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Happy Monday, everybody. 31 00:02:17,560 --> 00:02:21,240 Speaker 1: We are live on AMP. I hope all of you 32 00:02:21,320 --> 00:02:24,360 Speaker 1: guys enjoy your holiday weekend, that you've got some time 33 00:02:24,639 --> 00:02:27,240 Speaker 1: to relax and enjoy some good food and some time 34 00:02:27,280 --> 00:02:29,720 Speaker 1: with friends and family. I was joking with my wife 35 00:02:29,760 --> 00:02:34,120 Speaker 1: this morning. I love the holidays mainly because I value 36 00:02:34,200 --> 00:02:36,920 Speaker 1: quality time with people more than just about anything else 37 00:02:36,960 --> 00:02:39,080 Speaker 1: in my life. And so when you get to slow 38 00:02:39,120 --> 00:02:41,360 Speaker 1: down and spend some time with friends and family, especially 39 00:02:41,639 --> 00:02:43,560 Speaker 1: friends and family that are out of town, that come 40 00:02:43,600 --> 00:02:46,480 Speaker 1: back to town for the holidays. That's just time that 41 00:02:46,520 --> 00:02:49,639 Speaker 1: I value a great deal. But it's funny how as 42 00:02:49,680 --> 00:02:52,000 Speaker 1: you get older it gets to be so much work. 43 00:02:52,639 --> 00:02:54,920 Speaker 1: Because when you're younger, it's just like you and your 44 00:02:54,960 --> 00:02:58,240 Speaker 1: immediate family. But then like you get into a relationship, 45 00:02:58,280 --> 00:03:00,480 Speaker 1: and now it's your family and her family, and then 46 00:03:00,520 --> 00:03:02,600 Speaker 1: the two of you become part of a group of friends, 47 00:03:02,600 --> 00:03:04,720 Speaker 1: and now you have friends giving and friends Christmas and 48 00:03:04,760 --> 00:03:07,160 Speaker 1: all these kinds of things. And then her parents are 49 00:03:07,160 --> 00:03:10,160 Speaker 1: also separated, so like we have events with her mom's 50 00:03:10,160 --> 00:03:11,680 Speaker 1: side of the family and events with her dad's side 51 00:03:11,680 --> 00:03:14,560 Speaker 1: of the family. We even her family has really close siblings, 52 00:03:14,560 --> 00:03:18,120 Speaker 1: so we'll spend like a sibling's Christmas and his siblings Thanksgiving, 53 00:03:18,200 --> 00:03:20,040 Speaker 1: And next thing you know, you've got like a half 54 00:03:20,120 --> 00:03:23,600 Speaker 1: dozen events surrounding each of these holidays. And here I 55 00:03:23,680 --> 00:03:27,120 Speaker 1: am on Monday morning, after five consecutive days off, and 56 00:03:27,120 --> 00:03:29,320 Speaker 1: I'm strangely exhausted. And you know how it goes. You're 57 00:03:29,320 --> 00:03:33,160 Speaker 1: always having to bring food, like you're prepping dishes, you're 58 00:03:33,760 --> 00:03:36,800 Speaker 1: if you're hosting, you're prepping multiple dishes. There's clean up, 59 00:03:37,120 --> 00:03:38,880 Speaker 1: you're cleaning up when you go to events. You're cleaning 60 00:03:38,920 --> 00:03:41,400 Speaker 1: up when you're hosting events, it's just a lot of work. Again, 61 00:03:41,560 --> 00:03:44,960 Speaker 1: totally worth it, and I enjoyed a great deal, but man, 62 00:03:45,160 --> 00:03:48,920 Speaker 1: I am strangely exhausted for a Monday morning. I am 63 00:03:48,960 --> 00:03:51,880 Speaker 1: excited to be back to talking about basketball, though, something 64 00:03:51,920 --> 00:03:54,520 Speaker 1: we haven't done since last week. On Tuesday, we're gonna 65 00:03:54,560 --> 00:03:56,560 Speaker 1: be here's the schedule for today and for the rest 66 00:03:56,560 --> 00:03:59,640 Speaker 1: of the week. So today we're gonna hit on four teams. 67 00:03:59,680 --> 00:04:01,680 Speaker 1: Are two biggest fan bases for the show, which is 68 00:04:01,760 --> 00:04:03,720 Speaker 1: Lakers and Warriors, who are both on winning streaks, so 69 00:04:03,720 --> 00:04:05,360 Speaker 1: we're gonna dive into them a little bit. And then 70 00:04:05,400 --> 00:04:07,800 Speaker 1: we're gonna hit two additional Western Conference teams that we 71 00:04:07,840 --> 00:04:10,280 Speaker 1: haven't talked about in a little while, the Denver Nuggets 72 00:04:10,640 --> 00:04:12,680 Speaker 1: and the Dallas Mavericks, who have lost four games in 73 00:04:12,680 --> 00:04:15,000 Speaker 1: a row and earn a little bit of a tail spence. 74 00:04:15,000 --> 00:04:17,560 Speaker 1: So we're gonna be focusing on those four teams today 75 00:04:18,000 --> 00:04:20,720 Speaker 1: and then tomorrow we're going live on YouTube after the 76 00:04:20,760 --> 00:04:24,799 Speaker 1: final buzzer of the Warriors and the Mavericks. Wednesday Double 77 00:04:24,839 --> 00:04:28,279 Speaker 1: Live will be live after heat Celtics on AMP for 78 00:04:28,320 --> 00:04:30,120 Speaker 1: the early slate, and then we'll be live I think 79 00:04:30,120 --> 00:04:32,440 Speaker 1: the Lakers play I can't. I think it's the Blazers. 80 00:04:32,440 --> 00:04:35,159 Speaker 1: The Lakers play the Blazers on Wednesday night. We'll be 81 00:04:35,200 --> 00:04:38,599 Speaker 1: live on YouTube after that game. Then Thursday live on 82 00:04:38,640 --> 00:04:40,960 Speaker 1: AMP at six pm Easter, we'll have our bi weekly 83 00:04:41,040 --> 00:04:43,760 Speaker 1: Power Ranker player rankings. We didn't do one last week 84 00:04:43,760 --> 00:04:46,640 Speaker 1: because the holiday, but we're technically three weeks removed from 85 00:04:46,640 --> 00:04:48,680 Speaker 1: our last player rankings list, so we'll be doing that, 86 00:04:49,200 --> 00:04:51,880 Speaker 1: and then on Saturday morning, we'll have a YouTube video, 87 00:04:51,920 --> 00:04:54,720 Speaker 1: So Friday's off. Saturday morning, we'll have a YouTube video 88 00:04:54,800 --> 00:04:58,880 Speaker 1: that's breaking down Friday Nights Slate, which is absolutely insane. 89 00:04:59,000 --> 00:05:02,000 Speaker 1: Tons of good games to talk about on Friday night 90 00:05:02,040 --> 00:05:04,560 Speaker 1: that we will get to on Saturday. And you guys 91 00:05:04,560 --> 00:05:06,400 Speaker 1: know the joke before we get started. If you guys 92 00:05:06,440 --> 00:05:09,040 Speaker 1: are watching this on YouTube or on the podcast feed, 93 00:05:09,040 --> 00:05:12,560 Speaker 1: don't forget that AMP is the very first place that 94 00:05:12,600 --> 00:05:15,440 Speaker 1: you guys can get these breakdowns. Also, I'm gonna be 95 00:05:15,440 --> 00:05:19,359 Speaker 1: referencing two videos today, some footage that I put together 96 00:05:19,640 --> 00:05:21,680 Speaker 1: and put on my Twitter feed, so you're gonna want 97 00:05:21,720 --> 00:05:24,080 Speaker 1: to follow me on Twitter at Underscore Jason Lts. You 98 00:05:24,080 --> 00:05:26,760 Speaker 1: guys can see those videos that we reference. Again, we 99 00:05:26,800 --> 00:05:29,200 Speaker 1: have some limitations on the footage that we can use 100 00:05:29,760 --> 00:05:32,000 Speaker 1: on YouTube, so I've got to send you guys to 101 00:05:32,120 --> 00:05:34,839 Speaker 1: Twitter for that. But on that note, let's talk some basketball. 102 00:05:34,880 --> 00:05:36,880 Speaker 1: So let's start with the Warriors. They're back on track 103 00:05:37,960 --> 00:05:40,279 Speaker 1: since the five game losing streak. They are eight and 104 00:05:40,400 --> 00:05:43,400 Speaker 1: three in their last eleven games. Over that span, their 105 00:05:43,560 --> 00:05:47,479 Speaker 1: sixth in offense, eighth in defense, and fourth and net rating. 106 00:05:47,800 --> 00:05:50,479 Speaker 1: Steph Curry looks like a bona fide m v P candidate, 107 00:05:50,520 --> 00:05:54,280 Speaker 1: averaging thirty seven and seven over this span on fifty 108 00:05:55,080 --> 00:05:59,160 Speaker 1: shooting forty seven percent from three and seven percent from 109 00:05:59,200 --> 00:06:01,360 Speaker 1: the line. Andrew Wiggins is playing like an all star. 110 00:06:01,440 --> 00:06:04,480 Speaker 1: Twenty one points and five rebounds on fifty three percent 111 00:06:04,560 --> 00:06:08,000 Speaker 1: from the floor at percent from three. Clay Thompson, whatever 112 00:06:08,040 --> 00:06:10,719 Speaker 1: you slump you're worried about to start the year, that's 113 00:06:10,760 --> 00:06:15,800 Speaker 1: over this eleven game stretch, he's averaging twenty on from 114 00:06:15,839 --> 00:06:19,039 Speaker 1: three on ten three point attempts. Clay is fine. And 115 00:06:19,040 --> 00:06:21,960 Speaker 1: then Draymond Green over this span has been amazing on 116 00:06:22,000 --> 00:06:24,160 Speaker 1: the defensive end, but also on the offensive and creating 117 00:06:24,160 --> 00:06:26,479 Speaker 1: stuff in their offense. We're gonna get to it because 118 00:06:26,520 --> 00:06:28,320 Speaker 1: if I'm in a reference of video that I put 119 00:06:28,360 --> 00:06:30,719 Speaker 1: together of their offense in the first quarter against Minnesota, 120 00:06:30,960 --> 00:06:33,800 Speaker 1: and Draymond was incredible in that sequence. During this eleven 121 00:06:33,800 --> 00:06:37,760 Speaker 1: game span, he's averaging nine assists to just two turnovers. 122 00:06:37,760 --> 00:06:39,720 Speaker 1: In Jordan Pool has been fine as well. He's averaging 123 00:06:39,760 --> 00:06:43,560 Speaker 1: sixteen points per game on from the field. The offense 124 00:06:44,080 --> 00:06:47,880 Speaker 1: was clicking at an insanely high level against Minnesota. In 125 00:06:47,920 --> 00:06:52,560 Speaker 1: that first quarter they had a one sixty eight offensive rating. Now, 126 00:06:52,680 --> 00:06:55,440 Speaker 1: with Minnesota's defense in particular, this is a bad matchup. 