The Good, The Bad and The Wizards/Pistons

Will the Dallas Mavericks' recent strategic moves rocket them to true contender status? We tackle this question and more as we recap the NBA trade deadline's buzzer-beaters and game-changers. With the addition of talents like Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington, we're stirring up a discussion on the potential upheaval in team dynamics and the Mavericks' playoff trajectory. We're not just talking about the plays on the court; we're getting into the nitty-gritty of surrounding Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving with the support they need to avoid a repeat of LeBron James' early years in Cleveland.

The conversation heats up as we pivot to the hustle and bustle of New York City, where the Knicks seem to have found their groove with Jalen Brunson stepping into the spotlight. Could Brunson's outstanding contributions propel him into MVP candidacy? It's a heated debate, and we don't shy away from the tough questions, including the Cleveland Cavaliers' strategic crossroads without Darius Garland. We dissect team synergies, coaching strategies, and player performances—so buckle up for some unfiltered takes on the future prospects of these franchises.

As the playoff picture sharpens, we're scrutinizing the contenders' odds and entertaining the seismic possibilities of LeBron James making a move with his son Bronny in tow. From the Boston Celtics' robust offseason to the LA Clippers' quest for a dominant big man, no stone is left unturned. We wrap things up with a spotlight on the Clippers' health and the Kings' struggle at the charity stripe, leaving you with a comprehensive view of the Western Conference's evolving landscape. Fasten your seatbelts; this episode is a wild ride through the hoops of NBA analysis!

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Transcript

NBA Trade Deadline Recap

Speaker 1 0:00

Hello everyone and welcome back to Nothin But Net, where we talk all things and everything. Basketball I'm Ritham.

Speaker 2 0:10

I'm koll and I'm Khaya.

Speaker 1 0:12

And today this is our first ever video episode, so we're just going to be doing the same thing that we normally do, except we're doing it for you guys on camera. Okay, so today, the trade deadline last week today is going to be the all-star Saturday night. We should be in Indiana right now, but due to unfortunate circumstances, we could not make it to Indiana.

Speaker 2 0:35

That's all right.

Speaker 1 0:35

It's okay, maybe next year, but I feel like we could just do a quick recap of the trade deadline, because last year we had an episode called this.

Speaker 1 0:47

This year, trade deadline was the greatest of all time because kevin got traded right, um, but this year bojan bogdanovich and pj washington were the biggest trade, so we're just going to kind of implement the trade deadline into our talk about the teams that improve. So how about we start with the team that I feel won the trade deadline, the Dallas Mavericks? Now, just a quick summary of how they've been doing since the trade deadline they're 3-0, and the one thing that they needed was Dwight Powell to not be starting at center, because that man is a bona fide scrum. Sorry, sorry, but I'm just saying this, but they needed a center. They got Daniel Gafford, who right now should be a Sacramento King, but it's okay, we'll move past that and they got PJ Washington from the Charlotte Hornets and the lobs and the screens that Luka is getting the pick and roll, the pick and pops.

Speaker 3 1:49

It's really good.

Speaker 1 1:50

Everything is working and they're 3-0. So let's just talk about can Dallas be real contenders this year?

Speaker 2 1:58

I think they might be, maybe not this year, but in the future, definitely.

Speaker 3 2:02

No, not this year, mainly because I still don't trust luca and kairi. Like, yeah, their meshing is better than was last year, but like I still feel like in the seven game series there are still a lot of better teams in the western conference yeah, because right now they're eighth in the west.

Speaker 1 2:21

It's the trade deadline. This is around the time where I mean it's very rare for teams to jump up, but we saw it two years ago with boston. They went from out of the playoffs to the second seed from the trade deadline. But it's the most they can jump up with. How stacked this western conference is might be the sixth seed, five seed, maybe, maybe it depends on how big of a winning streak they go.

Speaker 1 2:44

Yeah, but yeah, but even then they would have to face Denver, la, minnesota. I mean OKC might be beatable because they don't have the experience.

Speaker 3 2:53

LA's not that big of a threat though. Anyway they're not yeah.

Speaker 1 2:56

The.

Speaker 3 2:56

Clippers. Oh yeah, the Clippers are, but that's not the Lakers, yeah.

Speaker 1 3:01

The Lakers, that's a whole other story. That's a whole other story. But Clippers, Minnesota, Denver, I mean Sacramento.

Speaker 3 3:15

Phoenix, phoenix, phoenix, yeah, Phoenix, OKC even.

Speaker 1 3:22

I mean they really needed a center that deadline.

