1 00:00:01,280 --> 00:00:17,079 Speaker 1: The volume. All right, Well, good to Hoops and I 2 00:00:17,120 --> 00:00:19,279 Speaker 1: here at the volume heavy Wednesday. Everybody hop love you 3 00:00:19,280 --> 00:00:21,560 Speaker 1: guys are having an incredible week. Just a quick mailbag 4 00:00:21,600 --> 00:00:22,880 Speaker 1: for you guys today. I have a buddy in town. 5 00:00:22,880 --> 00:00:24,479 Speaker 1: We're going to do some skiing today, but I wanted 6 00:00:24,520 --> 00:00:26,560 Speaker 1: to just get some bit of content out there. Got 7 00:00:26,600 --> 00:00:28,760 Speaker 1: six questions from you guys, some follow ups from some 8 00:00:28,760 --> 00:00:31,360 Speaker 1: stuff surrounding the trade deadline. Gould be bouncing around the 9 00:00:31,440 --> 00:00:34,280 Speaker 1: league talking a little hornets, talking little pistons, talking some Lakers, 10 00:00:34,280 --> 00:00:36,400 Speaker 1: talking some rockets. A bunch of fun stuff to get 11 00:00:36,400 --> 00:00:38,080 Speaker 1: into today. You guys are the drill before we get started. 12 00:00:38,120 --> 00:00:39,839 Speaker 1: Subscribe to Hoops and I YouTube channel if you don't 13 00:00:39,840 --> 00:00:41,640 Speaker 1: miss any more of our videos. Make sure you like 14 00:00:41,720 --> 00:00:44,440 Speaker 1: this video and sign up for our post notifications. That 15 00:00:44,560 --> 00:00:46,200 Speaker 1: helps us a lot. In the last, but not least, 16 00:00:46,240 --> 00:00:48,360 Speaker 1: if you want to get mailbag questions into these mail bags, 17 00:00:48,400 --> 00:00:50,879 Speaker 1: drop them in our full episodes in the comments right 18 00:00:50,960 --> 00:00:53,040 Speaker 1: mail bag with a colon, and then write your question 19 00:00:53,080 --> 00:00:55,000 Speaker 1: that helps me sort through them. We'll get to them 20 00:00:55,000 --> 00:00:57,040 Speaker 1: in our mailbags throughout the remainder of the season. All right, 21 00:00:57,120 --> 00:00:59,240 Speaker 1: let's talk some basketball. So fun one to start here, 22 00:01:00,200 --> 00:01:02,440 Speaker 1: I really think the Lakers going for Yannis would be 23 00:01:02,480 --> 00:01:05,480 Speaker 1: a mistake. Austin and Luca with the right role players 24 00:01:05,480 --> 00:01:07,920 Speaker 1: make so much more sense to me. It seems easier 25 00:01:07,920 --> 00:01:11,440 Speaker 1: to build a team around them than just minimums everywhere 26 00:01:11,440 --> 00:01:14,440 Speaker 1: with Yannis. Which option do you prefer? This is a 27 00:01:14,440 --> 00:01:16,319 Speaker 1: good question, and this is the question that's been kind 28 00:01:16,319 --> 00:01:20,280 Speaker 1: of centering around a lot of the Lakers' discussions coming 29 00:01:20,319 --> 00:01:24,399 Speaker 1: into this deadline and going into next summer. Allegedly, the 30 00:01:24,440 --> 00:01:26,960 Speaker 1: way it works out because they can trade their twenty 31 00:01:27,000 --> 00:01:29,760 Speaker 1: twenty six pick on Draft Night, there's this brief window 32 00:01:29,800 --> 00:01:33,520 Speaker 1: of time where they can theoretically trade three first round picks. 33 00:01:33,959 --> 00:01:36,480 Speaker 1: The Lakers also do not have to take or do 34 00:01:36,600 --> 00:01:39,160 Speaker 1: not have to send out any bad salary as part 35 00:01:39,160 --> 00:01:44,720 Speaker 1: of that deal, because on their when that deal takes place, 36 00:01:44,760 --> 00:01:46,880 Speaker 1: they should have so much cap space that they should 37 00:01:46,880 --> 00:01:49,760 Speaker 1: be able to just absorb Yannis's salary, So they've got 38 00:01:49,800 --> 00:01:53,760 Speaker 1: some ability to get into that conversation. I think it's 39 00:01:53,760 --> 00:01:57,600 Speaker 1: a little bit more complicated than just that, because Austin reeves. 40 00:01:57,600 --> 00:02:00,920 Speaker 1: For example, Let's say the Bucks one on Austin back, 41 00:02:00,960 --> 00:02:03,000 Speaker 1: and you're trying to work out how that would work 42 00:02:03,360 --> 00:02:05,360 Speaker 1: in a deal, you might have to potentially wait till 43 00:02:05,440 --> 00:02:07,760 Speaker 1: January first for him to actually be locked up on 44 00:02:07,800 --> 00:02:11,080 Speaker 1: a long term deal. If he's you know, being included 45 00:02:11,080 --> 00:02:14,359 Speaker 1: in the trade and about to enter unrestricted free agency 46 00:02:14,440 --> 00:02:17,080 Speaker 1: as a contract to your guy, that's not super appealing 47 00:02:17,080 --> 00:02:18,880 Speaker 1: to Milwaukee. So you can get a little tricky. But 48 00:02:19,280 --> 00:02:24,320 Speaker 1: let's just primarily focus on the the idea of a 49 00:02:24,440 --> 00:02:28,040 Speaker 1: Yannis deal for the Lakers this summer. So let's look 50 00:02:28,040 --> 00:02:31,960 Speaker 1: at it through two lenses. If you could theoretically get 51 00:02:32,000 --> 00:02:35,880 Speaker 1: the Bucks to give you Yannis for just your draft picks, 52 00:02:35,919 --> 00:02:40,799 Speaker 1: which I think is extremely unlikely, we the best way 53 00:02:40,840 --> 00:02:42,200 Speaker 1: I can put it to you this way is like, 54 00:02:42,639 --> 00:02:47,240 Speaker 1: let's say that Milwaukee just turned down an offer from 55 00:02:47,280 --> 00:02:52,320 Speaker 1: Golden State over this deadline of four unprotected first round 56 00:02:52,320 --> 00:02:56,160 Speaker 1: picks for a team that has Steph Curry, who's about 57 00:02:56,160 --> 00:02:59,160 Speaker 1: to turn thirty eight in a month. Those picks are 58 00:02:59,240 --> 00:03:02,120 Speaker 1: all going to be pretty high in all likelihood. That 59 00:03:02,320 --> 00:03:06,120 Speaker 1: is a stacked offer of draft compensation, and the Bucks 60 00:03:06,120 --> 00:03:08,600 Speaker 1: were like, no, thank you. Now it's a little more 61 00:03:08,600 --> 00:03:10,480 Speaker 1: complicated because they would have sent out some salary in 62 00:03:10,480 --> 00:03:13,720 Speaker 1: that deal, But the point is, I think Milwaukee would 63 00:03:13,720 --> 00:03:17,040 Speaker 1: turn down a draft pick centric offer, especially a Lakers 64 00:03:17,120 --> 00:03:20,000 Speaker 1: draft pick centric offer, that'd be weaker than the one 65 00:03:20,040 --> 00:03:23,040 Speaker 1: that the Warriors just pitched. Now, if you could close 66 00:03:23,040 --> 00:03:25,840 Speaker 1: that deal, I'm all in on it, because, yeah, veteran 67 00:03:25,880 --> 00:03:29,120 Speaker 1: minimum contracts they make it really hard to fill out rosters. 68 00:03:29,280 --> 00:03:32,320 Speaker 1: But if you have Luca, Austin and Jannis, you just 69 00:03:32,400 --> 00:03:34,960 Speaker 1: figure it out. There's just so much talent there. They 70 00:03:35,000 --> 00:03:38,440 Speaker 1: all kind of like are different position type. So you 71 00:03:38,440 --> 00:03:42,520 Speaker 1: have a small quick skill guard, a big forward shot creator, 72 00:03:42,920 --> 00:03:45,800 Speaker 1: and then like this hyperversal Swiss army knife in Giannis 73 00:03:45,840 --> 00:03:47,560 Speaker 1: and Tanna Kumpo, right, Like, I think you just do 74 00:03:47,640 --> 00:03:50,120 Speaker 1: it and you figure out the rest later. I think 75 00:03:50,120 --> 00:03:53,280 Speaker 1: that's extremely unlikely. But yes, if you can just trade 76 00:03:53,400 --> 00:03:57,120 Speaker 1: draft picks in like a do Thyero and you know, 77 00:03:57,200 --> 00:04:00,400 Speaker 1: Dalton connect and maybe every swap that you can offer 78 00:04:00,800 --> 00:04:03,440 Speaker 1: in the twenty thirty three second round pick that comes 79 00:04:03,480 --> 00:04:05,040 Speaker 1: available when they get to that point, Like, if you 80 00:04:05,080 --> 00:04:07,720 Speaker 1: can just throw all that shit at Giannis and Yannis 81 00:04:07,800 --> 00:04:11,680 Speaker 1: somehow behind the scenes, you know, applies pressure on Milwaukee 82 00:04:11,760 --> 00:04:13,560 Speaker 1: and says I only want to go to LA for 83 00:04:13,640 --> 00:04:16,000 Speaker 1: me to resign and all that kind of stuff. If 84 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:19,680 Speaker 1: that's how it works, great, you do it. No matter 85 00:04:19,720 --> 00:04:22,600 Speaker 1: how flawed veteran minimum players are and mid level exception 86 00:04:23,600 --> 00:04:26,000 Speaker 1: level players are, you're gonna find a way to make 87 00:04:26,040 --> 00:04:28,680 Speaker 1: that work. Right now, if you have to include Giannis, 88 00:04:28,920 --> 00:04:32,080 Speaker 1: excuse me, Austin, either as part of a deal over 89 00:04:32,120 --> 00:04:34,120 Speaker 1: the summer or as part of a deal down the line, 90 00:04:34,440 --> 00:04:36,880 Speaker 1: I'm completely out on it. And the main reason why 91 00:04:37,120 --> 00:04:40,920 Speaker 1: is it's less about the filling out the contract. So 92 00:04:40,960 --> 00:04:43,440 Speaker 1: for instance, like let's say, if you're like well, Jason, 93 00:04:43,920 --> 00:04:47,120 Speaker 1: if you combine you know, Luca and Yannis, you're not 94 00:04:47,160 --> 00:04:50,400 Speaker 1: gonna have that much salary left after maxing those guys 95 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:52,520 Speaker 1: to be able to pay all the role players. Well, 96 00:04:52,880 --> 00:04:55,880 Speaker 1: Austin's about to get a big payday. Like, Austin's gonna 97 00:04:55,880 --> 00:04:57,960 Speaker 1: make a lot of money, and he's gonna deserve every 98 00:04:58,000 --> 00:05:00,320 Speaker 1: single penny of it. And so it's not like a 99 00:05:00,400 --> 00:05:04,200 Speaker 1: Luca Austin pairing is gonna be that much cheaper than 100 00:05:04,200 --> 00:05:06,520 Speaker 1: a Luca Jannis paring. It's gonna be cheaper, but not 101 00:05:06,600 --> 00:05:08,960 Speaker 1: by some sort of dramatic amount. And so you're gonna 102 00:05:08,960 --> 00:05:12,640 Speaker 1: have similar constraints trying to build around two really large 103 00:05:12,680 --> 00:05:15,760 Speaker 1: max contracts with Luca and Austin. As you would with Gianness. 