WEBVTT - #thisleague UNCUT: What a wild West 0:00:00.080 --> 0:00:04.040 Basically one month into the NBA season, and so today 0:00:04.600 --> 0:00:08.240 we're gonna go up and down that crowded, jumbled Western 0:00:08.280 --> 0:00:12.120 Conference ladder, talk about as many different teams as we can, 0:00:12.240 --> 0:00:15.720 what we've seen through this first month, all that's next 0:00:15.960 --> 0:00:17.200 here on this League Uncut. 0:00:17.320 --> 0:00:19.919 Welcome to this League Uncut. 0:00:20.640 --> 0:00:22.600 Can you rule a twenty four hour NBA. 0:00:22.320 --> 0:00:28.520 News this's you, Chris Haynes. It's no time, Mark Stein, 0:00:28.880 --> 0:00:37.000 it's some time. This League Uncut is underway and on fire. 0:00:38.640 --> 0:00:39.880 This should be a good one. 0:00:41.280 --> 0:00:47.559 Welcome in everyone to a Thanksgiving week edition of This 0:00:47.640 --> 0:00:51.520 League Uncut. Mark Stein here with Chris Haynes. I've pulled 0:00:51.600 --> 0:00:59.000 him away from his extensive Thanksgiving family Thanksgiving preparations because 0:00:59.400 --> 0:01:02.240 Chris Haynes is on record is telling everyone who listens 0:01:02.240 --> 0:01:06.000 to this pod this is his favorite holiday. Yes, it 0:01:06.080 --> 0:01:11.399 is a full on family wide undertaking to put your 0:01:11.400 --> 0:01:13.080 Thursday extravaganza together. 0:01:13.880 --> 0:01:14.360 Mm hmm. 0:01:14.600 --> 0:01:19.160 So I apologize for pulling you out of your prep 0:01:19.240 --> 0:01:22.759 time to we got we gotta talk. We gotta talk 0:01:22.800 --> 0:01:25.200 some Western Conference today. But real quick, everything is that, 0:01:25.640 --> 0:01:28.160 as you know, we're recording this on a Monday afternoon 0:01:28.360 --> 0:01:31.960 Pacific time. Everything on track for your Thursday festival. 0:01:32.840 --> 0:01:36.440 Yep. I have my two daughters. They're flying in tomorrow, 0:01:37.480 --> 0:01:40.559 my two oldest daughters that go to Clark Atlanta. Shout 0:01:40.560 --> 0:01:43.520 out to the a sbcus out there. And I have 0:01:43.640 --> 0:01:46.520 my niece. I'm flying my niece in from Virginia, so 0:01:46.560 --> 0:01:49.160 she's coming tomorrow as well to stay with us. Stay 0:01:49.200 --> 0:01:52.160 with us. My two youngest daughters are cleaning up as 0:01:52.200 --> 0:01:54.760 we speak right now, getting the house off speaking span 0:01:54.800 --> 0:01:57.840 because the extravaganza this year is at my house. So 0:01:57.880 --> 0:02:02.960 we're going to have probably upwards to thirty five to 0:02:03.440 --> 0:02:11.400 forty here starting Wednesday, and so yeah, everything's going good. 0:02:11.440 --> 0:02:13.600 I went grocery shopping yesterday. The last thing I have 0:02:13.680 --> 0:02:17.600 to do is get one of the most important items 0:02:17.840 --> 0:02:24.839 the Thanksgiving, the ham dam and specifically honey baked ham stein. 0:02:24.880 --> 0:02:26.720 I don't know if you had a honey baked ham stein, 0:02:27.280 --> 0:02:31.920 but it's sliced up for you and it has just 0:02:32.480 --> 0:02:39.800 this hard this hardened honey that's on the outside surface 0:02:39.840 --> 0:02:43.799 of the ham, and so in every bite Steyn, it's 0:02:43.919 --> 0:02:48.639 just a beautiful sensation and a feeling in your taste. 0:02:48.639 --> 0:02:51.320 Buds Man, when you taste this ham, you can eat 0:02:51.320 --> 0:02:56.000 it cold, you can warm it up whatever. But I'll 0:02:56.000 --> 0:02:59.040 talk about what's on the menu later. But yes, I'm 0:02:59.040 --> 0:03:00.120 getting ready to. 0:03:00.120 --> 0:03:02.240 Save some of that for Wednesday's pot. But in short, 0:03:02.480 --> 0:03:04.560 I mean, you haven't been a Sacramento resident for a 0:03:04.600 --> 0:03:07.200 long time, so but you know where to go to 0:03:07.200 --> 0:03:09.320 get what you know what, you already got your spot 0:03:09.360 --> 0:03:13.880 picked out, where you're gonna go and where to get what. 0:03:14.240 --> 0:03:16.160 I'm getting all my food. Yeah, that's that what you're 0:03:16.200 --> 0:03:16.600 talking about. 