The Knicks-Raptors Trade Saga and Mid-Season check in with Mason

Explore the seismic shifts of the NBA midseason with our expert guest, Mason, as we unravel the intricacies of the surprising Knicks and Raptors trade. Feel the tremors of the league as we delve into the repercussions of seeing favorites like RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley swap jerseys, and dissect how the Knicks are shaping up with defensive titan OG Anunoby in their ranks. Experience the raw emotions and strategic gambles that come with such a high-stakes trade, and consider the impact it has on players, fans, and the future of the franchises involved.

Strap in for a rollercoaster ride through the NBA playoff landscape, where we scrutinize the contenders and underdogs, making bold predictions that could make or break your basketball banter. With Mason's deep basketball knowledge lighting the way, we celebrate the astonishing synergy of the Boston Celtics, ponder the unpredictable streak of the Milwaukee Bucks, and dive headlong into the MVP-worthy performances of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with the Thunder. This is your courtside ticket to understanding the alchemy of team chemistry and individual brilliance as the playoffs approach.

Finally, we tackle the elephant in the room: the impact of sports media on the game we love. Join us in a candid discussion that peels back the glitz of sensationalized coverage to reveal the pure, unadulterated passion for basketball. We'll leave you with a reminder of why we're all here - for the love of the game - and a playful nod to the unpredictable dance of the New York Knicks. Thanks to Mason for sharing his unparalleled insights; this is one episode that's not just a slam dunk, it's a game-changer.

Transcript

Speaker 1 0:02

All right, everyone, welcome back to Fandom from afar. It's everyone's favorite guest. Back again Mason, here to do a midseason NBA preview for us. So welcome, mason. Glad to be back, excited. So it worked out. It was pretty good timing as far as, like, it's the midway point of the season. But a big point that I wanted to bring you in for is the Knicks and Raptors trade, and I just think it's fascinating on a bunch of different levels, because a team's hardly ever do a big trade like that in December.

Speaker 2 0:40

Yeah, 30 games in yeah.

Speaker 1 0:43

And B you hardly ever see like good player for good player trades. So I kind of want to get your opinion, not only from the Knicks side, but, like just your, your thought on all those factors going into it and how it's impacted the team, because it's been about a week now. Yeah.

Speaker 2 1:00

Well, initially I think, I texted you tonight and I was like, oh my gosh, I'm so upset mainly because I'm a big RJ Barrett fan I love quickly and then just to think that they're gone, which they're, you know, the third and fourth highest-core players on the team. So immediately you're like, what are we doing? You look at the hall back for it and you're like expecting picks like those guys are young. Rj Barrett's like it's not. I think this is fourth year now. He's like 24 years old. Like he's not old.

Speaker 1 1:25

He's like just coming into his prime.

Speaker 2 1:27

Yeah. So it's like to see those guys go to get a guy who's in a contract year. It's like what are we doing? But I mean, I think like I looked kind of looked into it too, but team fit wise. So far I mean it's been exactly what they wanted. So for the team standpoint it's been great.

Speaker 1 1:42

I haven't had a chance to watch the Knicks since they got OG. Like, how does he fit in? Like is he trying to be the man and earn that big contract? Is he fitting in? Pretty well, I look at him as the third guy behind Brunson and Randall.

Speaker 2 1:58

I mean, he shoots maybe eight shots a game.

Speaker 1 2:01

Oh really.

Speaker 2 2:02

Yeah, his role is three and D. Like I think that's what the whole point behind the trade is. Barrett needs to like have the ball to score points. Same with quickly, but that's the same with Brunson and Randall. So it's like, is it a team game for that team? And it wasn't. But I mean Brunson and Randall have gone off since then. Like they both can score from anywhere on the court and I think it shows. But like our defense is way improved. It just feels like less clutter, like everyone's just trying to get the ball and drive and make their own play. That's how it was before and they were scoring points. But like when it comes down to it, you know you got to put the ball in the consistent hands of the like your best scores.

Speaker 1 2:35

So he may not necessarily Well, I even consider him a better player, but he, he's just a way better fit Basically for the team.

Speaker 2 2:43

He might score 14, a game for the whole season, which might be. That might be a win compared to Barrett scoring 22.

Speaker 1 2:49

Yeah, but when in games you know exactly he'll shut down that other number one score and make up those points on that end.

Speaker 2 2:56

So yeah, I saw a thing as like half his points just come off of like catching and shooting, which is something that Barrett can't do very well and neither can quickly. So it's like Brunson drives and looks to dish to Barrett, who then catches it and just drives himself. It's like what are we doing? You know space the floor as well.

Speaker 1 3:10

You said Brunson and Randall have really done well since he came in. Yeah, I want yeah, like you said. I wonder if it's almost just like there's kind of a clear pecking order now where Barrett's not trying to get all his shots up and so now those guys know they got the green light and they can. They can shoot pretty much.