Speaker 3 3:26

I still think they can do better than PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford.

Speaker 1 3:31

You mean the Mavericks? Yeah Well, the trade deadline's over.

Speaker 3 3:34

Yeah, I mean like in the offseason they need to get.

Speaker 1 3:37

But we also got to think about the fact that Kyrie Irving is 32 years old. What 32,? 33 years old. So if they want to win, this is the time to win. They went to the conference finals. What that was 2022?

Speaker 3 3:50

Yeah, but that was more because the Phoenix Suns did their thing pretty much.

Speaker 1 3:54

The Phoenix Suns, phoenix Suned, but I also feel like Luka Doncic is the MVP of the league. It's between Luka and Shea.

Speaker 2 4:07

Yeah.

Speaker 1 4:07

But Luka Doncic, he's averaging 35-9-9. He's having a career year.

Speaker 2 4:12

He's having a great season.

Speaker 1 4:13

He's having a great season, but I just feel like they can't waste that. They can't do what the Cavaliers did to LeBron James.

Speaker 3 4:20

They're kind of already wasting it, though, and the reason why LeBron cleveland didn't really do much, because lebron they he didn't have help, but when he did, they won the championship oh, I'm talking about his earlier stint oh, like before that, yeah. Yeah, I mean like he didn't have help then either, but like he still, he still was able to carry them. I feel like we need to see that from Luka. I mean we kind of have before, like in 2021, but like that's been it.

Speaker 1 4:53

Yeah, but Brunson was OD that playoff.

Speaker 3 4:56

It was the conference letters said Brunson was in yeah, so technically Luka hasn't carried the Mavericks to any playoff relevancy at all by himself.

Speaker 1 5:08

Wait.

Speaker 3 5:09

Because Ransom was there in 21.

Speaker 1 5:11

Luka's stat pattern Hold up. Am I bringing up a solid argument? They got him Kyrie Irving and he couldn't win.

Speaker 3 5:20

He couldn't win. They didn't even make the play-in when they had Kyrie Irving. They got worse, they got worse and they couldn't win. They didn't even make the play-in when they had Kyrie Irving. They got worse, they got worse.

Speaker 1 5:26

And they couldn't win. Is this we can't say it's Lucas' fault? Right? He's averaging 35-9-9, right? Is it Lucas' fault?

Speaker 3 5:35

It could be because maybe he's not. He's taking too many looks.

Speaker 1 5:41

Who's to blame? Jason Kidd.

Speaker 3 5:48

It has to be Jason Kidd. It has to be Jason Kidd. Like you can't as a coach, your job is to get rid of that. Stop that from happening, and if he's not doing that, then he's failing as a coach. Yeah.

Speaker 1 5:55

I feel like Luka needs a Phil Jackson. Maybe what? I don't see that. I could see that what Phil Jackson did to Jordan. Luka needs somebody to do that to him.

Speaker 3 6:05

But who is that?

Speaker 1 6:08

Who's on the market?

Speaker 3 6:09

I don't know there are no like facing coaches on the market.

Speaker 1 6:12

Yeah, and if they do, why would I mean no, no, why would they go to Dallas? I mean, of course everybody would go to Dallas, maybe dude Popovich would be.

Speaker 3 6:24

Popovich is not leaving San Antonio.

Speaker 1 6:26

But Luka on the Spurs.

Speaker 2 6:28

Luka on the Spurs could be great.

Speaker 1 6:29

No, that's OD, that's OD, that's OD, that's OD. But I just feel like if the Mavericks can continue the path that they're going, they're just not better than a lot of teams, because Derek Lively has looked like a standout.

Speaker 3 6:48

Kyrie is great, but he's Kyrie is either injured or yeah.

Speaker 1 6:52

Kyrie's missed what? 50% of the game so far. He's been extremely injured this season.

Speaker 2 6:58

I think we're clearly seeing an end to Kyrie's career.

Speaker 1 7:02

Yeah, but also not everyone is LeBron James, so Kyrie doesn't have time left and I mean, dude, like imagine Brunson on his team, man Like Mark Cuban, and then he sold the team, like a couple days ago, but like a couple months ago. But like I just don't feel like if the mavs want to win, this is their year to win, because luca's having great, kairi's great, derrick lively, whatever, but I just don't feel like they're gonna win this year. Yeah, I feel like that's a, that's a there are too many good teams there are too many good teams.