0:03:17.040 --> 0:03:18.520 If this ham is so well, no, I mean, if 0:03:18.520 --> 0:03:20.760 the ham is so special, you got to have a 0:03:20.760 --> 0:03:22.360 special place to get it from, don't you. 0:03:22.840 --> 0:03:24.720 It's the Honey Baked Ham Company. I don't they don't 0:03:24.720 --> 0:03:26.200 have that in Dallas. 0:03:26.360 --> 0:03:28.120 Maybe they do. I told you, I'm I am not. 0:03:28.960 --> 0:03:31.799 You know, my Thanksgiving is completely different this year. Our 0:03:31.880 --> 0:03:36.760 family is I'm I am in La. I'm going to 0:03:36.840 --> 0:03:39.160 see two Laker games and then I'm going to have 0:03:39.200 --> 0:03:43.440 a Thanksgiving dinner with my oldest son who lives out here, 0:03:43.680 --> 0:03:46.120 and I am just it's it's just gonna be he 0:03:46.240 --> 0:03:49.520 and I. But I am pumped, psyched, and uh but 0:03:49.600 --> 0:03:51.840 there you know we're you know, we don't We're going 0:03:51.880 --> 0:03:53.560 to a restaurant, so I know, I know you don't 0:03:53.600 --> 0:03:55.520 love that idea. I know you don't believe in that. 0:03:55.880 --> 0:03:57.880 I don't want to get you all riled up again. 0:03:58.680 --> 0:04:00.920 But uh, well, you're on the road. You're on the road, 0:04:01.240 --> 0:04:04.160 so I guess that would suffice. And if you can't, 0:04:04.280 --> 0:04:09.400 if you can't get premium food cooked, then I you 0:04:09.440 --> 0:04:10.880 know it's okay to But. 0:04:11.240 --> 0:04:12.520 You know I'm not looking for it. 0:04:12.760 --> 0:04:16.360 I'm not looking for a traditional Thanksgiving meal that I 0:04:16.440 --> 0:04:19.839 know that is your favorite meal of the year. But 0:04:20.040 --> 0:04:22.359 I'm just gonna have to live vicariously through you on 0:04:22.440 --> 0:04:22.880 that one. 0:04:23.920 --> 0:04:27.440 Well, let's you know, everybody, everybody have a well, no, 0:04:27.480 --> 0:04:29.280 we're gonna do another part. I was gonna say, everybody 0:04:29.279 --> 0:04:32.120 have a great Thanksgiving, but I hope you have a 0:04:32.160 --> 0:04:37.520 great Thanksgiving prep because also this is also the worst 0:04:37.560 --> 0:04:39.880 time of year for a lot of people. And the 0:04:39.920 --> 0:04:45.720 reason for that, Stein is you're bringing everybody together and family. 0:04:45.720 --> 0:04:47.720 But I don't know how your family is, Steine, But 0:04:47.760 --> 0:04:50.840 everybody doesn't get along in your family. You don't like 0:04:51.040 --> 0:04:53.560 everybody in your family, But you have to act like 0:04:53.640 --> 0:04:56.440 you do for at least two or three days. And 0:04:56.520 --> 0:05:00.279 so I hope there's no fights, there's no arguments. I 0:05:00.320 --> 0:05:02.920 hope there's no memugs. I hope you're able to get 0:05:02.960 --> 0:05:06.200 along with all your family and your loved ones for 0:05:06.240 --> 0:05:10.960 these two to three days. Because Steyn, growing up as 0:05:11.000 --> 0:05:17.680 a kid, I see some of the best fights doing Thanksgiving. Man, 0:05:18.680 --> 0:05:20.640 ain't nobody fighting at my house. I'll tell you that 0:05:20.800 --> 0:05:23.039 right now, Tell you that right now. But hey, I 0:05:23.080 --> 0:05:26.840 wish y'all nothing but peace during this Thanksgiving preparation and 0:05:26.880 --> 0:05:27.240 on things. 0:05:27.400 --> 0:05:29.880 Fire alarm is fixed, air conditioning is fixed. 