#37 NBA Overs and Unders: Western Conference

Episode Transcript
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(00:01):
What is going on, everybody? Welcome to Part 2 of the Huddle
Within podcast. We're doing the Western
Conference of the Over and Unders.
We're back here on a Tuesday morning and a Tuesday night here
in Melbourne just before tomorrow's opening NBA season.
We obviously had the Eastern Conference recorded yesterday.

(00:22):
That should be released Wednesday morning.
This one we're hoping to releasealso Wednesday night as well, so
we can have both parts there. I'm back with Kenny.
It's 6:00 AM, almost there, so abit more of a respectable time
for him. Yeah, almost.
Almost 7 Oh yeah, getting my time's wrong, but close enough.
And then obviously Nathan Campbell as well back on the pod

(00:44):
as well. I think the most excited to talk
all things W because we'll be discussing is Portland Trail
Blazers as well. And I think we'll mention just
the blazes on the new deals. You're happy with them shading
Sharp four years, 90 mil, Kamara4 years 82 mil.
That's probably the latest extensions wrapped up.
We also had the Naysmith 40 years, 2 million dollar, 40

(01:04):
million two year deal done as well after we recorded the plot
as well for Aaron Naysmith. So those are the three latest
contracts. They're feeling good about that.
Man, I love the deals. I reckon they've done well.
Pretty team friendly in my opinion.
So man, they're making moves andI'd love to see it.
Should we start with them today,do you reckon?
Why not start for bang? Why not?

(01:27):
Let's do it, Let's do it. All right?
We got the Blazers 36 wins last year.
We've taken notes down of the wins.
We didn't do that in the EasternConference 1.
So we thought we'd probably takedown the wins last year to make
it a bit of a reference point and you guys can follow on the
over and under just to determinewhether you like it or not if
you are listening. So their line is just about

(01:48):
that. So they are sitting at 35 1/2
wins out there. So that is a pretty tasty one.
But Nathan, I'll leave it for the floor of you to to get
started on this one. Man, I, I, I think they're
definitely hitting the overs this year and I think it just
comes down to the natural progression of the young guys
that they have in the roster. I love what I'm saying from

(02:10):
Sharp. I reckon he's got a massive lead
coming this year, that third four season type of player that
just can take elevate his game. And, you know, it was really
always down to him not getting minutes in college, you know,
being injured and having a few injuries in the NBA.
And you see the way he plays andhe's got that star potential, in
my opinion, could score 3 all three levels.

(02:33):
And yeah, just the other young guys in the team, just Kamara we
have and Danny Avia coming from your Wizards and even clinging
coming into the squad who lookedto be a really solid rim
protector. And everything that they've done
just points to an identity. And it was something that we're
lacking in the past. But it looks like they're trying

(02:54):
to play fast. They're trying to be dogs on
defence. And I know Coach Phillips was
saying, you know, we want to be that team that no one wants to
play. And I think the second half of
last season, they really showed that with their defensive
numbers, top ten in the league, something crazy, maybe 6 or
something like that. And I was listening to something
or some podcasts and I was saying that only like 3 or 4 NBA

(03:17):
teams running that defence for the whole year that ranking have
haven't made playoffs. So look, it's it's a big, big
ask to go from, you know, out ofout of the playoffs to jumping
straight in. I definitely think a play in is
probably where they're looking at.
But yeah, even having veteran presence with, say, Holiday

(03:40):
coming in, who's a bona fide AllStar champion and even just
having damed them for the vibes,he'll be there.
He'll be coaching even though he's not playing.
I think it adds a lot. And yeah, I almost forget that
we have Scoot Henderson as well,and he's still got potential.
I'm not too sure how fear with him being in the same squad with
Damon Holiday, but if he pops off, which I think he definitely

(04:04):
has potential, Yeah. I just think it's only up for
them. And yeah, I guess last thing I
can't, can't miss on Yang Hanson.
He looks, he looks crazy. And I don't know what you guys
think, but I was telling you, I was obviously we spoke about it
then and you know, I wasn't happy at the time with the pic,

(04:25):
but just watching his highlightsand some of the things he does,
I'm really sold on it. And I don't know if I'm deluded
or I don't know what it is, but he's a highlight package.
I'm the all rooting for him though, we're all rooting for
him deep down. We want to see the seven foot
centre from China, Yao Ming 2.0.Just ball out like I think in

(04:46):
terms of minutes, that's probably going to be the
struggle for him. Can he be able to stay on the
floor and held out his own defensively?
That's the question that I have in his rookie year.
But I think we're going to see alot of flashes and highlights
that is going to make him simplyexciting, even if it is for 10
to 15 minutes. Look, and to add there as well,

(05:06):
he may not be the best defensiveplayer, but the line UPS that
Poland are going to be putting out of Kamaraj Grant, you know,
Drew Holiday fireball, even Danielle via they can all defend
and he can clearly be a connector.
He's some guy that can break scream.
He can pick and pop and even in his limited minutes and pre

(05:28):
season, he was getting multiple blocks, getting 10 points,
couple of rebounds and the coachhas even said that Klingon is
not going to be a 30 minute a night guy.
He's just too big to be moving like that, similar to like a
Zubach. So there's going to be minutes
on the floor for him and he's going to have a chance to earn

(05:48):
it. So yeah, I would say that there
will be a world carved out for him for sure.
I'm going to, I'm going to slam the overs on this one, too.
I think this is probably like one of my yeah, I am I I'm
really high on this Portland team.
I agree with everything you guysare saying.
I think defensively their identity is going to be kind of

(06:09):
like continued from last year. And I think it could even be
better with the guys like shading coming back better.
You know, a whole offseason of some of these young guys
building up, maybe getting stronger in the gym, you know,
building up their skills even offensively to like, I think
Kamara might come in and be morepolished offensively.
And he's a big part of what theydo, which is why I think the the
contracts they got for him and Shading were like, come on.

(06:31):
Very good contracts. I love what they're doing in
Poland. And understanding and
understanding, knowing, like if you understand the cap at all,
is like the cap is going to keepgoing up.
Like there's going to be a constant increase for it as time
goes on. And to know that usually that
means the part of the salaries are going to go up like
everything else, right? Usually when you inflate that
stuff, the salaries go up. So you're thinking like, oh,
these guys are going to get like4 years, 150 million, a 120

(06:52):
million. They got 90 million, $80 million
contracts for four years like Team Friendly's on like 22 year
old. Deals.
Very friendly deals. So yeah, the front office is
really cooking over there in Portland.
I'm really excited to see how they do.
My biggest thing is just as longas they're guys can stay
healthy, like Abdiya, I think Denny is going to have a big
jump this year and he's going toshow he could be a play making

(07:14):
guy like average like 5-6 assists a game.
You know, at the at the wing, belike a point forward for them
where like, you know, when Drew comes out or you know, when Dame
eventually gets healthy and comes in the game or scoop, he's
going to be able to come in and run the offence for guys and
maybe run even bigger lines likeGrant Kamara, Denny at the point
you've run young, you keep on Yang Hanson at the four with the
clinging like crazy, crazy line UPS.

(07:36):
There's going to be so much and Chauncey.
This is going to be a big year for Chauncey in my opinion
because obviously, you know, since he's come in, it's been a
little bit of up and down between.
When he first came in, they werelike with Dame and then they
came into this rebuild and now this is kind of like the uptrend
now where you want to see Chauncey really show how how
good of a coach he is. I thought he was going to, I
thought he was. So I was thought he was going to
actually not continue with the Blazers.

(07:58):
But it seemed that the the players really were rooting for
Chauncey and he's going to get an opportunity got resigned for
this season. And yeah, the players love
playing around him. So I think that's a bonus.
And that's a big plus when your boys and your team backs up the
coach, they're not quick to to let him down and when gone.
So that's a big plus for me. I think that, yeah, that's

(08:18):
probably the big outtake that I got from Janti.
It's good to see that he has another.
Usually have the back in when you have the back in the locker
room like that only shows in theresults usually because then
teams are bought in, they buy into your system and it like you
can see in the second half of last year, everyone thought they
were just going to throw in the towel, just tank the rest of the
year and be like a bad team and then just try to get a high
pick. They ended up like pretty much

(08:39):
competing the entire rest of thesecond half of the year.
They were like a top. They were like a they were over
500 by 10 games at some point. I think they were like 23 and 14
at one point in the second half of the year.
And it was like something crazy and it was like what?
How is this team doing so well? And then you look at the
defensive stats. I was like, wow, this team
really levelled up. So I'm excited for them.
I think they'll be very good if they continue that level of play

(09:00):
and if everybody pans out, shadethem balls out, Danny balls out.
You got clinging coming back second year.
Even a guy like Rob Williams is bid for them.
If they could get him back for afull time, full time, a full
season or at least majority of it, I think they'll they'll be
easily. I think like you said, a playing
team because obviously 45 wins in the West is kind of tough.
You don't. That's not even a guarantee
playoff spot sometimes. Yeah, it's.

(09:21):
Funny, I think they'll definitely get over that win
line of 36. I I, I personally think they're
like a play a borderline playoffteam at the best, and I think
they can even be better. You know, they proved me wrong
with that. That's great.
But they're definitely my leaguepass team for sure.
Like if I was going to watch anyteam, they'd probably be my
number one team. Yes Sir, love that.
This one, this one's a tough onefor me because I look at the

(09:44):
West and I think it's super stacked and I'm thinking can
they really surpass last year's success?
I know that obviously a whole nother year of this team and
that going back of that identity, it looks good.
So for that alone I will take the over.
But honestly, I'm not confident about it because of how deep the
the West is. But both of you, there's not

(10:05):
really much to say and add on. You've made really good points.
I love what the Trail Blazers have done with these new
contracts getting in young Hanson.
I'm a massive fan and I'm reallyrooting for him.
Danny, former wizard, also on myfantasy team.
So I'm hoping he he becomes elite and can average at least
40 fantasy points for me and be their main sort of offence.
But the struggle for me that I see is are they going to be able

(10:29):
to generate a consistent offenceto get themselves to get 36
wins? That's a big question.
But again, I think the defensivestats just puts me over slightly
though I don't think they hit forty wins.
I think that they'll be competitive in a lot of games.
I just think that the offence needs a lot of work, especially

(10:50):
on the shooting side. It will help when Scoot comes
back in. He's going to have that veteran
sort of presence with with Drew Holiday and also Dame Lillard
mentoring him. So I think that's going to help
big time, but I think they're definitely missing some offence
on this, on this part. Jeremy Grant needs to go.
I think we all can agree on that.
I think that's someone that's just dead weight and I think a

(11:12):
move for him would be the best for the organisation.
Maybe bringing someone and taking the swing on a play out
that is probably slightly overpaid but can provide a
scoring punch. We spoke about Kobe Wyatt on the
on the Eastern Conference. They could be traded to a
competing team for a six man. Would I like to see Kobe Wyatt
in the team at the Portland Trail Blazers?
I don't know. But I think it's something

(11:33):
that's captivating and pretty interesting and I think the the
contracts would work. I know you're not in your head,
don't like it, but I'm thinking where the offence is going to
come from because. There is.
I've seen those. CJ McCollum, Dame Lilled, Norman
Powell starting three. I don't want none of that.
I mean, we had Anthony Simon, that small guard that just

(11:54):
shoots and don't defend. That ain't that ain't Portland
anymore. They've gone another direction.
And like you said, this team hasbuilt an identity which doesn't
include that The type of player we would need is someone that
fits in like a Aaron Gordon, that type of prototype.
Even like we were saying the other day, Laurie Markham, not
not to say that this will be theseason we would go for a player

(12:16):
like that. I definitely think this year is
more a foundation builder. You consolidate what you have,
you have your picks and then youget rid of some dead weight next
season. You know the, you know, the
fireballs, the Rob Williams Damecomes back and that's when you
really go for it. So yeah, I definitely think the
offence is probably the biggest issue with this team.

(12:37):
But I wouldn't be throwing in your hat into the ring for like
a Kobe Bryant at this stage. Just run the young guys and see
what happens. I would think more just to get
rid of Jeremy Grant to do it rather than actually like
thinking that Kobe White's goingto answer any problems.
Yeah, yeah. Very true, Very true, I think.
Yeah, I just. I'm going over, but I'm not
confident about it. I'll be honest just because of

(12:58):
the offence. But the defence could prove me
wrong there. But we'll move on.
We'll go to the Utah Jazz. They're sitting at 19 1/2, the
worst record in the NBA last year.
Seventeen wins. Shocking.
Purposefully tanking, holding a lot of players ransom,
especially Laurie Marking and who we've spoke a lot about on

(13:20):
both pods. And yeah, I'm I'm taking the
under on this one. Like I think they've already
lost a lot of players that they had last season that could have
got them a lot of wins, especially Jordan Clarkson, who
has got that scoring. I think they tank again.
I think Danny Ainge knows what he's doing.
He understands the process rightnow and they're clearly the
worst team in the NBA and it's not even close.

(13:42):
And especially with the Western Conference, I think they could
even go to like 15 wins. It's that bad because for me,
the only people that really excite me is obviously Ace
Bailey as a rookie. And I still am holding on to my
Kiante George stock. But I think I'll sell if he
doesn't do anything this season.But he's someone that I think
you can provide them a bit of scoring touch and and give them

(14:04):
some production. But everyone else is kind of
just waving there like I like some of their players as I calls
as I Collier Brian Sensible. They're nice, but they're not
anything that suggests that they're going to blow the roof
off their stadium. Like I'm going to clear under on
this one. I think they want to set up for
another top three pick and they've got other picks moving

(14:25):
forward and they're definitely going to move off lower
marketing in January. I'm going to just I think this
is under as well potentially, but if they were to go over, I
would say it's like by a win. Like I don't think they're going
to win more than 20 games this year.
I think they're like borderline like like I, I think I would
probably have them better than the Nets right now,

(14:46):
surprisingly, just because of marketing and I think marketing
by himself will get them probably some wins in the
beginning of the year. But like if he pops off for some
games, but like, you know, one thing to keep an eye on with
them is they didn't extend Walker Kessler.
That's another guy, another one of those young guys that were
supposed to get an extension didn't get an extension.
So like, what are they going to do with him?
Is he also going? To go on like January.
Yeah, for sure. I think he might be gone.

(15:07):
I think you talking about if he's gone, Walker Cuss was gone,
you got Lori gone, all these guys gone, then I think you're
really looking at a depleted roster there that like is just
really Ace, Bailey, Kiante, George, you know some other
young talent that they have Taylor.
Hendrix Azai Kaluga Hendrix 2 I think Hendrix could be Is he
back from that crazy injury? Yeah, I think he has been.

(15:30):
Yeah, I. Think he's back yeah.
So he'll he'll be back. I think that's maybe if, if now
he'll be back probably very soon, but.
They've got Jalen's brother as well on flip.
Yeah, yeah, Flip two, I'm gonna,I'm gonna take the under here.
I I think it's like very close, but I think the under here is
good. I think they'll be like 1817
wins, if not just that 19 mark. I don't think they're going to

(15:51):
be good at all. So yeah, I'll say they're like,
I'll say under. Yeah, I, I what you're saying,
Kenny, is like, if they get rid of any more pieces, what,
they're just restarting the rebuild again because I think
they're just lacking so much quality, even quality young
players. I know you're high on George and

(16:13):
Collier Daniel, but I don't really see it.
And you know, I still think there needs work done there at
the point guard, the shooting guard.
Obviously Ace Bailey's going to come in.
Hendrix looks OK. But yeah, if Lori's gone, you
they really need it. Net some young guy, take a flyer
on him because yeah, there's really not too much going on

(16:34):
there. So I'm probably smashing the
unders there as well. Hurricane around the 17 mark
again, same as last season. But I really wouldn't be
surprised if they had this. Watch out for Walter Clayton
Junior, I will say as a rookie to come and provide some garden.
He's definitely a good watch piece for sure because he looks
like he can really shoot the ball and I've been to shoot if

(16:57):
he could turn into like their version.
Like obviously he's not going tobe Steph Curry, but you know
what I mean? Like that kind of archetype
where he could shoot the lights out, create plays with his shot
making ability. He can be really good for them.
I think. I think just watching guys like
him and Ace Bailey this year aregoing to be the big keys.
Because if you could have two guys right there that you say,
OK, like we have two guys have star potential or really high
potential, you kind of go forward and said, OK, we could

(17:19):
build with this, add another draught pick next year.
And then you kind of take it from there, you know?
But, you know, having a guy likeAce Bailey want to see what he
does this year. And I think it's just going to
be one of those things where he's going to shoot like 2530
shots a game, maybe like averagelike 20 points a game off that.
Try to get himself a Rookie of the year, try to get a feel of
the game just because of all from just the fact of like the

(17:40):
lack of town on the roster. So yeah, it's going to be like a
really bad season for them. Yeah for sure, I think it's a
lot of learnings for them but screw them anyway.
They purposely tanked last year was actually a joke how bad they
tanked. They tanked worse than us.
And like if they if they do it again, there's going to be some
investigation there. There has to be a stop on it
because like, it's not good. And they go what they deserve.