Speaker 2 3:26

I think they brought into, like even Shenzhou has been great and, like even Josh Hart, like they only have to score 10 points a game for us to kill people. It's just hit. You know they hit their shots, they shoot well, they play great defense. That's all they really need to do. Brunson isn't a ball hog either. I mean he passes to, so they're just playing really well. They beat the Sixers last week, they beat the T Wolves I mean they beat top teams with like very quickly after they traded. So I mean it's so far, so good. You know can change.

Speaker 1 3:54

So I guess it sounds like you approve of the trade now.

Speaker 2 4:00

Seeing it on the court is a little different yeah. I'm still upset Like I still like. Look at the Raptors box scores. I'm like man, I did bear it up 30. Man, it hurts.

Speaker 1 4:09

But I was gonna say, are you kind of like secretly cheering for the Raptors now, because you like quickly?

Speaker 2 4:15

I just root for them, like on their own yeah unless they're not. If they're playing the Knicks, then obviously you're not going to, but I think another part of the trade they got precious Chua, which Mitch Robinson might be out for like the majority of the season, so they needed like another backup center. So that was a piece of it. I've always liked precious. I mean he's about average, he's what you get, yeah like, but for what he is like I think he's pretty decent Because Hartenstein's been killing it for you guys, Hasn't he?

Speaker 1 4:42

He's been great Luzin Robinson hasn't really been that bad.

Speaker 2 4:46

No, we scored a lot more since then. Yeah, he's still, he can still, because Robinson is more of a defender.

Speaker 1 4:52

So I guess you would say definitely sign OG this offseason then.

Speaker 2 4:59

Like I think I think Randall also is in a contract year they're gonna have to pay.

Speaker 1 5:03

Oh, really yeah.

Speaker 2 5:05

They're gonna have to pay for, like the team that's interesting.

Speaker 1 5:08

The last resort.

Speaker 2 5:08

You could just blow it up and have unlimited money, because you're only paying Brunson. Yeah, that's kind of guaranteed you have a bunch of smaller deals.

Speaker 1 5:15

Because Kawhi just signed his new deal, but like there's still some big name guys that could come, or they would of course want to play in New York- yeah, I think that's they're trying to be just be flexible for whatever, but I mean if it works and they're competing there's no reason to break it up. No, I like the mix they have going. So that's interesting. I didn't, I didn't know Randall was a free agent too.

Speaker 2 5:36

Yeah, this is the last year, is like three year deal.

Speaker 1 5:40

So I know, in our season preview I was thinking of Randall as like a trade piece, but he's been playing too well to consider trading him right now, right.

Speaker 2 5:47

I just hope he played, it comes up in the playoffs.

Speaker 1 5:49

Well I say that's a thing, that's been his trend. You could never tell.

Speaker 2 5:52

And then 10 points every playoff game.

Speaker 1 5:55

So how do you compare the Knicks now, like we can kind of get into the top of the East, which I consider the Celtics, 76ers, bucks and Heat. Do you view the Knicks above any of those teams?

NBA Playoff Contenders and Predictions

Speaker 2 6:12

I mean they beat, like I said, they beat the Sixers, they beat the Bucks on Christmas, like pretty handedly. I think they can compete. I still think they got to like. It will just need to 25, 30 more games to like get meshed as a team. Some of these guys have been playing together for a while.

Speaker 1 6:27

Well, and, like you said, it kind of comes down to Randall If he, if he, plays like this and you guys got to compete with anybody.

Speaker 2 6:32

Yeah, if he's hitting his shots.

Speaker 1 6:34

Well, you actually mentioned those role players that I like. Like, if you get one of them having a great game and then one of them just average, then that's a huge bonus and it takes some of the pressure off those big three. So I I know the standings don't show it, but I don't know I kind of view the Knicks right in that tier with those guys. Like I know I think the Celtics are probably on their own tier. Yeah, they've been pretty amazing. But I would, it wouldn't shock me at all if the Knicks beat either the 76ers or the heat and then really the width.

Speaker 1 7:11

With the way the bucks are playing, I wouldn't be surprised that the Knicks beat them too, so for the listeners at home, mason and I both have a friend named Jarrett who's a big Celtics fan. I was talking to Jarrett and he was kind of making a joke like Derek White's going to be all star, and I surprised myself by like not disagreeing with that for a second. Like they, they just like we're talking about how OG fits with the Knicks. They kind of just fit really well together. The starting five they have.

Speaker 2 7:42

Yeah.

Speaker 1 7:44

Oh, excuse me, have you been able to watch them at all Like?

Speaker 2 7:48

I've kept up with them. I just really, like I said, I follow Knicks like poor Zingas.

