Two teams that impress us at this embryonic stage of the NBA's seventy eighth season, two teams that also concern us. And should the NBA Draft be expanded into a two night affair United States against the rest of the world in the NBA All Star Game? Is that even sooner in the future than we expected, we get into all that next here on this League uncut.
Welcome to this league uncut can rule.
A twenty four hour NBA News. This's you, Chris Haines. It's time, Marks time, it's some time. This league uncut is underway and on fire. This should be a good one. Welcome in everyone to another edition of this league uncut. Mark Stein here with Chris Haynes on a somewhat sleepy Thursday night as we record only two games on the schedule. Tonight, Indiana edging Milwaukee Jannas on Tetekunpo fifty four points not enough with Dame Lillard out of the line of Indiana
off to a surprising six and three start. As Chris and I record this, Atlanta and Orlando are playing in Mexico City, what has become the league's annual regular season game early in the regular season in Mexico City. I've made a few trips myself to Mexico City for these games,
not for this one. Stayed home just to do this podcast, just to make sure that Chris Haynes gets this podcast recorded and he gets a good night's sleep before tomorrow when the in season tournament returns, his beloved in season tournament that he was so geeked up for. I know he's been home studying everybody. These home court the new home court designs we're gonna see tomorrow night. Very exciting, right,
Oh okay, Well, people, people couldn't see. People couldn't see the look on your face that I could see when when I.
Well, I'm gonna say, I think you're adding more to it to my enthusiasm towards the end season tournament. I'm just of the mindset that I embrace some type of experimental change. So that's what I'm just giving it the benefit of the doubt right now and we'll see how it plays out. But just to say, I'm just I understand there's some people out there who have to might be lead partners, who have to say this is the greatest thing, so excited this is going to do this.
We don't know what it's going to do, you know, So I'm not gonna go all that out like that, but I am interested in seeing how this is gonna play out. So yeah, but I think you just add a little bit extra on my enthusiasm for this.
Time, just trying to I'm just trying to get you riled up before we really get going here. We're gonna play a different game. We're not gonna spend too much time talking about the N Season Tournament. I think everybody who listens to this podcast knows where I stand on it. You have, you are giving it more of a chance. Let's see what happens. You're right. It is only the second night of ND season Tournament games on Friday night,
and yes there are nine games on the schedule. But let's let's do something different.
Stein. Let's yeah, before we do something different, hold on, give me a few seconds. Just listen to this.
You heard that I did not good.
That's that was the plan. Stein. I have changed the batteries in my smoke detector. I finally did it. You hear you will hear no beeps. So I'm sorry all the people who love listened to my smoke detector go off every other minute or so. But I have changed the batteries. And you may ask, well, Chris, how come you didn't do that months ago? Because I mean, you could argue me.
I was just going to ask that. I'm glad you anticipated that question.
Will have a very good answer for you. It might not suffice, but I have an answer for you. My ceilings are really tall, Starn really tall, and so it is a pain and ask to try to get up there and change that, change that smoke detector. But I got a ladder because I don't have a ladder personally a letter that tall. So I got a ladder next to my next door neighbor allowed me to use this ladder, and so I changed two smoke detectors, one downstairs, one upstairs. So I am fine for the next month or so.
So that's all I'm gonna give you, probably the next month or so. Then we'll see what happens from there.
What kind of batteries did you use that only last for a month?
Triple A batteries. You know what I'm gonna tell you. I asked my wife this time. I'm glad you asked that question. Very great, astutid question. These batteries were called Warriors. Have you heard of these batteries? They called Warriors. I've never seen it before. They're called Warriors battery batteries. I've never seen it before. We had a couple of door seals in there, but it wasn't I didn't have enough. You know, this smoke detective they take. My smoke detect
takes four triple A batteries. But the batteries are called Warriors. But they're definitely not living up to be warriors because it don't seem like they're lasting very long.
Well, you know what, as you once, as you sometimes say to me when I go off on my tangents, I'm just gonna. I'm not gonna. I'm gonna leave it alone. I'm gonna just let those comments.
Understand them, understand I'm gonna.
I'm just gonna let it go. I'm the least I'm the least handy person in America, so I shouldn't say anything because I'm not.
Who changes your smoke detectives.
