Speaker 1: What is up, fellow sickos.
Speaker 2: I am Dan Valley coming at you with the one
the only portantnsen of the NBA podcast, fame of Job.
Speaker 1: The sports, fame of Forbes, fame, and of course what
he's most known for, multi fans, celebrity.
Speaker 2: It is that time of the week where we have
our crossover episode delayed a day because our schedules are
all over the place, but it is still coming at you.
We're about to talk about, as Brian Taporrek calls it,
the Mickey Mouse March.
Speaker 1: Ish sort of turnarounds in the NBA.
Speaker 2: A lot of these teams they've turned things around like
it's been longer than March, but some of them hashtag
Phoenix Suns are only entering this podcast because of March.
And we're just gonna discuss some things we noticed or
things we thinking about, and ultimately just ask each other
is this real? Do we buy into it or not?
But before we get started, mort, how are you feeling
about this exercise?
Speaker 3: Well, because it's a Mickey Mouse March, and because all
of this is so volatile, I don't feel good at all,
Like you have to make so many on the spur
like observations and things change on almost a nightly basis.
So like I can guarantee you I will say something
during this podcast that where I'll be theorizing something and
you'll just say, no, actually that's not it, and I'll
be like, okay, cool, because like it's moving fast. In
the NBA right now is moving really fast. Everything is crazy.
You have so many teams that are just kind of saying,
screw it, we're not in it. We're just gonna play
crazy ball, like we have. We have a term over
here which is not necessarily polite in any way. It's
it's something we called Indian ball, and it's it refers
to you know, Native Americans, not Indian people where and
it means just everything is fast paced. Everything is like
balls to the wall. Things move quickly. And that's what
we're seeing in the NBA right now. We're seeing a
lot of fast paced offenses. We're seeing a lot of
games that are like in the one forties. And I
have no idea Dan, what's up and down. So I'm
very insecure about this podcast, very glad you were doing this.
Speaker 2: Yes, I'm also I've seen a lot of sort of
talk about you know, this is a separate conversation. We
shoudn't even get into it, but how do you fix
March basketball or post All Star break basketball in the NBA?
And I've seen a lot of proposals that are kind
of centered around or built around, excuse me, like the
lottery stakes. And I thought John Hollinger recently made a
very salient point in something he wrote over the Athletic,
which was, let's just remove Let's say you just removed
the lottery system from the equation, and there was just
like some sort of different type of setup. What are
the Wizards playing for at this point?
Speaker 1: Anyway?
Speaker 2: It's just like there's almost I don't know what the
way would be to how do you make March basketball
more meaningful in the NBA. If you're saying change the
lottery rules to less incentivized tanking, I guess you're then
banking on, oh, these teams will go hard from the
jump more and that will in turn increase the value
of the regular season. I honestly just think that you
if you want to make games more meaningful longer into
the season, you need to have fewer games. That's the
only thing that I can come I haven't thought enough
about it. It's just something that's ever. Since I saw
what John Hollinger said a few days ago, I thought
it was an interesting point because it does make as
of right now, makes our jobs tougher because the first
team we're gonna talk about, I will give you an
exact example as to why it's so tough to evaluate
what they're doing. So it's I don't have the answer,
so I want to make that clear. But I think
that some people make it too much of a binary case,
where it's just if you got rid of the draft,
or if you got if you change the lot like
use the lottery wheel or something, or like have a
tournament to determine who gets the number one pick, which
would just never work because no, no, you're gonna have
players fighting for like their team to replace them.
Speaker 1: Yeah.
Speaker 2: So I don't have the answer, but it is fascinating
to think about that. A lot of it just comes
back to will you need to de incentivized tanking. It's
okay de incentivized tanking. If a team is bad, they're
not gonna have any reason to risk healthy players, Like
if you were the Wizards, this is just the perfect example.
Why would you play Chris Middleton forty minutes in a
game right now, Like, forget about your lottery odds. Why
would you when you have nothing to pa You wouldn't
because that.
Speaker 1: Would hurt his trade value if he gets injured.
Speaker 2: So assuming he has any trade value left, that's my
little spiel.
Speaker 1: Are we ready to talk about our first team?
Speaker 3: Absolutely?
Speaker 1: The Atlanta Hawks. More they are. They've had some stuff
going on since the beginning of February.
Speaker 2: They are fifth in offense, notably since the start of March,
though as we record this they are eight and three
with also a top five offense in March. You have
on Yekakungu shooting well from three. That's from the start
of February. Diceon Daniels shooting well from three since the
start of February, but.
Speaker 1: In this month.
Speaker 2: But Zachary reached the shade by the way, is killing it.
I think that he's probably first team All Rookie lock
now and it wouldn't shock me if some people pick
him for Rookie of the Year. I will say, these
are the teams that they've beat as part of their
eight wins. The shorthanded Pacers twice, the Sixers, the tanking
Sixers twice, the whatever you want to call them Hornets
twice and the Warriors without Steph. So those are just
some of their victories there. What do you sort of
make of what you like as maybe stood out about
individuals on this team, whether it's Tyson Daniels or a
Kunglu or Resa Che. I know some people are still
concerned about Trey Young, like just still phenomenal passer, but
it does feel like he's kind of lost a step
and he's been dealing with He's not like an achilles
injury basically all year, right, Yes, yeah, so.
Speaker 3: And I actually want to highlight Trey because he's been
more efficient in the month of March for example. You know,
he was under forty percent from the field all throughout
the year. He's cracked that he's come back up. I
think he's taking smartest shots right now. I think he's
still a phenomenal playmaker. We're looking at twenty six points
eleven assists over the past ten games. Forty four percent
from the field isn't great, but it's better than what
we've seen all you know, all year long, hitting ninety
four percent from the foul line, like he's been a
pillar of efficiency. Yeah, the turnovers are still high, but
it's Trey Young, Like, we can't expect him to fix
everything in the span of ten games. So I do
want to highlight that Trey Young, even with an injury,
has been better and they needed him to. Like, if
you told me that the Hawks would go on this
mini run after Jalen Johnson went down with the season
entering injury, I was I would have told you to,
like nope, like you're crazy, They're right here. I find
it amazing that they have like this depth that they
can still go to and they keep going at it.
Like carrisla Urt has done well. Oh Coongluo Sho highlighted,
Zachary Rishiche has been like a Swiss army knife who
sort of had some fill in for Jalen Johnson a
little bit, which I think has gone pretty well. Kudos
to the Hawks.
Speaker 2: Yeah, I don't know the offense. I think I could
definitely buy and like with Trey Young's efficiency, we do
have to account for just the injury if you're looking
at like what he's doing going downhill. But I also
just sort of wonder how much of it if you're
looking at his three point percentage where thirty sub thirty
two percent still since February first, still sub thirty four
percent in the month of month of March. Excuse me,
you just don't have like the personnel, Like, even if
you're playing well on the offense is fifth or whatever,
there's not a ton of one secondary playmaking on this
team Without Jalen Johnson. You basically have cars Lavert at
this point. It helps a bunch that he's now hitting
his threes kind of like he was in Cleveland for them,
but you just don't have a ton of like teammate
gravity on this roster, and so I think that that's
probably might factor into some of his efficiency struggles as
well as the injury. Still think he's a transcendent playmaker
with this team, though I think I might be a
little bit higher on Resche than I was a couple
months back. Would is there any like long term or
like looking into the playing of the postseason stuff that
you think you can take away say, all right, like
I feel really good about this because this is one
of the teams I've struggled with. Where again, when you're
looking at March specifically, I just don't know how much
stock you can place in what they're doing, even though
I think the blueprint is there where. Okay, a team
piloted by Trey Young, even without Jalen Johnson, if you
told me they were a top five offense, I'm gonna
believe you.
Speaker 1: But kind of the.
Speaker 2: Machinations by which they've gotten there is just I would
have expected Trey Young to be going nuclear. Okay, eleven
plus is sis, sure, but I would be thinking that
he'd be shooting like sixty two thirty seven percent on
threes or something.
Speaker 3: Yeah, so I hate that you brought up ricochet and
then ask me the question, what do you see like
that that could be a staple, because now I feel
like I'm piggybacking off your point. But it's risa schey. Look,
he is this what six', nine six' ten multiple position
defender who is Getting the he's getting a touch from
the free, Point line like he's starting to get that.
Touch going he's starting to understand he's got a. Size
advantage still needs to see him more established on. THE glass,
i think still needs to see him do some of
the stuff that is going to round out. His game,
but like, good lord he's nineteen, years old so like
maybe maybe let's let him be nineteen, years old but
what he's doing and how we're seeing him progress in
the moment is something That the hawks can absolutely take
into the play in or, the playoffs and especially in
the long term future to have a guy like him
who can just sort of play, the two, the three and.
The four and by, THE way i got ahead, of
myself he's actually listed at. Six' eight. He feels longer though,
he feels longer.
Speaker 1: That's just me i'm gonna say he's six' nine from, Now,
on the worry yeah.
Speaker 3: Can, we just, Like yeah you know. I'm down with,
that like he's nineteen he's. Gonna grow, As well it's
fine we're just gonna. CALL him sixth nine i think
he is a guy you can look at to be
very influential as a two way wing going to the
final stretch of the year.
Speaker 2: And, beyond THE thing yeah and i would agree. With
everything you said the fact that he's so plug in
play on both ends of the. Floor is big time
he's shooting a little, bit Better on drives but i'd
like to see more on ball, rim pressure from him
or maybe the ability to generate. More FREE throw opportunities
and i don't know if he has that type of on,
ball gear IN him and now i think for the,
setup of this team that's Fine Because, you have trey
young you have when You Have. A healthy jalen johnson
THE other thing that i would, like to call out
so not sure what to make of their defense, sort
OF long term but i think that you can kind
of see the outlines of what they're Trying To, build
around trey young where it's like they want to surround him,
with shooting and defense and they're trying to find that
one higher end secondary playmaker or at least a ton.
OF two way versatility i think they've taken steps. In
THAT right direction what i think could be, sneaky huge
for them certainly, during the regular season but. Maybe during
the playoffs if We're Talking About, on yaka kung wu
if you're getting like reliable floor spacing in the Front
court from the niang Spot and, from the congou spot and,
BY reliable floor spacing i mean if he's going to
take two and a half attempts per game and shoot
well above average on, that, IN the playoffs again i don't,
know what that does but that really opens thing up
for A Team that has jalen johnson who we know is,
not the strongest shooter and so that WOULD just be
something I kind of A kungoo specifically because i VIEW
him as Just I feel like george niang. Might be
a placeholder it certainly could be a trade candidate this
summer if they're looking to make upgrades.
Speaker 1: OR change things up i also don't view.
Speaker 2: Him, as a playoff guy but that's something that becomes
huge if they can get like somewhat reliable floor spacing
out of that. Second front line spot it really Opens
Things up for jalen johnson when.
Speaker 1: He, Returns next year.
Speaker 3: Yeah i'm Very optimistic about. The hawks moving forward it's
a shame they don't have, their own draft pick that
they don't possess those and aren't, in control of those
because it feels like they're at this point where they
can really use like cheap assets who are potentially drafted
somewhat high to really. Round out their. Roster that's, an
negative That Said, with Research Shane place with jalen johnson
sort of coming out of nowhere last year and continuing
that trend showing he's not just, a one. Year, blip That's,
Huge well KUNG wo I's. Like i love okungowa i've talked,
him UP for years and i do think that now
that him being able to get that three ball down,
a little bit more that should allow him to also
play the. Four IN some stretches because i don't think he's.
A full time five i think he's a part time
five who needs to be able to play four, minutes because,
his rebounding. His defense his versatility if that could be
flanked by Like a real Rim, runero was not clinkapella who's,
younger AND more influential then i think they have the
makings of a defense that could. Actually, MAKE some NOISE.
