NBA Western Conference 1st Quarter Recap

[00:00:00] Hey, it's Monday, you know what time it is. It's FRPC Hoops and I'm your host Vince and we are excited to bring you this. So what we're doing today is we're giving you the Western

[00:00:25] Conference, quote, 1st Quarter Recap. We're going to give you like a little bit about some of the teams, what they did, you know,

[00:00:34] going to couple of little anecdotes and kind of keep it moving. We're also going to talk a little bit about maybe some of the rumors that have crossed up a little bit when it comes to, uh,

[00:00:47] you know, trying to do some things that nature has been going to couple of things that I've been

[00:00:51] popped out there into the ether that we kind of need to go over. So we have a lot to get to today and I'm really glad that you guys are here. Keep in mind, if you are joining us for the first time, welcome.

[00:01:06] This podcast has been going on for a little while. We kind of gone through some ups and downs, but we hear give you

[00:01:15] in VA. We also give you draft coverage. We also give you some of the news and notes and trade rumours and things like that here, but what we try to do is give you some sort of holistic view of what teams are doing and whatever case and be we don't want to just say a player's trash or whatever.

[00:01:36] We don't want to just say all this players, no good and all that. We want to give you some kind of substance behind it. And that's what we're trying to do. So if you're new to the program, you just got to spill. If you're old to the program, let them know. Let them know what we got. All right, we're going to have some fun.

[00:01:58] And we're going to get into a couple things. Okay, so how we're going to do this is we're going to go division by division.

[00:02:06] I was thinking about doing it in like order, but I actually feel like I want to do it in different ways. So bear with me. I have eight on a note to hear.

[00:02:20] All right, so what we're going to do is we're going to start with the Southwest division. And we're going to start with a guy that we talked about a lot. We're going to tell you about the San Antonio spurs.

[00:02:33] Right now currently there are 4 in 21. They are 15th in the West. What they've done right. They've drafted when Victor went by Yamaha. That's what they've done right.

[00:02:45] Now the one thing that we will say about having Victor went by Yamaha in this particular set of circumstances. I know a lot of people are going to really on whether we should have a point guard getting Victor to ball and get him in the spot.

[00:03:07] Again, we talked about it on this program at Nazim in regards to the free flowing office that they're trying to use in San Antonio and allow Victor to develop his offensive game is I sell game.

[00:03:25] And also his playmaking game. So these things I honestly know that this is all for his development. And yes, it looks terrible. Looks awful.

[00:03:39] But I think once we get to like game 50 we'll see a little more regular offense. I think what they're trying to do is allow him to expand his canvas as much as he possibly can right now.

[00:03:52] And then die like back. Okay, couple of the things. This goes on the minus side for me. There inability to not even try to get Austin reviews from the Lakers knowing that they had a ton of salary cap.

[00:04:12] Kind of a hedge gratcher. I mean, I'm excited that we got Austin reviews for like $14 million. That's great. We love it here in Los Angeles, the lot a lot. But for San Antonio and for people who are talking about having a facilitator for Victor, when by Yamaha.

[00:04:31] This is one of those things that you can look to and go, hey, maybe we should have made some sort of adjustment there. Moving on point so Han. A lot of people there a lot of detractors to this.

[00:04:47] A lot of people really upset there's not a lot of flow to the offense. Victor is not getting in the right spots. I definitely hear you. I definitely understand. I definitely get it.

[00:04:59] But again, I think we just have to caution on the just side of patience to see what Victor actually developed from this year.

[00:05:12] I think anytime that you can not root, especially a player, just generational like Victor, when by Yamaha is, when you can not root him in a certain style, whatever, and allow him to develop his skills. I think it only bowed 12 for you in the future. A plus move.

[00:05:36] Move, win be to simmer. And since they've done that, 14 rebounds. And when he was at the four position, when he was playing the big forward, he was averaging eight. So what's moved to center? 14 rebounds a game. When he was at the four eight rebounds a game.

[00:06:00] So impactful just in that move right there. Oh, and for the people who are screaming about trade zones, getting on the court. Here's the thing that you might wonder consider. We talked about flow, we talked about spacing in the offense, things of that nature.

[00:06:21] Trade zone, the shooting a robust 26.7% from three. So robust is being facet, facet, facet, facetious. That's an dynamic rate and we would need better if for some reason he was going to be the starting point guard. Now, here's one question that we'll ask.

[00:06:45] And I'm trying to remember who put it out there. Somebody put it, oh, Mark J Spears of the of landscape. Hall of Fame career as a journalist. Said that kelting Johnson might be on the move for San Antonio.

[00:07:07] Now I'm going to tell you right now, kelting Johnson fits in a bunch of places. I can see a lot of teams that are. In content, trying to get him. So we'll have to see on that on that situation.

