Speaker 1: What is up, Fellasiko's I am Dan Favali coming at
you with for the first time in a while, mister
Mort Jensen of the NBA Podcast, fame of Yahoo Sports,
fame of HBO Max Fame, and of course of OnlyFans celebrity.
We are gathered here round the Hardwood Knox table today
to predict the next wave of all NBA stars. We
have some criteria in place whereach gonna alternate, pick a
few players that we believe will be perennial in the
All NBA conversation, and ultimately make those teams who have
not already again with some criteria there to avoid some
of the clearly obvious choices. But first and foremost, Mort,
how the heck are you doing?
Speaker 2: I'm doing well.
Speaker 3: This exercise was a little tougher because obviously we can't
go like the wimpy route, so you need to go
a little bit under the radar on these guys. But
I think these types of episodes can always be interesting
because it forces you to think a little bit outside
the box.
Speaker 2: You might include guys where you.
Speaker 3: Know you differ a whole bunch with your your castmate,
and that always leads into interesting discussions about who is right,
who is wrong, and why we both might be wrong
or right right.
Speaker 1: And so the Cristier you were put in place was
they can't have made They kind have made an All
Star team, but they can't have made an All NBA
team already, and we wanted to also filter out this
is really just two names we're talking about, but two players,
assuming they play in the required number of games this
season in Victor Wemenyama and chet Holmgren now just feel
like shoeins, and so they were not eligible for our
inclusion here. The Wemby one specifically, it's just that's he's
been since basically day one. You knew he was going
to be on the list of as long as he
plays in sixty five games.
Speaker 4: So it's not a shot at Wemby.
Speaker 1: If anything, it's a tip of the cap to I
don't know if you saw this more. I brought this
up on the podcast that I recorded with Grant last week.
Speaker 4: There were people that were talking about.
Speaker 1: Whether he should be allowed to win Defensive Player of
the Year because he dominates by virtue of his physical tools,
and is that ethical enough?
Speaker 2: Wait? What is that?
Speaker 4: I think I said?
Speaker 1: That was the gist of it that I'm not talking verbatim,
but it was just because other players either have I guess,
have to do more complicated things or can't lean on
being Hey, I'm eight feet tall with a thirty foot wingspan.
Speaker 2: Oh my god.
Speaker 3: Okay, wow wow. So that's that's where we've gone to
now in the discourse. That's interesting, the dark place on
social media.
Speaker 1: But we're not He's not here today because he's just
he's gonna make a bunch of all NBA teams.
Speaker 4: No, no, he's gonna make one. He's gonna win DEFENSI players.
Speaker 3: Like literally, he might win freaking MVP this year, by
the way, if he just finishes in the top three.
I need a little partial credit on that because I
called him MVP before the year. People were after me
and I said the Spurs could win between fifty fifty
five games. Again, people were saying I was ridiculous. Look
at where they are. I need a little partial credit
on that one.
Speaker 1: Little because I was one of I think I was
on a podcast with you and Pooh pooh the idea.
Speaker 4: I thought you were just ahead of your skis on it.
Speaker 1: I thought the Spurs would be good, not biggest threat
to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the.
Speaker 4: Entire league good, and they're right, they're on that level.
Speaker 1: I also saw you heat checked and predicted that the
Spurs are going to win the title. Now I did,
so that's it's not Look you would have said that
to me in September October, I would have laughed at you.
Now I just shrug in, yeah, it's possible.
Speaker 3: Well, I mean so I will say, just because I
don't want to suit my own horn on that one
specifically and saying oh, I said that back in September,
because that is a recent development for me that I
think the Spurs will win the title. The way that
they're just closing up games, like their fourth quarter defense
is outrageous.
Speaker 2: I wrote about this over at Yahoo.
Speaker 3: They're just continuously keeping forty though it's very ethical. Yeah,
but like just the way they're they're winning a good
teams and are just closing them out and are doing
so consistently.
Speaker 2: It's you can't ignore that. It's just kind of my
field to it.
Speaker 1: And I think, no, you did not predict them to
win the title preseason, but you had them in the
fifty win territory range, so you can tip your cap
there and Ironically, just because Wemby's not eligible doesn't mean
none of their players will be selected. As we go
through this exercise with that in mind, was there anything
else that you gave special consideration to when trying to
figure out which players you were gonna select?
Speaker 2: So?
Speaker 3: I actually I didn't want to have too many rookies.
This was a very good rookie class. And I also
wanted to give you a little space for someone because
I could have gone with three rookies on this one.
I chose to leave one specific rookie out of the
equation because I think you're gonna grab him. Solely because
I think I could give a little bit more shines
to someone else. And also it freed up yeah, it
freed up one more guy who isn't the rookie? Well
with do you want to give us the first pick?
If I had to, can I try and predict who
your first pick is going to be?
Speaker 2: Yes? You can?
Speaker 4: Cooper Flag?
Speaker 3: Yeah? I mean, look, how could it not be Cooper Flag.
Here's the thing I actually had thought of going in
a different direction. I'm hoping you're not gonna steal my
pick later on, But Cooper is Cooper?
Speaker 2: Right?
Speaker 3: The fact that He came in to the league with
this defensive reputation of being this game altering defender, and
now he's averaging twenty points a game, you know, and
four plus assists and we're barely talking about his defense.
He turned nineteen in December. How could you not have
this guy as someone who's gonna be a perennial All Star,
Perennial All MBA caliber player.
Speaker 2: You know, his defense.
Speaker 3: At this point, I need to see more before I'm
gonna throw him into like future DPO wide discussions, because
I think he's the burden of offense he's had to carry
this year has just been so big that it's unfair
I think to evaluate him on what he's done defensively
this year, because like he's been gassed for many games,
because he's had to carry these MAVs offensively speaking, which
I thought would be a year two thing, it's not.
Speaker 2: It's a year one thing. So like, kudos to Cooper Flag.
Speaker 1: I he's the no notes guy in this right. I
don't know who would have any pushback that I want.
I would be curious what's the case against Cooper Flag
not making all NBA teams into the future.
Speaker 3: He's shooting under thirty percent from the three inus rookie season.
Speaker 1: That's it, right, And I think what's important there though,
is I mean, that's a question I have and I'm
sure you have too, is okay, what does the three
point shot ultimately look like? But I think you even
when you look at Dallas's spacing or the level of
offense that he is shot like faried with creating there
the fact that he's as good of a finisher at
the rim now and it's clearly just not his peak.
I think he's a sixty four percent in the restricted
area in the half court. Yeah, sixty four point four
percent in the restricted area in the half court, and
we're looking at someone who most of those a majority
of those are just going on a like he's creating
those looks for himself. And so to be around what
is the league average in the restricted area has to
be around there. Maybe he's a little bit above it.
I think that's a huge positive, hugely positive indicator, in
part because I would think as time goes on, the
goal in Dallas is to not only get better players
around him in general, but the spacing is going to
him because they have a lot of talented guys on
that roster throughout this season, but it just.
Speaker 4: Is not an oasis of spacing.
Speaker 1: And I think that as that changes and as he
gets to play with another that like, I just imagine
Cooper Flag, like Kyrie Irving would be an example, assuming
he's still in Dallas next season. Imagine Cooper Flagg getting
to play off of Kyrie Irving and so you have
that other I know they have ball handlers where if
Naji Marshall gets downhill, they have other guys the team
that are respectable, but Kyrie rings a different level. That's
just going to open up life for Cooper Flag in
the half court and to be there when like to
only have the question of right, well, what does his
jump shot look like?
Speaker 4: Given the season that.
Speaker 1: Dallas has had, I think it's probably a bigger deal
than even people are making it out to be. He
won't be my Rookie of the Year, I think, just
because Kank Nipple has played so much more and he's
also playing for a real team, which matters too. But
I've come away from this season having not watched him
much before the NBA just knowing, oh, he was worth
the hype, and then something.
Speaker 3: Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, by the way, you brought up
Kyrie Irving as the space or to be. I'm looking
at the draft and if they have a chance at
getting Darius a cuff or a cuff hell Yah out
of Arkansas. You know, six', three possibly six.' four he,
looks bigger he LOOKS like i think he's going to
surprise a lot of people during the the measurement part of.
The combine someone like him who's shooting forty four and
a half percent from three and creating his own looks. As,
well like that's the type of lead guard he needs,
alongside him someone who. Will space like If the MAVs
go out and find a limited floor space at the
league guard position to Pair, With flag i'm not gonna.
Speaker 2: Love it dan not gonna.
Speaker 3: Love that needs someone who is very much de shooting
in the three ball to Just provide flag with all of,
the spacing not some, of it all. Of.
Speaker 1: IT yeah, i mean even if you draft like with that,
in mind and then You have kyrie, coming back and
Then Hopefully max christie shoots the ball as well AS he,
i mean what does he sub thirty four percent during
when he's Played Post all star but on, The Season
max christy's had a good, shooting year just more spacing, for.
