Can Zion Williamson Find Basketball Nirvana In OKC?

[00:00:01] It's Wednesday, and I am on the FRPC. In fact, it is your host, Vince, and we have something to talk about. For as long as I've been doing this podcast, it seems like look at the clips, look at the archive pods.

[00:00:39] I have been trying to trade Zion Williamson out of New Orleans the whole time. It's become many obsessive at this point. My wife and I, we had to go to the intervention. There might have been some counseling involved, you know.

[00:01:09] But I mean, Bill Simmons, Trade C, J.M. Colum, annually eight years running now, congrats to our guy Bill for the tremendous achievement. So in the same vein, FRPC will stay undontant in our efforts to trade Zion Williamson. Not our fact, we will renew this campaign immediately.

[00:01:37] We will not leave you hanging. We will continue to trade Zion Williamson until he is traded. The one thing we will say about this is that there was a lot of effort put into this. I want to shout out Nico, Mia Tello who helped me go through this.

[00:02:00] So definitely produce a credit. We actually think we came up with a deal that makes sense. So we're going to go over all the particulars and things of that nature. And we'll get to it one second.

[00:02:18] There's two things I want to kind of alert you to is that this is pot number three on day number three of the week. So we've gotten to the point of multiple pods already.

[00:02:33] But wait, there will be more because what is actually going to happen here's the schedule. I'm giving you this pod right now. We're going to talk about the Zion Williamson trading one second. But let's get through this. I'm going to give you this pod.

[00:02:47] So you're going to have this late tonight because it is like almost 10 o'clock, Pacific Standard Time. And it's been raining out here and it's Jucky and some people don't like it. Hey, I like it. It's great. So we're going to drop this pod. It'll drop on Thursday.

[00:03:08] We will record another pod on Thursday that will drop on Friday. And that will be the Eastern Conference recap. So we did one for the Western Conference. So if you haven't heard that pod, go dig into the archive pods. You're like two three pods behind.

[00:03:28] And so you'll have all these pods. And then Tuesday, you will get another pod. Christmas is coming. You know, we got to spend time with the family and also watch a ton of basketball on Christmas. Right? Turned games. So we'll have a lot to talk about after Monday.

[00:03:51] I don't want to impede anybody's progress on watching games. So all right. So that's the schedule. So we're going to drop this pod. It'll drop Thursday. The Eastern Conference recap that'll drop Friday and then I'll see you on Tuesday. Sound good? All right.

[00:04:11] So now let's get to this trade that we have painstakingly gone gone and got you. Okay? We really put a lot effort into this. All right. So of course, if you hear the paper, you know there's a lot of notes, right? Of course I'm old.

[00:04:36] So therefore not only do you get the trade, you get a history lesson. So sit back boys and girls. Uncle Vince is going on story time. Okay. So this trade actually is something that I'm pulling out of my way back memory.

[00:04:58] And we're going to go all the way back to 1998. All right. But the two teams in particular that I'm talking about right now for the trade are the okay see thunder. So thunder up to all my okay see fans out there and the New Orleans Pelicans,

[00:05:18] which have Zion will get sent, which I just dropped my phone. Don't worry. No phone was harmed in the middle of this podcast. So this trade involves okay see thunder. So thunder up to my okay see fans and the New Orleans Pelicans,

[00:05:38] but what I want to do is I want to take you back. I'm going to harking you back to a time of 1998. Now in 1998, there's a lot of things going on. You know like in sync, new kids on the block.

[00:05:59] Not new kids on the block was that other one. Battery voice. That's what it was. Yes, sir. Now think Brittany was out. Christina Aguilera. People like that. I wouldn't even call myself an NBA historian by any stretcher of the imagination.

[00:06:24] But I do think that we have a great opportunity to recreate a trade in a cool slice of history. May 14, 1998 the Washington Wizards traded at the time, a troubled forward by the name of Chris Weber. Now, Chris Weber was traded to the Sacramento Kings for a guard.

[00:06:48] And I would call him more of like a power guard at this time. Remember is 1998. They play a completely different style of basketball at that point. You've traded for a mid-retirement and you've traded for a power forward. Oh, the store.

[00:07:05] Now, mid-retirement at the time is 32 years of age. Oh, the store at the time is 35 years of age. And Chris Weber is 25 years of age. Now this is that five Chris Weber. This is put the ball behind my back and then ducking on Charles Barkley.

