1 00:00:01,280 --> 00:00:17,240 Speaker 1: The volume. All right, oldwin hoops and I here at 2 00:00:17,239 --> 00:00:19,279 Speaker 1: the valume. Happy Monday, everybody. Oh, both of you guys 3 00:00:19,320 --> 00:00:22,440 Speaker 1: had a great weekend. We are finally turning our attention 4 00:00:22,800 --> 00:00:28,040 Speaker 1: towards the twenty twenty five twenty twenty six NBA season. 5 00:00:28,080 --> 00:00:30,000 Speaker 1: We had a lot of fun this summer. We looked 6 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:33,440 Speaker 1: into the past, we ranked players, we argued, we debated, 7 00:00:33,479 --> 00:00:35,879 Speaker 1: we had a lot of fun. But I'm very excited 8 00:00:36,040 --> 00:00:38,280 Speaker 1: that we were finally turning our attention to this next season. 9 00:00:38,600 --> 00:00:41,400 Speaker 1: There's just so much interesting basketball to get into. I 10 00:00:41,440 --> 00:00:44,000 Speaker 1: have so much that I'm excited to see with all 11 00:00:44,040 --> 00:00:47,280 Speaker 1: of these teams. We're gonna be changing our format this year. 12 00:00:47,400 --> 00:00:51,239 Speaker 1: In years past, we've done our season previews as a 13 00:00:51,400 --> 00:00:54,840 Speaker 1: power rankings, like ranking the teams, and we typically only 14 00:00:54,880 --> 00:00:57,920 Speaker 1: covered the top fifteen teams in the league. This year, 15 00:00:57,920 --> 00:01:00,760 Speaker 1: we're gonna do it very differently. We're going to cover 16 00:01:00,800 --> 00:01:03,560 Speaker 1: it by division, and we're actually going to hit on 17 00:01:03,600 --> 00:01:05,440 Speaker 1: all thirty teams. Now, We're not going to hit on 18 00:01:05,480 --> 00:01:07,039 Speaker 1: some of the teams towards the bottom of the league 19 00:01:07,040 --> 00:01:09,679 Speaker 1: in as much detail for timesake, but we are going 20 00:01:09,760 --> 00:01:11,640 Speaker 1: to touch on all thirty teams over the course of 21 00:01:11,760 --> 00:01:15,480 Speaker 1: six videos covering all six divisions in the NBA, and 22 00:01:15,480 --> 00:01:18,440 Speaker 1: then in the final week after we get through these 23 00:01:18,440 --> 00:01:21,280 Speaker 1: two weeks of season previews, in that last week before 24 00:01:21,319 --> 00:01:23,480 Speaker 1: the start of the season, then we'll go into some 25 00:01:23,480 --> 00:01:28,919 Speaker 1: of the bigger details like ranking championship contenders, talking about awards. 26 00:01:29,080 --> 00:01:31,440 Speaker 1: We'll do a mail bag that week, that sort of thing. 27 00:01:31,760 --> 00:01:34,120 Speaker 1: But you guys can count on Monday, Wednesday Friday this 28 00:01:34,200 --> 00:01:38,399 Speaker 1: week and Monday, Wednesday Friday next week the full division 29 00:01:38,480 --> 00:01:42,479 Speaker 1: season previews. Today we're doing the Pacific Division out West, 30 00:01:43,080 --> 00:01:46,440 Speaker 1: then on Wednesday we'll be covering the Atlantic Division out East, 31 00:01:46,840 --> 00:01:50,240 Speaker 1: and after that back to the Northwest Division. Those are 32 00:01:50,240 --> 00:01:51,800 Speaker 1: our three divisions this week. You guys have the joke 33 00:01:51,800 --> 00:01:53,600 Speaker 1: before we get started, subscribe to Hoops and Not YouTube 34 00:01:53,640 --> 00:01:55,120 Speaker 1: channel so you don't miss any more of our videos. 35 00:01:55,440 --> 00:01:57,560 Speaker 1: Follow me on Twitter at Underscore JCNLT so you guys 36 00:01:57,560 --> 00:02:00,240 Speaker 1: don't miss show announcements. Don't forget about a podcast wherever 37 00:02:00,240 --> 00:02:02,240 Speaker 1: you get your podcast under Hoops Tonight, it's always super 38 00:02:02,280 --> 00:02:04,920 Speaker 1: helpful if we leave a rating and a review on 39 00:02:04,920 --> 00:02:07,680 Speaker 1: that front. Jackson's doing incredible work on our social media 40 00:02:07,720 --> 00:02:10,040 Speaker 1: feeds on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok make sure you 41 00:02:10,040 --> 00:02:13,000 Speaker 1: guys follow us over there. And then, last but not least, 42 00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:15,400 Speaker 1: if you want to keep getting mailbag questions into our mailbags, 43 00:02:15,480 --> 00:02:18,160 Speaker 1: we'll have a mailbag, like I said, the week after next, 44 00:02:18,400 --> 00:02:20,240 Speaker 1: and then obviously it'll be a part of our regular 45 00:02:20,280 --> 00:02:22,600 Speaker 1: coverage throughout the season. Just make sure you drop those 46 00:02:22,680 --> 00:02:25,880 Speaker 1: questions in the full episodes in the YouTube comments, put 47 00:02:25,960 --> 00:02:27,720 Speaker 1: mailbag and a colon and so I can find it 48 00:02:27,760 --> 00:02:29,520 Speaker 1: in the mix, and we'll get to those in our 49 00:02:29,520 --> 00:02:31,880 Speaker 1: next mail bag here in a couple of weeks. All right, 50 00:02:31,960 --> 00:02:33,679 Speaker 1: let's talk some basketball. So the first team out in 51 00:02:33,720 --> 00:02:37,480 Speaker 1: the Pacific Division that we're covering today the Los Angeles Lakers, 52 00:02:37,560 --> 00:02:40,440 Speaker 1: the team in the NBA that I currently root for. 53 00:02:40,480 --> 00:02:44,079 Speaker 1: A quick little offseason recap. They lost Dorian Finney Smith 54 00:02:44,440 --> 00:02:47,720 Speaker 1: Jordan Goodwin, who I really liked and Phoenix fans will 55 00:02:47,760 --> 00:02:50,120 Speaker 1: remember and they will be enjoying watching this year as 56 00:02:50,120 --> 00:02:55,000 Speaker 1: well as Shake Milton. They added DeAndre Ayton, Jake Larevia, 57 00:02:55,040 --> 00:02:56,400 Speaker 1: who I like, you can shoot the ball and do 58 00:02:56,440 --> 00:02:58,480 Speaker 1: some stuff off the bounce, a decent athlete. I think 59 00:02:58,520 --> 00:03:01,480 Speaker 1: you can play well off of Luca. And then Marcus Smart, 60 00:03:01,520 --> 00:03:04,440 Speaker 1: a player who has dealt with significant injury concerns over 61 00:03:04,440 --> 00:03:07,360 Speaker 1: the last couple of years. Easily the biggest piece of 62 00:03:07,400 --> 00:03:10,880 Speaker 1: news from this summer for Lakers fans is the transformation 63 00:03:10,960 --> 00:03:14,480 Speaker 1: of Luka Doncic. And like, I can't put this any 64 00:03:15,120 --> 00:03:18,240 Speaker 1: more clearly because I know I got into a lot 65 00:03:18,240 --> 00:03:21,800 Speaker 1: of arguments with people surrounding player rankings, but the player 66 00:03:21,880 --> 00:03:25,560 Speaker 1: from last year is not the player that Luka Doncic 67 00:03:25,760 --> 00:03:28,560 Speaker 1: was in his entire career leading up to that, and 68 00:03:28,600 --> 00:03:31,080 Speaker 1: it is not the player I expect to see this season. 69 00:03:31,360 --> 00:03:35,880 Speaker 1: To put it very simply, Luka declined in several key 70 00:03:35,960 --> 00:03:39,560 Speaker 1: areas last year as a byproduct of his poor conditioning. 71 00:03:40,920 --> 00:03:45,120 Speaker 1: He had another brutal defensive showing against Minnesota. He appeared 72 00:03:45,160 --> 00:03:47,560 Speaker 1: to suffer several drop offs on offense. Just to give 73 00:03:47,600 --> 00:03:51,280 Speaker 1: you guys some ideas, he shot thirty eight percent on 74 00:03:51,400 --> 00:03:54,840 Speaker 1: pull up two's last year with the Lakers. He was 75 00:03:55,080 --> 00:03:58,840 Speaker 1: forty seven percent the year prior in Dallas. He shot 76 00:03:59,000 --> 00:04:04,480 Speaker 1: thirty six percent on floaters with the Lakers, fifty four 77 00:04:04,600 --> 00:04:08,440 Speaker 1: percent the previous year with Dallas. He shot sixty five 78 00:04:08,520 --> 00:04:10,920 Speaker 1: percent at the rim with the Lakers, which is good, 79 00:04:11,720 --> 00:04:15,320 Speaker 1: but Luca the year prior in Dallas shot seventy one 80 00:04:15,400 --> 00:04:19,800 Speaker 1: percent at the rim. So, in other words, Luca was 81 00:04:19,839 --> 00:04:23,719 Speaker 1: a shell of himself last year. Easily, the biggest piece 82 00:04:23,760 --> 00:04:28,240 Speaker 1: of information and optimism for Lakers fans should be Luca's back. 83 00:04:28,560 --> 00:04:32,640 Speaker 1: He looks fantastic at EuroBasket, he looked thinner but still strong. 84 00:04:33,000 --> 00:04:36,479 Speaker 1: He looked quicker and more explosive, and his percentages in 85 00:04:36,480 --> 00:04:39,880 Speaker 1: those key areas that I just listed they skyrocketed back 86 00:04:40,120 --> 00:04:42,839 Speaker 1: to where they were, even above where they were his 87 00:04:42,920 --> 00:04:45,839 Speaker 1: last year in Dallas, albeit in a seven game sample size, 88 00:04:45,839 --> 00:04:49,960 Speaker 1: but an encouraging sign nonetheless. So for instance, in EuroBasket No. 89 00:04:50,080 --> 00:04:54,480 Speaker 1: Seven games, fifty four percent on pull up twos, matching 90 00:04:54,800 --> 00:04:57,680 Speaker 1: his previous year in Dallas, fifteen for twenty eight from 91 00:04:57,720 --> 00:05:00,839 Speaker 1: the field, sixty seven percent on flow os, albeit small 92 00:05:00,880 --> 00:05:03,800 Speaker 1: sample four for six, and seventy three percent at the rim, 93 00:05:03,880 --> 00:05:06,799 Speaker 1: so more like what we would expect to see from Luca. 94 00:05:06,800 --> 00:05:10,960 Speaker 1: I think that's an encouraging sign. The Lakers getting not 95 00:05:11,080 --> 00:05:14,080 Speaker 1: just a better version of Luca, but perhaps the best 96 00:05:14,160 --> 00:05:17,280 Speaker 1: version of Luca we've seen to this point, would essentially 97 00:05:17,320 --> 00:05:20,600 Speaker 1: amount to a massive influx of talent for this team. 98 00:05:20,640 --> 00:05:23,120 Speaker 1: The Luca that was leading the Lakers last year was 99 00:05:23,200 --> 00:05:26,000 Speaker 1: not a top tier superstar. He was a second tier superstar. 