Episodes
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Sean is joined by Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports to discuss everything surrounding the Phoenix Suns and the disaster season they've had so far, coming from someone that's covered the Suns for many years. Starting with why the Suns have been so much worse this season despite appearing to be better on paper than last year (1:32), some potential adjustments to the rotation that we'd like to see (11:55), if there is any level of optimism for the rest of Phoenix's season (22:02), and what changes the Suns should consider in the offseason, including weighing a potential KD trade (26:20). Then, Victor Wembanyama has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to a rare blood clot condition, so Sean will discuss the implications of that (34:10).
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Sean is joined by Harrison Faigen of SB Nation to discuss everything surrounding the Lakers and early returns on the Luka Doncic addition coming from someone who has covered the Lakers for many years. Starting with Harrison's initial reaction to the deal (1:58), what we've seen fit-wise out of the small sample of Luka playing next to LeBron (11:46), the Mark Williams trade that was rescinded and has left the Lakers center-less (23:57), if the Lakers can legitimately contend this season as currently constructed and what their ceiling might be (36:09), if it would be a mistake to treat this season as a transition or throwaway year (45:43), and some potential offseason targets to address their hole in the front court (55:35). Then, we discuss our thoughts on the new All-Star game format and throw out some potential ideas on how to fix the product even further (1:09:01).
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Missing episodes?
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Let's discuss all the (non-Luka Doncic) moves that happened at this year's NBA trade deadline, including De'Aaron Fox joining forces with Wemby in San Antonio (0:58), Jimmy Butler finally getting moved to the Warriors (15:07), the Lakers adding Mark Williams to round out their rotation (27:42), the Bucks shipping out Khris Middleton for Kyle Kuzma (37:30), Brandon Ingram to the Raptors (47:11), De'Andre Hunter to the Cavs (54:27), Bogdan Bogdanovic to the Clippers (57:39), and the Suns dumping Nurkic and shopping--but keeping--Kevin Durant (1:03:44).
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Let's discuss maybe the most shocking trade in NBA history, with Luka Doncic being dealt unprompted to the Lakers in the prime of his career for Anthony Davis. Starting off with the Mavs side of things and trying to understand why they would make this move and what their short- and long-term outlook is now in a post-Luka world (0:48). Then, moving to the Lakers side to understand how adding Luka changes both their current team and their future, including what moves might follow this one in order to round out their roster (21:39).
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Let's discuss the Phoenix Suns flipping their unprotected 2031 first round pick for three additional firsts, in what could be a precursor deal for a bigger move... cough Jimmy Butler cough (1:09). Then, Sean goes through the Eastern Conference to pick his All-Star starters (10:48) and reserves (21:40), as well as his Western Conference starters (48:14) and reserves (56:00).
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Sean is joined by Nick Walas—from Words With Walas—to discuss the contender picture in the East, including if the Celtics are still the favorites despite their recent semi-struggles, if the Cavs' regular season dominance can translate to the postseason, and which teams can really win the East (1:35). Then, we move out West to discuss the group of teams tightly compacted behind OKC, including which teams we view as the biggest threats to the Thunder, if the Rockets and Grizzlies are legit, and which playoff-hopeful teams are in danger of missing the play-in altogether (37:32). Then, we talk through the Nick Richards to Phoenix deal (1:03:42), before wrapping up with a few potential trades we'd like to see (or not see) ahead of the deadline in a few weeks (1:15:43).
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Let's discuss the recent news of Jimmy Butler formally asking for a trade, including how we got to this point with him and Miami and which side is more at fault for the ugly breakup (1:16), then we'll look at every possible Jimmy destination and what a deal with each team might look like (13:51). Next, with the Suns plummeting, they've decide to shake up their lineup by benching Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic. I'll discuss what's led to their struggles, if this adjustment was the right move, and if Phoenix should consider blowing it up (40:22).
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Let's discuss the Bucks' dominant win over the Thunder en route to winning the 2024 NBA Cup (1:21), the Bucks' turning their season around (3:36), the Thunder's flaws exposed (19:09), the Hawks’ (27:56) and Rockets’ (36:30) impressive runs to the semi-Finals, and overall thoughts on the successes and failures of the NBA Cup as a concept (41:31). Then, Dennis Schroder is dealt to the Warriors (47:58) and the Jimmy Butler rumors (52:29) with reported interest in Golden State (54:32), Dallas (56:43), Houston (58:23), and Phoenix (1:00:40).