0:05:29.920 --> 0:05:30.560 You're ready to go. 0:05:30.800 --> 0:05:33.720 The hotel, hands is ready, We're ready to go. 0:05:34.320 --> 0:05:34.920 All right? You know what? 0:05:35.000 --> 0:05:39.160 Let's you know this Thanksgiving is also basically the one 0:05:39.279 --> 0:05:42.279 month marker for the NBA. We're basically this week is 0:05:42.279 --> 0:05:46.640 when we have seen a month of regular season play, 0:05:46.720 --> 0:05:49.360 and I think when you look at the East, there 0:05:49.480 --> 0:05:53.440 is a lot of order and expectancy at the top 0:05:53.440 --> 0:05:56.720 of the standings. Even though the Bucks have looked much 0:05:56.800 --> 0:06:01.479 more Milwaukee like since, as you discussed on a recent pod, 0:06:01.520 --> 0:06:05.320 their players went to new coach Adrian Griffin lobbied him 0:06:05.360 --> 0:06:09.920 for a return to the more familiar drop coverage schemes 0:06:10.120 --> 0:06:14.640 of recent Bucks seasons that are naturally centered around Brook Lopez. 0:06:14.880 --> 0:06:18.280 They've been much better defensively here recently and for all 0:06:18.320 --> 0:06:21.120 the ups and downs, you know, they're nine and four 0:06:21.839 --> 0:06:25.160 as of Monday as we record this, and you know, 0:06:25.279 --> 0:06:27.920 not far off the pace set by Boston and Philly 0:06:27.960 --> 0:06:33.440 top four in the East when we woke up today. Boston, Philly, Milwaukee, Miami. 0:06:33.600 --> 0:06:35.920 So that's you know, not too surprising. 0:06:36.279 --> 0:06:36.839 Go ahead and. 0:06:36.920 --> 0:06:38.919 Sign hold on and the last I believe it was 0:06:38.920 --> 0:06:44.680 our last pod. Remember I told you about Dame getting 0:06:44.720 --> 0:06:48.719 his minutes back to where he where he was comfortable 0:06:48.720 --> 0:06:51.880 at in Portland. Remember I brought that up that his 0:06:52.040 --> 0:06:55.719 minutes were changed. Now he plays the entire first quarter. 0:06:55.760 --> 0:06:58.280 That's that's what he's familiar with. That way, he's able 0:06:58.320 --> 0:07:00.800 to get comfortable throughout the quarter, doesn't feel like he 0:07:00.839 --> 0:07:05.440 needs to rush anything. And so I said that before 0:07:05.640 --> 0:07:08.200 it was even made known. And I think two days 0:07:08.279 --> 0:07:12.720 later Dame comes out and says, yes, I went to Griffin, 0:07:12.800 --> 0:07:15.440 So y'all need to y'all need to keep checking. I'll 0:07:15.440 --> 0:07:17.640 throw some things out there here, here and there. You 0:07:17.680 --> 0:07:19.840 know what I mean, y'all, y'all listen, I'm trying to 0:07:19.840 --> 0:07:21.920 I'm trying to help y'all out. Give y'all a little 0:07:21.920 --> 0:07:24.680 bit something before it becomes public knowledge. If you would, 0:07:24.800 --> 0:07:27.080 if you were listening to this league uncut last part, 0:07:27.200 --> 0:07:30.920 you would have known about a potential conversation that Dame 0:07:31.000 --> 0:07:36.119 had with Griff before Dame even acknowledged it. So you know, hey, 0:07:36.760 --> 0:07:38.080 just try and make them aware. 0:07:38.720 --> 0:07:41.920 Just to show you my top flight, top shelf sharp 0:07:41.960 --> 0:07:45.240 as attack memory. I don't even remember that, So there 0:07:45.280 --> 0:07:48.720 you go. Man, I am aging so badly. It's really really, 0:07:49.520 --> 0:07:51.760 really painful. When I used to, I used to, I 0:07:51.840 --> 0:07:54.800 used to love my memory, and now I just can 0:07:54.840 --> 0:07:56.280 I remember what happened yesterday. 0:07:56.720 --> 0:07:57.000 I don't. 0:07:57.080 --> 0:07:59.440 Yeah, I'm with you there, Stile. I can't fault you 0:07:59.520 --> 0:08:02.000 for that. I'm the type of person now, especially for 0:08:02.000 --> 0:08:05.000 the last few years. Again, I'm forty two. It's like 0:08:05.080 --> 0:08:07.720 the last two years. I've just taken a stance that 0:08:07.960 --> 0:08:10.800 if something comes to my mind, I'm just saying it 0:08:10.920 --> 0:08:13.280 right there because this is going to be gone the 0:08:13.280 --> 0:08:15.560 next two minutes. I'm not gonna remember anything. So whatever 0:08:15.600 --> 0:08:19.000 comes to your mind, say it if. If you're at 