100 00:05:26,400 --> 00:05:28,479 Speaker 1: The Luca that we can expect this year, if he 101 00:05:28,520 --> 00:05:31,800 Speaker 1: stays healthy, is a top tier superstar, in my opinion, 102 00:05:32,040 --> 00:05:35,400 Speaker 1: the second best player in the league. I've also long 103 00:05:35,520 --> 00:05:39,960 Speaker 1: viewed Luca as a smart defender. He has his physical limitations, 104 00:05:40,240 --> 00:05:42,599 Speaker 1: but he's usually in the right spot, and in that 105 00:05:42,720 --> 00:05:44,960 Speaker 1: last year in Dallas, in that playoff run, he was 106 00:05:45,120 --> 00:05:48,800 Speaker 1: very good off the ball. It was the on ball 107 00:05:48,839 --> 00:05:52,600 Speaker 1: stuff against Boston that was a problem. And then obviously 108 00:05:52,760 --> 00:05:56,839 Speaker 1: overweight Luca was a disaster against Minnesota. So if Luca 109 00:05:57,080 --> 00:06:01,719 Speaker 1: in peak shape can be a more zillient on ball defender, 110 00:06:02,279 --> 00:06:05,400 Speaker 1: that would also go go a long way towards helping 111 00:06:05,440 --> 00:06:08,480 Speaker 1: him avoid those pitfalls. I talked about this concept when 112 00:06:08,480 --> 00:06:11,039 Speaker 1: we were talking about Luca's conditioning a few weeks back. 113 00:06:11,080 --> 00:06:14,279 Speaker 1: But it's about the idea of flattening out drives. So, 114 00:06:14,360 --> 00:06:16,400 Speaker 1: for instance, we know Luca's gonna be fine off the ball. 115 00:06:16,440 --> 00:06:18,760 Speaker 1: He's a great defensive rebounder. He can cover ground and 116 00:06:18,839 --> 00:06:21,719 Speaker 1: be in the right spot in helpside rotations right, But 117 00:06:21,800 --> 00:06:25,840 Speaker 1: in terms of containing the basketball, it's just about flattening 118 00:06:25,839 --> 00:06:30,520 Speaker 1: out drives. If you give up clean, straight line dribble penetration, 119 00:06:30,760 --> 00:06:33,360 Speaker 1: it is very difficult to cover for with your back 120 00:06:33,400 --> 00:06:36,880 Speaker 1: four defenders. But if you can flatten the drive, meaning 121 00:06:37,040 --> 00:06:39,520 Speaker 1: instead of going straight at the rim having to go 122 00:06:39,640 --> 00:06:43,039 Speaker 1: around you because you're beating him to a spot and 123 00:06:43,160 --> 00:06:46,320 Speaker 1: forcing him to take a weird angle to get around you. 124 00:06:46,600 --> 00:06:49,080 Speaker 1: If you do that, you can plan for it and 125 00:06:49,120 --> 00:06:52,440 Speaker 1: you have a chance to succeed defensively. So that's going 126 00:06:52,480 --> 00:06:54,159 Speaker 1: to be a big part of it for him with 127 00:06:54,240 --> 00:06:58,160 Speaker 1: his improved conditioning. Doesn't need to be Davion Mitchell. There 128 00:06:58,160 --> 00:07:01,360 Speaker 1: are lots of limited offensive players that have found roles 129 00:07:01,360 --> 00:07:04,560 Speaker 1: on championship teams or limited defensive players, I should say, 130 00:07:04,720 --> 00:07:07,080 Speaker 1: But in order for him to do that, he's got 131 00:07:07,120 --> 00:07:08,719 Speaker 1: to be able to flatten now drives when he defense 132 00:07:08,760 --> 00:07:11,560 Speaker 1: and switches, especially since jj Reddick in all likelihood is 133 00:07:11,560 --> 00:07:12,960 Speaker 1: going to lean on a lot more switching like he 134 00:07:13,080 --> 00:07:18,120 Speaker 1: usually does. I'm very excited to watch this rejuvenated version 135 00:07:18,120 --> 00:07:19,920 Speaker 1: of Luca. I think he's the only player in the 136 00:07:20,000 --> 00:07:22,680 Speaker 1: league that has the potential to close the gap when 137 00:07:22,760 --> 00:07:25,440 Speaker 1: nikol Jokic in the short term. There's obviously some guys 138 00:07:25,440 --> 00:07:27,600 Speaker 1: in the long term who could potentially do it, But 139 00:07:27,680 --> 00:07:29,680 Speaker 1: in the short term like this season. I think he's 140 00:07:29,720 --> 00:07:32,400 Speaker 1: the one guy who has the potential to really get 141 00:07:32,440 --> 00:07:34,840 Speaker 1: close to where Nikol Jokich is because he's the only 142 00:07:34,920 --> 00:07:38,000 Speaker 1: other player in the league who can be an APEX 143 00:07:38,040 --> 00:07:41,640 Speaker 1: scorer and an APEX playmaker. He's the only other guy 144 00:07:41,680 --> 00:07:43,280 Speaker 1: other than Jokic, and that's why I had him at 145 00:07:43,360 --> 00:07:45,800 Speaker 1: number two in my player rankings for the second year 146 00:07:45,840 --> 00:07:49,120 Speaker 1: in a row. The second exciting piece of news for 147 00:07:49,200 --> 00:07:53,120 Speaker 1: Lakers fans is the DeAndre Ayton signing. I've never been 148 00:07:53,160 --> 00:07:54,880 Speaker 1: a big DeAndre Ayton fan, and that even goes back 149 00:07:54,880 --> 00:07:56,640 Speaker 1: to his days with the arizon A Wildcats. Remember I'm 150 00:07:56,640 --> 00:08:01,040 Speaker 1: from Tucson. His inconsistent motor and his personsonality just drive 151 00:08:01,120 --> 00:08:05,400 Speaker 1: me crazy. But in theory, this is the ideal circumstance 152 00:08:05,440 --> 00:08:08,680 Speaker 1: for him to have a career year. For starters, he's 153 00:08:08,720 --> 00:08:12,120 Speaker 1: the perfect pick and roll partner for Luka Doncic. He's 154 00:08:12,120 --> 00:08:14,680 Speaker 1: a very good vertical spacer with good hands who can 155 00:08:14,720 --> 00:08:17,240 Speaker 1: finish very well on the role in a variety of ways. 156 00:08:17,560 --> 00:08:19,960 Speaker 1: He shot fifty eight percent from the field on rolls 157 00:08:20,040 --> 00:08:22,560 Speaker 1: last year. He only took four pick and pop threes, 158 00:08:22,600 --> 00:08:23,920 Speaker 1: but he made three of them. It was like the 159 00:08:23,920 --> 00:08:27,200 Speaker 1: only place he shot well from three. He shot seventy 160 00:08:27,240 --> 00:08:30,720 Speaker 1: four percent at the rim overall, and he had seventy 161 00:08:30,760 --> 00:08:33,880 Speaker 1: one dunks. He can finish lobs, he can shoot layups 162 00:08:33,880 --> 00:08:36,480 Speaker 1: better than most bigs, and he's a very good short 163 00:08:36,559 --> 00:08:39,200 Speaker 1: role scorer because he has a deadly mid range jump shot. 164 00:08:39,200 --> 00:08:41,480 Speaker 1: He took seventy four mid range jump shots last year 165 00:08:41,600 --> 00:08:44,000 Speaker 1: in made fifty five point four percent of him. That's 166 00:08:44,040 --> 00:08:46,560 Speaker 1: one point one to one points per shot, which is 167 00:08:46,720 --> 00:08:50,079 Speaker 1: very efficient. He's also a good short range score. He 168 00:08:50,160 --> 00:08:53,560 Speaker 1: was fifty four percent on floaters in hooks last year 169 00:08:53,960 --> 00:08:56,480 Speaker 1: ninety five attempts. So I think he's a very high 170 00:08:56,600 --> 00:08:58,640 Speaker 1: level role man that's going to unlock a lot of 171 00:08:58,679 --> 00:09:01,360 Speaker 1: things in a pick and roll partnership with Luca. Now, 172 00:09:01,640 --> 00:09:03,800 Speaker 1: the two things to keep an eye on with eight 173 00:09:03,880 --> 00:09:06,240 Speaker 1: and on offense when he's on the floor are one 174 00:09:06,320 --> 00:09:10,040 Speaker 1: his playmaking and two his screening. So with his playmaking 175 00:09:10,120 --> 00:09:13,160 Speaker 1: for his career, he has more turnovers than assists. So 176 00:09:13,200 --> 00:09:15,480 Speaker 1: when he catches on the short roll, let's say Luca 177 00:09:15,679 --> 00:09:18,760 Speaker 1: ball screen with aighton big shows up high or blitzes, 178 00:09:19,280 --> 00:09:21,560 Speaker 1: Luca drops it over the top eight and catches around 179 00:09:21,559 --> 00:09:24,840 Speaker 1: the foul line and he turns and faces and the 180 00:09:24,840 --> 00:09:27,839 Speaker 1: defense rotates to him. Will he be able to make 181 00:09:27,880 --> 00:09:29,559 Speaker 1: the passing or reads out of that. That's going to 182 00:09:29,600 --> 00:09:31,200 Speaker 1: be a big swing factor for the Lakers. And then 183 00:09:31,200 --> 00:09:34,240 Speaker 1: the second piece of screening. He doesn't make as much 184 00:09:34,320 --> 00:09:37,360 Speaker 1: contact on his screens as he probably should. But I'm 185 00:09:37,400 --> 00:09:40,120 Speaker 1: more worried about this with Lebron and Austin guys who 186 00:09:40,240 --> 00:09:43,079 Speaker 1: kind of struggle to beat guys off the dribble, because 