Speaker 2: Yeah i don't i probably don't. Buy him as something
it depends on who the five is in. That, SCENARIO
for me otherwise i don't really view. Him as a
four But so with the hall on a scale, of
one to ten like how much do you buy into
kind of, LIKE their recent surge i think IT makes me,
higher i would say like A six or a i'm
feeling like a lot, better ABOUT their future and i
just don't know how much it means, in THE short
TERM because i probably i would pick them to come out,
of the plan anyway just when you kind of look
at the candidates That like them in orlando just, seemed
locks To it like maybe miami could make some noise
and maybe feel a little. BIT better ABOUT that i
just i don't think what they're doing right now makes
me feel that much better about them.
Speaker 3: In. The short term no so, in the short term
is IT fair to saying, i don't really care because
it's it's just not realistic to expect them, to make
a run even if they do make, It into the
postseason like it's.
Speaker 1: Just you're Gonna lose to The, caps or the celtics like.
Speaker 3: End of Story exactly so like i'm not even concerned
about the, rest of the year like. Their postseason success
whatnot it's not to write them off If that's not what,
i'm trying to do But it's just like i'm not
putting those level. Of, expectations on, Them so like you
i'm gonna. Look beyond this year i'm looking. Ahead to
next year i'm gonna give them a solid. Seven, and
a half, Ooh look, At you.
Speaker 1: I'll go i'll go i'll.
Speaker 2: Go six point nine as a Reflection Of how tall.
Zachary resichet actually, is, love.
Speaker 3: It yep yep and there's definitely no other connotations we can.
There with six,' nine.
Speaker 2: Our next team the team which, you root, for the
strongest the hardest to which, you Are Just. Most, loyal
your chicago bulls more how? Are we feeling about they
it looked like they would kind of pivot into sort
of like some tanking, thing after, the trade deadline but no,
like they're just look more they're not even probably gonna
finish Like they're in contention for they've got a nice little,
Hold on the nine seed like what if they work
their way. Up to the eight seed we're not Talking
about a, ten seed bulls, team here but for, them
they're twelfth, in offense thirteenth in defense?
Speaker 1: And they're what?
Speaker 2: Are they eight and Three seven and, Three In march
as well. Josh Gitty has hit three josh gitty's actually
not hitting as, many threes as he was. But He's
still hitting them kevin heurder not. Hitting as many of
his but they've just gotten like these like monster performances from,
a lot of you know kind of their reserve players
or the players. That, you wouldn't Necessarily Expect yeah of,
course Kobe White driving, SUCCESS but josh getty specifically i
know you just recently recorded, With Friend of the Podcast
Jason patt from the cash. Considerations podcast about, these bulls
how you feeling how, you feel about This Team?
Speaker 3: Feel?
Speaker 1: About?
Speaker 3: My, CHICAGO bulls apparently yeah yeah i, hate you by
the way? That's, Oh dare you no look so this
has been an active week for Me In regards to,
the JOSH gitty uh, discourse because i you know seventy
five percent of shots on the, year have been wide
open like just, completely wide open, or sorry three point shots.
Specifically his three point shots so you have, to ask
yourself This Question do you trust josh gitty's three point
percentage to be consistent throughout next year and the years
beyond when right now it's virtually all wide, open because
when they're contested his efficiency drops down into, the low
to mid. Twenties which is, REALLY bad by the way
i do think, he Has solved some things Like i'm
not negative on giddy Just, To be negative ON giddy.
THAT'S not how i operate i, do think his slashing games.
STRIVING game has grown better i do think him just
realizing he's six foot eight is a major ascid him
getting to the line more is literally him having solved a.
Problem that he Had Before so kudos to josh giddy for,
having Done that the shooting and i'm guessing the bulls
is going to evaluate him off. Of that in large
part i'm just not ready to commit. To that, belief
yet whatsoever like again when they're, wide open like they
are and defenses are also kind, Of giving Him that
shot i'm just. I'm not READY to commit i'm not
I Want to talk about kobe white though the.
Speaker 2: GATE not just to add i would. JUST shooting is
certainly rickety i can buy into the idea that he
will shoot like an above average clip from, three, a
certain because teams look he could shoot forty five percent for.
The life of the season teams are still going to
leave him open because the volume.
Speaker 1: Has never been super high he's under five. Per THIRTY
six minutes Still but i think what, i'm more skeptical
of is let's just say he continues to shoot really
well from three for. The rest of his career that's.
Speaker 2: That, adds value For sure yeah the reason i'm low,
on him is just defensively like if he has to
spend more time, guarding stationary threes and fours it becomes
this limiting construct as you, go ABOUT building your team
and I think that's actually sometimes i think we, lose,
the plot where it's. Yeah get his shooting matters if
he's going to continue to ebb and flow from three over, The, course.
OF each, season yeah absolutely i mean if you look
at his Efficiency For His career post All Star Break,
versus pre all star break his true shooting Percentage Increases
like from Pre All star to, post all star every
year but like. Seven points that's freaking huge and look
we have.
Speaker 1: He was only In.
Speaker 2: The, playoffs one with okay see he just didn't play
as he was under twenty minutes a game that like.
When HE was last year so i think. YOU'RE right
To be skeptical i just i'm more skeptical about even,
IF he's hitting his threes i still think there's a
cap on his value because of the defensive restrictions that
he kind.
Speaker 1: Of. Foists, upon your lineups.
Speaker 3: Right see now we're getting. Into the think OF things
this is where i. Am also very very skeptical so
let's wrap up the giddy thing Before We, move on
To kobe white who, who i'm very, positive about by
the Way. In terms of the giddy the Entire narrative
right now amongst bulls, fans, is primarily dominated on oh
is he good enough now to the point where? You
can build around him he's not scalable or not bendable,
is probably the better word into he doesn't. Bend defensive
soft ball whatsoever like you have to tailor a very
specific lineup around him where you close all of his
weaknesses and kind of. HIGHLIGHT or emphasize his strength i
sort Of compare The Situation, to zion, in new orleans
who like, he's such a unique player he's. So difficult
to build around But the talent Level with zion compared
to giddy. Is like twenty Times better so like the
bulls are right now considering building around a guy who
might even like struggle to. Start on, most, Playoff teams
that's fair right like Would he start? ON the celtics
right now. I don't think he would Would He? START
on the cleveland cavaliers, I don't think he would like
there are a lot of, Teams he Wouldn't start on
and the bulls, are considering building around him knowing full
well all. These warts are in place they are setting
themselves up for one hell of a task if they
have to Tailor An, entire roster around, Josh, giddy, who
remains unathletic like, yeah granted he's got smarts he's got
court vision that makes up top. For a ton of
it absolutely.
Speaker 1: WHEN the floater CAN fall i could like i could buy. Into,
him hitting, his, Floaters yeah all.
Speaker 3: Right cool but why is the top what is? The,
top tier potential there like what is the top Tier? Ceiling?
In building around giddy again who just who can't? Be
bendable in that way and the issue is if you
had like, a real number one guy, like a superstar
or sorts he's not a, number two, guy because again
off ball, he doesn't have the gravity, he doesn't have
the volatility he doesn't have all these elements that are
so crucial to. Being a number, TWO guy so it's
like I know a lot, of, Bulls, fans of like
oh Mart It's just hating on. Josh, giddy, FOR no
reason like no i think there are Genuine Concerns here
about taking josh giddy in a vacuum and then sort
of taking, that vacuum with those dats those inflated stats
right now and putting him in as quote. UNQUOTE the
new franchise leader i think that is like. Two THOUSAND
breaches too far THAT'S i think it's just i can't
get there with the ideology Of Trying, to BUILD around
josh giddy and i don't see him functioning particularly well as.
LIKE a secondary option whatsoever.
Speaker 2: I would agree with you i probably think it's a
little Bit easier to build. AROUND zion than you Do
i just think the pelicans haven't. Gone about it very
properly MY whole Thing would be i guess i'm so
DETACHED in the sense of i Haven't seen anything about
the bulls viewing. HIM as like their cornerstone i. Think
that's that's effing crazy if they view him as sort,
of a cornerstone type player that, is that is beyond
bonders and if there's insofar as they have a cornerstone,
Player on this team already like the answer is the
player that, you're about to talk About And that would
be kobe white is?
Speaker 1: The, BETTER candidate for that oh I.
Speaker 3: Want to talk about? KOBE you? LIKE that segue I
did i love that.
Speaker 1: You're Very.
Speaker 3: GOOD at seguays kobe white i just wrote a major
Article about him over At, Yahoo will be out thursday
so if, you're LISTENING to this podcast like i don't
even know when, this is Going, to air but like thursday.
It's going to be out he's averaging twenty nine point
three points per game over the LAST good chunk of,
game i actually don't remember like, it was a long article.
A fair chunk of. Games he has been outstanding he
started the year, off a little bit sluckiesh, ESPECIALLY from
an efficiency standpoint i think he has morphed into becoming
one of the, best, pluck and play guys sorry pluck AND,
Play guards in the nba like he is one of
those players who can consistently create on his Own as
well as what giddy. Couldn't or he still can't ben
defense is, As an off ball player like every single
defensive line looks at him when. He doesn't have the
ball they look at him, when he has the ball
like there always has to be an eye on him wherever.
He is on the Court Like, obviously he's not kevin
durant but he's got some, similar inklings in the guard
like in a guard variety of being able to influence
a basketball game without necessarily spending a lot. Of time
on the, dribble he, doesn't have to you know dribble
twenty six times before. He gets a shot off, he
can move off ball, he can catch and shoot, he
can go pull up he can score in so. Many
different variety of ways he's also, adept at running an
offense even though. IT'S not his primary strength i think
this guy is bound for one hell of a pay,
race In twenty twenty six and i'm questioning if he's
gonna Decide, to stick with the bulls which is also
what the piece, is, going TO be About because as
i think i've also told, you on this podcast before
the one hundred and forty Percent extension limit will kick. Chicago's.
Ass on this one absolutely they can't. Afford to keep
him around and given that very few teams in the
league will, Have cap space this summer i'm pretty sure
Right now it's like, only, brooklyn that's a lock right
like an. Absolute, lock to cap space.
Speaker 2: Yeah they're the only Lock, There's Other teams like detroit,
san antotio, maybe get.
Speaker 3: There but yeah they're right like so if there's a
team out There, that wanted trade for kobe they almost
to have cap space so they can go to renegotiate
and extend route to not risk ending up in the
same situation as letting him go into unrestrictive free. Agency in,
twenty Twenty six so again the bulls. ACTUALLY did a.
GOOD job i think That, i actually think, the bulls
to their credit are getting unnecessarily slaughtered here because the.
Lead the rule is dumb like they. Did A good,
job there the, bulls's task every team's task is to
get players, in at below market value because that's how you.
Optimize your own Cap Sheet, they did with kobe white
who's earning twelve million this year and will earn twelve.
Point eight million next year he is arguably the best non.
Rookie contract in the league arguably he's right. Up there
among the candidates so, they did a good job but
they're getting penalized in the sense they can't extend. HIM
to his full worth i do think these rules need
to have an overhaul because teams are going to lose.
Speaker 2: Players because of this rule that's something that's going to
need to be the essentials or something. THAT'LL have to
be revisited i would echo much of what you said
about him eighty six percentile in on ball on ball
gravity and ninety fifth, percentile of off ball. GRAVITY so
nice little balance I probably don't know that i trust
him to run in offense, as Much as you do
but i'm also, open, to the idea of well if you,
put better talent around him that that might open things
up a.
Speaker 1: Little BIT more for him and i think that i'd
be curious.
Speaker 2: To see like what he looks like with more like
a different type of the like center Look where it's
like the bulls don't really, have that in their prime
like more of a rim Runner Guy like you have
Jalen Smith, and you Have nikola vucevic so.
