, like
they're trying to do their best part here. Like Alex
sar season I think has flown on to the radar
because they've been so bad the improvements he made from
year one to year two, and I realized he struggled
a little bit as of late. But I mean, he's
twenty years old. It's too expected that he won't turn
on the Jets immediately. I think it's been a very
solid year two for him. Obviously a very solid year
for Keshawn George as well. It's Julian Reese coming in
and playing very well there. Nine and nine like came
out of nowhere. On that account, Bill out of cooler Polize.
Still got some questions there. I thought he took a
little bit to step down. But even the so it's
like interesting to track Trey Johnston had an interesting rookie season.
I like, I'm not out on him at all. I
think I was a harsh I was.
Speaker 2: Like bad shooter Tray Johnson. Isn't that what you called him?
Speaker 3: Or something? No, no, no, no, I said, I said,
I wanted to know whether, like what camp he falls
into because statistically he was very very close to Jordan
Hawkins in college, and I like and like the draft
Twitter who were high on him called h and so
I was like very curious as to what camp he
would fall into of those two or whether he would
find like his own middle ground. So far, middle ground
seems to be the way that he's placed himself, and
that's perfectly reasonable. Twenty years old, six', five like has
done pretty well this. Year twelve points per, game not
that many minutes played, either and it's just getting up
the threes at a high. RATE i like him so
just The wizards. Overall, oh Bub, Carrington how CAN i
not forget About Bub Pet carrington And Will? Riley, like
there's just so many guys here Justin. Champagney you can keep, Going.
Speaker 2: Yeah so this is a psychopath.
Speaker 1: Too my reason to continue watching them Is i'm more
intrigued than ever AND i probably had him as an.
Afterthought But Will, riley you mentioned his name a little,
bit just has a ton of agency over the offense right.
Now AND i love seeing what type of shots he's gonna.
Attempt and we've seen some just pretty audacious jumpers from.
Him BUT i kind of just the three point percentage In,
march hovering around thirty five percent when you're looking at
the level of difficulty on some of, those the amount
of ball handling he's, Done i'm very curious to.
Speaker 2: SEE i think he can end.
Speaker 1: Up being really good, Defensively like he's had to take
on some assignments where, oh it would be nice if
he got, stronger and there are times where he'll either
be ball watching and get lost and his clothes oouts
need to be, reckless but he can really get up on.
Speaker 2: Guys he's handled some bigger players THAN i.
Speaker 1: Thought he's probably just one of the Few washington wings
where if he's, like oh he's not, contesting maybe enough
shots at the, basket but he has just excellent size
at six,' nine really moves to me a, True WING
and i don't want to see him have this level
of on ball responsibility offensively long term when you look
at well, next year when you look at the full,
strength squad but as someone who is JUST like, i
mean he's drawn some fouls on some of his.
Speaker 2: Drives too he Leads the wizards in total drives for
the Month.
Speaker 1: Of march like that's the type of agency they have him,
working WITH and i THINK it's i always think it's
valuable to let players explore that time, and SPACE and
i while the numbers aren't always gonna, pop out if
you're gonna shoot thirty five percent from three when they're
not always the. Cleanest looks so if you're gonna shoot
forty six percent on drives when you have to self
start a lot, of them you want to, see him, you,
know like can he be a little bit more of
a consistent facilitator where there's not gonna be as many
turnovers coming out.
Speaker 2: Of, it dude it's a rookie, that's like we didn't
pro so he's he's the reason.
Speaker 1: TO watch i kind of isolated it down to, one
reason and he's the prospect coming in. THIS year I
thought i was ahead of the curve on A On
A keishaan george would be nice if he, was healthy,
for sure But Just will riley's NOT someone i probably talked.
Speaker 2: About or thought.
Speaker 1: MORE about i Should Say cam whitmore's rehabilitation Attempt in
washington More Than will riley. Coming in and so it's
been he's played a lot more this SEASON then i
don't KNOW if i should SAY that, i expected but
he's played a good amount. This season now you're just
this is, what's left this is What the wizards, are
doing and he has a bunch of control in a
huge role in.
Speaker 2: Their offense AND it's i.
Speaker 1: DON'T know i enjoy, watching IT and i think there's
there's more of a there's more OF an nba player
HERE than, i Thought and i'm gonna be very curious.
Speaker 2: To, SEE offensively i FEEL like.
Speaker 1: I get the sense of what he will, eventually be, Just,
like okay if he's gonna, line up he's third or
fourth down on the, pecking order and he should be
able to play away from, the ball maybe make some
quick decisions out of. Drives defensively i'm intrigued in a
WAY where i don't necessarily know what the OUTCOME because
i could see it going either way to where this
is someone who might get overpowered or you need to
try and put, him on or is that like the
third or. Fourth guy but there's just, BEEN moments i
mean against Like A jonathan Kaminga in atlanta in one
of the GAMES that i had seen some of just
the contests that he's getting on that guy or bodying
up against him as someone who still could. Get stronger,
I'm watching i'm.
Speaker 2: WATCHING more.
Speaker 3: I also think we need to give a shout Out
to Tristan, Vuk, Vusvik, vuksovich vuksovich and that one's that
one trips me up all the TIME because i keep
trying To, say VUSOVICH that's i don't, know why, thank
you thank you for the. Correction there i'm going to
struggle with that all. Night Long so i'm just gonna
call him tricky because that's that's. His Nickname, um no in,
All seriousness, OFFENSIVELY speaking i think he's one of the
most underrated big men in. The league he is just
so polished when it comes to. Offensive execution like is
he a bit of a black? Hole, Occasionally YES and
i think that needs to be something that comes within
the next tier of his. Development curves he just turned.
Twenty three though big men will usually take some time
to get acclimated to like the all roundness of, a
game but, for him he's, So potent like he comes
on the floor and he just scores and it's immediately.
It's effective he gets the, foul line, it converts he,
hits threes he's got a mid. RANGE game I just
i think this might be one of the, best contracts
non rookie contracts. Next year he's only at. THREE million
i just think so highly of the way, he moves
and if some team out there were to try to
get him and like install him in a more higher,
USAGE role i think he'd be a hell of. A
scorer like it wouldn't be even. Shock me he he's
a guy who comes back next year and takes like
that next step where it's like fifteen and eight in twenty,
something minutes and eventually we'll see him in, a full
full time starter capacity role where he's averaging. Twenty plus
like he's got. THE feel i just his approach is
ridiculously good for someone.
Speaker 1: This young about time he got a multi year deal from,
them too where they were playing sort of the two
way conversion game with him for.
Speaker 3: So Long same.
Speaker 2: I'm going to take us To The.
Speaker 1: BROOKLYN nets i really wanted to go into this saying
Something About nolan trejori's on ball speed and that's the
reason to watch, the nets and it's still sort of
fun to it is very fun to, watch that but
it needs to be more, Efficient still i'm going To
go zaire william off.
Speaker 2: Ball defense is so fucking sneaky.
Speaker 1: Right now he is just he's had some on, ball
stops don't get, me wrong but he's teleporting into. Passing lanes,
I've seen we've seen Him or i've seen him deny Passes.
Against biggs there was when they were like like bit like,
real bigs not just a bigger wing like. Actual centers
when you look at the players who have played as
many minutes as him in the Month. Of march here
are the leaders in, Steel percentage Russell Westbrook, Donovan mitchell
John Conchar, LaMelo Jokic Ellis herb jones having a little
bit of a de, defensive Renaissance And. Zaire williams he's
just making a ton of plays. For there he's shooting
the ball fairly Well in.
Speaker 2: March two it. Certainly helps but if.
Speaker 1: You're Someone Like, zaire williams who has the physical profile
of a player who always should have been better than he,
ultimately was he's going to create plays and transition by
virtue of going after. Those turnovers and there are moments
like he's, you know he'll sell out to get those
steals in. Passing lanes but the way that he's fighting,
on DEFENSE which i think has been a consistent theme
for a Lot of brooklyn's players During The jordi fernandez.
