Atlantic Division Deep Dive: Injuries Shake Up the Season & Celtics' Secret Weapon Emerges!

[00:00:14] It's Tuesday, you know what time it is. Front Runner Podcast Collective is back on the air. I am your humble host, Vince. And we have a really big show for you today. We're going to be focusing in on the Atlantic Division today. We're going to be talking about, obviously, Jason Tatum, Joel Embiid making his return tonight. Also, the Brooklyn Nets, the Toronto Raptors. There are other teams in this division.

[00:00:42] And Nick fans, know that I have not forgotten about you. But before we do that, we're going to go ahead and get into the socials.

[00:00:57] X, which is at Front Runner PC, also at Rhea underscore Funch FRPC. Also hit the YouTube page. There's some new items up there on the community page.

[00:01:11] Please go ahead and make yourself heard, be counted, and make sure that you're connecting with us because we've got some questions up there for you.

[00:01:21] I will be adding to those and we'll also be doing some videos now that coincide with the podcast or whatever, but we're going to change it up.

[00:01:32] So, with that all being said, what's the other thing that we need to do? Be a friend, tell a friend, tell everyone you know about the podcast.

[00:01:40] Once you tell everyone, then you need to go outside your family and friend group and then go ahead and tell them about the podcast as well.

[00:01:50] So, with all of that being said, let's get to the podcast.

[00:01:54] And we're going to start with our new segment. We need to get music for this, Rhea.

[00:02:00] We're going to start with Baseline Buzz.

[00:02:04] The first and foremost thing with Baseline Buzz, these are like quick hitters, news items, and we'll kind of talk about them for a second and then kind of move on.

[00:02:15] So, the first item of this is you're going to see a running development here.

[00:02:21] Chet Holmgren, obviously out for the Oklahoma City Thunder with a right hip fracture that should keep him out at least for two months, if not more.

[00:02:32] He was critical to the OKC's defense.

[00:02:35] Obviously, we had talked about his stocks in a previous podcast.

[00:02:42] We had talked that he was up to 6.3 at the time of recording, which was a little bit.

[00:02:50] It was an uptick from his previous year, which was 4.9.

[00:02:54] So, you started to see that Chet Holmgren, and we were talking about it in that podcast, that his defense had elevated.

[00:03:02] His defense and what he was doing inside the defense had also elevated.

[00:03:08] And it's just, and how he, how the actual accident happened, being aggressive, going up, trying to make a defensive play against Andrew Wiggins.

[00:03:24] Met him at the summit.

[00:03:27] Somehow, Andrew Wiggins bumps him a little bit harder than maybe Chet thought he would.

[00:03:32] He comes crashing to the ground, all on his right side.

[00:03:37] And it was, it looked bad.

[00:03:41] He looked like he was in just awful pain.

[00:03:45] And, you know, we just wish him the speediest recovery.

[00:03:50] It's hard to have one of our giants out of the game, especially somebody who ascensioned to the top of the league was starting to take flight.

[00:04:02] Now, there is a narrative going around where Chet was going to turn into this, like, completely different offensive player.

[00:04:14] And that's where we were going to see the leap.

[00:04:17] As I was telling you on the pod, I want to say sometime last week, if it might have been in the middle of the week.

[00:04:24] But we thought that the jump would be defense.

[00:04:26] And we were starting to make a case for that.

[00:04:31] And we hope that with this recovery, that he gets to 100% and he's able to come back and get to the spot where he was starting to get to before the injury.

[00:04:46] So we wish Chet Hungren great success in his rehab.

[00:04:51] We know that his mentality will push him through and we send out our best to everyone in OKC about that.

[00:05:01] Now, their defensive rating.

[00:05:04] So he's going to have a situation where they don't have a center right now.

[00:05:12] I mean, the other J-Dub is out.

[00:05:19] Kyra Williams is out.

[00:05:22] Now, the only big they have, the only person they have right now over 6'7 is Uzumah Jang.

[00:05:31] And that's not going to get it done.

[00:05:34] I'm sorry.

[00:05:35] That's not going to get it done.

[00:05:37] But Shea Gilchrist Alexander gets a chance to make his case.

[00:05:42] The impact to Chet Hungren's injury is this, is that now with everybody being hurt, Hardenstein being hurt, the other Jalen Williams being hurt, you don't have another person in the middle.

[00:05:56] So what do you do?

[00:05:58] Well, you're going to have to play small.

[00:06:00] You're going to get absolutely murdered on the interior.

[00:06:03] And you don't have any kind of resistance to anybody driving to the paint right now.

[00:06:10] So unless Lou Dort is on some crazy stuff and you get incredible perimeter defense, it's going to be a long month for the OKC Thunder.

[00:06:25] But Shea Gilchrist Alexander is their MVP candidate.

[00:06:31] He's the type of guy that could OKC 18.

[00:06:34] And we'll see what he will be able to do in this iteration.

[00:06:39] Now, we move along to Kevin Durant.

[00:06:42] Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns is also hurt.

[00:06:45] He has a calf strength.

[00:06:46] Now, they say it's minor.

[00:06:49] Now, with Kevin Durant, we have the previous injuries, right?

[00:06:54] We have the calf injury that led to the Achilles injury, what have you.

[00:07:00] Anytime you hear Kevin Durant, 36-year-old, with a calf injury and they say it's mild or it's going to be like a two-week situation,

[00:07:10] you just want to keep a steady eye on that just because of the fact that we have the previous history to go off of.

[00:07:18] Now, Phoenix was playing well and Kevin was playing well when this situation happened.

[00:07:23] So I'm going to be real honest with you.

[00:07:27] This is a real doomsday scenario for the Phoenix Suns who get an incredible job building their bench.

[00:07:36] Ryan Dunn is a absolute find and also the other kid they drafted as well.

[00:07:41] And they've been able to piece together a bench, but somebody who is giving what Durant is giving them every single night.

[00:07:50] And like I said, he was putting MVP numbers before the injury.

[00:07:55] That's going to be hard to replace.

[00:07:56] Now, Devin Booker, who has struggled early on in the season, shooting like 42% from the field total and below, way below his season averages of three-point shooting, what have you.

[00:08:11] That's going to have to stop.

[00:08:12] He's going to have to pick up the pace.

[00:08:14] And also, we're going to have to get news on Bradley Beal because he was limping around in that last game too.

[00:08:21] So we hope that Bradley is just kind of beat up, maybe needs a breath, maybe one game, and then he can get back.

[00:08:30] But he looked like he had a hyperextended knee in that game.

[00:08:33] And I wonder what that's going to look like in the next couple weeks, especially with this Durant injury.

[00:08:44] And the injuries continue to come, and they're raining on the New Orleans Pelicans.

[00:08:50] It's Zion Williamson, Herbert Jones, CJ McCollum, all sideline.

[00:08:55] Now, they're getting Trey Murphy III back, which is incredible because they're going to need him.

[00:09:01] But Zion has a hamstring injury.

[00:09:06] He's going to be out for quite some time.

[00:09:08] CJ McCollum has some sort of abductor injury.

[00:09:11] He might miss quite a bit of time, and Herb Jones is also injured.

[00:09:16] I mean, this is literally three-fifths of the starting lineup.

[00:09:19] What are we doing right now?

[00:09:22] They're off to a terrible start.

[00:09:24] If they can't hold it together, if they can't get the shit righted, and they're going to be leaning on Brandon Ingram, who we've been talking about the whole offseason, whether he was going to get a contract or not get a contract.

[00:09:40] Now you have to lean on him.

[00:09:43] And I'm going to tell you right now, Brandon Ingram must be sitting there going, mm-hmm.

[00:09:49] Now you need me.

[00:09:50] Oh, you didn't want to talk contract then?

[00:09:53] Do you want to talk contract now?

[00:09:56] Or he'll just shut his mouth and just try to do what he can do and build up his resume so he can go into the offseason and make the dollars that he wants to make.

[00:10:07] But I will say this.

[00:10:10] The Pelicans are just decimated by injuries right now.

