Pre-Camp Preview: Spurs’ Strategic Moves & Top 25, 25 and Under – Profiles 15 & 14

[00:00:13] [SPEAKER_00]: It's Monday, you know what time it is Front Runner Podcast Collective is back on the air and I am your humble host

[00:00:22] [SPEAKER_00]: Vince and I just like to thank you guys for joining us again for another

[00:00:27] [SPEAKER_00]: rip growing NBA

[00:00:29] [SPEAKER_00]: fun fasting

[00:00:32] [SPEAKER_00]: Just podcast this gonna be great. Happy Labor Day to everybody. I hope you're enjoying your time with your family

[00:00:39] [SPEAKER_00]: Hopefully you're on the road

[00:00:41] [SPEAKER_00]: Hopefully you're doing your thing and maybe what you're doing with this podcast is listening to it on Tuesday and

[00:00:49] [SPEAKER_00]: You're on your way to work. So hopefully we can bring you a little sunshine and a little joy into your life as you

[00:00:56] [SPEAKER_00]: commute back to work on Tuesday, but

[00:01:01] [SPEAKER_00]: We are here to talk about the top 25 25 and under

[00:01:07] [SPEAKER_00]: players in the

[00:01:08] [SPEAKER_00]: Association today we are on numbers 15 and 14 a

[00:01:15] [SPEAKER_00]: Little scheduling kind of preview so you kind of know what's going on

[00:01:19] [SPEAKER_00]: You're gonna get two profiles on

[00:01:23] [SPEAKER_00]: Monday and Wednesday

[00:01:24] [SPEAKER_00]: Then you're gonna get one profile on Friday for the top 25 25 and under

[00:01:32] [SPEAKER_00]: How that is gonna end up working is in by the third week of September

[00:01:37] [SPEAKER_00]: Which should lead us right into

[00:01:40] [SPEAKER_00]: Media day and things of that nature. We will go ahead and finish that and

[00:01:46] [SPEAKER_00]: We'll also then put it on the website and we will have that as a living document

[00:01:51] [SPEAKER_00]: So this is something that we've been kind of telling you guys about for a while

[00:01:55] [SPEAKER_00]: The only reason we're telling you is because we want to make sure

[00:01:59] [SPEAKER_00]: That you are able to go and see it when it's up and available to you

[00:02:04] [SPEAKER_00]: So keep that locked in for you as well the other thing that we need to get to is this let's get into the socials

[00:02:13] [SPEAKER_00]: X at front runner PC and also at Raya

[00:02:18] [SPEAKER_00]: underscore fung

[00:02:20] [SPEAKER_00]: FRPC my producers who are my silent assassins today and help me put this pot together

[00:02:28] [SPEAKER_00]: Good

[00:02:29] [SPEAKER_00]: Good interactions with them also more and more content going up

[00:02:34] [SPEAKER_00]: With them lots of back and forth lots of like inside the NBA inside

[00:02:41] [SPEAKER_00]: Behind the scenes type of stuff that they kind of talk about with their situation

[00:02:47] [SPEAKER_00]: The other thing is this the YouTube channel. I

[00:02:52] [SPEAKER_00]: Got the fantasy football bug too, so if you are

[00:02:58] [SPEAKER_00]: Looking and saying well what the hell happened to the videos?

[00:03:01] [SPEAKER_00]: I got fantasy football bug too, so

[00:03:04] [SPEAKER_00]: We're gonna be killing it this week. There's a lot going up. I have like three cut up that I need to put up

[00:03:12] [SPEAKER_00]: I will make sure that they are dated with the actual podcast as far as that's concerned

[00:03:17] [SPEAKER_00]: So you'll have you can be able to tie both together

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[00:03:36] [SPEAKER_00]: I always comment back so you're getting personal just all the way through

[00:03:42] [SPEAKER_00]: Just style and finesse the whole way through so good situations there

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[00:04:34] [SPEAKER_00]: The football season so when you think hoops is going away because football season is here. We're not doing that to you

[00:04:42] [SPEAKER_00]: We're taking care of you

[00:04:44] [SPEAKER_00]: So with all that being said we got the socials out the way we got the pot

[00:04:48] [SPEAKER_00]: Out the way got YouTube off the way. Let's get into this particular podcast and we're going to

[00:04:56] [SPEAKER_00]: Be speaking on our pre camp

[00:05:00] [SPEAKER_00]: Observations and today we stop in San Antonio, Texas

[00:05:04] [SPEAKER_00]: And this is one of my favorite ones that I were was ready to do

[00:05:10] [SPEAKER_00]: obviously because of just the

[00:05:13] [SPEAKER_00]: The star power that Victor when Bayama has what he showed us in last year and just

[00:05:21] [SPEAKER_00]: Excited for what he's going to be able to bring to us this year

[00:05:25] [SPEAKER_00]: So we're gonna get into our pre camp

[00:05:27] [SPEAKER_00]: Observations with them a little overhead view the Spurs made a couple strategic acquisitions bringing in Chris Paul and

[00:05:36] [SPEAKER_00]: Also Harrison Barnes Chris Paul last year was with the Golden State Warriors Harrison Barnes was with the Sacramento Kings

[00:05:43] [SPEAKER_00]: These moves aren't just adding talent to their rosters is accelerating the development of their young stars particularly

[00:05:52] [SPEAKER_00]: Victor wing by young and also Stefan Castle

[00:05:56] [SPEAKER_00]: Greg Pakovich and the front office are blending youth

[00:05:59] [SPEAKER_00]: Development with veteran leadership to lay a strong foundation for the future and the future success of the San Antonio Spurs

[00:06:08] [SPEAKER_00]: Let's get into Chris Paul a little bit now if you would have asked me

[00:06:13] [SPEAKER_00]: What was like the right point guard for?

[00:06:17] [SPEAKER_00]: Victor wing by Yama in this stage of his career you couldn't have picked a better point guard than Chris Paul

[00:06:25] [SPEAKER_00]: Chris Paul's 39 years of age

[00:06:27] [SPEAKER_00]: He still commenced respect and as one of the best floor generals in the game

[00:06:33] [SPEAKER_00]: Last season Chris Paul recorded a career high in assists to usage race ratio, which was a

[00:06:40] [SPEAKER_00]: positive

[00:06:41] [SPEAKER_00]: 1.68

[00:06:43] [SPEAKER_00]: Which places him in the 98th percentile among guards this stat underscores the efficiency in

[00:06:51] [SPEAKER_00]: orchestrating an offense with minimal mistakes a

[00:06:55] [SPEAKER_00]: Crucial aspect for the young Spurs team that needs guidance

[00:07:00] [SPEAKER_00]: And his turnover percentage last year was also low

[00:07:04] [SPEAKER_00]: It was 10.6 percent last year which is comparable to his prime years

[00:07:09] [SPEAKER_00]: Showing that still Chris Paul still has it when it comes to actual being a floor general and getting the ball to the proper

[00:07:17] [SPEAKER_00]: To the proper open man now. Here's the thing that i'm the most

[00:07:22] [SPEAKER_00]: Intrigued by with this Paul's efficiency in the pick and roll

[00:07:28] [SPEAKER_00]: As a ball handler is still one of the top tier. He ranks 68 percentile

[00:07:33] [SPEAKER_00]: averaging

[00:07:34] [SPEAKER_00]: 0.92 points per possession

[00:07:38] [SPEAKER_00]: this type

[00:07:41] [SPEAKER_00]: This type is expected to be a staple in the Spurs offense

[00:07:44] [SPEAKER_00]: Especially with Victor Wang by Yama and his unique size and skill set now. Here's the thing he was

[00:07:52] [SPEAKER_00]: 0.92 last year

[00:07:54] [SPEAKER_00]: I will say that the reason why that was a little bit lower than what I had actually expected is because

[00:08:02] [SPEAKER_00]: Who was he getting the ball to?