[00:07:29] Yo, if you not seen the video, go to YouTube and get that. Chris Weber, on the break behind the back, duck on Charles Barkley is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. All right. So that's the trade.

[00:07:51] Now, let me give you a little context to the trade. Richmond at the time was considered a bucket getter. Okay? Now again, it's 1998. So the stat might not seem as impressive but they weren't put enough to three years like they were like they do now. Okay?

[00:08:11] Richmond was one of four players who averaged 21 points again for their first 10 seasons. The other names that he was tied to at the time was Jordan, Jabbar and Oscar Robertson. That's who Mitch Richmond was tied to. That's the type of footsteps that he was entering. Okay?

[00:08:44] Weber at that point in time in his career was having a bunch of injuries. There was like a bag injury. I think there was like some neat tendonitis. And he had a couple octopuses of the court struggles.

[00:08:57] So they were getting him at the low base sacramental and it was probably the only time they could get him because sacramental is known as a place where free agents don't necessarily go. Does this alpha-milayer Oklahoma City? All right.

[00:09:18] Now Thor, who is kind of like the throw into this deal, he was a vet. He was a solid power forward. He did all the dirty work, blocking shots, blocking out, setting screens, hip checks, sharp elbows. Again, remember it's 1998, little more physicality and lead. They allowed that.

[00:09:43] We were playing hockey on a basketball court at that point in time. All right? Now the Wizards GM at the time is Hall of Fame Center and also longtime Washington Bullets Legend, West Unsell and kids if you don't know West Unsell.

[00:10:07] The Kevin Love Lake, full court pass that he throws. The glove is hit. He got that from West Unsell. This is why the history lesson is important. We try to get better, try to get better. So he trades whoever to sacramental.

[00:10:33] Now whoever this pissed, he doesn't want to go. Let's get this straight. Whoever did not want to go at all. But he got there. He understood where he was in his career. He had already been traded from Golden State to Washington.

[00:10:55] Now this was his third stop and he was starting to get a reputation that was unwanted, but kind of a head case, not coachable. We know that in our history, sacramental goes on to be one of the challengers to the legaries in like the early 2000s.

[00:11:24] Their epic Western Conference Finals battle is still a legend. There are plenty of people in sacramental that are upset about that 2002 playoff series. I know sacramental fans. I know you feel like we still a title away from you. I get it. But we are shouting Kobe.

[00:11:52] So you know, David started wanting to see us get up in there. So I'm sorry. I'm sorry boys but now you guys are good again. So no hard feelings. All right. Now back to Crescent deck. So Chris Weber goes Sacramento.

[00:12:09] He doesn't want to be there, but he understands his play where he is right down. He understands those situation. Now Oklahoma City is sitting on a treasure trove of pigs. Okay? We know about it's like 35 pigs all in total. First round is the second rounders. All right.

[00:12:35] Now let's talk about what Oklahoma City has right now. You have SGA who is right now at least in the top five of MVP if not higher. Shay Gilgers Alexander is an absolute superstar. And he can get to wherever he wants on the court.

[00:13:01] It's truly remarkable what that kid is doing in OKC. They also have chat home. And chat home grand to me has played excellent. I mean, all the stuff that we wanted from this kid he is delivered in spades. Like 20 points of gain, eight rebounds, three blocks.

[00:13:25] This is like actually it's like 18 points, eight rebounds like two and a half blocks right now. It's sick. It's absolutely insane. But Oklahoma City is in a period of time where they are in a really avid engages position with all the pigs and having

[00:13:45] stall words on their team that you can count on, right? That are you can say, OK, go get me a bucket or go make me a play and they can do it. They have that type of talent. Yeah, we got to Jayland Williams.

[00:14:03] Jay the Santa Clara wing that put up phenomenal numbers last year and he's starting to pick it up this year again. So this team is ultra talented. So the tray would be this. OKC would trade Josh Gettie. Doves Bertance. There's the money part of the deal.

[00:14:28] And Lou Dore. They would be getting back from the New Orleans. Zionne Williams and Najim Marshall and E.J. Li-Dell. They would also send to the New Orleans Pelicans the first round pick of 2024 from the Los Angeles Clippers. That's probably going to be in the 20s.

[00:14:55] Have you seen the Clippers lately? You're on a chair. A first round pick in 2025 from the 76ers. That's probably going to get late round first as well. And then their own pick in 2027. Now keep in mind what OKC is doing so far this year. They got great record.