Speaker 1 7:37

I feel like that's a good estimate of where the mavericks are right now. Um, moving on to another team that people say won the deadline, this is my second best team of the deadline the New York Knicks. Man I mean the New York Knicks flipped Quentin Grimes for Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks. And man, oh man, I cannot overestimate. I don't know what the word is, but I cannot say how much I've been waiting for the Pistons to trade Bojan Bogdanovic. They were wasting that man's career and they needed to trade him.

Speaker 3 8:11

And they finally did.

Speaker 1 8:13

New York swept it and got him. And, man, I mean, like the New York Knicks are so good, jalen Brunson is so good, but I just feel like the New York Knicks, they can be a genuine threat to the Boston Celtics.

Speaker 3 8:30

I feel like it's between them and who we'll talk about later in Cleveland. But yeah, I think that With New York they have the playing card that they need in Jalen Brunson and then they have the big that they need in Oji Inunobi and then also Julius Randolph. They got rid of RJ Barrett, which I kind of don't like because I feel like he was having a breakout season this year and he was doing well enough on that team where I think he could have stayed. I would have liked him to stay.

Speaker 1 9:02

They got Ananobi. We can't just say that they got Ananobi.

Speaker 3 9:05

Yeah, they did get Ananobi. I think that so long as they can stay healthy they should be able to. Maybe they might beat Boston, but for Boston it depends on if Porzingis will stay healthy in the playoffs.

Speaker 1 9:23

And I mean I'm not trying to jinx it, but relatively Porzingis has been healthy this year.

Speaker 3 9:29

He has. There have been a little scares, like I remember watching a Miami game and I think he twisted his ankle that game.

Speaker 1 9:35

But he came back. It was just day to day.

Speaker 3 9:37

Yeah.

Speaker 1 9:38

So I mean.

Speaker 3 9:44

But I feel like, especially like, especially like throughout his career he would like what? Especially when he was at new york he had like these really good, like mvp caliber years, and he just got injured all-star caliber, let's not let's not stretch that a little bit all-star all right, he was really good.

Speaker 1 9:56

And then he just gets injured and then he gets here, yeah, and in dallas also luca porzingis.

Speaker 3 10:01

That should have worked. That should have worked With Luka Porzingis and Brunson. That team, like in 2023, that's a championship team. Yeah, but— yeah, it is.

Speaker 1 10:10

I mean we don't have to go into it, but there are a million ways that Dallas misused Christoph Porzingis. They turned Christaps Porzingis into Tyler Hero. They just made him a catch and shoot, and he's not built for that.

Speaker 3 10:25

He's not built for that. Yeah, that's not his game.

Speaker 1 10:28

Boston man. If there's one team to beat in the NBA it's not Denver.

Speaker 3 10:36

I don't even think Denver might make it back this year To the finals.

Speaker 1 10:39

Yeah, think Denver might make it back this year To the finals.

Speaker 3 10:40

Yeah, who's their biggest fan? It's probably when I see it like I think they're the Clippers, the Terrell Wolves and the Thunder, like out of the top four teams in the Western Conference, they're fourth.

Speaker 1 10:55

Okay, okay, but I'm not really as high on the Thunder as everyone else is, am I?

Speaker 3 11:01

I mean, I understand why you wouldn't be, because it's really just been. Shea Chet has been good.

Speaker 1 11:09

No, but I feel like they can be a really good regular season team, but the playoffs are an entirely different thing.

Speaker 3 11:16

Yeah, I mean like we saw it last year with the Cavaliers. They even said that the lights were too bright for them.

Speaker 1 11:20

Yeah, and the Kings, and the Kings.

Speaker 3 11:23

So, and they are an extremely young team, none of them have been to the playoffs before. The furthest they've gotten was the play-in.

Speaker 1 11:30

No, shea's been to the playoffs, but he was very young, yeah, so it's hard to say how they're going to play. I don't know. I mean, and Dude Andre Drummond would have been so good on that team. I'm so mad at the Bulls for not making any moves, but I mean the Bulls.

Speaker 3 11:51

That's a topic for another time as well.

Speaker 1 11:52

That's a topic for another time, chicago, you need to do better.

Speaker 3 11:57

There needs to be a new front office. Talking about the Knicks, they are probably one of the bigger threats to Boston now, especially after getting Bogdanovich. We'll see what happens after the All-Star break, because that's usually when we'll start to see who's contenders or who's not contenders.

NBA Teams and Potential Trades

Speaker 1 12:15

But we'll see what happens, and I just I mean Becky Hammond, coach of the Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA. She said the only person in modern history or the only team in modern history to win a championship with a small guard as their 1A was Stephen Curry and the Warriors. And he said Jalen Brunson is not a 1A and honestly, we can now say that that's blatantly wrong. Like Jalen Brunson is 1A. I can say that right now.

