1 00:00:01,280 --> 00:00:16,960 Speaker 1: The volume. All right, Well, good to him tonight you're 2 00:00:16,960 --> 00:00:19,319 Speaker 1: at the volume. Happy Weds that everybody. Hope all of 3 00:00:19,320 --> 00:00:21,759 Speaker 1: you guys are having an incredible week. Just a quick 4 00:00:21,760 --> 00:00:23,400 Speaker 1: show for you guys today. I want to hit one 5 00:00:23,440 --> 00:00:25,600 Speaker 1: of the big games from last night, a show down 6 00:00:25,600 --> 00:00:28,840 Speaker 1: between two of our top two tier contenders, a Denver 7 00:00:28,960 --> 00:00:30,400 Speaker 1: Nuggets team that I have in the top tier in 8 00:00:30,400 --> 00:00:32,520 Speaker 1: the Detroit Pistons team that I have in the second tier. 9 00:00:32,760 --> 00:00:34,800 Speaker 1: They handle the Nuggets pretty much from start to finish, 10 00:00:34,960 --> 00:00:36,840 Speaker 1: never trail in the game. I want to dig into 11 00:00:36,840 --> 00:00:39,280 Speaker 1: that one. Then at the tail of this show, right after 12 00:00:39,320 --> 00:00:42,760 Speaker 1: we finished our episode last night, the Darius Garland for 13 00:00:42,880 --> 00:00:45,640 Speaker 1: James Harden swap was consummated, So I want to dive 14 00:00:45,640 --> 00:00:48,640 Speaker 1: into that one more detailed than we did yesterday. Very 15 00:00:48,640 --> 00:00:50,560 Speaker 1: briefly touch on some of the things we talked about yesterday, 16 00:00:50,560 --> 00:00:51,960 Speaker 1: but I want to focus on some of the numbers 17 00:00:51,960 --> 00:00:54,520 Speaker 1: and give you guys and a good breakdown of what 18 00:00:54,600 --> 00:00:56,320 Speaker 1: those players have been this season. You guys owe the 19 00:00:56,360 --> 00:00:58,280 Speaker 1: joke before we get started. Subscribe to pops to YouTube 20 00:00:58,320 --> 00:00:59,840 Speaker 1: channel so you don't miss any more of our videos. 21 00:01:00,080 --> 00:01:01,520 Speaker 1: Make sure you like this video that helps us a 22 00:01:01,520 --> 00:01:02,840 Speaker 1: lot less but not least. If you want to get 23 00:01:02,880 --> 00:01:05,160 Speaker 1: mailbag questions into our mail bag, drop them into the 24 00:01:05,160 --> 00:01:07,080 Speaker 1: comments and we'll get to them in our weekly mail 25 00:01:07,080 --> 00:01:09,000 Speaker 1: bags throughout the rest of the season. All right, let's 26 00:01:09,000 --> 00:01:12,440 Speaker 1: talk some basketball. So Nuggets Pistons was a really fun game. 27 00:01:12,959 --> 00:01:16,720 Speaker 1: Detroit never trailed and led by as many as twenty. 28 00:01:16,760 --> 00:01:20,240 Speaker 1: But if Tobias Harris doesn't get a crazy role on 29 00:01:20,319 --> 00:01:23,080 Speaker 1: a missed corner three, like missed it short and left 30 00:01:23,520 --> 00:01:26,200 Speaker 1: and like somehow just popped over the front of the 31 00:01:26,280 --> 00:01:28,919 Speaker 1: rim and went in. If that doesn't happen, then Denver 32 00:01:28,959 --> 00:01:31,280 Speaker 1: has a chance to tie or take the lead with 33 00:01:31,520 --> 00:01:33,720 Speaker 1: just under two minutes left. And so it was kind 34 00:01:33,760 --> 00:01:37,200 Speaker 1: of a classic demonstration for both teams as to why 35 00:01:37,240 --> 00:01:40,600 Speaker 1: they are championship contenders, just at different points in the game. 36 00:01:40,680 --> 00:01:45,000 Speaker 1: Detroit being physically dominant throughout the game, and then kind 37 00:01:45,040 --> 00:01:47,319 Speaker 1: of one of those classic Denver Nuggets, like, oh, you 38 00:01:47,360 --> 00:01:49,960 Speaker 1: have us down fourteen with five and a half minutes left, 39 00:01:49,960 --> 00:01:53,240 Speaker 1: but we're just gonna suddenly start chaining together stops and 40 00:01:53,280 --> 00:01:56,720 Speaker 1: scoring every single time down the floor. Denver kind of 41 00:01:56,800 --> 00:02:00,800 Speaker 1: reminds me of those Golden State teams with Steph Curry 42 00:02:00,800 --> 00:02:02,840 Speaker 1: and his Prime were like a ten point lead in 43 00:02:02,840 --> 00:02:04,960 Speaker 1: the middle of the fourth quarter. Just doesn't feel safe 44 00:02:04,960 --> 00:02:06,880 Speaker 1: because you just know they can get super hot on 45 00:02:06,960 --> 00:02:09,920 Speaker 1: offense and chain together stops, and so you got to 46 00:02:09,919 --> 00:02:12,080 Speaker 1: see kind of the ceiling for both of these groups. 47 00:02:12,960 --> 00:02:17,160 Speaker 1: The first half was a complete Detroit domination. Started with 48 00:02:17,280 --> 00:02:21,200 Speaker 1: Kid getting consistent paint touches, beating his man like he 49 00:02:21,280 --> 00:02:24,440 Speaker 1: was giving Christian Brown fits with really quick moves, just 50 00:02:24,480 --> 00:02:27,240 Speaker 1: like moving quickly off the catch, catching the post, off 51 00:02:27,280 --> 00:02:30,280 Speaker 1: the left block, quick spin over his right shoulder, just 52 00:02:30,280 --> 00:02:32,400 Speaker 1: goes right by him, drops it off for Asar Thompson 53 00:02:32,440 --> 00:02:34,960 Speaker 1: for a dug catch at the top. Just simple little 54 00:02:35,040 --> 00:02:38,000 Speaker 1: jab step to the left. Christian just buckles off the screen. 55 00:02:38,080 --> 00:02:40,520 Speaker 1: Kid goes down the lane and gets an and one. 56 00:02:40,560 --> 00:02:43,880 Speaker 1: He toasted Jamal Murray on a simple driving move off 57 00:02:43,919 --> 00:02:46,840 Speaker 1: of the right wing. I really like that little, you know, 58 00:02:46,880 --> 00:02:48,640 Speaker 1: because the main thing we're going to get into is 59 00:02:48,639 --> 00:02:51,440 Speaker 1: just how Detroit dominates in the paint, right like, they 60 00:02:51,440 --> 00:02:54,560 Speaker 1: are the second best points in the paint team in 61 00:02:54,639 --> 00:02:56,799 Speaker 1: the league. I think they had thirty four points in 62 00:02:56,840 --> 00:03:00,640 Speaker 1: the first half. Thirty four points in the pint just 63 00:03:00,720 --> 00:03:03,360 Speaker 1: in the first half. That's an incredible number, right there, 64 00:03:03,600 --> 00:03:06,840 Speaker 1: and a big part of that is just consistent deep 65 00:03:06,919 --> 00:03:09,639 Speaker 1: paint touches and comes from a variety of different things 66 00:03:09,639 --> 00:03:10,919 Speaker 1: that we'll talk about in a minute, but one of 67 00:03:10,960 --> 00:03:13,720 Speaker 1: the big ways that they do that, especially in the 68 00:03:13,720 --> 00:03:16,560 Speaker 1: half court, is Kay Cunningham and just his ability to 69 00:03:16,600 --> 00:03:19,119 Speaker 1: break the point of attack either through ISOs, post ups 70 00:03:19,120 --> 00:03:22,480 Speaker 1: and ball screens and consistently get deep paint touches, and 71 00:03:22,520 --> 00:03:26,160 Speaker 1: so little things like trying to manufacture opportunities to get 72 00:03:26,200 --> 00:03:29,440 Speaker 1: downhill penetration I think is key and those little there's 73 00:03:29,440 --> 00:03:31,200 Speaker 1: this little X action that they'll run where they'll have 74 00:03:31,240 --> 00:03:33,639 Speaker 1: like Dannis Jenkins or one of their other guards kind 75 00:03:33,639 --> 00:03:36,360 Speaker 1: of drible up the right wing and he'll just kind 76 00:03:36,360 --> 00:03:38,760 Speaker 1: of cross right around thirty five feet from the rim, 77 00:03:38,840 --> 00:03:41,280 Speaker 1: kind of run around the logo extended out at the 78 00:03:41,280 --> 00:03:43,200 Speaker 1: top of the key, and they'll just pitch it to 79 00:03:43,280 --> 00:03:45,720 Speaker 1: Kate and Kate is just gonna go screaming downhill and 80 00:03:45,760 --> 00:03:47,760 Speaker 1: he's just so damn big and strong that when he 81 00:03:47,760 --> 00:03:49,920 Speaker 1: gets that head of steam, it's really difficult to deal 82 00:03:49,960 --> 00:03:52,120 Speaker 1: with him there. But you know, for this team, and 83 00:03:52,160 --> 00:03:54,160 Speaker 1: they've struggled to score at the in the half court 84 00:03:54,800 --> 00:03:57,760 Speaker 1: for most of the season, but when they do succeed 85 00:03:57,800 --> 00:04:00,320 Speaker 1: in the half court, it's usually because Kate kind M 86 00:04:00,400 --> 00:04:03,600 Speaker 1: is able to get those deep paint touches. And again, 87 00:04:03,680 --> 00:04:07,720 Speaker 1: this scoring in the paint is so vital to Detroit's offense. 88 00:04:07,720 --> 00:04:10,120 Speaker 1: They're not a good three point shooting team, right the 89 00:04:10,200 --> 00:04:13,840 Speaker 1: mediocre in terms of shooting percentage and bad in terms 90 00:04:13,840 --> 00:04:16,479 Speaker 1: of volumes. So they've got to get as many of 91 00:04:16,520 --> 00:04:19,000 Speaker 1: those deep paint touches as possible. And this is why, 92 00:04:19,839 --> 00:04:23,520 Speaker 1: this is why having variety and many different ways to 93 00:04:23,600 --> 00:04:27,800 Speaker 1: generate quality paint touches is the pathway to having consistent 94 00:04:27,880 --> 00:04:30,680 Speaker 1: paint scoring, because even if you have a guy like Kate, 95 00:04:30,760 --> 00:04:33,479 Speaker 1: eventually a team can figure out how to really load 96 00:04:33,560 --> 00:04:36,120 Speaker 1: up on him. Kate did not get as much triple 97 00:04:36,160 --> 00:04:39,320 Speaker 1: penetration when they got into the second half of this game, right, 98 00:04:39,360 --> 00:04:41,360 Speaker 1: So that's why you got to have other avenues to 99 00:04:41,400 --> 00:04:44,239 Speaker 1: get there. And this Detroit team just has so many 100 00:04:44,279 --> 00:04:48,920 Speaker 1: avenues to get there, like defense to transition sequences. They 101 00:04:50,360 --> 00:04:53,640 Speaker 1: forced five turnovers on the Kola Jokics, really swarming him, 102 00:04:53,680 --> 00:04:55,880 Speaker 1: catching him with his back turn to the defense quite 103 00:04:55,920 --> 00:04:58,080 Speaker 1: a bit. Jokis was a little out of rhythm coming 104 00:04:58,080 --> 00:04:59,960 Speaker 1: back from his knee injury. It was just a little slop, 105 00:05:00,240 --> 00:05:03,240 Speaker 1: but Detroit just did an awesome job of swarming him 106 00:05:03,240 --> 00:05:07,640 Speaker 1: and forcing turnovers getting out in transition. Off of those turnovers, 107 00:05:07,680 --> 00:05:12,360 Speaker 1: they ended up scoring twenty points on the ten Denver turnovers, 108 00:05:12,400 --> 00:05:16,279 Speaker 1: So they basically scored every time Denver turned the basketball over. 109 00:05:16,320 --> 00:05:20,040 Speaker 1: And it's because there's a dynamic with their athletes in 110 00:05:20,120 --> 00:05:22,760 Speaker 1: the open floor that's different than it is in the 111 00:05:22,760 --> 00:05:26,240 Speaker 1: half court. Take just Ron Holland for example. Like, Ron 112 00:05:26,279 --> 00:05:28,599 Speaker 1: Holland in the open floor is kind of a devastating 113 00:05:28,600 --> 00:05:32,440 Speaker 1: offensive player. He shoots sixty six percent in the open 114 00:05:32,480 --> 00:05:35,800 Speaker 1: floor in transition, he's gonna get those big semi transition 115 00:05:35,920 --> 00:05:38,080 Speaker 1: drives when he gets to the basket or just streaking 116 00:05:38,160 --> 00:05:41,400 Speaker 1: up his lane for layups and dunks. But you get 117 00:05:41,440 --> 00:05:45,040 Speaker 1: him into the half court, he shoots thirty four percent there, right, 118 00:05:45,160 --> 00:05:48,839 Speaker 1: completely different player, twenty four percent from three. Although the 119 00:05:48,880 --> 00:05:50,760 Speaker 1: funny thing he had a couple of misses in this 120 00:05:50,839 --> 00:05:53,279 Speaker 1: game from three that were so bad that they led 121 00:05:53,279 --> 00:05:56,159 Speaker 1: to points. He banked in a three on the left 122 00:05:56,200 --> 00:05:57,719 Speaker 1: lan wing. It was funny. I was listening to it 123 00:05:57,760 --> 00:06:01,200 Speaker 1: on the Denver broadcast here in Denver, and the announcers 124 00:06:01,240 --> 00:06:02,960 Speaker 1: like Ron Holland for three that's off, and then it 125 00:06:03,040 --> 00:06:05,040 Speaker 1: like banks in, and then they're both like, oh my god, 126 00:06:05,080 --> 00:06:07,000 Speaker 1: it because he just missed it so horribly that it 127 00:06:07,040 --> 00:06:08,719 Speaker 1: went in. He had another one that he missed so 128 00:06:08,800 --> 00:06:11,400 Speaker 1: bad that it took a weird angle off the rim 129 00:06:11,640 --> 00:06:13,880 Speaker 1: and they got offensive rebound put back. So Ron Holland 130 00:06:13,920 --> 00:06:16,039 Speaker 1: actually provided some utility in the half court as a 131 00:06:16,040 --> 00:06:19,760 Speaker 1: shooter ironically in this game, but getting out in transition 132 00:06:19,839 --> 00:06:24,200 Speaker 1: as much as possible unlocks athleticism opportunities, right, and there 133 00:06:24,240 --> 00:06:26,919 Speaker 1: are a lot of really good athletes on this Detroit 134 00:06:26,960 --> 00:06:31,080 Speaker 1: team that can succeed. There twenty eight more transition points 135 00:06:31,080 --> 00:06:32,680 Speaker 1: for the Pistons last night. We talked about this in 136 00:06:32,720 --> 00:06:35,440 Speaker 1: our Power Rankings video on Monday, but they had gone 137 00:06:35,520 --> 00:06:40,120 Speaker 1: four straight games where they averaged just twenty one transition points. 138 00:06:40,279 --> 00:06:43,000 Speaker 1: They went two and two in those games. The last 139 00:06:43,040 --> 00:06:47,640 Speaker 1: three games they're averaging thirty five points per game in transition, 140 00:06:47,760 --> 00:06:50,160 Speaker 1: So really starting to get back out in the open far. 141 00:06:50,200 --> 00:06:53,400 Speaker 1: It was a huge part of this particular game. So 142 00:06:53,680 --> 00:06:57,440 Speaker 1: we have the defensive, defensive transition sequences, we have the 143 00:06:57,560 --> 00:07:00,440 Speaker 1: ked drives when you get into half court. The third 144 00:07:00,440 --> 00:07:02,359 Speaker 1: piece of it. It really comes down to their front 145 00:07:02,360 --> 00:07:04,159 Speaker 1: line and the guards as well in terms of the 146 00:07:04,160 --> 00:07:07,839 Speaker 1: offensive rebounding, but everything underneath the basket that doesn't involve 147 00:07:07,960 --> 00:07:13,440 Speaker 1: drives or transition pushes, which is like post positioning, interior passing, 148 00:07:13,880 --> 00:07:18,280 Speaker 1: offensive rebounding, cutting, things like that. Right, like Jalen Durnan 149 00:07:18,320 --> 00:07:20,440 Speaker 1: and Tobias Harris just hitting a couple of little hook 150 00:07:20,480 --> 00:07:23,960 Speaker 1: shots in that second half for the Pistons, Like Jokic 151 00:07:25,040 --> 00:07:27,520 Speaker 1: gets Jalen Durnan on the right block, durn just kind 152 00:07:27,560 --> 00:07:29,240 Speaker 1: of bumps him with that left shoulder, gets to a 153 00:07:29,240 --> 00:07:31,960 Speaker 1: little hook shot over the top, hits it. Tobias Harris 154 00:07:32,200 --> 00:07:34,320 Speaker 1: gets Peyton Watson with a little chicken wing on the 155 00:07:34,360 --> 00:07:36,840 Speaker 1: same spot, hits a little kind of floater on a 156 00:07:36,840 --> 00:07:40,320 Speaker 1: step through. Remove those threes that Duncan Robinson ended up hitting, 157 00:07:40,320 --> 00:07:43,120 Speaker 1: Like Duncan Robinson pours in six to threes, scores twenty 158 00:07:43,120 --> 00:07:46,560 Speaker 1: points that ended up opening opportunities. Because we're gonna talk 159 00:07:46,600 --> 00:07:47,880 Speaker 1: about it on the Denver side in a little bit, 160 00:07:47,880 --> 00:07:49,960 Speaker 1: but Denver did kind of a poor job tracking Duncan 161 00:07:50,040 --> 00:07:53,000 Speaker 1: Robinson throughout the game. But Duncan hits some threes, and 162 00:07:53,080 --> 00:07:55,040 Speaker 1: so there was a huge possession late in the game 163 00:07:55,080 --> 00:07:57,760 Speaker 1: when Denver was making their comeback where Duncan comes off 164 00:07:57,800 --> 00:08:01,040 Speaker 1: clean again at the top of the key, and so 165 00:08:01,160 --> 00:08:03,680 Speaker 1: Jokic has no choice but to come way out to 166 00:08:03,720 --> 00:08:07,000 Speaker 1: the level to contest what is that cause that opens 167 00:08:07,080 --> 00:08:10,240 Speaker 1: up that lane for Jalen Duran to just go right 168 00:08:10,280 --> 00:08:13,840 Speaker 1: down the middle. Nobody on that back line when Aaron 169 00:08:13,880 --> 00:08:16,240 Speaker 1: Gordon is out of the lineup is remotely close to 170 00:08:16,280 --> 00:08:19,480 Speaker 1: big enough to handle Jalen Durhan unless they're in their 171 00:08:19,480 --> 00:08:22,320 Speaker 1: two big looks with jonas Un Chunis, which actually had 172 00:08:22,320 --> 00:08:26,840 Speaker 1: some success last night. But Duran gets that role into 173 00:08:26,880 --> 00:08:31,040 Speaker 1: an offensive rebound because Duncan Robinson is pulling the big 174 00:08:31,080 --> 00:08:35,040 Speaker 1: out to the level that in that little off ball action, right, 175 00:08:36,320 --> 00:08:39,439 Speaker 1: some plenty of examples of nice interior passing, especially like 176 00:08:39,480 --> 00:08:41,640 Speaker 1: the Nuggets run a lot of like strong side zone. 177 00:08:41,679 --> 00:08:45,000 Speaker 1: It kind of looks like a matchup zone, but they'll 178 00:08:45,040 --> 00:08:47,560 Speaker 1: bring like Jokic off of his man just to the 179 00:08:47,600 --> 00:08:49,600 Speaker 1: strong side of the floor right outside the block, and 180 00:08:49,600 --> 00:08:51,240 Speaker 1: he'll just kind of stand there and zone up. And 181 00:08:51,280 --> 00:08:53,400 Speaker 1: so there are opportunities if you can kind of flash 182 00:08:53,440 --> 00:08:56,360 Speaker 1: to the middle or along the baseline for easy little 183 00:08:56,640 --> 00:08:58,960 Speaker 1: interior passes that can lead to baskets, but a lot 184 00:08:59,000 --> 00:09:02,319 Speaker 1: of teams don't have the your passing ability to capitalize 185 00:09:02,360 --> 00:09:04,880 Speaker 1: on that. Detroit passes the ball very well on the inside. 186 00:09:05,000 --> 00:09:07,920 Speaker 1: It get a lot of really good opportunities that way, 187 00:09:07,960 --> 00:09:10,120 Speaker 1: and so you end up with fifty eight points in 188 00:09:10,160 --> 00:09:12,120 Speaker 1: the paint, you know, kind of par for the course 189 00:09:12,120 --> 00:09:13,680 Speaker 1: from what is the one of the very best paint 190 00:09:13,720 --> 00:09:16,520 Speaker 1: offenses in the NBA. But it came in different kind 191 00:09:16,559 --> 00:09:19,520 Speaker 1: of ways throughout the game, and that is the value 192 00:09:19,520 --> 00:09:23,559 Speaker 1: of having many different ways to generate those deep paint touches. 193 00:09:24,480 --> 00:09:26,760 Speaker 1: And then the Detroit jump shooting was super impressive all 194 00:09:26,840 --> 00:09:30,120 Speaker 1: night long. Duncan Robinson again six to threes, big big 195 00:09:30,120 --> 00:09:32,400 Speaker 1: shots from key guys. In crunch time, we talked about 196 00:09:32,400 --> 00:09:35,040 Speaker 1: the Tobias lucky bounce one in the left corner, but 197 00:09:35,400 --> 00:09:37,800 Speaker 1: he nailed one in the fourth quarter off of the 198 00:09:37,880 --> 00:09:40,960 Speaker 1: right wing, caught Julian Strawther's slip in for a second, 199 00:09:41,000 --> 00:09:43,880 Speaker 1: just kind of relocated up to the right wing quick 200 00:09:43,960 --> 00:09:48,880 Speaker 1: little last second kickout pass that he knocked down. Jamichael 201 00:09:48,920 --> 00:09:51,120 Speaker 1: Green had a huge one in the same spot in 202 00:09:51,160 --> 00:09:55,160 Speaker 1: a late clock situation. They badly outshot Denver off the 203 00:09:55,240 --> 00:09:58,200 Speaker 1: catch in this game, so Denver takes twenty two catch 204 00:09:58,200 --> 00:10:03,000 Speaker 1: and shoots. Detroit it takes twenty. Detroit gets thirty points 205 00:10:03,040 --> 00:10:05,640 Speaker 1: out of those twenty catch and shoots. Denver gets just 206 00:10:05,760 --> 00:10:08,280 Speaker 1: eighteen out of the twenty two catch and shoots. That 207 00:10:08,320 --> 00:10:10,720 Speaker 1: was one of the biggest differences in the game. And 208 00:10:10,720 --> 00:10:14,640 Speaker 1: then several big defensive performances across the lawn across the 209 00:10:14,640 --> 00:10:17,720 Speaker 1: board for Detroit. I thought Jalen Duran held up super 210 00:10:17,720 --> 00:10:21,000 Speaker 1: well in the Jokic matchup, just bringing the physicality, especially 211 00:10:21,040 --> 00:10:23,280 Speaker 1: in the first half. Joka's the best player in the world. 