OR so, i mean kudos to all, of THEM but
i really wanted to focus on that because this is,
just like this is a team that really Needed to
like you look at the names on the roster and,
who's playing and how they've spread the minutes and how
the rotation has changed maybe from month. To Month sia
williams has been like a quiet constant, for Them and
i've been just really impressed on and it's fun, To
SEE like i like when players, fourth turnover they're just
gonna jump in to. Passing lands you're gonna see this
wing trying to deny the ball to a like a maximum,
right now or just someone.
Speaker 3: Who's ginormous i'm glad you Actually Gave satya williams, some
shine especially in. THAT regard i think there was a
point in time this YEAR where i was watching them
and felt AS though i needed him to. DO more
i still think he does needs to, do more, especially
offensively because HE'S so i think he's. So agile he's
like this lean. Six' nine he'll he occasionally he'll split
a double team or at least like a. Split the
screens like he'll do some stuff where it just leads,
me to believe you can do more offensively than, what
we've seen like. Lean into it we. Haven't seen that
but the sorry of the defensive side of the ball
has been a thing ever since He. Was in memphis
if he's growing with that role, More and more i'm
not going to say HUNDRED percent that i noticed. What
you notice, kudos to that but. THAT'D be great i
guess he's A Guy who i i've rooted for. A
long time i was expecting maybe him to turn into
more of an offensive player than. A defensive, one but
hey defensive guys gets contract in this, league as well
like they. Get a role so if that's the route
for him to become like a rotational player over the,
next ten years.
Speaker 1: GO do that i still don't know what he if
his threes could go. In he's at he's been at
fifty percent on three and a half attempts For. Game
in march that's never. Going to sustain if he was
a thirty seven percent just consistently, shooter from three we're
talking about.
Speaker 2: A different. PLAYER still Flaws i.
Speaker 1: Don't there Are moments IN memphis where i try to
talk myself and probably are some scribers Into On. BALL
zion williams i just don't think he's ever gonna draw
the reckers at. Number OF fouls and, i will say
the stuff he, does on defense some of it will
come at the expense of just like he's not gonna
could this dude grab a rebound for someone Who sings
nine but that's still.
Speaker 2: Fun To watch the nets are. Just there consistently. This
is stupid.
Speaker 1: It's not stupid they try that like all, these teams
try But like the nets are a team where a lot,
of the times.
Speaker 2: Even if you just pummel them like they.
Speaker 1: You feel them And josh might not was a runner honorable,
mention for me has been a runner up for that
because he's another sort of wingish type player who just
battles with bigs and then most recently. He GOES out
and i don't know if you saw His comments about.
KAT'S my guy i played with him for. FOR three
years i put play in quotes because he didn't play That,
much in minnesota but usually, he hates physicality and so
it's just. Like he cares and then there was the
other Comment after that knicks game where it's like he
this dude cares and he doesn't know Whether he's in
brooklyn for, the long haul. But he cares and that's
the that's the Culture that the nets seem to, be
setting there and so that would be my runner Up.
To is joshmyknot's he was a Fun watch in boston
for a good part, of the year and it's cool
to see him gets some More.
Speaker 3: RUN in, Brooklyn i agreed who do you you Have?
Speaker 2: Anything from brooklyn or you want to move on to.
Speaker 3: Your, next pick yeah let's see if we can move On,
BECAUSE for BROOKLYN i, just i mean that's, that sound
harsh but that that rosteris is wretched. At this point
so do we count? The?
Speaker 2: Bulls, HERE like yes i was leaving, them for, You, so.
Speaker 3: YEAH like but i really only. Have one guy.
Speaker 2: It's ONE guy oh I was gonna i thought it
Was Gonna.
Speaker 3: Be, Trey, JONES no no i like. We all established
we we have well established that he's, a good player someone,
we all love plays. The right way busilas. IS MY
GUY i i i hate the fact that he's stuck
on this team which just has no idea what's up
or down, because this, guy to me is someone who's
going to Be A. FUTURE all star i just love
to see how he's got more of a responsible to
handle the offense how. He, sees fit yes the ball
is Still Going, through josh giddy but he's allowed to
do more in terms, of just scoring creating, on his
own trying to seek out fouls like grab And Go
boards like i'm loving what he is being, allowed to
do and it feels like he could be the one
to really finally perhaps changed the course OF The Whole g,
league night thing, like you know the whole thing where
they haven't REALLY produced good nba players and so far
you're looking at the track record and you kind of
see what the. Criticism was about although, there are players
but like none of them have really turned. Into something
major he could be the guy to. ACTUALLY do that
i haven't looked at. His recent dumper I've looked at
i'm looking at him through, the whole year but it
does seem like he's just been given more urgency of
late in terms of his development that they've just said,
go DO you which i felt they should have done
from the start. OF the year i Think he was
i've alway thought he was so crucial to everything offensively
defensively because he just picks up weird blocks and weird
steals just by.
Speaker 1: Playing off of the his JUST as a i, know
he's huge but just as a non big the plays
that he can make at, the basket defensively it's just he's.
IN like that i think it's like the Eighty fifth
percent tyler or something in the percentage of shots contested
at the room when he's, on the floor, and that's
like if that's someone's gonna play like kind of a,
wing on offense then that's what he's gonna. Do on
defense that's a. Pretty big DEAL.
Speaker 3: And he i think there's there's an asset to him
in terms of The offense because. I've been surprised he
came IN with a i believe a close to one,
to one wingspan so like he he does not have,
a long wingspan and for him to actually be, THIS
assertive defensively i thought. Was very surprising, great for him
but it also means that he's actually got the chance
to develop a very compact, Three point shot like we've
seen this with guys who don't have these, very long
arms like they're like margin of error becomes a little
bit bigger in that sense when when the, arms are
shorter because like you can develop the muscle rhythm in
this in a, bit QUICKER sense and i think we're
seeing that with, him as well just in the mid range,
tier as well more three point. Shots GETTING up like
i am very much looking forward to seeing the player he,
becomes Next year but i'm also looking forward to seeing
how he rounds out this year because he is consistently
a factor, every single game, and you know don't know
if he's gonna pop for forty or he's gonna have,
A thirty piece like everything is kind of available for
him at this. Point in time so very hyped to
see the season of season ending. Of mazaes pacilis what, does.
Speaker 2: The like what?
Speaker 1: Are the bulls how do you anticipate them handling their
like rotation for the rest, Of the year like Is
this modest bousellis his Last game, Was march nineteen like
are These gonna be are they gonna play there guys until?
The very end or is this something like a Team
that's gonna should we be on shutdown watch for a,
lot of it because, like the names it's there are
some real, injuries out there like The j and ivy
stuff with his knave, that, seems, like you bummer he.
Speaker 2: Can't escape that.
Speaker 3: So If You, believe billy donovan it's like he's so
anti tank and so anti shutting, DOWN guys unnecessarily i
pretty much assume that every one of the guys who
are healthy are, going to PLAY even though i think that,
strategy is dumb especially when the league is considering changed
or considering they are going to change. The lottery, format
so like if you want to get, a difference maker
you want to try. To be bad now's the time
because you have no idea what you're. Facing next year.
So We'll see but i'm very skeptical that they'll do
quote unquote.
Speaker 1: The, right thing well but there's also that just makes,
THEM more ethical, i think though if they're gonna, go
that round so?
Speaker 2: Are the bulls are the?
Speaker 3: Fastion?
Speaker 1: Of ethics NOW late? Season nba ethics is? That what's
HAPPENING shout out i just, want to say Shout Out,
to trey jones who is has no business being this
good offensively for someone who you just don't trust to make,
a three pointer just to getting someone his size finishing in,
the restricted area getting to, the restricted area the stuff
that he could do, from mid range.
Speaker 2: And the paint Shout Out.
Speaker 1: To trey jones i'm going to take us to the
only two picks Left for these let's Go To the
indiana pacers more and the reason to. CONTINUE watching them
i hope at some point if we were to do
this in a, week or Something that talent peter would,
be On this but i'm gonna just go.
Speaker 2: With the more like More Audacity.
Speaker 1: From jaris walker he's, making bolder decisions in part because
we'll probably say this, word a lot but we're looking
at this point, in the year which is the lens
Through through which i'm looking at. All this stuff he
has a lot Of control over indiana is going. To
do offensively he's thrown some. Pretty badass passes there was
a dime he was like falling away on the sideline
and through a cross Court Pass to kobe brand in
the corner. For a three has had had a nice
alley Oop Throw. TO obi toppin i think that Was.