104 00:05:16,120 --> 00:05:18,800 Speaker 1: The difference is is you would have the draft compensation 105 00:05:18,880 --> 00:05:21,040 Speaker 1: available to you. So when I look at Austin as 106 00:05:21,080 --> 00:05:23,440 Speaker 1: a guy who's in his mid twenties, who is an 107 00:05:23,480 --> 00:05:25,600 Speaker 1: All Star level guard, he would have been an All 108 00:05:25,600 --> 00:05:28,039 Speaker 1: Star this year if he was healthy. Okay, he was 109 00:05:28,080 --> 00:05:30,280 Speaker 1: competing for an All NBA spot. I don't know if 110 00:05:30,320 --> 00:05:32,120 Speaker 1: he would have been able to stay in that conversation, 111 00:05:32,279 --> 00:05:35,440 Speaker 1: especially with Lebron coming back and them having to split touches, 112 00:05:35,520 --> 00:05:37,920 Speaker 1: but he was at least somewhere between that All Star 113 00:05:38,000 --> 00:05:41,320 Speaker 1: All NBA level guard in his mid twenties, which is 114 00:05:41,360 --> 00:05:45,359 Speaker 1: like the perfect type of complimentary peace alongside Luka Duncics. 115 00:05:45,360 --> 00:05:48,479 Speaker 1: We've just seen so many examples over the years of 116 00:05:48,600 --> 00:05:54,599 Speaker 1: Luca plus a high level shot creating guard, plus defenders 117 00:05:54,640 --> 00:05:57,359 Speaker 1: that can shoot, you know, athletes at the three and 118 00:05:57,480 --> 00:05:59,960 Speaker 1: four that can guard multiple positions and knock down shot 119 00:06:00,240 --> 00:06:03,599 Speaker 1: and play off of the advantages that their advantage creators create, 120 00:06:04,000 --> 00:06:06,240 Speaker 1: and then a rim running center right like that formula 121 00:06:06,320 --> 00:06:09,280 Speaker 1: we've just seen work with Lucas so many times over 122 00:06:09,320 --> 00:06:12,000 Speaker 1: the years. So if I look at that and I go, 123 00:06:12,200 --> 00:06:15,440 Speaker 1: I've got Luca and I've got Austin Austin's reup done 124 00:06:15,440 --> 00:06:18,200 Speaker 1: a long term deal, and I have my twenty twenty 125 00:06:18,240 --> 00:06:21,159 Speaker 1: six first that I'd probably end up using, like actually 126 00:06:21,200 --> 00:06:25,200 Speaker 1: looking to draft the next you know, Tristan da Silva type, 127 00:06:25,240 --> 00:06:27,839 Speaker 1: you know, three and D forward that you can find 128 00:06:27,880 --> 00:06:29,960 Speaker 1: in the mid late first round at times, like that 129 00:06:30,080 --> 00:06:32,560 Speaker 1: level of player. You're gonna be looking for that with 130 00:06:32,600 --> 00:06:34,840 Speaker 1: that twenty twenty six pick. And then you have your 131 00:06:34,880 --> 00:06:37,680 Speaker 1: two additional first round picks that you can look to trade, 132 00:06:38,120 --> 00:06:40,320 Speaker 1: either to absorb salary because the Lakers will have all 133 00:06:40,320 --> 00:06:43,080 Speaker 1: that cap space. Maybe they get lucky and they get 134 00:06:43,080 --> 00:06:45,800 Speaker 1: a restricted for agent like Peyton Wattson. I'm skeptical about 135 00:06:45,800 --> 00:06:47,839 Speaker 1: their ability to get that kind of guy, but maybe 136 00:06:47,880 --> 00:06:49,960 Speaker 1: they target Atari Easton and they get one of those 137 00:06:49,960 --> 00:06:52,480 Speaker 1: guys in restricted free agency, they make another meal a 138 00:06:53,000 --> 00:06:56,679 Speaker 1: deal with you know, first round pick plus cap space 139 00:06:56,839 --> 00:06:59,080 Speaker 1: to I don't know, let's say Nick Klaxton something like. 140 00:06:59,120 --> 00:07:00,719 Speaker 1: I'm just throw a random name out there. But the 141 00:07:00,760 --> 00:07:05,799 Speaker 1: point is I like the idea of Luca Austin, high 142 00:07:05,839 --> 00:07:09,640 Speaker 1: level role player talent that can be achieved through the 143 00:07:09,720 --> 00:07:12,320 Speaker 1: draft pick compensation you have available in the cap space 144 00:07:12,360 --> 00:07:14,920 Speaker 1: through which you can either make restricted free agent deals 145 00:07:14,960 --> 00:07:18,440 Speaker 1: and or absorb salary in trades. I like that team's 146 00:07:18,440 --> 00:07:22,720 Speaker 1: ability to sustain success over multiple years. We've been talking 147 00:07:22,720 --> 00:07:24,800 Speaker 1: a lot about this concept on the show in recent weeks, 148 00:07:24,800 --> 00:07:27,600 Speaker 1: as we've been discussing the idea of a Yannis trade. 149 00:07:27,760 --> 00:07:30,760 Speaker 1: There's a reason why I gravitated toward towards Golden State. 150 00:07:30,960 --> 00:07:32,960 Speaker 1: And no, it's not because I'm just wanting Giannis to 151 00:07:32,960 --> 00:07:34,920 Speaker 1: play with Steph. Yeah, there's a as a basketball fan, 152 00:07:34,960 --> 00:07:36,560 Speaker 1: you bet your ass I want to see Yannis play 153 00:07:36,600 --> 00:07:38,640 Speaker 1: with Steph. But the main reason why I was kind 154 00:07:38,640 --> 00:07:41,440 Speaker 1: of focusing on Golden State is it makes sense like 155 00:07:41,640 --> 00:07:46,000 Speaker 1: Golden State has a super short window that they're super 156 00:07:46,080 --> 00:07:48,800 Speaker 1: desperate to make something happen. So throwing a bunch of 157 00:07:48,800 --> 00:07:51,880 Speaker 1: picks and shit at a guy who's gonna be thirty 158 00:07:51,880 --> 00:07:54,240 Speaker 1: two next year and who's had some health issues as 159 00:07:54,240 --> 00:07:56,960 Speaker 1: a superstar kind of makes some sense for them, right, 160 00:07:57,120 --> 00:08:00,400 Speaker 1: And like, yeah, they lose their draft compensation for the future, 161 00:08:00,760 --> 00:08:03,960 Speaker 1: but they're headed for a complete tank and rebuild anyway 162 00:08:04,040 --> 00:08:07,040 Speaker 1: when they can absorb bad money and take draft picks 163 00:08:07,080 --> 00:08:09,360 Speaker 1: back as part of those deals, and they don't have 164 00:08:09,440 --> 00:08:12,640 Speaker 1: some sort of young foundational player like guys if Jonathan 165 00:08:12,680 --> 00:08:16,800 Speaker 1: Kaminga was Jalen Johnson. The Warriors are not making a 166 00:08:16,800 --> 00:08:21,640 Speaker 1: Gianni's trade. The Warriors are hounding, like hoarding all their 167 00:08:21,680 --> 00:08:23,640 Speaker 1: picks and trying to figure out a way to build 168 00:08:23,680 --> 00:08:25,840 Speaker 1: around Jalen Johnson for the future. But that's not the case. 169 00:08:25,920 --> 00:08:29,600 Speaker 1: Jonathan Kaminga is their best young player or was their 170 00:08:29,640 --> 00:08:31,920 Speaker 1: best young player, and he very clearly was not that 171 00:08:32,040 --> 00:08:35,440 Speaker 1: foundational piece. So Golden State seemed to like kind of 172 00:08:35,520 --> 00:08:40,000 Speaker 1: thread the needle of like desperation mixed with having some 173 00:08:40,160 --> 00:08:43,320 Speaker 1: assets that they might actually be willing to spend because 174 00:08:43,360 --> 00:08:46,000 Speaker 1: they don't have a super bright future. That's why Golden 175 00:08:46,000 --> 00:08:48,840 Speaker 1: State made a lot of sense. Right. The unique difference 176 00:08:48,880 --> 00:08:52,480 Speaker 1: between that situation and the Lakers situation is Luca's twenty 177 00:08:52,520 --> 00:08:56,160 Speaker 1: six years old. Luca is still just barely entering what 178 00:08:56,240 --> 00:08:58,520 Speaker 1: should be a five or six year stretch where he 179 00:08:58,640 --> 00:09:02,880 Speaker 1: is a perennial top five, top three player in the NBA. 180 00:09:03,040 --> 00:09:06,439 Speaker 1: So with the Lakers, you're looking more for sustained success. 