[00:07:25] Let's move on to like I said, we're going to reverse order here. So you're going to hear pages flip back and forth. So we'll go on to the Memphis Grizzly shall we.

[00:07:42] Plus one more game without job, we know that the 25 games suspension has been rough for the Memphis Grizzlies not having their all star. Not having their engine that makes their offense move. Now we'll one game away from him coming back. So you got job coming back soon.

[00:08:04] Now as a how can I put this the grind house has been a house of horrors for the Memphis Grizzlies. Let's look at their injuries, okay? Steven Adams out for the season.

[00:08:26] Brandon Clark we have no idea when he's coming back, but he towards the killies, you know, late last year. Luke canard is missed 16 games. Xavier Tillman. Hissimist 10.

[00:08:41] And Marcus smart with the ankle injury he might be getting close to coming back maybe a week away, but there's been a lot of injuries with Memphis. There's six and 18 currently 13 13th in the West. And really right now, you know it's just getting healthy.

[00:09:03] You know there's not a lot to look at this on a lot to decipher with the Memphis Grizzlies right now they had a crap ton of injuries.

[00:09:12] And they were missing their star and this is what happens when you have no doubt and you don't have the different difference makers around you. To a state relevant. So, 16 18 not great, but we'll see what happens in the second half of the year.

[00:09:30] Let's move on to the Houston rocket shall we open up a drink? You know my guy Nico is popping open a cold one right now and he's on the Houston rocket sir.

[00:09:42] Talked about on this podcast because they have been talked about so frequently it is part of the drinking game. Okay Houston right now is 13 to 10 currently they're night in the West. Plus is hiring email adoka. I mean, is there a question about what how better they've been?

[00:10:08] The offense has structure they are playing. Lights out defensively I believe if I'm not mistaken they are top five at this point in time and defense. So, email adoka has set a. A culture there that we're going to defend and we're going to play this one basketball.

[00:10:37] The second positive. The not trade or signing of James Harden has been phenomenal. And so many ways you signed Fred Van Blieat from Toronto. Who we would say is a lesser point guard than James Harden.

[00:11:02] But then you signed Dylan Brooks and you saw Jeff Green Uncle Jeff as we like to call it. So, three solid veterans Brooks we know he's had the issues with like control issues or impulse issues and things of that nature.

[00:11:19] But so far this year email adoka seems to be demanding more for him to stay with inside himself and not could just. Can be a complete. Just crazy man which is great.

[00:11:35] And then the other thing saying going got to inches taller in the off season, but also the more important thing is that they have established him as an offensive hub either run D.H. O.S. through him.

[00:11:51] You can run through picking roles through him and he's going to make really good decisions with the basketball in his hand.

[00:12:02] It's worked out for Dr. Lengreen and it's definitely if they can get your barred Smith to shoot more. That's really what this team is kind of missing right now. And what I want to call like an X-factor a little bit.

[00:12:16] Tari Eastern and one thing that I want to bring out with Tari Eastern, he's definitely a guy that I'm looking at as as a possible starter as a possible rotation piece down the road. So 7.2 rebounds on 20 minutes again. Let me say that again, 7.2 rebounds on 20 minutes again.

[00:12:41] That is what Tari Eastern has given the rockets. So we're going to move on now to who's next on the will of no sense. Okay.

[00:12:56] Let's get to New Orleans Pelican's shall we. We talked about them a lot extensively here on the program. Pelicans now are 1611 they're seven in the west. They picked up a nice piece and Jordan Hawkins in the draft would love that pick it was such a phenomenal choice.

[00:13:18] Here's a little stat for you that I actually did not know and I thought it was amazing. Bremen in-groom is leading the NBA with the most mid-range shots made currently he has 69 mid-range shots made. The Rosen has number two as 68 and the ramp is 66.

[00:13:48] I just thought it was interesting to see that Brandon Ingram has become such a mid-range assassin not saying that we didn't see it in his game in LA and also in his stand with the New Orleans Pelicans. But number one in mid-range shot to me I like it.

[00:14:09] The overall theory of the Pelicans so far this year has been all the injuries that they have had as well. Okay let's mark them all. McCallum is 10 games, 3rd has missed 20 games, a grand theft of Roddough his miss 14 games and Larry Ness Jr. has missed 13.

[00:14:39] So they obviously been just nicked up the whole year they haven't been able to have any cohesion whatsoever and they're 16 and 11. Just saying now the Dallas Mavericks are right now on top of the southwest division they are currently 16 and 9 they are 3rd in the west overall positives.

[00:15:11] They re-sign Kyrie Irving. It was a controversial move when they did it but they had to do it because they gave everything away in the trade to get them.

[00:15:22] That's one they nailed the draft and what I'll say about that is that when I was doing draft coverage over in the off season.

