🏀 It’s NBA Tip-Off Week! Lakers in Rebuild? Can Denver Challenge OKC? Wolves Fall Off? Hawks Win 60?

00:00 NBA Season Kickoff This Week!
01:23 LA Lakers
09:36 Oklahoma City Thunder
11:03 Houston Rockets
14:50 Denver Nuggets
18:53 LA Clippers
21:05 Minnesota Timberwolves
26:20 Golden State Warriors
28:12 Memphis Grizzlies
29:00 Sacramento Kings
30:58 Dallas Mavericks
33:48 Phoenix Suns
34:15 Portland Trail Blazers
40:57 San Antonio Spurs
44:42 Utah Jazz
47:34 Indiana Pacers
49:29 Milwaukee Bucks
52:22 Orlando Magic
54:08 Miami Heat
56:09 Atlanta Hawks
01:00:40 New Orleans Pelicans
01:02:09 MVP Predictions

The J D and Chris Show with Big June. My dudes, what is up? It is time for another NBA season. 2526 coming up on us. I mean, who would have known, you know, when we’re watching the 1990s NBA that we’d be talking 2526? But, uh, it’s good to be here. Jano, you got your construction shirt on because, uh, your Lakers are under construction. Junior over there wearing his Spurs colors even though it’s not a Spurs shirt. How you guys doing, Junior? What’s going on? Yeah, man. Well, thank you for calling that out. You know that, you know, I rep the silver and black, whether it be the Aces, you know, the Spurs, uh, you know, we out we out here, man. Um, and I’m I’m excited about this this basketball. I mean, we always are, but since my Raiders suck, I’m especially excited for this basketball season. Turn the page, baby. Turn the page in. Let’s get it in. JD, what’s cracking, man? Yeah, man. Um, you know, thanks for stealing my lead, but yeah, I had to wear this today because, uh, my Lakers are under construction, good or bad, you know, could be a rebuild that wins the championship. Um, you know, little sciatic nerves or something, you know, you you never know. LeBron, you know, um, the situation is fluid in La La Land. Well, hey, let’s let’s stay right there then with the with the Lakers, man. So you’re as as a Lakers stand through and through from from literally from the womb to current day. How do you why do you feel they’re under construction? I feel like if anything, Luca’s coming back with his revenge body. You maybe have a center. LeBron seems determined uh just to pro, you know, to to defeat Father Time. You guys had a decent showing in the playoffs last year. What What makes you think they’re they’re under construction? You got Marcus Smart Well, you know, yeah, that’s a great pickup. DeAndre Aton, you know, his his his the first overall pick and and his classmate Luca, you know, they’re teaming up and um I believe that the Lakers, I got more championships than all you hoes. Okay, don’t bring Stop with that, man. This ain’t old news either, Junior. Don’t even for Hey, look. Look, this ain’t even old news because we didn’t won a championship in the 20s. So talk to me nice. Okay, stop. All right, stop. Talk about your team finisher, bro. I can’t when y’all over here just like just killing my whole segment. I can’t even get into a rhythm. You got to be used to it though. It’s like being a Cowboys fan or a Yankees fan. I’m a winner. We are winners. Okay. Okay. But you’re under construction. So what what how you going to build that back to a winner? Hey, under construction can be we rebuilding, you know, um the bench, you know, cuz our starters are solid. Talk to him. Speak to it. I can’t. Austin Reeves is um the next great White Hope. You know what I’m saying? He going to be a allstar, man. I think he he has the potential in order for the Lakers to be where they need to be, and that’s hoisting Mr. Lario for the 17th time. Austin Reeves needs to average 23. We got to get it from him on a day in day out. Corner three setup. LeBron’s going to figure it out. And Luca is going to figure it out. LeBron entering his 23rd season. If he plays 50 games this year, he’s going to break another record for most total games ever played in a career. I believe that my Lakers are closer than people want to believe. I think JJ Reic is a great coach. I do too. I’m surprised he doesn’t have more gray hair, but he lives and dies film and, you know, making sure that his players are held accountable and accountability is very important to him. Obviously, look at Luca coming back and getting on his P’s and Q’s, getting on that Atkins diet and dropping the baby fat, you know, you got to figure something out. So, I’m excited for the Lakers this year, but you don’t have the young rookies or whatnot. You know, maybe Bronny plays, you know, this what I’ll say about Bronny. He’s only two years removed from from the [ __ ] dying. You know what I’m saying? like giving the body some time to heal the stress of everything. Also just two inches removed from being under six foot. But he’s an NBA player, Chris. Something that we don’t know nothing about. So, you know, let let’s give the guy some credit. Let the body heal. He’s had a full off season of some NBA work, I think. and I hope that he can make a difference for us off the bench. Next, here’s what I’ll say about your Austin Reeves take. So, I don’t know about allstar. I like the I like the confidence though. The the problem I see with that is Austin is really um a ball in the hands creator type. Um you know, he does his best work off the dribble, off the pick and roll. He hasn’t really shown to be that spot up shooter that he’s going to need to be to be on the floor with Luca. I could see Austin Reeves, he might start, but I could I think he’s best suited for this particular team being that playmaker off the bench to spell Luca and then trying to find, you know, spots where, you know, he can she can still have those playmaking abilities on the court with Luca. What I like Luka Luca’s probably going to play 42 minutes a game, man. Hope not. I mean, you know, you hope not. Like I mean, that’s the thing like you don’t want to wear these. We talked about injuries for so every play every every playoffs for the last like five years, man. you know, these superstars need to need to watch the the minute count in this regular season, man, to try and make it through these playoffs. But JD, who you didn’t mention, who I actually like that the Raiders picked up was uh Jake Laivia shooting 40 almost 43% from the three-point. I think a good pickup. Yeah. And and and Ruie, you know, for all of his faults, I think one thing he does consistently well is like a spot up corner three. He hits that pretty consistently and when you’re not asking him to do too much, he’s a really good role player. Uh, so I think putting those pieces around Luca is where they have a chance to really be a like a really good offensive team and a good shooting team, which they have not been a good shooting team for a long time. Um, and I don’t honestly, man, like I don’t know where LeBron fits in anymore, dog. Like I I don’t I think he fits in as a really he fits in as the best role player maybe that’s ever played because if he can be the guy that’s cutting running the offense being the quarterback without the ball in his hands running the offense without the ball in his hands and creating space and reading defense and being the touch pass guy to Ruie in the corner or clearing space for Austin Reeves. I see him being that role. And we haven’t mentioned it, but there is no rain. I mean, there is no snow or ice in Los Angeles. So, DeAndre Aiden should be able to make it to games in his element. Yeah. If if if JJ is on his ass, he might come to play. I’m I’m looking at the roster because I forgot we still got Gabe Vincent and and this is a a year where we got to get some of these guys to stay healthy. Gabe Vincent and Jared Vanderbilt, they got to stay healthy for for the Lakers to have a decent year. And you know why is because it’s about rotation and like you said, if Reeves is all right, Reeves might be the number two for that crew, you know, and he can be the guy. You got the three and D and Vanderbilt and you need the three-point shooters, but the X factor is the other white boy connect. We need him to take but him and Ruy either one. Okay, so Ruy’s not hitting. Dalton’s got to be hitting. If Dalton’s not hitting, we need Ruie to be hitting. And I’m Laria’s got to fit in there, too. And that he’s the same he’s the same body type as uh Dalton Connect. So, I don’t think they’re both going to see the floor. Yeah. I think I Livia’s taking all of Dalton’s minutes, man. I I don’t I don’t think Dalton’s an NBA player at this point. Really? Yeah. Yeah. I mean, he’s what, 25 already? Yeah. I don’t see it. He He He can’t He can’t guard anyone like like zero. And also, to your point, Yeah, I don’t see Jared Vanderbilt as a three-point shooter, as a three and D guy. I I feel like he peaked two years ago. Um, and is just an undersized big that can’t shoot. He’s a D guy. Like, he’s a hustle defense guy and he does shoot. It doesn’t mean he shoots well though, Chris. You know what I’m saying? Like, um, and you brought up Gabe Vincent, man. That dude needs to find his stroke or he needs to get the hell out of the NBA, bro. I’m sorry. Like, like Yeah, exactly. He he he No, and that’s what I’m saying is that these players, you know, LeBron has always and Luca, right, need those guys that when they got to do the oh [ __ ] pass, they got to make it because dribble dribble dribble dribble dribble. 