1 00:00:01,280 --> 00:00:16,760 Speaker 1: The volume. All right, well, good to him tonight here 2 00:00:16,760 --> 00:00:18,960 Speaker 1: at the Volume Heavy Friday. Everybody, hope all you guys 3 00:00:19,000 --> 00:00:21,640 Speaker 1: had an incredible week. We are getting into our contender 4 00:00:21,720 --> 00:00:25,160 Speaker 1: rankings today, as promised once a month, I want to 5 00:00:25,239 --> 00:00:28,760 Speaker 1: kind of circle back to our teams that are currently 6 00:00:28,760 --> 00:00:32,080 Speaker 1: in the mix for the championship in the NBA. Sometimes 7 00:00:32,120 --> 00:00:33,560 Speaker 1: we'll have a guest, sometimes we won't. I was gonna 8 00:00:33,560 --> 00:00:35,600 Speaker 1: have Sam Vasinia today. He's feeling a lot under the weather, 9 00:00:35,720 --> 00:00:38,360 Speaker 1: So we're gonna have Kevin O'Connor to come on in 10 00:00:38,400 --> 00:00:41,519 Speaker 1: our early February contender rankings, and then I'm gonna have 11 00:00:41,600 --> 00:00:45,360 Speaker 1: Sam come back on in early March for contender rankings. Then, 12 00:00:45,479 --> 00:00:48,360 Speaker 1: but as we head into the new year, I wanted 13 00:00:48,360 --> 00:00:51,640 Speaker 1: to dig into our top three tiers. There's been a 14 00:00:51,680 --> 00:00:55,360 Speaker 1: lot of change since our last contender rankings. Some teams 15 00:00:55,400 --> 00:00:58,120 Speaker 1: moved off the second tier, some teams moved onto the 16 00:00:58,160 --> 00:01:00,680 Speaker 1: second tier. Whether or not I was gonna put Okac 17 00:01:00,880 --> 00:01:03,400 Speaker 1: in their own tier, all that we're gonna get into today. 18 00:01:03,440 --> 00:01:05,680 Speaker 1: You guys know the joke before we get started. Subscribe 19 00:01:05,680 --> 00:01:09,080 Speaker 1: to Oops Tonight YouTube channel like this video and if 20 00:01:09,080 --> 00:01:11,240 Speaker 1: you want to get mail bag questions into our Friday 21 00:01:11,280 --> 00:01:14,399 Speaker 1: mail Bag starting next Friday. Leave them underneath these full 22 00:01:14,440 --> 00:01:17,160 Speaker 1: episodes on YouTube. Put mail bag colon, write your question. 23 00:01:17,440 --> 00:01:20,000 Speaker 1: We got two on our mail bags later on throughout 24 00:01:20,040 --> 00:01:23,000 Speaker 1: the season. All right, let's talk some basketball. So at 25 00:01:23,000 --> 00:01:27,360 Speaker 1: this point, I think there are eleven teams that have 26 00:01:27,440 --> 00:01:32,160 Speaker 1: at least some slight pathway to compete for a championship. 27 00:01:32,880 --> 00:01:35,560 Speaker 1: I have three teams in the top tier. These are 28 00:01:35,600 --> 00:01:39,680 Speaker 1: all teams that I think have a real, legitimate, massive 29 00:01:39,800 --> 00:01:42,360 Speaker 1: shot to win the trophy this year. These are the 30 00:01:42,400 --> 00:01:45,240 Speaker 1: teams that, like every day they're sitting in the locker room, 31 00:01:45,280 --> 00:01:48,600 Speaker 1: they're like, we can do this. We're on a mission 32 00:01:48,640 --> 00:01:52,440 Speaker 1: to do this. I have four teams in the second tier. 33 00:01:53,000 --> 00:01:56,320 Speaker 1: These are teams that I think have a real championship ceiling, 34 00:01:57,160 --> 00:02:00,880 Speaker 1: but they have some pretty glaring flaws, require a mix 35 00:02:00,920 --> 00:02:04,280 Speaker 1: of maybe some favorable matchups, maybe some internal things going 36 00:02:04,280 --> 00:02:07,240 Speaker 1: their way. These are locker rooms where they're gonna have 37 00:02:07,360 --> 00:02:09,880 Speaker 1: nights where they have some doubts in the locker room 38 00:02:10,040 --> 00:02:12,360 Speaker 1: about whether or not they could reach that goal. But 39 00:02:12,440 --> 00:02:15,799 Speaker 1: I do truly believe that ceiling is there, and they've 40 00:02:15,960 --> 00:02:20,840 Speaker 1: demonstrated that ceiling within this season. Then I have four 41 00:02:20,880 --> 00:02:23,840 Speaker 1: teams in the third tier. These are teams that I 42 00:02:23,840 --> 00:02:26,639 Speaker 1: think are well below the level of a traditional contender 43 00:02:26,880 --> 00:02:31,200 Speaker 1: and that have not flashed the upside of a championship 44 00:02:31,200 --> 00:02:36,240 Speaker 1: contender yet this season, but they have some kind of 45 00:02:36,480 --> 00:02:39,480 Speaker 1: internal upside that at least makes you consider them a 46 00:02:39,639 --> 00:02:42,480 Speaker 1: long shot. To be clear, I view all four of 47 00:02:42,520 --> 00:02:44,640 Speaker 1: these teams is pretty far below the top seven. So 48 00:02:44,680 --> 00:02:47,240 Speaker 1: I really only think there's seven teams that have like 49 00:02:47,320 --> 00:02:50,240 Speaker 1: a good shot to win the title. But there's these 50 00:02:50,280 --> 00:02:53,080 Speaker 1: additional four that I want to get into that I 51 00:02:53,120 --> 00:02:57,280 Speaker 1: think at least have that potential upside, that very very 52 00:02:57,280 --> 00:03:00,399 Speaker 1: small window of opportunity that makes it a You can't 53 00:03:00,400 --> 00:03:02,520 Speaker 1: completely knock them off that list. So let's start there. 54 00:03:02,520 --> 00:03:05,640 Speaker 1: We're gonna rank all eleven teams today. For all intents 55 00:03:05,639 --> 00:03:07,440 Speaker 1: and purposes, there's only seven that I think can win 56 00:03:07,480 --> 00:03:10,000 Speaker 1: the title, but we're gonna go through all eleven. We're 57 00:03:10,040 --> 00:03:14,040 Speaker 1: gonna work backwards, starting with number eleven, the Golden State Warriors. 58 00:03:14,919 --> 00:03:18,600 Speaker 1: They keep dropping games in particularly painful fashion, losing a 59 00:03:18,639 --> 00:03:20,760 Speaker 1: heartbreaker to the Raptors the other night where they led 60 00:03:20,800 --> 00:03:23,160 Speaker 1: by seven with less than two minutes left, ended up 61 00:03:23,160 --> 00:03:26,040 Speaker 1: losing by fourteen. In overtime, a couple of nice wins 62 00:03:26,040 --> 00:03:28,880 Speaker 1: after that to Brooklyn and Charlotte. I'm actually recording this 63 00:03:28,960 --> 00:03:32,040 Speaker 1: on New Year's Eve and Golden State played at eleven 64 00:03:32,080 --> 00:03:34,360 Speaker 1: am local here in Denver today. Is just kind of 65 00:03:34,600 --> 00:03:36,960 Speaker 1: part of the weird New Year's Eve's schedule. But I 66 00:03:37,040 --> 00:03:38,720 Speaker 1: got a couple of wins after that to get back 67 00:03:38,760 --> 00:03:40,880 Speaker 1: to two games above five hundred. They're kind of like 68 00:03:40,920 --> 00:03:43,320 Speaker 1: the opposite of the Lakers in that I think they're 69 00:03:43,400 --> 00:03:46,800 Speaker 1: better than their record because of clutch basketball, like the 70 00:03:46,880 --> 00:03:49,400 Speaker 1: Lakers are twenty and eleven because they're ten to zero 71 00:03:49,400 --> 00:03:51,120 Speaker 1: clutch games. You know, a couple of those go a 72 00:03:51,120 --> 00:03:54,320 Speaker 1: different direction. Austin Reeves misses a floater, somebody misses a 73 00:03:54,320 --> 00:03:56,680 Speaker 1: shot over there, someone makes a shot over here. They 74 00:03:56,760 --> 00:03:59,080 Speaker 1: could be sitting, you know, closer to where Phoenix is 75 00:03:59,120 --> 00:04:02,240 Speaker 1: in the standings right. Similarly, the Warriors have been hovering 76 00:04:02,280 --> 00:04:05,000 Speaker 1: right around five hundred in large part because they've lost 77 00:04:05,000 --> 00:04:08,360 Speaker 1: eleven clutch games this year. It's been a combination of issues. 78 00:04:08,400 --> 00:04:10,400 Speaker 1: Their clutch defense has been terrible. They're about a one 79 00:04:10,440 --> 00:04:13,520 Speaker 1: to twenty seven clutch defensive rating, and they've had a 80 00:04:13,640 --> 00:04:16,480 Speaker 1: very high turnover rate in crunch time. They're turning the 81 00:04:16,480 --> 00:04:19,000 Speaker 1: ball over on over fifteen percent of their possessions in 82 00:04:19,000 --> 00:04:21,200 Speaker 1: crunch time, they've actually scored the ball pretty well when 83 00:04:21,240 --> 00:04:25,160 Speaker 1: they get to those spots. I may be completely delusional here, 84 00:04:25,400 --> 00:04:27,200 Speaker 1: but I still think this is a good basketball team, 85 00:04:27,960 --> 00:04:29,640 Speaker 1: and they have a trade to make with Jonathan kaminga 86 00:04:29,839 --> 00:04:31,760 Speaker 1: so I think it's very possible that this team goes 87 00:04:31,800 --> 00:04:33,400 Speaker 1: on a run in the second half of the season. 