Speaker 1: That i'd, like to see but. YEAH he's gonna get paid.
Speaker 2: I think he's been great i don't my in terms
of my read, on the bull, situation though over this
stretch when you look at the level, of competition that
they face like kudos to them for fighting and like
the level like what they're beating the, teams in front
of them and You're, Getting standout performances from vuch you've
gotten like some Just nice Moments from a dayal and
terry like, being able to you know unearth. Those Later
in the season trey jones has. Been pretty good for
them they've gotten Good Minutes. At times from zach Collins
We've even had like patrick golliams. AT a couple standout
performances i just don't THINK this functionally changes how i feel,
about them in.
Speaker 1: Any. Way shape or form.
Speaker 3: Nope, and and that's the issue. Right because here's the
thing they actively actively said they don't want, to go
through the draft they don't want, to build through the
draft they want. To be a middle team and Then
suddenly strike gold. And i'm not Sure How it's, the old,
south park mean, you know, steel underpat underpants question. Marks
zero point three profit that's. Basically the plans they're employing
AND it's it's difficult because i don't want to sit,
here and criticize their players because the players are doing what.
They're supposed, to be doing they're winning they're, playing at
a fast. PACE they're taking good shots I think, the
roster the chicago has or rather the Players individually, speaking
that the bulls have are very, appealing players in. Many
way shapes and forms but the overall project that they're
going about is just. The, mindset is all wrong like
how do you improve if you refuse. To build through
the draft you have major contractual elements coming up, both
this summer and next and you also Have Some. Debt
Weight with patrick, Williams like i've come around. I'm No
LONGER a believer i'm i'm i have Sold my Last.
Stake on pat will island love the guy like he
sounds like one Of the most sympathetic guys i've. Ever
seen or heard speak but, Like from, A player, Perspective i'm.
Out i'm out i'm out.
Speaker 1: So you wouldn't have given him, a player option last.
Speaker 3: SUMMER is what, you're, Saying i was actually look i'm
owning up SOME of that one because i thought that the.
DEAL was actually pretty decent i was one, of the
people who thought You know that not that, DeMar was
LIMITING his game because that i always thought that. Was
A little too, ridiculous but, i Did think you know with,
DeMar out of the picture not squeezing the ball, as
much as, he was not you know just milking the clock,
as much as he was that would free up. Had.
A little bit more so i actually thought. The CONTRACT
at face value, when i first, started, off it was,
like yeah that. Makes sense that's pretty good he's. GONNA be,
A lot better i yeah i'm just laying my, Ass Down.
FLAT and saying maya kolpa.
Speaker 2: I don't know whether it's an indictment on him or
the organization that, in a year where Okay you got
rid of demortrow's, AND over, The off season. I know
giddy Comes In then you trade zach lavine and just
like they have not, materially EXPANDED his, OFFENSIVE role and
i like i think that says all.
Speaker 1: That, needs to be said. Uh.
Speaker 2: They're our next team more this is more of a.
Season long feel good story there. There is no better
story You could talk about the, blazers as A comparable story,
but the pistons all year Even. After losing j andn ivy,
they are On here, though because since February One this
isn't even mickey mouse march, more top four, net rating sixth. On,
offense first On Defense uh they are like i've been
amazed at how well they've been doing over the past.
Speaker 1: Like two months or so just like this is a
team that's really focused.
Speaker 2: On getting back, in transition they're missing shots like, They're
not sort of lagging they're. Making Sure they get back
molie Beasley On. An absolute heater kate cunningham everything that
we've talked about in the past still. Applies To what
He's doing fred katz the athletic did a nice little
peace or like blurb on like. HIS butting post up
game i think what's been big for him during this
stretch continuing to, show a lot on defense but just
like his role on offense is a little bit different
Ever Since they started using assar Thompson Differently. And brought
in dennis shrewder he's getting, Like these in game, breaks
fewer dribbles per, touch lower time of possession slightly more
of his. Baskets are COMING off assis the thing I
wanted to highlight before, i threw it To you the
Thing that i'm taking like I'm into, THE pistons to
whereas no i don't want to see him start trading
future first round picks all over the place and try and.
Get a, star in here this offseason they've, clearly BUILT
something in Place And i think that asar thompson during
this stretch has kind of reinforced that, if he's gonna
be healthy his efficiency from the perimeter is always gonna kind.
Of be what it is but like when you can
get him going downhill in transition or. Coming out of
a screen he's shooting sixty percent. From two during this
stretch that's up from. Fifty six point four percent, the
bigger thing for me, fifty nine percent on drives. Up
from forty one percent and then he's averaging four point
five assists per thirty six versus two point eight Per thirty,
six from before february first and a couple of. The,
big differences for him yeah him, bringing the ball up.
More that's a big deal but also just like when
they can get, him the ball off movement so like
he's Gonna Take, a handoff from jalen duran you get
him going downhill, Or just live dribble whatever like he
makes really good reads against scrambling. Defenses in THE half
court and so i don't know if he's ever gonna
be the this type of guy that you want. To break down,
a defense, if he is, my god it's just over
like THIS guy's gonna be like i don't like it'll
that and the three point like that or the three
point shot. COMING along would be huge i think if
he was going to be also if he was going,
to BE eligible for it which i.
Speaker 1: Do not believe he will he would be an.
Speaker 2: All defense candidate for sure i've Been so encouraged that
what i've been Seeing with the way the pistons are
using him and, how he's executing on offense and if
they can continue to kind of prop, UP the spacing
around him i really think that there's. Going TO be
something there and i still view him personally as, the
second most important, player Like.
Speaker 1: In that building behind kid.
Speaker 3: There was a story during his Rookie season about how
the pistons were looking at his, jump shot as a
process that the process that would probably. Last a couple
of years like they're they're basically trying to break it
down step by step and like. Try to get things
right if he gets that primer shot and can, Just
use that as leverage i'm not even saying he, needs
to be high volume but like if he can just
take four or five triples per game at, like a
league average rate so he forces guys to come out and,
guard him from, over there, From out there oh man.
Like he's. His first step it's Ridiculous like when he
gets you just mentioned The Driple. Handoff scenario with jalen
deurn do you see how much when as soon. As
he grabs the ball do you see like how quickly
He TAKES that first step and.
Speaker 1: I don't because it's too quick for. My eyes to get.
Speaker 3: Right but he even. Has this presence of Mind he's
got like the luca de cel thing going as well
now where, not to the same extent but like he
will start off with this, power dripple throwing guys off
and then he'll just kind of stop. ON a, DIME
change direction i mean i don't know if he's, ever
going to be like, quote UNQUOTE an offensive. FORCE but
i just never i don't think he's ever going to
be like a negative minus because of, the way he
operates him because. Of how athletic he is he's Like the, One,
guy where i'm like okay even if the three point
shot is, not going, TO come around you know i,
might actually live with it like it would that make
things easier for him. And, The team at large yes
is it going to drastically, Limit, him as. A. PLAYER
well not really no i will give them, one POINT
of Criticism Though one i think jalen durant has become
a little bit of an afterthought. Just a little too
much i'm not saying. THEY have to feature him i
don't think they have to go like all pucasol on
in where he has to have fifteen post ups per game.
Or ANYTHING nonsense like that but i would like to
see him get a couple more dumb. UP passes near
the rim i want to see them try to set.
THEM up for more lobs i want to get, him
JUST slightly more involved because i think that would add
an interesting and very intriguing, offensive layer to their offense
especially now that they're not a. Strong, THREE point.
Speaker 1: SHOOTING team yeah i don't i don't Know How to.
FEEL about jalen duran still.
Speaker 2: I go back and, forth he's definitely been better and
his touches are actually slightly, up since the trade deadline
and some of the center floor decision making, for HIM
could be good. But i just DON'T know and like
he's i trust him more on THE perimeter defensively now.
Than i probably ever have but as, LIKE your base
room PROTECTOR i don't know how. I necessarily feel about
that i continue to be All Over, the PLACE about
jellen durham but I think that he is he's probably
MORE dynamic than he's like i, EVER would have, considered
him i get well at LEAST with the Exception Of
i was pretty jellen duran, pilled after his first year.
LIKE just the physical tools i don't they're gonna have
a fascinating decision with, his extension like he is that
is going to. BE one, of the toughest, i think
like you know meaningful, PLAYER extension cases this summer.
Speaker 3: I wonder he, even gets like an extension or he's
going to be a, RESTRICTED free agent next.
Speaker 2: YEAR i, would, have To i Think like if i'm
the pistons and he wants more, than like twenty a,
year twenty three a year like whatever fifteen percent of
the salary, Cap is going.
Speaker 1: TO be i'd probably have i.
Speaker 2: Would just wait for restricted you could match it if he's,
gonna get the big offer because restricted free agency, has
been a dud lately and so if a team is
gonna give him an off, for sheet like a center
specifically a non spacing center that has, some defensive question
marks still then, something has gone, incredibly right Like next
year and so i'd.
Speaker 1: BE happy to match it.
Speaker 3: I do think he's gotten better defensively though over. THE
course of this year i want. To give him that
credit how.
Speaker 2: Do you feel about him as, a base rim protector
though is this sort of a do you trust him
as more of like that perimeter big or do you
think that he's like a tried and.
Speaker 1: True, like back line.
Speaker 3: Guy no so the, back LINE stuff not yet but
i haven't. Closed THE door on it like, i do
think for. Him it's about understanding timing it's about understanding
like when. To rotate over the, DEFENSE that the perimeter
stuff i Think, Is is sort of god i'm. Gonna
set myself Up here it's sort, of bam esque at
times not, In this in the, Like don't get me,
Wrong i'm not saying no, i'm DIE.
Speaker 1: If everyone watching because i, almost SAID the same thing but.
I refrain from doing it.
Speaker 3: Nice, love IT all right well so i do think
he's got the instincts Out there similar to like bam
is Quicker. ON his Feet like bam i think BAM's
what do, you call it Hip, mobility.
Speaker 2: LIKE just the yeah there's i don't think. Anyone's, ever gonna, Match,
that yeah You're right like that's.
Speaker 3: Obviously DURANT doesn't have that but i don't think he's
that far off to the point where you know, he's he's,
gonna suck. ON you know perimeter defense i don't think that's.
EVER gonna be a case i think he's. Super intriguing
on that, SIDE the back LINE defense i think is.
I think it's gonna come. I'm gonna be optimistic again
i'm gonna put on the optimism hat. And say it's, gonna,
come but like you yeah, like we're three years in we.
Haven't really seen it consistently there's. There's some doubts creeping
in i'm. NOT gonna say, there aren't.
Speaker 2: I will say on a, Scale of, one to ten
i'm Like we're not. BUYING the pistons' championship favorites i
BUY kind, OF just like i mean i don't even
want To say, A ten because i'm well i'm a
little bit skeptical, In parts of, their offense like you
know they're not hitting their threes and they're still gonna
be in the top seven.
Speaker 1: During the stretch and. OFFENSE this is A.
Speaker 2: TEN i buy The piston i buy the pistons eleven
out of ten.
Speaker 1: Based off what.
Speaker 3: WE'VE seen that is fair i have a hard. Time
To Screen With.
Speaker 2: That the Golden State warriors very post jimmy butler esque
trade is what you? Want to isolate WITH them how Are,
you i took the pistons so how Are.
Speaker 1: You feeling about the, Dubs.
Speaker 3: I'm feeling, very good but you know we have to,
SET some rules to THIS i think because do i
feel GOOD About them? As an, nba CHAMPIONSHIP consenter maybe
not but i feel good about, them being, far more
competitive you know post trade. THAN prior to the trade
i think they've streamlined. THEIR offense A lot more i
love jimmy as. LIKE the secondary ball handler i think
he's giving Like he's sort of extending, draymond's role a
little bit And he's also probably extended draymond's window a little,
bit more as, a PLAYER which THANK god because i
can't i will gladly Wait around multiple years FOR draymond
to hit the tv. Screen as our Next. Announcer so.