3, two, one. You better make the [ __ ] cuz I’m passing it to you. And that’s what that’s what it is play with those guys. Yeah. And that’s I feel like that’s what connect they wanted connect to be, but he’s not. So they bring in the dude from uh the Grizzlies uh Larivia Livia area. Yeah, but I I fully agree with that take, Chris. I’m with you there, man. So, okay, let’s let’s stay in the West. Let’s go top to bottom from how they finished the regular season last year. OKC obviously were they were invincible last year. They didn’t make a lot of moves in the offseason, if any. They they paid the wrong Jaylen Williams. You know, the they don’t they didn’t need to make changes. Now, let’s see if they got fat in the offseason, right? And and didn’t work what they needed to to stay in shape and to stay hungry. We’ll see. C can they get to 70 wins? They were at 68 last year. I don’t think they will because they’re going to have they’re going to have that target. I think a lot of teams geared up to be able to play against them. Went for depth for wing. They were the number one seed the year before though. Yeah, but they ran through the playoffs this last year. No, they I don’t think I don’t. And now they didn’t run through the playoffs. They went to game seven with the with the Indiana Pacers. Bro, they didn’t run through the playoffs outside of that. They’re not running through the playoffs. They beat uh uh what’s the name by 50 points. They average margin of victory was 40 something. I’m just saying. So what? Game seven NBA Finals ain’t running through the finals. Three playoff losses. Hey, in the NBA finals. In the NBA finals. Uh, I don’t think they are going to be like they were last year. I think they’re going to have that hangover. That’s just my take. However, the team that finished number two and completely changed everything up, I think they’re going to be a contender. And it’s not just because of KD. I think Houston is solid top to bottom. They have they have a dog for a coach. Shout out Portland, Oregon. And I really like their depth at the wing even without inconsistent Jaylen Green and and you know the Wild Dylan Brooks being there. I like I like Houston sticking around that top one, two, three seed in the West. Yeah, but I don’t think we can overstate how big of a loss Van Vleet is for them, man. And I know you going you going to say KD can replace what Van Vley does, but they’re not the same player. You cannot overstate how important that that floor general is. He was a spacer. Somebody shoot the rock. Yeah. And he Shepard is right there. So that’s that’s the question mark, right? Can the secondyear player of Reed Shepard come in and do what Van Vleet does? I don’t between him and KD and Thompson having another year under his belt who who has just he’s been unstoppable and like outside of not having it it sounds weird to say without having a jumper, but I’m just saying I feel strong. Let me get my take in. Okay, bro. Van Vleet is a is too big of a loss for them to overcome. I think they’re going to have to figure it out at the beginning of the season. Bringing KD in, you’re going to you’re not the same group that you were last year where you were playing two, three years together, right? This is a little bit of a different team, a different vibe. You got Reed coming in, you got KD coming in. They’re going to have to figure that out over the first quarter of the season. So, I think they’re going to drop some games early, especially. And and then, yeah, they’re going to make the playoffs, but I don’t see them as the number two seed this year. I see them as being more maybe probably more of a four or five seed this year. And I really think a lot of it has to do with with Van Fleet being out. Uh they also did add uh Dorian Finny Smith, so spot-up shooter, took him from the Lakers defense. and and Clint Capella. So, more depth with with the Turkish Tornado and and Steven Adams and Jabari Smith and they got Een and they got Tate and they’re they’re just they’re really deep on the wings and I I agree there’s there’s an IT factor with Van Vleet, but it’s time for someone to step up. I don’t believe in KD’s leadership. I’ve been on record of saying that for the longest time. This man has bounced around just like James Harden. And yeah, we can call him a winner cuz he went to Golden State. But why did he Golden State? Cuz he couldn’t win [ __ ] with Russ and James and them. And regardless of what it is, you couldn’t win in Phoenix. You couldn’t win in Brooklyn. You know, I just circumstantial. It’s not a multiplier. He is a trailer. He’s not a tractor. Okay. He gets pulled. He’s He’s not young either. And regardless, yeah, the guy can shoot and he has great whatever, but there’s something to be said about the locker room part and he has failed that part. And he’s and he’s got a really bad injury history. Who’s to say KD even plays a majority of games next season, right? And you know, he doesn’t fit their culture. He’s not that dog that they’re building. No. And might have woken him up. Might have woken him up. He’s back in Texas. He’s back in Texas where he played college ball. No, you’re not going to knock me off my tape. Maryland, man. This guy’s from I said where he played college ball, bro. Um what? That’s Austin, Texas. He’s in Houston. Okay, give me your take. Okay, two different What seed is Houston going to be? There’ll be a four five. You guys are both saying there’ll be a four or five. I’m right I’m writing this down. We’re going to circle back. Okay, receipts, bro. And uh and you you both think OKC is going to be number one. I think so. I don’t think they’re winning 70, but I think they’ll be number one. You know who I think might might challenge him for number one is a team that felt like they had kind of reached a team that felt like they had kind of reached the top and that was as good as they were going to get, but then they go off in the off season and they upgrade Michael Porter Jr. to Cam Johnson. They sign Valenunis. They sign Tim Hardaway Jr. I think Denver is going to be really tough next year. Yeah, man. Ah, I don’t believe in connect. What’s the Who’s the coach? Rick Adelman. Malone. Oh, they fired Malone. Yeah, it’s Rick Adelman. Yeah, I’m I’m No. Okay. No. Okay. Okay. Let’s go. Listen. Oh, I can’t wait. Listen, NBA, there’s a lot of coaching adjustments. You know, you know, you know who the real coach is there, though? It’s Jokic. You saw is doing in the timeouts. you know, he’s he’s he’s LeBroning that team right now, which good or bad, he’s calling the shots. But, you know, this is the thing about this generation of NBA. If this was Jokic in 90, let’s just say 95 96 like the dream, they win championships. It it it’s no longer based on one player. You must have That’s what I’m saying. You must have eight to 10 guys that can play. Jamal Murray, Christian Brown. Uh Jamal either. Yeah, he’s proved it. Aaron Gordon showed his ass in the playoff. Two game winners. Bring in Tim Hardaway Jr. who who is a stud when he needs to be. Spot up shooter. Can lock you down. Really lengthy. And then Valen guy. If he doesn’t get the ball and shoot, he’s going to pout and quit on you. It’s already regardless though. But they’re not relying on him. You can isolate any player on any team and hate on him like that. But the collective, you’re saying you need KD, but you’re saying you need the top to bottom, right? And I’m saying they’re thick. They they