WEBVTT - Southwest Conference Preview: Pelicans & Rockets

0:00:00.520 --> 0:00:06.520
<v Speaker 1>Break was breaking down all the biggest NBA storylines, so

0:00:06.600 --> 0:00:10.160
<v Speaker 1>the Heat Check. The Heat Check was Crista Crak, the

0:00:10.160 --> 0:00:16.000
<v Speaker 1>best podcast covering all the drama around the association. Up

0:00:16.040 --> 0:00:21.040
<v Speaker 1>next is the New Orleans Pelicans. They add Jordan Hawkins

0:00:21.200 --> 0:00:25.120
<v Speaker 1>from Villanova. Not a lot of key substractions, really, I

0:00:25.160 --> 0:00:27.960
<v Speaker 1>don't haven't found any that you can find to be meaningful.

0:00:28.480 --> 0:00:33.280
<v Speaker 1>New Orleans future hopes, just like Memphis, rests on one man,

0:00:34.000 --> 0:00:38.680
<v Speaker 1>Zion first time as a pro. He seems to be

0:00:38.800 --> 0:00:44.240
<v Speaker 1>entering the season that he has taken his training protocol seriously.

0:00:45.880 --> 0:00:48.280
<v Speaker 1>That's he's about as healthy as they've ever said that

0:00:48.320 --> 0:00:52.080
<v Speaker 1>he's been, at least for a guy who's missed about

0:00:52.520 --> 0:00:54.560
<v Speaker 1>half of his career so far. So that's like a step.

0:00:54.600 --> 0:00:57.760
<v Speaker 1>That's one step. Apparently he's been eating well, he's got

0:00:57.800 --> 0:01:00.840
<v Speaker 1>a nutritionist, he's been listening to the heat I said

0:01:00.840 --> 0:01:03.040
<v Speaker 1>this two years ago. As soon as Zion figures that

0:01:03.160 --> 0:01:06.960
<v Speaker 1>a way to limit his portions and find some way

0:01:07.000 --> 0:01:11.240
<v Speaker 1>to take his conditioning seriously, maybe Zion wist stay on

0:01:11.280 --> 0:01:15.080
<v Speaker 1>the court. If he plays a full season, the Pelicans

0:01:15.080 --> 0:01:17.880
<v Speaker 1>are going to be dangerous. They're not gonna ever hurt

0:01:17.880 --> 0:01:19.840
<v Speaker 1>for scoring while he's in the game because he makes

0:01:19.840 --> 0:01:23.400
<v Speaker 1>plays as soon as he's out there every night. There's

0:01:23.440 --> 0:01:26.200
<v Speaker 1>a reason why the Ringer named him one of the

0:01:26.240 --> 0:01:29.360
<v Speaker 1>top five players that's going to define a season. What

0:01:29.520 --> 0:01:34.839
<v Speaker 1>is the problem with the New Orleans Pelicans, You might ask? Defense?

0:01:35.240 --> 0:01:38.520
<v Speaker 1>His defense is a real, real problem. This roster construction

0:01:39.000 --> 0:01:44.800
<v Speaker 1>very strange. Through two preseason games, Zion has looked, shall

0:01:44.840 --> 0:01:48.840
<v Speaker 1>we say, a little lost, like a little lost on defense.

0:01:48.960 --> 0:01:53.280
<v Speaker 1>Is he's not hustle, he's losing his man regularly, still

0:01:53.320 --> 0:01:56.440
<v Speaker 1>doesn't box out. You know, same old Zion shit that

0:01:56.520 --> 0:01:58.480
<v Speaker 1>Stan Van Gundy used to get mad at when he

0:01:58.520 --> 0:02:00.680
<v Speaker 1>was the head coach, like this guy supposed to be

0:02:00.720 --> 0:02:03.680
<v Speaker 1>now the five. When stanman again, he was like, oh yeah,

0:02:03.680 --> 0:02:06.200
<v Speaker 1>that's bullshit. Zion not playing defense. That's why we're putting

0:02:06.240 --> 0:02:08.600
<v Speaker 1>them at the point guard position. It's point Zion. Ah.

