Bucks Dominate OKC for NBA Cup Glory: Giannis & Dame’s Unstoppable Chemistry!

[00:00:12] It's Wednesday, you know what time it is. Front Runner Podcast Collective is back on the air. I am your humble host Vince. And today on the podcast we will be speaking the Central Division. Obviously we're going to talk about Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks winning the NBA Cup over the Oklahoma City Thunder. What does this tell us? Does this mean anything?

[00:00:40] We'll break that all down for you. Also, we will be hitting on all Central Division teams today. And then also we will finish out the program with Baseline Buzz. And Baseline Buzz is going to be talking about some of the rumors that we've seen out there. Maybe things, not anything that we chased out or anything like that.

[00:01:05] But we'll go over it and give you our thoughts and where we should be keeping our eye out on. Or is this rumor so erroneous that there's no legs to it whatsoever? So we'll be bringing you all of that. But before we get there, I want to talk to you about the socials.

[00:01:28] And the reason why I want to talk to you about the socials is not just your normal, hey, join us, join the conversation, all those type of things. What I want to talk to you about is why we do it.

[00:01:39] Well, first of all, I've been watching sports. I've been watching basketball for over 40 years. I fell in love with the game when I was like seven. Magic Johnson was my favorite player.

[00:01:55] And you just grew up in Los Angeles. You play a lot of 21. You play a lot of half court runs. You play a lot of full court runs. You get them in. My best friend growing up, he was a legit basketball player. I was doing it for cardio, basically. But I enjoyed the game.

[00:02:14] And the further and further that I got into the game, I started to find myself going, well, why is that the way it is? Or what's going on with that? And why does this this doesn't make a lot of sense to me?

[00:02:31] And when I started asking myself those questions is when I started to look at the game a little bit differently. I still have my fan hat on sometimes a lot less this year, I must say, for the Lakers. But my hope through this podcast is that you guys are not just more well informed, but we create a dialogue.

[00:02:55] I hope that there are some times that you guys are not just more of a lot of people.

[00:03:25] That is the job. That's the job that Soraya and myself have taken on. And we hope that we are getting closer and closer to that. So with that being said, with the socials, we have X at Frontrunner PC. Also.

[00:03:45] So with Soraya, you have.

[00:03:49] It's at.

[00:03:51] Raya underscore funch FRPC.

[00:03:54] And that's on Twitter or X.

[00:03:57] And then on Blue Sky is that Frontrunner PC dot B sky dot social.

[00:04:02] And also for Soraya, it's FRPC hyphen.

[00:04:08] Raya.

[00:04:09] R-A-Y-A underscore or not underscore dot B sky dot social.

[00:04:17] With all of that being said, we can get into this podcast and let's kick things off with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

[00:04:27] Now, the Cleveland Cavaliers are.

[00:04:31] Toting.

[00:04:33] The best record.

[00:04:35] 23 and four.

[00:04:37] They have the top offense at 126.6.

[00:04:42] And they have a top 10 defense.

[00:04:45] They're balanced right now.

[00:04:48] They're getting contributions from a lot of pieces.

[00:04:52] We've seen a transformation.

[00:04:56] Of Evan Mobley.

[00:04:58] And they've gotten critical production from role players.

[00:05:02] And one of the role players I want to talk about today is Karis LeVert.

[00:05:07] Now, Karis LeVert was also on that Brooklyn team with Kenny Atkinson.

[00:05:14] He was a younger guy at that point in time.

[00:05:17] Now, Karis LeVert this year, he's been very efficient with his shot.

[00:05:25] He's been really what they needed.

[00:05:27] And I think the other thing that you have to understand is this, is that he's shooting 48.8% from three.

[00:05:34] And his field goal efficiency is up to 58.3 as well.

[00:05:40] It's all about balance, Vince.

[00:05:42] Cleveland has found a way to mesh their talent seamlessly.

[00:05:45] Karis LeVert's transformation has been key.

[00:05:48] He's shifted to a more efficient role, with 85% of his shots coming from either behind the arc or at the rim.

[00:05:54] The thing that I really like about this is that it's almost like a callback.

[00:06:00] It's something that you also see, like, in the NFL.

[00:06:04] And I guess if you want to put it as with the player movement in the NBA, the way it's been over, what, the last seven to eight years.

[00:06:14] It was bound to happen that you would run into a coach of yours.

[00:06:20] But I do hearken it back to the NFL.

[00:06:23] And when you see a coach get a job in the NFL, especially if he's already had a job, he will go ahead and get what they consider his guys.

[00:06:36] They might not necessarily be stars.

[00:06:38] They might not necessarily play the most integral role of what the defense or offense is doing.

[00:06:45] But they know his verbiage.

[00:06:48] They know, like, what he's looking for, what the keys are.

[00:06:53] And then they're able to explain it to the players that might actually be playing ahead of them.

[00:06:59] So they're playing more of a reserve role, maybe a spot start here or there, or just a situation where you're coming in just for third downs.

[00:07:12] They're able to teach the defense or the offense to the players that will probably play in the bulk of the time.

[00:07:19] And the one thing that I like with Curtis Levert is that he was going to have familiarity with the Kenny Atkinson offense from the get-go.

[00:07:29] Now, obviously, there have been tweaks and there's been probably some things that have been taken out.

[00:07:35] And there's been some things that would definitely enhance what Donovan Mitchell and what Darius Garland and Evan Moglin, what his crew has there.

[00:07:47] But what you're seeing in this team is you're seeing the adaptability of this team.

[00:07:56] And if they have a guy who's out for a second, you're seeing guys step up.

[00:08:01] And again, a credit to Curtis Levert, who's shooting the shit.

[00:08:06] He's shooting the hell out the ball.

[00:08:07] But let's not forget about Donovan Mitchell because he's shooting in the clutch 42% from three in close games.

[00:08:20] 42%.

[00:08:20] Now, Donovan Mitchell is the first person on the whiteboard.

[00:08:25] Obviously, when we talk about clutch situations, we're talking about the last five minutes of the game.

[00:08:31] And you're within a certain point total, usually within five.

[00:08:36] The defense is geared towards Donovan Mitchell not being able to score or not being able to get off the shot that is the most comfortable shot for him.