0:08:19.040 --> 0:08:23.720 that point, you're officially washed as Stein like Stein's favorite word, 0:08:24.400 --> 0:08:25.880 washed and old. And that's okay. 0:08:25.960 --> 0:08:27.880 I get in tu when I you know, when I 0:08:27.960 --> 0:08:29.880 jokingly say that I'm washed, and I hear. 0:08:30.000 --> 0:08:32.680 But you know, missus Stein will say, stop saying that. 0:08:32.840 --> 0:08:35.000 I have a friend from my buddy from high school, 0:08:35.040 --> 0:08:37.480 my dear friend from high school. Dave says, don't say that, 0:08:37.679 --> 0:08:40.120 So I gotta stop. I gotta stop doing that. Anyway, 0:08:40.280 --> 0:08:43.240 that's a long winded way of saying. You know, the East, 0:08:43.280 --> 0:08:47.199 the top of the East it you know, Indiana, Indiana 0:08:47.240 --> 0:08:50.360 has been a pleasant surprise. Cleveland seems to be turning 0:08:50.400 --> 0:08:53.080 around a slow start, big win for the Cabs Sunday 0:08:53.160 --> 0:08:56.240 night to be Denver at home. But the East, you know, 0:08:56.640 --> 0:09:00.280 it essentially looks I think like a lot of people 0:09:00.280 --> 0:09:03.000 would have projected it for the most part to this point. 0:09:03.320 --> 0:09:05.400 The West is kind of the one where we're going 0:09:05.440 --> 0:09:08.320 to zero in on the West today because you know, 0:09:08.360 --> 0:09:14.800 the West has its share of early surprises. The Denver Nuggets, 0:09:15.000 --> 0:09:16.760 they have lost a few on the road, they do, 0:09:16.840 --> 0:09:19.000 Miss Jamal Murray. They're not just gonna know. They still 0:09:19.040 --> 0:09:20.920 haven't lost a home game seven to zero at home, 0:09:20.960 --> 0:09:24.199 but they've lost They've lost a couple here in a 0:09:24.280 --> 0:09:26.400 row on the road. So I mean the Denver Nuggets, 0:09:26.440 --> 0:09:31.000 the defending champions, they clearly need and miss Jamal Murray. 0:09:31.040 --> 0:09:33.800 I don't think anyone in Denver is too deeply concerned. 0:09:33.840 --> 0:09:35.959 But when you look up and down the standings, I 0:09:35.960 --> 0:09:40.160 mean they're we get going all kinds of crazy directions 0:09:40.240 --> 0:09:42.280 in the West. Golden State in the midst of a 0:09:42.400 --> 0:09:46.360 six game losing streak, a lot of factors that have 0:09:46.559 --> 0:09:49.480 led to that six game losing streak for Golden State. 0:09:49.480 --> 0:09:51.280 But at the other end, at the top of the West, 0:09:51.760 --> 0:09:56.040 Sacramento has won six in a row. Oklahoma City Producer 0:09:56.120 --> 0:10:00.600 Ryan's Thunder, they've won five in a row. They're not 0:10:00.640 --> 0:10:03.400 really Producer Ryan's Thunder, but he asked me about them 0:10:03.400 --> 0:10:05.560 this morning, so we will get to them. But I 0:10:05.559 --> 0:10:08.680 mean they're you know, the Lakers got off to a 0:10:08.720 --> 0:10:12.640 slow start. They've bounced back here. Houston's been a surprise. 0:10:13.080 --> 0:10:16.280 Dallas got off to the nine and three start and 0:10:16.440 --> 0:10:19.319 just lost a home or a road home back to back, 0:10:19.400 --> 0:10:23.160 lost in Milwaukee, lost at home Sunday night to Sacramento. 0:10:23.640 --> 0:10:27.880 Minnesota has been really impressive. I mean, the West has 0:10:27.880 --> 0:10:31.800 been full of surprises, and I think we're still kind 0:10:31.800 --> 0:10:36.080 of getting a handle on all these teams. Can you 0:10:36.160 --> 0:10:39.600 pinpoint who is probably who has impressed you the most 0:10:40.240 --> 0:10:42.320 out of this diverse group of teams. 