1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:11,540 Greetings my peeps and welcome to the all things basketball podcast with your boy GD. 2 00:00:11,540 --> 00:00:20,280 In this episode it's time for the NBA season to begin so I will be breaking down the western 3 00:00:20,280 --> 00:00:22,320 conference guys. 4 00:00:22,320 --> 00:00:28,920 I'll give you how everyone finishes and we'll talk about playoff teams and so forth. 5 00:00:28,920 --> 00:00:41,920 So just sit back relax and enjoy the show. 6 00:00:41,920 --> 00:00:48,400 Ok guys so it's your boy GD back once again with the all things basketball with GD podcast 7 00:00:48,400 --> 00:00:56,160 and you know what guys it's fall season the leaves are falling starting to get those jackets 8 00:00:56,160 --> 00:01:02,200 back on pretty soon the heavy coats but that's a story for another day so that means we're 9 00:01:02,200 --> 00:01:09,160 already in the throes of football but basketball season is upon us guys and we have reached 10 00:01:09,160 --> 00:01:18,840 that point October 24th the start of NBA season exciting time of the year especially for the 11 00:01:18,840 --> 00:01:24,840 all things basketball with GD podcast and each season I've given you my season preview 12 00:01:24,840 --> 00:01:31,480 so that's what we'll be doing right about now so without any further delay let's get 13 00:01:31,480 --> 00:01:33,760 right into it guys. 14 00:01:33,760 --> 00:01:40,800 So I'm going to start with the western conference first reason why they're the first ones playing 15 00:01:40,800 --> 00:01:48,600 you got the first night with a double header in the NBA so you have the Lakers facing Denver 16 00:01:48,600 --> 00:01:56,840 followed by Phoenix facing the GOAT state Warriors so let's get right into it I'm going 17 00:01:56,840 --> 00:02:03,520 to start with the Southwest division here's how I'm going to do it guys we will first 18 00:02:03,520 --> 00:02:09,520 go alphabetical and then once we're done with going alphabetical then I'll give you 19 00:02:09,520 --> 00:02:17,880 my order of finish let's do it guys so we'll start with the Dallas Mavericks Dallas Mavericks 20 00:02:17,880 --> 00:02:24,520 oh let me just say also here's what I'll do I'll give you this starting five I'll talk 21 00:02:24,520 --> 00:02:31,800 about the pluses for them I'll talk about minuses more like strengths weakness and then 22 00:02:31,800 --> 00:02:37,640 I'll have the question that we pose to each and every team so that's how we'll do it 23 00:02:37,640 --> 00:02:43,440 and we'll take it from there the Dallas Mavericks like I said of course starting always with 24 00:02:43,440 --> 00:02:52,160 Luca Donkage their perennial all-star and all-world player along with Kyrie Irving look like Tim 25 00:02:52,160 --> 00:02:58,480 Hardaway Jr. is going to be in the starting lineup from all early returns Grant Williams 26 00:02:58,480 --> 00:03:04,160 who they got in free agency coming from the Boston Celtics and guys to go on with the 27 00:03:04,160 --> 00:03:10,720 rookie Derek Lively the second will be the starter at center very interesting move there 28 00:03:10,720 --> 00:03:17,400 by Jason Kidd but hey the kid is looking good in preseason so Jason Kidd said I will give 29 00:03:17,400 --> 00:03:23,000 the kid a shot so he'll be your starter at center and of course you got your bench there 30 00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:29,800 you got guys like Seth Curry you got Rashard Holmes who many thought would end up being 31 00:03:29,800 --> 00:03:35,840 the starting center but that wasn't to be and Dante Exum actually makes his return to 32 00:03:35,840 --> 00:03:43,880 the NBA he was away for a few years Dwight Powell who's been there forever Max C. Clever 33 00:03:43,880 --> 00:03:50,600 he's there as well Josh Green as well the pluses for them you got that Mercurial back 34 00:03:50,600 --> 00:03:59,380 court of Kyrie and Luca and then your weaknesses you're going with rookie center Lively so 35 00:03:59,380 --> 00:04:05,280 we'll see how the kid does when he's being thrown early into the fire and probably rebounding 36 00:04:05,280 --> 00:04:12,520 as a whole for this team but the question we pose how will Kyrie and Luca look with 37 00:04:12,520 --> 00:04:18,320 a training camp in a full season under their belts together because we saw a small sample 38 00:04:18,320 --> 00:04:25,280 size last year when Kyrie got traded at trade deadline didn't work out so well for them 39 00:04:25,280 --> 00:04:32,000 but nonetheless we'll see what happens with the Mavericks let's move on to the next team 40 00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:40,440 the Houston Rockets under what major changes guys you now have M.A. Duca as your coach 41 00:04:40,440 --> 00:04:45,600 your starters over there will be Fred Van Vleet who you got from