have depth. They got PJ Watson still. They got a couple of other bigs coming off the bench. And I think you’re championing champion cuz damn, they’re you’re on their nuts. I’m just saying they can challenge. If anyone is going to challenge OKC for the number one seed, I’m saying look out for Denver. It is Denver. That is true. Chris, I want to highlight I want to highlight someone you said. Christian Brown has been getting better and better every single year. Um, you know, a couple years ago, if you said that, I’d be like, man, that white boy from Kansas, whoever it is, man, like, no, no. But hey, he got that defense. He I think he shot close to 40% or over last year from three. And he’ll dunk on you. And he’ll dunk on you. And he’s kind of a dog, man. like, you know, and he’s got he’s got that mentality that you want. And so I think he’s a rich man’s Dante Daincio. So Okay. Cuz yeah, cuz he’s taller, he’s bigger, dude. So yeah. And so I think the loss of Michael Porter, like I think Brown is the one that makes that up. And then you add in Cam Johnson to that to that mix. I mean, man, the Nuggets got a chance to to they do have a chance to compete with OKC for the number one seed. I’m I’m with you, Chris. back up at the five. They don’t have Russ anymore either. So, you know, you got this addition by subtraction. Um, so I I think they can do it, man. Now, Yokas is a year older, right? So, I mean, he’s getting to the point for a big guy like the thing is his game was never built on athleticism. I know. I know. But still, you know, he’s he’s wear a big guy. He’s getting out of out of that peak and he’s played a lot of minutes, bro. A lot of minutes, man. And you know, he’s not working out in the offseason. No. Oh, and he was playing Euro ball this year, too. So, um, but I Yeah, I I could see that take, Chris. Okay, let’s bump down to the team that was fifth in the West last year. Uh, the most controversial. We don’t want to talk about my Lakers who finished third in the in the conference last year. We already talked about talked about them. Hey, we not we’re not doubling down. Looking at the standings. I just want to make sure that we you know what I’m saying? My Lakers did finish top three. Yeah, they did. Yeah. And they’re under construction apparently. Yep. So, the Clippers picking up Bradley Beal, picking up John Collins, picking up Brook Lopez. They have more depth now. Kawawaii’s older, James Harden’s older. They lost Norm Pal, who Junior for some reason the other day said he was You referenced him as like an all-star talent, but I I don’t know if I’m as high on the Clippers as the amount of commotion that they’re making for their offseason moves. I mean, partially for the the Kawaii sponsorship stuff, but where you guys sit on the Clippers? I mean, I’m already off record saying that they’re they’re taking a step back this year, man. I don’t I don’t see You add You add a couple players that just aren’t winners in themselves, right? Like I mean, I’m sorry. Like Brooke, okay, you know, he won a ship, but although he’s older Yeah. Yeah. He’s he’s old. He’s old as hell, man. Like he’s not he’s not an impact player. Yeah. He’s not an impact player at this point in his career. Um he’s a 20 minute a game guy, right? like he’s not playing 25 30 minutes a game. So, um Kawhi older, those knees are those knees are about 45 years old now, you know, regardless about what his age is. Um and you know, you can downplay the loss of Norm Pal all you want, man. Um I’m not downplaying. I was just giving you [ __ ] Yeah, dude’s a gamer, man. I mean, you know, he’s a gamer. Slotting Chris Dunn, slotting Bradley Beal. Bradley Beal is a a a generational loser, bro. I’d rather have more power than Bradley Bill. Yeah, that’s I would too. I would too, but I’m saying by committee and uh Bdanovich. So, you have three dudes that can kind of fill in that those wing minutes. Yeah. Okay. But, you know, here here’s the thing. And Collins Collins being there playing the four allows Kawhi to play the three, bro. Collins generational. I’m not saying he’s a winner, but I’m saying positionally it allows Kawhi to play the three. Hey, y’all remember that line Cat Williams was talking about these [ __ ] is losers and I don’t know why you associating yourself with losers. All right. That’s what the [ __ ] the Clippers are, bro. They’re like the Chargers. They always going to do something. [ __ ] this [ __ ] up, right Paul. Historical loser, bro. Oh, yeah. Chris Paul’s back there, too. All right, so let’s just I think they’re a playin team. I think they’re a playin team. Yes. In that 8 to2 range. Top nine team. Yeah. Um agree. Okay. Minnesota didn’t really make any any changes. They lost Alexander Nquille Walker. Um that’s a big loss, man. or Nquil Alexander Walker. It is big. Yeah. And he came through tough in the playoffs. Um he’s going to make Atlanta a lot Atlanta’s We’ll get to the East in a little bit, but um but again, they’ve been a top four team the last two years. That’s something to be said. But they didn’t really add anybody. They lost a key bench player. But does the ascension of Anthony Edwards and their core him and and uh Julius Randle, what did he say? He said Julius Randle looks like he plays basketball in jeans, which he does, but like I don’t think he has a lot of respect for the guy. Rudy’s a little bit older. Nas Reed’s a dog. At some point he’s going to take take over that starting spot. Or maybe he’s just better coming off the bench. But I think I still see them as a playoff team or a playin team. No, I think Nazi is one of the most overrated players in the league, bro. I people people love this guy and he don’t he don’t play hardly any defense. He got that ugly ass shot. I have I have a I have a real bias against people with ugly ass shots, man. But he’s a streaky shooter. He he he is he does have that aggressiveness on offense, but I just I I don’t think he’s as good as people make him out to be. He’s a good six-man, but man, that’s that’s that’s about it. I think the kid Shannon that came in the game la in the playoffs. Yeah, I know. And he’s he’s a you know, he was, you know, he was growing. They got Jaylen Clark from UCLA, too. He’s talking about dog like defensively. He he can hopefully make up some some what they lose from Alexander Walker, but he doesn’t have the length that he has, but he’s got the tenacity on defense. He’s got the ability to to play some D. So, Daniels on the length on the on the uh on the wing, too. Yeah. There. So, they’re betting on some young guys to come in. But that’s what you got to do to be a good team is you got to build you got to build through the draft and your young guys have to develop. I think Chris Finch is pretty good at developing young players. I think he’s shown that at least through through his work with Ant, through his work with McDaniels, through his work with Alexander W. Right. So like I think they can do that. Can they playoff team? A playoff team is no doubt, bro. Like are they not play by playoff? I mean top six. Yeah. Are are they are they a top three team? I think they could be. Could be. I really do, man. I just Man, hold on. Let Let me get Let me jump in here. pause on all that top three [ __ ] These guys are not consistent enough. They need Rob Dillingham to [ __ ] show up. You know what I mean? And coaches got to play him. The coaches got to play him for him to show up, though. We’ll see. That’s the other part. They need Mike Connley to take a seat. That’s what I’m saying with with the young guys, man. They got to develop these young guys. J, I’m looking at their I’m looking and I don’t see anybody on their bench that strikes a fear in me at all. If you want me to be keep it a buck, Ant-Man, like he like he said, bring your ass. You know what I’m saying? But that can only take you so far. Does he bring everybody with him though? Is he that is he gonna be that type of leader now that he’s in his what fifth year? You know, Ant-Man is a great He’s a great specimen, but I just don’t know if he has that aura of get on my shoulders type of [ __ ] that he seems like he’s that mamba mentality. He seems like he’s the type of guy that’s like he’ll write somebody off before he’ll try to lift them up. I mean, he’s only 24 years old still, man. But he’s been in the league five years. That’s wild. Sure. I’m just looking at