WEBVTT 1 00:00:01.520 --> 00:00:05.400 This is the baseline discussing the hot button topics of 2 00:00:05.480 --> 00:00:09.919 the NBA. Welcome everybody, your tune to the baseline. Cali 3 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:12.759 Warrenshaw discussing the hot button topics of the NB. A 4 00:00:13.759 --> 00:00:18.120 time for us to get ready to talk Western Conference preview. 5 00:00:18.760 --> 00:00:21.239 We have gotten such an exciting show on tap. 6 00:00:21.320 --> 00:00:21.519 Man. 7 00:00:22.359 --> 00:00:24.600 This is a great time, you know, of the season. 8 00:00:24.679 --> 00:00:26.839 You know, we get to start talking about, you know, 9 00:00:26.960 --> 00:00:30.239 all thirty teams in the NBA and and really dig into, 10 00:00:30.600 --> 00:00:33.560 you know, the finer points about what our expectations are, 11 00:00:34.039 --> 00:00:36.439 you know, and what they outcome, you know, we might 12 00:00:36.479 --> 00:00:38.719 think is gonna be. So I'm rolling out the red 13 00:00:38.759 --> 00:00:41.200 carpet to my right hand man Www. Dot Show, Sports 14 00:00:41.240 --> 00:00:43.759 doat net, Big Kahuna PNC, my Man warren Shaw reving 15 00:00:43.799 --> 00:00:45.960 out of Fort LAYDA to Florida. You know, he's the 16 00:00:46.000 --> 00:00:49.399 guy that makes things happen. And we've been fortunate enough. Man, 17 00:00:49.439 --> 00:00:52.759 whenever we do these previews, it's been good. We get 18 00:00:52.799 --> 00:00:55.920 good positive feedback, whether it's we're doing it on our own, 19 00:00:56.039 --> 00:00:58.719 but we're always thankful whenever we have great guests on 20 00:00:58.799 --> 00:01:01.880 board to help hash shout these conferences respectively. 21 00:01:02.799 --> 00:01:05.319 All Right, I appreciate that and you know, kudos to 22 00:01:05.359 --> 00:01:07.159 our guests who are willing to join us, you know, 23 00:01:07.200 --> 00:01:10.480 for these contents, for these conference previews. Another great one 24 00:01:10.519 --> 00:01:13.120 in store here. Western Conference is going to be tightly contested. 25 00:01:13.599 --> 00:01:15.120 God knows, you know, there's going to be some some 26 00:01:15.200 --> 00:01:18.319 interesting conversations based on our rankings to be had here ahead. 27 00:01:18.359 --> 00:01:20.920 So excited to get this one going. As always, family 28 00:01:20.959 --> 00:01:22.959 and hope our friends and families, friends and listeners will 29 00:01:23.000 --> 00:01:24.439 be tapping in and giving us their thoughts here on 30 00:01:24.439 --> 00:01:25.319 the Western Conference. Yeah. 31 00:01:25.319 --> 00:01:27.159 I love how you like to tee up the tee 32 00:01:27.239 --> 00:01:29.480 up me being the bad guy of this whole thing. 33 00:01:29.640 --> 00:01:30.400 I appreciate it. 34 00:01:30.480 --> 00:01:34.000 I mean, nobody's a bad guy. You have an opinion or. 35 00:01:34.319 --> 00:01:36.599 The or the crazy one. I am, I am. 36 00:01:36.879 --> 00:01:41.920 I'm suddenly the Arthur Fleck of of conference preview conversations. 37 00:01:42.079 --> 00:01:45.040 You it is you. You bring spice to our lives 38 00:01:45.120 --> 00:01:48.239 and having some varying opinions from what the norm is. 39 00:01:48.400 --> 00:01:50.359 I think it's great podcast content. 40 00:01:50.480 --> 00:01:55.719 So let's keep it all I want at one point, 41 00:01:55.840 --> 00:01:57.439 you know what I'm saying, Hopefully we'll blow up. We'll 42 00:01:57.439 --> 00:02:01.040 get someone to video edit me in the joker face 43 00:02:01.959 --> 00:02:04.719 coming down those steps like Arthur fleck Man like, you 44 00:02:04.760 --> 00:02:07.040 know what I'm saying my conference previews. 45 00:02:07.120 --> 00:02:12.080 I'm yeah, kick out. 46 00:02:12.159 --> 00:02:15.080 You know what I'm saying, because that's apparently how I 47 00:02:15.159 --> 00:02:17.439 come in with these these these rankings. 48 00:02:17.039 --> 00:02:18.439 And predictions that I drop right. 