Speaker 2 7:51

I'm like a big poor Zingas fan. Yeah, like I love to see him going off, even though it's the Celtics like. Whenever he has a good game, like you know, I'm still always rooting for him. So it's been fun to see it actually work out because, like I said before the season, I was like is he enough? I think he just got it's working out. All the every single night. It's like a random guy on their team goes off for 40 and they kill somebody.

Speaker 1 8:11

Yeah.

Speaker 2 8:12

Who's it going to be tonight?

Speaker 1 8:13

Tatum Brown for saying like it literally could be any of their starting five.

Speaker 2 8:17

You know, derek White drops 30. Yeah, it's like what's going on.

Speaker 1 8:20

And then most of those guys happen to be really good at defense too, like they're looking really strong. Man, derek White, though, the Celtics stole him Like I don't think they had to give up much of anything, and now you can make an argument that he's their second best player. So I don't know. They've obviously, I think, pretty much been by far the best team in the East and probably the best team holding VA, like they're looking good right now. So the 76ers you mentioned the game that the Knicks whooped them. I have to say, and if you're a listener and you play the drinking game where Brian makes fun of Joel Embiid, go ahead and take a drink, because here it comes. They were. The 76ers were down by 30 points or something like that with four minutes to go, and Embiid was still in there because he's chasing his little 30 and 10 streak Like he's the definition of stat padding.

Speaker 2 9:21

He's been out past, like however many games, and they've been getting killed. I mean he's, he's, he is like a the, the franchise is on his back, like 100% and I make fun of him, but I do think that he is amazing at basketball. It's just funny to see like he has to stay and even he's so concerned about his stats and the perception and everything.

Speaker 1 9:42

But, like I've talked about in my past episodes, I was so wrong on their team as a whole I thought the whole James Harden thing was going to be a big distraction and then, once they lost him, they were going to fall apart. And then that's actually why I put money on the Knicks to win the championship before the season, because in my mind I just saw those dominoes falling and then I for sure thought Embiid was going to get traded to the Knicks. But they've been amazing. Maxi's been amazing and even all their old roleplayers have been pretty solid. So I I've often said on this podcast that I was wrong, but that Knicks game just made me laugh so much that he's so desperate to keep that stat streak going. But, like you said, he's been missing games and so the NBA has that new rule where you have to play a certain number of games to win MVP and he's already kind of coming close to it. I think he can only miss like eight more games the rest of the season or something.

Speaker 2 10:42

When he plays, he, like, is the MVP, though.

Speaker 1 10:44

Oh, for sure.

Speaker 2 10:45

Of their like. You can see, when he's not there, they lose by a lot.

Speaker 1 10:48

It's like every game he plays in. It's like 40 points and 12 rebounds in three quarters because they're just destroying people, but like second is out.

Speaker 1 10:57

What I'm already seeing happening is the NBA implemented that rule for games played, but then they're going to see Embiid getting close to it and they're going to be like, well, if you read the fine print, he was really hurt this game so it doesn't count towards his games missed, towards MVP. It's like, okay, we're just going to do this and spin it so that he can get it again, but that's all right. The Bucks so the Bucks were one of the teams that we talked about a lot in our season preview and I think both of us picked them to go to the finals, if I remember correctly. If I was a good host, I would have re-listened to that episode and said that confidently.

Speaker 2 11:35

No, I picked them for sure. I think my prediction was 60 games.

Speaker 1 11:39

Yeah.

Speaker 2 11:40

That's what I said in the pregame. That's not going to happen now, obviously.

Speaker 1 11:42

Have you been able to watch them much?

Speaker 2 11:44

I've kept up with it. I haven't watched one of their games. I've kept up. They just feel streaky. Like I said, it's not as consistent as they have been years past.

Speaker 1 11:53

It doesn't seem to have clicked with Lillard yet Like I don't know what it is. But obviously the defense is way worse and then even the offense is kind of clunky. They're losing to some garbage teams and it's just like yeah.

Speaker 1 12:07

So, yeah, they're surprising in kind of a bad way. Now, obviously no one will ever want to play him in the playoffs just because of Giannis, and Lillard can do anything they want. But it is interesting to see how well or how good their defense was last year and then they switched out All it is true for Lillard, and it just seems like they can't stop anybody now and even though Lopez, giannis, they were all considered like defensive player of the years and it's like it's only six months later, like not that much has changed except for Lillard. So it'll be interesting. And then I put the heat in that top group, even though the standings don't say it, like I think there's still one of the top teams, they just seem to be one of those teams.

Speaker 2 12:52

It's like what's the playoffs happen, whatever seed they are Exactly.

Speaker 1 12:55

They just do not care about the regular season at all, which I think a lot of teams are like that.

Speaker 2 13:00

Yeah.