THAT dude i would love to see long term what
maybe a stretch five element would look Like alongside.
Speaker 4: COOPER flag, I don't, I don't i.
Speaker 1: Don't know you need to make that, a priority but
it'd be SOMETHING that i would definitely want.
Speaker 2: To, see agreed what?
Speaker 4: Are you how do you feel about the?
Speaker 2: JUMP shot i trust it.
Speaker 3: SO far, i, mean yeah the three point shot is
not exactly a strength of his. Right now he's nineteen.
YEARS old i think his mechanics. ARE fine i think
he had a stretch, THERE well i mean he still has.
That stretch but there was like THIS period i want,
To Say december january thereabouts where he was just flat,
out automatic like from the mid, range AREA where i
felt like whenever he would have that two triple, pull
up it was like it would just. Be NYLON so
i feel pretty good. About it it doesn't there's nothing
with his jump shot that makes me GO that i
don't trust IT where i think it needs to, be
rebuilt any of that thing. Like it it seems. Very
Fluid so i'm just not worried.
Speaker 1: AT all i am kind of, still curious just what
the three ball becomes, from him and you are looking
at his efficiency like the sub forty effective field goal
percentage on pull ups. This YEAR but i think when
even he gets into the arc and shows, SOME counters
i trust that even if we don't think he's gonna
be this bankable three point shooter at, any point that
he'll just be able to get to counters inside the
arc and have a, you know you mentioned the mid range,
Game before so even if it's like the close mid
range in the paint still but not in the, RESTRICTED
area i think his touch there is only going. To
improve and even now is not the end of. The
world but shooting forty seven percent in the paint in
the half court again Inside this, MAVERICKS offense i think is.
Speaker 2: Pretty important so who do you, Have now i'm gonna.
Speaker 1: GO with i don't know if this ultimately reflects my,
confidence Level but i'm gonna Go With kon kinnipple Of The.
Speaker 4: Charlotte horns.
Speaker 1: HE is i don't know what my expectations were for
him as. A rookie i thought he would play a
bunch of Minutes, in charlotte, for sure but to come
in and now you've been the most available of just
the most important players on the team. All year and
the shooting is the shooting in the, sense, that oh.
It's scary the THINGS that i didn't realize enough of coming, In,
is oh this is someone who can generate his. Own
shot this is someone who might be willing to. Set
screens this is someone who could set up stuff for,
Other players like he's thrown a good number of just
those higher value assists when you're looking at passes that
are going to lead to threes or maybe closer looks at.
The rim even his own ability to get to. THE
rim I guess i just underestimated like the size and strength.
Of him so this is, AND defensively i don't know
what he'll be, long term but he has the size
and again is strong enough to, where, it's oh that's
not going to be some someone whose submarines your. Entire
defense and the number that stands out to me for
him on his, rookie season just to reinforce how good
he's been at handling the ball or the things that
he could do with, The ball he's in the eighty
eight percent tyle mort of unassisted shots at. The rim
that is just for a rookie who that's not supposed
to be. His strength that's, that's insane and this is.
JUST god i still were not there to the point
where you feel good if you toggle with some of the, lineups,
that oh look at how Good the hornets are when
he's playing Out without. LaMelo ball i think HE'S the
i think he's a quality of player who could eventually
be the engine of. YOUR offense i won't say he'll
get there, next year And if LaMelo And brandon miller both,
remain there that is something you'll have to question, long
term is what could his actual? Ceiling be but his
ability to kind of already be A Fringe all star
and he's not someone who needs to dominate the ball
or isn't always going to be THE one. B option
i really think his, Ceiling, is oh did he back
his way into like a second a couple of Second
TEAM all nba performances.
Speaker 3: Or something the eighty eighth percentile stat is just rubbing
it in my FACE because i was so WRONG that
I had i've told you. THIS before i had him
as a year. TWO guy i thought he'd come in
struggle on the ball and he'd be kind of relegated
To What keigan murray was the first Year, in sacramento, just,
like hey you, know what focus on the three ball
will slowly develop your own. Ball skills and then this
dude just came, In, LIKE nope i. CAN create i
can CREATE everything i Need, TO like i can create,
my well he doesn't do it all, that much like
only about, Eight PERCENT but i can create my own. Three,
POINT look i can certainly create my own. TWO pointers
i can create my. OWN drives i can hit practically
seventy percent near. THE rim i just. He was he's
been rubbing it in, all YEAR and i, Love it like.
Kdka nipple are you are invited to kick? My? Ass
sir it's completely FINE because i was so, goddamn WRONG
and i am fully enjoying being this WRONG because i
love these kind, OF surprises i. REALLY do i thought
we'd see this level of play in, year two maybe even.
Year three for us to see this in, year one
just it puts the ceiling So, much hargher to quote
The Great, michael jordan the ceiling is now the roof
that seems, low right, very slow.
Speaker 1: Seems low i'm curious the next frontier FOR him I
think i want to see what he does if he
does get more agency over, the offense and how that
translates to setting up. For OTHERS but i want to
see if ken that actual, rim frequency not just the
ability to generate. His own look there again in the
short mid, range area does that?
Speaker 4: Come up and?
Speaker 1: With it is this someone who you can trust to
because they think a big part of you don't need
to BE an sga level, foul drawer but you would
like to see that number come up a. Little bit
but to, do that he might need to spend more
time on, the BALL which i think so much of
his mystique is he doesn't need to spend more time on.
The ball that's not the way that you would depending
on how they go about, this offseason, the draft free.
Agency trades he just fits alongside any one. And everyone
there's not, you know everyone wants to see, them upgrade
Like the combo, forward Spot The miles. Bridges spot maybe
some people have, talked about oh do they need a
big Better. Than diabaatee there's just not someone you could
Suggest the hornets would go After who continipple cannot.
Speaker 3: Fit, alongside right he is going to be the next
like league primary plug and play guy in that sense
that he can come into every, single team regardless, of
setup regardless. Of system the fact that his shooting powers
will just allow him to at the very least have
an off ball roll of. Major significance but the fact
that he can also, initiate plays can playoff pick, and
rolls and he can, do so, you know scaling, it
down scaling, it up.
Speaker 2: Whatever he needs. To do that just makes him so.
Speaker 3: Damn valuable moving forward, for yeh wherever he's whatever situation
he's going to find.
Speaker 1: Himself in do you ever wonder if players like him
because they're so willing and able to set those off
ball screens that their teams won't necessarily use them on
the ball as much as you, would like because it's
actually hard to get someone who can do that as
effectively while maintaining the accuracy off those plays or just
drawing in the defense the way that.
Speaker 3: THEY do i think that depends on the, coaching staff
because some coaches will obviously look at that, and, go
oh this is. Super valuable let's stick, into that and others, will,
say look we have to evaluate what we think is
more of a pressing concern. For us do We Want
kanka nipple to spend time as. A screener do we
want to unleash you worse offensive player and actually? Use,
screens again depends on who you are as. A coach
i think playing For, the Hornets Where charles lee has
this very big focus on offensive efficiency and where everything has,
to be, you know really tight in terms of the,
OFFENSIVE execution i think he will understand what he might
be relinquishing a little bit, this year and then he'll
give it up on the back end. Next year whereas
If If kank nipple had ended Up, in orlando, WHICHIMON
mostly I think jamal would have, been like, oh yeah
you're a screener and he would have averaged a fraction
of what he does right now. Offensively speaking so again
it comes down to the competence of your. COACHING staff
i Trust To. CHARLES lee I Trust charles lee and his.
Speaker 1: Coaching staff i'm just now that, you add assuming They
Keep kobe, white around you Do Have, Brandon miller he's
there will. Be room i'm just curious what the ceiling.
Is on just as an, arbitrary line what does his pick.
Speaker 4: And roll volume?
Speaker 1: Look like that is initiating because he's at, under three
comfortably under three per game, this year and so you'd
like to probably see that based Off how charlotte plays their.
Offense too he doesn't need To be mamel's probably only
running like eight pick and rolls a game. Or something
i'd probably like to see that number double come up.
Speaker 2: Around, there yeah.
Speaker 3: Look, for me IT'S don't i don't even Question the
LaMelo And brandon miller fit. WITH con i actually think
that trio. Works well you don't need a guy to
average eighteen at the forward Slot In miles bridges, For
example like you you have. Those guys i've told you.
THIS before i would prefer to have a sort of
connector a playmaking for instead, To Help like draymond is
too old and there isn't like A typical draymond in the,
league otherwise but someone who can come in and just
initiate place with the ball in, his sayings like Even
A Colin mourray boyles, for example who is like a
great defensive player who will move, the ball who will.
SCORE opportunistically i Think he i'm using him as, an
example would significantly Upgrade these hornets because you Can Remove
miles bridges from the occasion the equation and get significantly
better because you can spread his offense out onto these
other guys and then replace his minutes with someone who's
a better, connector, defender. Passer EVERYTHING so i would have
no issue basically moving forward, And, Saying, okay hornets you
are going to be the twenty two versions Of The
Run Team sea crowd From The Golden state warriors with,
You Know, Tim Hardaway mite Richmond And chris mullen back in.