49 00:02:18.560 --> 00:02:22.400 Okay, anyway, we have a great guest to help us 50 00:02:22.479 --> 00:02:26.039 do our Western Conference preview grant as set as set 51 00:02:26.159 --> 00:02:30.039 excuse me. He is one of the premium reporters that 52 00:02:30.120 --> 00:02:32.439 is covering the Dallas Mavericks right now. You can find 53 00:02:32.479 --> 00:02:35.159 him on Dallas Hoops Journal dot com. He will be 54 00:02:35.280 --> 00:02:37.599 on board in a few moments to help us break 55 00:02:37.599 --> 00:02:41.800 down the Western Conference. Great conversation, great content, great provider 56 00:02:42.439 --> 00:02:44.960 all things, not just maps, but just covering the NBA. 57 00:02:45.199 --> 00:02:47.000 And I'm sure that he would have a vested. 58 00:02:46.680 --> 00:02:49.000 Interest in him seeing what's going on with the Western 59 00:02:49.000 --> 00:02:54.479 Conference just a little bit, just a smitch, right, So yeah, 60 00:02:54.479 --> 00:02:56.039 we cannot wait for him to get on board for that, 61 00:02:56.080 --> 00:02:59.000 we can get started to talk Western Conference preview as always, 62 00:02:59.000 --> 00:03:00.400 be sure I get on my Man show as our 63 00:03:00.439 --> 00:03:02.400 sports NBA get at me a gay face lead the shows, 64 00:03:02.400 --> 00:03:04.360 Twitter and a the NBA baseline available on all the 65 00:03:04.400 --> 00:03:07.000 major platforms. Be sure to go to www. Dot the 66 00:03:07.039 --> 00:03:09.120 baseline NBA dot Com not to only check out the 67 00:03:09.159 --> 00:03:12.599 preview previews that we have set up, but also all 68 00:03:12.639 --> 00:03:15.080 of the shows that we drop. That's our home space. 69 00:03:15.479 --> 00:03:17.960 Be able to go there, catch all of the great 70 00:03:18.000 --> 00:03:20.360 content that we provide for you. And if you catch 71 00:03:20.439 --> 00:03:21.919 us on a YouTube tannel and you see the blue 72 00:03:21.919 --> 00:03:24.080 and white logo, then you know that we're rocking with 73 00:03:24.120 --> 00:03:26.439 the nineteen Media Group family. So hello to all of 74 00:03:26.479 --> 00:03:29.639 those on the YouTube channel. But more importantly, if you 75 00:03:29.680 --> 00:03:32.840 want to listen to some great quality content, great shows, 76 00:03:33.080 --> 00:03:36.280 go to www dot Ninetymediagroup dot com. 77 00:03:36.400 --> 00:03:39.759 Ninety Media Group. You're running these content streets all right. 78 00:03:39.919 --> 00:03:42.319 In a few moments, we're gonna bring our man Grand 79 00:03:42.360 --> 00:03:45.240 Assef to come on and do some Western Conference preview. 80 00:03:45.280 --> 00:03:49.960 But before we do that, are you craving nonstops hoops action? 81 00:03:50.479 --> 00:03:53.159 If you are, NBA League Pass is your ticket to 82 00:03:53.199 --> 00:03:56.919 the ultimate basketball experience. Enjoy live games, on demand replays, 83 00:03:56.919 --> 00:03:59.960 an exclusive behind the scenes content across a variety of device. 84 00:04:00.599 --> 00:04:03.639 With NBA League Pass, you'll get more more games. We're 85 00:04:03.680 --> 00:04:07.360 talking regular season and select playoff matchups, more features including 86 00:04:07.439 --> 00:04:11.199 multiview angles, in depth stats and behind the scenes stories, 87 00:04:11.560 --> 00:04:15.560 more access catch your favorite teams and players anytime anywhere. 88 00:04:15.840 --> 00:04:18.399 Stay up with the NBA like the like the Baseline 89 00:04:18.439 --> 00:04:21.759 does league passes for fans who live the game. Sign 90 00:04:21.839 --> 00:04:25.879 up now at link dot NBA dot com slash LP 91 00:04:26.480 --> 00:04:32.000 nineteen MG. That's link dot NBA dot com slash LP 92 00:04:32.759 --> 00:04:36.759 nineteen MG. Break down coming up with our man, Grant 93 00:04:36.800 --> 00:04:39.000 ass Up. You do not want to miss out. Don't 94 00:04:39.040 --> 00:05:05.680 go anywhere. 95 00:05:13.319 --> 00:05:14.920 Time now for the breakdown. 96 00:05:15.079 --> 00:05:19.000 Calie Warrenshaw the Baseline NBA podcast and with us to 97 00:05:19.079 --> 00:05:21.079 help break down the Western Conference. 