187 00:09:43,160 --> 00:09:46,040 Speaker 1: Luca has an insane gift for getting past his man 188 00:09:46,160 --> 00:09:48,679 Speaker 1: even without screen. So I think eight and if he 189 00:09:48,720 --> 00:09:51,160 Speaker 1: can stay healthy, him and Luca will be one of 190 00:09:51,200 --> 00:09:53,200 Speaker 1: the most deadly pick and roll partnerships in the league, 191 00:09:53,200 --> 00:09:57,160 Speaker 1: if not the most deadly. I am not very optimistic 192 00:09:57,240 --> 00:10:01,040 Speaker 1: about DeAndre Ayton's defense. The wretches in his career where 193 00:10:01,040 --> 00:10:03,199 Speaker 1: he's been solid and pick and roll, and he had 194 00:10:03,240 --> 00:10:07,080 Speaker 1: some admirable possessions in the twenty twenty one finals against Giannis, 195 00:10:07,080 --> 00:10:09,720 Speaker 1: although ultimately he lost that battle. But he's been a 196 00:10:09,760 --> 00:10:12,040 Speaker 1: lot more bad than good in his career on that 197 00:10:12,160 --> 00:10:13,920 Speaker 1: end of the floor, and last year he was really bad. 198 00:10:13,960 --> 00:10:16,040 Speaker 1: When I was watching all the film earlier this summer 199 00:10:16,080 --> 00:10:19,200 Speaker 1: when they signed him Portland mainly had him sit way 200 00:10:19,320 --> 00:10:22,160 Speaker 1: back in like a comically deep drop coverage way back 201 00:10:22,200 --> 00:10:25,000 Speaker 1: in the paint. JJ is almost certainly going to ask 202 00:10:25,040 --> 00:10:26,560 Speaker 1: him to be a lot more active and a lot 203 00:10:26,600 --> 00:10:28,920 Speaker 1: more mobile in his ball screen coverages, and probably to 204 00:10:28,920 --> 00:10:32,840 Speaker 1: do more switching. Right. On the one hand, it won't 205 00:10:32,880 --> 00:10:35,000 Speaker 1: be hard for him to be better than Jackson Hayes was, 206 00:10:35,240 --> 00:10:38,760 Speaker 1: so he's certainly an upgrade, but I'm not expecting Deandretan 207 00:10:38,840 --> 00:10:41,640 Speaker 1: to anchor an elite defense or anything along those lines. 208 00:10:41,920 --> 00:10:44,240 Speaker 1: He will definitely help with rebounding, though, and I actually 209 00:10:44,240 --> 00:10:46,839 Speaker 1: think the combination of Luka Doncic with Lebron and Deandreten 210 00:10:46,920 --> 00:10:51,360 Speaker 1: makes for a formidable defensive rebounding group. My biggest worry 211 00:10:51,440 --> 00:10:54,679 Speaker 1: with Ayton is just his health and his overall focus. 212 00:10:54,800 --> 00:10:57,000 Speaker 1: He's failed to play in sixty games and three the 213 00:10:57,080 --> 00:11:00,000 Speaker 1: last four years. He played in just ninety five games 214 00:11:00,160 --> 00:11:03,560 Speaker 1: total in the last two seasons combined, and he's gonna 215 00:11:03,559 --> 00:11:05,760 Speaker 1: be on a team with several APEX competitors. Guys are 216 00:11:05,800 --> 00:11:07,400 Speaker 1: going to be chirping at him and being on his 217 00:11:07,480 --> 00:11:10,240 Speaker 1: ass every day about his focus. I'm just curious to 218 00:11:10,240 --> 00:11:13,400 Speaker 1: see how he handles that mentally. But the reason why 219 00:11:13,480 --> 00:11:16,160 Speaker 1: I think it's set up well for eight and to 220 00:11:16,200 --> 00:11:18,640 Speaker 1: have a career year is the fact that he's in 221 00:11:18,640 --> 00:11:22,520 Speaker 1: a contract year and an especially pivotal one. We know 222 00:11:22,640 --> 00:11:26,280 Speaker 1: that DeAndre Ayton is very money motivated. He's basically straight 223 00:11:26,360 --> 00:11:28,720 Speaker 1: up come out and told us that at several points 224 00:11:28,720 --> 00:11:33,080 Speaker 1: in his career. This season is the biggest turning point 225 00:11:33,120 --> 00:11:37,400 Speaker 1: of his career financially. If he struggles or if he 226 00:11:37,440 --> 00:11:40,920 Speaker 1: can't stay healthy, he'll probably be stuck on exceptions for 227 00:11:40,920 --> 00:11:43,480 Speaker 1: the rest of his career mid level exceptions, bi annual exceptions, 228 00:11:43,600 --> 00:11:47,640 Speaker 1: veteran minimum exceptions. If he goes out and kicks ass, 229 00:11:48,679 --> 00:11:50,520 Speaker 1: he could sign a four year, one hundred million dollar 230 00:11:50,600 --> 00:11:54,160 Speaker 1: deal this summer, potentially even higher depending on how much 231 00:11:54,240 --> 00:11:57,680 Speaker 1: ass he kicks right, So I think in the range 232 00:11:57,720 --> 00:12:00,959 Speaker 1: of possible outcomes, as long as his body holds up, 233 00:12:01,440 --> 00:12:03,960 Speaker 1: the Lakers should get the best possible version of Ayton 234 00:12:03,960 --> 00:12:05,920 Speaker 1: because Ayton wants money and he needs to be good 235 00:12:05,920 --> 00:12:10,000 Speaker 1: this year to get his money. With Marcus Smart, I 236 00:12:10,080 --> 00:12:12,680 Speaker 1: literally have no idea what to expect. He played in 237 00:12:12,720 --> 00:12:14,640 Speaker 1: a grand total of fifty four games in the last 238 00:12:14,640 --> 00:12:17,840 Speaker 1: two seasons combined, so I think going into the season 239 00:12:18,000 --> 00:12:20,520 Speaker 1: just expecting him to play seventy games would be foolish. 240 00:12:21,360 --> 00:12:24,280 Speaker 1: If he's healthy, He's exactly what the Lakers need. He's 241 00:12:24,320 --> 00:12:27,000 Speaker 1: an excellent point of attack defender that allows the Lakers 242 00:12:27,000 --> 00:12:29,480 Speaker 1: to run traditional pick and roll coverages. And he's a 243 00:12:29,559 --> 00:12:32,319 Speaker 1: virstatle offensive player that can thrive off of the advantages 244 00:12:32,360 --> 00:12:35,360 Speaker 1: that Luca can create. But at this point, I have 245 00:12:35,360 --> 00:12:38,400 Speaker 1: a really hard time generating any optimism surrounding Smart until 246 00:12:38,440 --> 00:12:40,480 Speaker 1: he actually shows he can stay on the court. That's 247 00:12:40,520 --> 00:12:42,320 Speaker 1: really all I'm going to say about him for right now. 248 00:12:43,840 --> 00:12:46,400 Speaker 1: Looking at the big picture, I think this Lakers team 249 00:12:46,440 --> 00:12:48,000 Speaker 1: is going to be a top three offense if they 250 00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:51,200 Speaker 1: can stay healthy. Luca is the second best offensive player 251 00:12:51,240 --> 00:12:52,680 Speaker 1: in the league, and I think he's gonna have the 252 00:12:52,679 --> 00:12:55,120 Speaker 1: best season of his career this year. They have tons 253 00:12:55,160 --> 00:12:58,000 Speaker 1: of play finishing and ball handling. I think a key 254 00:12:58,080 --> 00:13:00,200 Speaker 1: challenge for JJ Reddick will be getting the Laker to 255 00:13:00,200 --> 00:13:03,280 Speaker 1: play with pace. Lebron and Luca both have a tendency 256 00:13:03,280 --> 00:13:05,719 Speaker 1: to slow the game down and play deep into the 257 00:13:05,760 --> 00:13:08,040 Speaker 1: shot clock. I think that would be a waste of 258 00:13:08,080 --> 00:13:11,000 Speaker 1: this team strengths. This is not a team that has 259 00:13:11,000 --> 00:13:12,960 Speaker 1: a bunch of play finishers. They do have play finishers, 260 00:13:13,000 --> 00:13:14,080 Speaker 1: but they have guys who can put the ball on 261 00:13:14,080 --> 00:13:16,400 Speaker 1: the floor and make plays with the ball. So if 262 00:13:16,440 --> 00:13:19,720 Speaker 1: you're throwing your first kickout pass with like seven seconds 263 00:13:19,760 --> 00:13:22,280 Speaker 1: on the shot clock, you don't have much time to 264 00:13:22,320 --> 00:13:26,319 Speaker 1: capitalize in all your aggregate offensive talent. You want Luca 265 00:13:26,840 --> 00:13:29,480 Speaker 1: or Lebron to be making that first pass with like 266 00:13:29,600 --> 00:13:32,240 Speaker 1: twelve or thirteen seconds on the shot clock, so that 267 00:13:32,280 --> 00:13:35,080 Speaker 1: you have time for multiple attacks. Everyone can stay involved 268 00:13:35,440 --> 00:13:38,240 Speaker 1: and you can break the defense down incrementally with what 269 00:13:38,280 --> 00:13:41,520 Speaker 1: your strength is, which is your aggregate offensive skill. This 270 00:13:41,600 --> 00:13:43,240 Speaker 1: was a concept I actually talked about a lot, if 271 00:13:43,240 --> 00:13:46,640 Speaker 1: you guys remember correctly, after the twenty twenty four finals 272 00:13:46,679 --> 00:13:49,560 Speaker 1: when the MAVs lost, they made several moves that summer 273 00:13:49,960 --> 00:13:53,600 Speaker 1: that geared more towards ball handling, including making a simple 274 00:13:53,640 --> 00:13:56,160 Speaker 1: shift like going from Derek Jones Junior, who's more of 275 00:13:56,200 --> 00:13:58,400 Speaker 1: a D and three kind of guy, to a Naji 276 00:13:58,520 --> 00:14:00,440 Speaker 1: Marshall who is a guy who can with the ball 277 00:14:00,440 --> 00:14:02,360 Speaker 1: on the floor more and do some more things on 278 00:14:02,400 --> 00:14:04,840 Speaker 1: the bounce right. And I talked after that that it 279 00:14:05,000 --> 00:14:08,160 Speaker 1: made more sense for them to stop playing so slow 280 00:14:08,200 --> 00:14:11,000 Speaker 1: and deliberate and to play faster because they had more 281 00:14:11,040 --> 00:14:13,640 Speaker 1: ball handling off of Luca. I think this group would 282 00:14:13,760 --> 00:14:16,840 Speaker 1: very similarly benefit from that kind of style if they 283 00:14:16,880 --> 00:14:19,920 Speaker 1: do and a couple of specific things happen, like eight 284 00:14:20,000 --> 00:14:23,520 Speaker 1: and stays healthy, Lebron stays healthy, Austin Reeves improves as 285 00:14:23,520 --> 00:14:25,280 Speaker 1: a catch and shoot player, which I think he will. 286 00:14:25,720 --> 00:14:27,600 Speaker 1: I think this Lakers team can crack a one twenty 287 00:14:27,640 --> 00:14:29,960 Speaker 1: offensive rating. That's something that I have my eye on. 288 00:14:31,080 --> 00:14:34,040 Speaker 1: As for the defense, I don't see how they could 289 00:14:34,080 --> 00:14:37,560 Speaker 1: break the top ten without a trade. Their best point 290 00:14:37,600 --> 00:14:39,880 Speaker 1: of attack defenders at this point are Marcus Smart, who 291 00:14:39,880 --> 00:14:42,760 Speaker 1: can't stay healthy, and Jared Vanderbilt, who struggles to stay 292 00:14:42,760 --> 00:14:44,720 Speaker 1: on the floor because he can't do anything on offense. 