181 00:09:06,960 --> 00:09:10,600 Speaker 1: That makes the Yannis discussion more complicated, just like it 182 00:09:10,600 --> 00:09:14,000 Speaker 1: did for Minnesota when I was talking about them. Right, So, 183 00:09:14,160 --> 00:09:17,080 Speaker 1: like specifically with the Lakers, if they can somehow find 184 00:09:17,080 --> 00:09:20,440 Speaker 1: a way to pull Austin, Yanis and Luca all as 185 00:09:20,559 --> 00:09:23,440 Speaker 1: the as the same foundation for the team. Yeah, sure, 186 00:09:23,480 --> 00:09:26,000 Speaker 1: you go for it, but if a Yanis deal requires 187 00:09:26,040 --> 00:09:29,080 Speaker 1: you to include Austin and you have to send out 188 00:09:29,160 --> 00:09:31,520 Speaker 1: all of your draft picks, all of a sudden, you 189 00:09:31,559 --> 00:09:34,720 Speaker 1: have Luca and Yannis, but you quite literally are just 190 00:09:34,880 --> 00:09:38,720 Speaker 1: trying to find like restricted free agency would become like 191 00:09:38,760 --> 00:09:42,040 Speaker 1: your last opportunity to try to pull in a player. 192 00:09:42,280 --> 00:09:44,560 Speaker 1: You're probably not gonna win any bidding wars there because 193 00:09:44,559 --> 00:09:47,520 Speaker 1: of your cap space constraints and building the rest of 194 00:09:47,559 --> 00:09:49,960 Speaker 1: the roster. You're stuck with like bringing eighton back on 195 00:09:49,960 --> 00:09:53,560 Speaker 1: his team options, player option and veteran minimum contracts down 196 00:09:53,600 --> 00:09:55,440 Speaker 1: the line, and you might get some high level veteran 197 00:09:55,480 --> 00:09:57,400 Speaker 1: minimum guys because you have Luca and Yanis and you 198 00:09:57,400 --> 00:09:59,040 Speaker 1: have some minutes available, and you might be able to 199 00:09:59,040 --> 00:10:01,480 Speaker 1: put together a decent team, but it's gonna be really 200 00:10:01,480 --> 00:10:04,480 Speaker 1: difficult to sustain. And then two years from now, Giannis 201 00:10:04,600 --> 00:10:07,560 Speaker 1: is gonna be, you know, turning thirty four and not 202 00:10:08,080 --> 00:10:10,960 Speaker 1: physically capable of really holding up his end of the bargain, 203 00:10:10,960 --> 00:10:12,240 Speaker 1: and all of a sudden, you're gonna be like, shit, 204 00:10:12,320 --> 00:10:14,640 Speaker 1: do we need to trade Giannis and is he actually 205 00:10:14,679 --> 00:10:16,520 Speaker 1: worth that much at this phase in his career as 206 00:10:16,520 --> 00:10:18,920 Speaker 1: his body started breaking down and now all of a sudden, 207 00:10:18,920 --> 00:10:21,199 Speaker 1: you could run the risk of losing Luca as well. 208 00:10:21,240 --> 00:10:26,080 Speaker 1: And so for sustaining success, if a Yanni Steel mandates 209 00:10:26,080 --> 00:10:28,520 Speaker 1: that you include Austin, I'm completely out on it. I'd 210 00:10:28,559 --> 00:10:31,679 Speaker 1: much rather build around Luca and Austin with the level 211 00:10:31,679 --> 00:10:33,760 Speaker 1: of draft compensation that they have in the cap space 212 00:10:33,800 --> 00:10:35,960 Speaker 1: that they have, to try to put quality role players 213 00:10:35,960 --> 00:10:38,960 Speaker 1: around them, simply because we've seen that as a proven 214 00:10:39,040 --> 00:10:42,000 Speaker 1: formula for success in the NBA Luka Dancic at an 215 00:10:42,080 --> 00:10:45,679 Speaker 1: MVP level plus an all star level secondary guard that 216 00:10:45,679 --> 00:10:48,000 Speaker 1: can create shots both with him and without him, and 217 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:50,480 Speaker 1: there's been a plenty of evidence of that this season, 218 00:10:51,000 --> 00:10:54,120 Speaker 1: and high level athletes on the perimeter that can defend 219 00:10:54,160 --> 00:10:57,520 Speaker 1: and shoot in rim running centers. That's the pathway that 220 00:10:57,640 --> 00:11:01,360 Speaker 1: is going to be your way towards sustained success if 221 00:11:01,400 --> 00:11:03,880 Speaker 1: you have to include Austin In A Jannisteeal, I don't 222 00:11:03,880 --> 00:11:07,439 Speaker 1: think it makes any sense. What are your thoughts on 223 00:11:07,480 --> 00:11:09,520 Speaker 1: the Hornets over the last month or so? Can they 224 00:11:09,520 --> 00:11:12,400 Speaker 1: sustain this? What moves can they make at the deadline 225 00:11:12,520 --> 00:11:15,880 Speaker 1: or the offseason to continue to improve. Well, several things 226 00:11:15,880 --> 00:11:18,000 Speaker 1: for the Hornets have gone right in a big way 227 00:11:18,120 --> 00:11:20,079 Speaker 1: this particular season. They've actually put together a hell of 228 00:11:20,120 --> 00:11:22,200 Speaker 1: a stretch right now. They've won nine games in a row. 229 00:11:22,440 --> 00:11:25,400 Speaker 1: They have an offensive rating over one twenty in this stretch, 230 00:11:25,600 --> 00:11:29,720 Speaker 1: in a top five defense, and unbelievably dominant on the glass. 231 00:11:29,760 --> 00:11:33,120 Speaker 1: They were rebounding thirty eight percent of their own misses 232 00:11:33,360 --> 00:11:37,000 Speaker 1: while also completely shutting down the defensive glass. On the 233 00:11:37,040 --> 00:11:38,400 Speaker 1: other end of the floor. The playing some really good 234 00:11:38,400 --> 00:11:40,960 Speaker 1: basketball right now. Several things have kind of just hit 235 00:11:41,040 --> 00:11:43,960 Speaker 1: for them. Brandon Miller's taken a leap as you'd hope 236 00:11:43,960 --> 00:11:46,880 Speaker 1: for a young player in his development trajectory, Like Kank 237 00:11:46,960 --> 00:11:49,520 Speaker 1: Nipple's legitimately a threat to win rookie. I don't think 238 00:11:49,559 --> 00:11:51,000 Speaker 1: he's gonna win. I think it's gonna be Cooper, but 239 00:11:51,520 --> 00:11:53,880 Speaker 1: Konk Nipple's a threat, and like that is an absolute 240 00:11:53,960 --> 00:11:56,000 Speaker 1: hit of a draft pick. Like Conk Nipple has been 241 00:11:56,400 --> 00:12:00,360 Speaker 1: has exceeded all expectations. He's just awesome, right Like LaMelo 242 00:12:00,440 --> 00:12:02,240 Speaker 1: Ball has been fitting with these guys. Like if you're 243 00:12:02,240 --> 00:12:05,040 Speaker 1: asking me for like one thing for Hornets fans, to 244 00:12:05,080 --> 00:12:07,679 Speaker 1: get really excited about during the stretch. It's the way 245 00:12:07,720 --> 00:12:10,640 Speaker 1: all their young players seem to play together really well. 246 00:12:10,840 --> 00:12:15,520 Speaker 1: There's really good scoring balance they've got. They've got like 247 00:12:15,679 --> 00:12:19,040 Speaker 1: this natural starting lineup where the skill sets fit really well. Right, Like, 248 00:12:19,040 --> 00:12:23,000 Speaker 1: you've got your primary shot creating guard and LaMelo ball 249 00:12:23,080 --> 00:12:26,680 Speaker 1: that can like be your advantage creator. Plus guy that 250 00:12:26,880 --> 00:12:29,839 Speaker 1: breeds life into the breathes life into the offense with pace, 251 00:12:29,920 --> 00:12:32,000 Speaker 1: and that can also when things bogged down, be a 252 00:12:32,000 --> 00:12:33,840 Speaker 1: guy that runs action for you in the half court 253 00:12:34,080 --> 00:12:37,160 Speaker 1: in clutch situations and generate advantages. But then off of that, 254 00:12:37,200 --> 00:12:40,440 Speaker 1: you've got your stereotypical off ball scorer in coon Ka Nipple, 255 00:12:40,800 --> 00:12:45,760 Speaker 1: your stereotypical like three level scoring forward in Brandon Miller. 256 00:12:46,040 --> 00:12:48,440 Speaker 1: You know, obviously Miles Bridges is doing great work as 257 00:12:48,440 --> 00:12:50,400 Speaker 1: a catch and shoot player, close that attacker. He's actually 258 00:12:50,440 --> 00:12:52,440 Speaker 1: doing some work on the offensive glass as well. And 259 00:12:52,440 --> 00:12:55,280 Speaker 1: then Mussa Diabat's hit. So like all these guys have hit, 260 00:12:55,400 --> 00:12:57,360 Speaker 1: and that has been like the key, right, Like Brandon 261 00:12:57,400 --> 00:13:00,640 Speaker 1: Miller has been better than Scooter Henderson by a mile 262 00:13:00,720 --> 00:13:03,720 Speaker 1: and is continuing to take leaps every year. KNK Nipple 263 00:13:03,840 --> 00:13:05,920 Speaker 1: in conversations for Rookie of the Year. That's a hit. 264 00:13:06,160 --> 00:13:08,680 Speaker 1: Mussa Diabate looks like a bona fide starting center in 265 00:13:08,679 --> 00:13:10,439 Speaker 1: this league, and he's making less than three million a 266 00:13:10,520 --> 00:13:12,920 Speaker 1: year for the next two years. Like all of this 267 00:13:13,040 --> 00:13:16,280 Speaker 1: has just hit and that has allowed them to reach 268 00:13:16,320 --> 00:13:19,240 Speaker 1: a level that they didn't reach earlier in the season. 