98 00:05:22.480 --> 00:05:25.839 Our man he keeps a very keen. 99 00:05:25.759 --> 00:05:29.600 Eye on not just what goes on with the Dallas Mavericks, 100 00:05:29.839 --> 00:05:34.600 but the whole landscape of the Western Conference. Specifically why 101 00:05:34.680 --> 00:05:38.399 because the Dallas Mavericks did some damage last year getting 102 00:05:38.399 --> 00:05:40.240 to the NBA Finals and now you got to watch 103 00:05:40.279 --> 00:05:44.120 the whole conference in its entirety. A very tall task, 104 00:05:44.439 --> 00:05:48.480 but nothing that our man, Grant Asset of Dallas Hoops 105 00:05:48.519 --> 00:05:49.360 Journal is. 106 00:05:49.399 --> 00:05:52.279 Used to isn't already used to. Grant. Thanks for hopping 107 00:05:52.319 --> 00:05:54.800 on board with this man. We know you know. 108 00:05:54.720 --> 00:05:57.920 It's been a wild ride already and we haven't even 109 00:05:57.959 --> 00:06:00.000 gotten to the beginning of the season. You are all 110 00:06:00.079 --> 00:06:02.920 over the place all things Dallas Mavericks, and we appreciate 111 00:06:02.959 --> 00:06:05.720 you taking some time out to help give us insight 112 00:06:05.800 --> 00:06:08.680 on what you think would be the outcome of this 113 00:06:08.800 --> 00:06:10.360 year's upcoming Western Conference. 114 00:06:11.120 --> 00:06:12.160 Yeah, thanks for having me. 115 00:06:12.240 --> 00:06:15.319 Definitely one of the more interesting teams, you know, obviously 116 00:06:15.360 --> 00:06:18.759 coming off the finals, adding Clay and Yeah, this whole 117 00:06:18.839 --> 00:06:21.360 West is kind of crazy. There's a lot of teams 118 00:06:21.399 --> 00:06:23.279 that want to win, not a whole lot of teams 119 00:06:23.279 --> 00:06:26.040 that are raising the flag for Cooper flag or chase 120 00:06:26.079 --> 00:06:30.240 the flag, whatever you want to say. Yeah, there's definitely 121 00:06:30.240 --> 00:06:33.279 gonna be a lot of interesting elements to get into 122 00:06:33.360 --> 00:06:35.480 about you know, one through fifteen for sure. 123 00:06:35.560 --> 00:06:38.240 Well we're going to get right into you know who 124 00:06:38.480 --> 00:06:42.480 we have depicted as the lottery teams, like those that 125 00:06:42.519 --> 00:06:45.600 are chasing the flag sort of speak, or trying to 126 00:06:45.680 --> 00:06:49.480 capture the flag sort of speak. But I really want 127 00:06:49.480 --> 00:06:51.000 to ask you this question real quick, and I know 128 00:06:51.000 --> 00:06:53.439 you'll speak in more detail about where the Dallas Mavericks 129 00:06:53.439 --> 00:06:55.680 are and how you see them for this upcoming season, 130 00:06:56.240 --> 00:06:59.879 But I'm really curious what is the buzz really like 131 00:07:00.040 --> 00:07:03.839 out there in Dallas, especially coming off of that finals. 132 00:07:04.000 --> 00:07:08.639 Is there a a believability factor in this or has 133 00:07:08.680 --> 00:07:11.759 it been bolstered by the ability for them to get 134 00:07:11.759 --> 00:07:14.439 a Klay Thompson. I'm not saying Klay Thompson is supposed 135 00:07:14.439 --> 00:07:17.240 to be you know, that's it that is, but maybe 136 00:07:17.319 --> 00:07:19.879 the fan base has a feel about that, saying, oh, 137 00:07:20.040 --> 00:07:22.959 that's exactly what we needed. He's he's gonna really help, 138 00:07:23.560 --> 00:07:26.839 you know, nudge just really closer into us being that 139 00:07:27.079 --> 00:07:30.000 perennial favorite maybe to win the finals. What's the buzz 140 00:07:30.079 --> 00:07:32.360 like out there in Dallas from what you've been covering 141 00:07:32.399 --> 00:07:32.800 so far. 142 00:07:33.439 --> 00:07:36.160 Yeah, I think for the most part, like you know, members, 143 00:07:36.199 --> 00:07:37.920 like just people around the building, I think there's a 144 00:07:37.920 --> 00:07:41.360 lot of like optimism and excitement about adding someone like 145 00:07:41.399 --> 00:07:44.000 Klay Thompson because they shot very poorly in the finals, 146 00:07:44.040 --> 00:07:47.000 like they were, you know, with PJ. Washington and Derek Jones. 147 00:07:47.040 --> 00:07:50.319 Is the main starting wings the Celtics really you know, 148 00:07:50.360 --> 00:07:53.160 cross match switched and loaded the paint to the point 149 00:07:53.160 --> 00:07:56.079 where it's really tough to operate one on one against 150 00:07:56.079 --> 00:07:58.519 like Drew Holliday and Derek White, and then you know, 151 00:07:58.560 --> 00:08:00.800 get the ball to and above the bri open shooter 152 00:08:00.920 --> 00:08:03.519 and it's miss after miss after miss, Like not all 153 00:08:03.560 --> 00:08:05.639 that's not the only reason why they lost by any means. 