[00:10:13] And it's one of those things where I think if you get to December and you're still under .500, and let's say it's decently significant under .500,

[00:10:28] you might have to pull the plug on the season and see if you can get one of these highly talented kids that's coming out in the first round this year.

[00:10:38] Because the Pelicans do have their pick.

[00:10:40] They traded the Laker pick away, but they do have theirs.

[00:10:44] Now on to Chris Middleton.

[00:10:46] We talked about him.

[00:10:47] We're not going to belabor the point, but Chris Middleton, the double ankle surgery, he's going to be out a lot longer.

[00:10:54] That was something that was floated in the last week.

[00:10:57] And then we saw the Tyrese Maxey hamstring strain.

[00:11:02] And he's out for Philadelphia, which means that you have Paul George on a minutes restriction.

[00:11:09] You have Joel Embiid coming back.

[00:11:13] And Joel Embiid has said that he's not playing back-to-backs.

[00:11:17] That's done in his career.

[00:11:20] Now, that could have been hyperbole.

[00:11:23] Joel sometimes speaks before it all makes sense in his head.

[00:11:29] We'll see.

[00:11:31] But if he's not playing back-to-backs,

[00:11:34] George is on a minute restriction.

[00:11:37] They're going to be leaning on Jared McCain and our guy Yabusele a lot.

[00:11:44] And a lot of Tsunami Papi, Kelly Oubre Jr.

[00:11:49] So we'll see how that goes in Philadelphia.

[00:11:52] But the whole league has a ton of injuries.

[00:11:56] We lifted off some of the bigger names and things of that nature, the ones that are going to impact our NBA watching more.

[00:12:04] And that's what I wanted to bring your attention to.

[00:12:08] And maybe you can answer this question.

[00:12:10] And you can hit us up on Twitter.

[00:12:12] Or you can hit us up on the YouTube page at Frontrunner Podcast Collective.

[00:12:18] And let me know.

[00:12:20] Is your viewing enjoyment due to all these injuries early on the season?

[00:12:27] Has it been affected?

[00:12:28] Do you feel the same little jolt of energy when you see,

[00:12:32] oh, wow, we got the Celtics and we got Denver.

[00:12:37] Oh, man, I forgot Aaron Gordon's out.

[00:12:39] Or the Clippers and the Suns.

[00:12:42] Oh, Kawhi and Durant are out.

[00:12:45] You can go down the list.

[00:12:48] A lot of teams have major stars, missing time.

[00:12:54] We need to get our, now that we got the election out the way,

[00:12:58] we need to get our top scientists, our top great minds on this epidemic that we're having

[00:13:06] in our National Basketball Association.

[00:13:10] I implore Adam Silver to do the right thing.

[00:13:14] And make sure that we can get scientists from Germany, Sweden, Japan, Australia,

[00:13:26] get some of the greatest minds together to see if we can curtail this epidemic

[00:13:33] that's plaguing our NBA superstars.

[00:13:37] The ball is in your court, Adam.

[00:13:39] Do the right thing.

[00:13:41] All right, we're going to move on.

[00:13:44] And this is the part where we said we were going to be talking about divisions and no team

[00:13:49] was going to be left behind and what have you.

[00:13:52] So we have a big segment of the Atlantic Division.

[00:13:57] So I am thrilled to start doing this.

[00:14:02] And remember, this is going to be every, we're going to interchange every other week.

[00:14:09] This week is going to be the Eastern Conference.

[00:14:11] You're going to get obviously still the baseline buzz.

[00:14:14] You're going to get the news and notes that are affecting games right now.

[00:14:18] So you know you don't have to worry about that.

[00:14:21] But also, we can lock in on these divisions and we can touch them.

[00:14:28] So then fan bases feel like it's not like we're being completely forgotten about.

[00:14:33] And there are certain things that we can talk our team or whatever.

[00:14:36] It might not be as fun as, let's say, the Cleveland fan base right now, right?

[00:14:42] In Brooklyn.

[00:14:43] No offense.

[00:14:45] You guys are playing better.

[00:14:46] We're going to get to that in a second.

[00:14:48] But you guys are playing feisty.

[00:14:50] And we're going to talk about Jordy Fernandez in a second.

[00:14:53] But we want to make sure that the Toronto's of the world and everybody is getting touched.

[00:14:58] So let's get into this real quick.

[00:15:01] And it's going to lead us into a couple things.

[00:15:04] Now, the Brooklyn Nets.

[00:15:07] I'm going to say this right now.

[00:15:09] Jordy Fernandez might be too good of a coach for the talent that he has on the roster.

[00:15:19] Sean Marks is at DEFCON 2.

[00:15:22] And he's going to have to make some trades to strip this franchise down a little bit to make sure to ensure the tank.

[00:15:32] My man, Jordy Fernandez, has the Brooklyn Nets playing very well right now.

[00:15:37] They're competitive in a lot of the games.

[00:15:40] And they're off to a better start than what we thought that was previously expected of them.

[00:15:47] Now, do we expect Brooklyn to somehow slide into playoff contention?

[00:15:55] No.

[00:15:55] Right now, the Nets are 5-6.

[00:16:00] Plucky team.

[00:16:01] But remember, the Knicks, the Hawks, the 76ers, the Bucks, they're all behind the Nets.

[00:16:11] And at some point, Sean Marks will trade away pieces like Cam Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith

[00:16:19] to allow the tank to functionally coalesce.

[00:16:25] Listen, Cam Thomas is doing all he can.

[00:16:29] He shot them into a game, made it very exciting, and then shot his way out of a game.

[00:16:36] It was great.

[00:16:37] I loved it.

[00:16:39] And this is what we're going to get from our guy.

[00:16:42] But at the end of the day, we got to do something about this.

[00:16:45] At the end of the day, we got to do something about this winning for the Nets.

[00:16:50] Keep a mind.

[00:16:52] Keep your eye on the prize.

[00:16:56] Cougar flag.

[00:16:58] Ace Bailey.

[00:17:00] Denton Schroeder is putting up 20 points a game.

[00:17:03] Dorian Finney-Smith and Bogdan Bogdanovich are reportedly being eyed by teams interested

[00:17:11] in adding veterans.

[00:17:13] The Nets seem to be aiming to improve their lottery odds, but they'll likely be finding

[00:17:18] willing trade partners, obviously, because everybody needs help because of the injury bug.

[00:17:24] Everybody needs help because of their team wasn't complete before the season started.

[00:17:29] We talked about it in the offseason.

[00:17:32] It seemed like there was a lot of teams that had incomplete offseason grades because

[00:17:37] there was some sort of, it seemed like, I don't know, some sort of pause in the middle

[00:17:44] of the offseason where just stuff didn't get done.

[00:17:47] You could call it the Olympic break.

[00:17:51] But by the time we got to media day, this is what we were going into the season with.

[00:17:57] And then as December 15th rolls around, that will be the true start of rumor season.

[00:18:03] And then we'll see what the trades come up as.

[00:18:06] But we might see some trades early.

[00:18:09] Too many injuries.

[00:18:10] And the West is highly competitive.

[00:18:13] And you can't.

[00:18:15] If you're a team that's in the middle of the West right now and you go on like a five or six

[00:18:20] game losing streak.

[00:18:22] It is catastrophic.

[00:18:24] For your positioning.

[00:18:28] Now, obviously, albeit we're still early in the season, things need to happen.

[00:18:32] But we're one eighth into the season.

[00:18:35] People play like 10 games now.

[00:18:38] Maybe more.

[00:18:39] Some play 12.

[00:18:42] So it's not as far-fetched as it might seem.

[00:18:45] You can't have stretches where you're going two and eight in a 10 game stretch if you're

[00:18:51] breaking down the season in 10 game increments.

[00:18:55] The West is crazy.

[00:18:57] Now, in the East, maybe you'll be able to get away with that.

[00:19:00] In the West, you are not able to get away with that.

[00:19:02] Now, another thing that we love to talk about on this podcast is the head coach of the Boston

[00:19:10] Celtics.

