WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.000 Welcome back to Basketball Home, your ultimate 00:00:02.000 --> 00:00:04.799 shortcut to being the most informed fan in the 00:00:04.799 --> 00:00:08.660 arena. It is November 24th and well, if you thought 00:00:08.660 --> 00:00:10.619 the season usually slows down before the holiday 00:00:10.619 --> 00:00:13.279 rush, you were dead wrong. Oh, completely wrong. 00:00:13.339 --> 00:00:15.140 The basketball world is spinning faster than 00:00:15.140 --> 00:00:16.960 ever. It really is. We're spanning everything 00:00:16.960 --> 00:00:19.980 from career announcements in the NBA to these. 00:00:21.769 --> 00:00:24.210 revolutionary cash -fueled tournaments that are 00:00:24.210 --> 00:00:26.510 defining the NCAA landscape. That's absolutely 00:00:26.510 --> 00:00:28.929 right. We are hitting a really critical inflection 00:00:28.929 --> 00:00:31.329 point right now. In college hoops, the major 00:00:31.329 --> 00:00:33.670 multi -team tournaments, the NTEs, they're kicking 00:00:33.670 --> 00:00:37.210 off. Right. Most notably, that massive... Players 00:00:37.210 --> 00:00:39.130 Era Festival in Vegas, which we'll get into. 00:00:39.289 --> 00:00:40.869 And for those who don't know, MTEs are basically 00:00:40.869 --> 00:00:43.109 these early season events, you know, round robin 00:00:43.109 --> 00:00:46.530 or bracketed, to give teams high major exposure 00:00:46.530 --> 00:00:49.429 before conference play. And meanwhile, in the 00:00:49.429 --> 00:00:51.829 NBA, you've got cornerstone players announcing 00:00:51.829 --> 00:00:54.310 the end of their careers, major injury returns 00:00:54.310 --> 00:00:56.670 about to shift the power balance, and that front 00:00:56.670 --> 00:00:59.030 office trade machine is already running hot. 00:00:59.229 --> 00:01:01.799 It is hunting. So our mission today is to break 00:01:01.799 --> 00:01:04.459 down every critical nugget of information from 00:01:04.459 --> 00:01:08.859 a legend's final bow to why a team like the Celtics 00:01:08.859 --> 00:01:11.299 needs a simple non -shooting center to really 00:01:11.299 --> 00:01:13.859 unlock their offense. We're covering career -defining 00:01:13.859 --> 00:01:15.739 announcements. We'll analyze the collect performances 00:01:15.739 --> 00:01:18.900 and surprising upsets from the weekend and really 00:01:18.900 --> 00:01:21.500 get into the strategic and financial implications 00:01:21.500 --> 00:01:24.239 driving both leagues. It's the intersection of 00:01:24.239 --> 00:01:28.840 legacy, strategy, and just pure chaos. And some 00:01:28.840 --> 00:01:31.290 pretty... serious off -court news we need to 00:01:31.290 --> 00:01:33.109 address, too. We're here to sort it all out for 00:01:33.109 --> 00:01:35.250 you. So let's start with a necessary moment of 00:01:35.250 --> 00:01:36.930 respect for one of the greatest point guards 00:01:36.930 --> 00:01:40.689 of all time and his final timeline. Yeah, we 00:01:40.689 --> 00:01:43.590 have to. We have the stunning, though maybe anticipated, 00:01:43.750 --> 00:01:46.370 news confirming Chris Paul's retirement timeline. 00:01:46.769 --> 00:01:49.329 This isn't a rumor. Nope. The point guard, currently 00:01:49.329 --> 00:01:51.250 with the Clippers, has announced he plans to 00:01:51.250 --> 00:01:53.989 hang him up after the 2025 -26 season. That will 00:01:53.989 --> 00:01:56.370 be his 21st year in the league. I mean, that 00:01:56.370 --> 00:02:00.260 is... 21 years. That truly puts him in the rarest 00:02:00.260 --> 00:02:03.780 of air. You're ranking alongside Dirk Nowitzki, 00:02:03.879 --> 00:02:07.239 Vince Carter, that kind of longevity and commitment 00:02:07.239 --> 00:02:10.400 at an elite level. The word legend, you know, 00:02:10.400 --> 00:02:12.500 it gets thrown around too easily. But for Chris 00:02:12.500 --> 00:02:15.080 Paul, it absolutely fits. Oh, for sure. We're 00:02:15.080 --> 00:02:18.000 talking about a player whose strategic vision 00:02:18.000 --> 00:02:20.560 fundamentally changed the geometry of the game 00:02:20.560 --> 00:02:24.080 for multiple franchises. He wasn't just a stats 00:02:24.080 --> 00:02:26.520 accumulator. He was a culture setter. Right. 00:02:26.620 --> 00:02:29.520 Remember, he was the 2005 -06 Rookie of the Year. 00:02:29.659 --> 00:02:33.300 And since then, 12 all -star selections spanning, 00:02:33.419 --> 00:02:35.460 what, the Hornets, Clippers, Rockets, Thunder, 00:02:35.699 --> 00:02:39.400 Suns, Warriors, Spurs. He elevated every single 00:02:39.400 --> 00:02:41.400 team he played for. And his impact was felt on 00:02:41.400 --> 00:02:43.300 both ends of the floor, too. He wasn't just this 00:02:43.300 --> 00:02:45.960 offensive maestro dictating pace. He made the 00:02:45.960 --> 00:02:48.699 all -defensive team nine times. Nine times. That 00:02:48.699 --> 00:02:51.659 consistent two -way play. is what separates him 00:02:51.659 --> 00:02:53.759 from so many other elite playmakers. And if you 00:02:53.759 --> 00:02:56.039 look at the all -time statistical context, this 00:02:56.039 --> 00:02:58.080 is where you really grasp his historical position. 00:02:58.180 --> 00:02:59.580 I mean, especially when you consider the style 00:02:59.580 --> 00:03:02.539 of basketball he played. Paul, at 40 years old, 00:03:02.620 --> 00:03:05.379 ranked second in NBA history in both steals and 00:03:05.379 --> 00:03:08.520 assists. Wow. To be second only to John Stockton, 00:03:08.659 --> 00:03:11.439 a player whose career totals seemed untouchable 00:03:11.439 --> 00:03:14.680 for decades, is just astonishing. It really is. 00:03:14.819 --> 00:03:17.300 Six times he led the NBA in steals, five times 00:03:17.300 --> 00:03:19.300 he led in assists. The statistical reliability 00:03:19.300 --> 00:03:23.840 is... We're talking 16 .9 points, 9 .2 assists, 00:03:24.180 --> 00:03:27.539 4 rebounds, and 2 steals across more than 1 ,300 00:03:27.539 --> 00:03:30.139 games. And beyond the numbers, his signature 00:03:30.139 --> 00:03:32.340 was that mid -range jumper and the ability to 00:03:32.340 --> 00:03:35.020 just slow the game down. Yes. Forcing the defense 00:03:35.020 --> 00:03:37.719 to play on his terms. That patient, calculated 00:03:37.719 --> 00:03:40.900 style is becoming so much rarer in today's three 00:03:40.900 --> 00:03:43.400 -point -focused NBA. It's a lost start. I always 00:03:43.400 --> 00:03:45.740 appreciate hearing the reactions from his contemporaries. 00:03:45.759 --> 00:03:47.960 And LeBron James, who has battled Paul for two 00:03:47.960 --> 00:03:50.319 decades, had a really emotional take on this, 00:03:50.400 --> 00:03:52.580 calling this year his last hurrah. It sounds 00:03:52.580 --> 00:03:54.060 like LeBron really understands the weight of 00:03:54.060 --> 00:03:56.770 this. He absolutely does, especially since LeBron 00:03:56.770 --> 00:03:59.129 himself is setting new standards for age and 00:03:59.129 --> 00:04:02.150 performance. LeBron emphasized that he just hopes 00:04:02.150 --> 00:04:04.990 Paul finds complete joy in this final chapter. 00:04:05.210 --> 00:04:07.590 He stressed that he shouldn't look back and regret 00:04:07.590 --> 00:04:09.650 not taking advantage of every single moment. 00:04:09.990 --> 00:04:12.590 He noted that Paul is happy being back in Los 00:04:12.590 --> 00:04:14.969 Angeles, which clearly weighed heavily on his 00:04:14.969 --> 00:04:17.709 decision. And LeBron concluded by saying Paul 00:04:17.709 --> 00:04:20.300 has nothing to hang his head about. and has done 00:04:20.300 --> 00:04:22.519 pretty much everything this league has to offer. 00:04:22.699 --> 00:04:25.800 That's just a huge acknowledgement of their intertwined 00:04:25.800 --> 00:04:28.560 careers and that mutual respect, especially given 00:04:28.560 --> 00:04:30.839 their history as part of the Banana Boat crew. 00:04:31.000 --> 00:04:33.879 Exactly. And speaking of that rivalry, here's 00:04:33.879 --> 00:04:35.759 a piece of trivia that always surprises people. 00:04:35.959 --> 00:04:38.699 Oh, I like this. Despite LeBron's overall dominance, 00:04:38.980 --> 00:04:42.120 in the regular season, Chris Paul actually leads 00:04:42.120 --> 00:04:44.899 the head -to -head record against James, 18 -17. 00:04:45.139 --> 00:04:47.740 It's so close, but it just shows how competitive 00:04:47.740 --> 00:04:50.720 those matchups were and their only playoff series 00:04:50.720 --> 00:04:54.399 matchup. I remember it well. 2021. 