Against the spurs he also had the was it the
cutting like just a nice pocket Bounce Pass to andrew Nemhard.
Versus the spurs, just good sprays drop, offs to cutters pocket,
passes to cutters. Making quicker decisions it feels like, with
the ball and it's also extended a Little bit to
it feels like his confidence as. A shot taker so
maybe they're not, always going in but in The month
of march they are thirty eight point four percent, on
unassisted threes forty five percent on arc on above, the
break threes forty seven point four percent on, pull up
twos and shooting fifty three percent On. DRIVES in, March
i know i'm just throwing a bunch of, numbers out
there but he's doing a lot of on BALL work
and i don't feel like he's dominating the, ball too
much and THAT'S gonna be i guess it's it'll be
interesting to see what he looks like in an Ecosystem
That has tyrese Haliburton and passcal Siakam available and. Andrew
nemhart of but if he's gonna make the Quicker decisions,
that ben mcmathn it felt like he, never really could
and those. Two players aren't they're not analogus. For one
another but if he's able to make those quicker decisions upon,
getting the ball he's someone that you could envision fitting
into the broader context Of what the pacers want to,
Be next season and so. It'll be fascinating does he
pop up in trade? Talks this summer do they do
they talk? ABOUT an extension I Know It's, mickey mouse
march whatever anyone wants. To call it But seeing jaris
walker just getting to be to. Be more empowered he
doesn't really. Have A choice but I've Enjoyed the jaris walker.
Experience so far.
Speaker 3: I'm so glad you brought him up because he was
a big pre draft favorite of, mine back then and
the start of this, season WAS atrocious so i actually.
Looked at him so his twenty twenty five bits, OF
this season i have it for. You right here thirty,
four games played he was hitting thirty five point two
percent of, his shots overall nine, points per game four and.
A half boards was just out, Of sorts offensively like
defensively he was just he was still fight like that's
never been off the. Table for, him but offensively his
low point was just SO low that i was at
THAT point where i, kind of, imagined you know he's probably.
Gonna get traded we're gonna see if he's even gonna
get like his fourth year or maybe that had. Gotten
PICKED up but i remember having, a thought like is
his fourth, year option even like is that still up.
In the air now we're turning corner into, Twenty twenty
six he's played, thirty six games and all, of a
sudden he's hitting close to forty seven percent from, the
field overall almost forty two percent from three. Like six
boards he's up to about fourteen. Points per game like
it's a tail of two. Seasons for him and this
was such a necessary, development for him just to be
able to take those, shots with confidence make them. Build
on it like he had a Game, against the LAKERS
see when i don't remember what time, It, WAS here
yeah i was Actually, in early march like he had
this game and it wasn't even when that stood out
as much, like ten, points nine, Rebounds FIVE assists but
i remember watching it and he was so much more
in control, of his movements of. His shot selection whenever,
he took something it was. Out no hesitance the way he,
rebound the, ball pushed it the way he was passing
was everything kind of. Worked through him and that was
in such sharp contrast to how he, started the year
where when he had the ball, in his hands it had.
To make decisions he was. Unsure of himself he was, like,
looking overlooking LIKE just am i getting a guy who's moving?
Off the BALL what can? I? Find someone now he
picked like he would keep his dripple alive and he
would just consistently create and do something with the. Ball
FULL confidence so i love the factor of. Bringing him.
Speaker 2: Up, great name uh.
Speaker 1: You don't really get a pick here because. We have
won we have just want team Left In. The eastern
conference give us a reason more one reason To Watch.
THE milwaukee bucks i have a feeling that our reasons are.
Speaker 2: GONNA bisect, here i mean?
Speaker 3: Who's? Gonna win right is it going To be The?
Bucks or yannis like what that? Little fight there who's?
Gonna win THAT that's what i, want to, Know ultimately
Speaking like is yanni's going to be allowed to play
or are they going? To sit him which could have
pretty big consequences in terms of his continued employment with the.
CLUB moving forward i would just like to know where
that is going, to, end, up because frankly when you
ask me to find Reasons, outside, of, yanni's Like Yeah
like ryan Rawlins is someone i'd. LIKE to watch i
do Not Enjoy. Watching kyle kusman That's not someone i'm.
TUNING in for i could go a little bit and
be a Geeky And, say usman, jang which yeah he's
been playing. Well for late, but to me if you
have to boil it down, to one Name, that's Not Yanni's.
It's ryan rowland what a ridiculously good season he's. HAD this,
year i, mean seventeen points five and, a half assists
four and, a half boards forty, one from three consistently
creates his own look like this dude. Is a keeper thank,
goodness for that because could you Imagine how the bucks
have looked if he didn't turn the corner and become
like a full OF fletched starter i got it would
have been the worst watch.
Speaker 1: In, the league yeah he was also, my main reason
although you really you have To Give it usman jang
credit for he hit his three ball fairly well since He's,
been in milwaukee and the stuff that he could. DO
in transition i Was A huge ushman jang guy at
the start of His Time. In Oklahoma city don't that
doesn't seem that's one of, Those, cases where okay he
clearly didn't have a path, to playing time. But it's
not it doesn't feel like it was the organization's fault
because he did get.
Speaker 2: Plenty of chances but it's been fun to see him Show. Flashes.
Speaker 1: IN milwaukee Yeah I think ryan rowins is the, real
deal too and the level you kind of hinted the
the level of difficulty on some of the shots that he's.
ABLE to take i don't think people fully appreciated that
when you were looking at what he did last season
or what he could do coming. Into this season myself
on that included he's shooting thirty seven percent on step Back,
threes in march over fifty eight percent on his drives
when you're looking at the kind of the context Of
what my milwaukee's offense has. Needed to be but when
you zoom out on his Entire season more sga is
the only player who has as many points and assists
out of drives while also shooting over fifty. Percent thos
drives i'm kind OF surprised when i, watch him too
that he doesn't. Draw more fouls there's he has nifty
moments with his handle when he's coming out of, high
ball screens and even when he kind of bails out
the defense, on his drives It's Not this DeAndre ayton,
esque fading away like he gets into the. Body of
Opponents and so i'm wondering if you're looking at like
maybe if we're looking at the next front, Tier for
him i'm curious, what he becomes whether it's on a
Version of the bucks that are trying to, win Next
season did? GIANNIS get moved i wonder if that's maybe
the next front tier for him as We, look at
oh this is someone who we know he could generate.
His own offense we know he can kind of set
up his guys in a. Mostly Conventional matter but kenny
also kind of going up, against that defense has not
just hit, these difficult shots but get to the foul
line at let's say, a stars clip but but draw
more more FOULS there because I don't maybe bucks fans have,
watched him more but.
Speaker 2: HE is not i don't view him.
Speaker 1: As contact evasive and so some of just the stuff
that he's done, in the lane it's made me surprised
that he doesn't draw them.
Speaker 3: Off more fouls so He's Got the. Derek ross problem
so now we've don't take take us way back to,
the Early days but rose. Obviously super athletic when he came.
Into the paint he would take, not necessarily floaters but
like he would jump up and then he would like
make a sort. Of, push shot yeah, that be contact
but he wouldn't be the type of contact that would
require or force the official to. Blow THE WHISTLE and
i i Think in time rose learned to how to,
absorb the contact then finish the play and then gets to.
THE foul line i think that is going to be
The play for rollins because despite being, just six' three
he's like one hundred and eighty five. One hundred ninety pounds.
He's built well like he doesn't look. Slight in that
way he's. Also KIND of explosive so i think for
him it's about having, the confidence, To say all right
i'm not going to bail out the defense by putting up.
This little push shot i'm actually going to go into
the chest. Of the big. Man create THAT contract make
sure i have the body and the ball a little
bit away FROM the body so I can see if
i can actually complete. The three point play that's that's
at least, my READ, on it, BECAUSE i like you
i don't think, he IS avoiding contact but i don't
think he's taking the necessary contact to force officials.
Speaker 1: To caul to vowel we Move On to THE western
conference and i get to pick. WHERE we START here
i think i feel as if people know, where This
Is going.
Speaker 2: It's, CODY williams time moret i still don't trust him
to hit in.
