Western Conference Preview with Grant Afseth

guy that makes things happen. And we've been fortunate enough. Man, whenever we do these previews, it's been good. We get good positive feedback, whether it's we're doing it on our own, but we're always thankful whenever we have great guests on board to help hash shout these conferences respectively.

So excited to get this one going. As always, family and hope our friends and families, friends and listeners will be tapping in and giving us their thoughts here on the Western Conference. Yeah.

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Is there a a believability factor in this or has it been bolstered by the ability for them to get a Klay Thompson. I'm not saying Klay Thompson is supposed to be you know, that's it that is, but maybe the fan base has a feel about that, saying, oh, that's exactly what we needed. He's he's gonna really help, you know, nudge just really closer into us being that perennial favorite maybe to win the finals. What's the buzz like out there in Dallas from what you've been covering so far.

Is the main starting wings the Celtics really you know, cross match switched and loaded the paint to the point where it's really tough to operate one on one against like Drew Holliday and Derek White, and then you know, get the ball to and above the bri open shooter and it's miss after miss after miss, Like not all that's not the only reason why they lost by any means.

They ran into a really phenomenal team that stretched them out defensively, put a lot of pressure on them, and stuck to their principles, you know, on the other side defensively, and you know, were able to give up the shots they wanted to give up and live with the results

and one in five games. But you know, in terms of you know, I think just beyond just the Klay Thompson element as well, I think there's a lot of excitement from what they did at the trade deadline and how that could translate to a season wide, you know, level of success. You know, adding PJ. Washington, Daniel Gofford. You know, they last year there were times where an injury started to pile up where their centers were Dwight Palell and Grant.

more with and you know, having guard depth too. Jaden Hardy, there's optimism and excitement about his potential this season filling in, you know, when they need him to fill in, which is actually gonna be right now, considering you know, Dante Exum you know, has to have to undergo risk surgery, and you know Spencer Dinwiddie returned as well too, So they have a little more depth than what they've had in recent years. When you know, Luca or Kyrie went down,

it's very challenging for them to overcome that. But this year that's doesn't appear to be nearly that same level you know of concern in such a scenario. So just a lot more depth, a lot more you know, top end talent than what they've had to start seasons in recent years. So definitely come out to the finals a lot of high expectations and belief.

for the Western Conference. And I will be as discreet and stoic as possible, because I know my man Shaw is going to be chiming in on the ludicrousness of of you know, my personal selections of what was going on in the Western Conference.

the case may be. The more as the intent is, let's trade around and pull players you know, either maligned or you know this in franchise or sort of speak or on the outs and see if maybe they can help put something together, piece something together, find a diamond in a rough sort of speak, rather than the reliance of what was coming out of the draft. This year seems like, oh x that it's all about what's going

to be coming out of the draft. How confident are you about, you know, where these teams are if their intent is the pursuit of a you know, Cooper, flag and and Bailey and others that are being so highly touted, you know, for for next year's upcoming draft.

you could say upward trajectory right now. I think unless Schoo Henderson you know, really exceeds expectations beyond what he's shown in preseason, you know, maybe Shade and Sharp or you know, anyone like that, I still think they're pretty much fifteenth for me, and I think they're mostly whether it's organic or intentional, whatever it may be, I think they're probably gonna be positioned where they're you know, late in the season where they end up thinking, okay, we

probably are best trying to angle ourselves for the lottery. I think that's usually what uh, you know, Utah has done recently as well. Like usually after the All Star Break, they get to that point where they, you know, Lari Markinen starts having these injuries that pile up, he misses quite a bit of time, and other players as well too. I'm not sure if that's really what they're thinking this year.

I think, you know, they have solid pieces where they can be competitive, feel it out a little bit, and I think that's you know, probably the similar scenario for San Antonio, where they can fill it out a little bit, and you know, if they're exceeding expectations, you know, more power to them. But if they're not, after the All Star break, then you know, maybe we start to see a little bit of you know, lengthy injury reports and long absences for the history of what those injuries may be.

But I think, you know, San Antonio, Houston, those types of teams, I think they're going to really want to compete. I just think you know, sometimes with them, they've just not had the ability to necessarily do it at a high level, unless you're the Rockets. In the month of March comes up, then you start to seem to really

figure it out really fast. But aside from that, you know, I think those are probably my bottom four teams, and we're probably thinking, you know, for me personally, just mostly the Blazers seem to be the standout for the bottom of the bottom in my opinion.

Portland kind of being in that bottom three. So similar to our Eastern Conference preview, we feel like these teams, and I'd say primarily San Antonio and Portland could be the teams that try to help other teams be better as they try to tank, right, so they have some pieces that other player other teams may be interested in

one way or the other. I think san Antonio specifically, you know, with the Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes, those are guys who could high level veteran guys can go and assist, you know what, A team that's a piece or two away makes some sense. But as as grand alluded to, if they're doing well, then hey, we hang on because Victor wants to win now. But if the Spurs have any chance of pairing up when Bayama and

Flag together, you know, for years to come. I mean, I know Wemby would be a little bit tight about that this year because he does seem to be, you know, a real competitor. But it may not be the worst thing, you know, in the in the world, and San Antonio seems to have had pretty good luck when it comes to lotteries and number one picks. Just putting that out there from the Portland standpoint, though Anthony Simons don't know if he's long for this, for this, for this ride

in Portland. DeAndre in similar not denominate in whatever want to call him, but they got clinging. I think Robert Williams is on this roster as well to former Celtic guy, who could definitely go somewhere and help somebody. So they have some pieces too that I think could be interested.