Keep playing draymond that's fine. Play until you're fifty. Five
THAT'S good for Me but i do think jimmy has
just sort of taking the load off everyone, else a
little bit more and the fact that he can consistently get.
TO the free from LINE i think you and i talked,
about this at some point like the last warrior who
could do that To the, same extent was corny mcghetty
like a guy who could just consistently, get to the
foul line get teams and get them in the bonus and. Give,
Them This Advantage defensively Obviously swiss army knife for jimmy always.
BEEN spectacular in that end i believe them as a.
Team to watch moving forward in terms of this is
gonna Be a nice. WAY for steph to retire i
don't think. THERE'S another championship in it i don't think
They Will Ever Lift the. Larry briant championship trophy again
it is still named that we're. Renaming awards all The
Time It's Still, the, Lario brian championship trophy right. That's,
still the same one NO.
Speaker 1: That's actually that's what. MLB teams compete for more.
Speaker 3: I WANT to make, sure because i don't remember like the.
FULL of the new awards i just. Don't remember, all
the names but.
Speaker 1: No It's still It's Still.
Speaker 2: A larry O'Brien championship trophy they, changed like an award's name,
like some of The awards but the, O'Brien trophy.
Speaker 3: IS great COOL so like i see i look at
them as a team that's gonna be far more fun to.
Watch because they already are they're gonna be. More competitive
than it before they're gonna have some series either, this
year or next year or they're Gonna put the fear.
Of god, INTO some team but Ultimately i do think
whatever cinderella's story they'll be on. Is gonna come crashing
down like at, Late is the.
Speaker 2: SECOND round i'm way higher i would probably buy them
AT about an eight because. I do have some questions
i think that there's part of their playoff run could end.
UP being very matchup dependent i think you could also
talk me into them being, the actual second best team
Most Threatening team in. The Western conference right now the
nuggets have that. Claim, to ME right now yeah but
i think, when You're looking at ceilings this warriors team.
HAS a case FOR no i would say i would
put them. Third right now, without hesitation it's just like
What's the third team, that i'm? Most, you know Fearing.
Behind okay like there's, okac NUMBER two.
Speaker 1: Is debatable but i have denver still There with you. With.
Speaker 2: A joki of course Uh and then, it's THE dubs,
for me and i think look you, mentioned the free
throw stuff and just, to, back that up there first
in free Throw attempt, rate since the butler trade. THEY
were twenty ninth beforehand I, think the bigger thing now
this matters more for the, regular season than the playoffs
but it. Still matters for the playoffs but there are
plus seventeen point Six per one Hundred, when butler plays
without curry and now we're talking about almost six hundred possessions.
Speaker 1: Worth of that playing.
Speaker 2: Time that's a big deal and then, like the real
Thing here so, you're buying steph Longer breaks probably even
in game two when you're like he's been he was
playing out of his, mind before the pelvic injury and
then you could see. That he was Getting tired, but,
like the jimmy trade, yeah might have, reinvigorated him like
psychologically emotionally but like it also just made his job
a little bit easier both when he's. ON and off
the court i ACTUALLY think my bigger. Question i, am
worried about you know if you Get, Into the minutia of,
okay quinton post excellent story clearly the most, important player
in That, Building shout outs grand hughes but can. HE
play in the playoffs i think their best lineups were always,
going to be this way but they're gonna have to
lean on going smaller. Even more come postseason time and
so that's Maybe You can sprinkle, more CAVON looney in,
there but, I Could see you know quinton post has
been very important to opening up the floor when you
have two. NON shooters on the court i don't know
if that sticks, when you're in the playoffs? Like can
you play, him and if you can we're already. Seeing
that the cominga minutes the first two games, felt like
They were okay AND everything i've seen since. I just
haven't really loved they're a minus eight point Four per
one Hundred, When cominga plays with jimmy and again even,
just looking at like okay you look at the limitations
on coming to shooting sub fifteen percent from three, or
whatever since his return but he's also shooting forty two
point four. Percent on his paint touches that's down from.
Fifty seven point seven percent and Just, the game.
Speaker 1: Against, the hawks mort. No steph he didn't close and
so it's.
Speaker 2: Just like this is weird i'm not saying, it will
Become a distraction but Like kminga's kind of an he's
just an, important cog in this. Machine for better or
worse AND so, that's a question I have which is
why i'd be, a little bit more hesitant, just because
they are smaller, and, so you would think like if
you're gonna, have cominga on the court one is the?
Offense gonna Have Enough spacing especially if quinton. Post isn't
on the court can you even think About playing him
Next to draymond and or butler during the both? Of
those Guys for sure, like if post is not like
can you can't even play technically all those four. GUYS
at the same time i guess you could, For a
ton of minutes but, there's the offensive questions, There, and
then it's okay well if you need To Stagger him,
from the jimmy draymond minutes what does that do to
your defense because you're taking one of your two or
three best defenders off. The court during that stretch those
are the BIG question marks and why. I haven't just
said that i think that they're probably the Second biggest
threat To, beat OKAC in the west and I, think
that relative To denver they're Gonna be you look at denver.
Size On the front line golden, state just doesn't have
that and so like if You Go up, against A
minnesota denver itself like i could. See That being an
issue so i'm probably at like a seven and a
half eight of buying What we've, seen SINCE the butler
trade AND i would say before, i THROW it to
you is i actually might, EVEN though they'll be older
i might just be higher on what this means For Them,
next year having jimmy butler because if You, can do
something with kamingo whether it's a sign and trade or
just like you, have other pieces to move like YOU'VE
now given yourself what i would say is a more
convincing title contention baseline than anything.
Speaker 1: You, HAD previously to this.
Speaker 3: Yeah i agree with That you also outlined why i'm
a little, bit MORE skeptical about them because i don't think.
Their DEPTH is particularly impressive and, i understand that you know,
in the playoffs rotations tightened but not to the point
where you know you have to use three or four
starters and just, drive them into the, ground like you
still need especially their age unique guys. TO kind of
Alleviate that i question whether kamenka. Is ready for That,
role like most of moody He is a guy who i've.
Liked FOR a long time do i trust him in
a more important. SETTING in a playoff series i don't know.
THE answer to. THAT yet i hope so i would
love to see. HIM become a playoff, performer i, think
he's got you know the. SKILL set to do it
i think he's got at times. THE physicality to match
up i think he's got. The mentality at times too
but then also he'll have those games where he, Doesn't
play a whole. Lot he'll check HIMSELF out it's just
like i, think there the bench essentially like The Depth
area is where i'm i'm not really that trusting of
how that. IS going to work out i love your,
point about the future though the fact that they can
go out AND use, KUMINGA no but. I like i
get it i get what you're saying and sounds, funny because,
you're basically saying you know three guys who live in
the retirement village are going. To be better, next year
but you're right you can actually go out and perhaps
relinquish some talent because we can't Get around the fact
that kamenka, is talented he's supremely talented but you might
have to really, sacrifice that for better fit, just an optimized.
Big man whatever that is could it be that They
go out and get vouch to have like. AN inside outside,
Post OPTION i don't know like i don't know who
the right player, is TO get in there but i
do agree that there are better fits around the, league
perhaps should. BE available so we'll see i, Think that's
an interesting point like if they figure out like the
stepping stone from like the, bench to the starting lineup like,
who can actually bridge that then they're gonna be. Fun
as hell next year.
Speaker 1: Your part about THE depth is.
Speaker 2: INTERESTING because i try Us i actually really trust moody
based off What we've seen since the. Wigans straight in
a playoff, maybe not so much, offensively i'd, have question
marks but defensively Especially if You have. Like butler AND
draymond There and then, i trust pods for sure and
he's been supers he like forty three percent in the Games.
Speaker 1: THAT he's played in March.
Speaker 3: I didn't bring, Up pots i trust him.
Speaker 2: BUT when you get into i already Mentioned post and
then like healed Of. Like nobody should trust healed and Then.
If YOU can't trust, kaminga, And I, also think look
gary payton. The second has been spectacular that's another player
that especially you know what. He's gonna, bring you offensively,
but oh, is he gonna you know on his? Three
three pointers a game is he gonna shoot forty five?
PERCENT forever in. A play i don't know so that's
a that's a really interesting. Point ABOUT about their depth
but i think the fact That if as long as
steph Is healthy And, you have butler and draymond you
can build some really. Nasty Like your core Lineup throw moody.
And then pods in there if, you think he's a
fifth like that's a. Really nasty like core lineup it's
just that core lineup can't play, forty eight minutes a
game and so how are? You buying your minutes elsewhere
is definitely. Like a question to ask Our Next. Team
is the indiana pacers. They've this isn't a turnaround this
is more, like a surge for them and it's like.
Speaker 1: Kind Of an extended one but march they've been a Fucking.
Speaker 2: HEART attack moret in. March i just want them they
played a semi Normal. Basketball game against the timberwolves, when
THEY blew them out and i know they've been. SHORTHANDED
a couple of times i just want them to play.
LIKE they're gonna kill me i was out. ON this team,
months AGO i said it. Then i was back in
I'M on record as saying i think they are the
third Most. Dangerous TEAM in the east and i think.
That's my question to you AND like the, biggest thing
i Would Highlight aside from just tyre's haliburton balling here
is if You're trying to look at march specifically tenth,
in points allowed per possession.
Speaker 1: Their three point.
Speaker 2: DEFENSE has gotten very lucky i would say they are,
first in three point defense which we know even if
you're affecting who's taking the shots and that type of.
Speaker 1: Shots like to.
Speaker 2: Be first there's noise there but like the rim protection
teams are. Still getting There A lot but like miles
turner has been stopping, Putting UP. Better resistance there aaron
e smith is, just like a help defender. Has Gotten
a lot better obie toppin's. Been playing well for them
that would be a question for them in The Playoffs
is how much obie toppin can? You get away with
here this team is deep though it is very they,
can PLAY fast and physical which I Don't, Know, aside
from oklahoma city like what are the teams? That can
consistently do that i'm Sure there are CERTAINLY, answered like
even like i one doesn't necessarily Spring to minds like
the pacers, Having THOSE buttons TO push but i, guess
i would ask you is it like sort if you're looking,
FOR a thing to do i need to buy or sell?
A surge from this team is it kind of? Like
the recent defensive performance is? It something else in net
are you READY to even buy what i said to
you a couple, months or like a week a, month
and a half ago excuse me that they are the
third Most Threatening.
Speaker 1: Team in the eastern conference i'm just gonna.
Speaker 3: BE completely honest. WITH you i. Don't KNOW i don't know,
WHEN I watch their games i, They're just they keep
winning they keep being in it lating games even in
the games that they o and like it doesn't feel
anything like out of the ordinary is happening for them
to continue to Win like it's it's it's they're. Just
a well. OILED machine at this point i think, it's
a combination of comfortabiliality and it's it's. The guys are
getting healthy like the last, TIME we talked about them
I Was like WORRIED about tyres, albert and i, WAS
like you know What i don't think the praisers are
gonna be a lot better unless he turns into like
the version we saw of him last year in the
first half of the season where he was averaging. LIKE
twenty six and twelve i thought he needed to, becoming
you know that guy and he's he's still dominating without,
putting up the raw numbers and he's doing that just
by having. Full control of the game siakam has been.
Speaker 1: Oh it's twelve plus assists not. Enough raw numbers.