293 00:14:45,520 --> 00:14:48,640 Speaker 1: They have a mediocre to bad defensive anchor at center, 294 00:14:49,200 --> 00:14:51,400 Speaker 1: they have a forty year old who's their low man 295 00:14:51,520 --> 00:14:54,080 Speaker 1: who likes to take regular season nights off on defense, 296 00:14:55,040 --> 00:14:58,640 Speaker 1: and Austin and Luca are both inferior athletes. So to me, 297 00:14:58,720 --> 00:15:01,400 Speaker 1: it seems more likely than that they're a bottom ten 298 00:15:01,480 --> 00:15:03,800 Speaker 1: defense this year, somewhere in that like twenty one to 299 00:15:03,840 --> 00:15:10,160 Speaker 1: twenty three range, But their pathway to title contention lies 300 00:15:10,280 --> 00:15:12,520 Speaker 1: in getting from that. What I expect to be in 301 00:15:12,560 --> 00:15:15,680 Speaker 1: the low twenties on defense to that like twelve to 302 00:15:15,680 --> 00:15:18,840 Speaker 1: fifteen range. So how do they do that? How does 303 00:15:18,880 --> 00:15:23,320 Speaker 1: Thiskers team become a mediocre to slightly above average defense? 304 00:15:24,120 --> 00:15:27,760 Speaker 1: Starts with scheme versatility. So if you get quality seasons 305 00:15:27,800 --> 00:15:29,600 Speaker 1: out of Marcus Smart and Jared Vanderbilt. So if like 306 00:15:29,600 --> 00:15:32,920 Speaker 1: Marcus Smart is just healthy, and if Jared Vanderbilt gets 307 00:15:32,920 --> 00:15:35,120 Speaker 1: better at corner threes or better at little floaters in 308 00:15:35,160 --> 00:15:36,600 Speaker 1: the lane or whatever it is, he needs to be 309 00:15:36,600 --> 00:15:39,800 Speaker 1: more useful on offense that allows you to run traditional 310 00:15:39,840 --> 00:15:43,280 Speaker 1: coverages as well as the switching scheme that JJ likes 311 00:15:43,320 --> 00:15:45,800 Speaker 1: to lean on. If they then mix in some zone, 312 00:15:45,840 --> 00:15:48,480 Speaker 1: which as we saw with Denver zone can cause problems 313 00:15:48,480 --> 00:15:50,480 Speaker 1: for OKC and probably should be in your bag if 314 00:15:50,520 --> 00:15:52,880 Speaker 1: you're playing in the Western Conference. If they get that 315 00:15:53,000 --> 00:15:56,120 Speaker 1: kind of scheme versatility that could help, and then just 316 00:15:56,200 --> 00:16:00,320 Speaker 1: overall a commitment to the details down the roster. They 317 00:16:00,360 --> 00:16:03,080 Speaker 1: have a ceiling if they hit all those notes of 318 00:16:03,160 --> 00:16:06,600 Speaker 1: somewhere in that twelfth to fifteenth best defense. If they 319 00:16:06,640 --> 00:16:09,080 Speaker 1: get into that range, that's where I would start to 320 00:16:09,080 --> 00:16:12,960 Speaker 1: take them seriously as a contender. But I'm pretty pessimistic 321 00:16:13,000 --> 00:16:15,960 Speaker 1: about that right now. I view the Lakers as a 322 00:16:16,040 --> 00:16:20,680 Speaker 1: solid second tier contender. They have a larger range of 323 00:16:20,680 --> 00:16:23,520 Speaker 1: outcomes in both directions than most of these teams. Right, Like, 324 00:16:24,080 --> 00:16:26,520 Speaker 1: they have bad injury luck, Like if Lebron at forty 325 00:16:26,720 --> 00:16:30,360 Speaker 1: forty one gets hurt, Faydon gets hurt, Marcus Mart gets hurt, 326 00:16:30,520 --> 00:16:33,200 Speaker 1: Luca sometimes can miss fifteen twenty games. If that sort 327 00:16:33,240 --> 00:16:35,440 Speaker 1: of thing happens, they could quickly drop into the play in, 328 00:16:35,960 --> 00:16:37,960 Speaker 1: which is obviously unbecoming of a team that we look 329 00:16:38,000 --> 00:16:41,240 Speaker 1: at as a second tier contender. But if Lebron is 330 00:16:41,280 --> 00:16:43,920 Speaker 1: healthy and stays at that second team all NBA level 331 00:16:44,120 --> 00:16:46,760 Speaker 1: and Marcus Smart returns to like ninety percent of the 332 00:16:46,800 --> 00:16:49,560 Speaker 1: player he was before injury, and if Luca plays like 333 00:16:49,560 --> 00:16:52,840 Speaker 1: an MVP and you get seventy games out of DeAndre Ayton, 334 00:16:53,160 --> 00:16:55,360 Speaker 1: I think they could get the three seed again. So 335 00:16:55,400 --> 00:16:58,080 Speaker 1: they have like a pretty wide range of outcomes. My 336 00:16:58,160 --> 00:17:00,040 Speaker 1: hope is a Lakers fan, is that they make some 337 00:17:00,080 --> 00:17:03,400 Speaker 1: sort of aggressive deal. I really really like the idea 338 00:17:03,440 --> 00:17:06,280 Speaker 1: of Andrew Wiggins in a Lakers jersey. I think Wiggins 339 00:17:06,280 --> 00:17:09,400 Speaker 1: could solve their two biggest issues. A starting caliber III 340 00:17:10,040 --> 00:17:13,200 Speaker 1: that can guard the opponent's best player and just an 341 00:17:13,200 --> 00:17:16,600 Speaker 1: overall increase in athleticism for a team that lacks athleticism. 342 00:17:17,040 --> 00:17:19,760 Speaker 1: If they got Wiggins and they hit all those other 343 00:17:19,840 --> 00:17:22,399 Speaker 1: notes I just listed, I think they can actually be 344 00:17:22,400 --> 00:17:25,400 Speaker 1: as good as Denver or Oklahoma City. It's just both 345 00:17:25,480 --> 00:17:28,960 Speaker 1: of those outcomes I view as seriously unlikely. So I 346 00:17:28,960 --> 00:17:32,359 Speaker 1: think they're a textbook second tier contender. There's a pathway, 347 00:17:33,000 --> 00:17:36,280 Speaker 1: but it's an unlikely one at this point. Next team, 348 00:17:36,320 --> 00:17:40,119 Speaker 1: the Los Angeles Clippers. 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Download a hard Rock Bet app today and 368 00:18:31,840 --> 00:18:34,800 Speaker 1: make your first deposit, payble and bonus bets not a 369 00:18:34,880 --> 00:18:37,879 Speaker 1: cash offer offered by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. In Florida, 370 00:18:37,920 --> 00:18:41,000 Speaker 1: offered by Seminal hard Rock Digital LLC. In all other states. 371 00:18:41,359 --> 00:18:46,160 Speaker 1: Must be twenty one plus and physically present in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, 372 00:18:46,240 --> 00:18:49,639 Speaker 1: New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee, or Virginia to play. Terms and 373 00:18:49,680 --> 00:18:53,200 Speaker 1: conditions apply. Concerned about gambling in Florida, call one eight 374 00:18:53,320 --> 00:18:56,480 Speaker 1: eight eight admit it. In Indiana, if you or someone 375 00:18:56,520 --> 00:18:58,880 Speaker 1: you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 376 00:18:59,040 --> 00:19:03,760 Speaker 1: one eight hundred nine with it. Gambling problem called one 377 00:19:03,840 --> 00:19:07,600 Speaker 1: eight hundred gambler in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee, 378 00:19:07,720 --> 00:19:14,000 Speaker 1: or Virginia ROF season recap. They lost Mere Coffee, Drew Eubanks, 379 00:19:14,119 --> 00:19:16,880 Speaker 1: Norman Powell, and Ben Simmons, and they added Bradley Beal, 380 00:19:17,240 --> 00:19:20,240 Speaker 1: John Collins, Brook Lopez, and Chris Paul. A lot of 381 00:19:20,240 --> 00:19:23,639 Speaker 1: really nice talent upgrades there, Like Norman Powell is better 382 00:19:23,720 --> 00:19:26,920 Speaker 1: than Bradley Beal at a few key things, but brad 383 00:19:26,960 --> 00:19:29,480 Speaker 1: will be able to scale up his ball handling when 384 00:19:29,560 --> 00:19:31,880 Speaker 1: Kawhi is out of the lineup for rest or for injury. 