Kelly Iko

We saw in the fourth quarter where he hits, I think, like five in a row and then kind of teeters off. It's just a give and take. They have too many options. And I think that lack of a true identity is what's going to be the most detrimental thing to come down the road because they have a defensive identity. They're going to swarm. They're going to be aggressive. They're going to be physical.

We saw in the fourth quarter where he hits, I think, like five in a row and then kind of teeters off. It's just a give and take. They have too many options. And I think that lack of a true identity is what's going to be the most detrimental thing to come down the road because they have a defensive identity. They're going to swarm. They're going to be aggressive. They're going to be physical.

Offensive is another issue. And I think it's going to take them some time and more reps under EMA and more trial and error for games like this to kind of figure out, okay, what do we want to do on any given night?

Offensive is another issue. And I think it's going to take them some time and more reps under EMA and more trial and error for games like this to kind of figure out, okay, what do we want to do on any given night?

I think the biggest thing why Emei was mad was because the lack of communication defensively. There were too many breakdowns. They allowed Brooke Lopez to catch fire, a guy that came into the year shooting 30% from three. And a team like Milwaukee that is pretty even across the board in terms of their shots at the rim, shots from three. It's kind of...

I think the biggest thing why Emei was mad was because the lack of communication defensively. There were too many breakdowns. They allowed Brooke Lopez to catch fire, a guy that came into the year shooting 30% from three. And a team like Milwaukee that is pretty even across the board in terms of their shots at the rim, shots from three. It's kind of...

tricky when you want to scheme and trying to figure out what you want to take away. Do you want to form a wall on Giannis? Do you want your line to cook and then keep everyone else at home? This was a game where you kind of see a number of breakdowns in communication.

tricky when you want to scheme and trying to figure out what you want to take away. Do you want to form a wall on Giannis? Do you want your line to cook and then keep everyone else at home? This was a game where you kind of see a number of breakdowns in communication.

They either switch too late or they didn't switch at all and they try to let guys go one-on-one and that led to further breakdowns and you just see a compounding of mistakes and that's why you saw it. You may just storm off the game. It felt like a playoff game. It felt like they lost game one at home and it was like they lost that home court advantage.

They either switch too late or they didn't switch at all and they try to let guys go one-on-one and that led to further breakdowns and you just see a compounding of mistakes and that's why you saw it. You may just storm off the game. It felt like a playoff game. It felt like they lost game one at home and it was like they lost that home court advantage.

But it's mid-November and that's kind of telling you the level of urgency that Rockets have in terms of trying to set the tone from a defensive standpoint and also trying to put their name in that Western Conference hierarchy.

But it's mid-November and that's kind of telling you the level of urgency that Rockets have in terms of trying to set the tone from a defensive standpoint and also trying to put their name in that Western Conference hierarchy.

It's a gift and a curse. You know, Ema is a guy that's going to roll with the hot hand. And if he sees pretty early on that someone doesn't have it, he's going to, you know, look for the bench for options. You saw tonight. Yeah. He tried to play Reed. Reed wasn't going. Jabari wasn't going. So he brings in Aaron Holiday. He brings in, you know, Jeff Green for a little bit.

It's a gift and a curse. You know, Ema is a guy that's going to roll with the hot hand. And if he sees pretty early on that someone doesn't have it, he's going to, you know, look for the bench for options. You saw tonight. Yeah. He tried to play Reed. Reed wasn't going. Jabari wasn't going. So he brings in Aaron Holiday. He brings in, you know, Jeff Green for a little bit.

And then he ends up going the distance with Amin Thompson and Tyron Eason. But... One of the keys for Houston defensive this season has been the reliance on Alperen Shingun, his emergence as a rim protector, his emergence as a guy that can be on the floor for long stretches.

And then he ends up going the distance with Amin Thompson and Tyron Eason. But... One of the keys for Houston defensive this season has been the reliance on Alperen Shingun, his emergence as a rim protector, his emergence as a guy that can be on the floor for long stretches.