Speaker 1: Above the break three but it Should, be noted before
march he was shooting eleven percent on above the break
threes and he's, now AT thirty percent so i call him.
A dead eye shooter the real Difference difference is that
i've noticed with him is the strength increase or not
being as afraid to try and get to the basket or.
Operate in the. Paint it feels real he's at fifty
eight point eight percent on twos In. The month of
march that includes seventy point six percent, in the restricted
area which is actually a downgrade from where he was
fifty eight point three percent.
Speaker 2: On twos that are in the outside.
Speaker 1: Of the restricted area he has the second most drives
on the, team during this month which he's shooting fifty
one point, five percent out of and his foul rate
on them has basically almost doubled from the first. Part
of the season is getting fouled a nine, percent of
his drives which, isn't a huge number but it's way
up from. Five Point five percent this this was staggering
TO me because when i was looking at how many
sort of felt like self starting drives he had In
the month of march and it's. Not over yet more In,
the month of march he has made eighteen unassisted field goals.
Through the, entire Season before, that before march started he
made twenty.
Speaker 2: Two unassisted field Goals This Again to.
Speaker 1: MICKEY mouse March Caveat i think cody williams is going
to BE not the player i THOUGHT he was when
i have number one, On my big board but he's
going TO be a real nba Rotation player for a
jazz TEAM next year that i. Expect to be good, and,
so it's not oh he's just. In Some team's rotation
the jazz are going to, try TO be good And
I think that cody williams is going to be able
to be an. Active part of why AND he's doing
some i don't really know what to make of. Him
on defense yet i'd like to see him, grab more
rebounds too but he's doing more of, the connective, stuff
too where okay there are self starting drives and he
does have more, control over the offense but. It's not
overly dominant the, decisions ARE quick enough and i would
be curious to know if he's had End In conversations
with kevin love about keeping his head up in transition after,
he gets the ball because that's where a lot.
Speaker 2: Of his assists.
Speaker 1: Are going to come, he's just gonna move push the,
ball up the floor just throw the, ball up the
floor which is Something That we know kevin.
Speaker 2: Love Was, Famous for cody williams, i'm saying it now never.
Speaker 1: GAVE up on him i certainly he's not gonna be
the best, player FROM his draft as i was, saying,
AT the time though i think he's gonna be ready to.
BE a rotation player i won't even SAY on, a
real nba team BUT on, a good nba TEAM because
that's What i think the jazz are going, to be next,
year BY next season and i am, delighted to SEE
it especially because i was pretty down on him.
Speaker 2: COMING into this season i was WORRIED it.
Speaker 1: WAS the i was i was naming him as a
second draft guy other teams could. TAKE a look at
i kind of wondered even and. This could still, happen
by the way When you look at utah's roster, leading
into next year you got your You Got, your guy
bryce sensaba you have whoever they're gonna take. In this
Year's Draft, You Have ace bailey jared jackson Junior lowry
Market in where does cody will fall into the perimeter
rotation meld with all the players who are available is a.
FAIR question to ask i think he's going, to be
a factor though maybe maybe he gets moved. Anyway there's
a team but if if you have A Chance to
get cody williams and he's still viewed as a Second,
draft guy in utah.
Speaker 2: YOU should be pouncing i just don't think they.
Speaker 1: VIEW him that WAY i think they i think he's
going to become someone they're at least going to give, A,
real opportunity to hey could you be the seventh or
eighth guy on a team that's trying.
Speaker 3: To make the playoffs he's basically had the Exact Same
season as jaris walker in the regard that his twenty.
TWENTY five Just sucked i remember jazz fans By the
end of december, just being you know this guy might
be the WORST, Player in the nba like that's what
they were saying out lock because he was hitting thirty four,
percent from the field, ten percent from three and he
was scoring under, three points per game grabbing just over
a board in almost thirteen. Minutes of playing time the
criticism there was, He just does nothing, he's just, standing
around he's timid he doesn't really look like someone who.
Wants to be there flip the script twenty twenty six
and the thirty eight games he's played this year fifty one,
percent from the field almost, Thirty percent from three so
that's tripling of his, efficiency on that regard like three,
and a half. Boards almost ten points. LIKE there's a
switch I don't know if nba players go into like the,
second half of year like when the Calendar Switches to
every new, Year's, and just, go okay, new year new
season but something. Clicks for Some Guys walker and cody
williams are, great example of this guys who were just
looked at as can we even continue like justify having
you in our, rotation to oh shit yes we can because.
You're actually your players, you can actually perform, you can
actually produce you. Can give us something and That's The
story with. Coded williams right now the. Roster crunch is
interesting i'm still trying to figure out like what his
role is in terms not the role, like not necessarily
position but like what kind. Of player is he i'm
still trying, to, figure that out like? Is he a
wing is he? More for a, four if he is
is he going to be more for like a traditional
small ball for is he one who's going to?
Speaker 2: Be?
Speaker 3: More, For playmaking guy like i'm still trying to figure
out what his like. Pending situation, will, be. YOU'RE muted
good sir.
Speaker 1: I think what's interesting with him is that because of
the Positional blur that the jazz have When, You Look,
At Okay, Jared jackson Junior Lowry, MARKT and ace bailey
i don't think he needs to be, a forward like
you but depending on, who's on the floor you could
slot him, in as the. Two three or four maybe
you have to game, your DEFENSIVE assignments accordingly because i
still don't think he's physical enough to rumble with some.
Of the bigger forwards but he's also not you don't
want him quick enough to let's throw him at the
point of Attack Instead. Of a kante george you're not
gonna want. To do that either, the pecking water stuff
it's tough to have that conversation without seeing where they
land in the draft, AND who, they take i think
and then how committed are they, to DEVELOPING that player
but i.
Speaker 2: THINK he can handle i. Think he's, a wing to.
Speaker 1: ME he's A wing i don't i don't, know what
his offense what, the comp would be what can his
offense scale two where it's is this Like low end,
McHale bridges type deal and that's even he's just he's
already More. Physical than mckaal bridges so that's kind, of
a terrible example but that that might be.
Speaker 2: Something to strive for so we need to see what
he kind of looks like in.
Speaker 1: A scale down version and part of the, scale, down
version is though you want someone who, could hit their
threes because if you're not going, to be dominant defensively
your ability to either get to the basket or hit shots,
from the in between that's not going to be as
valuable when you're being, knocked down to fourth third or
fourth in the in the.
Speaker 2: On ball pecking order.
Speaker 3: Since before we Move, on from the jazz there's ONE
more guy who i. Also, want to.
Speaker 2: MANIACAL yes so close i, WAS going.
Speaker 3: To Say i, see a calier though but, That's fair
good shout like, clearly in a nutshell, the seems best
passer best, playmaker in that regard not the, best three
point shooter so defenses are just trying to like, give
him the shot which means fewer passing angles if he,
rounds out this year taking the three ball, at a
higher rate start converting, a little bit more and that
leads into a. Load more of creativity as for, Him
as a playmaker i'm going to be super intrigued to
see how they're going to, use him, next year as
like are they are they going to throw him into,
like a you know multi ball Heiler, Guard situation with
george like what are? You, they're gonna do like are
they gonna throw him? Into the starting lineup is he
going to just be the primary guy in charge of
the secondary unit like he's. BEEN primarily this year i
want to know what the, plan IS with him and
i want to see him just take those steps because
he's so good at getting, to the foul line he's
so good at using those wide ass shoulders that three
ball needs to come for him. TO Like, Completely explode.
Speaker 2: I yeah i'm. Still intrigued by him.
Speaker 1: I'm, coming off that, YEAH the, next guard i guess
the first guard off the bench unless they end up
drafting one would make because they don't have that play
like they don't have that facilitator type like of.
Speaker 2: The future right there so do you think that his
three ball? IS gonna. COME along i don't i, don't
like the release.
Speaker 3: But it's also INCONSISTENT so it's like i can't SIT
here and say i hate every release. Because that's the
problem sometimes you'll have like the, proper spin on it
his feet will be set. In the right way he'll
have like the power, transfer going completely, accurate where, you
see oh, oh there's there's potential, and the next one the,
legs won't, get it be involved or the legs will,
be too much involved like it's. Not the same shot, and,
So it's difficult right like he just needs to ironed
that out or JUST that's not where, i used to
word just. Because that's extremely difficult but it should be
something they, at least figure out because if he's not going,
to be a shooter then he needs to be, a
playmaker slash slasher and that's a far more difficult role,
to be put INTO. Especially In today's nba so i'm
just curious how to see how to see how he's gonna.