2021. The 00:04:54.399 --> 00:04:57.420 Phoenix Suns, led by Paul, beat LeBron's Lakers 00:04:57.420 --> 00:05:01.720 4 -2. That's a testament to CP3's fierce competitiveness, 00:05:01.860 --> 00:05:05.079 even in the twilight of his career. You can anticipate 00:05:05.079 --> 00:05:08.079 some incredibly intense basketball in the final 00:05:08.079 --> 00:05:10.759 four scheduled meetings between those two L .A. 00:05:10.800 --> 00:05:13.180 rivals this season. Every one of those battles 00:05:13.180 --> 00:05:16.079 will carry historic weight now. Okay, moving 00:05:16.079 --> 00:05:18.980 from a career drawing to a close to a crucial 00:05:18.980 --> 00:05:23.620 return. The Miami Heat are about to get a major 00:05:23.620 --> 00:05:26.459 shot of adrenaline right as they are hitting 00:05:26.459 --> 00:05:28.759 their stride. The Heat are already rolling. They're 00:05:28.759 --> 00:05:30.959 sitting at 11 -6, riding a strong four -game 00:05:30.959 --> 00:05:32.959 win streak. But the real news is the imminent 00:05:32.959 --> 00:05:35.899 return of Tyler Hero. Sources are telling us 00:05:35.899 --> 00:05:38.639 he is expected to make his 2025 -26 season debut 00:05:38.639 --> 00:05:40.860 this Monday night against Dallas Mavericks, pending, 00:05:41.040 --> 00:05:43.060 you know, any last -minute setbacks. And Hero's 00:05:43.060 --> 00:05:45.000 been out since late September, had that ankle 00:05:45.000 --> 00:05:47.079 surgery. The team's been fantastic without him, 00:05:47.100 --> 00:05:49.220 already averaging nearly 125 points per game. 00:05:49.420 --> 00:05:51.300 So here's my challenge for you. The Heat are 00:05:51.300 --> 00:05:53.800 already kick -efficient, leading the league in 00:05:53.800 --> 00:05:57.089 scoring. What risk is there in adding a high 00:05:57.089 --> 00:05:59.829 usage player back into an already humming offense? 00:06:00.110 --> 00:06:02.689 And why does Harrow uniquely accelerate them 00:06:02.689 --> 00:06:05.430 further? That is a critical question, and it 00:06:05.430 --> 00:06:07.550 speaks directly to Eric Spolstra's philosophy. 00:06:08.029 --> 00:06:11.319 The risk is disruption. But the reward is immense 00:06:11.319 --> 00:06:14.040 versatility and relief. The Heat are averaging 00:06:14.040 --> 00:06:18.540 124 .9 points, shooting 48 .2%. Harrow doesn't 00:06:18.540 --> 00:06:21.639 just fill a gap. He provides an elite shot creator 00:06:21.639 --> 00:06:23.939 who can handle defensive pressure when Jimmy 00:06:23.939 --> 00:06:26.879 Butler or Bam Adebayo are resting or facing double 00:06:26.879 --> 00:06:29.079 teams. So he's not just a scorer, he's a pressure 00:06:29.079 --> 00:06:33.100 valve. Exactly. You recall his 2024 -24 -25 All 00:06:33.100 --> 00:06:36.560 -Star season averages? 23 .9 points, 5 .2 rebounds, 00:06:36.579 --> 00:06:39.290 5 .5 assists. all while maintaining a stellar 00:06:39.290 --> 00:06:41.949 56 .3 effective field goal percentage. That's 00:06:41.949 --> 00:06:44.110 efficient. When Harrow returns, he takes significant 00:06:44.110 --> 00:06:46.430 ball handling and playmaking duties away from 00:06:46.430 --> 00:06:48.730 the secondary guards, allowing them to just focus 00:06:48.730 --> 00:06:50.889 on defense and spot up shooting. It means the 00:06:50.889 --> 00:06:52.730 Heat can generate high -quality offense with 00:06:52.730 --> 00:06:54.730 their second unit, which is crucial in a long 00:06:54.730 --> 00:06:57.870 playoff run. So his return signals that Miami 00:06:57.870 --> 00:07:01.029 is moving from good start mode to contender lock 00:07:01.029 --> 00:07:03.069 -in mode even before the All -Star break. That's 00:07:03.069 --> 00:07:06.410 it. Okay. Speaking of missing star power, let's 00:07:06.410 --> 00:07:09.569 pivot to a Western Conference surprise. The Houston 00:07:09.569 --> 00:07:13.730 Rockets. The 10 -4 Rockets, who are performing 00:07:13.730 --> 00:07:17.189 shockingly well. Way above expectations. Yes, 00:07:17.189 --> 00:07:19.810 just one game shy of the West's second seed. 00:07:19.990 --> 00:07:22.509 They are dealing with a short -term loss of Kevin 00:07:22.509 --> 00:07:26.069 Durant. Yeah, Durant's going to miss two... Absolutely 00:07:26.069 --> 00:07:28.970 key upcoming games to attend to a family matter, 00:07:29.069 --> 00:07:30.829 which is certainly understandable, of course. 00:07:30.970 --> 00:07:33.350 But strategically, the timing is rough. Monday, 00:07:33.470 --> 00:07:35.949 they face his former team, the Phoenix Suns. 00:07:35.949 --> 00:07:38.250 And Wednesday, they face his other former team, 00:07:38.370 --> 00:07:41.810 the Golden State Warriors. Durant's impact in 00:07:41.810 --> 00:07:44.329 Houston this season has been immediate and transformative. 00:07:44.470 --> 00:07:47.470 He's averaging 24 .6 points, 4 .8 rebounds, 3 00:07:47.470 --> 00:07:50.329 .3 assists. He provides that veteran shot creation 00:07:50.329 --> 00:07:52.069 and stability that was really the last piece 00:07:52.069 --> 00:07:54.290 of the puzzle for this talented but very young 00:07:54.290 --> 00:07:57.579 core. So losing 25 points of isolation scoring 00:07:57.579 --> 00:08:00.339 for two games against playoff caliber opponents 00:08:00.339 --> 00:08:03.459 is brutal. Who steps up to fill that void? I 00:08:03.459 --> 00:08:05.579 mean, especially given that Durant offers a level 00:08:05.579 --> 00:08:08.319 of scoring gravity, no one else on that roster 00:08:08.319 --> 00:08:11.579 can match. Well, the offensive load falls squarely 00:08:11.579 --> 00:08:13.639 onto the shoulders of Alper and Sengun, but he 00:08:13.639 --> 00:08:16.040 has to carry it differently. Durant provides 00:08:16.040 --> 00:08:18.920 pure bucket getting. Sengun provides creation 00:08:18.920 --> 00:08:21.720 through the post and passing. Sengun is having 00:08:21.720 --> 00:08:24.480 an incredible season, averaging 22 .7 points, 00:08:24.680 --> 00:08:28.439 10 boards, and 7 .3 assists. His playmaking from 00:08:28.439 --> 00:08:30.699 the high or low post will be the Rockets' primary 00:08:30.699 --> 00:08:33.860 offense. And who do you think takes Durant's 00:08:33.860 --> 00:08:35.879 starting spot? In terms of replacing him in the 00:08:35.879 --> 00:08:38.240 lineup, the most likely candidate is Reed Shepard, 00:08:38.379 --> 00:08:40.820 the young guard from Kentucky who has just been 00:08:40.820 --> 00:08:43.220 fantastic off the bench. He's a perimeter specialist. 00:08:43.440 --> 00:08:45.039 Shepard's the perfect candidate to shift the 00:08:45.039 --> 00:08:46.860 team's attack slightly, right? Yeah. Offering 00:08:46.860 --> 00:08:48.500 that floor spacing. Exactly. He's coming off 00:08:48.500 --> 00:08:50.659 a career high, 27 points against the Nuggets 00:08:50.659 --> 00:08:54.200 recently. He's averaging 13 .6 points and 3 .1 00:08:54.200 --> 00:08:57.100 assists in less than 24 minutes a game. And he's 00:08:57.100 --> 00:09:00.279 an elite perimeter shooter, hitting 48 .8 % from 00:09:00.279 --> 00:09:03.799 three. So without Durant, the team doesn't try 00:09:03.799 --> 00:09:06.360 to find another ISO score. They just maximize 00:09:06.360 --> 00:09:09.080 the gravity of Sangun in the post and surround 00:09:09.080 --> 00:09:11.240 him with shooters. So if that's the strategic 00:09:11.240 --> 00:09:13.759 approach, the predicted starting lineup without 00:09:13.759 --> 00:09:17.240 Durant is probably Shepard at point, Eamon Thompson 00:09:17.240 --> 00:09:20.279 at shooting guard, Jabari Smith Jr. at small 00:09:20.279 --> 00:09:23.879 forward, Sangun at power forward, and maybe Steven 00:09:23.879 --> 00:09:27.080 Adams at center. That lineup prioritizes floor 00:09:27.080 --> 00:09:30.519 spacing and rebounding. It aims to run the offense 00:09:30.519 --> 00:09:33.580 through the flow generated by Sangun. Jabari 00:09:33.580 --> 00:09:35.700 Smith Jr. is also shooting well from deep, and 00:09:35.700 --> 00:09:37.820 even Sangun is highly efficient from outside. 00:09:38.539 --> 00:09:40.940 This will be a great early test for coach Ime 00:09:40.940 --> 00:09:43.179 Udoka's young core to show Durant that they can 00:09:43.179 --> 00:09:45.419 stabilize the team and find ways to win in his 00:09:45.419 --> 00:09:47.620 absence. While the Lakers also survived a major 00:09:47.620 --> 00:09:49.879 scare and an injury in their weekend action, 00:09:50.059 --> 00:09:52.419 they beat the Utah Jazz 108 -106. That's their 00:09:52.419 --> 00:09:54.440 second win over the Jazz this week, moving them 00:09:54.440 --> 00:09:57.169 to an impressive 12 -4 overall. It was far from 00:09:57.169 --> 00:09:59.409 a convincing victory, though, and we saw some 00:09:59.409 --> 00:10:02.110 physiological trauma. Luka Doncic led the team 00:10:02.110 --> 00:10:05.769 with 33 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists, nearly 00:10:05.769 --> 00:10:07.889 hitting that triple -double. But he admitted 00:10:07.889 --> 00:10:10.129 after the game that his legs felt tired after 00:10:10.129 --> 00:10:12.870 a four -day break. Really? Yeah, it led to a 00:10:12.870 --> 00:10:16.149 rough 10 -for -24 shooting night. He specifically 00:10:16.149 --> 00:10:19.250 noted he was taking a lot of short shots, which 00:10:19.250 --> 00:10:21.370 indicates his lift and explosiveness were just 00:10:21.370 --> 00:10:25.309 lacking. That seems so counterintuitive. In theory, 00:10:25.509 --> 00:10:28.110 four days off should revitalize a star, especially 00:10:28.110 --> 00:10:30.490 this early in the season. Why would that lead 00:10:30.490 --> 00:10:33.070 to fatigue? It's a classic case of disrupted 00:10:33.070 --> 00:10:35.830 rhythm. When athletes are in peak game shape, 00:10:35.929 --> 00:10:38.549 a sudden long break can actually tighten the 00:10:38.549 --> 00:10:41.070 muscles and affect the neural pathways that dictate 00:10:41.070 --> 00:10:45.029 explosiveness. Ah. Doncic has such