154 00:08:05.680 --> 00:08:08.959 They ran into a really phenomenal team that stretched them 155 00:08:09.000 --> 00:08:11.920 out defensively, put a lot of pressure on them, and 156 00:08:12.480 --> 00:08:15.240 stuck to their principles, you know, on the other side defensively, 157 00:08:15.279 --> 00:08:17.800 and you know, were able to give up the shots 158 00:08:17.839 --> 00:08:19.720 they wanted to give up and live with the results 159 00:08:19.720 --> 00:08:22.399 and one in five games. But you know, in terms 160 00:08:22.399 --> 00:08:24.519 of you know, I think just beyond just the Klay 161 00:08:24.600 --> 00:08:26.959 Thompson element as well, I think there's a lot of 162 00:08:27.000 --> 00:08:31.680 excitement from what they did at the trade deadline and 163 00:08:31.759 --> 00:08:34.200 how that could translate to a season wide, you know, 164 00:08:34.279 --> 00:08:37.879 level of success. You know, adding PJ. Washington, Daniel Gofford. 165 00:08:38.240 --> 00:08:40.279 You know, they last year there were times where an 166 00:08:40.360 --> 00:08:43.480 injury started to pile up where their centers were Dwight 167 00:08:43.559 --> 00:08:44.440 Palell and Grant. 168 00:08:44.200 --> 00:08:46.799 Williams in December, like late December. 169 00:08:47.159 --> 00:08:49.440 So I think, you know, having that reprotection for forty 170 00:08:49.480 --> 00:08:52.720 eight minutes as an option, still having Maxi Kleiba when 171 00:08:52.720 --> 00:08:56.480 he's healthy, to bring that small ball five Some people 172 00:08:56.559 --> 00:08:58.960 like the thought of PJ. Washington maybe even filling some 173 00:08:58.960 --> 00:09:03.000 small ball five minutes, but just overall, like a superstar backcourt, 174 00:09:03.039 --> 00:09:05.480 a sharp shooter that you can really diversify the offense 175 00:09:05.559 --> 00:09:09.399 more with and you know, having guard depth too. Jaden Hardy, 176 00:09:09.919 --> 00:09:14.039 there's optimism and excitement about his potential this season filling in, 177 00:09:14.279 --> 00:09:15.799 you know, when they need him to fill in, which 178 00:09:16.279 --> 00:09:19.159 is actually gonna be right now, considering you know, Dante 179 00:09:19.159 --> 00:09:22.360 Exum you know, has to have to undergo risk surgery, 180 00:09:22.639 --> 00:09:25.720 and you know Spencer Dinwiddie returned as well too, So 181 00:09:25.759 --> 00:09:27.759 they have a little more depth than what they've had 182 00:09:27.840 --> 00:09:30.720 in recent years. When you know, Luca or Kyrie went down, 183 00:09:31.200 --> 00:09:33.919 it's very challenging for them to overcome that. But this 184 00:09:34.039 --> 00:09:37.600 year that's doesn't appear to be nearly that same level 185 00:09:38.480 --> 00:09:40.360 you know of concern in such a scenario. So just 186 00:09:40.399 --> 00:09:42.600 a lot more depth, a lot more you know, top 187 00:09:42.679 --> 00:09:45.240 end talent than what they've had to start seasons in 188 00:09:45.279 --> 00:09:48.120 recent years. So definitely come out to the finals a lot 189 00:09:48.120 --> 00:09:50.399 of high expectations and belief. 190 00:09:51.279 --> 00:09:54.360 I mean, it sounds like everyone's on that Mark Cuban 191 00:09:54.399 --> 00:09:57.440 sauce man, like, you know, they they they're ready to roll. 192 00:09:57.559 --> 00:10:00.440 You know, they see this as you know, all sys go. 193 00:10:00.600 --> 00:10:04.159 All right, so let's let's get right into this grant 194 00:10:04.440 --> 00:10:07.639 and what we you know, had depicted as our predictions 195 00:10:07.679 --> 00:10:11.679 for the Western Conference. And I will be as discreet 196 00:10:11.799 --> 00:10:14.639 and stoic as possible, because I know my man Shaw 197 00:10:14.759 --> 00:10:18.240 is going to be chiming in on the ludicrousness of 198 00:10:18.639 --> 00:10:21.279 of you know, my personal selections of what was going 199 00:10:21.320 --> 00:10:22.440 on in the Western Conference. 200 00:10:22.639 --> 00:10:25.039 But ultimately, what we have is our lottery teams. 