We know as a rookie and even up until last season, there were times where he was played off the floor because he didn't have the conditioning or he didn't have the, you know, the skill set to defend in space or defend guys. Now we're seeing him being placed on guards, being placed on wings, being placed on bigs, and he can, you know, he can kind of do it all. So in a game like this where,

We know as a rookie and even up until last season, there were times where he was played off the floor because he didn't have the conditioning or he didn't have the, you know, the skill set to defend in space or defend guys. Now we're seeing him being placed on guards, being placed on wings, being placed on bigs, and he can, you know, he can kind of do it all. So in a game like this where,

you're looking for that fifth guy to close. And we saw, I think they went, I think they went one for nine in the last four minutes of the game. Yeah. It was like a sluggish, exactly the kind of game that the Bucs wanted. I know that's the kind of game that Doc Rivers wanted for sure. And put the ball in Damian Johnson's hands to win the game.

you're looking for that fifth guy to close. And we saw, I think they went, I think they went one for nine in the last four minutes of the game. Yeah. It was like a sluggish, exactly the kind of game that the Bucs wanted. I know that's the kind of game that Doc Rivers wanted for sure. And put the ball in Damian Johnson's hands to win the game.

But from a Houston standpoint, they want to get the best shots they can, especially for a team that doesn't shoot well from three at all. And we saw, it might've been tired leg. This was the sixth game in nine and nine days. So that could be that. It was just one of those things.

But from a Houston standpoint, they want to get the best shots they can, especially for a team that doesn't shoot well from three at all. And we saw, it might've been tired leg. This was the sixth game in nine and nine days. So that could be that. It was just one of those things.

I think it's a bit of both. I think it's something where you, and if we're being honest, you know, this is in Illinois, you know, Fred VanVleet had an event for, for kids bringing out. He, we saw what he did last night in Chicago. You know, he wants to take it to them, you know, because he's from Rockford. Rockford is halfway between Chicago and Milwaukee.

I think it's a bit of both. I think it's something where you, and if we're being honest, you know, this is in Illinois, you know, Fred VanVleet had an event for, for kids bringing out. He, we saw what he did last night in Chicago. You know, he wants to take it to them, you know, because he's from Rockford. Rockford is halfway between Chicago and Milwaukee.

You know, he has, I think official 26 tonight. It's a number of things. And then you're playing in Milwaukee where it's like at any given point, Giannis can go super turbo nuclear. So it's like you're trying to figure out on the fly in real time in a tough environment. It's a very hard place to play in Milwaukee in physical form. And the game is just drawing out.

You know, he has, I think official 26 tonight. It's a number of things. And then you're playing in Milwaukee where it's like at any given point, Giannis can go super turbo nuclear. So it's like you're trying to figure out on the fly in real time in a tough environment. It's a very hard place to play in Milwaukee in physical form. And the game is just drawing out.

And you could tell very early on that if you weren't going to play through Alperin, and they did it for a little bit, and then they went away from it. The problem with Houston offensively is that They have so many options. It's like a jack of all trades and a master of none.

And you could tell very early on that if you weren't going to play through Alperin, and they did it for a little bit, and then they went away from it. The problem with Houston offensively is that They have so many options. It's like a jack of all trades and a master of none.

Like you can play through so many different options, but at some point you're going to have to find some consistency, especially in the fourth quarter late in the game. When it's winning time, you're going to have to find a system to go through.

Like you can play through so many different options, but at some point you're going to have to find some consistency, especially in the fourth quarter late in the game. When it's winning time, you're going to have to find a system to go through.

I think the bread and butter should be the two-man game between Alperin and Jalen, but everything should start with Alperin. in terms of getting him on the low block, getting him in the mid post and allowing him to dictate depending on what the defense is giving to him.

I think the bread and butter should be the two-man game between Alperin and Jalen, but everything should start with Alperin. in terms of getting him on the low block, getting him in the mid post and allowing him to dictate depending on what the defense is giving to him.

Now, on games like this where he kind of starts out slow, you have to go through your plan B and C. Plan B is, let's see what Fred has tonight. Can he get it going? Because he's a guy that wants to defer off the rip. So can he turn it up or not to get it going? And plan C is seeing if Jalen can find a rhythm because he's a rhythm guy.