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Let's play another edition of my annual game called Sample Size Roulette, where I answer whether or not the sample size is big enough to say that... the 76ers' season is already over (0:54), the Knicks resoundingly won the Towns trade (10:47), the Cavaliers can actually make the NBA Finals (19:15), Tyrese Haliburton is just bad now (31:13), the Warriors are legitimate contending threats in the West (37:12), the Rockets are locks to make the playoffs in the West (45:38), both Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are taking the leap in the same season (52:43), the Suns have a serious problem at the center position (59:22), the Clippers are... kinda good? And maybe could be in the mix once Kawhi is back (1:05:07), and the league should consider abolishing conferences due to their lopsidedness (1:11:09).
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Only 4-to-5 games into the season, let's play a little game of 'This or That', where I pose a question and decide between two teams to answer it. Including, which struggling team is in bigger trouble to start the season, the Nuggets or Bucks? (0:51) Which young team is a more serious threat to contend in the East, the Magic or Cavs? (19:10). Which head coach has had a greater impact on their new team, JJ Redick or Mike Budenholzer? (33:29) Which team has created greater separate in their respective conference, the Thunder or Celtics? (52:03) Which aging roster has been the bigger pleasant surprise, the Clippers or Warriors? (1:04:35) And which West playoff contender more desperately needs to make a move, the Pelicans or Rockets? (1:07:31)
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Let's discuss 10 semi-bold predictions for the upcoming NBA season, including:
-The Clippers will be a bottom-3 team in the West (1:32)
-The Hawks will make the postseason (7:51)
-The Celtics will lose in the second round (14:44)
-The Pelicans will trade Brandon Ingram midseason for a starting center (21:28)
-The Bucks will make the NBA Finals (26:53)
-Reed Sheppard will replace Jalen Green in the Rockets' starting lineup (35:22)
-The Suns will be a top-3 seed in the West (40:34)
-The Mavericks will lose in the first round (48:39)
-The Hornets will make the play-in (53:49)
-The Heat will miss the playoffs and it will be Jimmy Butler's last season in Miami (57:40)
Then, some quick hitting predictions including regression for a young team, some first time All-NBA players, a contender who will finish lower than expected, an unsuspecting winner for MIP, and public perception changing on one of the major offseason trades (1:01:16). Finally, I will wrap up with my formal predictions for how the standings will shake out and reveal my pick to win the NBA Finals (1:08:09).
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Let's wrap up the preseason contender tiers. In part 2, I'll cover the following tiers:
Tier 4 - NON-SERIOUS PLAYOFF TEAMS (0:53)
15) Orlando Magic (3:06)
14) New Orleans Pelicans (10:13)
13) Los Angeles Lakers (19:41)
12) Cleveland Cavaliers (27:22)
11) Indiana Pacers (34:44)
10) Memphis Grizzlies (42:16)
Tier 3 - SLEEPING GIANT (50:14)
9) Phoenix Suns (51:16)
Tier 2 - IF THE BALL BOUNCES OUR WAY (1:00:52)
8) Minnesota Timberwolves (1:02:02)
7) Dallas Mavericks (1:10:07)
6) Philadelphia 76ers (1:21:19)
5) New York Knicks (1:29:50)
4) Milwaukee Bucks (1:38:08)
3) Denver Nuggets (1:46:58)
Tier 1 - THE FAVORITES (1:55:49)
2) Oklahoma City Thunder (1:56:27)
1) Boston Celtics (2:06:18)
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Let's start the 2024-25 NBA season preview--kicking off with some preseason contender tiers. In part 1, I'll cover the following tiers:
Tier 8 - HAVE TANKATHON BOOKMARKED (1:21)
30) Brooklyn Nets (2:17)
29) Washington Wizards (4:59)
28) Portland Trail Blazers (8:16)
27) Detroit Pistons (11:40)
26)Utah Jazz (15:05)
Tier 7 - GEOGRAPHICAL BENEFICIARIES (18:08)
25) Toronto Raptors (19:18)
24) Chicago Bulls (23:21)
23) Charlotte Hornets (27:31)
22) Atlanta Hawks (30:16)
Tier 6 - I MIGHT REGRET THIS (35:27)
21) San Antonio Spurs (36:00)
20) Houston Rockets (39:56)
Tier 5 - FURTHER THAN YOU THINK (46:03)
19) Los Angeles Clippers (46:50)
18) Golden State Warriors (51:46)
17) Miami Heat (56:51)
16) Sacramento Kings (1:01:47)
To hear tiers 1-4, check out part 2!
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Let's discuss the blockbuster deal between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the New York Knicks involving Karl-Anthony Towns and Julius Randle, starting with the trade parameters (0:58), then discussing the Knicks' side of the deal (2:58), and then looking at the Wolves' perspective (22:44).