269 00:13:20,960 --> 00:13:22,760 Speaker 1: I think you know, I was talking about this last 270 00:13:22,760 --> 00:13:26,400 Speaker 1: week with the Clippers. I'm generally skeptical about runs that 271 00:13:26,440 --> 00:13:28,760 Speaker 1: take place this time of year. When you get into 272 00:13:28,760 --> 00:13:31,240 Speaker 1: this middle chunk of the season, you can get a 273 00:13:31,240 --> 00:13:33,920 Speaker 1: lot of noise, Like you have teams that are injured, 274 00:13:34,240 --> 00:13:37,240 Speaker 1: you have teams that are just playing uninspired basketball because 275 00:13:37,240 --> 00:13:38,840 Speaker 1: either they won a lot of games early in the 276 00:13:38,880 --> 00:13:40,760 Speaker 1: season or maybe they've lost a few too many and 277 00:13:40,760 --> 00:13:42,640 Speaker 1: they've started to let go of the rope. But there's 278 00:13:42,640 --> 00:13:44,679 Speaker 1: a lot of relaxing this time of the year. And 279 00:13:44,720 --> 00:13:47,640 Speaker 1: so like the Hornets, they have their starting fives fully healthy. 280 00:13:47,679 --> 00:13:51,000 Speaker 1: LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, Conkoinipple, Brandon Miller, Musa Debate have 281 00:13:51,080 --> 00:13:53,120 Speaker 1: all played in every single one of these nine games 282 00:13:53,120 --> 00:13:55,280 Speaker 1: as the starting lineup. So they've got good continuity and 283 00:13:55,320 --> 00:13:58,720 Speaker 1: health right now, and they are hitting their stride after 284 00:13:58,760 --> 00:14:01,400 Speaker 1: struggling to start the year. They want to show what 285 00:14:01,440 --> 00:14:04,200 Speaker 1: their upside is. So they're playing their best basketball every 286 00:14:04,200 --> 00:14:06,520 Speaker 1: single night. And so against the league that is dealing 287 00:14:06,559 --> 00:14:10,000 Speaker 1: with oscillations and effort and oscillations and health, they've just 288 00:14:10,040 --> 00:14:12,520 Speaker 1: been chewing teams up and spitting them out. That said, 289 00:14:12,760 --> 00:14:15,480 Speaker 1: I am buying this stretch from the Hornets, a lot 290 00:14:15,520 --> 00:14:18,840 Speaker 1: of quality wins versus playoff teams, against teams that have 291 00:14:18,880 --> 00:14:20,800 Speaker 1: had most of their guys available. Again, lot of them 292 00:14:20,800 --> 00:14:22,960 Speaker 1: are all playing their best basketball right now, but they're 293 00:14:22,960 --> 00:14:25,400 Speaker 1: at least they have their main guys out there. They've 294 00:14:25,400 --> 00:14:28,200 Speaker 1: been elite on both ends of the floor. They're rebounding again, 295 00:14:28,280 --> 00:14:30,760 Speaker 1: super super impressive. We talked about this concept in the 296 00:14:30,800 --> 00:14:34,480 Speaker 1: All NBA Show with Adamarrez two fridays ago when we 297 00:14:34,560 --> 00:14:36,920 Speaker 1: talked a bunch of Hornets. But essentially one of the 298 00:14:37,040 --> 00:14:39,520 Speaker 1: dynamics that I'm seeing that's really causing a lot of 299 00:14:39,560 --> 00:14:43,720 Speaker 1: damages are damage to opposing defenses, is they just are 300 00:14:43,760 --> 00:14:45,760 Speaker 1: a super high level three point shooting team right So 301 00:14:45,800 --> 00:14:48,360 Speaker 1: like they're top three and three pointers made and top 302 00:14:48,400 --> 00:14:51,280 Speaker 1: three and three point percentage over this nine game span, 303 00:14:51,960 --> 00:14:54,120 Speaker 1: and all the guys in their starting lineup can really 304 00:14:54,120 --> 00:14:56,120 Speaker 1: shoot right. So like lamel Ball comes off a screen, 305 00:14:56,160 --> 00:14:58,520 Speaker 1: if he's clear, he's gonna shoot it. Colak Nipple comes 306 00:14:58,560 --> 00:15:00,360 Speaker 1: off a screen, if he's clear, he's gonna shoot. Brandon 307 00:15:00,360 --> 00:15:02,600 Speaker 1: Miller comes off screen, he's clear, he's gonna shoot. Miles 308 00:15:02,640 --> 00:15:04,560 Speaker 1: Bridges comes off the screen. He's clear, he's gonna shoot it. 309 00:15:04,600 --> 00:15:06,640 Speaker 1: So in the starting lineup, you've got all these high 310 00:15:06,720 --> 00:15:09,360 Speaker 1: level three point shooters. And what ends up happening is 311 00:15:09,360 --> 00:15:12,120 Speaker 1: as those guys come out off of screening actions, there 312 00:15:12,200 --> 00:15:15,440 Speaker 1: is a coverage kind of response to that, right, that 313 00:15:15,560 --> 00:15:18,720 Speaker 1: is bigs coming up to the level. So as bigs 314 00:15:18,720 --> 00:15:20,560 Speaker 1: come up to the level, what is the kind of 315 00:15:20,720 --> 00:15:25,200 Speaker 1: natural kind of like chain of events that happens there, 316 00:15:25,600 --> 00:15:28,000 Speaker 1: the big who sets the screen has an opportunity to 317 00:15:28,080 --> 00:15:31,080 Speaker 1: get behind the roller, right, So like a no roller 318 00:15:31,120 --> 00:15:34,040 Speaker 1: behind drop coverage or a deep drop coverage, that guy's 319 00:15:34,080 --> 00:15:36,600 Speaker 1: gonna sit back and he's going to concede the shot 320 00:15:36,680 --> 00:15:39,040 Speaker 1: coming off the screen so that he can keep the 321 00:15:39,080 --> 00:15:41,400 Speaker 1: screen or in front as he rolls downhill. That way, 322 00:15:41,440 --> 00:15:43,600 Speaker 1: he can kind of control the defensive glass and protect 323 00:15:43,640 --> 00:15:46,200 Speaker 1: the rim. Right. As soon as you change your coverage 324 00:15:46,200 --> 00:15:48,160 Speaker 1: to an at the level or up to touch coverage, 325 00:15:48,240 --> 00:15:50,960 Speaker 1: blitz a hedge, anything that involves your big coming up 326 00:15:51,320 --> 00:15:54,200 Speaker 1: to the level of the screen the roller does get behind. 327 00:15:54,480 --> 00:15:57,840 Speaker 1: When the roller does get behind, they have a huge 328 00:15:57,880 --> 00:16:00,240 Speaker 1: advantage on the offensive glass. They have a huge, huge 329 00:16:00,240 --> 00:16:03,480 Speaker 1: advantage for drop offs rotation situations when they can catch 330 00:16:03,560 --> 00:16:06,920 Speaker 1: and finish around the rim. So for instance, Ryan Cochrander 331 00:16:06,960 --> 00:16:09,520 Speaker 1: and Mussa Diabat, those two guys are averaging between the 332 00:16:09,520 --> 00:16:13,920 Speaker 1: two of them over six offensive rebounds per game in 333 00:16:14,000 --> 00:16:16,120 Speaker 1: the span, and a big part of that is just 334 00:16:16,160 --> 00:16:20,960 Speaker 1: because of how often the Hornet's perimeter players dictate coverages 335 00:16:21,000 --> 00:16:24,280 Speaker 1: that force biggs to show. When they show they can 336 00:16:24,320 --> 00:16:26,640 Speaker 1: slip to the rim. When they slip to the rim, 337 00:16:26,800 --> 00:16:29,200 Speaker 1: not only do they do damage there as rollers and cutters, 338 00:16:29,360 --> 00:16:31,760 Speaker 1: but they also do damage as offensive rebounders. It's been 339 00:16:31,800 --> 00:16:33,600 Speaker 1: a huge part of why they get thirty eight percent 340 00:16:33,640 --> 00:16:35,600 Speaker 1: of their own missus. I'd be remiss if I didn't 341 00:16:35,640 --> 00:16:38,920 Speaker 1: mention the perimeter players there too. In this span, Miles Bridges, 342 00:16:39,000 --> 00:16:42,560 Speaker 1: Brandon Miller, kon K Nipple, they're all averaging an offensive 343 00:16:42,600 --> 00:16:45,480 Speaker 1: rebound per game. So the corner crashes and just the 344 00:16:45,520 --> 00:16:48,480 Speaker 1: overall activity there are a lot of scrappers. Like, to me, 345 00:16:48,920 --> 00:16:50,760 Speaker 1: that's one of the most underrated traits in general in 346 00:16:50,800 --> 00:16:53,640 Speaker 1: the modern NBA because of winning the possession battle. You 347 00:16:53,680 --> 00:16:56,000 Speaker 1: want to if you want to force turnovers, if you 348 00:16:56,040 --> 00:16:58,000 Speaker 1: want to get offensive rebounds, if you want to do 349 00:16:58,040 --> 00:17:00,680 Speaker 1: all the things that increase the number of possessions that 350 00:17:00,760 --> 00:17:04,000 Speaker 1: you have. Like, that's an alternative way to win. Right. 351 00:17:04,280 --> 00:17:08,160 Speaker 1: You can win by half court efficiency by just scoring 352 00:17:08,240 --> 00:17:13,040 Speaker 1: more on each possession and getting more stops on each possession, 353 00:17:13,480 --> 00:17:16,240 Speaker 1: or you can win on the margins right by creating 354 00:17:16,320 --> 00:17:19,720 Speaker 1: more possessions than your opponents. Those are two pathways to 355 00:17:19,840 --> 00:17:23,240 Speaker 1: improve your chances to win. Ideally, you want to do both, right. 