And then you assume they build around kind of the shade and sharps of the world and Scoot Henderson potentially I think that in that mold Utah to me is a little bit just too far above that right now, especially with the way market has been able to play. He's really like if you would have said the marketing that we saw in Chicago when you know, especially after that second year, when it was like what happened to the guy he is now? I just wouldn't believe that

there was the same guy. And I think you know what they got with Keante George even Collin Sexton too a lesser degree. You know, they have high level guys who can compete. And if Walker Cussler decides that he actually wants to be the Walker Cusser, a better improved version from the first year and not whatever the hell was happening last year, this Utah Jazz team is going

to be a little bit too good. But as grand alluded to, if they just said, you know what, we're gonna sit people down as opposed to like really playing it out, then you know, maybe that changes thing. Because the other thing too, I think Will Hardy is one of the better coaches in the NBA right now as well too. He's an ascending guy. And it's like sometimes the mix for what you want doesn't match the outcome

because you're just you might just be too good. But to me, Portland is the one that is just like, yeah, they have no chance. You know, it won't be hard for them to thank.

ultimately be. Then Portland goes ahead and make a move to get clinging in there behind eight and and Robert Williams Like what, but Williams is all is already hurt going into the preseason yet again. So it's just I don't know. We hey, we love the time lord time in in Boston, but his time in Portland seems to be you know, waiting really really quickly as well too, because he just can't stay healthy.

jumping into the series a little bit after. So it's always a wild card with him. Losing Paul George is a big loss in my opinion as well. And then you know, James Harden, I think, will be more aggressive ramp up what he has done in recent years. But then again, he's also around at thirty four to thirty five age, so when you're ramping back up to previous levels, durability to me kind of seems like a little bit of a concern, but I think they have a lot

of talent on their roster. Are like Zubots as a center, you know, good Rin protector. I think they can put a little bit more on his plate offensively too, Like he's a little more capable on the post, and I think, you know, some people may give him credit for so I think they have the talent, you know, these other teams, I'm I'm actively regretting a little bit, like putting the Kings below them because you know, I think with them adding tomar Derozen, I think they're gonna be a you know,

very talented offensive team yet again obviously, but defensively is usually where I have the.

him with like a Derek Jones. I think he's a good player someone I covered last year, you know, in Dallas as well. I think, uh, there's just a lot of volatility with based off like the feel you have for some of these teams where I think, you know, the best case scenario, like a team like Houston, you know, I think you guys have them higher on your list. You know, I could see the best case scenario being

like a playing team exceeding expectations. They almost did it last year where they fell just a little bit short at that really hot like month of March. I think if they get consistency out of Jalen Green for like the whole season, that really changes, like the I guess you could say the way you look at him, their outlook and everything. Shim Goon is a great player already. H You know, all those young guys you would think

would get better over time as well too. So I definitely can see them, you know, making me look stupid for having them so low a vlist at some point.

the NBA the Houston Rockets? And you know, again obviously the the hiring of Udoka I think was immense, but I think getting some guys that really buy into the Udoka culture I think speaks more to how quickly they could probably elevate themselves and you know, challenging an already competitive division that they're that that they're currently in.

are going to sust themselves out. Obviously, Reach Shepherd is, I think he's second right now in terms of potential Rookie of the Year bettings. If you are a better out there men, Thompson has to play so but at the expense of who so does that? Dylan Brooks, the Dylan Brooks go to the bench? What about Cam Whitmore, Who's just electric off the bench? You know, especially I

mean primarily offensively. To me, the Rockets are the hardest ones to figure out because of so many players and all the layers that each one of those players bring, you know, to the proverbial table. Sacramento, with the addition of DeRozan, at least from what especially what I've seen in the preseason, seems like it's going to be a pretty seamless fit. I didn't realize, or maybe I just wasn't giving him the credit that that he's due in terms of he can be a plug, plug and play guy,

at least offensively. He's just gonna he's gonna continue to do what he does, not gonna really hurt you, give you a little bit of secondary play creation. He's gonna knock down that mid range on a regular basis with without fail, and for the most part he's going to play you know, a good amount of games. Uh. I like the King's capabilities, but they have not done enough, I think, to improve defensively, So sloting them here makes some sense to me, and a lot in a lot

of respects as well. But then lastly, I think we're all just tired. There's there's a thing of attrition I think with the Clippers and being fooled once and twice and so forth and so forth. So at this point, like listen, I'm not gonna put him as the top four team. Here feels good, it's safe, you know, playing range, and if it works out differently, awesome. But at this stage, who's who's betting the farm on the Clipper's ability to stay healthy? Are you betting now? Yes, James Harden looks

great in the preseason. He's going to have a much larger load to kind of to manage on a regular basis. But do you want Terrence Man having to do more on a regular basis? I like Terrence Man, but in the role that he was in, but not he's he going to be miscast and trying to have to do more in that space. I don't I don't know. I haven't seen Norman Powell this this preseason, so I don't know what he's looking like. But again, good offensive guy.