0:02:08.800 --> 0:02:12.799
<v Speaker 1>All the joy in my life is point Zion. No, no, no, Now,

0:02:12.880 --> 0:02:18.000
<v Speaker 1>Willie Green has Zion playing the five six' Six zion playing.

0:02:18.560 --> 0:02:23.120
<v Speaker 1>Center his off ball defense has been an absolute. Disaster

0:02:23.360 --> 0:02:27.960
<v Speaker 1>it has been messy as. Fuck are we shocked about? This?

0:02:28.040 --> 0:02:33.680
<v Speaker 1>Though like, no his, defense or his lack of, defense

0:02:33.919 --> 0:02:37.639
<v Speaker 1>to be, exact has been the boat anchor for The

0:02:37.720 --> 0:02:39.720
<v Speaker 1>New Orleans pelicans for a long ass time where they

0:02:39.760 --> 0:02:42.079
<v Speaker 1>have to add new players to the team in order

0:02:42.080 --> 0:02:44.960
<v Speaker 1>to try to protect The zion on, defense and it

0:02:45.040 --> 0:02:47.120
<v Speaker 1>is impacting wins and losses in a way that a

0:02:47.200 --> 0:02:53.160
<v Speaker 1>lot of people are reluctant to. Admit zion has played

0:02:53.240 --> 0:02:57.560
<v Speaker 1>one hundred and fourteen games for The, pelicans and the

0:02:57.639 --> 0:03:01.919
<v Speaker 1>record When zion is on the floor is get, this

0:03:02.800 --> 0:03:07.520
<v Speaker 1>fifty seven and fifty. Seven that's that's not what you

0:03:07.560 --> 0:03:10.680
<v Speaker 1>want from your superstar guy that you took number one

0:03:10.680 --> 0:03:13.280
<v Speaker 1>overall and that is not the only. Issue how about this?

0:03:13.320 --> 0:03:18.720
<v Speaker 1>One him And Brandon. Ingram let's be, real you've seen,

0:03:18.760 --> 0:03:20.919
<v Speaker 1>It you've watched. It it's NOT i don't think working

0:03:21.520 --> 0:03:24.400
<v Speaker 1>the combo is forty six and forty seven when they're

0:03:24.440 --> 0:03:28.160
<v Speaker 1>on the floor. Together SO i don't know how that works.

0:03:28.200 --> 0:03:32.639
<v Speaker 1>EITHER i Like, BI i Like. Zion not SURE i

0:03:32.720 --> 0:03:35.040
<v Speaker 1>Like bi And. Zion you know What i'm. Saying it's

0:03:35.080 --> 0:03:37.839
<v Speaker 1>like that couple where you're, like, OOH i Like, SARAH

0:03:38.240 --> 0:03:44.680
<v Speaker 1>i Like. Marquis sarah And marquis not a. Fit uh

0:03:44.920 --> 0:03:49.200
<v Speaker 1>THEY i don't know if they are really complimenting each.

0:03:49.240 --> 0:03:50.880
<v Speaker 1>Other you know? What i'm SAYING i think they actually

0:03:50.880 --> 0:03:53.760
<v Speaker 1>make each other. WORSE i think they're emphasizing each other's

0:03:53.800 --> 0:03:57.520
<v Speaker 1>weaknesses and stifling each other's strengths at the same exact.

0:03:57.560 --> 0:03:59.840
<v Speaker 1>TIME i think at this point we have enough evidence

0:03:59.840 --> 0:04:02.400
<v Speaker 1>to know that this does not. Work but but but

0:04:03.000 --> 0:04:04.920
<v Speaker 1>not the ONLY i don't want to act Like i'm

0:04:04.920 --> 0:04:07.040
<v Speaker 1>just banging On New. Orleans i'm not like they're a fun,

0:04:07.080 --> 0:04:10.560
<v Speaker 1>team and they were wildly successful When zion was not

0:04:10.600 --> 0:04:12.080
<v Speaker 1>on the, floor and they were a play team and

0:04:12.120 --> 0:04:13.960
<v Speaker 1>they came out with the. Suns so, Like i'm not

0:04:14.000 --> 0:04:17.320
<v Speaker 1>trying to say The pelicans stink or. Anything but there's

0:04:17.360 --> 0:04:22.880
<v Speaker 1>another problem as. Well there's fallout Over Aaron nelson oooh

0:04:23.000 --> 0:04:26.080
<v Speaker 1>big man on, campus the head. Trainer he ran into

0:04:26.080 --> 0:04:28.520
<v Speaker 1>problems With zion to the point Where zion ghosted. Him

0:04:28.520 --> 0:04:30.400
<v Speaker 1>he went To beaverton and he wasn't answering his phone.

