Timberwolves Best Season Comes With Uncertain Future

[00:00:00] It's Saturday, you know what time it is. Front Runner Podcast Collective is back on the

[00:00:16] air and I am your humble host, Vince, and we're a day late because we had an injury in the family.

[00:00:24] My life is day to day with an oblique injury and also an abductor strain. So more news on that as it starts to earn for all but right now, day to day, we don't know when she's going

[00:00:46] to be back on the court. Her publicist has said right now she is a convalescing but we have no time table on her return to the court, but that is why we're a day late.

[00:01:01] Now getting into the podcast today versus foremost make sure that you are going to you to Front Runner Podcast Collective and subscribing, liking, commenting.

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[00:01:53] So we're going to get into this and there's really only one place to start. Last night was magical. All the stars lie. And when you have two stars, and I mean this two stars who can put on a show like these two gentlemen did is only right to start the podcast talking about them. And you know who I'm talking about New York, Nick Zegard, Jalen Branson dropped 60

[00:02:22] one in a losing effort against the San Antonio squares and a 130 to 126 overtime loss. Now, I will say two key points to this whole deal. One.

[00:02:38] The nicks are still not whole. They have a depleted roster. OGM Novy is still dealing with coming back from the right elbow surgery that he had so he took off the game with a right elbow management and also Mitchell Robinson is still coming off the bench.

[00:02:58] Andrew Lewis Randall isn't there. So this is still not a complete nicks team, but it was interesting to see Jalen just how this type of game coming off our platitudes that we gave him in our last pot.

[00:03:16] But what I really want to focus in on is the other star in this game.

[00:03:23] Jalen Branson did score 61. This is true. Nick's fans should be very, very happy about this.

[00:03:33] Also Victor Wing by Yama. Let us team to the dub with 40 points, 20 rebounds, seven assists, a block, two steals.

[00:03:48] I think he made two McDonald's commercials. He also start in an Apple ad. I think he is in the latest marble of injuries movie as well.

[00:04:01] I think he is also doing some sort of duet with ice spice. And so he had a hell of a game, right.

[00:04:13] It's amazing to me that Victor the entire season has been doing this.

[00:04:23] Now Big Vick has had some duds in the past no doubt you you talked out up to the game. He's a rookie.

[00:04:31] He's never played more than like 40 or 50 games in a year. So he's already played 65 and but he's handled all of it so well.

[00:04:44] And let's start talking about it a little bit when it comes to the poor quarter. I've seen a lot of San Antonio squares games this year.

[00:04:54] And Victor has a velocity when he goes out there.

[00:04:59] In the fourth quarter at the game is tight. He's getting the ball or he's aggressive trying to get the ball and he's leading his team now if they fall short, they fall short but it's going to be on him.

[00:05:15] And that is a real heavy toll for a 20 year old guy who just came to America. Right.

[00:05:25] You know, we yes he's seven foot five talented. We've seen all the crazy plays and things of that nature but still to continue that level because here's the other thing.

[00:05:39] Let's be frank. San Antonio is devoid of talent.

[00:05:44] Yes, the cell is pretty good. Killed in Johnson can surprise you from time to time but at the end of the day,

[00:05:52] uh, mate, no mistake about it. Victor win by Nya Ma is the first name on the whiteboard when you get into the other teams locker room.

[00:06:01] There's no question about that. And for him to in crunch time know that the eyes of the entire team are going to be on you and you're going to have to make a play either for yourself or for a teammate.

[00:06:16] Again, I throw out the number in the 40 point game that he had. He had seven assists.

[00:06:24] Usually 20 year old aren't dulling out seven assists when they're trying to put a 40 spot on the board.

[00:06:32] Okay. Um, to show you the level of teammate that he is and also another little antidote that I want to give you about Victor win by yama.

[00:06:42] There was a, uh,

[00:06:45] the squirters are known for like really alternative practice, habits and things of that nature. And it was yoga day.

[00:06:57] And so everybody squared out on the floor doing all the stretches and everything like that.

[00:07:04] Now Victor win by yama was the number one overall pick right we knew about them a couple years ahead of time.

[00:07:13] So all these glids, all this glamour, all these pomp and circumstance.

[00:07:24] Victor in the middle of the yoga session gets up and says does anyone need a water or an extra mat or a towel very unusual for a number one overall pick to show that type of humility.

[00:07:39] He's giving to his teammates, which lends me to believe that the San Antonio Spurs might be really aggressive this off season because if Victor is going to be this he's going to be this special.

[00:07:55] We're in a room time of basketball.

[00:08:07] Because the whatever you want to call it, the face of the league or whatever the case may be I know that LeBlanc step to rant and yana is what have you there in their 30s do not worry Victor win by yama is here.

[00:08:24] And that might be hard for American basketball fans to hear because we have been you know it's our sport all of this but this guy is going to be the face of this sport.

[00:08:39] And I am I'm here for it all a couple other things that we want to talk about because I want to get into what I think Victor ultimately is going to be at the end of this year.