Speaker 3: For you those are fantastic it's more of The scoring
punch right where i'm, sitting, there to just thinking oh
they're gonna need him because you Can't keep Running things
through cia coming Like Can we keep trusting bennedicue matherrin
to keep? Putting up those points totals, but like as
you said the depth is There Because then one, night
Obi Topping goes off then andrew, nemhart Has A good
game then, miles turner sitting CASE three it's just it's
i feel comfortable with them as a team because they
just have so many places they can go to for,
a Wide variety of production Like sam who can All
you can also ask siam to scale up, the defense
for a bit Like, obviously you, can tell miles look
today we're gonna have a pretty tough. Assignment in front
of us we need you to just drop back and
block everything under the. Sun if they Come close like
it's rick kylole just has all these buttons and, dials
that he can turn and he does. AND players seem
to listen i don't think there's just. One thing that
stands out it's it's like. The sum of all parts
it just. Kind.
Speaker 1: Of.
Speaker 3: SEEMS to work.
Speaker 2: Yeah there i just, there's OPTIONALITY on this team and
i think it's functional to the point where you know
you mentioned this before, rotation SHRINK in The playoffs and
i think INDIANA will. BE no different i mentioned i
think the top and thing might be like the Like
how many minutes of obi top and can you get away?
With in the playoff, playoffs very MATCHUP dependent there but
like i don't think, you like aside from him so
you go through the list of other guys. That Are
getting regular minutes is bencmathrin perfectly what you.
Speaker 1: Need, from a wing spot no he can.
Speaker 2: Absolutely Play, in, The, playoffs Nie smith McConnell Halliburton, And
siakham of course turner like. These Are all, just guys memhard,
Sheppard too like getting spot like that's someone to come
and give you. Different defensive looks for sure while he,
hit enough of his. Threes, THAT'S by the way anecdotally
I just want all of indies's quote unquote like good
shooters to be hitting. Threes at the same time it
feels like that's. Just never happened this season like it's
like two or three players are on heaters and then
like these other three. Or four guys are not but
THIS team is just and I mean like they have
i'm My Favorite, Lineup, Of, Theirs isnie Smith. NEMHARD haliburton
turner in siakam i Think you can sub in mathrin
if you want sort of, different looks there like that
like that sort Of base Nucleus. ASIDE from cleveland or
boston i just don't Know what team if you're indie
that you need to fear when those are like, That
is your go, to like five or six and like
the way that you can mix and match and play
it and just again the. Two WAY capability of that
So i buy like they again this has been more.
OF like a gradual SURGE i don't know if i
buy them, as a top ten defense but when you're looking,
AT their most important lineups I think you can say
i buy that they have a higher defensive ceiling than
kind of floating around the bottom ten. AND being an
absolute sieve i do still, EVEN with their best lineups
i worry, about them on the interior like, even if
you're you know if you're, deterring shots at the rim
it feels like it comes at the expense of just
like these high quality. Floater Looks For other teams. BUT
i'm i'm it's funny I. WAS out on the pacers
i don't, remember what month it Was, It, might, Have
been November December whatever. And now i'm pacers pilled? How
do you like that and they did, Nothing at the
trade that like it wasn't like, This team had any
turnover like this, is just something that's organic, like BEEN
fixed In house and i. THINK i'll STAND by it
i think i would rather see them like if. WE'RE
talking second round matchups i think that they would give
more Of a test To a Cleveland Or a Boston.
Speaker 1: Than, new, york or.
Speaker 3: Milwaukee consistency right that, Is the word for them like
it's the same level. Of effort every single game those
are the teams that. You need to worry about the
teams that surge in a way where you know they,
completely break their own pattern they're going to. Come back
down to earth It never seems like the pacers went, up,
like they kept winning sure but like we're not seeing
that attached to like wild individual performances or percentages that are.
Suddenly skyrocketing out of nowhere this is just like fixing,
small issues, here and there humming, along knowing who they.
ARE knowing their own limitations i would Not want to play.
Speaker 2: The, PACERS in the, Playoffs NO i, would, agree and
i think look even if, you don't trust their defense
if they can continue to, keep opponents out of transition which,
of your offense is clicking that's the way. To get
your defense set it's just sometimes you get you'll have,
a chance.
Speaker 1: To get set.
Speaker 2: And, THAT'LL, make you better inherently u you certainly should
feel better, About Their their Playoff stock so I'm probably
i'm GONNA say i'm like a i want eleven Out,
of ten for the pistons. BUT this is all Relative
i would say like i'm Probably. A nine on. The
pacers that feels right our Next Team a lot of
james harden, dealing with an ankle injury, but he's very
you know he doesn't receive enough credit For kind of
having the i'm just gonna rub some dirt and, spray
Some windecks on it. AND i'm gonna be fine i
think we need To Appreciate the load that james harden has.
Carried over The years.
Speaker 1: More But, The.
Speaker 2: Clippers more uh Man they've been. Both to bogdanovic playing
well The half court offense. Since february first is eighth
like that's a big deal for this team. That we
were concerned About uh it's not just, bogdanovich is hitting, his.
Speaker 1: Threes by the way either we're shooting six.
Speaker 2: Point seven percent on drives the half court offense specifically
is in the eighty six Percent high When you have kawhi.
And harden on the court There's Been some. CONCERNS about
norm powell recently i think that he's probably always. Struggled
against more physical defenses but he's coming back. From like
knee hamstring stuff let's SEE if that normal because i
would think like his performance, will, normalize if he's healthy
like just as he's always been a valuable. Spacer and
get downhill guy so if you need him to, do, a. Little,
less dribbling okay fine defensively there could be Some challenges
if each a Zubos Might, finish first team all defense
might finish In The top three Of. Defensive player of, the,
year mort, is there Like You know assuming that james, Harden,
is gonna be okay like is there like something here
with this team where they're, they're not a sleeping giant
but there's someone who could Cause a?
Speaker 1: Ruckus, IN the west, Playoffs.
Speaker 3: WELL i mean yes so i was probably a little
bit too low on them for the. MOST part of
the year i thought THIS wasn't a team that i would.
Necessarily TRUST come playoff time AND i will also say
i have been probably conditioned at this Point To just
expect that kawhi leonard just would not be much available,
or even after his return that he. Would go down
again again knock on. Wood that doesn't Happen we love to.
See kawhi on the floor it obviously Dramatically changes my
answer whether, kawhi is available or not like he is.
Still THEIR fully fledged superstar what i think has been
a major key, for them all year long not, just
in the recent stretch is that the playoff two guys
in particular never kind of dropped. Down after their Hot
start so a mere coffee still hitting that three ball
at a high. Rate Playing Two way basketball derek jones
junior also just keeping that train Moving from his time
in dallas where he became one of the better. Forward
defenders in the league they have just. Completely kept that,
thing going, both of them, you know part, Time Starters
well all Right Derek Jones juices and derek jones shooter
started for the, most part of the season but it's.
BEEN in and out there i just you need those
type of guys to come in and give you the.
SAME production every single night i think what's been interesting
is how they've kept their roles. Intact despite some Roster Turnover,
so like boke don bogdanovic we know he likes to
handle the ball just to see, he can, move off
ball for sure but he also likes to play make
he likes to have the, ball in, His hand somehow
some way. I'm Your coffee and, Direct, jones shooter was like.
Yep we're. Down with it that's cool we're gonna allow
him to come. In and dictate some things we're. Gonna
play off of that there's, just team wide. Role acceptance
which is huge like ask any coach at, any level
and they'll say role. Acceptance is just alpha omega it's
it's one of the. Most important parts to. Success they
have gotten that supermuch is a good shout by the way.
He's been Outreak Just, outrageous even.
Speaker 2: Just, Nicholas Patoom that steadying hand. Chris, dunn just absolute monster.
Defensively they've even they've, won the offense looks choppy and
some of that might, Be If You're you know derek
jones junior is on the floor for some of that and.
The way defenses guard him he's hitting. His threes at
the moment he's actually hitting more Threes in The Month
of march.
Speaker 1: Than norman powell. Per game how About.
Speaker 2: That but like the ben, simmons and no big. Look
they've won those minutes that's actually when you look at some. Of,
the personnel they've had again the offense, can Get a
little rough but i've been impressed with, a LOT of
those minutes and i think it just gives them different buttons.
TO push in the playoffs i, don't expect that, to be.
By The way a, crutch what i'm saying like it
DOES give you the word, i keep Coming back to
or that i've overused in, the. HISTORY of this podcast
optionality I Do worry like if james harden is dealing
with an ankle issue, or anything moving, forward again hopefully
he's fine And he's, Been SPECTACULAR and march specifically but
i think Is It egregious to say kawhi leonard very
much defines the Ceiling Of this team like james harden,
kind OF defines their floor because i think like they've
actually been Pretty bad this Year, when kawhi PLAYS without
harden and so i think because, of the The playmaking
usage specifically that harden can shoulder that, nobody Else.
Speaker 1: On this team including kawhi.
Speaker 2: Can come close to shouldering if you're dealing with any
sort of, a reduced version of him it like it
has a pretty big impact on how far you could
Go and so. That's something i'll be monitoring but if
their offense is anywhere, like it's been above average if
it's anywhere near, league average with the defense they are
second in points a lot per. Possession against top, ten
offenses this is if like if they get the right, Draw,
IN the first round like i don't, Know that there's
a team like if you told me they pulled off
A first round upset against i think Anyone, To aside
from the, thunder, i'd, probably BE like wow.
Speaker 1: Okay, LIKE I believe it yeah I.
Speaker 3: Denver, is one, Where i'm like because.
Speaker 1: Yo kic get zoo and foul trouble and. Then, you're
kind of small yeah.
Speaker 3: So the back line hurts Denver, is, probably ONE like
okay see. Obviously, i agree with You, like but, IF it's,
houston For example i yeah That's that's probably one where
i'd be very open To the idea that the clippers come.
Speaker 2: Out because the offense DOES feel a Little like i
buy into Like. What we're, seeing from bogdanovich it's okay,
it might be unsustainably hot but it's closer to what
we know about him Than what we saw in atlanta
when he was battling injuries and just not playing well
at all the norm power. Regression hurts a little bit
i'm probably gonna go, like a six In terms like
because what i'm looking at specifically is. The offense with
the clip we know, the defense is for real and
the surge comes back to. WHAT is their offensive ceiling
i don't know if they can play Like because Even during,
this february since february first, They're not a top ten
like being eighth and a half court's a big deal.
HELP you Come playoff time i think, i'm at like
a six maybe a six and a half of buying
what we've seen from from their surge.
Speaker 3: That that feels fair because they're often the teams. That
we've talked so far That's probably the one that i'm
sounds horrible. To say least high on but like we're,
talking about the right direction.
Speaker 1: You're higher on the bulls well did? You?
Speaker 3: Give, THEM a grade remember.
Speaker 1: Yeah, i mean the ball like if, You're looking at
the ball i'd probably? Go what like a? Two like
what is It just like you HAVE voochs talking about
like i might want to.
Speaker 2: Stay, here beyond this season yeah that sounds like a
good time to move, on to our Next Team, which
is The minnesota timberwolves which more i'm not even fucking.
Sure if they, belong here at this rate there are
Seventh in. Net ratings since february first they do tend
to play up to, the level of their opponents but
then like they. Just turn in these clunkers kind Of
Saw it against the, indiana pacers the other night they
play down to.
Speaker 1: THE level of their opponents i just don't know what.
Speaker 2: TO make of this, team i can't quit them, because
the talent is there and when you look at like
they're what top seven Goy Like the way that julius Randall,
has played by And Marge the way that dante DiVincenzo,
Was playing at the moment like the, top END talent
is there but, i look at this. Team they're so
maddeningly inconsistent twenty fifth on offense and. Crunch time for
the season, they've been slightly better. Recently but still below
average their starting lineup right now, as a killer net rating,
and so, like that was you know did you have
a ton of conviction in that. Unit to begin the year,
jane McDaniel's been better offensively but i. Still think defenses
don't care lots Of Up and down. FOR rudy gobert
on offense i, Think maybe the bigger storyline And that's
the thing that I'M kind of wondering if, i NEED
we need.