But man, missus Stein might run in here to jump on this pod and shout to the world that she she is the one who does it. She even has some sort of I don't know, some sort of device that helps her reach up that you know, she's she's very prepared.
My wife got mad at me, Starn. I have to after admit she got mad at me because she said, because I thought once I changed the smoke detectives that I was going to get some kudos around the house, get some praise, and I did it. It was an exact opposite. She was like, the only reason you're doing it because people are criticizing you on Twitter. That's the only that's that.
I was just gonna say, is she aware that this has become a subject on the podcast?
I've told her, which I guess I shouldn't have told her because that's why I didn't get any praise when I did change the smoke detective batteries. But you can't win, so people, you know, that's what you need to know when you get married. Winning goes out the door. You know, you just there's just.
Ties, surviving advance, surviving advance.
Surviving advance. There's only ties and losses. There's no there's not many wins. So if you get a win, cherish it, cherish it. I'm done.
Well, we're gonna we're gonna not so gracefully move from our home improvement and home maintenance tales. Two We're gonna try something different early in the season. Two teams that impress us, two teams that concern us. We get to You and I both get to pick one in each category. I'm gonna give you first pick in the draft for both categories. So thirty teams on the board. Who is the team we're basically three weeks in. Who are the who?
Who is the team that most impresses Sacramento based Chris Haynes.
Well, let me go to the opposite side of the country. I'm going over there to Philly. You have to give them props for the season that they've started off with.
They are six and one, they're the top is in the standings over there, and you know, everything they they would have to deal with it already, you know, with the James Harden situation, you know, people felt like they didn't as of right now, felt like they didn't get adequate value as far as players now in return for James Harden, they still can try to flip some of those assets that they got for another trade, the first round picks. But Jorlan Beidens playing phenomenally Tyrese Maxie. You
kind of knew he was going well. You knew he was on the verge of having a breakout season, whatever that be this season or the next season, depending on if James Harden was still in that roster. But they are clicking, man, they are looking really good. They just took care of the Boston Celtics, who had were the top was the top team in the Eastern Conference. Again,
this is all early. It's only seven games in for Philadelphia, but just the way things started with a new coach and Nick Nurse, the way you know, it was just a soap opera over there for the first few weeks of camp and the first you know, first week or so going into the NBA season. So I would have been surprised if you would have told me that they were going to start off as good, considering everything that they would have to go through behind the scenes.
Yeah, we're not even three full weeks in if I correct my own math. And let's face it, when the season started, Boston and Milwaukee had just made these splashy trades. The Bucks obviously acquired Damian Lillard. Boston manages to swipe Drew Holliday away from Portland after the Dame deal, and so Milwaukee and Boston make these just league shaking transactions, and there's Philly that has to sit there basically leading the league in drama before a single ball is thrown
up for an opening tip. And now they ended up finding a hardened trade, I think, quicker than a lot of people expected once the season started, and they, you know, the season started without them finding a hardened trade, to find one that they were willing to make so quickly after that, and you know, you're already hearing Joe l Embiid say how happy everyone is, how together this group is, and these are obviously all little, thinly veiled shots at
the drama that the Sixers have left behind, and Nick Nurse's arrival seems to have energized this group. There are many Sixers fans, vocal Sixers fans who are quite active in my sub stacked chat room, and almost universally, when I hear from Sixers fans who are in that chat room, they're all saying how they have hope again, they like what they're seeing again. Their fandom has been rekindled and revitalized because there was just so much negativity around this
team and yes it is. It is super early, and like I've registered complaint already a couple of times. I mean, we the rush to judgment night tonight. In the NBA, it seems to get louder every single year, and it's just such a long season and we can't make declarations. So even this, you know, I'm kind of contradicting myself here because we've chosen this exercise of who impresses us, and especially when we talk about who concerns us, we're
rushing to judgment a bit as well. I mean, it's it's difficult to try to exercise some restraint, but iah, Philly's won six in a row. They could easily be seven to zho. They had a shot to win opening night in the game you covered in Milwaukee. It's it's hard not to be impressed by what Philly is doing and how swiftly they've left chaos behind.
Yeah, and you know again, yeah it is. You know, it's ironic we're doing a segment like this considering, you know what, they teams only played a handful of games. But you know, just from this standpoint, man, just the way Philey is playing, how well they're playing, you can see that you can see their tangible evidence of these guys getting along on the court, and there seems to be some chemistry. So I don't think it's too early to be able to tell that those guys kind of
actually like playing with each other. So that's fine.