[00:19:11] And Joe Mozilla recently praised his team and their resilience.

[00:19:16] He says, our ability to stay mentally connected during tough stretches is what sets us apart

[00:19:22] this season.

[00:19:23] They've had a couple slip-ups in Cleveland right now who we get to talk about on Thursday.

[00:19:32] Because we're doing this podcast on Tuesday.

[00:19:36] Cleveland is now running the East.

[00:19:40] And they're undefeated.

[00:19:42] And they have 12 wins.

[00:19:44] But Boston, I don't worry about.

[00:19:47] They got too much talent.

[00:19:50] The talent knows the system.

[00:19:52] The continuity is there.

[00:19:54] Peyton Pritchard is on a mission.

[00:19:56] We'll talk about him later.

[00:19:58] But it's a great situation.

[00:20:01] It's going to be a hell of a season if Cleveland is going to continue this blistering start that

[00:20:10] they're on.

[00:20:11] So, right now, if you look at the Atlantic, you got the Boston Celtics.

[00:20:15] They're leading the division.

[00:20:17] Followed by a struggling Philadelphia.

[00:20:20] Hit by injuries.

[00:20:21] Brooklyn, Toronto, and New York are close in the middle of each other.

[00:20:27] They're facing unique challenges.

[00:20:30] They all do.

[00:20:31] Some are more self-inflicted than others.

[00:20:36] Now, the Celtics are...

[00:20:39] They lead in a lot of statistical categories.

[00:20:47] But the 56.1% effective field goal shooting is the thing that caught my eye.

[00:20:53] That's a little bit up from last season, which was 54.3.

[00:20:58] Their pace is raised as well from 99.4 to 101.1, which is an improvement that boasts their efficiency.

[00:21:07] Basically, they're just taking the ball, getting the rebound, getting it down the court, and getting buckets.

[00:21:13] You know what I'm saying?

[00:21:13] They're not waiting.

[00:21:15] Because when you know your offense and you know where your players are going to be,

[00:21:19] there's just a rhythm to it.

[00:21:21] There's a sense of just organicness to it.

[00:21:25] And you can just kind of feel your player sliding into position so you can go ahead and get him the ball.

[00:21:32] I see a lot of good things going on with Boston.

[00:21:36] Of course, they're going to have a couple slip-ups here.

[00:21:38] They shoot a lot of threes.

[00:21:40] They're mandated to shoot a lot of threes.

[00:21:42] If the threes don't go in every once in a while, guess what?

[00:21:48] There's no one on this podcast who is going to stress themselves out about it.

[00:21:52] Boston looks sick.

[00:21:54] And I mean sick in the best way.

[00:21:57] And that's a...

[00:21:59] Listen.

[00:22:02] I spent 15 years there.

[00:22:04] I had many of friends take me out to bars and events.

[00:22:08] You've been here 15 years.

[00:22:10] Let the Lakers go and just be a Celtics fan.

[00:22:13] I said no.

[00:22:15] I grew up in Los Angeles.

[00:22:17] That's my squad.

[00:22:19] I gave you the Red Sox.

[00:22:21] Because I was a Red Sox fan since I was 8 years old.

[00:22:25] But...

[00:22:27] I will not give you the Celtics.

[00:22:30] But as an analyst, I'm looking at this team and I just...

[00:22:35] They got so much depth.

[00:22:37] And the thing about it is that makes it so crazy

[00:22:40] Is that they're getting contributions.

[00:22:43] And I'm talking about significant contributions from...

[00:22:47] Peyton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, and the like.

[00:22:51] So...

[00:22:51] If that's going to continue...

[00:22:54] And people are going to start to come back.

[00:22:56] Mainly Christoph Corzingis.

[00:23:00] I don't see a problem here.

[00:23:02] Now let's move on.

[00:23:04] Now...

[00:23:05] The Philadelphia 76ers are in trouble.

[00:23:08] They're 2-8.

[00:23:09] Now they're...

[00:23:10] The good thing is, as we are recording this podcast...

[00:23:13] Joel Embiid is playing his first game.

[00:23:16] Now...

[00:23:17] If I am a good host...

[00:23:19] Which I am...

[00:23:20] I would tell you...

[00:23:21] An update...

[00:23:23] On this podcast...

[00:23:24] About Joel Embiid...

[00:23:26] And what the hell he's doing.

[00:23:27] Correct?

[00:23:28] God dog it.

[00:23:29] You should get that.

[00:23:30] And they are down...

[00:23:32] By 13 points...

[00:23:33] To the New York Knicks right now.

[00:23:35] Let's see what Joel is doing right now.

[00:23:36] Joel Joe.

[00:23:39] Alright, so Joel played 26 minutes.

[00:23:42] He has 13 points...

[00:23:44] On 2 of 11...

[00:23:46] From the floor.

[00:23:47] 1 of 5 from 3 point land.

[00:23:49] So it looks like he's...

[00:23:51] Settling.

[00:23:52] Which is weird.

[00:23:54] Because...

[00:23:55] He's going up against...

[00:23:57] Obviously...

[00:23:58] The easiest...

[00:24:00] Scored upon center...

[00:24:01] In the National Basketball Association.

[00:24:04] Which is...

[00:24:04] Carl Anthony Towns.

[00:24:06] There's such an amazing...

[00:24:08] Stat out there...

[00:24:09] With Carl Anthony Towns...

[00:24:11] As far as...

[00:24:12] What he allows...

[00:24:14] As a center...

[00:24:15] Near the basket.

[00:24:16] And what he's allowing right now...

[00:24:19] Is something like...

[00:24:20] 94%...

[00:24:21] At the basket.

[00:24:23] Brother...

[00:24:23] That's not going to get it done.

[00:24:25] Now...

[00:24:26] I understand that you're not...

[00:24:27] The greatest defensive center...

[00:24:29] In the whole wide world.

[00:24:30] But Nikola Jokic...

[00:24:32] Is not the greatest defensive center...

[00:24:34] In the whole wide world either.

[00:24:35] And he shows a hell of...

[00:24:37] A hell of a lot more effort...

[00:24:39] Than you're showing right now.

[00:24:41] Kudos to you.

[00:24:42] I don't know what you did tonight.

[00:24:44] I'm sure you heard that stat.

[00:24:47] Shots out...

[00:24:48] Stats Williams on ESPN...

[00:24:50] And Tim Bontemps...

[00:24:52] Of the Hoop Collective.

[00:24:54] But...

[00:24:55] When I heard that stat...

[00:24:56] I was alarmed.

[00:24:58] I was like...

[00:24:58] What the hell is going on?

[00:25:01] First of all...

[00:25:02] We knew the injuries...

[00:25:03] Were going to be a problem.

[00:25:05] We knew Mitchell Robinson...

[00:25:06] And not being able to address...

[00:25:08] That situation...

[00:25:10] In the offseason...

[00:25:11] Was going to be problematic.

[00:25:13] But...

[00:25:13] What we did not know...

[00:25:15] Was that...

[00:25:18] The perimeter defense...

[00:25:19] For some reason...

[00:25:20] Is not as good...

[00:25:21] Maybe because of the fact...

[00:25:23] They just don't have the continuity...

[00:25:25] But...

[00:25:27] Carl Anthony Towns...

[00:25:28] Is an absolute sit...

[00:25:30] At the center position...

[00:25:31] So you're going to have to make...

[00:25:33] Some sort of adjustment...

[00:25:35] As you get closer to the playoffs...

[00:25:38] Your hope right now...

[00:25:39] Now obviously...

[00:25:40] Things change with a trade.

[00:25:43] So if you can get another...

[00:25:44] Defensive presence...

[00:25:46] To put next to Towns...

[00:25:48] And then take...

[00:25:48] Josh Hart out of the starting lineup...

[00:25:50] And move everybody down...

[00:25:52] Okay...

[00:25:53] I got you...

[00:25:55] If we're sitting here...

[00:25:57] And...

[00:25:58] The...

[00:25:58] Dramatic difference is...

[00:26:00] Mitchell Robinson comes back...