385 00:19:32,200 --> 00:19:36,000 Speaker 1: That gives him some unique value within this particular Clippers team. 386 00:19:36,520 --> 00:19:39,440 Speaker 1: John Collins is generally an underrated player because when he 387 00:19:39,480 --> 00:19:41,840 Speaker 1: went to Utah he learned how to shoot, so now 388 00:19:41,840 --> 00:19:44,120 Speaker 1: he's like a real weapon on offense who can pick 389 00:19:44,160 --> 00:19:45,880 Speaker 1: and pop and pick and roll. I think he's gonna 390 00:19:45,880 --> 00:19:47,800 Speaker 1: be an excellent fit with James Harden and Chris Paul. 391 00:19:48,400 --> 00:19:51,680 Speaker 1: Brook Lopez is a much better backup center than Drew Eubanks, 392 00:19:52,160 --> 00:19:54,520 Speaker 1: and he gives you a specific size upgrade for the 393 00:19:54,600 --> 00:19:57,800 Speaker 1: Jokic matchup. And CP three is a backup like if 394 00:19:57,840 --> 00:20:00,000 Speaker 1: he's not starting for you. If CP three is a backup, 395 00:20:00,359 --> 00:20:02,320 Speaker 1: that's as good an option as you'll find in the league. 396 00:20:02,320 --> 00:20:04,119 Speaker 1: So a lot of really nice talent upgrades there for 397 00:20:04,160 --> 00:20:07,560 Speaker 1: the Clippers. In other words, the Clippers have their issues 398 00:20:07,600 --> 00:20:10,040 Speaker 1: in their top end talent, which we'll discuss in a minute, 399 00:20:10,160 --> 00:20:13,919 Speaker 1: but they have unquestionably improved their roster and balanced it 400 00:20:13,960 --> 00:20:17,120 Speaker 1: in some key ways that give them more upset potential 401 00:20:17,160 --> 00:20:20,840 Speaker 1: against teams like Denver and Oklahoma City. The first and 402 00:20:20,880 --> 00:20:24,280 Speaker 1: most exciting part of this is the depth of offensive talent. 403 00:20:25,280 --> 00:20:28,480 Speaker 1: Because of the addition of Chris Paul, you can legitimately 404 00:20:28,560 --> 00:20:30,960 Speaker 1: count on forty eight minutes of top end pick and 405 00:20:31,040 --> 00:20:34,800 Speaker 1: roll shot creation. Chris had his issues when he was 406 00:20:34,920 --> 00:20:37,560 Speaker 1: heavily featured, like in his starting role at this point 407 00:20:37,600 --> 00:20:39,440 Speaker 1: in his career, but he is still one of the 408 00:20:39,520 --> 00:20:41,720 Speaker 1: very best pick and roll players in the league. Last 409 00:20:41,800 --> 00:20:44,320 Speaker 1: year with the Spurs, and again that's a limited offensive team, 410 00:20:44,560 --> 00:20:47,080 Speaker 1: he generated one point zero eight points per pick and 411 00:20:47,160 --> 00:20:49,719 Speaker 1: roll including passes on eight hundred and ninety two reps. 412 00:20:49,920 --> 00:20:51,880 Speaker 1: Out of the twenty seven players who locked at least 413 00:20:51,880 --> 00:20:54,479 Speaker 1: seven hundred and fifty in the NBA. That ranked eighth. 414 00:20:55,080 --> 00:20:58,040 Speaker 1: That's really high on that list. And then obviously James 415 00:20:58,040 --> 00:21:00,560 Speaker 1: Harden is your foundation in that area as a pick 416 00:21:00,600 --> 00:21:03,200 Speaker 1: and roll shot creator, but you also have a plethora 417 00:21:03,280 --> 00:21:06,720 Speaker 1: of pick and roll screening options now, like it's not 418 00:21:06,960 --> 00:21:10,480 Speaker 1: just zobots anymore. You have John Collins and Brook Lopez 419 00:21:10,520 --> 00:21:13,160 Speaker 1: to add to the mix. John Collins tends to roll 420 00:21:13,200 --> 00:21:15,199 Speaker 1: more than pop out of ball screens, at least that's 421 00:21:15,240 --> 00:21:17,359 Speaker 1: what he did in Utah. But a big part of 422 00:21:17,359 --> 00:21:19,720 Speaker 1: that too, stems with the way that rosters put together. 423 00:21:19,800 --> 00:21:21,480 Speaker 1: I think he'll do most of his work as a 424 00:21:21,520 --> 00:21:24,560 Speaker 1: vertical spacer on this team, like cutting along the baseline 425 00:21:24,600 --> 00:21:26,880 Speaker 1: and rolling out of screens. But he also shot forty 426 00:21:26,880 --> 00:21:28,600 Speaker 1: percent on pick and pop threes last year, and he 427 00:21:28,640 --> 00:21:31,960 Speaker 1: was forty three percent overall on unguarded catch and shoot threes, 428 00:21:32,000 --> 00:21:34,320 Speaker 1: so I think he provides an interesting screening option. And 429 00:21:34,320 --> 00:21:36,960 Speaker 1: then Brook Lopez on massive volume. He shot one hundred 430 00:21:36,960 --> 00:21:40,119 Speaker 1: and fourteen pick and pop threes last year, made thirty 431 00:21:40,119 --> 00:21:42,439 Speaker 1: eight percent of them, and when he rolled into twos 432 00:21:42,480 --> 00:21:45,040 Speaker 1: he shot sixty one percent. He was still like one 433 00:21:45,119 --> 00:21:48,880 Speaker 1: point one nine to five points per rollman possession, which 434 00:21:48,960 --> 00:21:50,520 Speaker 1: was one of the better marks in the league. Like 435 00:21:50,800 --> 00:21:53,680 Speaker 1: Brook is still a very very useful pick and roll 436 00:21:53,960 --> 00:21:57,720 Speaker 1: partner for one of those handlers, and so all game long, 437 00:21:57,760 --> 00:21:59,919 Speaker 1: when you play the Clippers, you're gonna be dealing with 438 00:22:00,119 --> 00:22:04,040 Speaker 1: devastating two man game duos. And by the way, I 439 00:22:04,040 --> 00:22:07,159 Speaker 1: haven't even mentioned Kawhi Leonard, who's the best player on 440 00:22:07,240 --> 00:22:11,200 Speaker 1: the team, or Bradley Beal, who obviously brings dynamic ball 441 00:22:11,200 --> 00:22:13,200 Speaker 1: handling to the table. So for a team that was 442 00:22:13,240 --> 00:22:16,919 Speaker 1: the third best defense in the NBA last year that 443 00:22:17,080 --> 00:22:19,879 Speaker 1: was built on the foundation of Zubat's rim protection and 444 00:22:19,920 --> 00:22:23,600 Speaker 1: a depth of perimeter defenders, but that had some offensive limitations, 445 00:22:24,280 --> 00:22:27,520 Speaker 1: these offensive upgrades are really exciting if you're a Clippers fan. 446 00:22:28,760 --> 00:22:31,440 Speaker 1: I think this team has an enormous margin for error 447 00:22:31,680 --> 00:22:35,040 Speaker 1: as currently constructed, and so because of that, if I 448 00:22:35,160 --> 00:22:38,399 Speaker 1: had to pick one team that I think is most 449 00:22:38,640 --> 00:22:41,000 Speaker 1: likely to get the three seed in this case, with 450 00:22:41,080 --> 00:22:43,840 Speaker 1: Houston losing Fred van Vliet, I actually think Houston kind 451 00:22:43,840 --> 00:22:46,119 Speaker 1: of slips into that second tier of contenders. We'll talk 452 00:22:46,160 --> 00:22:49,760 Speaker 1: about that more when we talk about Houston, But with 453 00:22:49,880 --> 00:22:53,000 Speaker 1: Houston kind of dropping off with that injury, if I 454 00:22:53,080 --> 00:22:55,160 Speaker 1: had to pick one team to finish with the third 455 00:22:55,160 --> 00:22:57,200 Speaker 1: seed behind Oklahoma City and Denver, I think I'd picked 456 00:22:57,200 --> 00:22:59,600 Speaker 1: the Clippers. They have one of the best coaches in 457 00:22:59,640 --> 00:23:02,960 Speaker 1: the league, a deep, versatile roster built by one of 458 00:23:02,960 --> 00:23:05,680 Speaker 1: the smartest front offices in the league, and they're built 459 00:23:05,720 --> 00:23:08,399 Speaker 1: to withstand injuries because they have depth at all the 460 00:23:08,480 --> 00:23:13,320 Speaker 1: key position groups, lots of shot creation talent, lots of 461 00:23:13,359 --> 00:23:17,000 Speaker 1: defensive talent. I think it's highly likely that the Clippers 462 00:23:17,040 --> 00:23:21,200 Speaker 1: finish top ten in both offense and defense this year. So, Jason, 463 00:23:21,560 --> 00:23:24,840 Speaker 1: all these things you're saying seem like things you would 464 00:23:24,840 --> 00:23:27,600 Speaker 1: say about a top tier contender, but you don't have 465 00:23:27,680 --> 00:23:31,000 Speaker 1: them as a top tier contender. Why is that? And 466 00:23:31,040 --> 00:23:34,760 Speaker 1: it really just comes down to Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. James, 467 00:23:34,760 --> 00:23:37,000 Speaker 1: as we've discussed so many times over the years, is 468 00:23:37,200 --> 00:23:39,920 Speaker 1: a player I have enormous respect for, especially in the 469 00:23:39,960 --> 00:23:42,480 Speaker 1: regular season context. Like I think he's still one of 470 00:23:42,480 --> 00:23:45,399 Speaker 1: the better floor raising offensive engines in the entire NBA. 471 00:23:45,800 --> 00:23:49,639 Speaker 1: He's durable, He basically guarantees you a competitive offense in 472 00:23:49,680 --> 00:23:52,119 Speaker 1: the regular season. I think he's worth every penny on 473 00:23:52,119 --> 00:23:57,040 Speaker 1: his contract. But he routinely falls apart and becomes borderline 474 00:23:57,040 --> 00:24:01,439 Speaker 1: ineffective when he gets to high leverage playoffs. And this 475 00:24:01,560 --> 00:24:03,480 Speaker 1: was a problem when he was a younger and more 476 00:24:03,520 --> 00:24:08,120 Speaker 1: explosive version of himself. Now, the insurance against that used 477 00:24:08,160 --> 00:24:10,800 Speaker 1: to be that if you got Kawhi Leonard to the postseason. 