Speaker 1 13:00

But I don't know. They just seem solid and when Jimmy Butler is playing and when everybody's new favorite player, jaime Hake, is playing like, they just seem like they're just a really well rounded team. So obviously BAM is great, but let's say Celtics, sixers, bucks, heat and Nix all finished in the top five. Who is it most important for to get some home court games in order to advance, and who do you think let's throw out the Celtics, because I think they're obviously the best? Who do you think could probably advance no matter what?

Speaker 2 13:46

I think come playoff time I still think Bucks and I think Heat just off of, like the way they play, like even last year, like I said, they were at what 18 last year? Yeah. I mean it just felt like the seed didn't matter. It didn't matter if they're on the road. It's like you can't stop between Butler, no matter where you know.

Speaker 1 14:03

I thought it was a fluke until I think we were watching the Celtics game versus the Heat and all those great, amazing Celtics offensive players couldn't do anything.

Speaker 2 14:13

Yeah.

Speaker 1 14:13

And it's just something about the Heat. They're just solid. So what about the Nix? You think they need home court?

Speaker 2 14:21

I can say I think they're just streaky. I think it's been that way the past two or three post seasons Like they'll play great. They beat the Cavs last year like great series and they just did not do anything as the Heat.

Speaker 1 14:32

Yeah.

Speaker 2 14:33

We'll see If they can be consistent for more than 15 games in a row, you know you know, is that go anyway?

Speaker 1 14:39

Yeah, hot, the right time. It's over. Now what about the next level? Do you think anyone can jump up into that group with those top teams? So I wrote down Pacers, cavs, magic, nets, hawks and Nets. Those are kind of like the mid tier teams I was thinking of.

Speaker 2 14:57

I know the Cavs were supposed to be higher. I keep seeing that they might trade Mitchell. People keep like saying they should. I don't know if he just doesn't fit. I mean he scored like 45 today. He still has good buckets.

Speaker 1 15:08

but Now, obviously the Nix are one of the rumored teams for him, because you would probably have to give up.

Speaker 2 15:16

I keep putting Zach Levine tied to the Nix two, like they need another score. You saw, they just traded two scorers for something that doesn't score. So I mean you can see the priorities. Like, we don't want somebody who's not going to play defense.

Speaker 1 15:27

If you had to take one of those two, who would you take?

Speaker 2 15:30

I'd probably take Zach Levine.

Speaker 1 15:32

Interesting.

Speaker 2 15:32

Yeah, I feel like you just lose all of Brunson if you give Don Mitchell the ball.

Speaker 1 15:37

Oh, I agree with both of those guys. I think both of them yeah, we talked about the fit before. That would just destroy the fit, because I think both those guys just want to shoot every time. They both, they're both just wanting to prove that they're the man. Yeah, yeah, I think the Cavs are going to drop off. I think they'll. I really think they're going to trade Mitchell to somebody. I even saw a rumor they're going to trade him to the heat. That'd be, that'd be scary.

Speaker 1 16:01

Yeah, but I think they're going to build around Mowbly and just kind of push it off for a few years, just because I think they tried to go a little too fast, for maybe they thought they were better than they were and just didn't quite work out.

Speaker 2 16:16

I don't know, even like even the magic, magic have good players, but I don't think they've really taken the step completely yet. I mean, I think they have the same record as, like, some of these teams, but like it, you know, see the magic out.

Speaker 1 16:27

I would actually like either Levine or Mitchell on on them, because they don't need one more consistent guy like that because Palo can score, franz some nights can score, but like if they had that one go to guy that you know can can get a bucket anytime, I think that'd be pretty legit. Pacers, have you watched a Pacers game? They just have decided we're not going to play any defense and they just want to score every single time they think they have the number one offense in the NBA.

Speaker 2 16:55

Yeah, they score. They give up so many points.

Speaker 1 16:59

It's. It's fun, but I don't view them as being able to jump into that top tier.

Speaker 2 17:03

It's fun to like. Look at, like their stats and it's like these random bench guys drop 12 a night. Oh my gosh.

NBA Teams and Their Performances

Speaker 1 17:08

Yeah, it looks like he's awesome. They're just, it's like rec league ball, basically pretty much. And then nets, hawks oh, I put nets on there twice. I guess had nets on the brain, nets and Hawks. I think both of them are probably trading away players and just kind of building for the future, so I don't, I don't view them. And then the bad teams Bulls, raptors, hornets, wizards, pistons. Yeah, I say, what would you do if you're a Pistons fan and they lost 28 in a row?

Speaker 1 17:40

especially during a year when I can't even imagine like the draft is supposed to be weak, so it's not like you're even like heading, heading towards Wemba Nyama or something.

Speaker 2 17:47

And they had, like they had some momentum finishing last year. They looked at them like, okay, I could see him like taking a step. Nope.

Speaker 1 17:56

Right.

Speaker 2 17:56

There's still like three and 34 or something like that. Like their record is terrible.