[00:26:02] Who you can't count on...

[00:26:04] Because he physically...

[00:26:05] He physically doesn't hold up...

[00:26:06] Every single gear...

[00:26:08] If that's the plan...

[00:26:09] I don't like the plan...

[00:26:12] Come up with a different plan...

[00:26:14] Kind of hitting both...

[00:26:15] Teams at the same time...

[00:26:17] But...

[00:26:17] I wanted to hit that...

[00:26:18] Because of...

[00:26:20] That little stat...

[00:26:21] Let's talk about the Brooklyn Nets...

[00:26:22] Real quick...

[00:26:23] And the first thing...

[00:26:24] That I want to talk about...

[00:26:25] This is a Cam Thomas...

[00:26:27] Update...

[00:26:27] We do a Cam Thomas...

[00:26:29] Update...

[00:26:30] In the first...

[00:26:31] Pod...

[00:26:31] Of every week...

[00:26:32] Because...

[00:26:33] Cam...

[00:26:33] Cam Thomas...

[00:26:34] Is our guy...

[00:26:36] Cam Thomas...

[00:26:37] Of the Brooklyn Nets...

[00:26:38] Is still averaging...

[00:26:39] 19.5 field goal...

[00:26:41] Attempts a game...

[00:26:43] Now...

[00:26:44] He is...

[00:26:46] Woefully...

[00:26:47] Inefficient...

[00:26:48] But...

[00:26:49] He is willing...

[00:26:50] To take the shots...

[00:26:51] Now...

[00:26:52] Dennis Schroeder...

[00:26:53] Again...

[00:26:53] We told you...

[00:26:54] He's averaging...

[00:26:55] 20 points a game...

[00:26:56] On...

[00:26:57] 48.6%...

[00:26:58] From the field...

[00:26:59] Which is excellent...

[00:27:00] Now...

[00:27:01] He's shooting...

[00:27:01] 46.3%...

[00:27:04] From three...

[00:27:06] On...

[00:27:06] 6.7%...

[00:27:07] Attempts...

[00:27:08] Now...

[00:27:08] Obviously...

[00:27:09] That will go down...

[00:27:12] But...

[00:27:12] Damn it...

[00:27:13] Could the Lakers use...

[00:27:16] Dennis Schroeder...

[00:27:17] Right now...

[00:27:18] You think?

[00:27:20] It would be great...

[00:27:22] But I want to credit...

[00:27:23] Kevin Pelton...

[00:27:24] And I also want to credit...

[00:27:25] Stats Williams...

[00:27:27] On those...

[00:27:28] Stats...

[00:27:28] As far as certain...

[00:27:29] That's where we got them from...

[00:27:30] And I want to give credit...

[00:27:32] Where credit is due...

[00:27:33] Now...

[00:27:34] We're going to talk about...

[00:27:36] The Celtics...

[00:27:36] For one second...

[00:27:37] The Celtics...

[00:27:38] As far as their scoring...

[00:27:40] And whatever...

[00:27:41] I don't know if you saw it...

[00:27:44] In the last game...

[00:27:46] But...

[00:27:48] Giannis Antetokounmpo...

[00:27:49] And Jalen Brown...

[00:27:51] Got into it a little bit...

[00:27:52] So...

[00:27:55] Giannis...

[00:27:55] Fouls Jalen Brown...

[00:27:57] Very hard...

[00:27:58] Looked like...

[00:27:59] I wouldn't say dirty...

[00:28:00] But it was an aggressive foul...

[00:28:01] So...

[00:28:04] Oh...

[00:28:04] Jalen...

[00:28:05] Slow to get up...

[00:28:06] Okay...

[00:28:07] It's Jalen Brown...

[00:28:08] He a tough dude...

[00:28:09] Gets up...

[00:28:11] And you think that...

[00:28:12] Giannis...

[00:28:13] Is going to be a good sportsman...

[00:28:15] And walk up to him...

[00:28:16] And say something...

[00:28:17] Because they're...

[00:28:17] He's talking to him...

[00:28:19] And it looks like he's being friendly with him...

[00:28:21] And he extends his hand...

[00:28:23] And then at that point...

[00:28:25] Jalen...

[00:28:26] Goes to...

[00:28:26] Daff him up...

[00:28:27] Like...

[00:28:27] Okay...

[00:28:28] No problem...

[00:28:30] We all competitors...

[00:28:31] Whatever the case may be...

[00:28:33] Then Giannis does...

[00:28:34] Some okey-doke shit...

[00:28:36] And does the...

[00:28:37] Oh...

[00:28:37] You too slow...

[00:28:38] Like he's...

[00:28:40] Some five-year-old...

[00:28:42] Now...

[00:28:43] Two things...

[00:28:44] First...

[00:28:44] Jalen Brown...

[00:28:45] Called him out for it...

[00:28:46] In the post game...

[00:28:47] He said...

[00:28:48] He acts like a child...

[00:28:49] We out here...

[00:28:51] Trying to win basketball games...

[00:28:53] We are professional...

[00:28:55] I don't know why he wants to act like...

[00:28:58] Beavis and Butthead...

[00:28:59] Now he didn't say that part...

[00:29:00] I threw that in...

[00:29:01] I threw that in...

[00:29:03] But...

[00:29:03] I'm sure that's what his situation was...

[00:29:06] Off the dome top...

[00:29:07] Now...

[00:29:08] The thing that I want to really get into...

[00:29:10] With the Boston Celtics...

[00:29:12] Is that...

[00:29:14] Tatum's usage rate is now...

[00:29:17] 31.2%...

[00:29:19] And Peyton Pritchard...

[00:29:20] Is another story to watch...

[00:29:22] And the reason why I want to talk about...

[00:29:25] Peyton Pritchard...

[00:29:26] And I want to big up...

[00:29:27] Peyton Pritchard...

[00:29:28] Two reasons...

[00:29:29] One...

[00:29:30] He is...

[00:29:31] The...

[00:29:32] He's one of the kids from...

[00:29:34] The old Pac-12...

[00:29:36] Now at some point...

[00:29:37] We're going to get a new Pac-12...

[00:29:40] And...

[00:29:40] Somehow...

[00:29:41] These legends...

[00:29:43] Are going to get lost...

[00:29:44] In the sauce...

[00:29:45] Or whatever...

[00:29:46] But Peyton Pritchard...

[00:29:47] From Oregon...

[00:29:48] He's taking...

[00:29:50] 9.13's...

[00:29:52] A game...

[00:29:53] Which is up from...

[00:29:54] 4.7...

[00:29:56] Last season...

[00:29:58] So he's averaging...

[00:30:00] Four and a half more...

[00:30:01] Three pointers...

[00:30:02] A game...

[00:30:03] This season...

[00:30:04] And he's shooting...

[00:30:05] 43%...

[00:30:06] Beyond the arc...

[00:30:08] So...

[00:30:09] When you say...

[00:30:10] Hey...

[00:30:11] You lost...

[00:30:11] Christoph Porzingis...

[00:30:13] Where is some of this...

[00:30:14] Offensive production...

[00:30:15] Going to come from?

[00:30:16] Well...

[00:30:17] Peyton Pritchard has taken...

[00:30:18] That assignment...

[00:30:19] Very seriously...

[00:30:21] And he's doing what he can...

[00:30:23] Now...

[00:30:24] Jalen Brown's response...

[00:30:25] To the handshake...

[00:30:26] This is his response...

[00:30:27] Um...

[00:30:28] He says...

[00:30:29] Giannis is a child...

[00:30:30] Gotta love the energy...

[00:30:32] So...

[00:30:33] He's not taking it seriously...

[00:30:34] Whatsoever...

[00:30:36] Now...

[00:30:36] We move along...

[00:30:37] To the Philadelphia 76ers...

[00:30:39] Who are...

[00:30:41] Not doing great...

[00:30:43] And...

[00:30:43] We gave you the update...

[00:30:44] On their situation...

[00:30:46] And let's see where they are...

[00:30:47] Right now...

[00:30:49] They are going to lose...