Derek Jones Junior still can contribute. Zubac I think is prime to be better at that center spot too, But it all, just it all, It just frustrates me. The Clippers thing just frustrates me. So leaving them here fine, if they do better, hey, then you know, we'll all eat a little bit of Crow. But I'm not ready to go that route right now. I'm not I'm not betting on the beard at all.

moment ago, as it pertains to the Houston Rockets. Sometimes you know, having too much of the same thing might actually be a good thing for a guy like Udoka because if you really think about where And I don't want to try and stay on everything about Eastern Conference, but we can tie with what Udokah did for the Boston Celtics prior to his exodus and what laid the foundation for what we now see as to why we talk about the Boston Celtics being the best team in

the NBA. He established those role players in such a way that I think it made it easier for Missoula to figure out how he can plug and play with

the top the style of system that he wants. And I think that, to me, the only way you're able to do that is if you have the type of players who can you have that kind of versatility to Sometimes there's some players that are just so one dimensional that you can't do anything with them, and you got to pray that your general manager figures out some way to finagel some kind of move to bring the kind of player that you want, because you just can't spend

enough time developing guys to be the weare now. I'm not saying that all of these role players that you were talking about are like that, but what I'm saying is if there's probably one of the head coaches that we're talking about in this Western Conference that might be capable of getting the most out of these guys in the minutes.

already be there. However, their defensive achilles. The achilles and their defensive abilities I think will continue to hamper them unless Brown channels something in him back in his yester years when he was supposed to be a defensive guru specialist type person, that he gets these guys to actually

execute and play better defense against the better teams. Not so much the fact that they can't play decent defense, but they're so offensively minded that even if they are top five teams scoring wise against the better teams that know how to counter them and play them up defensively, they don't know how to win low scoring games. So they got to score like one hundred and twenty five or more for them to be a legitimate basketball team.

young bull. As I say, I'm sure he wants to be able to prove himself some you know, not in a Steve Adams is going to. We know he's going to kind of come in there and play play a role, so that's not going to be an issue. But Jillen Green, he has a contract situation kind of looming out here.

Shangoon has a contract situation kind of looming out here as well too, So that's where I agree in terms of Yudoka being a disciplinarian, but having to have them truly buy into that, into the team concept and not worrying about what are their personal acclades. And remember, Jabari Smith came in here kissed off ready because he wasn't the number one pick, So there's a lot of things

I think that he has to manage. And the talent level is there and they could be in line for a consolidation trade, but I don't even know what that would look like. And how would you not upset whatever the chemistry is there, you know, if you move some of those guys.

of Dallas Hoops Journal. All right, man, let's get right into it. Let's get into the good stuff. Yeah, man, I got my suit warming up, and as we speak, all right middle of the pack teams. We've got the Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves. Sean, I'm gonna basically allow you to how do we say, illumin like, bring bring to light the picture of how we were we came to or we we derived as being the middle of the pack.

Los Angeles Lakers to do resounding things. I think where I'm coming from is I think the gap between teams that are five all the way down to the play in will be so tightly knit that it may come down to a couple of games in which, unfortunately, I will still rest my faith in Lebron James and Anthony Davis among these teams as far as the type of duo that is capable of winning the necessary games to

position themselves best so that they can continue to compete. Again, I repeat, it is not me saying that JJ Reddick is going to be this, you know, once in a lifetime, you know, magical head coach, and he's going to innovate something awesome and great about you know. It's got nothing to do with that it's really about how tightly packed the Western Conference is going to play out come towards

the end of the season. And if it's that way and the way I'm predicting it, I just see where the Lakers, to me, of the teams that we're talking about, have proven more so to be as competitive when it matters the most and have the best capable players that are going to be suited to win the necessary games to position themselves to be so highly ranked in the middle of the pack.

sometimes that's just random occurrences. So we can't predict the future for sure. So we'll definitely kind of like the Clippers, We'll have to see how the health department, how many hospital visits there are with that team.

that let them get into their offense with the let them do what they do best. You know, Memphis is probably a team as well in this whole mix where you know, I my calculus with them, I have them six for transparency on my rankings, just because I know they've won a lot of games in the past, like two fifty win seasons. Assuming also there's no offs of court or injury like long stretches that impact them negatively.