[00:08:55] We talked about him being the first option on the white board that everybody has to look at and key on so that's been all year.

[00:09:04] He's delivered in all all the great games that he's been in you know all the like the more high profile games he's delivered in all those he's given us fantastic highlights.

[00:09:19] He's also given us statistical anonymous anomalies.

[00:09:25] Sorry statistical anomalies that we don't normally see like we saw a 5 by 5 game which is when you score more than five points more than five rebounds more than five assists more than five blocks and more than five steals he's already done that.

[00:09:45] So the other thing is that he's carried the offensive low 14 that is like I said, a devoted talent other than Vaselle and Kelton Johnson named me the guy who can go out there and consistently get a shot and Kelton we sometimes we sometimes want him to do that but we rather facilitate for Kelton.

[00:10:12] He's out of 21 points this year. His efficiency early on was terrible and every month is just improved and improved and improved.

[00:10:23] And when we use defensive prowess is nutty I mean I've never seen an NBA elite player just literally make a business decision when they get in his vicinity.

[00:10:41] I've seen really good guards with special bag packages Tyree's Halligretten's of the world okay we're talking about cream the La Creme of guards get into the hole.

[00:10:57] Jamal Murray has a real nice bag Devin Booker has a real nice bag and what we've seen is when they get in the vicinity of Victor Wynne-Wayamut let me tell you something those guys are detouring.

[00:11:10] In a major way. So for me I'll be the first one to put it I believe that Victor will be a dual winner of he will be the defense player of the year and I also think he is my rookie of the year.

[00:11:28] I understand that really go air plays on a really good team and he anchors a really good defense but he does have help Victor has no help and Victor is putting out crazy numbers.

[00:11:41] And he's been up to the task every single time and I just believe that we're going to reward this great player and we are just touching.

[00:11:56] I mean the very bottom of this monolithic talent honestly and I can't wait to see what what else we have in store oh by the way that's one of the guys that we have to go against in the Olympics coming up this summer is Victor so good luck to the United States men's basketball team.

[00:12:25] We need to get on to the next story and this is a hard one because the team is having such a great year and this is basically kind of like an ode to the fans.

[00:12:37] Glintaylor the governor of the Minnesota Timberwolves is at a end cast with potential buyer Mark Laurie and also former major league baseball star Ali Sardarigus.

[00:12:50] The Taylor side hey we have a time we had time frame here and which I've even accommodated an extension on one of the payments.

[00:13:02] And when he goes on to basically blow it out and now the time frame has passed and today's prices aren't necessarily yesterday's prices oh yeah the Timberwolves are awesome and I kind of want to be a part of it.

[00:13:18] That's Glintaylor's point of view of what has gone on the other side is basically this it's a slide a hand tactics and sellers remorse is what you're hearing from the Laurie and Alex Rodriguez side you guys can go read it there's a John Kruzinski of the athletic is done excellent work on this a lot of my stuff comes from him and couple people I'll talk to or whatever we can do.

[00:13:47] I'll talk to or whatever case rate be so I just gave you the cliff notes version if you want to that's why I cliff knows version of the story if you want to go read extensively.

[00:13:57] I highly recommend John Kruzinski of the athletic he handles the Timberwolves and he does a terrific job at it but let's get into this this like I said the mid the Timberwolves fans are my absolute concern it's no secret that under Glintaylor.

[00:14:14] The tenor is governor the T. Wolves have not been looked upon as a well run organization we know about the year the Kevin Garnett years we know about you know some of them Mr. management after former coach flip Saunders died.

[00:14:39] We also know that he's been notoriously.

[00:14:44] Frugal when it comes to you know keeping good players or signing for agents and things of that nature these are all things that Timberwolves is no.

[00:14:57] As fans of the team are you wanting Glintaylor to Stuart the franchise.

[00:15:05] In this climate because keep in mind.

[00:15:10] This year is the year where honestly up.

[00:15:15] This is going to sound real hyperbolic but there's a world where this is your window this specific year is your window now I'm not trying to be doing gluing but let's let's just face facts the cat ramifications on the horizon right.

[00:15:34] We're going to get into those in a second glintaylor has a reputation of being measured in his approach to the cap right.

[00:15:45] Kind of on the conservative.

[00:15:48] Ask we have to the cap now the twenty twenty four or twenty twenty five season.

[00:15:55] As it stands right now the Minnesota timberwolves have ten players under contract now they are the better players is all the names you know call Anthony towns where do you go there my colleague who just signed that deal that little extension deal which was nice because that was a nice piece to pick up.

[00:16:15] Jayden Daniels a Jamie McDaniels.

[00:16:20] I think that words and we'll have you now there are a couple people that are not on that list Kyle Anderson.

[00:16:29] You know a block line not on that list.

[00:16:35] Okay so you got some free agents.

[00:16:39] Now here's the problem with all of this those ten guys add up to well hundred eighty four million dollars.