The day like you can have, your, one two and
three be your primary scores as long as you have
guys who are opportunistic in the. Front line so, to
me it's just a matter of reshuffling.
Speaker 1: Some, Contracts yeah i'm not worried about his fit alongside
anyone else Or Even brandon Miller And lamel. Ball specifically
i'm just curious whether that ecosystem and what he's able
to do well does that artificially repress, His ceilings so
does he not belong. IN this i think he will ultimately,
get there but that would be something definitely because he
could certainly get To An all, star level especially if.
Speaker 4: You're going to play In.
Speaker 1: The east But THE all nba level is like kind
of that. Next bar and so unless we Think that
charlotte's going to be a fringe dynasty and they're going,
to routine we have three guys contending FOR all nba Honors,
With LaMelo, brandon Miller And. CONTINENT pal i feel, fairly
CONFIDENT though i don't know if he would be my
like if We. Picked cooper flag was the easy number one,
pick Here but i've been, PLEASANTLY shocked i think by
All That continent ball.
Speaker 2: Can, DO yeah, i agree who's your?
Speaker 3: Next PICK so i considered using the first pick on,
this GUY but i had a feeling you would go
in a Different Route jalen JOHNSON because i think he's
the best player on the. List here jalen is just,
great man just. Absolutely great twenty, three points ten and a,
half boards, eight assists just ridiculous. Transition player the defense
still holds Up like he'll have games admittedly where he'll
have to carry such a big offensive burden that he
has to. Scale DOWN but i also think, moving forward
that is Something the hawks are going to be, looking
into because if you look at their, salary situation they
are in a position to use his rather ridiculous contract
firdy millions straight over the next. Many years see McCollum
is cunning off, the books like they just Traded For,
Jonathan kamenka like they have these great Mixture contracts Niki
lexand Walker on Yeko. Kong Vu Even corey kispert is
not overpaid or anything of, that stretch Like The dyson
daniels CONTRACT which, i loved you hate, Right now you're
looking more right than me on. That one but, even
so they're not in a, Bad like they're not in
a bad financial. Situation Whatsoever so i'm thinking they're gonna
pluck some of those Holes so johnson will be even
more effective next year and be able to pick his
spots a little. Bit more but the way that this
dude just is hands down the best player on, this
team and the way that he controls and dictates the
flow of, THE game i genuinely think that If the
hawks next year could approach, fifty wins we're GONNA see
mvp Buzz For. JALEN johnson i think there's another step to,
HIS game, i think or rather. His EVOLUTION whenever i watch,
Him play i'm seeing someone who is just not. Done
Developing so i'm looking, at HIM and i think he's
got a future superstar career ahead.
Speaker 4: Of him he's a.
Speaker 1: Good pick he's basically a one man transition offense. Onto
himself who is better at just running off of live
rebounds right Now Than.
Speaker 4: Jalen.
Speaker 3: Johnson, yeah see it's funny because the first person or
the first player that comes to mind isn't even the
league because he's an old. Head now but That Was,
sean marion like the guy who just would grab that
board and just. Go ahead like he reminds me of
that type. Of player who? Is that that's a really.
Good Question is gianni's the only one like where you
really trusted?
Speaker 4: To count the guys have to be on, One, hand.
Speaker 3: No but he's right, up THERE and i think that
is for him. NEXT year i would not be surprised
if there's a bigger emphasis on half court execution.
Speaker 2: AS well i think he can.
Speaker 3: GET there i think the jump shot looks a lot better,
this year even on, higher volume and we also see
it from the free throw, line again, higher volume. Higher
efficiency he just Makes these he just takes these steps every,
single year AND all nba SEEMS like i was about,
to SAY all nba seems like something he would win,
this year but Like the hawk's, Good enough like you're,
on this so HE would.
Speaker 1: I haven't the games played would be the only THING
that i think would stop him right at, Six point
so that's not going to be a concern. With him He's,
at yeah when he plays his, next game he'll, be
good right.
Speaker 3: Or yeah he's missed he smids missed seven games.
Speaker 1: So, far yeah he'll. BE fine i think he gets.
IN you i mean you said his numbers at the top, of,
THIS right i. Would echo even though the three point
percentage doesn't, look flashy it's bordering on a. Career high
and he's at thirty six percent like above, the break
which is. Really GOOD so i mean twenty three and ten. And,
eight yeah that's gonna he might even get some second,
team buzz especially With if max he's not going to,
be eligible his want to look out for like that's
he might be in second team territory.
Speaker 3: This, POINT yeah i Really Like. JALEN johnson i think there's.
Speaker 1: Something there Do you how do you feel because you
mentioned the half, court stuff that's the ONE that i
keep coming back TO where i just, don't know like
him having to run offenses from a. DEAD stop i
feel better ABOUT than i did a year or. Two
Ago but i'm curious as to what what's the, level of,
you know secondary creator that you need alongside him to
like just make sure that things are.
Speaker 2: Properly open so that's.
Speaker 3: THE thing i think that you need to make him your,
primary initiator like on fast breaks off. Of rebounds but
if you're facing a, good defense you need a real,
leak guard like someone who in the half court can
turn him into more of a play finisher than a.
Play creator not saying you can't run stuff through him
in the. Half court obviously you're gonna. Need to, oh
yeah and you're gonna need it in a. Short role
you're gonna need him at, The elbows you're gonna need
him in a bunch of. Different places but having a
real leak guard next to him a half court situation
specifically where you can basically, tell, him look here is
an opportunity for you to. Rim run here's an opportunity
for you. To pop like here you can actually play
off of elite guard who is able and capable of
creating for himself as well as finding you in specific
situations that would be smart By, the hawks, And Again
trey young was never. That Guy trey young would occupy
the offense to a. Different extent, SO like i know
some people will be sitting, There, thinking hey couldn't that
Have BEEN trey i.
Speaker 2: Think. They, Tried, MAN yeah.
Speaker 1: I don't because YOU mentioned i don't even know if
the player needs to be as good as you, were
MENTIONING because i believe we've seen the difference even just HAVING.
The cj McCollum, there, right soah when those two are
on the, court Together the hawks half court offense is
in an, Eightieth percentile so you're A. Move, cj McCollum
though In The jalen johnson minutes and all of a
sudden you're dipping. Below average you probably want someone BETTER and,
cj McCollum don't get, me wrong but that's the luxury
Of What jalen johnson. Could DO is i don't know
that you need an all star floor general or like
you just need a secondary guy who's what like WHAT.
Would cj McCollum was graded out as this year see
topped one Hundred plagu if you had a top, seventy
five top fifty guy to places, alongside him and it's
sort of a, similar role maybe higher END. Than.
Speaker 4: Cj McCollum. For sure you're probably just like you're cooking.
Speaker 3: From, there, YEAH yeah i have no NOTES that i.
Completely agree my Next pick i'm going to.
Speaker 1: GO with i think someone that this will probably anger
a bunch, Of People, pollo Bancaro The. Orlando magic he
has Made An all star team As As jalen johnson
Was An all star this.
Speaker 2: Year Too but.
Speaker 1: I've been really Impressed what i've Seen, with polo even
when stuff wasn't working out.
Speaker 4: ALL year i mentioned this, a Ton so i'm just
gonna really.
Speaker 1: Mention it the touch time is, just DOWN and i
think the ball stopping stuff has had some merit to
it in. PREVIOUS seasons i think he's tried a lot.
This year his screening volume.
Speaker 4: Is up that's a.
Speaker 1: Big one he's kind of split when you look at
dig into the numbers and then if you're watching how
the way their half court offense. Is running he's split
duties with Not Even, desmond Baane But anthony black has
been given more a breathing room in space to operate.
Speaker 4: AS well i Like what palo.
Speaker 1: Has done if you look at some of the matchups
that he has where he, might have, you know a
star assignment, on him whether it's a if It Is
scottie Barnes Guarding palo banco Or Is Jaron jackson Junior Guarding,
palo bancarro he will fan out to the corners to
try and pull them more away from.
Speaker 4: The play he's not always gonna work out when you're
Looking at.
Speaker 1: ORLANDO spacing i really think he's more of a team
oriented player than people give him.
Speaker 4: Credit for the.
Speaker 1: Shot selection is going to be what it. Is like
sometimes you're gonna, love it sometimes. You're not but the
level of ball handling this guy has for someone, his
size someone with, his heft and kind of the coordination
he still has when he's, GETTING downhill i really have
to believe that as the spacing around. Him improves and
if we had seen More Of, Franz Wagner desmond Bane
And palo bankaro, this year there would have been more
of a proof of concept that he's going to MAKE
all nba teams and people, will, say oh he's the number.
Speaker 4: One pick he should have MADE all nba.