212 00:10:23,280 --> 00:10:24,760 Speaker 1: He was gonnaigure some stuff out. He did in the 213 00:10:24,760 --> 00:10:26,600 Speaker 1: second half. He was much better in the second half. 214 00:10:26,600 --> 00:10:29,240 Speaker 1: But in that first half when Detroit built the lead 215 00:10:29,320 --> 00:10:32,040 Speaker 1: that carried them through to the finish line, Duran was 216 00:10:32,080 --> 00:10:35,720 Speaker 1: doing really well on him bringing that physicality. Jokic was 217 00:10:35,800 --> 00:10:38,760 Speaker 1: really trying to flop and grift fouls on Duran. There 218 00:10:38,800 --> 00:10:41,560 Speaker 1: were like three or four times where he either like 219 00:10:41,920 --> 00:10:44,360 Speaker 1: you know, Duran would crash the offensive glass and Yokic 220 00:10:44,360 --> 00:10:46,440 Speaker 1: would have inside position and when Duran would bump him, 221 00:10:46,440 --> 00:10:48,520 Speaker 1: he'd like fall over to try to get a whistle, 222 00:10:48,600 --> 00:10:50,560 Speaker 1: or there was one where he tried to like do 223 00:10:50,679 --> 00:10:53,280 Speaker 1: that classic like kind of low gather move on Duran 224 00:10:53,960 --> 00:10:56,600 Speaker 1: right around the left elbow in the first half. No call, 225 00:10:56,720 --> 00:10:59,719 Speaker 1: got his hands out of there quickly again, like I 226 00:11:00,120 --> 00:11:02,360 Speaker 1: one of the big kind of giveaways for a defender 227 00:11:02,440 --> 00:11:05,199 Speaker 1: actually starting to frustrate an offensive players when he starts 228 00:11:05,200 --> 00:11:08,280 Speaker 1: to lean more on grifting than actually just playing basketball. 229 00:11:08,320 --> 00:11:10,200 Speaker 1: That's a credit to Jalen Duran. I just thought he 230 00:11:10,240 --> 00:11:13,559 Speaker 1: did a really good job on Nicola Jokic. Gave him 231 00:11:13,559 --> 00:11:16,160 Speaker 1: some one on one buckets as well, had four offensive rebounds. 232 00:11:16,160 --> 00:11:18,520 Speaker 1: This monster game from Jalen dur And I thought Asar 233 00:11:18,559 --> 00:11:21,000 Speaker 1: Thompson did an amazing job on Jamal Murray. Jamal Murray 234 00:11:21,040 --> 00:11:22,840 Speaker 1: got hot in the late fourth quarter and put a 235 00:11:22,840 --> 00:11:24,960 Speaker 1: bunch of points up, but that's what he does. He's 236 00:11:25,040 --> 00:11:28,040 Speaker 1: Jamal Murray. He was four for thirteen in the first 237 00:11:28,080 --> 00:11:30,320 Speaker 1: three quarters, and I think Asar Thompson deserves a lot 238 00:11:30,320 --> 00:11:33,000 Speaker 1: of credit for that. Several other Detroit perimeter guys loged 239 00:11:33,000 --> 00:11:35,360 Speaker 1: some good reps too. They just caused him to rush 240 00:11:35,440 --> 00:11:38,600 Speaker 1: by getting up into him and being super physical even 241 00:11:38,600 --> 00:11:41,920 Speaker 1: when Jamal would break free, like he'd break Asar off 242 00:11:41,960 --> 00:11:44,679 Speaker 1: with a jab step or break free with him from 243 00:11:44,760 --> 00:11:46,720 Speaker 1: him in a ball screen but when he would get 244 00:11:46,760 --> 00:11:49,240 Speaker 1: into that mid ranger, get into his drives, he'd be 245 00:11:49,280 --> 00:11:52,640 Speaker 1: a little panicky about the late pursuit coming in and 246 00:11:52,679 --> 00:11:55,480 Speaker 1: he would end up smoking a layup or missing a 247 00:11:55,480 --> 00:11:58,079 Speaker 1: pretty tough mid ranger. Now that really is the dynamic 248 00:11:58,120 --> 00:12:00,520 Speaker 1: you see a lot with the elite NBA D defenses, 249 00:12:00,520 --> 00:12:04,160 Speaker 1: and it's a certainly a factor with Detroit. There is 250 00:12:04,280 --> 00:12:07,080 Speaker 1: like this thing in the back of your head where 251 00:12:07,120 --> 00:12:09,880 Speaker 1: you never feel like you're open, even when you're open, 252 00:12:10,240 --> 00:12:12,840 Speaker 1: because of the pursuit. How many times in this game 253 00:12:13,160 --> 00:12:16,080 Speaker 1: did we see like a transition push for Denver where 254 00:12:16,080 --> 00:12:17,920 Speaker 1: it looked like one of their guys had a chance 255 00:12:17,960 --> 00:12:20,480 Speaker 1: to get a layup, and then like Kay Cunningham would 256 00:12:20,480 --> 00:12:23,360 Speaker 1: come in and swatted off the glass, or Ron Holland 257 00:12:23,360 --> 00:12:25,920 Speaker 1: would come and swatted off the glass. Like these big 258 00:12:26,400 --> 00:12:30,000 Speaker 1: pursuit moments where it looks like an advantage but an 259 00:12:30,000 --> 00:12:34,480 Speaker 1: elite Detroit athlete is trailing the play and just gets 260 00:12:34,600 --> 00:12:37,480 Speaker 1: up in the air and makes some crazy defensive play 261 00:12:37,640 --> 00:12:40,319 Speaker 1: that can start to lead to demons in your head, 262 00:12:40,400 --> 00:12:42,520 Speaker 1: right because now you're scared even when you're open, because 263 00:12:42,520 --> 00:12:45,719 Speaker 1: you don't know what's happening behind you. Right, Like the 264 00:12:46,360 --> 00:12:48,760 Speaker 1: steals on Jokic. Every time he turn his back, they're 265 00:12:48,760 --> 00:12:51,640 Speaker 1: swooping in from behind. Jokic had, especially in the first half, 266 00:12:51,640 --> 00:12:54,400 Speaker 1: some misses right around the rim, where like there misses 267 00:12:54,440 --> 00:12:56,960 Speaker 1: that Jokic doesn't usually miss, And a big part of 268 00:12:57,000 --> 00:12:59,600 Speaker 1: that is there's just a lot of congestion around him. 269 00:12:59,600 --> 00:13:02,319 Speaker 1: Even when you would like spin off of Duran, he 270 00:13:02,360 --> 00:13:04,640 Speaker 1: would spin off of Duran and contend with somebody else 271 00:13:04,679 --> 00:13:06,920 Speaker 1: at the rim, but there would be Duran again chasing 272 00:13:06,960 --> 00:13:09,920 Speaker 1: from behind, trying to contest from behind, and it just 273 00:13:09,960 --> 00:13:13,319 Speaker 1: causes you to do funky stuff with your rhythm that 274 00:13:13,320 --> 00:13:15,640 Speaker 1: can make you miss some shots that you normally make. 275 00:13:15,679 --> 00:13:18,560 Speaker 1: And I just thought between Usar Thompson and Jalen Duran 276 00:13:18,559 --> 00:13:21,240 Speaker 1: in particular, they just made life very difficult on Jamal Maray, 277 00:13:21,320 --> 00:13:23,600 Speaker 1: Nicole yokitztra out the game. They put up their numbers, 278 00:13:23,720 --> 00:13:25,320 Speaker 1: that's what they do. They want on a big late 279 00:13:25,360 --> 00:13:28,880 Speaker 1: game run, that's what they do. But for one of 280 00:13:28,920 --> 00:13:31,240 Speaker 1: the greatest offenses in this era of NBA history, you 281 00:13:31,280 --> 00:13:34,520 Speaker 1: got to see the Detroit defense cast some real problems 282 00:13:34,520 --> 00:13:37,680 Speaker 1: for them. Just a really great demonstration of what makes 283 00:13:37,679 --> 00:13:41,000 Speaker 1: the Pistons a contender this season. I always put extra 284 00:13:41,120 --> 00:13:44,480 Speaker 1: stock in these types of matchups. Those you know, I've 285 00:13:44,480 --> 00:13:46,760 Speaker 1: divided my contender tiers into three tiers. Those your top 286 00:13:46,800 --> 00:13:48,800 Speaker 1: tier contenders, teams that have a great chance to win it. 287 00:13:49,120 --> 00:13:51,240 Speaker 1: Your second tier contenders that teams that have a real 288 00:13:51,320 --> 00:13:53,440 Speaker 1: chance to win it, but it's a small chance. They're 289 00:13:53,480 --> 00:13:55,240 Speaker 1: just pretty flawed and some thing's got to go right. 290 00:13:55,480 --> 00:13:57,160 Speaker 1: And then the third tier where it's like just straight 291 00:13:57,240 --> 00:14:00,439 Speaker 1: up prayer time. Right, those top two tiers, they all 292 00:14:00,440 --> 00:14:02,040 Speaker 1: have a real chance to win the title. And so 293 00:14:02,080 --> 00:14:03,959 Speaker 1: when those teams match up with each other, I always 294 00:14:04,000 --> 00:14:07,280 Speaker 1: put extra stock in it, like, Okay, your shit works, 295 00:14:07,400 --> 00:14:10,040 Speaker 1: but does it work against the best teams in the league. 296 00:14:10,080 --> 00:14:13,559 Speaker 1: And so we know what Detroit's bag is, so to speak, right, 297 00:14:13,600 --> 00:14:17,760 Speaker 1: it's a mix of elite perimeter defense, interior physicality, and 298 00:14:17,880 --> 00:14:21,560 Speaker 1: Kaid Cunningham's greatness on the ball. All three of those 299 00:14:21,560 --> 00:14:24,920 Speaker 1: things shined in this win. Their elite perimeter defense made 300 00:14:25,000 --> 00:14:30,080 Speaker 1: life hell for Denver's guards. Their interior physicality played Jokich 301 00:14:30,120 --> 00:14:32,120 Speaker 1: into a lot of turnovers and misses around the rim 302 00:14:32,160 --> 00:14:34,120 Speaker 1: and did a lot of damage on the offensive glass, 303 00:14:34,440 --> 00:14:37,880 Speaker 1: and Kid Cunningham was able to generate quality shots when 304 00:14:37,880 --> 00:14:39,840 Speaker 1: they ended up in the half court because of his 305 00:14:39,920 --> 00:14:41,960 Speaker 1: ability to beat the point of attack and get deep 306 00:14:42,040 --> 00:14:45,920 Speaker 1: paint touches. All of those things worked in this matchup 307 00:14:45,920 --> 00:14:47,920 Speaker 1: against a team that I have is literally the second 308 00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:50,440 Speaker 1: best championship contender in the league. So just a really 309 00:14:50,520 --> 00:14:53,960 Speaker 1: nice performance for the Detroit Pistons on the Denver front. 