201 00:10:25.559 --> 00:10:29.120 We have the Portland Trailblazers of Utah Jazz and the 202 00:10:29.159 --> 00:10:32.480 San Antonio Spurs. And I wanted to get your We 203 00:10:32.519 --> 00:10:35.480 wanted to get your perspective from this on. You know, 204 00:10:37.279 --> 00:10:39.840 how do you see this one thing that is interesting 205 00:10:39.879 --> 00:10:42.720 in one of in our in our other conference preview 206 00:10:43.200 --> 00:10:45.039 we had spoken about over the last couple of years, 207 00:10:45.039 --> 00:10:47.320 it hasn't been much of an appetite about lottery teams 208 00:10:47.320 --> 00:10:49.799 that the intent to say, this is about us trying 209 00:10:49.799 --> 00:10:52.159 to get like the victor woman Yamas or to whatever 210 00:10:52.200 --> 00:10:54.279 the case may be. The more as the intent is, 211 00:10:54.480 --> 00:10:58.240 let's trade around and pull players you know, either maligned 212 00:10:58.399 --> 00:11:01.159 or you know this in franchise or sort of speak 213 00:11:01.240 --> 00:11:03.840 or on the outs and see if maybe they can 214 00:11:04.000 --> 00:11:07.919 help put something together, piece something together, find a diamond 215 00:11:07.960 --> 00:11:10.000 in a rough sort of speak, rather than the reliance 216 00:11:10.039 --> 00:11:13.000 of what was coming out of the draft. This year 217 00:11:13.320 --> 00:11:17.000 seems like, oh x that it's all about what's going 218 00:11:17.080 --> 00:11:19.720 to be coming out of the draft. How confident are 219 00:11:19.759 --> 00:11:22.399 you about, you know, where these teams are if their 220 00:11:22.440 --> 00:11:25.879 intent is the pursuit of a you know, Cooper, flag 221 00:11:25.960 --> 00:11:29.240 and and Bailey and others that are being so highly touted, 222 00:11:29.440 --> 00:11:32.360 you know, for for next year's upcoming draft. 223 00:11:33.200 --> 00:11:35.039 Yeah, I think for the most part, the one I'm 224 00:11:35.080 --> 00:11:37.519 most you know, I think is probably a pretty obvious 225 00:11:37.559 --> 00:11:39.360 one for you guys as well too. I think Portland 226 00:11:39.840 --> 00:11:43.399 there's just not too much you know, like I guess 227 00:11:43.399 --> 00:11:47.159 you could say upward trajectory right now. I think unless 228 00:11:47.320 --> 00:11:50.720 Schoo Henderson you know, really exceeds expectations beyond what he's 229 00:11:50.720 --> 00:11:54.120 shown in preseason, you know, maybe Shade and Sharp or 230 00:11:54.240 --> 00:11:56.240 you know, anyone like that, I still think they're pretty 231 00:11:56.320 --> 00:12:00.320 much fifteenth for me, and I think they're mostly whether 232 00:12:00.360 --> 00:12:03.759 it's organic or intentional, whatever it may be, I think 233 00:12:03.759 --> 00:12:07.000 they're probably gonna be positioned where they're you know, late 234 00:12:07.039 --> 00:12:10.000 in the season where they end up thinking, okay, we 235 00:12:10.080 --> 00:12:14.080 probably are best trying to angle ourselves for the lottery. 236 00:12:14.159 --> 00:12:17.080 I think that's usually what uh, you know, Utah has 237 00:12:17.159 --> 00:12:20.200 done recently as well. Like usually after the All Star Break, 238 00:12:20.240 --> 00:12:22.279 they get to that point where they, you know, Lari 239 00:12:22.360 --> 00:12:25.360 Markinen starts having these injuries that pile up, he misses 240 00:12:25.440 --> 00:12:27.720 quite a bit of time, and other players as well too. 241 00:12:28.679 --> 00:12:31.399 I'm not sure if that's really what they're thinking this year. 242 00:12:31.559 --> 00:12:35.000 I think, you know, they have solid pieces where they 243 00:12:35.000 --> 00:12:37.200 can be competitive, feel it out a little bit, and 244 00:12:37.279 --> 00:12:40.080 I think that's you know, probably the similar scenario for 245 00:12:40.279 --> 00:12:42.600 San Antonio, where they can fill it out a little bit, 246 00:12:42.720 --> 00:12:45.919 and you know, if they're exceeding expectations, you know, more 247 00:12:45.960 --> 00:12:47.919 power to them. But if they're not, after the All 248 00:12:47.960 --> 00:12:50.279 Star break, then you know, maybe we start to see 249 00:12:50.279 --> 00:12:53.440 a little bit of you know, lengthy injury reports and 250 00:12:53.519 --> 00:12:57.720 long absences for the history of what those injuries may be. 251 00:12:57.879 --> 00:13:00.840 But I think, you know, San Antonio, Houston, those types 252 00:13:00.879 --> 00:13:02.759 of teams, I think they're going to really want to compete. 