My nomination. Honestly, I'm tempted to just say to Denver Nuggets, who are eight and one, and Jokic has started the season in just ridiculous form, you know, just he he's started the season in peak forb somehow, and you know, Jamal Murray's got this hamstring issue. I mean, the word is that he might actually miss the rest of the month, and it just hasn't slowed Denver down at all because Jokic is just so damn good. I mean, they've you know,
they inflicted Dallas's first loss. They beat Golden State last night. Just you know, whatever early challenges have been thrown at them, they've handled them. And the Nuggets would be a very worthy nominee. But I'm actually gonna go I'm you know again, now I'm violating my own rules, and we'll make this overreaction Thursday, and I'm gonna go with the team. The only team in the NBA that can say it has
beaten the Denver Nuggets, and that's Minnesota. And I know you were scoffing at me in your house when the fire alarm was still blinging about my decision to simulate the season with my beloved Stratamatic, the Managerial Strategy Game. And I did a complete simulation of the season, and Stratamatic was ridiculously high on the Wolves, saying Minnesota would win the West, post the most regular season wins in the West, and go all the way to the finals.
And maybe people thought that was wild and outlandish and crazy. And look at the way the Stratamatic blessed Timberwolves have started the season wins over Denver, over Boston. Again, very small sample sizes, very early in the season, but the Wolves are tops in the league in defense. Aunt Edwards has been ridiculous. Rudy Gobert looks like he's moving well again. I mean, he looks much more fluid in his movement than we saw last season in his debut season in Minnesota.
And so I think, again, if we're going to if we're going to go through this exercise and jump to early conclusions, the Minnesota Timberwolves get my hat tip ahead of Denver, ahead of Golden State in the West, and you already took Philly in the East.
Yeah, and Chris fsh is one. I think Chris Finnish is an excellent coach. I've always loved him. You know, I was glad when he when he got his opportunity, got a shot at the head coaching gig. And you know, it's like I've gotten to be able to talk a little bit extra and those with him behind the scenes, and you know, just to hear some of his basketball philosophies on both ends of the floor. You know, I was really, I really impressed and just you know he's
and it's it's cool like for me style. I don't know about you, but like when when guys first, you know, when they when they get that opportunity. And you would think that players, for the most part, they don't know a lot of these coaches that are out there unless they've been an assistant with them in some other stops. But you know, I remember when when Fence first got the job and I talked to Anthony Edwards to the
side for once. It wasn't a story, but we were just talking and he was just telling me like how he was along away with how Finch came up with different sets that would that would free him up, and he was like man like, he was just talking about just how innovative and creative he was and particularly just free and Anthony up. And you know that that that took him by surprise. And so you know that was a few years ago when we had that conversation. So uh, you know, he he has the pizazz like he has
the he has the ear of the players. And so I'm I'm just glad to see coaches when you know, when they get that shot and then when they get it, I like seeing how they can prove to the players that they're coaching that they're ready for that task. So, you know, we'll see if this is sustainable. We'll see if the Minnesota timbulls off for real and ship very early on. But definitely, you know, I'm surprised. I'm surprised they've they've gotten off to this such a such.
A good Yeah, I mean, it's definitely. I think it's it's probably the most eye catching when we look at the teams that again have posted the best record so far. I mean, it must be said. Five of Minnesota's seven games to start have been at home, but they've won all five. Haven't won a road game yet, but they are five and zero at home. And you know, in the West, in this West, where you know Portland and San Antonio have already proved to be tougher routes than expected.
I mean, can't you can't get off to a good enough start in the West. You can't bank enough early wins in the West. Houston. I mean, we saw what happened when Sacramento lost to aeron Fox and the Kings went to Houston for a two game baseball series and the Rockets won both games. So I mean, there's just there is no there There are pretty much. I mean, obviously Memphis is a mess right now with no job and all their injuries, but I mean there are there
just are no gimmes in the West. So five and two, Yes, it's early, but it does grab your attention. Let's go to the other side, the other extreme of overreaction. Thursday night, Can you be concerned six seven, eight games in what's the team out there that causes the most legitimate concern in your eyes?