Speaker 1 18:00

It's weird, because I like a lot of their players. I know but they just never win. I think Kate is good. I like Durran, jayden Ivy, but, like when you have that many young players that don't really play well together, it's just 28 losses in a row, the streak.

Speaker 2 18:17

When it's like they're up by 15 in the fourth quarter in Lut, it's like how does that make sense?

Speaker 1 18:22

That one night, when they were up by so much against the Celtics like everyone, became a Pistons fan, like they were cheering for him. So, man it was very funny. It kind of unified everybody. Yeah, um, yeah. I think those other teams like we talked about how you're a secret fan for the Raptors now Hornets, wizards and bulls are actually playing decent.

Speaker 2 18:45

but they're still just mid.

Speaker 1 18:47

Yeah, let's move over to the West then. Top of the West, I consider the wolves, the thunder, the nuggets and the clippers. Yeah, would you agree? Yeah, wolves have been pretty much number one the whole season. Thunder I talked about, I think, a few episodes ago that they're like pushing, so fun to watch. I love all their players. They are in such a good spot. And then nuggets, obviously I love, and then the clippers they're playing well.

Speaker 2 19:17

They just signed Kawhi, and then they're trying to get what's his name too Paul George. Oh, I'm sure they're trying to lock both of them in because they're playing good when they're healthy.

Speaker 1 19:25

Yeah, that's been the whole problem for the years. That's the thing is, they are healthy and they're playing really well. Now Westbrook has come off the bench. That's been working out really well, harden.

Speaker 2 19:36

He only shoots like eight shots a game. I think he knows his role now.

Speaker 1 19:38

I was going to say it's interesting. So the talent's there, it's just health, and if that team unity will last for another half of the season.

Speaker 2 19:51

They're like 35 games in. They got half a season they're surprising, though.

Speaker 1 19:55

Yeah, the wolves, their defense is legit. Like I don't know, it seems to have come together. Last year they were kind of a joke, but this year it's just working. So I don't know, as a nuggets fan, as an impartial advisor, should I, as a nuggets fan, be worried about the wolves, thunder or clippers?

Speaker 2 20:24

I would say clippers is probably the most. I feel like they're going to be the most consistent. I feel like the wolves, like in a playoff series, like Anthony Edwards right now is not a consistent star.

Speaker 1 20:34

Yeah.

Speaker 2 20:35

Like it's 30 points, 15 points, 30 points, 15 points. That's probably why the Knicks can't win a game. If Dante DiVincenzo is going to have to score 25 for us to win a series, we're not winning a series.

Speaker 1 20:44

Yeah.

Speaker 2 20:45

And it's the same Like if Gobert has to score 20, free to compete. It's like come on.

Speaker 1 20:49

That's not happening.

Speaker 2 20:50

I think, when it comes down to it, like I said, who knows, it's still half of the season. They've been, they've still been winning.

Speaker 1 20:55

So yeah, I think they've shown kind of how good they can be, but I don't know if they can do that for the long term. The thunder, on the other hand, I don't see any reason why they can't keep doing what they're doing. No, they're good. Shay is amazing.

Speaker 2 21:12

Yeah, he probably is the MVP front runner in my opinion.

Speaker 1 21:16

Yeah, If because, like you said, mb has been absolutely amazing but Shay has been amazing for many more games. His team record is better. Like I wouldn't be mad if he was in consideration, and of course I talked about my last episode. They have room to make a trade if they want to kind of go all in for this year. Well, it wouldn't even be all in to just be like a small portion of their treasure chest.

Speaker 2 21:42

Yeah, yeah, but first round picks on first round picks.

Speaker 1 21:45

How worried would you be, though, making a trade and breaking up what they have? Yeah, because what they have, is work.

Speaker 2 21:53

I could see maybe, like if any injuries happen, maybe building depth like good depth for the playoffs. But, like I said, a lot of these teams once you get your roster set for the playoffs, like they don't ever make changes unless someone's shooting hot during that time.

Speaker 1 22:06

But that Jalen Williams kid that they have is just ridiculous. Like I don't know what number they got him at, but he is like 20 around that.

Speaker 2 22:15

It was late yeah.

Speaker 1 22:16

And he's amazing, he's good, he's like that, just big guard that can do everything, play defense Like I love him.

Speaker 2 22:24

He's like darts, but it can actually score Like darts.

Speaker 1 22:27

Yeah, actually score, yeah, which is like what they, what they needed, yeah, he kind of upgraded darts, yeah. So I think those four will probably finish as the top in some order. I wouldn't be surprised if any of them were one or four. I think I would say the Thunder will probably try the hardest for the one seed, just because, like, this is new for them and they're going to want to kind of play all out for the season.