[00:16:46] The problem with that is is that that means that you are already at the first apron and you don't have a full roster you are five player short which means by the time you get fully

[00:17:01] rostered you the Minnesota two will be at the second apron and that's where all hell breaks loose ladies gentlemen.

[00:17:12] That's where draft picks get frozen.

[00:17:16] You can no longer go on to the buyout market.

[00:17:20] You are limited in your veteran minimal players that you can get you can only get a specific type.

[00:17:29] They cannot have made like twelve to thirteen million dollars last year so with all of that being said the Timberwolves again are sure to be over the second apron.

[00:17:47] My question is with this being the most important offseason looming how confident are Minnesota Timberwolves fans in Taylor stewardship that this this spending will continue because here's the question that I also have.

[00:18:08] That I know talk to a couple people and again Jack is this gives on top of all these type of things.

[00:18:17] Well the moves that were made by Tim Connolly the new player executive they came over from Denver by the way Tim Connolly think about that he did the nuggets right so the nuggets who are winning championships right now all those players are Tim Collins.

[00:18:33] Okay. Now you have the Minnesota Timberwolves who you know click to go there.

[00:18:42] I made that real savvy trade in the middle of the year and basically fleeced the Lakers out of my Connolly junior and Lakers had to take the angel Russell which I know Minnesota Timberwolves fans are extremely excited about because I know your frustration with D. Low as a Laker fan I know your frustration.

[00:19:09] So these moves were made under Connolly's stewardship of the franchise as a player exec now here's the thing with great confidence I can say this that Lori spearheaded that aggressive move the spending the subsequent spending afterwards that was Lord.

[00:19:35] So if for some reason Glen Taylor is taking back over this team and we know what the history shows us of what Glen Taylor has been when he is really the sole proprietor of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

[00:19:55] What confidence do you have that your team is going to look anywhere to a close fact, simply of what it looks like this year.

[00:20:04] Hence why I said that your window might be only this year.

[00:20:10] Alright we're going to backtrack and we're going to get to talk a little bit about we're going to talk about the Philadelphia 76ers for a little bit.

[00:20:21] News came out and we need to get into it and yeah somebody was going to be funny so it's going to be not so funny alright so I know everybody saw over the middle of the week.

[00:20:37] Philadelphia 76ers when Kelly Ubrej Jr. went on a tirade on the rest once the game completed between the clippers and the 76ers protesting that on a non file call now while we don't condone.

[00:20:57] Ubrej what ubrej said to the okay we don't condone what Kelly Ubrej said to the rest okay but he was on the tsunami poppy had.

[00:21:16] We do this because.

[00:21:20] We have to be.

[00:21:23] Integral to our journalistic properties if you want to call it that but for four disclose your.

[00:21:33] Kelly Ubrej Jr. called each ref a female dog.

[00:21:39] He had a female dog for every last one of them.

[00:21:43] You get a female dog you get a female dog and you get a female dog or by the way we weren't stocking there your mama's a female dog and your granny's a female dog this is from Kelly Ubrej Jr.

[00:22:02] Immediately after when he hit the locker room he apologized for how he handled it in the waiting moments on the walls for our court but felt slighted and defended his coach Nick nurse now he said you know he prize himself on green professional he lost his cool but he did say this if our coach is going out there and fighting for us he's going out he's going out there.

[00:22:31] Going out there then I'm out there right behind them so my man was standing up with Nick nurse who who just has some issues with a lot of calls down the stretch in that clippers game and Kelly Kelly just losses he just lost it for a second so it was interesting it was colorful it was kind of funny towards him.

[00:22:59] He's reminded me of high school but he did apologize afterwards here's the other thing the six years are now 39 and 34 they're eight in the east now ESPN is and who correct is 10 bond temps is reporting that the raining MVP of the league center Jorell and B is close to returning.

[00:23:25] There is an exact date Nick nurse also specified this in his latest interview that there is not an exact date on when Joel and B will be back he is practicing with the team that started on Thursday we will see how the leg holds up we'll see how the knee holds up if they're swelling obviously they're going to shut them down if it continues to be something that he has no issue with there is a possibility.

[00:23:55] The ability that you will see him in early April according to bond temps and I guess his sources with the Philadelphia 76 or so this is good news for the 76ers fan base and I am excited for that because Joel and B being healthy and here's the one thing.

[00:24:21] Last three or four years when we got to the playoffs Joel was so run down that he didn't really have anything left to give or he was getting injured or he was.

[00:24:33] Hampered by injury going in to the playoffs this year you might get as close to a fully healthy Joel and B then we've ever seen in the playoffs down will there be rest to knock off 100% do we expect him to return to the level that he was playing at when he left us that would be hard because remember what he was doing when he left us.

[00:25:03] They were throwing out names like Wil Chamberlain about what he was scoring and how he was scoring and at the velocity he was scoring at so I don't know if we'll get that but if we can get a really good Joel and B in engaged Joel and B also Joel and B who should you know if the leg holds up he's rested we do know that.