There are a number of teams that you could pick for this category right here. So I'm I'm gonna go with this team. There's concerns. I wouldn't say it's dire, but it's concerns because again we're only about six or seven games into the season. But I'm gonna go with the Los Angeles Clipperstein because they're trying to figure this all out and there's a lot of talent over there, but nobody knows if this collection of talent, if they can play together and win at high level. We don't know.
There's a bunch of good pieces put together. We don't know if these pieces fit James Harden. So far since he's been a Clipper, the Clippers are zero to two. Can James Harden and Russell Westbrook play together in the backcourt at this stage of their careers? Do they need a Terrence Man in their in that start lineup? Do they need somebody who's just gonna do the dirty work,
somebody who doesn't need the ball? Right now, there's a lot of players in the start lineup the way they've been starting as a right now, four of those five players need the ball in their hands. Is that sustainable? So I'm gonna go with I'm gonna go with the Clippers right now because there are a lot of question marks on that team and they have to figure it out.
Because also there's just desperation on the side of the Clippers, because they have to do everything within their power to try to win a championship and to go into next season in that New Plus arena, right they they got to go in there with some good will because I mentioned this a few a few you mentioned this about a year ago on our podcast Dying about how the Warriors faced one of their biggest nightmares when they went
into Chase Center. But they thought they were going to bring a championship team back, and they thought they were going to bring KD back. Well KD left, they had injuries, Clay Clay Thompson's injury, and you know, I remember going into those first couple of Chase Center games and it just wasn't it wasn't the same. That's not what they had anticipated. So you know, the Clippers. That's why I picked the Clippers for the numerous numerous reasons.
Well, look, I gave you first pick, and you you you swipe my choice. I would have also gone with the Clippers first earlier this week, I wrote a whole
column about it. The Clippers, to me, have become the most desperate team on the NBA map, with what they've given up to put together, to add James Harden to the Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Russell Westbrook core what they have given up to put this team together, and because they're going into that new arena next season, because we know that Steve Balmer as the owner, is not gonna sign up for a teardown anytime soon. I mean, to me, the Clippers are probably gonna have to bring back at
least three of these guys no matter what happens this season. Kawhi, Leonard, Paul George. They possess player options. James Harden cannot extend during the season, so both he and Russell Westbrook are on expiring contracts. So basically, to me, they're gonna have They've they've surrendered so much draft capital first to put the Kawhi and PG tandem in place, and now to bring in Harden. I mean, they they've they've got tons
riding on it. Obviously, they didn't have a training camp to work on things and build anything together because they added hard on the fly They're already thin in the front court, and they've lost Mason Plumbley and definitely so they're gonna have to try to manufacture another big man
because they're now counting exclusively on Aviza Zubach. And even with Zubach and Plumbley, there were questions about whether the Clippers had enough size, enough rebounding to cope in the West and frankly measure up against the Denver Nuggets and Jokic, So tons of questions about the Clippers. My primary disappointment right now, though, is more disappointment than concern. The Clippers are in Dallas as we speak. On Friday night they
play Dallas. It's the mavericks first in season tournament game at home. And I was originally all set to attend that game, and I was really easy to see the Clippers with my own eyes tomorrow night, or I should say tonight by the time this pod drops. But I have since been assigned to some Pelicans work and because of that, I will not be in attendance Friday night at the AAC in Dallas, so I will not get to see the Clippers with my own eyes when they're here in my city. So that is I'm a little bit.
You know, it's a it's a double edged thing because, of course, like I said, I'm gonna be I'm gonna have my hands full with the Pelicans and their in season tournament game against the Rockets. But there's only one of me, so I won't get to see the Clippers. But again, now I've rambled on way too long about your selection. I look, I thought about Cleveland.
Here.