[00:15:18] Everybody's playing well. But this trade would solidify a lot of things. What? Josh Gettie is not shooting the ball as I thought he would. I thought the shooting outside shooting would progress. It hasn't. Along with his off-the-court issues, the allegations, the alleged accusations of Sleeping with a minor.

[00:15:54] Those are out there as well. But it's not just to get rid of an issue like that. That is not the reason for this trade. If you have SGA, you have Ziya Williamson and you have Chet Hongren. And you have Jay Dub as well.

[00:16:16] The emergence of Cason Wallace at this point in time. The work you out of Kentucky has been everything that I could have ever asked for. Out of God now he's not playing a lot. Every time he gets to play any sort of meaningful minutes, it's always a positive.

[00:16:40] He shoots the ball extremely well over 40% from 3. He is not a guy who needs to hold on to the wall for 22 seconds. While he can get his own shot as well. So you're free and up or spot. You're also getting more shooting on the court.

[00:17:02] You're also providing a dynamicism to your fast break opportunities because okay C likes to get out and run. And Ziya on in the open court is still one of the scariest things that we've ever seen in this lead. Whether he's in shape, out of shape seems undeniable.

[00:17:25] Doesn't matter, Ziya and Williamson on in the open court coming down, barreling at you. Does not sound like a good time. Now on the normal side you say okay, what are we doing? Is Ziya leaving? Well here's the thing.

[00:17:52] If you look at the team, it looks like Brandon Ingram is number one now. Seems to be taking more shots. Often, it's run through him more. They do give Ziya on some time to do the whole point Ziya on deal.

[00:18:07] But it's more of a secondary type of action than it is a primary action. With Giddy you'd get size in the back court. And the reason why I'm really excited about Giddy and New Orleans, it gives you the quintessential point guard that you don't have right now.

[00:18:29] CJ McCullum, who is actually a point guard size, is now your two guard, you're shooting guard which is more comfortable at any way. And now he doesn't have to initiate the offense, but he can if he needs to.

[00:18:46] But look at what you've done to the actual identity of the team. Tray Murphy the third now gets the opportunity. You have her Jones, you got Brandon Ingram, you got Jonas Wallytunas and now you got Josh Giddy. Now yeah McCullum's small, right?

[00:19:12] But you still got a bunch of dudes on that team. And however you want to play that lineup and what's your crush time lineup, you got a lot of flexibility, you got a lot of different ways to go about how you want to execute your last five minutes

[00:19:29] of the four quarter with any variation of those guys, plus more minutes for a variety of more minutes for Jordan Hawkins who would shoot and light out before he got relegated back to the bench when everybody got healthy.

[00:19:45] And here's the other thing was I and you're going to get to a point David Griffin that you're not going to be able to pick up the fall and say what can I get for Zion?

[00:20:03] I don't know when the actual expiration date runs out because the talent is still onments, but the more we go and the more I would say what's the word I'm looking for, the more severity in the ups and downs that we have with Zion,

[00:20:27] the lessons that less valuable he becomes. So here is your one chance get out of jail free card. And here's the thing, Josh Giddy could turn into a better shooter or he could just be a complete great offense of initiator for your team.

[00:20:49] And you have a bunch of lights out shooters around him, which would make him even more dangerous because it's driving kick season when we get to the playoffs. And then also, Norman's get more picks. Now the Laker picks are starting to dry up right?

[00:21:08] It's either this year or next year, which is the last of the Laker picks for the Anthony Davis trait. So now it's time to restock and still keep your window open and be competitive.

[00:21:22] And if you get a little lightning in a bottle and be I is who you say he is, then your team is going to be set. But the other reason to do this trait,

[00:21:38] I've always talked about Zion while you're saying, and how I want him to be in the best possible position. So we all can enjoy the talent that he has. The one thing that we all can say about the Oklahoma City Thunder is this,

[00:21:55] they are the one most insulated teams in all of the NBA. They don't have a dense media situation and they keep their players very protected inside that organization. They rode for a Westbrook for the longest time. The Durant when Durant was there, right?

[00:22:28] This whole Josh Getty thing, honestly, it was recorded and then really, I think I haven't really heard a lot of people talk about the accusations as a whole. You know, I'll put it this way. Whatever that situation was, you know, it'll watch it, you know,

[00:22:53] time always reveals everything. So, you know, it's not for me to judge somebody else to do that and then the punishment will be whatever it is or he'll be let off either way. But Zion in Oklahoma City is the perfect situation.