I just think they've had a lot of success in this current little era that they have with their core when you know, Jaron Jackson's been paired up with like a big center that can really like do the dirty work inside and I I personally think zach Eady can do that. You know, maybe not as established and consistently as some of their other guys in the past like Steven Adams or Balachunis or any of those guys like that, but I do think that is a formula that I've

seen in the past that could work well. And then you know, not to go to the whole you know, Western Conference here, but you know, like the Pelicans.

kind of rough, trying to stay afloat here. Same with New Orleans and Zion. If I think there's only been really one year in his career, he's really like stayed healthy for like most of the entire season. So definitely a definitely a lot of question marks. But you know, I can definitely see why you are, you know, high on the Lakers.

from anyone else that they could have leap frog. I'm just saying that I just don't buy into this team just yet. I'd have to see what it looks like with John Morant and Zach Edie and Jaron Jackson. You know what, if Jaron Jackson showed me he is the kind of guy that can carry this team without John Morant, I probably would buy into this idea and have them further up the list. But you know, and I know Sean because we've had him on our show show, had

adds conversations numerous times. He used to be your I don't want to say he used to be your young son. You wanted him to be youngster, but now he was kind of like an orphanage to the side. He kind of kept looking at him side.

changed the calculus on this as well. My thing though with Memphis is despite being injured, riddled, playing like thirty five guys last year or something something absurd. Uh, they still managed to have a decent defense, and I think that is something that they're gonna be able to hang their hat on, especially once they get their guys back. You can't account for Jackson missing time, Bane missing time, Smart missing time, Jaw missing time, Like that's just not something.

And I know they're going into the season a little bit banged up with some role player JJ Jackson, Vince Williams Junior, But those are the ancilliary guys. If the main guys are there, especially with the vision of Edi, I think this team can get right back into the forty five forty eight win range. Maybe not the fifty one that they had, you know, a couple of seasons ago, but because they played defense, and because they're talented, and you know, if Desmond bain is, you know, they.

But you know, as we were joking before we got on air, John Rants already irritated because I think in the GM survey he was rated as one of the guys who can have a breakout season. He's like, He's like, how f didn't I already break out? You know? So you know, people are counting counting Grizzlies out in a way that I think in some in some summarnas, that doesn't really quite make sense to me. As I move over to the No. Orleans Pelicans, I'm very confused about

what's going on in this front court. So is ion going to really be like the small ball five on a regular basis? Again, not to bring up Celtics slore, but Daniel Tye Celtic's legend, you know, is he really somebody who you want to be kind of man in the middle on a regular basis there and what's going on with Brandon Ingram. He seems like he's going to be chill and play the role, but he's he's not happy about his contract situation. So what goes on there? And CJ. McCollum, is he a bench guy now? Is

he going to start now? I think the preseason he has been starting. I don't know if that's the long term path here, but they need to get make sure. I think its Tray Murphy is hurt. He needs to be able to be back. They got herb Jones on the wings as well too, who can give them a

lot of versatility defensively. The Pelicans are an intriguing team to me, and because how do I say this, it's almost the exact opposite of the Clippers, Like because we've seen the Pelicans be the best team in the league for like seven game stretches for the last two years, and you feel like they look like world beaters and then they kind of regress or somebody gets hurt or whatever the case it be. So it's kind of like splitting the baby here is like, all right, we'll put

them in the middle. That seems safe, you know, because if they're the best versions of themself, of the worst versions themselves, that should be somewhere in the middle of this, and that's where I land on the Memphis Cristies. We haven't even talked about Minnesota yet, you know, and I'm not even going to a dress the Lakers, So I'm gonna flip it back over to you, Grant. We'll talk a little bit about about the Timberwolves. Uh, Cat Gone,

Julius Randold coming into the space. So we've talked a lot about this in the show, about secondary play creation too. Randal does bring that, but doesn't give the same spacing that Kat does. But they get de Vincenzo to come off the bench. One of the concerns I had was does de Vincenzo now stunt what could have been a very productive rookie year for Rob Dillingham. Maybe they don't need to be worried about that. But your thoughts on Minnesota's outlook now post.

with Julish Randall. I think he could still like kind of get into more stagnant stuff out of that where he's making a play after you know, potential to switch or something. But I just think with the way they were able to really like poll centers out of the paint, make them really think and open things up to make it simplified for Rudy in the paint that you know, kind of made the most out of what they could.

And I think it's just going to get a little clunkier offensively because they also don't have that much for I think shot creation and just general you know, support

around Anthony Edwards in terms of like established production. Like, I think there's also some limitations, uh, you know, I think like the size for Dante Divincinzo, Like sometimes it really stands out when he's trying to make a play and he's drawing two defenders and I think he's gonna draw like relatively often with the the you know, offensive players that they have, and I think Anthony Edwards is gonna have to really like transcend uh you know what

they have around him in that regard, where he's just gonna have to be like taking even step higher with his like ability to you know, knock down off the dribble shots on the pull ups. He's gonna have to you know, really uh, you know, attack the rim with the plan and you know, be efficient.

And that's just for a team that already need to get better in that regard. It just felt like a financial trade more than a basketball trade in my opinion.