[00:30:51] It is 105...

[00:30:52] To 95...

[00:30:54] With a minute...

[00:30:56] And 11 to go...

[00:30:56] In the game...

[00:30:58] No real standouts...

[00:31:00] For...

[00:31:01] New York Knicks...

[00:31:02] I will tell you this...

[00:31:03] Is that...

[00:31:04] Looks like...

[00:31:05] There was a lot of stagnation...

[00:31:07] In the offense...

[00:31:07] I can't wait to watch this game...

[00:31:09] I have it on...

[00:31:10] Record...

[00:31:10] But...

[00:31:11] So they're going to go to 2-9...

[00:31:13] And...

[00:31:14] That is a problem...

[00:31:17] Because they have a game tomorrow...

[00:31:20] Where they're going to go to an 8...

[00:31:22] And then they might...

[00:31:23] Possibly go to 2-9...

[00:31:25] So who do they play tomorrow?

[00:31:27] So...

[00:31:27] Tomorrow they play Cleveland...

[00:31:29] Cleveland hasn't lost...

[00:31:30] So...

[00:31:31] There's a good chance...

[00:31:33] That the two games...

[00:31:34] Where supposedly...

[00:31:36] Your...

[00:31:37] Guy...

[00:31:38] In beat is back...

[00:31:40] He might not play in the Cleveland game...

[00:31:42] Which is a guaranteed loss...

[00:31:43] If he's not in there...

[00:31:45] And...

[00:31:46] Is your boy...

[00:31:47] Going to play...

[00:31:48] Paul George...

[00:31:49] Is he going to play?

[00:31:50] Does he play in the back-to-back...

[00:31:52] With the hyper-extended knee?

[00:31:53] I don't know...

[00:31:55] So here's the deal...

[00:31:56] Maxie's out...

[00:31:57] And B's coming back...

[00:31:59] He's not playing back-to-backs...

[00:32:01] They're averaging 107...

[00:32:02] 107 points a game...

[00:32:05] Ranking them 27th in the league...

[00:32:07] While allowing 114.6...

[00:32:11] They are...

[00:32:14] Negative...

[00:32:15] 8.16...

[00:32:17] Placing them 26th...

[00:32:19] In their pace...

[00:32:21] And they're one of the slowest teams in the league...

[00:32:24] Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo...

[00:32:26] Highlights Philly's rotational issues...

[00:32:28] Without Maxie and Embiid...

[00:32:30] The Sixers offense struggles...

[00:32:32] Are glaring...

[00:32:33] As they're...

[00:32:34] Left to rely heavily...

[00:32:36] On unproven players...

[00:32:37] We talked about the Yabu Silly game...

[00:32:40] We talked about...

[00:32:41] Jared McCain...

[00:32:42] And how monumentally important...

[00:32:44] This is gonna be...

[00:32:46] But...

[00:32:47] Yo...

[00:32:48] What are we gonna do in Philly right now?

[00:32:51] Because...

[00:32:52] The answers...

[00:32:53] Are not there...

[00:32:55] And...

[00:32:57] We're in a position where...

[00:32:59] This thing can slip away...

[00:33:00] Slip away very quickly...

[00:33:02] What to do?

[00:33:04] I feel bad for Philadelphia 76ers fans...

[00:33:08] I feel bad for...

[00:33:12] I don't feel bad for the organization...

[00:33:15] Because we caught this shit...

[00:33:17] In April...

[00:33:18] When they brought him back...

[00:33:20] It was a fool's errand...

[00:33:22] They sent him on...

[00:33:24] Bringing him back after knee surgery...

[00:33:26] He hasn't been the same since...

[00:33:28] And now...

[00:33:29] He missed the start of the year...

[00:33:32] Playing in the Olympics...

[00:33:34] Or whatever...

[00:33:35] Supposedly wasn't healthy there...

[00:33:38] And...

[00:33:39] He...

[00:33:39] All he cares about is championships...

[00:33:42] And man...

[00:33:43] You should've cared about championships...

[00:33:44] And not played in the Olympics...

[00:33:46] Maybe you shouldn't have came back...

[00:33:49] In April...

[00:33:50] And I don't know whose call that was...

[00:33:54] We'll never know...

[00:33:55] But...

[00:33:55] At the end of the day...

[00:33:57] Just saying...

[00:33:58] That...

[00:33:59] This is now...

[00:34:02] A disaster...

[00:34:03] And they have to dig themselves out of it...

[00:34:06] Because I'm gonna tell you...

[00:34:08] Those Phillies fans...

[00:34:10] They're not gonna stand for this...

[00:34:12] Not at all...

[00:34:14] We also...

[00:34:15] We talked about the Nets...

[00:34:17] But I do...

[00:34:17] I wanna give you this one thing...

[00:34:19] Bill Simmons said recently on a pod...

[00:34:22] He suggested...

[00:34:22] Giannis could land in Brooklyn...

[00:34:24] And I'm gonna think that's...

[00:34:26] Super wild...

[00:34:27] For a lot of reasons...

[00:34:28] First of all...

[00:34:29] Why would Giannis go...

[00:34:31] To Brooklyn?

[00:34:32] It's not even the...

[00:34:33] Glamour team...

[00:34:34] In...

[00:34:35] New York...

[00:34:37] Okay...

[00:34:37] So that's the first and foremost thing...

[00:34:40] If...

[00:34:40] Giannis was going to leave...

[00:34:43] If he was gonna actually put it out there...

[00:34:45] And be the...

[00:34:46] The villain...

[00:34:47] For the first time...

[00:34:48] And say...

[00:34:49] Hey...

[00:34:49] I wanna get traded...

[00:34:52] Why would he go to a team where...

[00:34:54] He would have...

[00:34:56] Less help...

[00:34:57] Or...

[00:34:58] The same amount of help...

[00:34:59] As what he has right now...

[00:35:02] Because...

[00:35:02] Brooklyn's gonna have to give something up...

[00:35:04] To get Giannis right...

[00:35:05] Okay...

[00:35:06] Yeah...

[00:35:06] Ben Simmons...

[00:35:08] Helps the money...

[00:35:08] But you're gonna have to give up another piece...

[00:35:11] And picks...

[00:35:12] Or whatever...

[00:35:13] Here's the other thing...

[00:35:14] There's teams like...

[00:35:16] Golden State...

[00:35:18] Houston...

[00:35:18] Oklahoma City...

[00:35:21] Miami...

[00:35:22] There's a lot of teams out there...

[00:35:24] Who got a lot of picks...

[00:35:27] If...

[00:35:28] Giannis was going to go somewhere...

[00:35:31] Brooklyn...

[00:35:32] Would not be that place...

[00:35:33] Sorry Bill...

[00:35:35] I think it's a pipe dream...

[00:35:37] I think you gave fans something to discuss...

[00:35:40] But I think...

[00:35:41] You...

[00:35:42] Were just throwing darts...

[00:35:44] In the dark...

[00:35:45] My guy...

[00:35:47] Now...

[00:35:47] The Knicks...

[00:35:49] Who...

[00:35:50] Did win this game tonight...

[00:35:51] Against the Philadelphia 76ers...

[00:35:53] Have had their own struggles...

[00:35:56] Obviously...

[00:35:56] We had talked about a little bit of...

[00:35:58] Carl Anthony Towne's struggles...

[00:36:00] With the defensive side of the basketball...

[00:36:02] They did pick up the W...

[00:36:07] Tonight...

[00:36:08] And...

[00:36:09] With that being said...

[00:36:11] The Knicks are now...

[00:36:12] Back at 500...

[00:36:14] Obviously...

[00:36:15] Not the start of...

[00:36:17] The year they wanted...

[00:36:19] With the amount of firepower...

[00:36:21] And talent that they have...

[00:36:22] In the starting rotation...

[00:36:24] So let's get into them...

[00:36:25] They're playing the slowest pace...

[00:36:27] In the league right now...

[00:36:28] At 95.2...

[00:36:30] And they're struggling to find rhythm...

[00:36:32] Michael Bridges...

[00:36:34] Offensively...