478 00:24:11,119 --> 00:24:14,200 Speaker 1: He was Robot Kawhi, who was a top five player 479 00:24:14,240 --> 00:24:16,600 Speaker 1: in the league, who could go toe to toe with 480 00:24:16,640 --> 00:24:19,199 Speaker 1: any star in the NBA and really take over in 481 00:24:19,200 --> 00:24:22,480 Speaker 1: those spots and give you the margin for air to 482 00:24:22,520 --> 00:24:27,560 Speaker 1: withstan James Harden shortcomings. But we had that series against 483 00:24:27,600 --> 00:24:30,240 Speaker 1: Denver last year and it was the first time that 484 00:24:30,359 --> 00:24:33,760 Speaker 1: healthy Kawhi didn't look like a top tier guy. And 485 00:24:33,800 --> 00:24:37,960 Speaker 1: that's what's concerning, especially since Denver defensively is not exactly 486 00:24:38,040 --> 00:24:39,520 Speaker 1: what you would call it a juggernaut, although they were 487 00:24:39,520 --> 00:24:41,800 Speaker 1: a better playoff defense than you would have expected last year, 488 00:24:42,960 --> 00:24:46,080 Speaker 1: they finally got into the playoffs ready to go in healthy, 489 00:24:46,920 --> 00:24:49,399 Speaker 1: and he just looked like a second tier guy. He 490 00:24:49,440 --> 00:24:52,080 Speaker 1: had that one insane game in Game two where he 491 00:24:52,119 --> 00:24:55,880 Speaker 1: made every shot and walked the Nuggets down down the stretch, 492 00:24:56,240 --> 00:24:58,919 Speaker 1: but outside of that game, his volume was low, his 493 00:24:58,960 --> 00:25:02,520 Speaker 1: efficiency was low by superstar standards, I mean, and he 494 00:25:02,600 --> 00:25:05,359 Speaker 1: struggled with double teams, like really struggled with double teams. 495 00:25:06,119 --> 00:25:09,120 Speaker 1: That's a huge concern because again, in all your previous 496 00:25:09,119 --> 00:25:12,560 Speaker 1: playoff runs, if Kawi was out there and if he 497 00:25:12,640 --> 00:25:15,240 Speaker 1: was healthy, you just felt like he was one of 498 00:25:15,240 --> 00:25:19,040 Speaker 1: the apex stars in the NBA who could outplay anybody. 499 00:25:19,600 --> 00:25:21,480 Speaker 1: And that just doesn't seem to be the case anymore. 500 00:25:21,480 --> 00:25:24,440 Speaker 1: And so if those days are gone and James Harden 501 00:25:24,520 --> 00:25:27,560 Speaker 1: is your number two, that's more or less a death 502 00:25:27,600 --> 00:25:30,480 Speaker 1: sentence against either of the top teams like Denver or 503 00:25:30,480 --> 00:25:34,520 Speaker 1: Oklahoma City, and it could easily get you beat against 504 00:25:34,560 --> 00:25:37,720 Speaker 1: any of the second tier teams. And like, yeah, well 505 00:25:37,760 --> 00:25:39,480 Speaker 1: you came very close to beating Denver last year. Well, 506 00:25:39,480 --> 00:25:41,679 Speaker 1: you got your ass kicked in Game seven. Okay, a 507 00:25:41,680 --> 00:25:43,960 Speaker 1: couple of the shots went against you early in the series. 508 00:25:44,000 --> 00:25:46,280 Speaker 1: You have the Aaron Gordon game winner. Game one is 509 00:25:46,280 --> 00:25:49,240 Speaker 1: a close game, right, But if you really dig into it, 510 00:25:49,400 --> 00:25:53,720 Speaker 1: Denver's improvements, the Clippers made some nice improvements. Denver's improvements 511 00:25:53,720 --> 00:25:56,800 Speaker 1: were more substantial. They added depth like you did, but 512 00:25:56,800 --> 00:25:59,480 Speaker 1: they also substantially upgraded a starting role. It's the best 513 00:25:59,560 --> 00:26:02,280 Speaker 1: version of it team that Nikola Jokic has had. They'll 514 00:26:02,320 --> 00:26:03,959 Speaker 1: be the best player with the better team in that 515 00:26:04,000 --> 00:26:07,680 Speaker 1: series Oklahoma City. There are gonna be key improvements from 516 00:26:07,680 --> 00:26:09,960 Speaker 1: guys like Jalen Williams and guys like Chet Holmer, and 517 00:26:09,960 --> 00:26:12,359 Speaker 1: they're gonna be better. Right. So, like the way I 518 00:26:12,400 --> 00:26:16,359 Speaker 1: look at it, with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden being 519 00:26:16,440 --> 00:26:19,640 Speaker 1: at this phase in their careers, it just feels improbable 520 00:26:19,640 --> 00:26:21,560 Speaker 1: to me that they could beat the top teams and 521 00:26:21,600 --> 00:26:24,800 Speaker 1: even some problems that could present themselves against the second 522 00:26:24,840 --> 00:26:27,840 Speaker 1: tier teams. So, like again, the Clippers, to me, I'm 523 00:26:27,880 --> 00:26:33,240 Speaker 1: a big fan of their basketball organization. Like again, I'm 524 00:26:33,280 --> 00:26:35,520 Speaker 1: not talking about their ownership group, who may or may 525 00:26:35,600 --> 00:26:38,000 Speaker 1: not be staring down the barrel of some significant punishment 526 00:26:38,000 --> 00:26:42,080 Speaker 1: for cheating, but their basketball ops. I'm just a huge fan. 527 00:26:43,240 --> 00:26:46,640 Speaker 1: I think they represent excellence in modern basketball. I love 528 00:26:46,680 --> 00:26:49,639 Speaker 1: everything about their philosophy and their approach to team building, 529 00:26:50,200 --> 00:26:52,720 Speaker 1: but ultimately, their top end talent just isn't good enough 530 00:26:52,720 --> 00:26:55,480 Speaker 1: to push them past the top tier or into the 531 00:26:55,480 --> 00:26:59,280 Speaker 1: top tier of championship contenders next to Golden State Warriors. 532 00:27:00,520 --> 00:27:02,840 Speaker 1: Important to disclose here, at the time of this recording, 533 00:27:02,880 --> 00:27:06,000 Speaker 1: the Warriors have not yet resolved the Jonathan Kaminga saga. 534 00:27:06,480 --> 00:27:08,840 Speaker 1: They only have nine players on the roster at this point. 535 00:27:09,119 --> 00:27:12,199 Speaker 1: We will obviously have an instant reaction video when that 536 00:27:12,760 --> 00:27:16,359 Speaker 1: whatever happens there finally goes down and it's possible they 537 00:27:16,400 --> 00:27:19,159 Speaker 1: still pull off a trade. We'll see, but for the 538 00:27:19,160 --> 00:27:22,119 Speaker 1: purposes of this video, we're gonna proceed as though Jonathan 539 00:27:22,200 --> 00:27:24,560 Speaker 1: Kaminga re signs with the Warriors. It feels like the 540 00:27:24,560 --> 00:27:29,960 Speaker 1: most likely outcome at this point, And as part of this, 541 00:27:30,480 --> 00:27:33,400 Speaker 1: we're going to proceed as though the reported the reported 542 00:27:33,400 --> 00:27:35,960 Speaker 1: signings take place, so we're gonna cover them in this segment. 543 00:27:36,400 --> 00:27:40,040 Speaker 1: As though Kaminga's a warrior, Horford's a Warrior, d Anthony 544 00:27:40,040 --> 00:27:43,159 Speaker 1: Melton's a warrior, Gary Payton's warrior, Seth Curry's a warrior. 545 00:27:43,240 --> 00:27:45,840 Speaker 1: That's what we're gonna be proceeding with. In this case, 546 00:27:46,080 --> 00:27:48,320 Speaker 1: it is still possible that there's a trade, right. I 547 00:27:48,359 --> 00:27:49,960 Speaker 1: went over last week that I think they should have 548 00:27:49,960 --> 00:27:52,919 Speaker 1: taken the Malik Monk package. It would have cost the 549 00:27:52,920 --> 00:27:55,840 Speaker 1: Warriors Jonathan Kaminga and Buddy Healed, but it would have 550 00:27:55,880 --> 00:27:58,400 Speaker 1: brought back a really nice offensive guard in Milik Monk, 551 00:27:58,440 --> 00:28:01,160 Speaker 1: who I think is much better than Buddy Healed and 552 00:28:01,200 --> 00:28:03,919 Speaker 1: he's like a rough approximation of what Jordan Poole was 553 00:28:03,960 --> 00:28:06,240 Speaker 1: for this team in the title run. And you'd also 554 00:28:06,280 --> 00:28:09,080 Speaker 1: get a future protected first round pick that could help 555 00:28:09,119 --> 00:28:11,360 Speaker 1: you make another trade down the line to bolster the team. 556 00:28:11,400 --> 00:28:13,800 Speaker 1: And if you're concerned about losing Buddy Healed. Not only 557 00:28:13,840 --> 00:28:15,560 Speaker 1: is Malik Wonk better than him, but if you're getting 558 00:28:15,600 --> 00:28:18,600 Speaker 1: Seth Curry at a minimum contract, that basically replaces that 559 00:28:18,640 --> 00:28:21,359 Speaker 1: bench shooting role anyway. But either way, it looks like 560 00:28:21,400 --> 00:28:24,720 Speaker 1: that's unlikely to happen at this point. So the only 561 00:28:24,760 --> 00:28:27,800 Speaker 1: guy they like officially lost is Kevon Looney, who signed 562 00:28:27,800 --> 00:28:30,920 Speaker 1: with New Orleans. Theoretically, they could fill out the back 563 00:28:30,960 --> 00:28:33,119 Speaker 1: end of the roster with the same guys that they 564 00:28:33,119 --> 00:28:35,520 Speaker 1: had last year, guys like Gary Payne or like Pat Spencer. 