88 00:04:33,400 --> 00:04:35,760 Speaker 1: It's one thing that like, if what I believe about 89 00:04:35,760 --> 00:04:37,719 Speaker 1: this team is true, I believe they will finish the 90 00:04:37,760 --> 00:04:40,520 Speaker 1: season a lot better than just a five hundred basketball team. 91 00:04:40,520 --> 00:04:44,719 Speaker 1: I think they'll be substantially above five hundred at some 92 00:04:44,720 --> 00:04:48,520 Speaker 1: point later on in the season. Nobody, not even Warriors fans, 93 00:04:48,520 --> 00:04:49,960 Speaker 1: are going to view this team as some sort of 94 00:04:49,960 --> 00:04:53,440 Speaker 1: substantial title threat. But when you factor in Steph Curry, 95 00:04:53,960 --> 00:04:57,200 Speaker 1: the continuity this team has, Steve Kerr is a playoff coach, 96 00:04:57,279 --> 00:05:00,880 Speaker 1: the potential of returning to kaminga trade at least that 97 00:05:01,080 --> 00:05:03,440 Speaker 1: long shot title threat that's going to cause them to 98 00:05:03,480 --> 00:05:05,960 Speaker 1: register on a list like this, even if I don't 99 00:05:06,000 --> 00:05:08,599 Speaker 1: view them as as substantial as those top seven teams, 100 00:05:08,720 --> 00:05:11,400 Speaker 1: especially in a Western conference where even Oklahoma City has 101 00:05:11,440 --> 00:05:15,160 Speaker 1: shown some matchup vulnerability this year. The stat you cling 102 00:05:15,200 --> 00:05:18,160 Speaker 1: to if you're a Warriors fan. They have a plus 103 00:05:18,200 --> 00:05:21,120 Speaker 1: six net rating when Steph, Jimmy and Draymond are all 104 00:05:21,120 --> 00:05:23,520 Speaker 1: on the floor together, a one to twenty one offensive 105 00:05:23,600 --> 00:05:25,560 Speaker 1: rating with that group, and you feel like they can 106 00:05:25,600 --> 00:05:27,760 Speaker 1: play much better than they have on defense. That's what 107 00:05:27,800 --> 00:05:30,560 Speaker 1: you're clinging to if you're a Warriors fan. Number ten 108 00:05:30,560 --> 00:05:32,480 Speaker 1: the Los Angeles Lakers. For the first time in the 109 00:05:32,560 --> 00:05:34,839 Speaker 1: Luca Era, I've dropped them off of the second tier 110 00:05:34,880 --> 00:05:37,400 Speaker 1: of contenders. I was tempted to flip them in the 111 00:05:37,400 --> 00:05:40,240 Speaker 1: Warriors last week. There was a moment there where I 112 00:05:40,320 --> 00:05:42,719 Speaker 1: was like, Man, are even the Warriors better? But even 113 00:05:42,760 --> 00:05:45,680 Speaker 1: with all the Warriors, with all the Lakers' flaws, excuse me. 114 00:05:45,920 --> 00:05:47,880 Speaker 1: I do think they're just a touch better than the 115 00:05:47,920 --> 00:05:50,720 Speaker 1: Warriors when they're fully healthy. But I have removed them 116 00:05:50,760 --> 00:05:54,080 Speaker 1: from the second tier for two reasons. One, their roster 117 00:05:54,279 --> 00:05:57,159 Speaker 1: is just completely overmatched in the modern NBA from a 118 00:05:57,200 --> 00:06:02,520 Speaker 1: shooting and athleticism standpoint. Incredibly slow and unathletic, and they're 119 00:06:02,600 --> 00:06:06,320 Speaker 1: incapable of knocking down open, catch and shoot threes. In 120 00:06:06,360 --> 00:06:08,400 Speaker 1: the Pistons game, for example, how many times did you 121 00:06:08,400 --> 00:06:11,880 Speaker 1: see Jake Gravy or Marcus Smarten of wide open and 122 00:06:11,920 --> 00:06:14,520 Speaker 1: the guys just can't hit the shots. As a team, 123 00:06:14,560 --> 00:06:17,440 Speaker 1: they're making seven point five catch and shoot threes per game, 124 00:06:17,720 --> 00:06:21,279 Speaker 1: which is the worst in the entire league. For some perspective, 125 00:06:21,279 --> 00:06:24,600 Speaker 1: they are nineteen NBA teams that average at least ten 126 00:06:24,720 --> 00:06:26,560 Speaker 1: made catch and shoot threes per game. The Lakers are 127 00:06:26,600 --> 00:06:29,240 Speaker 1: getting seven point five, worst in the entire league. So 128 00:06:29,400 --> 00:06:32,960 Speaker 1: every night they're operating with extreme deficits and two of 129 00:06:32,960 --> 00:06:36,279 Speaker 1: the most important aspects of modern NBA basketball being able 130 00:06:36,320 --> 00:06:39,480 Speaker 1: to run around and sprint and cover ground as athletes 131 00:06:39,960 --> 00:06:43,239 Speaker 1: and the ability to knock down open catch and shoot threes. Two. 132 00:06:44,120 --> 00:06:46,120 Speaker 1: For the Lakers to compete with the best teams in 133 00:06:46,120 --> 00:06:48,920 Speaker 1: the league, they needed Luca to be at the level 134 00:06:48,960 --> 00:06:50,839 Speaker 1: of the top players in the league, and he just 135 00:06:50,880 --> 00:06:54,560 Speaker 1: hasn't been. His scoring volume is nothing to just ignore, 136 00:06:55,279 --> 00:06:57,760 Speaker 1: but he's the most mistake prone superstar in the league 137 00:06:57,760 --> 00:06:59,800 Speaker 1: by a mile. The amount of missed shots and turn 138 00:06:59,839 --> 00:07:02,679 Speaker 1: off he has relative to his peers is jaw dropping. 139 00:07:02,920 --> 00:07:05,160 Speaker 1: This is a crazy stat from the Pistons game. The 140 00:07:05,200 --> 00:07:11,520 Speaker 1: Pistons scored nineteen points directly off of Luca turnovers. And 141 00:07:11,600 --> 00:07:16,160 Speaker 1: missed threes in transition. So like Luca misses a step 142 00:07:16,160 --> 00:07:19,080 Speaker 1: back three up top, Jalen Duran just runs right past him, 143 00:07:19,120 --> 00:07:20,960 Speaker 1: gets a dunk out the other end. Off of the 144 00:07:21,040 --> 00:07:24,000 Speaker 1: miss throw a pick six on the left. Marcus Sasser 145 00:07:24,120 --> 00:07:26,520 Speaker 1: saves it and bounds to Isaiah Stewart under the basket 146 00:07:26,520 --> 00:07:29,120 Speaker 1: for a dunk. That sort of thing over and over again. 147 00:07:29,440 --> 00:07:33,840 Speaker 1: Nineteen points in one single game directly off of Luca 148 00:07:33,880 --> 00:07:36,360 Speaker 1: turnovers and misstep back threes. So like when you really 149 00:07:36,360 --> 00:07:38,440 Speaker 1: dig into it, it's like, yeah, you had thirty and eleven. 150 00:07:39,000 --> 00:07:42,240 Speaker 1: His counting stats continue to be incredible, but he just 151 00:07:42,320 --> 00:07:44,560 Speaker 1: misses so many shots and he turns the ball over 152 00:07:44,680 --> 00:07:47,360 Speaker 1: so much that it undercuts his success. And to put 153 00:07:47,600 --> 00:07:51,040 Speaker 1: to put it very simply, with this version of Luka Doncic, 154 00:07:51,200 --> 00:07:54,240 Speaker 1: the Lakers have no shot to win the title, but 155 00:07:54,680 --> 00:07:57,320 Speaker 1: you can't completely count them out because there's always that 156 00:07:57,480 --> 00:08:00,920 Speaker 1: threat that Luca will return to form, that Lebron will 157 00:08:00,920 --> 00:08:03,120 Speaker 1: reach a top fifteen level before the end of the season, 158 00:08:03,280 --> 00:08:05,720 Speaker 1: that Austin Reeves gets back and continues to kick ass, 159 00:08:06,000 --> 00:08:07,720 Speaker 1: that the team hits on a trade and they go 160 00:08:07,760 --> 00:08:09,840 Speaker 1: on a run. Right, That's why they're on this list, 161 00:08:10,240 --> 00:08:12,080 Speaker 1: but I view that now as so much of an 162 00:08:12,120 --> 00:08:14,720 Speaker 1: extreme long shot that I've removed them from that second 163 00:08:14,720 --> 00:08:17,240 Speaker 1: tier of contenders for the first time since the Luka 164 00:08:17,320 --> 00:08:22,160 Speaker 1: Dancit trade. I am incredibly excited to tell you guys 165 00:08:22,200 --> 00:08:24,960 Speaker 1: about our new partnership with Viory. Those of you guys 166 00:08:24,960 --> 00:08:27,360 Speaker 1: who are familiar with Viory have noticed that I wear 167 00:08:27,400 --> 00:08:29,680 Speaker 1: it on the show, and I have done so for 168 00:08:29,800 --> 00:08:32,840 Speaker 1: years now, almost every single day, because it's become a 169 00:08:32,920 --> 00:08:35,560 Speaker 1: workhorse for me. And that's why I'm so excited about 170 00:08:35,559 --> 00:08:38,160 Speaker 1: this partnership. I've actually been advocating for this behind the 171 00:08:38,200 --> 00:08:40,400 Speaker 1: scenes for a while. It's a product I really believe in, 172 00:08:40,640 --> 00:08:43,040 Speaker 1: and I'm really excited that we get to partnership with 173 00:08:43,120 --> 00:08:45,480 Speaker 1: them now. My journey with Yuri started because of a 174 00:08:45,559 --> 00:08:48,440 Speaker 1: very simple problem. I'd wear shirts on the show, and 175 00:08:48,440 --> 00:08:50,360 Speaker 1: then after I'd watched them four or five times, they 176 00:08:50,360 --> 00:08:52,640 Speaker 1: would just kind of degrade and turn into something that 177 00:08:52,720 --> 00:08:55,800 Speaker 1: wasn't anything close to what I had originally purchased. And 178 00:08:55,840 --> 00:08:59,440 Speaker 1: so I wanted to invest in quality clothing that could 179 00:08:59,440 --> 00:09:02,600 Speaker 1: become my workhorse for my daily life, and that is 180 00:09:02,679 --> 00:09:06,560 Speaker 1: exactly what Viory is. From the Sunday Performance sweatpant that 181 00:09:06,600 --> 00:09:08,360 Speaker 1: I wear around my house all the time. That's super 182 00:09:08,360 --> 00:09:11,240 Speaker 1: comfortable that even now that it's cold in Colorado and 183 00:09:11,240 --> 00:09:13,880 Speaker 1: I go play basketball, I can literally play basketball in 184 00:09:13,920 --> 00:09:17,080 Speaker 1: the same sweatpants to the Sunday performance shorts that I 185 00:09:17,120 --> 00:09:20,439 Speaker 1: play basketball in. My favorite thing about Vieory is all 186 00:09:20,480 --> 00:09:23,560 Speaker 1: this stuff, all this clothing is so perfect for the 187 00:09:23,679 --> 00:09:27,040 Speaker 1: active lifestyle that I live, but it's all so high 188 00:09:27,160 --> 00:09:30,960 Speaker 1: quality and so attractive looking that I can wear it 189 00:09:31,000 --> 00:09:34,200 Speaker 1: informal settings. I live in this stuff every single day, 190 00:09:34,240 --> 00:09:36,680 Speaker 1: and I'm so excited that we have the opportunity to 191 00:09:36,760 --> 00:09:40,439 Speaker 1: partner with them now. Vory is an investment in your happiness. 