0:10:46.080 --> 0:10:48.400 For me, it's easy. I didn't expect this at all. 0:10:48.400 --> 0:10:50.600 I have to go with the Oklahoma City Thunder, I 0:10:50.640 --> 0:10:53.400 mean I was that. I can't remember if it was 0:10:53.440 --> 0:10:55.760 their first or second game. It might have been their 0:10:55.800 --> 0:11:01.800 first game in Chicago. Chicago's first game for sure, because 0:11:01.800 --> 0:11:04.200 that's when they had their players only meeting after the 0:11:04.200 --> 0:11:08.920 first game, which is pretty much it's unheard of. And 0:11:09.440 --> 0:11:13.920 I've just seen just the the talent that they have. 0:11:14.440 --> 0:11:16.959 I knew they have to have talent, but they're putting 0:11:17.000 --> 0:11:20.120 it all together. You know, s g A. We know 0:11:20.160 --> 0:11:22.760 how great and special he is. But they's got a 0:11:22.800 --> 0:11:25.800 lot of talent. Man check, you know they you see 0:11:25.800 --> 0:11:28.120 what check that that three check hit on Golden State 0:11:28.160 --> 0:11:30.960 to send the game to overtime. Man so much poised 0:11:31.160 --> 0:11:34.880 turn around three that's that's a tough shot, the seven 0:11:34.880 --> 0:11:37.679 foot of doing it at that, man. And so they 0:11:37.720 --> 0:11:40.720 just have a bunch of weapons. And you know, I 0:11:40.760 --> 0:11:43.040 can't lie. I didn't think they'd be putting it together 0:11:43.160 --> 0:11:46.320 this soon. I mean it's still early. They're ten and 0:11:46.360 --> 0:11:48.800 four right now is earlier in the year. Things can change, 0:11:48.840 --> 0:11:51.880 But you know, ok C for sure. For me, that's 0:11:51.920 --> 0:11:55.760 the probably the most surprising start for me in the 0:11:55.800 --> 0:11:59.760 in the entire NBA. S g a is you know, 0:12:00.360 --> 0:12:03.319 I had you know, when we talking we talked to 0:12:03.360 --> 0:12:07.840 Davion Mitchell the Kings, he said SGA was the toughest 0:12:07.840 --> 0:12:11.719 point guard to guard in the league. That's over Steph, 0:12:12.120 --> 0:12:17.040 that's over Dame, over Kyrie Irving. And a large part 0:12:17.080 --> 0:12:19.120 of it the reason, a large part of the reason 0:12:19.160 --> 0:12:22.000 why he said that, he said, because s J. Sga 0:12:22.200 --> 0:12:26.560 is lyft. You know, he's six ' five. But yeah, 0:12:26.640 --> 0:12:29.360 I have to give all the props to Okay see 0:12:29.360 --> 0:12:31.280 and what they're doing this far. I don't want to 0:12:31.559 --> 0:12:34.240 jump the gun and say they're going to be there 0:12:34.280 --> 0:12:37.560 at the end, but uh, this starter is really impressive. 0:12:38.400 --> 0:12:38.600 Yeah. 0:12:38.720 --> 0:12:40.600 Look, I can't sit here and pretend that I thought 0:12:40.600 --> 0:12:42.200 they were going to start ten and four, but I 0:12:42.280 --> 0:12:44.680 you know, Producer Ryan asked me this morning, do you 0:12:44.840 --> 0:12:47.160 believe in the Thunder now? I honestly I believed in 0:12:47.200 --> 0:12:50.560 them coming into the season because, as you said, SGA is, 0:12:50.880 --> 0:12:55.320 I mean, first team All NBA last season, and you know, 0:12:55.400 --> 0:12:59.160 he is a you know, he's a closer, he's a 0:12:59.200 --> 0:13:02.960 finisher in crunch time in tight games, the Thunder know 0:13:03.160 --> 0:13:04.600 exactly where they want to go. 0:13:05.320 --> 0:13:07.040 Their pecking order is very clear. 0:13:07.120 --> 0:13:10.840 And then Chet Holmgren with all this attention on Victor 0:13:10.840 --> 0:13:15.000 Webman Yama, and obviously Chet is a red shirt rookie. 0:13:15.320 --> 0:13:18.000 Last season should have been his rookie season. This is 0:13:18.040 --> 0:13:21.520 officially his rookie season because injury prevented him from playing 0:13:21.600 --> 0:13:25.640 last season. But he has been fantastic early and doing 0:13:25.679 --> 0:13:28.079 it as a center. They've been able to play him 0:13:28.360 --> 0:13:31.719 as a center, and it just makes everything line up 0:13:31.960 --> 0:13:35.240 very nicely for the Thunder. And the question with these 0:13:35.240 --> 0:13:39.560 guys is because they have so many trade assets, I 0:13:39.600 --> 0:13:42.400 think that question kind of always lurks in the background 0:13:42.400 --> 0:13:42.920 with the Thunder. 