[00:15:37] There are gladly due in your hand and scratching my head. That's a ton of athleticism, a ton of fluidity that just is not getting it.

[00:15:49] And I'm just thinking that maybe do just did not play him in the right position or they they the scheme did not fit him because he's been excellent. More Dallas he's been a absolute.

[00:16:06] God's in when it comes to their room protection and things of that nature and he's 19 so young still the other thing is going on and Dallas is Luca is really fit on me he looks great.

[00:16:23] It looks like he lost 15 20 pounds and he looks like a 15 year old kid. By shedding that weight he still absolute sorcerer go with the ball in his hand 32 98 is nothing to sneeze at.

[00:16:47] Now the little tidbit that I want to give you is something that a lot of people have been talking about the re-emergence of Dante exome but one little stat that I wanted to give you. Dante exome right now is 44 of 55 at the rim.

[00:17:07] Now we're going to talk about his 3. shooting in a second but when he attacks the rim when the close out comes he can have a shoot it which at right now he is shooting 42.9 from 3.

[00:17:21] Or he can attack it and he can go to the rim and he's finishing with tremendous success at the ring right now.

[00:17:31] Now also keep this in mind Dante exome started off his career and Utah got injured had me injury just couldn't get it together he was a below average 3. shooter like low 30s 20 sometimes things of that nature.

[00:17:50] He bounce around the NBA a little bit think the last destination he was at was Cleveland and then he took 2 years he went overseas.

[00:18:01] He definitely worked on his game he's come back and again he never shot anywhere near what he is shooting right now and again he shooting 42.9% in 3.

[00:18:14] Exome defense and his pan attacks from the corners have been just just a revelation so again here is a guy that they picked up didn't pay much for and getting tremendous dividends.

[00:18:32] Or what they before the asset so kudos to the Dallas Mavericks kudos to the airport office and what they're doing there. Now we're going to move on to the north division which I like I love this division. And let's talk about the Portland Trailb layers are so.

[00:18:57] The Portland Trailb layers are right now are 6 and 19 they are 14th in the west which is exactly what we thought they would be.

[00:19:06] They traded them this is a plus they got back drew holiday and then traded drew holiday for more assets so if you could have you couldn't have done a better job with that. Clot to crown in in the crew out there doing that.

[00:19:26] Now at the time they got time lord Robert Williams and they also got beyond Ray Aten back in return you know down the road we don't know.

[00:19:39] Robert Williams is hurt he's out for the year but that's still guy that you could sit on ice and hopefully you can rebuild his value. Once he comes back from the injury next year got speed to Robert Williams so they still have more assets that they can.

[00:19:58] Trade or not trade or whatever case and be also keep in mind they still have that Jeremy Grant contract which is the next thing I want to talk about that's a negative is that I'm sure they wouldn't have they would not have signed Jeremy Grant to that that kind of lucrative deal if they knew they were getting rid of them.

[00:20:16] Or whatever case when you'd be they did it and now that will be a trade piece down the road now the key is. What do you get as far as assets back because that's that's a big nugget to cover because I think Grant is making like 35 million year.

[00:20:39] Also, school is off to a terrible start we're not going to sugarcoat it now keep in mind got hit in the eyes where in goggles now the last three or four games a scene on.

[00:20:51] The scenes more comfortable he needs to slow down but that's something that all young guards have to deal with and get over.

[00:21:00] To get into their to their moveset and things that nature I believe that school painters and will get to that point I'm not worried whatsoever when it comes to scoop. Let's move on to the Utah Jazz.

[00:21:15] The Utah Jazz who got to a set of fast start last year this year are nine and 17 12 in the West. The negative the John Collins trade. Wow he he's been an absolute terrorist to that team.

[00:21:36] I mean like if you want to talk about getting take it down from within. He's still not shooting the ball well he only plays well against bad teams and not good teams that's only time he even get you know is productive.

[00:21:53] And honestly I don't even know what he is anymore I don't know if he's a small ball five I don't know if he's a four he does a shoot the three he's athletic.

[00:22:02] But not a great defender I'm just trying to figure out what the proper role is for one John Collins now he's a great no. So excited about this for the jazz we had a we had a Taylor Hendrix.

[00:22:26] He played I'll so excited he actually got minutes you got burned on the court. If you know if you followed us from the beginning. If you haven't go to the archive thoughts we did a lot of draft analysis on Hendrix.

[00:22:43] He was he was in my like top five I love the kid I got to have great instincts. I think he's relatively athletic and I think he should it so.

[00:22:57] I was higher on him personally than Brandon Miller at the time and he just hadn't gotten a lot of run. So and also Walker Kassler is mysteriously still coming off the bench this is coming off the injury.

[00:23:11] So I wonder what Danny's doing do he see something in the draft that we haven't seen yet. I don't know but Danny ages taking for something we just don't know necessarily what it is at this point in time.