a high usage 00:10:45.029 --> 00:10:47.669 rate that his body is used to operating under 00:10:47.669 --> 00:10:50.769 constant stress. Four days of relative rest can 00:10:50.769 --> 00:10:52.750 sometimes lead to stiffness when they jump back 00:10:52.750 --> 00:10:55.100 into competitive action. He thought the time 00:10:55.100 --> 00:10:56.879 off would make things easier, but instead he 00:10:56.879 --> 00:10:59.360 said it felt harder. And the whole team struggled, 00:10:59.500 --> 00:11:01.879 right? Shooting just 44 % from the field and 00:11:01.879 --> 00:11:04.899 a dismal 26 % from three. Yeah, they relied heavily 00:11:04.899 --> 00:11:07.320 on Luka's output. And what about the other legend 00:11:07.320 --> 00:11:10.820 on that Lakers roster, LeBron James? He's setting 00:11:10.820 --> 00:11:13.320 an unprecedented standard just by being on the 00:11:13.320 --> 00:11:16.500 court for his 23rd season. LeBron, at age 40, 00:11:16.659 --> 00:11:19.799 played 34 minutes in that contest. And he was 00:11:19.799 --> 00:11:22.379 brutally honest afterward. He said that this 00:11:22.379 --> 00:11:25.120 past week specifically was kind of like my training 00:11:25.120 --> 00:11:27.379 camp for me, to be honest. Wow. He missed the 00:11:27.379 --> 00:11:30.200 first 14 regular season games while rehabbing 00:11:30.200 --> 00:11:33.100 sciatica, so he never got the benefit of training 00:11:33.100 --> 00:11:35.480 camp or a preseason ramp up. Calling the middle 00:11:35.480 --> 00:11:37.700 of November his training camp is a remarkable 00:11:37.700 --> 00:11:40.919 admission. What does that tell you about how 00:11:40.919 --> 00:11:43.240 the Lakers are managing his workload moving forward? 00:11:43.799 --> 00:11:46.059 It suggests two things. First, he is operating 00:11:46.059 --> 00:11:48.139 under less than ideal physical circumstances, 00:11:48.299 --> 00:11:50.600 which means Redick has to be strategic about 00:11:50.600 --> 00:11:53.059 maximizing his limited availability. Second, 00:11:53.259 --> 00:11:55.720 the Lakers likely view this entire first quarter 00:11:55.720 --> 00:11:58.419 of the season as his gradual wrap up. The team 00:11:58.419 --> 00:12:00.320 knows they need him healthy in May and June. 00:12:00.379 --> 00:12:02.740 So even if they struggle slightly now, those 00:12:02.740 --> 00:12:05.299 32, 34 minutes he's playing are building the 00:12:05.299 --> 00:12:07.259 necessary physical foundation that he missed 00:12:07.259 --> 00:12:09.909 in October. and he's been remarkably efficient 00:12:09.909 --> 00:12:12.590 despite the lack of base conditioning. Incredibly, 00:12:12.669 --> 00:12:15.730 dishing out 20 total assists against just three 00:12:15.730 --> 00:12:18.230 turnovers in his two appearances since returning. 00:12:18.409 --> 00:12:20.789 But the major concern from that win against Utah, 00:12:20.870 --> 00:12:23.409 however, is the injury suffered by their center, 00:12:23.590 --> 00:12:26.269 DeAndre Ayton. That's a potentially significant 00:12:26.269 --> 00:12:29.230 frontcourt blow right before they play the Clippers. 00:12:29.850 --> 00:12:31.730 Aiton suffered a right knee contusion in the 00:12:31.730 --> 00:12:34.289 first half after colliding with Ace Bailey, and 00:12:34.289 --> 00:12:36.450 that forced him out for the second half. Coach 00:12:36.450 --> 00:12:38.409 J .J. Redick didn't speculate on the severity, 00:12:38.570 --> 00:12:41.590 but he delivered the classic next man up message. 00:12:42.190 --> 00:12:44.690 Aiton's having a really underappreciated start 00:12:44.690 --> 00:12:47.370 to his Lakers tenure, isn't he? If he is ruled 00:12:47.370 --> 00:12:50.049 out for any significant time, who steps into 00:12:50.049 --> 00:12:52.570 that center rotation and how does that change 00:12:52.570 --> 00:12:55.029 the team's defensive structure? He is incredibly 00:12:55.029 --> 00:12:57.840 underappreciated. Ayton, who signed that two 00:12:57.840 --> 00:13:00.799 -year $16 million deal this offseason, is averaging 00:13:00.799 --> 00:13:03.580 15 .5 points and 8 .4 rebounds. He's already 00:13:03.580 --> 00:13:06.379 put up four 20 -10 games, matching his total 00:13:06.379 --> 00:13:08.519 from all of last year. His health is crucial. 00:13:08.779 --> 00:13:11.820 So who's next up? If he's out, Redick feels confident 00:13:11.820 --> 00:13:14.580 in his options, mainly Jackson Hayes and Maxi 00:13:14.580 --> 00:13:16.840 Kleber. And this is where the strategic choice 00:13:16.840 --> 00:13:20.799 comes in. Hayes is purely a rim runner, preferring 00:13:20.799 --> 00:13:23.120 the dunker spot, providing verticality, which 00:13:23.120 --> 00:13:25.870 might work well with Doncic's passing. Kleber 00:13:25.870 --> 00:13:28.149 offers floor spacing with his three -point shooting, 00:13:28.230 --> 00:13:30.309 which pulls the opposing center out of the paint, 00:13:30.509 --> 00:13:33.090 benefiting LeBron and Doncic's driving lanes. 00:13:33.289 --> 00:13:36.129 So the choice between them really dictates whether 00:13:36.129 --> 00:13:38.509 the Lakers prioritize rim protection with Hayes 00:13:38.509 --> 00:13:41.470 or floor spacing with Kleber. Exactly. Okay, 00:13:41.529 --> 00:13:43.730 let's quickly wrap up a couple of other key NBA 00:13:43.730 --> 00:13:46.110 weekend results, starting with the Phoenix Suns. 00:13:46.129 --> 00:13:48.269 Phoenix secured their third straight victory, 00:13:48.490 --> 00:13:52.320 beating the San Antonio Spurs 111 -102. What's 00:13:52.320 --> 00:13:54.820 noteworthy here is that Phoenix overcame an 11 00:13:54.820 --> 00:13:57.379 -point deficit in the second quarter by absolutely 00:13:57.379 --> 00:14:00.100 locking down defensively and unleashing a dominant 00:14:00.100 --> 00:14:03.519 37 -24 third quarter run. And Devin Booker just 00:14:03.519 --> 00:14:05.240 took over in that third quarter. He did, with 00:14:05.240 --> 00:14:07.700 11 points in that period alone. And Dylan Brooks, 00:14:07.879 --> 00:14:10.059 an offseason acquisition, is really stepping 00:14:10.059 --> 00:14:12.649 up as a key secondary scorer, too. Brooks led 00:14:12.649 --> 00:14:15.809 Phoenix with 25 points. Booker's added 24. And 00:14:15.809 --> 00:14:17.529 they needed every one of those points because 00:14:17.529 --> 00:14:21.230 the Spurs were severely undermanned. Victor Wambanyama 00:14:21.230 --> 00:14:23.509 is still out with that left calf strain, expected 00:14:23.509 --> 00:14:25.950 to miss at least another week. They were also, 00:14:26.049 --> 00:14:28.710 without starting forward, Stephon Castle and 00:14:28.710 --> 00:14:30.649 the rookie second overall pick Dylan Harper. 00:14:31.340 --> 00:14:34.240 Also due to a left calf strain. So even though 00:14:34.240 --> 00:14:36.220 the Suns were missing key players themselves, 00:14:36.820 --> 00:14:39.799 Jalen Green, Grayson Allen, and Ryan Dunn, they 00:14:39.799 --> 00:14:42.179 managed to rally and win. That shows their improved 00:14:42.179 --> 00:14:44.320 mental toughness under Frank Vogel. It does. 00:14:44.539 --> 00:14:46.799 Over the Northwest, the Oklahoma City Thunder. 00:14:47.539 --> 00:14:50.159 continue their absolute dominance. They delivered 00:14:50.159 --> 00:14:52.440 a decisive steertment, blowing out the Portland 00:14:52.440 --> 00:14:56.639 Trailblazers 122 -95. And this win served as 00:14:56.639 --> 00:14:59.080 sweet revenge for the Thunder, as Portland was 00:14:59.080 --> 00:15:01.179 responsible for their only loss of the season 00:15:01.179 --> 00:15:05.179 back on November 5th. So now OKC is 17 -1, best 00:15:05.179 --> 00:15:07.019 record in the NBA. And they're doing it with 00:15:07.019 --> 00:15:10.480 consistency. Reigning MVP Shai Gilgis -Alexander 00:15:10.480 --> 00:15:13.679 was just unstoppable. But what was the key difference 00:15:13.679 --> 00:15:16.399 in his approach this time? He set the tone early. 00:15:16.620 --> 00:15:19.620 He focused heavily on attacking the paint, not 00:15:19.620 --> 00:15:22.799 settling for jumpers. Eight of his 10 first half 00:15:22.799 --> 00:15:25.059 field goals came inside the arc and he finished 00:15:25.059 --> 00:15:28.820 with 37 points in just 30 minutes. Wow. The Thunder 00:15:28.820 --> 00:15:31.740 absolutely owned the paint, racking up 58 points 00:15:31.740 --> 00:15:34.559 there. Conversely, the Blazers struggled terribly, 00:15:34.720 --> 00:15:37.720 shooting a season -worst 36 .3 % overall and 00:15:37.720 --> 00:15:41.159 12 for 47 from three. Jeremy Grant led Portland 00:15:41.159 --> 00:15:43.919 with 21, but the lack of perimeter threat just 00:15:43.919 --> 00:15:46.240 allowed the Thunder to clog the paint and force 00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:49.139 tough shots. And finally... We saw a tight battle 00:15:49.139 --> 00:15:51.120 in the Southeast Division between the Hawks and 00:15:51.120 --> 00:15:54.059 the Hornets that required some clutch heroics. 