356 00:17:24,200 --> 00:17:26,359 Speaker 1: That's what's exciting about this team in the big picture. 357 00:17:26,720 --> 00:17:29,440 Speaker 1: They are a bunch of scrappers that I think are 358 00:17:29,480 --> 00:17:31,640 Speaker 1: going to win a lot of those loose ball types 359 00:17:31,680 --> 00:17:35,000 Speaker 1: of situations to help them win the possession battle. But 360 00:17:35,040 --> 00:17:38,080 Speaker 1: at the same time, there's this huge amount of aggregate 361 00:17:38,119 --> 00:17:41,960 Speaker 1: offensive skill that's really starting to come together. And they've been, 362 00:17:42,280 --> 00:17:44,040 Speaker 1: you know, once again putting up over a one to 363 00:17:44,040 --> 00:17:47,320 Speaker 1: twenty offensive writing, which is the hallmark of elite modern 364 00:17:47,400 --> 00:17:50,280 Speaker 1: NBA offense. I was not as high as a lot 365 00:17:50,280 --> 00:17:52,600 Speaker 1: of people on the Hornets coming into the season. And again, 366 00:17:52,640 --> 00:17:55,280 Speaker 1: I don't think anyone's going to jump to some sort 367 00:17:55,320 --> 00:18:00,359 Speaker 1: of massive conclusion over a win streak in February. But 368 00:18:00,480 --> 00:18:03,000 Speaker 1: I am buying it. You guys know me, I'm not stubborn, 369 00:18:03,040 --> 00:18:06,280 Speaker 1: I'm not in I don't I'm not unwilling to admit 370 00:18:06,320 --> 00:18:09,280 Speaker 1: when I was wrong about something. I was lower on 371 00:18:09,320 --> 00:18:11,840 Speaker 1: this Hornets team than most and they've just got a 372 00:18:11,880 --> 00:18:14,159 Speaker 1: lot of guys that are playing a lot better than 373 00:18:14,200 --> 00:18:16,080 Speaker 1: I think really any of us really thought they would 374 00:18:16,119 --> 00:18:18,879 Speaker 1: at this point. Like I really liked kun Kinnipple coming 375 00:18:18,920 --> 00:18:20,520 Speaker 1: out of the draft. I didn't think he'd compete for 376 00:18:20,880 --> 00:18:23,399 Speaker 1: Rookie of the Year. That's super, super impressive, right, Like 377 00:18:23,680 --> 00:18:26,560 Speaker 1: who said Diabate is a fun young big, but he's 378 00:18:26,600 --> 00:18:29,040 Speaker 1: turned into a guy that's like kicking ass and running 379 00:18:29,080 --> 00:18:32,240 Speaker 1: the floor and playing great defense and just dominating the 380 00:18:32,280 --> 00:18:34,360 Speaker 1: offensive glass and doing all these different things that are 381 00:18:34,400 --> 00:18:37,920 Speaker 1: that are coming together in a real upside kind of way. 382 00:18:38,000 --> 00:18:41,040 Speaker 1: And so I'm buying it. I don't think the Hornets 383 00:18:41,080 --> 00:18:42,720 Speaker 1: are gonna, you know, go win a playoff series or 384 00:18:42,760 --> 00:18:45,560 Speaker 1: anything this year, but like, I'm all in on this 385 00:18:45,640 --> 00:18:48,120 Speaker 1: team as next year. Being a team that I think 386 00:18:48,200 --> 00:18:51,200 Speaker 1: is gonna continue to grow and become a real perennial 387 00:18:51,640 --> 00:18:54,000 Speaker 1: playoff threat in the Eastern Conference. These are all good 388 00:18:54,000 --> 00:18:55,840 Speaker 1: players that I really like. I don't know how LaMelo 389 00:18:55,880 --> 00:18:57,639 Speaker 1: Ball fits all in this in the big picture, and 390 00:18:57,640 --> 00:18:59,680 Speaker 1: we'll see as the as the next couple of years 391 00:18:59,760 --> 00:19:01,679 Speaker 1: go by, if the Hornets try to move on from him, 392 00:19:01,760 --> 00:19:03,639 Speaker 1: or if they include him in this picture. But that 393 00:19:03,800 --> 00:19:07,320 Speaker 1: simple trio, the Coon Kin Nipple, Brandon Miller, mussa diabate trio. 394 00:19:07,760 --> 00:19:10,119 Speaker 1: I think those three are an extremely strong foundation that 395 00:19:10,160 --> 00:19:12,720 Speaker 1: I'll compliment each other really well. I'd be a little 396 00:19:12,760 --> 00:19:14,880 Speaker 1: hesitant to give up on Ball just because of how 397 00:19:14,920 --> 00:19:17,760 Speaker 1: important he has been At times when things have broken down, 398 00:19:17,840 --> 00:19:20,200 Speaker 1: like when I've watched the Hornets and things slow down 399 00:19:20,200 --> 00:19:23,080 Speaker 1: for them offensively, they can go to LaMelo, and LaMelo 400 00:19:23,160 --> 00:19:26,960 Speaker 1: can run a ball screen and usually generate a pretty 401 00:19:26,960 --> 00:19:29,520 Speaker 1: good shot for somebody. So like I'd be hesitant to 402 00:19:29,520 --> 00:19:31,720 Speaker 1: move on from him unless they had another plan for 403 00:19:31,800 --> 00:19:33,760 Speaker 1: a primary on ball guy. Maybe that ends up being 404 00:19:33,840 --> 00:19:37,119 Speaker 1: Kobe White. As time goes on, we'll see, But ultimately 405 00:19:37,240 --> 00:19:40,320 Speaker 1: I'm a believer in the core. I was wrong about 406 00:19:40,359 --> 00:19:42,080 Speaker 1: the Hornets to start the season. I thought they were 407 00:19:42,240 --> 00:19:44,840 Speaker 1: several years away from being ready to be a serious team. 408 00:19:45,119 --> 00:19:46,880 Speaker 1: I actually think they could be a serious team as 409 00:19:46,920 --> 00:19:50,480 Speaker 1: early as next season. Today's show is brought to you 410 00:19:50,480 --> 00:19:53,440 Speaker 1: by presenting sponsor hard Rock Bet, the official sportsbook partner 411 00:19:53,480 --> 00:19:55,800 Speaker 1: of the Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic. 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Must be 434 00:20:51,000 --> 00:20:55,880 Speaker 1: twenty one plus and physically present in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, 435 00:20:55,920 --> 00:20:59,000 Speaker 1: New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee, or Virginia to play. Terms and 436 00:20:59,000 --> 00:21:02,440 Speaker 1: conditions apply. Concerned about gambling in Florida called one eight 437 00:21:02,600 --> 00:21:05,239 Speaker 1: three to three play wise in Indiana, if you were 438 00:21:05,280 --> 00:21:07,200 Speaker 1: someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, 439 00:21:07,440 --> 00:21:10,760 Speaker 1: call one eight hundred and nine with it gambling problem 440 00:21:10,800 --> 00:21:14,040 Speaker 1: called one eight hundred gambler in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, 441 00:21:14,080 --> 00:21:19,720 Speaker 1: New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee, or Virginia. Next question, what do 442 00:21:19,720 --> 00:21:22,160 Speaker 1: you think about Kd's season? You had him at nine 443 00:21:22,200 --> 00:21:24,359 Speaker 1: before the season in your player rankings. I was just 444 00:21:24,400 --> 00:21:26,120 Speaker 1: wondering if you would like to change that. I think 445 00:21:26,160 --> 00:21:28,240 Speaker 1: he's been awesome this year. He's had some turnover games, 446 00:21:28,240 --> 00:21:30,560 Speaker 1: but overall, his advantage in shot creation has been great, 447 00:21:30,880 --> 00:21:33,639 Speaker 1: along with being available obviously just in the middle of 448 00:21:33,640 --> 00:21:36,960 Speaker 1: the season. So we're gonna do a player rankings video 449 00:21:37,000 --> 00:21:39,159 Speaker 1: here pretty soon in the next couple of weeks. We're 450 00:21:39,200 --> 00:21:41,600 Speaker 1: working on adding more like lists and things along those 451 00:21:41,640 --> 00:21:45,159 Speaker 1: lines to kind of mix up from our game reaction 452 00:21:45,240 --> 00:21:47,560 Speaker 1: coverage that we do so much of, and so we 453 00:21:47,600 --> 00:21:50,040 Speaker 1: will do an official player rankings at some point in 454 00:21:50,080 --> 00:21:53,200 Speaker 1: the next couple weeks or so, and then obviously we'll 455 00:21:53,240 --> 00:21:55,560 Speaker 1: do our legit offseason player rankings like we do every 456 00:21:55,600 --> 00:21:57,600 Speaker 1: summer when we get to that point. But I think 457 00:21:57,680 --> 00:22:01,320 Speaker 1: KD has been more or less exactly what I thought 458 00:22:01,320 --> 00:22:05,119 Speaker 1: he would be this season. You know, KD in his 459 00:22:05,160 --> 00:22:07,360 Speaker 1: time in Phoenix, there wasn't really a case to put 460 00:22:07,440 --> 00:22:10,000 Speaker 1: him as high as number nine. I think the team 461 00:22:10,720 --> 00:22:12,600 Speaker 1: really struggled to put things together, and it was that 462 00:22:12,640 --> 00:22:15,920 Speaker 1: there wasn't some sort of massive statistical indicator that was 463 00:22:15,960 --> 00:22:17,720 Speaker 1: showing a great deal of value there. But I thought 464 00:22:17,720 --> 00:22:20,679 Speaker 1: it was more because of a really flawed Phoenix Sun's roster, 465 00:22:20,840 --> 00:22:23,560 Speaker 1: right Like that roster is so flawed. Everyone's like, oh 466 00:22:23,560 --> 00:22:26,000 Speaker 1: my god, they got KD out of there, and they're good. No, 467 00:22:26,119 --> 00:22:28,960 Speaker 1: that's not what happened. They brought in a legitimate defensive 468 00:22:28,960 --> 00:22:31,280 Speaker 1: foundation and Mark Williams want a diamond in the rough, 469 00:22:31,280 --> 00:22:33,160 Speaker 1: so to speak, because he wasn't viewed as that before 470 00:22:33,200 --> 00:22:35,359 Speaker 1: the trade. And then they brought in Dylan Brooks, this, 471 00:22:35,560 --> 00:22:39,359 Speaker 1: you know, kind of elite perimeter defender. These are styles 472 00:22:39,400 --> 00:22:42,880 Speaker 1: of players that they straight up didn't have in recent years. 