253 00:13:03.879 --> 00:13:07.720 I just think you know, sometimes with them, they've just 254 00:13:07.759 --> 00:13:09.919 not had the ability to necessarily do it at a 255 00:13:10.039 --> 00:13:12.559 high level, unless you're the Rockets. In the month of 256 00:13:12.600 --> 00:13:15.039 March comes up, then you start to seem to really 257 00:13:15.120 --> 00:13:18.559 figure it out really fast. But aside from that, you know, 258 00:13:18.600 --> 00:13:20.960 I think those are probably my bottom four teams, and 259 00:13:21.200 --> 00:13:26.480 we're probably thinking, you know, for me personally, just mostly 260 00:13:26.559 --> 00:13:30.159 the Blazers seem to be the standout for the bottom 261 00:13:30.200 --> 00:13:31.519 of the bottom in my opinion. 262 00:13:32.720 --> 00:13:34.879 Yeah, so for those playing at home, you know, were 263 00:13:34.879 --> 00:13:37.159 more or less too the aggregate of of of of 264 00:13:37.559 --> 00:13:39.360 our rankings, and this is how we got to where 265 00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:42.399 we got to. So Grant not as high in Houston 266 00:13:42.519 --> 00:13:45.919 as Call and I were in general. But this three 267 00:13:45.960 --> 00:13:49.679 here now when we talk about San Antonio, Utah, and 268 00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:52.399 Portland kind of being in that bottom three. So similar 269 00:13:52.399 --> 00:13:56.279 to our Eastern Conference preview, we feel like these teams, 270 00:13:56.360 --> 00:14:00.360 and I'd say primarily San Antonio and Portland could be 271 00:14:00.399 --> 00:14:02.240 the teams that try to help other teams be better 272 00:14:02.440 --> 00:14:04.759 as they try to tank, right, so they have some 273 00:14:04.840 --> 00:14:08.360 pieces that other player other teams may be interested in 274 00:14:08.399 --> 00:14:11.159 one way or the other. I think san Antonio specifically, 275 00:14:11.279 --> 00:14:13.360 you know, with the Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes, those 276 00:14:13.360 --> 00:14:16.320 are guys who could high level veteran guys can go 277 00:14:16.360 --> 00:14:18.480 and assist, you know what, A team that's a piece 278 00:14:18.559 --> 00:14:21.559 or two away makes some sense. But as as grand 279 00:14:21.600 --> 00:14:23.639 alluded to, if they're doing well, then hey, we hang 280 00:14:23.679 --> 00:14:26.320 on because Victor wants to win now. But if the 281 00:14:26.320 --> 00:14:29.320 Spurs have any chance of pairing up when Bayama and 282 00:14:29.600 --> 00:14:33.600 Flag together, you know, for years to come. I mean, 283 00:14:33.639 --> 00:14:35.600 I know Wemby would be a little bit tight about 284 00:14:35.600 --> 00:14:37.600 that this year because he does seem to be, you know, 285 00:14:37.679 --> 00:14:40.759 a real competitor. But it may not be the worst thing, 286 00:14:41.000 --> 00:14:42.879 you know, in the in the world, and San Antonio 287 00:14:42.919 --> 00:14:44.879 seems to have had pretty good luck when it comes 288 00:14:44.919 --> 00:14:48.120 to lotteries and number one picks. Just putting that out 289 00:14:48.159 --> 00:14:53.320 there from the Portland standpoint, though Anthony Simons don't know 290 00:14:53.360 --> 00:14:55.639 if he's long for this, for this, for this ride 291 00:14:55.679 --> 00:15:00.200 in Portland. DeAndre in similar not denominate in whatever want 292 00:15:00.200 --> 00:15:02.960 to call him, but they got clinging. I think Robert 293 00:15:02.960 --> 00:15:05.639 Williams is on this roster as well to former Celtic guy, 294 00:15:05.639 --> 00:15:08.919 who could definitely go somewhere and help somebody. So they 295 00:15:08.960 --> 00:15:10.799 have some pieces too that I think could be interested. 