[00:25:31] So good luck to the fellow deaf you in 76ers and I hope that we continue to get good news on Joel and B because a playoff with Joel is a lot more spicier because here's the thing that's looming.

[00:25:48] We all know who the number one seed is in the east is the Boston Celtics and we'll get to them a little bit later but a first round Joel and B 76ers against that historic offense in Boston.

[00:26:10] I probably will not miss a second of that not one second at all because i'm here for where i'm here for the petty and i'm here for the rivalry and i'm here for the trash talk and i'm here for the bad rug with dust between those two teams i'm here for all of it so I can't wait this is like an old school rivalry and this is about as complete as both teams have been.

[00:26:40] And we are knocking on wood that Joel is healthy okay getting back to the next one thing I do want to finish out with them is this is that currently they're fourth in the east.

[00:26:53] There in that range of three you know three to five where there are like a couple games separating the two teams to keep fluctuating back and forth between the Cavaliers and what have you so we'll see where they end up but there's a lot of teams up in there that are it changes every night we did when we did the standings I think.

[00:27:20] I don't know what was last spot or the pie before but.

[00:27:25] In a literally in a five day period everything looks different you know yeah the top team is still the top team or whatever in the east but two through or three through nine looks super different every day every day is this looks super different in the same in the west but I wanted to squat like one guard and also.

[00:27:50] Talk about this performance last night as well but Nick guard do some McBride has been a flamethrower and Leon the arc now this guy do some McBride will get into a lot of what he's done let's do that right down in a game against the.

[00:28:10] The raptors.

[00:28:13] A couple nights ago he scored 29 points he was nine of 14 from three okay now the raptors it was pretty much the carcass of the raptors because everybody on that team is hurt do some out there in the last five games had been averaging 20 plus points again now when he was coming out of college and he was coming out of West Virginia.

[00:28:38] I think he was a really nice guy.

[00:28:40] I think he was a really nice guy.

[00:28:44] Nico and myself were like we love them I love this kid I thought he was great I thought he was a really feisty defense guard and.

[00:28:52] I just I found him.

[00:28:56] I just to nace his ability to get try to get around screens and things of that nature and also he has a six foot eight and a half wingspan being six foot one so that's unusual as well so he's able to you know still the ball get you get your e-round season he's just a tough guard but yeah Nico and I really love do some buy come down to West Virginia and the one thing that we do know about.

[00:29:25] West Virginia is that when Bob Huggins is there who just retired at the end of 2023 right before this season started you know one thing about lucky bear if you're playing for West Virginia you got to defend right now do is with Tom Tivolo.

[00:29:50] And I remember that job and Nico and I just saying perfect perfect landing spot for do's at this you know present time now obviously in hindsight being 2020 maybe a different squad for immediate burn for do's do's is emergence after.

[00:30:12] You know I was thought that you know he was such a tips guard that he might have got early burn but the one thing we do know about tips is that if you are a young player he does not like you.

[00:30:26] There was a antidote that Doug McDermott his first year in Chicago his rookie year lottery pick he said that Tom Tivolo the coach at the time called him Kyle Corber.

[00:30:50] So think about this now Kyle Corber didn't even play on the team at that point but he had played for tips in the past.

[00:31:00] Tiv's didn't even know the name of his lottery pick.

[00:31:06] Okay so.

[00:31:09] Hence why do's it took do's a long time to kind of bake and marinate whatever now he's emerged in it's a great time that he's emerged because here's the thing we know about the trade that they did early in the season RJ bear it left and also quickly left.

[00:31:27] When quickly left you lost some punch off the bench now introduce Mike right now if do's is going to shoot like this we are really um let's put it this way.

[00:31:41] If he's going to shoot like this the assignments of tips type through and through is is becoming like a Frankenstein monster at this point so you read yourself of RJ bear it long standing bane of existence of mixed fans everywhere.

[00:32:00] And Isaiah quickly for OG and nobody induce McBride now you know that's a huge upgrade defensively because the effort that do skips out on that end does not stop.

[00:32:18] So you got a better version of RJ bear it in OG and then if do's is going to shoot this way now you have a guard off the bench who fits the mode of the team.

[00:32:34] Now we did also talk about trying to get some sort of update on Julius Randall at this time there is still no word on his return um they continue to say something like early April but that was a long time.

[00:32:47] I think there's a real valuation coming up hopefully we'll have some more news on that in sometime next week and just keep it locked here so we will get to that.

[00:33:00] And then one more long lot of notes everything is notes see I do have one legitimate question and this is in regards to the Indiana Pacers.

[00:33:12] Are the Pacers targeting targeting the Milwaukee Bucks us who junkies who were watching you know early season basketball we know about the Pacers in the Milwaukee games early in the season they have a lot of intensity you know they there were there were

[00:33:33] some of the parts words said on both sides and I think the Pacers give off a Bible we can beat you and we aren't we aren't afraid of you.

[00:33:48] And he was the team that was involved with Milwaukee when Janice went absolutely crazy I'm just trying to think what was that that was the ball incident right I guess it was a player.