Speaker 1 22:54

Now Clippers, I think, will start, especially if the rest of the West kind of falls back a little bit and Clippers have a few games to play or play with, then they'll probably start resting their guys and maybe just settle in just being happy with home court in the first round or something. So in the Anyone Else Can Jump Up category I have quite a few. I have Lakers, Kings, Suns, Pelicans, Mavericks, Warriors and Rockets, which I view all of them as very similar the way the Jazz are playing. I could even throw them in too. But let's start with the Lakers, because not only have they had amazing health from both LeBron and AD, they won the N-Season tournament.

Speaker 2 23:40

Yeah.

Speaker 1 23:41

But they're like 19-19.

Speaker 2 23:42

I think 10th in the.

Speaker 1 23:43

West or something like that. So like it's not. Like you can point to something and be like oh well, if this goes their way, then they'll shoot right up. It's like they've had everything go their way so far and it's not working.

Speaker 2 23:56

Yeah, they just look slow yeah.

Speaker 1 23:58

Can you?

Speaker 2 23:59

watch it Like they're still really good and dominant, but they're so slow.

Speaker 1 24:01

Yeah.

Speaker 2 24:02

Like when they play the Thunder, they just get ran around the entire game.

Speaker 1 24:04

Oh yeah.

Speaker 2 24:05

So who knows? And that may come down to one game. It's game seven. Like Lakers are a team to beat, still because it's you know who, but like just right now they're just getting ran around. Did you see the Raptors?

Speaker 1 24:16

coach go crazy after they got all the free, like it's been a stat for decades that the Lakers get all the calls. I forget what the exact number was, but they showed free throw differential Take 23.

Speaker 2 24:30

Yeah For the Lakers. Last year it was in the hundreds.

Speaker 1 24:34

last year it was like Lakers way up here, and then everyone else was bunched in like hundreds below them. It's like how, how does this happen? Like, surely the league must be like hmm, this looks a little fishy, but it is what it is. So I love that Raptors Raptors coach going off. Kings are decent, but for some reason there's just something about them that I don't view as elite.

Speaker 2 25:00

No, it's like the same. They didn't have the same spark last year. I mean they kind of went off the back half the season.

Speaker 1 25:05

Who knows, they could turn it around, but I saw some rumor that if, if they could possibly get Pascal Siakam for, like Harrison Barnes and other stuff, that would bump them up quite a bit. But obviously those rumors never happen. What's your opinion on the suns Cause? I know anyone that's listened to this podcast knows that I've talked about them way too much already. I mean, they're definitely not deep at all.

Speaker 2 25:30

Like Big said, once they're main guys, don't do anything. They're not winning a game. So, bradley Beall, I came back from one game, Twitter, zanko. They're like no, I'm like, well, what do? You expect that happens that, welcome to the real world they're big three have played together for like three games total.

NBA Playoff Predictions and Coaching Succession

Speaker 1 25:45

maybe yeah, yeah, I don't know. I think they're in trouble. Pelicans, I think, are solid. If Zion decides to play, I'm, I'm. I'm really prestigious in McCallum.

Speaker 2 25:54

He's been a great coach. I remember him prestigious in McCallum. He's been so great this year.

Speaker 1 25:57

Yeah, he's cool.

Speaker 2 25:58

They have like a good little big three Zion when he plays Brandon Dingerman him. But, like I said, who knows in a playoffs or I don't know if they'd really be dangerous, but they're playing really well.

Speaker 1 26:08

I think they're dangerous enough for, like any of those top teams, if they had to play the pelicans they'd be like oh, come on, yeah, cause none of those big stars on the top teams are going to want to face like Herb Jones and like the little uh, who's that little point guard that steals the ball all the?

Speaker 2 26:23

time. I know you're talking about.

Speaker 1 26:24

I can't think of his name.

Speaker 2 26:25

Alvarado.

Speaker 1 26:26

Yeah, um, so all these teams would like not be ideal to play, but it's going to be a bloodbath.

Speaker 2 26:33

Yeah, out of that, out of that list, I feel like they're the one team that could potentially be a higher seed than like six or seven. Uh, Warriors.

Speaker 1 26:41

I think they're falling apart. Yeah, Like they're just. Chris pulls out for like two months. Not that even he was even doing too much, but Dreymon went to the magic therapy, where I'll send me as a new person after two weeks. It's like, come on, it's like just just a show. Uh, mavs, they have two really good players and then a bunch of Mid yeah, and then the Rockets are fun Like have you watched a Rockets game?

Speaker 2 27:05

I have watched. I've watched one.

Speaker 1 27:07

I love Like a lot of their young players, especially because they've kind of told Jaylen Green, like you're not a superstar, like let's, let's pass the ball a little bit. He's definitely.

Speaker 2 27:17

I guess points are going to go down a ton this year, but he hasn't shoot half as much but Sangoon is legit, he's really good.