296 00:15:10.840 --> 00:15:12.799 And then you assume they build around kind of the 297 00:15:12.799 --> 00:15:15.600 shade and sharps of the world and Scoot Henderson potentially 298 00:15:15.639 --> 00:15:18.000 I think that in that mold Utah to me is 299 00:15:18.039 --> 00:15:22.200 a little bit just too far above that right now, 300 00:15:22.279 --> 00:15:24.360 especially with the way market has been able to play. 301 00:15:24.639 --> 00:15:28.000 He's really like if you would have said the marketing 302 00:15:28.080 --> 00:15:30.879 that we saw in Chicago when you know, especially after 303 00:15:30.919 --> 00:15:33.440 that second year, when it was like what happened to 304 00:15:33.799 --> 00:15:37.559 the guy he is now? I just wouldn't believe that 305 00:15:37.799 --> 00:15:39.320 there was the same guy. And I think you know 306 00:15:39.360 --> 00:15:42.159 what they got with Keante George even Collin Sexton too 307 00:15:42.159 --> 00:15:44.679 a lesser degree. You know, they have high level guys 308 00:15:44.840 --> 00:15:47.480 who can compete. And if Walker Cussler decides that he 309 00:15:47.559 --> 00:15:49.799 actually wants to be the Walker Cusser, a better improved 310 00:15:49.840 --> 00:15:51.639 version from the first year and not whatever the hell 311 00:15:51.679 --> 00:15:54.120 was happening last year, this Utah Jazz team is going 312 00:15:54.200 --> 00:15:56.279 to be a little bit too good. But as grand 313 00:15:56.320 --> 00:15:58.240 alluded to, if they just said, you know what, we're 314 00:15:58.279 --> 00:16:01.279 gonna sit people down as opposed to like really playing 315 00:16:01.279 --> 00:16:03.840 it out, then you know, maybe that changes thing. Because 316 00:16:03.879 --> 00:16:05.159 the other thing too, I think Will Hardy is one 317 00:16:05.159 --> 00:16:06.759 of the better coaches in the NBA right now as 318 00:16:06.799 --> 00:16:09.440 well too. He's an ascending guy. And it's like sometimes 319 00:16:09.480 --> 00:16:12.399 the mix for what you want doesn't match the outcome 320 00:16:12.440 --> 00:16:14.759 because you're just you might just be too good. But 321 00:16:14.799 --> 00:16:16.679 to me, Portland is the one that is just like, yeah, 322 00:16:16.679 --> 00:16:19.840 they have no chance. You know, it won't be hard 323 00:16:19.879 --> 00:16:20.639 for them to thank. 324 00:16:22.960 --> 00:16:27.960 You wait to Vince mcmahondon team man, damn no chance. Okay, 325 00:16:29.440 --> 00:16:34.000 all all excellent points. What I found interesting, Sean, And 326 00:16:34.279 --> 00:16:36.720 this is just you know, off the top of my head, 327 00:16:36.759 --> 00:16:38.320 grant you know, because you may not know this. 328 00:16:38.360 --> 00:16:40.080 We're you know, we're Celtics fans, but. 329 00:16:40.240 --> 00:16:43.120 I honestly feel that the bus is Celtics purposely lent 330 00:16:43.440 --> 00:16:47.000 Robert Williams, the time lord, to the Portland Trailblazers for 331 00:16:47.039 --> 00:16:51.799 a couple of years, and we'll probably be like, you know, 332 00:16:51.960 --> 00:16:53.639 let me go ahead and take them, take him off 333 00:16:53.679 --> 00:16:58.039 your hands now, like yeah, he basically lent them out 334 00:16:58.080 --> 00:16:58.720 on a retainer. 335 00:16:59.720 --> 00:17:02.320 Well, let's let's let's put that in perspective real quickly, 336 00:17:02.399 --> 00:17:03.720 right because I think, you know, and not to bring 337 00:17:03.759 --> 00:17:07.119 it back to the east, but to the largest subtractions, 338 00:17:07.160 --> 00:17:10.039 if you will. Everyone was very concerned about Boston last year. 339 00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:12.920 Was was Robert Williams and Marcus mart Both of those 340 00:17:12.920 --> 00:17:15.880 guys ended up being hurt the majority part of the seasons, 341 00:17:16.319 --> 00:17:18.480 so we don't even know what the returns all will 342 00:17:18.559 --> 00:17:20.720 ultimately be. Then Portland goes ahead and make a move 343 00:17:20.759 --> 00:17:23.160 to get clinging in there behind eight and and Robert 344 00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:25.519 Williams Like what, but Williams is all is already hurt 345 00:17:25.519 --> 00:17:28.839 going into the preseason yet again. So it's just I 346 00:17:28.839 --> 00:17:31.119 don't know. We hey, we love the time lord time 347 00:17:31.240 --> 00:17:34.319 in in Boston, but his time in Portland seems to 348 00:17:34.319 --> 00:17:36.359 be you know, waiting really really quickly as well too, 349 00:17:36.400 --> 00:17:37.480 because he just can't stay healthy. 350 00:17:37.599 --> 00:17:40.240 Yeah, yeah, no, I get it. It was just playfully 351 00:17:40.319 --> 00:17:42.480 being suggested. 