[00:34:03] There's a player who was it was like Oscar sheway that's where it was Oscar sheway has scored his first point in the NBA in Indiana wanted to ball but the same game.

[00:34:16] And then Janice entered to come quote they broke the Milwaukee Black scoring record for one game so I mean.

[00:34:25] The Janice went spring into the corridor to get the basketball there was a shouting out match and suit it was crazy so these two teams have a lot of history.

[00:34:37] And I wonder if Indiana is looking at that six right and going huh the nicks might be there do I want to mess with the nicks or do I want to and all their guards you know Brunson do's O.G.

[00:34:55] I want to know be.

[00:34:57] Do I want Josh hard to guard me or Dante didn't change over the guard me or would I would I rather match up with Damien Lillard or Malik Beasley probably want to match up with Damien Lillard or Malik Beasley then the nicks wings and guard rotation you know it's a thought not saying that it's happening.

[00:35:24] I'm just saying it could happen but here's the off here's the little thing with that that he and the nicks can end up renewing their rivalry.

[00:35:35] That's pretty historic those those are mourning and Patrick doing games in the 90s I mean literally they can they really remind me they were so physical they remind me of a will off spray match in AW.

[00:35:53] What a glove.

[00:35:57] So the pace of slight in the seventh wouldn't be the worst thing that ever happened on the face of the planet and here's the other thing it's really happening for years to me this is my favorite game show that the NBA puts on and it happens annually.

[00:36:18] So it's play opposition jockeying the clippers did it like four or five years ago we seen other teams do it where they'll go oh I don't like that match up let me let me see if I can get some guys some rest don't you have a hamstring that hurts a little bit or whatever.

[00:36:36] But we've seen it especially the last decade or so.

[00:36:41] There are just certain franchises they're looking to maneuver and get into certain matchups that seem more favorable in the first round so who knows who knows.

[00:36:53] But it is something that I thought about because then I went back to the early games and how those games now Milwaukee is a completely different team than they used to be you know doc rivers is now the coach Adrian Griffin has been fired.

[00:37:10] The chance has gotten a lot better and you know it is a different situation but here is the one thing that does not change.

[00:37:19] Damien Liller is still six foot one and Tyres how the Wharton is all six five.

[00:37:26] And we're talking about picking roll and getting to the hoop.

[00:37:30] Wharton is going to have a better chance of getting to the hoop around Damien Liller than the try hards and the gang mentality that the New York Knicks put up because tibbs doesn't want paint touches.

[00:37:46] Alright now I have a question that I need to have answered two losses to Atlanta really Boston really two losses to Atlanta.

[00:38:00] Okay by the way both games the Celtics shot less than 45 three point shots.

[00:38:10] Now I've been tracking this this trend that the Celtics that they seem to have going back and watching games.

[00:38:20] And it seems like the Celtics struggle anytime they shoot 45 less than 45 three's anytime they should less than 45 three's this team is a completely different team for some reason.

[00:38:33] If I'm figuring this out.

[00:38:36] Right and I am I would call myself a keen observer but I do not have a scout eye I do not I'm not a not an advanced NBA scout but if I'm seeing this.

[00:38:51] What do you think playoff defense strategist and advanced scouts are doing right now.

[00:38:58] Do you think they figured this out as well if the Celtics do not start deploying that devastating Derek white and Porzingia's pick picking role game to more and spam it more.

[00:39:11] I think they're going to have a hard time in the playoffs.

[00:39:14] I'm not saying they're not going to get through. They're very talented there that one of the best teams in the league historic offense they have a historic net rating right now it's all good for them and these losses do not mean anything to them in the regular season they have such a big lead in the in the east that losing two games in a row.

[00:39:39] This to the Atlanta Hawks is not going to hurt them at all.

[00:39:43] But at the end of the day there is a trend going on and I'm wondering what Joe Mozilla is going to do to fix it because here's the thing Mozilla has been stout saying we have a system in this and it works properly.

[00:40:05] Perfect when properly executed.

[00:40:10] Okay, this has been his stance like every press conference he's very, very defensive about the style of play that they have put together.

[00:40:23] Especially that is shown so much success because like I said the Celtics are so far out ahead in the east that it doesn't even make sense. I mean they're laughing the field basically.

[00:40:38] But I do have one question you said we have a system and it works perfectly when properly executed cool what happens.

[00:40:51] It's taken away from you or it's not properly executed because the playoff basketball is faster.

[00:40:58] It's more intense the dudes that weren't getting out to those corner threes in the regular season are definitely getting out to those corner three coin shooters in the playoffs.

[00:41:09] That is 100% going to happen because the day of the nine man rotation ends when the regular season stops and the playoff season we get.

[00:41:20] Playoff season begins you know as a coach told me is like it's great to have eight.

[00:41:29] You tolerate seven.

[00:41:32] You get by with six and you trust five that's what coaches think like who can I have on the court that's going to be an execute this game plan the way I needed to be executed because every possession means everything it means more in the playoffs because you don't have.