192 00:09:40,840 --> 00:09:44,880 Speaker 1: For our listeners, They're offering twenty percent off your first purchase. 193 00:09:45,360 --> 00:09:48,520 Speaker 1: Get yourself some of the most comfortable and versatile clothing 194 00:09:48,559 --> 00:09:52,440 Speaker 1: on the planet at Vory dot com slash hoops. That's 195 00:09:52,600 --> 00:09:59,960 Speaker 1: Vuoeri dot com slash hoops. Exclusions apply. Visit the wor 196 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:02,599 Speaker 1: website for full terms and conditions. Not only will you 197 00:10:02,640 --> 00:10:05,560 Speaker 1: receive twenty percent off your first purchase, but enjoy free 198 00:10:05,559 --> 00:10:09,079 Speaker 1: shipping on any US orders over seventy five dollars in 199 00:10:09,120 --> 00:10:13,440 Speaker 1: free returns. Visit Jory dot com slash hoops and discover 200 00:10:13,520 --> 00:10:17,280 Speaker 1: the versatility of your clothing. Exclusions apply. Visit the website 201 00:10:17,280 --> 00:10:22,320 Speaker 1: for full terms and conditions. Number nine the Cleveland Cavaliers. 202 00:10:23,200 --> 00:10:25,160 Speaker 1: The stat you cling to of your Calves fan is 203 00:10:25,160 --> 00:10:27,160 Speaker 1: that the Calves have played just one hundred and sixty 204 00:10:27,160 --> 00:10:30,480 Speaker 1: one possessions this year with Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, 205 00:10:30,480 --> 00:10:33,800 Speaker 1: and Jared Allen all on the floor together. In those minutes, 206 00:10:34,240 --> 00:10:37,520 Speaker 1: they're plus twenty four per one hundred possessions, but only 207 00:10:37,559 --> 00:10:39,840 Speaker 1: one hundred and sixty one possessions because of how devastated 208 00:10:39,840 --> 00:10:42,240 Speaker 1: they've been by injuries. With those groups, by the way, 209 00:10:42,280 --> 00:10:44,720 Speaker 1: they've been awesome on both ends of the floor, So 210 00:10:44,800 --> 00:10:47,520 Speaker 1: you can explain the majority of their issues just by 211 00:10:47,520 --> 00:10:50,000 Speaker 1: pointing to injuries. I'd be quick to I'd be I 212 00:10:50,080 --> 00:10:52,520 Speaker 1: wouldn't be too quick, excuse me to blame it all 213 00:10:52,559 --> 00:10:56,320 Speaker 1: on injuries, because there are some recurring themes, particularly with 214 00:10:56,360 --> 00:10:59,600 Speaker 1: the defensive end, and with their rebounding and their overall physicality. 215 00:10:59,600 --> 00:11:01,480 Speaker 1: It's just the most physical team in the world really 216 00:11:01,480 --> 00:11:03,319 Speaker 1: in any of their position groups, which I don't love 217 00:11:03,320 --> 00:11:06,480 Speaker 1: with the playoff team, But the case for Cleveland is 218 00:11:06,559 --> 00:11:09,360 Speaker 1: at in a flawed Eastern Conference. They could get healthy, 219 00:11:09,400 --> 00:11:11,600 Speaker 1: and if they got healthy, they're every bit as good 220 00:11:11,600 --> 00:11:14,280 Speaker 1: as those top teams in the conference. I actually really 221 00:11:14,360 --> 00:11:16,200 Speaker 1: like what I've seen from them the last couple of weeks. 222 00:11:16,520 --> 00:11:18,560 Speaker 1: They easily could have won that knixt game on Christmas 223 00:11:18,640 --> 00:11:20,480 Speaker 1: Day if it wasn't for some super hot shooting from 224 00:11:20,520 --> 00:11:23,240 Speaker 1: Tyler Coolek and Jalen Bronson down the stretch. The win 225 00:11:23,320 --> 00:11:26,000 Speaker 1: in San Antonio was super impressive on both ends of 226 00:11:26,000 --> 00:11:28,640 Speaker 1: the floor. I do think the Cavs are getting real momentum. 227 00:11:28,880 --> 00:11:30,720 Speaker 1: I think they're about to make their run on the standing, 228 00:11:30,840 --> 00:11:32,520 Speaker 1: like in the standings and go from being, you know, 229 00:11:33,240 --> 00:11:35,720 Speaker 1: six to seven playin type of team to something up 230 00:11:35,800 --> 00:11:37,480 Speaker 1: closer to the top. I think They're about to make 231 00:11:37,520 --> 00:11:40,240 Speaker 1: that run. The main reason I'm keeping them down in 232 00:11:40,280 --> 00:11:42,000 Speaker 1: the third tier is one I'm just not sure we're 233 00:11:42,000 --> 00:11:43,800 Speaker 1: ever going to get to see the fully healthy version 234 00:11:43,800 --> 00:11:46,880 Speaker 1: of this team. Ever seeing every single season Darius Garland 235 00:11:46,920 --> 00:11:49,040 Speaker 1: does seem to get banged up. It always does seem 236 00:11:49,080 --> 00:11:51,440 Speaker 1: like one of their guys is dealing with something that 237 00:11:51,480 --> 00:11:53,000 Speaker 1: has him out of the lineup, and at a certain 238 00:11:53,000 --> 00:11:55,079 Speaker 1: point that's just kind of who you are. And then 239 00:11:55,080 --> 00:11:57,720 Speaker 1: two that lack of physicality and all their position groups. 240 00:11:57,720 --> 00:11:59,920 Speaker 1: I think it makes some really high risk for upset 241 00:12:00,400 --> 00:12:02,200 Speaker 1: in a playoff series, and it's why I'm not quite 242 00:12:02,240 --> 00:12:05,400 Speaker 1: as high on them as like a second tier contender, 243 00:12:05,800 --> 00:12:09,240 Speaker 1: for example, even though I can admit that their injuries 244 00:12:09,240 --> 00:12:12,240 Speaker 1: have held them back in the standings. Number eight the 245 00:12:12,280 --> 00:12:15,440 Speaker 1: Boston Celtics. The case for this team is really simple. 246 00:12:15,960 --> 00:12:18,960 Speaker 1: Most of their statistical markers are excellent. They're fourth in offense, 247 00:12:19,080 --> 00:12:21,520 Speaker 1: their fourth and net rating. They're positive in all the 248 00:12:21,520 --> 00:12:24,079 Speaker 1: margin stats. They outscore teams and points off of turnovers, 249 00:12:24,120 --> 00:12:26,480 Speaker 1: they outscore teams and second chance points. They outscore teams 250 00:12:26,520 --> 00:12:29,120 Speaker 1: in fast break points, right, so they're winning on the margins. 251 00:12:29,720 --> 00:12:32,280 Speaker 1: They just have this glaring personnel weakness in the front court, 252 00:12:32,679 --> 00:12:35,280 Speaker 1: which you saw in their most recent loss against the Blazers. 253 00:12:35,280 --> 00:12:37,720 Speaker 1: Were once again they're picking on their bigs and drop coverage, 254 00:12:37,800 --> 00:12:39,080 Speaker 1: and then as soon as they go away from their 255 00:12:39,080 --> 00:12:41,720 Speaker 1: bigs and go small, you're seeing them get bullied, whether 256 00:12:41,760 --> 00:12:45,040 Speaker 1: it's you know, Denny Avdia going at Peyton Pritchard, or 257 00:12:45,080 --> 00:12:48,640 Speaker 1: it's you know Donavan Cleland Clington just burying hoo Go 258 00:12:48,640 --> 00:12:52,600 Speaker 1: Gonzales underneath the basket like there's a size and athleticism 259 00:12:52,640 --> 00:12:55,080 Speaker 1: deficit in that front court that's just really tough for 260 00:12:55,120 --> 00:12:57,880 Speaker 1: them to overcome at this point. So in theory, you 261 00:12:57,920 --> 00:13:01,000 Speaker 1: add Jason Tatum, you hit on trade for some front 262 00:13:01,000 --> 00:13:04,320 Speaker 1: court depth, Suddenly this looks like a very dangerous team. Right, 263 00:13:05,520 --> 00:13:09,200 Speaker 1: Those are all long shots though we've basically never seen 264 00:13:09,240 --> 00:13:11,800 Speaker 1: a player come back from an achilles tear in less 265 00:13:11,800 --> 00:13:13,880 Speaker 1: than a year and lead a team through a full 266 00:13:13,920 --> 00:13:18,280 Speaker 1: playoff run. All trades are hard to make, so you know, 267 00:13:18,480 --> 00:13:22,360 Speaker 1: like it's when you could talk about matching salary, dealing 268 00:13:22,400 --> 00:13:26,000 Speaker 1: with the aprons, you know, having enough roster spots to 269 00:13:26,040 --> 00:13:27,840 Speaker 1: take in players. Like, there's so many different things that 270 00:13:27,840 --> 00:13:29,400 Speaker 1: make trades hard to make. So I do view it 271 00:13:29,400 --> 00:13:32,120 Speaker 1: as an extreme long shot that they actually accomplish what 272 00:13:32,200 --> 00:13:34,720 Speaker 1: they need to accomplish to compete in the East. But 273 00:13:34,800 --> 00:13:36,960 Speaker 1: the shot is there in a way that none of 274 00:13:37,000 --> 00:13:39,640 Speaker 1: us could have predicted before the season. So if you're 275 00:13:39,640 --> 00:13:42,360 Speaker 1: a Celtics fan, you gotta be absolutely thrilled with where 276 00:13:42,400 --> 00:13:45,720 Speaker 1: you're at. You're twenty and twelve, Jalen Brown as like 277 00:13:45,800 --> 00:13:48,480 Speaker 1: the leading man on a real team for the first 278 00:13:48,559 --> 00:13:52,000 Speaker 1: time in his life, Like that has been a smashing success. 