00:15:54.139 --> 00:15:56.759 The Atlanta Hawks just edged out a shorthanded 00:15:56.759 --> 00:15:59.740 Charlotte Hornets team, 113 -110, thanks to a 00:15:59.740 --> 00:16:02.500 huge night from Nikael Alexander -Walker. He 00:16:02.500 --> 00:16:04.860 scored 23 points, but his clutch performance 00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:06.820 was what sealed it. Right. He hit the game -winning 00:16:06.820 --> 00:16:09.200 layup with under two minutes left. Made it 111 00:16:09.200 --> 00:16:11.360 -110, and then he stripped rookie con Muppet 00:16:11.360 --> 00:16:13.419 of the ball with only six seconds remaining to 00:16:13.419 --> 00:16:15.960 preserve the victory. That's just pure defensive 00:16:15.960 --> 00:16:18.139 execution in a high -pressure moment. It's a 00:16:18.139 --> 00:16:20.700 great individual effort, but the sustained story 00:16:20.700 --> 00:16:23.379 here for the Hawks might be the continued descent 00:16:23.379 --> 00:16:26.120 of Jalen Johnson. Oh, absolutely. Johnson had 00:16:26.120 --> 00:16:29.279 28 points, 11 assists, and 8 rebounds, which 00:16:29.279 --> 00:16:32.080 is truly remarkable, especially for a player 00:16:32.080 --> 00:16:34.460 who was once viewed primarily as just a rebounder. 00:16:34.600 --> 00:16:36.659 And that performance means he has now tallied 00:16:36.659 --> 00:16:40.059 15 -plus points, 5 -plus rebounds, and 5 -plus 00:16:40.059 --> 00:16:43.480 assists in 8 consecutive games. 8 straight. And 00:16:43.480 --> 00:16:46.320 that breaks a franchise record set way back in 00:16:46.320 --> 00:16:49.539 1965 by the late Lenny Wilkins. The fact that 00:16:49.539 --> 00:16:51.879 he's surpassing a record held by a Hall of Famer 00:16:51.879 --> 00:16:55.000 like Wilkins speaks to his emergence as a true 00:16:55.000 --> 00:16:57.980 point forward in the modern NBA. And the Hornets, 00:16:58.059 --> 00:17:00.820 despite missing six key players, including Lavella 00:17:00.820 --> 00:17:03.460 Ball and Brandon Miller, still pushed Atlanta 00:17:03.460 --> 00:17:06.039 to the absolute limit. They did, thanks largely 00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:08.559 to rookie Kun Muppel, who had a standout night 00:17:08.559 --> 00:17:10.759 for them, scoring 28 points, including seven 00:17:10.759 --> 00:17:13.440 three -pointers. He even hit a four -point play 00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:16.019 late to give Charlotte a temporary lead. A gutsy 00:17:16.019 --> 00:17:18.019 effort from a depleted squad, but ultimately, 00:17:18.220 --> 00:17:20.819 Alexander Walker's veteran defense just shut 00:17:20.819 --> 00:17:23.039 the door. It did. Okay, let's unpack this shift 00:17:23.039 --> 00:17:25.720 in the league. We've seen the games. Now let's 00:17:25.720 --> 00:17:28.740 talk strategy and the intricate financial maneuvers 00:17:28.740 --> 00:17:32.440 that define championship contention. The trade 00:17:32.440 --> 00:17:34.779 rumors are starting to heat up. They always do 00:17:34.779 --> 00:17:37.000 around this time. Especially for contending teams 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:39.660 looking to solidify one position, like the Boston 00:17:39.660 --> 00:17:42.250 Celtics at center. The Celtics have managed their 00:17:42.250 --> 00:17:44.670 center rotation through, you know, effort and 00:17:44.670 --> 00:17:48.210 committee. Yemias Cueta, Luka Garza, Chris Boucher, 00:17:48.309 --> 00:17:50.569 and Xavier Tillman are giving them dependable 00:17:50.569 --> 00:17:53.089 minutes. But the rotation still feels like a 00:17:53.089 --> 00:17:55.690 strong bench unit rather than a true starting 00:17:55.690 --> 00:17:58.910 anchor. More importantly, with Jason Tatum returning 00:17:58.910 --> 00:18:01.509 from that Achilles surgery, the Celtics need 00:18:01.509 --> 00:18:04.589 specific stability at the five to manage Tatum's 00:18:04.589 --> 00:18:06.809 minutes and maximize his impact when he is on 00:18:06.809 --> 00:18:09.279 the floor. So the Celtics are looking for stability 00:18:09.279 --> 00:18:11.579 and clarity at the five, and the name coming 00:18:11.579 --> 00:18:14.039 up repeatedly is Daniel Gafford of the Mavericks. 00:18:14.660 --> 00:18:17.480 Why is he such a clean fit for Boston's system, 00:18:17.559 --> 00:18:20.740 which often requires floor spacing? Well, Gafford 00:18:20.740 --> 00:18:23.220 is a fit precisely because of what he doesn't 00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:25.640 do. Oh, interesting. He doesn't demand the ball, 00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:27.599 and he doesn't compromise the structure built 00:18:27.599 --> 00:18:30.319 around Tatum and Jalen Brown. Boston's identity 00:18:30.319 --> 00:18:33.000 is defined by guard play, spacing, movement, 00:18:33.119 --> 00:18:36.240 and defense. They do not need a high -usage big 00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:38.539 man who steps outside the arc. So he just brings 00:18:38.539 --> 00:18:40.740 clarity. Gafford is the definition of clarity. 00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:43.680 He protects the rim, runs hard in transition, 00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:47.180 screens effectively, and that's crucial, setting 00:18:47.180 --> 00:18:49.680 solid screens to free up brown and white, and 00:18:49.680 --> 00:18:52.680 he finishes lobs at an elite rate. He keeps the 00:18:52.680 --> 00:18:54.599 game simple for them, allowing their primary 00:18:54.599 --> 00:18:57.480 creators to operate without traffic. And we know 00:18:57.480 --> 00:19:00.240 he has playoff experience, averaged 12 .4 points 00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:02.740 and 6 .3 rebounds in 22 minutes last season, 00:19:02.799 --> 00:19:05.019 even started 22 playoff games during Dallas' 00:19:05.200 --> 00:19:08.740 2024 Finals run. Exactly. He is reliable. A potential 00:19:08.740 --> 00:19:11.230 starting five of Peyton Pritchard, White, Brown, 00:19:11.369 --> 00:19:13.789 Tatum and Gafford is simple, balanced and predictable. 00:19:14.250 --> 00:19:16.609 Gafford doesn't need plays run for him. He just 00:19:16.609 --> 00:19:19.009 provides the stability necessary for Joe Missoula 00:19:19.009 --> 00:19:21.150 to maintain defensive structure and for the guards 00:19:21.150 --> 00:19:24.490 to operate. He's the classic high IQ, low maintenance, 00:19:24.630 --> 00:19:27.369 big man. OK, now let's tackle the financial side, 00:19:27.509 --> 00:19:29.529 because this is where the sophistication of the 00:19:29.529 --> 00:19:32.650 trade comes in. The proposed three team deal 00:19:32.650 --> 00:19:36.089 involving Dallas and Brooklyn addresses Boston's 00:19:36.089 --> 00:19:38.569 tricky financial situation near the salary apron. 00:19:39.759 --> 00:19:42.180 Can you explain the salary apron and why this 00:19:42.180 --> 00:19:45.140 trade is so clever in navigating it? So the salary 00:19:45.140 --> 00:19:47.680 apron is the hard cap threshold set significantly 00:19:47.680 --> 00:19:51.319 above the luxury tax line. Once a team crosses 00:19:51.319 --> 00:19:53.980 the apron, they lose access to several critical 00:19:53.980 --> 00:19:56.940 roster building tools, like the mid -level exception 00:19:56.940 --> 00:19:59.519 and the ability to take back more salary in trades. 00:19:59.740 --> 00:20:01.440 And the Celtics are right up against that. They're 00:20:01.440 --> 00:20:04.279 operating very close to that limit. The financial 00:20:04.279 --> 00:20:06.819 centerpiece for Boston to shed is on Farnese 00:20:06.819 --> 00:20:09.809 Simons. He's a talented, productive player on 00:20:09.809 --> 00:20:12.089 a valuable expiring contract. But the Celtics' 00:20:12.150 --> 00:20:13.890 financial reality makes it almost impossible 00:20:13.890 --> 00:20:16.230 to retain him long term without blowing past 00:20:16.230 --> 00:20:18.329 the apron and handcuffing their future flexibility. 00:20:18.690 --> 00:20:21.009 So they use Simons, whom they can't afford to 00:20:21.009 --> 00:20:23.509 keep, to acquire Gafford, whom they can keep 00:20:23.509 --> 00:20:25.750 long term on a manageable contract. Plus, they 00:20:25.750 --> 00:20:28.289 gain something massive in the process. Precisely. 00:20:28.289 --> 00:20:31.250 In the proposed framework, Boston sends Simons 00:20:31.250 --> 00:20:34.049 to Dallas, receives Gafford, and they are left 00:20:34.049 --> 00:20:37.269 with a massive $27 .7 million trade exception 00:20:37.269 --> 00:20:40.009 derived from Simons' salary. Which is basically 00:20:40.009 --> 00:20:42.049 a coupon. It's a coupon the team can use later 00:20:42.049 --> 00:20:44.710 to acquire players via trade without having to 00:20:44.710 --> 00:20:47.569 send matching salary back. It's a future spending 00:20:47.569 --> 00:20:50.529 power they bank today by offloading Simons' contract. 00:20:50.849 --> 00:20:54.210 That's a classic contender move, prioritizing 00:20:54.210 --> 00:20:56.539 the... Right kind of solution for this stage 00:20:56.539 --> 00:20:59.519 of the window. Stability and flexibility over 00:20:59.519 --> 00:21:01.400 retaining a productive player they couldn't afford 00:21:01.400 --> 00:21:04.559 anyway. It's stability over upside swings. Gafford 00:21:04.559 --> 00:21:06.839 stabilizes the middle without compromising the 00:21:06.839 --> 00:21:09.079 ceiling, and that massive trade exception provides 00:21:09.079 --> 00:21:11.240 insurance and flexibility for the next year or 00:21:11.240 --> 00:21:13.799 two, allowing them to acquire another piece if 00:21:13.799 --> 00:21:16.319 needed without breaking the bank. Okay, shifting 00:21:16.319 --> 00:21:18.700 to another high -profile Eastern Conference team 00:21:18.700 --> 00:21:21.039 searching for an immediate upgrade, the New York 00:21:21.039 --> 00:21:24.279 Knicks. They are reportedly eyeing a massive... 