You know, things aren't going well.

what are you getting back mid season? That is so like I guess you could say, like, you know what, I think that would fill out the holes that we have on our roster. The money works, the assets work, Let's let's agree.

it's a little a little challenging to get enough output offensively because I think even in Utah when he was at his best, it was that like super spread out, like high pick and roll, and you know.

you on for that soon enough. All right, so I mentioned it, we need to talk about the Golden State Warriors. I find it interesting Sean, it you felt like Golden State Warriors. I'm sorry, La Lakers, the Memphis Grizzlies, the Timberwolves safe place.

of sense, you know, from where they're at. While I will sing Stef's praises until the cows come home, I don't and then excuse me, you know, people will call me casual. I'm sure I don't see what people see in Jonathan Kaming guy guy Like he's cool in all, but I just don't get it, Like there everyone wants this leap from him, but it's just for me, Like he just seems like a rotation guy who can score it a little bit. But I don't see all the all of the tools I.

used to be his core four. So that's the reason why I'm going to speak to this thing about the Jonathan kaminga thing I think we all wanted to see it all happen. I just don't think that the type of offense and the way that this team has been built around Steph Curry, which is not Steph Curry's fault, but the way that this team has been built around it marginalizes what we're hoping that we're gonna see from

the Pasminskis, from the kamingas from the Moodies. I mean, list off the number of guys who have been cool, nice key role players of moments, but now suddenly, you know what I'm saying, We can't speak about them because they've only get a half a season of where they're actually flourishing, and then they just fall off into the abyss of unknowing this as a warrior player like that irks me, but I've always spoken about that.

going into this addition to Buddy Heal was cool. You know, you get you know, a Walmart version I guess of Clay, But I mean he is one of the league leaders in threes, so I'm not trying to diminish that in any capacity. But he doesn't bring anything on the defensive side whatsoever. I think it's Delon Wright now that right, who they got you know, to help out kind of in the in the backcourt as well too, and those

are all solid moves. Right, solid moves, but it all kind of lynchpins on what kind of player is Draymond Greenslaw at this stage? And is Andrew Wiggins focused enough and doesn't have, you know, all the things happening in his personal life where he can contribute on a regular basis.

I sound really down on them, I'm not. It's just I'm concerned, but I just feel like because Steph's gravity on a regular night to night basis is just so so massive, it kind of they win despite themselves and despite what everybody want to say about Steve Currt times. But I'll kick it to you, Grant, just your thoughts on some of those key guys, and you know, am I just off base of what am I missing here on the Johnathan cominga train that everybody else is on.

Like that's kind of awkward, And then you already you also have perimeter concerns too, like who's gonna start on the wing, Like it's kind of kind of awkward there, And they always seem to have this thing where it's like they can't quite I think, I think I know what you're talking about with Kamina, because I think every single time it gets to talking about lineups, there's always this thing of like, well, Kaminga is a four, but Draymond's a four, but he can play the five, but

we want a five out there for our defense.

gonna go small with dre at the five. And then all of a sudden, that really opens up Kaminga offensively, because you know, last year they even did some like creative stuff we where Clay was screening for him or go screening, and that opened up a straight line drive to go hard right and just play through contact. And

he's got the physical talent to do that. But you know, I think they also haven't really leaned into diversifying and trusting the offense enough to where it's like, all right, well screw it, let's just see what Cominga could do in a high pick and roll. Can he make the reads we need him to make? And what does he look like if we do it for stretches where we can then kind of attack from different points, have Steph you know, be stationed in different situations take some pressure

off him. But instead it's more like within the flow and they're having like a perimeter player, go screen and stuff like that, and sometimes they'll have like the you know tray S, Jackson Davis's and Loony's you know screen as well. But I just think there hasn't been this like clean identity where his skill set is fully like proven and trusted and it fits within the like just

core what they want to do. It just seems like they're always going to have these questions until they really like figure it out one way and then live with the consequences one way or another, because if they do think it's not the clean fit, and uh, you know, like okay, can you really go forward with dre and Kaminga? If not, what are you doing? Like what move can

you make? And that's where it gets in the whole point of well, in the summer, you were linked to Paul George, but reportedly weren't willing to move some of those pieces like a Kaminga to make that deal happen. So then you know, like how invested are you in this current timeline? It gets into this like the weeds was Paul George is too expensive at that proportion with him wanting the max and everything. I know he was willing to take a little less for the Warriors based

off the reporting that I read. But you know, just overall, it's like a lot of just constant questions where it just seems like they're always putting out fires instead, you know, like having this great identity grant.

want Steph Curry to be the primary floor general? And at times when you ask him to be the primary floor general, it's with the intent that he is involving everyone and getting everyone set up and putting everyone in the best position possible to make things offensively easier for

Steph Curry. And I feel like part of the struggle is what version of Steph do you want to encompass or encapsulate the identity of the offensive system that Steve Kerr is still trying to run, because you're not running that same kind of system with the guys that you've had previously on your championship runs.

Basis absolutely the most remarkable scoring player that the game has ever seen. And I just feel like that is also one of the struggles that they have, which is why they're hesitant to pull the trigger on some of the deals, because you would probably think that Steph can make something happen and work far better with Laurie markin in than he's been trying to do with the Jonathan Kaminga to Shaw's point, if we don't think that Kaminga is that guy.

A right, well, let's let's do this now. And it was like little chunks where they kept trying to tweak and tweak and tweak and tweak, and again, yes, some of that is injury ridden, but it's because they don't have the ultimate confidence in the roster or the runway to let some of the younger guys just go out here and continue to make mistakes, you know, because they do have to appease Curry, you know in the timeline that he's in KURR right now, because there's just not

at a whole lot of time for him left in that So if Moses Moody and Kaminga and Jemski and those guys aren't ready to rock tray Jackson Davis, you know, those minutes are going to get toyed with on a regular basis. But I still feel like Golden State can put enough points on the board on a regular basis. We saw they just put up like thirty threes or something like that or maybe some ridiculous in the preseason.