The Calves look great against Golden State, but that's it. I mean, they've you know, they've had tons of injuries as well, but they've they've been very up and down. Memphis, of course already mentioned off to a one and seven start, those Pelicans for four, but you know, so many injuries for New Orleans already, and it's just the what is gonna happen next? Are we ever gonna be healthy? Discussion has to be just smothering that group of players as
we speak. But saying all those things, I'm staying in LA. I'm going with the Lakers. I mean, they they're zero and five on the road. They've been outscored their first what is it, They've been out scored by nearly seventy five points in eight first quarters. So far, they're falling way behind. I mean, this is not as bad as last season's two and ten start, but Lebron has already
had to play tons of minutes. When the Lakers came into the season hoping that he would be more of a twenty eight to thirty minute player, that's already gone out the window. AD dealing with health issues already, AD not embracing the long distance shooting that Darvin Ham was hoping for. And Austin Reeves. I still I'm old enough to remember Darvin Ham sitting with us at Caesar's Palace in what might be the most eventful pod we've ever done. Certainly it's it's in the it's got to be in
the top three at worst. Darvin Ham was so candid and just you know, so good with us, as I mean, you see, sat there with us for an hour. There was there was nothing he didn't say, And among his many headline comments was you know, he says he thinks Austin Reeves will be an All Star. And Austin Reeves is not off to an All Stars start. So the Lakers have a lot of things going on already. I guess the good news is that they because they went through two to ten last season that they have experienced
bouncing back from this. But I think I think a lot of eyeballs league wide, to be honest, are already on both both LA teams. How the Clippers are going to build a squad after making their big move, and then with the Lakers, what kind of move can they make? You know, they have such limited flexibility to change things after all their off season moves? Can do the Lakers just have to get healthy? And is that going to
be enough? Or will the Lakers try to seek out a change because their hopes and aspirations coming into this season have already been challenged.
To put it mildly, yeah, I mean I think you definitely still have to see what they look like as whole. But even with that, I mean, we're just talking Jared Vanderbilt being back, and you know, offensively, he's not going to add much to the equation there, And so you still have the dilemma of can Austin reason d'ezel Russell play together. Austin reeves for him to be himself, to be to be as effective as he can, has to
have the ball in his hands. And then at certain point Lebron James, even though he's been deferring over the last couple of years of relinquishing ball handling, do these to others. He's still somebody who needs that ball in the fourth quarter to make plays. And so D'Angelo. You know, Deangel had a great preseason. He had a really great He probably played the best. He probably the best Laker in the preseason. And his play thus far as you know,
it's up and down, But you know it. Do you need multiple primary ball handlers when you're playing alongside Lebron James. I don't know the answer to that. I know Lebron can play with another ball handling guy, but two I don't know. I don't know, But I know for one thing it's for sure whenever you play with Lebron, even if you're just second Darry primary handler or member for the third option, you got to be able to just
catch a shoot. You got to be able to find the pockets within the offense so guys can find you. You got to be that adaptable. You can't just be somebody who needs the ball in their hands to be effective. You got to be able to find those seams and find those crevices to where you can make an impact by just catching and shooting. And that's a skill set in its own right there. Because most ball dominant players
are used to shooting off the dribble. There's a comfort level with shooting off the dribble and just catching and shooting that is that's not easy to do if you're not if you're not used to just being being in that role. So it's tough. It's always been tough. But they're got to figure it out. And you know what the Lakers do. Stein if it's not working, there will be some trades. There will be some trades. And uh, you know this. It's this one guy played basketball with
out here in the sacrament of the area. His name is Manny, Big Laker fan, Big Laker fan, And every time I walk in the gym, he always asked me, Hey, is Dame coming to the Lakers? Who the Lakers gonna trade for? Who's you know? Who can we get? Who can you get? I'm like, hold on, Manny, I said, Mannie, can can your team just draft for once? Can y'all just draft a guy for once? Can y'all build? He said,
Oh no, no, no, Lakers, we don't draft. We still are the players, he said, we still are the players. That's what we do. He said, So who can we get? Who can we get? So I bring him up to just to say that, you know, you know, the Lakers if they're struggling. You know, Lebron James is not gonna tolerate a losing squad. If they're struggling, they will be out the marketing fire.
Laker fan in sacked. They don't like that.
I said, can y'all build for once many? Can y'all build through the draft? Oh no, no, no, we don't do that. We still other players.
So I should know this, but I've already forgotten. So next week, you know, we've mentioned a lot of teams here, and we've lasered in kind of on the Sixers, the Wolves, the Clippers, the Lakers. Who you see in next week? Are you seeing any of these teams that we're discussing? Who do you got next?
Clippers? Nuggets in Denver Tuesday? Nice? Cool.
We'll come back with some good stories, some good tales.