127 00:06:56,279 --> 00:06:57,560 Speaker 1: You know. One of the things I talked about a 128 00:06:57,600 --> 00:06:59,920 Speaker 1: lot when they made the Gobert trade is that when 129 00:07:00,000 --> 00:07:02,760 Speaker 1: they could functionally run drop coverage, they'll be tough to beat. 130 00:07:02,920 --> 00:07:06,040 Speaker 1: So there will be matchups where they have success when 131 00:07:06,080 --> 00:07:08,200 Speaker 1: they can really pack the paint. But teams that have 132 00:07:08,320 --> 00:07:10,800 Speaker 1: good pull up shooting and teams that are really good 133 00:07:10,800 --> 00:07:13,880 Speaker 1: at spacing you out and driving and kicking are going 134 00:07:13,920 --> 00:07:17,560 Speaker 1: to give the Timberwolves problems all season long. Why because 135 00:07:17,640 --> 00:07:21,080 Speaker 1: Rudy Gobert's defensive value is somewhat limited if he's taken 136 00:07:21,120 --> 00:07:23,080 Speaker 1: away from the basket, because he can't cover for his 137 00:07:23,120 --> 00:07:25,560 Speaker 1: teammates when he's away from the rim. And then on 138 00:07:25,600 --> 00:07:28,400 Speaker 1: the perimeter. They lost a good chunk of perimeter defense, 139 00:07:28,440 --> 00:07:31,000 Speaker 1: so they don't quite have the mobility to hang with 140 00:07:31,040 --> 00:07:33,560 Speaker 1: really good driving kick teams. Now the Warriors aren't really 141 00:07:33,560 --> 00:07:35,640 Speaker 1: a driving kick team, but they functionally do a lot 142 00:07:35,680 --> 00:07:37,760 Speaker 1: of similar things in the sense that they are spacing 143 00:07:37,800 --> 00:07:41,080 Speaker 1: you five out with most of their sets, and the 144 00:07:41,120 --> 00:07:44,520 Speaker 1: paint is usually unoccupied. You're forcing these guys to guard 145 00:07:44,560 --> 00:07:47,880 Speaker 1: in space. And you know, Gobert actually wasn't that bad 146 00:07:47,920 --> 00:07:53,480 Speaker 1: against the Warriors yesterday, but man Carl Town's was absolutely 147 00:07:53,560 --> 00:07:56,960 Speaker 1: in the blender in that first quarter. And that was 148 00:07:57,040 --> 00:07:58,720 Speaker 1: a big part of how Golden State had so much 149 00:07:58,760 --> 00:08:01,360 Speaker 1: success in the first quarter. And you know what was 150 00:08:01,400 --> 00:08:03,520 Speaker 1: interesting too, is it wasn't it wasn't like they were 151 00:08:03,600 --> 00:08:07,320 Speaker 1: spamming in action. There was so much variety to the 152 00:08:07,320 --> 00:08:10,960 Speaker 1: way the Warriors were cutting Minnesota to pieces with all 153 00:08:11,000 --> 00:08:13,120 Speaker 1: of their with their sets. So there was a the 154 00:08:13,320 --> 00:08:16,480 Speaker 1: you know, you had your typical Warriors split cut stuff 155 00:08:16,520 --> 00:08:20,000 Speaker 1: where you know, post entry to Draymond on the left 156 00:08:20,040 --> 00:08:22,760 Speaker 1: post and then Clay Thompson goes to screen for Steff, 157 00:08:22,760 --> 00:08:25,280 Speaker 1: but instead Steph just cuts back door and he gets 158 00:08:25,280 --> 00:08:27,280 Speaker 1: a wide open floater and makes it. They ran a 159 00:08:27,360 --> 00:08:30,120 Speaker 1: version of Spain pick and roll where they had Clay 160 00:08:30,160 --> 00:08:33,480 Speaker 1: Thompson and Draymond set two high screens at the three 161 00:08:33,520 --> 00:08:36,520 Speaker 1: point line and as step was coming over the top, 162 00:08:36,600 --> 00:08:39,760 Speaker 1: Clay relocated to the left side wing as Draymond was rolling, 163 00:08:40,040 --> 00:08:43,280 Speaker 1: they kicked it to Clay. Clay pump faked shooter defender 164 00:08:43,559 --> 00:08:45,640 Speaker 1: UH pursued past him and he drove to the basket 165 00:08:45,640 --> 00:08:47,679 Speaker 1: and got a wide open look at a floater. There 166 00:08:47,720 --> 00:08:49,760 Speaker 1: was your classic high pick and roll with Stephan Draymond 167 00:08:49,760 --> 00:08:52,120 Speaker 1: where he hits Draymond on the short roll, quick drop 168 00:08:52,160 --> 00:08:55,400 Speaker 1: off passage and Michael Green for verse layup. Then there 169 00:08:55,440 --> 00:08:57,480 Speaker 1: was a play where Draymond Green did a fake drible 170 00:08:57,520 --> 00:09:00,240 Speaker 1: handoff with Steph, got to the rim, bounced past to 171 00:09:00,320 --> 00:09:04,480 Speaker 1: Jamichael Green dunk. There was the you know even later 172 00:09:04,480 --> 00:09:06,920 Speaker 1: in the quarter as Minnesota started to adjust and send 173 00:09:06,920 --> 00:09:10,960 Speaker 1: a defender over during that UH, during those Draymond Green 174 00:09:11,040 --> 00:09:13,439 Speaker 1: short rolls, they just started kicking the shooters. There was 175 00:09:13,480 --> 00:09:16,120 Speaker 1: a really nice play where Jordan Pool came over the 176 00:09:16,280 --> 00:09:20,000 Speaker 1: over the screen and on the role Minnesota helped out 177 00:09:20,000 --> 00:09:22,520 Speaker 1: of the corner. He just threw a rifle baseball pass 178 00:09:22,960 --> 00:09:25,520 Speaker 1: that hit Dante DiVincenzo right in the shooting pocket in 179 00:09:25,520 --> 00:09:27,760 Speaker 1: the right corner, and he made it three. Draymond was 180 00:09:27,800 --> 00:09:29,800 Speaker 1: doing stuff in transition where he just pushed the ball 181 00:09:29,800 --> 00:09:32,000 Speaker 1: off the floor and then like Clay Thompson would just 182 00:09:32,040 --> 00:09:33,880 Speaker 1: cut back door and he hit him for a layup. 183 00:09:34,200 --> 00:09:38,439 Speaker 1: It was vintage Warriors basketball. It was an offensive clinic 184 00:09:39,120 --> 00:09:41,440 Speaker 1: and everything that we've grown accustomed to seeing from them 185 00:09:41,480 --> 00:09:43,760 Speaker 1: over the course of the last couple of years. Now, 186 00:09:43,760 --> 00:09:46,640 Speaker 1: the bench is still an issue. You know, they're getting 187 00:09:46,640 --> 00:09:49,960 Speaker 1: outscored by eighteen point four points per one Hunter possessions 188 00:09:49,960 --> 00:09:52,120 Speaker 1: the season when Steph is off the floor, But when 189 00:09:52,120 --> 00:09:57,120 Speaker 1: they're starting lineup is that good? When they're absolutely obliterating 190 00:09:57,160 --> 00:10:01,000 Speaker 1: teams with that lineup. They built themselves enough margin for 191 00:10:01,120 --> 00:10:04,040 Speaker 1: error where that they can live through those bench issues. 192 00:10:04,559 --> 00:10:06,840 Speaker 1: Like we saw what happened last night. They went to 193 00:10:06,880 --> 00:10:09,680 Speaker 1: the bench. You know, Minnesota got it back to fourteen, 194 00:10:09,840 --> 00:10:11,800 Speaker 1: you know got you know, they've made it look a 195 00:10:11,840 --> 00:10:14,440 Speaker 1: little bit more competitive, but there was such a big 196 00:10:14,480 --> 00:10:17,040 Speaker 1: gap there that it changes the tenor and tone of 197 00:10:17,080 --> 00:10:19,840 Speaker 1: the game. Now it feels like a blowout and as 198 00:10:19,880 --> 00:10:22,440 Speaker 1: a result, you know, Minnesota it doesn't defend quite as hard. 199 00:10:22,480 --> 00:10:25,040 Speaker 1: They jack up some bad shots and things just kind 200 00:10:25,040 --> 00:10:27,680 Speaker 1: of stay at arms distance. That was an arms distance 201 00:10:27,760 --> 00:10:30,760 Speaker 1: game where Golden State was never truly threatened. And that's 202 00:10:30,800 --> 00:10:34,880 Speaker 1: what happens when you have the best starting lineup in 203 00:10:34,920 --> 00:10:38,079 Speaker 1: basketball and forget out starting line up. That lineup is 204 00:10:38,360 --> 00:10:43,600 Speaker 1: the best lineup in basketball with uh, without any competition. UH. 205 00:10:43,679 --> 00:10:45,360 Speaker 1: Their defense is getting better. I talked about how the 206 00:10:45,440 --> 00:10:48,520 Speaker 1: starting lineup wasn't defending well enough during that losing streak. Well, 207 00:10:48,559 --> 00:10:53,079 Speaker 1: their defensive rating is one of six point six with Curry, Clay, Draymond, Wiggins, 208 00:10:53,120 --> 00:10:56,160 Speaker 1: and Luney on the floor over this um over this 209 00:10:56,200 --> 00:10:59,480 Speaker 1: eleven game stretch, and they're outscoring teams. This is insane. 210 00:10:59,720 --> 00:11:04,240 Speaker 1: That lineup Curry, Clay, Draymond, Wiggins, and Looney is outscoring 211 00:11:04,280 --> 00:11:08,199 Speaker 1: teams during this eight and three stretch by thirty one 212 00:11:08,360 --> 00:11:13,440 Speaker 1: points per one possessions. They're building leads so big that 213 00:11:13,480 --> 00:11:17,240 Speaker 1: their benchy shoes are just irrelevant. This is how crazy 214 00:11:17,280 --> 00:11:19,960 Speaker 1: this is. There are twenty two five man lineups in 215 00:11:19,960 --> 00:11:21,520 Speaker 1: the NBA this year that I have have played at least 216 00:11:21,520 --> 00:11:24,679 Speaker 1: one hundred minutes, and the Warriors starters are best by 217 00:11:24,720 --> 00:11:27,600 Speaker 1: a mile. They have a plus twenty eight net rating 218 00:11:27,760 --> 00:11:32,439 Speaker 1: for the season. There's only one other one of those lineups. 219 00:11:32,480 --> 00:11:35,720 Speaker 1: Of those twenty two lineups, only one of them has 220 00:11:35,960 --> 00:11:38,080 Speaker 1: a net rating over twenty. That's not the Warriors, and 221 00:11:38,080 --> 00:11:40,640 Speaker 1: that's the Bucks. They're starters are plus twenty three, so 222 00:11:40,679 --> 00:11:43,640 Speaker 1: they're five points better than the next best lineup. And 223 00:11:43,679 --> 00:11:46,079 Speaker 1: then there's nobody else that's nearly as dominant as those 224 00:11:46,080 --> 00:11:49,000 Speaker 1: two lineups. Don't look now, but the Warriors are five 225 00:11:49,080 --> 00:11:52,240 Speaker 1: over five hundred and they're only three games back from 226 00:11:52,280 --> 00:11:54,679 Speaker 1: first place in the West. This is what happens when 227 00:11:54,720 --> 00:11:57,440 Speaker 1: the West is as wide open as it is. And 228 00:11:57,480 --> 00:11:59,080 Speaker 1: you know what I what I kept talking about is 229 00:11:59,120 --> 00:12:02,480 Speaker 1: like they're there are still conversations to have about young 230 00:12:02,559 --> 00:12:04,240 Speaker 1: players and who you want to keep, who you want 231 00:12:04,240 --> 00:12:06,319 Speaker 1: to trade, whether or not they need to target a 232 00:12:06,360 --> 00:12:09,360 Speaker 1: specific type of player to bolster their bench, you know, 233 00:12:09,720 --> 00:12:13,440 Speaker 1: different lineup configurations, who you play with. Who you know is, 234 00:12:13,679 --> 00:12:16,720 Speaker 1: should James Wiseman have to play in the G League 235 00:12:16,720 --> 00:12:18,800 Speaker 1: as a number two overall pick ers? That kind of 236 00:12:18,840 --> 00:12:21,560 Speaker 1: unfair to him. There's a lot of like ancillary conversations 237 00:12:21,600 --> 00:12:26,800 Speaker 1: to have about the Warriors, but their actual struggles, the 238 00:12:26,840 --> 00:12:29,400 Speaker 1: struggles that had them three and seven at one point 239 00:12:29,440 --> 00:12:33,520 Speaker 1: this season, those were solvable just by the starters playing better. 