(18:02):
They got a freaking 5th pick. Ace Bailey is good.
But yeah, they're probably goingto do that again, I reckon.
I suspect we'll move on. We'll go to a competing team and
that is the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Last year they had 49 wins. They're sitting at 49 1/2 on
their line at the moment, which is quite tasty.
I would have to say back to backWestern Conference finals is no

(18:28):
state feat. Pretty impressive for a team
that has been built really well and they're well coached as
well. I think Chris Finch is one of
the best coaches in the NBA. The stuff that he's done with
the Timberwolves, he's very impressive.
I think that losing the kill Alexander Walker is going to be
a big loss for them. They do have young players that
can probably handle the load in Terence Shannon, Junior and

(18:50):
Jalen Clark, who I think are very solid defenders.
Will we see more minutes for RobDillingham?
I don't know either. I think it's time that they're
probably going to rush him to that because I think that Mike
Conley doesn't have any how manyyears left for their so I think
some guard play for Rob Dillingham might come in, but
not sure if he's he's entirely ready yet.

(19:11):
But I'll leave the floor a few guys to start with your unders
and overs before I get to my side in my opinion.
I'll start off, I think it's going to, I'm going to take the
under here. I think that I think they're
going to they're going to have alot of growing pains, I think to
start the year. I think I think aunt and Julius

(19:33):
will be fine. Obviously Rudy, those guys, they
have McDaniels still. Their point guard situation,
though, I think they're going tobe running Dante at the point
and that's going to be a little bit different than what they've
had previously. Like Dante's not a natural point
guard. He's more of a two.
He can run point, but he's not apoint guard, if that makes
sense. You know what I mean?
Like Mike was more of a natural guard and I agree they're going
to end up elevating Dillingham, Terence, Terence Shannon junior

(19:55):
up a little bit to give them some minutes because they're
going to need it because they lost last year.
I'm not a big believer in their team in the regular season as
much like especially in the West.
I think there's other teams in the West that I kind of like
better for the regular season. I'm not saying they're going to
fall to like 4544 wins, but I just think 40.
Like for them to get fifty wins,like, I don't know, I think it's

(20:17):
going to predicate a lot of things.
And in the West, I feel like it's a really tough like
conference to just say, OK, likeespecially with some of these
other teams that we're going to talk about, they're like on the
lower end of that, even though Istill think they are Western
Conference contender because again, Ant in the play offs
played really well. Julius last year showed he could
actually play really well in theplay offs too.
And it's going to come down to like how Dillingham, Terence

(20:39):
Shannon, Junior look for them intheir depth because I think the
starting line up is pretty self explanatory.
They'll be a good defensive lineup.
They'll have some good offensivemoments, but we kind of saw last
year there's a lot of growing pains there.
They had a lot of ups and downs.And I think there's going to be
a lot of that this year, more younger guys coming in the mix.
So I'm going to take the under here for this.
I know it might be a little controversial because again,

(20:59):
like everyone loves Minnesota. They think, you know, ants, you
know, an upcoming guy could be an MVP candidate this year if he
bowls out. But I'm going to take the under
here. I think they have a little bit
of a slight fall off from last year.
And yeah, that's that's kind of like how I see it.
Yeah, I'd probably echo this Unders for this one as well.
Like you were saying, the starting 5 is solid.

(21:21):
You know, you can swap in D for Tenzo Conley, but Conley's
getting old now, always got injuries.
And it looks like that team really does need just a natural
point guard there to space the four.
Set everyone up because we know and it's going to get his.
But yeah, it they've got a lot of young guys and there's
obviously upside with them, but with young guys, obviously they

(21:42):
make mistakes and in the regularseason they're going to get
they're going to get time to play, but you know, that may
result in some losses along the way.
I'm really interested to see what they do to actually upgrade
the squad. I feel that with Nas Reed and
his emergence and you know how impactful he's been, you know,
obviously he's been coming off the bench, but he could

(22:05):
definitely he definitely deserves a starting role.
And if they're going to move away from Gobert because of the
sign Baron J anyway, you know, maybe they can fill that cap and
get someone that's going to, youknow, be a wing that can score
for them or just just something to help the bench because it
looks really, really light at this stage.
So I really believe in the wolves when come regular

(22:26):
postseason because postseason they always lock in and they're
just dogs and you know, Edwards runs that squad and they're well
drilled seat belt as well. Yeah, the the the good guys
survive with, but regular seasonif they get one or two injuries
that may be struggling there. So yeah, I'm going to hit the
unders on this one. I'm taking the overs, boys.
I think that the the bench step may be young, but I think that

(22:50):
I've seen enough of Terence Shannon Junior and Jalen Clark
to fill the void of Nikhil Alexander Walker and I think
they're going to take their opportunities big time.
Yes, I'm not fully sold on theirguard play, but I think that
last season them getting 49 wins, despite how up and down
they were, is was no steep fee. And I don't think that those
issues will be the same given that Julius Randall locked up

(23:13):
and locked in in the playoffs aswell.
He also, if you did see stopped off, got off the weed as well.
So it looks like he's all lockedin.
We also got Rudy Gobert that wasnot playing Euro basket this
year. It's the first time in his
career he hasn't played Euro basket.
So I think he's going to be fresh alive.
And I think this team last year took him a long time to figure

(23:34):
out their line UPS, their rotation, what was working.
And now they've figured that outin the playoffs.
And I think they'll translate into the start of the season.
I'm very confident that actuallywill will go over and I'm
actually putting them in as a asa third seed.
I'm really actually keen on on what the Timberwolves would
provide. And it's another year of Anthony
Edwards in the league, which means that he's going to take
another step forward as well. Remember that Anthony Edwards is

(23:56):
probably an all first team NBA contender and is the future of
the league. The way that he goes about his
attitude and everything. And I think that's no state
feat. When you have someone that's
generational like Anthony Edwards, they'll always propel
you to hide that. Unimaginable when you saw that
with the conference finals, likeno one would have thought the
Timberwolves could ever make 2 conference finals.

(24:18):
And I think this year it's goingto be very important for them to
be in a good seeding position toget that.
Last year they got us the sixth seed.
That won't work this season. I think a third seed is what
they probably will aim for. They'll lock in and I think I'm
taking the overs on this one clear yeah to.
To add to that one, Chris Finch is a great coach, so he'll
figure it out I'm sure. And I just hope those young guys

(24:39):
get get a shot and Dillingham pops off because if the young
guys do pop off, like you said, they're probably an overs.
I think if the line was lower, I'd probably say over, but I
just think for 9 1/2, like I know again, like I the West is
so strong and I just not that I don't believe in them again.
I just more so think that like regular season, they'll have

(25:00):
their struggles here and there. And I think again, like they'll
have nagging injuries. Randall sometimes now misses
some time with some some type ofissues.
I think Rudy always in and out alot of sometimes too, where they
have some guys like you said. I'm excited to see Joan
Behringer though, too. I think he looked pretty good
and I think he's kind of shown flashes of being like a really
nice athletic big that could step in and kind of even be like

(25:21):
a new go bear for them if anything, you know?
So he led his he led his class in shot blocking.
So that's no state fee. So I mean, every time you hear
that stat, they end up coming inthe league and getting one or
two blocks a game. I feel so the same way.
Last year, the year before was Walker Kesla.
So yeah. And that's always that's always
valuable though, if you look at it like every time you see that,

(25:42):
that that those guys usually always panning out to be some
type of rotational pieces. Because if you could play some
defence in the paint, get some stops down there, it opens up a
lot for you on the perimeter to kind of play some better defence
because now you know, you have that back line anchor.
So, you know, having another guylike that, that could kind of
learn from Ruby too. I think that would be big for
his development this year. But again, I think I agree with

(26:03):
you. I'm not saying like, you know,
I'm not taking the over, but I do think a Galagan that was if
anybody could propel this team over 50 wins, it would be him.
So it makes sense. But I'm just going to take the
unders, just the strength of theWest.
But I I see where you're coming from.
Sweet. Well, we're starting good.
We've got the Clippers Next up and they're also sitting on 49

(26:23):
1/2 wins. And I think this is where the
differences are going to come inplay because I've put Minnesota
over, which means I have to put the Clippers under.
And the reason why I am putting the Los Angeles Clippers under
is because of, I guess, the age.Look, I love their roster.
Don't get me wrong. They've picked up some really
good players like John Collins and Brook Lopez.

(26:44):
Bradley Beal on that contract issomeone that's more respectable
than the contract he had before.And Chris Paul, I get it, their
team so and so has improved. However, I just don't think
they're going to be able to run with the Young Bucks and be able
to compete against teams where Ithink that they'll they'll they
should win and also teams that they definitely are better than

(27:05):
them at the moment. When it comes to seeding, I have
to put the under. I'm I'm sure that both of yous
are probably thinking over, but I as a presently concerned, I
don't think that they are betterthan the Minnesota Tim Wolves at
this point. So it's hard for me to justify
them getting 50 plus wins. I also think given the age, they
might prime to just keep a playoff spot and not push for

(27:29):
lots of wins and just make the playoffs.
And the biggest issue as well ontop of that is just this Kawhi
situation. If Kawhi 1 can be healthy and
two, he gets past these issues where I think these type of
issues, they may not on the surface look as bad and might be
direct to just one owner or not.But I feel like it can funnel
through and and and seep throughthe organisation as well.

(27:51):
So that's something to look at too and something that I've
considered when doing this sort of take.
But if Kawhi can be healthy, I'msure that I could be proven
wrong here. But I'm going to go off the
under on this one. Go for a kid.
I'm going to take the overs here.
I'm a big. I think Kawhi's going to come in
this year and look healthier. I think he looks.

(28:11):
I think from what I've heard from reports, he doesn't like
the health he's been in a coupleyears.
I think James Harden, I know he's older now, but I think he's
a natural floor raiser. And you saw last year where the
team really wasn't coming in andeveryone was like, oh, like the
Clippers are going to be a play.People probably ruling out the
Clippers last year and I thoughtI thought they were going to be
released pretty decent because again, I like James Harden.

(28:33):
I think Zubach is a great centreand they had some guys
rotational pieces. But now I feel like they're like
1011 deep where it's like I lookat their rost and I'm like, wow,
like John Collins is a big ad for them.
That's another guy that Utah lost.
I forgot about John Collins, a big ad for them.
He's going to add a lot of dynamic in their their front
court that they need with Derrick Jones junior also still
being there. They got Bradley Beal, who I

(28:54):
think, I think Brad Beal next toJames Harden with a real point
guard could show he could still be a good spot up shooter, get
some points average around 15, agood 1516 a game, right?
I think Zubach's going to have another big year.
I think he's a great defensive player, but also offensively
he's more polished than people want to like truly believe.
I think he's going to show that again this year.
Brook Lopez is a backup centre. I mean, that's awesome to have

(29:18):
as your backup big again. You're asking him now from going
from 30 minutes in Milwaukee next and they're like a more
depleted team to kind of just bea bat troll, rim protecting,
shooting big. Like that's so big.
I play for them too. Chris Dunn's coming back.
You got CP3, the vet. He's also a natural for Razor
sometimes just having him on thefloor.
I think he's going to be big. Just looking at this team bogey,

(29:39):
they got bogey there now. Like you look at their roster
and I just think they're so deep.
They have a lot of they address a lot of things like they could
shoot the ball, they could defend.
The only thing is, like you said, is their age.
So obviously health can be a concern, but I truly believe
Kawhi will be healthy for majority of this season and
maybe play at least 65 games. I think he'll be back to being
like old Kawhi, and that's why I'm going to believe in them.

(30:02):
I think they're around A54 win team this year.
Personally, I think they're going to be a top and I think
they're going to be a top three to four seed in the West
personally too. So I may that may be a hot take,
but I I truly believe in this team, especially in the regular
season playoffs. We'll see how they come into it.
But I think the regular season, you look at guys like Hardin,
naturally a great regular seasonplayer, Kawhi, you know,

(30:23):
obviously a good postseason player, but you know, he'll help
them get wins in the in the regular season.
Yeah, I just I just believe in this team a lot in the regular
season playoffs. I guess we'll see.
But regular season for sure. I think they're like a 5253 win
team minimum. Yeah, I'm, I'm probably I'm
probably echoing the same thing as you, Kenny, because I've got

(30:44):
a pencil in for that 405354 winsas well.
I'm smashing the overs on them as well.
I just really like how they've put together this roster.
Obviously they've gone all in. They have no young guys, so you
know, they're not going to be pushing pace, but we know how
steady hardened CP3 can be. And I really think having Bill

(31:04):
in from training camp, he's going to acclimate to the squad.
He's going to play his role. And you know, Dan, the best
version of Bill is a role playing Bill 3 and they can
shoot, not doing too much on theball.
And I think with age or how it went in Phoenix, he's probably
come to realise that, you know, maybe that's the best chance of
winning. He's got his money, doesn't need
to do anything crazy now. So yeah, I really, I really like

(31:27):
what they put together. And I, I know he didn't name
John Nicholas Batum. I know he's old, but he's still
such a good glue guy. I.
Like him, he's a leader. And he just seems to, he just
seems to be that glue guy that can shoot to the fan.
He's that leader in the locker room.
And, you know, they're no short.They're not sure of leaders in
the locker room. Yeah.

(31:49):
Even just having John Collins dare to be a rotational centre,
who can, you know, be that more athletic type of defender when
Zoo Batcher, Brooklyn Pears, Antona, they they got that
versatility in their lineup. And yeah, I'm smashing.
I'm smashing the overs on this one.
I really love what they've done.This this team gives me a lot of
this team gives me a lot of all business, no, like games kind of

(32:11):
vibes. Like they come, they're coming
in this year locked in. I think a lot of those guys are
hungry, especially the guy like Brad Beal who came from Phoenix,
which was like a clown, like again, like a clown show kind of
run last few years, right, with their owner kind of being all
over the media. And then, you know, KD always
having something going going on.And then, you know, again, him
and book were kind of just trying to play ball.
And it feels like, you know, at the end of the day, deal was

(32:33):
also never fully healthy dealingwith stuff.
So I'm curious to see how that plays out.
But again, I think again, I think the age is obviously
concerned. I think it's more concerned for
the postseason though. I think regular season these
guys are going to ball. I think the ball they'll ball
out regular season. Postseason is a big question for
me depending on match up, but regular season, you know,
they're going to, they're going to put up some, they're going to

(32:54):
have some highlights. Man, this team is going to be
really fun to watch. I think they have to though.
This is like the their last goalof it, I think.
Yeah, I agree. That's just been a disaster
class for me since the trade andjust since being the Clippers.
Like, I don't like the Lakers. I've made that very clear.
But this truly is the baby, the baby team of LA, and they've
proven that they haven't won a championship.

(33:15):
Their organisation hasn't shown me anything besides maybe that
Western Conference finals. And I know this is not the
playoffs, it's a regular season,but there's a lot of egos.
I just, I just don't trust it. But I can see the the case,
especially given their team and lineup.
And I think the one thing that we probably all forget to
mention is that Tyler is coaching his team as well.

(33:35):
And I think he's a very, very good coach.
So, yeah, it's hard for me to argue it.
And as much as I want to, it's, it's a, you've made some very
good points, but I'm still taking the under on this one.
We will move on to the Houston Rockets.
They're at 52 1/2 and last season they got 52 wins.
We'll start with Nathan on this one, just to give us a bit of a

(33:58):
lapse on this one. I think 52 wins last season and
now adding Kevin Durant and obviously Dorian, Finney Smith,
some few other acquisitions. Be interested to hear your take.
Like like I said in, you know, the previous episode, I really
like what they've done for theirroster getting KD has it's going
to address the issues scoring inthe front court and even in the

(34:21):
half court offence, because they're really lacking that in
the playoffs. And we've seen that the struggle
shooting really, really impactedthem.
But yeah, with the with the Rockets, it's it's a funny one.
Now that from Fred Vanley is out, he's clearly a guy that's
got championship pretty great. He handles a rock.
He can shoot, he can play make. So obviously it's a big step in

(34:42):
fame and Thompson, who looks to be a bona fide star in the
making, you know, got that length can to defend.
But it it's hard to say because 52 wins is a lot.
And I think all of us think all of us last season thought damn.
And they took a big step and usually it's a first.
It's one of those first season wonders hit you early and you

(35:03):
know, the next season you're just wondering.
I don't know if they can really hit 52 again.
So I've got to ride on 52. So I'm taking the unders just
slightly because I think there'sgoing to be growing pains with
the squad as well, working out their rotation, how everything
works together. Katie's not going to play every
game there as well. I like what they've done in the
centre position, they've got thedepth.