[00:08:47] And for him to shoot 42% from three in clutch situations is astronomical.

[00:08:55] You wonder why the Cleveland Cavaliers are sitting at 23-4?

[00:09:02] That's probably a really good reason why.

[00:09:07] Now, defensively, they've been solid as well.

[00:09:10] Now, Evan Mogli and Jared Allen have been anchoring the paint.

[00:09:14] And they've climbed to ninth in defensive rating.

[00:09:18] So when you combine that with their ball movement, their top five assist percentage, you get a team that is very tough to beat.

[00:09:32] Kenny Atkinson, we thought when the hire was made, we thought that this was a really incredible hire.

[00:09:39] Especially that he did not take the Charlotte Hornets job that was offered to him the year prior.

[00:09:48] He elected to go back to Golden State and be one of the top assistants with Steve Kerr.

[00:09:54] Now, obviously, wanting the right position is key in this situation.

[00:10:02] And Kenny had some real good juice around the league when it came to that.

[00:10:10] Now, the other thing is that he was probably looking for the right situation.

[00:10:15] And you couldn't get more right than Cleveland.

[00:10:20] Cleveland had guys that were high lottery picks.

[00:10:24] They had guys that were on the ascend.

[00:10:28] They had a star that had played in a lot of playoff games that had been battle tested.

[00:10:34] They had decent role players.

[00:10:36] So there was a lot to like with the Cleveland job.

[00:10:40] So when Kenny took it over and implemented his system.

[00:10:45] And also, I think being around Steph for a couple years did not hurt.

[00:10:53] Being around a star and learning how to layer your relationship with that star.

[00:11:01] Knowing when to push the button.

[00:11:03] When not to push the button on that star.

[00:11:07] I think it was so beneficial to his growth and maturity as a coach.

[00:11:13] And I think what you're seeing now is you're seeing the fruits of that labor.

[00:11:19] My question to the Cleveland Cavalier fans out there.

[00:11:24] What is it going to take for you guys to beat the Celtics?

[00:11:28] Do you have enough the way you are currently constituted right now?

[00:11:34] Or what is your biggest need going into the trade deadline?

[00:11:40] So hit me on X, which is at FrontrunnerPC.BSky.Social.

[00:11:55] Alright?

[00:11:56] So we're going to move on to the Milwaukee Bucks.

[00:12:00] And we're going to talk about the Bucks.

[00:12:03] And winning the NBA Cup.

[00:12:06] Now Giannis, he put up a MVP performance with 31 points.

[00:12:13] He had 13 rebounds.

[00:12:14] He had 10 assists.

[00:12:16] Throughout that situation, he's looking like an MVP right now.

[00:12:20] Dame is starting to hit his rhythm.

[00:12:22] We found something.

[00:12:26] And I want Soraya to give this stat to us.

[00:12:30] So Soraya, could you give us the pick and roll stat between Dame and Giannis?

[00:12:35] Their pick and roll game, Vince.

[00:12:37] Giannis and Dame are generating 1.32 points per possession on those plays,

[00:12:42] which is the highest efficiency of any duo in the league.

[00:12:46] It's opening up so many opportunities for their offense.

[00:12:49] That's awesome.

[00:12:51] Awesome.

[00:12:52] They're going to need that.

[00:12:53] They're going to need that type of productivity.

[00:12:56] It was something that we had talked about when the trade went through a year and a half ago.

[00:13:02] Now, the reason why they're going to need it is because their defense has taken a step back.

[00:13:07] Their defense right now is at 112.3, which ranks them 13th.

[00:13:13] And it's not bad, right?

[00:13:14] It really isn't.

[00:13:15] But this is not where they were when they were at their championship level.

[00:13:21] Do I think they can get to their championship level?

[00:13:25] No.

[00:13:25] That's why it's more important that this offense become as potent and also as diversified as it possibly can be.

[00:13:34] And we're going to talk about that in a second.

[00:13:36] The pick and roll.

[00:13:38] The pick and roll.

[00:13:38] The pick and roll.

[00:13:39] Which for some reason was not utilized pretty much very infrequently last year.

[00:13:50] This year, early on, we also saw that it was still something that was being either rejected or being...

[00:14:03] Either star was being wary of not wanting to do it or whatever the case may be.

[00:14:08] But we saw it so long ago that this was going to be such a potent part of their offense.

[00:14:14] And it's really unlocked Giannis.

[00:14:17] Because the one thing that Giannis has done this year, and it's a really cool stat.

[00:14:25] Giannis is taking .7 three-point attempts a game.

[00:14:34] .7.

[00:14:37] Now, when Bud was there, he was taking like five, four, threes a game.

[00:14:44] So if he's taking less than one a game, that means that he is getting downhill a lot.

[00:14:51] That means he is basically enforcing and imposing his will onto the defense to create action for his teammates.

[00:15:02] Which is real critical.

[00:15:05] Because he is by far the best on his team at doing that.

[00:15:14] What does this do?

[00:15:15] Well, this opens up for Dame.

[00:15:17] This gives him more space.

[00:15:20] If you can get what you...

[00:15:25] What you hope to get from Chris Middleton, then this works out.

[00:15:29] Now, I am still under the impression...

[00:15:33] I am not under the impression.

[00:15:34] Let me take that back.

[00:15:36] I am still on the side that maybe we explore turning Chris Middleton into two pieces.

[00:15:45] It's something that you probably heard from me if you've been listening to the podcast for more than a couple months.

[00:15:52] If you have not, welcome to Frontrunner Podcast Collective.

[00:15:56] Where we talk about the NBA three times a week.

[00:16:00] So, welcome aboard.

[00:16:02] With that being said, the Giannis Dain chemistry is a dynamic one.

[00:16:08] And it's something that they continue to have to develop.

[00:16:13] They're going to need to spam this in the playoffs because this is their superpower.

[00:16:19] It would not hurt if either A, we put Chris Middleton in the time machine and went back to 2020 or 2021.

[00:16:33] Or, we might think about getting pieces that are a little bit more athletic.

[00:16:39] Maybe they don't have the playoff pedigree.