the Toronto Raptors via 42 00:04:45,600 --> 00:04:52,080 free agency Jalen Green the young shooting guard over there you also have Dylan Brooks 43 00:04:52,080 --> 00:04:59,760 another person you got via free agency this time from Memphis Jabari Smith Jr. and then 44 00:04:59,760 --> 00:05:07,680 Alperin Sungoon so that is your starters over there the strengths for them the acquisitions 45 00:05:07,680 --> 00:05:14,280 they made in free agency such as Fred Van Vleet Dylan Brooks also got Jeff Green from the 46 00:05:14,280 --> 00:05:20,520 world champion Denver Nuggets so you got some experience there and then Jock Landon who 47 00:05:20,520 --> 00:05:28,960 you got from the Phoenix Suns also you drafted Eamon Thompson who can play multiple positions 48 00:05:28,960 --> 00:05:36,200 so it'll be interesting to see where Duca places him within the lineups on the floor 49 00:05:36,200 --> 00:05:43,760 also Terry Easing you have you still have Jay Sean Tate there another rookie Cam Whitmore 50 00:05:43,760 --> 00:05:50,600 who kind of fell in the draft but he could be a sleeper as well so that was your strengths 51 00:05:50,600 --> 00:05:57,480 your minuses is you pretty much over saturated at the small forward position you got a lot 52 00:05:57,480 --> 00:06:04,280 of small forwards there so we'll see how things shake out now the question is with M.A. Duca 53 00:06:04,280 --> 00:06:10,080 as coach how will this team perform because you have all these different pieces you have 54 00:06:10,080 --> 00:06:15,760 to blend together will they be able to pull things together to possibly make a playoff 55 00:06:15,760 --> 00:06:21,760 run so that's the question we pose for them the Memphis Grizzlies the next team on the 56 00:06:21,760 --> 00:06:29,520 list of course you have John Moran who as we know faces the 25 game suspension so we 57 00:06:29,520 --> 00:06:35,800 won't see him until mid December so I'll talk about that in a minute Jaren Jackson 58 00:06:35,800 --> 00:06:42,480 Jr. coming off of a fine season for him one in which he ended up winning defensive player 59 00:06:42,480 --> 00:06:50,600 of the year Desmond Bain you lost Stephen Adams for the year he tore up his knee so 60 00:06:50,600 --> 00:06:57,000 you're probably gonna end up starting Santi Aldama the Spanish sensation from last year 61 00:06:57,000 --> 00:07:02,840 you'll probably end up starting him and then Marcus Smart who you got via trade from the 62 00:07:02,840 --> 00:07:10,120 Boston Celtics in that multi-team deal that netted them Chris Dapportzing is the Celtics 63 00:07:10,120 --> 00:07:16,200 so that's your starting lineup guys you also have guys like Luke Conard you got Derrick 64 00:07:16,200 --> 00:07:22,720 Rose from the Knicks so Derrick Rose comes back to a place where you play college ball 65 00:07:22,720 --> 00:07:31,560 in the city of Memphis also have Xavier Tillman Brandon Clark he should be healthy he's rounding 66 00:07:31,560 --> 00:07:40,480 into shape Memaheeq tore up his ACL last year Zaire Williams and also David Ruddy your 67 00:07:40,480 --> 00:07:47,600 upside you have the very much important acquisition of Marcus Smart who you definitely need it 68 00:07:47,600 --> 00:07:55,640 guys especially with job missing those 25 games that's definitely a upside for you downside 69 00:07:55,640 --> 00:08:02,800 job missing those 25 games and also the loss of Adams that's gonna well it didn't hurt 70 00:08:02,800 --> 00:08:09,720 you too bad last year but it's still a significant loss nonetheless you talk about guy that could 71 00:08:09,720 --> 00:08:14,840 go in there give you double digit rebounds defend the pain and the question for them 72 00:08:14,840 --> 00:08:22,200 is can they stay in the mix in those first 25 games can they do that that is the big 73 00:08:22,200 --> 00:08:29,160 question for them New Orleans Pelicans you're starting line up there CJ McCullum of course 74 00:08:29,160 --> 00:08:36,040 you start with him Zion Williamson who looks healthy guys made it through the preseason 75 00:08:36,040 --> 00:08:43,560 unscathed of course they treated him with kid gloves obviously given the injury history 76 00:08:43,560 --> 00:08:51,800 you also have Brandon Ingram Herbert Jones who's a solid defensive player and your center 77 00:08:51,800 --> 00:08:59,760 Yannis Valachunas and of course your bench you start with Grand Theft Alvarado Jose Alvarado 78 00:08:59,760 --> 00:09:08,480 you also have on the bench there Dyson Daniels want to see how he does in his sophomore campaign 79 00:09:08,480 --> 00:09:14,880 trade Murphy who's gonna be out the first month or so he's out with an injury so we'll 80 00:09:14,880 --> 00:09:19,480 see what he brings when he comes back he really turned it on towards the end of last year 81 00:09:19,480 --> 00:09:25,280 guys so I'll be interested to see what he brings once he's