473 00:22:42,920 --> 00:22:45,719 Speaker 1: That has been what's raised Phoenix's floor and made them 474 00:22:45,720 --> 00:22:47,639 Speaker 1: a more serious team. It's not because they got rid 475 00:22:47,680 --> 00:22:49,880 Speaker 1: of KD. Like, if you added KD to the Suns 476 00:22:49,920 --> 00:22:51,800 Speaker 1: right now, they'd be a championship contender. So I just 477 00:22:51,840 --> 00:22:54,840 Speaker 1: don't I don't really buy that idea. I loved your 478 00:22:54,960 --> 00:22:58,000 Speaker 1: characterization in the question of the way he's played with Houston. 479 00:22:58,000 --> 00:23:00,680 Speaker 1: I think he's been awesome on defense. I think, yes, 480 00:23:00,720 --> 00:23:03,439 Speaker 1: he's had some issues with turnovers at times, but overall, 481 00:23:03,480 --> 00:23:08,360 Speaker 1: he's consistently generated advantages, meaning he's constantly drawing multiple defenders 482 00:23:08,359 --> 00:23:11,119 Speaker 1: and creating openings for Houston. They just have to figure 483 00:23:11,119 --> 00:23:14,080 Speaker 1: out how to more consistently capitalize on them, and the 484 00:23:14,119 --> 00:23:17,280 Speaker 1: availability has been key. He's just been there as things 485 00:23:17,640 --> 00:23:20,560 Speaker 1: have been rough for other parts of their roster. Throughout 486 00:23:20,560 --> 00:23:23,600 Speaker 1: the year. I just think Kadie, like you know that 487 00:23:23,760 --> 00:23:25,320 Speaker 1: nine range. So, like you know, we look at the 488 00:23:25,320 --> 00:23:28,040 Speaker 1: top tier superstars are one through four, our second tier 489 00:23:28,119 --> 00:23:30,639 Speaker 1: superstars are in that like five to fourteen range. And 490 00:23:30,680 --> 00:23:32,280 Speaker 1: you know, Kdi, I had right in the middle of 491 00:23:32,320 --> 00:23:34,600 Speaker 1: that range. And what am I talking about when I'm 492 00:23:34,600 --> 00:23:37,680 Speaker 1: talking about that tier of players. I'm talking about guys 493 00:23:37,680 --> 00:23:41,160 Speaker 1: that on any given night can reach that level of 494 00:23:41,240 --> 00:23:44,320 Speaker 1: the top tier guys in the league, whether they struggle 495 00:23:44,359 --> 00:23:47,680 Speaker 1: with some consistency for one reason or another. For older players, 496 00:23:47,680 --> 00:23:50,160 Speaker 1: it's usually just because their bodies aren't feeling great every 497 00:23:50,160 --> 00:23:53,119 Speaker 1: single night. For younger players, it's because they're inconsistent. They 498 00:23:53,119 --> 00:23:55,639 Speaker 1: struggle to replicate successes, and they struggle to trim the 499 00:23:55,680 --> 00:23:58,720 Speaker 1: fat when they're making mistakes. Right, So that's why we 500 00:23:58,760 --> 00:24:01,560 Speaker 1: see younger players that tier like a Victor Weman Yama 501 00:24:01,560 --> 00:24:03,800 Speaker 1: and older players in that tier like Steph Curry and 502 00:24:03,840 --> 00:24:06,880 Speaker 1: Kevin Durant for example. Right. So, like I've been really 503 00:24:06,880 --> 00:24:09,399 Speaker 1: impressed by Katie this year. I think that in general, 504 00:24:09,560 --> 00:24:11,760 Speaker 1: Houston has the most room for improvement between now and 505 00:24:11,800 --> 00:24:13,639 Speaker 1: the postseason two is to continue to figure some of 506 00:24:13,640 --> 00:24:17,560 Speaker 1: these things out, which flows into our next question, should 507 00:24:17,600 --> 00:24:21,080 Speaker 1: the Rockets look at a different five man finishing lineup 508 00:24:21,119 --> 00:24:23,720 Speaker 1: without a men Thompson at the end of games, for instance, 509 00:24:23,840 --> 00:24:29,199 Speaker 1: Kadi alpren Jabari, maybe Finny Smith and Eason possibly Read Shepherd. 510 00:24:30,359 --> 00:24:34,879 Speaker 1: So obviously that fifth man is has been kind of 511 00:24:34,920 --> 00:24:37,359 Speaker 1: a rotating door this year, and there's been a variety 512 00:24:37,400 --> 00:24:39,280 Speaker 1: of different guys we've looked at there. Right Like, I 513 00:24:39,320 --> 00:24:41,720 Speaker 1: think I think Tarr Easton still is the best bet 514 00:24:41,720 --> 00:24:44,560 Speaker 1: for that fifth guy. I think Read Shepherd. There's some 515 00:24:44,680 --> 00:24:47,280 Speaker 1: data that shows it's been good with Reed, even though 516 00:24:47,400 --> 00:24:49,399 Speaker 1: on tape there's been some issues that have shown up, 517 00:24:49,440 --> 00:24:53,040 Speaker 1: specifically on the defensive end there. Dorian Finney Smith has 518 00:24:53,040 --> 00:24:55,159 Speaker 1: just really struggled to shoot the ball and hasn't started 519 00:24:55,200 --> 00:24:57,120 Speaker 1: moving really well. But I still think there's an outside 520 00:24:57,119 --> 00:24:59,480 Speaker 1: shot that by the time we get to April, Dorian 521 00:24:59,480 --> 00:25:02,639 Speaker 1: will shoot the a better and move better. Latterly, he 522 00:25:02,800 --> 00:25:05,439 Speaker 1: was really really important to the Lakers last season, so 523 00:25:05,640 --> 00:25:08,040 Speaker 1: I mean, maybe maybe the Rockets got on him one 524 00:25:08,119 --> 00:25:10,560 Speaker 1: year too late, but I don't think it's over for 525 00:25:10,600 --> 00:25:13,919 Speaker 1: Finney Smith. I'd give him some more time. Specifically your 526 00:25:14,000 --> 00:25:16,960 Speaker 1: question though, regarding a men Thompson, I would be hesitant 527 00:25:17,000 --> 00:25:19,679 Speaker 1: to move a men Thompson out of your closing lineup 528 00:25:19,720 --> 00:25:22,480 Speaker 1: for one reason. I view him as a foundational player 529 00:25:22,680 --> 00:25:26,679 Speaker 1: on this team. And you know, yes, Kevin Durant's older 530 00:25:26,880 --> 00:25:30,760 Speaker 1: and there's a certain window that you're working with with KD. 531 00:25:30,960 --> 00:25:34,080 Speaker 1: But everyone else in this group is a foundational piece. 532 00:25:34,119 --> 00:25:36,399 Speaker 1: It's going to be around for a while, Like Albern 533 00:25:36,440 --> 00:25:38,479 Speaker 1: Schangun is going to be around for a while. You know, 534 00:25:38,760 --> 00:25:41,399 Speaker 1: a Men Thompson is gonna be around for a while. 535 00:25:41,640 --> 00:25:44,280 Speaker 1: We'll see if Tari Easton if they can retain him 536 00:25:44,280 --> 00:25:46,520 Speaker 1: in restricted free agency. I think they probably will and 537 00:25:46,880 --> 00:25:49,280 Speaker 1: he'll be around for a while. Reed Shepherd is going 538 00:25:49,359 --> 00:25:50,919 Speaker 1: to be around for a while. Like You've got a 539 00:25:51,000 --> 00:25:53,400 Speaker 1: core here that you're going to be trying to win 540 00:25:53,480 --> 00:25:56,480 Speaker 1: with for years. And the only way to get to 541 00:25:56,480 --> 00:25:58,480 Speaker 1: the point where you can figure out how to close 542 00:25:58,520 --> 00:26:01,040 Speaker 1: games with a men Thompson on the floor is through 543 00:26:01,119 --> 00:26:04,000 Speaker 1: him figuring it out and the team figuring it out. 544 00:26:04,640 --> 00:26:07,119 Speaker 1: And so he needs reps, and I think if you 545 00:26:07,480 --> 00:26:09,919 Speaker 1: banish him out of that lineup, it's just gonna make 546 00:26:09,960 --> 00:26:13,080 Speaker 1: it that much harder to eventually reach that point. The 547 00:26:13,119 --> 00:26:16,000 Speaker 1: best version of the Rockets includes Amen Thompson. He's one 548 00:26:16,000 --> 00:26:18,080 Speaker 1: of the most gifted athletes, if not the most gifted 549 00:26:18,080 --> 00:26:20,639 Speaker 1: athlete in the entire NBA right now. He is a 550 00:26:20,720 --> 00:26:23,080 Speaker 1: huge part of what they do defensively. He's a huge 551 00:26:23,119 --> 00:26:25,439 Speaker 1: part of the damage they do on the offensive glass. 