Greetings my peeps and welcome to the All Things Basketball Podcast with your boy GD.
In this episode I gave you my look around the east.
Now we take a look at the western conference.
We'll take a look at each of the teams so far and I'll give you my assessment.
So just sit back, relax and enjoy the show.
Okay guys it's your boy GD back once again with the All Things Basketball Podcast.
And in this episode I gave you the eastern conference.
My little look around the league if you will.
So now we will talk about the west.
Let's get it started.
We will start with the southwest division and we will talk about the Dallas Mavericks.
Surprise team guys.
They're playing pretty good.
Look at Donkage.
He's been amazing guys.
He's playing very well.
A scoring near 33 points a game.
Aretjen 8 rebounds, 8 assists.
He's shooting great from the field guys and he's been unconscious from 3.
Kyrie Irvind most important thing.
He's been available guys.
He's only missed a couple of games so far this year.
And you know with Kyrie you kind of hope you have him in the fold because you never know
with him.
Now you're seeing the re-emergence of Tim Hardaway Jr.
He's starting to play well.
Grant Williams seems like he's a nice addition to that team.
And your rookie Derek Lively.
He looks good so far guys.
He looks good.
He's been working with Tyson Chandler.
Seems like he's coming along.
He has kind of a Tyson Chandler type game too as well so the kids looking good.
Dallas.
Surprising a lot of folks but they're right up there amongst the top teams right now.
The Houston Rockets.
As I predicted guys they look good so far.
I knew having a guy like M.A.O.
Duka he'll be able to coach these guys up and he's done that.
Operin Sengoon the guy's been fantastic man.
That's your center there and he's playing well.
You can use better efficiency from your back court from Fred Van Vleet who's been passing
the ball very well as of late and Jalen Green.
Jabari Smith.
He's looking good right now.
And guys we got to put some respect on Dylan Brooks man.
Put some respect on this guy's name.
He's playing good for them.
He's doing what he needs to do.
He's not been as well what's the word I want to use.
I guess troublesome is a word.
He hasn't been as troublesome over here with the Houston Rockets.
He's been doing what he needs to do.
He's actually shooting at pretty good guys from the field and from three.
So you got to put some respect on this guy's name.
He's been a pretty good defender all things considered so Dylan Brooks playing well.
The New Orleans Pelicans.
Right now they received crushing news about CJ McCullum.
They're calling it Numa Thorax.
It's an issue with his right lung.
So he's out indefinitely.
We don't know when he'll be back.
Zion Williamson.
He's been available guys.
So that's been a help to them.
Injuries for Jose Alvarado.
Also Trey Murphy.
He's out with the knee injury.
Herbert Jones.
He's been out with a injury as well.
And now you got Herb Jones with a leg injury.
And now you have Larry Nance Jr. with the ribs.
A lot of guys on the men.
Brandon Ingram playing well.
Rookie Jordan Hawkins has been thrusted into action and he's been a big surprise guys.
He's been a big surprise for them.
Dyson Daniels.
Another guy who's been a surprise.
He's been improving.
Jonas Valachunas.
His numbers are down guys.
He's been kind of a roller coaster ride there but his numbers are down across the board.
I would imagine the Pelicans would be fine once they get all hands on deck.
But right now they're reeling in terms of their guys with injuries and so forth.
The San Antonio Spurs.
Victor Wimbayama.
He's been as good as advertised guys.
He's been playing well.
Devin Vassel.
He's been solid.
Although he's been, he's missed a few games as of late.
Keldon Johnson.
He's playing well right now for that team as a third option.
Vassel injury.
I'll tell you what it is.
He has a groin injury guys that has kind of taken him out the mix.
He's missed about three games with that groin injury.
Hopefully they'll get him back.
He's questionable for his next game coming up.
And also Jeremy Sochan.
He's acclimating himself as the point guard for this team.
He's coming along slowly but surely.
Zach Collins has been good.
Trey Jones coming off the bench is played solid for them as well.
They're not an easy win to get as well guys.
They've been tough with, especially with Wimbay there.
They'll grow.
They'll be fine.
They'll be okay.
But of course on the outside looking in in terms of playoff and playing.
And then you have a major disappointing team.
The Memphis Grizzlies.
Right now it's been a shock to me as bad as they've been playing guys.
You have no Stephen Adams, no Brandon Clark.
Stephen Adams you know is lost for the year with the knee injury.
And Clark is overcoming his knee injuries.
They may be getting him back.
Now add to that Xavier Tillman.
He's now dealing with injuries as well.
So you just got a Santy Aldama back.
Desmond Bain has been playing lights out.
He's been sensational guys.