healthy and back in the lineup 82 00:09:25,280 --> 00:09:33,840 Najee Morris and Cody Zella who they picked up fire free agency plus for this squad a 83 00:09:33,840 --> 00:09:42,160 healthy squad that could be playoff bound and the downside you need Zion for at least 60 games 84 00:09:42,880 --> 00:09:50,320 I say if you could get 60 games from Zion I really like their chances that leads to the question 85 00:09:50,320 --> 00:09:58,480 can coach Willie Green get them up into that top six and out of like the playing situation 86 00:09:59,280 --> 00:10:07,920 the San Antonio Spurs right now your starting lineup there of course your franchise player 87 00:10:07,920 --> 00:10:16,640 Victor Wimboy Giamma also Jeremy Sochan who oh by the way pop has named him the starting 88 00:10:16,640 --> 00:10:22,160 point guard it'll be interesting to see he's a forward normally but he's gonna man the point 89 00:10:22,160 --> 00:10:28,080 guard position so he'll be like a point forward per se well this is Greg Popovich he knows more 90 00:10:28,080 --> 00:10:34,080 basketball than we could ever imagine so maybe he's on or something here but we will see Devin 91 00:10:34,080 --> 00:10:40,960 Vassil who you just gave him that extension signed him to the big money so he's gonna be a vital piece 92 00:10:40,960 --> 00:10:48,640 there Kelden Johnson who led them in scoring last year so it'll be interesting to see where he 93 00:10:48,640 --> 00:10:57,120 fits in all of this and then Zach Collins who will be the center as Wimby plays the power forward 94 00:10:57,760 --> 00:11:04,960 your upside here you have a guy who's a franchise changer guys so we'll see how 95 00:11:04,960 --> 00:11:11,360 Wimboy Giamma performs in this first season in the NBA all signs from preseason looks pretty good 96 00:11:12,080 --> 00:11:19,680 in your bench by the way Trey Jones who I thought would end up being the starter at point guard but 97 00:11:19,680 --> 00:11:32,400 that wasn't to be Davante Graham also Malachi Bram, Romeo Langford and Charles Bassie your downside 98 00:11:32,400 --> 00:11:39,520 you got youth everywhere so that's going to be where Greg Popovich is going to have to coach 99 00:11:39,520 --> 00:11:46,640 up these guys and get them to compete out there which leads to the question how long will pop 100 00:11:46,640 --> 00:11:55,040 hold on until this team turns into a playoff power again got a young squad here so you know 101 00:11:55,040 --> 00:12:00,000 they're going to take their bumps and bruises along the way but we'll see what happens there 102 00:12:00,000 --> 00:12:07,040 with that being said here's how I see the order going in this division it'll probably be Memphis 103 00:12:07,040 --> 00:12:13,360 Grizzly winning this division followed by the Houston Rockets I think they take a big leap in 104 00:12:13,360 --> 00:12:20,960 the standings here with those additions that they made followed by New Orleans Peligans and that'll 105 00:12:20,960 --> 00:12:27,280 be followed by the Dallas Mavericks I understand I get it you got Luca there you got Kyrie there 106 00:12:27,280 --> 00:12:33,600 you still there guys that's going to miss games guys I think there's no other way to slice that 107 00:12:34,160 --> 00:12:41,120 and when they miss games I'm not sold on the depth that's there so I see them finishing 108 00:12:41,120 --> 00:12:49,280 fourth in this division and then you have San Antonio ending up being the last place team 109 00:12:49,280 --> 00:12:55,920 in that division so let us move on guys to the Northwestern division where we start with the 110 00:12:55,920 --> 00:13:02,880 world champions the Denver Nuggets all their starters intact the Joker of course Nikolai Yokek 111 00:13:03,600 --> 00:13:11,600 followed by Jamal Murray who was phenomenal in the playoffs Aaron Gorton also had a strong 112 00:13:11,600 --> 00:13:19,280 playoff performance Michael Porter Jr. I'll be interested to see how his health looks this is 113 00:13:19,280 --> 00:13:26,320 probably the first training camp in the good while where he's coming in healthy so can he give you 114 00:13:26,320 --> 00:13:32,320 what he once gave you maybe a couple of years back where he was like killing it in scoring 115 00:13:32,880 --> 00:13:40,000 we'll see what happens there and then Cotavia's called well Pope the solid shooting guard there 116 00:13:40,000 --> 00:13:47,760 their 3 and D guy on your bench ready Jackson who will be spelling Jamal Murray probably get some 117 00:13:47,760 --> 00:13:54,080 spot starts there because they still want to be careful with Murray also Christian Braun who had a 118 00:13:54,080 --> 00:13:59,760 nice playoffs for a rookie so be interested to see what he does in this sophomore year here 119 00:14:00,400 --> 00:14:08,640 Deandre Jordan of course there to be the elder statesmen also the spell the Joker as well 120 