You know, So if that's the way that they're going to go, you know, air quote, you know, copycat style, you know what I mean in the NBA, and they can have that level of efficiency on necessarily on a regular basis. But pseudo pseudo regular. Then yeah, they're gonna be right there and they're gonna be a problem for a lot of teams out there. All right, cal let's move on, you know, to the contenders in the West.

on the outskirts of such things. So you're you're good, No, but all seriousness, obviously, our selections is, you know, clearly what the Dallas Mavericks have shown us with the Oklahoma City Thunder have shown us, the Denver Nuggets have shown us, and what I guess we're potentially believing or buying into

is to what the Phoenix Suns should give us. Right, how much of that do we think that it's the Phoenix Suns should be that team more so than it was the Minnesota Temperwolves from last year, or how much of it is about the Minnesota Temperwolves and the trade that they made that pushing them a step back that we have to say, well, of all the other teams that we have to go with, let's just go with

the Phoenix Suns. How much of it is Phoenix Sun's talent or how much of it is Minnesota Timberwolves taking a step back.

the you know, the second Apron. So I think, you know, we're getting two efficient point guards, you know, that are steady hand and you can trust them. I think that enhances what they have. I'm still I'm not necessarily like a big fan of anything that they have at the center position right now. I think a rim protector that could you know, finish on the role better would be a cleaner.

tie it all together in Minnesota. You know, I just think offensively, I just need to see I just need to see how they're gonna.

You know that maybe Carltown struggled to do, especially against the Mavericks, Like I always like was looking at that matchup entrying that series as like, okay, so PJ. Washington, how is he going to hold his own against the guy like kat like six foot seven.

the NBA Finals. So you have even more confidence with the way things are that the Dallas Mavericks defensively can even be better than what they showed us the second half of this year and with basically a full season of PJ Washington under you know, the kid flagship sort of speak as to how he can help command everything defensively for them to be formidable now not just offensively, but also defensively.

and Kat Duo and Abu Dhabi. Uh during the global games before the regular season started, and uh, you know, he responded very well. In the second game. I thought he looked much better. And then you know, he throughout the whole season. I felt like he, you know, saw a matchup second time, for the most part, he would handle it much better.

just such a good team like Boston. Uh they that had just such the shooting ability and just the four threats on the floor, uh that can attack off the dribble at all times. I really like stress them. But you know, they're just I think just adding in another guy with a similar skill set for the whole year,

like Daniel Gafford behind him. That provides, you know, a higher floor in my opinion, because if there is an injury for Derek Lively, they're not relying on Dwight Pale or whatever like Maxi Kliba to play so heavily at the five. But they still have those options with Kleiba to switch everything. But I think really where like defensively,

I'm intrigued. I just get a sense that, uh like sometimes with these big moves that happen, you don't really know like the mentality of the player involved, like the Klay Thompson, but I you know, just from you know, being around him and just hearing his comments and you know, just you know, I'm still learning more about him, but I still, I really do think he has a lot of motivation to you know, win with this team, but

most particularly prove himself defensively. Again, like he even talked about that, he said, I know a lot of people talked about my defense, but I you know, really feel like I am still that high level defense and I'm you know, motivated to prove it. I know words, you know that, like anyone can say anything, but I do think he's gonna compete defensively. Whether the impact is necessarily as great as you would like remains to be seen.

But I think the motivation from that, you know, the buy in from that type of player, uh, definitely is part of the question that I would have when I'm evaluating them for their outlook. But I think that, you know, gives me more confidence since they have you know, a formula already like with you know Washington and you know Lively at the four and the five. So I think they're gonna be able to do more switching this year, which should help Clay, you know, within the flow of

possessions should help Luke and Kyrie. But I think we also saw, like during the playoffs, it was definitely up and down with Luca. You know, he was dealing with some injuries as well in the finals, where I think just the wheels fell off defensively for him.

I think adding Clay, my whole point, kind of tying it all together, allows them to diversify offensively enough to where maybe those top guys can you know, be a little more durable, have the stamina to guard their position, whether it's like a tough matchup like a star player that's going to try to break him down or not. But regardless, I think Luca will always be the guy

teams bring up in the actions to Hunt. They just need to wear him down, like get him a little bit like less efficient throughout the course of a game. So I think that's still going to remain the core

of how teams attack them. And I think also on the flip side, the Mavericks are still always going to try to find the weak link shooting wise in the other team kind of you know, try to respect that shooter pack the paint, maybe do cross matching a little more since they can trust Lively to switch more and you know, live with the results with that one. That worked really well throughout the playoffs up until facing a team where you know there was no where you can hide anymore.

oh shit, like there's good, there's gonna be problems. So Dallas is obviously going to get right here at the top of the Western Conference competing. I think Phoenix is a team similarly that we've kind of grandfathered into this to this tier because of the talent. They still, despite all their roes last year, as I think grand alluded to,

still won forty nine games. Get coach, but over there now to try to bring some different some organization in addition to the point guard play, they should be right there. They're the team I have the least amount of respect for actually winning it, but and I respect is maybe too strong of a terminology, but I'm least confident in their ability to do that. But the talent is obviously clearly there for them to be to be right here in this mix. Well, what comes down to this now?