their roster and like I said, they got three guys from UCLA on there, June. I know. I know. But I don’t see anybody else on here. Dementia, that’s cool. Go Bear, Trash, you know, Julius Randle, you know, he keeps on bouncing around from team to team. So, he is who we thought he is, too. So, Ant-Man is really the only dog on a team. And in order to win in the NBA, you got to have a couple other dogs with you. And they’ve been winning. They’ve been to the conference finals. They’ve been in the but they’ve been in the top four the last four years. Okay. But that is also why the NBA is great because it’s a matchup league and sometimes you get the luck of the draw. The Lakers are a bad matchup against Denver. They don’t know how to beat them. But if we played anybody else, we’re not losing that. And last year, Minnesota came and put some VTA on it, you know what I’m saying? Bell to ass. Because it was a bad matchup. And that’s how lucky teams get sometimes in NBA playoff runs is that they don’t play the teams they should have played. You know, like a couple years ago when Denver uh or not Denver, when Denver lost to uh Minnesota in the in the second round when they were up all those points, they would have Denver would have beat Dallas and Dallas made the championship. Okay. Yeah. What are we talking about? Where are we going? I’m saying that certain times matchups in the NBA dictate how things but they’ve done it consistently. They have made their way past the first round consistently and because of great they’ve gotten lucky with matchup. That’s all. It’s not luck if it happens year in year out. But anyway, we got we Okay. So, so Golden State, they didn’t make any moves, but you said they got to have a couple of dogs. You got Steph who is not slowing down and you got Jimmy Butler who’s going to have his first full year there. That’s two bonafide dogs. So you’re not you you don’t consider Draymond to be a dog? No, he fronts as a dog, but he’s he is not contributing at the level that makes a difference. Yeah, I think so. I just he’s past that point. The the Warriors more than any other team. Um which I wonder if the Warriors are now the oldest team because they got Al Horford. Um because the Clippers were before they signed Horford. I wonder if the the Warriors the oldest team. Them more than any anybody, they got to stay healthy, man. I mean, both both Steph and Jimmy now have a bit of an injury history to them. Uh, and and so does Draymond. A little bit. Not as much as them two, but like but they’re all they’re all old, man. Like they’re it’s just little Nicks, you know, like a little quad, little wrist, little ankle. Like that [ __ ] adds up over the year. I’m just saying they’re all all their their big their stars are injuryprone, man. And throw in just the bad vibes around like Jonathan Kaminga and that whole contract situation. Exactly. What’s Dun Levy doing? I like Brandon Djmski, but I don’t I don’t know that he can be your best bench player if if you’re if you’re serious about making a run in in the playoffs, man. So, like I think they’re going to be fighting for that playin spot again, maybe a little bit higher. I hope Steph gets one last run in the playoffs where he’s healthy and Jimmy’s healthy and they can make a run because, you know, they’re good enough to play with anyone regardless of the matchup to your point, JD. But I I don’t have a lot of faith in them. One, just to stay healthy and then two, from a talent level outside of their their start. I mean, they got one of the worst benches of these playoff teams we’re going to talk about, man. Okay, next down the list, interesting one. The Memphis Grizzlies. They’re going to have their leader back. Wild guard. As long as he don’t get himself suspended again. Zakini is a pro. Jiren Jackson might be one of the most overrated players in the league or at least the most inconsistent highrated player. Yeah. Frustrating. But then after that, like they’re the Scotty Pippen Juniors and they lost Bane and they lost Canard and Wells and I I just don’t they got they got Jock Land listed as their like backup third third string I guess center cuz Ed’s out right now. But like Santi Alama, I know he had a good year last year, but like he not he not that dude and everybody’s high on Huff who went to to win to the Pacers. So yeah, I don’t know if there’s enough weapons there. So I see them as a playin team again. Sacramento absolutely falling off. They’re not going to be a playin team. That’s a rebuild. Put the construction shirt on them. I don’t know what they’re doing down there. They’re kind of a joke of a franchise right now. And clearly uh Doug Christie is the coach. Yeah, he got on as full-time. Um he was interim and they they put the full time on him. The D Rozan and Zack Lavine duo clearly doesn’t work. It didn’t work in Chicago. Chicago, why are they trying to get here? It’s like ever since Darren Fox left, they’re they’re boo boo. Uh Dennis Shruder is going to be their starting point guard. I still love me some Sabonis is making 43 mil. Sabonis is worth it. Sabonis is nice, but they lost Valenunis as his backup. So, it’s just they’re paper thin. They’re dropping out of the playoffs. Yeah. Yeah. And Demar can’t keep it up. I understand. He is a He is an athletic marvel. At some point, he can’t keep it up, man. I mean, he’s in he’s on his what 18 Malik Malik Monk and and and Douggee McBuckets. Talk about someone who can’t but Malik. So, Malik Monk, Zack Lavine, and and Sabonis are the three dudes that they have that are worth talking about, and that’s not going to cut it. Yeah. Dear is 36 years old, man. Like we can’t keep expecting this dude to score 22 a game. Like I just it looks tough when he scores. Like he looks tired. Like he looks exhausted. They got they got Reynolds grad Eubanks. What’s up? Anyway, come on man. Okay, now the last team. Haters. Where the Where the Calus uh Clacamus Cavaliers at on the NBA rosters at, guys? Okay, Greg, the kid from uh Gonzaga, he’s on a roster. Maybe he went to No, he’s Clackamus. Did he go to Europe? He went to He went to He went there his senior year only. He went to little small private 2A school. Anyway, bro, the last team that made the playin last year is going to jump up into the top six. Probably taking the Lakers spot or the Clippers spot. The Dallas Mavericks got the the generational player Cooper Flag. Derek Lively grew an inch they said in the off season. Kyrie is healthy. The interesting thing though is, have you guys seen these reports that Anthony Davis came in his heaviest that he’s ever come into a training camp? Like him and Luca switch spots on purpose though. He said, I mean, aren’t you going to say like, wouldn’t you say that? Like, oh, yeah. Well, he claims he claims he comes in at around that weight every year because it’s uh the training camp in the beginning of the season is too hard on his body and he always loses 10 to 15 pounds. So if he comes in at the weight he wants, he always ends up too skinny is what he said. Which I mean it’s it’s a reasonable explanation. The thing is though, like with him though, it’s like man, you can’t handle any extra weight, bro. Cuz like you be getting hurt with like even when you are in like the best shape. Exactly. So and it’s he comes in around that weight, but this is the heaviest he’s come in. So I just think it’s ironic. But regardless, PJ Washington, both Lively and Gaffford playing the five. They got D’Angelo Russell as their backup point guard now to Kyrie. That’s a tough team. With Jason Kidd being their coach, being the the the wy coach that he is, it’s their bounceback year. I see them taking one of those top six spots and not not having to deal with the play in. Where are you seeing that Kyrie’s healthy, bro? He’s not healthy. He’s going to miss the first. I thought he’s not I miss coming back till like Yeah. Like like like like February. Yeah. He’s going to miss the first quarter. February. The quarter maybe the season, but not the half the season. No, he tore his ACL in March. Yeah. He’s going to be out. He’s not going to be out. He’s not gonna be out that long, Chris. Yes, he is, man. Okay. Either way, either way, they got a solid They got D’Angelo running the office, which I know we can make all of our D like our DLO jokes, but that is a liability. That’s a bonafide starter in the