0:04:30.440 --> 0:04:32.479
<v Speaker 1>Calls now the guy got. Fired he was supposed to

0:04:32.480 --> 0:04:34.400
<v Speaker 1>be like the, dude and now he's nowhere to be,

0:04:34.400 --> 0:04:37.760
<v Speaker 1>found and no one knows. Why zion's favorite, Coach Teresa,

0:04:37.800 --> 0:04:40.880
<v Speaker 1>weatherspon she has dipsetted peace Up atown. Down she has

0:04:40.920 --> 0:04:45.640
<v Speaker 1>gone to THE. Wnba so there's like a little cultural

0:04:45.680 --> 0:04:50.160
<v Speaker 1>instability stuff going on as well in terms of being

0:04:50.200 --> 0:04:54.840
<v Speaker 1>positive and accentuating the good things about The New Orleans. PELICANS.

0:04:55.160 --> 0:04:58.120
<v Speaker 1>Cg McCollum certainly a good point guard for this. Team

0:04:58.360 --> 0:05:01.720
<v Speaker 1>veteran has the ability to get buckets in the mid.

0:05:01.839 --> 0:05:04.880
<v Speaker 1>Range he can shoot the. Three he's like a calming

0:05:04.920 --> 0:05:08.400
<v Speaker 1>presence to this. Team valentchunis can rebound his ass. Off

0:05:08.480 --> 0:05:11.720
<v Speaker 1>not a great, defender let's be, honest but good. Rebounder

0:05:11.920 --> 0:05:17.360
<v Speaker 1>Herb jones absolute demon on the. Perimeter his, wingspan his, effort,

0:05:17.560 --> 0:05:21.760
<v Speaker 1>ridiculous his. Versatility love. Him Trey, murphy when healthy is

0:05:21.960 --> 0:05:25.680
<v Speaker 1>a lynchpin of this, team little little piece of, information

0:05:25.720 --> 0:05:28.440
<v Speaker 1>though not quite healthy right, now dealing with some niscus.

0:05:28.440 --> 0:05:31.960
<v Speaker 1>Stuff Jose alvarado also awesome off the, bench dealing with

0:05:32.000 --> 0:05:36.160
<v Speaker 1>some health. Stuff valuable players Like Dyson, daniels WHO i

0:05:36.200 --> 0:05:38.200
<v Speaker 1>think can. Help not a great, shooter but he's coming.

0:05:38.200 --> 0:05:40.360
<v Speaker 1>Around larry And Ash JUNIOR i think is a good

0:05:40.400 --> 0:05:43.760
<v Speaker 1>piece as. Well but here's the bottom. Line as you can,

0:05:43.760 --> 0:05:49.039
<v Speaker 1>tell there's a lot of pieces that individually, great not

0:05:49.200 --> 0:05:53.280
<v Speaker 1>so great. Together to, Date, Williamson ingram and McCollum have

0:05:53.400 --> 0:05:56.479
<v Speaker 1>only played one hundred and seventy two minutes together as a.

0:05:56.480 --> 0:06:00.880
<v Speaker 1>Whole all three have struggled with injuries and not having

0:06:00.880 --> 0:06:03.560
<v Speaker 1>a great track record with. That so you might think

0:06:03.560 --> 0:06:08.440
<v Speaker 1>that The pelican season hinges completely on, injuries and it

0:06:08.520 --> 0:06:11.040
<v Speaker 1>does to a, degree but it also depends on Whether

0:06:11.160 --> 0:06:14.320
<v Speaker 1>zion And bi can cohabitate in the same, system AND

0:06:14.480 --> 0:06:16.760
<v Speaker 1>i am guessing that one of them is gonna have to.