That's the plan. That is definitely the plan.
You'll be able to tell us if our concern about the Clippers was well placed or premature. But I mean, let's face it, James Harden's first two games. They haven't cracked a hundred points yet, and they're supposed to be an offensive juggernaut. Again, they've had, you know, very limited practice time. Harden's joining them on the fly. Harden hasn't played full speed basketball since May. But hey, when you make a train like that, you're going to be under
the microscope. You're not going to get much of a grace period from us. No, it all's here in the basketball public. I want to shift and before we go, I want to talk about a couple league issues. It emerged this week. The talk has restarted again. Not a new topic, but it sounds more serious, probably than we've ever heard it of a lot of teams behind the scenes want to turn the draft into a two night affair and you know, split it up so first round
would be like on a Thursday. You know, it's either Wednesday, Thursday or Thursday Friday. First round on the first night. Second round gets a night to its own. And you know, usually I am so I'm such a traditionalist, I'm so resistant to change, but I love this one. To me, I see no downside. I feel like the draft is too long. The second round is too rushed. No better illustrate than Jokic, the greatest second round pick in NBA history that was announced during a commercial in twenty fourteen,
because they were rushing through the second round. Teams say they want more time to think about their first round picks. A second night of the draft probably creates an opportunity for potentially more trade action. It certainly is going to give the guys who are in the second round more attention. Like I said, I cannot find a reason to argue against it. But that said, when I put that question on my sub stack, I did get a lot more resistance from readers than I expected. And you know, I
hear this chatter. Nobody cares. Nobody cares about the second round. We don't need it to go two nights. Nobody's going to watch it. I ain't buying it. I do not believe when people say nobody's going to watch it. This is the NBA in the offseason. I feel like fans are getting worked up and fully invested in who's getting the two way deals on their roster. So I am not buying at all. People who say if the second round is moved to a second night, we're not going
to tune in. No chance people will people I think people will eat it up.
I don't know about that stuff. I don't know, you know, I don't know the answer to that, Like is the second round must see TV? You know? Or a better question, would you put the NBA Draft on the same level as the NFL Draft, because you know there are NFL draft parties, like there are rituals that people have, Like actually, I've been invited to actual NFL draft parties where the spread the food like it's a religion to have that.
I don't. I've never been to a NBA draft party, Like, I don't know that it has that level of interest. And so with that the second round, like, okay, are not to say that people tuned in to watch Adam Silver, but you know Adam Silver won't be a part of the second round. I don't. I don't know. I don't know stein, I don't know what the interest is I get.
Well, look, I think one kind of criticism or question I've seen thrown out is second round you don't need a big TV production like we get for the first round. But who's to say that the second round would be the exact same TV production? Maybe it would be a more serious basketball, nerdy kind of you know, very serious basketball show as opposed to the draft, the first round of the draft, where obviously we're you know, the stories of the draftees and their families. That gets a lot
of focus. And you know, there's even a draft, there's even a broadcast version that's supposedly marketed for the more general role fan who aren't NBA junkies. I just think second round picks. People do care about that stuff, and you know, I.
People, Yeah, people do care about it. But you know, will the numbers be there? Is it enough?
Well, let me ask you, I mean, let me ask you this because I know you always the draft, the draft as long as it is first round, second round. I mean, it takes well over four hours to get through the whole thing. And then what do I always see what happens right after the draft. There's Chris Haynes tweeting about all these players who are you know, basically yeah, undrafted free agents who they're signing with. I mean, there's
there's interest in that. And so if you do it, if you break it up into two nights, that's happening at a much better hour that people can tune in instead of happening you know midnight one a m. Eastern time, and there's you know, after the second round, there's there's a whole there's there's fifty more transactions. And like I said, I mean, we know, I mean this is our life. People love every transaction there is in the NBA.
Yeah, but social media track, the social media tracks that you see doesn't equate to television interests. And so that's that's my only concern. Obviously, if they did extend this draft, extend the draft out, what is it good for? For sure, the teams, they have more time to make their decisions because second round everything is going so fast. You know, a lot of times these teams already have agreements with undrafted free agentcy even before the draft is over, because
they know these guys aren't going to slip. I mean, these guys aren't going to be drafted. And as well, there are players right and just take people behind the scenes there are saying, say there's a team that has pick number fifty four, and that team might call that player's agent and say, hey, we got a chance to
take you at fifty four. He wants to take you, or you know, let you go, or we'll sign you as a a undrafted free agent, and so all these things, all these conversations are happening rapidly during the draft and they're trying to see who's going to fall off the ball who's not. And so it gives these teams to general managers more time to have these conversations to make more of an informed decision, and so it's good for them. Still, I just don't know again, social.