league, though. That is going to No, he’s not. No, he’s not. He’s going to keep the ship afloat. I see about this roster. Their guard play is, you know, they don’t have any guard play. Nah, their guard play is they have zero. They got the Williams kid. They got They got Hardy. They got Spot up play Max Christie. They’ll make do. They’ll make do. They’ll make do. Man, what I will give you though, Chris, is that I don’t know how much y’all are watching this preseason basketball. It sounds like not really at all. Cooper flag mean nothing. Cooper flag looks nice, man. That’s why making sure we watch preseason NFL. Get out of here. I mean, whatever, bro. I’m excited to watch, man. Like, okay. Oh, I’m whack for watching basketball. not sitting down to watch it when they’re not playing the blame on us saying you guys ain’t watching preseason basketball, man. This is 82 games. This shit’s a marathon. Okay, I’m so I’m I’m a true fan. I like watching Spurs preseason basketball. So sue me, bro. We’re almost there. We’re almost to the bottom of the standings. You know, Phoenix Hey, Phoenix didn’t do themselves any favors. I think getting Jaylen Green and Dylan Brooks ain’t going to cut it. is is is Devin Booker and then that’s kind of it right there. They got they got some C plus B minus wing play, but they’re going to have some exciting highlights, but it’s not going to be thorough or consistent. They’re out of the playoffs. Who’s their coach? All right, so now we got Phoenix trash. Phoenix trash. Portland next up. I’m not I’m not buying them as a playoff contender. Maybe they sneak in to that 12th seed and play against like Clippers in the playing round or something like that. But Scoot being out, as much as I like to hate on Scoot, that’s going to have an impact on them. Drew Holiday, it’s weird because you have this young core of Hansen and Scoot and Shaden Sharp. But then you have some old heads like Drew Holiday and Rob Williams and Dame even just being in the locker room and then Jeremy Grant. But two guys that I’m excited about, Tammani Kamara and Dine Avicha, like those two dudes can really fill it up in a in in a lot of different ways. They’re underrated and and they can play multiple positions, guard multiple positions. Kamar was second team all defense last year, so he’s a lock down defender and he can guard one through four and a half if need be. Drew Holiday starting at point guard, I I I just it feels weird to me. Honen I don’t think is going to be the factor that people want him to be for at least a couple of years. Although Klingan I think is going to take a couple of steps forward hopefully getting used to the NBA game. He’s still slower than a a slug, but he’s a defensive stopper. He’s a rebounder and and he can he’s got a little mid-range Jimmy if they need it. A real X factor though is going to be Dame in the locker room. like is he able to be that de facto coach, you know, for the for the guys even though Chanty’s a former player. Is Dame going to be that middleman? They also have Drew kind of in that role, too. So, it’s going to be an interesting dynamic, but I see them at best making that last playin spot. Uh, well, first of all, did you call him Denny Advicha, bro? First of all, that’s Denny Abdia. Okay, so Denny Advicha, bro. I butcher a lot of guys names on purpose. Um, and you know, you got Matis coming back hopefully healthy all year. I mean, seemed like dude was in and out of the lineup like every other game last year. Another another stopper. That’s a three and D guy. That’s That’s Danny Green 2.0. Yeah. I mean, his his three ain’t icy like Danny, but like, you know, he’s he’s definitely um uh but you know, you got Blake Wesley at the end of that bench, a good energy guy, another defensive guy that can that can come in and um I’m talking about like when you know while Scooter is out, he might be a guy that might be in at the end of the rotation or something like that to get some energy, get some defense going. Um he can’t shoot, but um he can definitely be an energy guy. I think, you know, Donovan, depending on how what his conditioning is like, um, you know, he just wasn’t in good enough shape for NBA game last year. And I know he’s a big dude and, uh, you know, he’s always going to be he’s never going to be a speedster, but, uh, he definitely needs to need to get his body right a little bit and that’s not uncommon for young dudes. So, I think he can do that. The thing about Yang Hansen, uh, Chris is, you know, he might not be ready, but the but the problem is he going to have to play. Like, he going to have to play this year cuz he’ll game. Yeah. Cuz you can’t rely on Williams at all. Um it’d be nice. He’ll play until he can’t. Yeah. And even if even when he does play, he might be in foul trouble anyway. You know what I mean? So like it’s you you just never know how that’s going to work out. But you know, having Jeremy Grant now Yeah. Exactly. He’s not a big dude. Um I mean he’s a bulky dude, but he’s not, you know, tall guy. And Jeremy Grant as your backup four is is actually pretty pretty nice, man. Um you know, I know he’s old, you know, getting the end of his career, but that’s that’s a solid backup four. I like him three better, but yeah. Yeah. Okay. Okay. Can we cut Can we cut the chase here? This season is all about Shaden Sharp. Oh, I was about to I was about to get there, but okay. Since you jumped in, you go [ __ ] just talking all day. I can’t even get a word in. Okay. We over here talking about this. Sorry. We ain’t even got to your team yet. We over here talking about these sorry ass Blazers like they done something. We’re like 45 minutes in. This is crazy, bro. Hey, blame it on Jatan of Tequila. What do you mean? I’ve been here quiet, bro. Blame it on for the first 30 minutes. Yeah, bro. Yeah, first because ain’t [ __ ] to talk about. All these other teams is trash. Next. No, but Sharp Shaden Sharp this season is all right. Is they they going to pay him? Are they going to trade him? They’re not going to trade Jeremy Grant. Who who Well, I mean, who wants these contracts? You know, are you talking about Shaden Sharp or Jeremy Grant? Both of them. Shane doesn’t have a contract. Yeah, he No, I’m saying but they’re going to have to pay him next year. Yeah, but they’re going to pay him. Nobody wants Jeremy Grant’s contract. Yeah, but I’m saying maybe they trade him so that way he gets something back for Shaden. Then you really What are you What? Shaden is the one offensive spark guy that you have. He’s the one that’s the threele scorer. He’s the one who games. He can’t stay healthy though. So that’s why he does have a problem staying healthy. He hasn’t played no but no no more than 40 games. That is a very sample. 40 games the last three years. Barely that. You just said he hasn’t played 40 games. Hyperbole, bro. Okay. All right. Let’s Hey, let’s get to the Spurs fan but wearing Sonics. Help me out, Junior. Hey, I need a Blazer a Blazer hat that fits. Um, hold on. I’m just checking to see his games played and make sure you you actually looking at this right, bro. I’m about to look at it, too. He played 80 games and then he played 72 games last year. [ __ ] off my podcast. Yeah. Shaden played 72 games. Yeah. Started 52 of them. Two years ago, he was hurt. The year before that, he played 80 games. So, he’s he played 80, 32, 72. Regardless, they need him to take a leap. And we we know that, right? If Shaden doesn’t take a leap, the team doesn’t take a leap. And that’s that’s that’s really all it is, man. Exactly. I mean, he he got uh he was averaging 195 and three last year, shooting 45 from the field and 33 from three. That was about the quietest 72 games played for a top five draft pick I’ve ever seen in my life. The dude was MIA. I saw him on a [ __ ] Billboard. He was the seventh pick, bro. But speaking of age, he’s 22 years old, so top 10 pick. My bad. I I’ll be a little bit more precise. Top 10 pick. What was Aunt doing at 22 though? You know what I’m saying? Don’t compare him like that. I mean, like, I think Shane’s nice, but you know, he he got he’s got a lot to prove this year. I’ll just say that. He got a lot to prove. He and I honestly I took it right on the chin when they traded our aunt. Yeah. Baby aunt. Because him and Shark together with Scoot coming off the bench, that that was an exciting trio to look forward to. And it