Speaker 3 12:50

He is that guy, he is that guy.

Speaker 1 12:54

He is the king of New York and, honestly, is this a stretch? He's done more for New York than Carmelo Anthony.

Speaker 3 13:02

Well, I wouldn't say so, because they didn't really have playoff success yeah, I mean they were the one seed, but what? They didn't do anything exactly but yeah, I would guess I mean like mellow, obviously he's a way better player than brunson, of course, obviously, but in his time in new york, yeah, I like. Obviously Francis has only been there for two years, but in those two years he's brought them from like bottom feeders to the top.

Speaker 2 13:29

Yeah, I've never thought about that angle.

Speaker 1 13:31

Yeah, it's funny because the Knicks in 2021 were the four seed, in 2022, they were the 12 seed and in 2023, they were back in the playoffs. It's like it's the 12th seed and in 2023, they were back in the playoffs. It's like it's so confusing to me, but also like Jalen Brunson. Is this weird to say Is he an MVP candidate?

Speaker 3 13:55

Oh, I don't think so. There are better players that are. You can definitely see, jalen is an MVP. The NBA If the 65-game rule wasn't a thing, joel Embiid would be.

Speaker 1 14:05

Of course, of course, but it is a thing.

Speaker 3 14:08

Yeah, it is a. Thing. So, I don't think Jalen Bruston is there yet.

Speaker 1 14:14

Ha man but.

Speaker 3 14:17

I think it will have to. Obviously, it will have to be how he can mesh with Anunobi.

Speaker 1 14:23

Of course, after the.

Speaker 3 14:24

All-Star break.

Speaker 1 14:26

Yeah, but I mean, I talked about this in the Win-Win Trade episode, og Anunobi is so perfect for Tom Thibodeau I can't even express it.

Speaker 2 14:35

Yeah.

Speaker 1 14:36

He is the perfect player for Tom Thibodeau. He plays 46 minutes a night. He just goes out there and grits.

Speaker 3 14:45

And he doesn't get injured.

Speaker 1 14:47

I mean he is injured now.

Speaker 3 14:49

But like usually he doesn't get injured.

Speaker 1 14:51

Yes, and it just.

Speaker 3 14:53

He's one of those rare players, the Knicks.

Speaker 1 14:56

How did the Knicks stumble upon him Like?

Speaker 3 14:59

I mean he was like we were like there were a lot of rumors he could go to sacramento of course he goes to golden state. He goes to the lakers because everyone wants to go to lakers, everyone else good. But he went to new york and I think that probably was the best fit for him.

Speaker 1 15:14

Yeah but dude sacramento would have been such a good fit would have been great it would have been so good, but I mean they had to give.

Speaker 1 15:21

But I mean they had to give up their number. New York had to give up their number three overall pick, for we didn't have that assets to do that. So I mean he's doing good, he's doing really good in New York, the Knicks are really good, bogdanovich, he's going to be really good, and they're doing all this with Isaiah Hartenstein as their starting center. So just wait till Mitchell Robinson gets back. I mean, is he going to be back for the playoffs?

Speaker 3 15:47

Do we know that yet? I think he might be Okay, but we would have to double check obviously.

Speaker 1 15:53

Yeah, we would have to. I think he got injured in what November, and they said it was like six to eight months maybe.

Speaker 3 16:01

So he should be back.

Speaker 1 16:02

Maybe he's at the playoffs in April.

Speaker 3 16:04

So November, December, January, February he would be back for like late playoffs.

Speaker 1 16:09

Maybe the conference finals, if they make it there.

Speaker 2 16:12

Maybe, Maybe.

Speaker 1 16:13

But honestly, isaiah Hartenstein is doing so good, maybe they don't even want to bring him back, like Miami. Miami waited to the conference finals. They didn't even want to bring tyler hero back when he got hurt, but they ended up doing it and they lost the finals. So I mean, maybe they didn't even want to bring him back, but uh yeah. But the knicks are so good and they beat a team last year in the first round that we're going to talk about now. Who's also really good? Kai's very own cleveland. This is for you, the cavaliers.

Speaker 2 16:43

I'll let you speak on them first I mean just like a great season overall. I feel like and even without darius garland, that, like that like alone raised a lot of questions because, uh, there's carla, he's like, he's, he's, he's one of the faces of he's cleveland, he's cleveland, yeah him, and I, he's Cleveland, he's Cleveland, yeah Him. And I guess you could say Donovan Mitchell, but he hasn't been there long enough to be Cleveland, you know.