Speaker 1: To but i.
Speaker 2: Won't buy It In, full but like anthony edwards we've
seen the volume on, the three is still there still
Above thirty, five percent since february, first but not by
much like not shooting as. Well as he was before
and we've even had like this season's been turbulent for
him when it comes, to finishing around the basket but
like he's just not the same level of finisher. That
he was last season and like you can boil it
down to does that have anything to? Do with the
front court is have anything to do? WITH the go
bear minutes. I mean you isolate it he's like he's
been a little bit better In the, restricted area since
february first but he's in the seventieth percent tile of
rim finishing this year versus. The ninety fourth last year
he's shooting forty Six percent on twos, With gobar on
the floor i'm six sixty point, four percent at The
rim and then, when gobart's off the court that goes
to sixty, Two percent at the rim so it's. Not
like This huge difference that's something i'm monitoring because it,
could be a spacing issue but like if there's not
the same, level of burst they're finishing there. COULD be
a difficulty issue i, think it's also hurt, them like
he's still Important But they can't, play mike commley as
much or at least they don't feel like they trust him,
to play as much more and that can throw their
offense FOR sort of a loop d loop if you can't,
Tell by that incoherent rambling i'm all over the place
on the wolf.
Speaker 3: Because the wolves. Are, THE wolves are like Look I,
was impressed with, julius randall by the way because for
him to actually be a positive influence on wining team
That is not something that. I'm always associated with him let's.
JUST put it that way.
Speaker 2: I mean to be fair he was a driving force
in The regular season for the knicks and they were winning.
Speaker 3: Games occasionally because there are times where he had he
had seasons where he was just all, over the place
himself offensively Where he would shoot the knicks out of
games just as soften as he would, Shoot THEM back
into it like i do think, the, volatility of this,
offense which like you, said all over the place is.
Speaker 1: Not.
Speaker 3: Going to help them towns, for all the contractual stuff
was still, a very Consistent offensive performer and while gobert
kind of took a lot of, those rebounds away from
him he was a consistent. Presence on the class too,
he was always a big wide body who, knew how
to place himself even though he wasn't quote unquote a,
good defender so to speak like he just he was able.
To clock the paint up we're not seeing. That. To,
The same extent McDaniels however i'm glad you shot you,
gave him that shout Out because this is something i've
been complaining, about for years for years like him just
being able, to take more open shots or rather having,
the willingness to, do, SO and him acknowledging hey i
need to be. More of an. Offensive factor good on
him we're SEEING some contribution there that. I Didn't expect
from him nas reed, also still the same guy but
everything around that. Has been volatile As Hell we know
that rudy gobert can have games where he scores seventeen
and he. Follows that up with five so we know.
He's not a Consistent, presence we know that randall for all,
what he's done this year we know that there's still some.
Inconsistencies to, his jump shot you, know sometimes it'll be on,
sometimes he'll be way off he'll shoot. His, way out
of games anthey. It works not much different i'm afraid
at times like he will get, he's still a young,
guy he'll get over. Confident he'll take bad, shots like
it's just. Collectively there's, TOO much turmoil like you, I
don't trust the offense i don't necessarily understand. WHERE the
hell they're tracking i hope we're gonna get a response
within the last oh god. NINE games the regular season
i don't think that's gonna. Tell us a, whole lot
but you're right, they're ALL over.
Speaker 2: THE place, AND i Wonder i mean i guess gobar
technically counts to someone who draws fouls because. Teams will
WILLINGLY foul him but they i, feel like they need
someone especially when you get to the playoffs and you're
looking at, some of their secondary Lineups Like someone Other
Than anthony edwards or julius randad needs to, be able
to draw fouls and they just don't. Have it on
this team and when you kind of, boil that down
to okay there could be certain spacing, limitations in the
half court especially depending on the level of. Opponent you're
going up against and then now we can't, we or
at least again it feels like they Feel Like they can't.
Play mike calmly as much and he's getting older and he,
has what do you like has dealt with, A bunch
of risk, stuff i believe this year. SO that would
make sense I still, just like since february first they're,
they're top ten offensive defense and yet they're still fourteen
and ten. AND that's Not really spectacular i think i've
seen enough against them AT high end competition where i,
DON'T know this stretch SPECIFICALLY i. Don't know that i
need like this just feels like an. Extension of who
they are so maybe it should be high on a.
Scale of ONE to ten but if i was to
do an Overall, Trust meter of the wolves i'm gonna
give them a five AND a half simply. Because I
can't quit them like i just feel like their top
end OUTCOME Is, They made the Nba finals like that
IS that is how good i. FEEL about this team's
peak i just have yet to see anything that makes
me believe they was they would sustain that they're apex
for a long enough to make it out of three,
playoff series in the way Even.
Speaker 3: Fucking.
Speaker 1: One, In the west more.
Speaker 3: Yeah i'm not. A believer this year whatsoever. I do
think it's fair Like in terms of the gobar stuff
you said he used to get. The line doesn't really
anymore BUT there's a larger question. I Think That has
risen has rudy gobert? Started his decline this, YEAR like
when watching games i don't necessarily feel less though we're
seeing a dramatically. Like lessened version of him but when,
you dig into the numbers you're seeing it all over
the place, in virtually every statistical category even, the advanced
metrics as well where you're seeing like. A diminished version
of him and it's interesting because, you know he is
older and we also know that some big men who are,
especially it's all like him can have a sentency to
like dramatically fall off one. Year from to the next
are we looking at? A decline, that's been initiated i.
Speaker 2: MEAN if it's a decline i don't think that it's
been mad like he is still can be The anchor,
of an only yeah defense and so It's Sort of
like has, Lebron James decline type territory like i'm not
putting him On, the same level. Of lebron but It's
okay eighty percent of lebron is still one of the
fifteen best players In The eighty percent of rudy gobert
is still one of what the five to ten MOST.
VALUABLE defenders IN the nba i think i do wonder
what might be a problem with him is that when,
you look at this team and it was probably to
some extent, A problem last year too i don't know
that they have enough guys who understand like where he
needs to get the ball. Or how to use him
and part of that is just we know They Have
mi commedy like rob dillingham not playing, a ton at
the moment going. Through A feeling out process julius randall's
never necessarily, been THAT level, of, passer and i think look,
we put and rightfully so like A Ton, of pressure
on anthony edwards but like he's still so YOUNG and
so like he i don't THINK that he's not an,
a PLUS passer right now and i don't know that
he's comfortable like putting the ball where fully comfortable fin
Like putting the ball where rudy's, Gonna want it the
most like you need someone who's more of a, game
manager to Do That, and aside from mike conley like.
You just DON'T have that and so i think if there's,
been a regression from him it almost feels like he's
less reliable on the. Offensive end than ever before at
least there's he's exploring peaks and valleys like more dramatically than.
He DID in the past and I think you could
definitely i think when you look, at his movement on defense, You,
could definitely see like okay it feels like he might be.
A STEP or two slower but i can't bring myself
to maybe they go up against a certain playoff matchup
and that. Gets exposed for some reason but, if we're,
still talking about you know one of the ten MOST,
valuable defenders in the nba IT'S just not something that.
Speaker 1: I would, Be worried.
Speaker 3: About oh yeah I'm Not i'm not calling. Clint capella
or anything like That's NOT where we are i'm, i
just think it's interesting right because he, is getting TO that,
age AND like i said, when, i, watch Him play
like yeah occasionally i'll, notice like glimmer of something but ultimately.
It's not something that's recognizable but it's just when, you
dig into the numbers you just kind of start to
see a pattern and then you kind of, make, the assumption, as,
well like all right well he's just wrapping up. His
age forty two season is he going to be able
to actually, rebound or get you know? IN the year
forty three i guess is that going to be a
thing like or are we going to see like this
version of him for a couple of years and then
the drop off is. GOING to be, like LEGIT i
don't know but i do think that they have to
like look, at that, situation and say all right like.
He's not getting any younger if you want The best out,
of go, bear, moving forward you're right like let's get
a point guard in here who knows. How to give
them balls let's, actually try to activate him but. A
little bit more offensively I.
Speaker 2: Think by the WAY dillingham might be that i think if,
you had to ask me who's like, THEIR second best
lob creator i might go with or pass or however.
YOU want to frame it I Would probably go with
Rob Dillingham. OR maybe even dante DiVincenzo.
Speaker 1: I think is maybe a. Little UNDERRATED in that area and.
Speaker 2: I don't, know if, that's i mean this season that's probably.
Not a, HIGH enough ceiling but yeah i get, Where
you're saying on That Like, it might be rob, dillingham
that's gonna take, Time And in that time rudy goberry
is not.
Speaker 1: Going to get any younger.
Speaker 3: So How do we feel about minnesota going into the
next season with all? The contractual stuff going on though that's.
Speaker 1: Just, a that's.
Speaker 2: A whole different separate discussion when you have, HIS nas
read the player i need to know What's gonna happen
With the randall and NASE Reed player options.
Speaker 1: Before, i but like.
Speaker 2: This team it just it feels closer. Than their uneven
performance reflects and so if they're gonna somehow figure out how,
to bring back this core it does feel like a
matter of maybe. Bringing some futzing and fiddling where can
you get can you get another like mid? End game
manager in here is there a tray that they figure
to Be A part, of THE kevin durant sweepstakes depending
I Think on how the julius. RANDALL free agency shakes
out i think the problem here's where there would Be
a problem with the wolves reaches critical mass if You
Don't believe that With Anthony edwards and like, mike conley
on the decline and Then, however you feel about dillingham
if you don't think there is a realistic path with
most of this GROUP here.
Speaker 1: To, them being i would say a more.
Speaker 2: Consistent or versatile offensive team that's when you really have
to start having some, wholesale discussions our next, TEAM second,
to Last team i believe, if i'm not mistaken here
We Move, on To the phoenix suns who i've Seen
just a lot of? Have they turned things around if
you're basing on the Turnaround Like This is, the mickey
mouse march question like this is the team that perhaps
this exercise is for more than anybody else Here. In
the month of march, they are seventh in, offense twenty third.
IN defense six and five a lot, Of Positive developments for.
Them ose godaro playing more he's been Great As, sort
of like malleable defensively the passing out of the. Short
role is still there they, probably need him to be
like show some more, aggression or, physicality on offense, like okay,
the floaters cool but like please go up to the.
Rim a little bit more Is it a coincidence that
bel's hamstring injury is kind of coincided with this recent.
WINNING streak that they're on I Continue. TO marvel at
kevin durant i don't know if You saw The game,
against Milwaukee On, tuesday night but eddie johnson It's crunch
time and the, wolves are down by two, and.
Speaker 1: He, says on air he's like Just Get the.
Speaker 2: Ball to kevin, durant please Two seconds later bal, to
kevin rant three. Pointer go ahead three, pointer makes, A
huge difference. OF course i Just Found i continue, to
devin booker, playing BETTER of, course too but i, THINK
and By The way i think devin booker is at
his best when kind of, like a big man type
like a big. MAN who can decision make i don't
know that you need to have A Lob threat next
to devin booker so, much as a big like oh.
SO who could decision make i think that's. When he's
at his best let's start here. Scale of one to
ten how Much Do You? Buy the march?
Speaker 1: Phoenix suns.
Speaker 3: Not a lot What are we add like durant had
forty two the? OTHER night four point.
Speaker 2: TWO i think that's fair i just don't like it's
cool that they've seemed to have unearthed some things about
THEIR team that, work that I would argue like the
OsO button should have. BEEN pushed a, lot SOONER i
just Yes Do? I BELIEVE in devin Booker Do? I
believe in kevin durant but, like they're going through, This,
they're six and five like are we basing this All?