[00:16:41] But I think with Dame and Giannis and Brooke Lopez manning that situation,

[00:16:47] I think you have enough defensive leadership and enough leadership on the bench with Doc Rivers

[00:16:53] that could sustain the loss of a veteran, of the standard that Chris Middleton is.

[00:17:01] But Bucs fans, you let me know what you think you need for your title run.

[00:17:06] Do you need just more time to build this continuity?

[00:17:11] Or, do you agree with me that maybe injecting a little more athleticism into what you already have right now

[00:17:20] is something that you should look, maybe look at?

[00:17:25] Let me know.

[00:17:26] Hit me up on X or on Blue Sky and let me know.

[00:17:34] Let's hit the Indiana Pacers real quick.

[00:17:37] Like, the Indiana Pacers right now are 12-15.

[00:17:41] And their defense has been an absolute disaster.

[00:17:45] They are averaging 115.3.

[00:17:49] Defense ranking.

[00:17:51] It ranks them 22nd in the league at this point.

[00:17:56] Now, the other thing that's going on is that Tyrese Halliburton has not adjusted to the physicality

[00:18:05] of what they started to allow in February of last year.

[00:18:10] He seemed to have taken a step back and being able to sustain that physicality.

[00:18:18] So, he's not the all-NBA player that he was in November of 20, what, 2023.

[00:18:28] So, now, with that being said and the slump going on, you start to see the struggles of the Indiana Pacers.

[00:18:35] Now, the defense is the obvious issue with their offense and hasn't been as sharp.

[00:18:41] We just talked about Halliburton and his struggles.

[00:18:43] His true shooting percentage this year is 58.6, which is a tremendous drop from last year because it was north of 60.

[00:18:53] And Benedict Matherin hasn't developed into the secondary option or really tertiary option, the third option, that they thought he would be.

[00:19:04] Now, you could say that, you know, with the injury last year, all the time off, the dynamic of the team has changed.

[00:19:14] So, obviously, he was not going to get the opportunities that he was going to get if he was fully healthy last year.

[00:19:21] When you add Pascal Siakam into the mix, that guy is going to get anywhere between 18 to 22 opportunities to put the ball in the basket.

[00:19:32] And the one thing with Pascal Siakam is that he's decently efficient at what he does and he also gets you into really good actions.

[00:19:41] So, that is a good thing for your offense.

[00:19:44] What's bad for your offense is that your quintessential leader, which is Tyrese Halliburton, has not figured out his way to beat the physicality that he is now facing.

[00:20:03] That is something that he is going to have to continue to work on throughout the season and get better.

[00:20:10] Now, could you make some adjustments to the lineup to help him with that?

[00:20:15] Could you put him with a more physical big that would create real solid picks that would allow him to feel a little more comfortable coming downhill?

[00:20:29] Maybe.

[00:20:30] Maybe.

[00:20:31] But these are things that the Indiana Pacers are going to have to look at.

[00:20:37] Now, we're going to get to our baseline buzz segment where we're going to talk about some of the trades and whatever.

[00:20:44] But a name that did pop up in my reading and checking around is Myles Turner.

[00:20:51] Now, I thought Myles Turner was good to go.

[00:20:56] Now, now that we're coming up on getting close to the end of the contract, as far as that's concerned, and he is a very good real protector, is this a trade chip that Indiana could use?

[00:21:09] I'm not saying that his name has been way out there, because it's not.

[00:21:14] There's a lot of names ahead of Myles Turner when you talk about the priority list as far as trades are concerned.

[00:21:22] But he would be a sneaky get for somebody.

[00:21:27] And now, obviously, he's a little more name brand than what happened in Dallas last year.

[00:21:34] But when they brought over Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington, it changed that team.

[00:21:41] No doubt whatsoever.

[00:21:42] So, giving them a more physical presence, a more defensive-oriented presence is helpful.

[00:21:51] And Myles Turner would be very helpful on a lot of good teams right now.

[00:21:57] Something to keep our eye on as we continue to go through this NBA season, this NBA journey that you guys are on with us.

[00:22:06] Something to keep our eye on.

[00:22:10] So, we'll do that.

[00:22:11] I wonder what Indiana Pacers fans think about this.

[00:22:19] I wonder what their thoughts on this is, Soraya.

[00:22:24] The defense is the obvious issue.

[00:22:26] It's a difficult situation for a franchise this time last year was on everyone's lips.

[00:22:31] Do you trade Turner and signal a mini-rebuild?

[00:22:33] Or do you keep him and try to fight for a play-in spot?

[00:22:37] Either way, Indiana has to figure something out soon.

[00:22:40] Pacers fans, let us know.

[00:22:43] Do you think that trading Myles Turner is the right move?

[00:22:47] Or stay the course and stay with our guy, Rick Carlisle, and his genius offense that he put together last year?

[00:22:56] Because we still haven't seen it this year.

[00:23:00] All right.

[00:23:01] Now, we're going to talk about the Bulls.

[00:23:03] Now, the Bulls are going to also be heavily featured in our baseline buzz segment.

[00:23:08] Obviously, if you are a hoops junkie like myself, you know about Zach Levine's name being out in the trade rumors.

[00:23:18] We finally got a fish to bite, though.

[00:23:22] And I couldn't imagine the fish that bit.

[00:23:28] Man, the Denver Nuggets?

[00:23:32] We'll put a pin in that situation.

[00:23:35] We'll put a pin in talking about the Denver Nuggets and their interest in Zach Levine for right now.

[00:23:40] But what I want to do is focus on Zach Levine and what he's doing this year.

[00:23:45] So, he's averaging 21.7 points a game, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists.

[00:23:54] Now, obviously, what has stalled any issue with trading him were his contract and how inflexible it is.

[00:24:05] And you have to get this one right.

[00:24:07] If you add him into your team that is a big chunk of your salary cap, it has to work.

[00:24:14] So, a lot of teams have been scared off by it.

[00:24:18] Now, Levine is a fit issue.

[00:24:20] He's an elite scorer.

[00:24:22] But his defense is suspect.

[00:24:26] Now, I wonder if you would put him on a team that was legitimately vying for something, what that would look like.