[00:41:49] You don't have crappy teams to just bust on all the time.

[00:41:56] So I know that Jason Tatum's awesome I know that Jalen Brown is great we sung the praises of porzinga's all year Derek white was damn near all star you know my love for Drew holiday who's a ex UCLA growing.

[00:42:13] But at the end of the day I'm going to need to see a little more diversity in the offense because if we don't see that and we're just saying hey math works and three is more than two.

[00:42:28] And it doesn't get any more nuance than that then okay.

[00:42:35] The mix are waiting the heater waiting all and by the way I said earlier Joel and B might be healthy for the playoffs.

[00:42:46] That eight one series with Joel and B playing against Jason Tatum and Jalen Brown here's the thing if they don't get out the first round do you understand what the moniker is going to be for that team.

[00:43:04] People are going to call themselves.

[00:43:09] These are not my words this is what people will say because if you hear it in Boston the time is now they're not looking at oh next year will be just as good or the guys are still developing.

[00:43:32] The fans in Boston believe that time is now.

[00:43:37] Ownership group went out and script the money to get the Drew holidays of the world keep Derek white bring in porzingis.

[00:43:45] So the time is now so it's going to be up to Jalen Brown and Jason Tatum to maybe change their shot diet just a just a little bit just attack.

[00:44:00] To give these defenses something else to look at because right now it's looking very predictable and I'm going to tell you right now you don't want to face a Miami heat team.

[00:44:11] You don't want to face a Philadelphia 76 or you do not want to face a lab with.

[00:44:19] Foming at the mouth New York Nick team with bravado and covenants in a second round series.

[00:44:28] So just hey.

[00:44:31] Just a device to the wise just things to look for as we get closer and closer to playoffs.

[00:44:40] We got a couple other things and now we can well we got a lot more to get to.

[00:44:46] As I look at this lots lot of go get going here's the other thing with Atlanta Atlanta got a couple big wins there is a little update on tray young they're they're thinking they might have him back for the playoffs or for the plan so if for some reason Atlanta is definitely going to be at nine.

[00:45:08] There's really no wiggle room out of that situation but they could be feisty in that plan so tray young in a one game eliminated elimination situation scary thoughts.

[00:45:26] Scary thoughts because we have no idea if he's going to go off.

[00:45:30] Oh the one thing I do want to talk about doing his best Allen Iverson impersonation to John T. Murray I don't know if you caught this early in a week.

[00:45:41] Not to be confused with a John tape order remember I made that mistake in the last pot I got their names confused man.

[00:45:50] I kept on calling John tape order to John T. Murray it was so annoying to me so I can imagine how it was annoying to the audience so I apologize I listen back and I was mad at me so I can imagine what you were like to me like idiot get the names right we're getting the names right so did you

[00:46:12] want to say Murray scored 44 points in the overtime victory against the easily in Celtics now in that box score.

[00:46:24] Did you take Murray took 44 shots to get 44 points Iverson ask performance to John tape this is what I always thought what listen you got a wee tough and you got

[00:46:41] mentally strong to take that amount of shots the rigorous of the NBA will tell you that put enough 44 shots will exhaust you and the dudes who did it who put up the most shots every game.

[00:46:57] Let me tell you something who does to you guys because I know what it is or I don't know what it is but I can.

[00:47:04] I've been told to understand that being the guy and taking all those shots is a really tall order so did you take 44 to get 44 but they needed all 44 points to get that W over the Celtics.

[00:47:27] Alright so we've been doing a little series here we did something on the Detroit pistons last thing to three pods ago and we're going to continue that series now this is our front runner franchise off season focus.

[00:47:44] And we are going to get in on the Portland trailblazers I know this comes after a very depressing loss anytime you take a 60 point L.

[00:48:03] It's all bad okay so rip city I'm with you I know this has been a hard year but it's just been a really injury play a year this is there was none of this wasn't under your control at this point this is just going to roll tough year for you guys.

[00:48:25] Now the head coach for the Portland trailblazers is John C. Bellers obviously he's played in league he was on those Detroit championship teams that faced the Lakers and beat the Lakers when they had Kobe and Glenn Rice and them.

[00:48:41] Um the exact is Joe Cronin now when we talk about Joe Cronin and we'll get to him in a second just be just also keep this in mind because I didn't put this in when I talked about it or what I wrote this.

[00:49:02] Keep this in mind the sister of Paul Allen is still dealing with his his death and still dealing with his vast vast fortune.

[00:49:14] I know it's been a long time Portland fans and we've heard rumors about people asking to buy the Portland trailblazers a la feel night Nike and they have been kind of rebuffed.

[00:49:31] You know like we don't have time for you right now.

[00:49:34] We're trying to figure out how we're going to sell like three mega yachts and his billion dollar art collection.

[00:49:42] Um so keep all this in mind as we go through this but the the focus that I want to key in on today with the Portland trailblazers is their number three overall draft picks scoot Henderson.