And Jaren Jackson Jr. has been playing well.
Right now Marcus Smart.
He's still learning the team but now he's had a setback.
He's going to miss the next three to five weeks.
And then of course you know, John Moran.
He'll be back next month.
Around December 17th is kind of the target date that he'll be allowed to come back.
And then I heard Stephen A on his podcast talk about the Memphis Grizzlies and kind
of pointing the finger a blame at John Moran for their slow start and how he should feel
guilty about them being slow coming out the gate.
I mean I don't know if I go there.
Sure what he did was bone headed.
Sure.
He should have thought better of it.
Sure all these things.
But for him to feel guilty about their start.
I don't know if I put that on him.
That's just me.
I mean you have enough guys there to kind of write the ship.
You thought you had enough guys to write the ship here but that hasn't been the case.
But when he comes back they'll be fine.
They'll be okay.
I'm sure he'll be very much wanting to help them elevate.
So I expect a motivated John Moran when he takes the court next month.
I expect that.
So that is your story in the Southwest Division.
The Northwest Division that has gone pretty much as I thought with a slight surprise.
Denver course the cream of the crop.
They're the defending champs guys.
They keep rolling along.
Right now Jamal Murray.
He missed.
He's going to end up missing the entire month of November with their hamstring injury.
But they've been holding the fort so maybe this is a good thing for them.
The fact that there's still head and shoulders above the rest.
The Joker being the Joker of course although he was just ejected the other night.
We got to say something about this referee and man it's left a lot to be desired.
I think overall the refereeing has been subpar this year thus far.
It just has man with the new flopping rules with these referees already sensitive as is.
It's just been the referee has been bad this year.
I can't even sugarcoat it has been bad.
But back to Denver.
Right now Michael Porter Jr.
He's looking a lot better than he did last year.
He looks healthier guys so that's a good thing for them.
Aaron Gorton he's been solid.
He continues to be solid for them.
You're getting contributions of course from Reggie Jackson especially given the fact
that now you don't have Jamal Murray so you definitely need Reggie Jackson to step in
in his stead.
He's been doing that.
Catevious called well Pope.
You know he's a 3 and D guy you can count on.
Christian Braun has been playing well guys and it seems like he's filling the role of
Bruce Brown of last year.
So Christian Braun has been playing well.
That is your Denver story.
The Minnesota Timberwolves the surprise of the West that's for sure along with Dallas
Mavericks.
But even in my season preview guys they played well in the preseason and this carried over
into the regular season.
Right now the team has shifted to an Ant-Man team.
This is Ant-Man team now.
He's playing fantastic guys.
Carl Anfony Town he's fitting nicely as that number two guy Rudy Goldbear really looks
like his old self now.
He's averaging a double double a 12 and 12 along with over two blocks per game.
So he looks like he's his better self.
That's for sure.
Also you're getting contributions from other guys.
Mike Conley the sage veteran.
Jay McDaniels is playing well.
Nas Reed, Kyle Anderson, shake Milton.
You're getting all kind of contributions from these guys.
So Chris Finch is doing a great job guys with that team.
Can they continue this?
Remember last year around this time Utah was the hot team and then they fizzled out but
I don't think that would be the case with the Timberwolves unless a major injury comes
into play but I think right now they're forced to be reckoned with.
Then you have Oklahoma City Thunder who I thought would be good.
They do look good.
Right now Shay Gilkis Alexander's he's playing at an MVP level guys.
That's how well he's been playing.
Jaylin Williams he's been even better in the second season.
A Chet Holmgren having a nice start to his career in the NBA as a rookie playing well.
You're getting guys like Josh Getty of course who's the point guard there.
Lou Dort.
Isaiah Joe is playing well.
Casey Wallace as well so Casey is playing good.
Mark Dagnall I think right now he's in the running for Coach of the Year of course.
Might have to beat off Chris Finch if he ends up doing what he's doing in Minnesota but
he has these guys playing now and OKC right now they're a threat at least.
Portland Trailblazers they're without one of their key players Anthony Simons who broke
his thumb on opening night and he's been out ever since.
Scoot Henderson he's off to a slow start and now he's out with an ankle injury.
As of the news I just saw he is now with the G League rehabbing so maybe we'll see him
sooner than later.
DeAndre Aten I am so surprised how disappointing he's been thus far.
I thought he'd be playing a lot better than that has been the case and then of course
Jeremy Grant and Shaten Sharp they've been playing well so you have some guys that are
doing it but just starting back court not having them that's been an issue guys.
And then the Utah Jazz Laurie Markedon is being Laurie Markedon he's doing the best
he can.