Speaker 1: TEAMS already i don't like this hasn't necessarily a situation
been conducive To optimizing Palo ban caro. The, efficient look
the efficiency does need to. Come up i'm not gonna,
say that like you want to see him be more
consistent with the. Three ball he is shooting over forty
percent on spot up threes, this, year though and so
if even that can.
Speaker 4: Become more of a consistent part of. His arsenal we.
Speaker 1: All know about his ability to be able to draw.
FREE throws i look, AT him i watch him play
and the way that he has tried to fit in
and alongside a bunch of different guys, this year and
just what he can do when he gets. Going downhill
and then it's again. Middling EFFICIENCY and i don't want
to blabor this, as well but this is someone who
is now twice in the postseason attempted to carry In
Our lando, magic offense and he at least hasn't looked
overmatched even when the efficiency isn't going to be pretty
through the two different postseason, SAMPLE sizes i really wonder
if a coaching change would do him well Or, even
yeah Like the frond stuff this year and Also the,
polo injury and then We've Seen jalen suggs. Banged up
you can't count on pitcher perfect health all. The Time
but orlando has never really had what it thought was
going to be its team available for an extended stretch,
this YEAR and i think that's Part of maybe it's
an excuse because we're dealing with this is year four,
For HIM but i think year five. Like this of
the players, we mentioned with the Exception Of, jalen JOHNSON
who's i think is going To MAKE all nba, THIS
year I think polo will be On AN all nba team.
Speaker 2: Next season so you KNOW how i Feel.
Speaker 3: About POWELL but i will, say THIS and i don't
want to limit this just to the winning streak, right
now the seven game, winning STREAK but i do think
we've seen something in those. Seven games he has become
more receptive to the idea of being a. Play finisher
like he's not holding the ball. As, much, okay so by,
THE way i haven't done this the numbers, On this
so if the numbers, are wrong then it's an eye test.
For me it FEELS like i. Should clarify it feels
like he's not holding the ball as much as he
used to do it earlier in. The year it feels
like he's getting off of. It quicker it feels like
he's making decisions a little bit quicker, as well like
he's just moving it or taking a shot without having
sustained there and, You know demark DROs in. It up
he's getting to the, foul line he's he's finally rebounding
as someone in. His eyes that's that's been one of
my main criticisms. FOR him i have felt for a
while that this dude should be more active on the
glass because he's, six nine, six ten two, fifty like and,
he's movable and, he's nimble and. He's athletic over this
seven game, winning streak he is hitting almost fifty five
percent from, the field and he's getting to the line
eight times, per game hitting that at an eighty. Percent
rate he's at let me just look. At it twenty,
six points, nine rebounds five and a. Half assists that
is the Power bank carrow. You need that is the Powder.
Bank carro that fits into what you, just said who
could be AN all nba type. Of guy the whole thing,
for me And why i've been very harsh on the
young man has been because he's been standing around a
LOT and i to. Your point you've told me. This
repeatedly look what he has to play with and Like,
von zwachner somebly lost. His touch you're. Not wrong he
did for like what a three. Year period it was
ridiculous where he just literally couldn't shoot. The Ball jalen
sucks would be in and out of, the lineups, injuries.
GALORE everything i. Hear you now he's Founded and i'm sitting.
There going the reason, for this in part is also
the Acquisition Of, desmond bane which you alluded to in
that same seven winning Streak For desmond bain twenty three
and a, half points, five assists, four rebounds getting to,
the line not shooting a ton, of threes surprisingly only for,
a game but is hitting fifty four percent from. The
field and he IS not i don't want to say
he's the lead, ball handler but the amount of time
he's on the ball now indicates that he is taking
a bigger role within, the offense Which Allows ben carroll
to play off. Of him and this is what was
needed for, a while a lead guard to come in
AND say i can get you twenty every. Single game
paldo needs to feed off. Of, that well it's working.
Right now and whatever, they're doing they need to stick.
With IT and I know i'm long winded on, this
one so we'll just close it up. With this even though, They're,
winning Please, Dear God, orlando magic still go into the
offseason and consider a. Coaching change just. Consider it still
do IT because I don't i Don't truy jamal mostly
in a, playoff CONTEXT and i don't trust them to
be particularly creative.
Speaker 2: Offensively speaking.
Speaker 1: Do you think how would you feel about them if
they end up because they're not in the plan as of,
right NOW but i mean like they're kind of jumbled
right There right would you worry about them in a
one offsetting or do you think they're so clearly of
if they do, fall too because they're in five, right
now but they're only a couple losses in front, of, nine,
eight seven.
Speaker 2: And six what are you asking Me if i'd be
worried if they make.
Speaker 1: Like if they have to face the hornets like in a,
playing game or, they, yeah.
Speaker 2: Okay look THESE are i guess they won't to face.
Speaker 1: The hornets in the first. Playing game they don't have
to worry. About that they'll be the seven. Eight matchup
but like the heat Or the sixers Or, the Raptors the,
hawks too.
Speaker 3: OF course, i look they have the sixteenth ranked offense in. The,
LEAGUE yes, i would because at the end of, the
DAY and I know i've set this a, million times
at the end of, the day the team with the
most points at the end of the. Game wins if
they can't generate, enough offense that's. An issue like you
can be as good of a defensive team you need,
to be but you still have to. Produce offensively and
this team has had games in this very season where
they have just, looked awful where there's been no cohesion.
Or anything, And look i'm not trying to wash this
seventh game winning. Streak away this. Seems legit it seems
like they've turned. A corner it seems like they're really
going about it is the. Right WAY but i also
question is this going to be the new Permanent Because
paldo bancaro has been finding himself in the mid forties
efficiency wise over the course of his. Entire career are
we suddenly to believe that he's just out of nowhere
jumping ten percentage points and that's the.
Speaker 2: New norm.
Speaker 3: Probably not and, Like Again desmond bain fifty four percent
over this shooting over this winning streak. As well that's
probably not. The norm so when things come down, to
norm is that norm good enough to make me feel
secure that they can beat an? Offensive potent seemed like
for Exampled, the hornets if they do meet up in, Some, Variety,
no no that could go. Both ways i'm not saying they,
will Loose BUT i'm i under no CIRCUMSTANCES do i
feel secure or safe.
Speaker 4: ABOUT it i do think to get back to just.
Speaker 1: His future what helps him is that He's not you
don't have to you don't have to worry about. Him
defensively some of his closeouts right kind of loafe around a,
little bit but he has, good size knows how to,
Use it he's. Pretty nimble you don't have to. Hide
him that goes a long way to your point about
the efficiency, is. NO don't i don't know that it'll
ever be through, the roof but he seems like he
could Be A jalen johnson level, efficient score especially if
this year getting out and. TRANSITIONING more i can't REMEMBER
if i mentioned this to, the top but this is
the most amount of screens that he set for seventy
five possessions in, His career you're naturally gonna be more
efficient as a play finisher, and more what happens if
they put how many Plus shooters orlando Or in orlando's rotation?
Right now and even if Even if Frondz was hell's
would you throw him? In there maybe he would just
because he has, on ball he has a. Certain gravity
but get like a is it a stretch, to say
get like a second reel outside threat on this team aside.
Speaker 4: From A desmond bane and things will open up.
Speaker 1: EVEN more I don't i believe that he can especially
gonna shoot eighty plus percent from the, foul line and
you're gonna be able to hit on what isn't the
simplest shot diyed inside. The arc if you could be
over fifty percent, INSIDE there i think that he could
be Around.
Speaker 4: A jalen johnson level.
Speaker 1: Efficient scorer AND so i would feel pretty confident in.
Speaker 3: SAYING that i think, for me the Reason that i've
been disappointed in power is BECAUSE what, I see I
think i see the same thing as, you do but
where you have a little bit, More patience i'd tend
to probably not have it BECAUSE what i see as
well as you is a six ten two fifty power
forward whose, nimplest hell, who's athletic who understands how to,
be physical and you're just kind of waiting for him
to put it. All together so like when you're looking
at the raw numbers and you're seeing him stuck in
the mid forties and you're seeing like him not, getting
traction when you're seeing him having these like weird ass
turn around sixteen foot, you know fadeaways with four on
the shot clock after his milk clock for, Seventeen seconds
like that's when you get frustrated because you know he
can do so. Much more you want to get him
into those situations where you know he's the trailer and
he gets just two power tripples and he's right at.
The basket you know he can dunk on damn. Near
anyone you know he can go in and score against,
virtually everyone like you just need the right. Shot diet
and it feels like on, some level Occasionally because I'M
not i agree with you that the roster around him
has been just under a.
Speaker 1: Reunce, criticism YEAH and i also do think to your
like to support, your concern he's probably had just, anecdotally
speaking if you're looking at some of the touches he's
gotten in the mid, range area like he's probably had
more open space than he's, ever had and it's not
like his percentage until recently has really gone through the roof,
Right right.