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Let's discuss the recent transaction frenzy with all the biggest free agent signing and trades. First, Paul George signs with the 76ers, what that means for Philadelphia as a contender, and Daryl Morey's patience winning once again (0:55). Then, what PG's departure means for the Clippers moving forward in the short and long term (14:56). Next, Mikal Bridges joins his former Villanova teammates in New York in a intra-city blockbuster, looking at this trade both in a vacuum and within context, and where the Knicks now stack up in the East (22:17). Then, how this trade grades out for Brooklyn, including the deal they made with Houston to get their own pick back (40:20). Next, the Pelicans acquire Dejounte Murray from Atlanta and if his addition moves the needle for New Orleans in the West (45:33). Then, if the Hawks made the right decision dealing Murray and building around Trae Young (53:14). Next, the Thunder make two medium-sized splashes by adding Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso and what those additions do for their title hopes (56:47). Then, the Magic add Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (1:05:22) and what his loss means for Denver as they lose their second key piece in two years (1:08:06). Next, the Mavs add Klay Thompson via sign-and-trade (1:14:09) and what the Warriors do in a post-Klay Thompson world (1:20:10). Lastly, Wemby finally gets the point guard he lacked last season with point god himself, Chris Paul (1:25:14).
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Let's discuss the 2024 NBA draft, starting with a quick discussion on the weak 2024 class overall (0:55). Then, I'll go through each of the projected lottery picks with a scouting reports, player comps, and will decide if each player will be a bust, role player, or all-star:
1. Zaccharie Risacher (9:07)
2. Alexandre Sarr (15:57)
3. Reed Sheppard (23:10)
4. Donovan Clingan (30:06)
5. Matas Buzelis (34:52)
6. Stephon Castle (40:16)
7. Cody Williams (45:48)
8. Dalton Knecht (50:23)
9. Devin Carter (55:29)
10. Ron Holland II (1:01:52)
11. Rob Dillingham (1:10:14)
12. Tidjane Salaun (1:14:13)
13. Nikola Topic (1:19:28)
14. Zach Edey (1:26:02)
Lastly, I will wrap up with a few players outside of the lottery that I am higher on than most (1:34:54).
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Let's discuss the Celtics defeating the Mavericks in game 5 to officially win the 2023-24 championship, starting with a quick game 5 recap (1:00). Then, the biggest keys to Boston's victory and the impressive performance of the entire team throughout their run (6:38), a Finals MVP discussion (36:05), a rundown of the all-time great and truly historic season that the Celtics put together (42:45), and if Boston could turn into a dynasty, or at the very least, a repeat (50:02). Then, the biggest shortcomings of the Mavs and why they fell short (56:48), why this season was still a resounding success for Dallas (1:08:30), and how close the Mavs are to actually winning it all and what options they have to get there (1:15:29).
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Let's discuss the Mavericks blowing out Boston to extend the NBA Finals and make it a 3-1 lead for the Celtics, starting with a quick game recap (1:02). Then, Luka's improved defensive effort that allowed Dallas to excel on that end (7:13), the Kyrie adjustment that has gotten him back on track (15:26), the Dallas role players finally stepping up (18:42), and some lineup tweaks for Jason Kidd to consider (26:00). Next, the Celtics noticeably missing Porzingis (28:58), their stagnant perimeter-oriented offense (34:34), Tatum officially having a bad series (37:13), and Boston's lackluster effort across the board (40:42). Lastly, why Boston's panic meter should still be as low as it gets (43:43).
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Let's discuss the Celtics winning game 3 in Dallas to take a 3-0 lead in the 2024 NBA Finals, starting with a quick game recap (1:10). Then, the Celtics continued strong play led by the improvement and evolution of Jaylen Brown in this postseason (9:51) and Boston's all-time dominant clutch time play in these playoffs (19:54). Next, the wildly disappointing effort from Luka Doncic in all aspects of the game (23:14) and a not so great Jason Kidd game and why there just might not be any adjustments for Dallas in this matchup (31:03). Lastly, revisiting the bizarre media and fan narrative surrounding this series (41:24) and how this Celtics playoff run and this Finals might compare all-time if Boston completes the sweep (45:16).
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Let's discuss the Celtics taking a commanding 2-0 lead in the 2024 NBA Finals, starting with a quick game recap (1:11). Then, why losing this game was absolutely killer for Dallas (5:57), the 'Jrue Holiday Game' and how he's found the perfect role in Boston (8:46), the shot quality discrepancy (14:12), Luka's struggles defensively and usage concerns (17:18), and Kyrie and the role players not hold up their end of the bargain (23:38). Next, I will talk about four key adjustments that Dallas should consider making if they want to get back into the series (29:43). Finally, I will wrap up with a discussion on Jayson Tatum's offensive struggles in the Finals and how him and this team will be remembered if his play continues (45:07).
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