0:06:16.800 --> 0:06:21.160
<v Speaker 1>Go let's move forward to my, squad my squad of

0:06:21.200 --> 0:06:25.440
<v Speaker 1>The Southwest. Division it's not The San Antonio. Spurs that's everybody's.

0:06:25.400 --> 0:06:29.000
<v Speaker 1>Squad they Are america's, team let's be, honest And france's,

0:06:29.040 --> 0:06:32.479
<v Speaker 1>team and probably every other country's team because When bayama is.

0:06:32.520 --> 0:06:34.800
<v Speaker 1>Electric but we're not talking about. Them we're talking about

0:06:34.800 --> 0:06:37.200
<v Speaker 1>The Houston rockets right. Now, Baby we're talking about some

0:06:37.279 --> 0:06:40.200
<v Speaker 1>flowing right. Now they were twenty. Two they are your

0:06:40.320 --> 0:06:43.880
<v Speaker 1>favorite twenty two and sixty team because they have overhauled

0:06:43.920 --> 0:06:47.440
<v Speaker 1>the roster and overhauled the culture in about two seconds.

0:06:47.520 --> 0:06:51.560
<v Speaker 1>Flat let's talk about their. Additions Huh fred Van, Fleet oh,

0:06:51.640 --> 0:06:54.520
<v Speaker 1>yeah breaks. Truck give him his. Money give that man

0:06:54.560 --> 0:06:57.320
<v Speaker 1>his fucking. Money Dylan, brooks give him his. Money give

0:06:57.320 --> 0:07:00.080
<v Speaker 1>that man his fucking. Money Amon thompson took him in

0:06:59.920 --> 0:07:02.719
<v Speaker 1>the draft and then the steal baby at twenty a

0:07:02.800 --> 0:07:06.240
<v Speaker 1>consensus top five pick that you get at the twenty twentieth.

0:07:06.279 --> 0:07:09.960
<v Speaker 1>Slot in Cam, whitmore you could track kJ Martin, Uzman,

0:07:10.040 --> 0:07:16.080
<v Speaker 1>gruba and the biggest, Subtraction Stephen. Silas his press conferences

0:07:16.120 --> 0:07:19.480
<v Speaker 1>were really something to. Behold THOUGH i have a lot

0:07:19.480 --> 0:07:21.440
<v Speaker 1>of things to, SAY i don't think any of them

0:07:21.480 --> 0:07:24.360
<v Speaker 1>are in my best, self but this is my, league past,

0:07:24.400 --> 0:07:29.080
<v Speaker 1>team so many reasons WHY i love. THEM i couldn't

0:07:29.080 --> 0:07:31.400
<v Speaker 1>really explain it without dedicating an entire show to. It

0:07:31.440 --> 0:07:34.160
<v Speaker 1>but really it's like the, culture and it all starts

0:07:34.160 --> 0:07:38.600
<v Speaker 1>with my. MAN i may Fucking Udoka portland stand, up let's.

0:07:38.600 --> 0:07:42.720
<v Speaker 1>Go you are the one setting the. Tone from the

0:07:42.760 --> 0:07:45.960
<v Speaker 1>time he showed up In houston threw up the, shaker

0:07:46.320 --> 0:07:48.640
<v Speaker 1>one on the pink and one on the, ah it's

0:07:48.680 --> 0:07:52.160
<v Speaker 1>been nothing but exciting times for Emay udoka and The Houston.

0:07:52.240 --> 0:07:57.880
<v Speaker 1>Rockets emy brings a world class defensive. Mindset we know

0:07:57.920 --> 0:07:59.679
<v Speaker 1>that that's what he did when he was In, boston

0:08:00.040 --> 0:08:05.400
<v Speaker 1>immediately turn those boys into some straight. Dogs he might

0:08:05.480 --> 0:08:07.520
<v Speaker 1>Be coach of The year this. Year i'm not gonna.

0:08:07.520 --> 0:08:09.720
<v Speaker 1>Lie this is a team that might go from twenty two.