0:13:43.000 --> 0:13:44.560 Will they make a big move? 0:13:44.960 --> 0:13:49.360 Will they use the stacks and stacks of draft picks 0:13:49.400 --> 0:13:52.800 amassed by Thunder president Sam Presty. 0:13:53.200 --> 0:13:54.240 When will they use it? 0:13:54.360 --> 0:13:57.760 Will they will they dive into that stack and try 0:13:57.800 --> 0:14:03.040 to go make a trade to bring in another established player, 0:14:03.080 --> 0:14:06.000 But you know they there mantra has always been patients. 0:14:06.400 --> 0:14:09.319 I don't think they're gonna bow to any external pressures 0:14:09.400 --> 0:14:12.600 about trying to speed this up and you know, trading 0:14:12.679 --> 0:14:15.560 for some making some sort of win now trade. I 0:14:15.559 --> 0:14:18.120 don't see that as being a target for them. 0:14:18.120 --> 0:14:19.080 Things are going. 0:14:19.240 --> 0:14:22.360 Really well the way it is, with the way SGA 0:14:22.440 --> 0:14:26.560 is developing. Chad Holmgren, you've got giddy there obviously, Lou 0:14:26.680 --> 0:14:29.400 Dort one of the best and most physical defenders in 0:14:29.440 --> 0:14:33.000 the league. Ken Rich Williams is back now, Jalen and 0:14:33.160 --> 0:14:35.240 Jalen Williams, Like we could go on and on and on. 0:14:35.280 --> 0:14:37.080 I mean, all these guys are developed. You know, they 0:14:37.240 --> 0:14:40.880 they it's just they they are doing it at their 0:14:40.960 --> 0:14:44.960 pace and you know it's already working, and you know 0:14:45.200 --> 0:14:47.680 they're a team. I think, look to me that I 0:14:47.800 --> 0:14:52.160 the four, I would say the foremost surprise, I would 0:14:52.200 --> 0:14:55.640 still probably give it to Minnesota, just because I think 0:14:55.680 --> 0:15:00.400 Minnesota also has mixed in some real quality wins early 0:15:00.480 --> 0:15:04.720 in the season to you know, the start that they've had. 0:15:04.760 --> 0:15:08.160 I mean, this is you know, this is a franchise 0:15:08.200 --> 0:15:13.120 that I mean, they haven't won a playoff series in 0:15:13.200 --> 0:15:17.480 twenty years, and so there is a lot riding on 0:15:17.600 --> 0:15:21.680 this season for Minnesota. They have a very expensive payroll, 0:15:22.360 --> 0:15:25.520 They have the pressures that carry over from last season 0:15:25.600 --> 0:15:29.720 when they gave up so many trade assets for Rudy Gobert, 0:15:29.880 --> 0:15:34.080 and last season didn't go great and didn't come anywhere 0:15:34.120 --> 0:15:36.040 close to what they were hoping for. 0:15:36.120 --> 0:15:38.720 But now you know the Wolves. 0:15:38.920 --> 0:15:42.120 You know, nine and three to start the season, and 0:15:42.200 --> 0:15:46.360 again some real quality wins to this point. They beat 0:15:46.400 --> 0:15:49.520 Miami early, they gave Denver their first loss, they gave 0:15:49.560 --> 0:15:52.880 Boston their first loss. They won the two games back 0:15:52.920 --> 0:15:57.040 to back in the Bay Area that sent the Warriors 0:15:57.120 --> 0:16:02.640 into their current six game spirals. I mean, they've made 0:16:02.640 --> 0:16:06.320 some early season statements. I mean, Anthony Edwards, I think 0:16:06.360 --> 0:16:10.080 everybody in the league was expecting him to play at 0:16:10.120 --> 0:16:12.640 this level after what we saw with Team USA. But 0:16:13.240 --> 0:16:19.640 Rudy Gobert looks just miles better and more mobile this 0:16:19.720 --> 0:16:22.800 season than he did last season. And so we're now 0:16:22.880 --> 0:16:25.640 kind of getting, at the very least, we're getting the 0:16:25.680 --> 0:16:29.640 Timberwolves that we expected last season when they made the 0:16:29.720 --> 0:16:33.960 trade for Rudy Gobert, because Rudy Gobert's presence that's supposed 0:16:34.000 --> 0:16:37.880 to make you, if nothing else, a strong team in 0:16:37.920 --> 0:16:38.800 the regular season. 