240 00:12:33,760 --> 00:12:35,840 Speaker 1: They played great to start the season. They had a 241 00:12:35,840 --> 00:12:38,360 Speaker 1: bad stretch and they went ohing five and they played 242 00:12:38,360 --> 00:12:40,760 Speaker 1: great again, and all of a sudden, they started winning again. 243 00:12:40,880 --> 00:12:44,920 Speaker 1: That group is so dominant that they can solve a 244 00:12:44,960 --> 00:12:48,400 Speaker 1: lot of their problems, and by the Warriors time to 245 00:12:48,480 --> 00:12:51,320 Speaker 1: figure out what they want to do with their bench. 246 00:12:51,440 --> 00:12:54,839 Speaker 1: That lineup is why I have the Warriors as my 247 00:12:54,920 --> 00:12:58,080 Speaker 1: championship favorite. That line up is why I never got 248 00:12:58,120 --> 00:13:01,400 Speaker 1: scared for the Warriors as they were struggling, and that 249 00:13:01,440 --> 00:13:04,520 Speaker 1: lineup is gonna be what carries them with their best 250 00:13:04,640 --> 00:13:08,160 Speaker 1: chance of repeating this year. Also, Warriors fans, I forgot 251 00:13:08,160 --> 00:13:11,640 Speaker 1: to mention this earlier, that whole first quarter offensive stretch 252 00:13:11,720 --> 00:13:14,160 Speaker 1: that I was talking about. I broke down a bunch 253 00:13:14,160 --> 00:13:17,000 Speaker 1: of plays from that sequence on my Twitter feed with 254 00:13:17,080 --> 00:13:19,480 Speaker 1: actual footage. You can find out on my Twitter feed 255 00:13:19,520 --> 00:13:21,839 Speaker 1: at underscore Jason lt. Don't forget to go check that out. 256 00:13:22,440 --> 00:13:24,640 Speaker 1: All right, let's talk about the Nuggets. So we haven't 257 00:13:24,640 --> 00:13:27,640 Speaker 1: talked about them in a while. On the surface, things 258 00:13:27,640 --> 00:13:30,240 Speaker 1: look somewhat underwhelming, right Like, they're twelve and seven, They're 259 00:13:30,240 --> 00:13:33,280 Speaker 1: only six and four in their last ten. They're back 260 00:13:33,320 --> 00:13:35,920 Speaker 1: at twenty fourth on defense, which is nowhere near good 261 00:13:36,000 --> 00:13:38,199 Speaker 1: enough for a team that legitimately wants to contend. So 262 00:13:38,440 --> 00:13:40,640 Speaker 1: you can be pessimistic about them, and that's a big 263 00:13:40,679 --> 00:13:42,439 Speaker 1: part of why the Nuggets haven't really gotten a lot 264 00:13:42,440 --> 00:13:45,360 Speaker 1: of talk this year. But guess what twelve and seven 265 00:13:45,440 --> 00:13:48,280 Speaker 1: works as in today's NBA twelve and seven is the 266 00:13:48,360 --> 00:13:50,800 Speaker 1: fifth best record in basketball. That's how wide opened the 267 00:13:50,840 --> 00:13:52,920 Speaker 1: league is. When you get past the Celtics and Bucks, 268 00:13:53,200 --> 00:13:55,320 Speaker 1: there's such a big drop off to everybody else, and 269 00:13:55,320 --> 00:13:57,360 Speaker 1: everyone else is just kind of clustered up in there 270 00:13:57,760 --> 00:14:00,560 Speaker 1: that you know. I mean, even the Lakers are three 271 00:14:00,600 --> 00:14:04,280 Speaker 1: games back from sixth in the West or whatever it is. 272 00:14:04,320 --> 00:14:06,079 Speaker 1: I can't that was what it was as of yesterday. 273 00:14:06,120 --> 00:14:07,960 Speaker 1: I'm not sure after last night's games, but they were 274 00:14:08,000 --> 00:14:10,000 Speaker 1: kind of like right back up in the mix of things. 275 00:14:10,400 --> 00:14:13,160 Speaker 1: And here you go, the Denver Nuggets. You're working Michael 276 00:14:13,200 --> 00:14:15,920 Speaker 1: Porter Junior back from injury, You're working Jamal Murray back 277 00:14:15,920 --> 00:14:18,960 Speaker 1: from injury, Nikola Yokich is stepping back into a smaller role. 278 00:14:19,200 --> 00:14:22,400 Speaker 1: All this stuff is happening, and you're still the fifth 279 00:14:22,400 --> 00:14:25,480 Speaker 1: best record in the league. That's how that's the glass 280 00:14:25,480 --> 00:14:27,200 Speaker 1: half full way of looking at it, and even gets 281 00:14:27,200 --> 00:14:29,600 Speaker 1: better because they're eleven and five when Yoket's plays. They 282 00:14:29,680 --> 00:14:31,680 Speaker 1: dropped a couple of games recently when Yokis was out 283 00:14:31,720 --> 00:14:34,240 Speaker 1: of the lineup with COVID, And you know, we were 284 00:14:34,240 --> 00:14:37,240 Speaker 1: just talking about those dominant lineups, right. So I've got 285 00:14:37,240 --> 00:14:40,520 Speaker 1: the Warriors that are plus twenty eight per one hundred possessions. 286 00:14:40,560 --> 00:14:42,600 Speaker 1: I've got the buck Starters that are plus twenty three 287 00:14:42,560 --> 00:14:44,840 Speaker 1: point hunter possessions. Well, guess who the third best lineup 288 00:14:44,880 --> 00:14:48,160 Speaker 1: in basketball is. It's Nikkela Yogets, Jamal Murray k CP, 289 00:14:48,400 --> 00:14:51,400 Speaker 1: Michael Porter Jr. And Aaron Gordon. Their plus seventeen point 290 00:14:51,480 --> 00:14:54,320 Speaker 1: four net in a hundred and seventy two minutes this year, 291 00:14:54,320 --> 00:14:57,440 Speaker 1: which is the third best in the league among lineups 292 00:14:57,640 --> 00:14:59,760 Speaker 1: that have played at least a hundred minutes together. They're 293 00:14:59,760 --> 00:15:02,640 Speaker 1: also dominating and crunch time. They're six and two in 294 00:15:03,240 --> 00:15:05,280 Speaker 1: games where the score has been within five points with 295 00:15:05,360 --> 00:15:08,800 Speaker 1: less than five minutes remaining, and uh in those crunch 296 00:15:08,840 --> 00:15:11,240 Speaker 1: time situations, they have a plus twenty one net rating, 297 00:15:11,280 --> 00:15:13,000 Speaker 1: which is the third best in the league and the 298 00:15:13,040 --> 00:15:15,600 Speaker 1: best defense in the league and clutch situations, which is 299 00:15:15,680 --> 00:15:18,440 Speaker 1: encouraging because what has been my theory all along. You know, 300 00:15:18,960 --> 00:15:22,200 Speaker 1: the Nuggets are they're not defending as well as they can. 301 00:15:22,280 --> 00:15:24,200 Speaker 1: Are they a top five defense? No, but they should 302 00:15:24,200 --> 00:15:27,000 Speaker 1: be closer to fifteen. They're definitely capable of defending better 303 00:15:27,040 --> 00:15:30,480 Speaker 1: than they have. They've added enough a talent on the wing, 304 00:15:31,560 --> 00:15:32,880 Speaker 1: you know, over the course of the last couple of 305 00:15:32,960 --> 00:15:35,560 Speaker 1: years with Aaron Gordon, I really like the Bruce Brown signing. 306 00:15:35,600 --> 00:15:38,520 Speaker 1: Kentavius Callbo Pope, I think is a better UH defender 307 00:15:38,560 --> 00:15:41,000 Speaker 1: than Will Barton. They have better defensive players, they just 308 00:15:41,040 --> 00:15:42,680 Speaker 1: have to go out and show that. And what they're 309 00:15:42,680 --> 00:15:44,920 Speaker 1: showing is in crunch time when they really lock in, 310 00:15:45,320 --> 00:15:47,440 Speaker 1: they're getting a lot of stops. But I wanted to 311 00:15:47,520 --> 00:15:49,520 Speaker 1: take some time to go one by one through the 312 00:15:49,520 --> 00:15:52,120 Speaker 1: Denver Nuggets line up to talk about where they're succeeding 313 00:15:52,560 --> 00:15:55,000 Speaker 1: this year. So for Yokis, his numbers are down across 314 00:15:55,040 --> 00:15:57,200 Speaker 1: the board. He's only averaging twenty two points per game 315 00:15:57,240 --> 00:15:59,840 Speaker 1: and ten rebounds this year, which is well below where 316 00:15:59,840 --> 00:16:02,600 Speaker 1: he was last year. That also is going along with 317 00:16:02,920 --> 00:16:06,080 Speaker 1: nine assists, but that's to be expected with the supporting 318 00:16:06,120 --> 00:16:08,560 Speaker 1: cash changing last year. You know, with the type of 319 00:16:08,560 --> 00:16:10,040 Speaker 1: talent he was playing with he had to be a 320 00:16:10,080 --> 00:16:12,840 Speaker 1: lot more aggressive in post ups and isolations, and that's 321 00:16:12,880 --> 00:16:14,600 Speaker 1: just not the case this year. It's a lot more 322 00:16:14,880 --> 00:16:17,760 Speaker 1: in the flow of the offense. But he's still excelling 323 00:16:17,760 --> 00:16:20,320 Speaker 1: in all of the usual ways in post ups one 324 00:16:20,360 --> 00:16:24,480 Speaker 1: point one points per possession, counting passes sixty percentile, which 325 00:16:24,520 --> 00:16:28,520 Speaker 1: is well above average. Right um. The inverted pick and roll, 326 00:16:28,560 --> 00:16:32,440 Speaker 1: which I've always talked about, where basically Yokich runs a 327 00:16:32,480 --> 00:16:35,320 Speaker 1: screen and roll with a guard as the screener as 328 00:16:35,360 --> 00:16:37,240 Speaker 1: opposed to the reverse of that. I put a whole 329 00:16:37,360 --> 00:16:40,760 Speaker 1: video of that together that you can find on my 330 00:16:40,840 --> 00:16:44,480 Speaker 1: Twitter feed that kind of demonstrate the inverted Nicola yoke 331 00:16:44,520 --> 00:16:46,840 Speaker 1: its pick and roll. It's usually Bruce Brown setting the 332 00:16:46,880 --> 00:16:49,720 