00:21:24.519 --> 00:21:27.259 franchise -altering trade target in Anthony Davis 00:21:27.259 --> 00:21:29.960 of the Mavericks. The Knicks, sitting at 9 -6, 00:21:30.299 --> 00:21:33.359 have looked ordinary. They've struggled with 00:21:33.359 --> 00:21:36.299 consistency. They are 18th in the league in defensive 00:21:36.299 --> 00:21:40.119 rating at 114 .8. This is a team that wants to 00:21:40.119 --> 00:21:41.920 win a title this season, according to reports, 00:21:42.279 --> 00:21:45.039 and they view a move for an established superstar 00:21:45.039 --> 00:21:48.779 as necessary to close the gap on Boston and Milwaukee. 00:21:49.220 --> 00:21:51.940 And Davis, when he's healthy, provides immediate 00:21:51.940 --> 00:21:54.700 two -way dominance and is a championship caliber 00:21:54.700 --> 00:21:57.349 anchor. Before his injury this season, he was 00:21:57.349 --> 00:22:00.470 averaging 20 .8 points, 10 .2 rebounds, 1 .6 00:22:00.470 --> 00:22:03.910 steals, and 1 .2 blocks on 52 % shooting. He 00:22:03.910 --> 00:22:06.190 radically transforms the Knicks' defensive ceiling, 00:22:06.269 --> 00:22:08.500 which is exactly what they need. What's fascinating 00:22:08.500 --> 00:22:10.420 here is the report that Dallas is rumored to 00:22:10.420 --> 00:22:12.700 be considering a foundational shift, perhaps 00:22:12.700 --> 00:22:14.880 even a rebuild around Kyrie Irving and young 00:22:14.880 --> 00:22:17.539 talent like Cooper Flagg, which would make Davis 00:22:17.539 --> 00:22:20.220 potentially available at what is termed a below 00:22:20.220 --> 00:22:22.619 market cost. If Dallas is even thinking about 00:22:22.619 --> 00:22:24.359 offering Davis, the Knicks have to pick up the 00:22:24.359 --> 00:22:26.339 moan. Immediately. OK, so there are two potential 00:22:26.339 --> 00:22:28.480 trade packages being floated. The first is a 00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:31.019 straight up high salary swap that might be the 00:22:31.019 --> 00:22:33.240 cleanest path financially. That's the Anthony 00:22:33.240 --> 00:22:36.720 Davis for Carl Anthony Towns swap. Davis at $54 00:22:36.720 --> 00:22:40.519 .1 million for Towns at $53 .1 million. Their 00:22:40.519 --> 00:22:43.460 massive contracts basically offset, making it 00:22:43.460 --> 00:22:45.559 clean under the salary cap. The Knicks would 00:22:45.559 --> 00:22:47.799 likely view this as a chance to offload Towns, 00:22:47.799 --> 00:22:50.019 especially considering his defensive shortcomings 00:22:50.019 --> 00:22:52.720 in Thibodeau's system, for a more reliable championship 00:22:52.720 --> 00:22:55.420 -experienced anchor in Davis. And for Dallas. 00:22:55.680 --> 00:22:58.259 It provides a different kind of offensive centerpiece 00:22:58.259 --> 00:23:00.359 if they decide to move on from Davis' injury 00:23:00.359 --> 00:23:03.049 history. The second proposal, however, is the 00:23:03.049 --> 00:23:05.569 Rebuild Package, designed to align with Dallas' 00:23:05.750 --> 00:23:08.049 potential long -term goals, and it would cost 00:23:08.049 --> 00:23:10.289 the Knicks dearly in terms of their depth. This 00:23:10.289 --> 00:23:13.170 package is OG Anunobi, Mitchell Robinson, Tyler 00:23:13.170 --> 00:23:16.650 Kolek, and a 2026 Top 8 protected first -round 00:23:16.650 --> 00:23:18.869 pick in exchange for Davis. This one favors Dallas 00:23:18.869 --> 00:23:21.529 significantly. It offers Anunobi for wing depth, 00:23:21.750 --> 00:23:24.529 Robinson as a solid defensive big, Kolek as a 00:23:24.529 --> 00:23:26.410 backup point guard, and a future first -round 00:23:26.410 --> 00:23:28.680 pick. high quality depth and a future asset. 00:23:28.920 --> 00:23:31.180 But for the Knicks, this is a major dilemma. 00:23:31.460 --> 00:23:34.700 They value Anunabi and Robinson highly for their 00:23:34.700 --> 00:23:37.819 current defensive identity. And Davis's persistent 00:23:37.819 --> 00:23:40.920 injury history makes paying that premium price 00:23:40.920 --> 00:23:43.640 for him controversial, even if he delivers a 00:23:43.640 --> 00:23:47.079 title. It does. So how does a move for AD shift 00:23:47.079 --> 00:23:49.220 the perception of the Knicks' competitive window 00:23:49.220 --> 00:23:51.869 against the Celtics and Bucs? It accelerates 00:23:51.869 --> 00:23:54.670 it immensely but introduces high variance. Trading 00:23:54.670 --> 00:23:57.150 a Noonerby and Robinson gives up the defensive 00:23:57.150 --> 00:24:00.470 DNA of the current roster. If Davis stays healthy, 00:24:00.670 --> 00:24:03.009 the Knicks immediately become a true title threat, 00:24:03.170 --> 00:24:05.930 capable of beating anyone in a seven -game series 00:24:05.930 --> 00:24:08.210 thanks to his defensive presence alongside Jalen 00:24:08.210 --> 00:24:10.410 Brunson. But if he gets injured? They've sacrificed 00:24:10.410 --> 00:24:13.250 their depth and defense for nothing. This raises 00:24:13.250 --> 00:24:15.930 a huge question for New York. How much future 00:24:15.930 --> 00:24:17.930 depth and defense are you willing to sacrifice 00:24:17.930 --> 00:24:20.069 for the high -risk, high -reward proposition 00:24:20.069 --> 00:24:22.430 of... of a star like Davis who has proven he 00:24:22.430 --> 00:24:25.069 can win but is often unavailable. It's a move 00:24:25.069 --> 00:24:27.549 that defines championship ambition versus roster 00:24:27.549 --> 00:24:29.930 stability. That's the defining strategic choice 00:24:29.930 --> 00:24:32.329 facing their front office right now. It is. Speaking 00:24:32.329 --> 00:24:34.029 of roster stability, let's look at the Detroit 00:24:34.029 --> 00:24:36.890 Pistons. They are dealing with their own trade 00:24:36.890 --> 00:24:39.789 rumors centered around Tobias Harris, but for 00:24:39.789 --> 00:24:43.029 very different reasons. They seem to be prioritizing 00:24:43.029 --> 00:24:45.750 chemistry over asset management. Tobias Harris 00:24:45.750 --> 00:24:48.730 is the Pistons' second highest paid player, and 00:24:48.730 --> 00:24:51.809 his contract is expiring this season. Standard 00:24:51.809 --> 00:24:54.029 league practice dictates that expiring contracts 00:24:54.029 --> 00:24:56.470 are highly valuable for salary matching in any 00:24:56.470 --> 00:24:59.809 blockbuster trade to acquire a star. So most 00:24:59.809 --> 00:25:02.170 mock trades assume Harris must be moved. Right. 00:25:02.269 --> 00:25:04.470 Otherwise, the Pistons lose a massive asset for 00:25:04.470 --> 00:25:07.349 nothing in free agency. Exactly. But the Pistons' 00:25:07.369 --> 00:25:09.990 front office seems hesitant, despite the ability 00:25:09.990 --> 00:25:12.269 to potentially acquire a star without losing 00:25:12.269 --> 00:25:14.609 Harris for nothing. So what's the counterpoint? 00:25:14.690 --> 00:25:17.069 Why is that internal chemistry so valuable right 00:25:17.069 --> 00:25:19.670 now? The counterpoint is chemistry, continuity, 00:25:19.910 --> 00:25:22.549 and internal trust, especially for a young team 00:25:22.549 --> 00:25:25.589 that is experiencing early success. Aris was 00:25:25.589 --> 00:25:28.349 brought in specifically to be a reliable veteran 00:25:28.349 --> 00:25:30.750 presence. He's a guy who can get a bucket and 00:25:30.750 --> 00:25:33.390 play solid defense, but crucially, he has the 00:25:33.390 --> 00:25:36.490 ear of the young core Cunningham, Thompson, Duren, 00:25:36.670 --> 00:25:39.089 and Ivy without acting like a drill sergeant. 00:25:39.230 --> 00:25:41.890 Or taking away their opportunities for growth. 00:25:42.069 --> 00:25:45.210 Yes, he offers consistent professionalism. So 00:25:45.210 --> 00:25:48.039 Trajan Langdon, the front office leader, values 00:25:48.039 --> 00:25:50.980 the structure and stability Harris provides more 00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:52.839 than the theoretical star they could acquire. 00:25:53.160 --> 00:25:55.539 Absolutely. They believe the team is humming 00:25:55.539 --> 00:25:58.220 right now, playing well and developing cohesion, 00:25:58.339 --> 00:26:00.440 and they don't want to disrupt that internal 00:26:00.440 --> 00:26:03.519 rhythm just to chase a big name. The priority 00:26:03.519 --> 00:26:06.440 is seeing how far the current core can grow internally. 