Media and those are the things that I that that's the stuff I care about. I'm not proposed or I'm not I'm not backing the proposals because I think that the broadcast of the second round is going to be some revolutionary TV product that draws some monster rating. I mean, look, the TV brought cast of the Draft for years has just been it's getting worse and worse and worse, and
it's not watchable. And you hear so many fan complaints about the Draft broadcast but saying saying all that, but people, it's still Draft Night and people are still incredibly invested in it. And I just think because the transaction games I like to call it, is such a big deal in the NBA that all these machinations that you're talking about this, you know, the second round selections, the undrafted free agents, and the teams they land on after the
second round is completed. That could easily carry a night onto itself, especially when you know draft the way we're set up now, the NBA Draft is kind of like the prelude, the appetizer for free agency. And so I just think two nights of draft action and potential trades is better than one before we move into free agency. Not because, like I said, not because it's going to
become some great TV product. I don't really even care about that, And I think, you know, I just think, yeah, we got a lot of there's a lot of things to fix on the on the TV broadcast, but that ain't our problem no more so we can let other people worry about that. Another league issue that I wanted to bring to your attention because this happened Monday night
and I thought it was really interesting. In a recent podcast, you and I talked about how, yes, this season for the All Star Game in Indianapolis, they're going back to an East versus West format. But I wrote a whole piece almost two weeks ago now about how Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum says that an United States against the rest of the World All Star format. Mark Tatum's quote was that it's very, very possible down the road, without specifying
how soon. This Monday night, a week after my piece, the NBA announced that the twenty twenty five All Star Game will be in the Bay Area. It's in San Francisco, making it a nice easy drive for you. And at the press conference to announce this, Adam Silver the quote from the commissioner quote, people are out there talking about concepts about a Ryder Cup type format, maybe thinking about
US players playing against global players. I just know we're looking at all different approaches to All Star and this referring to San Francisco is a great market to try new things. End quote. And so when I read that, when I heard that, I'm like, man, the commission is all but saying that USA against the rest of the world is gonna have up and don't be surprised if it happens a year from now, in twenty twenty five. So you know, we the last time we talked about this,
I mean, you know where I stand. I love the international game covering it has been a huge part of
my life for more than thirty years. But I'm really curious that when they announce this, when it is announced, whatever year it is, whether it's twenty twenty five or somewhere in the future, I'm really curious what the reaction will be from the NBA's American stars because unless they have a roster format that we don't know about that expands the rosters, if it's twelve v twelve like it's always been, like the All Star Game has been for decades, that would be only twelve All Star spots for more
than three hundred American born players and twelve All Star spots for one hundred and twenty five ish international players. And so there are going to be some major snubs among the American born stars. And I'm just not sure how that's gonna go over. I mean, from a watchability perspective, a USA versus rest of the world All Star format, it's it's it is the most intriguing we haven't seen
it yet. I think there would be massive interest in that, but again, I'm not sure that it's going to be a unanimously popular decision.
Yeah, I just don't know how that could work. And again, if if the concepts. If the structure is built where it can be a level playing field and cool, But I don't see it right now. I mean, think about the global team. How many lock of Global All Stars are there? You know, let's let's talk about this. Well you came out, isn't be he can't be global anymore? Right? Well? That?
Yeah? I mean that right there? Is he gonna now count as he can't if.
He's playing for the United States?
Like I just a Re Irving, same thing. Kyrie Irving's born in Australia, and when the NBA talks about international players, it always includes Kyrie Irving on that list. But Kyrie Irving, he's played internationally for the United States. So it's a great question. I mean, I think if we really you know, there's.
About four four global docin.
I think it's usually like seven you seven or eight, you know, six seven, eight guys that you Let's let's keep Embiid there for now because he hasn't played for the United States yet. So Jokic, Embiid, Luke j Luca, that's five. Bonis was all NBA last year. You know, Wemby is we we expect Wemby to get there eventually. I mean, so that's it there.