310 00:14:54,400 --> 00:14:56,520 Speaker 1: I just thought they were sloppy on several fronts in 311 00:14:56,560 --> 00:14:58,160 Speaker 1: this game. And it's just really difficult to win a 312 00:14:58,160 --> 00:15:00,400 Speaker 1: game on the road against this good of a team 313 00:15:00,800 --> 00:15:04,080 Speaker 1: when you're this sloppy like jokicch is obviously still working 314 00:15:04,080 --> 00:15:06,400 Speaker 1: on getting his rhythm back after his injury. He obviously 315 00:15:06,440 --> 00:15:08,960 Speaker 1: annihilated the Clippers, but he was pretty sloppy in the 316 00:15:09,000 --> 00:15:12,160 Speaker 1: Oklahoma City game as well as this game, those late 317 00:15:12,200 --> 00:15:14,320 Speaker 1: doubles when he's got his back turned. Like when Yokic 318 00:15:14,440 --> 00:15:15,760 Speaker 1: is at his best, he just kind of has a 319 00:15:15,800 --> 00:15:18,840 Speaker 1: perception of the floor that where he doesn't get caught 320 00:15:18,840 --> 00:15:20,560 Speaker 1: off guard by that kind of thing, and he was 321 00:15:20,600 --> 00:15:22,800 Speaker 1: getting caught off guard by it last night, and he 322 00:15:22,920 --> 00:15:24,960 Speaker 1: was in the Oklahoma City game. It's one of those 323 00:15:25,000 --> 00:15:29,000 Speaker 1: things where you know, when Jokic gets his rhythm, the 324 00:15:29,040 --> 00:15:31,080 Speaker 1: speed of the game won't catch him off guard as 325 00:15:31,160 --> 00:15:32,680 Speaker 1: much you could even see it. There was a play 326 00:15:33,240 --> 00:15:34,920 Speaker 1: late in the game and the crunch time in this 327 00:15:34,960 --> 00:15:37,520 Speaker 1: one where they went for that same swoop where Yokic is, 328 00:15:37,880 --> 00:15:39,760 Speaker 1: you know, standing around the elbow and he's got his 329 00:15:39,840 --> 00:15:42,720 Speaker 1: back turned to the left sideline and the guy comes 330 00:15:42,760 --> 00:15:44,720 Speaker 1: digging in for the steal, but he saw it coming 331 00:15:44,760 --> 00:15:46,320 Speaker 1: that time, and he pulls it out, whips it around 332 00:15:46,320 --> 00:15:47,840 Speaker 1: it and I think it was a wide open corner 333 00:15:47,880 --> 00:15:50,480 Speaker 1: three in the left corner, and so like you could 334 00:15:50,480 --> 00:15:53,360 Speaker 1: even see. Over the course of this particular game, Jokic 335 00:15:53,480 --> 00:15:55,800 Speaker 1: start to kind of make the adjustment to the speed 336 00:15:55,840 --> 00:15:58,280 Speaker 1: that Detroit was playing at defensively and start to make 337 00:15:58,720 --> 00:16:00,800 Speaker 1: the reads I talked about the grit. That's just like 338 00:16:00,840 --> 00:16:02,920 Speaker 1: a the kind of thing that I don't think Joki 339 00:16:03,080 --> 00:16:04,720 Speaker 1: is going to be doing when he's in full rhythm, 340 00:16:04,720 --> 00:16:07,160 Speaker 1: and he was much better in that second half as 341 00:16:07,200 --> 00:16:10,680 Speaker 1: a team. The poor tracking of Duncan Robinson. You have 342 00:16:10,760 --> 00:16:14,040 Speaker 1: to stay attached to shooters because if you get detached, 343 00:16:14,320 --> 00:16:17,200 Speaker 1: meaning like a distance between you and them at any point, 344 00:16:17,760 --> 00:16:20,400 Speaker 1: then they can run into their looks. When they run 345 00:16:20,440 --> 00:16:23,080 Speaker 1: into their looks, they get into the footwork and the 346 00:16:23,200 --> 00:16:26,960 Speaker 1: release that they practice thousands and thousands of times every week, 347 00:16:27,080 --> 00:16:29,280 Speaker 1: so at that point they're not even going to see 348 00:16:29,280 --> 00:16:31,320 Speaker 1: the rear view contest or even the contests on the 349 00:16:31,400 --> 00:16:34,160 Speaker 1: front side. You have to find a way with elite 350 00:16:34,160 --> 00:16:38,440 Speaker 1: movement shooters to tangle up their feet somehow to disrupt 351 00:16:38,640 --> 00:16:42,120 Speaker 1: that footwork when they're in the gym alone by themselves practicing, 352 00:16:42,160 --> 00:16:45,080 Speaker 1: and the only way to do that is to stay attached. 353 00:16:45,120 --> 00:16:48,320 Speaker 1: And so many Nuggets had bad reps on Duncan. Robinson, 354 00:16:48,640 --> 00:16:51,000 Speaker 1: Peyton Watson had a bad rep on him at the 355 00:16:51,000 --> 00:16:52,800 Speaker 1: top of the key where he got detached and Duncan 356 00:16:52,880 --> 00:16:55,080 Speaker 1: just kind of wheeled around and gett an easy offensive 357 00:16:55,080 --> 00:16:58,600 Speaker 1: rebound put back. Jamal Murray had a brutally bad rep 358 00:16:58,640 --> 00:17:01,040 Speaker 1: early in the game for Duncan's first shot. He got 359 00:17:01,040 --> 00:17:04,280 Speaker 1: caught standing still at like the right elbow extended, just 360 00:17:04,280 --> 00:17:07,159 Speaker 1: not paying attention. Duncan just relocated to the right corner 361 00:17:07,359 --> 00:17:09,000 Speaker 1: hit his first shot. That's a great way to get 362 00:17:09,000 --> 00:17:11,200 Speaker 1: a shooter in rhythm, give him a super easy one 363 00:17:11,240 --> 00:17:14,080 Speaker 1: early in the game. Julian Strawther had a bunch of 364 00:17:14,119 --> 00:17:16,640 Speaker 1: those kinds of classic reps like I'm talking about, where 365 00:17:16,680 --> 00:17:21,200 Speaker 1: he just briefly gets disconnected from Duncan does get back 366 00:17:21,240 --> 00:17:24,280 Speaker 1: into the play and offer a rearview contest, but at 367 00:17:24,280 --> 00:17:27,280 Speaker 1: that point Duncan's already into his rhythm. He's gonna knock 368 00:17:27,280 --> 00:17:29,439 Speaker 1: that kind of shot down. Those are the kinds of 369 00:17:29,520 --> 00:17:32,720 Speaker 1: mistakes that you just can't make in this kind of game, 370 00:17:32,800 --> 00:17:34,960 Speaker 1: right like the Tobias Harris three, not the one where 371 00:17:35,000 --> 00:17:37,680 Speaker 1: he got the lucky bounce off the left rim out 372 00:17:37,680 --> 00:17:40,080 Speaker 1: of the left corner, but the other fourth quarter three 373 00:17:40,080 --> 00:17:43,439 Speaker 1: that he hit on the right wing. Julian Strawther, paying attention, 374 00:17:43,520 --> 00:17:46,440 Speaker 1: paying attention, paying attention, falls asleep for the last two 375 00:17:46,480 --> 00:17:49,840 Speaker 1: seconds of the shot clock, quick little relocation from Tobias 376 00:17:50,359 --> 00:17:54,000 Speaker 1: wide open three. Strawther in general, just like, I want 377 00:17:54,040 --> 00:17:55,440 Speaker 1: to talk about Strather in a good way here in 378 00:17:55,440 --> 00:17:56,879 Speaker 1: a minute, because I thought he showed a lot of 379 00:17:56,880 --> 00:17:58,640 Speaker 1: offense and popping this game, and he's starting to gain 380 00:17:58,640 --> 00:18:01,640 Speaker 1: some momentum there. But Julian Strawther, you know, there were 381 00:18:01,680 --> 00:18:05,800 Speaker 1: several plays to where the Denver or the Detroit Wings 382 00:18:05,800 --> 00:18:08,439 Speaker 1: were crashing and he's just kind of bouncing around on 383 00:18:08,480 --> 00:18:11,240 Speaker 1: the perimeter, not really scrapping for the ball. That's another 384 00:18:11,280 --> 00:18:14,399 Speaker 1: big area of opportunity for him that the attentiveness, threw 385 00:18:14,440 --> 00:18:17,400 Speaker 1: out the shot clock in his off ball defensive responsibilities. 386 00:18:17,840 --> 00:18:20,520 Speaker 1: And then secondly, you gotta scrap when the shot goes up, 387 00:18:20,560 --> 00:18:22,040 Speaker 1: you got to scrap. You got to be in there 388 00:18:22,040 --> 00:18:24,600 Speaker 1: fighting for the ball, and just didn't do enough of that. 389 00:18:24,720 --> 00:18:28,040 Speaker 1: Last night I talked about those transition pushes where Detroit 390 00:18:28,080 --> 00:18:31,479 Speaker 1: got back in the play and made some big defensive plays. 391 00:18:31,560 --> 00:18:34,240 Speaker 1: I thought those were also some poor decisions from Denver 392 00:18:34,280 --> 00:18:35,879 Speaker 1: on the break where they probably should have pulled it 393 00:18:35,880 --> 00:18:38,479 Speaker 1: out and just ran some offense because you could kind 394 00:18:38,480 --> 00:18:40,440 Speaker 1: of see the whole thing developing the whole time, didn't 395 00:18:40,440 --> 00:18:42,879 Speaker 1: look like there was much of an opportunity, so and 396 00:18:42,920 --> 00:18:46,200 Speaker 1: then some of the offensive rebounds. Lastly, like I talked 397 00:18:46,200 --> 00:18:48,760 Speaker 1: about Peyton Watson losing Duncan Robinson straw the had some 398 00:18:48,760 --> 00:18:51,240 Speaker 1: plays where he was standing around. In general, against a 399 00:18:51,240 --> 00:18:53,679 Speaker 1: team like Detroit, you've just got to be so locked 400 00:18:53,680 --> 00:18:56,679 Speaker 1: in in the scrap. They did a better job in 401 00:18:56,720 --> 00:18:59,520 Speaker 1: the second half. They still ended up giving away five putbacks, 402 00:18:59,520 --> 00:19:01,280 Speaker 1: but it was better than they did in the first half, 403 00:19:01,320 --> 00:19:03,960 Speaker 1: I suppose. But just in general, if you're gonna win 404 00:19:04,040 --> 00:19:06,080 Speaker 1: that kind of game against that good of a team, 405 00:19:07,040 --> 00:19:10,520 Speaker 1: you've got to bring a more clean effort in terms 406 00:19:10,560 --> 00:19:14,200 Speaker 1: of your execution and mistake making. Some other quick takeaways 407 00:19:14,200 --> 00:19:17,320 Speaker 1: for Denver Julius Strauther's offense. That was his third time 408 00:19:17,359 --> 00:19:18,840 Speaker 1: in the last seven games where he went for at 409 00:19:18,880 --> 00:19:21,120 Speaker 1: least fifteen points. He didn't have a single fifteen point 410 00:19:21,119 --> 00:19:23,760 Speaker 1: game in the entire season before that. Some really nice 411 00:19:23,760 --> 00:19:27,600 Speaker 1: transition pushes for layups, a floater down the lane here, 412 00:19:27,920 --> 00:19:31,280 Speaker 1: catch and shoot three. There, just