Speaker 3: But like, WE'RE look i will give him credit because
he is trending in the. Right Direction just i'm looking
at basketball reference, right now and then also tracks with the,
eye test like he's taking more shots within series of
three feet and three to ten feet more than. Ever
before so like that is trending in the. Right direction
the long too has almost. Been halfed that is a sign.
Of progress So like i'm going to be open minded
about him. Becoming better, that said now we're talking ABOUT
all Nba that i'm not closing the. DOOR on i
am still closing the door on him being, you know
your tier one superstar who can lead you deep into.
THE playoffs i don't trust him to do that at.
ANY point i probably.
Speaker 4: Haven't closed the door on that.
Speaker 1: Just yet AND it's, i mean part of it is
we need TO see i think he has another notch
or three to go as a, playmaker too and that's,
YOU know i think switting that that's, the swing but
it's also if you combined with what he've been able
to do playing Off Of desmon bain Again Even. Anthony
black maybe he'll never have to be that level, of
playmaker but you're still gonna have units to where can
he cut down on some of the turnovers in the
half court When A desmond baine isn't on the floor
when he is running these. Things alone, BUT yeah i
think he probably has like another level to get to
when you look at, his ability like the vision that
he does have with his live there's he's an anominally
relative to just someone his size and build who handles
the ball, like Him Because jalen johnson's more of a wingy.
Bill player not To Discredit, jalen johnson but you know, he, is,
yes yes so like that's JUST not i guess people
Use The blake Griffin comp that might be the best
one when you're just trying to look at the same.
Body archetype but the control he has when he's getting
downhill off, the dribble and that he's again he has
worked in. CONFINED spaces i haven't shut the door On
oh Paalo ben caro ENTERED the mvp Conversation IN. Season
x it does get, into interesting an interesting existential Question
that I'm Guessing orlando magic fans are tired of national
talking shit heads like. Myself ASKING but i Still consider
polo the more important Player Than franz wagner. Long term
but that's the thing we need to see from everybody,
from well if you wanted To pick franz for.
Speaker 4: This exercise if you want To, pick.
Speaker 1: Paalo is what can all three of these Dudes with
baine look? Like together and we just we don't have
that sample. Size yet the data on their core lineup
is kind, of insane though just a small.
Speaker 4: Sample SIZE so.
Speaker 3: I was one of those voices, as WELL and I
think i put that voice to rest this year for,
one reason the health as. You outlined when They Got,
DESTMINE bain i, was like, all, right look that's that's
a worthy gamble in, many ways let's see how that.
Shakes out then over the course of, the Year When
anthony black started developing and just. Popping out, Right now
i'm in that, mindset, of look don't Tinker With, Franz
Vagner paula pankarra at this point in time until we
know what's there with that trio, as well say a
Thing to black's, future development because are we Sure That
anything's black is not going to take another leap next
Year because i'm not sure. ABOUT that i think. He
Can and jalen, SUCKS too, i, mean look he's so.
OFTEN interest I love, JALEN sucks i. Really do And
and Tristan TO silver i think. Is underrated, SO like
i like a lot of these components, and, health yes
that is so crucial to.
Speaker 2: Have outline.
Speaker 3: WE'LL see i can't Get there apollo in terms of
LIKE the, Mvp stuff and the reason for that Is
because i've been looking So like i've been writing so
many articles about this just in terms of like trying
to identify, certain traits like what you need to have
to reach, that level you, know that like the, truly
elite top. Tier levels it's also why Like, CAMP booser
i love him as, a PROSPECT but i don't love
him as a franchise altering like. LEAD guy i think
he can be the number two guy on a very
good team who plays off of a. Lead guard like
my favorite destination, for him as many others are probably Similar,
the pacers Where When tyre saliburton. Comes back he has that.
LEAD guard I think paolo is in that. SAME bracket i,
Think Him, Pascal Siakam. JULIUS randall i think those guys
are in this very very very very, good bracket but not,
you know automatically, great bracket like they need someone else
to be the. Primary engine and if they're the number,
two guy you could, be in, you know a very.
Good situation.
Speaker 4: You want to each pick?
Speaker 1: One more maybe we could run through at, the end
just a bunch of quick hitters and.
Speaker 4: Honorable mentions so do?
Speaker 3: You then let me, ask you do you want the
odd duc pick or do you want the very? Obvious
Pick because i've got one that is a little. MESSED
up i.
Speaker 4: Think you should go with the. GENUINE pick i don't
know whether the.
Speaker 2: Genuine pick oh.
Speaker 3: It's, Not wow well you're saying the oddball. PICK it
i still. BELIEVE it i, just, CAN'T like. I don't
i want to sit here AND say. I don't i
BROUGHT guys i, believe in but, he like it's a.
Tough sell It's all. I'm SAYING can i go with?
Speaker 2: My, guy yeah get?
Speaker 1: Your pick you, Go, there okay kill A, WARE okay i.
DID not i didn't expect that.
Speaker 3: To, Happen, No, right, so look this is a GUY
who i understand that THE basketball iq is, still developing
but he's still, so young and just from year one to,
YEAR two i think we saw a lot of improvements
just in terms of like just the amount of times
where last year he would have stepped into a, ridiculous
shot where this year he would look, at it he,
would gage he would like survey. The floor And like
miami has been a. Weird team there's been guys in
and out of the lineup they've played, in consistent his
FIT with bam has been so So like i'm not
putting anything, on him but we've seen, you know him
getting more threes up higher volume. From there he's a.
Good rebounder he's, like again he's a guy who can
both cut and roll and, grab lobs, hit threes he can,
swatch shots like he'll have these games where he's actually
legitimately a good defender where he will have game. Changing plays,
his rebounding like he's auging almost ten boards in twenty
two minutes. Of play, That's ridiculous like per, thirty six
it's almost fifteen boards. Per game, he's like he's a sick.
Ass rebounder he's a strong scorer overall inside the paint, As, well,
like yes he will need to be. SET up i
there is Some serious amari stodhamyre with a three point
shot vibes coming my Way.
Speaker 2: For kiloware.
Speaker 4: How do you feel about?
Speaker 3: Him, defensively yeah so that's, the, Thing right it's shaky
because occasionally he'll have THOSE games i just talked about
where he looks out right good and where you, can, see,
OH yeah i can have him as my back. Line
defender and then there are the games where he looks
what's the kind way to? Phrase it out of sorts
is probably the best way to go. About IT where
i think he relies a little bit too Much, on
BAM and i have this sneaky SUSPICION which, i hate
is that he needs to be thrown into the, deep
end like over a vast amount of time and where
it's not, just oh over the next three or four
Games with bam out to an ankle's brain, or whatever,
like yeah you'll you'll have the. Primary, RESPONSIBILITY no i
think he needs like half a season, to fall a
season where He's, Just, hey kilil you're you're gonna be our, primary,
defender buddy get used.
Speaker 2: To it you.
Speaker 3: Better absorb everything you can over these, next months and
you're gonna have to sing or swim because it feels
like he's just his head is on a swivel and
not always in a good way where, he's Like, where's Bam?
Where's bam, All right, he's, There okay and that can
be a, good thing but he can also be. A, Crutch.
Speaker 1: YEAH i'm i wonder if he's gonna be one of
those bigs to where if you don't need him to, Focus,
on oh we need you to be our back, line
protection but you're gonna have to focus on like you can't,
you know can't be, too ballwatchie and then you trust
him in, those contexts which is why gets to your
Point about bam covering up. So much if he's going
to be in Front, of, khalil ware do you worry?
THOUGH about i, think defensively he could probably be okay
as a base big if we remove bad from. The
equation at, one point he's already contesting a ton of
shots at. The rim but how much of that is
the product? Of okay what does it look like when
his head needs to be on a Swivel and bam
isn't on, THE court i more so want, to know
do you envision him being able to reach this THIS
all nba ish peak while he's Playing alongside bam or
do you think that it that those two are a
little redundant and they've Been the HIGs numbers to start,
The year we're really bad with them on.
Speaker 4: The floor they've.
Speaker 1: Gotten better the team is now shooting thirty seven percent
from Three Post all star when both those, guys play
and they've been a net positive in, Those minutes so
that's a. Good sign i'm just curious when You have
bam and it does seem like so much of your
intrigue specifically is Rooted in khalier ware on the, offensive,
end rightfully so can he ever reach this type of
Pinnacle alongside bam at?
Speaker 3: A bio i think it'll be solf right BECAUSE again
i Do think bam is, so good he's so SEASONED
and i AND again i think for someone like where
it's a bit of a crutch playing. With, him so
like to answer, YOUR question i need to see it
in a. Different context, so, presumably yeah he'll probably need to.