Now, on games like this where he kind of starts out slow, you have to go through your plan B and C. Plan B is, let's see what Fred has tonight. Can he get it going? Because he's a guy that wants to defer off the rip. So can he turn it up or not to get it going? And plan C is seeing if Jalen can find a rhythm because he's a rhythm guy.

And as a player, your pride and ego is affected by that. That happens five, six, seven times because in this day and age, that becomes a label on you. So what Jalen did is have those hard talks with EMA, have those hard talks with Ben Sullivan, the coaching staff, and figure out exactly what he was doing wrong defensively. And now you're seeing his tendencies are improved.

And as a player, your pride and ego is affected by that. That happens five, six, seven times because in this day and age, that becomes a label on you. So what Jalen did is have those hard talks with EMA, have those hard talks with Ben Sullivan, the coaching staff, and figure out exactly what he was doing wrong defensively. And now you're seeing his tendencies are improved.

His reaction time has improved. The overall IQ has improved. And because of his size and length and his speed, If he's able to lock in defensively, it really raises the ceiling more than anyone else on that roster because of what he can do offensively as well. Right. And given his I guess his ceiling, you know, as a potential, you know, a one guy.

His reaction time has improved. The overall IQ has improved. And because of his size and length and his speed, If he's able to lock in defensively, it really raises the ceiling more than anyone else on that roster because of what he can do offensively as well. Right. And given his I guess his ceiling, you know, as a potential, you know, a one guy.

These are the games that you have to show that your teammates can trust you in because this is the first time all of you are going to the playoffs as the young core. It's going to be a lot of information that's going to be carried over to the offices now will affect some of our decisions, future contracts, stuff like that. It starts now.

These are the games that you have to show that your teammates can trust you in because this is the first time all of you are going to the playoffs as the young core. It's going to be a lot of information that's going to be carried over to the offices now will affect some of our decisions, future contracts, stuff like that. It starts now.

And credit to Jalen, he's put in the work behind the scenes to become – That dependable player, especially on the defensive end, he's worked hard to not be a liability on the end of the floor. And because of that, he's become a positive team defender. And as you saw in game two, when he's aggressive and he's spearheading that scheme, there's no telling what that team can do.

And credit to Jalen, he's put in the work behind the scenes to become – That dependable player, especially on the defensive end, he's worked hard to not be a liability on the end of the floor. And because of that, he's become a positive team defender. And as you saw in game two, when he's aggressive and he's spearheading that scheme, there's no telling what that team can do.

So I think to kind of forecast his projection, It's really hard to say because, you know, is this a one-off or is this, you know, going to be a big moment of consistency for me?

So I think to kind of forecast his projection, It's really hard to say because, you know, is this a one-off or is this, you know, going to be a big moment of consistency for me?

Yeah. Yeah, the coming out party for me. So I think it's a good thing for young players to kind of have those moments like tonight where you kind of feel good about yourself and you understand what it really takes to win at the highest level. It's not just about scoring 30 points 15 times in a month or more. You have to be able to lock in against the best of the best

Yeah. Yeah, the coming out party for me. So I think it's a good thing for young players to kind of have those moments like tonight where you kind of feel good about yourself and you understand what it really takes to win at the highest level. It's not just about scoring 30 points 15 times in a month or more. You have to be able to lock in against the best of the best

in a slugfest like tonight was.

in a slugfest like tonight was.

I think Steve Kerr talked about it. Like if Jimmy's out, it really changes everything. They have to rethink everything, which is very true. I think for Houston, you know, given that they've been able to impose their will physically in this year, I think they're up. I think they're a plus 34, 33 on the rebounds over this, the last two games tonight, they had almost nothing.

I think Steve Kerr talked about it. Like if Jimmy's out, it really changes everything. They have to rethink everything, which is very true. I think for Houston, you know, given that they've been able to impose their will physically in this year, I think they're up. I think they're a plus 34, 33 on the rebounds over this, the last two games tonight, they had almost nothing.

what, 20 more points in the paint than Golden State. And just from the eye test, like you're watching a team dominate, you know, them on both ends of the floor with their physical abilities. Right. They're huge. I think if there's going to be a counter... I think if there's going to be a counter for Golden State, you know, they did have some success. I mean, you saw the 1-3-1 zone.

what, 20 more points in the paint than Golden State. And just from the eye test, like you're watching a team dominate, you know, them on both ends of the floor with their physical abilities. Right. They're huge. I think if there's going to be a counter... I think if there's going to be a counter for Golden State, you know, they did have some success. I mean, you saw the 1-3-1 zone.