[00:24:33] Because he's not a stiff.

[00:24:38] You know, now, does he not care about the defensive side of the ball?

[00:24:45] Maybe.

[00:24:46] Interesting.

[00:24:46] Billy Donovan, when he was at the University of Florida, Billy Donovan, his teams play defense.

[00:24:55] It will be very interesting to see what comes of this.

[00:25:00] And we will get to the rumor about Denver later on in the baseline buzz segment.

[00:25:04] But I just want to throw that out there.

[00:25:07] His numbers are good.

[00:25:09] All the reports are is that he's been a really good teammate this year and doing what he can to help support the team in any matter that he can.

[00:25:21] There's two ways to look at this.

[00:25:25] Zach Levine looked in the mirror after the foot surgery and said to himself, hey, we might have to make some changes.

[00:25:35] We might have to change who we are and what we do to get ourselves out of Chicago.

[00:25:44] Let's play ball with Chicago.

[00:25:47] Let's play ball with management and see what happens.

[00:25:50] Or.

[00:25:51] Maybe.

[00:25:53] Artur Karneševich of the Chicago Bulls, the president of player personnel, said, hey, listen.

[00:26:02] My man, you want out of here and we want you out of here.

[00:26:06] But for you to get out of here.

[00:26:10] You have to create some equity because right now nobody wants you.

[00:26:16] So I'm just letting you know what's going on.

[00:26:20] If you want to get out of here, you're going to have to play very well.

[00:26:24] Build up some trade value and see if there's some interest later on down the line.

[00:26:30] I don't know which scenario went which way.

[00:26:35] But I am sure one of those scenarios rings true with someone.

[00:26:43] But I think that.

[00:26:45] I think somebody taking a swing on Zach Levine.

[00:26:50] Is a good move.

[00:26:52] Two things.

[00:26:53] One, he's probably real.

[00:26:55] Not I wouldn't say been out of shape.

[00:26:57] Probably just.

[00:26:58] Hey, he thought he was going to be the guy in Chicago.

[00:27:02] To leave Chicago back to glory days.

[00:27:05] It hasn't worked out.

[00:27:07] And he just needs like a reboot.

[00:27:10] Get on a team.

[00:27:12] Cleanse the palate a little bit.

[00:27:15] And just fit into a role.

[00:27:18] Where it's not maybe him necessarily answering all the questions about the franchise.

[00:27:24] It's not every day.

[00:27:27] So Zach, you going to get traded?

[00:27:29] Zach, what's your thoughts on the team being in the middle for the fourth consecutive year?

[00:27:36] And you being the leader of this team?

[00:27:39] I can see where something like that could weigh on an individual like Zach Levine.

[00:27:47] He's extremely talented.

[00:27:49] He's extremely confident.

[00:27:51] And I'm sure with what has gone on over the last couple years with the injuries and things of that nature.

[00:27:57] He's playing better.

[00:27:58] And a poor play.

[00:27:59] And maybe a reputation hit as well.

[00:28:02] He's probably lost a little bit of his swag.

[00:28:06] But he's playing better.

[00:28:08] He obviously has a course set either for himself or he was given that course by Artur's Karnishevis.

[00:28:19] Either way.

[00:28:21] But it's working out because there's some fishes on the hook now.

[00:28:31] Let's talk about a team that is doing some stuff that I really want to give some credit to.

[00:28:40] Shout out to our guy Don in the D who gets down with the Detroit Pistons.

[00:28:47] We're going to talk about them a little bit.

[00:28:49] They are 11-16, but K.E. Cunningham is having a breakout season.

[00:28:54] He's averaging 23.5 points a game.

[00:28:58] He's averaging 9.7 assists a game.

[00:29:02] And the leadership from him has been absolutely incredible.

[00:29:07] This dude has been clutch in crunch time situations.

[00:29:11] He is really the orchestrator of that offense.

[00:29:16] He has been fantastic as a teammate as far as getting his guys involved and what have you.

[00:29:23] It was that situation on full display.

[00:29:28] So, Ray, what did he do in Miami?

[00:29:31] Cunningham's performance against Miami, where he had 18 assists and the game-winning layup,

[00:29:37] just a terrific effort by a budding star.

[00:29:39] The Pistons are still a work in progress.

[00:29:42] Games like that, a win over Miami, it shows that they're building something,

[00:29:47] and it looks like they're building something special.

[00:29:53] Oh, I have been very impressed by the offensive structure for the most part.

[00:29:57] Getting a chance to see K.E. Cunningham into a possible all-star is really cool after the struggles of the past two seasons.

[00:30:05] Those are games they would have found a way to lose before.

[00:30:09] Somehow, someway, through all the crap that K.E. Cunningham has gone through in his time in Detroit,

[00:30:18] he has found a way to keep his head above water,

[00:30:21] and he is the guy that we thought he was going to be when he came into the NBA.

[00:30:27] A three-level scorer, a guy who can get his teammates involved,

[00:30:32] a guy who can do multiple things on the court,

[00:30:35] defend, rebound at a high level,

[00:30:38] and obviously see, as far as an orchestrator of an offense,

[00:30:43] he is usually about a step and a half ahead at this point in time.

[00:30:48] Sometimes I think the passes that he sees,

[00:30:52] he's the only one that can see them.

[00:30:55] Because his teammates sometimes are definitely not ready for these passes.

[00:30:59] But I think as the continuity continues to grow,

[00:31:04] remember, we're implementing Malik Beasley.

[00:31:10] God forbid.

[00:31:11] But we're also integrating Tobias Harris and so on.

[00:31:15] And also, they're playing a structured offense.

[00:31:19] I don't know what happened with Monty Williams last year.

[00:31:23] I don't know what he was doing.

[00:31:26] I think this man was actually taking a sabbatical,

[00:31:30] but he was actually working.

[00:31:31] He didn't know that.

[00:31:35] Like, dog, we're paying you 13 plus million to coach this team.

[00:31:39] He's like, nah, dog, I'm in Tahiti in my head.

[00:31:45] I don't know what's going on the court,

[00:31:47] but I'm drinking Mai Tais.

[00:31:49] I'm chilling.