0:08:09.760 --> 0:08:13.200
<v Speaker 1>WINS i don't know how many they need thirty. Six

0:08:13.360 --> 0:08:14.920
<v Speaker 1>do they need thirty six for him to Win coach

0:08:14.920 --> 0:08:17.760
<v Speaker 1>of The. YEAR i don't. Know but, listen he's got

0:08:17.920 --> 0:08:23.240
<v Speaker 1>so many damn pieces to play with. Pause he's got

0:08:23.280 --> 0:08:26.560
<v Speaker 1>so many damn players that have so many things they

0:08:26.560 --> 0:08:29.440
<v Speaker 1>can do well even with the bad news from the. SUMMER.

0:08:29.720 --> 0:08:32.320
<v Speaker 1>Kpj he's a. Bucket he's a. Bucket he's a. Bucket

0:08:32.400 --> 0:08:34.640
<v Speaker 1>getting cut from the. TEAM i think that's addition by.

0:08:34.640 --> 0:08:37.439
<v Speaker 1>Subtraction this team is gonna be very fun to. Watch

0:08:38.120 --> 0:08:39.959
<v Speaker 1>first of, all they did not Sign James, harden which

0:08:39.960 --> 0:08:42.360
<v Speaker 1>would have been a massive. Mistake there was no chance

0:08:42.400 --> 0:08:44.320
<v Speaker 1>he was coming on the. Team but you have a

0:08:44.360 --> 0:08:46.480
<v Speaker 1>bunch of second year players on the. Roster you Got Tarry,

0:08:46.520 --> 0:08:49.559
<v Speaker 1>easton who white, Love Jabari, smith WHO i think is

0:08:49.600 --> 0:08:52.880
<v Speaker 1>gonna be an absolute low post mid post. Threat you

0:08:52.960 --> 0:08:55.439
<v Speaker 1>Got Darius, Days you Got Jonathan, williams you Got Trevor.

0:08:55.520 --> 0:08:59.080
<v Speaker 1>Hudgens you have four, Rookies Amon, thompson WHO i think

0:08:59.160 --> 0:09:00.960
<v Speaker 1>is about his verse as they. Come if you can

0:09:00.960 --> 0:09:03.360
<v Speaker 1>get a jump, shot oh, boy you Got Cam, whitmore

0:09:03.400 --> 0:09:06.080
<v Speaker 1>who have already talked about last. Episode can do so

0:09:06.120 --> 0:09:07.840
<v Speaker 1>many damn, things probably gonna be the steal of the

0:09:07.880 --> 0:09:10.400
<v Speaker 1>draft at least one of. Them you Have Michael, Mayer Jermaine.

0:09:10.440 --> 0:09:13.440
<v Speaker 1>Samuels but then you add these third year Players Jalen,

0:09:13.520 --> 0:09:17.000
<v Speaker 1>Green alpera And Shangoon Shang goon is like this, Unicorn

0:09:17.240 --> 0:09:22.760
<v Speaker 1>jocqulandell From Phoenix Nate. Hinton keep in, mind thirteen players

0:09:23.080 --> 0:09:24.880
<v Speaker 1>formed the nucleus of one of the youngest teams in the.

0:09:24.960 --> 0:09:29.040
<v Speaker 1>League Jay Shawn tate also fourth year. Player fourteen players

0:09:29.440 --> 0:09:33.240
<v Speaker 1>were with three or less years of. Experience this is

0:09:33.280 --> 0:09:37.120
<v Speaker 1>a chalk full team of fascinating players with a ton

0:09:37.120 --> 0:09:39.520
<v Speaker 1>of length, athleticism could do a bunch of different. Things

0:09:40.000 --> 0:09:43.320
<v Speaker 1>players THAT i particularly want to keep my eye On Jabari.