(35:24):
But yeah, I just really interested to see how Reed
Shepherd pops because he looks to be a great player.
He can shoot, he can dribble. He just needs opportunity.
And if he starts popping then yeah, I'm sure they can get to
round at 5253 mark. But yeah, I think this team will
be prime for playoffs, but I reckon they'll be just some
rotational things early. I'm I'm very, I'm very high on

(35:49):
this team. I'm very high on them.
I think they'll probably be a top two seed in the West, maybe
like I think Denver's in that tier list to rig right there.
But I have a few teams I have asfifty wins plus teams, and this
is definitely one of them. I think they'll be a near.
I think they can even get close to 60 wins.
I just think I love Sangoon. I think Sangoon is a big piece

(36:09):
of what they're going to be thisyear.
He's going to have AI think reach Shepard is going to have a
bigger jump to this year and be a play making guard for them.
I think he's going to step into the role nicely, be a great
shooter score for them, but alsobe able to play make a little
bit and he showed he's even for his size.
He's a good defender. He could play some defence,
which is good. He's active in the passing
lanes. I'm more so just curious to see

(36:31):
the line UPS because like you seen, I, I don't know if I think
the the line up got released already, but the line up the
running tomorrow is so big. It's going to be I'm in at the
point. Katy at the two, Jabbar is the
junior at the three, Sangun at the four Steven Imams at the
five. Like that's a that's a six 8 + a
lineup right there. 6/9 plus lineup going against OKC, which
is going to be very, very exciting to watch, I think,

(36:52):
because you're going to see likethe defensive versatility these
guys could have. And you're not even talking
about Taurisin yet, right? I just think this team is going
to take that leap into like I think Eme Odoko such I think he
might be the best coach in the game.
Personally, I think he might be just because he the way he's
able to elevate talent, able to figure out situations, make his
teams kind of like always a top like every team he's been on I

(37:14):
think has been an elite defensively at some point in
time and I think this team is going to be elite defensively
yet again. They have so much light and size
and you know you're not even talking about it.
There's I think that they also picked up Quinn Capella.
If he's healthy, he could be a great backup big for them like
they'll be. I think they're going to be
close. I think I'm going to slam the
overs here. I think they might be close to
5657 wins. I just I just again, he's a

(37:38):
friend. They have lead misses with
stopping me from putting them at60.
I think their line would have been much higher with Fred.
They have lead there, but I think reach Shepard's going to
come in and play really well forthem and I trust saying I I
think the lead from Sangoon is going to be the biggest thing
for me. He's going to be so good this
year. I think he's going to literally
look like another Yokich type player where it's like he's
getting triple doubles like consistently with Katie on the

(37:58):
team now or he's going to no, I I I think so, man.
I think he's going to be a stat sheet stuffer this year, dude.
I think he's going to be so good.
He looks so good at euro basket.His body type.
He's he's look at his body. He's jacked now, dude.
He got he's. Going to give him the bull
without a point guard. Yeah, he might.
He might. Take the bull.
He might have to be the point centre at times.

(38:20):
Man, he'll be big and you know, you look at the way he plays, I
think that's going to be the bigthing because Amin I think is
going to take the leap too and just be a better player.
But I think Sanguna is going to be the guy people aren't talking
about enough that's going to really show out this year.
This is a hard one because I've got the Timberwolves over for
myself. I think there are top three seed

(38:40):
this season. Then I have to think about the
Nuggets, the OKC Thunder, but I still think the Rockets in the
regular season, we'll have a better season win season than
probably, believe it or not, theNuggets.
So I'm going to go slightly overand I'll save that for the

(39:01):
Nuggets take and I'll explain that why after when we get to
the Nuggets. But I just think if you have 52
wins last season, you're adding Kevin Durant.
Obviously you're losing Fred Vanvleet.
It's Kevin Durant. Like at the end of the day, he's
going to he's going to win you games on his head.
He's just a bucket. They missed key clutch player in
those last five minutes throughout regular season and

(39:24):
playoffs and now they've added in one of the most clutch
scorers of all time and the greatest arguably one of the
greatest scorers of all time in Kevin Durant.
And I think that he's he loves to play.
He loves to play basketball. I think he likes being in Texas
as well with the tax free money too.
And their defensive versatility is going to be allow Kevin

(39:45):
Durant to just focus on the offensive side.
I'm obviously Kai on Sangun, notas high as you are Kenny with
some of those outrageous takes, I think with the the Yokich
stuff, but I think he will be very solid and I think he will
take a leap. I want to see if he's going to
get the ball as much as you think with Kevin Durant, but I

(40:05):
still think he'll be very serviceable.
Jabari Smith's on a good contract.
I'm expecting him to take a leapas well.
I'm hoping that that happens forhis sake too.
And I think that they're big players to bring in someone in
before the All Star break as well.
They've got players like Jay Sean, Tay Joshukogi, Aaron
Holiday and Tara Eason, as much as I love him, that are all very

(40:28):
serviceable assets that could bevery solid players on other
teams that they can attach a pickle to to to probably bring
someone in that can help them out.
I think that will get them over the line.
I think that they sit at their line exactly and get 53 wins
because I do think that they probably me up there and
fighting with the Tim Wolves maybe a bit more just to get

(40:49):
ahead of them. But I just feel as though that
one through 4 is going to be very competitive when it comes
to those wins. And I don't think anyone's going
to really crack the overs by a lot, especially on the other
lines. Maybe OK C, but the other three
definitely not. So that's why I'm taking the
over, but very slightly, just wanted to take a moment to thank
you guys for tuning into anotherepisode of the Huddle Within

(41:11):
podcast. If you do enjoy episodes like
this or this episode specifically, be sure to leave a
comment and a five star review wherever you do get your
podcast. It'd be also great if you could
like and subscribe wherever you do get your podcast so we can
continue to show this out to people that see sports exactly
the way that you do. But without further ado, let's

(41:32):
get straight back into it. All right, we're moving on to
the Phoenix Suns. They're sitting at a line of 30
and a half, 36 wins last season.They were obviously depleted.
They've signed on Devin Booker for 70 + 1,000,000 for 50 years,
which is crazy. That contract is is mile, but I

(41:54):
wouldn't be complaining if I wasDevin Booker 30 1/2.
I'm going to actually go over onthis one.
Believe it or not, I think that.That's crazy that. 31 is where
I'm thinking like, yes, they lose a lot of their players, but
I I can't, I don't think they'regoing to be as terrible as as
people think. I think because there are some

(42:16):
other teams there that are that are quite terrible under them.
And I think that Devin Booker still solid.
Jalen Green's got a lot to do. But yeah, I'm, I'm just going to
take the over for this one, to be honest.
You can't say that with a straight face.
Come on, Nathan. I saw.
I saw you. I saw you said something.
You said it was crazy. I don't think it's crazy at all.
Actually. I'm going to take the over 2 I

(42:38):
think anyway. I think it's good.
I think they'll get to 3435, butthis is a simple this just one
simple reason Dylan Brooks has not been on the team, hasn't
made the playoffs in like since his rookie year.
His he always elevates his teamsthat he's on.
His teams always end up being good when he's healthy.
Of course, like I think there was one season in Houston he
wasn't healthy and they didn't end up making it or they they

(43:00):
barely missed it. But he is a floor raiser.
Like he's a guy that comes in and and stills a culture that is
competitive teams that he's on. For some reason, even though I
don't and I don't think he's that great of AI think he's a
good player. I don't think he's like a great
player, but for some reason he just comes in and team just his
team around him just becomes like better.
They just get better. They become like more

(43:21):
competitive and I do think he brings a different type of
mindset than guys like a star like Katie Wood or even Brad
Deal. And I think Devin Booker now is
going to come into his own. I think he could even average
like 28 in like like 8 as a leading guard.
You know, I'm not saying they'regoing to be like some playoff
team. They might just.
I don't think they make the playoffs.
I don't think they like, I think35I I and honestly, I don't even

(43:44):
think they I I don't even think they they have any choice but to
compete because I don't even think they have their draught
picks, but 35 to 36 wins I thinkis is attainable for this team.
I think they have a lot of they have some depth.
I'm actually surprised they actually have some good depth
pieces. But I just for the Super reason
Dylan Brooks. Dylan Brooks is my guy.
I got to give I got to give it to him.

(44:04):
I think 35 wins. I didn't.
Laugh. I was laughing before because
the way Nathan was looking at meand I could have it was hard for
me to justify it. But I just there's there's not
really like logical reasons as to why I think they'll go over.
I just, there's just something that I have like this is an
inkling feeling that this team will just figure out a way to
just get at least 32 wins like. I think people are looking at

(44:27):
them training kidney and you'll think the betting lines are
probably saying I'll just take the unders.
But like realistically this could be the team that goes and
surprising everyone going over and it's like, wow, so many
people lost money taking the under on this.
I just think they're over team somehow.
Yeah, like if Portland, no disrespect that can get 36 wins
last year, not make the playoffsor play in, what's to say that

(44:48):
the Phoenix Suns can't do the same?
It's like what I'm getting AT, And I'm not saying that the
Portland player child Blazers aren't better than the Suns, but
I just think that. They still.
Have that experience through Devin Booker as well and I think
that a new team. And.
I'm not sold on German Green. I'm not sold on German Green.

(45:09):
I like Mark Williams, I like Royce O'Neill, I definitely like
Dylan Brooks. I think we're all here, Team
Brooks, all of us are big fans of him.
I love the way he approaches thegame.
I don't give a shit about his trash talking to all the
teammates. I think to stay in the league
and you've got to be a villain, you've got to be someone that's
locked in. And he's actually proved that
people glorified Pat Beverly forthe same thing.

(45:30):
So I think Dylan Brooks is in that same category.
So yeah. And I like Mother Watch.
I think he'll provide some good centre depth as well.
That's going to be very excitingas too.
And yeah, they've got some players that want to win.
They may not be as good in termsof depth wise as last year, but
I think they're going to be way more cohesive.
So I can't see them dropping sixwins, but I'm sitting at 32 wins

(45:51):
as a respective target. Man, I don't know how you guys
are so confident with this Suns team.
I mean if I was a Suns fan looking back.
You're making it act like we're saying though they're going to
make the playoffs, but like it'sonly 32 wins I'm asking for.
No. Actually, I'm 3349 they're like
at 33 and 49 team though at 33 wins, 49 losses, be like a 12

(46:15):
seed and that's it that that's like the over right there.
Yeah, that's. What I'm thinking?
Maybe I'm crazy, but I'm smashing the unders like I was
looking at 25 wins with this team and I know it sounds crazy
to you guys, but when you're looking at this depth chart,
it's just lacking. Like you've obviously got D
Book, We obviously know he's a buck.

(46:35):
He's going to get you 30, right?Double Booker.
You're not going to win a game with Jalen Green.
I'm sorry. He's not going to win any games.
Brooks. I love that guy, so I'm not
going to give any slander on him.
But then you're looking down thedepth chart.
You got Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neill, Brian Dunn and then all
the other depth is at centre andyou can only play one of them.
You've got Mark Williams, Richards, Iguodoro, Mullawatch,

(46:58):
like you can only play one of them.
It's crazy to me that last season they needed one centre
and the season they don't need and they get 4 like that.
That don't make sense to me. You know what I mean?
They're not they're not a great run organisation.
I'll I'll say that, but they're just, I think just just Devin
Booker, Brooks, I think even, I think even Green can end up

(47:18):
having a good year this year next to them.
But I just think that I just, I just see them being like that
3334 win team that everyone's like, OK, like they're mediocre,
like they're good, but they're not great.
Like they'll have some. I think defensively they're
going to be better than people think because I think that's
where they're going to win a lotof their games and their
defences. They have a lot of size.
They have a lot of like the wings which are and then Devil

(47:39):
Booker will bring it home for them in the clutch, you know,
and then but. Which teams are better than the
Phoenix signs right now? Like if you were to choose.
I can tell you which ones are worse, but that's about it.
Yeah, which? Yeah, which?
Yeah, Which ones are worse? I've only got 2 teams below them
and that's like the Pelicans andUtah in you.
Don't think the Sacramento Kingsare worse than them.

(47:59):
No, no, I don't I. Don't.
I'm a lot lower on Sacramento. Yeah, me too.
I'm not. I'm not high on them, but I'm
real low on sons. We're going straight, we're
going straight to the Kings because they were, they're
coming up next. So yeah, they're 34 1/2 like
that. I'm forty wins last season like

(48:20):
you are now the same red that I have about the Bulls.
You can basically copy and pastethat into the sacrament.
They're the Bulls of the West. They've got DeMar DeRozan and
they've got Zach Lavine. They they traded that for them.
They've got yeah, they're just ashambles like the kings of under
like that. That for me is why.
I think the offseason has been head scratching though too.

(48:42):
Like you pick up Schroeder and then you go and get Westbrook
now like you have. You guys see that crazy?
Yeah, and then you have a meme of shred.
Get in there. You have Devin.
Yeah, you've seen the Westbrook memes, Yeah.
You see the Westbrook meme when they they said shredder is he's
getting wiped by the kings. That's crazy.
Dude I mean I've seen like DeRozan being like at least a

(49:04):
sit on the bench of my mate I'm not bugging or leaving to.
Start the season off too. They they Sabonis is coming into
the season banged up. He's got a grade one ACL
springs. So that's going to be something
that's going to be nagging him to start the year.
And you need him to even have a chance because like he's
obviously their best player and he's easily the most impactful
player too on both ends. You need him and he's not there.

(49:25):
I mean, I I just have a hard time believing in them.
And I think I also think they'rethey're I don't like who's our
coach? Again, I'm not a big fan of
their coach either and I think they have like they they picked
Doug. Christie.
Doug Christie is the one, yeah. I'm not a big fan of him.
I don't think he's done a he didn't do a particularly good
job. So then we're taking over for

(49:46):
Mike Brown. I think he's a downgrade there.
And I I just think they're a mess.
Like Malik Monk still, they haveMalik Monk still there.
What do you, where does he, where, where does he fit into
the mix? Because now you have Zathe and
the Martyrs and Russell, RussellWestbrook, Dennis Schroeder,
like he was relatively good for them.
And now you're kind of just. Was until until they got rid of
the best coach and got rid of their best guard because of

(50:09):
getting rid of their best coach and kind of identity.
They like to blame they they shut the bed.
They frustrated me because they were a team that made me excited
at a stage where they had to light the beam.
They had white, Brown, they had.It was so fun.
Their identity. It's just.
It's just they're not. It's become the Bulls you've
got. You've got Keegan Murray still
there, but he's going to be out for a while and he's taking his

(50:32):
money but not going to be playing.
The only players that I I'm really excited for is obviously
demand us a bonus when he's healthy and Keon Ellis.
Keon Ellis is is a nice piece for them.
But he even him won't but look look where is he fit in the
rotation now he's another one that I think he's going to get
move that the deadline just doesn't have no room for him.
They have no room for him. I'm.
So confident on the unders for this one.

(50:52):
I will say that's one guy. One guy I like on their team is
their rookie, that dude Nick Clifford that they drafted, He
looks really good. He's the only bright spot for
that roster right now is he looks really good.
Like he looks like a dynamic, like he could do everything.
He passed the ball really and. The kids will find a way to fuck
it up. They haven't won a playoff match

(51:13):
in in 20 years. You've heard of the Essendon
Football Club, Kenny? Yeah, yeah.
And they haven't won a final in 25 years.
It's the same shit with the Sacramento Kings.
There are just organisations that suck and Sacramento Kings
is fucking one of them. And it shits me because they
weren't good for one time and I can't.
I can't give them a 35 wins. I can't.
They're they're they're an underteam just because the line is

(51:35):
also really high, but also for the simple fact that if you
looked at everyone a couple years ago or the last years is
always like the West is harder than the East, right?
The Bulls in the east that the the core of the Marta Rosen,
Zach and like and like Vusevic, whatever in the east was like
barely winning 35 games there. They weren't.
Even running down 80 facts, that's exactly what I was

(51:57):
thinking. So you put them in the West now
where it's a lot more competition even down to the
13th seed like we're talking about.
You said, you mentioned the Pelicans earlier.
I don't like the Pelicans are bad, don't get me wrong, but
like they're not as bad as some of the teams that they had to
face in the east of the time. They're actually coming kind of
like comparable talent wise. They're probably better than a
lot of the east teams that they played at the time.
And I would say that that that team is just going to fall apart

(52:21):
fast. I they just look like a team
that's just going to implode. Shorter's not going to probably
play well being in now. Westbrook's going to like hog
the ball and him with Zach Levine, DeMar DeRozan a lot up
is going to be woeful. You better than them 3 running
your lineup with those three together.
You're talking about shot chucking that three man lineup.
Defensively he's not going to doanything and then offensively
you're just going to see Zachaline having to take pull up

(52:42):
threes and hope he goes for one of those games.
But he always has one game of year he drops 9 threes.
Just know exactly the game. One game he's going to have that
40 point performance, but that'sit.
I'm. I'm telling you now, I'll put on
the Sacramento Kings one day randomly.
If I still see a lineup of let'sbook, Levine and DeRozan on the
on the floor at the same time, I'm turning that shit off.
Yeah, I'm telling you, this guy,Nathan, I'm keen to hear your

(53:03):
thoughts on the Sacramento Kings.
We have and. Keegan Murray's out.
Just to put it out. Keegan Murray's out.
Yeah, I mentioned that before. He's out.
Yeah. It's a shambles.
Fuck them. I I'm not going to lie, you guys
make good points and you know, it's got me thinking, but I
still think I'm still thinking though.
I'm still thinking though this team went healthy.

(53:25):
They're quite deep, but I don't know, looking at this roster
now, I'm thinking they can't defend anyone.
The only person that can defend is Keon Ellis.
The rest don't even defend. I'm talking about Schroeder,
Westbrook, Monk, Levine, DeRozan, Murray, Sabonis, damn.
But no, honestly, honestly speaking though, they are a bit

(53:45):
of a head scratcher. I was hitting the unders for
them anyway. I just think they're getting
more than the Suns. I'd be having them around 30 to
33 wins. But yeah, they're just a weird
make. They're just a weird makeup team
like you said. I wouldn't be surprised.
If they operating as a competitive team, that's the
weirdest part about it. They're operating as if they're
going to be a competitive rosterthis year.