Speaker 1 17:10

Yeah, yeah.

Speaker 2 17:15

And doing this great without him like that raised a lot of questions, because now you don't know if he might leave. They might not value him as much anymore. They might try to get something better out of him right Now.

Speaker 3 17:23

Kaya, what happens when Darius Garland comes back and the Cavaliers aren't as good as they were without him?

Speaker 2 17:31

Then the questions are true, the rumors are true, they don't need him, then that's the big problem.

Speaker 1 17:40

I saw this report that said or I saw not this report, but I saw this take by one of an analyst I forget who it was, but they said the cavaliers are going to regret in 10 years time not trading darius garland for a win now piece. And I just sat there thinking about that like Would they trade their number five overall pick.

Speaker 3 18:03

It depends who they would get. Obviously they can't do it now because the deadline has gone, but in the offseason, if he comes back and the Cavaliers aren't as good as they are now because they were on a nine-game win streak or whatever. If they're not as good, they have to move him this offseason. If they're not as good, they have to move him.

Speaker 2 18:23

I just this offseason. If they're not as good or better, then If that means I'm sorry to say it, but Darius is gone.

Speaker 3 18:30

If that means whoever, like we were saying before we filmed that, maybe he gets signed and traded to the Lakers for Bronny and LeBron James that could happen or he goes to like a point guard needy team, because he is a really good point guard. On his own he's a great point guard, but it's the question is he more like a Trae Young and a Jota Murray, like him and Donovan Mitchell, where they don't really mesh together but they are great by themselves?

Speaker 1 19:02

Oh yeah, wait, I actually like that. Take Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, like Trey Young and DeJounte Murray.

Speaker 2 19:10

I mean I just feel like I never thought of it that way.

Speaker 1 19:13

Yeah, I just feel like Darius, like they would only trade Darius Garland if they feel that they can genuinely win, if they're one piece away.

Speaker 3 19:23

I think they would have. They would have to get like a small forward type player yeah obviously that would be LeBron. Lebron but but it depends if they can try to. I mean like, if Bronny is drafted by the Cavaliers, there's no way LeBron is saying no to going back to Cleveland. Of course, yeah.

Speaker 1 19:41

I feel like the writing is on the wall that LA is going to draft Bronny, I don't know. I just feel like the writing is on the wall.

Speaker 3 19:47

I mean it depends. I mean LA, based on their trajectory, they're going to have a pretty early pick, but it depends if a team ahead of them is going to want a LeBron type player, Like maybe a Golden State or a Detroit.

Speaker 1 20:05

Detroit. Lebron in the business is type wild.

Speaker 3 20:07

Maybe. But like, honestly, what if Golden State has a higher pick than LA and they draft Ronnie James to get Curry and LeBron for their final years together?

Speaker 1 20:17

Did you guys see the report? Golden State sent in an offer for LeBron at the deadline.

Speaker 3 20:21

They did and the Lakers denied it.

Speaker 1 20:24

LeBron declined.

Speaker 3 20:26

I understand why, but I don't know. I think that if you're Cleveland, you also kind of at least if you're their fan base you want to get rid of the demeanor that LeBron is the only reason why you have a title. Okay, yeah, While that is mostly true, I would like if they could win without him with their current team, but I don't think that's going to happen.

Speaker 1 20:54

But I also feel like they're not ashamed that LeBron is the only reason that they won a title.

Speaker 3 20:59

Yeah, but LeBron is the greatest player of all time. He's the second greatest of all time, but that's an argument for another time.

Speaker 1 21:11

That's a talk for another time, folks. No, but I just feel like the only reason why the Cavaliers would go all in and potentially trade their young guys is if they feel that they can beat Boston, and I don't feel that they should what piece would they get for like, what piece do you think they would get from Darius Garland?

Speaker 3 21:32

I mean just yeah, I would have to, maybe a Kyle Kuzma. I don't know how he would have said I don't think Kyle Kuzma.

Speaker 1 21:39

They're not going to trade Darius Garland for Kyle Kuzma.

Speaker 2 21:45

I feel like.

Speaker 3 21:48

I mean, who else could they get Like there are, yeah, LeBron, but what if that?

Speaker 2 21:53

doesn't work. Yeah, what if that doesn't work? If that crashes, I think they're keeping him.

Speaker 1 21:58

Nobody in their right mind would have LeBron James on the table and decline it. I don't care how old LeBron is. I don't care how old, I mean how good their team is without him.