279 00:13:52,000 --> 00:13:54,920 Speaker 1: He's been incredible, so much so that I mean I've 280 00:13:54,920 --> 00:13:57,040 Speaker 1: seen Celtics fans arguing whether or not it's his team 281 00:13:57,120 --> 00:13:59,400 Speaker 1: or Tatum's team when he comes back, and I think 282 00:13:59,440 --> 00:14:01,920 Speaker 1: those are the version of first world problems, Like it's 283 00:14:01,920 --> 00:14:03,440 Speaker 1: awesome that you have both. And I don't know why. 284 00:14:03,520 --> 00:14:05,360 Speaker 1: I've seen this with Lakers fans too, where it's like, oh, 285 00:14:05,360 --> 00:14:07,400 Speaker 1: this is Lebronz team or this is Lucas team. It's like, 286 00:14:07,840 --> 00:14:10,120 Speaker 1: all that is really dumb to me, Like you need 287 00:14:10,200 --> 00:14:12,160 Speaker 1: lots of good basketball players, like you just got to 288 00:14:12,160 --> 00:14:14,200 Speaker 1: figure out how to co exist, which we all know 289 00:14:14,240 --> 00:14:16,600 Speaker 1: that Jalen Brown and Jason Tatum can. So I think 290 00:14:16,679 --> 00:14:20,560 Speaker 1: Jalen Brown being awesome is nothing but good for the Celtics. Again, 291 00:14:20,600 --> 00:14:22,320 Speaker 1: there's just so much that has to go right for 292 00:14:22,360 --> 00:14:24,120 Speaker 1: them to be able to make their run. But I'm 293 00:14:24,200 --> 00:14:26,760 Speaker 1: registering them as a shot to win the title in 294 00:14:26,800 --> 00:14:29,080 Speaker 1: a way I didn't think was possible before the season. 295 00:14:29,320 --> 00:14:31,080 Speaker 1: So you gotta be thrilled if you're a Celtics fan. 296 00:14:32,440 --> 00:14:36,120 Speaker 1: All right, let's get into our second tier. Remember the 297 00:14:36,240 --> 00:14:38,840 Speaker 1: second tier. These are teams that I think when they're 298 00:14:38,840 --> 00:14:40,880 Speaker 1: in the locker room, they're gonna have nights where they're like, 299 00:14:40,880 --> 00:14:44,120 Speaker 1: oh shit, we're gonna win this thing. Now they're flawed. 300 00:14:44,240 --> 00:14:46,640 Speaker 1: They're gonna have nights where they look bad, and you go, man, 301 00:14:46,720 --> 00:14:48,920 Speaker 1: this one flaw we have, we might not be able 302 00:14:48,920 --> 00:14:51,800 Speaker 1: to overcome that. Right, Like, these teams are not perfect, 303 00:14:52,200 --> 00:14:55,440 Speaker 1: but they are another level above the teams I just listed. 304 00:14:55,440 --> 00:14:58,000 Speaker 1: In terms of checking boxes that you need to check 305 00:14:58,400 --> 00:15:02,080 Speaker 1: to compete for a title, number seve than the Detroit Pistons. 306 00:15:03,120 --> 00:15:05,600 Speaker 1: I think they're a very dangerous playoff team because of 307 00:15:05,640 --> 00:15:09,120 Speaker 1: their physicality at every position group, from their guards to 308 00:15:09,160 --> 00:15:12,760 Speaker 1: their bigger wings to their centers. They're super athletic and 309 00:15:12,840 --> 00:15:15,280 Speaker 1: strong all over the floor. They get up into the 310 00:15:15,280 --> 00:15:18,760 Speaker 1: basketball and the perimeter, they force turnovers, They generate a 311 00:15:18,800 --> 00:15:21,760 Speaker 1: ton of margin and transition and on the offensive glass. 312 00:15:21,960 --> 00:15:23,400 Speaker 1: I was actually talking about this the other day with 313 00:15:23,440 --> 00:15:26,760 Speaker 1: respect to the Lakers with my buddy Damn Rangula is 314 00:15:26,760 --> 00:15:29,200 Speaker 1: a big Lakers fan, and he was making the point 315 00:15:29,200 --> 00:15:32,600 Speaker 1: that like last year's playoffs were indicative of the fact 316 00:15:32,600 --> 00:15:35,520 Speaker 1: that margins actually matter a lot more than they used to. 317 00:15:35,880 --> 00:15:37,160 Speaker 1: It used to be that that was more of a 318 00:15:37,200 --> 00:15:39,320 Speaker 1: regular season thing, and then you get to the playoffs 319 00:15:39,360 --> 00:15:41,640 Speaker 1: and it's like your half court offense versus my half 320 00:15:41,640 --> 00:15:45,040 Speaker 1: court offense. Let's see who can score in the slowdown basketball. 321 00:15:45,080 --> 00:15:48,240 Speaker 1: But the point that Demons trying to make was basically, 322 00:15:48,280 --> 00:15:52,280 Speaker 1: like we've seen these teams essentially demonstrate that it's the opposite. 323 00:15:52,400 --> 00:15:54,080 Speaker 1: You want to avoid the half court as much as 324 00:15:54,120 --> 00:15:56,040 Speaker 1: possible and the more you can get out and transition 325 00:15:56,360 --> 00:15:58,680 Speaker 1: the better, which has always been a concept. It's just 326 00:15:58,760 --> 00:16:01,280 Speaker 1: been struggle. It's been a struggle to get that sort 327 00:16:01,280 --> 00:16:03,960 Speaker 1: of thing to translate to the postseason in the past. 328 00:16:04,920 --> 00:16:08,120 Speaker 1: Not last year. We saw Oklahoma City in Indiana win 329 00:16:08,320 --> 00:16:11,600 Speaker 1: series and Oklahoma City win a title. Indiana come very 330 00:16:11,640 --> 00:16:15,640 Speaker 1: close by winning on the margins. It just helps to 331 00:16:15,680 --> 00:16:17,600 Speaker 1: be able to avoid the half court as much as 332 00:16:17,680 --> 00:16:20,000 Speaker 1: possible when you have a defense that can get you 333 00:16:20,080 --> 00:16:23,040 Speaker 1: out and transition a lot. If you have the ability 334 00:16:23,040 --> 00:16:26,520 Speaker 1: to turn half court misses into points on the offensive glass, 335 00:16:26,800 --> 00:16:28,840 Speaker 1: it just buys you a ton of margin for air 336 00:16:29,840 --> 00:16:33,600 Speaker 1: in that half court basketball department. Detroit's a perfect example 337 00:16:33,600 --> 00:16:36,320 Speaker 1: of that. Their half court offense can slow down. Sometimes, 338 00:16:36,640 --> 00:16:38,680 Speaker 1: kid can go cold from the perimeter, you can miss 339 00:16:38,680 --> 00:16:40,920 Speaker 1: some easy shots, sometimes you can have some turnover issues. 340 00:16:40,960 --> 00:16:43,600 Speaker 1: They don't really have a reliable secondary option, right, So 341 00:16:43,760 --> 00:16:46,080 Speaker 1: they can go cold from time to time, but they 342 00:16:46,080 --> 00:16:48,240 Speaker 1: get out and transition off of their defense and force 343 00:16:48,280 --> 00:16:50,400 Speaker 1: a lot of turnovers and score off of those turnovers. 344 00:16:50,680 --> 00:16:52,840 Speaker 1: And they turn a lot of their misses into points 345 00:16:52,920 --> 00:16:56,280 Speaker 1: on the offensive glass, so they have that margin for air. 346 00:16:57,880 --> 00:16:59,800 Speaker 1: I have them at the bottom of this tier because 347 00:16:59,800 --> 00:17:02,680 Speaker 1: they're kind of light on that aggregate offensive skill piece. 348 00:17:03,520 --> 00:17:06,720 Speaker 1: Caid has an enormous amount offensive responsibility on this team. 349 00:17:07,040 --> 00:17:09,440 Speaker 1: But I think this roster is absolutely capable of winning 350 00:17:09,720 --> 00:17:12,880 Speaker 1: an NBA championship. They have one of the special offensive 351 00:17:12,920 --> 00:17:15,080 Speaker 1: engines in the NBA in the form of Caid. They 352 00:17:15,080 --> 00:17:16,840 Speaker 1: have other guys who can break the defense down with 353 00:17:16,920 --> 00:17:20,760 Speaker 1: dribble penetration. They're an elite defense and rebounding team, and 354 00:17:20,800 --> 00:17:23,560 Speaker 1: they win on the margins. That's a lot of checking boxes. 355 00:17:24,160 --> 00:17:25,959 Speaker 1: And if they hit on a trade at this deadline, 356 00:17:25,960 --> 00:17:29,200 Speaker 1: which I believe they will side note and this is again, 357 00:17:29,240 --> 00:17:32,280 Speaker 1: this is just for fun everybody, So everybody chill out 358 00:17:32,400 --> 00:17:34,639 Speaker 1: and have some fun for a second. I think Detroit 359 00:17:34,720 --> 00:17:38,600 Speaker 1: is actually my favorite Lebron trade destination. It was thrown out. 360 00:17:38,640 --> 00:17:41,600 Speaker 1: We were just hanging out after the stream on Lakers Collective. 361 00:17:41,640 --> 00:17:46,080 Speaker 1: Actually this morning, and Trevor was just joking about it, 362 00:17:46,119 --> 00:17:48,240 Speaker 1: and he was like, what about Detroit? Because I was saying, like, 363 00:17:48,280 --> 00:17:51,000 Speaker 1: is there a team out there that can like really 364 00:17:51,119 --> 00:17:55,000 Speaker 1: use a four but also allow him to not necessarily 365 00:17:55,480 --> 00:17:58,399 Speaker 1: play super hard on defense and on the glass during 366 00:17:58,400 --> 00:18:01,399 Speaker 1: the regular season. And Trevor was like, well, what about Detroit? 367 00:18:01,480 --> 00:18:02,800 Speaker 1: And then I started to look at it and I 368 00:18:02,840 --> 00:18:05,480 Speaker 1: was like, this actually makes a lot of sense. Now, 369 00:18:05,720 --> 00:18:08,080 Speaker 1: for the record, I don't think Lebron will get traded. 