[00:23:34] Couple other couple are a little negative Chris done and TST to me that being getting out here being in a lot more minutes than I personally think they should. I'm I'm really upset about that personally.

[00:23:51] Can't a George this is a positive he was there first first round pick. I know he was actually the second one I apologize for that he was the second one there second note their second first round pick out of bailer he's injured.

[00:24:06] But he's been playing well you know the numbers aren't great but Ricky coin guard young coin guard I don't lose sleep. Now we talked about it in previous podcast about Lori marketing it. Lori marketing.

[00:24:25] His name has come up even more frequently since the last pop we started to see more of the note books be opened up we talked about it on the last pot and you started to hear more names it was funny. As soon as I did that pot.

[00:24:45] I saw Lori marketing his name everywhere and trades now this isn't me that anything is. Going to happen immediately this could take all the way to the trade deadline. But Lori marketing seems to be out there I think he would be an excellent get for anyone.

[00:25:07] 7 feet can shoot rebound give you some second side initiation you can't beat it so. That's something that we have to look forward to or look kind of monitor as we go on but that is the Utah. The last update.

[00:25:25] Now let's get to one of our favorite teams here the okay see thunder the thunder have impressed us all season they are 16 and eight they are second and the west. They're absolutely ridiculous. I mean positives are that shrewd moves plus youth development. Um, case in Wallace.

[00:25:57] You know we're about to get into home. And home. Right now is on a work of year run. His his figure efficiency is 58.6. He is like I'm his 3.2 to 36.7 which is not bad. He's also doing that on 4.1 attempts. He also is average at 8.1 rebounds 2.7 blocks.

[00:26:31] And he's true shooting percentage at this one time is 16 to 3.7%. He's just been awesome. I mean it was well worked away.

[00:26:44] And then also let's give some love to Isaiah Joe and the reason why I want to bring up Isaiah Joe's name in this conversation is this is what I'm talking about with development and true moves. The 76 is just let Isaiah Joe go a couple years back.

[00:27:03] Okay see picked him up. Isaiah Joe says joining the thunder. He's a 22% on the rees this year on 5.7 3.1 attempts. For two years, Isaiah Joe has shot over 40% from 3 and on 5 plus attempts. This is not a trend. This is not a trend.

[00:27:38] This is something that has been going on. Do you can shoot it? We're still happy for him because he found it like a little, not a little, and it's good to see teams go hey, you know what I see something here. And he's not just a shooter.

[00:27:53] He does provide some deep fancies, not like crazy. Just going to be blowing the silence left and right and stuff like that. He's just a solid player, a solid contributor to a franchise who looks to be doing big things and could really mess up the,

[00:28:11] the hierarchy of the Western conference if they continue to progress in this fashion personally. Now we get to the Denver nuggets, the defending, raining NBA champions. Okay, so negative boost Brown is now in Indiana, a place of tomorrow Murray has been Stony by health issues. Again this year.

[00:28:42] Positive. Okay, Reggie Jackson. Here's the thing, Reggie Jackson wasn't even part of the nuggets of postseason rotation last year. Okay, and he's all he's done is being an integral part of what Denver success is being this year. He's been holding it down for Murray in his absence.

[00:29:04] He's out of the 13.4 points again. He is shooting 48.5% from the field. And he is shooting 40.9% from 3. And he also has been given out for four and a half dimes again as well. So he's been getting it done for them. And here's another guy who left the clippers.

[00:29:33] And now you look at a situation where, you know, Denver has been with Bruce Brown getting gone and, you know,

[00:29:43] it's been Christian Brown and Peyton Watson and what's the other kid, Julia Strother all three of them have at some point this year has done something pretty remarkable right.

[00:30:02] The great thing about this is that they're probably still need another piece, but if you can get one of those three guys to hit every, you know,

[00:30:12] you don't need a mall to hit every single night, but if you can get one to hit every single night, this is providing debt for you.

[00:30:21] And what a great, they kind of, I mean his thing, counting, but looked at the draft and said, you know what, we're going to get older. More kind of role-player type guys because we got this in our midst right we got Porter Jr.

[00:30:39] We got yoghage obviously got your mom Murray KCP, let's go on and on. But picking up these guys to get fit a role and be able to just fall right into their role. I mean, honestly, just give, let's just give everything credit.

[00:30:56] I think I have a couple more notes on Denver here that I want to get to before we get to our other North team. Denver right now is 17 and 10, keeping in mind the injuries have been just just they've been ravaged by injuries. Um, fourth and a west.

[00:31:20] We just talked about their rookies. Let's give a little love to DeAndre Jordan as well. Who is providing good backup, center minutes for yoghages as well.

[00:31:30] There was one game where he started because yoghates took the night off and he just went crazy start getting Ali used it looked like DeAndre Jordan another clip or days. Little awesome live city joins going on out there crazy.