Go elsewhere, to me where feels like a team's hard
in the situation where if you know he if he
goes elsewhere and he's being given the starting spot and
he's being penciled in for forty two minutes, per game
we're gonna see him IN the. Mp conversation we're gonna
see it a lot like he's just. Gonna pop that's,
My TAKE and i think ultimately it's going to be
statistically where as the years, then progress the impact is
gonna come because he'll he can go out next year
and on a fix for a thirty six minute basis
that dude can average twenty five to fifteen on a
per thirty six where those are, impressive numbers but he'll
probably do it in like twenty six twenty eight minutes,
per game not not the twenty five, to fifteen but
like that will is what will, he'll play but the
impact will be sort. Of QUESTIONABLE so i think this
this is like next year he'll BE. On nba i'm
looking to Kill where i'm thinking like three or four
years down, the road when the impact meets the statistical
probability that.
Speaker 2: He'll, REACH yeah i did.
Speaker 1: Not expect, you TO but, i, THOUGHT honestly i thought
you were Gonna Pick. Amen thompson was that? The other
was that the alternative pick that you had?
Speaker 2: The spot.
Speaker 3: WHY did i not Think Of? AMEN thompson i? Should,
HAVE yeah i think you, Know, ME man i never
go with the like the traditional PICKS because i always
think a little bit outside. The BOX like i also
Forgot About, stefan, castle who by, the way Him And
amen thompson, is like is That The spider?
Speaker 2: Man meme now are? THE same i. HAVE ahead i.
Speaker 4: Thought you were Gonna.
Speaker 1: Pick amen but even with ahmen still on, the table
and this is just mostly guys that you went with your.
Speaker 4: Oddball PICK so i Feel Like.
Speaker 1: Amen thompson might have finished in front and we should
probably talk about him quickly. AFTER this i have counted
myself as a step, oh actually.
Speaker 4: Just to stay true to.
Speaker 1: My BRAND if i trusted that he wasn't gonna need
to be traded or wind up. Elsewhere ago the correct
answer here Is read shepherd the stuff that. He Can
so i'm gonna bring him up. After this but let's
Focus On. Steph castle, the defense the strength of. It
insane this is this he might be a five. Position
defender at, this point we have seen Him. Defend biggs
someone at. That size when you're not Built Like draymond,
green aesthetically.
Speaker 4: You're not supposed to be able to. Do that no
one told him he's a.
Speaker 1: DEFENSIVE monster i think the ball handling and the live
dribble reads have by and large, gotten better and the
things that everyone's gonna, point to and as they, rightfully
should the jump shooting is gonna be a. Swing skill
we have seen him for pockets of time make they
are a lot of them are ultra, wide open but you,
know what that's what he needs. To do those are
the shots that he needs, to hit And Post all,
star break he's been, hitting them and his volume has
been not huge three and a half attempts per Game Post,
all star but forty percent. From three if you're if
he's gonna shoot forty percent on catch and shoot threes
for like half the season, or something that opens up
a different world for.
Speaker 4: Him offensively and THE.
Speaker 1: Reason i would have him Though Over amen thompson IS
one i DO think. I trust if you're asking someone
to just run your half, COURT offense i Do Trust
amen thompson has more of that blazing on. BALL speed
i like the variable cadence At Which steph castle can handle,
the ball AND so i think that he could just
navigate the half court BETTER where i don't Think That
amen thompson has. Enough counters and now Part Of steph
castle's counters are again this isn't an, astronomical number but
forty two percent from mid range this year a nine
percentage point improvement so far over last year where he
was at thirty. Three percent and we're not just talking
like a lot of that improvement has come from the,
photo range but he has some counters on. That level
and so if he can, do that if you can
be an average mid, range shooter if you can be
a league average, three point you don't need them firing
up off. The dribble when you look at what he
does when he gets downhill and all that he gives
you on the, DEFENSIVE end i really probably if you
would have even asked me a month ago and told
me we were doing, this exercise who would. YOU pick
i don't Know If steph castle would have been one
of my, top three and in SOME ways I don't
i still want To Pick reed shepherd.
Speaker 4: OVER him i just looking at.
Speaker 1: The team the team context is tough, for ME and
i Think That steph castle has shown a more offensive
improvement than he's probably gotten credit for, this Year and
i'm not really sure the three points that's been, Floating
around and my counter to that, would be we can't
just live on partial. Season Samples Otherwise jalen green would
Be AN all, nba.
Speaker 2: Player RIGHT.
Speaker 3: So i mentioned before how the spursa is just locking
it teams up in the. Fourth qureter he's a big
part of that, as well and he's so good at
also funneling Guys towards weimby on the, back line and
that's such a Necessity In san, antonio's defense having guys
to know how to funnel opponents the different. Specific, ways
NOW the i, THINK is i want, to say almost
like the biggest compliment in, a way is there are
so many teams now that Are treating castle basically the
same way they Are Treating. Kawhi leonard, they're starting they're. Starting,
defensively yeah they're starting the offense away, from him like
they don't want To Have steph castle close to. The
ball like that's, a, compliment man. THAT'S huge i think
that's a. GOOD name i.
Speaker 2: Love IT he's I would i.
Speaker 1: Will say the Other thing i'd like for him to
improve is he's gotta be better at his ability to draw.
Shooting fouls by, the way has someone who is not
treated as a jump. Shot threat that's, that's great he's
got to be at.
Speaker 4: SOME point i really thought his finishing was gonna.
Speaker 1: Pop more he's been probably average through his first, two
years and this just feels like when you look at
his size and his on, BALL physicality i thought he
might be someone we're talking about In the oh he's
shooting sixty eight percent at, the basket not like.
Speaker 4: Low sixties but.
Speaker 3: Have, you, noticed though when he does have, this step
he will just surprise dunk on you like that's that's interesting.
To me like he will take off further from. The
basket i'll be expecting him to like make, a layup
and he'll just continue rising up there and all of,
a sudden he's like two handing that shit down in.
SOMEONE'S throat i think he's still trying to sort of
test himself out in. That regard like WHERE am i
as an Athlete when i'm jumping up against?
Speaker 2: The, TREES.
Speaker 1: Yeah i mean having a guard who's, also like if
you want him to finish the other end of an,
Alley oop he's probably only seen it once or twice.
This season i'm not saying it's a, huge staple, but
yeah that's the he. Can score even for someone who's,
an imperfect imperfect, offensive player he can score in a
lot of, different ways and as part Of Why san
antonio right now is built to win games in more
ways than they probably get. CREDIT for i think a
lot of people just, to, whom oh it's their Defense
or wemby, goes off and, it's no there's a lot
of offensive, dynamism there and.
Speaker 4: It's not just it's Not, just wemby it's Not Just.
Speaker 1: Daron fox ALTHOUGH what i do Think Helps steph Castle
Is daron fox's willingness and ability to play off the
ball this season has given him time and space to
explore a lot of his playmaking and Downhill, chops offensively, He,
IS honestly i think if you looked at my list,
so far there's probably people would say there's two big
Swings with castle And. BAN caaro I think castle feels
like my, biggest swing but his softomare campaign has.
Speaker 3: BEEN incredible, i, mean look my swing With kil waere
is gonna take, the headlines so don't worry.
Speaker 2: About.
Speaker 4: It now I'm. In thompson do you think he should?
Speaker 3: Be? HERE yeah, i, MEAN look I so i was
actually Sticking In san ANTONIO because I Had, Dylan Harper
but I'm. IN thompson i think it's a. Good SHOUT
like i do think overall he might have the Nut
On steph castle, right NOW but i don't know if
it's it's gonna. Stay true that three point shot is just.
So concerning but like he does literally everything else, so
well like the feel for, the game, the defense, the rebounding,
the playmaking just the finishing at. The basket like he's
just he's. So overpowering And, WITH thompson i, feel like
Is he you asked Me If steph castle could defend,
five Players can thompson just play four positions on both
sides of, The, floor like can he be a fourth
position player?
Speaker 2: On OFFENSE because i think he can.
Speaker 1: His offensively his ability to just navigate, tight spaces, excuse
me away from.
Speaker 4: The ball why can't he?
Speaker 1: JUST play I guess i don't KNOW if i trust
him as like the floor general you need to surround
him with at least three ridiculously level shooters for we
want to even try that. Full time, but Yeah he's
i've struggled. With Him was he was on, my list
As Was. Dylan hardy he's on my like. Longer list
we only WENT three. Dp each so far we're going
through other names that belong To. Thought wive, oh, right
well then he was on.
Speaker 4: My list. He wasn't he wasn't one of.
Speaker 1: My FIVE though I don't i haven't seen a big
thing because when you're THINKING, all nba you're talking top
fifteen player in any. Given season if you don't have
any sort of range outside what six feet of the
basket really that you can beg, on that what is
your ceiling as. A player and by, the way it's
not even just, the efficiency it's what is your volume
away from. That area this isn't like someone who's even
going he's not even really experimenting with threes when you
look at. His volume the Fact That, steph castle just
to use, that example they are, different players but the
fact that he's at least they have some of the.
Same weaknesses the fact that he's taking over three three pointers.
A game that's that helps in Ways That ama thompson
Isn't for houston?