Speaker 1: screen because he has so much experience as a roll 333 00:16:49,800 --> 00:16:51,480 Speaker 1: man from his time in Brooklyn. But they also do 334 00:16:51,520 --> 00:16:53,200 Speaker 1: it a little bit with KCP. They do it with 335 00:16:53,960 --> 00:16:55,240 Speaker 1: quite a bit with KCP, but they do it a 336 00:16:55,280 --> 00:16:57,280 Speaker 1: little bit with Jamal Murray in a lot with Aaron 337 00:16:57,360 --> 00:17:00,880 Speaker 1: Gordon as well. They always slip the screen. They're not 338 00:17:00,920 --> 00:17:04,280 Speaker 1: really there to linger and make a physical play on 339 00:17:04,320 --> 00:17:07,760 Speaker 1: the screen defender. They're just there too put a presence 340 00:17:07,760 --> 00:17:09,560 Speaker 1: so the defender gets out of position and then they're 341 00:17:09,560 --> 00:17:12,360 Speaker 1: slipping to the basket. Every single time from there, Yokis 342 00:17:12,440 --> 00:17:15,240 Speaker 1: literally will will keep the dribble live and just wait 343 00:17:15,280 --> 00:17:17,760 Speaker 1: for the defense to commit to one of the players, 344 00:17:18,040 --> 00:17:20,119 Speaker 1: and there usually is a wide open player there because 345 00:17:20,119 --> 00:17:23,919 Speaker 1: with Yokich, the screen defender is hedging on him usually 346 00:17:24,160 --> 00:17:26,560 Speaker 1: and then the guy who's guarding him is following him 347 00:17:26,600 --> 00:17:29,080 Speaker 1: in that screen. Now it's a four on three on 348 00:17:29,119 --> 00:17:32,280 Speaker 1: the back line. Most of the time, that guy who's 349 00:17:32,320 --> 00:17:34,440 Speaker 1: slipping to the basket ends up being wide open, and 350 00:17:34,480 --> 00:17:37,679 Speaker 1: you're seeing a ton of easy layups for Bruce Brown 351 00:17:37,720 --> 00:17:40,919 Speaker 1: and KCP at the basket because of what they're getting 352 00:17:40,920 --> 00:17:43,840 Speaker 1: in that in that role situation. But if the screen 353 00:17:43,880 --> 00:17:47,920 Speaker 1: defender stays with the slipping screener, Yokich will just continue 354 00:17:47,960 --> 00:17:50,360 Speaker 1: to go downhill because now he has a driving lane 355 00:17:50,400 --> 00:17:53,119 Speaker 1: because his defender got caught on the fake screen and 356 00:17:53,160 --> 00:17:55,080 Speaker 1: now he's going downhill and no one can stop him 357 00:17:55,080 --> 00:17:57,760 Speaker 1: because of how damn big he is. Inverted Yoki's pick 358 00:17:57,800 --> 00:17:59,640 Speaker 1: and roll this year with him as the ball handler 359 00:18:00,040 --> 00:18:04,080 Speaker 1: including passes, is scoring one point zero seven points per possession, 360 00:18:04,080 --> 00:18:06,920 Speaker 1: which is in the seventy five percentile in the league. Again, 361 00:18:06,920 --> 00:18:08,639 Speaker 1: you're gonna want to check that video out on Twitter. 362 00:18:08,960 --> 00:18:12,840 Speaker 1: And then the Warriors offense stuff that I was talking about. Um, 363 00:18:12,840 --> 00:18:15,080 Speaker 1: he still can't make a jump shot to save his life, really, 364 00:18:15,119 --> 00:18:16,960 Speaker 1: but he's cut way back on attempts, kind of like 365 00:18:17,000 --> 00:18:19,920 Speaker 1: what Anthony Davis did. He's attempting half as many threes 366 00:18:19,960 --> 00:18:23,879 Speaker 1: as he did last year, but he's shooting just on them. Uh. 367 00:18:23,960 --> 00:18:26,640 Speaker 1: Jamal Murray last ten games eighteen point four points per 368 00:18:26,640 --> 00:18:29,280 Speaker 1: game and six assists. He scored twenty plus five times 369 00:18:29,320 --> 00:18:32,040 Speaker 1: each day. He just looks a little bit more like 370 00:18:32,160 --> 00:18:35,000 Speaker 1: himself in this ten game span. He's also shooting fort 371 00:18:35,680 --> 00:18:37,600 Speaker 1: on ten pull up jumpers per game. If you guys 372 00:18:37,600 --> 00:18:40,399 Speaker 1: remember the beginning of the season he was at around 373 00:18:41,520 --> 00:18:44,840 Speaker 1: this last stretch, he's around forty three percent. Like I've 374 00:18:44,840 --> 00:18:47,359 Speaker 1: been saying, I want to see him up around forty 375 00:18:48,080 --> 00:18:50,399 Speaker 1: six percent. That's when you'll know he's really back to 376 00:18:50,400 --> 00:18:53,439 Speaker 1: where he is. But he's clearly trending in that direction 377 00:18:53,480 --> 00:18:55,720 Speaker 1: and that's good to see after his injury, to see 378 00:18:55,800 --> 00:18:57,399 Speaker 1: him kind of getting back to what he was. Michael 379 00:18:57,400 --> 00:19:00,800 Speaker 1: Porter Jr. Hundred one points in seventy seven spot of possessions, 380 00:19:00,840 --> 00:19:04,280 Speaker 1: which ranks in percentile in the league. Aaron Gordon is 381 00:19:04,280 --> 00:19:06,800 Speaker 1: the workhorse of this lineup. He's a monster on the 382 00:19:06,840 --> 00:19:08,960 Speaker 1: offensive glass. He's averaging a career high two and a 383 00:19:08,960 --> 00:19:13,000 Speaker 1: half offensive rebounds per game. He is excellent running the 384 00:19:13,000 --> 00:19:15,960 Speaker 1: floor in transition. Uh he's been outstanding for them in 385 00:19:16,000 --> 00:19:18,120 Speaker 1: the dunker spot in particular, So like he's not he's 386 00:19:18,119 --> 00:19:21,360 Speaker 1: not having a good perimeter shooting season, and so they're 387 00:19:21,400 --> 00:19:23,840 Speaker 1: they're sticking him in the dunker spot a lot, especially 388 00:19:23,840 --> 00:19:26,040 Speaker 1: since Yokich is typically operating out of the top of 389 00:19:26,080 --> 00:19:29,440 Speaker 1: the key, so it's not really causing spacing issues for them. 390 00:19:29,760 --> 00:19:31,280 Speaker 1: And then he just does really he does a really 391 00:19:31,359 --> 00:19:34,359 Speaker 1: nice job of relocating. Now, the way that dunker spot 392 00:19:34,400 --> 00:19:37,480 Speaker 1: relocation works is when the ball is on your side 393 00:19:37,520 --> 00:19:39,600 Speaker 1: of the floor, you have to go to the opposite block. 394 00:19:39,640 --> 00:19:42,439 Speaker 1: You always want to be sitting outside the block on 395 00:19:42,480 --> 00:19:45,600 Speaker 1: the side opposite of the ball handler. It just makes 396 00:19:45,640 --> 00:19:48,119 Speaker 1: it so the defender has to leave you further to 397 00:19:48,160 --> 00:19:50,760 Speaker 1: be in help, which creates an opening for you. Then 398 00:19:50,880 --> 00:19:54,040 Speaker 1: as the ball crosses over the midline of the floor, 399 00:19:54,119 --> 00:19:57,840 Speaker 1: you want to relocate to the other block, or if 400 00:19:57,840 --> 00:20:01,240 Speaker 1: someone drives baseline, you want to relocate to like the 401 00:20:01,320 --> 00:20:03,840 Speaker 1: charge circle, so kind of in front of the rim. 402 00:20:03,920 --> 00:20:06,399 Speaker 1: So there's just some basic concepts of how to relocate 403 00:20:06,640 --> 00:20:09,200 Speaker 1: when you're in that dunker spot. Aaron Gordon's got such 404 00:20:09,240 --> 00:20:12,439 Speaker 1: a natural feel with Yokich already. He just knows how 405 00:20:12,480 --> 00:20:15,160 Speaker 1: to find those openings and Yokis will just hit him 406 00:20:15,160 --> 00:20:17,600 Speaker 1: with these baseball passes and then he's one of the 407 00:20:17,600 --> 00:20:20,600 Speaker 1: best straight vert jumpers that we have in the league, 408 00:20:20,600 --> 00:20:22,920 Speaker 1: so he can just elevate from wherever he catches and 409 00:20:22,960 --> 00:20:26,440 Speaker 1: just dunk the basketball. And he's been extremely effective as 410 00:20:26,440 --> 00:20:28,840 Speaker 1: a cutter out of the dunker spot as a result. 411 00:20:28,920 --> 00:20:30,480 Speaker 1: The k CP was the last guy I wanted to 412 00:20:30,520 --> 00:20:32,879 Speaker 1: talk about. He's one of my favorite players in the 413 00:20:32,920 --> 00:20:35,760 Speaker 1: league from my time covering him with the Lakers. He's 414 00:20:35,800 --> 00:20:39,879 Speaker 1: just a professional two guard. He's great defensive player, deadly 415 00:20:39,920 --> 00:20:42,639 Speaker 1: three point shooter. He's having an outstanding three point shooting season. 416 00:20:43,000 --> 00:20:45,560 Speaker 1: Great attacking close outs, and he's great in transition, whether 417 00:20:45,560 --> 00:20:47,639 Speaker 1: that's running to the corner for threes or running to 418 00:20:47,640 --> 00:20:50,119 Speaker 1: the front of the rim for layups and dunks. He 419 00:20:50,200 --> 00:20:53,119 Speaker 1: scored eighty eight points on sixty three spot up possessions 420 00:20:53,119 --> 00:20:55,359 Speaker 1: this year, which is in the nine percentile, and they 421 00:20:55,400 --> 00:20:57,439 Speaker 1: haven't done it much, but he's been really good as 422 00:20:57,440 --> 00:20:59,680 Speaker 1: a movement shooter this year. They've run nine plays for 423 00:20:59,760 --> 00:21:01,840 Speaker 1: him running off of screens for shots, and he's knocked 424 00:21:01,840 --> 00:21:05,320 Speaker 1: down seven of them. Um, he has a couple of 425 00:21:05,359 --> 00:21:07,480 Speaker 1: the uh For Denver in particular, they have a couple 426 00:21:07,480 --> 00:21:10,040 Speaker 1: of games coming up against Houston, but then their Denver 427 00:21:10,240 --> 00:21:13,040 Speaker 1: or their December schedule schedule gets a lot tougher. And 428 00:21:13,080 --> 00:21:15,280 Speaker 1: Houston in particular just won two games in a row 429 00:21:15,560 --> 00:21:17,359 Speaker 1: against the Thunder, which is not an easy win, and 430 00:21:17,400 --> 00:21:20,520 Speaker 1: against the Hawks, who are legit Eastern Conference playoff teams. 