(54:06):
They're. Going to compete no way yeah,
they. I'll be like compete.
That's but that's the way their front office sees it.
Like their front office has comein and said, oh, we're.
Trying their front office is freaking delusional, let me tell
you. Get me in there and I'll change
that team last. Week you don't you don't bring
in Dennis Schroeder with a four year like contract unless you
think he's going to come in and like make you a better team.
I do like I do, I do like him. I like him.

(54:27):
I. Like him, I think he deserves a
contract. I just think on a good team, I
think he'd be better like for Detroit last year.
He was great for Detroit last year.
He's probably going to get traded in Jan.
He'll probably force a way out and go to his team because
everyone knows his value. No one's going to, but he's a
backup point guard for like a great team.
Like you're talking about. Like look again, Detroit, he was
a great player for them, but he was a backup point guard.

(54:47):
No one's trading for a guy to betheir bench player to be like a
four year, like I said, a $70 million player.
He's like, what is he getting paid like 60 million dollars,
$70 million, something like that.
I don't know what his contract is exactly, but he's getting
paid a lot of money and it's insane.
It's definitely a desperation move for sure.
It. Kind of makes the Kings look

(55:09):
good and by getting another guard in on top of their three
other guards that they have thatare all over 30 years old and
and. Then together, if you're
shafting, you've got another guard.
Yeah, it's a shambles. I mean, if you think that
they're better than the Suns, fair enough, but at least you
have them on the under I think. I definitely have them on the

(55:30):
under 2, but I just think, you know, my sons picked that
they're way down there. So look, I will say, though,
that the Suns do have a better start than probably what
Sacramento have. I would say he's probably better
than Sabonis. But yeah, I I just think that,
you know, DeRozan and Levine, they're going to pop off some
games, get your wins and they'regoing to stack some easy wins

(55:53):
against some ace teams. And yeah, I wouldn't be
surprised they they do have a solid 10 in terms of rotation
wise. If they can catch an off day,
they can score. They're going to play fast.
But yeah, they wouldn't be able to guide the code.
So yeah. Yeah, well, unders on that
unanimously different views, butwe'll take it.

(56:13):
We'll go on to another captivating team.
I think one of the most interesting teams in the West
are the Dallas Mavericks, 41 1/2.
They're sitting at 39 wins last season.
Looks like Nick Harrison has hasworked his magic somehow getting
in Anthony Davis and Cooper flash for look at that jit.
Whatever that you take of that, they end up landing the best

(56:35):
player in the draught. I don't know how the fuck that
happened. I've given my rant, but The
Mavericks fans including Matt, shout out to him.
We'll take that. And they're sitting a very
compelling line. 41 1/2 is very interesting because I think if
this team is fully healthy they could easily get that, but I

(56:56):
think I'm going to go on the under on this one.
Really. Damn.
Yeah, I think I I personally think they're going to go over,
but not by much. I think they'll go like the 4344
wins. I think they're going to be
decent enough until Kyrie gets back.
And when Kyrie gets back, they'll have like a good second
half of the year. That's why.
I think they're doing it if you look at the roster, right.

(57:18):
If you look at the roster, the roster is essentially the same.
It's just they added Cooper flag.
They literally just copy and pasted Cooper flag to that
roster and Cooper flag is going to be in impact right away.
But that was. So bad when that roster got
made, that was when the trade happened and the.
People don't forget because AD well AD was also injured.
That's the biggest thing. Is that going to?
Happen. Is that not going to happen
again? Are we sitting there saying that

(57:39):
AD is going to play? 60 plus I think, I don't think
no, I think he'll play. I think he'll play. 60 plus I
just think again like. I just think they're injured.
But they have a lot of big men. They have a lot of depth at the
big though. The thing is like they have
lively gaffe from TJ Wash. Kenny Kenny hypothetically
right, because I'm so passionateabout this let's say Anthony
Davis, right, gets injured. How many wins is his team

(58:00):
getting until Kyrie Irving gets back?
I. I I still think they're good
enough to get him 3536 wins without Kyrie in AD.
That's my personal pain. I think they'll get 3536 without
either those. Guys, I think I love Cooper
flag, don't get me wrong, but one season a Cooper flag isn't
going to save you. No.
They're looking to claim as a guard as well.

(58:21):
They really don't have like, youdon't.
You can't trust D Angelo Russellthere.
It's not just for Flag, though. I think I think DLO will be good
enough for them to be like, I'm just a serviceable playmaker for
now. I'm not saying he's a great
player, but he's not. It's not bad by any means.
I think he'll be good enough. The biggest thing is they still
have Klay Thompson, who I think is still shoot the heck out of
the rock. PJ Washington, you have Gafford

(58:42):
and Lively who like again, you have a three three with AD
that's 4 bigs right there that all will play kind of all four,
all the not all four. Like they could all play the the
the centre spot and they all have their own unique skill
sets. And I think AD obviously my
opinion is I think AD is probably going to be a lot
healthier this year too. I think he'll be, it's funny, I
think this is going to be the year we see guys that were

(59:03):
naturally healthy be healthier this year.
And then guys that were like naturally healthy end up
probably end up getting injured or something like that.
Sometimes NBA is just weird likethat sometimes.
That's my opinion. I've seen it too many times to
see the same trends man. I can't.
I just think that I think Cooper's going to be insane off
RIP. I just think defensively they're
going to be a good team. I think they're going to be a
good defensive team all year round and that's going to be the

(59:25):
back one of the roster. The biggest point comes to their
offence in OK Dilo and Cooper aren't creating for them and 80s
not there. Let's just say you're right 80s
not there. Let's say he gets injured.
The offence becomes a lot tougher.
That's the part that I think where Jason kids gonna have to
work some magic, get some plays called, try to get the ball
moving a little bit and get someguys involved.

(59:46):
That's where I think they'll make their money as if they can
get figure out this half court offence without Kyrie Irving.
But I think that's going to be their biggest struggle this year
is the half court because I think they'll they'll push the
pace on the run. They'll be a really fast paced
team if they can get on the run with Cooper flag and guys like
Gafford and lively running the break and you know, D low too.
But defensively I think they'll be a good team all year round

(01:00:07):
defensively with or without ADI,think they'll be good
defensively enough to be a 3534 win team.
I think without AD and Kyrie, they are better than the Sons,
they're better than the Kings, they're better than obviously.
I agree. I agree with that too, I just
think. You know, I think, I think
they're the, the, I think they'll, they'll be like like
again, I think they'll be less than like, for example,
Portland, we have a high, we allrate Portland highly.

(01:00:29):
They'll be worse than Portland without AD.
But with AD they're like on par or better.
And then with Katie, with AD andKyrie, they're like they're a
contending team with all their guys healthy.
If they get healthy in the second half of the year and
they're in the prime playoff spot.
I'm telling you, I'm watching out for them, bro.
But again, I think over I say over by like a win.

(01:00:49):
I'm not saying they're going to be like a. 50 I have them on the
final win as well. Like, yeah, I think they'll be
like, yeah, they'll be like that40 to 40, like Max 44 wins.
I think that's their range rightnow with with the injuries
they're dealing with, with Kyrieand possibly AD 2 throughout the
year and they'll probably be around that range.
I'm 4042 or 4041 for me and that's hits them over.

(01:01:10):
That's the way I was thinking. Yeah, you guys make good points
and probably on what Kenny's saying is like AD has had a lot
of time playing at centre, getting banged up.
Now he's playing as a power forward and I think that's a
big, big difference to the body because you know, he's not
coming up against 7 foot, 27 foot three guys banging him in
all day. It's going to be on the

(01:01:31):
perimeter. He can take time off plays and I
don't know what the win percentages are playing power
forward, but I feel like every time I've seen him there,
they've never lost the game. Every time I've tuned in they
just win so. Look if.
Aiden's healthy. This team has definitely got a
floor of 40 wins minimum. And I think back half of the
season is when they're really going to push when they get

(01:01:52):
Kyrie back and even looking at their guard rotation, they got
they got Russell. Obviously XM comes in to be a
taller defensive ball handler. Hardy can pop get points and so
can Brandon Williams. If you've seen some some of his
highlights, he's got handles. So yeah, I really, I do really
like the depth of this team as well.
And I did note that they were floating Naji Marshall playing

(01:02:15):
as a point guard as well and he was like a 6-7 ball handling
guard as well. He was really good.
Towards the end of the season hewas probably there, one of their
best scoring players, which was quite a nice surprise.
And I, I know you don't talk about having a scoring punch,
and I'll probably agree to an extent, but defensively they're
going to be sound. PJ Washington has shown that if
you need them to ISO ball and spot up and shoot, he can get

(01:02:37):
20s and 30s any given night. 30s.
I don't know about 30s, maybe twenties. 20s give you 30s. 20s,
thirties, any given night, 20s we'll we'll take that.
And yeah, even people forget MaxChristie.
He's he's a handy player to pickthree and D.
He can shoot, can move the ball.And yeah, I think it just comes
down to clay. I'm not really a clay believer,

(01:02:59):
but you know, if he stands in the corner, shoots some good
shots, you know they're going toget wins.
So I'm hitting the overs probably around 4444.
And like I said, I reckon they're going to come strong and
they'll really gear up for the playoffs.
Very interested for the next oneas well.
San Antonio Spurs last year, 34 wins.

(01:03:19):
This season they're sitting at 43 1/2.
They obviously got Victor WenbanYama, who I think we can all say
is a lock for the Defensive Player of the Year if he does
hit the game's minimum, which I'm sure I think he will.
They've picked up some pretty solid role players in Luke
Cornett, who I think is going tobe a very big acquisition for
them as well. They also get Kaliolinik, who's

(01:03:42):
also an opportunity for them to use in a few minutes in case
Victor needs to have a rest or not play 5.
They obviously pick up a defensive pest in the draught of
Carter Bryant, who I'm a big fanof, and they also have Dylan
Harper as well, who they picked up in the draught as a rookie as
the second pick. Don't ask me how they got that,
but again, they'll take it. Stefan Castle's coming off a

(01:04:02):
Rookie of the Year season. He was looking to take a leap.
Devon Fasal is still there, always.
He's always injured, I know, buthe's someone that can on like
any given night is someone that can actually get you 20 points
as well per game. I really do like the San Antonio
Spurs. I'll leave the over and unders
for you guys first before I get to mine.
But yeah, very confident with this team and come on, Victor,

(01:04:25):
he's an alien. He's unbelievable.
Kenny, he's your guy to 1st pickin the draught.
So I'm very. I'm going to take the, I'm going
to start off. I'll take the over here.
I'm not going to take it by much.
I think they'll be better. I think they'll be better than
last year, of course, and I could see, listen, I could see a
world where they go under depending on various things.

(01:04:45):
Obviously, they're still very young.
So it's like, you know, they're inexperienced could, you know,
could cause some growing pains. But I think they're a prime spot
for playing this year at the very least.
And I think Wendy will have givethem a chance to even make a
playoff spot, obviously, whetherit's a seventh or eighth seed,
maybe even push for 6th seed potentially.
But I think again, like there's a lot of strength up on top of

(01:05:05):
the West I have to like account for.
But they are now going to slowlybe a part of that, especially if
Castle takes that leap. So I'm looking at Castle and
Aaron Fox being now is tough, but I actually like it for now
because I think it gives Harper and Castle a lot more leeway to
kind of control the backcourt sohe gets back.
So I kind of like that a little bit for them.
And I think it's going to help them a lot in the long run

(01:05:26):
because I think Fox is already aproven established vet in the
league. You know, he, we know we're
going to get from him when he comes back.
But I think having a guy like Harper get minutes on a starter
calibre level and get some reps in the starting lineup with with
Harper, I mean with Castle, withWembe, with the cell, you know,
I'm not a big Harrison Barnes fan.
I'll be honest with you. I think he's the one piece.
I think they could, they could kind of expedite away and get a

(01:05:48):
better piece there. I think maybe a better.
Kelvin Johnson's also. You could add that to the list
too. I think him as.
Well, Kelvin Johnson and I, I mentioned this in the Eastern
podcast, but this is another team.
I don't know if Danny Angel trade with them, but this is
another lawyer marketing team where I think if he goes here,
imagine him with Wembe. That is that's what I'm trying
to say. So this is my point is that's

(01:06:10):
what I'm saying. Laura's a big piece because
there's going to be multiple suitors I think are really good
fits both east and West and theythis West.
This is the team in the West, I think and anybody that could get
him, that has the assets to get him and they they could make the
push from and I could see it again.
What's your mock trade? What's your mock trade?
Would it be like I think? I think I think it obviously

(01:06:31):
involves Harrison Barnes. His contract I think is a big,
but I think they're going to want Kelvin Johnson back too
because he's like he could kind of play all he could play from
the 2 all the way to the four. Paris and more is more of a
three, like a natural like small4 power forward.
But Kelvin could kind of play the 2 all the way up to the
four. He's kind of a smaller guard and
a smaller big in a sense, like he's a smaller wing.

(01:06:52):
I should say he's like 6-5, but he could play multiple
positions. He has versatility.
You know, I have to kind of lookat their depth chart a little
bit, see more like kind of any other additional pieces, but I
would say now. I'm looking at it and I'm
thinking Vasal is going. To be maybe Sohan, you know you
add Sohan in there too yeah. Because I don't think they meet
I. Don't think they take.

(01:07:13):
I think they're like Johnson andand.
No, but I think they'll listen. I think for example, right,
Yeah, I think I think the biggest thing is just the
contracts with that. But I think Harrison Barnes
contract with like a Sohan and like I think Kelvin Johnson's
involved with that. Again, I think they have a lot
of depth and enough depth here to like kind of sacrifice a
little bit, especially with Carter Bryant being there now.

(01:07:35):
Yeah, especially with Carter Pyne and they ended Julian
Champagne, who I think is reallygood for them too.
He'll be a good, he's a really good backup score shooter for.
Brothers better his brothers better at the.
Wizards. But actually, you know, funny
enough, I actually, you know, I I actually saw them in high
school. I played against their high
school growing up. That's so I met them before both
the brothers. Yeah, it's a fun fact.
I actually do know them crazy. Not me, but I've met them

(01:07:58):
before. But yeah, I think as a package
is surrounded, like you said, like Sohan 1 of Sohan Vasell,
Kelvin Barnes, like one of thoseguys are couple.
A package of those guys with a bunch of picks could entice
Danny Ainge and imagine a four or five men of like, you know,
let's just say they keep a cell and then you have like I say

(01:08:19):
Sohan's gone. You know, Barnes is gone, picks
are gone, whatever. And you got Darren Fox, Stefan
Castle, Devon, Devon Vassell, Lori Markkanen, Wemby, that team
right there. And then you got Dylan Harper
off the bench. That team right there is that's
scary. You put into that big place.
We'll set up Lori Markkanen withWemby in the back like that.

(01:08:42):
That two men, that big man line up right there.
They're versatile, they move, they can move too.
They're not like slow 7 footers.They both can move like that is
that's scary. So again, that that's my my take
on it. I think they haven't they
haven't they're in that race forLori as well down the line.
But I think they'll be with as their current roster stands.
I think they'll be a 4546 win team, maybe be a play in a seven

(01:09:04):
seed again with the West, how strong it is that, you know,
sometimes 46 wins is a play in spot.
So yeah, I'm, I'm high on them, but I think there's a chance
they could, you know, then experience could, could hurt
them here. But I'll say 46 wins over.
Yeah, I definitely hear with SanAntonio and I think the line is
at the perfect spot for them as well.

(01:09:24):
Like going through the roster, they've got great young assets
and you know, this team is only going to go as far as you know,
as far as won't be really if he's fit and he's healthy, you
know, hitting forty wins is probably his his floor.
And I'm not really a big believer in the actual depth
pieces like Kelvin Johnson for sale.
So and I'm not really a big fan of them.

(01:09:46):
And I definitely think one or multiple of these players could
be involved in a package to really consolidate and push this
team on. But I don't know if this season
will be the season where they dothat.
I think they would probably wantto see what they've got in
Harper, play it out a whole season, see how the young guys
get on and then make it following trade the following

(01:10:07):
year. So you know, with the roster
alone, I'll probably just hit him on the under, maybe by a
win. I could hit him maybe over one
win. But I'm going unders because
it's a big, it's a big ass goingfor another 6 plus wins on last
season. But I wouldn't be surprised
because obviously they got Webby.
He's an alien, he can do crazy things and they have some nice

(01:10:31):
pieces. You know they're going to have
Fox for the whole year given or he's going to be here for the
rest of the season. Half the recovers injury.
Do you think they'd get Fox if they knew they could get Harper?
Is a good question that I have. I don't.
No, no, they don't. I think they, I think they, I
think they stay if they know they're going to get Harper,
they don't even make that trade.They hold on to whatever assets

(01:10:53):
they have. They make a bigger trade down
the line. Yeah, for sure another team.
Hey, I'm going to throw another name out there.
I'm not going to lie. Giannis maybe, man.
What do you think about that? Crazy.
Yeah, that would never that would be.
That was like Giannis Grenbey would pretty much, I believe,

(01:11:15):
guarantee a championship. Not Yeah, that would be a
guarantee that would. Be a I'll don't see it though.
Well. Not team like the computer
those. Two guys together.
People talk about computer opening, right?
You need size, man. You need size Crazy.
That's that's like the biggest. And look, that team's appealing.