[00:08:04] [SPEAKER_00]: think about

[00:08:05] [SPEAKER_00]: What was on the team last year with the Golden State Warriors you had Jonathan Kaminka they didn't really mesh that well

[00:08:14] [SPEAKER_00]: I think the Trace Jackson Davis situation was probably the best situation for Chris Paul

[00:08:20] [SPEAKER_00]: So he go ahead and use the pick and roll and have a diver that was aggressive going to the rim

[00:08:27] [SPEAKER_00]: So my whole thing with Chris is that he actually might these numbers will get better with Victor Wang by Yama

[00:08:34] [SPEAKER_00]: Two reasons why one you have an incredible talent that can not only go to the rim and has tremendous size

[00:08:43] [SPEAKER_00]: So he has a complete advantage over whomever

[00:08:47] [SPEAKER_00]: Guards him. The other thing is that there's a pick and there's a pick and roll

[00:08:51] [SPEAKER_00]: There's a pick and pop as aspect to this as well

[00:08:57] [SPEAKER_00]: Because Victor does have the capability of shooting threes now, what does this open up for Chris Paul?

[00:09:04] [SPEAKER_00]: Well, if you have Victor who was willing to go ahead and pop out to the three and

[00:09:10] [SPEAKER_00]: As we saw in the second half his percentages for his three point shots went up

[00:09:16] [SPEAKER_00]: Significantly he seemed to his base seemed to get better. He seemed to be more confident in his stroke

[00:09:22] [SPEAKER_00]: It just seemed to work a lot better

[00:09:25] [SPEAKER_00]: moving on to

[00:09:26] [SPEAKER_00]: Experts reactions to what happened with Chris Paul one executive said Chris Paul is a floor general in every sense

[00:09:34] [SPEAKER_00]: The Spurs don't just get a player who can still contribute on the court

[00:09:39] [SPEAKER_00]: They get a coach in the locker room

[00:09:43] [SPEAKER_00]: Zach Lowe from ESPN echoed the sentiment highlighting how Paul will serve as a

[00:09:49] [SPEAKER_00]: Extension of cockroach on the floor helping to teach guys like Stefan Castle

[00:09:54] [SPEAKER_00]: How to run an offense the first year last year if you have been with this since day one

[00:10:00] [SPEAKER_00]: First of all, thank you so much

[00:10:03] [SPEAKER_00]: You see that grow over these last couple years

[00:10:07] [SPEAKER_00]: The other thing is this is that I didn't have a problem with what was going on last year

[00:10:14] [SPEAKER_00]: With San Antonio the experimentation that they were doing

[00:10:18] [SPEAKER_00]: I know a lot of people were upset by it from the jump. I wasn't

[00:10:25] and

[00:10:25] [SPEAKER_00]: Victor when wayama wasn't so if the star player who?

[00:10:31] [SPEAKER_00]: does think of himself as a

[00:10:34] [SPEAKER_00]: Potential all-time great wants to do has he lost the expectations for himself if he felt like he was in a

[00:10:43] [SPEAKER_00]: point or a

[00:10:44] [SPEAKER_00]: Season where he was in self discovery mode and what he could actually do and achieve in the NBA

[00:10:52] [SPEAKER_00]: Given what he had to work with last year

[00:10:55] [SPEAKER_00]: Understandably, he hadn't been in a American weight room, which I'm not saying he's gonna get

[00:11:02] [SPEAKER_00]: crazy big or anything like that, but

[00:11:05] [SPEAKER_00]: getting stronger

[00:11:06] [SPEAKER_00]: Keeping the pliability is a complete

[00:11:10] [SPEAKER_00]: That's necessity to his game because of the fact that he does have some of the perimeter

[00:11:17] [SPEAKER_00]: Aspects to it if you see him move around he does look like a really

[00:11:22] [SPEAKER_00]: It looks like a video game character. That's been stretched out

[00:11:25] [SPEAKER_00]: It looks like somebody who was a wing that's six six six seven stressed out to seven five personally

[00:11:31] [SPEAKER_00]: and I think it's crazy and

[00:11:35] [SPEAKER_00]: We're seeing just a lot of great things from Victor and I can't wait to see more and I think Chris Paul will

[00:11:41] [SPEAKER_00]: Absolutely be able to help him from day one

[00:11:43] [SPEAKER_00]: And even if you don't get a full season from Chris Paul

[00:11:47] [SPEAKER_00]: If you get three quarters of a season you get 60 games 55 games

[00:11:52] [SPEAKER_00]: Those 55 games and then what he provides in the locker room on that bench

[00:11:58] [SPEAKER_00]: What he sees and he's able to convey that to Victor wing by Yama is absolutely priceless

[00:12:05] [SPEAKER_00]: I love this move for San Antonio. I don't think it makes them this

[00:12:11] [SPEAKER_00]: Incredible a beast in the West or whatever somebody that people have to worry about this year

[00:12:16] [SPEAKER_00]: I think they still have some other things they need to do and we'll get to that moment

[00:12:21] [SPEAKER_00]: We'll get to that later, but let's move on to Harrison Barnes right now

[00:12:26] [SPEAKER_00]: Harrison Barnes was also a good pick up Harrison Barnes brings versatility and a championship pedigree to San Antonio

[00:12:34] [SPEAKER_00]: his three point shooting

[00:12:36] [SPEAKER_00]: 38.7% on

[00:12:39] [SPEAKER_00]: 4.7 attempts of per game ranks him in the 79th percentile

[00:12:44] [SPEAKER_00]: Among forwards which is exactly what the squares need to improve their floor spacing Barnes defensive versatility allows him to guard

[00:12:53] [SPEAKER_00]: Multiple positions something the Spurs will rely on heavily as they navigate matchups throughout the season now

[00:13:02] [SPEAKER_00]: Harrison Barnes last year did lose a step. No doubt now also keep in mind too

[00:13:08] [SPEAKER_00]: Harrison Barnes is also at the is that the mercy

[00:13:12] [SPEAKER_00]: Dematis Sabonis who is his center and we would never call Dematis Sabonis a defensive stalwart

[00:13:19] [SPEAKER_00]: So if there was any kind of issues or whatever on the front end with Harrison Barnes

[00:13:25] [SPEAKER_00]: It was definitely not getting picked up on the back end by Dematis Sabonis. Let's just be clear there now

[00:13:33] [SPEAKER_00]: Here's another where here's another way where Harrison Barnes can help Victor and also Stefan Castle and

[00:13:41] [SPEAKER_00]: Devin Vasel and Kelden Johnson and also he can be helped by these players

[00:13:48] [SPEAKER_00]: Harrison Barnes is not coming in here to

[00:13:52] [SPEAKER_00]: Take minutes away from Vasel Kelden Johnson or Stefan Castle

[00:13:58] [SPEAKER_00]: Mind you he is here to enhance those products

[00:14:02] [SPEAKER_00]: Harrison Barnes doesn't take a lot of shots

[00:14:05] [SPEAKER_00]: But when he does they are the shots that you want him to take he understands the

[00:14:11] [SPEAKER_00]: Analytical part of the game. I need to be taking threes

[00:14:15] [SPEAKER_00]: corner threes to be exact and then I also need to be driving to the basket and

[00:14:21] [SPEAKER_00]: creating second side chaos either by going strong to the hoop or

[00:14:26] [SPEAKER_00]: Kicking it out to an open three because I've sucked the defense in with my drive to the hole

[00:14:33] [SPEAKER_00]: So these are the type of players that you're getting for San Antonio

[00:14:38] [SPEAKER_00]: and remember last year there was a bit of

[00:14:43] [SPEAKER_00]: Not just because it was youthful. It was just they had no idea how to play

[00:14:52] [SPEAKER_00]: competent basketball last year

[00:14:55] [SPEAKER_00]: No shade on

[00:14:57] [SPEAKER_00]: Devin Vasel Justin Champagne Zach Collins

[00:15:01] [SPEAKER_00]: All the other guys that played last year Jeremy Sahan

[00:15:06] [SPEAKER_00]: It's just when you have a veteran who's seen a lot who

[00:15:11] [SPEAKER_00]: maybe

[00:15:13] [SPEAKER_00]: Physically can't react to things that they're seeing on the court because they see the game two steps ahead of time