0:16:38.920 --> 0:16:42.000 And with the defense that Minnesota is playing, the. 0:16:42.000 --> 0:16:47.280 Wolves are quickly establishing themselves as a team that has 0:16:47.320 --> 0:16:50.320 some serious playoff aspirations. And I think I think. Look, 0:16:50.360 --> 0:16:52.800 I think deep down they know they got to win 0:16:52.840 --> 0:16:57.840 a series for starters for people to really take them seriously, 0:16:58.000 --> 0:17:00.800 because again, it's been so long, not since the run 0:17:01.360 --> 0:17:03.960 to the Western Conference Finals in two thousand and four 0:17:05.200 --> 0:17:07.480 have the Wolves won so much. 0:17:07.320 --> 0:17:08.880 As one round in the playoffs. 0:17:08.960 --> 0:17:11.720 But you know what, I probably shouldn't have been surprised 0:17:11.720 --> 0:17:15.320 because on my own sub stack, again, my pals at 0:17:15.359 --> 0:17:20.080 stratumatic with that simulation they did. They told us the 0:17:20.119 --> 0:17:23.760 Wolves were gonna be good, and they look like right now, 0:17:23.760 --> 0:17:25.480 they look like the smartest guys in the room. 0:17:25.800 --> 0:17:30.879 Yeah, I mean I was always suspect on if it 0:17:30.920 --> 0:17:35.919 would work with Towns and Rudy Gobert playing significant minutes together. 0:17:36.760 --> 0:17:41.560 I just didn't know. I still view Towns as a center. 0:17:42.280 --> 0:17:45.480 I know he wants to be I know he wants 0:17:45.520 --> 0:17:48.160 to be label a position other than that. So it's 0:17:48.240 --> 0:17:51.439 been surprised. I mean, you got to give Definitely Anthony Edwards. 0:17:51.440 --> 0:17:53.679 We knew or had a feeling he would take the 0:17:53.720 --> 0:17:56.800 next step up, and he is averaging about twenty six 0:17:56.800 --> 0:18:01.640 points a game right now thirty five minutes. But Mike 0:18:01.720 --> 0:18:04.919 Conley man like he's doing a really good job of 0:18:05.000 --> 0:18:08.600 just being a general and a floor spacer. You know, 0:18:08.640 --> 0:18:12.199 he's shooting forty two percent from three this season, so 0:18:12.280 --> 0:18:16.240 that's a really good attribute to have with this personnel. 0:18:16.640 --> 0:18:19.840 And you know, so right now, look they're looking good. 0:18:20.000 --> 0:18:23.720 You know, Jay McDaniels is a long wing defender who 0:18:24.160 --> 0:18:28.760 who's going to pay huge dividends down the road. He's 0:18:28.760 --> 0:18:31.840 going to have the toughest assignments out there, and so 0:18:31.880 --> 0:18:35.159 they it looks like they have the personnel. I'm still like, 0:18:36.520 --> 0:18:39.639 I'm not completely sold, Steyn. I know they're number one 0:18:39.920 --> 0:18:42.840 in the West right now at nine to three. Not 0:18:43.000 --> 0:18:47.240 completely sold yet, but it definitely looks like they've taken 0:18:47.280 --> 0:18:51.360 a leap. But yeah, I'm still I'm still I'm intrigued 0:18:51.400 --> 0:18:53.600 by them. They got They've got my attention. 0:18:53.960 --> 0:18:56.600 Do you have any Wolves on your upcoming TV schedule? 0:18:57.600 --> 0:19:00.439 No, no Wolves on my upcoming TV scaled, So let 0:19:00.440 --> 0:19:03.080 me let me see off the top right quick. My 0:19:03.240 --> 0:19:07.800 next games I have next week is Golden State at Sacramento. 0:19:08.359 --> 0:19:10.199 The Oh, that's right, that was the home game that 0:19:10.240 --> 0:19:11.040 you were upset about. 0:19:11.080 --> 0:19:15.120 Yeah, yes, unfortunately. Yeah. Then I have in season tournament, 0:19:15.160 --> 0:19:17.040 so I got a few in season tournament games. I 0:19:17.040 --> 0:19:22.360 don't know the matchups. Now after that mid December Lakers 0:19:22.359 --> 0:19:25.320 at Dallas and hoping to run into you there. 