[00:31:50] I'm thinking about this money I'm going to spend

[00:31:52] when I'm not coaching this team anymore.

[00:31:55] I'm out to lunch.

[00:31:57] I'm quiet quitting on a real level.

[00:32:01] Quiet quitting.

[00:32:03] First year of a four or five year contract where you're making 13 plus million dollars a year.

[00:32:10] God bless America.

[00:32:12] America is great.

[00:32:14] It's the only country in the world where that could happen.

[00:32:16] Try and tell you.

[00:32:17] Try and tell you.

[00:32:20] I think right now what the Pistons are looking to do is they're just looking to build good habits.

[00:32:27] Right now, if you are looking at this team and thinking, oh, play a playoff push.

[00:32:34] No, don't get yourself excited.

[00:32:37] Just stay the course.

[00:32:39] Keep on building talent.

[00:32:41] We talked about the plethora of young talent that you have.

[00:32:45] You might have to add another difference maker into your mix.

[00:32:50] But I do think that Detroit is going for it this year.

[00:32:53] I think any level of success for them.

[00:32:57] Whether it's significant games towards the play in.

[00:33:01] At the end of the season where they can feel the pressure.

[00:33:05] Or if they actually get into the plan.

[00:33:08] I think it's all beneficial for a team like this.

[00:33:11] Not just because of the fact of how bad the last couple years were.

[00:33:16] But also, you are now setting a course.

[00:33:21] And your young players can see the direction you're going.

[00:33:25] So I'm good with all of what's going on in the Detroit city.

[00:33:31] You know what I'm saying?

[00:33:32] So we're good with that.

[00:33:35] Now, we need to get to the baseline buzz.

[00:33:42] Did you think for one second I was going to leave y'all with nothing on the baseline buzz?

[00:33:47] Absolutely not.

[00:33:47] So we're going to get to that.

[00:33:48] We need to get some music for this.

[00:33:52] Soraya, we need to get some music for this.

[00:33:55] All right.

[00:33:57] New music.

[00:33:58] What are we talking here?

[00:33:59] Upbeat?

[00:34:00] Something with a little kick ass to it?

[00:34:02] I will be relentless in my pursuit of new music.

[00:34:05] Part of the podcast that you guys have all been waiting for.

[00:34:08] The baseline buzz.

[00:34:09] It is presented to you by no authority.

[00:34:13] We don't have a sponsor yet.

[00:34:17] But we're working on it.

[00:34:18] We're working on it.

[00:34:20] Now, with all this being said, let's get into all the stuff that's going on.

[00:34:24] Happy trade season on December 15th.

[00:34:29] Obviously, the free agents that signed in the offseason, a lot of them were available for trade.

[00:34:36] Now, keep in mind, we got a couple that we need to talk about.

[00:34:42] One, Laurie Marketing, not available because he just signed his extension on August 7th.

[00:34:48] So, he is not eligible for trade.

[00:34:55] LeBron James.

[00:34:57] I know everybody has been talking about LeBron James being traded.

[00:35:01] He also got a no trade clause in his contract.

[00:35:05] So, to trade him, you would have to work with him.

[00:35:10] So, I don't think he's going anywhere.

[00:35:13] But with all that being said, and the deadline looming on February 6th, teams are scrambling to make moves.

[00:35:21] Whether it's about chasing a championship or building a future.

[00:35:26] Or just staying out the luxury tax, which will be a big incentive to some of these teams.

[00:35:34] So, when we look at some of these moves that get made, we'll figure out whether it was a move to rebuild.

[00:35:43] Add to a championship or developing championship roster.

[00:35:47] Or was it just purely financial?

[00:35:51] We'll give you that information here on Frontrunner Podcast Collective.

[00:35:55] And you will have those needs met Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

[00:36:00] So, keep it locked here.

[00:36:03] As we continue to move on and all these teams trying to stay out of these luxury tax situations.

[00:36:11] There's no shortage of drama.

[00:36:15] So, we go to the Bay first.

[00:36:17] We go to Golden State.

[00:36:18] Because Golden State, they kicked it off.

[00:36:20] They got Dennis Schroeder.

[00:36:21] I love the deal.

[00:36:22] We talked about it in the last podcast.

[00:36:25] Obviously, losing DeAnthony and Melton would have been a big loss.

[00:36:29] But he was already injured.

[00:36:31] This also helped out the Brooklyn Nets.

[00:36:34] Because you get somebody who's not going to play for you.

[00:36:39] Somebody who's helping you win.

[00:36:40] You took him off the roster.

[00:36:42] You got somebody back.

[00:36:44] Injured.

[00:36:45] Win-win.

[00:36:46] For this trade.

[00:36:48] I love this trade a lot.

[00:36:52] Now, I still think there is still stuff to do.

[00:36:56] And I think the guy in the crosshairs is Jonathan Kaminga.

[00:37:01] Once promising prospect.

[00:37:03] Hasn't developed into a consistent second scoring option.

[00:37:07] That they need alongside Steph Curry.

[00:37:09] Now, Jonathan Kaminga will tell you that he didn't get developed the way he properly.

[00:37:15] The way he thought he should have.

[00:37:16] Which means I needed more shots.

[00:37:18] I needed more opportunities to show you what kind of game I have.

[00:37:23] And then we could have built out from there.

[00:37:26] So, there's always been a push-pull with Jonathan Kaminga in Golden State.

[00:37:32] Obviously, Steve Kerr has a different...

[00:37:34] Has a way of playing basketball.

[00:37:36] It's more of the beautiful game.

[00:37:39] Everybody touches it.

[00:37:41] The ball has energy.

[00:37:43] We move it.

[00:37:44] And we look for the best shot.

[00:37:46] Now, the only guy who doesn't need to adhere to that is Steph Curry.

[00:37:52] Because Steph Curry is the greatest long-range assassin of all time.

[00:37:59] Period.

[00:38:00] So, with that being said.

[00:38:02] Kaminga's stats in December look solid.

[00:38:05] 21 points per game as a starter.

[00:38:07] But his inefficiency and his lack of defensive feel has raised doubts about his future in Golden State.

[00:38:15] The Warriors are reportedly considering a big move.