much needed buckets against 413 00:19:31,280 --> 00:19:34,879 Speaker 1: a very good Detroit defense. Jalen Pickett's offense, he was 414 00:19:34,960 --> 00:19:37,719 Speaker 1: zero for four from three, all on pretty good looks, 415 00:19:37,760 --> 00:19:40,160 Speaker 1: and they almost seem to miss by more and more 416 00:19:40,200 --> 00:19:42,560 Speaker 1: as he was getting further into the game. That's just 417 00:19:42,640 --> 00:19:44,600 Speaker 1: tough because of the way Detroit was guarding him. They 418 00:19:44,600 --> 00:19:47,080 Speaker 1: were basically daring him to shoot. Picketts a little out 419 00:19:47,080 --> 00:19:49,879 Speaker 1: of rhythm right now. That's definitely not helping things. Getting 420 00:19:49,880 --> 00:19:52,560 Speaker 1: Cam Johnson back will allow Jalen Pickett to be in 421 00:19:52,600 --> 00:19:55,199 Speaker 1: a lower pressure role coming off the bench if he's 422 00:19:55,240 --> 00:19:58,480 Speaker 1: even in the rotation at that point. Peyne Watson's attacking 423 00:19:58,920 --> 00:20:00,959 Speaker 1: Peyton had a weird game. He missed three or four, 424 00:20:01,040 --> 00:20:03,400 Speaker 1: especially in the first half, like easy shots like where 425 00:20:03,560 --> 00:20:05,960 Speaker 1: like floaters and layups were that just kind of bounced 426 00:20:05,960 --> 00:20:07,960 Speaker 1: off of the rim and popped out and just kind 427 00:20:08,000 --> 00:20:10,480 Speaker 1: of unusual misses for him. But one of the things 428 00:20:10,480 --> 00:20:12,520 Speaker 1: I was impressed about with Peyton Watson in this game 429 00:20:12,800 --> 00:20:14,840 Speaker 1: was he never even though the shots weren't falling, he 430 00:20:14,880 --> 00:20:18,840 Speaker 1: never stopped attacking and made some huge defensive plays down 431 00:20:18,880 --> 00:20:20,800 Speaker 1: the stretch, a couple of huge blocks in the fourth 432 00:20:20,880 --> 00:20:23,679 Speaker 1: quarter run, and then was constantly putting his head down 433 00:20:23,720 --> 00:20:26,359 Speaker 1: and attacking the rim, which is what rewarded him with 434 00:20:26,400 --> 00:20:28,200 Speaker 1: a lot of free throws. I talk a lot about 435 00:20:28,240 --> 00:20:31,760 Speaker 1: how you're whistled actually comes down to who's being more 436 00:20:31,800 --> 00:20:35,639 Speaker 1: physically aggressive, not less physically aggressive, and Peyton got to 437 00:20:35,720 --> 00:20:38,360 Speaker 1: the line a lot because he was being physically aggressive 438 00:20:38,400 --> 00:20:40,879 Speaker 1: on his drives. And then Yonasalachunas I thought he was 439 00:20:40,920 --> 00:20:44,680 Speaker 1: great in this game. The Yonas only groups did fantastic, 440 00:20:45,000 --> 00:20:48,159 Speaker 1: and the Yonis and Yokic groups together did great, just 441 00:20:48,240 --> 00:20:50,600 Speaker 1: big and physical under the rim, helping them clean up 442 00:20:50,600 --> 00:20:53,920 Speaker 1: the defensive glass, finishing on cuts, some really good deep 443 00:20:54,000 --> 00:20:56,320 Speaker 1: drop coverage reps where he got some block shots because 444 00:20:56,359 --> 00:20:58,439 Speaker 1: he actually presents a little bit more lank that the 445 00:20:58,480 --> 00:21:02,720 Speaker 1: rim even than Jokic does. Overall, with Denver. They just 446 00:21:02,760 --> 00:21:04,720 Speaker 1: look a little out rhythm with the return of Jokicic 447 00:21:04,840 --> 00:21:07,520 Speaker 1: and they're a little sloppy right now. But these tough 448 00:21:07,560 --> 00:21:10,639 Speaker 1: games against elite teams, they'll get your habits right quick. 449 00:21:11,160 --> 00:21:13,760 Speaker 1: And they're gonna have another opportunity tonight to get a 450 00:21:13,760 --> 00:21:16,960 Speaker 1: big win on the road in New York against the Knicks. 451 00:21:17,040 --> 00:21:19,439 Speaker 1: We'll be we'll see if they're able to get that 452 00:21:19,520 --> 00:21:20,840 Speaker 1: job done. It's tough one on the tail end of 453 00:21:20,840 --> 00:21:22,240 Speaker 1: the back to back. I'm also curious to see if 454 00:21:22,280 --> 00:21:25,639 Speaker 1: Yokich ends up playing in that one. We'll see. Today's 455 00:21:25,640 --> 00:21:28,040 Speaker 1: show is brought to you by presenting sponsor hard Rock Bet, 456 00:21:28,320 --> 00:21:31,720 Speaker 1: Florida's sportsbook. 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In all other states. 482 00:22:47,040 --> 00:22:51,920 Speaker 1: Must be twenty one plus and physically present in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, 483 00:22:51,960 --> 00:22:55,280 Speaker 1: New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee, or Virginia to play terms and 484 00:22:55,320 --> 00:22:58,840 Speaker 1: conditions apply. Concerned about gambling in Florida, call one eight 485 00:22:59,040 --> 00:23:01,920 Speaker 1: three to three play wise in Indiana. If you or 486 00:23:01,960 --> 00:23:03,960 Speaker 1: someone you know has a gambling problem and wants to help, 487 00:23:04,280 --> 00:23:07,960 Speaker 1: call one eight hundred and nine with it. Gambling problem 488 00:23:08,040 --> 00:23:11,880 Speaker 1: called one eight hundred gambler in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, 489 00:23:11,920 --> 00:23:18,040 Speaker 1: New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee, or Virginia. All right, before we 490 00:23:18,040 --> 00:23:19,560 Speaker 1: get out of here today, let's talk a little bit 491 00:23:19,600 --> 00:23:23,320 Speaker 1: about this heart James hard and Darius Garland swap. It 492 00:23:23,359 --> 00:23:26,240 Speaker 1: was made official literally literally right after we finished uploading 493 00:23:26,240 --> 00:23:29,000 Speaker 1: our episode last night, as fate would have it. I 494 00:23:29,040 --> 00:23:31,160 Speaker 1: still feel more or less about this trade the same 495 00:23:31,160 --> 00:23:33,600 Speaker 1: way I did yesterday. I like it a lot for Cleveland. 496 00:23:34,359 --> 00:23:36,760 Speaker 1: I see the opportunity for the Clippers, but I don't 497 00:23:36,800 --> 00:23:39,479 Speaker 1: love it for them. Again, I believe in Garland when 498 00:23:39,520 --> 00:23:41,600 Speaker 1: he's at his best, but he's got an extensive track 499 00:23:41,600 --> 00:23:43,720 Speaker 1: record of not being able to hold up physically. So 500 00:23:43,960 --> 00:23:46,920 Speaker 1: let's talk about this Darius Garland injury thing, because it's 501 00:23:46,960 --> 00:23:50,000 Speaker 1: tricky because, on the one hand, the example you're going 502 00:23:50,080 --> 00:23:52,720 Speaker 1: to point to if you're a Clippers fan is Steph Curry. Right, 503 00:23:53,040 --> 00:23:55,960 Speaker 1: Steph has these really bad ankle issues earlier in his career, 504 00:23:56,359 --> 00:23:58,480 Speaker 1: kind of makes him look like this injury prone guy 505 00:23:58,520 --> 00:24:01,200 Speaker 1: that can't be relied on. But then suddenly Steph gets 506 00:24:01,240 --> 00:24:04,000 Speaker 1: a handle on his lower body injuries through a massive 507 00:24:04,040 --> 00:24:07,880 Speaker 1: strengthening of his lower body, constantly wearing ankle braces, all 508 00:24:07,920 --> 00:24:11,399 Speaker 1: that kind of stuff. So yes, in theory, if Darius 509 00:24:11,400 --> 00:24:13,840 Speaker 1: Garland can get a handle on his lower body injuries 510 00:24:13,880 --> 00:24:16,480 Speaker 1: and find a way to stay healthy, he could finally 511 00:24:16,520 --> 00:24:19,240 Speaker 1: realize his potential and the Clippers could end up paying 512 00:24:19,359 --> 00:24:22,199 Speaker 1: very little in this deal for a guy who's a 513 00:24:22,240 --> 00:24:25,280 Speaker 1: perennial future All Star. Right, So that's the upside. But 514 00:24:25,320 --> 00:24:29,760 Speaker 1: there are several key differences. Four key differences between the 515 00:24:29,800 --> 00:24:34,080 Speaker 1: Steph Curry situation and this Darius Garland situation. One. Steph 516 00:24:34,160 --> 00:24:37,000 Speaker 1: Curry is a much bigger player. He tends to get 517 00:24:37,040 --> 00:24:39,960 Speaker 1: lumped in with the smaller guards, but he's a legit six' 518 00:24:40,119 --> 00:24:42,960 Speaker 1: three and he's well. Built he actually has pretty good 519 00:24:43,040 --> 00:24:47,320 Speaker 1: size for that point guard. Position, Two steph had an 520 00:24:47,320 --> 00:24:52,080 Speaker 1: elite basketball trait that was not associated with his. Athleticism 521 00:24:52,359 --> 00:24:56,560 Speaker 1: he's the greatest shooter of all. Time Darius garland's entire 522 00:24:56,640 --> 00:25:00,160 Speaker 1: ability to impact basketball games is predicated on his. Speed 523 00:25:00,560 --> 00:25:03,320 Speaker 1: darius is a good, Shooter he's a career thirty nine 524 00:25:03,320 --> 00:25:06,679 Speaker 1: percent from, three but his jump shot is dependent on 525 00:25:06,720 --> 00:25:10,879 Speaker 1: his ability to get separation because he's. Small that's a 526 00:25:10,880 --> 00:25:13,720 Speaker 1: big part of Why Darius garland when he's banged, up 527 00:25:13,880 --> 00:25:16,320 Speaker 1: doesn't shoot the ball super. Well, so for, instance he's 528 00:25:16,359 --> 00:25:20,440 Speaker 1: a career thirty four percent in the, playoffs where he's 529 00:25:20,520 --> 00:25:23,680 Speaker 1: routinely been far below one hundred percent in terms of 530 00:25:23,720 --> 00:25:27,680 Speaker 1: where he's at with his. Body, thirdly The steph injuries 531 00:25:27,920 --> 00:25:32,560 Speaker 1: made him a discounted, player which directly assisted The warriors 532 00:25:32,560 --> 00:25:36,240 Speaker 1: in each of their first three. Championships like what allows 533 00:25:36,280 --> 00:25:39,840 Speaker 1: you in twenty fifteen to Pay Andrew, boget to Pay Andra, 534 00:25:39,920 --> 00:25:42,600 Speaker 1: guidala to Pay Sean livingston is the fact That steph 535 00:25:42,640 --> 00:25:46,800 Speaker 1: made eleven million, dollars, Right steph making twelve million dollars 536 00:25:46,800 --> 00:25:49,960 Speaker 1: in twenty, seventeen in