[00:15:20] [SPEAKER_00]: But they can convey that message to the younger people on the court

[00:15:23] [SPEAKER_00]: And I think having those guys will instill confidence in the younger guys and you'll see a better product from San Antonio

[00:15:30] [SPEAKER_00]: this year

[00:15:31] [SPEAKER_00]: Completely a couple other things on Barnes

[00:15:34] [SPEAKER_00]: Barnes was particularly effective in his spot-up situation scoring. He was a plus

[00:15:41] [SPEAKER_00]: 1.117 points per

[00:15:46] [SPEAKER_00]: Possession placing him in the 75th percentile his ability

[00:15:50] [SPEAKER_00]: To his ability to defend and be able to switch makes him a significant value for the squares defensive schemes

[00:15:59] [SPEAKER_00]: Reflected in his high defensive versatility

[00:16:02] [SPEAKER_00]: rating now

[00:16:05] [SPEAKER_00]: That's a mouthful to basically say that you got a really cerebral player who?

[00:16:11] [SPEAKER_00]: Understand defensive concepts understand his role inside those concepts and understand spacing

[00:16:18] [SPEAKER_00]: aware he can be effective because

[00:16:22] [SPEAKER_00]: No one knows what Harrison Barnes speed is

[00:16:25] [SPEAKER_00]: More than Harrison Barnes and he knows where he has to cheat a little bit

[00:16:30] [SPEAKER_00]: He knows where he does he can use his strength his body his physicality on a guy

[00:16:37] [SPEAKER_00]: There are certain nuances to the game that

[00:16:41] [SPEAKER_00]: Harrison Barnes is going to bring to the San Antonio Spurs. They just weren't there last year

[00:16:46] [SPEAKER_00]: so this is where I talk about the competency that we're gonna see this year and then

[00:16:52] [SPEAKER_00]: Exponentially, you're gonna see the growth of Victor Wing by Yama because of those things now

[00:16:57] [SPEAKER_00]: Let's get to some expert reaction Kevin O'Connor of the ringer. He noted that Barnes fits perfectly with the Spurs

[00:17:04] [SPEAKER_00]: philosophy of smart efficient basketball his presence will make life easier for

[00:17:11] [SPEAKER_00]: Victor Wing by Yama and his three-point shooting will help space the floor for the younger guards a

[00:17:19] [SPEAKER_00]: Victor Wing by Yama's

[00:17:21] [SPEAKER_00]: This is something that Victor Wing by Yama said he's thrilled about these additions

[00:17:25] [SPEAKER_00]: He mentioned that playing with Chris Paul is a dream come true, especially since Chris Paul is

[00:17:31] [SPEAKER_00]: Someone he grew up watching Wing by Yama sees Chris Paul as a mentor who will help him become a better decision-maker on the court

[00:17:40] [SPEAKER_00]: similarly, he's excited about Harrison Barnes and particularly for his championship experience and

[00:17:47] [SPEAKER_00]: His defensive support Barnes will provide

[00:17:50] [SPEAKER_00]: So Victor Wing by Yama is not only thinking about how he can pick

[00:17:55] [SPEAKER_00]: Chris Paul's brain on where to be on the court offensively during the pick and roll

[00:18:01] [SPEAKER_00]: He actually wants to understand how Chris sees the game and see if there's things that he can pick and

[00:18:09] [SPEAKER_00]: Add to his game now mind you we have over

[00:18:14] [SPEAKER_00]: Damn near 18 inches a difference between these two. Yes

[00:18:19] [SPEAKER_00]: I probably there's some mental things that Chris Paul can show him. There might be some moves or

[00:18:26] [SPEAKER_00]: just maybe

[00:18:27] [SPEAKER_00]: tendencies of players

[00:18:29] [SPEAKER_00]: That are like telltale signs of how they're trying to play him

[00:18:34] [SPEAKER_00]: So I can't wait to see how this works out and I think Victor Wing by Yama is

[00:18:39] [SPEAKER_00]: Asking the right questions

[00:18:41] [SPEAKER_00]: If we ever had any and I know there wasn't a lot of us that did there are a couple out there

[00:18:48] [SPEAKER_00]: That wanted to excuse me

[00:18:51] [SPEAKER_00]: That came out of nowhere. I know it wasn't a lot of us

[00:18:55] [SPEAKER_00]: but there were a couple that were skeptical when we saw Victor in the summer league and

[00:19:02] [SPEAKER_00]: How he was playing then we saw him early on in the year and people were a little skeptical

[00:19:08] [SPEAKER_00]: I never had this issue. I was always on board and I'm not shooting my own horn. I'm not saying oh look at me

[00:19:15] [SPEAKER_00]: I got Victor Wing by Yama right now

[00:19:17] [SPEAKER_00]: a lot of people got that to see Victor or hear Victor say things like I want to see

[00:19:23] [SPEAKER_00]: How Chris processes the game as a point guard?

[00:19:29] [SPEAKER_00]: Does a lot for me. It does a lot to let me know that his

[00:19:35] [SPEAKER_00]: His mindset is on

[00:19:38] [SPEAKER_00]: Not just being better

[00:19:42] [SPEAKER_00]: Today it's on being better

[00:19:44] [SPEAKER_00]: Three years from now. It's on being better five years from now

[00:19:49] [SPEAKER_00]: So I have no doubt that the Chris Paul experience in San Antonio with Victor Wing Wing by Yama

[00:19:56] [SPEAKER_00]: Will be a fruitful one. This is what great popovich had to say

[00:20:02] [SPEAKER_00]: He's made it clear that this season is about growth not just wins and losses

[00:20:06] [SPEAKER_00]: He emphasizes that the young players will learn from the two of the most experienced veterans in the league

[00:20:13] [SPEAKER_00]: with the goal of building habits and a culture that lasts the consensus among the NBA media

[00:20:20] [SPEAKER_00]: Scouts and executives is that the Squirrels are focused on balance approach of development and competition

[00:20:27] [SPEAKER_00]: This is key

[00:20:30] [SPEAKER_00]: so for

[00:20:32] [SPEAKER_00]: San Antonio Squirrels fans who I think who was it was

[00:20:36] [SPEAKER_00]: Tim McMahon of the hoop collective. He has a bet with Tim Bontemps in regards to

[00:20:43] [SPEAKER_00]: Where the Squirrels end up this year now?

[00:20:47] [SPEAKER_00]: I would be more on the fact that

[00:20:51] [SPEAKER_00]: Yes, they're gonna you're gonna see marked improvement. I think the offense will be

[00:20:56] [SPEAKER_00]: watchable

[00:20:58] [SPEAKER_00]: Which if you think about early in the season last year and I am NOT I'm not afraid to admit it

[00:21:04] [SPEAKER_00]: I was a frequent watcher of the San Antonio Spurs last year. I

[00:21:11] [SPEAKER_00]: Were I was there for the early days of Jeremy Sohan. I

[00:21:17] [SPEAKER_00]: Was there

[00:21:19] [SPEAKER_00]: We were also talking about free Trey Jones

[00:21:23] [SPEAKER_00]: It was ugly, but what you're seeing with this and what you're hearing from great pocket bitch is that yes

[00:21:29] [SPEAKER_00]: It's great if we can win some more games

[00:21:31] [SPEAKER_00]: But it's all about

[00:21:35] [SPEAKER_00]: The mindset it's all about picking up really good habits and he said this is the key point

[00:21:42] [SPEAKER_00]: I love this part because this is showing humility

[00:21:46] [SPEAKER_00]: We talk about the Squirrels in such great regard. We have great reverence for the San Antonio Spurs and

[00:21:54] [SPEAKER_00]: This might be one of the reasons why we do that. I want to read this one more time

[00:21:58] [SPEAKER_00]: It's not about wins and losses he emphasizes that the young players will learn from the two most experienced

[00:22:05] [SPEAKER_00]: Veterans in the league. The goal is to build is building habits and culture that lasts

[00:22:13] [SPEAKER_00]: So here's San Antonio

[00:22:15] [SPEAKER_00]: Who has been out of the mix of winning for a while?