Speaker 1: Off of like in march are we just basing this off?
OF a mini, winning streak, i can't like what honestly
why should.
Speaker 3: We supposed to win sixty and we're Sitting here. TALKING
about the maverick going.
Speaker 2: I, WANT to make this clear I missed on them
because i PROBABLY hit their over and i definitely had.
THEM in the playoff discussion I ended up picking the
blazers to make.
Speaker 1: The play in over them.
Speaker 2: That's not, aging particularly well but like even if they
make it, out of the play, IN which by the
way i wouldn't guarantee because if You have to beat
The clippers and or. THE timberwolves, to get there i like,
you're gonna at this rate it's not even they have
no chance of getting. To a seven eight spot so
you're gonna have. To win two playing games i'm not gonna,
pick them to do that, and, then, if they do
okay good They're Gonna it's slaughtered by. OKLAHOMA city in
round one i just what? If you can You Sell
is there? A devil's advocate case here i tried To
Approach this, from THE devil's advocate, Perspective, and i think
that okay there might be a top, end lineup here
that works But It. Might not include bradley beal and?
WHAT does that, look like i guess politically like, You're
just not gonna play like You're Just not gonna play,
BRADLEY beal if he's healthy.
Speaker 3: I was seeing. HIM and not starting him i mean
that those are two or GIVING him a, featured role
i should, say, Because he's not starting.
Speaker 2: Right i'm just but MY whole thing is just. I,
don't have like that okay, it's been, cool like this
oh right this recent stretch is fun And We got
to see.
Speaker 1: Kevin durant in the.
Speaker 2: PLAYOFFS like that's always cool i guess there's Sort of
the any given sunday effect When You have Players Like devin.
Speaker 1: Booker and, KEVIN durant HERE but.
Speaker 2: LIKE i just i can't i can't, Get there on this,
team like it's you know, we've seen a little bit
like we, have to shout him out but Because it's
the hard on, knocks podcast of all podcasts like It's
Been cool to see cody.
Speaker 1: Martin has had, UTILITY now when.
Speaker 2: HE'S healthy i JUST don't i just like i don't
know how to feel ABOUT this team other than i
think they're a sham and this recent stretch hasn't. Necessarily
changed that, for me where all right they, MIGHT be
a PLAYING team i still think i would be fairly
surprised if they make, it out of the plane never
mind having to get into the playoffs and.
Speaker 1: Then beat the one seed. We're. Gonna be the thunder
no this is.
Speaker 3: Definitely the most disappointing team in the entire, league to
me this year And this recent stretch doesn't i'm almost confused.
THAT'S why we included Them, i don't think they've yeah
they broke their pattern of having a winning record and
actually playing a little bit. As THEY were, supposed to
but i again this team with these With These, players
at Least Booker, durant Even ignoring beal jones, O'Neil allen
and so on like this was supposed to be, A
TEAM that won fifty LIKE i was joking, when i
said sixty earlier but like fifty should. Have been within
the wheelhouse and now we're we're we're talking about them
because they went? Five or six and five? Was it
six and five.
Speaker 2: They're six and five in. March and they're on there
they're on. A four game, winning streak oh so yeah
four game winning, streak which during that time. Like, they
have real wit Well they Have, wins over cleveland and,
milwaukee like Those still matter Especially the cleveland one, BECAUSE cleveland, was, full,
Strength i believe yeah.
Speaker 3: Ghost so, like, it's a weird month right that's so why.
We're DOING this SPOT though it's i just i have a.
Zero faith lift. In him durant, wants out, we know
this like this this is a. Marriage that's about. To
end we know this so like this that's just hovers
in My head every, Single, time, I'm watching them like
oh durant's, just playing out the. YEAR like he's just
waiting i still think he loves ball to, The, point
where he's like yeah if we have, A chance to
win it i'm. Gonna try to do it but are
are we sure he's gonna go balls to the wall
of the remainder remaining ten games and.
Speaker 2: Try, to make IT through, YEAH that's he i mean
i DON'T have that would be i. Buy LIKE him
doing that but i also there is, kind, of the
problem of well?
Speaker 1: What?
Speaker 2: Are the stakes here right because are you what what
is the outcome where it ends with that they Would
Decide to what keep kevin durant around and kind of run.
THIS back a, little bit i don't like? Does that
scenario even exist? What does that look like just making
it to the, playoffs?
Speaker 1: Can't? COUNT as that right no.
Speaker 3: I see that's the. THING i've counted that out i
don't remember a Situation Where, a guy like kim DuRane,
a featured guy like him, was, basically so determined, that
yeah you know what we're we're probably gonna split, our
waste like this summer like we're. Gonna go Our separate
waste that's why, i'm surprised, You were like oh yeah,
durane's gonna, go balls out.
Speaker 1: You said though you.
Speaker 2: Made the case for, me he it's a cliche, but
like he loves ball like, he just plays there.
Speaker 3: Ball but he also knows that he has to finish
on his own terms, And in his own way like
does he want to like does he, want to give
you know everything he's got at this stage over the
last ten games of the season to, make some let's
be honest pointless attempt in the in the play in
to risk injury and then go into the summer with
major uncertainties knowing full well that that's, when he, can
you know quote unquote he. CAN choose his next team
i don't. KNOW the answer to that i just that would.
Speaker 2: Be on The scale, of THINGS that i'm doubting, like
i Just Don't have like the kevin durant aspect and
of his performance. LEVEL would be THE least i just
don't i don't Know how to apply what i've seen
to like the, SHORT term picture for them i think
it's probably just even. If, THEY'VE discovered Some things look
i think bud Leaning Into just like when, Kevin DURANT'S
on the bench like i think we've Just objectively Seen More,
Of Oh, it's devin booker tias jones and Like a bunch.
Of like oso's in there there's, a bunch Of Defensive,
versatility WHETHER it's cody martin who, i want to be
clear is, not necessarily been good offensively like, His four
games with them like he's.
Speaker 1: DONE some nice. Defensive, things i like, that okay.
Speaker 2: That's a blueprint but like you Didn't, tap into that
until march and that's a problem when. You're gonna have
to win and we've yet to see a, ten seed
make the playoffs so. THEY would be the first i
guess you could look at the top, of, the Roster And,
Say Oh because, kevin durant devin booker here. They Can
absolutely do It but minnesota and the clippers at full.
Speaker 1: Strength Or are.
Speaker 2: GOOD teams so i'm gonna i think, what we've seen
is encouraging, and THERE are real takeaways like i think
they have some scrappier. LINEUPS that They've cobbled together i.
Like OsO getting more minutes you, Sit like done as
WELL but it's, Like a i don't know i'm probably
like a four, point TWO probably feels reasonable and i
think that's PROBABLY even, high.
Speaker 3: It's, it's I Think to me why i'm i'm so
skeptic skeptical if this team is it is not, just
a rand you know knowing that that'sou suation is about
to end. In a couple of months it's also like
you have no, Control over your traffic situation like What's?
GOING to happen with book i think he's well aware
that with the, rant on the way out, he's like
thinking long term going? What the hell is this and
you can't tell me that these human beings do not
have that in the back of. Their minds at some, level.
Speaker 1: And here's my?
Speaker 2: Thing though what does that what does that have to do? With,
what we're ACTUALLY discussing.
Speaker 3: Well because because i think at, the end of the
day now that this sort of thing has that the
bruck has been pulled out and we know what's about
to happen and the future. Is, SO insecure or uncertain
rather i do think that is going to play a.
PART in their individual performance i think it's going to
play a part. IN their team oriented performance i think
to the point where can we trust them moving forward
is sort of like we. Have to bake that in
we have to bake in the fact that there could
be a scenario wherein we just can't trust, the not
the effort level that's. The wrong word to use.
Speaker 1: That actually might the give a?
Speaker 2: Shit, factor, might, be, Right yeah right, okay yeah and
you know based off what we've seen, FOR stretches of this.
Speaker 1: SEASON i think.
Speaker 2: That's fair i guess it just, because it's the eleventh,
HOUR it's the closing kick i would think the give
a shit. Factor WON'T be an issue but i didn't
even mean TO.
Speaker 1: Sound so dismissive when. I was ASKING you that i
guess i was just a little.
Speaker 2: Bit confused about your point is what happens if this
team loses to in a row now like with then
what like let's see.
Speaker 1: How they respond from that but.
Speaker 3: You do, raise a good point though Just in, terms,
of the bell factor right because he's. KIND of the
constant there. I, Was sort of surprised still i'm not
going to Go. BACK to the whole traine i was
surprised that just like The overlap between him and, book and,
people were like oh. Yeah, This IS gonna work yeah
like i still Thought they would win fifty and that
was with like the negative aspect of too much Positional,
Overlap between book and beal so for them to be,
where they are right now It just what's?
Speaker 1: The?
Speaker 3: Word i'm looking for Deflated that was the word i've
been looking for for the past. Five minutes watching this
team it does feel like almost every damn member On the, court,
minus the rooks though. Uh just look consistently deflated that's that.
Matters to me. AS well, like body language i know
it's like an inexact science and it's someone something that
can be really utilized, in, a, very, wrong way like
oh hey. Guy is shaking his head that means, He's, he,
hates his teammates. Like no that's that's ridiculous but like
every time someone fails to, come back, home on defense
for example every time they, make like a big blunder
look at how they're, all like, just completely deflated giving
up like looking at. Each other almost like blamey. There's
just something it is the word toxic fair to. Use
here about this.
Speaker 2: TEAM there's DEFINITELY something toxic i guess i just over.
Speaker 1: This over the winning streak. It just has isn't felt it.
Speaker 2: Just hasn't felt that Way, but you can't dismiss okay
we're talking. About let's even be general we're talking about
eleven games worth of positivity here or some more. Ten
games worth of positivity you don't get to. DISMISS like
the other sixty.
Speaker 3: I just don't think this streak has moved. The needle
for me.
Speaker 2: Whatsoever let's move, on TO our final, Team and i
would argue. I'm curious what you think they're the second
best feel good story, in the League This. Season, Right the,
portland trailblazers fun they're.
Speaker 3: Fun, and they've found. Something absolutely they Are.
Speaker 2: More, This IS since february first they're i think They're
This Is not just. Mickey mouse march for them this
has been like a. Couple months in the making Their sixteenth,
in offense since, february first eighth in defense. Second and half,
Court Defense during that time, Danny Avidio has been balling,
Donovan kling has looked great he's played more MINUTES AMID
injuries to Both R. W three and DeAndre ayton they are,
like this team is like. We know how we feel
everyone knows in this Podcast How. We Feel about anni
kamara scoot henderson's made some strides this year before he,
was dealing with an injury like they were going to
Get Some. Pretty goodnutes from JABARI walker this team is
i Think, you don't have to well. Let's start here
very quickly do you think that who do you think
gets the Final. Playing Spot, In the West. It's dallas
phoenix or? PORTLAND who would you pick.
Speaker 3: I just spent Like ten minutes questioning the suns, And,
LIKE this is Like okay i want. THE blaziers because
of this i want them TO get in there because
i think that'd. Be the most fun Part, but it
feels like phoenix just on almost the technicality and just
the fact that they do have the random booker who
will like sleepwalk, into twenty five points each that they would.
APPEAR to be that team i question whether any of
them should. Get, LIKE a real Shot no i mean the,
blaciers are deserving of well fans Are, DESERVING of watching the,
blaziers i would rather say because they play. A FUN
brain of Basketball but i do think. Phoenix is gonna
take it they.
Speaker 2: Have, looked as we record this three games. Ahead in
the lost column that's a.
Speaker 1: Tough gap to.