[00:38:18] Possibly involving Andrew Wiggins to secure a veteran scorer or a reliable big man.

[00:38:25] I would say more on the reliable big man.

[00:38:29] If you get more scoring or scoring with the reliable big man.

[00:38:34] Might be a way of looking at it.

[00:38:36] Now, some of the potential landing spots for Kaminga.

[00:38:40] Charlotte.

[00:38:41] Now, I like that and we'll come back to that in a second.

[00:38:47] It seems like some buttons are finally being pushed in San Francisco.

[00:38:51] Old regime, I know.

[00:38:53] But the Warriors waited too long on Wiseman.

[00:38:56] And now the other prize to your fortunate draft haul is currently being showcased for trade.

[00:39:01] Straddling two eras or timelines is not light years ahead.

[00:39:05] So, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Utah Jazz.

[00:39:09] Each of these teams could use a young athletic wing, Kaminga, as part of their rebuild.

[00:39:15] Now, Charlotte.

[00:39:17] If you add Charlotte.

[00:39:18] If you add Kaminga to Charlotte.

[00:39:20] With Lamella Ball and Brandon Miller.

[00:39:24] And you were able to extract Miles Bridges and Nick Richards from Charlotte.

[00:39:38] I think that would be something that if I was Mike Dunleavy Jr.

[00:39:45] And Kurt Lakop.

[00:39:48] That might be something I would look at.

[00:39:51] That would be something that I would have to really go.

[00:39:55] Okay.

[00:39:56] Because this is something that would help you now.

[00:39:59] Defensively, it would give you another wing.

[00:40:02] Somebody also who would help you on the boards.

[00:40:04] Miles Bridges does help you on the boards.

[00:40:07] Also, Nick Richards gives you a big man presence that you don't have right now.

[00:40:13] So, that might be something personally that I would be really interested in.

[00:40:19] Chicago.

[00:40:19] There's really nothing I want from Chicago.

[00:40:24] Nothing.

[00:40:25] Utah.

[00:40:27] Yeah, there's a couple things I would want.

[00:40:29] Danny Ainge is real hard to deal with.

[00:40:31] And I don't know what it's going to take to get Walker Kessler out of there.

[00:40:35] But we'll probably talk about him a little bit later.

[00:40:39] Now, with their cap situation, this is Golden State.

[00:40:42] With their cap situation being tight, the Warriors need a trade that not only improves their roster.

[00:40:48] But also stays under the first apron of $178.1 million.

[00:40:56] So, it's a high-states chess game in the Bay.

[00:41:01] And we're going to keep our eyes on that.

[00:41:03] And we're going to see how this plays out.

[00:41:05] But Jonathan Kaminga is the move.

[00:41:09] Now, also, I've heard, this is my reporting, is that they're not as staunch on Brandon Krasinski as they once were.

[00:41:21] There was a time that if you talked about Brandon Krasinski in a trade, Mike Dunleavy Jr. and or Kurt Laker would hang up on you.

[00:41:32] I've been told that might not be the case anymore.

[00:41:36] That might not be the case.

[00:41:38] We'll keep our eyes on what goes on in the Bay.

[00:41:44] So, we're going to move on to a team that I'm just concerned about.

[00:41:50] My concern is for a gentleman who plays basketball for a living.

[00:41:56] Who plays it at such an exceptional level.

[00:42:02] And I believe that his coach is trying to kill him.

[00:42:06] And you would think I'd be talking about Tom Thibodeau.

[00:42:10] But I am not.

[00:42:12] I am talking about Michael Malone.

[00:42:14] And what he's doing to Nikola Jokic.

[00:42:17] Who is putting up obscene, just filthy, obscene, dirty numbers.

[00:42:27] Okay?

[00:42:28] Jokic looks terrifying.

[00:42:34] Because they won't let him pass to his teammates.

[00:42:37] So, they say, you got to put all the points in.

[00:42:39] Okay.

[00:42:40] I don't really want to do this, but I will.

[00:42:43] Which leads us to what's going on in the Mile High City.

[00:42:48] Let's talk about their production.

[00:42:50] The Nuggets.

[00:42:52] A team with a glaring issue.

[00:42:54] The drop while when Nikola Jokic sits down.

[00:42:57] It's a crater.

[00:43:00] The Denver office plummets to a league where it's 95.8 points a game per 100 possessions without him.

[00:43:07] That is terrible.

[00:43:10] Despite being the front runner for his fourth MVP, Jokic can't carry his team alone.

[00:43:17] The Nuggets need reinforcements.

[00:43:20] We've been talking about it all offseason about Calvin Booth believing in the young players.

[00:43:24] Michael Malone not wanting to play the young players.

[00:43:28] And now here we are.

[00:43:29] We're at critical mass.

[00:43:31] And what on earth are the Nuggets looking for?

[00:43:36] Well, let's talk about it.

[00:43:41] They don't have a lot of trade pieces and things of that nature.

[00:43:44] But the one thing that they do have, break glass in an emergency, is to trade Michael Porter Jr.

[00:43:55] And remember I told you we were going to hold off on the Zach Levine comments and things of that nature.

[00:44:02] Well, here we are.

[00:44:03] There have been reports out there that the Denver Nuggets are interested in Zach Levine.

[00:44:09] Now, this is not my reporting.

[00:44:11] Jake Fisher, folks, Grant Hughes from Bleacher Report, folks like that have been on this story.

[00:44:19] So, this is what the word is on the street.

[00:44:24] Michael Porter Jr.

[00:44:26] Going to Chicago for Zach Levine.

[00:44:30] Now, why does any of this make sense?

[00:44:33] If Jamal Murray is going to continue to struggle and continue to be as inefficient as he has been, you can now move him down to like the number three.

[00:44:45] Jamal Murray's numbers as a number three would be perfectly fine.

[00:44:50] And it would be consistent.

[00:44:51] The one thing that you don't get with Michael Porter Jr. all the time, which this year has been a lot better, I must say, is it's not consistent all the time.

[00:45:03] And I wonder if he was unleashed and allowed to do more with the basketball.

[00:45:09] Would that change his mindset and his aggressiveness?