[00:22:19] [SPEAKER_00]: Remember for a long period of time San Antonio was in the playoffs

[00:22:23] [SPEAKER_00]: Consecutively for I want to say a decade and a half or something like that

[00:22:28] [SPEAKER_00]: And now we fast forward three, you know four or five years and it's been a while since they've been in the playoffs

[00:22:36] [SPEAKER_00]: And it's not that great pocket bitch

[00:22:39] [SPEAKER_00]: Forgot how to win. It's not

[00:22:42] [SPEAKER_00]: Their front office

[00:22:44] [SPEAKER_00]: Mr. Wright and the folks up with them. They haven't forgotten how to win

[00:22:49] [SPEAKER_00]: What is this that they just didn't have the talent and now?

[00:22:53] [SPEAKER_00]: That you are starting to build this talent and get in acquire more high-level talent well, yeah

[00:22:59] [SPEAKER_00]: You got to have players around that

[00:23:01] [SPEAKER_00]: That basically are able to

[00:23:05] [SPEAKER_00]: Illuminate

[00:23:07] [SPEAKER_00]: Success and what success looks like so I love the approach here. I love what great pocket bitch said about

[00:23:14] [SPEAKER_00]: His team and where they are and I love the humility of the entire franchise

[00:23:21] [SPEAKER_00]: For the San Antonio Spurs because there are a lot of teams out here that are absolutely

[00:23:28] [SPEAKER_00]: Delusional about where they are right now, and I love that San Antonio is saying things like we need to build culture

[00:23:36] [SPEAKER_00]: We need to build winning habits

[00:23:40] [SPEAKER_00]: Those are keywords

[00:23:44] [SPEAKER_00]: Make sure your team

[00:23:46] [SPEAKER_00]: Your franchise that you follow or if it's a player that you follow

[00:23:50] [SPEAKER_00]: Make sure that the team that your your favorite player is on they're talking about those things too. Zack Lowe's

[00:23:57] [SPEAKER_00]: Something up well saying San Antonio is not just biting its time anymore

[00:24:02] [SPEAKER_00]: The moves they made with Paul and Barnes show that they are serious about setting a winning culture now

[00:24:09] [SPEAKER_00]: Even if they're not immediate contenders, they're building something sustainable

[00:24:15] [SPEAKER_00]: around Wimbayama Castle and Vassel

[00:24:20] [SPEAKER_00]: The squirs are clearly setting up for the future

[00:24:23] [SPEAKER_00]: Centered around Wimbayama, but they're doing it with an eye on the present as well

[00:24:31] [SPEAKER_00]: They're creating a culture of winning and professionalism that will accelerate the growth of their young core

[00:24:39] [SPEAKER_00]: the combination of Chris Paul floor generalship and Harrison barn

[00:24:44] [SPEAKER_00]: championship experience

[00:24:46] [SPEAKER_00]: ensures that Wimbayama Castle

[00:24:49] [SPEAKER_00]: Are surrounded by the right?

[00:24:52] [SPEAKER_00]: influences

[00:24:53] [SPEAKER_00]: so here's what I want to say are a couple things that we want to see as far as

[00:25:01] [SPEAKER_00]: early on with the San Antonio Squirs

[00:25:05] [SPEAKER_00]: One is the most important thing is Victor Wimbayama. What has he added to his game?

[00:25:13] [SPEAKER_00]: Is he stronger is he able to be more stout on his?

[00:25:18] [SPEAKER_00]: His line to the basket and what I mean by that is that when you drive to the basket

[00:25:23] [SPEAKER_00]: Usually you when you take off you might deviate from the path a little bit

[00:25:29] [SPEAKER_00]: But it's usually to avoid a defender who's like in the way, but usually you're trying to get a straight line

[00:25:34] [SPEAKER_00]: You're trying to be as quick as you possibly can you beat your man? And I'm just trying to get to the hole

[00:25:41] [SPEAKER_00]: Now obviously it's the job of the defender to impede your progress, right?

[00:25:45] [SPEAKER_00]: I'm not telling you something that is not just plainly obvious to you

[00:25:51] [SPEAKER_00]: But was how what was happening last year is because Victor was so thin was that he was able to be knocked off and

[00:25:59] [SPEAKER_00]: I wonder with the

[00:26:03] [SPEAKER_00]: Having Harrison Barnes and Chris Paul on this team will they show him how to use his forearm and elbow?

[00:26:11] [SPEAKER_00]: Almost as a weapon

[00:26:14] [SPEAKER_00]: Not in a dirty way, but in a way of in a way of creating the space that he desires when he's going to the hole I

[00:26:24] [SPEAKER_00]: Want to see the pick-and-roll action between Chris Paul and

[00:26:29] [SPEAKER_00]: Victor Wimbayama. I also would like to see Harrison Barnes and how he

[00:26:34] [SPEAKER_00]: Interacts with Devin Vassal and Kelden Johnson. I think Harrison Barnes is there for those two players

[00:26:41] [SPEAKER_00]: I think Chris Paul is there for everybody

[00:26:44] [SPEAKER_00]: But I think there is intentionality in what they're trying to do and how they're trying to oh I forgot

[00:26:51] [SPEAKER_00]: Chris Paul is also there for Stefan Kast but there's intentionality and what they're trying to do

[00:26:56] [SPEAKER_00]: With the young core of the San Antonio Spurs now will they be better?

[00:27:01] [SPEAKER_00]: Yes, will they be watchable on offense? I think so. I think we will be excited about what they look like on offense

[00:27:09] [SPEAKER_00]: Will be will Victor be better? Yes

[00:27:13] [SPEAKER_00]: will they

[00:27:15] [SPEAKER_00]: Be challenging for a playing spot. I

[00:27:20] [SPEAKER_00]: wouldn't go that far and

[00:27:23] [SPEAKER_00]: Whether it's a injury to Chris Paul more

[00:27:28] [SPEAKER_00]: erosion of

[00:27:30] [SPEAKER_00]: Talent from Harrison Barnes who slowed down a little bit last year. We all have to acknowledge that the

[00:27:37] [SPEAKER_00]: just the

[00:27:39] [SPEAKER_00]: Inefficiency of young players right youth is just very inefficient. That's what they are

[00:27:47] [SPEAKER_00]: So Stefan Castle is gonna have some growing pants

[00:27:50] [SPEAKER_00]: Learning how to play with Devin Vassal and Kelden Johnson and also the veterans and Victor Wimbayama

[00:27:57] [SPEAKER_00]: the other question that I have is

[00:28:01] [SPEAKER_00]: What happens to

[00:28:04] [SPEAKER_00]: the

[00:28:05] [SPEAKER_00]: the way

[00:28:07] [SPEAKER_00]: Before Victor

[00:28:09] [SPEAKER_00]: The Jeremy Sohans of the world the Blake Wesley's of the world

[00:28:15] [SPEAKER_00]: what happens to those guys as we move into this next phase of

[00:28:21] [SPEAKER_00]: development of Victor Wimbayama and

[00:28:23] [SPEAKER_00]: Our sparkly jewel which is Stefan Castle a lot of people love Stefan Castle and I understand why so I

[00:28:31] [SPEAKER_00]: Get it. I can't wait to see it

[00:28:33] [SPEAKER_00]: I think we should have tempered expectations for the San Antonio Spurs if for some reason they make a

[00:28:41] [SPEAKER_00]: eight game jump in the standings if they're like 30 and 52

[00:28:47] [SPEAKER_00]: Congratulations, you've done your job. I

[00:28:50] [SPEAKER_00]: am almost sure that

[00:28:52] [SPEAKER_00]: somebody in San Antonio is hoping and it's more like 26 not because of the fact that they want to be terrible