00:14:09,520 --> 00:14:17,120 and Perry Watson also the upside is the defending champs they're back again and they have their 121 00:14:17,120 --> 00:14:24,960 top flight players the downside you did lose some key pieces that being Bruce Brown who was 122 00:14:24,960 --> 00:14:29,920 like your Swiss Army knife over there and also Jeff Green who was valuable as well 123 00:14:30,560 --> 00:14:37,600 and the question for them can they sit atop of the Western Conference again then we'll move on to 124 00:14:37,600 --> 00:14:46,960 the Minnesota Timberwolves have of course the Ant-Man Anthony Edwards Carl Anthony Towns Rudy 125 00:14:46,960 --> 00:14:56,960 Goldberg the veteran floor general Mike Connolly and Jaten McDaniels who many are saying guys 126 00:14:57,600 --> 00:15:05,200 he's like a mckel bridges which means he's a guy who's probably like a guy who'll give you defense 127 00:15:05,200 --> 00:15:11,680 for sure but his offense is coming around as well much like mckel bridges did when he was in Phoenix 128 00:15:11,680 --> 00:15:19,680 it'll be course interesting to see his maturation and then from your business you got guys like 129 00:15:20,240 --> 00:15:29,760 Kyle Anderson shake Milton who you got from the Sixers Nakeel Alexander Walker and Nas Reid 130 00:15:30,640 --> 00:15:37,200 your upside a full season with the Twin Towers dead that being towns and go bare 131 00:15:37,200 --> 00:15:44,400 there and your downside health is always an issue over there especially with Mike Connolly 132 00:15:44,400 --> 00:15:50,800 seems like every year he pulls that hamstring it has to miss time and then Carl Anthony Towns 133 00:15:50,800 --> 00:15:56,960 he missed a lot of time last year hopefully this year you get bitter for full season from him 134 00:15:57,600 --> 00:16:04,080 and also guys something to take note of they did go undefeated in preseason for what that's worth 135 00:16:04,080 --> 00:16:12,400 with that said can this team ever live up to its potential hmm the Oklahoma City Thunder 136 00:16:13,200 --> 00:16:21,760 they being coached by Mark Dignalt right now you have shy Gilchis Alexander who had a fantastic 137 00:16:21,760 --> 00:16:30,160 year guys also you have Josh Giddy also Chet Holmgren who missed all of last year when he tore 138 00:16:30,160 --> 00:16:36,560 up his knee in preseason then you have Jalen Williams who had a nice season guys he had a 139 00:16:36,560 --> 00:16:44,480 pretty nice season and then your fifth starter it could fluctuate but I'm penciling in Lou Dort 140 00:16:45,200 --> 00:16:54,160 it could also be Alex say Pokhasevsky could be him as well terms of your bench even one of those 141 00:16:54,160 --> 00:17:03,680 guys will be one of your bench guys along with Fossilius Michik a European import coming to your 142 00:17:03,680 --> 00:17:13,520 team also you have Trey Mann as well your upside this is a young team that's brimming with talent 143 00:17:13,520 --> 00:17:22,480 guys your downside the health of Chet Holmgren holds the key to this season ahead and the question 144 00:17:22,480 --> 00:17:29,200 for them will they be the surprise team of the league hmm we will answer that question shortly 145 00:17:29,840 --> 00:17:36,720 Portland Trail Blazers now that the Dame trade has been made Chancy Billups now has to 146 00:17:37,360 --> 00:17:46,160 remold this team now but your starters are DeAndre Aten who you got in the multiple well the 147 00:17:46,160 --> 00:17:55,360 three team trade that sent Dame to Milwaukee and brought in Aten also Anthony Simons now he's the 148 00:17:55,360 --> 00:18:02,080 guy at the guard position also Jeremy Grant who you just re-signed gave him that big money 149 00:18:02,640 --> 00:18:11,600 Scoot Henderson the rookie who will now take the spot of Damian Lillard and then Shaten Sharp I think 150 00:18:11,600 --> 00:18:19,280 rounds out that starting five your bench Malcolm Brogdon who you got in another deal when you 151 00:18:19,280 --> 00:18:25,200 brought Drew Holiday in and then you ended up shipping him out so you got Malcolm Brogdon back 152 00:18:25,200 --> 00:18:32,400 you also guided that trade Robert Williams the third it'll be interesting to see how Chancy uses him 153 00:18:32,400 --> 00:18:40,480 especially alongside DeAndre Aten probably getting center minutes as well also you have Matisse Tybal 154 00:18:40,480 --> 00:18:52,240 Nazir Little as well your upside the acquisition of a franchise center in DeAndre Aten your downside 155 00:18:52,240 --> 00:19:01,840 of course most obviously life without Dane which leads to the question how quickly can Scoot mature 156 00:19:01,840 --> 00:19:11,040 as the now floor general for the lasers Scoot Henderson who many say was probably the second 157 00:19:11,040 --> 00:19:18,880 most NBA ready player in that draft he's getting the opportunity guys so again it's going to be 