552 00:26:25,840 --> 00:26:29,200 Speaker 1: He ultimately will be a huge part of the best 553 00:26:29,320 --> 00:26:32,320 Speaker 1: version of the Rockets that might eventually materialize at some 554 00:26:32,359 --> 00:26:34,400 Speaker 1: point in the next couple of years. So I would 555 00:26:34,400 --> 00:26:37,680 Speaker 1: be really hesitant to move him out of that lineup. 556 00:26:37,920 --> 00:26:39,520 Speaker 1: I think the main thing is there's there's a couple 557 00:26:39,520 --> 00:26:42,639 Speaker 1: of different things that I've noticed. One, you know, there 558 00:26:42,680 --> 00:26:45,320 Speaker 1: are certain rim protecting looks where when he's in the 559 00:26:45,359 --> 00:26:48,159 Speaker 1: dunker spot, that rim protector can kind of split the 560 00:26:48,200 --> 00:26:52,360 Speaker 1: difference between Shannggoun and Amn Thompson and create like kind 561 00:26:52,400 --> 00:26:54,480 Speaker 1: of that same dynamic that we saw with like think 562 00:26:54,520 --> 00:26:57,960 Speaker 1: like Mitchell Robinson and the Cleveland Biggs back when the 563 00:26:58,040 --> 00:27:00,359 Speaker 1: Knicks upset the Calves in that first round series a 564 00:27:00,359 --> 00:27:02,600 Speaker 1: few years ago. Like when you have a big that 565 00:27:02,640 --> 00:27:05,760 Speaker 1: can kind of like split the difference in like Tagger Roller, 566 00:27:06,400 --> 00:27:09,840 Speaker 1: but still defend the dunker spot competently and kind of 567 00:27:09,840 --> 00:27:12,159 Speaker 1: play that you know a little bit of give and 568 00:27:12,200 --> 00:27:15,520 Speaker 1: take there that can be a problem for traditional dunker 569 00:27:15,560 --> 00:27:18,439 Speaker 1: spots spacing, and we've seen some examples where you know, 570 00:27:18,480 --> 00:27:21,560 Speaker 1: when there's a lesser rim protector there. The men Thompson 571 00:27:21,600 --> 00:27:23,800 Speaker 1: in the dunker spot thing works fantastically because he just 572 00:27:23,960 --> 00:27:25,960 Speaker 1: he can just elevate over the top and finish everything. 573 00:27:25,960 --> 00:27:27,760 Speaker 1: But there are certain types of rim protectors that can 574 00:27:27,800 --> 00:27:30,840 Speaker 1: cause them some problems there. I have liked when a 575 00:27:30,920 --> 00:27:33,480 Speaker 1: man is super mobile in those units, So like when 576 00:27:33,560 --> 00:27:36,800 Speaker 1: he's actually on the ball and you are setting the 577 00:27:36,800 --> 00:27:39,480 Speaker 1: screen and you have Shane Gun in the dunker spot 578 00:27:39,800 --> 00:27:42,119 Speaker 1: and have him just running quick d o's with KD 579 00:27:42,320 --> 00:27:45,040 Speaker 1: and have him barreling downhill from the top. I think 580 00:27:45,040 --> 00:27:47,919 Speaker 1: there's some potential there, just there are a couple of 581 00:27:47,920 --> 00:27:50,040 Speaker 1: times where I think he pops a little bit too far, 582 00:27:50,080 --> 00:27:52,920 Speaker 1: a little bit too far to the perimeter where he's 583 00:27:52,920 --> 00:27:55,960 Speaker 1: not able to quickly make that read, quickly make that decision. 584 00:27:56,040 --> 00:27:58,520 Speaker 1: So I think there's just some timing and spacing things 585 00:27:58,560 --> 00:28:01,159 Speaker 1: that they'll have to figure out, especially against the better defenses. 586 00:28:01,320 --> 00:28:03,440 Speaker 1: But the only way to do that is to continue 587 00:28:03,440 --> 00:28:04,920 Speaker 1: repping it out. And you're not going to rep it 588 00:28:04,960 --> 00:28:06,320 Speaker 1: out if you take him out of the lineup, so 589 00:28:06,359 --> 00:28:09,200 Speaker 1: I'd keep him in. Why do you think the Western 590 00:28:09,240 --> 00:28:11,960 Speaker 1: Conference is better at team building than the East? Just 591 00:28:12,040 --> 00:28:14,119 Speaker 1: looking and there's a possibility that the East doesn't win 592 00:28:14,119 --> 00:28:16,920 Speaker 1: a championship for years, seems like the Western Conferences hasn't 593 00:28:16,920 --> 00:28:19,360 Speaker 1: figured out. Why do you think so? I don't necessarily 594 00:28:19,400 --> 00:28:20,680 Speaker 1: think that's the case. I think there are a lot 595 00:28:20,680 --> 00:28:23,399 Speaker 1: of really well run organizations and really good coaches and 596 00:28:23,440 --> 00:28:25,679 Speaker 1: all that sort of stuff in the Eastern Conference. I 597 00:28:25,720 --> 00:28:28,040 Speaker 1: really think it just comes to top end talent. Like 598 00:28:28,080 --> 00:28:30,359 Speaker 1: if you start ranking the best players in the league, 599 00:28:30,960 --> 00:28:37,800 Speaker 1: right like Jokic Western Conference, Shay Western Conference, Luca Western Conference, 600 00:28:38,120 --> 00:28:41,600 Speaker 1: Janna's fourth best player in the world. Eastern Conference, but 601 00:28:41,680 --> 00:28:44,480 Speaker 1: he's starting to age out. After you get past that, 602 00:28:44,560 --> 00:28:50,880 Speaker 1: it's like Victor Wembin Yama Western Conference, Anthony Edwards Western Conference, 603 00:28:51,240 --> 00:28:54,800 Speaker 1: Steph Curry Western Conference. Then you're getting to like, you know, 604 00:28:54,960 --> 00:28:58,560 Speaker 1: Jalen Brunson Eastern Conference. Are obviously still high level players 605 00:28:58,560 --> 00:29:01,160 Speaker 1: in the East K Cunningham, guys on the rise and 606 00:29:01,360 --> 00:29:04,120 Speaker 1: those the league desperately needs those guys to pop. But 607 00:29:04,200 --> 00:29:06,600 Speaker 1: like right now, like six of the top seven, seven 608 00:29:06,640 --> 00:29:08,680 Speaker 1: of the top eight players in the entire NBA are 609 00:29:08,680 --> 00:29:11,280 Speaker 1: in the Western Conference, and that ultimately is what is 610 00:29:11,320 --> 00:29:16,760 Speaker 1: representing the difference between the two leagues at this point. 611 00:29:16,760 --> 00:29:18,560 Speaker 1: I don't think there I wouldn't say that there's some 612 00:29:18,600 --> 00:29:21,719 Speaker 1: sort of difference in competence. I think even when you 613 00:29:21,760 --> 00:29:24,200 Speaker 1: start to talk about the stars, there's just kind of 614 00:29:24,240 --> 00:29:27,360 Speaker 1: a natural inclination for some of our wealthiest and most 615 00:29:27,400 --> 00:29:31,000 Speaker 1: famous NBA players to try to gravitate towards the West Coast. 616 00:29:31,040 --> 00:29:33,200 Speaker 1: It just kind of seems to be the case. I 617 00:29:33,280 --> 00:29:36,280 Speaker 1: don't necessarily think that it's all that. I think there's 618 00:29:36,320 --> 00:29:39,800 Speaker 1: some coincidence involved as well, but right now, just the 619 00:29:39,800 --> 00:29:42,720 Speaker 1: top of the league is predominantly in the West, and 620 00:29:42,760 --> 00:29:45,280 Speaker 1: that's just making it really difficult for everyone else to 621 00:29:45,320 --> 00:29:49,280 Speaker 1: overcome Hi Jason. It was reported that one key reason 622 00:29:49,280 --> 00:29:51,640 Speaker 1: why Detroit moved off of Ivy was that, even if 623 00:29:51,640 --> 00:29:54,400 Speaker 1: he were able to regain his pre injury form, Trajan 624 00:29:54,440 --> 00:29:57,200 Speaker 1: didn't view his player archetype as the sort he wanted 625 00:29:57,200 --> 00:30:00,680 Speaker 1: to pair alongside KD. That begs the question, what exactly 626 00:30:00,760 --> 00:30:03,760 Speaker 1: is the ideal shooting guard archetype you would pair alongside him. 627 00:30:04,000 --> 00:30:06,480 Speaker 1: Ivey certainly had his flaws, most notably his ball handling, 628 00:30:06,520 --> 00:30:08,800 Speaker 1: playmaking never really took off, but I saw him as 629 00:30:08,800 --> 00:30:10,680 Speaker 1: that off ball threat that could blow by defenders off 630 00:30:10,760 --> 00:30:13,360 Speaker 1: rotations and improve significantly as a three point shooter over 631 00:30:13,400 --> 00:30:16,480 Speaker 1: his tenure. Duncan is that classic movement shooter but offers 632 00:30:16,480 --> 00:30:18,200 Speaker 1: nothing else, and no one considers him to be the 633 00:30:18,200 --> 00:30:21,040 Speaker 1: long term answer either going forward? What skill set would 634 00:30:21,080 --> 00:30:22,920 Speaker 1: you like to see in a shooting guard paired alongside 635 00:30:23,000 --> 00:30:24,760 Speaker 1: Cad And do you have any options that could pursue 636 00:30:24,760 --> 00:30:28,320 Speaker 1: in the off season? Thanks again for your content. So 637 00:30:28,440 --> 00:30:30,640 Speaker 1: I think a big one here as we're starting to 638 00:30:30,680 --> 00:30:35,360 Speaker 1: look at this build in the big picture, is using 639 00:30:35,520 --> 00:30:39,240 Speaker 1: you know, the best indicator of future performance is past performance. 