[00:31:44] Seems like he is some sort of fountain of use or whatever. All right. I think we can move along to the Minnesota Pivotal Wolves at this present time. The wolves are sporting a 19 and five record date that is first in the west.

[00:32:05] Number one, this is a team that we criticized last year. We didn't think the fit was right with go bare and towns. Keep in mind towns was out in and out of line up last year with injuries and what have you we were worried about the.

[00:32:33] The power structure of the team would cat, acleusk and allow. And it was to be the number one guy. We didn't know if not just did the Rudy go bare was a complete failure, but defensively schematically wise what it work all those questions have been answered.

[00:33:00] This is what happens sometimes when you have a little patience. And I'm here to tell you that I was absolutely wrong. I've been trying to get call Anthony towns out of Minnesota for like two, two years now.

[00:33:16] And I'm not saying necessarily he is still the perfect fit next to and and go there on the rest of the crew there. But we're seeing a whole hell of a lot more from towns that we can pretty see previously seeing so to me personally.

[00:33:39] A man like good job on making it work good job on finding your role good job on maximizing your opportunities good job on being putting team first good job on just doing all the things they they asking you to do so.

[00:33:57] Carl Anthony towns I got to give you a salute you know I'm saying you done your thing this year and I was hard on you so therefore my man's I can give you shine.

[00:34:11] When you do something right and you're doing it right right now that team is is looking great Carl Anthony towns have 40 to the night at the average of slid into that top row and everybody kind of knows what's going on. Okay positive.

[00:34:29] Nostory picking him signing him back I think it's going to cause some issues down the road because that luxury type bill is looming next year.

[00:34:40] I don't know how they're going to get around that we'll see but that's a problem for another day right now we're just basking in the glory that T will are 19 at five let's just. The celebrate what we got right now let's stay in a present you know Sam.

[00:34:57] All right the other thing that I thought was kind of interesting. Rudy goes bears. Actually usage is the exact same as last year and the points really haven't changed and everything like that but.

[00:35:11] They're defensive philosophy and whatever was not working last year is working this year they're there. Topps and league as far as defense number one that rating can't get beyond that so again it is going great. To see the the resurgence of the middle southern timber walls.

[00:35:37] Credit to Anthony Edwards to call Anthony towns to Rudy go bear everybody involved in that tumultuous season last year and also shout out to Chris Finch. There were people screaming for him to get fired last year just as an FRI.

[00:35:55] And now it looks better and they're playing a lot better and they are going to be hell to handle. We continue to make our way through. Now we're going to move on to the west.

[00:36:14] And we're going to talk about Golden State we did a lot on the pod on Saturday and Friday in regards to that so if you're looking for.

[00:36:24] Drain my news or whatever I have a whole set up on the podcast so if you again if you're new to the podcast. You know follow us and and you know turn that notification go on so you can get that pod you know download it real quick.

[00:36:42] All right gold state plus is CP3 gives you and the pool swap. Here's the thing. We can talk about this in 15 different various ways. Pool would provide awesome offense off the bench.

[00:37:00] But we also know that there was a untenable situation with Drainmont and himself so somebody had to go. And it was Jordan pool and now he's gone. Another negative Bob Myers is now gone.

[00:37:15] Drainmont is out here committed felonies as another bad thing that's going on and then curves resistance to play the youth. Now he has no he has no excuse he has to play the youth because here's the other thing with the gold state warriors they are 12 and 14.

[00:37:39] And they are 11th in the West at a stacked let's let's be 100% percent transparent about what's going on here. That team is the siege by injuries by lack of depth and aging rapidly. And now they got drainmont green out here committing felonies on people choke holds.

[00:38:05] You know just. Punch a people in the face multiple times you got he punch, Nirk it she puts pool. He's stopping subonus. My man is literally about to go to the WWE. He has held no he's going to AEW.

[00:38:25] Shout out to my guy Jacob who loves AEW but yeah drainmont is an AEW he's all elite. Because I can see him getting into a like a cowbell match with John Moxley or something the way he's been acting lately. After like a fool.

[00:38:47] But I check yourself my man. Word is also come out that it looks like it's going to be about three weeks there's no like real actual like drop line. Do date.

[00:39:02] But the proximity of how long he's going to be out is looks like about three weeks which is basically to the end of the year so he should be playing. First week of January. But obviously he has to hit all those.

[00:39:16] He has to hit all those measures before even they would go ahead and reinstate him so it doesn't look good for the gone say warriors. Now here's a right slide. Clay Thompson's last five games. 22.2 points. 22 of 48 from three. 37 of 75 from the field. This is more.

[00:39:48] Like the play we know we know the defense won't be as good. Man came off on the killies injury. Records knee. Back to back surgeries. We understand also a little bit iron age but. If the shot is coming back this is this is helpful.