Wrap up this year i'm.
Speaker 1: Still trying to spend time on finding what would be
a good Ceiling Comp, if for cody williams?
Speaker 2: Would you be upset? WOULD you, BE upset i know
i KNOW this is ram i was just.
Speaker 1: It's wrapping my brain would you be upset if he
turned into, a a let's Say A?
Speaker 2: More dynamic DEAN wade.
Speaker 3: Why would i? Be Upset at that cody williams came
in in a draft, that was not great where expectations
were on it virtually. Everyone were very tempered if he
Turns into a Rich Man version of dean wade needs.
Speaker 1: To shoot the ball, better for beyond that Then that's
one thing i'm trying to think of someone who's like not,
a dead eye shooters not not even, like a good
shooter because even if You Start, to because herb jones
he's not dominanough dominant Enough Defensively.
Speaker 2: TO be Herb Jones i think dean Wade is the
one i'm Gonna High endan.
Speaker 3: Way DeAndre hunter with worse with better defense and little
worse offense.
Speaker 2: And actually passing that's that was. JUST too, many, skills,
i feel yeah.
Speaker 3: Yeah it's, not kind of fit but like honestly A, better,
version of wait no.
Speaker 1: HE'S not the ball i, was about to say what
about a Less Chaotic? Version Of Tory easton but tarry
easton shot the ball too well for.
Speaker 2: Most, of this year, Yeah. That's that's mean tatari.
Speaker 1: What about Maybe A less explosive peyton watson like they're,
kind of go oh we don't know, about the jump
shop but they could do.
Speaker 3: All.
Speaker 2: THESE other things.
Speaker 3: Yeah i don't hate that because also both a lane.
KY like. POSITIONALLY fluid i don't. I don't hate that.
That's a good one.
Speaker 2: I'D probably prefer if i were picking.
Speaker 1: WHO he could become i prefer the, higher end weight
outcome feels easier to. Fit in more situations but that's
gonna Have to, BE a I'M sorry I just i got.
Speaker 3: I'm A sure guys whenever i, BRING up my guys
i go on for like. Five or. SIX minutes, it's FINE.
Speaker 2: I thought he i think we're Not.
Speaker 1: COMPARED him to calenandra i think he was gonna be
Like A combination Of Devin vessel and.
Speaker 2: CHRIS middleton or something I don't. Know, what i, said.
Speaker 3: Jesus all right.
Speaker 2: That's that's what's conference if do you want? To GO
TO next So.
Speaker 3: I i swear i'm not trying, to Like punch down
and i'm not trying to insult. THE fan base here i,
WAS going to go i was going To, go WITH
the KINGS but i just i can't find, anything that
fix it a reason For me, to keeping King stuff,
Like got, KING stuff Like okay, I got, king Stuff So,
okay maybe mexicine renault. But like.
Speaker 1: That's IT that's well so i purposely Did Not, focus,
on maxim renault, who by the way is. JUST gonna
be good i don't know if he's ever gonna have,
it in between game but, space of the floor score
around the basket can Play Alongside another big. Dylan cardwell's
a psychopath the effort that he gives on the. Defensive
end is nuts he's in the ninety fifth percentile of
rimpoint saved.
Speaker 2: Per one hundred.
Speaker 1: Possessions there's also data baller HAS this stat WHICH i
love and i.
Speaker 2: Haven't really started using yet because.
Speaker 1: It's just not mainstream but, it's called stop percentage which
it's the it's the share of blocks and steals that
were recovered by the defense as well. As offensive fouls
drawn he's the ninety. Fourth percentile of that like that's
just checking all the what they would call the quote
unquote hustle boxes what, He also does though i've been
trying to figure out what. He could be offensively they
Have Played, him WITH maxim renault but i was wondering
if he Could Play let's say demontice bonus still on,
This team next season like what are those minutes look
like WHEN neither of Those i guess the bonus can
stretch the.
Speaker 2: Floor a little bit, that was.
Speaker 3: To like, he REALLY means you Because. I mean card
well i love him for all, the recencis you stated
but a floor. Spaceer, He is not.
Speaker 1: No but we've seen someabonus provide stretch before, Some of
it anyway but You look at what cardwell does as
an offensive rebounder is. Also Kind of insane the kings's
offensive rebounding and he's, Battling bigger dudes too like it's
going up Against If, it's a donovan Klinkett If, it's
an andre drummond and he's fighting for boards and winning.
Those battles against them sacramento's offensive rebounding rate improves by
just about eight points when he's on the floor out
of every player who has. Logged five hundred minutes this.
Is this entire season i'm not Even. Talking About just
march now here's everyone that improves their team's offensive rebounding rate.
By A, larger share mitchell, Robinson That's, a given, isaiah hartenstein,
no appenda, Shout Out, no appenda, steven adams of course
And Then there's just dylan cardwell bonker.
Speaker 2: Stuff FROM him there but i.
Speaker 1: DID endeavor to see i don't trust him to necessarily
go right back up with it off of offensive rebounds
of like throw up. Some maybe, junk hooks he does
he's gotten a little better about spraying the ball. OUT
off of them i really don't know what he's gonna become.
On the offensive end he. Can't really he does he
thinks he has a like he has some touch, on
his hook shot but he can. SCORE around the basket
i think he's also really good at relocating in tight
spaces after he gets rid of the ball Where it's
not the kings are not having him run, these traditional
dribble handoffs but he's put the ball on the, floor
a little bit and the way HE moves in what
i would call less than ideal spacing at times does.
Give me some hope and he's not, the most physical
screener but he knows the kind of like how to
get his direct path to the basket or if he
needs to veer out of the way. Of his ball
handlers this is Just if, you're a kings fan or
even If you're not a kings fan And you're, watching
a king's game this is the exact type of player
you want on this type of team to where it's
he's GOING to do, something i don't know seven, to
nineteen times again where he's getting real minutes that, you're
actually gonna notice and sometimes it won't show up, in
the box score but, if it's even okay he's not
the one who, grabbed the offensive rebound but if he's
soaking up the battle from two dudes and Someone else
on the kings is. Able to Grab, it Dylan Card
well this sacramento king season sucks and they have probably
been the single most DEPRESSING watch in. The nba all
year even During There was that KING'S jazz game which
i said was Gonna Be the LAST cody williams game
i watched the season because he dropped THIRTY four POINTS
and i didn't i wanted, that tattooed to memory and
then HE went off for I think it was i
didn't watch that game and went off for like twenty
three Or something against the bucks a.
Speaker 2: Couple of nights later.
Speaker 1: But just watching demark and go to work in that
game against, whatever It had become The Kings And the
jazz dylan cardwell's a reason you watch Games, like that
in March, Whether you're a jazzana kings faner OR just.
A general nba fan and so if what comes out
of This season For The Kings is rao dling cardwell
more information on other guys they, have on the roster.
It's not worth it, but like the moments like, these
moments right now that's the Reason to. Tune INTO king's
games And I, THINK just dylan cardwell i enjoy Watching
him more. Than maxine right now he's the, better PLAYER
Right Now but i dylan carl is just.
Speaker 2: SO fun to.
Speaker 3: Watch i love how your big selling Proposition to keep
watching king's game is a backup center who plays. Twenty
minutes per, game that, is SICK hot shit and i
respect the. HELL out of it i see.
Speaker 2: The extras that we're literally. DOING reasons, to watch.
Speaker 3: I mean you also got a headline grab A little
bit like i'm not going to go In There with Like.
Trey jones with Chicago I've gotta, go matzas pasila's like
you're going. WITH a backup, CENTER i, RESPECT it. I
said i respected but that's that's that's that's very sick,
ho shit. Right there it's YOU this wasn't really i guess.
This was my pick so you you who? Do YOU
want next so i Was. Thinking of going dallas but
it also becomes a, little bit You know obvious why
i'm picking them because you want to keep seeing, like
the young guys and you want to see, what they
turn into how they, wrap up their season because there's
not really a whole lot of hope for him to.