640 00:30:39,280 --> 00:30:41,320 Speaker 1: It's good for us to look around the league and 641 00:30:41,360 --> 00:30:44,720 Speaker 1: see other examples that have worked. And you know, Cad 642 00:30:44,800 --> 00:30:47,760 Speaker 1: I don't think has a lot of similarities with Luca 643 00:30:47,920 --> 00:30:52,400 Speaker 1: in terms of just pure skill set, in the sense 644 00:30:52,440 --> 00:30:56,640 Speaker 1: that Caid is a much better defensive player, a much 645 00:30:56,680 --> 00:31:00,520 Speaker 1: better athlete, plays with a lot it plays considerably faster 646 00:31:00,680 --> 00:31:02,840 Speaker 1: than Luca. There's a lot of things with k that 647 00:31:02,840 --> 00:31:05,680 Speaker 1: are very different from Luca. But the general theme with 648 00:31:05,760 --> 00:31:08,959 Speaker 1: Kid and Luca that makes them similar is that they 649 00:31:08,960 --> 00:31:13,440 Speaker 1: are both high usage, heliocentric style kind of brute for 650 00:31:13,600 --> 00:31:16,239 Speaker 1: spread pick and roll isotypes of shot creators, right, and 651 00:31:16,280 --> 00:31:18,600 Speaker 1: they both use a lot of size and power in 652 00:31:18,640 --> 00:31:22,680 Speaker 1: their games. What we've seen too with Kaid is that 653 00:31:22,760 --> 00:31:25,720 Speaker 1: he plays really well with shooting. He plays really well 654 00:31:25,760 --> 00:31:28,400 Speaker 1: with rim running Biggs right. These are all things that 655 00:31:28,480 --> 00:31:31,040 Speaker 1: also line up well with Luka Donci. So what have 656 00:31:31,080 --> 00:31:35,959 Speaker 1: we seen succeed with Luca? A guard that has a 657 00:31:36,040 --> 00:31:38,920 Speaker 1: high level of scoring and playmaking talent? So to your 658 00:31:38,920 --> 00:31:40,880 Speaker 1: point about Ivy, and I've seen the same thing with him, Like, 659 00:31:41,280 --> 00:31:42,960 Speaker 1: there's a lot of things that I really like with Ivy. 660 00:31:43,280 --> 00:31:45,480 Speaker 1: I'm a big believer in his athletic traits, like he 661 00:31:45,520 --> 00:31:49,480 Speaker 1: can really beat people off the dribble and the shooting ability. 662 00:31:49,640 --> 00:31:52,680 Speaker 1: He's continued to show improvement there as you've mentioned. But 663 00:31:52,720 --> 00:31:55,320 Speaker 1: you're right, like the higher level reads the role of 664 00:31:55,360 --> 00:31:58,640 Speaker 1: shot creation, which is fundamentally different than you'll notice. Like 665 00:31:58,640 --> 00:32:02,320 Speaker 1: I didn't say, you know, go get Norman Powell next 666 00:32:02,360 --> 00:32:05,640 Speaker 1: to cad or next to Luca. The what is worked 667 00:32:05,680 --> 00:32:10,240 Speaker 1: next to Luca? Austin Reeves an all star level guard 668 00:32:10,240 --> 00:32:14,239 Speaker 1: who can both score and pass. Right, Kyrie Irving an 669 00:32:14,240 --> 00:32:16,920 Speaker 1: all star level guard that can both score and pass 670 00:32:17,320 --> 00:32:19,840 Speaker 1: Jalen Brunson, an All star level guard that can both 671 00:32:19,840 --> 00:32:23,880 Speaker 1: score and pass. They're legitimate shot creators, right, So that 672 00:32:23,880 --> 00:32:25,480 Speaker 1: would be the kind of guy that you'd be looking 673 00:32:25,520 --> 00:32:28,760 Speaker 1: for next to Kid. Theoretically, is a guard that is 674 00:32:28,800 --> 00:32:32,560 Speaker 1: going to bring a certain amount of scoring and playmaking 675 00:32:32,600 --> 00:32:35,880 Speaker 1: talent so that he can do two things. One play 676 00:32:35,920 --> 00:32:37,640 Speaker 1: off of Kate as a shooter. We've seen a lot 677 00:32:37,640 --> 00:32:39,480 Speaker 1: of this with like Danis Jenkins, for example. I think 678 00:32:39,480 --> 00:32:41,200 Speaker 1: he's been a really nice fit. More or less, that's 679 00:32:41,280 --> 00:32:43,240 Speaker 1: kind of what I'm describing is a better version of 680 00:32:43,280 --> 00:32:47,000 Speaker 1: Danis Jenkins, Right. But if you see Danish Jenkins who's 681 00:32:47,040 --> 00:32:49,640 Speaker 1: thrived alongside Kate as a shooting talent, guy who can 682 00:32:49,680 --> 00:32:51,800 Speaker 1: run some inverted action with him, but also is a 683 00:32:51,800 --> 00:32:54,240 Speaker 1: guy that can run action when Kate is off the floor, 684 00:32:54,840 --> 00:32:56,720 Speaker 1: a guy who can be like, here, you have six 685 00:32:56,800 --> 00:32:59,320 Speaker 1: minutes of offense here, like Caid played the entire first quarter, 686 00:32:59,320 --> 00:33:01,720 Speaker 1: He's coming back in six minute mark of the second quarter. 687 00:33:02,040 --> 00:33:04,000 Speaker 1: From the twelve minute mark to the six minute mark, 688 00:33:04,400 --> 00:33:06,160 Speaker 1: you've got the keys, right. And we've seen that in 689 00:33:06,160 --> 00:33:07,800 Speaker 1: the past with Dennis Schroeder, and they've tried to do 690 00:33:07,840 --> 00:33:10,000 Speaker 1: that this year with guys like Kris Lavert, right, but 691 00:33:10,120 --> 00:33:12,920 Speaker 1: like getting a high level player in that position so 692 00:33:12,960 --> 00:33:15,040 Speaker 1: that you feel really good about those six minutes but 693 00:33:15,120 --> 00:33:17,880 Speaker 1: also feel like he can play alongside your star. That's 694 00:33:17,920 --> 00:33:19,600 Speaker 1: the kind of guy that I'd be looking for, just 695 00:33:19,600 --> 00:33:23,640 Speaker 1: a really high level scoring, playmaking talent at the guard position. 696 00:33:24,080 --> 00:33:26,280 Speaker 1: I think that the one thing that makes it complicated 697 00:33:26,480 --> 00:33:30,160 Speaker 1: is you don't necessarily have so like let's say, for instance, 698 00:33:30,200 --> 00:33:32,320 Speaker 1: like you're like, oh, maybe that's Devin Booker. Well, like 699 00:33:32,360 --> 00:33:35,160 Speaker 1: what if the Sun's just decide they're not trading Devin Booker? Right, Like, 700 00:33:35,480 --> 00:33:38,120 Speaker 1: you kind of have to adjust based on what's available. 701 00:33:38,360 --> 00:33:40,080 Speaker 1: And at a certain point, if you're waiting for like 702 00:33:40,240 --> 00:33:44,240 Speaker 1: the perfect shooting guard to come around and he's not available, 703 00:33:44,520 --> 00:33:46,280 Speaker 1: you might have to look at a different type of player, 704 00:33:46,280 --> 00:33:48,960 Speaker 1: maybe a Ford that provides that dynamic or maybe more 705 00:33:48,960 --> 00:33:53,120 Speaker 1: of a high level a high level offensive player at 706 00:33:53,280 --> 00:33:55,120 Speaker 1: like the like at the big as like a big 707 00:33:55,160 --> 00:33:57,360 Speaker 1: That's why we talked about that with like Michael Porter Junior, 708 00:33:57,400 --> 00:34:00,000 Speaker 1: for example, right, Like if there wasn't as an elite 709 00:34:00,040 --> 00:34:03,160 Speaker 1: two guard available, but you could maybe get Michael Porter 710 00:34:03,240 --> 00:34:05,160 Speaker 1: Junior and the Nets weren't being super stingy, and you 711 00:34:05,160 --> 00:34:07,160 Speaker 1: could get him for like a one first and two 712 00:34:07,160 --> 00:34:09,480 Speaker 1: seconds or something like that. You know, it's not the 713 00:34:09,480 --> 00:34:14,320 Speaker 1: same idea as having a you know, Austin Luke, Austin Kyrie, 714 00:34:14,840 --> 00:34:17,120 Speaker 1: Jalen Brunton type of guy. But if that guy's not available, 715 00:34:17,160 --> 00:34:18,920 Speaker 1: you have to make that adjustment, right, And so that's 716 00:34:18,960 --> 00:34:21,400 Speaker 1: the thing, like you if you can't afford to necessarily 717 00:34:21,440 --> 00:34:23,560 Speaker 1: wait two or three years for that player to show 718 00:34:23,640 --> 00:34:26,000 Speaker 1: up when you've got a team that's already potentially going 719 00:34:26,040 --> 00:34:27,520 Speaker 1: to end the season with the best record in the 720 00:34:27,560 --> 00:34:30,120 Speaker 1: NBA this year. But in a perfect world, I think 721 00:34:30,120 --> 00:34:34,000 Speaker 1: that level of shooting guard that's more of a balanced scoring, 722 00:34:34,040 --> 00:34:36,160 Speaker 1: playmaking shot creator would be the right kind of guy 723 00:34:36,160 --> 00:34:38,360 Speaker 1: to look for there. All right, guys, That's all I 724 00:34:38,360 --> 00:34:40,799 Speaker 1: have for today is always a sincerely appreciate you guys 725 00:34:40,800 --> 00:34:43,120 Speaker 1: for supporting us and supporting the show. We will be 726 00:34:43,200 --> 00:34:46,120 Speaker 1: back tomorrow with our contender rankings with Kevin O'Connor really 727 00:34:46,120 --> 00:34:48,040 Speaker 1: excited for that one. I will see you guys then,