[00:40:08] This is a good for gold state so we're excited about the progression. A one clay Thompson so we have that as well. Um, let's turn the page here we're going to get to the Phoenix sons and the lakers and then I think the last team not mistaken.

[00:40:27] The second. I clicked this in Sacramento okay so I'm going to do this in a different order but you know I got to say the lakers for last you know how to do it.

[00:40:43] All right let's talk about Phoenix real quick they are 14 and 12 currently 10th in the west. Positive new head coach Frank Vogue is taking over for money Williams.

[00:40:55] He beat out Kevin Young in the office isn't which you know we reported here that Kevin Young might be the coach but they want it somebody with a little more experience. They want to somebody who you know has handled an event before especially with Kevin Durant Bradley bill.

[00:41:16] And Kevin Booker you just needed a stronger hand in there. Okay. Making the Bradley bill trade was a plus in the sense that you gave up a bad skills for you know taste the rainbow. Now some of the negatives injuries have plagued the sons all season.

[00:41:42] Bill just got back and then got hurt again we did it in last party was it was I mean the injury itself was it looked ugly that ankle touch. Touch earth that was not awesome.

[00:41:59] Booker is being in and out of the lineup as well so their 14 and 12 record is not surprising. There is a bright spot air Gordon. It's been a stabilizing force for the Phoenix sons since he's gotten it.

[00:42:24] The 14.2 points again is not the most important part it's the varying of roles. He's started he's come off the bench he's been six man he's been crunch time.

[00:42:35] He's done it all and you could he guys like that those are the unsung heroes of your team that you know help you win the championship. And when you got a solid vet like air Gordon you can't beat it.

[00:42:52] Oh oh by the way he's also shooting 39.6% from three. So we are now going to switch over to the clipper set of mental and he will finally do the legers.

[00:43:04] I gave the clipper some love on this on this pot the last pot that we did but let's talk about them a little bit they are 15 and 10 they're currently sitting six to the west.

[00:43:21] They attempted to be active in the off season obviously they were trying to get hardened they couldn't get on but their patience was rewarded when they finally did get hardened.

[00:43:34] You know I like I like that trade they can give a lot of luck to get on but you know could also them for being patient shout out to the Lawrence Frank and the guys.

[00:43:46] The bright spot that I want to talk about is norm and pal though and the reason why I want to bring up norm pal is that his field goal percentage is 49.6%. He's shooting 30. 3.3% is 43.6%

[00:44:06] While shooting cool 86.2% from the free throw line my wife will love that he's very close to 50.40 90 as a bench player as a role player that's awesome. That is spectacular in every way. We talked about it on the last part go back and listen to the archive.

[00:44:28] If you are just joining us but we talked about it seems like they everybody understands their role with the clever snap. Harden is playing though the point guard or the facilitator extremely well. The well. Clawia has been an absolute freak and nature the last couple weeks.

[00:44:54] And Paul George has got so their healthy. Their deep. They're still relatively long. Looks like this team might be held deal with when it comes to playoffs. You might be seeing the actual clippers.

[00:45:14] And when I say that not being a physician so I'm thinking we might be seeing the actual clippers. Really make a legitimate run in the playoffs this year if all stays the right way. So keep that in mind he's still got a lot of season play.

[00:45:35] James Arden is on this team. So keep that in mind. Okay let's hit Sacramento before we hit the legers and get about here. The Sacramento Kings record so far is 15 in I they are currently fifth in the West.

[00:45:52] They resize the bonus which we did a breakdown video on YouTube about that. We were wondering what's at the right move at that time. He's listen to bonuses doing all types of subonence things. We're never worried about.

[00:46:13] Well he'll he'll slack off now to get to contract we never worried about that was one as if you look at. Apart from last week I think I talked about this a talk about his work ethic and getting everything out of his talent that he can possibly extract.

[00:46:31] And then we did the we talked about Zion Williams and in some of his issues so go back and listen to that pod is just really good. But he's doing all things that he you don't all things that you knew subonence was going to do.

[00:46:49] Now look the one problem that we did have is the re signing of Harrison Barnes now holding on to the asset definitely understandable. With all the wings that were out there though we will really kind of be wielded that this is what they chose to do.

[00:47:08] And now maybe they couldn't get somebody to go there a via free agency I don't know. But we thought it was odd that they didn't make a upgrade in the Harrison Barnes world and they did not.

[00:47:25] Let's talk about Keegan Murray first of all on Saturday Keegan Murray was 1215 from three okay. It was I was a spectacular showing for him. The other thing. Mike Brown hit coat to the Sacramento Kings has been encouraging and actually prodding second year forward to shoot more.

[00:47:50] No question unlocking Murray is the primary focus on boost in any sort of title content for the Sacramento Kings as their presently costed to you. But at this team it's going to level up.