Speaker 3 22:09

But what if he's not on the table to begin with, ugh.

Speaker 1 22:14

Um it depends.

Speaker 3 22:18

It depends on if they're willing to trade up in the draft, because there's no way they are going to be a lottery team at the end of this.

Speaker 1 22:26

I don't feel that Bronny could be a lottery pick, though, right.

Speaker 3 22:30

He could be If the demeanor is there for a team to be like. We don't care how Bronny James turns out, we want LeBron in our team.

Speaker 1 22:37

Okay, yeah, yeah, yeah, okay, I mean. James turns out. We want lebron in our. Okay, yeah, yeah, okay, yeah, I mean. And lebron is hinted at leaving. He wore a knicks towel.

Speaker 3 22:43

He tweeted the statue of liberty yeah, but the knicks aren't going to have a lottery pick either. Like these are. The knicks and the cavaliers are two teams that, if they have lebron, they are instant championship contenders yeah and okay yeah, but it is because a small forward is what the cavalaliers need. Yes, and LeBron, is that small forward?

Speaker 1 23:04

But I know I keep bringing this team up and I've got to stop doing that. But all of these teams, the only thing that they feel that they would go all in for is if they feel that they could beat Boston.

Speaker 2 23:19

That's all they need.

Speaker 1 23:20

And in my opinion, in my humble opinion, nobody can beat Boston.

Speaker 3 23:26

I think it comes down. If Porzingis is not healthy, then I think there are a multitude of teams that can beat Boston.

Speaker 1 23:33

And the teams that can beat Boston. Maybe Miami, not Miami.

Speaker 3 23:39

I think if you can contain Porzingis, you're going to win.

Speaker 1 23:42

They have Jason Tatum on the team.

Speaker 3 23:44

I know they have Jason Tatum, but we have seen them choke multiple times, mainly last year.

Speaker 1 23:53

Yeah, but that was Jalen Brown's fault. If we're being honest, last year was Jalen Brown's fault.

Speaker 3 23:58

Now they don't really have to rely on Jalen Brown Exactly, but if Porzingis goes down, they do, and I don't trust him yeah.

Speaker 1 24:06

Then they got Derek White, they got Drew Holiday, they got Sam Houser, luke Cornett. I just Boston is so good. I don't think you understand how good their offseason was.

Speaker 3 24:17

Yeah, but this is really their year to win and I don't think they're going to win this year. Who?

Speaker 1 24:22

do you think is going to win?

Speaker 3 24:23

The Clippers. I've said this for the last two years. Cole has said the Clippers are going to win since, like Since they went to the conference finals.

Speaker 1 24:35

It's like the bubble bro.

Speaker 3 24:39

Every single year, but this actually could be their year. This is their year In all seriousness.

Speaker 1 24:45

Have you seen the meme of the dude with the backpack? The backpack's about to fall off and he's like let it go, bruh, it's over. That's cool.

Speaker 3 24:56

With the clippers, but this year it could actually be their year though. He's been setting the Clippers, but this year it could actually be their year though.

Speaker 1 25:02

He's been saying the Clippers every year since the bubble and it's never happened. That's so funny.

Speaker 3 25:10

They haven't even made it past the first round. Since I've started saying that too, which is crazy, but I'm doubling down on it too. If they can go on, it depends on what happens after the All-Star break. But if they can go on like, it depends on what happens after the all-star break. But if they can go on a win streak going into late april, like before the, or no, not late april, mid april going into the playoffs, I think they can win the championship wasn't there like a rumor that said kawaii is hurt for like a couple weeks after this?

Speaker 1 25:41

No, I don't know. I think he's going to miss the All-Star game. So if he gets hurt, let's say they what? Two weeks, that's what, maybe six games, seven games, if they go 3-3, they're fine.

Speaker 3 25:57

And then Kawhi comes back and I feel like I'm defending Cole here because I'm going to say this the biggest thing about the Clippers is that they're they have quote-unquote playoff chokers, right, but they're they have Kawhi Leonard on their team who's not really known for being a choker and he is the one of the greatest playoff performers of the last decade of the last century I think the only, the only thing that could possibly like scare me is that the western conference, like the top, really top four teams all have actually no, the top three teams including, so like it's the nuggets who have yokich the temper, wolves who have Kat and Gobert, and then the Thunder and Anthony Edwards yeah, I'm talking about Biggs.