370 00:18:08,280 --> 00:18:10,760 Speaker 1: This isn't even my favorite Pistons trade. My favorite Pistons 371 00:18:10,760 --> 00:18:13,320 Speaker 1: trade is still Michael Porter Junior. But just for fun, 372 00:18:13,320 --> 00:18:14,960 Speaker 1: I wanted to dig into this idea so the way 373 00:18:15,000 --> 00:18:17,240 Speaker 1: it would look, so it be something about it'd be 374 00:18:17,240 --> 00:18:21,200 Speaker 1: something like Lebron and Bronni for Tobias Harris, another big 375 00:18:21,200 --> 00:18:23,120 Speaker 1: expiring so the Lakers don't have to worry about taking 376 00:18:23,160 --> 00:18:27,320 Speaker 1: too much long term salary on Karris Lavert, Javonte Green, 377 00:18:27,760 --> 00:18:31,760 Speaker 1: and Marcus Sasser. So for the Pistons, they would get 378 00:18:32,080 --> 00:18:34,359 Speaker 1: a legit number two for kid, who could be like 379 00:18:34,440 --> 00:18:38,080 Speaker 1: a secondary offensive engine off of Kate Cunningham to make 380 00:18:38,080 --> 00:18:40,919 Speaker 1: his life easier in that department, a massive upgrade of 381 00:18:40,960 --> 00:18:43,400 Speaker 1: power forward, he's just a better player than Tobias Harris. 382 00:18:44,160 --> 00:18:46,520 Speaker 1: And then the Pistons have the personnel to actually put 383 00:18:46,560 --> 00:18:48,800 Speaker 1: up with Lebron coasting in the regular season. They've got 384 00:18:48,880 --> 00:18:52,119 Speaker 1: athletes all around him, and they have such a depth 385 00:18:52,160 --> 00:18:54,040 Speaker 1: of athletes that they you know, they could lose a 386 00:18:54,119 --> 00:18:57,560 Speaker 1: Javonte Green and a Karis Lavert, but Lebron kind of 387 00:18:57,560 --> 00:18:59,680 Speaker 1: takes that Karis Lavert role of like being kind of 388 00:18:59,680 --> 00:19:02,879 Speaker 1: a secondary ball handler. But you still have plenty of 389 00:19:02,880 --> 00:19:06,199 Speaker 1: athleticism off the bench. You still have Jaden Ivy, you 390 00:19:06,280 --> 00:19:09,480 Speaker 1: still have Ron Holland it doesn't dig into the identity 391 00:19:09,520 --> 00:19:11,600 Speaker 1: of the team. Obviously, Javontae Green's been a big part 392 00:19:11,600 --> 00:19:14,000 Speaker 1: of it. You'd essentially because Marcus Sasser has been more 393 00:19:14,080 --> 00:19:16,640 Speaker 1: or less out of their rotation when Krislvert is healthy. 394 00:19:16,680 --> 00:19:21,119 Speaker 1: So you're essentially turning Javonte Green and Tobias Harris and 395 00:19:21,160 --> 00:19:23,960 Speaker 1: Kroslvert into Lebron James. That's a pretty substantial upgrade there. 396 00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:26,200 Speaker 1: And then for the Lakers, they get a bunch of athletes. 397 00:19:26,480 --> 00:19:28,119 Speaker 1: You know how much Lakers could use a guy like 398 00:19:28,160 --> 00:19:30,320 Speaker 1: Jamonte Green or a Marcus Sasser that can guard the 399 00:19:30,359 --> 00:19:33,959 Speaker 1: ball and get some dribble penetration for them or Caroselvert, 400 00:19:33,960 --> 00:19:35,359 Speaker 1: you know that kind of thing. So it was just 401 00:19:35,400 --> 00:19:36,800 Speaker 1: I was just looking at that. I was like, oh, 402 00:19:36,800 --> 00:19:39,119 Speaker 1: that's a lot of fun. Again, not gonna happen. Not 403 00:19:39,200 --> 00:19:41,560 Speaker 1: even my favorite Pistons trade. I think Michael Porter Junior 404 00:19:41,600 --> 00:19:43,720 Speaker 1: still makes the most sense. The downside of making a 405 00:19:43,760 --> 00:19:46,920 Speaker 1: move for Lebron is you would not have a long 406 00:19:47,000 --> 00:19:49,439 Speaker 1: term solution. Michael Porter Junior could be a guy that's 407 00:19:49,480 --> 00:19:52,480 Speaker 1: your power forward for three four years, right, So that's 408 00:19:52,520 --> 00:19:54,600 Speaker 1: why he's still my favorite option. But it just was 409 00:19:54,600 --> 00:19:56,240 Speaker 1: funny because it got pitched to me this morning and 410 00:19:56,280 --> 00:19:59,119 Speaker 1: I was like, you know what, like if like if 411 00:19:59,240 --> 00:20:03,719 Speaker 1: Lebron was on Pistons right now for Tobias and Marcus 412 00:20:03,760 --> 00:20:09,240 Speaker 1: Asser and Karis Lavert in Javonte Green, do the Pistons 413 00:20:09,280 --> 00:20:12,600 Speaker 1: immediately become the runaway favorite in the Eastern Conference? They 414 00:20:12,640 --> 00:20:15,919 Speaker 1: probably become the runaway favorite in the Eastern Conference like 415 00:20:16,000 --> 00:20:17,960 Speaker 1: overnight with a move like that. So it's just fun. 416 00:20:17,960 --> 00:20:20,920 Speaker 1: It's just fun to think about Number six, the Minnesota Timberwolves. 417 00:20:21,160 --> 00:20:24,040 Speaker 1: All season long, Minnesota has been a frustrating team to watch. 418 00:20:24,040 --> 00:20:27,439 Speaker 1: They're currently getting their butts kicked right now. On the 419 00:20:27,480 --> 00:20:31,640 Speaker 1: road in Atlanta, inconsistent effort and energy on defense, late 420 00:20:31,680 --> 00:20:33,840 Speaker 1: game struggles that have plagued them for years. But I 421 00:20:33,880 --> 00:20:37,280 Speaker 1: always like sustain this belief that they have the ability 422 00:20:37,320 --> 00:20:40,959 Speaker 1: to ratchet up their athleticism and physicality to overwhelm the 423 00:20:40,960 --> 00:20:43,480 Speaker 1: best teams in the league when they get to the postseason. 424 00:20:43,520 --> 00:20:46,240 Speaker 1: And I do think we've seen enough of that in 425 00:20:46,280 --> 00:20:48,600 Speaker 1: the last couple of weeks to justify that upside. Again. 426 00:20:48,640 --> 00:20:49,960 Speaker 1: I was talking about that as kind of one of 427 00:20:50,000 --> 00:20:52,600 Speaker 1: the characteristics I'm looking at in this tier is like, 428 00:20:52,640 --> 00:20:57,560 Speaker 1: have you demonstrated at any point this season that you 429 00:20:57,720 --> 00:21:01,280 Speaker 1: are capable of winning a chat aampionship? Right? And like 430 00:21:01,640 --> 00:21:04,160 Speaker 1: so for Detroit, for example, they're literally the best team 431 00:21:04,160 --> 00:21:06,320 Speaker 1: in the Eastern Conference by record, right, and they have 432 00:21:06,359 --> 00:21:08,719 Speaker 1: a bunch of wins over five hundred of better teams. Like, 433 00:21:09,080 --> 00:21:11,159 Speaker 1: there's every reason in the world for the Pistons to 434 00:21:11,160 --> 00:21:13,000 Speaker 1: sit in their locker room and be like, we can 435 00:21:13,080 --> 00:21:15,720 Speaker 1: do this. Right. For Minnesota, it was that win over 436 00:21:15,760 --> 00:21:21,680 Speaker 1: Oklahoma City. That win demonstrated that upside. I'm actually even 437 00:21:21,760 --> 00:21:23,879 Speaker 1: higher on Minnesota than I was to start the season 438 00:21:23,920 --> 00:21:26,040 Speaker 1: because of some of the improvements I've seen on offense, 439 00:21:26,160 --> 00:21:29,200 Speaker 1: especially Anthony Edwards and just how much more methodical and 440 00:21:29,280 --> 00:21:32,200 Speaker 1: patient he's been on his drives, as rim finishing as skyrocketed. 441 00:21:32,520 --> 00:21:35,600 Speaker 1: Jaden McDaniel's becoming a forty percent three point shooter. He's 442 00:21:35,640 --> 00:21:38,400 Speaker 1: been much more polished offensively ever since the playoffs last year. 443 00:21:38,400 --> 00:21:40,879 Speaker 1: I think that's a real leap from him. They have 444 00:21:41,000 --> 00:21:44,040 Speaker 1: that combination that I think you need in order to 445 00:21:44,040 --> 00:21:45,840 Speaker 1: compete with the team like Oklahoma City, but just in 446 00:21:45,840 --> 00:21:48,560 Speaker 1: general to be a problem in the postseason. And that's 447 00:21:48,600 --> 00:21:52,720 Speaker 1: a combination of size and athletic advantages, but also guys 448 00:21:52,720 --> 00:21:54,680 Speaker 1: that can dribble and create shots. They've got a bunch 449 00:21:54,680 --> 00:21:58,880 Speaker 1: of dudes between Anthony Edwards and Julius Randall and Nasried, 450 00:21:58,920 --> 00:22:01,119 Speaker 1: They've got a bunch of dude dudes that can break 451 00:22:01,160 --> 00:22:05,080 Speaker 1: the defense down with their athletic advantages, and then as 452 00:22:05,119 --> 00:22:06,920 Speaker 1: a team, they can all shoot the ball really well. 453 00:22:06,960 --> 00:22:09,639 Speaker 1: Off of that. I think it's a combination that causes 454 00:22:09,680 --> 00:22:11,840 Speaker 1: a lot of problems for teams in the postseason. Their 455 00:22:11,880 --> 00:22:15,480 Speaker 1: personality is frustrating. They do not bring the appropriate level 456 00:22:15,480 --> 00:22:19,080 Speaker 1: of focus and attention to detail on defense often enough. 457 00:22:19,520 --> 00:22:22,240 Speaker 1: They're gonna have frustrating stretches where they look bad. They're 458 00:22:22,280 --> 00:22:24,760 Speaker 1: kind of like the Philadelphia Eagles of the NBA, or 459 00:22:24,800 --> 00:22:26,040 Speaker 1: if you catch them on the wrong night, you think 460 00:22:26,040 --> 00:22:28,080 Speaker 1: they're the worst team in the league. But like every 461 00:22:28,160 --> 00:22:30,320 Speaker 1: year that they are again you know, late in the postseason, 462 00:22:30,359 --> 00:22:32,600 Speaker 1: because they're just bigger and stronger and faster than everybody. 