0:19:25.520 --> 0:19:27.760 Lakers at Dallas. Well, I will be there, I. 0:19:27.680 --> 0:19:32.760 Promise, yep. And then in January Phoenix at Lakers. Next 0:19:32.760 --> 0:19:37.199 week Oklahoma City at Clippers. After that Lakers at Clippers, 0:19:37.560 --> 0:19:40.960 then after that Philly at Golden State. So that's that's 0:19:41.000 --> 0:19:41.600 my schedule. 0:19:41.640 --> 0:19:44.879 And you are all westy, you are living in the West. 0:19:45.880 --> 0:19:48.760 No complaints, colts whatsoever. 0:19:48.359 --> 0:19:48.960 So I have not. 0:19:49.680 --> 0:19:52.440 This week will be my first in person look at 0:19:52.480 --> 0:19:54.760 the Lakers. As I said, I'll be there Tuesday and 0:19:54.800 --> 0:19:58.000 Wednesday night when they play Utah and Dallas and a 0:19:58.040 --> 0:20:00.880 home back to back for the purple and goal. So 0:20:00.920 --> 0:20:03.919 I'll probably have more to say about the Lakers after that. 0:20:04.359 --> 0:20:07.720 But I mean, I think Lebron is forcing us to 0:20:07.800 --> 0:20:10.720 talk about him, whether we've seen him or not, because. 0:20:11.400 --> 0:20:12.240 I mean, he is just. 0:20:13.760 --> 0:20:16.440 What he you know what he's doing, you know his 0:20:17.119 --> 0:20:21.200 he's a month away from birthday number thirty nine, season 0:20:21.280 --> 0:20:27.120 number twenty one, and he's as dangerous as ever. 0:20:28.480 --> 0:20:29.920 Let me tell you something about that, Stu. Let me 0:20:30.280 --> 0:20:32.320 this is this is going off with basketball a little bit, 0:20:32.440 --> 0:20:37.960 as it pertains to Lebron James Stein. Lebron is probably 0:20:37.960 --> 0:20:44.040 the best at responding to texts, which I would think 0:20:44.160 --> 0:20:47.680 he would be the worst ever in responding to texts. 0:20:48.119 --> 0:20:52.000 And what's surprising, like he's good at responding text Like 0:20:52.040 --> 0:20:53.840 he gets back in a timely fashion. I'm trying to 0:20:53.840 --> 0:20:57.359 think who is bad at responding to text Joelan b 0:20:58.080 --> 0:21:00.359 is good responding text. But he'll get back to see it. 0:21:00.400 --> 0:21:03.359 Probably he'll reply probably a week or two weeks later. 0:21:04.400 --> 0:21:08.160 Lebron is pretty quick. And what makes it even more 0:21:08.880 --> 0:21:14.040 remarkable he gets back and responds to your text, even 0:21:14.119 --> 0:21:18.639 on his birthday. On his birthday, Stein, it may be 0:21:19.080 --> 0:21:21.439 it may be later in the day when he respond, 0:21:21.480 --> 0:21:29.000 but he'll reply something. Lebron is an amazing texter. He 0:21:29.040 --> 0:21:35.280 will respond back in a prompt fashion. I was very 0:21:35.320 --> 0:21:37.000 surprised when I found that out. 0:21:37.400 --> 0:21:42.359 Very So you're gonna text him on his birthday? 0:21:43.040 --> 0:21:45.040 I'll text, I text month, I'll text months birth I'll 0:21:45.040 --> 0:21:48.920 give him half a birthday shout out for sure. Thirty nine. 0:21:49.359 --> 0:21:51.360 You guys are almost the same age. 0:21:52.000 --> 0:21:54.400 Thirty nine. I'm forty. I'm three years older than him. 0:21:54.880 --> 0:21:59.000 Thirty nine. That's man, what he's doing at this age man, 0:21:59.040 --> 0:22:01.719 I mean, we keep saying, we keep saying this, and 0:22:01.760 --> 0:22:07.000 it's becoming seems like it's becoming cliche. But like I thought, 0:22:07.040 --> 0:22:10.480 stein when I went to cover Lebron as a beat 0:22:10.480 --> 0:22:16.199 writer in Cleveland, this was twenty fourteen, I thought I 0:22:16.240 --> 0:22:22.679 will be covering like him on the downslide. That's what 0:22:22.760 --> 0:22:25.960 I thought. I thought. Obviously he was still gonna be great, 0:22:26.320 --> 0:22:28.280 still have his great moments. But I thought I was 0:22:28.320 --> 0:22:33.440 gonna be covering him on the downturn. This is twenty fourteen. 0:22:35.560 --> 0:22:38.960 We're in twenty twenty three, and yes, and you know, 0:22:39.000 --> 0:22:40.960