[00:29:00] [SPEAKER_00]: It's just this class

[00:29:03] [SPEAKER_00]: could really

[00:29:06] [SPEAKER_00]: Jump start whatever San Antonio is about to become and if you can get yourself if you can get yourself

[00:29:14] [SPEAKER_00]: into that top five to top seven range

[00:29:18] [SPEAKER_00]: And particularly if you can get yourself probably in the top three now I haven't done all my

[00:29:25] [SPEAKER_00]: Study on the guys and I'm telling you that

[00:29:29] [SPEAKER_00]: Our draft stuff is coming back towards the end of September start of October

[00:29:35] [SPEAKER_00]: We all check in on the guys and see where they are

[00:29:38] but

[00:29:39] [SPEAKER_00]: There's a lot of people that want to be in this 2025 draft a lot of people want in

[00:29:45] [SPEAKER_00]: Because the talent that's coming out. It's pretty

[00:29:49] [SPEAKER_00]: It's pretty tantalizing

[00:29:52] [SPEAKER_00]: With that being said

[00:29:54] [SPEAKER_00]: We're gonna move on to our other series that we have been

[00:29:59] [SPEAKER_00]: Tiresly working on for you guys. It is the top 25

[00:30:04] [SPEAKER_00]: 25 and under

[00:30:06] [SPEAKER_00]: Series and I've really enjoyed this I've enjoyed going back and looking over some of the pre-deb pre-draft

[00:30:14] [SPEAKER_00]: conceptions of these guys and what they've actually become and where the growth

[00:30:19] [SPEAKER_00]: Potential still is because we're still talking young guys and as we talk to you on this pod

[00:30:25] [SPEAKER_00]: We don't want to just talk to you

[00:30:28] [SPEAKER_00]: Oh this player scored 30 points this players grab 20 rebounds

[00:30:33] [SPEAKER_00]: This player went over here and had a triple double and they they're just bad. They're just they're just killing the game

[00:30:40] [SPEAKER_00]: No, what we wanted to do is to talk about development how it works how it can work

[00:30:47] [SPEAKER_00]: Where are some of the blind spots in like a player's development track things of that nature?

[00:30:53] [SPEAKER_00]: So we want to make sure that we really hit on a lot of things with this

[00:30:59] [SPEAKER_00]: Actual series, so I hope you guys have enjoyed it. I've enjoyed it. So let's get to it

[00:31:04] [SPEAKER_00]: The two guys that we are going to be talking about today

[00:31:08] [SPEAKER_00]: Are also in the West and the fun part about it is there they're in the West and

[00:31:16] [SPEAKER_00]: There aren't teams that are

[00:31:18] [SPEAKER_00]: Probably going to struggle this year. The best part about is is the West is so stacked

[00:31:23] [SPEAKER_00]: We still have two guys that will probably have no

[00:31:28] [SPEAKER_00]: They have no worries of the playoffs whatsoever. They're going into this season stress-free and

[00:31:34] [SPEAKER_00]: The first person on that list is number 15

[00:31:38] [SPEAKER_00]: actually, why did I say two players that aren't gonna be on the playoffs I

[00:31:42] [SPEAKER_00]: Made a mistake because I was looking at one guy and I was focusing on you know one guy because that's super disrespectful

[00:31:51] [SPEAKER_00]: to

[00:31:52] [SPEAKER_00]: Hashtag light the beam because the Sacramento Kings

[00:31:55] [SPEAKER_00]: Have been in the playoffs the last couple years our guys have broken that streak and Keegan Murray is 15th on our top

[00:32:04] [SPEAKER_00]: 2525 and under list. Let's get to our guy Keegan Murray here

[00:32:09] [SPEAKER_00]: Keegan Murray was drafted fourth overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2022 draft now, I'm gonna stop right there

[00:32:18] [SPEAKER_00]: remember that draft

[00:32:22] [SPEAKER_00]: Remember when

[00:32:24] [SPEAKER_00]: Keegan Murray was announced fourth and how everybody was either laughing said typical Kings

[00:32:32] [SPEAKER_00]: Oh, they don't know what they're doing

[00:32:35] [SPEAKER_00]: blah blah blah

[00:32:37] [SPEAKER_00]: Everybody was like they didn't get Jayden Dain. They didn't get Jayden Ivy. What are they doing?

[00:32:43] [SPEAKER_00]: Okay, let's fast forward now. We're not gonna play the game of oh clearly. They got the better player

[00:32:48] [SPEAKER_00]: Let's look at two things with this

[00:32:52] [SPEAKER_00]: When you looked at the way that team was set up a couple years ago and when they got Keegan Murray Jayden Ivy, yes

[00:33:00] [SPEAKER_00]: Great really good workouts a lot of buzz going into that draft or whatever

[00:33:06] [SPEAKER_00]: What you already had a really uber athletic guard

[00:33:11] [SPEAKER_00]: Indy and Fox that didn't make a lot of sense

[00:33:14] [SPEAKER_00]: Then it was the talent. You got to just get the talent

[00:33:18] [SPEAKER_00]: You just had Tyrese Halliburton and Dearing Fox and that didn't work out

[00:33:24] [SPEAKER_00]: So again, I'll ask those people who were so mad and guess what I'm putting myself in that too

[00:33:32] [SPEAKER_00]: Why were we so?

[00:33:35] [SPEAKER_00]: Quick to jump on Sacramento. Well, the reason why is because of the fact that Sacramento like we just said they broke they broken a a

[00:33:44] [SPEAKER_00]: Playoff drought that lasted so long. It was like 16 years like for

[00:33:48] [SPEAKER_00]: Presidents terms that was part of the reason the second reason is because of the fact that they just been synonymous with losing for a

[00:33:56] [SPEAKER_00]: Long time but now all that's changed Monty McNair is doing his thing over there. Everything's good

[00:34:02] [SPEAKER_00]: We got our guy head coaching

[00:34:06] [SPEAKER_00]: killing the game

[00:34:08] [SPEAKER_00]: Darren Fox handling business and also

[00:34:12] [SPEAKER_00]: Demontes Bonas who we just gave a little shade to early in the process about Harrison Barnes

[00:34:18] [SPEAKER_00]: What as an offensive player and also as a rebounder?

[00:34:22] [SPEAKER_00]: Demontes Bonas is one of the best of the gang

[00:34:26] [SPEAKER_00]: now

[00:34:29] [SPEAKER_00]: Keegan Murray is 6-8. He's 225

[00:34:32] [SPEAKER_00]: He was highly regarded for his versatile scoring rebounding and defensive potential

[00:34:38] [SPEAKER_00]: His ability to play both forward positions and his high basketball IQ

[00:34:44] [SPEAKER_00]: Made him one of the most NBA ready prospects in his draft class

[00:34:49] [SPEAKER_00]: Here is a pre draft gathering point on Keegan

[00:34:53] [SPEAKER_00]: Merge strength were his scoring versatility his rebounding and his defensive potential

[00:34:59] [SPEAKER_00]: We just talked about that Scouse praised his ability to score efficiently at all three levels

[00:35:06] [SPEAKER_00]: On the court and his smart decision-making on the court

[00:35:10] [SPEAKER_00]: however, there were some concerns about his athleticism and

[00:35:16] [SPEAKER_00]: His shot creation with some Scouts revealing him as a safe pick with hit with a potential

[00:35:23] [SPEAKER_00]: Potentially a lower ceiling compared to other top prospects and this was the big

[00:35:29] [SPEAKER_00]: Debate when it was Ivy and Murray at the four or five position

[00:35:36] [SPEAKER_00]: Everybody was like upside upside upside

[00:35:41] [SPEAKER_00]: Keegan's fit right in

[00:35:43] [SPEAKER_00]: with the Sacramento Kings

[00:35:46] [SPEAKER_00]: now

[00:35:48] [SPEAKER_00]: In his rookie season Keegan Murray quickly established himself as a key contributor