addition to the cap, spike is 537 00:25:49,960 --> 00:25:53,440 Speaker 1: what allowed The warriors to Pay Kevin. Durant that's two 538 00:25:53,440 --> 00:25:56,560 Speaker 1: more championships right, there, Right like If steph was on 539 00:25:56,640 --> 00:25:59,399 Speaker 1: a max contract Like Darius garland is, now those two 540 00:25:59,440 --> 00:26:02,520 Speaker 1: thousand and fifty Teen, warriors those twenty seventeen twenty Eighteen, 541 00:26:02,560 --> 00:26:05,560 Speaker 1: warriors they don't have as much, talent their margin for 542 00:26:05,680 --> 00:26:09,080 Speaker 1: error gets. Smaller Darius garland between this year and the 543 00:26:09,080 --> 00:26:11,359 Speaker 1: next two years is making one hundred and twenty six million, 544 00:26:11,400 --> 00:26:16,160 Speaker 1: dollars so it's incredibly important because of the other roster 545 00:26:16,280 --> 00:26:19,320 Speaker 1: limitations that will come from having his salary for him to. 546 00:26:19,400 --> 00:26:23,560 Speaker 1: Produce and then, Lastly Steph curry is the fifth greatest 547 00:26:23,600 --> 00:26:27,280 Speaker 1: basketball player of all, time so like generally, SPEAKING i 548 00:26:27,280 --> 00:26:30,760 Speaker 1: wouldn't use an all time, great once in a generation 549 00:26:30,920 --> 00:26:33,520 Speaker 1: type of player as an example for what you think 550 00:26:33,560 --> 00:26:37,120 Speaker 1: is gonna happen with your. Guy to be, Clear i'm 551 00:26:37,160 --> 00:26:39,159 Speaker 1: not opposed to the idea of The clippers moving on 552 00:26:39,200 --> 00:26:42,439 Speaker 1: from The James harden experience and looking towards their. Future 553 00:26:43,040 --> 00:26:45,960 Speaker 1: i'm just surprised they were, Like garland's the dude we're 554 00:26:45,960 --> 00:26:47,800 Speaker 1: willing to pay a ton of money to over the 555 00:26:47,840 --> 00:26:51,800 Speaker 1: next three. Seasons but, again there is. UPSIDE i think 556 00:26:51,840 --> 00:26:54,320 Speaker 1: a Healthy Darius garland is one of the best offensive 557 00:26:54,320 --> 00:26:56,960 Speaker 1: engines in THE, nba so maybe it works out For 558 00:26:57,000 --> 00:26:59,960 Speaker 1: Lawrence frank makes us all look. Stupid i'm gonna move 559 00:27:00,119 --> 00:27:01,680 Speaker 1: to The calves now and talk a little bit About James. 560 00:27:01,680 --> 00:27:04,160 Speaker 1: Harden when we circle back and look At Darius garland's, 561 00:27:04,240 --> 00:27:06,879 Speaker 1: Numbers i'll also compare it to last year's, numbers so 562 00:27:06,920 --> 00:27:09,760 Speaker 1: you can see what the upside looks like for The. 563 00:27:09,800 --> 00:27:14,280 Speaker 1: Caves James, harden even at this, age even with his playoff, 564 00:27:14,280 --> 00:27:17,119 Speaker 1: shortcomings is just a flat out better basketball player than 565 00:27:17,160 --> 00:27:19,960 Speaker 1: a banged Up Darius. Garland let's get into the numbers 566 00:27:19,960 --> 00:27:21,440 Speaker 1: a little bit and see what The calves are. Getting 567 00:27:21,480 --> 00:27:23,639 Speaker 1: so counting. Stats we went over these, yesterday but just really. 568 00:27:23,720 --> 00:27:26,600 Speaker 1: Quickly twenty five five and eight on sixty percent true. 569 00:27:26,600 --> 00:27:30,280 Speaker 1: Shooting the scoring and efficiency is actually up considerably year 570 00:27:30,320 --> 00:27:33,159 Speaker 1: over year from last. Year his. Shooting it's interesting Is 571 00:27:33,240 --> 00:27:35,680 Speaker 1: jumper's been good in some spots and bad in. Others 572 00:27:35,720 --> 00:27:37,920 Speaker 1: he's been awesome off the. Catch he's shooting forty one 573 00:27:37,920 --> 00:27:40,359 Speaker 1: percent on catch and shoot threes this, year so he'll 574 00:27:40,560 --> 00:27:43,520 Speaker 1: immediately be a legit off ball spacing threat right. Away 575 00:27:44,280 --> 00:27:48,680 Speaker 1: dribble AND iso threes very situation, dependent so on face 576 00:27:48,760 --> 00:27:51,880 Speaker 1: up triple threat situations twenty five for one oh, four 577 00:27:52,040 --> 00:27:56,159 Speaker 1: just twenty four percent off the, dribble thirty three percent, 578 00:27:56,200 --> 00:27:59,120 Speaker 1: overall but thirty nine percent out of pick and. Roll 579 00:27:59,160 --> 00:28:01,080 Speaker 1: so when the guy gets wiped out on a screen 580 00:28:01,119 --> 00:28:02,520 Speaker 1: and he could shoot a three and pick and, roll 581 00:28:02,560 --> 00:28:04,800 Speaker 1: or if a guy goes under a screen thirty nine, 582 00:28:04,800 --> 00:28:08,520 Speaker 1: percent that's very. Good HIS iso, threes he's actually only 583 00:28:08,520 --> 00:28:11,720 Speaker 1: shooting twenty seven. Percent now that actually gets boosted a 584 00:28:11,760 --> 00:28:13,800 Speaker 1: little bit by his ability to draw. Fouls we'll talk 585 00:28:13,800 --> 00:28:16,480 Speaker 1: about that in a. Minute and he's been a very 586 00:28:16,480 --> 00:28:18,800 Speaker 1: GOOD iso player. Overall but in terms of when he 587 00:28:18,840 --> 00:28:21,679 Speaker 1: actually gets AN iso step back three off without getting, 588 00:28:21,680 --> 00:28:24,199 Speaker 1: fouled it's going in twenty seven percent of the time this, 589 00:28:24,280 --> 00:28:27,639 Speaker 1: year forty seven percent on, floaters forty two percent on 590 00:28:27,720 --> 00:28:29,920 Speaker 1: mid range twos inside of seventeen. Feet he's been leaning 591 00:28:29,960 --> 00:28:31,639 Speaker 1: on that a, lot especially in crunch time as of, 592 00:28:31,720 --> 00:28:35,040 Speaker 1: late and then fifty three percent at the. Rim the 593 00:28:35,080 --> 00:28:37,679 Speaker 1: play type data With James harden is super, strong and 594 00:28:37,720 --> 00:28:40,680 Speaker 1: this comes down to the combination of his passing, ability 595 00:28:40,760 --> 00:28:43,120 Speaker 1: which is in that upper tier in THE, nba and 596 00:28:43,200 --> 00:28:45,280 Speaker 1: his ability to get to the foul. Line he's averaging 597 00:28:45,360 --> 00:28:47,360 Speaker 1: eight and a half free throw attempts per. Game that's 598 00:28:47,400 --> 00:28:52,160 Speaker 1: the seventh most in the ENTIRE. Nba When James harden 599 00:28:52,280 --> 00:28:55,520 Speaker 1: takes a shot out OF, iso he draws a foul 600 00:28:56,000 --> 00:28:59,440 Speaker 1: twenty two percent of the. Time that is a huge 601 00:28:59,480 --> 00:29:02,560 Speaker 1: part of what drives him to sixty percent through, shooting 602 00:29:02,600 --> 00:29:04,800 Speaker 1: despite the fact that he can be mediocre as an 603 00:29:04,840 --> 00:29:07,680 Speaker 1: actual shot, Maker and it's also a big part in 604 00:29:07,680 --> 00:29:11,280 Speaker 1: addition to the playmaking to what drives his shot creation. 605 00:29:11,440 --> 00:29:14,880 Speaker 1: Data he's generating one point zero four points per possession 606 00:29:14,960 --> 00:29:18,120 Speaker 1: including passes in pick and roll and one point zero 607 00:29:18,280 --> 00:29:21,800 Speaker 1: eight points per possession including passes IN. Iso when you're 608 00:29:21,800 --> 00:29:25,040 Speaker 1: comfortably over a point per possession in half court shot 609 00:29:25,080 --> 00:29:28,120 Speaker 1: creation at that kind of, volume Because James harden's volume 610 00:29:28,200 --> 00:29:30,520 Speaker 1: is off the, charts that to me is a really 611 00:29:31,240 --> 00:29:34,440 Speaker 1: a really strong foundation for quality half court. Offense so 612 00:29:34,480 --> 00:29:36,360 Speaker 1: that's going to help a. LOT i think this is 613 00:29:36,400 --> 00:29:38,400 Speaker 1: going to be super helpful for The calves because they've 614 00:29:38,400 --> 00:29:40,600 Speaker 1: had a hard time scoring With Donovan mitchell off the. 615 00:29:40,600 --> 00:29:43,080 Speaker 1: Floor they have a one twenty offensive rating the season 616 00:29:43,320 --> 00:29:46,600 Speaker 1: With Donovan mitchell on just a one to twelve point 617 00:29:46,640 --> 00:29:49,200 Speaker 1: four with him off the. Floor, now part of that 618 00:29:49,280 --> 00:29:51,880 Speaker 1: Is Darius garland having a rough, season but that's kind 619 00:29:51,880 --> 00:29:54,320 Speaker 1: of the, point, Right like you're Turning Darius garland into 620 00:29:54,400 --> 00:29:56,960 Speaker 1: a guy who's been, better at least this, season and 621 00:29:57,000 --> 00:29:59,680 Speaker 1: depending on how you feel about his injury, history potentially 622 00:29:59,720 --> 00:30:02,880 Speaker 1: in the big big picture as. Well now things will look, 623 00:30:02,920 --> 00:30:06,160 Speaker 1: different they will play a different. STYLE i expect The 624 00:30:06,160 --> 00:30:08,320 Speaker 1: calves to shift a little bit more to a slower. 625 00:30:08,400 --> 00:30:10,600 Speaker 1: Pace we'll. See that's gonna be the challenge For Kenny 626 00:30:10,600 --> 00:30:12,880 Speaker 1: atkinson is getting them to continue to play fast When 627 00:30:12,960 --> 00:30:15,400 Speaker 1: James harden is off the floor or on the. Floor excuse, 628 00:30:15,440 --> 00:30:17,960 Speaker 1: me because, again that defense to transition is a huge 629 00:30:17,960 --> 00:30:20,280 Speaker 1: part of what has made The calves better over the 630 00:30:20,360 --> 00:30:23,360 Speaker 1: last year and a half With Kenny, atkinson, Right but 631 00:30:23,800 --> 00:30:25,360 Speaker 1: it's gonna shift a little bit in a half, court 632 00:30:25,360 --> 00:30:26,800 Speaker 1: it's gonna be a little bit more your, turn my, 633 00:30:26,960 --> 00:30:29,160 Speaker 1: turn a little bit more, spread pick and, roll, Right 634 00:30:29,440 --> 00:30:33,320 Speaker 1: but there's utility there Because Donovan mitchell And James harden 635 00:30:33,360 --> 00:30:35,240 Speaker 1: are both so good as catch and shoot three point. 