Walker Kessler just sprained his elbow so he's going to be out for the next couple of weeks
he's supposed to be being evaluated soon.
John Collins seems like a solid fit for them.
Jordan Clarkson playing well.
Collins Sexton and Talon Horton Tucker they've been a slight disappointment although Horton
Tucker seems like he's coming around a little bit but this team is still missing something
guys so it could be a long season for them.
And then guys we turn our attention to the Pacific Division of course this is the most
contentious division out there in the West.
Right now a top of that division is the Sacramento Kings DeAaron Fox they just got him back he
was out with an ankle injury any success this team has has to begin with DeAaron Fox.
To Montessibonis he's his normal all-star self he's playing well thus far.
Keegan Murray has been improving looks much better guys you got a solid combination there
and Malik Monk and Kevin Herter as well so this team really has kind of solidified themselves
on top of the Pacific Division.
Mike Brown has done a fabulous job turning this program around.
And then we move on to the LA Lakers.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis so far so good guys they've been available so far.
I still stand by the fact this should be a Anthony Davis led team.
I heard Rachel Nichols the other day talk about Anthony Davis because you know it's
been a lot of talk about him is up and down play and she basically said he's a guy but
he's not the guy.
He's not your number one option.
He's a perfect compliment but he's not the guy.
And that's I don't think I could disagree with her but that shouldn't be the case.
Anthony Davis is talented enough to be a actual guy leading a squad.
He should be at that point in this career.
The fact that he's not able and you know as she sees it he can't be that.
That's problematic if that's the case guys I'm just gonna leave it at that.
Davis have been dealing with some injuries, Gabe Vincent he's missed some time with a
knee injury and then Jarrett Vanderbilt he's had an injury as well.
And also Roy Hachimura dealing with injury.
Austin Reeves he's been up and down.
Of course D'Angelo Russell of course he's always a hit and miss but you're gonna need
solid backcourt play guys especially if you're contending in this division that's for sure.
Then we move to the Golden State Warriors.
They're actually better on the road from last year.
The only problem is they've been pretty bad at home including two losses to the Minnesota
Timberwolves.
Steph is being Steph of course.
Those starts you're getting from Andrew Wiggins you need better from him and Chris Paul.
But you know Chris Paul has acclimated himself with this team and which we'll see what happens
there.
Draymond being Draymond and of course he's got suspended as of recently I talked about
that in one of the episodes that will be coming out.
I talked about his five game suspension.
DeKirk you know he's keeping these guys afloat somehow some way still Clay Thompson still
showing flashes of his old self he's not his old self which you gotta come to grips with
being that he's had the consecutive knee injuries there.
And I'm sure it's frustrating for him not being able to do what he once did.
And then we move on to the Phoenix Suns who they've been dealing with their share of injuries.
Bradley Beale who's been in and out of line up with the back injury.
Now he's going to miss more time.
Devin Booker who missed eight games with a calf injury he's back now.
Damian Lee who hasn't played all year with his knee injury.
Kevin Durant and Justin Nurkic they played in all the games thus far guys so they've
been available but again I worry about those two guys because they have that injury history
and it's not to wish anything upon them but it's on their resume so what can I say.
Eric Gorton he's been playing well but he's another guy who has an injury riddle history.
Grayson Allen's been solid for them.
Right now Frank Vogel he's trying to keep it together but it's been hard when your
heart hit injuries like this but we'll see what happens with that team and then the final
team the LA Clippers I talked about them in the other episode as well the struggles that
James Harden is having.
So why and Paul George has been available thus far we'll see what happens there.
Russell Westbrook's been playing great now to make room for his friend he said he'll
go to the bench and help out the bench.
Mason Plumlee he's going to be out four weeks with an MCL sprain so you're hoping to get
him back soon but the Clippers going to have to figure some things out Tyron Liu he's got
to be like a mad scientist there kind of mixing and matching to see what works what doesn't.
So we'll see what happens and how that goes so that is your quick look at the Western
Conference guys we had some major passings in the world of the NBA that I did want to
cover I want to do a player spotlight or more like a basketball spotlight on a couple of
these folks possibly that's coming down the pike also in season tournament we guys start
talking about that as well we're coming to the close to the conclusion of that so we'd
be able to get a clearer picture once the dust settles but hey guys we're in the midst of
basketball season college is going on the NBA is going on a lot happening so you'll
be hearing from me guys I'll be bringing you the content once again again I had to take
a little bit of a break life was lifeing so I had to flow with it so but I am back I'm
in the mix alright guys so I thank you for listening as always and we'll talk soon take
care hello my peeps thank you for listening and supporting the all things basketball with
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