Speaker 1 27:24

Jabari Smith, uh, tari Eason, like they have a lot of young players. If it wasn't for the Thunder, the Rockets be like oh yeah, we're the team of the future, but so, yeah, I, I don't know None of those teams really jump out as someone who could jump up, but you never know, trades could become an injuries, whatever. And then the meh category like I said, the jazz been playing really well, but I still have them down there. Grizzlies, they lost. Merant trailblazers are never trying to win and the Spurs Can't win. Yeah, they don't. They don't care, they're just, they're happy. They got Wim Binjama and they're going to get another draft.

Speaker 2 28:00

He is so good though.

Speaker 1 28:01

He is triple double the other night he's he's going to have a quadruple double at some point, like with how many blocks he gets and everything. So it'll be interesting. Do you view him Like do you ever see him getting a post game where he's like really down though a lot, or do you kind of see him? His post game is more so like he'll just fade away and jump over people, but not necessarily like try and bang with people?

Speaker 2 28:28

I think it'll be. He'll actually have a really good game inside In like a year or two. I think it's just fast for him right now. Yeah, he doesn't have the size to like body anybody but like I said once, it's finesse, like he could just shoot over anybody's head, roll off anybody, fade away like he had. He could do anything if you watch the games, I mean like he shoots a three and then two steps. He can drive and make a layup.

Speaker 1 28:50

It's like what the heck? I know how do you guard that? I've been impressed like all the hype. I was like, oh no way.

Speaker 2 28:56

He's just fun to watch. If anything, you watch their games, I don't even care what's going on, just watch, just in play. He's so different.

Speaker 1 29:03

Bennett, my son was Watching that Spurs bucks game with me like a week or two ago and he's like who's that short guy? I was like that's Yanis. He is not short, like it's, just he makes everybody look free.

Speaker 2 29:16

Yeah, exactly.

Speaker 1 29:18

So, yeah, it's, it's fun watching him. I can't wait to see what he looks like in like two or three years. Alright, so we, we talked about all 30 teams, we did we're covering everybody, so let's, let's do. Actually, I have a question for you. Yeah, yesterday, nick Saban and Bill Belichick retired, or I guess Belichick's not retired and he'll he'll move on to somewhere else. So the NBA equivalent of that is Popovich.

Speaker 1 29:51

Yeah so after him, though, like, let's say, popovich leaves in the next couple years, who is the next? Like that's an all-time great coach price bolstra See, that's what I thought too, but he still seems so young.

Speaker 2 30:04

He just got signed like a eight-year extension.

Speaker 1 30:07

Yeah, yes.

Speaker 2 30:08

I think when it'll be the same, when he retires, like in however many years, you'll look and be like, oh my.

Speaker 1 30:13

Yeah, if he sticks around, but there's definitely a big gap.

Speaker 2 30:17

It's just all younger coaches.

Speaker 1 30:18

Yeah, which I?

Speaker 2 30:19

feel like that. You have like two years to prove yourself. You're done.

Speaker 1 30:22

Yeah.

Speaker 2 30:22

No, it's not like.

Speaker 1 30:24

And it really seems like you have to. It doesn't even matter if you're necessarily a great in-game coach. You just have to handle all the Egos like that's. The whole thing is like just make sure everybody's happy. But yeah, speaking of the thunder, I love their coach, I think. I think he's awesome.

Speaker 2 30:42

He just fits their identity pretty well. Yeah so, yeah, it's really poppich and I feel like big drop-off, spolstra, big drop-off, and I can't even name like yeah, cuz like spolstra.

Speaker 1 30:53

I agree, I think he's probably the best coach, but I don't even know if I would call him like legendary right now, Like I think by the time he's done he could be yeah hopefully. But yeah, that's got me thinking like man all like the greatest coaches are kind of stepping away. Yeah, it's we peak girls in there too.

Speaker 2 31:09

Yeah, like I would say, not like the big three, but like Bellacheck's ran the NFL for years and years, sabans ran college ball like the same 24 hours, like, oh my god. So yeah watch the NFL with without Bellacheck, my entire life. Oh, it's, true, yeah cuz he was even watching football. Like when I started watching football, saban was famous coach like I've never even really seen.

Speaker 1 31:30

That's so true without either of them, that's well, a, that makes me feel old, but B, that's really crazy. Yeah, that's gonna be weird. You haven't really known a time when Alabama wasn't amazing. That's fun. Well, as a Georgia fan, you probably really are looking forward to that.

Speaker 2 31:46

So, hey, when the spurs, when poppich is done, the spur it would be the same vibes. With the spur, it's like what's what is even with their team, like, yeah, identity, what even is it?

Speaker 1 31:53

I bet if they hadn't have got Wim bin Yama, he might have stepped away already too. But he, why? Why would you not want to coach that guy? Yeah, so I know that was random, but what about? Let's let's finish up with some predictions. Let's start out with the West. Again, I don't remember who we picked preseason, but let's set our new predictions now that we have a half a season of Information in front of us. So who's gonna be in the Western Conference finals for you?