565 00:28:35,880 --> 00:28:38,200 Speaker 1: But again, in reality, technically at this point they only 566 00:28:38,280 --> 00:28:40,400 Speaker 1: have nine players under contracts, so some of this is 567 00:28:40,440 --> 00:28:44,520 Speaker 1: in flux. But as they assuming they retain Kaminga and 568 00:28:45,000 --> 00:28:47,360 Speaker 1: they get the other guys I mentioned, the roster would 569 00:28:47,360 --> 00:28:50,480 Speaker 1: more or less look like Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, 570 00:28:50,560 --> 00:28:55,680 Speaker 1: Jonathan Kaminga, Moses Moody, Buddy Heald, Brandon Pajemski, Tray Jackson, 571 00:28:55,760 --> 00:28:59,520 Speaker 1: Davis Gie Santos, Quinton post Al Horford, the Anthony Meltain, 572 00:28:59,600 --> 00:29:04,440 Speaker 1: Seth Currur and Gary Payton. That's a really good team. 573 00:29:04,520 --> 00:29:07,440 Speaker 1: You have Steph Curry, who I still view as the 574 00:29:07,480 --> 00:29:10,080 Speaker 1: third best offensive player in the entire NBA, even at 575 00:29:10,160 --> 00:29:13,440 Speaker 1: age thirty seven. Last year, when Steph was on the floor, 576 00:29:13,840 --> 00:29:15,720 Speaker 1: if you remove garbage time, which is what cleaning the 577 00:29:15,760 --> 00:29:19,280 Speaker 1: glass does, the Warriors logged a one twenty offensive rating 578 00:29:19,280 --> 00:29:22,320 Speaker 1: when Steph was on the floor. That was one of 579 00:29:22,360 --> 00:29:26,440 Speaker 1: the single most impressive statistics I saw all of last season. 580 00:29:27,480 --> 00:29:31,240 Speaker 1: That roster was utterly devoid of offensive talent, and Steph 581 00:29:31,320 --> 00:29:35,520 Speaker 1: dragged them to a one twenty offensive rating. I'm just 582 00:29:35,560 --> 00:29:40,360 Speaker 1: a massive believer in Steph as an offensive engine. It's 583 00:29:40,360 --> 00:29:41,600 Speaker 1: why I had him all the way up at six 584 00:29:41,640 --> 00:29:45,840 Speaker 1: in my player rankings. It just his ability to consistently 585 00:29:45,880 --> 00:29:49,480 Speaker 1: generate openings that even limited NBA players can capitalize on 586 00:29:49,520 --> 00:29:52,200 Speaker 1: for points, and to drag these limited lineups to the 587 00:29:52,200 --> 00:29:55,080 Speaker 1: scoring efficiency that he did. I just found it remarkable. 588 00:29:56,400 --> 00:30:00,640 Speaker 1: Jimmy Butler doesn't completely solve their roster's limitations, but he 589 00:30:00,680 --> 00:30:03,840 Speaker 1: does help in several key ways. It was a wonderful 590 00:30:03,880 --> 00:30:05,600 Speaker 1: fit on the floor with Steph as a second side 591 00:30:05,640 --> 00:30:09,040 Speaker 1: creator and as a connective playmaker. When Steph, Jimmy and 592 00:30:09,120 --> 00:30:12,000 Speaker 1: Draymon were on the floor together last year, in nine 593 00:30:12,040 --> 00:30:14,680 Speaker 1: hundred and fifty possessions, they logged a one to twenty 594 00:30:14,800 --> 00:30:18,240 Speaker 1: two offensive rating, which is obviously an insane number, but 595 00:30:18,320 --> 00:30:21,000 Speaker 1: he also helped with controlling the pace with his ability 596 00:30:21,040 --> 00:30:22,800 Speaker 1: to get to the foul line, and he also gave 597 00:30:22,920 --> 00:30:25,640 Speaker 1: him a higher offensive ceiling when he was anchoring those 598 00:30:25,720 --> 00:30:28,840 Speaker 1: units when Steph was off the floor. I still view 599 00:30:29,200 --> 00:30:31,360 Speaker 1: Draymond as one of the best defensive anchors in the NBA. 600 00:30:31,800 --> 00:30:33,800 Speaker 1: The Warriors were the top defense in the league post 601 00:30:33,840 --> 00:30:36,160 Speaker 1: All Star Break last year. You're not doing that without Draymond. 602 00:30:36,960 --> 00:30:40,000 Speaker 1: I think Horford is a dream fit with this team. 603 00:30:40,560 --> 00:30:43,200 Speaker 1: I love the idea of him alongside Draymond and Jimmy 604 00:30:43,240 --> 00:30:46,400 Speaker 1: in the front court as like a high IQ switching 605 00:30:46,480 --> 00:30:48,560 Speaker 1: defensive scheme where the three of those dudes are just 606 00:30:48,600 --> 00:30:51,040 Speaker 1: talking to each other and blowing plays up, getting in 607 00:30:51,080 --> 00:30:53,720 Speaker 1: front of the action. I think those three could be 608 00:30:53,720 --> 00:30:56,760 Speaker 1: insanely good together on that end. And then Horford provides 609 00:30:56,800 --> 00:30:58,760 Speaker 1: a real offensive threat at the five. He's a picking 610 00:30:58,840 --> 00:31:00,880 Speaker 1: pot big. He can hit a above the break threes, 611 00:31:00,880 --> 00:31:03,000 Speaker 1: which is key for the center position, and he also 612 00:31:03,080 --> 00:31:05,160 Speaker 1: can drive closeouts and like make drive in kick plays. 613 00:31:05,200 --> 00:31:07,000 Speaker 1: He has a ton of driving kick experience or read 614 00:31:07,040 --> 00:31:10,120 Speaker 1: and react experience. With Boston and he can beat switches, 615 00:31:10,160 --> 00:31:11,360 Speaker 1: like if he gets a small on him, you can 616 00:31:11,360 --> 00:31:12,400 Speaker 1: throw it to him in the post and he can 617 00:31:12,440 --> 00:31:14,320 Speaker 1: hit a little left shoulder hook and just quickly turn 618 00:31:14,360 --> 00:31:17,520 Speaker 1: that into points. The Warriors also have center depth with 619 00:31:17,600 --> 00:31:19,840 Speaker 1: Quinton Post and Tray Jackson Davis, so they can manage 620 00:31:19,880 --> 00:31:22,680 Speaker 1: Horford's minutes throughout the year depending on how his body's feeling. 621 00:31:23,320 --> 00:31:25,440 Speaker 1: I just love the fit and I can't wait to 622 00:31:25,440 --> 00:31:28,920 Speaker 1: watch him in Golden stated. Anthony Melton is obviously a 623 00:31:28,920 --> 00:31:31,160 Speaker 1: big health question mark, but he looked like a perfect 624 00:31:31,200 --> 00:31:33,640 Speaker 1: fit in the system last year before getting hurt, so 625 00:31:33,800 --> 00:31:36,040 Speaker 1: much so that it felt like it was a given 626 00:31:36,040 --> 00:31:38,120 Speaker 1: that he would return to Golden State when he got healthy. 627 00:31:38,280 --> 00:31:41,080 Speaker 1: It looks like he probably will. Seth Curry and Buddy 628 00:31:41,080 --> 00:31:44,320 Speaker 1: Heal provide real shooting off the bench. Brandon Pajemski and 629 00:31:44,360 --> 00:31:48,560 Speaker 1: Moses Moody provide that youthful exuberance and athleticism on the perimeter, 630 00:31:48,720 --> 00:31:50,800 Speaker 1: like I think we could see both of them starting 631 00:31:50,960 --> 00:31:53,440 Speaker 1: at various points during the season, depending on how often 632 00:31:53,680 --> 00:31:56,880 Speaker 1: Steve curtisides to start al Horford. I think Moses Moody 633 00:31:56,880 --> 00:31:58,720 Speaker 1: will improve as a shooter after he had a rough 634 00:31:58,800 --> 00:32:00,640 Speaker 1: end of the season on that end, he just knows. 635 00:32:00,680 --> 00:32:04,240 Speaker 1: That's his biggest point of emphasis. Brandon Pajemski had several 636 00:32:04,320 --> 00:32:06,560 Speaker 1: huge breakout games towards the end of last year. He 637 00:32:06,600 --> 00:32:09,800 Speaker 1: averaged sixteen and six over the final twenty three games 638 00:32:09,840 --> 00:32:12,400 Speaker 1: of the regular season and shot forty three percent from 639 00:32:12,440 --> 00:32:16,000 Speaker 1: three on six attempts per game over that stretch. He 640 00:32:16,120 --> 00:32:18,600 Speaker 1: fell off in the postseason, but it does feel like 641 00:32:18,760 --> 00:32:22,520 Speaker 1: Pods is like close to really settling in as a pro. 642 00:32:23,280 --> 00:32:25,760 Speaker 1: And he's like the quintessential Steve Kerr player because he 643 00:32:25,800 --> 00:32:27,640 Speaker 1: defends and he rebounds, and he makes good read and 644 00:32:27,720 --> 00:32:31,160 Speaker 1: react decisions in their offense. And like all of this 645 00:32:31,280 --> 00:32:33,600 Speaker 1: doesn't even count Jonathan kaminga who I don't care how 646 00:32:33,640 --> 00:32:36,640 Speaker 1: you feel about how he fits. He's just an option. 647 00:32:37,040 --> 00:32:40,160 Speaker 1: He gives you optionality there. I prefer him on another 648 00:32:40,200 --> 00:32:43,040 Speaker 1: team with an asset return for Golden State, But even 649 00:32:43,120 --> 00:32:45,680 Speaker 1: in this context of this version of the team, he'll 650 00:32:45,720 --> 00:32:47,640 Speaker 1: be able to help in some way, at least in 651 00:32:47,640 --> 00:32:50,400 Speaker 1: some capacity, even if it's just depth during the regular season. 652 00:32:51,280 --> 00:32:53,160 Speaker 1: And then Steve Kerr always seems to get a lot 653 00:32:53,200 --> 00:32:54,800 Speaker 1: out of the back end of the roster because this 654 00:32:54,840 --> 00:32:58,160 Speaker 1: team has such a strong basketball culture. They always look 655 00:32:58,160 --> 00:33:00,560 Speaker 1: for the right kind of guys. Steve, he teaches him 656 00:33:00,600 --> 00:33:04,200 Speaker 1: to play basketball the right way. Again, they clearly don't 657 00:33:04,240 --> 00:33:07,480 Speaker 1: have the firepower of like Oklahoma City or Benver, but 658 00:33:07,520 --> 00:33:11,000 Speaker 1: I view them as a solid second tier contender. The 659 00:33:11,040 --> 00:33:15,400 Speaker 1: potential upside lies in a potential trade down the line 660 00:33:16,320 --> 00:33:19,280 Speaker 1: and with Steph Curry. If Steph can get back to 661 00:33:19,360 --> 00:33:22,000 Speaker 1: that guy who can average twenty seven points per game 662 00:33:22,040 --> 00:33:25,200 Speaker 1: for an entire playoff run, that's the type of guy 663 00:33:25,600 --> 00:33:27,800 Speaker 1: with this group that I think could have some real 664 00:33:27,880 --> 00:33:31,640 Speaker 1: championship potential. Steph had really big nights in the postseason 665 00:33:31,720 --> 00:33:33,440 Speaker 1: last year, but he also had knights where he struggled 666 00:33:33,480 --> 00:33:35,240 Speaker 1: to score. I think him getting back up to that 667 00:33:35,360 --> 00:33:37,760 Speaker 1: high volume like he showed towards the tail end of 668 00:33:37,760 --> 00:33:40,360 Speaker 1: the season is a key swing factor for the Warriors 669 00:33:40,400 --> 00:33:44,440 Speaker 1: as well. Okay, we're gonna go much quicker on these 670 00:33:44,600 --> 00:33:50,560 Speaker 1: last two teams. First, the Sacramento Kings. They lost Markel Foltz, 671 00:33:50,640 --> 00:33:54,440 Speaker 1: Jake Larevia, Trey Lyles, Jonas Vuncinis, and they added Drew 672 00:33:54,480 --> 00:33:57,720 Speaker 1: you Banks, Stario Sarich, Dennis Schroeder, and their first round 673 00:33:57,720 --> 00:34:00,200 Speaker 1: pic Nick Clifford, who projects to eventually be a two 674 00:34:00,200 --> 00:34:03,320 Speaker 1: way wing in the league. I do love Dennis Schroeder. 