Speaker 3 26:47

Like for Biggs, it's Kat and Gobert, jokic, chet Hongren. They are going to dominate the Clippers, because the Clippers they have really good. They are really small yeah yeah, they do not have the center that they need or the power forward that they need or the power forward that they need. If they can get that in the offseason, they actually will be championship contenders okay but the the Clippers don't have time yeah, they don't have time.

Speaker 3 27:11

Zubac is, zubac isn't bad yeah, but they, they can improve on that position. I feel like the problem I have with Zubac is that there are a lot of bigs, especially in the Western Conference, that are better than him.

Speaker 1 27:27

But also they have Kawhi Leonard, they have Paul George all defense-level defenders and we saw in 2022, if you're talking about Jokic, we saw in 2022 when Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr were injured. Jokic was guarded by Kevon Looney and Draymond Green. Draymond Green is one of the greatest defenders of all time, but it was mainly Kevon Looney and the Warriors still won.

Speaker 3 27:54

But I feel like that's more because Kevon Looney is such an underrated defender more than Jokic is really good.

Speaker 1 28:03

I know.

Speaker 3 28:04

Or Jokic doesn't do well, because the thing about Looney is that the last two years in the first round, he locked up Jokic and Soponis.

Speaker 1 28:12

Yeah, but I also feel that no, he didn't lock up Jokic Jokic this is my point that I'm going to make Jokic was really good that series. He Jokic this is my point that I'm going to make Jokic was really good that series. He was MVP level that series and they still lost. Do you know why? Because he didn't have a support.

Speaker 3 28:26

Yeah, he didn't have help.

Speaker 1 28:28

This is what I'm thinking. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George can guard Jamal Murray and Michael Portis Jr and Aaron Gordon Everybody, they can guard them.

Speaker 3 28:39

And also people say that they have playoff chokers on the team. But last year James Harden was not the reason that the 76ers lost that series, he was really good. He scored eight points in Game 7. In all the other games he was really good.

Speaker 1 28:56

But he scored eight points In all the other games.

Speaker 3 28:58

In all the other games. But actually he was, but like, actually like he was like the main reason why they won like two of their seven games.

Speaker 1 29:04

Yeah, but.

Speaker 3 29:05

If they can have that level and not have him score eight points in game seven. He scored eight points, in game seven, then they can win. They can win.

Speaker 1 29:15

They can win Okay, okay, okay, and Russell Westbrook, okay, okay, and Russell Westbrook, russell Westbrook nobody I feel like he's underrated because of his time in LA on the Lakers, but why isn't anyone talking about how Russell Westbrook is probably one of the best guard defenders in the NBA this season, rebounding and defending Like he's locking up? Nobody's talking about that.

Speaker 3 29:38

I think it's because they don't. Really many people have kind of lost faith in westbrook, especially after his stint with the lakers and how he got cut by. I think it was utah he was like yeah, traded to at the deadline. Then he got cut and now he's with the clippers and now he's kind of had like a rebound, but his offense production isn't where I think it can be.

Speaker 1 30:04

But I feel like they don't need him to be offensive, because they have and I've said this 20 times they have James Harden, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Baby, I don't think they need Russell Westbrook to go crazy.

Speaker 3 30:18

Yeah, but I would like if they could have like, if, say, a Kawhi or a James Harden gets injured, they can have Russ, kind of like, step into that role. Okay, because yeah. But, he's not really ready for that.

Speaker 1 30:32

Only time will tell if they need that to happen.

Speaker 3 30:34

Yeah.

West Teams Evolving, Kings Struggling

Speaker 1 30:35

Only time will tell, because we don't even know if they need that to happen. So I feel like we can never say that the Clippers will stay healthy, but this season, not to jinx it.

Speaker 2 30:45

They have.

Speaker 1 30:46

They've been really healthy this season. They've been really healthy. So I mean, I just the entire NBA is so packed and this is the 10th time I'm going to say this and this is going to sound like glazing I feel like Boston is the only team that is really definitively out of the pack.

Speaker 2 31:06

Okay, yeah.

Speaker 1 31:07

It's Boston and everyone else, but everyone else can still win. Boston is not unbeatable.

Speaker 2 31:14

Okay.

Speaker 1 31:15

I agree, and it's just, the entire NBA is so packed and these playoffs are going to be really fun. So oh also, can I say a really quick point Shout out Jonathan Kaminga. Shout out Steph Curry. Shout out the Warriors, unfortunately, and don't shout out the Kings. Don't shout out De'Aaron Fox. Please come back to December, De'Aaron.

Speaker 3 31:39

We need you.