Have a good Year but, LIKE the flag experience i
think you have, to appreciate, when young you know potentially,
potential superstars are young because you can never rewatch that
in this in like in real, time, When, they're developing
right so soaking up his rookie. Season is so important
he has been. Such a revelation offensively we all thought
he'd be this ridiculously gifted defensive player. Coming into the
league it's not like he hasn't been, a good defensive
player but we thought that that would be way. Ahead
of his. Offense it HASN'T been it's been i would argue.
The other. Way around so far that's not a bad
thing because that's something he has. To learn to be.
It's a way player you just if you're a mass
fan or if you're just SOMEONE who loves, the nb
at large go check out a guy who's going, to
be a Future Like, likely perennial all star look at
his rookie season and and remember it because like we
all did The, same thing with wemby we all did
The same thing with. LEBRON way, back when i mean
we've seen all these guys come in, and become generational
players and it's just about absorbing their. Career as a,
whole so for me the Whole Story. Is about. Cooper
flag excuse me it's not about, some backup, who's playing
you know eighteen minutes. Twenty minutes a GAME but that
is i hope you. You consider IT, REGARDLESS why.
Speaker 1: Wouldn't, i I mean cooper the MAVs have to be
i'm trying to think of the teams we just Talked,
about already for god. But he has to they're the
team that has the single easiest Reason so watch is
cooper flag is just this dominant physical specimen and continues
to just make difficult. Shots on the interior when you're
Looking at how, the MAVs. Are playing he is he
is the defensive playmaker that, He's SUPPOSED to be and
i think there are a handful of plays from him
every game where they're just so physically imposing and, YOU start,
to think i mean if he could hit maybe a
little bit more from inside the paint, but outside their
stratio if he does ever, develop, a jump shot like
what is going to be the? Solve for this guy
and the answer is there.
Speaker 2: Just won't be one won't be, One, at that point yeah.
Speaker 1: He's like He's not gonna Win. Rookie of the year
That's Gonna. Go To contin nipple but i've been impressed
with more. Of his offensive poison and then the defensively is,
just as a rookie like he's Got to be the.
No notes player there uh My pick FOR the MAVs since.
Speaker 2: I knew you Would have, gone with cooper playing.
Speaker 1: HE is the reason i, Just Want to say naji
MARSHALL just continues to i Don't know if that i've
seen him miss a floater or a shot, out of
a drive, his hustle in transition hustle, on the defensive
end getting fired Up in games in march two. WHERE
he's Just Screaming i the naji marshall experience is, just
AN absolute PLEASURE and i was I don't know if i,
was CRITICAL of them but i wanted teams to steal him.
At the trade deadline but The reporting was the MAVs
wanted a first. ROUND pick for him i don't know
what type of first round pick, they wanted for, him
but there's like there's probably some teams that like contenders
specifically that.
Speaker 2: Should have considered it so that's another dude.
Speaker 1: Where, you look at him if you're looking at just
the box scor or even when, you do, WATCH him
it's ah i wish he, would TAKE that three or
i wish he would make. More of his threes but when,
he gets going downhill there is a level of unpredictability
to how, he's going to finish and He has turned
into we saw hints and even extended flashes of this
player When He, was in new orleans but since He's Come,
to the dallas mavericks It's Been like the naji marshall
experience has leveled, up quite a bit and so he.
Would be another reason And it's just the MAVs trying
to like play the positional game where there is just
some overlap with their players When You're, looking at cooper
flag WHEN. You're looking At Pj washington and naji marshall
and having a, figure to, navigate, that and it's.
Speaker 2: Oh we're still like we might just play a big in.
Speaker 1: Some Of those minutes marvin badley has been quietly competent.
For them as well But The answer is cooper flag
and hoping that by the, time this comes.
Speaker 2: Out This Isn't dated a cooper.
Speaker 1: Flag is like they play him until the end of
the season because he's.
Speaker 3: SUPER fun to watch I realized today because, i COMPLETELY
forgot it AND i don't think i actually ended up
watching a single game of His last Year In memphis
that Marvin bagley was in MEMPHIS last year because i
was looking him up earlier After he GOT to, dallas,
because i thought okay like might he might have found
a home And He. Was like deedswarts memphis this dude
needs a, Home AT some point like i know he's
not worth the draft type and that still tracks, him
AND follows, HIM which i think i think it's unfair
at this, Point, in his career. Like get over it it.
Is what it is like he's still someone who, can put.
Up points grab rebounds he's become a little bit more of,
a floor spacer occasionally. At least this year like just
give him a roll somewhere like? Twenty minutes? BACK up
why not i need this guy just just not move
team every. Single trade at life. Give, HIM a, home.
Speaker 1: Yeah i mean he seems to be proving when you
look at how He was, playing in washington too that
HE could be. An nba rotation player it's just do
you trust if, you're a backup big and the things
you don't do or consistently space the floor or provide,
a ton of defense those are like kind of the
toughest backup. Bigs to fit IN and that's where i think.
He runs into issues we have two Teams Left. In
the WESTERN conference what do? I want, to do i
mean This one's easy for Memphis is the tie. Jerome
experience this year this is just to give you paint
a picture to everyone on the Level Of responsibility that
Ti jerome has in memphis because of injuries and where they,
are in the standings but still hasn't played in a
ton of games relative. Everyone else this year but if
anyone averaging over, twenty minutes per game which is two
hundred and, seventy plus players more here's every player who
has a larger share of their made, field goals going,
unassisted So Self Created, Shake, Gil, Just, Alexander, james harden luka.
Doncic and That's It sevent of ti jerome's sh shot made,
shots are coming unassisted and that's not now SOME of,
the names i said people Don't Enjoy, watching them ti
jerome there's a novelty to it that makes him. More
polarizing to me but it's also the, way he's doing
it use his left right shoulder or whatever to create
a separation and throw. Off float his floaters they'll go
in and we see. The efficiency on them wax and
wait a, little bit this year but.
Speaker 2: They all of them.
Speaker 1: Look like an accident they're so unnecessarily difficult when you're
looking at some of the points or the angles that
he's GOING to he's also i mean, the unassisted three
pointers like thirty eight percent on unassisted above, the breakthroughs
this year, which by the way are pretty huge part,
of his shot diet and almost ninety percent of. Them
are going, UNASSISTED he should not i, WANT to be
clear i don't know he's not having this much influence,
over a playoff offense but corralling, him off the dribble
if you have to, see him, go, up like yeah
Okay he's not. Gonna jane McDaniels type We Saw him give,
ty jerome, some, problems but like okay still gonna be
like physical against those dudes and try and. Get inside
the arc if he can't get into the paint, coming,
around a screen like he's gonna try and and find
a way to either give the ball up. And GET
it back and. I Love high usage ti jerome is
so fun and he's in this role and still really especially,
RELATIVE to the role i would say. He's still very
efficient you want someone who's like if the, entire point
would be we want a ball handler who knows he's
not gonna come in not playing, a ton of minutes
and he is coming back missing from a ton of
like the first part, of the entire season but out
from three In the month of march and just being
like overly. Efficient, relative to expectations overall he's been. A
joy to watch and JUST the other note I have
here Because I love him taylor hendrix doing big man,
things on the defense event, just, picking up steels blocks contesting,
shots around the rim shooting a Three. Ball, well in
memphis overall still don't have the best feel for where,
he's gonna land offensively but it's nice to see him,
like Healthy and playing and i'm curious to see what
He'd Turned into a memphis so.
Speaker 2: Shout out To Him.
Speaker 3: Good shout like jerome is such a good name TO
bring up because i think he flies under the radar
because it's the latest. Part of, the season you know
he just returned for a team that's. BEEN selling off
pieces i don't think people really appreciate, the amount of
minutes so that the lack of minutes really that he,
Does his production in, like averaging, twenty points three. Rebounds and,
six assists you know those are good numbers when you
consider he's doing that in twenty two god. Damn minutes
per game use something popular eyes a little bit and
going what? He's doing what now so it's a good
shout getting him uh some some attention per thirty six,
numbers by the way thirty two point nine. And sists,
PER game.
Speaker 1: And Look i mean the grizzlies have more players even
when they're far from operating at their peak than some
of these other teams that.