00:26:06.940 --> 00:26:09.400 The best case scenario is that one of those young 00:26:09.400 --> 00:26:12.880 guys, Thompson, Duren, or Ivy, develops into 00:26:12.880 --> 00:26:15.160 the secondary star they need, avoiding the cost 00:26:15.160 --> 00:26:17.000 of a trade. And they're looking at the defending 00:26:17.000 --> 00:26:19.319 champion Thunder as an example of that internal 00:26:19.319 --> 00:26:21.859 growth success. Exactly. There is a strong belief 00:26:21.859 --> 00:26:23.779 that Harris could finish the season and maybe 00:26:23.779 --> 00:26:26.380 even his career in Detroit, provided the team 00:26:26.380 --> 00:26:29.799 continues its upward trajectory. That's a profound 00:26:29.799 --> 00:26:32.539 contrast to the Knicks' desperation. It really 00:26:32.539 --> 00:26:34.859 frames the different timelines teams operate 00:26:34.859 --> 00:26:37.680 on. OK, let's switch gears dramatically and move 00:26:37.680 --> 00:26:39.819 to the NCAA, where the Players' Era Festival 00:26:39.819 --> 00:26:42.059 is completely reshaping the early season calendar 00:26:42.059 --> 00:26:44.680 and the economics of college basketball. This 00:26:44.680 --> 00:26:46.799 is a revolutionary event in college basketball, 00:26:47.000 --> 00:26:50.220 and we really need to understand why. It's expanding 00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:54.500 in 2025 to feature 18 men's teams and four women's 00:26:54.500 --> 00:26:57.160 teams, taking place across the MGM Grand Garden 00:26:57.160 --> 00:27:00.279 Arena and the Michelob Ultray Arena in Las Vegas. 00:27:00.460 --> 00:27:03.200 This isn't just an MTE. No. It's a financial 00:27:03.200 --> 00:27:05.920 powerhouse disguised as a tournament. And beyond 00:27:05.920 --> 00:27:07.640 the competitive schedule, what makes this event 00:27:07.640 --> 00:27:11.039 truly revolutionary is the name, image, and likeness 00:27:11.039 --> 00:27:13.599 factor. We need to be clear about how this NIL 00:27:13.599 --> 00:27:16.160 money is structured. It is entirely NIL -driven, 00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:18.740 and it fundamentally changes recruiting. The 00:27:18.740 --> 00:27:20.859 participating teams are guaranteed to receive 00:27:20.859 --> 00:27:24.160 at least a total of $1 million worth of NIL opportunities 00:27:24.160 --> 00:27:26.980 and activities. This money is not paid to the 00:27:26.980 --> 00:27:29.259 coach or the school. It goes directly to the 00:27:29.259 --> 00:27:31.440 players through collective activities. And the 00:27:31.440 --> 00:27:33.680 structure itself rewards performance. It does. 00:27:34.269 --> 00:27:36.170 Teams that finish two WIO after the first two 00:27:36.170 --> 00:27:38.089 days qualify for the championship and third place 00:27:38.089 --> 00:27:40.430 games and have opportunities for more money from 00:27:40.430 --> 00:27:43.910 an additional pool of about $2 million. So winning 00:27:43.910 --> 00:27:46.430 literally pays more for the athletes. Yeah. How 00:27:46.430 --> 00:27:48.390 is this financial compensation structure? What 00:27:48.390 --> 00:27:50.519 are these activities? The activities are mainly 00:27:50.519 --> 00:27:53.339 filming, posting, and content creation for corporate 00:27:53.339 --> 00:27:56.539 brands and sponsors, both on -site in Vegas and 00:27:56.539 --> 00:27:59.720 after the fact, similar to any professional influencer 00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:03.079 contract. And the key mechanism here is the value 00:28:03.079 --> 00:28:06.059 dictated by the athlete's influence. For example, 00:28:06.259 --> 00:28:08.700 Michigan's starting point guard, Elliot Cadeau, 00:28:08.819 --> 00:28:14.069 has 255 ,000 Instagram followers. His guaranteed 00:28:14.069 --> 00:28:16.329 compensation from this event will be exponentially 00:28:16.329 --> 00:28:18.950 higher than a teammate like Yaxel Lendeborg, 00:28:19.089 --> 00:28:21.190 who might have a fraction of that reach. So the 00:28:21.190 --> 00:28:23.809 popularity and influence of the athlete dictates 00:28:23.809 --> 00:28:26.170 the value of the compensation, much like how 00:28:26.170 --> 00:28:28.369 celebrities are paid for endorsements. That's 00:28:28.369 --> 00:28:30.190 it. This is effectively the financial opening 00:28:30.190 --> 00:28:32.089 of the college basketball season, integrated 00:28:32.089 --> 00:28:34.609 right into the competitive structure. And Michigan, 00:28:34.829 --> 00:28:37.650 under coach Dusty May, is a huge example of a 00:28:37.650 --> 00:28:39.710 traditional institution buying into this new 00:28:39.710 --> 00:28:42.670 model, right? Yes. Michigan signed on after seeing 00:28:42.670 --> 00:28:44.910 the success of last year's event, which was won 00:28:44.910 --> 00:28:47.549 by Oregon. And crucially, Michigan's assistant 00:28:47.549 --> 00:28:49.930 coach noted that they factored this guaranteed 00:28:49.930 --> 00:28:53.390 NIL payout into the total program offerings for 00:28:53.390 --> 00:28:55.690 their players before the season started. So it's 00:28:55.690 --> 00:28:57.529 not a bonus. It's part of their standard compensation 00:28:57.529 --> 00:29:00.450 package for the season. Exactly. This guaranteed 00:29:00.450 --> 00:29:03.509 pool of money makes it a highly attractive destination 00:29:03.509 --> 00:29:06.690 for top recruits. Let's run down the men's schedule 00:29:06.690 --> 00:29:09.069 highlights, starting today. Monday, November 00:29:09.069 --> 00:29:12.289 24th, because this is an absolute gauntlet of 00:29:12.289 --> 00:29:15.309 top teams all aiming for that championship prize 00:29:15.309 --> 00:29:17.690 pool. Today's games are crucial because they 00:29:17.690 --> 00:29:19.750 determine the bracket for Wednesday and Thursday. 00:29:20.009 --> 00:29:22.849 We have Tennessee versus Rutgers at 1 p .m., 00:29:22.849 --> 00:29:26.390 then Kansas versus Notre Dame at 3 .30. Later, 00:29:26.589 --> 00:29:29.150 Houston versus Syracuse at 6 p .m., followed 00:29:29.150 --> 00:29:32.069 by a massive game, Oregon versus Auburn at 8 00:29:32.069 --> 00:29:34.559 p .m. which is a rematch of last year's thrilling 00:29:34.559 --> 00:29:37.460 Sweet 16. It is. The schedule goes late, with 00:29:37.460 --> 00:29:40.539 Alabama vs. Gonzaga at 9 -3 -D and Michigan vs. 00:29:40.759 --> 00:29:43.619 San Diego State at 10 -30 p .m. ET. These are 00:29:43.619 --> 00:29:45.880 high -stakes early -season elimination games 00:29:45.880 --> 00:29:48.299 where only the 2 -0 teams move on to the championship 00:29:48.299 --> 00:29:50.920 tier. And Tuesday continues the stack matchups, 00:29:50.920 --> 00:29:52.940 giving us a clearer picture of who is contending 00:29:52.940 --> 00:29:54.859 for that championship game on Wednesday night. 00:29:55.210 --> 00:29:57.450 Tuesday features Rutgers versus Notre Dame at 00:29:57.450 --> 00:30:00.829 1 p .m. and a significant matchup at 3 .30 with 00:30:00.829 --> 00:30:03.569 Kansas versus Syracuse. And it's important to 00:30:03.569 --> 00:30:05.690 note Kansas will be without Darren Peterson for 00:30:05.690 --> 00:30:08.069 all three games due to lingering hamstring issues. 00:30:08.230 --> 00:30:11.029 With Bryson Tiller continuing to play. At 6 p 00:30:11.029 --> 00:30:13.089 .m., it's Houston versus Tennessee, a potential 00:30:13.089 --> 00:30:15.849 high -level defensive battle, and later Michigan 00:30:15.849 --> 00:30:18.769 versus Auburn at 8 .30 p .m. The championship 00:30:18.769 --> 00:30:23.150 game is Wednesday at 9 .30 p .m. ET on TNT. We 00:30:23.150 --> 00:30:25.730 also need to highlight the Women's Players Era 00:30:25.730 --> 00:30:28.089 Festival, which is equally loaded with talent 00:30:28.089 --> 00:30:30.430 and immediately provides title clarity. Absolutely. 00:30:30.490 --> 00:30:32.750 The women's bracket features three of the four 00:30:32.750 --> 00:30:35.250 teams from the 2024 Women's Final Four, so the 00:30:35.250 --> 00:30:37.829 competition is fierce. Wow. The semifinal matchups 00:30:37.829 --> 00:30:40.789 are set for Wednesday, November 26th. Texas versus 00:30:40.789 --> 00:30:43.769 UCLA at 2 p .m. and Duke versus South Carolina 00:30:43.769 --> 00:30:46.089 at 4 .30. And the winners move on to play for 00:30:46.089 --> 00:30:48.549 the title on Thanksgiving Day. Correct. The championship 00:30:48.549 --> 00:30:51.109 and third place games are set for Thursday, November 00:30:51.109 --> 00:30:53.910 27th. These matchups are crucial for national 00:30:53.910 --> 00:30:56.250 seating and setting the tone for the entire women's 00:30:56.250 --> 00:30:59.890 season. OK, speaking of early season chaos, let's 00:30:59.890 --> 00:31:02.130 recap the dramatic college basketball action 00:31:02.130 --> 00:31:04.390 from the weekend, starting with the triple overtime 00:31:04.390 --> 00:31:07.319 thriller. From high -stakes NIL tournaments, 00:31:07.559 --> 00:31:09.500 we transitioned to sheer athletic endurance. 00:31:10.019 --> 00:31:13.019 This was a grueling 55 -minute struggle. The 00:31:13.019 --> 00:31:15.779 USC Trojans barely escaped the Troy Trojans, 00:31:15.819 --> 00:31:19.200 winning 107 -106 in triple overtime. And USC, 00:31:19.500 --> 00:31:21.920 who were 4 -0 and coming in after three consecutive 00:31:21.920 --> 00:31:25.019 20 -plus point victories, was stunned by the 00:31:25.019 --> 00:31:27.799 tenacity of Troy. especially on the glass. Yeah, 00:31:27.900 --> 00:31:30.119 the game was won by junior guard Jordan Marsh 00:31:30.119 --> 00:31:33.059 on a contested last -second three -pointer. That 00:31:33.059 --> 00:31:34.779 kind of marathon game must have been defined 00:31:34.779 --> 00:31:37.700 by some unusual metrics. Chaos was the metric. 