431 00:21:20,520 --> 00:21:23,080 Speaker 1: So Houston's playing some decent basketball right now. So a 432 00:21:23,119 --> 00:21:25,760 Speaker 1: couple of tougher games like what seemed to be easy games, 433 00:21:25,760 --> 00:21:28,000 Speaker 1: but you don't want to sleep walk against Houston. It's 434 00:21:28,040 --> 00:21:30,240 Speaker 1: just such a good physical matchup for Yokich that I 435 00:21:30,240 --> 00:21:32,520 Speaker 1: expect them to win both those games. And then December 436 00:21:32,560 --> 00:21:34,240 Speaker 1: gets a lot tougher, So we're gonna learn a lot 437 00:21:34,240 --> 00:21:39,600 Speaker 1: about doubt Denver in the month of December. Alright, moving 438 00:21:39,600 --> 00:21:44,760 Speaker 1: on to the Lakers. So, um here here's the way 439 00:21:44,760 --> 00:21:47,560 Speaker 1: I want to do this for the Lakers. There's a 440 00:21:47,640 --> 00:21:51,640 Speaker 1: optimistic glass half full way of looking at things. Then 441 00:21:51,720 --> 00:21:55,440 Speaker 1: there's the pessimistic glass half empty way of looking at things, 442 00:21:55,440 --> 00:21:57,600 Speaker 1: and then there's the reality, which is somewhere in the middle. 443 00:21:57,600 --> 00:21:59,720 Speaker 1: And I'm gonna go through each of those. So here's 444 00:21:59,720 --> 00:22:02,000 Speaker 1: the US have full way of looking at things. The 445 00:22:02,080 --> 00:22:05,080 Speaker 1: Lakers are over five hundred since they're oh and five start, 446 00:22:06,040 --> 00:22:08,560 Speaker 1: they are five and one in their last there are 447 00:22:08,600 --> 00:22:10,520 Speaker 1: I've been one of their last six games. They are 448 00:22:10,680 --> 00:22:13,520 Speaker 1: seven and six in their last thirteen games. In that 449 00:22:13,600 --> 00:22:16,560 Speaker 1: thirteen game stretch, their twelfth in offense nineteenth and defense 450 00:22:16,600 --> 00:22:20,760 Speaker 1: seventeenth and net rating. Anthony Davis's last five games thirty 451 00:22:20,800 --> 00:22:24,560 Speaker 1: three and eighteen on sixty four percent shooting, three blocks 452 00:22:24,560 --> 00:22:28,240 Speaker 1: and two steals. That's straight up m v P level production. 453 00:22:29,480 --> 00:22:32,480 Speaker 1: He's also nineteen for forty two outside of the restricted area, 454 00:22:32,560 --> 00:22:34,680 Speaker 1: which is great for two reasons. One, that's way more 455 00:22:34,720 --> 00:22:37,440 Speaker 1: efficient than he had been in the last couple of years, 456 00:22:37,560 --> 00:22:40,439 Speaker 1: and then it's low volume. You want Anthony Davis unless 457 00:22:40,440 --> 00:22:42,760 Speaker 1: he's straight up Kevin Durant like he was in the bubble. 458 00:22:43,040 --> 00:22:45,320 Speaker 1: You don't want him high volume outside the paint. You 459 00:22:45,320 --> 00:22:48,359 Speaker 1: want him low volumes. So for for more than half 460 00:22:48,359 --> 00:22:50,119 Speaker 1: of his shots to be in the restricted area, is 461 00:22:50,160 --> 00:22:52,840 Speaker 1: a good thing. In forty eight of his nineties shots 462 00:22:52,840 --> 00:22:55,640 Speaker 1: in this five game stretch have been in the restricted area. 463 00:22:56,119 --> 00:22:59,280 Speaker 1: Lebron's last four games, remember what I said, starting with 464 00:22:59,280 --> 00:23:01,439 Speaker 1: the Cleveland game. He was sick before that, and then 465 00:23:01,440 --> 00:23:03,919 Speaker 1: he had the foot issue. Before that. I said the 466 00:23:03,960 --> 00:23:08,480 Speaker 1: Cleveland game looked like he was more physically healthy. And 467 00:23:09,200 --> 00:23:11,880 Speaker 1: since that stretch he's played four games. Obviously, got hurt 468 00:23:11,960 --> 00:23:14,720 Speaker 1: somewhere in the middle, but in Lebron's last four games, 469 00:23:14,720 --> 00:23:17,800 Speaker 1: starting with that Cleveland game, he's averaging twenty nine points, 470 00:23:17,960 --> 00:23:23,760 Speaker 1: nine rebounds, and forces on from the field from three 471 00:23:23,840 --> 00:23:26,479 Speaker 1: and seventy from the line. This is kind of one 472 00:23:26,480 --> 00:23:28,240 Speaker 1: of the silver linings that come from injuries. And I 473 00:23:28,240 --> 00:23:30,000 Speaker 1: tweeted this out when he first came back in that 474 00:23:30,040 --> 00:23:32,840 Speaker 1: first game against the Spurs. Did I expect him to 475 00:23:32,880 --> 00:23:35,399 Speaker 1: look in a percent good shape? No, of course, not, 476 00:23:35,520 --> 00:23:37,000 Speaker 1: that takes time. Did I expect him to look a 477 00:23:37,040 --> 00:23:38,720 Speaker 1: hundred percent and rhythm when it comes to his handle 478 00:23:38,760 --> 00:23:41,119 Speaker 1: and just his overall field for the game. No, of course, not. 479 00:23:41,200 --> 00:23:43,880 Speaker 1: That's gonna take time. But Lebron was in a bad 480 00:23:43,920 --> 00:23:46,399 Speaker 1: shooting slump, one of the worst ones of this recent 481 00:23:46,400 --> 00:23:49,080 Speaker 1: phase of his career. And one of the things that's 482 00:23:49,119 --> 00:23:52,320 Speaker 1: nice about an injury like that is you don't want 483 00:23:52,359 --> 00:23:53,959 Speaker 1: to sit on your butt. You want to stay active. 484 00:23:54,000 --> 00:23:56,119 Speaker 1: So you're gonna you're gonna do things like cardio to 485 00:23:56,160 --> 00:23:57,560 Speaker 1: try to keep your blood flowing, and you're gonna do 486 00:23:57,640 --> 00:24:00,480 Speaker 1: some lifting. But you're not gonna play back skid ball 487 00:24:00,640 --> 00:24:04,040 Speaker 1: right until while you're resting that. But you will shoot 488 00:24:04,119 --> 00:24:07,119 Speaker 1: a ton of shots, because even with a growing injury, 489 00:24:07,160 --> 00:24:09,680 Speaker 1: you can shoot stand still jump shots all day long. 490 00:24:10,000 --> 00:24:13,240 Speaker 1: And I was expecting that Lebron would use that downtime 491 00:24:13,280 --> 00:24:15,600 Speaker 1: to really hone in the details of his jump shot 492 00:24:15,640 --> 00:24:17,720 Speaker 1: and get out of that slump. And that appears to 493 00:24:17,720 --> 00:24:21,240 Speaker 1: be what happened. From three made seven of them, which 494 00:24:21,280 --> 00:24:24,040 Speaker 1: is one shy of his career high. Uh in last 495 00:24:24,119 --> 00:24:27,920 Speaker 1: night's game. All right, yeah, I was yesterday in the afternoon. 496 00:24:28,240 --> 00:24:32,520 Speaker 1: So um. He's also having a sneaky great ISO season. 497 00:24:32,680 --> 00:24:35,600 Speaker 1: He scored seventy six points on sixty seven ISOs this year, 498 00:24:35,640 --> 00:24:38,360 Speaker 1: which is four percentile. He did a really nice job 499 00:24:38,359 --> 00:24:41,240 Speaker 1: against the Spurs with like a basic combination and ISO 500 00:24:41,400 --> 00:24:44,679 Speaker 1: of a jab step pull up and a jab and go. 501 00:24:45,280 --> 00:24:47,960 Speaker 1: Now it's funny because you think is so at basketball 502 00:24:48,000 --> 00:24:50,639 Speaker 1: you think a lot of like intense mixing up off 503 00:24:50,680 --> 00:24:53,240 Speaker 1: the dribble and dribble combinations to get to step backs 504 00:24:53,320 --> 00:24:55,439 Speaker 1: or turnarounds or you know, driving all the way to 505 00:24:55,440 --> 00:24:56,920 Speaker 1: the rim and thinks along those lines. You think of 506 00:24:56,960 --> 00:24:59,119 Speaker 1: a ton of variety. But you know what's funny is 507 00:24:59,200 --> 00:25:02,640 Speaker 1: Lebron he has that stuff for the record, and you've 508 00:25:02,680 --> 00:25:04,760 Speaker 1: see that when he's really in his groove. Like if 509 00:25:04,960 --> 00:25:08,600 Speaker 1: if Lebron really gets back into form, you'll see really 510 00:25:08,640 --> 00:25:11,800 Speaker 1: diverse shot making from him over the course of the season. 511 00:25:11,840 --> 00:25:14,720 Speaker 1: But he's been effective in ISO this year with two 512 00:25:14,800 --> 00:25:18,560 Speaker 1: moves a jab step jumper and a jab step to 513 00:25:18,640 --> 00:25:22,240 Speaker 1: the rim driving, uh, just a rip through to the basket. 514 00:25:22,720 --> 00:25:24,560 Speaker 1: And it's funny because that's been like the story of 515 00:25:24,640 --> 00:25:29,320 Speaker 1: Lebron's career, simplicity and effectiveness over some of the aesthetic stuff. 516 00:25:29,320 --> 00:25:32,080 Speaker 1: Although he is a lot more um you know, aesthetically 517 00:25:32,119 --> 00:25:34,679 Speaker 1: polished than a lot of his detractors are willing to admit. 518 00:25:34,920 --> 00:25:36,840 Speaker 1: But you know, the baseline of it is it's move 519 00:25:36,920 --> 00:25:38,680 Speaker 1: counter move. You know, I talked about this with my 520 00:25:39,000 --> 00:25:41,760 Speaker 1: high school kids that I train all the time. You know, 521 00:25:42,160 --> 00:25:46,400 Speaker 1: as long as every move is built on an equally 522 00:25:46,400 --> 00:25:51,560 Speaker 1: effective counter move. Then just those two things are enough 523 00:25:51,600 --> 00:25:55,720 Speaker 1: to build an offensive foundation. So, for instance, I'm in 524 00:25:55,760 --> 00:25:59,080 Speaker 1: a triple threat. You're guarding me if I am a 525 00:25:59,160 --> 00:26:01,720 Speaker 1: legitimate to rip through to the right and go to 526 00:26:01,720 --> 00:26:04,840 Speaker 1: the rim or ripped through to the left and go 527 00:26:04,880 --> 00:26:07,919 Speaker 1: to the rim, and I'm also a legitimate threat to 528 00:26:08,000 --> 00:26:10,520 Speaker 1: just jab and rise up and knock down a jump shot, 529 00:26:10,920 --> 00:26:13,000 Speaker 1: I've put you in no man's land. Now you have 530 00:26:13,080 --> 00:26:15,359 Speaker 1: to make a decision. If you play off of me 531 00:26:15,440 --> 00:26:17,760 Speaker 1: to contain the drive, I'm gonna knock down this jab 532 00:26:17,800 --> 00:26:19,879 Speaker 1: step jump shot. If you press up on me to 533 00:26:19,880 --> 00:26:21,800 Speaker 1: take away the jab step jump shot, I'm two and 534 00:26:22,160 --> 00:26:23,919 Speaker 1: sixty pounds and I'm six ft nine and if I 535 00:26:24,000 --> 00:26:26,639 Speaker 1: ripped through, I'm getting past you. And it's just funny 536 00:26:26,680 --> 00:26:28,919 Speaker 1: to see that kind of effectiveness because he's had a 537 00:26:29,000 --> 00:26:32,679 Speaker 1: down season by almost every measure right, and yes, he's 538 00:26:32,680 --> 00:26:35,520 Speaker 1: got his jumper going recently, but he's run sixty seven 539 00:26:35,520 --> 00:26:36,920 Speaker 1: ISOs this year and he's been one of the best 540 00:26:36,920 --> 00:26:39,359 Speaker 1: is A players in the league just based on two 541 00:26:39,400 --> 00:26:42,440 Speaker 1: moves that have been effective for him and the fact 542 00:26:42,520 --> 00:26:45,880 Speaker 1: that each move is the opposite of the other, forcing 543 00:26:45,920 --> 00:26:49,280 Speaker 1: defenders to have to make a decision one way or another. 