[00:48:06] King and Murray needs to be more aggressive now here's the great thing about this last year. 9.8 fill goes total attempts this year 12.8 are 12 yeah 12.8.

[00:48:21] The last year 6.33 point shots protect attempted this year 7.0 to 3.0 shots attempted so it's all steadily going up as far as the volume of shots and things of that nature is getting more aggressive.

[00:48:42] Of course right now with the volume the efficiency has dipped a little bit but it's trending in a positive direction so I have no worries while Keegan Murray but this is what they're going to have to do unless they are going to make a trade to upgrade.

[00:48:57] So maybe a couple of holes that they have so I like what Sacramento's doing. Vesna Coff was also good pick up we were just talking about like the fake ones you know the biggest ones or whatever but I thought was the biggest ones.

[00:49:15] But he still hasn't really found a role yet trail out of the lives was hurt for a little while. I think their team is just missing something.

[00:49:26] And I can't put my finger on what it is I mean I know me rim protection I got that whole get down but. Just team just needs a little more juice and I don't know where they're going to get it but it could come organically from Keegan so.

[00:49:43] I'm going to have to stay tuned and find out. All right now you know I'm a liquor fan so you know I'm going to close out with my guys so here we go. I'm not going to go overboard the liquors are 15 and 11 to currently eighth in the West.

[00:50:00] I don't exactly where I thought they would be. Let's talk about what they done. Positive resigning reads Hachomora and D.L. Now low less on the D.L. but here's the thing sign and reuse to that awesome contract was great.

[00:50:18] Ruri I think that was pretty much a market value and the reason why D.L. got a little bit more money than he probably would have got it on the open market is this.

[00:50:28] If for some reason he doesn't play well and doesn't fit into the system that is an easy contract to trade it's a one plus one meaning like this year. He's on the contract next year as a player option so it's not a big deal.

[00:50:44] Either way it's not like they're thinking in like $40,000 over four or five years. It's an easy contract to trade if for some reason there's something better for the makers to do so we'll see how that goes. A Shrewd pickup in Torian Prince I love Torian Prince.

[00:51:05] Good defensive mind of player hard knows it's starting to knock down his threes which is great. I did not like the reddish and Christian wood moves at all at all. Now can reddish has played better. He's been excellent as a unball defender.

[00:51:33] He still gets lost if he is defending man and ball meaning like if his guy doesn't have a ball and he coming off screens or whatever the case would be he gets lost and the sauce a little bit with that.

[00:51:47] But overall when you pay him somebody $2 million, you can't complain about what you're getting from camera. He's just not a head player and I see LeBron a lot kind of telling him what to do and where to go.

[00:52:02] So those Christian wood if 80 is claiming everybody else is all the he's like great glass a case of emergency because he is a really good parent.

[00:52:17] And then we're still waiting for gave Vincent to play. He got hurt, he had a knee bruise early or the contusion early in training camp still hasn't played yet so the team at 15 and 11 which if you remember last year getting off to the 210 start.

[00:52:40] This team being 15 11 with all of the injuries and people getting in and out of line up and still not knowing what the actual rotation is going to be and building that cohesive unit that you need to be if you're trying to win a championship.

[00:52:58] Not bad at all for them being in this situation. Now here is the step. Austin reviews over the last five games is averaging 20.8 points again on 35 of 66 from the field. He's also shooting 14 of 32 from 3 which is well above 40%.

[00:53:27] 4.6 regalounds again and 6 to 6 and this is all in the last five. Now he started the season being a starter start come off the bench then they started him in a game not that long ago because it was an injury or whatever case repeat.

[00:53:52] The great thing about Austin reviews is he's just so valuable because he doesn't care where he plays and you know if I'm starting whatever. But best be sure that dude is going to be finishing games he is your crunch time guy.

[00:54:06] And that is the third guy on the lakeers at this present time until if if they make a trade. Now speaking of trades alright we got a couple rooms out here we're going to close it out with some speculation okay.

[00:54:25] Alright let's get to this real quick. According to Sam Amick and the athletic. Zach will be in is by Sam Amick's words and actually a quote very amenable to go into Sacramento now.

[00:55:02] We'll just talk about Sacramento we talked about Keegan you know Mike Brown his desire of having Keegan shoot more. If you want to take the pressure off of him this is how you do it now this still does not help their defense.

[00:55:21] This just makes them more potent offensively don't know if that's a good or bad thing honestly to tell you true but. If herder is going to be terribly inconsistent which he's been all year.

[00:55:37] Keegan is I wouldn't say a reluctant shooter he's just like ease his way into more volume. Harrison Barnes is not the player that he was like three or four years ago even though he does provide really good defense still.