[00:23:14] One, I told you we got notes on this. He's going to be immediately part of a big three. You know, you got SGA, you have chat and then Zion. All three of them have self creation. And here's the best part.

[00:23:39] They all have self creation from different quadrants of the court. Now Zion is not under pressure and under the weight and scrutiny of being a franchise player because SGA is going to be the number one guy there. By the way, you're getting a guy who is 23 years old.

[00:24:06] And he's in the first year of a five year deal. Sounds a lot like Chris Weber when Sacramento got him from Washington. Now, if and I know this is a big if, if Zion was to completely hit his potential,

[00:24:30] okay, see would be absolutely one of the scariest teams we have in the NBA. You have a situation with Zion where he would have that big body presence that that chat doesn't have right now.

[00:24:53] And unfortunately there's not anybody really else on that roster that has a lot of like, like their denseness to them. Zion will provide that. He will give them a presence at the realm that they just do not have.

[00:25:13] And the last other thing that I will say about this particular trade is this, is that at some point okay, see it's going to have to make a trade or do something. Right? Here's the thing, you don't even have to give up your picks.

[00:25:34] You don't even have to give up most of the things you have. You would still have ammunition because if for some reason this is a mistake, you could get you have enough picks to get rid of the mistake and get the piece that you need.

[00:25:49] But taking a swing and taking a swing at a time where the West is deep, but I think it's wide open. Not saying that I disrespect Denver and it's not to say that I'm looking at Minnesota and going, I don't know.

[00:26:13] But if you add Zion to chat and SGA and J.D. I mean, that's going to be a very formidable team and provide it all the other depth that they have. That's going to be a very formidable team to deal with in the playoffs.

[00:26:36] All right, the last thing that we want to get to before we get up out of here is this. Right before I went on this pod, J.L.L. in the beat of the Philadelphia 76ers dropped 51 tonight. By the way, last five games, Dude has not been under 35.

[00:26:58] It has been 35 like 40s, 150 Werger and now another one. So this dude is on such a chair. I just wanted to shout him out real quick. By the way, he's lead in league and scoring averaging 35 again.

[00:27:16] Okay, this is, we're entering some real spicy things because I don't think J.L.L.L.L.L.L. on beat is necessarily going to give the MVP away as easiest people thought he was. There was a lot of people who thought, oh he got it

[00:27:41] now he can fall back and whatever. No, it looks like JOL has taken it to another level. Oh and by the way, coincidentally he started this tear when he got fined by the NBA

[00:28:00] because he did the WWE DX chop. They find them for it and now my man has taken it out on the NBA. So since his city is also the whole city of WrestleMania 40, I think his Apple Pro that my man is averaging 35 again dominating like only he can.

[00:28:32] Because right now he's on it down in Philadelphia and they're playing very well. So again the schedule again is that this will probably go out. You'll have this tomorrow. We are going to move the East Coast Quarter recap to Friday and then I'll see you on Tuesday.

[00:28:55] So you got a bunch of positive week that will be clips from this on YouTube. So if you are new to the pot we have a YouTube channel front runner podcast collective jump on that.

[00:29:11] That made comments join the community build the community as I like to say all the time. You tell a friend you tell a pot, no. You tell your significant other. You should also tell maybe your coworkers the grocery store clerk. His or her supervisor

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[00:30:33] Hit my guy Nikola and sit in him some salutations to Canada where it is a crispy like 20 something grease you know I can't deal with that. Not gonna do it. He's at Nikola FRPC.

[00:30:52] All right so that'll do it for this pot. Keep on the lookout for that eastern conference recap quarter poll recap we'll get that out to you as soon as possible and everybody enjoyed the basketball on Christmas enjoy your family on Christmas. And for my believers out there rejoice

[00:31:17] rejoice in this time because a lot of time this point in time of the year we get into a lot of reflection and it will have you I lost my mom this year and but I'm joyful. I'm re-evaluated.

[00:31:37] I'm peaceful. I'm hopeful and the only reason I have that is because I turn my life and my will over to the care God so it's not for everybody but it's for me

[00:31:55] and that's my truth and I speak it all the time. I'm Vince I'm your host it's gonna pleasure and we'll see you down the road. Peace.