158 00:19:18,880 --> 00:19:26,560 very interesting to see how this rookie now gets to play and also his game has been compared to a 159 00:19:26,560 --> 00:19:32,080 Russell Westbrook so that kind of tells you something you're getting an athletic point guard that can 160 00:19:32,080 --> 00:19:39,680 dish and then who can be a high riser as well the Utah Jazz their starters it looks like it's going 161 00:19:39,680 --> 00:19:48,960 to be Laurie marketing who had an all-star campaign and a fabulous year it's looking like Colin Sexton 162 00:19:48,960 --> 00:19:58,080 guys also Jordan Clarkson Walker Kessler the fine rookie for them at center and then John Collins 163 00:19:58,080 --> 00:20:06,800 who you got in a trade from the Atlanta Hawks on their bench Chris Dunn a guy who pretty much 164 00:20:06,800 --> 00:20:15,600 dusted off and played well for them down the stretch Ochi Abadji and also Kelly Olnick you 165 00:20:15,600 --> 00:20:25,120 still have him and Talon Horton Tucker and the upside is Laurie marketing and his most improved 166 00:20:25,120 --> 00:20:33,360 player season which pretty much stunned a lot of folks and also you added a John Collins who 167 00:20:33,360 --> 00:20:41,040 gets a bit of a rebirth over here with the Utah Jazz question for them can they make a move towards 168 00:20:41,040 --> 00:20:48,320 play all contention or even play in contention so with that said this is how I see the finish going 169 00:20:48,320 --> 00:20:55,600 in that division guys Denver will be number one followed by a throwing my hat in the ring for 170 00:20:55,600 --> 00:21:02,720 okc guys I think they're going to be the surprise team of the entire league I like what Mark Dagonal 171 00:21:02,720 --> 00:21:08,480 is doing over there and you get a guy like Chet Holmgren who I think could be a difference maker 172 00:21:08,480 --> 00:21:14,560 so I think they'll surprise a lot of people end up finishing second followed by the Minnesota 173 00:21:14,560 --> 00:21:22,960 Timberwolves and they'll be followed by the Utah Jazz and then fifth I think even with everything 174 00:21:22,960 --> 00:21:29,040 said and done I think the trailblazers end up being the last place team in that division 175 00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:36,160 let us move on to Pacific Division this division was really hard to judge guys 176 00:21:36,160 --> 00:21:44,720 guys you got three coaches there in that division that has won an NBA championship and one coach who 177 00:21:44,720 --> 00:21:53,760 was a assistant on a NBA championship winning team very tough division to gauge but we'll get into it 178 00:21:54,560 --> 00:22:00,640 let's start with the golden state warriors and they will have their usual big three there 179 00:22:00,640 --> 00:22:10,400 Deft Curry, Clay Thompson, Drey Mon Green, also you add Andrew Wiggins who had some personal 180 00:22:10,400 --> 00:22:16,000 issues to deal with off the court concerning his father's health which took him away from the game 181 00:22:16,000 --> 00:22:22,880 now he's back and Chris Paul who you got fired trade from the Washington Wizards 182 00:22:22,880 --> 00:22:30,000 on your bench Kevon Looney who of course you can always shift him into your lineup as well 183 00:22:30,640 --> 00:22:36,880 Jonathan Kaminga who had a fantastic preseason so it's going to be interesting to see how Steve 184 00:22:36,880 --> 00:22:46,800 Kerr incorporates him into the roster of players that he uses also Moses Moody it's time to see a 185 00:22:46,800 --> 00:22:56,080 little flash from him Dario Saarich who you got via free agency and Gary Payton the second is still 186 00:22:56,080 --> 00:23:05,680 there and then the rookie you drafted Brandon Posetski as well upside for this team you got a 187 00:23:05,680 --> 00:23:10,880 veteran team that knows how to win that's a couple of years removed from a championship 188 00:23:10,880 --> 00:23:16,880 the downsides they got to be better on the road guys they were horrendous last year on the road so 189 00:23:16,880 --> 00:23:23,040 if they can at least be 500 on the road you know what they're going to do at home they're going to 190 00:23:23,040 --> 00:23:30,160 be solid at home that definitely gives them a shot to be amongst the upper echelon teams 191 00:23:30,960 --> 00:23:37,440 with that being said let's turn to the LA Clippers you're starting line up there Kawaii Leonard 192 00:23:37,440 --> 00:23:47,680 along with Paul George Russell Westbrook Ivica Zubat and Marcus Morris your bench 193 00:23:48,880 --> 00:24:00,000 Norman Powell Bones Highland Terrence Mann Nicholas Batum Robert Covington and Mason Plumlee as well 194 00:24:00,000 --> 00:24:07,760 the upside is as long as Kawaii and Paul George is healthy their chances are good 195 00:24:08,720 --> 00:24:17,440 the downside no chance if any of those guys miss over 20 