(01:11:36):
If you're a free agent, I wouldn't mind joining San
Antonio. They got a young team, you know,
great organisation in Texas. They got young bucks and they're
ready. Yeah, facts.
I went the over on this one. I've got a between 43 and 46
wins, so just scraping the play in.
So I'm on the money with you there.
Kenny and Nathan, I can see why you probably went under given

(01:11:59):
the big gap between their wins. But when you have someone like
Victor Wenbenyama, that's a player that's generational, as
we like to say, and when you have these generational players,
they're going to individually win new games.
Like we got him locked up for defensive Player of the year.
If this guy could be the first ever player to average like four
or five blocks in season, like Ithink he's that good and that
crazy. I think he's going to win

(01:12:20):
multiple defensive players of the year awards as well.
He was a lock to win it last year.
Let's be honest. Evan Mobley, as good as he was
defensively, was a consolidationprize for Victor Wenbonyama.
That guy could have played 5040 thirty games.
He still would have won the defensive play in the in my
opinion because I've never seen a player so good defensively
than him. I mean, he's just simply an
alien. Let's be honest.
He's living up to the hype that we've all heard since he was 16

(01:12:43):
years of age and this is going to be his third season, which is
just crazy. Like a lock for an All Star.
I think a lock for an all NBA team as well if he hits the game
requirement, which I'm sure theyreally want him to do.
French international as well. So you've got all the French
fans there. World Class organisation, Yeah,
I'm taking the over big time here.

(01:13:03):
And given that I've given a lot of teams, the under has to give
me room to add the San Antonio Spurs in there.
And I think this year they probably won't make the
playoffs. They'll probably push the
playoffs as in through the play in.
But the year after, I think they're poised to have an
unbelievable season, especially with these teams like the
Clippers, Warriors that are getting older.

(01:13:26):
Those are obviously developing and that's where they're going
to come in. And they're big players for
January. I think I say January by the All
Star break, but I truly believe that they're going to go all out
next year. And they do have those players
there. That and pieces to trade off so
many picks as well, given the Dijonte Murray trade as well,
getting that. So yeah, they're in a very good

(01:13:47):
position I think, but we'll moveon.
They're built, man. Yeah.
Will go on to their counterparts, which are the
Golden State Warriors. Last season, 48 wins, they're
sitting at 48.5. And this one's made me scratch
my head so much. Yeah, tell me why.

(01:14:07):
They're, they're, I, I think thewhole Kamega situation was
really weird. I know they resolved it, but I
think the whole Kamega situationwas really weird to start the
year. It felt like there was a lot of
track gone. They should have freedom.
Track should have freedom. Yeah, they they dragged it on
too much, I think. I also think a lot of their
players are older now and I'm not guaranteeing like Steph's
going to be 100% healthy throughout the year too.
Like I think he always ends up nowadays, like especially he

(01:14:30):
gets nagging injuries. Off the off the record, sorry,
Kenny. The fuck he's misses doing going
on about what she's saying. She's been taking some wild
shit, man. I feel bad for Steph Curry, man.
Hey, Steph. 'S been Steph's.
Got a Steph's dealing with a tough cookie over there.
Man, I don't know what to say about that either.
She's coming out saying crazy things.
She's been saying these for years.
I remember when she came out andwas like, oh, I'm not getting

(01:14:50):
the same with kind of attention he gets with women.
Like I wish men like looked at me the same way too.
Like why do you care about that?Like.
For. Real man, I mean that's crazy,
but you know, I I not that I don't believe in the team come
playoff time. I think the playoffs is where
they're going to gear. And This is why my point is I
think they're going to go under,but I think they'll be again, I

(01:15:11):
think a borderline playoff playing team.
I think again, they'll be like in that 7 to 6 range.
I don't see them in top five in the West.
I love Jimmy Butler. I think playoff time Jimmy shows
up. Steph, I love Steph.
Obviously Draymond, you know those guys all good.
I just don't also don't think their depth is that elite.
I think they're they're lacking depth.
They're very old in their depth too.
Like some of the guys. Obviously pods is there.

(01:15:32):
You have pods. I'm not a big fan of him though.
I don't think he's like, I thinkhe has a he's a bit of a
knuckland sometimes with the ball.
I think defensively is good, butoffensively sometimes he's just
isn't in. Sold on pods whatsoever.
Al Horsford Al Horsford is. If Pods was playing in another
team, he wouldn't. He wouldn't even get this hot,
let's be real. Because at the Warriors, they're
just trying to like. I agree with that, but I think

(01:15:54):
Al Horford is also older now. Like I just, I don't look at
their team and I don't see rim protection.
I I don't like the rim protection.
I think the rim protection's going to be suspect this year.
And even Draymond Green is as great as the Thunder and he's
only one guy. He can only defend some more.
Jimmy Butler's great too, obviously, but you have little
to no rim protection down there.And I also think they're going
to be very old. So it's like these younger teams

(01:16:16):
are going to be coming in and running like running them out
the gym sometimes maybe. I think they'll they'll have
like, I think I think they'll beat like the 4243 win mark.
I think. I think that's them being like
that's just me thinking. If they're like not fully
healthy, fully healthy, they could obviously be 48 wins.
I think they'll they'll maybe ifthat makes I think they'll hit
that 48 line. I don't think they'll hit more

(01:16:36):
than that, though. They're not I'm.
Exactly thinking I think they'renot a. 51 team, I just think
they're also going to have like injuries throughout the year.
They're not going to be as healthy.
So I think they'll be like 4344 wins somewhere to San Antonio in
that playing spot. But and that's why I think you
said like, oh, like maybe they'll be in the plan to have,
maybe they'll go and get some experience rostering and lose.
Like that's the team I think they could lose to because it's

(01:16:58):
just experience wise. Like you have Stephen Curry, you
know, he's a world 4/4 time world champion, you know what I
mean? He knows how to compete in those
kind of environments. But I think that, yeah, like 48,
in an ideal world, they'll get that 48 wins, but I don't think
they'll get more than that. Yeah, I've got him on 48 too.
So I'm going the under on this one.
I think when you have the four teams that we've mentioned, the

(01:17:20):
big four, I'm glad to call and Iwouldn't say BIG4, I think
that's perpetuous, but OKC, Rockets, Thunder and the
Timberwolves, Timberwolves. And then there's four, sorry.
And then that leaves room for for two spots to make a lock in
for playoffs. I've got the Clippers in there
despite me going under borderline with the Warriors.

(01:17:43):
And then you've got to, as much as we hate to say I can't stand
it, you've got to leave room forthose Los Angeles Lakers.
That's why I'm taking the under and then getting 48 wins.
I think we'll put them in a seventh seed, scrapping for a
six seed, possibly with the Clippers, in my opinion.
But yeah, taking the under on that one.

(01:18:04):
Yeah, you guys make good points regarding the Golden State
Warriors, but I think like you said Steph's done it there.
He's four to four time world champion.
He's in my draught team. So I'm going to be rooting for
the Golden State Warriors all year long.
And you know, having Jimmy Butler in from second half of
the season, you can really see that picking up the team

(01:18:24):
defence. But yeah, it just really comes
down to if they're going to stayfit.
And I know you're not too, too strong on the depth pieces, but
I really like Moulton. I know he was out all season
with an injury, but the. Injury problem guy though, yeah,
when he plays so good though. The same with him, same with

(01:18:44):
Peyton if they can just pick it up and actually play the great
shot stoppers. They're great ball stoppers.
They they can shoot, not so muchPeyton, but Moulton can Buddy
Hields bit of a streaky 1 and they got really high hopes for
Santos and post. So look, I think getting Horford
in is hit huge, albeit five years ago would have been a

(01:19:05):
massive, massive coupe. But he still comes in as you
know, one of those players that are 39 years old.
He's still doing bits and I'm, you know, he might actually be
Hall of Famer at this point, which is kind of crazy to think.
But yeah, he still he still locks teams up, defences up and

(01:19:25):
I'm not twos sold on the rim protection as well.
I think they're probably lackingthem.
But in saying that, they were winning with Looney there and he
didn't protect the womb too welleither.
So look, I'm just hitting him. I'm probably just hitting him on
the 50. So I'm probably just going over,
but not with any guarantee. I think it's a good line. 48

(01:19:48):
1/2. He can go under and over.
I don't think they go over 50 wins.
They could smack 50. I don't think they go under 40,
6 or 47 either, I think. I think, yeah, I think they're,
they're in that good range rightthere, I would say.
Yeah, I think that just questions me is obviously just
their availability and how hard they really want to go during

(01:20:08):
the regular season. They're not a team.
To me, that feels as though theytake the regular season as
serious as others, given that they've been there, done that
and you've seen them so many times, like being the seventh
seed, sixth season, sixth seed before obviously their
championship and dynasty range, knocking off the third seed, the
fourth seed, the second seed based on their experience.
They did that with the Rockets. They did it against our mates,

(01:20:30):
the Sacramento Kings a few timesback.
So it just feels as though that they won't go all out this
season and that's why I can't get them over the line for the
over. But I can definitely see them
getting that sort of 40A and I think they'll be good enough for
them to just make the playoffs. We'll move on.
We're going. To just before we go go past

(01:20:51):
that, I'll probably just cave caveat that, you know, they're
just going to need to have to have a lead by Moody or Cominga.
They're going to need wing scoring, they're going to need
one of them to pop. And like you said, it was a bit
weird with that Cominga situation, but you know, if all
of it's behind he he can't scorethe basket.
It could be interesting pay player if you know, puts
together puts all together. So yeah, we'll see what how they

(01:21:11):
go. But yeah, carry on.
Yeah, we're going on with the the Memphis Grizzlies next.
Last season, 48 wins and they'reputting them at 39 1/2 for this
time. I think a lot of reasons are
because of that is because a lotof teams have made major
upgrades to their Rofters. We obviously seen the Spurs take

(01:21:32):
a big leap. We obviously seen the Clippers
also improving the Lakers. There's a lot of teams that are
better than the Grizzlies at themoment and it feels as though
they're in that sort of positionwhere Portland is, I think,
competing for a playing spot. In my opinion, 39 1/2 wins is a

(01:21:53):
very interesting one for me. I'm going to leave it for you
guys to discuss it. I do like the pieces that
they've got, especially Jalen Wells.
I think he's going to be a very good player coming out of his
second year. They don't have Zach Edie for a
very long time, which I think isgoing to be a big loss for them.
And look, when John Moran's fit,it's another.

(01:22:13):
It's another thing when it comesto availability.
John Moran can can take your team to the playoffs single
handedly, but just the availability is what questions
me. And the same thing with Jaron
Jackson Junior. Jaron Jackson junior is an elite
player. He had a really good season last
year, but we just didn't get enough.
And losing Desmond Bayne for me drops your wins significantly, I
think, especially given that he is at the Orlando Magic now.

(01:22:35):
They did get a decent hole, but I'm not really sold on their
depth as well. And Ty Jerome, as as it stands,
we just found out this today, maybe yesterday.
If we did, this part would have been a different story.
He's out for four weeks too. So yeah, as I talk about it, I'm
leaning under, but I'm keen to hear your thoughts.
Yeah, I'll probably start with this one.

(01:22:57):
Yeah, looking at the depth chart, I I find that they are
quite a deep team. They go, they got players in all
the positions. I really like Gigi Jackson.
Hopefully he can take a massive strides because he can be a fun
player. And Vince?
Williamson very, very young whenhe popped off, so I think he's
got time to grow for sure. Yeah, and they're taking a fly

(01:23:18):
on Cardwell Pope KCP. I mean, I reckon he suits the
culture, that type of player three and D, if he can have a
resurgence, I reckon you'll definitely add to the culture
and you know, the core of this team.
But like you said, it's it's hard to know because John Moran
and John Jackson, as good as they are, they're just never fit

(01:23:39):
for extended period of time. And like you said, Scottie
Pippen's been injured, Ty Jerome's been injured, Zach
Diddy's injured, and Brendan Clark has poor availability as
well. So you know, I I initially had
them overs before having a look at this, but I think I might
just get him on the unders on this one.
I'm going to take the unders here, too.

(01:24:00):
I think. I think their team is just going
to be kind of battling injuries all year again.
I think they're also their management, I think is going to
get ahead of it and probably seelike, OK, you know what, maybe
we're not as competitive as we thought we were.
They got a lot of draught picks for a reason.
Maybe it's to make a bigger movedown the line, maybe to prepare
for something bigger. But I think right now with all

(01:24:21):
these injuries stacking up and it's not like a guarantee John
Moran stays health either. He's just he he's suffering A
sprained ankle too. He's coming back.
But you know, he already had a something that happened in the
preseason, like, and the way he plays, we all know those super
athletic point guards that go inand try to get these flashy
dunks and all these attack the rim a lot.
Like, you know, he's not like a for example, like a guy like

(01:24:41):
Curry and Brunson or someone a perimeter guy that was more,
yeah, more crafty, you know, Kyrie like obviously, But you
know, guys like him, Westbrook, they're more prone to like, and
you know, we talk about Derrick Rose, you know, look at guys
like him. Like, you know, they just they
get injured fast because they'rejust so aggressive and their
their veracity, they attack the Penguins sometimes is so much

(01:25:03):
for their body to handle. So I don't know, I don't think
John Moran's can be healthy for a full season.
I don't think their depth is good enough to withstand him
missing a lot of games. And I don't see him missing.
I don't see him playing more than 65. 70 games.
It's a shame because I think John Moran is going to be like,
and it's crazy to say this if you.
Think about it. The last one big what if, of

(01:25:24):
course the two, the last guard, athletic guard that we're gonna
see go million mph like we're losing that in this league, like
we're not having. Yeah, I think now Russell
Westbrook, they're starting to see guys all they become more
crafty. Now we're starting to see the
crafty guard, the guy you need aguy that could come in, he takes
it. He could attack the rim, but
attack it with like kind of likea smoothness, not like really

(01:25:47):
much of like an aggression, if that makes sense.
You know the. Only one is Anthony Edwards, but
he's I wouldn't call him a pointguard.
I'm talking specifically point guards like I'm the.
But I'm also, but it's the thingabout the last one, the body
difference. Body difference is the biggest
thing is like Anthony Edwards ishas a different body time.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly. So it's like his body could
stand. Look at LeBron.

(01:26:07):
LeBron is still at 6-8. He's injured now, but like for a
majority of his career he was dunking on people.
For like 2015 years, 16 years, even last year he was dunking on
people. I think I think the off field.
Stuff. This is why he's withstanding.
These things as well, the off field staff killed him like he
when he was, there was a time when this guy was like going to
be borderline face of the leagueas well.

(01:26:28):
That's how good he was. And well, yeah, I mean, I
remember a couple years ago, only 22/20/22, he was coming
into the season like everybody was proclaiming he's going to
be, he's taking the lead to be atop five player MVP candidate
from Memphis. And it just blew up.
And it blew up because he got injured.
He got injured. And then from that injury, then
he start having the off court stuff and it just all

(01:26:50):
compounded. And now I just think it's been
too much for them. And I, I, I truthfully think
that this is going to be the craziest take you guys might
think, but I think in a year from now, two years from now, we
talk, we start hearing talks about Memphis maybe looking to
move on from job Morant. You know what?
That's not as crazy as you thought, man.
I I actually don't think it's a crazy take.
Not. Because not because I think he's
a bad player, but I think peopleare going to realise he can't be

(01:27:12):
a number one on a team to like lead A-Team as an opportunity to
be more reliable. Yeah, I think he's too
unreliable. And I think they they need a
culture reset. And I think they're going to
look, I don't think they're going to be as good as people
think the next couple years. And I think they're going to end
up using those picks as just like, you know, they're going to
either draught people with them and just hope that, you know,
they kind of draught somebody that helps out, or they're not

(01:27:35):
going to be good. The child's going to be kind of
coming out and then his problem's going to become more
of a like a focal point, kind ofa fun facing thing.
And I think they're. But I'm actually, like, rooting
for John Moran. Believe it or not, I'm.
Rooting. I'm rooting for Lamella Ball.
I think they're in the Somerset.They're they're the Charlotte
Hornets of the of the obviously better than Charlotte, but
they're like the Charlotte Hornets in.

(01:27:57):
Terms of their storylines with the guys I'm.
Saying, yeah, like the way theirteams are kind of like centred
around and like the way they're perceived is they're not a
serious team. Like, they're looked at is like,
oh, the reason why Memphis can'twin is because when they're on
the court, they like to play games.
They're like, they're always joking, like they're not like a
serious roster. And it starts with the head of
the snake, John Moran. You look at some of these
contenders, you look at some of these contenders, right?

(01:28:19):
All they're they're star players.
Like you talk about Jay. Yeah, he's like a goofy guy.
But like on the court, he's he'sall like all serious.
Like he's not, he's not like he's taking the Jake.
And Fatu says all gas, no breaks.
You know what I mean? Yeah.
Hey, on a serious note though, just going to segment here.
Dylan Brooks is the one to fix it man when they over.