[00:45:12] And would he be able to do that with a team like Chicago and a ball just the ball distributor like Josh Giddy?

[00:45:23] These are questions that I have.

[00:45:25] Questions that I have not saying that is the only person on their list.

[00:45:31] Now, while unlikely names like Robert Williams, the third or even Walker Kessler could be on their radar.

[00:45:38] Big men who can anchor the defense when Yoko's dress.

[00:45:42] Denver fails.

[00:45:43] If Denver fails to make a move.

[00:45:46] I'm going to tell you right now.

[00:45:48] This is a question that I was basically proposing at the start of our Denver situation is.

[00:45:54] Is Yoko just going.

[00:45:57] At the end of his contract, be like, I got enough money.

[00:46:00] I'm going to go play with my horses.

[00:46:02] Can we get our guy.

[00:46:05] The three time.

[00:46:08] MVP of the league.

[00:46:10] Can we get my guy some help?

[00:46:13] No offense to Julian Strother.

[00:46:15] No offense to Christian Brown.

[00:46:19] No offense to Peyton Watson.

[00:46:22] Zeke Najee still on a milk carton somewhere.

[00:46:25] Have no idea.

[00:46:27] All right, let's talk about a couple other names that are out there.

[00:46:30] We're going to talk about Cam Johnson.

[00:46:33] Cam Johnson's name has been in the news.

[00:46:37] Dorian Finney Smith name has been in the news.

[00:46:40] You heard that those names around teams like Golden State.

[00:46:45] You've heard Cam Johnson rumors of his name in a lot of places.

[00:46:50] What makes Cam Johnson somebody that is wanted around the league?

[00:46:57] First of all, he's six foot eight, six foot nine, long arm.

[00:47:00] He is a quintessential swing wing who can guard multiple positions, can guard out on the perimeter.

[00:47:09] And Johnson's suitors include the Memphis Grizzlies.

[00:47:14] Also, the Sacramento Kings.

[00:47:18] And they are primarily looking at him as a floor spacer.

[00:47:24] Now, here's the one thing about Cam Johnson that I do want to put out there.

[00:47:31] When you look at Cam Johnson, you think of three and D.

[00:47:36] Now, I'm not saying that he doesn't play defense.

[00:47:40] But if you're looking for OG Ananovi or Mikkel Bridges level, like Phoenix Suns level defense.

[00:47:49] I'm not talking about Brooklyn Mikkel Bridges or New York Knick Mikkel Bridges.

[00:47:56] I'm talking about Phoenix, Mikkel Bridges.

[00:48:00] He's not going to be that.

[00:48:02] But what he can do is he can get into passing lanes.

[00:48:06] He does rebound the basketball.

[00:48:09] He handles well, decently.

[00:48:12] And he's just going to make the right place.

[00:48:14] So Cam Johnson is going to be a very hot commodity on this trade market.

[00:48:20] Now, another guy who has a trade market that is weird.

[00:48:26] But here's the thing that I am going to say.

[00:48:31] The New Orleans Pelicans do not, under any circumstances, want to be in the luxury tax.

[00:48:41] That mandate is coming down from the ownership.

[00:48:46] So somebody is going to have to go.

[00:48:49] The person who has been raising his hand the most is Brandon Ingram.

[00:48:55] Now, the problem with Brandon Ingram, it's a broken record now.

[00:49:00] It probably is a drinking game for college students all over the country.

[00:49:05] Problem with Brandon Ingram?

[00:49:07] Say it with me.

[00:49:08] His contract demands.

[00:49:10] And how people around the league see Brandon Ingram.

[00:49:15] The problem with that is, is that we are now at a critical mass stage where something needs to be taken care of.

[00:49:25] Because his salary is going to kick them to go over the cap.

[00:49:31] And that is not going to make the Benson family happy.

[00:49:37] So, I do expect Ingram, CJ McCollum.

[00:49:41] Also another hot name out there for the New Orleans Pelicans.

[00:49:46] And I would also say, and then I would say this is more of a slight chance.

[00:49:55] If they can find a deal for Zion Williamson.

[00:49:59] I think they just move.

[00:50:01] They're already tanking.

[00:50:03] Just by osmosis and the injury bug that plagues them.

[00:50:08] But I am very interested to see what goes on there.

[00:50:13] Now, a couple other names that we should get off here as well.

[00:50:16] Jeremy Grant is still a name that's out there.

[00:50:20] His contract is going to be a problem for him as well.

[00:50:25] That's going to be the problem for the names that we also mentioned above.

[00:50:28] Is the Brandon Ingram contract.

[00:50:32] The CJ McCollum contract.

[00:50:34] And also the Jeremy Grant contract.

[00:50:37] They're going to be hard to move.

[00:50:39] Because of the money that is on it.

[00:50:42] It makes it restrictive.

[00:50:45] Because then, what you're trying to do is add talent to your team.

[00:50:49] If you do something where.

[00:50:52] Because I see this a lot on Twitter.

[00:50:56] And X.

[00:50:57] Whatever you want to call it.

[00:50:58] Blue Sky.

[00:50:58] I see this all the time.

[00:51:00] The Lakers should trade.

[00:51:03] Rui Hachimura.

[00:51:05] And D'Angelo Russell.

[00:51:07] To Portland for Jeremy Grant.

[00:51:10] Yeah, you could do that.

[00:51:12] You could definitely do that.

[00:51:14] First of all, Jeremy Grant is having the worst shooting.

[00:51:18] Season that he.

[00:51:19] Has ever had.

[00:51:20] That's the first thing.

[00:51:22] The second thing is that.

[00:51:23] You're taking away.

[00:51:25] Somewhere in.

[00:51:27] Like 28 points away.

[00:51:30] Jeremy Grant is not going to average 28 points.

[00:51:33] It's not the same.

[00:51:34] You're comparing apples to oranges.

[00:51:36] I do understand that.

[00:51:37] But.

[00:51:37] The production has to come from somewhere.

[00:51:40] Free Shadon Sharp.

[00:51:41] And release the Klingon.

[00:51:43] Pick a path Portland.

[00:51:44] I feel for Anfernee Simons.

[00:51:46] He has developed and become a very lethal pull-up jump shooter.