The Rockets kind of struggled against that. And that goes back to their overall half-court issues.

The Rockets kind of struggled against that. And that goes back to their overall half-court issues.

I think initially it kind of took them by surprise because, you know, Kaminga still has that size and speed as an impact player. I think the problem for Kaminga is that because as a player, you need that rhythm as well.

I think initially it kind of took them by surprise because, you know, Kaminga still has that size and speed as an impact player. I think the problem for Kaminga is that because as a player, you need that rhythm as well.

you know, it's obvious that Steve Kerr doesn't play him for certain reasons in terms of how he fits in with Jimmy and the other guys. And he's kind of like, Pat Spencer gave them more problems. Yeah, exactly. So I think it's, it's tough. Like when you have those kind of,

you know, it's obvious that Steve Kerr doesn't play him for certain reasons in terms of how he fits in with Jimmy and the other guys. And he's kind of like, Pat Spencer gave them more problems. Yeah, exactly. So I think it's, it's tough. Like when you have those kind of,

dark horse type players yeah it's really hard to scheme for them because you're not sure with this warriors team who's going to step up now if jimmy's not able to play game three who's going to be that next go-to guy is it going to be is it going to be pods is it going to be jk is it going to be buddy like who moses if he'll get the shots up right

dark horse type players yeah it's really hard to scheme for them because you're not sure with this warriors team who's going to step up now if jimmy's not able to play game three who's going to be that next go-to guy is it going to be is it going to be pods is it going to be jk is it going to be buddy like who moses if he'll get the shots up right

I think if you were to look in the vacuum, it has to be Kuminga, but who knows to see how they actually scheme.

I think if you were to look in the vacuum, it has to be Kuminga, but who knows to see how they actually scheme.

Yeah, Emay kind of said, you know, this is the identity that the Rockets have built, you know, over the past two seasons. This is who they are. They're going to be a team that likes to muck things up. They like to get physical. They enjoy that. They thrive off of it because it allows them to –

Yeah, Emay kind of said, you know, this is the identity that the Rockets have built, you know, over the past two seasons. This is who they are. They're going to be a team that likes to muck things up. They like to get physical. They enjoy that. They thrive off of it because it allows them to –

as long as the officiating is in their favor, it allows them to thrive and be the best version of themselves. Obviously, this is a team that's pretty up and down offensively, but defensively, if they can get into you physically at the point of attack, they can blow up your actions. Now it becomes a battle of wits.

as long as the officiating is in their favor, it allows them to thrive and be the best version of themselves. Obviously, this is a team that's pretty up and down offensively, but defensively, if they can get into you physically at the point of attack, they can blow up your actions. Now it becomes a battle of wits.

And as you saw in game two, technical fouls, flagrant fouls, scuffles, dust-ups, that's kind of the game they enjoy because... it takes the air out of the room. And I think for this Rockets team especially, if you look at how they've been able to defend Curry tonight,

And as you saw in game two, technical fouls, flagrant fouls, scuffles, dust-ups, that's kind of the game they enjoy because... it takes the air out of the room. And I think for this Rockets team especially, if you look at how they've been able to defend Curry tonight,

being able to be aggressive at the point of attack, not letting him get free off of those actions that he's thrived on for over a decade, you can kind of see where the Rockets can find their advantages. Now, obviously, heading into Game 3, there are going to be some counters to those, and there's going to be some changes.

being able to be aggressive at the point of attack, not letting him get free off of those actions that he's thrived on for over a decade, you can kind of see where the Rockets can find their advantages. Now, obviously, heading into Game 3, there are going to be some counters to those, and there's going to be some changes.

But I think as far as this series remains chippy and competitive, the Rockets have that in their back pocket.