Speaker 2: Right.
Speaker 3: Now yeap by, THE way I just i don't want
to make sure that you know This because i'm going
to read you what you. Sent me what if we
tweaking a bit to each, PICKING five i was cutting
us down real time because we. WENT long i know it.
WAS five i was cutting us Down IN really I
wanted i wanted credit for getting five.
Speaker 2: Guys in you.
Speaker 4: Wanted credit for doing the work that you were supposed.
Speaker 3: To. Do congratulations look that's how we live in the world,
right now right like we need credit for doing the.
Speaker 2: Basic.
Speaker 1: Minimum yeah do You Think ama thompson Makes AN all
nba team for?
Speaker 4: His career do you think he'll?
Speaker 3: Make?
Speaker 2: One one? JUST want.
Speaker 3: I think i think one. At, least man that's way. Too,
SPECIFIC yes i do Think he'll he'll. EARN one i
also just.
Speaker 4: Found over under at one and.
Speaker 2: A half what are you? Taking So.
Speaker 3: BECAUSE all nba is also tied, To winning That's where, i'm, Like,
Like howell houston fairris a, winning Organization like katie is
going to, H out like how is that? Going?
Speaker 2: To look who is that? Next?
Speaker 3: Lineup like do they have. Enough youth do they Keep?
Reach shepherd it's basically what. You're asking because they Have reached,
shepherd around they'll be winning. A guy i guess a,
Screw it.
Speaker 2: I'm gonna be. An optimist i'm gonna say over just
the hell.
Speaker 1: OF it, i mean he's he's the athleticism, is nuclear
and there is a dexterity to him. As well and
the defense is just how many? All defenses like you
can even imagine if you think he's going to be
a wildly flawed offensive, player forever there could be a
perfect form of circumstances, where oh he's one of the
five best defenders plus a net positive on the. Offensive
end that'll get you to maybe TO, all nba especially
with if the game's played threshold.
Speaker 4: For a lot of guys sticks in place all.
Speaker 3: Defensive discussion he'll he'll. Make more he's already made one,
Last year like he'll he'll find himself on that list
for like.
Speaker 1: He's probably GONNA make i don't KNOW if i would
have him on my, first team but he'll probably make
another one, this year right?
Speaker 3: Do?
Speaker 4: IT so, I, think so who's another player you want to?
Speaker 2: Talk?
Speaker 3: ABOUT so i think we should just mention him briefly
that was Still. In harper, YOU know i think he's
got that upside right now he's. A rookie HE'S just
i think he's going to be the primary league guard
on that Team when fox is eventually traded or. Getting
older and, to me, the physicality the way to, draw
fouls and, the playmaking the. SNEAKY athleticism i just love
his feel for. The game and if he gets like
a full season of thirty four forty five minutes Next,
to weenby this dude is. Averaging nine it's this per
game like he's his playmaking chops are. Believe in, so
like let's let's because if we're short, on time let's
just wrap that one up there and let me just
give my final shout to THE guy i had, As, Well,
DENIATIA like i, you know how could We not like
that's a cop out one because he's going to Make
a camba. This year JUST but i would think maybe
not if team success is going to factor.
Speaker 4: Heavily in the voting.
Speaker 1: On EQUATION so i retract that statement and apologize he
belongs ON, all, NBA right i just it's not A
qu i THINK he's, I mean max he just lost
his is gonna lose, his, Eligibility right so how Does
That danny audia not Make AN all nba team at This, y.
Speaker 3: Yeah, that's fair, all right BUT like i just wanted
to say it out loud in case he doesn't, make
it like twenty four.
Speaker 2: Seven, And, seven, like yeah his shooting percent just have.
Dropped off.
Speaker 3: That's, unfortunate also his stats took a hit with the
one minute Game against phoenix right like where he. Left
that that was again. Very unfortunate but just the way
that he plays in the half chord and, facilitates teammates
facilitates his, own shot like, THE driple i just think he'll.
MAKE one i can't sit here and say that his
production isn't good enough to.
Speaker 1: Justify, IT no I mean portland has an offense THAT'S
in i think it was the LAST time, i CHECKED
when i was looking at a couple of. Days ago
is in seventy seven percentile when he's on, the floor
the personnel that is, Around, him like for him to
be able to do that, is Big and i've seen
there's been a lot of criticism. About it feels like
his defense has. Dropped off give HIM and i, guess
now with The way scoot scoots back and The way scoot's,
been playing you have someone who can split the. Offensive
load but the other, thing too is that back injury stuff.
Was real it felt LIKE and i THINK he, I
wonder i wonder IF all nba wasn't part of, The,
equation like would he have just missed? More time is
that something that he might he might have missed a
few more games, FOR so i don't he's sure as
a the engine of. Your offense there's definitely like. Flaws
there but he he's gonna hit sixty?
Speaker 2: Five?
Speaker 4: Games right what is? He at the LAST time, i
checked he's.
Speaker 1: Currently, AT so, i mean could be a. Little tight
so He's missed he's going to.
Speaker 2: Be.
Speaker 3: Tight yeah by, The way i'm very proud. Of you
we're Talking about portland and Notes mony. Kamara reference yet
that is that, is?
Speaker 1: Growth, sir honestly the more concerning, thing, is no do
you know who the blazer is on? My list it
probably Should be Shade, and sharp But It's donovan klingon
is on. My list he's Not necessarily i'm not, picking
him but just what he can do defensively in some
of the offensive progression that.
Speaker 4: He's made it just keeping an eye. On it it Does.
Speaker 1: Feel biggs unless he really starts taking a bunch. Of
threes it Feels like biggs in his role will have
a tougher path to making these teams given that their.
Position LIST but i, HAVE him i have. Him circled
he Was the blazer that was on. MY list I
thought I thought danny was. Cat knit but to, be
fair when you miss, fourteen games there's no guarantee that
he's gonna be. Eligible anyway so that's a good CALL
out i will. Go to so the other TWO players
i had. Settled on rejepper's getting talked.
Speaker 4: About here this.
Speaker 1: Is someone who is already an above average efficiency guy
when he is generating his. Own shot it doesn't feel,
like it but he's shooting thirty nine percent from three.
THIS year i wanted know what he's gonna look like as.
A passer he's actually pretty good at setting guys up
around the basket when he gets two feet into, the
paint or even being able to hit guys for and
creating open threes because.
Speaker 4: Of the odd ball gravity.
Speaker 1: ALREADY has i won't know if another team would be
more inventive with the way they use him away from,
the ball or is he ever gonna get enough Agency
over houston's offense other than being the vessel through which
He Gets kevin durant the ball in crunch time or
just sort of passes the. Rock on THAT'S what i struggled, with,
when oh if we were gonna limit this to an
exercise of three, players each does he make? That cut in, my,
heart yes, he should because what's the tough what's one
of the toughest things to do is to be an
efficient self starter on the, offensive end and he is to.
Some degree he can already be. That defensively there are
times where he he looks, really slight like for someone
who's listed at six to like when THE way i
guess like players are just going up against some of
these lineups where they're so, much bigger he looks really
tiny and easy to overpower on the. Defensive end but.
He is he's kind of smart away from, the ball
and he's gonna sneaky, shot blocker yeah. For sure but
he's gonna and he's gonna come in from the sides
out of, their peripherals and he's gonna strip, the ball
or he's gonna come into the. Passing lanes there's valid
like just being if you're not gonna, be big and
he could stand to, get stronger don't get, me wrong
but if you're not gonna be big or someone who
turns off, the water defensive playmaking is a way to
make up for some of the if you view him
as a. Liability status but if your infrastructure is we're,
fucking huge which Is what. Houston, IS yeah i think
he could.
Speaker 4: HAVE stand.
Speaker 1: I don't i can't quibble about his playing time much,
right now but their lack of trust in him to
not just play at points in, crunch time but more
so to do anything with.
Speaker 2: The BALL and i know You Have.
Speaker 1: KEVIN durant i totally, get IT but I Wish reed
jeppard had had just like he's had more. He's had
i'll frame it. This way he's had more license this
YEAR than i kind of expect, coming in and part
of that might have been if you're evaluating the rockets
Before the Fred van. Vliet injury but he still doesn't.
Have enough and so as an offensive a GUY that
i believe can be an offensive engine that's gonna get
at least the defensive counting stats or be, let's say
a good off, ball defender or at least in the
areas where if it's, gonna come you're blocking shots or
like coming up. With steels that's SOMEONE who i think
could make a FEW all. Nba teams.
Speaker 3: MM HMM i I think i need to be a
little bit more imaginative to. See IT but i, respect
IT and i think the way you fleshed it out,
Was fair so out of respect, For you i'm just,
GONNA say i hope.
Speaker 2: It.
Speaker 1: HAPPENS uh i didn't know what to do here with
my what is gonna be my? FINAL pick I guess
i was BANNING about i didn't want to pick too.
Many rookies i'm still a Believer In ace Bailey vj
edgecomb has obviously had a great year for much of.