[00:55:51] Maybe not to the level it was three or four years ago but still solid contributor. But having another guy they can go off for 50 might be worth it and you're not looking at a real size difference between.

[00:56:09] Herder and Levine so I don't hate it now my question is this and I'll tell you this right now. I understand which cogos doing and I understand who they would be asking for okay.

[00:56:25] If Keegan Murray is anywhere near this deal do not do this deal Sacramento do not under any circumstances do Levine for Keegan Murray try to figure something else out. More draft fix whatever it is.

[00:56:44] I understand Harrison Barnes contract guy being there maybe somebody else's contract guy being there with the one contract you do not want in there. Is Keegan Murray. It's soon in Chicago picks up the phone and they start to say Keegan hang up immediately right.

[00:57:07] I'm kind of thinking if there's any other trades let me look at my phone or click see if there was anything else that we kind of need to talk about here. Again, oh as I'm filibustering right now and looking at my phone.

[00:57:25] Make sure you guys are with us on YouTube front runner podcast collective will put clips up of this show and shows previous. Make sure you're getting the podcast delivered to you in a timely fashion.

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[00:58:28] It's so funny I heard something yesterday in regards to the Celtics. Not pursuing anything until the buyout and now today here people recording that it looks like the Celtics are going to be really active in the trade market per shantaranya.

[00:58:48] In the NBA inside and noted that the Celtics still have assets available to move. Apple drew holiday trade over the off season, sharania believes boss will be looking to pivot those assets into depth on the bitch.

[00:59:06] So there's the latest from Shoms on Boston here's the thing what is boss need.

[00:59:13] If you were a Celtic fan at this point in time hit me up Celtic fans hit me up you know your boy use a living work line you know your boy use living can you know your boy use living payroll Massachusetts.

[00:59:28] This is all those areas I'm represented all quadrants of East Eastern mass you know say so hit your guy on to on X at front runner PC tell me what the Celtics need. The only thing I can think about them needing is maybe another wing.

[00:59:56] That get that get shoot it like another shooter does a sniper. That would be something good to have maybe maybe a little more depth at the center position just you know injury wise with horror being a little bit older.

[01:00:15] The poor Zingas having the injury concerns that he usually does that might be the way to go. I'm gonna Chris Haynes is reporting and okay I only put it like this.

[01:00:35] I respect Chris Haynes I respect everything he does there's a report that the the Kings and the leaders are I'm Zach Libby. I will tell you right now from my sources. The leaders do not have a lot of. They're reluctant.

[01:00:55] I said it on last part they're reluctant to do anything with living right now because they have not seen their team. Fully together yet and they want to see it now. I will also tell you that a living is traded.

[01:01:14] The more deros and Alex Caruso are heavy interest to the leaders. Okay let's tell you that right now now I don't know if they'll be able to get either one or two or if any.

[01:01:33] But those will lead the more intriguing players to me for the likeers if I was. Looking at it and from some of the things I've heard so. And let's see if there's one other thing that we need to get to.

[01:01:51] Now that should be it all right so you got rumors. We getting stats. We gave you we got a lot of stuff today and that's five.

[01:02:03] Again I want to tell you guys two things one we are doing two pods a week so there will be a guaranteed second five by Thursday. Okay guaranteed second five by Thursday. All right.

[01:02:24] And commit to that commit to two pods we commit to getting you all the information that we can possibly get you and now. Now that we've done the West and we've done the the first quarter recap on the West.

[01:02:37] You know what's coming Thursday right Eastern conference the Eastern conference quarter recap. Also we'll have more news and notes from around the league so some goes something goes down you'll have that.

[01:02:52] And we are keeping our ear to the ground to see what comes out of the trade tree in the NBA right that's what we're looking at so.

[01:03:05] For everybody here I just want to thank you again for giving us a listen another a lot of pods up there so thank you thank you thank you much love to everyone again.

[01:03:19] And we're happy with us on YouTube tap in with us on X and also Lee comments on the YouTube and send us some some some posts on X you know saying like if there's something that you wanted to you want us to talk about.

[01:03:37] And I keep on saying us because they're still us. Nico is coming back. Very shortly he'll be back right after the first of the year. Dane will also be joining us sometime early next year.

[01:03:53] We're still just trying to get it all together but those guys are coming and they're coming quicker. Then you think but I would think that we would at least see Nico early next year and before the first quarter ends.

[01:04:16] We should be seeing Dane as well so that's what we are with that. All right again thank you guys I'm so appreciative of being able to have the space to be able to.

[01:04:27] Talk about the NBA talk about some things that are going on again thank you guys for all your support all year. We're only getting bigger we're only getting better and again. Tell a family member a friend a colleague. A coworker I work that you don't like.

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[01:05:06] Y'all keep it easy and I will see you down the road and we'll be back on this feed on Thursday. Peace. Thank you.