Speaker 2 32:26

I think it's still nuggets, but I think I think it's clippers, mainly just cuz I feel like age and just being in the playoffs, I Thought that's to me still viable in NBA so I agree on the nuggets, but I'm actually gonna go with Thunder like they're just so impressive. I could see. I could see either one box.

Speaker 1 32:47

I feel like when it comes into seven game series, they're so young though, so obviously it wouldn't shock me if they losing the first round too. But what about the East? Who's gonna be in the Eastern finals?

Speaker 2 32:58

I think it'll be just bucks Celtics.

Speaker 1 33:00

Yeah.

Speaker 2 33:02

Yeah, I don't. I don't see anybody at least the first couple rounds beating the Celtics. I think I could definitely see the bucks Getting it together.

Speaker 1 33:09

They're still like on paper, one of you know, yeah, roster wise, like one of the best teams, so so I'm not just saying this because you're here, but I actually think it's going to be Celtics Nicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Speaker 2 33:25

I would like that. That would be good.

Speaker 1 33:28

But yeah, I think Celtics are just a level above. So I guess we'll both agree that the Celtics probably make the Finals out of the East, and then who out of the West?

Speaker 2 33:40

I think it's still Nuggets.

Speaker 1 33:42

That's what I think too. And then if those guys match up Celtics Nuggets, who do you think takes it down? I'm not picking the Celtics, I'll take it All right, they're going to choke at some point.

Speaker 2 33:52

They got four rounds to do it. There we go. That's what they do.

Speaker 1 33:55

I hope that happens too, so I'll take the Nuggets as well. And then halfway through the season I know you said Shay could be the MVP. Do you think he finishes out and wins it, or who do you think is going to win MVP? I?

Speaker 2 34:06

think it's going to be. If the Pacers can like have a decent record, I think it's going to be really close between him and Halliburton oh. Halliburton's amazing Mainly just because, like their offense scores 130 and he's a good person.

Speaker 1 34:19

That one game where you had like 2020 with zero turnovers, I love that.

Speaker 2 34:24

I could see. I know it's a stat, it's a big stat-based league now, but like their offense is crazy and it's mainly because of him I could see him being. If they're like a force, maybe they pull out, like to be like the four seed in terms of being most valuable, like it could be him.

Speaker 1 34:39

I could see a storyline starting the second half of the season where the Celtics just have such an amazing record and they're like well, it's Tatum's time. Like last year was all about the story. They had to make it a good story for whoever was the MVP. So they're going to be like ooh, tatum, tatum, tatum. But if it's not Tatum, then I would not be surprised if Embiid got it again.

Speaker 2 35:02

Yeah, that's what I was like before. Is Embiid? He's just in terms of being most valuable, like if you watch him play, like they're not the same team with Adam.

Speaker 1 35:10

But that'll make it all the more sweeter when he loses in the first round. Mvp swept who knows Well cool. And then so last thing I want to ask you is I always want to ask for recommendations as far as like either a follow on social media or a platform that you've discovered since we did the season preview, but is there anyone that you've been enjoying as far as basketball coverage this year?

Speaker 2 35:38

No, I wouldn't say anything specific. I do think like just going and watching games versus just like looking at box score shows a lot too. Yeah, because if you look at the media they just go off stats now, so like you actually have to go physically watch it and stuff.

Speaker 1 35:52

Have you had a chance to watch the NBA crunch time? Like it's like NBA's version of Red Zone.

Speaker 2 35:58

No, I haven't.

Speaker 1 35:59

I've only watched it for a few minutes one night and it just happened to be a game or a night when, like, the games really weren't that exciting, so it obviously didn't like grab you, like Red Zone kind of does. But I hope they can kind of perfect that and make that a thing, because obviously if they could have a Red Zone style NBA show on all night, that'd be pretty cool.

Speaker 2 36:21

Yeah, I feel like the general sports media is kind of like taking away from the sport recently, so I've kind of just been like just trying to stick to the actual sport and not actually see it from like bleacher board or whatever.

Speaker 1 36:31

I feel like that's good.

Speaker 2 36:32

It's storylines instead of like actual sports.

Speaker 1 36:34

Yeah, it's more about their agendas than anything. So, that's cool.

Speaker 2 36:39

I used to be like big into, but now I'm kind of just falling along.

Speaker 1 36:44

Well, maybe we'll have to do this again once the playoffs are getting closer and we can pick who we're going to win for a third time. But, cool man, I appreciate you coming by.

Speaker 2 36:54

Yeah, I appreciate you having me.

Speaker 1 36:55

And hopefully your, your nicks can keep playing Five and all the way to the finals. Like I said, losing 40. All right, thanks, mason.

Speaker 2 37:03

Appreciate it. Thanks, thanks.