Speaker 2: Are in the discussion but it's.
Speaker 1: Just racking up those, assists, when You Like oh like
javon small, is Getting Minutes here or jamal mayshack is
playing or Like we've Seen Uh rayon repair o max
prospers like. Playing center for them it's That's what makes.
The TIJEROME experience special AND i did not i had, this,
in my notes SORRY the ones That I. Had on
taylor hendrix here's every player averaging as many blocks and
steals per thirty six minutes In the month of march
while having played in, More Than, Five games asar. Thompson
And That's it so taylor hendrix.
Speaker 2: Is that's still fun still.
Speaker 1: Of hope, For him but yeah tijerome Is if, you're
the grizzlies what they're, in, a weird space right because
If You don't view john morant Like Doesn't, we enough
ti Jeromes, shooter with the grizzlies feel tied To How
they view john morant because he's a player you want
if you're, trying to be good Or if you're the
grizzlies and You're Pivoting, off of, john, rant, you're like
well no Then We still Have, Ti Jerome and scotti
pippen junior moving forwar where we want, to Keep.
Speaker 3: Him around And kim spencer, too, oka But Yeah yeah
like cam spencer is also. FLYING under the radar i
know the guy is primarily, a three point shooter but
like you can't forget about the fact that he's. Such
a potent playmaker.
Speaker 1: Like he's also he has like a fuck, You, to
him defensively yeah, not the best, defender, but, for, sure.
Speaker 3: No no no but like he tries and he's aggressive
and like, he's in. Your grill like, ABSOLUTELY by the
way I don't know why i keep, coming back to
this and he's way too early in his career, to
like project THIS but every time, i watch him PLAY
and every time i see, HIM like execute plays i
just keep thinking he's going to be an excellent coach in.
About TWELVE fifteen years like i think we're going to find. Him,
on the sideline really why this, smart's the court vision
the way that he just, like calls shit out the
way he executes everything. IS with a purpose i don't
think there's wasted movement. IN what he does i don't think.
There's any waste space he seems to just understand the
floor and he seems to be able to execute it
in a way that so. Many players just can't he
thinks the game at, such A high level so i
wouldn't be shocked at all to see him one day
just when his body, like starts to decline suddenly he's. He's,
a backup somewhere well, he's a backup now but you
catch My drift like a, Celton used back up like
his ass getting closer and, closer to the coaches or
like he's talking with the assistant coaches every single game
and like naturally like glides into. A coaching role somewhere
he just feels like. That type of dude we.
Speaker 1: Only have one more team To, Talk about, more enson
and look we shouldn't have included them because, they're trying
to win maybe more than anyone else who, is on
this list and more when they are In the month of.
Speaker 2: March over five hundred top.
Speaker 1: TWELVE offense and defense i think they're fourteenth and net rating.
Speaker 2: Or whatever it is they've had some. Really.
Speaker 1: Good wins too yeah my reason, to watch Them Though is.
Its dejante murray related it's been, nice that he's good
but the defensive Combination Of him and herb jones is.
It should be illegal Like The pressure that new orleans,
overall is bringing, defensively especially of late. Is kind Of
insane But when jones and murray, are on the floor
opponents are coughing the ball up on almost sixteen. Percent
of their possessions that would be firmly, in the top
seven right around the top five if that were. A
Season long mark the pelicans are really making. Waves with,
that combination look there they're trying to play the guys
that are gonna contribute to wins when You're Looking at
A Zion williams And Trey, Murphy To jontay murray. Herb
jones As well but the pelicans overall been a pleasant
watch relative to.
Speaker 2: This time of.
Speaker 1: Year, looking AT their record and i will just Say
They Are one golden state warriors nine game losing streak
away followed by a nine game Winning, streak from the
pelicans a way of getting right back. INTO play in
territories i don't even know if they should have been
filtered in to the tanking, level of this Exercise But
to see new orleans it's not just kind. OF grind
out Wins i feel like i've seen enough because they've
navigated so much topsy turbiness this Year to Think that
james brego all we. Should have gotten consideration i'm curious
to see what their head coaching search.
Speaker 2: Looks like this summer but he might.
Speaker 1: Just be the answer and maybe you won't feel terrible, to,
if you hear oh they. Didn't interview anybody else there'll
be criticism to. Be lobbed out there but he's gotten
creative with the way. He's using his teams he's. Made
some bold decisions when you're looking at the lineups he's
run and maybe trying to pull back And Like we're using,
derek queen too much or this front core. COMBINATION isn't
gonna work i respect, what HE'S doing there but i
think the hallmark of the pelicanss.
Speaker 2: We watch them.
Speaker 1: Today they are, more aggressive defensive team and that makes
them eminently watchable for.
Speaker 3: This time of year i'm going to go with a
Bigger Name. Here in trey murphy just can we have
a conversation how he's just morphed himself into the most
like traditional yet explosive. Wing in the league like this dude.
Will just fit everywhere not trying to. Send him somewhere
else i'm just saying that the flexibility of him coming
into any type of lineup and just being, the ultimate
floor spacer but also with the capability of handling the
ball and getting himself into the paint and, just yamming
on people getting, to the foul line even making plays for,
others off the bounds like THIS dude is just i love.
THE stability of him i love. THE consistency of him
i think he has been a necessary baseline for this
team to even get. ON this good ass i don't
want to call, it a streak necessarily but like they
are in a, positive mindset right now but they've also
needed someone with stability because we've Known for years that,
zion WOULDN'T provide that And i know that, murphy has missed,
games but even, so whenever he's played you've known what you've.
Gotten out of him it's the. Same thing this year
it's the same thing year in and. Year out with,
him at this point you just. TRUST everything he does
i love. THIS dude so much i wouldn't be shocked
if just they continuously get calls over the summer for him.
And just decline outright.
Speaker 1: It's been cool to see the what you want to
call it offensive interplay or Balance with Him And zion
and dejanta murray to where they're all basically just averaging
twenty points a game. Over the past month AND you
look at i don't know how much you've caught of
just the starting lineup. That they've been using so, you
have those Three You, throw in herb jones And then.
It's deep bay, there like they like that lineup has
been absolutely. Killing it for them they're plus thirteen points
per one hundred, posessions on the season decidedly above average on.
Both offense and, DEFENSE and, that's like i mean even They,
lose to, the calves but like that's. A game that's Close,
you beat the Clippers, who are real Like you beat
the clippers, on back to backs and you beat them more.
When they fielded there i'll Say realer team because kawhi
played in the first leg of that that back, to
back with them So, Like just pummeling dallas I'm. ALMOST
beating the rockets i guess that's not, really a, feat
Nowadays but still, the, Pelicans are FRISKY man, AND it's
i don't i don't know what this means for the
for the long term because a lot of the guys
who are driving MOST of, what's HAPPENING i Understand And
i mean jeremiah fears has played well off the bench.
For Them this month derrek queen has played well off.
Speaker 2: THE bench. AS well i don't i don't know what
to do.
Speaker 1: With off this though is it because it's because of the,
players ON the Team IT'S i think schmidt i had
reported they're gonna try and, be good next year and
so are We Gonna get a scoot Henderson type SITUATION
in portland where i know injuries, have contributed to this
but this is someone who they have a lot of
draft equity, invested in this player but he hasn't locked.
Down a Starting spot and the pelican situation is just
so different From. What's HAPPENED in portland but i don't
if you're trying to Be, good as the pelicans but
you're looking at the players that, Are, driving it right
Yeah you're all drive? You found the balance do You
do You think queen or fears is like is someone
gonna be moved in favor of? ONE of them starting
i don't know that's more of, an off season thing
but This is if the pelicans are trying to. Be
good next year but we're WATCHING right now and, i
know it's important maybe not to read too. Much into
the results has probably only, complicated Their OFF season and i'm.
Speaker 2: I DON'T know whether that's i don't know whether.
Speaker 1: That's good or bad but It doesn't That The levers
that james barrego has, pulled more of late like they've clearly.