just you get Drew Holiday back. Like that’s Anyway, let’s go on to the Spurs, man, because that’s a team that has a lot to talk about. Wim in year three, allegedly bulkier, but it’s hard to tell on such a big frame. Allegedly grew an inch, but we already thought he was that tall. Is Dylan Harper going to be a factor? Is Luke Cornet going to be a factor? Go ahead. Hey, well, what do you think, Chris? I’m curious with Outsiders, uh, you know, like honestly, not being a hater, like honestly, what do you think? I think Cornet is going to be a factor. I like Castle. I like I like Castle. Who’s the other guy? The The Hass Hassen Hassel. Vel. Yeah, you got good wing play. Um De’aran Fox, I think him and him and Wimi being together are is going to be a factor. Just another year under the belt throwing those lobs. I just if Wimby stays healthy, the sky is the ceiling and and it it it all I’m going to be curious to see how your new coach light-skinned mafia um is able to manage everybody together. Is Dylan Harper going to play more the two or the one or is he just going to play where he’s needed? Um and is he going to be stifled and they’re going to try to develop him or they going to just throw him in there? Um and who’s going to stay healthy? It’s it’s going to be an interesting season. I like that take, man. And that that’s the Spurs kind of had a history of of not really staying healthy, man. Like, and it wasn’t like outside of Wim, it’s not like big injuries, too. It’s just kind of those, oh, he’s out for a couple weeks or he’s out for a couple, but it’s like it’s just like it keeps rotating around and like you never felt like you had everybody healthy at one time over the last couple years. Vel included, man. Um, this is the first offseason he’s coming in like healthy in a long time, you know? And I think I think Cornet is is a big X-f factor. One of the biggest problems for the Spurs last year was that when WBY was off the court, they were a negative8 in their defensive rating. So, that can’t really happen and considering they weren’t a great defensive team even with him, right? But with the with the development of of Castle with bringing in Cornet to to spell and they’re going to play uh Webby and Cornet sometimes, you know, at the same time, not a ton, but it’s going to happen a few times, right? But they got someone who can be a rim protector when WHMY’s off the court. You know, if Wimby can be more efficient with his scoring, one of the problems that he had the last couple years is just being inefficient. And if he can cut down on the turnovers, man, you know, he he does a good job of getting people involved. Um, but he just he was trying to do too much sometimes and he still isn’t in as much control as he needs to be and some of that is just kind of his frame and I think he’s got to live with some of that. But I I’ve I feel like hopeful y’all like the Spurs could be that surprise team and get the six seed in the West this year. Um, The West is too tough. OKC, Houston, Lakers, Denver, Minnesota, Clippers, Golden State, Memphis, Dallas. That’s that’s eight teams right there. Maybe they’re better than one or two of them. Like I see them in the the top of the playin. Yeah, may maybe. But I think I think Dallas, Golden State, Clippers, you know, I mean, I think it’s right for the taking. And really, it’s not even about those other teams taking a step back. I think it’s more about the Spurs elevating themselves, man. You know, Castle was a real problem in his first year. And to your point, like Dylan Harper, man, that kind of I know it’s young, right? So, he he’s young, but he’s polished. He’s not the same rookie as Shaden Sharp was, right? Where it’s just like he not polished like Dylan Harper’s. Yeah. He’s he’s he’s out the box ready to go, man. And so, I think the Spurs got a chance to do it, man. JD, you got to take on my Spurs. Yeah. I think it’s time for Wimyama to just be like, “All right, get on my back and let me do my thizzle.” Yeah. You feel me? Get on my back and let me show you I’m him. And then the last team in in the standings last year, which is actually going to be I think they can contend for a playing position as well as Utah because they pick up the other Ruckers player in Ace Bailey. Markin is healthy and they made some maneuvers and and they have two solid point guards. They have Walker Castler. They have uh the dude from Duke, Flip, Fliponowski, whatever. I love the last names. I’m just saying they’re not going to be a bottom feeder. The West is t like somebody’s got to be a bottom feeder, Chris. And it’s going to be And it’s going to be the Utah Jazz or Phoenix or Memphis. Sacramento is going to be the bottom feeder. You’re right. Okay. If I’m taking bets, I’m saying it’s a battle between sack and Utah. But Chris, I’m not as I’m not as high on Utah. I I think they’re still a few years behind. You know, Keonte George is a nice piece, but they’re just too young right now. Ace Bailey is a nice piece. He’s just too young. When we get to the regular season, he’s going to get big bodied. He’s going to have adjustment there. Cody Williams, another one of those guys like, you know, he’s only 20 years old or something like that. Like they’re just too young, man. And Walker Kesler, I I don’t I don’t you know, I just don’t think so. And who knows if Lori is going to even be there past mid-season depending on how it goes, man. Um, but the funniest thing about Utah to me is like, has there ever been a coach who has who was the worst team in the division and then got an extension that summer? Because that’s what happened with the Utah Jazz, bro. They gave an extension for being the worst coach and team in the the conference. I mean, that that tells you how much they believe in him, man. Like, damn. Not at all. Hey, I don’t believe in them at all to to be able to give an extension. That’s that is hoping that he can develop the young guys or or pull something out of them much earlier than expected. Yeah, they really like him. Let’s fire through the East, man. Cleveland number one seed last year, crumbled in the playoffs, didn’t make any changes other than adding Lonzo Ball. I see them as a playoff team, but not the number one seed. Boston was number two last year. They lost Tatum, they lost Holiday, they lost Porzingis, they lost Cornet, they added Aunt Simons and and some other scrubs. So I think Boston falls to maybe a playin team. Um Oh, without Tatum like Yeah. I mean, we gonna find out and without Holiday. So yeah, we gonna find out with Brown and Brown and Yeah. and Yeah. We gonna find out if we gonna find out if Missoula can coach and if if Brown is really that that guy though is what we gonna find out. I think the Knicks are going to be the number one seed. No big changes. They added Jordan Clarkson. That’s a big I think that’s a big I think that’s a big ad for them. I I think if he can be the Jordan Clarkson of old. Yeah. Yeah. Indiana obviously with Hallebertton down. They lost Turner, but their core is another year stronger. They have the confidence of coming off the finals between uh the kid from Gonzaga, Matin Shepard, the Huff guy that they picked up. That’s a That’s a tough team. McConnell’s got, you know, I got hot take on hot take on Indiana, bro. Um, hey, I don’t I don’t think they take much of a step back this year, man. Yeah, I don’t think so either. I’m not saying that wasn’t valuable to them. like and I I think him being on that team they it definitely is a different factor for them but like from their their play style to their defense to their coaching to their shooting car it’s all still like topnotch especially for the Eastern Conference man like they got they got TJ you know Energizer Bunny off the bench still man Benedict’s their X factor because like he didn’t really have a good season last year he had moments in the playoffs but he was really up and down. If he can be consistent for them and step up, he can make up for a lot of what they’re they’re missing. I think Andrew Nimard is a starting point guard in the NBA, right? Like I know he plays more of that two role and he play he runs the second team. He’s going to have to play to play the one because they want McConnell coming off the bench. Yeah. And and you know they they lost Isaiah Jackson for the year last year, right? So like they didn’t even have him and they