And I think the preseason is starting to show some some concerns for you know, the good old Denver Nuggets. They might have lost too much. And while jo Kisch is still right there and it's going to be a parental MVP guy, this a lot of the hinges on Jamal Murray's ability to be I don't think it can be a Western Conference All Star. And they don't even need him to be. They need him to be Jamal Bubble Jamal Murray all the time, especially when it comes

to the playoffs. If he can get back to a certain level of health, Denver is always going to have a chance. But losing KCP and and and losing Brown and guys like that over the last couple of years seems to have taken a little bit of a chunk out of them. I don't know if Christian Brown and stops the name Julius, I just don't know if they're if they're ready to step up into this into this space right now. And so they're giving me a little bit of a pause. Despite where I think I ranked them.

I did rank them third, you know, in in in my in my in my top tier here. But if they were if they were to fall or to stumble a little bit, I would not be that surprised, because I just I'm not getting warm and fuzzies about the entirety of their roster, especially when it comes to depth and their ability to to compete in this And we'll

see what Russ, you know, brings into this equation as well. Finally, for me, okay See, I don't know how either of you don't have the number one and it's fine, you know, this is what this is what debates are for. They were the number one seed last year. Well, I think Dallas did a lot. I don't know that they've done enough to your suit your s okay See, especially with the ditions of Crusoe and Hartenstein a year three. Jaileen Williams, who is my young son. I love that dude, as

as do a lot of guys. I really feel like, okay See has it together and coach daghanah as well too, as one of the better ones out there. To me, this is their conference in essence, not necessarily to lose, but it's it's Dallas and them to me. Everybody else too many questions for me to even give much consideration to. But I was a little surprised that y'all didn't have

as much faith that you didn't. It's not like you had them twelfth or fifteenth, but you didn't have as much faith as them winning the Western Conference as I seem to do.

wins come from at what particular timeframe. I think that teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, as young as they are, they do hit a wall, you know, where they go to a stretch of games playing against the best teams in the Eastern Conference, and you know, they suddenly are the top team in Western Conference. Then to become third, you know, and a team like the Denver Nutuggets have

proven that they just know how to win games. Remember last year, the second half of the season, they were hanging around fourth or fifth and then catapulted themselves to number one, and then injuries unfortunately compromise them where they knock them out of being the number one seed. So in a way, the Oklahoma City Thunder lucked themselves into it because they had a favorable schedule that allowed them to win the kind of games they needed to for

them to sustain being number one. But it basically came down to the wire so I seen that no difference between the Nuggets, the Mavericks, and the Thunder. I feel it's interchangeable. I think it could swing any way, shape

or form. The only difference is the reason why it's hard for me to put the Mavericks there is because I think if their schedule puts them in a position where they got to play more of their teams in the Southeast, rather than you know, teams that you're playing in the Northwest, where you've got the Jazz, You've got.

may make it tougher. And if you're excuse me, Jason Kidd, who's as savvy a veteran coach as any, if he feel it necessary to rest his players to get them ready for the playoff run, he's not afraid to do it because he knows that that team is capable of going out there and winning on the road. The Mavericks proved that last season. So that's the reason why, like I have the Nuggets still because as the team with the most approve I think it's important for them to

do that. And part of that is predicated on the kind of play you get from Jokic and the kind of play in the shape that Jamal Murray.

number one. I'm just saying that given the circumstance, It's it's almost tough sledding for me because I feel like if the Thunder and the Nuggets run into each other, I don't know if I believe yet the Thunder can beat a team like the Nuggets because they don't have an equal answer for a Jokics the same way that they had an answer that they could have had an answer when they played against the Dallas Mavericks and failed to get and failed to advance in the playoffs.

here as well too. Obviously Dallas has your heart and you feel like that's that's there too, But do you do you share any of my concerns about and are you more on cal sidning for like, hey, you know what, they're still one of the one we know, they're one of the better teams but you know they're not going to be as taking the step back that I'm predicting.

be part of it. So that's a little iffy to me.

Like his durability for the whole NBA season, that's like I'm not sure the latest on his like physical condition and everything and like how he's looking, but like for a whole year, like a season long, uh, you know, with him, I just and and also Michael Porter Junior with his injury history from the past, not necessarily last season or you know, last two seasons, but just in general, those two guys are always people that I'm like, kind of like Kyrie Irving, like where I'm always like Okay,

I gotta see if you're going to have that twelve to you know, whatever game absence, like I think, but to add a little bit more, you know, I think that point about the Southwest Division, I think that's very very accurate. I think you're a lot of talented teams that want to win, like on the schedule for the Mavericks on a nightly basis. I do think to add a little bit of insight for you know, my understanding

of the team. At least last year for the Mavericks, Kyrie had this like really uncharacteristic stretch just because of like you know what I'd mentioned with injuries and stuff, where he played like I think, twenty seven straight games through the like coming out of the All Star Break, all the way through until they clinched the five seed, and then they sat him like allowed him to rest for the last two So I think they are going

to always favor the home court advantage. That's a huge motivation for them because Luca Era, when they went to the conference finals those two times they were the five seed, they had to really overcome like the you know, we're the underdog, we're not favored, We're on the road to start the series and making the finals.