(01:28:39):
Scapegoated that guy. They fucking scapegoated Dylan
Brooks in this organisation. What a joke that that was.
That fucking good car. It was just something that was
ridiculous scapegoating. Like honestly, like what a joke
of an organisation. He was copying it for jar 2 and
he just copped it on the chin and then they did jar.
Jar was getting hate, came back from his suspension, and Dylan

(01:29:02):
Brooks came on the frontline taking on LeBron James.
Whatever you say knew that he was going to get hate and you
think your organisation would back him?
They sent him out the first one and then you had Desmond Bay in
the season after trash talking him in the preseason game.
Ridiculous shit, man. That for that alone.
Yeah. Thanks for bringing us out
because that was a core memory of mine, I just think.

(01:29:24):
They're in a weird spot right now and I think, again, they're
going to, I think they're going to go under this year just for
the simple fact I don't think they'll be healthy enough and I
don't even think their team's good enough to compete with some
of these other teams. I look at the roster standpoint,
if John's healthy, yeah, like you said, like he could easily
propel them to a playoff team. Like obviously he's that good,
but I just can't rely on him. You know what I mean?
I can't rely on him the same wayI can't rely on Lamella Ball,

(01:29:44):
like to do the same for Charlotte.
I can't. Like they're talented enough to
lead their teams to somewhere it's insane heights at their
peaks. But I can't rely on them right
now. So I can't rely on John Morant.
Jaron is also in and out of the line up a lot too, and he's a
great player, but he's in and out of the line up.
Already have Zach Edie out. I like some of the pieces.
Like I like Cedric Coward, the guy they drafted.

(01:30:04):
Cedric is really good. I do like, I do like Santi
Aldama, you know, guys like him.Jalen Wells too.
Yeah, Jalen. Wells, Jalen Wells.
That's where I can agree with Kenny with the trade because I
think if Jalen Wells continues to ball out, there might be a
case where they can just ship him out and then potentially
build around players like Jalen Wells, Players like Cedric

(01:30:25):
Coward, Gigi Jackson, if he can become the player he is, and
even Scottie Pippen Junior off the bench, maybe that could be a
potential. This guy could be junior now.
Injury he's out for. He's out for like 4 months.
But like let's say in one or twoyears when he comes back, could
be the the guard with with JalenWells.
Maybe they won't win a lot of games, but that's how the

(01:30:46):
rebuild starts. You just just build that and you
get Jamaran out of there and start fresh.
That's what I'm it's gonna it's going down that path slowly.
I just see it. I see kind of the way that's
unfolding. I never feel Memphis is gonna
just have enough of that. But again, the city loving that.
I will say that Memphis really love Jamaran.
They they need it. They, I think they, well, he was
someone, they haven't had a guy like him ever like on their

(01:31:07):
team. Like you talk about Marcus Saul
was like their biggest star for a while and he was great.
He was like John Moran, Mike Conley a little bit, I think.
I think Mike. No, no, no, no.
I think John Moran just brings adifferent sizzle, though.
If you're talking about like, just like a like a level of
yeah, Mike Conley's a much more methodical, smart, good player.
Like a guy like that is obviously a man invaluable.

(01:31:27):
But John Moran brought electricity to that gym man.
He's he was unbelievable when hefirst started playing there.
But yeah, that's kind of my takeon them overall.
I just think that they're turning in a weird direction.
Yeah, they can't even look forward to how Cam Ward either
with his rookie year so that they're they're in the dumps.
I think Memphis or Tennessee as a whole, I would say, because I
would say Nashville would be representing Memphis to give you

(01:31:49):
the only team in the state. Anyways, we'll move on to the
next team. And it is our, or guess, the
biggest team that everyone lovesto talk about, the Los Angeles
Lakers 46 1/2 I'm saying over. I'm saying over too.
I think they're like that six team in the West, personally.

(01:32:11):
I like Luka Dontich. LeBron James will come back, but
that's all I want to talk about the Lakers.
I just, I think Luka's going to have a crazy season.
I just need to have a crazy year, I think.
I think he'll be. It's crazy how they got gifted
Luca, though. That's the biggest thing.
I just don't get how they got like, and then The Mavericks are
getting. That's why they're gonna get. 50

(01:32:33):
plus wins like I think 46 1/2 iscrazy like they have fifty wins
last year and. Yeah, I think they'll be.
I think they'll be really good. I just think that the problem is
still standing with them. They don't have a lot of
reliable shooting on the team that I think they could look to.
I think that's their biggest problem is like they look at you
look at their depth, they have defence, they have defence like

(01:32:54):
they think they could defend pretty well and they have some
they got like, you know, they fixed their big, they got a in.
I'm not big on a in but like I didn't again like.
I don't think it's as big as what?
As good as what? People, I know Nathan has more
comments on a in than anybody. Watching him in Portland for a
little bit, but I just think that, you know, I'm not a big

(01:33:14):
fan of 18, but I think you'll bebetter than what they had.
But Lucas, the biggest componenthere, him being I think a
potential MVP this year is goingto be what propels them.
And I think they're going to be like that fifth, sixth seed in
the West at the bare minimum. I think they're like, you know,
we talked about the Warriors, the Spurs, The Mavericks always
seems like they're going to compete for that 7th, 8th night.
But I think the Lakers are slotting with the Clippers, the

(01:33:37):
Nuggets, the the Timberwolves, they're in the.
Nuggets. Yeah, they're in that top six in
my opinion, I think. So they're going to be competing
in that contending like kind of like realm with those guys.
But yeah, I think that's a good line for them.
I I like that line. I think they'll get that and I I
got it. I believe in Luca more than

(01:33:57):
probably anybody else. So that's that's just my my take
on it. The the line was at 45.
Was it 45 now? It was 46 1/2.
I'm just hitting the unders on this one just by one win.
I'm just hitting him by 1 and I know, I know it's it sounds

(01:34:21):
crazy. Same with no Chinny Smith I
know, but come on. Is that going to?
They added Marcus Smart and theyadded Marcus Smart.
Yeah, Marcus Smart's like a big change, but I think he's better
than what they had. Yeah, explain that.
Explain. Because I'm I'm losing you.
Yeah. And I don't like the Lakers.
It's it's a hard one, but I justthink a lot of teams in the West

(01:34:41):
has just gotten better. And I know Luka being in the
team for the, you know, being from the start of the season in
the team is going to make a difference.
But I think that's going to be, you know, coincided with LeBron
James being out for the first few weeks and throughout the
season. I don't think he's going to play
as much as he did last year. I, I know they're really lacking
shooting. Obviously they could, they have

(01:35:02):
players that could shoot howeverthey need the rock in their
hand. They don't have any standstill
shooters. They're not a big believer of
Dalton Connect. Obviously tried to get rid of
him for the Mark Williams trade,which I thought would have been
a great trade if that went through.
Jake Laravia, I'm not really a big believer in him.
I think losing Dorian. He's losing me.
I love Jake Laravia. He's very good.

(01:35:23):
He's a nice player. I know he's not the needle
breaker, but he's a very nice player.
Yeah, but I just don't think he's at the same level as
Phinney Smith. And you know, Ayton, he can't
defend, right? He he can score.
I seen him pre season that he wasn't scoring, he wasn't doing
anything. So, you know, I'm not really I'm
not really convinced by, you know, Hayes or Kleber behind

(01:35:47):
him. So look, it could be wrong.
And I know a lot of people are going to say, you know, Lakers,
they're going on the overs. No doubt we got Luca.
But yeah, I just don't believe in what the depth I have gave
Vincent. Seems he seems dead to me and to
be honest, a preseason yeah thatthat don't matter.
They're trying to trade him too.He.

(01:36:08):
Cooked give a flag, man. He that was his welcome, that
his welcome to the league momentwill always be that game.
I'm telling you now because he cooked it.
Yeah, and DeMarcus Smart, he's agood player man, but he can't
play 2 games in a row. So yeah, I don't know.
I. Just I just think Luca is the
biggest performer of all this. Like if you believe in Luca,

(01:36:29):
like you probably probably give them above like that, that line
just because again, like Luca byhimself sometimes is going to
win games. Like tonight's game against the
war is going to be a cinema gamebecause I have a feeling Luca's
going to go crazy tonight, like.I can't believe you're making me
support and backup Lakers here. If that take.
I can't stand them, but I can't even sit there and give them.

(01:36:50):
They have to be over. 46 1/2. Look, you'd think, you'd think
and I reckon they'll be close to, don't get me wrong, I'm not
thinking they're going to go 40 flat.
I reckon they'll be by a win or two, right And I wouldn't be
surprised if they go over. But.
They'll get them. They'll get them in the play end
though. These like like late playing
with that record. Do you back them over the

(01:37:11):
wolves? OK, do back them.
Over they'll be, I think they'regoing to be the Dallas.
I think they'll be competing with the Clippers.
They'll compete. They'll be competing with the
Clippers. That's what I think too.
Over Dallas, definitely. Anyone else?
The obviously we're looking at Rockets, you're looking at OKC,
looking at Denver, there's heapsof players, there's heaps of
teams. I think, I think there's three

(01:37:33):
teams that are definitely better.
There's three teams definitely better, the Rockets.
Four teams, definitely. Under, under Nuggets.
I actually I think Minnesota, I kind of have them in Minnesota.
Similarly, to be fair, I I'm I'ma little lower in Minnesota.
So I think them four that are best of the rest, maybe even 3
would be better than Timberwolves.
I can make an argument for for that.
But remember my Denver take, I'll save it.

(01:37:54):
The Lakers, they're probably on par for the Clippers.
I say they're slightly better because of Lucca.
The Spurs, they're not better than the Lakers are better than
the Spurs right now. The Warriors, yeah, better than
the Warriors in my opinion. So.
I think next year if let's just I'll see this, if this same is
this, if this, let's just say LeBron retires, whatever this is

(01:38:15):
the roster going into next year.They don't make any crazy
changes. They don't make any moves.
They're not gonna make the playoffs next year with this
roster. The lake is the lake would be
players again for really. But.
If you and get a free. Idea I think with the
circumstances, with the circumstances of the league
right now, with the way it is, like I just think the Spurs are
still kind of young. Mavericks aren't healthy.
You know, the Portland is still young too, like Portland.

(01:38:37):
I think like some of these teamsare going to are like a year
away. In my opinion.
Some of these other teams are a year away.
They're coming, you know, and the rest of the rest of the West
is kind of like they're competing for like spots, but
they're not like on that part like you're talking about like,
you know, the the King's sons, Pelicans, Grizzlies, we just
talked about like they're like in like that that's here of like
mediocrity. And then you have like, you

(01:38:58):
know, obviously the jazz down there, you know what I mean?
But you know, when you're talking about the competing
contending like the Warriors, the Warriors like I think
they'll be on par with the Warriors too.
The warriors have been in that same tier.
It's just that again, like they're like that team like this
is the year. Like if the warriors don't do
anything this year, it looks really bleak for them going
forward. And that's when it's like, OK,
they're going to fall off after this.

(01:39:19):
I think Lakers if they don't make any big changes after this
year, I think they'll be good this year.
But next, if they don't make anychanges and they're they're
trying to just recoup like minimum contracts and hope good
veteran sign with them. Like, I don't think it's going
to work in a year from now, but this year, for the circumstances
of this season, I think it'll work out for them.
So now if you have them what, like a 7th right seed basically?

(01:39:41):
Like around 7th or 8th seed, I got to check, check the numbers.
But look, I'm just looking at their Ross and I'm like, there's
not many players that can defend, not with regularity.
Obviously Smart's a bit older now, but who else?
They can stop anyone. No one in the starting five can
stop anyone. They obviously got Luca.

(01:40:01):
He's a great player. He's had his injury concerns as
well. And what's to say that LeBron
James going into season 20 odd, whatever it is, isn't going to
be 23. He's not going to be a 10% less
better player than what he was last year.
And I think that alone loses youtwo to three wins.
Yeah, that makes that's a fair take.

(01:40:21):
I'm not I can't refute that. I mean like I think the the
fairness of like the your point of like the defence and like
their depth and like them not having like real like high end
talent around Luca. I get it.
I just think offensively, I think my whole point is I think
they're going to be such a good offence that I think their
defence, even if they're like 1/5 a middle of the pack
defence, they'll be good enough to be A50 win team.

(01:40:43):
I think their offence is where it's going to be like wow, like
their offence is going to be really good.
I think Luke is going to got like kind of lead their team to
like a lot of lead, like high end scoring.
I think Austin Reeves is underrated offensive player.
I think 18 obviously helps on that end too.
And you put LeBron James in there.
You know, LeBron nowadays, his defence isn't really there as
much anymore, like he's not really playing the best defence
anymore. But offensively, you know, the

(01:41:05):
impact he has when he comes back, he's going to be helping
out Luca tremendously. So again, I think it just comes
down to it. So we'll see what ends up
happening, but I do think the the Lakers are, I do think the
Lakers are six, six to five 6C team, maybe at the low end of
seven C team, but I think they're in that range.

(01:41:25):
For sure. And yeah, on that as well.
Probably one last point is, as you said, Luca Dontich is
offence unto himself. He could have, you know, a bunch
of sticks out there and he's going to be, he's going to have
a good offensive team rating. So I think the makeup of the
team is probably not what it needs to be around Luca.
And obviously once LeBron goes and they got salary, they can

(01:41:48):
really start to build out this team, which will be his.
But I just think there's a lot of uncertainty with the team.
It's just a bit clunky for my liking.
So yeah, I hear what you're saying.
All right, we'll move on. The next stop is the New Orleans
Pelicans. Last season shut the bed with 21
wins. A lot of injuries here.

(01:42:10):
There are 31 1/2, which is 10 more wins than they got last
season, albeit they've got skinny Zion.
I don't know how many people arebelieving this.
It's very hard for me to to havefaith in it.
Every year you think the Zion isgoing to have a full season and
he finds a way to let you down. But to be fair, he is the most

(01:42:30):
skinniest Zion has ever been andhe's looking in complete ripped
shape. He came to Melbourne.
I did see him jumping out the gym in practise which was quite
amazing. They did make the trip here, but
honestly, and Nathan can attest to this, I was looking at a few
of their players and I'm thinking there's not many good
players on this roster. Let's be real.
Like they get Jordan Paul who Everyone thinks that Jordan Paul

(01:42:53):
was nice, but they're forgettingthat these time at the Wizards,
let's be honest, wasn't the bestand it didn't equate to winning.
His second season. He matured a lot more.
I think he learned a lot of things and learned how to be a
leader, but I don't think he's awinning player.
I think at best Jordan Paul is avery reliable six man for a
contending team, not someone that you want to build your team

(01:43:14):
around, especially as a spottingas a starting guard.
I'm a big fan in the the picks that they've got.
In Jeremiah Fears and Dairy Queen, there were two players
that actually wanted the Wizardsto get.
I'm still happy with what we got, but those two guys are
going to be one for the future. They don't have their first
round pick for next season, which is something big.

(01:43:35):
So I think they want to try pushfor wins because of that.
But again, I think there's a lotof players that get injured
here. Like I hear about Herb Jones so
many times, but that guy can't play more than 40 games.
Like seriously, that's a big concern that he's someone that
he's a gun, but he just doesn't play.
So I can't really sit there and say that it's going to play a
full season again. And it's to say a lot of about

(01:43:56):
that team. The Jonte is obviously out for
the season. I really, really like Trey
Murphy the third. I think he's going to be
producing a lot for them this season.
I think if he can take this teamto a play in, he could be a
borderline potential All Star. Not saying he will be an All
Star, but someone that could potentially push for it and be a
big case for most improved players as well.

(01:44:16):
Especially last year since he was carrying the load on
offence. But he's also someone that
doesn't stay fit there. I like Jose Alvarado, I like
Sydney Bay. He didn't get the chance to play
for the Wizards. I was really keen on on seeing
him in a Wizards jersey. But I think you'll get some good
game time here. And yeah, their team is, so
they've got good players. You'd love to have one or two in

(01:44:38):
in a competitive team on your roster, but not all of them
together. So I think I'm going to take the
under on this one. I don't think they're going to
be extremely, extremely bad, butI just don't think that they
have enough players to really push for anything more than 31
1/2 wins, especially given theirinjury concerns.
All right. I'm going to actually take the

(01:45:01):
over on this by a couple wins. I think they're in that Sun's
tier, that Sun's Grizzlies tier.In my opinion.
They're like just out of the playing spot.
I kind of have them as like the 12 seed.
I just think, you know, I can't.I think they'll have a little
bit of a healthier's eye on thisyear.
I think Trey Murphy is going to have a big leap.
I think he'll be a really good player this year.
I think he'll be very coveted bya lot of contending rosters next
year. Like if the Falcons don't figure

(01:45:23):
it out, especially with the trades they made.
I mean, they traded for Derrick Queen giving up their own first
round pick this year. And everyone knows craziest
trade. Everybody knows, everybody knows
they're not going to play off and Joe Dumars knows better.
I I'm so shocked by that by him.Like I I expected better from a
guy that's been in the league for like especially in the
league office as long as. You like Dairy Queen that they
will. They must be very.

(01:45:44):
Yeah, but like The thing is, is like, and that's the thing if if
if Derrick Queen becomes an All Star, that's a good trade.
But like if he doesn't become something close to that or he
doesn't resemble a good like in the I I remember watching
preseason and like the he's. Quite.
Understandable. Yeah, he looked, he looked
clunky, man. I wasn't a big fan of it.
I wasn't even a big fan of him coming out of college.