675 00:34:03,360 --> 00:34:05,080 Speaker 1: I know he has a reputation of being like an 676 00:34:05,120 --> 00:34:07,840 Speaker 1: international killer, and yes, he was awesome in EuroBasket, But 677 00:34:08,040 --> 00:34:09,960 Speaker 1: I just think he's a really good NBA player. I 678 00:34:09,960 --> 00:34:12,279 Speaker 1: think he's about as good an option for like a 679 00:34:12,320 --> 00:34:15,360 Speaker 1: backup guard or like sixth starters you can find in 680 00:34:15,400 --> 00:34:19,359 Speaker 1: the league. He's a competitive mffort, he always plays hard 681 00:34:19,360 --> 00:34:21,040 Speaker 1: on both ends of the floor, and he has real 682 00:34:21,120 --> 00:34:23,960 Speaker 1: skills as a primary shot creator. Do I think the 683 00:34:24,040 --> 00:34:26,279 Speaker 1: Kings should have given him forty five million or whatever 684 00:34:26,320 --> 00:34:28,399 Speaker 1: they gave him, Probably not, but I am a big 685 00:34:28,400 --> 00:34:31,520 Speaker 1: fan of him as a basketball player. The Kings are 686 00:34:31,600 --> 00:34:34,200 Speaker 1: essentially a reboot of the Chicago Bulls from two years ago, 687 00:34:34,239 --> 00:34:37,080 Speaker 1: but with a better center, meaning they're a team that 688 00:34:37,120 --> 00:34:41,040 Speaker 1: has an already defined ceiling and that showed again last 689 00:34:41,120 --> 00:34:45,840 Speaker 1: year to give you an idea there. Last year in 690 00:34:45,880 --> 00:34:47,759 Speaker 1: Chicago in twenty twenty four, we talked about this a 691 00:34:47,800 --> 00:34:50,040 Speaker 1: lot on the show. They had a full season of 692 00:34:50,080 --> 00:34:53,320 Speaker 1: really good health. If I remember correctly, DeRozan, Leavine, and 693 00:34:53,400 --> 00:34:56,560 Speaker 1: Vouch all averaged like seventy five games played that year, 694 00:34:56,880 --> 00:34:59,120 Speaker 1: so they were all basically together for the majority of 695 00:34:59,160 --> 00:35:02,319 Speaker 1: the season. They had this massive sample size, and they 696 00:35:02,320 --> 00:35:07,120 Speaker 1: had a negative net rating in the inferior Eastern Conference. 697 00:35:07,920 --> 00:35:10,799 Speaker 1: So are you surprised that last year to end the 698 00:35:10,880 --> 00:35:14,960 Speaker 1: year with Sacramento that DeMar DeRozan, Zach Lavine, and Demonas 699 00:35:14,960 --> 00:35:17,960 Speaker 1: Sabonis in eleven hundred and twenty one possessions logged a 700 00:35:18,160 --> 00:35:20,920 Speaker 1: negative three point five net rating according to Clean and 701 00:35:20,920 --> 00:35:24,239 Speaker 1: the Glass. No, I'm not surprised by that. So, in 702 00:35:24,239 --> 00:35:26,960 Speaker 1: other words, this team is destined to battle for the 703 00:35:27,040 --> 00:35:29,640 Speaker 1: ninth or tenth seed all season long. If you're a 704 00:35:29,719 --> 00:35:32,440 Speaker 1: Kings fan, you're just clinging to the potential upside of 705 00:35:32,480 --> 00:35:35,400 Speaker 1: guys like Devin Carter and Keegan Murray, and you should 706 00:35:35,480 --> 00:35:38,200 Speaker 1: probably just starting to look to move guys like Kean 707 00:35:38,280 --> 00:35:40,840 Speaker 1: Ellis and Malik Monk for picks, because it's time to 708 00:35:40,840 --> 00:35:44,680 Speaker 1: start looking towards the future. Lastly, for today, the Phoenix 709 00:35:44,680 --> 00:35:48,359 Speaker 1: Suns quick offseason recap. They lost Brad Beale, Bowl Bull, 710 00:35:48,480 --> 00:35:51,920 Speaker 1: Kevin Durant, Tyas Jones, and Mason Plumley. They added Dylan 711 00:35:51,960 --> 00:35:55,040 Speaker 1: Brooks Jordan Goodwin, who I really like and that Suns 712 00:35:55,040 --> 00:35:57,400 Speaker 1: fans will remember. I enjoyed rooting for him. With the 713 00:35:57,440 --> 00:36:00,000 Speaker 1: Lakers last year. Jalen Green from Houston and the Kevin 714 00:36:00,120 --> 00:36:03,160 Speaker 1: rant trade. Come on, Malowatch in the lottery, a rim 715 00:36:03,200 --> 00:36:06,840 Speaker 1: protected a rim protecting, rim running center. And Mark Williams, 716 00:36:06,880 --> 00:36:10,479 Speaker 1: the famous Hornets center that almost became a Laker. Mark 717 00:36:10,600 --> 00:36:12,759 Speaker 1: is a super high level role man and I think 718 00:36:12,760 --> 00:36:15,560 Speaker 1: he'll kill alongside Devin Booker in two man game on offense. 719 00:36:15,800 --> 00:36:18,360 Speaker 1: But he's got major health question marks and he's like 720 00:36:18,400 --> 00:36:21,839 Speaker 1: an abysmal defender, so something to keep in mind. I 721 00:36:21,880 --> 00:36:24,520 Speaker 1: don't think the Suns are going anywhere by any means 722 00:36:24,560 --> 00:36:27,000 Speaker 1: this year, but I do expect him to be a 723 00:36:27,040 --> 00:36:29,879 Speaker 1: feisty team and I would not be shocked if they 724 00:36:29,880 --> 00:36:31,839 Speaker 1: won thirty five games or so. And I think they're 725 00:36:31,880 --> 00:36:34,040 Speaker 1: gonna be one of my favorite league pass teams this year. 726 00:36:35,160 --> 00:36:39,600 Speaker 1: The reason why stems from my core basketball beliefs. Ryan 727 00:36:39,640 --> 00:36:41,479 Speaker 1: Dunn and Dylan Brooks are going to make life hell 728 00:36:41,719 --> 00:36:45,360 Speaker 1: for opposing stars on any given night, especially if they 729 00:36:45,440 --> 00:36:48,480 Speaker 1: lean into common malowatch as a rim protector. That combination 730 00:36:48,600 --> 00:36:51,080 Speaker 1: of like aggressive physical defense with rim protection on the 731 00:36:51,120 --> 00:36:54,760 Speaker 1: backside that just gives you a really high defensive floor. 732 00:36:55,840 --> 00:36:57,040 Speaker 1: And then on the other end of the floor, I 733 00:36:57,080 --> 00:36:59,759 Speaker 1: wouldn't exactly call Devin Booker like an elite top end 734 00:36:59,760 --> 00:37:03,000 Speaker 1: off of engine, but I do think he's an underrated passer, 735 00:37:03,120 --> 00:37:05,239 Speaker 1: a very good pick and role player, and a guy 736 00:37:05,239 --> 00:37:09,200 Speaker 1: that gives you a pretty high offensive four. And say 737 00:37:09,200 --> 00:37:11,759 Speaker 1: what you want about Jalen Green, that dude plays in 738 00:37:11,880 --> 00:37:16,080 Speaker 1: every single game and he can have some explosive scoring nights. 739 00:37:16,160 --> 00:37:18,200 Speaker 1: He had thirty two games last year with at least 740 00:37:18,200 --> 00:37:22,680 Speaker 1: twenty five points. They're going to have games where Jalen 741 00:37:22,719 --> 00:37:26,440 Speaker 1: Green has it going and Devin Booker is being Devin Booker, 742 00:37:26,960 --> 00:37:29,719 Speaker 1: and Brooks and Dunn are guarding dudes like crazy, which 743 00:37:29,760 --> 00:37:32,200 Speaker 1: I love that nickname, by the way, and the Suns 744 00:37:32,239 --> 00:37:36,240 Speaker 1: are gonna win those games even against really good teams. 745 00:37:37,600 --> 00:37:40,839 Speaker 1: So again, their absolute ceiling is probably the tenth seed, 746 00:37:41,400 --> 00:37:43,160 Speaker 1: and it's more likely than not that they'll miss the 747 00:37:43,160 --> 00:37:46,080 Speaker 1: playoffs entirely. But I do think the Suns fans will 748 00:37:46,160 --> 00:37:48,080 Speaker 1: enjoy watching and rooting for this team. I think they'll 749 00:37:48,120 --> 00:37:50,239 Speaker 1: have some really impressive wins this year. I think they'll 750 00:37:50,239 --> 00:37:52,719 Speaker 1: play a fun brand of basketball, and again, I think 751 00:37:52,719 --> 00:37:54,759 Speaker 1: they'll be one of my favorite league pass teams this year. 752 00:37:55,320 --> 00:37:56,600 Speaker 1: All right, guys, this's all I have for today is 753 00:37:56,640 --> 00:37:58,920 Speaker 1: always sincerely appreciate you guys for supporting me and supporting 754 00:37:58,960 --> 00:38:01,680 Speaker 1: the show. We'll be back on Whennesday to cover the 755 00:38:02,680 --> 00:38:05,360 Speaker 1: Atlantic Division out in the Eastern Conference. Lots of interesting 756 00:38:05,360 --> 00:38:08,840 Speaker 1: stuff to get into there. I'll see you guys there