[00:36:35] Has been woeful...

[00:36:36] He's managing just to shoot...

[00:36:38] 31.7%...

[00:36:40] From threes...

[00:36:40] Compared to his career average...

[00:36:42] Which is 37.3%...

[00:36:46] Absolutely...

[00:36:47] Abysmal...

[00:36:48] There seems to be some...

[00:36:49] The hitch that Tatum has...

[00:36:52] Somehow...

[00:36:53] It's allergic...

[00:36:55] He's allergic...

[00:36:56] And he picked it up...

[00:36:59] So...

[00:36:59] Griggs has the hitch now...

[00:37:01] And he's shooting 31.7%...

[00:37:03] James Edwards III...

[00:37:05] From The Athletic...

[00:37:06] Noted that the Knicks...

[00:37:07] Need to improve their three-point...

[00:37:09] Attempts...

[00:37:10] And make most of their shooters...

[00:37:13] Make the most of their shooters...

[00:37:15] But...

[00:37:15] Their slow pace...

[00:37:17] Limits their opportunities...

[00:37:19] I think a lot of it...

[00:37:21] Has to do with continuity...

[00:37:23] We have been big...

[00:37:24] That's been like...

[00:37:24] The buzzword this year...

[00:37:26] Is continuity...

[00:37:28] And I think what you're seeing...

[00:37:29] Is you're seeing people...

[00:37:30] Having to think...

[00:37:32] Having to think...

[00:37:33] Where my teammate...

[00:37:34] Is going to be...

[00:37:35] Yes...

[00:37:35] There are principles...

[00:37:37] Within the offense...

[00:37:37] And this person is supposed to be here...

[00:37:40] And this person...

[00:37:41] Where you're playing like a...

[00:37:42] A five-out style...

[00:37:44] Or whatever...

[00:37:44] Obviously there's gonna be...

[00:37:45] Nobody in the paint...

[00:37:47] But they all have spots...

[00:37:48] They also have...

[00:37:50] Ways or areas...

[00:37:51] Where they like to get the basketball...

[00:37:53] Some people like to get the basketball...

[00:37:55] On the left-hand side...

[00:37:57] And then bring it over...

[00:37:58] To their right-hand side...

[00:37:59] Some people like the ball...

[00:38:01] Getting to their right-hand side...

[00:38:02] So they can just go up for the shot...

[00:38:04] There's a lot of ways...

[00:38:06] To get the ball to people...

[00:38:08] And it's very...

[00:38:10] Intricate...

[00:38:11] In how...

[00:38:11] Some players want to get the ball...

[00:38:15] So I tell New York fans...

[00:38:18] That...

[00:38:19] As bad as it's looked...

[00:38:21] I think you're okay...

[00:38:24] I think...

[00:38:25] Let's see what this team looks like...

[00:38:27] After 30 games...

[00:38:30] If the continuity is an issue then...

[00:38:32] And the defense is still abysmal...

[00:38:34] And the pace of play is still slow...

[00:38:39] Then there's an argument to be made...

[00:38:41] That there has to be a trade or something...

[00:38:43] That has to happen...

[00:38:44] But right now...

[00:38:45] These are growing pains of a team...

[00:38:48] Just trying to learn one another...

[00:38:50] You have a lot of talented pieces...

[00:38:53] You know...

[00:38:55] Brunson...

[00:38:56] Ananobi...

[00:38:58] Bridges...

[00:38:59] Carl Anthony Towns...

[00:39:01] Josh Hart is in the mix...

[00:39:04] Wild Card...

[00:39:05] Always acting crazy...

[00:39:08] Hmm...

[00:39:09] Now...

[00:39:10] We're gonna get to Toronto...

[00:39:12] And now...

[00:39:14] Emmanuel quickly is returning...

[00:39:16] Which is good...

[00:39:17] I will say this about...

[00:39:18] The Toronto Raptors...

[00:39:20] I thought they were gonna have a hard time...

[00:39:23] With...

[00:39:25] Tanking...

[00:39:26] Clearly...

[00:39:27] They don't have any issues...

[00:39:29] Whatsoever...

[00:39:30] So...

[00:39:30] Two things here...

[00:39:32] Great time to find out...

[00:39:34] That the talent that you have accrued...

[00:39:36] Over the last couple years...

[00:39:37] Is not that great...

[00:39:39] And also...

[00:39:40] It's a great draft...

[00:39:41] So...

[00:39:42] You...

[00:39:42] It worked out...

[00:39:43] To your benefit...

[00:39:45] Because of the fact that...

[00:39:47] Hey...

[00:39:47] This team is just...

[00:39:49] Not that good...

[00:39:50] And there's a bunch of injuries...

[00:39:51] Scotty Barnes is hurt...

[00:39:53] We just said...

[00:39:53] Emmanuel quickly came back...

[00:39:55] Grady Dick...

[00:39:56] In this point in time...

[00:39:58] Has really...

[00:39:59] Elevated his game...

[00:40:02] He's now averaging...

[00:40:04] 3.3...

[00:40:06] Free throw attempts a game...

[00:40:07] Which is a big jump...

[00:40:08] From last year...

[00:40:09] He didn't even average...

[00:40:10] One...

[00:40:11] Last year...

[00:40:13] That's just because of the fact that...

[00:40:14] He was getting used to physicality...

[00:40:16] He had to get stronger...

[00:40:18] He had to understand...

[00:40:19] Where his spots were...

[00:40:21] And now...

[00:40:22] You're starting to see the fruits of that labor...

[00:40:24] So...

[00:40:25] In this...

[00:40:26] Time of desolation...

[00:40:28] We are starting to see...

[00:40:30] The young kids...

[00:40:31] Improve...

[00:40:32] So Grady Dick...

[00:40:33] Getting to the free throw line...

[00:40:34] At a 3.3...

[00:40:36] Free throw attempt rate...

[00:40:38] Per game...

[00:40:38] Might not seem much to you...

[00:40:40] But it means a whole hell of a lot...

[00:40:42] To the...

[00:40:43] Toronto Raptor fans...

[00:40:45] And people who...

[00:40:47] Like to see player development...

[00:40:49] Such as I...

[00:40:50] Eric Corrine noted...

[00:40:52] Of The Athletic that...

[00:40:53] This increased aggression...

[00:40:56] And focus on dry...

[00:40:57] Shows Dick's growing confidence...

[00:40:59] Positive for the Toronto rotation...

[00:41:01] I agree with all those things...

[00:41:03] And here's the other thing...

[00:41:04] That we're learning...

[00:41:05] With Grady Dick...

[00:41:07] Is that...

[00:41:09] With the...

[00:41:10] Absence of...

[00:41:11] Scotty Barnes...

[00:41:13] And the alike...

[00:41:15] His...

[00:41:16] Being able to...

[00:41:17] Secondary play make...

[00:41:19] From the corner position...

[00:41:21] Or from the three point line...

[00:41:24] Has been...

[00:41:25] Kind of...

[00:41:26] Just a delight...

[00:41:27] To find out...

[00:41:29] Because I thought he was just...

[00:41:30] Going to be a gunner...

[00:41:31] I'm not saying that he's this...

[00:41:33] Big assist guy...

[00:41:34] Or whatever...

[00:41:35] But what I am saying...

[00:41:36] Is that he does have...

[00:41:39] Some...

[00:41:41] Offense...

[00:41:42] Of initiation...

[00:41:43] For himself...

[00:41:44] And he can hit an open guy...

[00:41:46] So this is...

[00:41:47] All positive things...

[00:41:49] For the Toronto Raptors...

[00:41:51] We talked about...

[00:41:54] Peyton Pritchard...

[00:41:54] And his three point shooting...

[00:41:56] We talked about...

[00:41:56] The jump in...

[00:41:57] The attempts...

[00:41:58] And what have you...

[00:41:59] And...

[00:41:59] He's hit him at a high rate...

[00:42:01] The other thing that...

[00:42:02] That analyst...

[00:42:03] John Hollinger said...

[00:42:05] He said he praised...