(01:46:04):
I thought he was a little bit like a weird player to kind of
trade up for. I think it's those are
different. If it was like a higher, like
I'll be honest, I would have been happier with them if they
told Yang Hansen the big the upside at least is there with
Yang. Like you see the upside with
Yang Derrick Queen. I don't really see the upside
with him that would have been. But that would have been way
more. Could you imagine though?
I know what you're saying. Would you imagine the first
round unprotected pig and then they picked up young handsome

(01:46:27):
from the stand? You just imagine the whole world
would be. Exploited hindsight is 2020.
I was just like, it's different,you know what I mean?
Like it's tough to like look back.
Just look at it now. Just look at it now.
If you looked at it today, like watching how the priestess and
played out, how Yang played, everyone would have been like,
yo, like this guy look like obviously everyone looks at Yang
right now is like this guy looksreally good for Portland, you
know what I mean? And I think if you looked at it

(01:46:48):
for like if New Orleans did thatand they saw you saw how he
played in pre season, like, OK, maybe it looks worth it.
Like maybe he pans out to be something, you know.
But again, I think they'll be like a borderline team.
I think Jordan Poole is better than what people give him credit
for. I'm not saying he's going to be
like this all world player. I just think he'll be a better
player this year and maybe in that system he could be better.
Dejonte being out hurts them. But I don't even think Dejonte

(01:47:09):
is like a similar kind of like position like he's he's kind of
impeded. His impact on winning hasn't
really been showing since he left San Antonio.
And look at Atlanta. They got better without him.
You look in New Orleans, they'vegotten worse with him.
And even with the injury, you know, Zion, obviously injuries
are always going to be the biggest question with his team.
I agree with what you said, Dan.I think that this team is a

(01:47:31):
bunch of pieces waiting to be snatched up to like contenders,
like teams like want. You know, there's going to be
teams that probably would take the swing on Trey Murphy, Herb
Jones, even a guy like Jose Alvarado off the bench.
Like he's been a a bench point guard for them for like the
years now. He's always been this pesky good
back of Garden. Now he's like, you know, yeah.
But now they got Jeremiah Fears,who I think actually looks

(01:47:51):
really good. I like Fears a lot.
I'm curious how he plays for them.
But you know, again, I think they're going to just slowly
trend off of like some of these guys, I even think Zion is a
potential move out of position. Like I think they might move off
of him at some point because I think his injury concerns are
just going to be too much for them to hold on to, especially
at his price tag. So I think if again, it's just

(01:48:14):
going to slowly happen when I think guys like Zion, Trey
Murphy, Herb Jones are going to be shipped out, I think they're
going to look and even Jordan Poole might be on the way out to
at some point, right? Like I think they'll be probably
more going to move him off and he might end up on a team, maybe
back on the Warriors again wherehe fit perfectly in that system
and look great for him. You know, I just think, you
know, you move off those guys, you kind of go with the Jeremiah

(01:48:36):
fears the the Dairy Queen you traded for him.
Might as well invest in him, youknow, and see how the rebuild
goes. A real rebuild goes with like
actual like talent again, like hopefully healthy young talent
this time around. But yeah, they're they're head
scratching front office. I think they'll be like a 12
seed. That's my my take. 33 wins and
that's it. Just like, yeah, as if they were

(01:48:58):
going under but still gonna win the over.
Fair enough. They've been saying that there's
crazy things in New Orleans. They got to relocate.
Too much beauty, they reckon. But get the Saints out of there
too, by just the fucking Saints suck.
Oh God, yeah, that place. Man, I love that city, but man,
they can't get anything right. No, the franchise does seem a

(01:49:19):
bit cursed and you know, they got their generation talent sign
but just can't stay fit. And I know we've seen him a
couple months ago and he's looking nice and slim, but I
just, I'm just not buying it. And looking at their roster,
like you said, there's just justa bunch of pieces ready to get
snapped up. I'm looking at the Senate
position. I'm not convinced by anything

(01:49:40):
there. And yeah, I, I really like
Jeremiah Fears 0 fears. I I like that.
I think Alvarado, he's a cool guy.
He definitely deserves to be in some sort of playoff type
basketball team. But yeah, I'm just not really
sold on the pieces that have. I'm just hoping that maybe
Portland can get Trey Murphy or something change or something

(01:50:01):
because he would be the perfect.Guy on any of these teams, man,
you put Trey Murphy on some of these contending rosters, like
I'm sure a Denver, like if you put like Cam Johnson's the guy
they got, but I'm sure Denver would have loved to have gotten
a guy like Trey Murphy instead. And we just spoke about the
Lakers would love Trey Murphy. The Lakers would.
And Trey Murphy would be perfectfor that.
Yeah, and even if you told me, like even if you told me a team

(01:50:26):
out East like like the cows, youdon't The Cavs, if you could
replace the Andre Hunter with Trey Murphy, you put Trey Murphy
on that Cavs team with Donovan Mitchell and.
Garland taking the Andre Hunter there, that's not.
Happening. They're not, they're not,
they're not from the family. I'm just saying in general, just
like, like just saying in terms of his play style and the way he
plays, you put him on one of those teams, he's a perfect fit.
Like he's literally even on OKC.What if OKC just decides, you

(01:50:47):
know, we're going to trade for him?
And then you build a God squad. You have Trey Murphy there now
with Jalen Williams suite SGA chat like that's.
And they have. Picks too, Like yeah, yeah,
Dish. I can't let you do that, Kenny.
I can't let you. Disconnect the door like that.
Lou Doard is Lou Doard is fine. Lou Door is a fine player.
I'm not even talking about training him, but Aaron Wiggins
is a guy that can move off of, you know, you got some other

(01:51:08):
pieces and some smokes and they got they got. 10.
For small picks to trade, they got 10 for small picks that
could trade. Bro that's in sick and it's
nuts. That's nuts.
We ain't there yet with the OKC,Kenny, Yeah.
I've strategically saved the thebest two teams.
I'm talking regular postseason, but yeah.

(01:51:28):
Yeah, it's it was funny when you're saying that I I was just
thankful that, you know, when you said Lakers and Trey Murphy,
I was thinking that offer games in some Delta Connect in the
second round or something. Like every mock trade?
Every mock trade. That's illusion right there.
The Lakers fan delusion right there bro.
I think they're some of the mostillusional fans in the world.
But somehow the delusion came true with the Luca trade.

(01:51:48):
The actual month a fan mock trade actually came true with
that. Think about that.
Anthony Davis on a pick for LucaDodger.
To work. I actually thought that thing
was fake, man. I can't lie.
I thought it was fake. Everyone did that was insane if
you had. We had pro players texting shams
if he got hacked. That's how crazy it was.
I know Lakers fans that are Lakers fans because they like

(01:52:10):
how Lakers fans are and like to be like Lakers fans, and that's
why they're Lakers fans. Get that tongue to Escolon.
But it makes sense what I said. Yeah, I'm telling you, it's
crazy. Wow.
We're talking about the the Pelicans.
If you haven't figured I I'm smashing the unders, yeah.
Mash of them. I had them at 30.
No, I don't know. I got them like 27, man.

(01:52:33):
I don't know. Still worse than the Suns?
No, it's still better than the Suns.
No, I reckon the I reckon the Suns may may pin them.
So you had the code 25. It's close, it's a close, close
one between them. I don't know, it could go either
way. You have Zion's fit, I reckon
they get maybe 27 but I don't back them being fit.
So it's it's hard. I don't know, they're around.

(01:52:54):
They're definitely in the same echelon.
The funny thing with the West isthe 15 seed is the Utah Jazz.
They're probably going to have like the under 20 win team right
there. And then everything else after
that I think is above 25 wins. That's how good the West is
though. I agree, even though 14 seed in
the West, like we talked about Sacramento and we, we, we joke
around about the Sacramento Kings, but like they might still
realistically hit like 2728 winsand they'll be like they could

(01:53:16):
be a 14 seed at that point. We got 28 wins, you know.
What are your bottom fives? So mine, I'm going to start, I'm
going to get a Utah and after them I'm going Pelicans.
Is this in order or? This is in order then the
Sacramento Kings, then the Phoenix Suns and then I'll have
to go as the 5th but with a better record.

(01:53:39):
Your boys port and travellers asmy bottom 5 or Memphis
Grizzlies. Actually it's one of them going.
I can't sit on that I'm. Going Jazz, Kings, Sons,
Pelicans. I think the Pelicans will be
better than sons and Kings this year.
For some reason. I just have a feeling to be
better than them. And then I have the Grizzlies as
my 5th, 11th seed. I think Portland is better than
all five of those teams, hands down, in my opinion.

(01:54:00):
I think they're, they're, they've proven that.
Yeah, I can be either me, eitherMemphis or Poland.
I'll probably give Portland the edge over Memphis.
So I have bottom 5 similar. I don't I don't like the Kings,
but I don't think they're as worse as the Pelicans.
But I think they're better than the sun.
Suns are better than the. They're all in that scene too.
That's the thing. They're all, they're all in that

(01:54:21):
scene tier like they're, they'remediocre of bad.
That's all it is. What's yours name?
I'm probably going do tough for sure.
They definitely that's the biggest luck.
Biggest luck. Pelicans and sons can go either
way. I think Pelicans, if they're all
fit, probably better, but I'm just going to go for the sake of

(01:54:42):
a Pelicans than Sons and then I'm going Kings Memphis.
Nice, so our top, our bottom 5 is all the same, it's just.
Really quick, really quick on the Pelicans.
Think about how crazy this is. We talked about Atlanta
yesterday, right? We talked about the Hawks.
If the Pelicans are the 14 seed,you know who their pick goes to,

(01:55:02):
right? Atlanta, yeah.
That's what we're speaking about.
We're talking about. Trey Young getting Trey Young
and that team that just improvedso much this past year, possibly
getting a lot a top three pick unprotected next year
potentially. And they got the they got the
first, they got the first pick the year before.
The way the the draught has gonethey probably get the top a top
three pick. Yeah.
But they're still, even if they get a top five pick, that's such

(01:55:24):
a big addition that the top fivenext year is going to be the
best top five we've had in years.
Man, that's a big years. I love dairy.
Queen, That's a big out. They should.
Never. No, it's a big.
He's going to be a bastard. You're not telling them, are
you, Nath? You're not telling them at all
compared. To what they get, it's going to
be a post compared to what the Hawks get.
The Hawks are going to get a start.
Generation power possibly. Dude one month ago I seen him

(01:55:46):
smoke 5 layups at the ring. Come on man you can't be doing
that. You're literally 669, just put
that ball in. Come on.
Anyway, move on to the final twos.
We'll get on to it. Where do you want to go first?
OK, see you at Denver. Denver.
Then you go Denver first. All right, so I'm going to start
with Denver. 50 wins last year, 53 1/2 is their line.

(01:56:10):
This is probably the best team that Jokic has played with.
They pick up Cam Johnson, which looks to be a sleeper pick
there. I'm obviously losing Michael
Porter junior, so they do lose some key, I think, shooting.
I know that Cam Johnson the shooter herself, but I think
Michael Porter's shooting is quite different when it comes to
Cam Johnson's. They pick up Bruce Brown, who I

(01:56:33):
really love, Bruce Brown. I'm a massive fan of Bruce
Brown. I think he took his money but
came back to where he belongs and that is the Denver Nuggets
being a key rotation player. They resigned Christian Brown as
well on a pretty nice deal I think, and I think he's going to
take strides to be a better player as well.
Aaron Gordon is serviceable and Jamal Murray, which I'm, I'm
hoping this year because I feel like he wants to stay healthy

(01:56:55):
because he's very much deservingof an All Star.
And I think the only reason why he hasn't been an All Star is
because he hasn't played enough games that he has been injured
all the time. I think this is the year that
Jamal Murray finally becomes theAll Star.
In saying all that, in saying that they're 53 1/2, I am still
taking the under and the only reason why I'm taking the under
is because I think they don't care about the regular season at

(01:57:17):
all. That's the only reason I think
that they want to set up as bestas they can for the playoffs and
getting themselves around 52 to 50 wins is going to get them a
top four seed still I think in this conference because of how
competitive the West is and if the lake is involved, the
Clippers sitting around that late 40s to early 50s mark as

(01:57:37):
well. And you know, I could obviously
be wrong. 21 team might get in the 50s.
That's why I think Denver Nuggets might just prime for
potentially just figuring out some things, running some
different line UPS, maybe even not playing Yokich as much as
they have in the past as crazy as it sounds, and set up for a
deep deep playoff run where theymay tactically try to just avoid

(01:58:00):
OKC as well. Or even if not, they try might
want to get him in the second round and see if they can fit
them before going to the WesternConference finals.
And that is literally the only reason I ain't saying the Denver
Nuggets aren't good. I think OKC should scare to
them. I think that's their bogey team
and I think that when you have someone like Nicola Yokich, who
is in my opinion going to be when his career is over, a top

(01:58:20):
15 greatest of all time player, yeah, it's hard to sit by that.
But still taking the under because it is regular season.
Yeah, maybe I'll sigbay into this one, but Yokich is the best
player in the league in my opinion and it has been for a
while and you know that alone I'm smashing the overs on this

(01:58:41):
one. I love what they've done with
the roster. Getting JV in to get some relief
for when Yokich is off the flooris huge.
And I know JV hasn't been the same as you know what it used to
be a couple of years back. But he can still score, still
good in the post. And that Cam Johnson trade,
albeit they didn't trade much for him, is huge.

(01:59:01):
He's a play making forward. He can get his own shot.
Michael Ford, juniors, he's a lot to trade.
Like our guys won a championship.
I don't think it's not much. Yeah, no doubt.
But if if your boy's having backproblems at 23 and 24, you get
off him, you know what I mean? Because that's an old man injury
and. I think that was a great trade.
I think that was personally a great trade for Denver.
It's a good trade, but I wouldn't say they gave up

(01:59:22):
nothing for it, is what I was trying to say.
Of course, what what I'm saying is he's obviously a talented
player because he's part of the trade, right?
But he's not consistent enough. What Denver lacked, you know,
going into playoffs is one injury would decimate the depth
here. Looks like they've built it out.
We've obviously got Brown comingback as a, you know, one of

(01:59:46):
those pseudo small play making players that could play power
forward and get bored and do everything for the team.
A big connector, something that you know, really works well with
Yokich and just even getting Hardaway Junior something like
it's just for shoot, get hot. I really like what they've done.
I wouldn't be surprised if they were to pick up another player,
maybe free agency. Because I think they could

(02:00:09):
probably do one more, but definitely the deepest I've seen
this team in a long, long time. And I think there's high upside
for Peyton. Watson looks to be a good three
and D type player. If his shot can come consistent,
you know they've got a hell of aplayer there.
So I was mentioning the overs. I think it's not going to be
close. I got them at 5556 wins and I

(02:00:32):
know you what you said, they're probably cruising, but sometimes
it feels like with Yokich out there they just cruise anyway
so. I'm going to go off you.
I'm going to say the same thing.I think the under isn't a bad
take in terms of the regular season idea.
Like I like them not taking it seriously, but I do think their
rosters as well and ahead betterthan a lot of these other

(02:00:53):
Western Conference teams. Like I think I've clearly have
them better than the Lakers, theClippers personally, I have them
better than definitely the Minnesota this year.
I think last year was a real conversation, but I think this
year I think they're way better than Minnesota.
And I think they even again, I think with Houston's injury to
to Fred Van Vleet, I do think itleaves an open option for them

(02:01:14):
that are going to be better thanthe Rockets this year by a good
margin. Obviously they have peace that
the Rockets have a really good team, but I think Denver is the
second best team in the West forme.
Clearly in my opinion right now,it wouldn't be as clear if I get
Fred Van Vleet was there. He's just that big for Houston,
but I have them at 5657 wins. I think when Nathan said it's
100% true, I think they they aregoing to be on cruise mode even

(02:01:36):
if they're not like at their best, just because Jokic is that
good. I think Jamal Murray's going to
have a big year this year, like you said.
I think you brought up a good point.
He's I think he wants to be healthy for once and actually
make an All Star team and be in that conversation of one of the
best pointers in the league thisyear.
Cam Johnson is such a big pick up for them, not only because of
the shooting that he might he replicates for MPJI know my PJ

(02:01:57):
might be a better shooter and off the dribble, but I think in
terms of spot up and I think defensively he's going to be a
much better defender than PJ was.
I think he's a much more he's a big upgrade.
It's a massive upgrade. I think.
I think health, I think health wise, I think health wise he's
going to be better too. He's a very reliable player in
terms of health. He always remains healthy.

(02:02:17):
I think Bruce Brown is a big pick up for them and Christian
Braun, I think he's have anotherbig jump this year in like his
production. I think he'll be around a 1780
point per game score potentially, you know, with good
efficiency. He'll be a good shooter.
He's an unbelievable rebounder for his size, a good defender.
I just really like to see him. I think Aaron Gordon, I think
Aaron Gordon can you can't forget Aaron Gordon either.

(02:02:40):
Aaron Gordon will always be in the mix as their their their
power forward. He's always a good player for
them. He's been a perfect fit, yes,
next to Yokich since he's been there and he's going to continue
to be that same fit. Obviously the injury last year
was unfortunate in the game seven.
I think they would have been a little bit of a tighter game if
he was able to play 100%. But it is what it is.