I'm not counting sa bonusonas would have made said, I'm not count Sabonus, but that's six because I believe those six are locks. And I'm still not counting Embiid. I just don't think he can.
Like I said, let's count him for I mean, we left out Yannis. I mean, so we have not had an American born MVP since James Harden in twenty eighteen, Yannest. But we all get to Janis, Jokic, Embiid have won the last five MVPs combined. Luka Doncic is a future MVP. He hasn't won it yet, but he's considered right there with those guys. So you start with those four and Shay,
I mean, that is a tremendous fivesome. I tried to do this off the top of my head, but I had to look it up because, as you know, I'm old and washed and I can't remember stuff anymore. So in my story, which is like I said, almost two weeks ago, now, had the note in here that there were fourteen international players on Opening Night rosters who have been All Stars. Not all of them are currently All Star level, but it's a good group. You've got Jannis
Luca and Beide, Shay, Rudy Gobert. Al Horford is obviously no longer an All Star contender, but he has been an All Star. Jokic Lowry Marketing, Porzingis has been an All Star. SA Bonus was All NBA last season. Pascal Siakam has recently been an All NBA selection. Ben Simmons not in the All Star mix anymore. Nikolavucevich has been an All Star fairly recently, Andrew Wiggins an All Star
fairly recently. So you throw Wemby in there with all the names we've mentioned, and I think it's you know, you can credibly say six, seven, eight, you can get you can get to eight of twelve with strong arguments. But but yeah, I mean, then then we're we're reaching.
And that's where I think the American guys are gonna say, hold on a second, we are we reaching to get to twelve Rest of the World stars, and then there's three hundred plus American born players who now have to scrap for twelve spots.
Yeah, that wouldn't be fair. It would not be fair. So they got it. I don't know if you can have an All Star game and have another game over the weekend. You know, maybe Saturday night.
I don't see that.
Maybe Saturday night is the US versus the World. I don't know. But you can't eliminate twelve all stars, you know. You can't do that just and you can't make it a reach to add on seven other All Stars for the world team if they don't deserve it.
And you said, the Embiid question will be a great one because if Embiid plays for the United States at the Paris Olympics, like.
We will tell you, yeah, Stan, he will be criticized if he plays on that world team. Where if the NBA tries to make him play for that world team, he will be criticized. You can't flip flop. You should be. It should be whoever you play in the last Olympics, whatever team you played for, whatever side you played for, you should that should be a side you represent in a supposedly US versus World type format.
So it will be interesting to see how it's gonna happen someday it I think we have to start treating that as an inevitability. But how soon, how soon? How soon can we come up with twelve All Stars for a theoretical Team World where all twelve players on the roster are unquestioned All Star selections. Because I totally agree with you. We are not. We can argue about certain guys,
but we're not at twelve. There are not twelve World clearcut players who on Team World who should be All Stars and Stein.
But but the thing is, you know, to their to their quotes, you know their comments Adam Silver and Tatum. Soon you know the world is coming, The world is coming, you know. So maybe they're talking about, you know, eventually when it does get to that point, it might take two years, it might take three years for there to be twelve to fifteen Louck World All Stars. And so if they're waiting, if they're talking about then, and I'm
fine with that, But we're not there now. I don't know we'll be there next year either.
Yeah, And like I said, beyond what you or I might say, I'm really interested to hear when this question gets thrown more at players. And something tells me that at this All Star Game in Indianapolis, when we go back to an East and West format, this will be a question that comes up for the All Star participants, and I'm really curious to hear what veteran All Stars have to say about a USA against the World format and how close are we. I really want to hear
the player's opinions on that one. All right, I think that will do it for this edition of This League Uncut. We will be back with you very very soon. We got to sort out exactly when we will tape the next episode. We'll be working around Chris's schedule as he makes his way to Denver for Clippers Nuggets on Tuesday night. Everyone,
thanks a miil for joining us. As always, please remember to rate, review, and subscribe to This League Uncut wherever you get your podcasts, Apple, Spotify, any other podcast provider. If you haven't already, please do so. Please join us soon again, and that'll do it for us. See you next time. This League Uncut is and iHeartRadio production. Chris Haines and Mark Stein