352 00:17:43.319 --> 00:17:47.039 Diane spent some time rehabbing in Portland, uh in the 353 00:17:47.119 --> 00:17:50.519 last while or one of his injuries that maybe, uh. 354 00:17:50.400 --> 00:17:52.319 Yeah, one of his many injuries. 355 00:17:56.039 --> 00:17:59.279 Yeah, and you and listen, it appears that, you know, 356 00:17:59.359 --> 00:18:02.960 he's much higher on the list, right like the Pelicans are, 357 00:18:03.240 --> 00:18:07.079 you know, are very much a further ahead, you know 358 00:18:07.119 --> 00:18:09.240 what I'm saying than where. 359 00:18:08.839 --> 00:18:09.920 We might even think of Portland. 360 00:18:09.960 --> 00:18:32.440 Trailblazer your tunes of the base like Cali Wardshaw discussing 361 00:18:32.480 --> 00:18:35.240 outbund topics of the NBA, and our special guests Grant 362 00:18:35.319 --> 00:18:39.519 asse f Uh covers the the Dallas Mavericks Dallas Hoops 363 00:18:39.680 --> 00:18:41.799 Journal dot com. So be sure to check him out 364 00:18:42.359 --> 00:18:45.519 as we give you our Western Conference preview. So let's 365 00:18:45.559 --> 00:18:49.240 transition now to the teams that we have set up 366 00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:51.000 to be our playing teams. 367 00:18:51.200 --> 00:18:53.640 Okay, l A. 368 00:18:53.680 --> 00:18:59.599 Clippers, Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kinks. Now this is interesting because 369 00:19:00.640 --> 00:19:07.680 the Sacramento Kings a few seasons ago were arguably the 370 00:19:07.759 --> 00:19:11.559 baby Warriors that were supposed to Now this was their time, 371 00:19:11.640 --> 00:19:16.039 the opportunity and you know, the Warriors best days ahead. 372 00:19:16.200 --> 00:19:19.920 They essentially should have basically killed off the Warrior dynasty. 373 00:19:20.039 --> 00:19:20.799 They failed to do. 374 00:19:20.880 --> 00:19:24.039 So the Warriors live, you know saying, for another season 375 00:19:24.160 --> 00:19:26.640 and probably will live again another season after that because 376 00:19:26.640 --> 00:19:29.559 the Warriors figured out out the way to move on 377 00:19:29.720 --> 00:19:32.920 from from the Kings yet again. Right, So here we 378 00:19:32.960 --> 00:19:37.079 are now are we talking about? Of those teams? The 379 00:19:37.160 --> 00:19:40.960 Houston Rockets is the team to look out for. Are 380 00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:44.720 the LA Clippers taking a step back or given the 381 00:19:44.759 --> 00:19:48.079 off season transitions that have taken place, we have to. 382 00:19:48.039 --> 00:19:49.799 Say this is where there kind of are. 383 00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:52.799 But we still should not take for granted what they 384 00:19:52.799 --> 00:19:55.680 could potentially be because as equally as we're saying the 385 00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:59.000 Rockets can be a threat dangerously on an upside, any 386 00:19:59.079 --> 00:20:02.200 Tyron luc team, especially in the playoffs, will not go 387 00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:05.039 out with go quietly in the night sort of speak. 388 00:20:05.920 --> 00:20:08.400 I'll now hand it back to you, Grant, and give 389 00:20:08.480 --> 00:20:11.240 us your perspective on why we may think that these 390 00:20:11.240 --> 00:20:16.039 are the best outcomes teams as far as being playing goes. 391 00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:19.720 Yeah, I think the Clippers are definitely just the hardest 392 00:20:19.759 --> 00:20:22.839 team for me personally to really figure out. Like, we 393 00:20:23.079 --> 00:20:25.279 don't have a crystal ball, so we don't know how 394 00:20:25.599 --> 00:20:27.799 healthy Kawhi is going to be for the whole eighty 395 00:20:27.839 --> 00:20:29.960 two games. He played a lot of games last year, 396 00:20:30.920 --> 00:20:34.440 I think, like round seventy or so, and then you know, 397 00:20:34.440 --> 00:20:36.920 the wheels kind of fell off in the playoffs and 398 00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:39.000 he you know, was sidelent for the rest of you know, 399 00:20:39.039 --> 00:20:42.599 the series after actually missing Game one and then coming 400 00:20:42.839 --> 00:20:45.119 jumping into the series a little bit after. So it's 401 00:20:45.119 --> 00:20:48.000