463 00:22:32,680 --> 00:22:34,880 Speaker 1: And that's kind of how I see Minnesota right now. 464 00:22:36,840 --> 00:22:39,080 Speaker 1: Today's show is brought to you by presenting sponsor hard 465 00:22:39,160 --> 00:22:42,320 Speaker 1: Rock Bet, the official sportsbook partner of the Miami Heat 466 00:22:42,560 --> 00:22:45,600 Speaker 1: and the Orlando Magic. When it's cold outside, that's when 467 00:22:45,600 --> 00:22:47,640 Speaker 1: you know the hardwode is heating up. Between the NBA 468 00:22:47,680 --> 00:22:50,840 Speaker 1: and college there's basketball on every night, and every night 469 00:22:50,920 --> 00:22:53,520 Speaker 1: is a shot to build a same game parlay and 470 00:22:53,560 --> 00:22:55,880 Speaker 1: score a major bucket. On hard Rock Bet, you're home 471 00:22:55,880 --> 00:22:58,760 Speaker 1: for hoops action all season long. If you ever miss 472 00:22:58,760 --> 00:23:01,160 Speaker 1: tip off of that big game, don't worry. Hard Rock 473 00:23:01,160 --> 00:23:03,560 Speaker 1: Bet lets you live bet all game long, from the 474 00:23:03,560 --> 00:23:06,280 Speaker 1: first bucket to the final buzzer, so you're never too 475 00:23:06,320 --> 00:23:08,280 Speaker 1: late to find a winner or grab that player prop 476 00:23:08,320 --> 00:23:10,240 Speaker 1: that you had circled. If you haven't tried your first 477 00:23:10,240 --> 00:23:11,840 Speaker 1: bet on hard Rock Bet, there's still time for you 478 00:23:11,840 --> 00:23:13,760 Speaker 1: to get one hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets. 479 00:23:13,760 --> 00:23:16,119 Speaker 1: If you win, just place a five dollars bet and 480 00:23:16,160 --> 00:23:18,399 Speaker 1: if it hits you get not only your winnings but 481 00:23:18,440 --> 00:23:21,040 Speaker 1: an extra hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets. Plus. 482 00:23:21,040 --> 00:23:23,840 Speaker 1: Hard Rock Bet offers new promos every single day, so 483 00:23:23,880 --> 00:23:26,400 Speaker 1: whenever you're listening, just open up the app check out 484 00:23:26,440 --> 00:23:28,720 Speaker 1: what you've got any day of the week. Download a 485 00:23:28,720 --> 00:23:31,080 Speaker 1: hard Rock Bet app and make your first deposit today. 486 00:23:31,440 --> 00:23:34,119 Speaker 1: Payble and bonus bets not a cash offer offered by 487 00:23:34,119 --> 00:23:36,800 Speaker 1: the Seminal Tribe of Florida. In Florida, offered by Seminal 488 00:23:36,840 --> 00:23:39,600 Speaker 1: hard Rock Digital LLC. In all other states. Must be 489 00:23:39,640 --> 00:23:44,320 Speaker 1: twenty one plus and physically present in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, 490 00:23:44,320 --> 00:23:47,480 Speaker 1: New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee, or Virginia to play. Terms and 491 00:23:47,480 --> 00:23:50,920 Speaker 1: conditions apply. Concerned about gambling in Florida, call one eight 492 00:23:51,080 --> 00:23:53,760 Speaker 1: three to three play wise. In Indiana. If you or 493 00:23:53,800 --> 00:23:55,760 Speaker 1: someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, 494 00:23:56,000 --> 00:23:59,560 Speaker 1: call one eight hundred and nine. With it. Gambling problem 495 00:23:59,640 --> 00:24:03,640 Speaker 1: call one hundred Gambler in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, 496 00:24:03,680 --> 00:24:11,080 Speaker 1: Tennessee or Virginia number five, the New York Knicks. In 497 00:24:11,200 --> 00:24:13,639 Speaker 1: Jalen Brunson's last ten games and again, I'm recording this 498 00:24:13,680 --> 00:24:15,520 Speaker 1: on on New Year's Eve, so I'm going to miss 499 00:24:15,520 --> 00:24:18,400 Speaker 1: a game between now and then. In Jaln Brunson's last 500 00:24:18,400 --> 00:24:20,560 Speaker 1: ten games, he's averaging thirty three points per game on 501 00:24:20,600 --> 00:24:23,720 Speaker 1: sixty two percentury shooting with just one point seven turnovers 502 00:24:23,760 --> 00:24:27,320 Speaker 1: per game. For the season, he's averaging a career high 503 00:24:27,359 --> 00:24:30,680 Speaker 1: twenty nine and a half on sixty percentury shooting with 504 00:24:30,880 --> 00:24:34,040 Speaker 1: is two point two turnovers per game. The level of 505 00:24:34,119 --> 00:24:38,160 Speaker 1: scoring volume and efficiency we've seen Jalen Brunson operating at 506 00:24:38,160 --> 00:24:41,520 Speaker 1: in the last month is flying way too far under 507 00:24:41,560 --> 00:24:46,320 Speaker 1: the radar. When Shake Gilders Alexander was doing this, we 508 00:24:46,400 --> 00:24:48,960 Speaker 1: said he was having one of the greatest guard seasons ever. 509 00:24:50,000 --> 00:24:53,080 Speaker 1: That's the type of territory that Jalen Brunson has entered into. 510 00:24:53,160 --> 00:24:55,240 Speaker 1: With the level of play he's been at for the 511 00:24:55,320 --> 00:24:58,679 Speaker 1: last month, I think he's making that leap to the 512 00:24:58,720 --> 00:25:02,040 Speaker 1: top tier of superstars. I talked about this on the 513 00:25:02,040 --> 00:25:03,760 Speaker 1: show the other day, but I think he's been even 514 00:25:03,800 --> 00:25:06,960 Speaker 1: better than Lukea's been over the last month. It's just 515 00:25:07,040 --> 00:25:09,480 Speaker 1: one of many things about the Knicks that feels different 516 00:25:09,480 --> 00:25:12,040 Speaker 1: to me this year. Brunson's playing the best basketball of 517 00:25:12,040 --> 00:25:14,200 Speaker 1: his career and has arguably been a top tier superstar 518 00:25:14,280 --> 00:25:17,600 Speaker 1: this season. McHale, og and Josh Hart, all three of 519 00:25:17,600 --> 00:25:19,520 Speaker 1: them have been phenomenal on both ends of the floor. 520 00:25:19,640 --> 00:25:22,000 Speaker 1: All three of them have been better this year than 521 00:25:22,000 --> 00:25:24,399 Speaker 1: they were last year. McHale's shooting the ball better and 522 00:25:24,440 --> 00:25:26,920 Speaker 1: guarding better. Josh Hart shooting the ball better just in general, 523 00:25:26,960 --> 00:25:28,480 Speaker 1: has been a better offensive threat than he was in 524 00:25:28,560 --> 00:25:32,360 Speaker 1: years past. O Jananobi's been devastating two way all over 525 00:25:32,400 --> 00:25:35,720 Speaker 1: the floor this year. Karl Anthony Town struggled to start 526 00:25:35,760 --> 00:25:37,399 Speaker 1: the year, but he's been way more efficient in the 527 00:25:37,440 --> 00:25:39,640 Speaker 1: last few weeks, and the team has found a lot 528 00:25:39,680 --> 00:25:42,320 Speaker 1: of valuable depth. And like a gunner like Jordan Clarkson 529 00:25:42,560 --> 00:25:45,320 Speaker 1: that's not particularly efficient, but that can come in and 530 00:25:45,320 --> 00:25:47,000 Speaker 1: bring a spark of energy and hit a couple shots 531 00:25:47,000 --> 00:25:48,800 Speaker 1: and change a game like he did on Christmas Day. 532 00:25:49,040 --> 00:25:51,000 Speaker 1: Tyler Kolek and just the job he's done as a 533 00:25:51,040 --> 00:25:53,119 Speaker 1: backup guard who can also scale up as a scorer 534 00:25:53,119 --> 00:25:55,600 Speaker 1: when he needs to. Landrew Shaman and his Moviet shooting 535 00:25:55,680 --> 00:25:58,159 Speaker 1: before he got hurt. Obviously, Mitchell Robinson's been healthy and 536 00:25:58,200 --> 00:26:02,840 Speaker 1: available this year. One thing is just different. The issues 537 00:26:02,880 --> 00:26:05,240 Speaker 1: with kat on defense. They're still real and they're gonna 538 00:26:05,240 --> 00:26:06,880 Speaker 1: have to overcome those to get to where they want 539 00:26:06,880 --> 00:26:08,719 Speaker 1: to go. But I just think the Knicks might be 540 00:26:08,760 --> 00:26:11,800 Speaker 1: so much better across the board that they can overcome 541 00:26:11,840 --> 00:26:15,119 Speaker 1: it this time around. Their offense is four and a 542 00:26:15,160 --> 00:26:17,359 Speaker 1: half points better perm one hundred possessions than it was 543 00:26:17,440 --> 00:26:22,040 Speaker 1: last year. That down the roster improvement from certain guys, 544 00:26:22,680 --> 00:26:25,800 Speaker 1: the emphasis on early dribble penetration from Mike Brown, that's 545 00:26:25,920 --> 00:26:28,920 Speaker 1: generating the types of higher quality catch and shoot looks 546 00:26:28,920 --> 00:26:31,240 Speaker 1: than they got last year. All of it is amounting 547 00:26:31,280 --> 00:26:34,119 Speaker 1: to a better basketball team. I don't think they have 548 00:26:34,200 --> 00:26:36,200 Speaker 1: the two way ceiling that some of the teams above 549 00:26:36,240 --> 00:26:37,960 Speaker 1: them on this list have, But this, to me is 550 00:26:38,000 --> 00:26:40,879 Speaker 1: by far the most optimistic I've been about the Knicks 551 00:26:40,920 --> 00:26:42,720 Speaker 1: in the Brunson era. I think they have a real 552 00:26:42,720 --> 00:26:48,720 Speaker 1: shot to win it all. Number four the San Antonio Spurs. 