games guys that's the threshold I'm putting 196 00:24:17,440 --> 00:24:23,760 on it and then the question is will they continue to pursue heart and that has been the story for 197 00:24:23,760 --> 00:24:30,720 them as well not sure how that shakes out the whole heart and story I'll probably cover more of that 198 00:24:30,720 --> 00:24:36,640 when I do the Eastern Conference but they're supposed to be heavy suitors for him so we'll see 199 00:24:36,640 --> 00:24:45,120 how that goes so Tyron Lou pretty much has his hands full here with this squad a talented squad but 200 00:24:45,120 --> 00:24:53,120 the whole load managing thing has kind of hung a cloud over this franchise so we'll see what happens 201 00:24:53,120 --> 00:25:02,560 there with that said let's move to the LA Lakers of course you have LeBron James Anthony Davis 202 00:25:03,520 --> 00:25:13,600 Austin Reeve DeAngelo Russell and Jared Vanderbilt your bench gave Vincent Roy Hachimura 203 00:25:14,400 --> 00:25:21,920 Christian Wood who you got in what I thought was a steal Jackson Hayes Tashon Prince also 204 00:25:21,920 --> 00:25:32,480 Kam Reddish trying to reinvent himself and be a valuable member on the NBA team your upside 205 00:25:32,480 --> 00:25:41,200 you have the dynamic duo of LeBron and AD and also you have bench step oh you got plenty of bench 206 00:25:41,200 --> 00:25:49,680 step guys and then your downside of course it's the health of both Anthony Davis and LeBron James 207 00:25:49,680 --> 00:25:55,600 that's going to be a factor guys if those guys have to mix huge chunks of games that will not be 208 00:25:55,600 --> 00:26:04,240 good for them and the question that lies for Darwin Ham in that organization can they put it all 209 00:26:04,240 --> 00:26:14,160 together for a title run hmm the Phoenix Suns coached by Frank Vogel now out is Monty Williams 210 00:26:14,160 --> 00:26:23,840 in comes Frank Vogel your starters there of course Kevin Durant Devin Booker the newly acquired 211 00:26:23,840 --> 00:26:31,280 Bradley Beale who you got from the Wizards Joseph Nurkic who you got in that three player deal 212 00:26:31,840 --> 00:26:41,840 the Dame deal and then your fifth starter looks like it's going to be Josh Akoji your bench Damian 213 00:26:41,840 --> 00:26:52,080 Lee Eric Gordon who you acquired from the Clippers also Utah Wontonabi who you got from Brooklyn 214 00:26:52,960 --> 00:27:02,400 Drew Eubanks another free agent and Bobo that you got from the Orlando Magic and also Grayson 215 00:27:02,400 --> 00:27:11,600 Allen as well of course your upside the big three of KD Devin and Bradley Beale and you have some 216 00:27:11,600 --> 00:27:19,680 pretty good depth and the downside is the health of the big three that's definitely a factor although 217 00:27:20,400 --> 00:27:27,520 lesser on Booker he only played 53 games but normally he gives you 60 plus games so I 218 00:27:28,080 --> 00:27:34,080 I'll mark last year's aberration for him and then the question for them can they stay healthy 219 00:27:34,080 --> 00:27:41,600 enough to be among the top tier teams and then the Sacramento Kings a team that used to be the 220 00:27:41,600 --> 00:27:49,040 doormat of this division that is no longer the case guys Mike Brown has turned that program around 221 00:27:49,600 --> 00:27:59,520 and with that said the starters are DeMontes Sabonis DeAaron Fox Murray Harrison Barnes 222 00:27:59,520 --> 00:28:10,800 and Kevin Herter your bench Malik Monk who's had a pretty good year DeVion Mitchell Chris Duarte 223 00:28:10,800 --> 00:28:21,360 who you got from the Pacers also a European player you got Sasha Fazenkov who was a European 224 00:28:21,360 --> 00:28:31,360 MVP overseas and then also Kessler Edwards your upside they were the surprise team of the league 225 00:28:31,360 --> 00:28:39,200 guys and I think they're gonna get better I just think that and then the downside of the division 226 00:28:39,200 --> 00:28:45,440 actually got better so take that for what it's worth and the question is after last year what do 227 00:28:45,440 --> 00:28:54,960 they do for an encore so with that said my breakdown of this division this was tough guys I gotta 228 00:28:54,960 --> 00:29:02,720 admit I went through several iterations I looked up and down at this division and this how I see 229 00:29:02,720 --> 00:29:09,760 it shaking out I'm saying the lake is gonna take this division I think they got the requisite skills 230 00:29:09,760 --> 00:29:19,200 I think they solidified themselves in many areas if LeBron or AD were to go down for long periods 231 00:29:19,200 --> 00:29:27,200 I think they'll be able to manage it I think they'll be able to survive and I think this is a year 232 00:29:27,200 --> 00:29:33,600 that I'm rolling with Shannon Sharpe on this one I think this is a year where you're gonna get AD 233 00:29:33,600 --> 00:29:39,840 