544 00:26:50,520 --> 00:26:52,720 Speaker 1: Lonnie Walker has also been a great third option during 545 00:26:52,720 --> 00:26:56,359 Speaker 1: this stretch. In this UM thirteen game stretch, he's averaging 546 00:26:56,400 --> 00:26:59,520 Speaker 1: nineteen points on shooting all in saying is that that's 547 00:26:59,520 --> 00:27:04,000 Speaker 1: like legit, like third star type of production. But here's 548 00:27:04,040 --> 00:27:06,960 Speaker 1: the last half empty way of looking at things. The 549 00:27:07,040 --> 00:27:08,920 Speaker 1: Lakers are five and oh against teams that are below 550 00:27:08,920 --> 00:27:11,000 Speaker 1: five hundred, but there two and eleven against teams that 551 00:27:11,040 --> 00:27:13,840 Speaker 1: are five hundred are better. A D has been beating 552 00:27:13,920 --> 00:27:15,960 Speaker 1: up on pretty weak front lines. That's just a fact. 553 00:27:16,000 --> 00:27:18,480 Speaker 1: He's been unbelievable, but he's beating up on pretty weak 554 00:27:18,520 --> 00:27:21,679 Speaker 1: front lines. Three of their seven wins the season are 555 00:27:21,680 --> 00:27:23,919 Speaker 1: against the Spurs, who are the worst team in the 556 00:27:24,000 --> 00:27:28,160 Speaker 1: NBA in my opinion. Now again I'm being intentionally pessimistic there, 557 00:27:28,760 --> 00:27:30,560 Speaker 1: but those are the two radical sides of it. So 558 00:27:30,600 --> 00:27:34,159 Speaker 1: where's reality. The reality is the Lakers have two of 559 00:27:34,200 --> 00:27:37,000 Speaker 1: the top ten players in the league, and to start 560 00:27:37,040 --> 00:27:41,919 Speaker 1: the season, they both played well below their personal standards. 561 00:27:42,440 --> 00:27:45,040 Speaker 1: Anthony Davis is playing more like a fifteen best player 562 00:27:45,080 --> 00:27:47,199 Speaker 1: in the league. Lebron James was playing more like a 563 00:27:47,240 --> 00:27:50,600 Speaker 1: fifteenth best player in the league. In their defense, A 564 00:27:50,800 --> 00:27:53,160 Speaker 1: D was dealing with back spasms and Lebron was dealing 565 00:27:53,200 --> 00:27:55,760 Speaker 1: with foot stuff and he got sick. But the fact 566 00:27:55,800 --> 00:27:58,719 Speaker 1: remains they didn't play well to start the season. They 567 00:27:58,760 --> 00:28:02,119 Speaker 1: were also playing any incredibly tough schedule to start the season, 568 00:28:02,520 --> 00:28:05,320 Speaker 1: the toughest schedule in the league to start the skis 569 00:28:05,320 --> 00:28:09,520 Speaker 1: this season that you're not gonna beat the best teams 570 00:28:09,520 --> 00:28:13,240 Speaker 1: in the league, the good teams unless Lebron and Anthony 571 00:28:13,320 --> 00:28:16,040 Speaker 1: Davis both played at the top of their ability because 572 00:28:16,040 --> 00:28:19,159 Speaker 1: of the other limitations on the roster. So that was 573 00:28:19,160 --> 00:28:20,920 Speaker 1: why they were struggling so much to start the year. 574 00:28:21,200 --> 00:28:24,160 Speaker 1: Lebron and a D, you weren't good enough. Dominant schedule. 575 00:28:24,480 --> 00:28:26,200 Speaker 1: Yeah they got a couple of wins. Yeah they beat 576 00:28:26,200 --> 00:28:28,239 Speaker 1: the Nets, Yeah they beat the Pelicans, Yeah they beat 577 00:28:28,280 --> 00:28:31,159 Speaker 1: the Nuggets. There's some quality wins in there. But for 578 00:28:31,200 --> 00:28:33,159 Speaker 1: the most part, they struggled against that part of their 579 00:28:33,200 --> 00:28:36,200 Speaker 1: schedule because Lebron and a D weren't good enough. Now 580 00:28:36,240 --> 00:28:39,280 Speaker 1: the schedule is lightened up, Lebron and a D have 581 00:28:39,360 --> 00:28:42,800 Speaker 1: it going. They both are playing really good basketball here 582 00:28:42,800 --> 00:28:45,239 Speaker 1: in this last couple of weeks, and they've racked up 583 00:28:45,280 --> 00:28:48,600 Speaker 1: some wins. But you know, and then also the role 584 00:28:48,600 --> 00:28:50,880 Speaker 1: players are shooting better, although they're not still not shooting well. 585 00:28:50,920 --> 00:28:53,600 Speaker 1: In this third team game stretch, the Lakers are and 586 00:28:53,640 --> 00:28:56,080 Speaker 1: three pointers made per one possessions. But the schedule is 587 00:28:56,120 --> 00:28:58,760 Speaker 1: about to get way tougher again, really starting right away, 588 00:28:58,760 --> 00:29:00,960 Speaker 1: even these next two games and the month in November 589 00:29:01,440 --> 00:29:03,480 Speaker 1: or against the Pacers and Blazers, who are both above 590 00:29:03,520 --> 00:29:05,720 Speaker 1: five hundred, and then they have the toughest schedule in 591 00:29:05,760 --> 00:29:08,640 Speaker 1: the league in December. In December, the Lakers play the Bucks, 592 00:29:08,680 --> 00:29:12,480 Speaker 1: the Celtics, the Sixers, the Raptors, the Calves, the Nuggets, 593 00:29:12,560 --> 00:29:16,440 Speaker 1: the Sons, the Kings, the MAVs, the Heat and the Hawks. 594 00:29:16,480 --> 00:29:19,560 Speaker 1: So like, the reality is is even if Lebron in 595 00:29:19,640 --> 00:29:22,840 Speaker 1: a d maintain this level of play, they'll hang in 596 00:29:22,920 --> 00:29:25,000 Speaker 1: some of the They'll hang in all these games if 597 00:29:25,040 --> 00:29:28,240 Speaker 1: they play like that, but their best case scenarios to 598 00:29:28,400 --> 00:29:31,880 Speaker 1: maybe win half of them because of the talent limitations 599 00:29:31,880 --> 00:29:35,080 Speaker 1: that they have. That's you know, when you are five 600 00:29:35,120 --> 00:29:37,680 Speaker 1: and oh against teams that are below five hundred and 601 00:29:37,720 --> 00:29:39,720 Speaker 1: you are two and eleven against teams that are above 602 00:29:39,800 --> 00:29:42,680 Speaker 1: five hundred or or at five hundred, what that tells 603 00:29:42,680 --> 00:29:45,880 Speaker 1: me is you have a talent issue. Because when you're 604 00:29:45,880 --> 00:29:47,720 Speaker 1: five and oh against teams that are below five hundred. 605 00:29:47,720 --> 00:29:49,880 Speaker 1: That means you're taking care of business. That means you 606 00:29:49,960 --> 00:29:53,200 Speaker 1: are well coached, You bring effort every night, and you're 607 00:29:53,240 --> 00:29:55,360 Speaker 1: making sure you don't lose games you're supposed to win, 608 00:29:55,960 --> 00:29:59,080 Speaker 1: right But then they're bringing that same level of effort, 609 00:29:59,120 --> 00:30:00,760 Speaker 1: although there was a couple the weeks there where they 610 00:30:00,800 --> 00:30:03,160 Speaker 1: let the rope slip, particularly on defense, but for the 611 00:30:03,200 --> 00:30:06,200 Speaker 1: most part in those other thirteen games, they're bringing consistent effort. 612 00:30:06,640 --> 00:30:08,920 Speaker 1: They just don't have the horses to win those games, 613 00:30:08,960 --> 00:30:11,280 Speaker 1: especially when Lebron and a D weren't playing as well 614 00:30:11,320 --> 00:30:14,040 Speaker 1: as they were. But coming into this month of December, 615 00:30:14,880 --> 00:30:18,440 Speaker 1: they'll be lucky to win half the games even if Lebron, 616 00:30:18,520 --> 00:30:20,760 Speaker 1: James and Anthony Davis play really well because of the 617 00:30:20,760 --> 00:30:24,160 Speaker 1: types of opponents that you're playing Bucks and Celtics. Lebron 618 00:30:24,160 --> 00:30:25,840 Speaker 1: and a D could combine for seventy in both of 619 00:30:25,880 --> 00:30:28,560 Speaker 1: those games and they probably will lose both. So there 620 00:30:28,560 --> 00:30:33,480 Speaker 1: you go in two sixers. That's a tough one. Calves 621 00:30:33,520 --> 00:30:36,920 Speaker 1: they're tough to beat right now, Nuggets, that's tough, the Suns. 622 00:30:37,600 --> 00:30:40,200 Speaker 1: You know, these are all games that that the Lakers 623 00:30:40,240 --> 00:30:42,280 Speaker 1: are gonna have a hard time winning even if Lebron 624 00:30:42,400 --> 00:30:46,240 Speaker 1: James and Anthony Davis play well. Now that so it's 625 00:30:46,280 --> 00:30:49,560 Speaker 1: clearly a talent issue. Now what's interesting there is you 626 00:30:49,560 --> 00:30:51,240 Speaker 1: can kind of see the path that I'm starting to draw. 627 00:30:52,080 --> 00:30:54,920 Speaker 1: Russ has not been great as of late, and he 628 00:30:54,960 --> 00:30:57,240 Speaker 1: has not been a huge factor in their recent success. 629 00:30:57,240 --> 00:30:59,040 Speaker 1: So the Lakers have won five of their last six. 630 00:30:59,200 --> 00:31:02,240 Speaker 1: Right in at span, Russell Westbrook is averaging twelve points 631 00:31:02,240 --> 00:31:07,120 Speaker 1: per game on thirty three percent shooting from three and 632 00:31:08,120 --> 00:31:09,920 Speaker 1: from the free throw line. He is averaging nine assis 633 00:31:09,920 --> 00:31:12,480 Speaker 1: per game, although with four turnovers. But the Lakers have 634 00:31:12,600 --> 00:31:15,680 Speaker 1: lost his minutes and four of the six games, including 635 00:31:16,320 --> 00:31:20,280 Speaker 1: games against really weak competition. So all signs continue to 636 00:31:20,320 --> 00:31:24,160 Speaker 1: point towards Russell westbrook salary being the best vehicle with 637 00:31:24,200 --> 00:31:28,480 Speaker 1: which to improve the roster um. So when I look 638 00:31:28,480 --> 00:31:32,400 Speaker 1: at that and I see talent issue, schedule getting tougher, 639 00:31:32,800 --> 00:31:36,160 Speaker 1: Lebron and a d looking great, Lakers won five out 640 00:31:36,160 --> 00:31:40,640 Speaker 1: of six, Russ isn't really a part of that success. 