[00:49:58] Now I can tell you that this podcast was high on scoot when he came out we like this vision we like this athleticism something that we talked about in the last podcast what do we think about athletic six six to six eight guys.

[00:50:13] There's a lesson lesson we learned but um at the time when school came out and I still believe this to this day.

[00:50:23] I am not selling any of my scoot stock F R PC still believes in scoop and I'll tell you why.

[00:50:33] This has been the smoothest NBA season for my guy.

[00:50:38] Let me give you some of the stuff that has gone on in chronological order with our guy school Henderson before we start filing on this and this 19 year older barely 20 year old is done and he's never going to turn into anything.

[00:50:52] So keeping mine joke on is the player exact that is going to be handling the drafts and all this he also has my schmitz on his staff and a boo jitter a pool jitter on his staff as well.

[00:51:07] Now remember it had as the all season continued to started at the draft there was rumors about Damien Liller going to Miami he was going to be part of heat culture we all were all in dang time in the 305 that's what everybody was talking about that was the rumor.

[00:51:30] Now Joe Conan had other ideas.

[00:51:39] I mean he was being as defined as the Russell Crowe in gladiator he said I refuse to trade dang without getting a reasonable offer back.

[00:51:54] Do we all remember what the heat fans were like at this time is like why don't you just take yoke it or yeah Yolvedge you know the young guy Nicole a Yolvedge not to be confused with Yolvedge but Yolvedge a couple kicks that weren't going to be great and just be happy.

[00:52:13] Just be happy that you get to trade with us.

[00:52:18] You owe it to dang remember those comments you owe it to dang Portland he gave you such great years you owe it to dang to trade him for for less than what he's worth and all of that.

[00:52:37] Okay sure we'll just trade our franchise pillar for a couple first that suck and Yolvedge where do I sign up for that.

[00:52:50] I mean honestly I don't even know how you people thought for one second that this was okay.

[00:52:58] I mean of course he's going to look out for the franchise.

[00:53:06] This is not show France this is show business.

[00:53:12] All right so then Portland does send Lillard to Milwaukee to receive another stellar guard and return in Drew holiday remember Drew holiday was also Portland trailblazer this year.

[00:53:35] All the while school is over sizing up shaking sharp and Anthony Simon's were late.

[00:53:43] I have to get through Drew holiday too.

[00:53:47] Like I thought you were getting rid of the franchise pillar so I could take over this team right now you brought in another off star guard also NBA champion and just all around great guy Drew holiday.

[00:54:02] Cronin said you know all on pump it breaks everything is going to be fine so there are more guard musical chairs continues it ensues and then the music stopped.

[00:54:15] And I would have been I would have given anything in the world to see you know how when you go on to like I don't know like Twitter or you going to let's say sports out like bleach reporter like Yahoo or whatever and they give you the quick blurb.

[00:54:31] And they say Drew holiday is traded away from the Portland tribal is I would have loved to have seen scoop face at that point in time is initial reaction because I'm going to tell you right now that guy is super super competitive.

[00:54:49] And I can just think in his head right now he's going man Drew holiday is out here he's out of here is scoot time the scoot era has begun right not so fast for my friend because in that second line it says they also require the services of Malcolm Brogden another pro.

[00:55:16] Another guy who can get it done a consummate pro steady influence on a team and also a minute killer for our guy scoot Henderson.

[00:55:30] Malcolm Brogden.

[00:55:31] And then you have all the injuries right.

[00:55:36] Then you had all the injuries so that you know we talked about the scoot thing you she didn't sharp was hurt here got hurt back in January we haven't seen him since every time it's miss basically half the year.

[00:55:50] It's just going to tell go for the Portland trailblazers and here's the thing.

[00:55:56] After last year there was some development with shade and sharp in an infini assignments and you start to see some glimmers of what it could be just because just a lack of time and lack of time on the court with also scoot Henderson you know how are you going to acquire that cohesion that is going to propel you forward.

[00:56:16] You know it just just did happen this year.

[00:56:19] And then here's the other thing.

[00:56:24] We also got a couple high quality vets that the Portland trail trailblazers can catch in and catch in on in the off season so it's not just doom and gloom.

[00:56:36] Shane sharp is still good Portland fans just because he was hurt this year does not make him good he's good.

[00:56:45] Yes this was bad year but I laid out all the stuff that's gone on right he didn't get to play with Anthony a lot you didn't get to play with shade and a lot and then you had all this mess that went on right before the season of course that guy's head was spinning.

[00:57:07] And then you got Jeremy Grant and you got Malcolm Bogden these two because of how they played this year and how they played in the past.

[00:57:16] They are going to fetch more draft capital or if for some reason you're done with young guys.

[00:57:24] Or young guys that you have to draft or whatever case and be you can also get the second draft guy right the guy who's going to under utilize at a particular stop that he's at.

[00:57:36] But you have a couple guys that you can lean on because of the fact that I think you'll be able to have really robust trade markets with Jeremy Grant and also Malcolm Bogden.