(02:03:01):
I think they're going to be around a 5756 win team for sure.
Just I also think they have established, I think their
coaches actually has wasn't isn't that bad.
I think this is a test for him though.
You know, he's he's coming off being a interim for MM Malone.
So him coming in and kind of be in the interim getting to a game

(02:03:21):
seven against OKC now he's goingto be kind of full time for the
first year. Curious to see how he does and
we'll see if he's able to pulledup and do his thing.
But I take the over on this one for sure.
I think they're the second seed this year.
Man, I full forgot that they gota new coach too.
Yeah, it'll be interesting to see how he goes.

(02:03:42):
But there was high reps of him in the Euro League that was a
good coach, so I guess I think he's.
He's a solid. When I spoke in postseason, he
did a solid job. He did a pretty good job in the
postseason, reeling them in whenthey were when they were in
tough and struggles. Or when they were a decent
touch. Yeah, he did a good listen.
Again, you're talking about one of the only teams that took

(02:04:03):
Denver to seven games. I mean, took OKC to seven games
outside of Indiana. You know that they can't be
laughed at. That can't be something that
sneezed that, especially with the injuries they dealt with.
They get to seven games against the reigning champs.
I mean, you're talking about they had a chance to take them
down if they had clutched up in one of those games early on,
right? They they blew one of those
games. You think they probably wouldn't
have win in six if they beat oneof them in the in that one, I

(02:04:25):
think it was one of the first two games they blew one of the
leads. I'm I'm sure they won their
games out of them. Yeah, they win that game.
They win that game. You're talking about a different
series. You're talking about Denver may
be going to the finals and now you're talking about who knows
what happens then, right. So yes, it's they're a tough,
they're a totally think they're.A tough team manager, but yeah.
Yeah, and they got better. They got better, Yeah, but

(02:04:53):
that's it. That's all I got.
We'll move on. I like your take.
I like it. I said, like I said, I don't I
don't think the Nuggets are bad.I just think that yeah, yeah,
maybe they'll they'll prime for the offseason, but I could I
could be extremely wrong here and they could hit like even 60
plus wins and just be like, fuckyou, OKC.
We want to be the number one seat, but we'll move on to then.

(02:05:15):
They've obviously hit 68 wins last year.
They're the reigning champs. They've got the reigning MVP.
Their team is one of the youngest in the league and they
just get another year older. They're at 63 1/2 wins and I'm
going to make a start here. I think they're smashing the
overs. I am that confident that they're
going to go that high in the overs that they might reach 70

(02:05:36):
wins. They got 68 wins without Chet
Holmgren playing a portion of the season, like 10 or so weeks
he was out and they still managed to get that many wins.
They've only got older. They've got more experience
under their belt. I think they want to chase
records, regular season records too.
I think they're the type of teamthat want to go for all time

(02:05:57):
records and make history and I think they're really going to
push for for seventy wins. The only team that I'm really
worried for is in the playoffs when they come against the
Nuggets or else I have them winning the NBA championship as
well. I think they make quick work of
any Eastern Conference team. So even they play maybe each
team twice, which is what, 30 games against them?

(02:06:20):
That's an easy thirty wins or 28wins in my opinion.
So that's where they're going toget most of their wins for and
and then that leaves about what is it maybe 50 games against the
Western Conference teams. And even if they go like maybe
3/4 of of losses, they probably still hit that 65 mark.
So yeah, I've got them smacking the over.
I think 63 1/2 wins is trying totell us that they might take the

(02:06:44):
gas off the brakes during the regular season.
But when their team is so young,so deep, and to have SGA, who
he's probably going to try to get back to back MVPS, another
scoring title, he's not going totake any days off.
And then you've got Chet Holmgren, who if he stays
healthy, will play the whole season.
And that's just going to give him an extra 234 wins at and
bare minimum with the 10 weeks that he he came off like I'm

(02:07:07):
smacking the overt. Yeah, it couldn't be any more
smacking. I'll be honest.
I'm I'm taking numbers here. Blue Wow, I'm taking I'm taking
numbers here. I'm going I'm going not that
much, though. I'm not going like crazy unders
I'm just going to I think they're A60 win team, but I
don't see them going for 64. I just think the West.
I think the teams got stronger, so I don't think there's going

(02:07:28):
to be as easy. I know they're better.
They're the best team in the West, no doubt.
I still, I still think. Chet Holden wasn't there, they
had 68 wins. Doesn't that?
Yeah, but you know, Jaylen isn't.
I think Jaylen Williams is hurt right now to start the season
right now. He's he's coming up with wrist
surgery. So they might have.
They're not going to have him for a little bit of time, you
know, and I'm not. And you know, listen, Chet's
another guy and he's in and out.You know, he's in and out of the

(02:07:50):
lineup sometimes. I'm not saying they can't win
without him. Obviously they can win.
I just think I'm just, I just, I, it's hard to replicate 65
plus wins again. And I think they'll get to 60,
but I think they'll get like 60 to 61.
I think towards the end of the year, they'll probably tail off
again, get themselves ready for the playoffs somehow.
How you said about Denver, I think you see the same thing
happened with OKC. Not saying they're going to let

(02:08:11):
off the gas. I just think they're not going
to, they're not going to push ashard for 65 wins as they would
have this past year where now they're experienced.
They said, OK, we know we can win 7065 games like they can.
They're capable of doing that, no doubt.
But I think they're looking at the big picture.
They're going to say, you know what, end of the year, let's say
we're at like 58 wins, we're like at 5556 wins.

(02:08:32):
We're we're locking up the firstseed.
We could go for a couple more, but let's take it easy.
Let's get our let's get our keepour guys healthy.
Let's get our stuff together. Let's keep chat healthy.
Let's keep Jalen Williams healthy.
And I think 62 wins, I think 62 wins is where they end up.
I think it's right under the line.
I don't think they end up at like 6566.
I think 62 wins is a fair line for me.

(02:08:53):
In my opinion, if they were wentunder by one or two, I think
that's fair. That's my that's my personal
take. I just think they're so young.
They're so young and they're notthat team that would just, they
don't give me that vibe that they'll just like take a rest
and just prime for playoffs. I think they just want to go at
everyone's throat. It's a matter of again.
We could go either way. They're they're the first team
without judging the like you said, they're they're the

(02:09:14):
favourites to win the chip. They should they would dog they
will they will dog walk any teamif they come out in the East.
I do think no team in the East has.
I don't even think Cleveland, New York, and I'm a Knicks fan.
I don't think the Knicks have. I don't think the Knicks have a
chance. I think they'll again, they
think it's in games. I'm not saying they can't win a
game, but I just think OK, CS too strong in A7 game series to

(02:09:35):
ask to win seven games is it's ait's a tough it's a tough task.
I mean, you saw Indiana took almost everything out of
Halliburton, left whatever he had left to even get them to
seven games and he got injured in the end, you know.
So again, they're a tough team to beat.
But yeah, I would say, I would say 62 wins, favourite, clear
favourite in the league, best team in the in the West.

(02:09:57):
And I think they're though, if they make the finals, I think
they're winning again. They're going back to back.
I reckon that's a great line because, yeah, similar to Kenny,
I hadn't pencilled in for 62 andit's real close because a go, go
either way. But like, like he was saying, I
feel like they've won. They know how to win and they're

(02:10:19):
just going to get that first seed.
And once they lock it up, they're not going to worry about
the stuck in those wins too much.
Similar to that, the Cavs last season and how they got ahead
and they just kind of went into cruise control and I hear what
he's saying. Chet has shown that he has
injury problems. I mean, he missed his first
season being injured and obviously going into the season,

(02:10:42):
J will J Dub he's injured as well.
Obviously, they've got great depth pieces and they're going
to win. They got Shay.
He's a, you know, MVP candidate,MVP of the league.
So he's him alone. He's going to get you wins.
But I think probably to start the season, they might try
giving some young guys a shot, see how the top which goes into
the lineup, you know, see has had some of these two.

(02:11:04):
He's got stuff on his balls he can't play.
That's. Crazy and even their first round
pick Thomas sober got injured 2 missing the whole season so
maybe comes back to their 10 picks.
Maybe they got to make some trades and maybe get some talent
in there, but Nah, they've got adeproster.

(02:11:26):
They can still give minister players.
Like it was Manus Yang, he hasn't really had a shot and
then there's two way guys on theteam can give a shot.
I don't. Think that guy's going to touch
the floor, if I'm honest. Hey man, when when you got your
team so good you can afford to put a guy out there that's not
doing much so. Maybe.
Maybe. But yeah, like I said, I've I
reckon it'll be close. I'm pencilling them for 62.

(02:11:49):
But yeah, they're definitely thestrongest team in the league in
my opinion, so I wouldn't be surprised if they went over.
Yeah, fair play. I mean, I think our top 4 is
quite different, but we can definitely say our top three
potentially is a lot. I think, I think the top three
I've got honestly, I feel like copters, I can make an argument

(02:12:11):
for Minnesota getting in there over the Rockets to be honest.
But other than that, I think is the OKC Thunder.
It could be Denver at 4, but maybe second realistically.
If not, I think the Rockets go ahead of them slightly.
Minnesota make a big push and then Denver could be 4th just
for these regular. Yeah.
I have a question though for youI.
Have a question? Tell me.

(02:12:32):
Obviously, you said you think Denver probably like 4th.
You said you put Denver like 4th, right?
Like is that just regular seasonor you think in terms of
rankings, where would you put Denver in terms of?
Just as it's no rankings, it would be Denver second, OK. 1st
all right, no, I agree. I agree with that.
I just I just curious. I mean, again, I think the
standings, again we talk about the over unders, but in terms of

(02:12:53):
team, I was just curious to see what you thought about them as
just a lot. I'm, I'm very high on Nuggets.
I think I just, I just like themfor the playoffs and building
for the playoffs rather than theregular season, as mentioned
before. Yeah.
But yeah, I think that pretty much wraps up all the
underovers. That wraps it all up as a quick
little recap. We all went under on the the
Utah Jazz. We all went over on the Portland

(02:13:16):
Trail Blazers. We I went over on the Minnesota
Timberwolves. I think both of you just went
under there. I'm on the opposite, went under
the Clippers, just both went over on the Clippers, the
Rockets. I think we all got over that
there. Did Nathan have you under or?
I may have gone under by by one.Like I said it was right on the

(02:13:38):
money. I reckon the 52 wins.
Yeah, The Mavericks I had under used both had over so I still
against each other. The Spurs think myself and Kenny
had over, Nathan under the Warriors I had under semester,
Nathan had over. Kenny had yeah.
I don't. Yes, yes, yes.

(02:14:01):
The Phoenix Suns, myself and Kenny went over.
Nathan went under. The Sacramento Kings, I think we
all went under there. Yep, me smacking it.
The Memphis Grizzlies we also, we had, we also, yeah, Kenny
smack that under them too. We also went under on the
Grizzlies as well. Yeah, the Nuggets I went, as

(02:14:23):
recently said, I went over. Both of yous went under.
The power, I went under, used both went over.
Apologies. The Pelicans, we all went under.
I think Kenny went over slightly.
I went, I went over by like a win or two, Yeah, I didn't go
over much. Yeah, that's good.
And I think the Lakers, I went over can he went over, Nathan

(02:14:44):
went under as well. And I think that finishes it off
with OKC, which we've just mentioned me taking the over and
both of you guys taking the under ever so slightly.
Yeah. But before we wrap that up,
which is which has been great, Iwant to quickly just rapid
firely get our player awards andcoach of the wards.

(02:15:05):
So I'm going to start. My MVP is going to be Jokic.
My hot take though, if I was to choose a hot take MVP candidate
it would be Kate Cunningham. The Defensive Player of the year
unanimously should be Wemby. Most improves it's going to go
to Eamon Thompson. I've got Andrew Nemhardt and
Trey Murphy as potential candidates there.
The clutch player of the year will go to Shay.

(02:15:26):
I think if it's not going to go to an MVPI, think he'll take the
the clutch player of the year. It's quite contradictory that
I've given Yokich MVP with a fourth seed thinking about it
but I might have to re retake mylogic.
But the rookie of the year Cooper flag, I think there's no
questions asked. And the coach of the year will
go to Jamal Mosley from the Orlando Magic.

(02:15:48):
I've got MVP, Luca, Rookie of the Year, Cooper Flag, DVI,
Wembi Most improved Player. I got Andrew Nemhard, Clutch
player of the year. I got Trey Young, Six man of the
year. I also got Josh Hart and coach
of the year. I got Chauncey Billups.
OK, wow. Let's go.
Yeah, I, I. Forgot to mention my 6th man of

(02:16:08):
the year, it was also Josh Hart as well.
And do we get Defensive Player of the Year?
Yeah, Yeah, Wendy, I'm pretty sure that's going to be
unanimous across the board. Yeah.
I think Wendy's going to be unbelievable.
I think actually an undertake anunder kind of like an underdog
for that. I think almond.
No, I have almond. I have undertaking.

(02:16:32):
That's a good Oscar can be thereone day, though.
All right, that's it for me. That was season awards.
What do you think about the confortray on what do you think
about that? You like that or no?
The what? The clutch part of the year you
think? Trey Young, you think?
Is keen, I like that. I don't think it's AI think the
SGA pick is really good though too.
I was looking at that. I actually funny.

(02:16:53):
I know if I had Trey, SGA and I also had Luca in there too is I
think Luca could have something.Put them stay on one of these
guys men. I'm going to have to do it.
I'm. Going to have to put it on all
the things I say to be honest. MVP Defensive player, Rookie
Most improved 6 men of the year Coach Clutch.
OK, I just need the clutch. I like to trade one.

(02:17:15):
It's a good one, but fuck I can't do that.
That's fucked. I was going to do bad Cara
Clutch. Edward does favour what?
OK, it's been wild. You're taking too long and now
you're fucking me off. Suck it, bro.

(02:17:35):
Anyway, I'm ready, all right? So for me, I'm going MVP, yo
Kitch Lock, Defensive Player of the Year.
I'm going Victor as well, rookie, Cooper Flag, Most
improved Player. I'm going Denny Advia, 6 man of
the year, Josh Hart, Coach Mosley again, magical, good and

(02:17:59):
clutch player of the year. I'm just going to go Kevin
Durant. Wow.
Wow. That's actually.
Yeah, I can't either. Yeah, very.
Interesting ones. I just put a multi on all the
ones that I did and it's paying 222 K so I only put a dollar on
it. So yeah, just to do it for a

(02:18:19):
laugh. But if if that went through,
that would be hilarious. But if?
It goes to. You can update that studio.
That's a new studio right there.Yeah, that's a new studio.
I'll start flying you over Kenny, for in person studio
talks. We're in the works of getting 1,
so don't you worry that's happening very, very soon.
But the last thing before we finish, we've got the two games
that are happening this morning.We can't go on without tipping

(02:18:41):
Rockets first. Thunder, Warriors got Lakers.
I've got the Thunder and I've got the Warriors beating the
Lakers for this first game. And I'll second that.
Yeah, oh boy, same thing. Thunder Warriors.
I just I that's yeah about it. Nice, I can't wait for it to be
back. Baby.
Yes, I'm getting a. Multi set up king for the king

(02:19:05):
for the Maltese. Not trying to get too hard on
them, but the opening NBA day Maltese, the exciting NBA is
back 4 hours of recording, maybea little bit over 4 hours, but
we've got it done. We went through the over and
unders and either we all look like expert basketball analysts
and we get recruited into a job or which to like complete enough

(02:19:26):
is we'll never know. You know how the NBA.
Is good bookies what we get hired Is good bookies?
For people, but they're all gambling.
Exactly. Gamble responsibly for sure, but
either or. It's been great discussing hoops
with my boys and going through the East and Western Conference
takes. And yeah, really excited for the

(02:19:47):
NBA season. This obviously got me way more
keen now. Again, hoping to release this
episode as soon as the E 1 comesout so we can have part both
part contests. We'll leave chapters on for each
team if you want to cover your team.
Obviously it's a big podcast here.
Not expecting everyone to completely listen to all of it.
That's why we have our teams separated.
But again, it's been a pleasure,boys.

(02:20:08):
Thank you so much for tuning in.And yeah, we're going to run
this back again, especially probably.
Each month, maybe just to do some NBA talk and see how teams
are going if if we if we're liking it right now and if
everyone's liking this should keep the record of these over
unders. I'm curious to see where we're
really they end up towards the end of the year mid season.
What you help on it. We'll most we'll most definitely
do a end of season review and try to get back on these over

(02:20:30):
and unders for sure. But again, it's been your boy
Daniel. You listen to the huddle within.
I've been with Kenny, I've been with Nathan and it's been a
pleasure boys. And once again, and I'll catch
you guys next week on normal. Preceding episodes.
Cheers. Thanks.
Good to be back. Happy to be back with NBA.
Let's go. Let's go.
Maybe. Hi.

(02:20:51):
So that's a wrap for this week'sepisode of The Huddle Within
podcast. I appreciate you for tuning in
and being part of this communitywhere we go beyond the game and
into what really matters. If this episode resonated with
you, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it
with someone who sees sports just the way that we do.
And hey, I'd love to hear from you.
Connect with me on my social medias, which will be linked

(02:21:12):
below, send in your thoughts andeven be part of a future
episode. Until next time, keep that
passion alive, stay in the huddle, and remember it's always
deeper than the game. Cheers.

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#37 NBA Overs and Unders: Western Conference

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