like get home court. So I think, like, you know, that's gonna be a motivational factor for them if they have to value should we rest for durability or should we go for home court. I think they'll they'll they'll value the ladder. So that's kind of my baked into

my estimation for the Mavericks. I had those same questions about the Nuggets, but I think for the Thunder, as you had mentioned about their regular season, I think I expect them probably to be the number one seed because they had so much, you know, advantages with health, being a younger team, and I think just from an organizational standpoint, they are really good at solving the I guess you could say the math game.

to do everything offensively against the Mavericks. Part of that, of course, was back to my strategy explanation of their defense was disrespecting guys like Josh Giddy as a shooter.

the paint regardless. So I think I do like the additions that they made Crew so I think is great. Hartstein, I think is great. But just from an individual matchup standpoint, I still think Mavericks and Nuggets are better equipped against the thunder than you know, the opposite of that, where Oklahoma City has like founder answers for those teams. Definitely curious to see, like if Jayalen Williams takes that step forward as you guys you know, touched on, I think

that changes it a little bit in the playoffs. Of course, same with Chet Holmgren. If one of those guys, I'm still waiting. I'm really waiting for them to make that big step forward where they have that rely, really reliable

second option. I think Jaalen Wins was great last year, but there was just not enough of an answer when they needed it most against Dallas, and I still think that is the case until I see it like in reality, like in that high stakes moment, I think they'll end up being a great team, just needs more of those those playoff runs together to really like, uh you know see how it looks, especially with changing the complexion of their front court, you know, with Chet and Hartenshein together.

Thunder does. Now if during the course of the year, Sga and Williams and those guys you know by leaps and bounds show that they are capable of running with those type of big dogs, meaning watching what they do in their head to head matchups, that could give me reasons to change. They think differently about that. I think it's baby steps. I think what they need to do is they need to get to the Western Conference finals. You cannot be a top seed, can't be a number

one seeded team again this year. And people are still saying that you guys are true not number one seeds and stuff. I know they don't have to listen to that noise. I'm just saying I would understand why that's the settiment, because when you look at how that team

is built. It looks like they're built to win a ton of games, but against the teams that are gonna cause mismatches, they need that much more of a better performance from their star players, and they may be too young to understand how to get to that point just yet. And I think if the roadblock is gonna be playing either the Denver Nuggets or playing the Dallas Mavericks, I

still think that it's gonna be a roadbot. But it doesn't mean that they will not make themselves closer to having that kind of thought process or settlement that they deserve to be in the Western Conference finals or that they should be playing in the NBA Finals if they're able to do such things. I just think that the Dallas Mavericks, with this version of Irving, with hopefully and improved Luca, I think that they're going to wind up being the team to beat yet again.

the Dallas Mavericks. You should prop up the Dallas Mavericks because they proved that they were one of the best teams in the Western Conference last year, second half of that season, going all the way to the NBA Finals, And there's no reason for you do not think otherwise. But I think I equally respect the fact that he looks at the landscape of those other top tier teams and he says, listen, it's still not gonna be an easy climb come next year, despite what we saw from

the Dallas Mavericks. You know, their teams there that are going to have a say as to whether or not this will be an easy path to get back there again, or they're gonna run into some roadblocks.

our contenders. Okay, see Dallas, Denver and the Phoenix Suns. And I think as Grant was talking about Dallas specifically, yeah, he's he's he's tied in, he's locked into that. He knows a little bit about more about them. But they did have a miraculous run, if you will, not miraculous, but an improved run that got into the NBA Finals, especially after the All Star break. So this is a team that should be able to have a certain level of success, success early on because everybody's there from the

very beginning. Now, So Dallas is right there in the mix as is okay, see as is Denver and maybe even to leuster degree, the Phoenix Suns. It's always love to hear what our friends and family have to say about this. Please please please tap in. Let us know in the comments. Where do we get wrong? Where would you have slot? You know Cal's Lakers, Now that's going to be a thing for the entirety of the season.

And I guess you know my Grizzlies. You know, as Cayl thinks the Grizzies the thirteenth best team in the Western Conference. So let us know in the comments. Hit us up on our social media platforms. As always, man, the baseline is always rocking.

I mean, the league would hate them for years to come if they were able to land Cooper flag and pair them alongside Wemby. Uh So, if I'm san Antonio, I think you've done what you needed to do to show Wenby some sumone's of good faith by getting some veteran guys there. Chris Paul is obviously going to help, you know, Stephan Vassal you know from from Yukon in whatever time that he has there to kind of groom him as well too, and that will both bode well

for the San Antonio Spurs in the future. But if it's me, listen, I not that I'm trying to piss one by off, but I'd be trying to get into that, you know, into that top one, number two pick again if possible. But you know, we'll we'll see how things go here in the early part of the season. Those first fifteen games will determine a lot of things from the Spurs.