Speaker 1 31:40

Please, De'Aaron, I saw a comment yesterday and I'm just going to ask you guys this one question before we end things off. Just this one question. It said have the Kings taken a step back from last year?

Speaker 3 31:52

Yes.

Speaker 1 31:53

Or has the rest of the West gotten better?

Speaker 2 31:56

Both. I say both too, Because we didn't do anything over the offseason.

Speaker 3 32:03

Didn't do anything at the trade deadline.

Speaker 2 32:05

During trade deadline.

Speaker 1 32:06

Hey, robin Lopez, man, Robin Lopez, don't forget.

Speaker 2 32:11

Are we supposed to cut him? Yeah, we cut him. That doesn't count.

Speaker 1 32:14

I know that's a joke, it's a joke.

Speaker 3 32:17

Okay, but like and the rush of the West is evolving, like you said. Yeah, like OKC is better, the Clippers are better, the Nuggets are kind of the same. I think the two teams that if we have to face them in the seven game series so the Kings could beat are the Nuggets and the Lakers.

Speaker 1 32:35

I. You think the Kings can beat the Nuggets. Maybe, I don't think the Kings can beat the Nuggets Maybe. I don't think the Kings can beat the Nuggets, maybe.

Speaker 3 32:42

It depends on what kind of deer and fox we get.

Speaker 1 32:47

They have Nikola Jokic on that team.

Speaker 3 32:50

Yeah.

Speaker 1 32:52

Nobody can guard Jokic on our team. Don't tell me Sabonis can guard Jokic, sabonis cannot guard Jokic.

Speaker 3 32:58

Do not tell me that Sabonis can guard Jok. Sabonis can not guard Yokes. Do not tell me that, sabonis. I'm not going to say that. Okay, but I think that the Kings can out-offense the Nuggets and win.

Speaker 1 33:06

Have you been watching the Kings lately, their offense?

Speaker 3 33:09

Yeah, if we have December De'Aaron Fox and Kevin Herter and go back to last year regular season form, I don't think that's possible.

Speaker 1 33:19

Do you know that the Kings are one of the worst free throw shooting leagues in the league? Can I just ask the free throws, can you guys just make them so it doesn't give me a heart attack?

Speaker 2 33:27

It's killing me. I'd be saying the same man. I'd be saying the same.

Speaker 3 33:33

Did the League Monk sell a game against Milwaukee in overtime for free throws?

Speaker 1 33:36

Kai I have a question for you because you play basketball right. So when, uh, so you know, the basket right there's a three-point line and then there's the um little paint area and there's a line in the middle. What is that called?

Speaker 2 33:52

Uh, where you shoot from? Oh, the free throw line.

Speaker 1 33:55

Free throw. Yeah, what's the first word of that?

Speaker 2 33:58

Free.

Speaker 1 33:59

Free. So are you saying that you're supposed to hit those shots?

Speaker 2 34:02

Mm-hmm.

Speaker 1 34:03

Huh, so you're telling me that when you go to the free throw line, You're supposed to hit them? Three points that you're supposed to hit. Is that what you're telling me, god?

Speaker 2 34:11

Mm-hmm.

Speaker 1 34:13

Huh, can somebody please tell the Sacramento Kings that Because?

Speaker 3 34:18

They have not. What is that? Because they have not. What is happening like, like what is happening honestly, um, but I frown. You need to do your job make them hit their three throws. My god, it's not mike brown's fault, I mean like it isn't, but he's the only person who can tell them to do that yeah, darren fox, malik, monk, do your job.

Speaker 1 34:36

No, but I just feel like to respond to the original question has the rest of the West gotten better or have the Kings gotten worse?

Speaker 2 34:43

It's both, it's both, it is both.

Speaker 1 34:45

The Kings were never that good to begin with. I'm sorry.

Speaker 2 34:49

They weren't good enough.

Speaker 1 34:50

The defense. The defense was always a problem and we just ignored it. Because a lot of teams were bad last year and we just felt that we weren't one of them. Because a lot of teams were bad last year and we just felt that we weren't one of them. But the defense has always been a problem that we didn't fix, we never fixed and we probably never will fix. That's going to prevent us from being contenders. So the rest of the West did get better, but they did not really get better. They just showed us who they really are and we showing them what frauds that we really are. But I will still support let the beam please win every single day.

Speaker 3 35:27

You need to make some moves, my guy and um.

Speaker 1 35:30

We'll see what happens throughout the playoffs. It's gonna be a fun rest of the season. Yeah, we'll see you next time. We'll see bye.