[00:35:54] [SPEAKER_00]: For the Kings known for his three-point shooting. He averaged over 40%

[00:35:59] [SPEAKER_00]: His defensive versatility he's primarily been used as a floor spacing forward who can defend

[00:36:08] [SPEAKER_00]: multiple positions

[00:36:11] [SPEAKER_00]: Here's some advanced stats on Murray so far his true shooting percentage is 58.2%

[00:36:17] [SPEAKER_00]: He has an offensive rating of

[00:36:19] [SPEAKER_00]: 115.3 while his defensive rating is

[00:36:24] [SPEAKER_00]: 110.4

[00:36:27] [SPEAKER_00]: Contributing to

[00:36:29] [SPEAKER_00]: 208 win shares for our guy Keegan Murray

[00:36:32] [SPEAKER_00]: Here's a couple more platitudes for our guy Keegan Murray from John Hollinger of the athletic

[00:36:39] [SPEAKER_00]: Murray for he praised Murray for his immediate impact particularly for his shooting efficiency and his defensive versatility

[00:36:48] [SPEAKER_00]: Kevin O'Connor of the ringer

[00:36:50] [SPEAKER_00]: Highlighted Murray's fit within the King system and suggested that he could develop into a secondary playmaker

[00:36:56] [SPEAKER_00]: If he improves his ball handling and his passing

[00:37:02] [SPEAKER_00]: Areas of improvement for our guy Keegan

[00:37:05] [SPEAKER_00]: I still needs to work on his ball handling to become more of a dynamic threat off the dribble improve his playmaking to

[00:37:12] [SPEAKER_00]: Facilitate the offense and enhance his athleticism to better guard elite wings in the NBA

[00:37:19] [SPEAKER_00]: I think that last one that ship was sailed. I

[00:37:26] [SPEAKER_00]: Was one of the things going into the drought that we were like

[00:37:30] [SPEAKER_00]: But they were like he's 6 8. He's 225. You got decently long arms. It's not like he's super slow

[00:37:38] [SPEAKER_00]: It's just that he's not

[00:37:40] [SPEAKER_00]: crazy

[00:37:41] [SPEAKER_00]: fluid agile

[00:37:44] [SPEAKER_00]: He's not Jalen. He's not Jalen McDaniels. He's not Shay Gilder's Alexander

[00:37:52] [SPEAKER_00]: When it comes to just the fluidity of movement

[00:37:55] [SPEAKER_00]: But as far as efficiency as far as

[00:38:01] [SPEAKER_00]: Knowing where he needs to be on the court

[00:38:03] [SPEAKER_00]: As far as spatial awareness as far as knowing how far he needs to be to a

[00:38:11] [SPEAKER_00]: potential corner three

[00:38:13] [SPEAKER_00]: Who is about to shoot so he can give a good contest? These are all things that Keegan Murray does well

[00:38:22] [SPEAKER_00]: So do you have to be super athletic to be efficient and to be a really good player in this league no

[00:38:30] [SPEAKER_00]: See Nikola Jokic now comparisons pre-drive Murray was largely met in some cases

[00:38:41] [SPEAKER_00]: I'm sorry Paris comparisons to pre-drive

[00:38:45] [SPEAKER_00]: expectations Murray has largely met and in some cases

[00:38:50] [SPEAKER_00]: Exceeded expectations set during his pre-drive assessment his shooting and his defensive versatility

[00:38:58] [SPEAKER_00]: have been as advertised and

[00:39:01] [SPEAKER_00]: His advanced stats indicate that he has he is a valuable contributor

[00:39:06] [SPEAKER_00]: However to fully reach his potential he'll need to address areas and improvement that Scouts have identified

[00:39:14] [SPEAKER_00]: Which is it's basically his ball handling

[00:39:18] [SPEAKER_00]: He can pass the ball

[00:39:21] [SPEAKER_00]: He's a two dribble guy basically you don't want him to get lost in the sauce and just be pounded in the rock

[00:39:27] [SPEAKER_00]: We got other guys to do that. The good thing about it is is that he does have

[00:39:32] [SPEAKER_00]: D'amante Sabonis who is a hub as it at the nail

[00:39:36] [SPEAKER_00]: Just a complete offensive hub at that nail and all he has to do is make smart

[00:39:44] [SPEAKER_00]: Reads and cuts and guess what Keegan Murray flourishes that make it smart reads and cuts

[00:39:50] [SPEAKER_00]: So I don't see where the problem is here. You can get around your lack of

[00:39:57] [SPEAKER_00]: offensive creation by using your mind and also being

[00:40:03] [SPEAKER_00]: Active if you're active and you're smart you can go ahead and score a lot of points in this league

[00:40:11] [SPEAKER_00]: So I don't buy that he has to become this nobody's asking him to be Kyrie

[00:40:16] [SPEAKER_00]: But I don't even buy him having to be this Andrew Wiggins type of ball handler

[00:40:23] [SPEAKER_00]: the next guy on our list is number 14 and this is a guy who probably will not be looking at the playoffs, but

[00:40:30] [SPEAKER_00]: Coming in at 14 is Anthony Simons of the Portland Trail Blazers

[00:40:36] [SPEAKER_00]: Anthony Simons was drafted 24th overall in 2018

[00:40:41] [SPEAKER_00]: He took an unconventional route path to the NBA

[00:40:45] [SPEAKER_00]: entering directly from the IMG Academy without playing a year of basketball

[00:40:52] [SPEAKER_00]: He's known for his athleticism shooting ability scoring potential and Simon's has been viewed as a high upside

[00:41:00] [SPEAKER_00]: Okay, he was one of those guys that basically took

[00:41:04] [SPEAKER_00]: What like a

[00:41:06] [SPEAKER_00]: Finishing year at IMG came right out of IMG hit his 19th birthday boom and went straight to the league

[00:41:14] [SPEAKER_00]: When he came into the league this was the pre draft scouting report on Simon's

[00:41:19] [SPEAKER_00]: Simon was praised for his quick first step excellent leaping ability and his potential as a dynamic scorer. However

[00:41:28] [SPEAKER_00]: concerns about his lack of experience

[00:41:31] [SPEAKER_00]: Defense and his physicality were noted

[00:41:35] [SPEAKER_00]: first couple years in league

[00:41:37] [SPEAKER_00]: Anthony Simons might have weighed 160 pounds soaking wet but

[00:41:43] [SPEAKER_00]: He got to eat some of the great food in Portland and he has put on a couple pounds. He's a little more

[00:41:50] [SPEAKER_00]: substantial obviously now

[00:41:52] [SPEAKER_00]: Now

[00:41:55] [SPEAKER_00]: Simon's that we have to talk about

[00:41:57] [SPEAKER_00]: It hadn't mattered what he's put on his weight

[00:42:01] [SPEAKER_00]: His defensive deficiencies are just glaring whether it's the size

[00:42:06] [SPEAKER_00]: Whether it's just he's just not strong enough

[00:42:09] [SPEAKER_00]: whether it's the

[00:42:13] [SPEAKER_00]: Changing of

[00:42:15] [SPEAKER_00]: coaches the regimes

[00:42:17] [SPEAKER_00]: We had an owner die. There's a lot going on in Portland. I

[00:42:22] [SPEAKER_00]: wonder and

[00:42:25] [SPEAKER_00]: I know this is gonna sound like a coastal elitist and a fan of a

[00:42:33] [SPEAKER_00]: Pillar

[00:42:34] [SPEAKER_00]: franchise in the league it sounds like oh

[00:42:38] [SPEAKER_00]: again a

[00:42:39] [SPEAKER_00]: Podcast guy telling us to trade one of our better players so he can get a fresh start somewhere else

[00:42:46] [SPEAKER_00]: No, it's not that I just I look at all the talent that Portland has

[00:42:51] [SPEAKER_00]: Like they've collected over the last three or four years, and I wonder if the

[00:42:57] [SPEAKER_00]: resources of development

[00:42:59] [SPEAKER_00]: Should be given to Anthony Simons, or would they be better allocated for?