0:09:43.400 --> 0:09:46.679
<v Speaker 1>SMITH i think he takes a hugely Forward, listen, Man

0:09:47.760 --> 0:09:53.240
<v Speaker 1>i'm gonna say, It, Okay Steven silas was not doing

0:09:53.320 --> 0:09:56.800
<v Speaker 1>anything to add To Jabari smith's. Confidence in, FACT i

0:09:56.920 --> 0:10:02.000
<v Speaker 1>think that whole energy was bringing the mood. Down nothing

0:10:02.240 --> 0:10:05.839
<v Speaker 1>fell more reluctant in every moment Than Steven silas in

0:10:05.880 --> 0:10:09.640
<v Speaker 1>his little. iPad i just it was, painful bro it was,

0:10:09.800 --> 0:10:17.000
<v Speaker 1>Painful and now you get Emy udoka that alone in

0:10:17.120 --> 0:10:20.199
<v Speaker 1>terms of confidence, building Emay udoka, OOZES i can get

0:10:20.240 --> 0:10:22.520
<v Speaker 1>any BITCH i, want and that is going to be

0:10:22.559 --> 0:10:25.840
<v Speaker 1>translated to the floor And Jabari smith is going to

0:10:25.920 --> 0:10:29.360
<v Speaker 1>learn from. That Alprin shangun is also set to. Improve

0:10:29.800 --> 0:10:32.680
<v Speaker 1>now the question is does Emy udoka feel That Alprin

0:10:32.720 --> 0:10:37.360
<v Speaker 1>shangun can become a defensive. Monster we'll. See if he

0:10:37.520 --> 0:10:39.800
<v Speaker 1>is not and he does not have the ability to

0:10:39.880 --> 0:10:42.240
<v Speaker 1>play hard the way Emay udoka wants, him he will be,

0:10:42.280 --> 0:10:44.880
<v Speaker 1>gone he will be. Out but he is a baby.

0:10:44.960 --> 0:10:47.640
<v Speaker 1>Yokic that is what he does. Well he is a passing.

0:10:48.080 --> 0:10:52.319
<v Speaker 1>Machine his BASKETBALL iq is super. High he sees lanes

0:10:52.360 --> 0:10:55.040
<v Speaker 1>that very few players or big men have any vision

0:10:55.160 --> 0:10:58.280
<v Speaker 1>or the ability to execute. On as for, Rookies i've

0:10:58.280 --> 0:11:00.400
<v Speaker 1>already said, THIS i am so high On Campbell. More

0:11:00.800 --> 0:11:04.560
<v Speaker 1>IF i didn't already have a sleeper In Keyante george

0:11:04.559 --> 0:11:06.240
<v Speaker 1>from My rookie of The, year it would be Cam

0:11:06.320 --> 0:11:10.200
<v Speaker 1>witmore because he has been. ELECTRIC i am particularly impressed

0:11:10.240 --> 0:11:13.200
<v Speaker 1>with his. Highlights he can grab a, rebound take the

0:11:13.200 --> 0:11:16.040
<v Speaker 1>ball coast to, coast lay it, in dunk, it just

0:11:16.640 --> 0:11:19.400
<v Speaker 1>put his nuts in someone's face and just do. It

0:11:19.440 --> 0:11:23.760
<v Speaker 1>with a cold hearted. Assassin, look he's gonna be very.

0:11:23.800 --> 0:11:27.120
<v Speaker 1>Good that boy. GOOD i don't know how many games

0:11:27.679 --> 0:11:29.480
<v Speaker 1>The Houston rockets are gonna win this. YEAR i really,

0:11:29.480 --> 0:11:32.200
<v Speaker 1>don't BUT i know it's gonna be. Fun Like, okay

0:11:32.240 --> 0:11:35.560
<v Speaker 1>See Lake, pasteam that's so last. Year it's The. Rockets

0:11:35.920 --> 0:11:37.960
<v Speaker 1>it is The rockets this. Year if you don't bring

0:11:37.960 --> 0:11:41.400
<v Speaker 1>YOUR a game to The, rockets you are getting in

0:11:41.600 --> 0:11:43.120
<v Speaker 1>L they are going to run you out of the

0:11:43.160 --> 0:11:45.719
<v Speaker 1>gym and it is not gonna be very. Fun and

0:11:45.760 --> 0:11:47.600
<v Speaker 1>you're gonna go To James harden's restaurant and eat that

0:11:47.679 --> 0:11:50.240
<v Speaker 1>flog gras and that steak hold net l on your.

0:11:50.240 --> 0:11:50.520
<v Speaker 1>Face