picked up Jay Huff to to do some of that. And let’s be honest, man, Miles Turner was cheek for them in the playoffs, bro. Like, yeah, he really was. He wasn’t even a factor. So, you know, if you can get eyes Jackson to play defense and then Huff to come off the bench as your shooting big man. Look, dude, they got a chance to be a top three seed. They got We’re not even talking about um Aaron, what’s his name? Hitting all those knees for them. Knees. Yeah. Yeah. That’s a tough That’s a That’s still a tough team. You know who’s not a tough team, though? is Milwaukee. But I think they I think Giannis might stay. They signed his brother. Jatana, what do you You’ve always got a Giannis. Yeah. Giannis. Uh Jatan, you always have a Giannis take. Where do you think the the Bucks fall this year? They finished fourth last year. Run. They’re trash. They have no bench. You got Kyle Kosma. You lost your size in your Lopez. You got Turner. They got Turner though. I’d rather have Lopez. Nah, nah. He’s too old at this point. All right. Well, this is a very tricky thing for Giannis because he’s getting his brother the money and you can’t [ __ ] up the money for the family by trying to get out of there cuz if you leave, ain’t nobody else want them other [ __ ] [ __ ] is trash. Yes. You know, you got your brother on the Gite team and you got your brother over there being Mr. [ __ ] Diesel, always clapping. You know what I’m saying? Being the biggest cheerleader. You know, we’re about to find out if Doc Rivers can [ __ ] coach. Let’s just keep his symptoms. Damn. Yeah. I don’t know. Right. We That has been the thing about Doc. Everywhere he’s gone, he’s had a [ __ ] primo roster. When he was in Orlando, he had a good roster. He had T-Mac. Couldn’t finish the deal. Up 3-1 on Detroit. Mhm. All right. Went to Boston, you know, big three. His voice his voice got old with the guys, but only one one chip. goes to LA, Philly. Or he went to LA. Yeah, the clip. No, he went to Philly first, right? Dunk City. LA first. Lob City. You know, he was in LA for a long time. Guys got hurt, you know. Couldn’t figure it out. Had the best roster. Yep. Then you go to uh Philly, you got the big [ __ ] James Harden, and everybody can’t do [ __ ] So, we’re about to find out what this roster could do last year. Yeah, sure. Got hurt though. Okay. Until Dame got hurt, man. They were like uh they were still the one, two, three, fourth seed, fifth seed last year. Yeah, but they came on strong though at the end there. Well, they won the NC cup, remember? Last year they they did win the the NC tournament. So, Dame is a champion of something. Chris, give me the banner. Their their listed point guard is Kevin Porter Jr. I think that’s a real problem for the Bucks, man. They got they got Cole Anthony as their backup. I know you don’t like you don’t have faith in Cole Anthony J. I’ve never liked Cole Anthony. I’ve been dogging him since he Okay. So, I’m about to find out if Doc Rivers can coach ball. I mean, Yiannis go carry them to the playoffs though. I don’t care. Like, I’m not willing to say like they might be a playin. They might be a playin team. But if uh Boston takes a step back, there’s another spot there. But segue, I’m going in order, so not a not an exact segue, but Detroit came on strong. I think Detroit’s going to be just as tough this year, still be in that top six. And bro, but I wanted to get to Orlando because I think Orlando, not like adding Bane was great, but they were already a strong core with Ben Carro and Vagner and Jaylen Suggs and Wendell Carter Jr. and then you add in a knockdown shooter who can play some defense. That’s a tough team, man. So, I like mediocre defender, but okay. I But he can play defense. He can He can He can lock down a two if called upon. If it’s a big game, he he played big big defense uh in the playoffs a couple of years ago. Yeah, he’s okay. He’s not a great defender, but he’s okay. I mean, for for 6’2, he’s a great defender. Yeah, he’s looking better than wild. I mean, Suggs can work on that three, too. Like Anthony. Yeah, but like any other NBA team, right, in the NBA, it’s all about health for any team. And that’s the one thing that has hurt Orlando on getting a consistent rhythm these last couple years cuz Suggs is a dog when he’s in, but he’s been hurt. He been hurt consistently. Um, but he’s also not Harold missed the first part of the year last year, got hurt. The Wagner brother got hurt. So, if Orlando can stay away from the injury bug, they definitely can be a top four team just based on their young youthfulness and playing D. The guys could play some D. They They play Cleveland tough and tough. Again, defense travels. You know what I’m saying? You shot. All right, we’re not making it. All right, well, let’s hucker down, get some defensive rebounds and and shorten up the game. What about What about Miami? They didn’t make a lot of Y’all y’all think I’m y’all think I’m crazy, but like I like Miami, man. I think the addition of of Norm is going to really do something for him and any Spo team. I mean, Kell is another year older. Let me let me ask you this question. Spo has had great teams, right? But since LeBron has exited, I don’t know if they’ve won more than 50 games, bro. They went to the finals with Jimmy Butler. Hold on. Hold on. I said won 50 games. I didn’t say not make it to the NBA finals. That’s the thing, though. like he’s a great because he can get them to play when it matters. What did Pat Riley say about Jimmy Butler? Well, if you was playing the games and healthy, we wouldn’t be in these high, you know, number eight seed and number seven seed. That’s true. Well, and they still they were still a seven seed last year. Father said, right? Yeah, but they were so they had the mid-season um you know, trade happened last year and well meltdown, but yeah, but also the I think a lot of it because of the trade, right? Um, but you know, they’re coming in with the off seasonason together. Casper’s uh Yaken Chunis, I mean, he might be from Illinois a real deal rookie, man. Um, six point guard. Yeah. And and you know, say what you want about Tyler Herro, but the guy’s the guy’s a walking bucket. You know, Andrew Wiggins is still a solid defender. You know, he’s he’s, you know, he’s definitely taking a step back from his, you know, best days in in Golden State, but and then the guy Nicole Yoic, not Yic, Yoic. Yeah, Yoic. You know, he’s an upandcomer. You know, Bam. I I don’t like 610 centers, but how many wins are they? So, he’s a 6104. How many wins do they get next year? I think they’re getting 50 wins. Yeah, they’re going to be a playoff team. I I think No doubt, man. I I think the Heat are going to be the surprise team of the of the East this year. Okay. Miami won 37 games last year and and they still made the seventh seed. You’re going to say they’re going to do a plus 13, I think. So, the East is taking a step back. One of those team on that cuz that is not happening. One of those teams that’s not taking a step back is my Atlanta Hawks who picked up the Unicorn Porzingis stays healthy or not, whatever. They already had a good starting center. And Nikquille Alexander Walker, they got Jaylen Johnson. They got the French dude who they drafted uh really high the year before. They got the lock down Daniels. Daniels. Yeah. Trey Young. They picked up Luke Canard. This is a tough team. Johnson, they got a lot of length beside Trey. And that’s exactly what I was gonna say. They they finally they finally did what they’ve needed to do this whole time around Trey Young. Surround him with dudes who are long and can play defense to make up for his inefficiencies, right? Cuz he’s never going to be a good defender. Now, I’ll give it to Trey like he actually tries. He just can’t do it, right? Like it’s not like he’s out there like not trying. He is not a good defender. But you surround him with Daniels, Risha Shay, Jaylen Johnson, Chris. I mean, that’s one of the longest. Yeah, that’s one of the longest teams in the NBA, man. Like, that is is wild. And Trace never played with a team like this. They got a chance to I’m going to say this, okay, the Heat and the Hawks have a chance to be the surprise team of the East right now. What does surprise team mean? Give us a number. The Hawks could win 60 games and be like the the top one or two seed in the East next year. Whoa. Yeah. Damn. He must have took that bong rip, Chris. Cuz this smoke wins, Junior. Clearheaded right now, man. I’m right. 