641 00:31:40,680 --> 00:31:43,240 Speaker 1: All signs screamed towards making the trade. But all of 642 00:31:43,280 --> 00:31:46,240 Speaker 1: the intel that we've heard is pointing at the Lakers 643 00:31:46,280 --> 00:31:50,000 Speaker 1: waiting until December to really make that decision. That date 644 00:31:50,120 --> 00:31:52,880 Speaker 1: is the date that when players who signed deals during 645 00:31:52,880 --> 00:31:56,560 Speaker 1: this last offseason become trade eligible, so theoretically they'll have 646 00:31:56,600 --> 00:31:59,120 Speaker 1: some more options. But I haven't really seen anything get 647 00:31:59,200 --> 00:32:02,760 Speaker 1: thrown out that's per picularly interesting to me. Dave mcmenanman 648 00:32:03,120 --> 00:32:06,240 Speaker 1: um Dave mcmeneman excuse me from ESPN reported that the 649 00:32:06,320 --> 00:32:09,080 Speaker 1: Lakers brass doesn't really see Buddy Yield and Miles Turner 650 00:32:09,080 --> 00:32:11,520 Speaker 1: as players that will make their closing lineups, so they 651 00:32:11,520 --> 00:32:15,240 Speaker 1: don't see the Indiana deal is very likely. I I 652 00:32:15,600 --> 00:32:17,600 Speaker 1: tried really hard this morning to kind of see that 653 00:32:17,640 --> 00:32:20,200 Speaker 1: point of view. I could potentially see that being true 654 00:32:20,200 --> 00:32:23,239 Speaker 1: with healed right, Like, if you make that deal, you know, 655 00:32:23,560 --> 00:32:27,120 Speaker 1: Turner a d Lebron, maybe you go with more versatile 656 00:32:27,160 --> 00:32:30,440 Speaker 1: defensive players like Austin Reeves and Lonnie Walker instead of 657 00:32:30,480 --> 00:32:34,760 Speaker 1: Buddy Yield, Like I could see it potentially, But Miles 658 00:32:34,760 --> 00:32:37,600 Speaker 1: Turner would unquestionably be their third best player right now, 659 00:32:37,960 --> 00:32:40,320 Speaker 1: and there's no way he wouldn't close, especially considering the 660 00:32:40,320 --> 00:32:42,880 Speaker 1: way he's shooting the basketball and how good he is defensively. 661 00:32:43,360 --> 00:32:45,920 Speaker 1: He's shooting a career high forty three on four three 662 00:32:45,920 --> 00:32:49,040 Speaker 1: point attempts per game. And then he'ld shooting at the 663 00:32:49,080 --> 00:32:51,480 Speaker 1: very least would give you an option to throw out 664 00:32:51,520 --> 00:32:54,600 Speaker 1: in those situations. He's shooting in the high thirties on 665 00:32:54,600 --> 00:32:57,800 Speaker 1: on over ten attempts per game from three right now. Um, 666 00:32:57,840 --> 00:32:59,600 Speaker 1: he's been one of the best spot up players in 667 00:32:59,640 --> 00:33:02,080 Speaker 1: the league on a per possession basis, and it gives 668 00:33:02,120 --> 00:33:05,520 Speaker 1: you an option when players aren't playing well. So, for instance, yeah, 669 00:33:05,560 --> 00:33:08,520 Speaker 1: like you have these three guys Troy Brown Jr. Ostin Reeves, 670 00:33:08,520 --> 00:33:10,880 Speaker 1: and Lonnie Walker that are playing pretty damn good basketball 671 00:33:11,160 --> 00:33:13,040 Speaker 1: and have been getting a lot of minutes for the Lakers. 672 00:33:13,400 --> 00:33:17,080 Speaker 1: But they're young. And what happens with young basketball players. 673 00:33:17,280 --> 00:33:20,440 Speaker 1: Young basketball players are prone to bad nights, Like there 674 00:33:20,440 --> 00:33:22,800 Speaker 1: are going to be nights where Lonnie Walker just doesn't 675 00:33:22,800 --> 00:33:25,440 Speaker 1: have it. Jumpers not falling, his head's not focused on 676 00:33:25,480 --> 00:33:27,840 Speaker 1: the defensive end of the four, nothing's going. You're not 677 00:33:27,840 --> 00:33:30,000 Speaker 1: gonna stick him in the closing lineup and on that 678 00:33:30,080 --> 00:33:32,240 Speaker 1: type of night because young players have a hard time 679 00:33:32,760 --> 00:33:36,720 Speaker 1: shedding their mistakes and staying focused on the next play. 680 00:33:36,840 --> 00:33:38,880 Speaker 1: That's that's not a Lonnie Walker thing, that's an all 681 00:33:39,000 --> 00:33:41,720 Speaker 1: young players thing. But it'd be nice on a night 682 00:33:41,800 --> 00:33:44,760 Speaker 1: where maybe Lonnie Walker doesn't have it to be like, 683 00:33:44,800 --> 00:33:47,280 Speaker 1: you know, Buddy Yields a better option, or on nights 684 00:33:47,280 --> 00:33:50,880 Speaker 1: where Buddy Yield is defending really well, or the matchups 685 00:33:50,920 --> 00:33:54,480 Speaker 1: with your opponent dictate that Buddy is playable and crunch time, 686 00:33:54,880 --> 00:33:57,360 Speaker 1: now you can have that as an option. A legitimate 687 00:33:57,360 --> 00:34:00,840 Speaker 1: shooter on the offensive end, and who's killing you on 688 00:34:00,880 --> 00:34:04,960 Speaker 1: the defensive end. Right, So I'm getting a Miles Turner 689 00:34:04,960 --> 00:34:06,880 Speaker 1: who would have far and away be the third best 690 00:34:06,880 --> 00:34:09,720 Speaker 1: player on the team, and then a legitimate backcourt threat 691 00:34:09,960 --> 00:34:13,080 Speaker 1: that I could play in crunch time depending on the matchup. 692 00:34:13,280 --> 00:34:16,480 Speaker 1: You know, and like look like, would I prefer a wing? Yeah, 693 00:34:16,600 --> 00:34:20,799 Speaker 1: so would every Lakers fan, So would every reasonable basketball 694 00:34:20,800 --> 00:34:23,239 Speaker 1: mind in the world. If you're looking to bolster your 695 00:34:23,239 --> 00:34:25,759 Speaker 1: team and you can choose between a center which is 696 00:34:25,760 --> 00:34:28,640 Speaker 1: somewhat matchup dependent, and a guard which is somewhat matchup dependent, 697 00:34:28,880 --> 00:34:31,759 Speaker 1: or a versatile wing, all of us, for all of 698 00:34:31,760 --> 00:34:35,400 Speaker 1: our teams are picking a wing. But I haven't seen 699 00:34:35,440 --> 00:34:38,200 Speaker 1: a single wing thrown out in one of these deals, 700 00:34:38,239 --> 00:34:41,480 Speaker 1: these potential deals that is nearly as good as Miles Turner, 701 00:34:41,480 --> 00:34:43,279 Speaker 1: at least not a uh not at least not a 702 00:34:43,320 --> 00:34:45,959 Speaker 1: realistic one. I've heard you know, O g Na Nobi 703 00:34:46,040 --> 00:34:48,360 Speaker 1: get thrown out. Why would the Raptors give O g 704 00:34:48,480 --> 00:34:51,080 Speaker 1: Na Nobi to the Lakers. What could the Lakers offer 705 00:34:51,760 --> 00:34:54,359 Speaker 1: that would legitimately entice them to make a move like that. 706 00:34:54,400 --> 00:34:56,520 Speaker 1: If so, then yeah, by all means, go get O 707 00:34:56,640 --> 00:35:00,520 Speaker 1: g Na Nobi. But I haven't seen a realistic wing 708 00:35:00,640 --> 00:35:05,200 Speaker 1: centered trade that has any player that's nearly as good 709 00:35:05,239 --> 00:35:08,840 Speaker 1: as Miles Turner is right now, and so just by 710 00:35:08,840 --> 00:35:12,000 Speaker 1: the by the sheer talent influx, to me, that still 711 00:35:12,040 --> 00:35:14,440 Speaker 1: looks like the best deal. Like I like Boyan mcdonovitch. 712 00:35:14,520 --> 00:35:15,799 Speaker 1: It was a name that I talked about a lot 713 00:35:15,840 --> 00:35:17,799 Speaker 1: this summer, but I liked it as part of a 714 00:35:17,880 --> 00:35:20,600 Speaker 1: larger jazz package that also would have brought back maybe 715 00:35:20,600 --> 00:35:22,560 Speaker 1: an extra wing like a Rudy Gay or a great 716 00:35:22,560 --> 00:35:26,000 Speaker 1: shooter like a Malik Beasley. I don't necessarily like the 717 00:35:26,040 --> 00:35:29,680 Speaker 1: idea of Boyan Pagdanovitch targeted from the Pistons right now 718 00:35:29,719 --> 00:35:33,120 Speaker 1: and using picks for just him. Right with Miles Turner, 719 00:35:33,200 --> 00:35:36,920 Speaker 1: you get a legitimate backcourt threat and a great center 720 00:35:37,480 --> 00:35:40,600 Speaker 1: that will slot really nicely alongside Lebron James and Anthony 721 00:35:40,680 --> 00:35:43,920 Speaker 1: Davis significantly improve your defense and increase the talent on 722 00:35:44,000 --> 00:35:49,000 Speaker 1: the team, But most importantly, waiting until December fift with 723 00:35:49,040 --> 00:35:51,799 Speaker 1: the type of schedule they have, puts the Lakers at 724 00:35:51,880 --> 00:35:55,040 Speaker 1: significant risk to lose all of this ground that they 725 00:35:55,160 --> 00:35:58,400 Speaker 1: just made up in this recent stretch. Um, So I 726 00:35:58,480 --> 00:36:01,839 Speaker 1: I still I I think that the clear answer from 727 00:36:01,840 --> 00:36:05,920 Speaker 1: the beginning and and currently now as well is call 728 00:36:06,040 --> 00:36:08,479 Speaker 1: up the Pacers, offer him the two picks, get Miles 729 00:36:08,520 --> 00:36:10,760 Speaker 1: Turner and body heal. Hell, I'd do it right now, 730 00:36:10,800 --> 00:36:12,760 Speaker 1: because if you did it right now, then the Pacers 731 00:36:12,760 --> 00:36:14,640 Speaker 1: would be shorthanded tonight and you might be able to 732 00:36:14,640 --> 00:36:17,960 Speaker 1: get yourself a win there right Um, but clearly their 733 00:36:18,000 --> 00:36:20,960 Speaker 1: intent on waiting, and we'll see, it's very possible that 734 00:36:21,000 --> 00:36:23,200 Speaker 1: the Lakers are sitting at like ten and seventeen by 735 00:36:23,239 --> 00:36:25,160 Speaker 1: the time of deal actually gets done. And that's a 736 00:36:25,239 --> 00:36:28,000 Speaker 1: damn shame considering how wide open the league is right 737 00:36:28,000 --> 00:36:30,319 Speaker 1: now and the fact that the Lakers are still right 738 00:36:30,360 --> 00:36:32,279 Speaker 1: there with a chance to make a run because of 739 00:36:32,320 --> 00:36:35,280 Speaker 1: how poorly everyone else has played in the Western Conference. 