[00:57:52] Also lost in all of this is the twin brother of Kagan Murray Chris who got caught up in all this veteran wing Gulash you know that's happening up and Portland.

[00:58:07] And it wasn't a great your protest just because while the injury and just all the up evil I don't think you can grade anybody on this because I just think it's a complete.

[00:58:19] We just never see where I didn't think they were going to be great to begin with I think when you have all this new cast of characters a lot of young guys who are trying to you know establish themselves in the NBA looking for shots looking for minutes.

[00:58:36] You know it would have been hard to pull all that together and then you got the veterans eating up some of these minutes and then we also have Deandre Aiton who looks very comfortable earning a ton of money and doing as as little as possible for that money.

[00:58:56] And he says that no matter what he's a max player.

[00:59:00] Alright good luck with that.

[00:59:02] Going forward we need to see where the trailblazers end up in lottery currently they sit with the fifth overall best odds for the number one overall pick.

[00:59:13] Now if Portland's at five if everything stands Chuck right I am either targeting Zachary Rissachet from jail board in Brezzi and I'm hoping I'm coming out of the game.

[00:59:29] I'm hoping I'm pronouncing that right because it's French and I let me tell you something well French okay.

[00:59:39] A young Vince decided that he was going to take French in middle school no high school first year high school yeah so I got in there you know I was like because you know me I'm looking at the numbers man I'm analytics all day long so.

[00:59:58] The girl to guy ratio in French seemed to be a lot better than the Spanish one but I did not realize how tough French was so you know your boys get that without a French and we're right into the escalator which in Los Angeles means so much more so glad I made that but anyways.

[01:00:23] Zachary Rissachet from jail born in Brezzi this guy is six eight six nine okay I've been I told you guys equal 21st it's coming I promise you it will be there but this is some of the some of the prep that I'm doing.

[01:00:45] Rissachet let me tell you something right now what's the say can shoot it he can flat out shoot it he is a marksman don't worry about that.

[01:00:56] The issue is that the club he currently plays for he's in a competitive league and they have aspirations of their own so it's not a victor win by Yamma deal where we're giving the prospect all the runway possible.

[01:01:14] Jail Borg and Brezzi had tightened up on Rissachet's role making him a weapon as a spot up shooter which he is shooting 42.9% from three point land this year he's a transition finisher very nice package this is my problem with what they're doing with him but when he does get out of the open court you see a little shake you got you see a little between the legs you see a little

[01:01:43] little dance right and then because he's long he's a solid defender now I'm need to go into the tape to see if the instincts are really there on the defensive end but here's the two things that we do know about Rissachet.

[01:02:03] Remember in the last pot and I know I say every single time but for the new people go back and listen to the archive pods because I'm probably going to say something in regards to that in the in the pod that I'm on now.

[01:02:19] But we talked about six six to six a athletic uber athletic guys and it's just not okay just be uber athletic you got to have a translatable skill to get yourself on the court in the NBA.

[01:02:38] And especially if you're not going to be what they consider the guy right there are a couple of those that happen every once in a while we've had a really good string of fortunate the guys come through the draft but this draft is a little bit different these are more complimentary guys these aren't your faces of the franchise guys.

[01:03:06] But they they're very, very important to your team so you can't I know people said this draft sucks it doesn't.

[01:03:12] It's just a lower tier or draft but these guys are going to be vitally important to your team and Rissachet is one of those guys because of the fact that at six a long arms he does care about defense he has a little nasty to him.

[01:03:30] And they just won't allow him to do any self creation.

[01:03:36] He's very limited on ball with them and I don't think it's because he can't it's because they're saying you're doing these you're doing spot out shooting and attacking the rim and making cuts to the rim at like a eight or nine level.

[01:03:55] And your let's say your dribble packages at like a seven well if you're trying to make the playoffs you're probably not going to allow the dude to do the kind of the average the thing that he's average at you're going to allow him to do the thing that he can shine at and for them for him for them to be successful he needs we a spot out shooter and place them defense and attack the rim that's what he needs to do.

[01:04:25] So he's falling into a role already even prior getting to the NBA so that's good but I also think there's some outside to him. I do believe that there are some self creation, I do believe that there's some offense and initiation in his game now I don't think it's going to be primary offense initiation but second side initiation I can see from Zachary Rissachet.

[01:04:51] A couple of the names look for Portland if you're looking into this is Yukon's Stefan Castle.

[01:05:03] I don't know how you would do this but read shepherds out there and that's another guard you don't need that so I think that's pretty much where I would go with it if I was Portland and you know I just I think I'm going to do that.

[01:05:21] This year was a real tough year for Portland totally but I do believe that good things are on the horizon for them and I think another year patients with Cronin and also Choncy billows would be helpful so with that being said that closes our pod for today again remember X front runner PC at front runner PC for Twitter go to the

[01:05:51] YouTube channel for our inner podcast collective and remember the coolest part of you is you y'all stay easy and we'll see you back on this.

[01:06:04] See you next week.