553 00:26:50,640 --> 00:26:53,520 Speaker 1: Their offense is flawed and it's highly susceptible to cold 554 00:26:53,520 --> 00:26:55,240 Speaker 1: spells that have plagued them in the last week and 555 00:26:55,240 --> 00:26:56,800 Speaker 1: that's what keeps them off the top tier from now. 556 00:26:57,200 --> 00:26:59,800 Speaker 1: For you Spurs fans. In our Wednesday show, I did 557 00:26:59,800 --> 00:27:01,639 Speaker 1: a kind of a deep dive into how the Calves 558 00:27:01,640 --> 00:27:03,359 Speaker 1: guarded their guards and some of the stuff that they 559 00:27:03,400 --> 00:27:05,320 Speaker 1: can do to address that and just what it means 560 00:27:05,359 --> 00:27:07,720 Speaker 1: for the future of the Spurs. But this team has 561 00:27:07,720 --> 00:27:09,800 Speaker 1: a huge leg up on all the other second and 562 00:27:09,880 --> 00:27:12,680 Speaker 1: third tier contender teams in the form of the simple 563 00:27:12,720 --> 00:27:15,760 Speaker 1: fact that they have Oklahoma City's number. They're probably the 564 00:27:15,800 --> 00:27:18,240 Speaker 1: only team in the league other than Denver that can 565 00:27:18,320 --> 00:27:20,840 Speaker 1: like confidently look in the mirror and say, we can 566 00:27:20,880 --> 00:27:23,400 Speaker 1: beat these dudes. Denver because they pushed them to seven 567 00:27:23,480 --> 00:27:25,880 Speaker 1: last year were the worst team, and San Antonio because 568 00:27:25,880 --> 00:27:28,840 Speaker 1: they're three to zero against them this season. Everyone else 569 00:27:28,880 --> 00:27:31,639 Speaker 1: it's either theoretical because they don't know, or it's a 570 00:27:31,680 --> 00:27:35,360 Speaker 1: massive long shot. I like the Spurs as a playoff 571 00:27:35,359 --> 00:27:38,120 Speaker 1: team in general because they check some of those classic boxes, 572 00:27:38,200 --> 00:27:40,600 Speaker 1: like they are excellent rim protection team. They can provide 573 00:27:40,640 --> 00:27:45,320 Speaker 1: forty eight minutes of just real barrier between dribble drives 574 00:27:45,320 --> 00:27:47,919 Speaker 1: in the rim. They also have a depth of perimeter 575 00:27:47,960 --> 00:27:49,680 Speaker 1: defenders that can get up into the ball. I've always 576 00:27:49,680 --> 00:27:51,640 Speaker 1: loved that bracket of being able to pressure the ball 577 00:27:51,640 --> 00:27:54,040 Speaker 1: but also being able to protect the rim, and then 578 00:27:54,040 --> 00:27:56,040 Speaker 1: on the offensive end, in addition to Wenby, they have 579 00:27:56,080 --> 00:27:58,399 Speaker 1: a depth of dribble drive creation that can break the 580 00:27:58,440 --> 00:28:00,879 Speaker 1: defense down at the point of attack over and over again, 581 00:28:01,119 --> 00:28:02,879 Speaker 1: a bunch of guys that can beat their man off 582 00:28:02,880 --> 00:28:06,359 Speaker 1: the dribble. For all this talk about their shooting before 583 00:28:06,400 --> 00:28:10,000 Speaker 1: the season, including from people like myself, they've been firmly 584 00:28:10,040 --> 00:28:11,359 Speaker 1: in the middle of the pack as a catch and 585 00:28:11,359 --> 00:28:15,200 Speaker 1: shoot team this year. Now, one of the things we saw, 586 00:28:15,320 --> 00:28:17,960 Speaker 1: especially in the Cleveland game, is that they put bigs 587 00:28:18,000 --> 00:28:20,920 Speaker 1: like bigger forwards on Steph Castle and on Dylan Harper 588 00:28:20,960 --> 00:28:23,880 Speaker 1: and really sagged off and went underneath screens. And there's 589 00:28:23,920 --> 00:28:25,240 Speaker 1: a lot of stuff that they're gonna have to work 590 00:28:25,240 --> 00:28:27,760 Speaker 1: out schematically to try to keep things flowing for them 591 00:28:27,800 --> 00:28:29,640 Speaker 1: on offense when they run into that. I think they're 592 00:28:29,640 --> 00:28:31,919 Speaker 1: even gonna see more exaggerated versions of that, where they 593 00:28:32,000 --> 00:28:34,640 Speaker 1: put centers on Steph Castle things along those lines. There's 594 00:28:34,640 --> 00:28:37,639 Speaker 1: stuff that they're gonna have to figure out. But overall, 595 00:28:37,960 --> 00:28:40,040 Speaker 1: I can't believe after how low I was on this 596 00:28:40,080 --> 00:28:41,680 Speaker 1: team coming into the season and I have them at 597 00:28:41,720 --> 00:28:45,000 Speaker 1: fourth of my contender rankings. They're an awesome basketball team. 598 00:28:45,080 --> 00:28:48,040 Speaker 1: Last note, I can't wait to watch Wemby in his 599 00:28:48,080 --> 00:28:50,240 Speaker 1: first playoff series. I think he's gonna be able to 600 00:28:50,320 --> 00:28:53,000 Speaker 1: ratchet things up defensively in a way that is devastating 601 00:28:53,000 --> 00:28:57,120 Speaker 1: to opposing offenses. It's gonna be fun to watch. Number 602 00:28:57,120 --> 00:29:01,840 Speaker 1: three the Houston Rockets. It's so funny because the talk 603 00:29:01,880 --> 00:29:03,720 Speaker 1: before the season was that they needed a point guard. 604 00:29:03,800 --> 00:29:05,280 Speaker 1: That was in on that idea too, not so much 605 00:29:05,280 --> 00:29:07,280 Speaker 1: that they needed a point guard in the most traditional 606 00:29:07,360 --> 00:29:08,960 Speaker 1: sense of the word, but just that they needed another 607 00:29:09,320 --> 00:29:11,440 Speaker 1: dribble shot creator, a guy that can run, pick and roll, 608 00:29:11,440 --> 00:29:13,440 Speaker 1: a guy that could do what Fred van Vliet did right. 609 00:29:13,920 --> 00:29:15,880 Speaker 1: But I'm completely off that idea now. I don't think 610 00:29:15,920 --> 00:29:17,880 Speaker 1: they need a point guard at all. I think, you know, 611 00:29:17,920 --> 00:29:20,080 Speaker 1: there was a lot of that talk that resurfaced, especially 612 00:29:20,120 --> 00:29:22,040 Speaker 1: after their recent slide a couple weeks ago where they 613 00:29:22,120 --> 00:29:25,080 Speaker 1: dropped a few games. I don't think the Rockets have 614 00:29:25,200 --> 00:29:28,440 Speaker 1: issues on offense breaking the defense down. Kevin Durant and 615 00:29:28,440 --> 00:29:33,000 Speaker 1: Alburn Shangoun are drawing multiple defenders constantly. Ree Sheppard is 616 00:29:33,120 --> 00:29:36,520 Speaker 1: blossomed way sooner than I expected into a tertiary ball handler. 617 00:29:36,520 --> 00:29:38,600 Speaker 1: He's getting one point zero eight points per ball screen 618 00:29:38,640 --> 00:29:41,520 Speaker 1: including passes this year on over two hundred reps. He's 619 00:29:41,640 --> 00:29:44,440 Speaker 1: done great work in ball screens as a shot maker 620 00:29:44,440 --> 00:29:47,160 Speaker 1: and as a playmaker. He's a legit option for them there. 621 00:29:47,760 --> 00:29:49,640 Speaker 1: They just need to figure out how to capitalize on 622 00:29:49,680 --> 00:29:51,320 Speaker 1: the four on threes. Like think of it in a 623 00:29:51,320 --> 00:29:53,040 Speaker 1: real basic way like this, you have a point guard. 624 00:29:53,080 --> 00:29:55,440 Speaker 1: What's a point guard's job to find out where to 625 00:29:55,600 --> 00:29:57,280 Speaker 1: enter the offense. Okay, we want to get the ball 626 00:29:57,320 --> 00:29:59,120 Speaker 1: to KD. Okay, we're gonna throw the ball to KD. 627 00:29:59,160 --> 00:30:00,720 Speaker 1: We're gonna run this set. We're gonna get the ball 628 00:30:00,720 --> 00:30:03,240 Speaker 1: to KD on the block. Well, then the double team comes, 629 00:30:03,280 --> 00:30:05,440 Speaker 1: and when the double team comes, the exact same fucking 630 00:30:05,480 --> 00:30:08,280 Speaker 1: problem happens that we were talking about before the point 631 00:30:08,280 --> 00:30:10,880 Speaker 1: guard enters the equation where Kd's dribbling the ball of 632 00:30:10,960 --> 00:30:13,200 Speaker 1: the floor and he's picking up a double team right away. 633 00:30:13,600 --> 00:30:16,080 Speaker 1: The doubles are the doubles. KD and Shangun are gonna 634 00:30:16,120 --> 00:30:19,240 Speaker 1: draw the doubles. The team needs to figure out how 635 00:30:19,240 --> 00:30:21,840 Speaker 1: to more quickly and efficiently break down those four and 636 00:30:21,960 --> 00:30:26,240 Speaker 1: threes into dunks in wide open threes. It's just about 637 00:30:26,480 --> 00:30:28,720 Speaker 1: like to me, like instead of getting a point guard, 638 00:30:28,760 --> 00:30:30,920 Speaker 1: they just need that fifth guy, the guy who can 639 00:30:30,960 --> 00:30:34,400 Speaker 1: go next to kd Jabari, Shangun and Thompson and be 640 00:30:34,480 --> 00:30:36,760 Speaker 1: the combination of defense and shot making that they need, 641 00:30:36,760 --> 00:30:38,480 Speaker 1: and I think they found it. I think Tari Easton 642 00:30:38,520 --> 00:30:40,480 Speaker 1: could be a good option there. I still think Dorian 643 00:30:40,520 --> 00:30:42,600 Speaker 1: Finney Smith, as he continues to get his legs underneath them, 644 00:30:42,640 --> 00:30:44,760 Speaker 1: will be an option for them there. I think that 645 00:30:44,880 --> 00:30:48,200 Speaker 1: sort of wing do everything wing is more important as 646 00:30:48,200 --> 00:30:50,239 Speaker 1: a fifth guy in that lineup than bringing like, you know, 647 00:30:50,920 --> 00:30:54,120 Speaker 1: the a vintage like get everyone to their spots kind 648 00:30:54,160 --> 00:30:56,640 Speaker 1: of point guard. I think the entire purpose of offense 649 00:30:56,720 --> 00:30:58,880 Speaker 1: is to break the defense down and to get quality shots. 650 00:30:58,960 --> 00:31:00,720 Speaker 1: The Rockets can do that have to stop turning the 651 00:31:00,760 --> 00:31:04,400 Speaker 1: ball over and like, frankly, the large sample data on 652 00:31:04,400 --> 00:31:07,400 Speaker 1: their offense is absurd. Their offense is awesome. They It's 653 00:31:07,400 --> 00:31:09,560 Speaker 1: like when you look at their clutch games that they've lost, 654 00:31:09,560 --> 00:31:11,680 Speaker 1: it actually has been their defense that's been a problem. 