for a lot of games guys I don't think this is gonna be a year where he missed I'd be stunned if he played 234 00:29:39,840 --> 00:29:45,440 less than 60 games this year I'd be stunned by that I'm even going as far as saying you're gonna get 235 00:29:45,440 --> 00:29:53,040 65 games just like Shannon Sharpe said I think you're gonna get 65 from him and if you do look out 236 00:29:53,040 --> 00:30:00,160 guys because this guy will put up huge numbers if that's the case so I'm going with the Lakers as 237 00:30:00,160 --> 00:30:08,640 the number one team in that division the second place team again I wrestled guys but Sacramento 238 00:30:08,640 --> 00:30:14,640 Kings I don't think last year was a fluke whatsoever I understand I get it a few of the teams were 239 00:30:14,640 --> 00:30:21,840 down last year because of injuries and so forth but Sacramento to me if I were to look at all the 240 00:30:21,840 --> 00:30:28,400 rest of those teams in the vacuum this is the one team that is relatively healthy all of the time 241 00:30:28,400 --> 00:30:35,280 and they got a taste of the playoffs and I'm sure the way their playoff ended I'm sure they weren't 242 00:30:35,280 --> 00:30:40,400 too thrilled about that going down to the hands of the Gold State Warriors I think they're gonna be 243 00:30:40,400 --> 00:30:49,440 hungry guys so I'm picking them to be in second place third again I wrestled but I kept coming 244 00:30:49,440 --> 00:30:55,280 away with this the third place team is going to be the Gold State Warriors Gold State Warriors have 245 00:30:55,280 --> 00:31:03,520 a huge home court advantage and again if they're able to shore things up on the road I can see their 246 00:31:03,520 --> 00:31:10,320 record being much better than it was last year so with that said I think they're using Clay the 247 00:31:10,320 --> 00:31:17,280 right way they're managing him properly and you got guys there that can step in in a moment's notice 248 00:31:17,280 --> 00:31:25,280 coming up really looks good guys Kevon Lune is solid as always right now you're dealing with little 249 00:31:25,280 --> 00:31:30,720 injury issues with Dre Montbaugh I think they'll come and go but this is a team that's been there 250 00:31:30,720 --> 00:31:37,760 done that so I'm gonna say they're finished third which means Phoenix Suns will finish fourth I know 251 00:31:37,760 --> 00:31:45,280 this goes against the green in fact I saw Stephen A's top five listen they were fourth here's what 252 00:31:45,280 --> 00:31:54,880 I'm gonna say guys this team you have your big three there Kevin Durant played 47 games last year 253 00:31:55,520 --> 00:32:03,360 since tearing up his ACL the most games he's played in the season has been 55 I really think 254 00:32:03,360 --> 00:32:10,880 that's an issue for him going forward I really do also too Bradley Beal he played in just 50 255 00:32:10,880 --> 00:32:20,320 games last season and the most games he's played the last three years is 56 Joseph Nierke he played 256 00:32:20,320 --> 00:32:27,040 52 games last year and within the past four years I don't think he's approached I think he's 257 00:32:27,040 --> 00:32:34,720 approached 60 once so you're talking about three of your five starters that has played less than 258 00:32:34,720 --> 00:32:43,200 55 games three of your starters that does a bowl well guys I understand too I get it they do have 259 00:32:43,200 --> 00:32:50,400 depth but you don't have KD depth you don't have a guy that can produce like KD or even near that 260 00:32:50,400 --> 00:32:56,880 on your bench Bradley Beal yeah you got some guys that can probably but you don't have a Bradley 261 00:32:56,880 --> 00:33:04,960 Beal type on your bench if you're saying Eric Gorton okay but he himself deals with injuries so 262 00:33:04,960 --> 00:33:12,640 yeah I'm picking them forth guys I mean I know they're the nice shiny object you look at it on 263 00:33:12,640 --> 00:33:19,600 paper but you got to deal with the facts they're injury written I'm gonna say they're the fourth 264 00:33:19,600 --> 00:33:27,200 place team which leads us to the last place team the LA Clippers I know that's sacrilege guys 265 00:33:28,160 --> 00:33:34,000 you think their injury situation is something the Clippers is just as bad when you're talking about 266 00:33:34,000 --> 00:33:42,000 Kawhi Leonard and Paul George this is going to be a tough division guys really tough and then you 267 00:33:42,000 --> 00:33:48,480 also have the specter of James Hart and Looming in the air so I don't think these guys are going to 268 00:33:48,480 --> 00:33:55,440 be all that confident knowing that in a moment's notice that deal can go forth and you end up bringing 269 00:33:55,440 --> 00:34:04,000 Hart in and who's to say who will be leaving in process so if that's the case I'm not confident 270 00:34:04,000 --> 00:34:10,560 