Been the right Ones and so the pelicans that the
players in him deserve a, ton of credit here especially this,
time of the year with the, Energy they're playing with
like this is this is a team if if you
were looking for, guys that could quit not most of
these guys aren't playing. For their next contract when you,
look at who's playing they know that, they MIGHT be
thinking am i going to be? Traded over the offseason
what's the? DIRECTION of this franchise i don't trust that
the organization is going to INVEST in it or i
don't trust that they're going to commit. To a smart
timeline and so to see them play like their best basketball.
Speaker 2: This season at, This at this time.
Speaker 1: I've really enjoyed it AND so there's a i don't maybe,
a lot to stretch but there are Good Things happening
in new orleans. TO close the year i just don't
know how much of an impact it has on how we.
Speaker 2: Should view their Future.
Speaker 3: AND so rap bob i just wanted to Sinkle Out.
LIKE the, sadik BAY i mean the acls, here was
so devastating. MISSED a whole year i didn't think he'd.
COME back like, this i really didn't and he was coming, into,
AN organization that look i don't think highly of them
in terms of like the way that they. Executed in The, FRONT.
Speaker 1: Why why well i think. They made a Couple They don't,
PLAY jordan hawkins enough, i get.
Speaker 3: It right that's too but for him to, find that
rolling there for him to become like, a full time
starter for him to, produce the little league he's playing
the best ball of his career right off AFTER coming,
off in acls Here just that's he's that is, so
ridiculous TO.
Speaker 1: Me is he i don't remember this far back to
what he was supposed to be coming, out of the
raft he's he's almost nothing like.
Speaker 2: He was supposed to IT was three.
Speaker 1: And d type guy, and it's oh no like you
trust him to get these like physical imposing shots. Off
inside the arc you need to work. It through the
poster you need to kind of. Bully guys on. Drives
he'll do that you want him to hit a standstill
jumper though we.
Speaker 3: Might, have some issues yeah it's funny, how, That turned
around right but he's not.
Speaker 1: Like great on defense he has the physical profile someone
would be, at least moved around but it's not look.
At the deep bays look at the deep bays like he's.
Turning the water Off that was what that's what it
felt like he.
Speaker 2: Was supposed to.
Speaker 3: Be that was what he. WAS SUPPOSED to be i
i remember speaking to a couple of scouts before that,
draft in twenty twenty and they were they were basically
telling me this could be the most stable wing in
the traft because like he. Can play with everyone like
they made basically made it sound like not that he
was in the league at, THAT point, In time i
Believe But like a, trey murphy, type player you know
someone who, would just come, in hit, the three play
defense but like. Incorporate himself into everything and what we're
seeing now is, a different story unfolding WHICH is interesting
because i do think that three point, Shot is in
there like he's. Hitting two per game the, efficiency IS
so so, but i also question like how good the,
players around him are so we'll see if they try to.
Get better next year is that going to up? His
efficiency from three is that going to make him more?
COMFORTABLE playing off, ball i Don't know but factor matain
says he's done a. WONDERFUL job this year i am
fairly certain that he could have. Another leap in him
not that he's going to reach, our all star level
but like what he's done, THIS year has seemed i don't,
want to say effortless but it's it feels like there's
another step to.
Speaker 1: Be had for him is it just what is the
other step than just? Making more of it making more
than what is he at thirty six percent on catching?
Shoot threes this year making more than as?
Speaker 2: At?
Speaker 3: The, next step Yeah, yeah all for shure like being
a more compatant off ball player and like making like
he's he's actually been so good of a pastor this
year compared to where he was for, a few years
there but, for him to also like when he, gets
into the paint. Make AN advanced read but i don't
think he's an. Unintelligent player at ALL so that's why
i keep having an open mind about, him being even
better because when he, comes into the paint, that's this.
Very strong burly type at some point guys are going to.
Meet him up high what is he? Going TO do
there like i think we've already seen it a. Little
BIT this month like i feel like he's getting better
at making the right passes. At the, RIGHT time and look.
I could be wrong i just sense there's. Something more
to HIM.
Speaker 1: The final thing i, had in my, notes by the
way is Shout Out, to de jontay murray who is
third on the team this month in shots contested at.
The Rim per game the pelicans top three IS actually
funny when i went to LOOK at it when i
was Watching Some of the jontay murray stuff to, get
Prepped for this it's. Eaves, mec, number, One Okay sure
whatever trey murphy number, two plays A Bunch then de.
Jontay murray number three it's just you have to go
down the list a little bit To find Like A. Zion,
Or Derek queen there derek queen, IS four His defense
i think zion is. Like Six, OR seven But, PELICANS
i don't again i don't know, what to Buy This
but the sadik bay stuff, has been seasoned long so you.
Could Definitely Buy that de jontay murray was A Good
player before herb jones' defense, has BEEN disrupted before and.
Speaker 2: I think that's Why And we know trey.
Speaker 1: Murphy was good before now people would have traded a
bunch of him. Over the summer Too that's why the
pelicans late season formula feels a little more. Sustainable than
OTHER teams. IS where i was i was inclined to
gravitate towards some of the. Teams were just bad But
It's trust what cody williams is Doing. To hold in
utah Do You trust that dylan carwell could contribute to.
A real basketball team but There's something, about the pelicans
formula but it's like it makes. Them a title contender
but what's happening now my trust meter in it when, It,
Comes to health no i'm not gonna trust it because
what's gonna be the What's going On with zion even
murray with his injury. Issuy in the review but there's
something to their FORMULA right now that i, think is
as trustworthy, if not more so.
Speaker 2: Than any other team's like highlights that we went.
Speaker 3: THROUGH on this list I don't, know If i'm there but. I'm,
open to it yeah.
Speaker 1: Who would what would be the runner up that we're?
Not the runner up what would be the other option
when you're looking at the. TEAMS that we've discussed i
guess you Could. Go with the pacers but the stuff
we highlighted Wasn't any Of their it wasn't andrew hard.
Speaker 2: Or like's, not playing so yeah?
Speaker 3: What Is? That, thing, the wizards No Right it's the will.
Speaker 2: Riley.
Speaker 1: OF it, all yeah i mean if if YOUR focus,
you went i know you went Broad, strokes on the
Wizard so Like, between, alex sar yeah sure That's Something
you're Like, zion williams In Brooklyn Like maybe Ja brian
rollins And milwaukee would be oh.
Speaker 3: That's, A, Good, one yeah yeah yeah. That's that's the, one, That's,
the one right like is he the best player? Being?
Brought up today Uh You.
Speaker 2: Know that's Cody williams of the. Jazz be my vote
brought up.
Speaker 1: As a singular, focus otherwise you know you can, get, into,
and say like No that It Is zion, or, trey, murphy, there.
Speaker 3: Yeah yeah yeah yeah but like as A focus because
like i don't.
Speaker 2: Know That Would BE TY jerome sir mvp Mvp Candidate.
Apparently tied rome.
Speaker 3: Jesus like the numbers he's. PUTTING up right now i.
Speaker 2: Would like to.
Speaker 1: Throw us a compliment is THIS was a podcast i
wasn't sure that WE should do because i didn't know
if there'd. Be interested in it but we were so
efficient ten teams in under depending on, how long it
takes let's get us out of here in. Under seventy
five minutes is that's. That's a plus plus.
Speaker 3: That's well done for us at least because we are god.
Awful At keeping time mort.
Speaker 2: Can you just tell everyone where they could find you
at all fantastic.
Speaker 3: Work, that you do yes you can Find Me over
at yahoo SPORTS and on the nba podcast And, if
you understand danish you Can Catch me at busser beater
OR Clone games for hbo.
Speaker 1: Max until next, time and, as always rate reviews subscribe
to us those help Us a Ton. ON spotify and
apple i need to do this at the, beginning Of
the pod but i'll say it here in case people.
Listen to the end shout out to whoever just comments
on every Single one.
Speaker 2: Of our spotify episodes.
Speaker 1: WE really do appreciate i didn't even know you Can,
dose comments on spotify but ratings review if it reviews,
if you haven't already join OUR discord, So that. I
don't i'm not i am. IN there a lot i
haven't had as much time.
Speaker 2: To, be active in there but as, The playoffs GET
going i'm.
Speaker 1: Sure i will be so, we journurt to discord linka
to the podcast and you tw, description until next, time
and as always yout the shout out to the one
the only he would have been a bright spot on
a team that HE'D been, on an nba roster, but
The Association Sucks mister frank nila kena