Speaker 2: Make up at this point phoenix does, have the toughest
remaining schedule. So there's that to consider there's, also the
element Of though how. Much does portland want this i've
seen a lot of back, and FORTH with their fans
and i think it's a void question of why fight
to play and like? Lean into the lottery odds just
at this rate when you kind OF look at how the,
nba draft orders shaking up you're not if, they make
the play in they're not gonna make it, out of
the playans like you're still. Gonna be in, the lottery
and it's like WHAT'S the difference.
Speaker 1: Between being i guess you could say they're gonna.
Speaker 2: Be twelfth or like thirteenth, Versus, what like a tenth okay,
Like if it were ninth, like IF you want that.
That's i totally, UNDERSTAND it so short term i think
this is just cool to see, BECAUSE for THE most
part i still i Could Use. A little less jeremy
grant i'm not gonna lie like they are doing this
with players, who MATTER beyond this season and i think
like even they one of the things that could frustrate
me at times with them is that they weren't playing
fast enough on offense to kind OF make up for
their i guess talent deficit or just like raw playmaking
deficit their Second. In, Transition frequencies in february first i'm,
only TWENTY seventh in efficiency but i like that they're
getting out. On the break even more they're still kind of,
bad in the half court but like they're second in
the number of plays they generate when it. Comes to
second chance opportunities there's a lot of good things to
like about, this TEAM to where now do i want
them to hit the?
Speaker 1: Acceleration?
Speaker 2: Button, over THE offseason no, no but i buy like
when you're trying To, evaluate this team against okay how
many of these guys who are performing or maybe let's
say outperforming your initial expectations Do, you think are realistically
okay let's not assume, this is their current baseline but
we think they could be a part of the future.
Of A, Really Good, Team Danny, Avdia Timani. Kamara donovan
klingen scoot henderson i'm still kind of All Over, the
place with shaydon sharp, but he's like electric enough and
the way he could, he hit some tough shots the
way he can.
Speaker 3: Move, Off the balls too yeah i'm too young to
like be relinquished right. Now, In terms of playing no.
Speaker 2: I'm not saying trade him i'm just, saying, the confidence
level of oh they have these, long term prospects in
place like dwop brief given, him.
Speaker 1: Some minutes, Right now a minute injuries. It's LIKE a
joke There but.
Speaker 2: I LOVE to op breathe so i LOOK at this
Team and i think even i'm curious to see what
they do because he's, headed into a contract Year But
the gravity of anthony simon's is. Irreplaceable given the current
personnel so like they probably have between five and seven
guys who they, Can, point to and say okay we
don't know who's gonna be the best player on.
Speaker 1: Our team in three years you probably you, Hope it
would be scooped. Like that's still the hope but like if.
Speaker 2: You have to move visions around or like wait, ON
finding that best player i think you look at all
those guys and With, the exception of maybe scoot if
you Decide you, need to scale scoot down you feel
like these players can be a Part of any iteration
of blazer's Basketball AND with your headed and i don't
even mean That As, a TO denigrate scoot henderson who
i think has had A really good year and i
would actually like to see him play more than he
has so. Like he's EVEN currently playing but like I,
think if you move scoot it's like an even. MORE
scaled down row role i don't know how he would
handle playing off of like someone or two people who
are a notch or two above. Him in the pecking
order but like that's THE overarching like, Premise that i
have here like, If you believe in it.
Speaker 1: Like that's a, big, Deal, if.
Speaker 2: You're saying like okay there are these five to, six
guys that we know like we don't necessarily know like
what the makeup of our team is, exactly you want
to be but we know that they can. Be a
part Of it and that's what i'm, buying ABOUT what
we've seen and i think to, NARROW it down even
further i buy the defense because you look at the, personnel,
and it's all right yeah that that largely Makes Sense,
When You, have timani kamara denny abat like they can
be fucking huge and.
Speaker 1: Versatile, at the.
Speaker 3: SAME time yes they can i agree with your point
and the fact that they can go into this offseason
knowing full. WELL they. HAD those guys i do i
think it's fair to still wonder like who? Is that
number one guy and that's you're gonna have to have
to take some. Time to figure that out but there's
also a part of me that things, the clock is
still spinning like you're you're not necessarily you can't allow
yourself TOO much time to like i, don't want to
say waste but you need to figure out who that
primary guy. Is gonna be fairly quickly like if you
don't have the answer to that by like, the TRADE deadline,
next year then i wonder like what the plan is
gonna morph into compared. To, where, it is now like,
yeah they're a fun, story they're a fun team but like.
You also need a direction, you also need to have
Like a primary guy like afdava. Has played like one
recently can he sustain? THAT over a full season i don't,
know the answer.
Speaker 1: TO that if he can I did say this to
grant on one.
Speaker 2: OF our most recent pods i would kill to see
what Afdia or even like a scoot when you look
at some, of the struggles they've had like with their
finishing at Points this year.
Speaker 1: Or for scoot since he, entered the league basically right.
Speaker 2: Like if there was just like, another shooter on this
team like to open up the floor in. The HALF
court for them but i think you're that that's that's
a really good, point about the trade deadline especially because so,
sharp extension eligible this summer, Scoot extension doedgble next Summer
Like those are the anthony simon's going to do, A
contractor you're absolutely right.
Speaker 3: Sharpe is like. Already that's. His third season that's insane
that went by so quickly. LIKE his first, three, years
i was like oh, he's, A, second YEAR guy right,
no but i completely forgot for god that he. Was
a Third year guy is.
Speaker 2: He he's one of those there's always those guys where
you look at the shot and even, when it's not
going in you, just kind, of feel like all right
he's gonna shoot thirty seven percent. On real volume from
three he's shooting under twenty Five, percent From three in, march,
and i'm just, Like no you know what like in terms,
OF just a complimentary shooter i just.
Speaker 1: Trust. That's eventually, gonna go.
Speaker 3: Yeah same look he's never been like a quote unquote
good three point short like first, year thirty SIX percent
decent and like i thought he'd build on that and
then it's just kind Of regress OF her since but,
like i agree with you every shot he takes when,
he's got his. Feet plan it looks good, everything about,
that shot released the form. EVERYTHING just looks on point
i guess it's. Just a, maturation this year. Think again
he's twenty one he's, Not EVEN twenty two yet like
i have to Assume, that's gonna come to like let's
have this. Conversation twelve months from now if, This is,
Still an issue oh boy.
Speaker 1: I'M gonna paint this picture.
Speaker 2: I buy eight of ten what we've, seen defensively from,
them myself, Some Questions about you know donovan. Klington's versatility
on the defense we, know what he does best like how,
he's gonna handle certain matchups and then some questions about how
their transition ends up holding, because they're big and versatile
but they're not necessarily the quickest team. AT getting back,
Their offense i don't know like there are some lineups that.
Are killing it right now and Just we talked about
what ovdia specifically is, done as like. A scorer AS
a playmaker i think i have to go, as a
league average offense which.
Speaker 1: Is basically what.
Speaker 2: They've been i'm probably more like, a with this current
personnel like a three to a four in that like
there are a certain. Line if, that could WORK but
overall and then i think in their overall vision or
just their, Overall outlook of a future i'm probably like between,
a seven and eight overall because even if they reach
some of those inflection, POINTS that you're talking ABOUT i
think they like i guess the only way they won't
reach that inflection point leading into the next trade deadline
or even let's say, the twenty twenty six offseason is
they somehow win the lottery this year. Or is our
Next year we talk about scoot as the MOST, improved
player in the nba like those are kind of The
only unless you think. SHARP still has, that ability, i
just don't you know as an on, ball guy in
a facilitation.
Speaker 3: It's like a secondary guy like he's he's the guy
you put next. TO the, ball, DOMINANT superstar i think yeah.
Speaker 1: I THINK that's totally fair SO i think they're.
Speaker 2: OVERALL i don't even know I don't even know if,
i WANT to say vision because i don't think that
they're necessarily close to the actualized version, that they're trying
to reach. But their their overall situation i'm probably like
between a seven and eight when you're.
Speaker 1: LOOKING at The long term.
Speaker 3: I think, i'm a little bit lower, a little bit.
Not much but like SIX.
Speaker 2: You make me, think i should go lower just because if,
you CAN'T point and, SAY which i can't DO i
would bet that i think. It can be scooted still
but if, You, can't point and say okay this is,
the guy that's moving forward they just have so many
guys that it makes me feel good about.
Speaker 1: Offsetting That a little, Bit So i'll Stick between like
i'll go. I'll, go seven.
Speaker 3: POINT two, yeah, all right i mean LOOK that's cool
you because i UNDERSTAND the. QUANTITY argument and i don't
i don't think it's it's a bad one because you
do want to have like, a small army of guys
young guys to, go into next season with because it's
sort of kind. Of gives you more optionality it gives
you more options, to see who pops like and it's.
More BITES of the apple but i just think, every
one of these guys it's like such a big step
away from being like the primary player that that has.
ME a little bit cautious I agree with you That
i do still think henderson is like the one, to
REACH it if. Anyone, BECAUSE i clinging defensively sure i,
agree with everything you said, Like strong as form protector
like he's. Going to figure that out he's gonna. Be
like their defensive. Anchor it's gonna be Scowed, LIKE if
it's not scoot i just don't see who else here can.
Step up to that plate.
Speaker 2: You Would have to believe that avdo is going to
have the lowry, marketing TYPE mid career. Explosion and i
just don't, he does more on ball so it's.
Speaker 1: A little bit more.
Speaker 2: Intriguing but it's just even If he reaches becomes an
all star to be in the club like this is
the guy that we. WANT to structure everything around i
do believe that You're correct that there's only scoot and
that they don't really have.
Speaker 3: Another real it comes to mar and. Like is that
good enough.
Speaker 2: He's so much different as a player that if he,
WAS to have that explosion i think he ends up
being a lot better than marketing because the stuff he does, defensively,
and on.
Speaker 3: The ball yeah he would need to be better than
like what.
Speaker 2: Is his let's yea one hundred percentile outcome for him
is what a top What He'd probably think that.
Speaker 1: Jamal, murray level of stardom yeah that.
Speaker 3: That actually feels pretty appropriate and.
Speaker 1: If We Know, anything about the denver nuggets that's not
gonna be good enough. As like the main.
Speaker 3: Stars and that's, the Thing so at best a jibak
chops out as like a second guy on, a good
team at best which just leaves you with that gaping
hole of. Not having the number one You Know what
screwed to manti kamara is gonna like take a. Big,
OFFENSIVE leap.
Speaker 2: Next Year honestly i think Dwop Reef Is gonna be karl.
Anthony towns with better Defense So maybe it's.
Speaker 3: Him Jabari Parker or Wow, JABARI parker jabari walk wow
i couldn't, even get. His, name right shots fired yeah it's, Definitely.
THE NEXT up right no i i want to see
more out of the young guys. For sure Also next
year but it's i'm also kind of rooting for them
for to get some lottery luck because god do they,
need like a number one which might lead. Into our
next pod perhaps.
Speaker 2: Oh, nice, little teaser until then though can, you tell, the,
fine folks our listeners viewers subscribers where they can find
you and all the.
Speaker 1: Great work that you do you.
Speaker 3: Can Find me OVER AT, blue SKY at msj nba
where I Share, my Work, from yahoo SPORTS from, forbes
from the nba podcast and Also share Links To the
danish podcast bus.
Speaker 2: Repeater if, You're, so inclined as always mark thank you
for all your insight and.
Speaker 1: YOUR only fans.
Speaker 2: Promo codes i love, those and until, next time and
as always we've ever brought to, shout out, to the.
Speaker 1: One the only the player who could maybe become The
Number one for the portland trailblazers if they're smart. Enough To. Pick,
him Up Mister Benson yeah mister frank nela gena