60 wins. Because of the East, though. Because of the East, though, bro. 60 wins is a lot of wins. Okay. Hey, Junior. Jordan’s Bulls. Junior. Who wins more games? 60 wins all the time. Who wins more games, the Hawks or the Lakers? I think the Hawks win more games than the Lakers. I love that. I love that. We’re going to be watching that scoreboard all year. Good thing we got this [ __ ] saved and about to be published on We got receipts here. Definitely coming back and watching this motherfucker’s point. Look at what’s underneath of them. Okay. Chicago doormat. Josh Giddy is not going to lead you anywhere. No. Toronto. Look, let’s let’s go back to this 60 real quick. Chris, they only won 40 last year. How many teams have gone up plus 20? I don’t care. I’m not going about I’m not History is history. But we’re looking at this circumstance right here. The players that they added and the development that they’ve had and then the rest of the conference, Chicago, Toronto, Brooklyn, Philadelphia is going to be trash. Charlotte, Washington, those are all that’s four wins times. How can you eight? How can you skip over Philly that that easily though, man? Because Paul George is hurt. The big Mafaka is going to be hurt. Maxi, is Maxi back? Yeah. I mean, they’re Edcom is not going to lead them to the playoffs. Maxi’s got depends on just depends, baby. If they’re healthy, they can still make the playoffs in the East, guys. Like, let’s let’s not They not I’m trying to make your point for you. I know, but like I’m just saying like that’s one team that I don’t agree with there. Here’s the thing. Here’s the thing about Atlanta. I think they got a they got a good young roster with leadership. They got obviously the longest wings and the length. They got a great coach in the NBA. You know, they got a good coach. Quinn Snider’s there, right? Mhm. You know, I think Quinn runs a good program. And I think Trey pissed off with the whole back and forth with Pat Beth. Yep, he is. You know, being snubbed from the All-Star game and Trey’s tired of not winning, man. Tra like you see how nice he was last year. Take him out of uh conference finals as Dame. Yeah. You know these so to speak best players in NBA. He signed to Jordan Brand. So, you know, hopefully he can, you know, take flight. Yeah. Okay. 60 is probably wild, y’all. But whatever. We we we got a show. We got hot takes, bro. Hold me to it. Okay. We can talk we can talk about how trash I am at the end of the season. Okay. Like whatever, man. But just come on. Come on. 60 wins. If you say 52, okay, but 60, that’s plus 20. That’s it’s unlikely. You’re right. I don’t think we need to talk about Toronto, Brooklyn, Charlotte, or Washington. But we did skip a team in the West. My bad. And the only thing to say, Washington, they got Jordan Pool, CJ. You’re talking about No, the the the New Orleans. No, New Orleans has That’s what I’m saying. We skipped we skipped New Or I skipped New Orleans and the West and the only thing to talk about there is Skinny Zion. Skinny Zion. But they got Jordan Pool. They got Devonte Murray. He’s back from Achilles. Like you never know how that’s gonna go with the Achilles. And he his game is predicated on that athleticism. So we’ll we’ll see on that. So is that another West? No. No, I don’t think so, man. I don’t think they’re serious. The West is 10 times better than the East. Like, can we just can we can we just put that out there? And that’s the only reason why like Atlanta’s got a chance to win 60 games, man. because the East is just not it, bro. It’s not it. I want to look at their Hey, let’s let’s pull up their schedule one of these days and go through game by game. Count up the 60. Okay. All right, Mike Francesca. That’s a win. That’s a loss. Hey, the Miami 0 and5 in preseason, bro. So, by y’all preseason, that don’t matter. So, but that is funny that they’re in preseason. It’s Well, you just said Miamiy’s winning 50 games and they won 37. So, okay. I know. Well, the Spurs saying one summer league, they’re going to be good. The Spurs are undefeated and so are the Bucks right now in preseason. So, you know, whatever. For what it’s worth. Okay. It’s not worth anything, but thank you for the info. I’ll take I should be in the NBA, too. Okay. Oh, wait. The the Lakers are 4-0, too, JD. I’m still Hey, your take of the Hawks having more wins than the Lakers. I love that. Okay. Let’s Let’s end on this. Who is your MVP prediction, Jatano? Well, if Shay comes out and does Shay like things, regardless of how Jokic looked last year and his numbers, it’s it’s is Shay’s uh trophy to win uh back to back, especially especially if they’re getting 65 wins and they’re the number one seed and he’s averaging 30 points and five and five. Yeah, that’s tough. That’s tough to argue against. And I like that. Um, the lukewarm take. Um, way to go out on a limb. Junior is yours. Please tell me it’s Trey Young. Oh, bro. Trey Trey Young can’t be the MVP. They win 60 games. I mean, come on. That’s how it goes hand in hand. I doubt it. It’s got to be Victor Womenyama as a favorite for the MVP this year. There you go. And you know what he has working against him is his is his age. Yeah. Yeah. I’m a Spurs fan, but like it’s not like this is a ridiculous take. What he has working against him is his age. Okay. Um, you know, not too many people in their early 20s have won MVP if if at all. Right. Derek Rose, for whatever reason, he was in his mid20s, though. Um, for whatever reason. Yeah. I mean, oh, he was 23 when he won it. Yeah. So, Wimby’s going to be 22 this year. Um, maybe 23 in in the season. So, it can happen. But I mean, if he puts up 27 a game, four four blocks a game, 12, it can go 2712 and five assists, four blocks. I don’t think he averages more than 22 this year. Put that down. Well, he averaged more than that last year, so I don’t know why he wouldn’t average because he’s got more people. Yeah, but he’s got Fox. He’s more efficient though this year. He’s going to be, you know, he’s going to be more efficient this year, and that’s going to be a big piece of it. He’s going to play more minutes. So he he he trained in the offseason to be able to play more minutes. That’s what his goal is cuz he only played 30 minutes a game like in his career, man. So he averaged 24 um playing 33 minutes. Okay. So not bad, but I mean he averaged 11 rebounds, almost four assists, a steal, four blocks a game. Um and he only averaged. That’s not a ridiculous jump. It’s not. It’s not. They have to be in the top. They have to be a top four team. That’s the thing. That’s the thing, Chris. If they make the jump as a team, he’s got the chance. If not, they’re just going to look at him as a as a as a stat filler and not have a chance, but he should be in the running regardless. How about you, Chris? Not one that I like to make, but I don’t want to go with a Shay or a Jokic. So, I’m going to go with Jaylen Brunson. The Knicks are going to win the East, and he’s going to be their best player. He finished as Mr. Playoff last year. Everybody was on his jock for his playoff performance carrying that team last year. Well, he won this year of the year, right? He won the clutch player of the year. I think it’s he’s just going to continue to ascend and be more comfortable being a star if his ankles can stay intact. Okay, so we should I want to stump the JD on this one. Has any player like under six feet tall or like six under six? Okay, so Jaylen Brun is listed at 6’2. We all know he’s not 6’2, but is any player 6’1 or under one MVP, man? Like, real talk. Like, yes. Um, I know the name of I Well, there’s AI, but I’m I’m going way back, you know. Probably want Yeah. Yeah. It can’t It can’t be Yeah, it can’t be very many players. So, like Chris, I I like to take It would be uh you know, it’s it’s definitely a long shot just because you don’t see that that type of player win an MVP much. All right, my dudes. It’s been real NBA preview show. Appreciate you in the books. In the books. See you guys on the hardwood when the season counts, not the preseason. And uh we’re going to have a continuous conversation of looking at the wins between the Atlanta Hawks and the Los Angeles Lakers. Can’t wait for it. Hey, be good y’all. Go Spurs go. Ace.