THE season i think I'd Be galaxy brandon THIS if i.
Picked HIM but i really did think long and Hard About.
CASON wallace i ultimately THINK that i am going to
Go With.
Speaker 4: Alex sary i'm a big.
Speaker 1: BOER alexar i think he's gonna be a more, efficient
scorer and we've seen him. Handle, physicality physicality excuse me
a little bit better inside the arc. This YEAR when i,
SAY efficient i think that he's going to be like
a thirty seven percent three point shooter at. SOME point
i love the way he looks when he's bringing the
ball up the floor as someone who can do that
as a nice change of pace and really push the
tempo of, your offense but also just keep defenses on.
Tilt defensively this is terrible to record this after he
was on the floor for a huge chunk of Time
when bam dropped eighty. Three points at the, same time
he wasn't part of the foul brigade that like in,
that game and he he needs to get stronger because
of Someone, like bam who's not the most physical player IN.
Speaker 4: The nba is gonna, overpower.
Speaker 1: You like really like and see if your body's at a,
certain angle he's gonna attack you coming from. The baseline,
somewhat problematic but this is someone who he's contested a
bunch of shots around.
Speaker 4: The rim he's responsible for way too Much.
Speaker 1: In washington at, THE moment i think he can play
alongside Another big that's why if and when We See
anthony davis make, His debut i'm gonna be very intrigued
to see what those two look. Like TOGETHER but i
think even as a baseline just, rim protector this is
someone who's going to be decided the above average on
the defensive end for years. To come and so if
you give, ME no i don't think he should be
the number one option. On offense but if he can
play what type of role? Different players what would be a?
Good like could he feels like he could Be a
christops porzingis approximation on the, offensive end where, it's no
you don't want to run too much through him if
you're gonna put him in, the Post And chris stops
might just because of his sheer size always be more
efficient in. Those instances but when looking at the usage
and where he could stand in, OFFENSIVE hierarchy i could
See alex ar. Getting there it does feel though that
this is the highest. Percentile Outcome, is oh He's MADE
like I think i'm past the idea of could he
be a top five or ten guy IN? The nba
but could he end up with three or four thirt
TEAM all? NBA appearances i think that's still on.
Speaker 2: The.
Speaker 3: Table yeah by, the way he only played twenty minutes
in that. Band game and in those, twenty minutes the
dude had twenty eight. And six, just yeah but how
many free?
Speaker 1: Throw?
Speaker 2: Attempts?
Speaker 3: Right?
Speaker 2: Only?
Speaker 3: Oh?
Speaker 2: Zero yeah, all right. That's.
Speaker 3: True yeah by, the way none of us actually brought
up ONE who i considered, as WELL which i thought
was a. Little surprising are we completely out On matsas
posilis as AN all?
Speaker 4: Nba, PLAYER well.
Speaker 3: I assuming He Can't. Suntle chicago i'm presuming because you
have to be on a. Winning team but just as an,
INDIVIDUAL player i THINK there's i think there's.
Speaker 2: Something there i'm not out on.
Speaker 1: MODEST buzzelis i THINK it's i had he was not
on even my.
Speaker 4: Long list i'm not, gonna okay.
Speaker 3: That's, fair yeah he was on like a cut off
ONLINE because i think, the productivity the off, ball shooting
like the. DEFENSIVE upside i just think there's a two
way potential there that is.
Speaker 2: Extremely intriguing where if.
Speaker 1: You don't, mind amassing where are you At with alex,
Shar though oh sorry to.
Speaker 3: Wrap, Up sorry i'm a. FULL agree i should LOVED
your kp comparison or, not comparison but like the role
in vision sorry, to me still HAS upside i don't,
think he's like, you said, top five, top ten may
not ever crack the. Top twenty but that's not necessarily
a bad thing IN, today's nba because the top twenty is.
Freaking loaded like if you're a top, twenty five top to,
forty player you're getting thirty million.
Speaker 2: A year you're playing in all.
Speaker 3: Starry games you're here and there at least you're in
the conversation for certain. Team awards the TWO wayside i think.
IS real i think he needs to move the. BALL
more i love the three point confidence that he's had.
This year he's like stepping into them with a much.
Different mindset he's finally commanding the. Ball Too so I've
been i've been moaning about this since his rookie Season
that washington guards were so bad at giving him the
ball in certain situations where he would be right underneath,
the basket or they ignored lobs or and this year
he's like a little bit more at least like, calling
forward say, up top like, over Here like, I'm open
like he's just he's calling. For more he's demanding. It
more when you see that they've gone into these, offensive
lulls like he will go to a teammate, and, say
look give me. The BALL so i THINK there's i
think there's a. UPSIDE there i love the mental makeup.
FROM him i think he's more polished in the year
TWO than i thought he'd be because the year one was.
Speaker 2: It. Was rough it was it was. Really rough but if.
Speaker 3: This is, The norm i'm having a really hard time
putting a ceiling on.
Speaker 1: This, dude yeah and he's SOMEONE who i don't know
how it's gonna work. Out, overall again we disagreed on
whether you would have made. The swing he's one of
those quintessential players where, all right we'll put an adult
at the point, guard position Like A, trey young like
a real, floor general and then how does that impact,
his game like his efficiency in the way that he's
able to score there and how he's getting.
Speaker 2: THE ball i.
Speaker 1: Don't Know If trey young is necessarily the per like
he's definitely a guy who can extract the most out
of A big but if we're TALKING all, nba ceiling
we also want alex ar to have plenty of those
on ball touches or the, you know grab and.
Speaker 4: Go Agency Does trey young takeaway from that?
Speaker 1: AT all i probably feel better About the Alex SAR
all nba pick Than.
Speaker 4: The RECHEPHERD all. Nba pick IF that's.
Speaker 2: I think, You, SHOULD yes i think.
Speaker 4: You Should any so anybody else like that you think deserves?
A mention, he.
Speaker 3: PROBABLY but i hadn't thought, about IT like. I think
i think we've gone through the players, so far which
will undoubtedly mean that we'll get flooded with names from
a lot of. Team fans and you, know what Fair, fair,
Yeah nuts the rookies.
Speaker 1: Are tough you have to FEEL like, i, Felt really
flag is just it's.
Speaker 2: The default let's just like.
Speaker 1: MOVING on i think you have to feel really strongly
about You Mentioned. HARPER canipple i would need to feel
even more strong like to Go with Bailey. Or edgecomb
maybe some people want to See A. Calmary boyles you,
Mentioned Him, Derek queen what does his role look like
in a? Few years something you really kind of have
to fast forward further and feel strongly. About it i'm
trying to think there's Like any i'm looking let me
look at my list. Right, Here Yeah josh gidey was at,
the top so that's gonna be a. ROUGH one i
am curious if we're Gonna Get brandon miller was on?
Speaker 4: My list did you consider this?
Speaker 3: AT all i, did NOT because, i again we were
Talking about canipple in, the MIDDLE and i thought the
tree you would probably eat votes from each other a
fair bit if they. Stick together but it's also unfair
to look at it through, that frame, because like What
If brandon miller's traded one day and he'll have the
team of?
Speaker 2: His own could he not reach? That? Level? Probably, good.
Speaker 1: Now THE thing i self imposed THIS and i should
have mentioned at the top because. You Could technically LaMelo
could have been an, option HERE but i limited myself
to twenty three and.
Speaker 4: UNDER players i thought that would make it just a
little bit.
Speaker 2: More go, Oh great so thank you. For that thank
you for what you.
Speaker 4: Did too who did you pick Except For, denny AVDIA who, i, said.
Speaker 3: Yeah that'd be, OH well I Mean jail johnson's also
he's like.
Speaker 1: Twenty, four yeah, that's RIGHT he's, i forgot he's been
around for BUT he's i think.
Speaker 4: THAT'S fine i, just, did, like look would you Have?
Speaker 2: Picked LaMelo, No, Me, NO no. I wouldn't.
Speaker 4: I wouldn't i'm gonna tell you.
Speaker 1: Right NOW if i had expanded, My scope lamello would
have been probably out of cocking nipple on.
Speaker 2: That list so, all right, fair enough, Fair enough who.
Speaker 4: Which of the hornets makes MORE all nba teams of?
That Trio.
Speaker 2: Cod. Kin nibble.
Speaker 4: I'm, Gonna, go LaMelo That's just i'm.
Speaker 2: Gonna go. That's fine that's a good way to wrap
up the pod. Being wrong. That's cool are you.
Speaker 4: Able to tell our listeners where they can find you
and all the work that?
Speaker 3: You, do yes you can find me AT the, nba
podcast and you can find Me At yahoo SPORTS where.
I write if You are danish or at Least, understand
danish you can listen to the Bus or beater or
catch from calling GAMES On.
Speaker 1: Hbo max until, Next time and, as always we wrote
the shout out to, the one, the only, the indelible
the Legendary Mister Frank nila quina