655 00:31:11,760 --> 00:31:14,920 Speaker 1: And in many cases it's because you know, they emy 656 00:31:15,000 --> 00:31:16,840 Speaker 1: Udoka went with the Steven Adams or he went with 657 00:31:16,880 --> 00:31:19,840 Speaker 1: the Reed Shepherd, and I think now settling in on 658 00:31:19,920 --> 00:31:21,560 Speaker 1: Tari Eastan is that fifth guy is gonna kind of 659 00:31:21,560 --> 00:31:23,400 Speaker 1: settle down some of their late game stuff, and they're 660 00:31:23,400 --> 00:31:25,480 Speaker 1: gonna need reps, like they're gonna need a lot of 661 00:31:25,560 --> 00:31:28,560 Speaker 1: reps between now and the end of the season to 662 00:31:28,640 --> 00:31:32,600 Speaker 1: get better at capitalizing on those four on threes. You know, 663 00:31:32,680 --> 00:31:34,720 Speaker 1: it's been interesting as I look back zooming out, like 664 00:31:35,720 --> 00:31:38,320 Speaker 1: they're not as good defensively as we thought they'd be, 665 00:31:38,400 --> 00:31:39,920 Speaker 1: in large part because they play a lot of these 666 00:31:39,920 --> 00:31:42,120 Speaker 1: bigger bodies that are pretty slow footed, so they can 667 00:31:42,120 --> 00:31:44,880 Speaker 1: be a little susceptible to speed. They're not as good 668 00:31:44,920 --> 00:31:47,440 Speaker 1: defensive rebounding as you would expect for that exact same reason. 669 00:31:47,520 --> 00:31:50,720 Speaker 1: Long rebounds quicker bodies can get to them. But they're 670 00:31:50,760 --> 00:31:53,640 Speaker 1: still pretty good on defense. They're still pretty solid as 671 00:31:53,640 --> 00:31:56,600 Speaker 1: a defensive rebounding team. They're the best overall rebounding team 672 00:31:56,600 --> 00:31:59,240 Speaker 1: in the mile because they like they're just this transcendently 673 00:31:59,240 --> 00:32:02,160 Speaker 1: great offensive abounding team, and they's so much better on 674 00:32:02,200 --> 00:32:04,200 Speaker 1: offense than any of us thought they could be thanks 675 00:32:04,240 --> 00:32:07,560 Speaker 1: to the fact that Kevin rant Alpurnshangun are breaking the 676 00:32:07,600 --> 00:32:10,280 Speaker 1: defense over and over again bringing that second defender, and 677 00:32:10,320 --> 00:32:12,560 Speaker 1: then they've had a lot of improved spot up shooting 678 00:32:12,600 --> 00:32:19,440 Speaker 1: down the roster. Number two Denver Nuggets soon to be 679 00:32:19,480 --> 00:32:21,800 Speaker 1: playing team Denver Nuggets as a result of the first 680 00:32:21,880 --> 00:32:26,040 Speaker 1: significant injury in Nikole Jokic's career. I still remain super 681 00:32:26,120 --> 00:32:27,960 Speaker 1: high on this team and I view them as the 682 00:32:27,960 --> 00:32:32,240 Speaker 1: biggest threat to win the title behind Oklahoma City. Everything 683 00:32:32,280 --> 00:32:34,120 Speaker 1: I expected about this team this summer ended up coming 684 00:32:34,160 --> 00:32:36,720 Speaker 1: to fruition. Like Nikole Jokich is still the best player 685 00:32:36,720 --> 00:32:40,200 Speaker 1: in the world by a clearly discernible margin. Jamal Murray 686 00:32:40,320 --> 00:32:42,760 Speaker 1: was motivated by the roster moves and some of his 687 00:32:43,200 --> 00:32:46,000 Speaker 1: shortcomings in the last couple seasons to show up the 688 00:32:46,040 --> 00:32:48,640 Speaker 1: training camp in shape. He's about to make his first 689 00:32:48,640 --> 00:32:51,920 Speaker 1: All Star team. He's been incredible. Aaron Gordon looked a 690 00:32:51,960 --> 00:32:54,120 Speaker 1: fantastic before he got hurt. I talked about how the 691 00:32:54,160 --> 00:32:56,080 Speaker 1: depth would make them more able to succeed when Yokic 692 00:32:56,200 --> 00:32:58,480 Speaker 1: is off the floor. That was clearly bearing out in 693 00:32:58,520 --> 00:33:01,880 Speaker 1: the numbers before all these injuries hit. And Cam Johnson 694 00:33:01,920 --> 00:33:04,840 Speaker 1: improved their overall foot speed on defense in their best lineups, 695 00:33:04,840 --> 00:33:06,880 Speaker 1: and he was really starting to click on offense before 696 00:33:06,880 --> 00:33:09,960 Speaker 1: his injury. I get that it's a pessimistic time to 697 00:33:10,000 --> 00:33:12,760 Speaker 1: be a Nugget fan. You have four starters down with 698 00:33:12,920 --> 00:33:16,640 Speaker 1: substantial lower body injuries. That's brutal. The next month of 699 00:33:16,720 --> 00:33:20,520 Speaker 1: Nuggets basketball is going to behore to watch. But none 700 00:33:20,560 --> 00:33:23,760 Speaker 1: of these injuries are season threatening. Guys are gonna come back, 701 00:33:24,320 --> 00:33:27,840 Speaker 1: and when they are healthy, they have the best combination 702 00:33:28,000 --> 00:33:33,480 Speaker 1: of top end firepower, depth of talent, experience, continuity, and 703 00:33:33,560 --> 00:33:37,400 Speaker 1: real matchup advantages that they need to beat anybody in 704 00:33:37,440 --> 00:33:39,760 Speaker 1: the West. I still think they have a fantastic chance 705 00:33:39,800 --> 00:33:41,840 Speaker 1: to win the title this year. They just need to 706 00:33:41,880 --> 00:33:43,920 Speaker 1: make sure that they're healthy when they get to early April. 707 00:33:45,360 --> 00:33:48,920 Speaker 1: Number one the Oklahoma City Thunder. I was tempted a 708 00:33:48,960 --> 00:33:50,520 Speaker 1: few weeks ago to put them in a tier by 709 00:33:50,560 --> 00:33:52,719 Speaker 1: themselves at the top of the league, but then they 710 00:33:52,800 --> 00:33:55,240 Speaker 1: dropped four out of their six games in that stretched 711 00:33:55,240 --> 00:33:57,680 Speaker 1: against Minnesota and Oklahoma City, and a lot of their 712 00:33:57,680 --> 00:33:59,600 Speaker 1: issues from the pass rows to the surface like they 713 00:33:59,600 --> 00:34:03,280 Speaker 1: can still get out rebounded, generally kind of overwhelmed by 714 00:34:03,280 --> 00:34:06,280 Speaker 1: teams that have a lot of perimeter size. They can 715 00:34:06,320 --> 00:34:09,120 Speaker 1: still get shaky with their catch and shoot shooting, especially 716 00:34:09,120 --> 00:34:11,719 Speaker 1: when they play athletic teams that can throw good closeouts 717 00:34:11,719 --> 00:34:15,200 Speaker 1: they're shooting plummets when they face closeouts, and then after 718 00:34:15,239 --> 00:34:18,720 Speaker 1: Shake Gildes Alexander, their ball handling gets just a little shaky. 719 00:34:19,200 --> 00:34:21,040 Speaker 1: Compared to some of the other top teams, I think 720 00:34:21,040 --> 00:34:23,919 Speaker 1: AJ Mitchell and J dub are really good and better 721 00:34:23,960 --> 00:34:25,960 Speaker 1: options than most teams in the league. But there are 722 00:34:26,000 --> 00:34:28,080 Speaker 1: some other teams towards the top of this list that 723 00:34:28,120 --> 00:34:31,440 Speaker 1: have some better secondary options than what Oklahoma City has 724 00:34:31,520 --> 00:34:33,279 Speaker 1: right now. Who knows, maybe J Doub will play better 725 00:34:33,280 --> 00:34:34,680 Speaker 1: over the course of the season, but it's just based 726 00:34:34,719 --> 00:34:37,880 Speaker 1: on what we've seen so far. That said, I still 727 00:34:37,920 --> 00:34:41,319 Speaker 1: have seen plenty this year this year in terms of 728 00:34:41,360 --> 00:34:44,240 Speaker 1: improvement with guys like Shay who's gone up a level 729 00:34:44,280 --> 00:34:46,680 Speaker 1: across the board in a lot of ways, with Chet 730 00:34:46,719 --> 00:34:48,640 Speaker 1: who's gone up a level across the board in a 731 00:34:48,640 --> 00:34:51,280 Speaker 1: lot of ways. The overall jump shooting of the team. 732 00:34:51,360 --> 00:34:54,160 Speaker 1: You know, in a large sample they've actually been shooting plenty. Well, 733 00:34:54,200 --> 00:34:57,160 Speaker 1: it's just been again these specific matchups and these specific 734 00:34:57,200 --> 00:34:59,879 Speaker 1: types of shots that they've been missing. I still think 735 00:34:59,880 --> 00:35:01,880 Speaker 1: that that makes them a clear favorite to win the 736 00:35:01,920 --> 00:35:05,680 Speaker 1: title this season. The Timberwolves in the Thunder demonstrated that 737 00:35:05,680 --> 00:35:08,480 Speaker 1: they're not some sort of unbeatable juggernaut or anything like that. 738 00:35:08,560 --> 00:35:10,960 Speaker 1: But they are the best team in the NBA, and 739 00:35:11,000 --> 00:35:14,040 Speaker 1: I do think they have the most complete team to 740 00:35:14,120 --> 00:35:17,680 Speaker 1: survive four playoff rounds in hoist the trophy this year. 741 00:35:18,440 --> 00:35:20,080 Speaker 1: All right, guys, that's all I have for today is 742 00:35:20,080 --> 00:35:22,520 Speaker 1: always a sincerely appreciate you guys for supporting us and 743 00:35:22,560 --> 00:35:25,160 Speaker 1: supporting the show. We'll be back on Monday for our 744 00:35:25,280 --> 00:35:27,720 Speaker 1: usual Power Rankings episode. I hope everybody had a happy 745 00:35:27,760 --> 00:35:35,960 Speaker 1: New Year and I'll see you guys on Monday.