00:31:37.740 --> 00:31:40.279 There were 19 lead changes, and five players 00:31:40.279 --> 00:31:42.900 ended up selling out. Despite USC winning, Troy 00:31:42.900 --> 00:31:45.359 utterly dominated the rebounding battle. They 00:31:45.359 --> 00:31:48.579 out -rebounded USC by 24 and collected a staggering 00:31:48.579 --> 00:31:51.799 25 offensive rebounds. 25 offensive boards. That 00:31:51.799 --> 00:31:54.440 shows how tenacious Troy was, using second and 00:31:54.440 --> 00:31:56.680 third chances to negate USC's talent advantage. 00:31:56.980 --> 00:31:59.079 It does. So who delivered the standout individual 00:31:59.079 --> 00:32:00.920 performances in that high -pressure environment? 00:32:01.319 --> 00:32:04.119 For USC, graduate guard Chad Baker -Mazzara scored 00:32:04.119 --> 00:32:07.599 a career -high 34 points, along with nine rebounds 00:32:07.599 --> 00:32:09.819 and five blocks. He's already set a new career 00:32:09.819 --> 00:32:12.299 scoring high twice in USC's first four games, 00:32:12.339 --> 00:32:14.539 so he's really emerging. And on Troy's side. 00:32:14.829 --> 00:32:18.009 Cooper Campbell was phenomenal, dropped 32 points, 00:32:18.170 --> 00:32:20.670 which included six three -pointers and a contested 00:32:20.670 --> 00:32:22.950 fadeaway shot from beyond the arc that forced 00:32:22.950 --> 00:32:25.450 the first overtime period. Incredible. That resilience 00:32:25.450 --> 00:32:28.630 is what kept the game going for three extra periods. 00:32:28.809 --> 00:32:31.049 For sure. From the chaos of triple overtime, 00:32:31.450 --> 00:32:33.930 let's transition to the success story defined 00:32:33.930 --> 00:32:37.269 by sheer discipline and rebounding. Butler. Butler 00:32:37.269 --> 00:32:39.930 secured the de facto championship of the Greenbrier 00:32:39.930 --> 00:32:42.410 tip -off, defeating a strong Virginia team 80 00:32:42.410 --> 00:32:45.779 -73. Both teams moved to 5 -1 on the season. 00:32:46.180 --> 00:32:48.900 Butler jumped out early with a 13 -3 run, showing 00:32:48.900 --> 00:32:51.119 their offensive flow, but Virginia, known for 00:32:51.119 --> 00:32:53.160 their grinded -out defense, fought back to tie 00:32:53.160 --> 00:32:55.299 it before Butler took a slim lead into the half. 00:32:55.539 --> 00:32:57.720 Their key to victory involved beating Virginia 00:32:57.720 --> 00:33:00.700 at their own strength, rebounding margin. That 00:33:00.700 --> 00:33:03.220 is incredibly difficult to do against a top -tier 00:33:03.220 --> 00:33:05.259 program like Virginia. That's what's fascinating 00:33:05.259 --> 00:33:08.349 here. Both Butler and Virginia entered the game 00:33:08.349 --> 00:33:11.089 ranked in the top 10 nationally in rebounding 00:33:11.089 --> 00:33:14.509 margin, showing they prioritized the glass. Yet 00:33:14.509 --> 00:33:17.829 Butler still managed to hold a 43 -39 rebounding 00:33:17.829 --> 00:33:21.210 edge over Virginia. And Butler has now out -rebounded 00:33:21.210 --> 00:33:23.289 all six of their opponents this season. Right. 00:33:23.369 --> 00:33:25.750 That consistency proves they are a physical force. 00:33:25.990 --> 00:33:28.190 Finley Bizjack led the scoring charge for them. 00:33:28.480 --> 00:33:31.440 Bizjack put up 25 points on 9 -for -18 shooting, 00:33:31.619 --> 00:33:33.940 but the other star was graduate student Michael 00:33:33.940 --> 00:33:37.359 Ajayi, who recorded his sixth consecutive double 00:33:37.359 --> 00:33:40.180 -double to open the season. He had 17 points 00:33:40.180 --> 00:33:43.579 and 14 rebounds, plus three blocks. Wow. And 00:33:43.579 --> 00:33:46.119 Virginia was led by Malik Thomas' 24 points. 00:33:46.640 --> 00:33:49.000 This win proves that Butler is a genuine threat 00:33:49.000 --> 00:33:51.539 early in the season, showcasing both offensive 00:33:51.539 --> 00:33:53.880 firepower and that relentless physicality. Definitely. 00:33:53.880 --> 00:33:55.779 We had another overtime affair in the Charleston 00:33:55.779 --> 00:33:57.900 Classic, ending in heartbreak for Boston College. 00:33:58.349 --> 00:34:01.990 BC fell 93 -90 in overtime to Tulane in the third 00:34:01.990 --> 00:34:04.549 place game, dropping them to 3 -4. They had a 00:34:04.549 --> 00:34:07.369 late surge. Boden Kapke hit a deep three -pointer 00:34:07.369 --> 00:34:09.530 to force the extra period, showing great poise, 00:34:09.530 --> 00:34:11.949 but they just ran out of magic in overtime. And 00:34:11.949 --> 00:34:14.309 before the game even started, there was some 00:34:14.309 --> 00:34:16.610 internal drama that added pressure to the team. 00:34:16.829 --> 00:34:19.190 That was the situation surrounding Jason Asimoda, 00:34:19.230 --> 00:34:23.730 who did not play due to an internal issue. Coach 00:34:23.730 --> 00:34:26.150 Earl Grant refused to elaborate on the situation 00:34:26.150 --> 00:34:29.210 postgame, only confirming it wasn't an injury 00:34:29.210 --> 00:34:31.469 and that a decision on Asimoda's return would 00:34:31.469 --> 00:34:34.349 be made within a day or two. That kind of off 00:34:34.349 --> 00:34:36.710 -court distraction always impacts team focus. 00:34:37.010 --> 00:34:39.750 Despite the loss, a couple of BC guards really 00:34:39.750 --> 00:34:42.380 stepped up in that game. Donald Hand Jr. led 00:34:42.380 --> 00:34:45.519 the team with 26 points, but the true standout 00:34:45.519 --> 00:34:47.900 performance came from transfer guard Chase Forte. 00:34:48.099 --> 00:34:51.079 He had his best game as an Eagle with 22 points 00:34:51.079 --> 00:34:54.099 on highly efficient 7 -for -11 shooting, including 00:34:54.099 --> 00:34:56.699 5 -for -8 from deep. He provided the necessary 00:34:56.699 --> 00:34:58.679 perimeter punch to keep them in the game, but 00:34:58.679 --> 00:35:01.059 unfortunately in overtime, Kapke's final three 00:35:01.059 --> 00:35:02.780 -point attempt to tie the game just rang out. 00:35:03.079 --> 00:35:05.480 Sealing the loss. Tough break. Turning to women's 00:35:05.480 --> 00:35:07.760 basketball, we saw absolute dominance from a 00:35:07.760 --> 00:35:09.840 few major programs over the weekend, starting 00:35:09.840 --> 00:35:12.079 with the perennial powerhouse, South Carolina. 00:35:12.360 --> 00:35:16.219 The number two Gamecocks, now 6 -0, absolutely 00:35:16.219 --> 00:35:20.699 demolished Queens 121 -49. This performance set 00:35:20.699 --> 00:35:23.280 a program record for the most points scored under 00:35:23.280 --> 00:35:25.699 coach Dawn Staley and was their third most points 00:35:25.699 --> 00:35:27.860 scored all time. That kind of offensive explosion 00:35:27.860 --> 00:35:30.119 shows the depth of talent Staley has assembled. 00:35:30.670 --> 00:35:32.449 And this followed the return of a key player 00:35:32.449 --> 00:35:35.630 who had been absent, Maddie McDaniel. Yes, Maddie 00:35:35.630 --> 00:35:37.789 McDaniel returned after missing four games due 00:35:37.789 --> 00:35:40.590 to injury and suspension. Guard Raven Johnson 00:35:40.590 --> 00:35:42.929 specifically noted that having McDaniel back 00:35:42.929 --> 00:35:45.210 brought another energy to the team. You could 00:35:45.210 --> 00:35:47.210 feel her presence wasn't there when she was out. 00:35:47.309 --> 00:35:49.769 And the team fell whole again. Evidenced by every 00:35:49.769 --> 00:35:52.400 starter finishing in double figures. Joyce Edwards 00:35:52.400 --> 00:35:55.260 led the charge with 25 points, and they are immediately 00:35:55.260 --> 00:35:57.840 tested as they head to Vegas for the Players' 00:35:57.920 --> 00:36:00.300 Era Festival to face Duke, and then potentially 00:36:00.300 --> 00:36:03.380 Texas or UCLA. We also saw impressive offensive 00:36:03.380 --> 00:36:05.500 explosions from Illinois. Illinois delivered 00:36:05.500 --> 00:36:07.619 a statement win on the road, routing Florida 00:36:07.619 --> 00:36:10.760 State 86 -63. They were incredibly efficient, 00:36:11.000 --> 00:36:13.440 shooting 50 % from the field and a blistering 00:36:13.440 --> 00:36:16.139 53 % from three -point range. Gretchen Dolan 00:36:16.139 --> 00:36:19.710 was the offensive catalyst. exploded for 25 points. 00:36:19.929 --> 00:36:22.210 They also generated 22 points off Florida State's 00:36:22.210 --> 00:36:25.289 15 turnovers, showcasing a thorough road domination 00:36:25.289 --> 00:36:27.750 that elevates their profile significantly. And 00:36:27.750 --> 00:36:30.460 finally... The Oregon Ducks also remain unbeaten. 00:36:30.480 --> 00:36:33.800 The note, 25 Ducks improved to 6 -0 by dominating 00:36:33.800 --> 00:36:37.480 Utah State 70 -34. The game was relatively close 00:36:37.480 --> 00:36:40.079 at halftime, with Oregon only leading 32 -20. 