[00:51:49] And could help teams with loftier expectations.

[00:51:53] Instead, Anfernee is languishing in Portland.

[00:51:55] Last tangent.

[00:51:56] I promise.

[00:51:58] What you're trying to do is you're trying to piece like Jeremy Grant.

[00:52:01] And not take away any of your pieces they produce.

[00:52:05] But when he has a high salary like this.

[00:52:07] And the Lakers do not have all these middling contracts.

[00:52:12] They don't have a bunch of 11 million dollar contracts.

[00:52:15] That they can stack up.

[00:52:17] That are not being useful to this team right now.

[00:52:20] You'd have to put four or five contracts together.

[00:52:24] To get this going.

[00:52:25] And you would still stick somebody in there.

[00:52:27] That you would probably either want to keep.

[00:52:31] Or have visions of using down the road.

[00:52:35] I.e.

[00:52:37] Jerry Vanderbilt.

[00:52:38] What am I saying here?

[00:52:41] I'm saying that Jeremy Grant.

[00:52:43] It will be a specific team.

[00:52:45] Problems is that he's going to have to catch fire.

[00:52:49] As of now.

[00:52:51] And ride that all the way to the trade deadline.

[00:52:54] Jeremy Grant moving early.

[00:52:55] If he moved early.

[00:52:57] It would be because.

[00:52:58] Portland took a real significant discount to get him.

[00:53:02] They say hey give me two second round picks.

[00:53:05] And we call it a day.

[00:53:06] Maybe we take a flyer on a young guy.

[00:53:08] That you didn't use properly.

[00:53:12] Now if that's going to happen.

[00:53:14] Because of the Dennis Schroeder trade.

[00:53:16] And what went on there.

[00:53:18] And the lack of assets that came back.

[00:53:20] If that is how indicative.

[00:53:23] Of what the market is going to be.

[00:53:25] Then maybe that does happen.

[00:53:29] But.

[00:53:30] Jeremy Grant's value right now.

[00:53:33] Around the league is not great.

[00:53:35] And it's because he is struggling.

[00:53:37] So we will see how it all goes.

[00:53:39] A couple other guys that we need to keep our.

[00:53:42] Ears and eyes out for.

[00:53:46] Kyle Kuzma.

[00:53:48] Washington Wizards.

[00:53:50] Another guy who could help a lot of teams.

[00:53:52] Another guy who is a.

[00:53:54] A big wing.

[00:53:55] Right.

[00:53:56] He's 6'9".

[00:53:58] Shoes the ball very well.

[00:54:00] And can be a second side initiator.

[00:54:03] If he was put into that role.

[00:54:05] He's played on.

[00:54:08] Playoff teams with the Lakers.

[00:54:10] So he is accustomed to playing a.

[00:54:14] Kind of a subsidiary role.

[00:54:17] He's also now.

[00:54:19] Been emboldened to.

[00:54:21] Create offense for himself.

[00:54:24] No.

[00:54:24] So trying to find the right.

[00:54:26] Niche for him.

[00:54:28] Is going to be something.

[00:54:30] Interesting.

[00:54:31] And here's the thing.

[00:54:33] Washington is doing a really good job.

[00:54:35] Of tanking.

[00:54:36] So they're not necessarily.

[00:54:37] Okay.

[00:54:38] We.

[00:54:38] Must trade Kyle Kuzma.

[00:54:40] What it's going to take.

[00:54:42] And it will probably lead.

[00:54:43] To the dead.

[00:54:45] Is that.

[00:54:46] Somebody is going to have to.

[00:54:47] Bowl them over.

[00:54:48] Over with the offer.

[00:54:49] So unless you come in.

[00:54:50] To Washington real strong.

[00:54:52] And keep in mind.

[00:54:54] This is Michael Winger in there.

[00:54:57] Formerly of the Clippers.

[00:55:00] Travis Slink is in there.

[00:55:03] So.

[00:55:04] It's a completely different outfit.

[00:55:06] Than what it was before.

[00:55:08] So you're not going in.

[00:55:09] And fleecing Washington Wizards.

[00:55:11] All the time.

[00:55:13] So keep that in mind as well.

[00:55:17] Okay.

[00:55:18] So with that being said.

[00:55:20] I think we can get up out of here.

[00:55:23] That wraps up.

[00:55:24] What we need to talk about today.

[00:55:25] I want to thank Soraya.

[00:55:27] For some of the words.

[00:55:29] And some of the stats.

[00:55:30] That she provided me.

[00:55:31] Thank you Soraya.

[00:55:32] For everything that you do.

[00:55:33] The other thing is.

[00:55:35] I want to thank the audience.

[00:55:36] Thank you for tuning in with us.

[00:55:38] And kind of just vibing with us.

[00:55:40] It's great to have you here.

[00:55:43] And let's.

[00:55:44] Be a friend.

[00:55:45] And tell a friend.

[00:55:46] About the podcast.

[00:55:47] Right.

[00:55:48] Let's grow this podcast.

[00:55:50] Let's build this community.

[00:55:52] I told you the reasons why.

[00:55:53] I would like to build it.

[00:55:55] I want to.

[00:55:56] Have these real cool conversations.

[00:55:59] With you guys.

[00:56:00] And gals.

[00:56:02] And.

[00:56:02] Again.

[00:56:04] If you're having some of those same things.

[00:56:07] That have these intrusive thoughts.

[00:56:09] That are in your head.

[00:56:10] And you hear me talk about them.

[00:56:12] And you go.

[00:56:12] I was thinking the same thing.

[00:56:14] I want to hear from you.

[00:56:17] So.

[00:56:17] With that being said.

[00:56:20] The best part of you.

[00:56:21] Is you.

[00:56:22] Make sure that you are.

[00:56:24] Surrounding yourself.

[00:56:25] With people.

[00:56:25] Who are additive.

[00:56:27] To your life.

[00:56:29] Go out.

[00:56:30] And do some good.

[00:56:31] In this world.

[00:56:32] And we will see you.

[00:56:32] On this podcast feed.

[00:56:34] On Friday.

[00:56:36] Deuce.

[00:56:36] On Friday.

[00:56:37] Thank you.