[00:42:06] Pritchard's confidence...

[00:42:07] And this is something...

[00:42:08] That I want to talk about...

[00:42:11] Peyton Pritchard...

[00:42:13] A couple years ago...

[00:42:15] This is the year that actually...

[00:42:17] When Chet had the...

[00:42:19] The Liz Frank injury...

[00:42:21] Peyton Pritchard also had...

[00:42:23] Like an ankle injury...

[00:42:24] In a pro-am...

[00:42:25] I remember that...

[00:42:26] He...

[00:42:27] Hooked...

[00:42:28] In a pro-am...

[00:42:29] I think he had...

[00:42:29] Like...

[00:42:30] He had a...

[00:42:30] A ridiculous amount of points...

[00:42:32] And then he came back...

[00:42:34] And played in a summer league game...

[00:42:35] Or whatever...

[00:42:39] This is the...

[00:42:40] Joe Mazula...

[00:42:42] Effect...

[00:42:43] And what I'm...

[00:42:44] What I mean by that is that...

[00:42:46] Here's a guy...

[00:42:47] That fits a role...

[00:42:49] For the Boston Celtics...

[00:42:51] He's a point guard...

[00:42:52] But he's a shooting guard...

[00:42:54] So you move without the basketball...

[00:42:56] He doesn't need...

[00:42:57] A bunch of touches...

[00:42:58] Or whatever the case may be...

[00:43:00] He can just come in...

[00:43:01] Firing...

[00:43:02] And he's also been given...

[00:43:04] A green light...

[00:43:05] By his head coach...

[00:43:06] Which instills confidence...

[00:43:08] Now he's put a lot of work...

[00:43:10] Into...

[00:43:11] Shooting off...

[00:43:12] Platform...

[00:43:14] Over the last couple years...

[00:43:15] We started to see the fruits...

[00:43:17] Of that labor last year...

[00:43:18] He knocked down some incredible...

[00:43:20] Shots in the playoffs...

[00:43:22] And now he's taking it...

[00:43:24] To another level...

[00:43:25] This year...

[00:43:26] By increasing his...

[00:43:28] Volume...

[00:43:29] And also...

[00:43:30] His range...

[00:43:31] He's been hitting some daggers...

[00:43:32] From like 30...

[00:43:33] So...

[00:43:34] I love this...

[00:43:36] And Hollinger...

[00:43:37] Made that point...

[00:43:38] He also said that...

[00:43:40] He's a vital piece...

[00:43:41] To the Boston...

[00:43:42] Offensive rhythm...

[00:43:43] So...

[00:43:44] My thing is this...

[00:43:45] Is that...

[00:43:46] These are the pieces...

[00:43:48] That you have to have...

[00:43:49] When you're talking about...

[00:43:53] Payroll...

[00:43:54] And you're talking about...

[00:43:56] Second aprons...

[00:43:57] And things of that nature...

[00:43:58] When you have a guy...

[00:44:00] Who you've had in your system...

[00:44:02] For three years...

[00:44:03] And you've been able...

[00:44:03] To develop him...

[00:44:04] And instill confidence in him...

[00:44:06] And get him integrated...

[00:44:08] Into your system...

[00:44:10] And...

[00:44:10] Working with the player...

[00:44:12] Development people...

[00:44:13] And catching fire...

[00:44:14] With basically...

[00:44:15] Locking in with a coach...

[00:44:17] That really...

[00:44:18] Sees...

[00:44:19] Peyton Pritchard...

[00:44:21] Like...

[00:44:22] He sees the game...

[00:44:23] Through Peyton Pritchard's eyes...

[00:44:25] Remember...

[00:44:26] Joe Mazzula...

[00:44:27] Was a point guard...

[00:44:29] At West Virginia...

[00:44:30] For...

[00:44:31] The legendary coach...

[00:44:32] Bob Huggins...

[00:44:34] Okay...

[00:44:35] He was a scrappy ass...

[00:44:36] Point guard...

[00:44:37] At West Virginia...

[00:44:39] The...

[00:44:40] The sound bites...

[00:44:42] That you're getting...

[00:44:42] From Joe Mazzula...

[00:44:44] Is the way he played...

[00:44:45] On the court...

[00:44:46] For Bob Huggins...

[00:44:48] This is no surprise to me...

[00:44:51] What you're seeing...

[00:44:53] Now...

[00:44:54] When he looks at Peyton Pritchard...

[00:44:56] He's going like...

[00:44:56] Damn...

[00:44:57] This isn't like a kindred spirit...

[00:44:58] This is kind of like...

[00:44:59] My younger spirit animal...

[00:45:01] And I'm just gonna infuse...

[00:45:03] Confidence in him...

[00:45:05] Because...

[00:45:06] He's gonna be like...

[00:45:07] An X factor on my team...

[00:45:09] Because...

[00:45:09] When I don't have the energy...

[00:45:12] Coming from the starting group...

[00:45:13] I can get this...

[00:45:14] This...

[00:45:15] This...

[00:45:17] Annoying...

[00:45:18] Small dog mentality...

[00:45:21] Peyton Pritchard...

[00:45:22] Who just plays with...

[00:45:25] Like he's on fire...

[00:45:27] Half the time...

[00:45:28] Because of his coach...

[00:45:31] Because that's what his coach...

[00:45:33] Wants him to do...

[00:45:34] Go in there...

[00:45:35] Stir it up...

[00:45:36] Go in there...

[00:45:37] Shoot a couple threes...

[00:45:39] Go in there and...

[00:45:40] Get into somebody's jersey...

[00:45:43] These are the type of things...

[00:45:45] That Joe Mazzullo wants...

[00:45:46] From a Peyton Pritchard...

[00:45:48] He's not gonna ask that...

[00:45:50] Of a Jalen Brown...

[00:45:51] He's not necessarily...

[00:45:52] Gonna ask that...

[00:45:53] Of a Jason Tatum...

[00:45:54] But he damn sure...

[00:45:55] Would ask it...

[00:45:56] Of a Peyton Pritchard...

[00:46:00] And we'll see how...

[00:46:01] Baylor Shireman...

[00:46:03] Starts to integrate himself...

[00:46:05] Into this system...

[00:46:06] As time goes along as well...

[00:46:08] What do you guys think?

[00:46:10] What do you guys think...

[00:46:11] Of the Peyton Pritchard...

[00:46:12] Project...

[00:46:13] That's going on in Boston...

[00:46:14] Let us know...

[00:46:15] At Frontrunner PC...

[00:46:17] On X...

[00:46:18] Or hit our producer up...

[00:46:20] Sarea...

[00:46:21] At Rhea...

[00:46:22] Underscore...

[00:46:22] Funch...

[00:46:25] FRPC...

[00:46:25] Now we got a couple questions...

[00:46:27] I didn't even know we had this...

[00:46:29] This is great...

[00:46:30] This is cool...

[00:46:30] So we had a couple questions...

[00:46:31] That come through the email...

[00:46:33] So let's get to the...

[00:46:36] First up...

[00:46:37] Steve...

[00:46:38] From New York...

[00:46:39] He asked...

[00:46:40] Should the Nets trade...

[00:46:41] Their veterans...

[00:46:42] Or keep them...

[00:46:43] Good...

[00:46:43] Okay...

[00:46:44] I think this is a good question...

[00:46:46] It depends on the veterans...

[00:46:47] Right?

[00:46:48] If you can find a way...

[00:46:50] To keep Cam Thomas...

[00:46:51] And...

[00:46:52] Like...

[00:46:52] Towards the end of the year...

[00:46:54] Shut him down...

[00:46:55] With some sort of...

[00:46:56] Knee tendinitis...

[00:46:58] Or...

[00:46:58] Some sort of...

[00:47:00] Ankle...

[00:47:01] Issue...

[00:47:02] Or whatever...

[00:47:03] And you're able to get...

[00:47:06] Good...

[00:47:07] Especially right now...

[00:47:08] Because...

[00:47:09] The price of the brick...

[00:47:11] Has gone up...

[00:47:12] Right?