740 00:36:35,719 --> 00:36:37,520 Speaker 1: One note on the Pacers, They've been playing really good 741 00:36:37,520 --> 00:36:39,680 Speaker 1: ball lately and they deserve a shout out. We will 742 00:36:39,760 --> 00:36:43,239 Speaker 1: get to them in tomorrow's show, We're gonna do a lot. 743 00:36:43,280 --> 00:36:45,680 Speaker 1: I've been watching a ton of film on Tyrese Haliburton 744 00:36:46,080 --> 00:36:48,040 Speaker 1: to prep for this, So we will get to that 745 00:36:48,640 --> 00:36:51,680 Speaker 1: when we cover the Lakers Pacers game in the second 746 00:36:51,680 --> 00:36:54,400 Speaker 1: half of tomorrow's show, after we break down UM the 747 00:36:54,440 --> 00:36:57,960 Speaker 1: Mavericks game. Speaking of the Mavericks, let's get to the Mavericks. 748 00:36:58,040 --> 00:37:02,000 Speaker 1: So after getting roundhouse kicked by Milwaukee last night, UM, 749 00:37:02,120 --> 00:37:04,080 Speaker 1: they've lost four in a row, their three and seven 750 00:37:04,080 --> 00:37:06,719 Speaker 1: in their last ten games. There seven and offense during 751 00:37:06,719 --> 00:37:09,520 Speaker 1: the span eighth and defense. Luca is as good as ever. 752 00:37:09,600 --> 00:37:12,120 Speaker 1: He's averaging thirty points per game, nine rebounds, eight assist, 753 00:37:12,160 --> 00:37:14,279 Speaker 1: fifty seven percent try shooting, which is fine, a little 754 00:37:14,280 --> 00:37:17,120 Speaker 1: low for him and not terrible. They've been a positive 755 00:37:17,160 --> 00:37:19,600 Speaker 1: in this three and seven stretch with him on the floor. 756 00:37:19,640 --> 00:37:22,759 Speaker 1: For the season, the Mavericks are outscoring teams by four 757 00:37:22,800 --> 00:37:25,080 Speaker 1: points per one hundred possessions with Luca on the floor, 758 00:37:25,160 --> 00:37:27,640 Speaker 1: and they're getting outscored by three points per one hundred 759 00:37:27,640 --> 00:37:30,520 Speaker 1: possessions when he's off the floor per cleaning the glass. 760 00:37:31,120 --> 00:37:33,080 Speaker 1: But we kind of expected this to happen after they 761 00:37:33,160 --> 00:37:36,000 Speaker 1: let Jalen Brunson go right like this system depends on 762 00:37:36,040 --> 00:37:39,440 Speaker 1: having a third legitimate ball handler, which brings us to 763 00:37:40,239 --> 00:37:44,480 Speaker 1: Mr Kemba Walker, who the Dallas Mavericks signed today. So 764 00:37:44,520 --> 00:37:46,640 Speaker 1: I wanted to talk a little bit about Kemba and 765 00:37:46,640 --> 00:37:51,080 Speaker 1: how he fits specifically with the Dallas Mavericks. So health 766 00:37:51,120 --> 00:37:53,000 Speaker 1: has been a consistent issue for him over the years, 767 00:37:53,040 --> 00:37:55,680 Speaker 1: but let's proceed as if he's healthy, because obviously Dallas 768 00:37:55,719 --> 00:37:59,720 Speaker 1: would not have signed him otherwise. When Kimba is healthy, 769 00:38:00,360 --> 00:38:03,120 Speaker 1: he is a great pull up shooter who gets to 770 00:38:03,160 --> 00:38:05,560 Speaker 1: the rim more than most guards in the league. I 771 00:38:05,600 --> 00:38:07,759 Speaker 1: wanted to look at his two thousand nineteen season just 772 00:38:07,800 --> 00:38:09,719 Speaker 1: to kind of give you an idea of what peak 773 00:38:10,120 --> 00:38:12,239 Speaker 1: Kemba Walker looks like. So with the Hornets that year, 774 00:38:12,560 --> 00:38:16,160 Speaker 1: he shot over ten pull up jumpers per game, and 775 00:38:16,320 --> 00:38:19,880 Speaker 1: he had over uh he had three point two restricted 776 00:38:19,920 --> 00:38:22,560 Speaker 1: area makes per game. For reference, That's about what you're 777 00:38:22,560 --> 00:38:25,080 Speaker 1: getting from Russell Westbrook right now. That's the level of 778 00:38:25,160 --> 00:38:28,359 Speaker 1: dribble penetration Kemba Walker was getting during that two thousand 779 00:38:28,440 --> 00:38:30,759 Speaker 1: nineteen campaign. And he's doing it and he did it 780 00:38:30,800 --> 00:38:33,520 Speaker 1: on a higher percentage than Russell Westbrook is doing right now. 781 00:38:33,520 --> 00:38:35,120 Speaker 1: And then at his best, he was about a six 782 00:38:35,160 --> 00:38:37,840 Speaker 1: assist per game guy, which is fine for a score 783 00:38:37,840 --> 00:38:40,480 Speaker 1: of the way he was during that season. He was 784 00:38:40,520 --> 00:38:43,840 Speaker 1: in the percentile and picking rolls including passes, and the 785 00:38:43,920 --> 00:38:49,080 Speaker 1: ninety three percentile UH in isolations including passes. So he's 786 00:38:49,120 --> 00:38:51,520 Speaker 1: a guard that can get to the rim, knock down, 787 00:38:51,520 --> 00:38:53,520 Speaker 1: pull up jump shots, and can make plays as a 788 00:38:53,520 --> 00:38:55,839 Speaker 1: scorer and passer in both isolation and pick and roll. 789 00:38:56,000 --> 00:39:01,560 Speaker 1: That is the healthy best version of Kem Walker. So 790 00:39:01,680 --> 00:39:05,280 Speaker 1: in theory, he's the perfect type of guard to slide 791 00:39:05,320 --> 00:39:08,480 Speaker 1: into this Dallas Mavericks system. Is he the same player 792 00:39:08,520 --> 00:39:11,480 Speaker 1: that he was in two thousand nine, Almost certainly not, 793 00:39:12,000 --> 00:39:16,080 Speaker 1: Probably not that close either, But it's a much easier 794 00:39:16,160 --> 00:39:18,280 Speaker 1: role than he had in two thousand. Two thousand nineteen 795 00:39:18,280 --> 00:39:20,439 Speaker 1: he was the top of the scouting report. He won't 796 00:39:20,480 --> 00:39:22,640 Speaker 1: be the top of the scouting report here. Two thousand nineteen, 797 00:39:22,640 --> 00:39:25,839 Speaker 1: he was catching the best perimeter defenders every single night. 798 00:39:26,000 --> 00:39:28,600 Speaker 1: He's going to get the second defender in the bench 799 00:39:28,719 --> 00:39:32,600 Speaker 1: unit on most of his rotation minutes um this year. 800 00:39:32,640 --> 00:39:35,640 Speaker 1: So it's just when you could when you factor in 801 00:39:35,719 --> 00:39:39,440 Speaker 1: the role as a bench creator going against bench lineups 802 00:39:39,440 --> 00:39:42,040 Speaker 1: with the ultimate green light that Dallas gives their ball 803 00:39:42,040 --> 00:39:45,200 Speaker 1: handlers and the Mavericks spacing, which we've talked about a 804 00:39:45,200 --> 00:39:46,720 Speaker 1: ton on the show in the last couple of weeks. 805 00:39:47,120 --> 00:39:50,839 Speaker 1: It could work. They'll have to hide him defensively, but 806 00:39:51,040 --> 00:39:53,560 Speaker 1: they already have some experience in that department, especially off 807 00:39:53,600 --> 00:39:55,080 Speaker 1: the ball. If they can just get him to slide 808 00:39:55,080 --> 00:39:57,960 Speaker 1: his feet on ball so that the drible penetration isn't 809 00:39:58,080 --> 00:40:00,880 Speaker 1: that bad, they there's some any tricks now in the 810 00:40:00,960 --> 00:40:02,520 Speaker 1: league to hide players off ball that they might be 811 00:40:02,560 --> 00:40:04,200 Speaker 1: able to make it work. So the bottom line is, 812 00:40:04,880 --> 00:40:08,560 Speaker 1: if Kemba Walker has anything left in the tank, Dallas 813 00:40:08,640 --> 00:40:11,640 Speaker 1: is the ideal spot for him to show that. Because 814 00:40:11,840 --> 00:40:14,320 Speaker 1: the matchups he'll be attacking are favorable, they'll have a 815 00:40:14,360 --> 00:40:17,240 Speaker 1: green light so he can shoot through his slump whatever 816 00:40:17,280 --> 00:40:21,040 Speaker 1: that is as he gets back into into his into rhythm, 817 00:40:21,080 --> 00:40:22,680 Speaker 1: and then the spacing will have to operate with all 818 00:40:22,719 --> 00:40:24,520 Speaker 1: their pick and pop bigs and the good shooters that 819 00:40:24,560 --> 00:40:26,799 Speaker 1: they stashed in the corner. And then, last, but not least, 820 00:40:26,800 --> 00:40:29,000 Speaker 1: it's a low risk type of move. You're signing him 821 00:40:29,000 --> 00:40:31,960 Speaker 1: at a veteran minimum contract. I haven't seen the details, 822 00:40:31,960 --> 00:40:35,200 Speaker 1: but I wouldn't be surprised if it's non guaranteed so um, 823 00:40:35,239 --> 00:40:36,919 Speaker 1: and even if it is guaranteed, what are you out 824 00:40:37,440 --> 00:40:39,600 Speaker 1: a couple million bucks? So I thought it was a 825 00:40:39,600 --> 00:40:42,200 Speaker 1: smart move for Dallas just to try something, especially with 826 00:40:42,200 --> 00:40:46,120 Speaker 1: how bad they've been offensively. Um in this recent stretch. 827 00:40:46,480 --> 00:40:49,400 Speaker 1: Dallas's schedule does lighten up a little bit in December. 828 00:40:49,440 --> 00:40:50,880 Speaker 1: They still have some tough games, but there's a lot 829 00:40:50,920 --> 00:40:52,520 Speaker 1: of winnable games in there as well, and some good 830 00:40:52,600 --> 00:40:55,040 Speaker 1: matchups for the MAVs specifically. So I think it's a 831 00:40:55,080 --> 00:40:57,840 Speaker 1: good spot to integrate, integrate Keimba, and make up some 832 00:40:57,920 --> 00:41:00,759 Speaker 1: ground in the standings. All right, Yes, that is all 833 00:41:00,800 --> 00:41:02,200 Speaker 1: I have for today. You guys know the drill, Like 834 00:41:02,200 --> 00:41:05,400 Speaker 1: I said, tomorrow will be going live after Maverick's Warriors, 835 00:41:05,680 --> 00:41:07,320 Speaker 1: and then I broke down the rest of the schedule 836 00:41:07,360 --> 00:41:10,160 Speaker 1: earlier this week. Don't forget to go to YouTube excuse 837 00:41:10,200 --> 00:41:12,040 Speaker 1: me to my Twitter page to check out those videos 838 00:41:12,080 --> 00:41:15,200 Speaker 1: that I put together. As always, I sincerely appreciate your 839 00:41:15,200 --> 00:42:17,320 Speaker 1: support and I will see you next time. The volume