[00:43:05] [SPEAKER_00]: The Donovan Klingons of the world the scoot Henderson's of the world and so Shaden Sharp also

[00:43:12] [SPEAKER_00]: So those are my questions when it comes to Simon's it's not that I don't like him as a player

[00:43:17] [SPEAKER_00]: It's not like I'm trying to take Simon's and put them on the Lakers or anything like that

[00:43:22] [SPEAKER_00]: Probably be better off more in like Orlando just saying but

[00:43:28] [SPEAKER_00]: Anthony Simon's must be better defensively try harder

[00:43:32] [SPEAKER_00]: There must be some concepts that he can somehow flourish in we're not asking him to be a great defender

[00:43:40] [SPEAKER_00]: We're just asking you to show that you have a pulse on defense

[00:43:47] [SPEAKER_00]: Development in current role Simon's has developed into

[00:43:51] [SPEAKER_00]: One of the Blazers key offensive players. No, he is the offense of the Blazers

[00:43:57] [SPEAKER_00]: Blazers, let's just put it be real especially after the departure of CJ McCollum and

[00:44:03] [SPEAKER_00]: Also Damian Lillard. He has shown

[00:44:07] [SPEAKER_00]: Significant improvement in his shooting and his playmaking and is now seen as a cornerstone or the Portland's future

[00:44:14] [SPEAKER_00]: Likely a alongside scoot Henderson now, I'm gonna tell you right now that is never gonna happen

[00:44:22] [SPEAKER_00]: Two reasons and two reasons only they just went through

[00:44:27] [SPEAKER_00]: this particular story

[00:44:30] [SPEAKER_00]: With Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. They are not going to relive it twice

[00:44:37] [SPEAKER_00]: That's why I asked is it?

[00:44:40] [SPEAKER_00]: Is it time to move off of Simon's and get back either draft capital and

[00:44:46] [SPEAKER_00]: maybe a player that

[00:44:49] [SPEAKER_00]: Fit your system better or whatever case may be somebody who has some height to them at the guard position

[00:44:56] [SPEAKER_00]: Might be helpful. I don't know but

[00:45:00] [SPEAKER_00]: The other thing with Simon's is is that he did have to go through

[00:45:05] [SPEAKER_00]: The days of CJ McCollum the days of Damian Lillard on this team and remember last year

[00:45:11] [SPEAKER_00]: He had Malcolm Brogdon on this team as well. He's always had to deal with something and

[00:45:18] [SPEAKER_00]: now

[00:45:19] [SPEAKER_00]: You got scoop you got Shaden you still got Malcolm Brogdon and now you got all these other young

[00:45:27] [SPEAKER_00]: Front court players that you got to develop as well

[00:45:30] [SPEAKER_00]: My question again is

[00:45:33] [SPEAKER_00]: Simon's at a point where we his value is never going to be higher and we can go ahead and trade him and get stuff

[00:45:40] [SPEAKER_00]: For him or is he the piece and scoot has to go?

[00:45:47] [SPEAKER_00]: Just a question

[00:45:50] [SPEAKER_00]: Okay, Simon's true shooting percentage

[00:45:53] [SPEAKER_00]: 57.4 percent not bad high volume shooter

[00:45:57] [SPEAKER_00]: His offensive rating is 112.8 and his defensive rating is

[00:46:06] [SPEAKER_00]: 114.8

[00:46:07] [SPEAKER_00]: John Hollinger noted that Simon's development into a reliable scorer and

[00:46:12] [SPEAKER_00]: Highlighted his improved efficiency

[00:46:15] [SPEAKER_00]: Zag low emphasizes that the emergence as a scorer and playmaker suggests

[00:46:21] [SPEAKER_00]: That he has the potential to become an all-star if he can continue to develop his overall game

[00:46:30] [SPEAKER_00]: Basically the areas of improvement are basically can you get stronger we saw

[00:46:37] [SPEAKER_00]: Steph Curry do this over the years. He was a slight guy a

[00:46:41] [SPEAKER_00]: Senile guy and got stronger over the years can Simon's follow that template

[00:46:46] [SPEAKER_00]: The other thing is can you find some sort of?

[00:46:51] [SPEAKER_00]: defensive philosophy that hides him and

[00:46:54] [SPEAKER_00]: accentuates his

[00:46:56] [SPEAKER_00]: Maybe his acumen or his vision for the game because he is a really good playmaker

[00:47:02] [SPEAKER_00]: Wonder if you can translate that to the defensive side where he can be somewhat of

[00:47:07] [SPEAKER_00]: Less of a net negative as a defender as he is right now

[00:47:11] [SPEAKER_00]: This is where a scout said it said Simon's needs to focus on becoming a more consistent defender

[00:47:16] [SPEAKER_00]: particularly in guarding the point of attack

[00:47:19] [SPEAKER_00]: Improving his playmaking abilities and becoming a more consistent performer, especially in late game situations

[00:47:28] [SPEAKER_00]: Now I will tell you that from my estimation

[00:47:32] [SPEAKER_00]: Simon's has

[00:47:33] [SPEAKER_00]: Surpassed what you got remember?

[00:47:35] [SPEAKER_00]: He was the 24th overall selection to see guys who averaged like 24 25 points a game

[00:47:42] [SPEAKER_00]: Shoot it as well as Anthony Simon's and literally become the number one option

[00:47:48] [SPEAKER_00]: Albeit on a team that is going to be in the lottery. It's still

[00:47:54] [SPEAKER_00]: To have a coach have confidence in you to say hey you are the guy who is going to take 22 shots a game

[00:48:02] [SPEAKER_00]: Every game and to be the 24th overall selected player in the 22

[00:48:10] [SPEAKER_00]: Or the I'm sorry the 2019 NBA draft

[00:48:14] [SPEAKER_00]: That's great

[00:48:16] [SPEAKER_00]: He has exceeded all expectations

[00:48:18] [SPEAKER_00]: we thought he was probably gonna be like a heat check guy off the bench and he's a starter and

[00:48:25] [SPEAKER_00]: I've actually thought of seeing him on teams like Orlando

[00:48:30] [SPEAKER_00]: Now it would hurt Washington right now because they're not serious about winning but if he was on

[00:48:37] [SPEAKER_00]: the Wizards

[00:48:39] [SPEAKER_00]: What would that look like?

[00:48:41] [SPEAKER_00]: You know

[00:48:43] [SPEAKER_00]: So, I mean I love Anthony Simon's. I think there's a way to protect him. There's a way to

[00:48:49] [SPEAKER_00]: Mitigate his defences

[00:48:52] [SPEAKER_00]: But it's gonna take him wanting to do a little will want more a little bit of like grit

[00:48:58] [SPEAKER_00]: To get this going

[00:49:00] [SPEAKER_00]: And I wonder if a change of scenery and I know Portland fans

[00:49:05] [SPEAKER_00]: I know you are sick and tired of podcasters picking your players off for you

[00:49:11] [SPEAKER_00]: I get it

[00:49:12] [SPEAKER_00]: but I wonder just because you have so much young talent that you are trying to

[00:49:20] [SPEAKER_00]: Develop and I think the high high ceiling guy is

[00:49:24] [SPEAKER_00]: Shading sharp and I think we need to put a lot of resources into that at six five six six

[00:49:33] [SPEAKER_00]: Just so yeah, he's become a prolific scoring league

[00:49:35] [SPEAKER_00]: He's somebody that is definitely number one on the whiteboard when you walk in the door when you're facing

[00:49:42] [SPEAKER_00]: Portland and

[00:49:44] [SPEAKER_00]: Honestly to tell you the truth. It literally is the defensive concerns

[00:49:48] [SPEAKER_00]: That were highlighted earlier that will basically make

[00:49:54] [SPEAKER_00]: With wherever Anthony Simon's ends up in his journey through the NBA