[00:47:13] With all the injuries...

[00:47:14] You just trying to...

[00:47:15] Basically...

[00:47:16] Cobble a rotation together...

[00:47:18] Especially in like...

[00:47:19] New Orleans...

[00:47:20] And other places...

[00:47:21] So if you have some pieces...

[00:47:23] That you could...

[00:47:27] Necessarily do without...

[00:47:29] Because you're not really...

[00:47:30] Trying to win right now...

[00:47:31] I think that would be advantageous...

[00:47:34] I think you should make some trades...

[00:47:36] Because...

[00:47:37] Jody...

[00:47:38] Jordy Fernandez...

[00:47:39] Is too good of a head coach...

[00:47:41] I think...

[00:47:42] Keeping Cam...

[00:47:43] Johnson...

[00:47:45] Keeping Dorian Finney-Smith...

[00:47:47] I think those guys...

[00:47:49] Have to go...

[00:47:51] Personally...

[00:47:52] If you want...

[00:47:54] The Brooklyn Nets...

[00:47:55] To...

[00:47:56] To...

[00:47:56] Capture...

[00:47:57] The flag...

[00:47:59] Pun intended...

[00:48:05] Oh this is cool...

[00:48:06] From...

[00:48:07] Emma...

[00:48:07] J...

[00:48:08] A-D-A...

[00:48:08] She pointed out that...

[00:48:10] Philly's depth issues...

[00:48:12] Pointed out that...

[00:48:12] Philly's depth issues...

[00:48:14] She said...

[00:48:14] It's a real shame...

[00:48:16] That Joel Embiid...

[00:48:18] Played...

[00:48:18] Played for the Olympic team...

[00:48:21] And then...

[00:48:22] Could not even make the...

[00:48:25] Opening night...

[00:48:26] Rotation...

[00:48:28] Philly fans...

[00:48:29] I'm gonna ask you this question...

[00:48:32] Now...

[00:48:32] You might not...

[00:48:34] Admit this...

[00:48:34] Out loud...

[00:48:35] Like...

[00:48:36] To your friend group...

[00:48:37] But...

[00:48:37] This is a safe...

[00:48:38] Place here...

[00:48:39] This is a safe space...

[00:48:41] We have an email...

[00:48:43] I'm gonna give it to you right now...

[00:48:45] You hit me up...

[00:48:46] At...

[00:48:48] Frontrunner...

[00:48:49] PC...

[00:48:50] At...

[00:48:51] Gmail dot com...

[00:48:52] That gets you...

[00:48:53] I...

[00:48:54] Or gets you...

[00:48:54] Soraya...

[00:48:55] Let us know...

[00:48:57] How you feel...

[00:48:59] About...

[00:48:59] Joel Embiid...

[00:49:01] Playing for the Olympics...

[00:49:03] Do you think he should have played...

[00:49:04] In the playoffs last year?

[00:49:06] Do you think he should have came back at all?

[00:49:08] I am really interested to hear from...

[00:49:11] Philadelphia 76ers fan...

[00:49:14] On...

[00:49:14] Their patience level with Joel Embiid...

[00:49:19] Just his inability to stay healthy...

[00:49:23] I am very interested...

[00:49:25] In hearing...

[00:49:27] Real Philadelphia 76ers fan...

[00:49:29] Tell me...

[00:49:31] Their thoughts on...

[00:49:32] Their superstar...

[00:49:33] Now...

[00:49:34] We are almost out of time...

[00:49:38] But I do want to tell you that...

[00:49:40] Coming up on Thursday...

[00:49:41] So we did...

[00:49:43] My shoulder...

[00:49:44] Is ripped up...

[00:49:47] I know I have a tear...

[00:49:48] In my rotator cuff...

[00:49:50] I am trying to gut it out...

[00:49:51] A little bit...

[00:49:53] But yesterday...

[00:49:54] I did something yesterday...

[00:49:55] And I could not...

[00:49:58] I could...

[00:49:58] I saw stars for two hours...

[00:50:01] And I mean...

[00:50:02] When I tell you...

[00:50:03] I made a slight move...

[00:50:05] With the shoulder...

[00:50:06] This one right here...

[00:50:09] And...

[00:50:09] I just fell to my knee...

[00:50:12] My apologies about...

[00:50:14] No podcast yesterday...

[00:50:16] Your boy is playing hurt...

[00:50:18] For real...

[00:50:19] But...

[00:50:20] The Central Division is up...

[00:50:23] And we will talk about them on Thursday...

[00:50:25] That means...

[00:50:26] Giannis...

[00:50:26] Trade Updates...

[00:50:28] Donovan Mitchell...

[00:50:29] And his...

[00:50:31] Growing leadership...

[00:50:33] In Cleveland...

[00:50:34] I want to really hone in on that...

[00:50:37] I also want to talk about the strides...

[00:50:39] That Cade Cunningham has made...

[00:50:42] Obviously...

[00:50:42] We talk about the Indiana Pacers here...

[00:50:45] And alike...

[00:50:46] So...

[00:50:46] The Central Division will be up on Thursday...

[00:50:51] And...

[00:50:52] I...

[00:50:53] Again...

[00:50:53] Apologize...

[00:50:54] But my shoulder...

[00:50:55] Was...

[00:50:56] It...

[00:50:56] Right now...

[00:50:57] Like...

[00:50:57] There's certain movements I can do with the hand...

[00:51:00] Like I can raise it up like this...

[00:51:01] But I can't raise it too far...

[00:51:02] If I try to raise it all the way up...

[00:51:04] Absolutely cannot do it...

[00:51:06] Um...

[00:51:07] If I turn my wrist like over...

[00:51:09] Like if I turn my hand over like this...

[00:51:13] With my left hand...

[00:51:15] Uh...

[00:51:15] I would fall to the ground...

[00:51:17] And probably be in the fetal position for...

[00:51:19] 20 minutes...

[00:51:20] So it's a terrible situation...

[00:51:22] But...

[00:51:24] Join us...

[00:51:24] Also...

[00:51:25] If you have any questions about the Central Division...

[00:51:27] Hit us up on...

[00:51:29] Twitter...

[00:51:30] At...

[00:51:30] Rhea...

[00:51:31] Underscore...

[00:51:32] Funch...

[00:51:32] F-R-P-C...

[00:51:33] Or...

[00:51:34] Also...

[00:51:34] At...

[00:51:35] Frontrunner...

[00:51:36] P-C...

[00:51:37] And let us know...

[00:51:38] What you want us to talk about...

[00:51:41] I'll be dying to hear it...

[00:51:42] So...

[00:51:43] With that being said...

[00:51:44] We will come back on Thursday...

[00:51:46] And then we will finish up on Saturday...

[00:51:47] There will be a Saturday pod...

[00:51:49] I will put it up...

[00:51:50] We'll probably do it Friday night...

[00:51:52] After the games...

[00:51:53] And then...

[00:51:54] Do it...

[00:51:55] And then it'll be up Saturday...

[00:51:57] So...

[00:51:57] You will still get the three pods...

[00:51:59] You're still getting all the Eastern...

[00:52:01] Conference...

[00:52:02] So...

[00:52:02] Central on Thursday...

[00:52:04] And...

[00:52:05] Southeast on...

[00:52:07] Saturday...

[00:52:08] Okay...

[00:52:09] So with that being said...

[00:52:11] The best part of you is you...

[00:52:14] Make sure that the people...

[00:52:16] That are in your life...

[00:52:18] Are bringing...

[00:52:20] Nothing...

[00:52:20] But positivity to it...

[00:52:22] The people that are detracting...

[00:52:25] From your life...

[00:52:27] You might have to have a real conversation with them...

[00:52:32] Do some good in this world...

[00:52:33] And we'll see you back on this feed on Thursday...

[00:52:36] We thank you for your patience...

[00:52:39] And we thank you for allowing me to deal with this injury...

[00:52:43] God bless...

[00:52:44] And we'll see you on this feed on Thursday...

[00:52:48] Deuce...

[00:52:49] Bye...