636 00:30:35,280 --> 00:30:38,200 Speaker 1: Shooters when you're running your actions and you've got you, 637 00:30:38,240 --> 00:30:40,240 Speaker 1: Know mobiley coming up to set a screen Or Jared 638 00:30:40,240 --> 00:30:42,600 Speaker 1: allen coming to set a screen and It's James harden 639 00:30:42,680 --> 00:30:45,480 Speaker 1: on the opposite, wing just a dead, eye knockdown catch 640 00:30:45,480 --> 00:30:48,840 Speaker 1: and shoot three point shooter or vice. Versa that's gonna help, 641 00:30:48,880 --> 00:30:51,120 Speaker 1: again IT'S i talked about this. Yesterday it's gonna be 642 00:30:51,160 --> 00:30:53,280 Speaker 1: a little. Uglier there's gonna be games in the regular 643 00:30:53,320 --> 00:30:55,840 Speaker 1: season where The calves lose and their offense looks stagnant 644 00:30:55,880 --> 00:30:57,600 Speaker 1: and there's not a lot of ball. Movement that's kind 645 00:30:57,640 --> 00:31:00,400 Speaker 1: of gonna be the nature of having your, turn my 646 00:31:00,480 --> 00:31:04,200 Speaker 1: turnstyle attack With Donovan mitchell And James. Harden but over the, 647 00:31:04,320 --> 00:31:07,160 Speaker 1: years The cavs offense is kind of degraded into that 648 00:31:07,240 --> 00:31:09,720 Speaker 1: anyway when they get to the, postseason except for it's 649 00:31:09,720 --> 00:31:12,120 Speaker 1: Been Donovan mitchell out there by himself trying to hero 650 00:31:12,280 --> 00:31:15,600 Speaker 1: ball the. Team Having James harden out there will give 651 00:31:15,640 --> 00:31:18,320 Speaker 1: you a better ability to one have a second side 652 00:31:18,320 --> 00:31:20,920 Speaker 1: creator For donovan that makes his life, easier but two 653 00:31:21,720 --> 00:31:24,760 Speaker 1: a higher floor offensively When Donovan mitchell is off the 654 00:31:24,800 --> 00:31:27,240 Speaker 1: floor again one to twenty offensive rating with him on 655 00:31:27,320 --> 00:31:30,040 Speaker 1: this year one twelve with him, off big area of 656 00:31:30,080 --> 00:31:33,480 Speaker 1: opportunity For James harden to step in and. Help the 657 00:31:33,560 --> 00:31:37,680 Speaker 1: defensive conversation here is actually really fascinating, because like to be, 658 00:31:37,760 --> 00:31:40,800 Speaker 1: Clear harden is not a good, defender mainly because of 659 00:31:40,800 --> 00:31:42,480 Speaker 1: his issues off the, ball which we'll talk about in a, 660 00:31:42,480 --> 00:31:45,640 Speaker 1: second but he is, much much less of a one 661 00:31:45,720 --> 00:31:50,160 Speaker 1: on one matchup attacking target Than Darius garland has been 662 00:31:50,240 --> 00:31:53,640 Speaker 1: and it shows clearly in the. Numbers according To, synergy 663 00:31:54,080 --> 00:31:56,560 Speaker 1: When James harden has been attacked one on one this 664 00:31:56,640 --> 00:31:59,560 Speaker 1: year and either ISOs or post ups on one hundred 665 00:31:59,600 --> 00:32:03,120 Speaker 1: and twelve, reps he's allowed just seventy eight points zero 666 00:32:03,160 --> 00:32:06,040 Speaker 1: point seven points per. Possession that's, outstanding and the reason 667 00:32:06,040 --> 00:32:09,120 Speaker 1: why is he's much bigger and stronger Than, garland so 668 00:32:09,160 --> 00:32:12,120 Speaker 1: he can't get bullied and he kind of gets activated 669 00:32:12,200 --> 00:32:14,360 Speaker 1: mentally in a one on. One he's very, focused he 670 00:32:14,400 --> 00:32:17,360 Speaker 1: doesn't want to be. Targeted he slides his, feet he's 671 00:32:17,400 --> 00:32:19,600 Speaker 1: active with his hands and gets strips and. Steels he 672 00:32:19,640 --> 00:32:22,440 Speaker 1: holds up pretty well one on. One Darius garland is 673 00:32:22,560 --> 00:32:25,440 Speaker 1: just too small and he has been brutalized in one 674 00:32:25,440 --> 00:32:28,560 Speaker 1: on ones this. Year he's been attacked seventy seven, times 675 00:32:28,880 --> 00:32:32,280 Speaker 1: leading to ninety five. Points that's one point two to 676 00:32:32,360 --> 00:32:36,640 Speaker 1: three points per. Possession so massive difference in the weakness 677 00:32:36,800 --> 00:32:40,240 Speaker 1: of the matchup attacking in that off guard spot going 678 00:32:40,320 --> 00:32:43,760 Speaker 1: From Darius garland To James. Harden Where James harden is 679 00:32:43,800 --> 00:32:46,680 Speaker 1: an issue is off the. Ball he loses shooters often 680 00:32:46,720 --> 00:32:50,040 Speaker 1: he can lose cutters and he loses, crashers and sometimes 681 00:32:50,080 --> 00:32:52,760 Speaker 1: in big moments. Too he's just not a very attentive 682 00:32:52,800 --> 00:32:54,920 Speaker 1: off ball. Defender that's just going to put a lot 683 00:32:54,960 --> 00:32:57,480 Speaker 1: of pressure on The Evan Mobley Jared allen front court 684 00:32:57,480 --> 00:33:01,040 Speaker 1: to clean up messes where That James harden creates by 685 00:33:01,080 --> 00:33:03,800 Speaker 1: losing track of guys off the. Ball, OVERALL i just 686 00:33:03,840 --> 00:33:06,400 Speaker 1: really like the move For. Cleveland you're turning a theoretical 687 00:33:06,440 --> 00:33:09,320 Speaker 1: basketball player In Darius garland into something that is much 688 00:33:09,320 --> 00:33:12,680 Speaker 1: more of a known, commodity even within the context of the, 689 00:33:12,720 --> 00:33:17,720 Speaker 1: playoffs Where James harden has been obviously a historically poor playoff. 690 00:33:17,760 --> 00:33:22,760 Speaker 1: Performer even, Then james has this outstanding upside in the, 691 00:33:22,760 --> 00:33:25,960 Speaker 1: postseason in the games where he is the best version of. 692 00:33:26,040 --> 00:33:29,640 Speaker 1: Himself Darius garland has just really struggled to flash his 693 00:33:29,720 --> 00:33:32,280 Speaker 1: upside in the postseason much at, All and so any 694 00:33:32,280 --> 00:33:35,160 Speaker 1: concerns you have about the postseason are equally prevalent when 695 00:33:35,200 --> 00:33:38,920 Speaker 1: you're Discussing Darius. Garland so you're turning a theoretical basketball 696 00:33:38,920 --> 00:33:41,320 Speaker 1: player into a known. Commodity and when you consider That 697 00:33:41,360 --> 00:33:43,440 Speaker 1: Donovan mitchell could be a free agent as soon as 698 00:33:43,440 --> 00:33:46,000 Speaker 1: the summer of twenty twenty. Seven the last thing you 699 00:33:46,040 --> 00:33:48,440 Speaker 1: want to do is break down and break down and 700 00:33:48,520 --> 00:33:51,200 Speaker 1: keep watching him ride solo in the playoffs because of 701 00:33:51,200 --> 00:33:54,440 Speaker 1: those injuries and create a dynamic Where Donovan mitchell starts 702 00:33:54,440 --> 00:33:57,960 Speaker 1: to look. Elsewhere James, harden good or, bad is at 703 00:33:58,040 --> 00:34:00,440 Speaker 1: least going to be out there With Donovan, mitchell and 704 00:34:00,440 --> 00:34:02,320 Speaker 1: he has the ability to do a lot of the 705 00:34:02,360 --> 00:34:04,960 Speaker 1: things That Darius garland has failed to do when he 706 00:34:05,000 --> 00:34:08,520 Speaker 1: gets to the. Postseason Because James harden does flash upside 707 00:34:08,520 --> 00:34:10,719 Speaker 1: in the, postseason even though he can also have these 708 00:34:10,760 --> 00:34:15,120 Speaker 1: brutal late, game late late series kinds of. Moments the thing, 709 00:34:15,200 --> 00:34:17,759 Speaker 1: is at this phase in his, career off of a 710 00:34:17,760 --> 00:34:21,120 Speaker 1: guy Like Donovan. Mitchell If Donovan mitchell can be that, 711 00:34:21,200 --> 00:34:24,359 Speaker 1: guy it makes you less reliant On James harden in those. 712 00:34:24,360 --> 00:34:27,400 Speaker 1: Moments for all of the crap That James harden, Catches 713 00:34:27,920 --> 00:34:31,280 Speaker 1: it's not Like Joel embiid was just carrying the. Team 714 00:34:31,800 --> 00:34:34,239 Speaker 1: Kawhi leonard last year had an awesome game, too but 715 00:34:34,400 --> 00:34:38,240 Speaker 1: was pretty bad in the other six. Games If Donovan 716 00:34:38,239 --> 00:34:42,640 Speaker 1: mitchell can continue to be the reliably awesome playoff performer 717 00:34:42,719 --> 00:34:45,560 Speaker 1: that he, is that gives you the ability to be 718 00:34:45,560 --> 00:34:48,680 Speaker 1: able to withstand the two or three times each postseason 719 00:34:48,680 --> 00:34:51,160 Speaker 1: Where James harden kind of no shows a, game and 720 00:34:51,200 --> 00:34:54,320 Speaker 1: he can also be really really good in individual postseason. 721 00:34:54,360 --> 00:34:56,600 Speaker 1: Games SO i just think it makes a lot of 722 00:34:56,640 --> 00:35:00,759 Speaker 1: sense For cleveland moving. Forward For Darius, garland What i'm 723 00:35:00,760 --> 00:35:02,440 Speaker 1: gonna do here Is i'm gonna go through his data 724 00:35:02,440 --> 00:35:05,080 Speaker 1: from this, season and then we'll talk about last year 725 00:35:05,160 --> 00:35:07,640 Speaker 1: and talk about why that healthy version Of Darius garland 726 00:35:07,680 --> 00:35:10,440 Speaker 1: is what could be the upside. Here so counting stats 727 00:35:10,440 --> 00:35:13,400 Speaker 1: aren't great this year eighteen and, seven fifty seven percent for, 728 00:35:13,480 --> 00:35:17,239 Speaker 1: shooting incredibly. Mediocre shooting good off the catch when he's 729 00:35:17,280 --> 00:35:20,120 Speaker 1: open forty four percent on unguarded catch and shoot threes this. 730 00:35:20,239 --> 00:35:23,400 Speaker 1: Year bad when he's contested twenty three percent this, season 731 00:35:23,719 --> 00:35:26,000 Speaker 1: not super uncommon for someone as short as he. Is 732 00:35:26,360 --> 00:35:28,200 Speaker 1: even when you go back to last year when he 733 00:35:28,280 --> 00:35:31,560 Speaker 1: was much, healthier pretty big difference between how well he 734 00:35:31,600 --> 00:35:33,719 Speaker 1: shot the ball when he was open versus when he was, 735 00:35:33,760 --> 00:35:37,560 Speaker 1: contested thirty five percent on pull up, threes just twenty 736 00:35:37,600 --> 00:35:39,719 Speaker 1: six percent on pull up threes and pick and. Roll 737 00:35:39,920 --> 00:35:42,200 Speaker 1: but he's been very good IN iso in. Transition he's 738 00:35:42,239 --> 00:35:45,719 Speaker 1: five for five ON iso, threes forty five percent on 739 00:35:45,840 --> 00:35:48,440 Speaker 1: transition pull up, three he's got a great. Floater he's 740 00:35:48,480 --> 00:35:50,879 Speaker 1: made fifty one percent on thirty, two makes this year 741 00:35:51,120 --> 00:35:54,280 Speaker 1: decent mid range shooter forty six percent overall and fifty 742 00:35:54,320 --> 00:35:56,080 Speaker 1: six percent at the, rain which is actually pretty solid 743 00:35:56,120 --> 00:35:58,200 Speaker 1: for a guard as small as he, is and especially 744 00:35:58,239 --> 00:36:00,000 Speaker 1: when you factor into that he's been pretty banged. Up 745 00:36:00,600 --> 00:36:02,640 Speaker 1: play type data With Darius garland this year has been. 746 00:36:02,680 --> 00:36:05,000 Speaker 1: Bad zero point nine to eight points per possession in 747 00:36:05,000 --> 00:36:07,920 Speaker 1: pick and roll including, passes zero point eight eight IN, 748 00:36:08,040 --> 00:36:12,120 Speaker 1: iso so in pretty decent, volume well below a point per. 749 00:36:12,160 --> 00:36:15,000 Speaker 1: Possession that's not, good, Right but what you're hoping for 750 00:36:15,120 --> 00:36:18,240 Speaker 1: if you're A clippers fan is the healthy version Of Darius. 