[00:50:00] [SPEAKER_00]: That defense situation will be the one piece that either allows him to continue to start

[00:50:08] [SPEAKER_00]: Or it allows him to go to the bench and become the six-man heater guy

[00:50:13] [SPEAKER_00]: The one thing I will say is they both both Sacramento and Portland

[00:50:17] [SPEAKER_00]: Drafted two good players in these positions and also keep in mind

[00:50:23] [SPEAKER_00]: Look at the stark difference between the two

[00:50:26] [SPEAKER_00]: Keegan Murray was the fourth overall selected guy in his draft and

[00:50:32] [SPEAKER_00]: Anthony Simon's was 24th. So just because

[00:50:36] [SPEAKER_00]: You're outside the lottery and doesn't mean that there is not a pathway to success

[00:50:42] [SPEAKER_00]: There's not a pathway for you to become like a number one or number two option on your team

[00:50:49] [SPEAKER_00]: It just is gonna take a lot of hard work and it's also gonna take the imagination of the team that drafted you are

[00:50:56] [SPEAKER_00]: They actually all in on you in Portland

[00:51:01] [SPEAKER_00]: This is a developmental story that you can sit there and say hey

[00:51:05] [SPEAKER_00]: We were all in on this guy and look at how he turned out

[00:51:09] [SPEAKER_00]: Whether he stays and is a cornerstone of that organization for another decade or he goes

[00:51:17] [SPEAKER_00]: and he's part of

[00:51:19] [SPEAKER_00]: some bounty like bounty of picks that you got back and also

[00:51:24] [SPEAKER_00]: were able to kind of get off a veteran or whatever the case may be and

[00:51:30] [SPEAKER_00]: really kind of

[00:51:33] [SPEAKER_00]: Kickstart your development path with Shaden Sharpe scoot Henderson and Donovan clink

[00:51:39] [SPEAKER_00]: So either way they go with both of both these guys

[00:51:43] [SPEAKER_00]: I think it's gonna be tremendous as far as that's concerned Keegan Murray

[00:51:47] [SPEAKER_00]: I would just like to see just a little more aggression this year

[00:51:50] [SPEAKER_00]: I would like to see him to like say hey, man. I know that

[00:51:55] [SPEAKER_00]: D'amante is gonna get his touches and get his shots

[00:51:58] [SPEAKER_00]: I know that De'Ron Fox is gonna get his shots and I know when Malik Monk comes in he's gonna get his shots

[00:52:05] [SPEAKER_00]: Here's the other thing

[00:52:07] [SPEAKER_00]: That we didn't talk about with Keegan Murray and hit me up on Twitter or X however you want to call it

[00:52:17] [SPEAKER_00]: Let me know your thoughts Sacramento Kings fans. Do you think that Damar DeRozan will be more of a

[00:52:26] [SPEAKER_00]: Can he accelerate the growth of Keegan Murray or will he actually be a person?

[00:52:33] [SPEAKER_00]: that hinders the development of

[00:52:37] [SPEAKER_00]: Keegan Murray I

[00:52:38] [SPEAKER_00]: Thought about this when they got him now, here's the thing

[00:52:42] [SPEAKER_00]: Sacramento has been bad for a long period of time now. They're good. They've had success

[00:52:47] [SPEAKER_00]: They got into the playoff been in postseason last couple years. So it's better now

[00:52:54] [SPEAKER_00]: Now adding Damar DeRozan one of the best clutch players in this league is always great

[00:53:01] [SPEAKER_00]: Anytime you can add

[00:53:03] [SPEAKER_00]: Another option that the defense must worry about is always good

[00:53:08] [SPEAKER_00]: But now the question is is

[00:53:11] [SPEAKER_00]: Keegan Murray

[00:53:13] [SPEAKER_00]: able to

[00:53:14] [SPEAKER_00]: Somehow because he's not gonna be

[00:53:17] [SPEAKER_00]: Depended upon to be that third scorer. Does this somehow unlock him and allow him to

[00:53:25] [SPEAKER_00]: Feel free to shoot the three more with less thought process, right?

[00:53:32] [SPEAKER_00]: I think Mike Brown talked about this a while ago. I think this was Keegan's first year

[00:53:38] [SPEAKER_00]: He's like we got to get him more aggressive to shoot the ball because he does take he wants to take

[00:53:44] [SPEAKER_00]: perfect shots

[00:53:46] [SPEAKER_00]: Not good shots. He wants to take great shots all the time

[00:53:51] [SPEAKER_00]: It is not to help his efficiency or help his numbers. He is literally looking for the best basketball player and

[00:54:00] [SPEAKER_00]: what we want to hope and

[00:54:02] [SPEAKER_00]: Get to with Keegan is that hey, dude, you are one of the best shooters in this league

[00:54:08] [SPEAKER_00]: You are 6 8 you are

[00:54:10] [SPEAKER_00]: 225 pounds you should be able to shoot over top with people and if you get a little more aggressive our team becomes

[00:54:18] [SPEAKER_00]: That much harder to guard and also becomes a lot more successful. So I wonder

[00:54:26] [SPEAKER_00]: Which path this goes down?

[00:54:29] [SPEAKER_00]: Anytime you add a big person a big personality or a big basketball personality in

[00:54:38] [SPEAKER_00]: The way of Damar DeRozan it changes the chemistry of that team. I don't care what anybody says it does and

[00:54:46] [SPEAKER_00]: We'll see how it all works. I think that Sacramento is trying to have another good year this year

[00:54:52] [SPEAKER_00]: But I'm really keyed on

[00:54:55] [SPEAKER_00]: Seeing what Keegan Murray does with now

[00:54:59] [SPEAKER_00]: Having less pressure as a scorer or offensive hub with Damar DeRozan in the mix

[00:55:07] [SPEAKER_00]: All right with that being said we do have a program coming on Wednesday on that show. We will be doing

[00:55:15] [SPEAKER_00]: the players

[00:55:17] [SPEAKER_00]: 13 and 12 and

[00:55:21] [SPEAKER_00]: Then on Friday, we will have a pro layer profile of number 11 and they will have like a standalone episode

[00:55:29] [SPEAKER_00]: With the team pre-cam observation team

[00:55:32] [SPEAKER_00]: So with that being said I want to thank my producers for helping me out put this thing together on

[00:55:39] [SPEAKER_00]: Labor Day weekend. Thank you guys for your efforts also be a friend and tell a friend about the podcast

[00:55:47] [SPEAKER_00]: Make sure not only are you telling them about it say hey, make sure to follow

[00:55:53] [SPEAKER_00]: Make sure to download and then also engage with us on Twitter

[00:55:58] [SPEAKER_00]: ask us questions about this particular podcast or any of the archive pods and

[00:56:04] [SPEAKER_00]: Then the other thing is this attack the YouTube channel with reckless abandon. Make sure you're subscribing

[00:56:11] [SPEAKER_00]: Liking some of the videos if you agree with them leave some comments if you don't agree with them and I'll get to it

[00:56:19] [SPEAKER_00]: that's what I'm here for and

[00:56:21] [SPEAKER_00]: On Wednesday we will give you

[00:56:25] [SPEAKER_00]: Tips if you have exhausted your friend base in your family base of people to tell about front runner podcast

[00:56:32] [SPEAKER_00]: Collective which is giving you NBA content in

[00:56:37] [SPEAKER_00]: be a

[00:56:38] [SPEAKER_00]: content

[00:56:40] [SPEAKER_00]: Monday

[00:56:41] [SPEAKER_00]: Wednesday and Friday. So go ahead be a friend tell a friend about the podcast and

[00:56:47] [SPEAKER_00]: With that being said

[00:56:49] [SPEAKER_00]: the best part of you is you make sure that the people that surround you are just eliminating your life and

[00:56:57] [SPEAKER_00]: Go out and do some good in this world and we'll see you back on this feed on Wednesday

[00:57:04] [SPEAKER_00]: Take it easy

[00:57:06] [SPEAKER_00]: Deuce