00:36:40.159 --> 00:36:43.219 But the Ducks went on a decisive 16 -2 run to 00:36:43.219 --> 00:36:45.519 start the third quarter, turning the contest 00:36:45.519 --> 00:36:49.199 into a rout by outscoring Utah State 23 -6 in 00:36:49.199 --> 00:36:51.880 that period. That third quarter push shows their 00:36:51.880 --> 00:36:54.239 ability to adjust and intensify defensive effort 00:36:54.239 --> 00:36:56.849 after the break. Okay, moving away from the current 00:36:56.849 --> 00:36:59.030 court results, let's look ahead to future talent 00:36:59.030 --> 00:37:01.190 and some serious off -court stories impacting 00:37:01.190 --> 00:37:03.329 the league. Let's start with recruiting in the 00:37:03.329 --> 00:37:05.769 class of 2027. We're spotlighting four -star 00:37:05.769 --> 00:37:09.210 wing Dylan Jones, ranked No. 65 overall in the 00:37:09.210 --> 00:37:12.389 2027 national class. He recently completed an 00:37:12.389 --> 00:37:14.190 unofficial visit to Tennessee, and he really 00:37:14.190 --> 00:37:16.809 values their defensive culture. He's also seriously 00:37:16.809 --> 00:37:19.630 considering Alabama, Memphis, and Ole Miss. It's 00:37:19.630 --> 00:37:21.829 interesting to see defensive identity being the 00:37:21.829 --> 00:37:24.550 key factor drawing a highly ranked wing player. 00:37:24.840 --> 00:37:27.219 That reflects the priorities of the top programs 00:37:27.219 --> 00:37:30.199 and modern player development. It does. Jones 00:37:30.199 --> 00:37:32.380 noted that he values a coach who can push him 00:37:32.380 --> 00:37:34.699 defensively, which is precisely what Rick Barnes 00:37:34.699 --> 00:37:37.820 and the Tennessee staff are known for. That reputation 00:37:37.820 --> 00:37:40.460 for defensive pride is clearly resonating with 00:37:40.460 --> 00:37:43.000 top young talent like Jones, who understands 00:37:43.000 --> 00:37:45.760 that two -way capability is essential for the 00:37:45.760 --> 00:37:48.880 NBA level. OK, now for the very serious off -court 00:37:48.880 --> 00:37:51.989 news impacting the NBA. Portland Trailblazers 00:37:51.989 --> 00:37:54.730 coach Chauncey Billups is facing charges related 00:37:54.730 --> 00:37:58.130 to fraud and money laundering conspiracy. This 00:37:58.130 --> 00:38:00.610 is a complex case involving organized crime and 00:38:00.610 --> 00:38:03.090 high -tech cheating. This is a complex and highly 00:38:03.090 --> 00:38:05.690 serious criminal case that underscores the vulnerability 00:38:05.690 --> 00:38:07.809 of the entire professional sports ecosystem. 00:38:08.590 --> 00:38:10.829 Billups, who is currently suspended by the Blazers, 00:38:11.010 --> 00:38:13.670 is due in Brooklyn Federal Court Monday to enter 00:38:13.670 --> 00:38:16.389 a plea. He is one of 31 defendants charged in 00:38:16.389 --> 00:38:19.099 this sweeping case. What are the specific allegations 00:38:19.099 --> 00:38:21.639 against him and others, particularly regarding 00:38:21.639 --> 00:38:24.340 the high -tech cheating? Prosecutors allege that 00:38:24.340 --> 00:38:26.400 Billups was involved in a scheme dating back 00:38:26.400 --> 00:38:30.079 to 2019 that used the star power of pro athletes 00:38:30.079 --> 00:38:33.079 to lure victors into rigged illicit poker games. 00:38:33.280 --> 00:38:36.380 The conspiracy allegedly defrauded victims of 00:38:36.380 --> 00:38:39.500 at least $7 million using highly sophisticated 00:38:39.500 --> 00:38:42.239 high -tech equipment. And this wasn't simple 00:38:42.239 --> 00:38:44.829 card counting. Not at all. They utilized devices 00:38:44.829 --> 00:38:47.550 like X -ray card tables, which allowed cheaters 00:38:47.550 --> 00:38:49.670 to see the opponent's cards hidden beneath the 00:38:49.670 --> 00:38:52.349 surface, and altered shuffling machines to ensure 00:38:52.349 --> 00:38:55.090 favorable outcomes. That level of sophistication 00:38:55.090 --> 00:38:57.800 suggests a major organized operation. It does. 00:38:58.039 --> 00:39:00.519 Former Cleveland Cavaliers guard Demon Jones 00:39:00.519 --> 00:39:03.039 was also charged in the poker scheme, alongside 00:39:03.039 --> 00:39:05.440 alleged members of New York's La Cosa Nostra 00:39:05.440 --> 00:39:07.840 organized crime families, which really highlights 00:39:07.840 --> 00:39:10.000 the organized nature of the operation. All of 00:39:10.000 --> 00:39:12.099 them have pleaded not guilty. And this investigation 00:39:12.099 --> 00:39:15.460 led to a related and arguably more worrying case 00:39:15.460 --> 00:39:17.780 involving current NBA players, didn't it? It 00:39:17.780 --> 00:39:20.300 did. A related case charged Jones and current 00:39:20.300 --> 00:39:22.480 Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier with a separate 00:39:22.480 --> 00:39:25.579 scheme. rigging bets on NBA games between 2022 00:39:25.579 --> 00:39:29.360 and 2024 using insider knowledge. While the specifics 00:39:29.360 --> 00:39:31.840 of their involvement are under wraps, the allegation 00:39:31.840 --> 00:39:34.639 is that they leveraged non -public team or personal 00:39:34.639 --> 00:39:36.940 information to gain an advantage in betting. 00:39:37.159 --> 00:39:40.340 Both Jones and Rozier have also pleaded not guilty 00:39:40.340 --> 00:39:43.159 in that case. The combination of organized crime, 00:39:43.579 --> 00:39:46.320 high -tech financial fraud, and insider betting 00:39:46.320 --> 00:39:48.980 allegations creates a massive integrity crisis 00:39:48.980 --> 00:39:51.619 for the league, regardless of the ultimate verdict. 00:39:51.920 --> 00:39:54.800 Indeed. It introduces a challenging element of 00:39:54.800 --> 00:39:57.380 external scrutiny that affects players and coaches 00:39:57.380 --> 00:39:59.599 and reminds us of the high stakes environment 00:39:59.599 --> 00:40:02.519 surrounding legal sports betting. We will continue 00:40:02.519 --> 00:40:04.500 to monitor this closely as the legal proceedings 00:40:04.500 --> 00:40:06.800 move forward because the implications for the 00:40:06.800 --> 00:40:09.599 league's integrity are immense. As we wrap up 00:40:09.599 --> 00:40:11.980 this massive update, let's look at the immediate 00:40:11.980 --> 00:40:14.199 schedule that awaits us this week. We have the 00:40:14.199 --> 00:40:16.440 Players' Era Festival bracket finalizing over 00:40:16.440 --> 00:40:19.039 the next few days in Vegas and a stacked NBA 00:40:19.039 --> 00:40:21.679 slate tonight and tomorrow. Tonight, we see the 00:40:21.679 --> 00:40:24.659 Rockets, without Kevin Durant, trying to hold 00:40:24.659 --> 00:40:27.300 off the Phoenix Suns in a classic old team versus 00:40:27.300 --> 00:40:30.900 new team battle. Tomorrow, the Miami Heat get 00:40:30.900 --> 00:40:33.119 Tyler Harrell back against the Dallas Mavericks. 00:40:33.139 --> 00:40:35.639 And we have the high stakes Los Angeles rivalry, 00:40:36.099 --> 00:40:38.780 Lakers versus Clippers. The strategic outcomes 00:40:38.780 --> 00:40:41.400 of those games will determine the narrative for 00:40:41.400 --> 00:40:43.260 the rest of the week. For sure. You know, looking 00:40:43.260 --> 00:40:44.920 at everything we've covered today, from Chris 00:40:44.920 --> 00:40:46.800 Paul's retirement confirming the close of one 00:40:46.800 --> 00:40:50.000 era to LeBron James pushing his body through 00:40:50.000 --> 00:40:53.159 an unprecedented 23rd season and front offices 00:40:53.159 --> 00:40:56.400 wrestling with these huge trade strategies, it 00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:58.659 feels like the league is at a crossroads. That's 00:40:58.659 --> 00:41:00.860 the central theme here. We're seeing the intersection 00:41:00.860 --> 00:41:03.760 of the old legends and this new era defined by 00:41:03.760 --> 00:41:06.860 massive NIL -fueled college tournaments. But 00:41:06.860 --> 00:41:08.679 the biggest decision defining the league right 00:41:08.679 --> 00:41:11.590 now, however, is strategic. How much is internal 00:41:11.590 --> 00:41:13.949 chemistry, continuity, and veteran leadership, 00:41:14.269 --> 00:41:16.889 which the Pistons are valuing highly with Tobias 00:41:16.889 --> 00:41:19.150 Harrisworth, when balanced against the pursuit 00:41:19.150 --> 00:41:21.489 of a surefire established star like Anthony Davis, 00:41:21.769 --> 00:41:23.570 who the Knicks are rumored to be considering 00:41:23.570 --> 00:41:26.550 at a premium cost? That balance between internal 00:41:26.550 --> 00:41:29.489 growth and high risk, immediate external acquisition, 00:41:29.849 --> 00:41:33.550 is the central dilemma facing nearly every contending 00:41:33.550 --> 00:41:36.280 and aspirational team right now. It dictates 00:41:36.280 --> 00:41:38.599 the future of their franchises, forcing them 00:41:38.599 --> 00:41:40.699 to bet either on the certainty of star power 00:41:40.699 --> 00:41:43.780 or the potential of cohesion. It forces you to 00:41:43.780 --> 00:41:46.739 ask, are the championships won solely by stars 00:41:46.739 --> 00:41:49.039 or are they won by the right combination of high 00:41:49.039 --> 00:41:51.719 -level chemistry and defined roles? And for you, 00:41:51.719 --> 00:41:53.920 the listener, how would you manage the risk of 00:41:53.920 --> 00:41:56.460 trading away future assets for a superstar with 00:41:56.460 --> 00:41:58.860 a known injury history if it meant an immediate 00:41:58.860 --> 00:42:01.500 shot at a title? Absolutely. Thank you for joining 00:42:01.500 --> 00:42:03.820 us for this in -depth look into all things basketball. 00:42:03.980 --> 00:42:05.480 We'll catch you next time here on basketball 00:42:05.480 --> 00:42:05.739 home.