751 00:36:18,280 --> 00:36:22,280 Speaker 1: Garland When Darius garland is at his one hundred percent physical, 752 00:36:22,320 --> 00:36:25,399 Speaker 1: peak he is so damn fast and so good at 753 00:36:25,400 --> 00:36:28,000 Speaker 1: making reads both to bigs on rolls and in dunker 754 00:36:28,040 --> 00:36:31,880 Speaker 1: spot situations as well as kickouts to shooters that he 755 00:36:31,960 --> 00:36:34,560 Speaker 1: is just a machine that generates good. Shots and so 756 00:36:34,800 --> 00:36:37,800 Speaker 1: there's a version of this with him finding iviatza zubots 757 00:36:37,800 --> 00:36:40,440 Speaker 1: for little short floaters and deep seals and things like, 758 00:36:40,480 --> 00:36:44,279 Speaker 1: that lobs and kickouts to shooters where this could all come. 759 00:36:44,320 --> 00:36:47,480 Speaker 1: Together you look at last year as the, example shot 760 00:36:47,480 --> 00:36:50,640 Speaker 1: the ball so much better from, everywhere forty one percent 761 00:36:50,680 --> 00:36:52,960 Speaker 1: on catch and shoot threes because he was better on 762 00:36:53,000 --> 00:36:54,319 Speaker 1: the guarded. ONES i think he was like in the 763 00:36:54,360 --> 00:36:57,880 Speaker 1: mid thirties on guarded, ones thirty nine percent on pull up, 764 00:36:57,920 --> 00:37:01,279 Speaker 1: threes forty three percent unpull up threes in pick and 765 00:37:01,360 --> 00:37:03,399 Speaker 1: roll that's the shot he hasn't been able to hit 766 00:37:03,440 --> 00:37:06,279 Speaker 1: this year in fifty eight percent at the, rim which 767 00:37:06,320 --> 00:37:08,480 Speaker 1: is kind of insane for a six to one. Guard, 768 00:37:09,280 --> 00:37:12,840 Speaker 1: also way better play type. Data of all of the 769 00:37:12,880 --> 00:37:15,279 Speaker 1: thirteen players in THE nba last year that ran at 770 00:37:15,320 --> 00:37:18,359 Speaker 1: least a thousand pick and, Rolls Darius garland was the 771 00:37:18,400 --> 00:37:22,799 Speaker 1: third most, efficient just Behind shay And Tyrese, haliburton at 772 00:37:22,840 --> 00:37:25,640 Speaker 1: one point one to two points per. Possession he was 773 00:37:25,719 --> 00:37:29,120 Speaker 1: outstanding last season in the regular, season no way around. 774 00:37:29,200 --> 00:37:33,960 Speaker 1: It that's your, upside that's what you're banking. On but 775 00:37:35,040 --> 00:37:37,920 Speaker 1: that was far and away his most healthy regular. Season 776 00:37:38,080 --> 00:37:39,839 Speaker 1: it was the only time in his career he's played 777 00:37:39,880 --> 00:37:42,719 Speaker 1: at least seventy. Games over the first five seasons of his, 778 00:37:42,760 --> 00:37:46,640 Speaker 1: career he averaged just sixty one games. Played then in 779 00:37:46,719 --> 00:37:49,879 Speaker 1: that season he played seventy five, games he broke, down 780 00:37:50,440 --> 00:37:52,960 Speaker 1: missed a bunch of playoff, games and looked bad when he. 781 00:37:53,000 --> 00:37:56,040 Speaker 1: Played so, again there's a version of this that could work. 782 00:37:56,080 --> 00:38:00,360 Speaker 1: Out darius could be a Perennial All star And Lawrence 783 00:38:00,360 --> 00:38:03,320 Speaker 1: frank could look like a. Genius but there's also a 784 00:38:03,400 --> 00:38:05,520 Speaker 1: version of this where you pay him eighty five million 785 00:38:05,560 --> 00:38:08,560 Speaker 1: dollars over the next two seasons and he's never as 786 00:38:08,600 --> 00:38:12,600 Speaker 1: good as late Thirties james. Harden so it was just 787 00:38:12,640 --> 00:38:16,520 Speaker 1: a surprising risk considering how well The clippers have been 788 00:38:16,560 --> 00:38:20,200 Speaker 1: playing this, season and when you factor in the fact 789 00:38:20,239 --> 00:38:22,560 Speaker 1: that with the rise Of Jordan miller And Kobe sanders 790 00:38:22,560 --> 00:38:25,719 Speaker 1: and the young talent coming up on the, roster it 791 00:38:25,760 --> 00:38:28,239 Speaker 1: felt like they had a window to maybe extend this 792 00:38:28,320 --> 00:38:30,680 Speaker 1: over the next couple of. Seasons SO i was just 793 00:38:30,760 --> 00:38:33,480 Speaker 1: surprised that this was the guy that they were willing 794 00:38:33,480 --> 00:38:36,239 Speaker 1: to move him. For, again if you have another guy 795 00:38:36,320 --> 00:38:38,520 Speaker 1: that you have your eye, on by all, means Let 796 00:38:38,600 --> 00:38:41,759 Speaker 1: james harden walk trade him for expiring, salary you, know 797 00:38:41,880 --> 00:38:44,680 Speaker 1: be ready to make the next phase Of clippers basketball. 798 00:38:44,719 --> 00:38:48,640 Speaker 1: Happen but in this particular, situation given That darius is 799 00:38:48,640 --> 00:38:51,280 Speaker 1: tied up in this long term, deal you're just taking 800 00:38:51,440 --> 00:38:54,359 Speaker 1: a relatively big risk where If darius ends up being 801 00:38:54,400 --> 00:38:57,600 Speaker 1: the lesser banged up version of, himself all you've done 802 00:38:57,680 --> 00:38:59,680 Speaker 1: is make The clippers a worse basketball team over the 803 00:38:59,680 --> 00:39:02,120 Speaker 1: next couple of. Years IF i was trying to be 804 00:39:02,160 --> 00:39:06,120 Speaker 1: A clippers apologists and defend this, TRADE i would, Say, 805 00:39:06,600 --> 00:39:09,279 Speaker 1: hey no matter how good you've bend this, year your 806 00:39:09,320 --> 00:39:12,719 Speaker 1: best case scenario is the seventh. Seed if you win 807 00:39:12,760 --> 00:39:15,879 Speaker 1: a road playing game and you have to Beat San 808 00:39:15,920 --> 00:39:18,359 Speaker 1: antonio on the, Road denver on the. Road, okay see 809 00:39:18,400 --> 00:39:20,680 Speaker 1: on the road is just it's an extreme long shot 810 00:39:20,680 --> 00:39:23,279 Speaker 1: that they're going to win the title. Anyway why not 811 00:39:23,520 --> 00:39:27,440 Speaker 1: bring in a, younger theoretical player that has some potential 812 00:39:27,800 --> 00:39:30,719 Speaker 1: to be a high upside? Guy so why not take 813 00:39:30,760 --> 00:39:34,759 Speaker 1: a swing on A Darius garland? Guy and it's a defensible. 814 00:39:34,800 --> 00:39:38,600 Speaker 1: Position i'm just personally kind of out On Darius garland 815 00:39:38,600 --> 00:39:41,239 Speaker 1: at this. POINT i Think Darius garland has to be 816 00:39:41,560 --> 00:39:45,640 Speaker 1: literally one hundred percent healthy for him to be a 817 00:39:45,760 --> 00:39:49,760 Speaker 1: positive impact player in the. League once he dips below, 818 00:39:49,840 --> 00:39:53,280 Speaker 1: that his ability to break the defense, declines his ability 819 00:39:53,320 --> 00:39:55,440 Speaker 1: to make shots, decline and then all of a, sudden 820 00:39:55,520 --> 00:39:57,439 Speaker 1: the fact that you can pick on him one on 821 00:39:57,440 --> 00:40:00,000 Speaker 1: one and get damn near one point twenty five points per. 822 00:40:00,120 --> 00:40:03,759 Speaker 1: Possession attacking him one on one becomes a, problem a 823 00:40:03,840 --> 00:40:07,799 Speaker 1: problem that's difficult to handle for your. Defense and so 824 00:40:08,160 --> 00:40:10,840 Speaker 1: it just it just requires such a perfect mix of 825 00:40:10,840 --> 00:40:13,120 Speaker 1: circumstances For Darius garland to be the guy THAT i 826 00:40:13,160 --> 00:40:15,720 Speaker 1: really believe, In, like he's legitimately a top five offensive 827 00:40:15,719 --> 00:40:18,000 Speaker 1: engine in the league when he's one hundred percent, healthy 828 00:40:18,320 --> 00:40:21,280 Speaker 1: but it's just so, rare and he's a small guard 829 00:40:21,400 --> 00:40:24,560 Speaker 1: and he's starting to enter into his late twenties generally, 830 00:40:24,600 --> 00:40:27,600 Speaker 1: speaking that's when it's harder to stay. Healthy SO i 831 00:40:27,760 --> 00:40:30,160 Speaker 1: JUST i just didn't love this being the type of 832 00:40:30,239 --> 00:40:33,000 Speaker 1: move to move on From James harden for The. Clippers but, 833 00:40:33,000 --> 00:40:35,480 Speaker 1: again there is clear upside, there so let's not pretend 834 00:40:35,560 --> 00:40:37,759 Speaker 1: like that upside doesn't. Exist all, right, Guys that's ALL 835 00:40:37,760 --> 00:40:39,799 Speaker 1: i have for today is always necesrely appreciate you guys 836 00:40:39,800 --> 00:40:43,120 Speaker 1: for supporting us and supporting the. Show we'll be back, 837 00:40:43,120 --> 00:40:45,760 Speaker 1: tomorrow either with some trade reaction or some game reaction 838 00:40:45,840 --> 00:40:48,400 Speaker 1: depending on the. Chaos if something crazy happens this, afternoon 839 00:40:48,400 --> 00:40:50,239 Speaker 1: we'll be going. Again you guys, know how it goes 840 00:40:50,239 --> 00:40:52,400 Speaker 1: in trade. Week WHETHER i see you this afternoon OR 841 00:40:52,400 --> 00:40:54,160 Speaker 1: i see you, TOMORROW i will see you guys then 842 00:41:00,040 --> 00:41:01,160 Speaker 1: and