in poor Tyloo he's got to deal with this situation but maybe this is the way of him getting out of 271 00:34:10,560 --> 00:34:17,520 there I don't know but I'm picking them as the fifth place team guys that's the way the West 272 00:34:17,520 --> 00:34:24,480 shakes out in my purview I'll give you the playoff teams that I see right now I see it 273 00:34:25,200 --> 00:34:32,800 lining up like this I think the Lakers could end up having the best overall record in the West 274 00:34:33,520 --> 00:34:40,000 followed by Denver followed by Sacramento I think Sacramento will have the third best record 275 00:34:40,560 --> 00:34:47,360 the Memphis Grizzlies I can't count them out even with the jaw suspension I would never pick this high 276 00:34:47,360 --> 00:34:52,560 if it weren't for them getting Marcus smart I think Marcus smart is the type of player that can 277 00:34:52,560 --> 00:35:00,480 hold them accountable and they don't miss too much of a beat without Jaa Moran now when Jaa returns 278 00:35:00,480 --> 00:35:07,040 it'll be interesting how Taylor Jenkins handles that situation where more likely than not you'll 279 00:35:07,040 --> 00:35:13,600 probably end up starting both Jaa and Marcus smart which means you'll probably have to move Bane to 280 00:35:13,600 --> 00:35:20,560 the small forward but like I said fourth place I think that's where they'll end up fifth place 281 00:35:20,560 --> 00:35:26,240 will be Golden State again like I said they show up that road record they'll be right up in there 282 00:35:26,240 --> 00:35:34,480 so I'm picking them fifth six I'm gonna say Phoenix Suns I think somehow they'll end up being the 283 00:35:34,480 --> 00:35:44,160 sixth place team in that conference followed by OKC and then I follow that with the Houston rockets 284 00:35:44,160 --> 00:35:51,920 being the eighth place team which mean your playing teams will probably be Pelicans again 285 00:35:52,560 --> 00:35:59,520 and Minnesota I understand you'll have the Twin Towers back but this West is so loaded man oh 286 00:35:59,520 --> 00:36:04,560 I think they'll end up being the playoff team it could flip one way or the other but I think 287 00:36:04,560 --> 00:36:11,760 that's the way it shakes out all right guys so that is the way I'm seeing that listen things are 288 00:36:11,760 --> 00:36:17,760 gonna be interesting in the league so why not start with a little controversy all right guys so 289 00:36:17,760 --> 00:36:25,040 that is it for me I thank you for listening as always much appreciated coming up it'll be the 290 00:36:25,040 --> 00:36:31,040 Eastern Conference I'll be breaking that down as well I'll probably do an episode on my postseason 291 00:36:31,040 --> 00:36:38,080 awards my predictions in that regard I'll give you my top three as far as those awards go I still 292 00:36:38,080 --> 00:36:43,760 want to talk about the WNBA and put a nice bow on that season there with their finals which was 293 00:36:43,760 --> 00:36:49,760 pretty exciting and a few other news items here and there all right guys so that is it for me I 294 00:36:49,760 --> 00:36:56,800 thank you as always for listening you know where to go all things basketball with GD.com that's 295 00:36:56,800 --> 00:37:06,800 the website that sportsdudegd.com that's the email address all the podcast platforms I'm there 296 00:37:06,800 --> 00:37:17,520 YouTube, Apple, leave reviews guys on the website on Apple on YouTube like the video when you see 297 00:37:17,520 --> 00:37:27,600 it there post it there and all the socials I'm there whether it be Facebook IG, TikTok you 298 00:37:27,600 --> 00:37:32,960 know me and next don't get along by I peek my head in every now and again and then threads I'm 299 00:37:32,960 --> 00:37:38,000 not existent forget about threads we was just talking about that today so anyhow that's it for 300 00:37:38,000 --> 00:37:47,120 me thank you for listening and we will be talking soon take care. So my peeps if you like what you 301 00:37:47,120 --> 00:37:57,280 are listening to you can go to my website www.allthingsbasketballwithgd.com you can also email me at 302 00:37:57,280 --> 00:38:12,240 that sportsdudegd.com to support this podcast you can go to my paypal and that email is that sportsdudegd.com 303 00:38:12,240 --> 00:38:21,680 also on my anchor page I have a support button there that you can also use to help the podcast 304 00:38:23,040 --> 00:38:33,280 I'm on all the major platforms like anchor, spreeker, google podcast, amazon, soundcloud, 305 00:38:33,280 --> 00:38:42,320 youtube, castbots, radio public, podchaser just to name a few and also you can find me on social 306 00:38:42,320 --> 00:38:54,160 media Facebook Instagram Twitter, TikTok, clubhouse and fanbase so once again I thank you for listening 307 00:38:54,160 --> 00:39:04,160 and supporting this podcast and take care and be safe.