But I think as far as this series remains chippy and competitive, the Rockets have that in their back pocket.

I just saw confidence. Obviously, this was pretty much the biggest game of their lives, because if you go down 0-2 to a Warriors team this experienced, you're not getting control back in this series. So obviously, you know, from that perspective alone, Jalen knew he had to bring it. He's a game and he knew that finding a rhythm early.

I just saw confidence. Obviously, this was pretty much the biggest game of their lives, because if you go down 0-2 to a Warriors team this experienced, you're not getting control back in this series. So obviously, you know, from that perspective alone, Jalen knew he had to bring it. He's a game and he knew that finding a rhythm early.

If you've watched Jalen over the years, that's the biggest key to having to seeing the games he has that are productive. When he gets cooking early, you know, the Rockets kind of feed into him more. They allow him to progress and go through his reads, and they play off of his aggression. And ironically enough, you know, that thing started early defensively. He was locked in on Curry.

If you've watched Jalen over the years, that's the biggest key to having to seeing the games he has that are productive. When he gets cooking early, you know, the Rockets kind of feed into him more. They allow him to progress and go through his reads, and they play off of his aggression. And ironically enough, you know, that thing started early defensively. He was locked in on Curry.

He was in the passing lanes. Two jump balls in the game. Two jump balls and just being aggressive as – that lead a defender and that kind of fueled his offense because it gives you more juice, more energy to want to score and want to be that go-to guy.

He was in the passing lanes. Two jump balls in the game. Two jump balls and just being aggressive as – that lead a defender and that kind of fueled his offense because it gives you more juice, more energy to want to score and want to be that go-to guy.

And obviously, you know, given the kind of player he is and the kind of person he is, you understand that he's extremely confident in his own abilities. And this is the biggest time of the year where those big time players show up. So,

And obviously, you know, given the kind of player he is and the kind of person he is, you understand that he's extremely confident in his own abilities. And this is the biggest time of the year where those big time players show up. So,

impressive for him to come back and respond after you know the last five games that's where he was averaging i think like 5.25 points a game and just not looking the kind of score that we know him to be so yeah for him to go and have that kind of performance he really galvanized the group and now heading into game three they should be full of confidence that they can have a similar type performance

impressive for him to come back and respond after you know the last five games that's where he was averaging i think like 5.25 points a game and just not looking the kind of score that we know him to be so yeah for him to go and have that kind of performance he really galvanized the group and now heading into game three they should be full of confidence that they can have a similar type performance

I think the biggest thing now is trust, trust in the coaching staff, that renewed sense of communication and honesty between those guys and seeing the deficiencies in his game and where he needed to improve on defensively. Because, you know, early on when he first got to Houston, it was a common thing to take him out end of games whenever he needed to get a stop.

I think the biggest thing now is trust, trust in the coaching staff, that renewed sense of communication and honesty between those guys and seeing the deficiencies in his game and where he needed to improve on defensively. Because, you know, early on when he first got to Houston, it was a common thing to take him out end of games whenever he needed to get a stop.

10.

10.

How you doing, man? Sorry for the late notice. A lot of stuff going on here, so I had to get to it.

How you doing, man? Sorry for the late notice. A lot of stuff going on here, so I had to get to it.

I think the biggest issue for them right now is that their half court issues are starting to become exploited on a bigger stage. Obviously, playing without Fred VanVleet has been their organizer, their table setter for two years now. I feel like they became so attached to him as their plan A that they never sufficiently created a plan B in the case of an injury or absence or whatever.

I think the biggest issue for them right now is that their half court issues are starting to become exploited on a bigger stage. Obviously, playing without Fred VanVleet has been their organizer, their table setter for two years now. I feel like they became so attached to him as their plan A that they never sufficiently created a plan B in the case of an injury or absence or whatever.

So what you're seeing now on a nightly basis is the Rockets are struggling to generate consistent half-court shots against the Warriors. I think they finished the game scoring... 68 points per 100 players in the half court, that's atrocious. It's not going to get it done at any level.

So what you're seeing now on a nightly basis is the Rockets are struggling to generate consistent half-court shots against the Warriors. I think they finished the game scoring... 68 points per 100 players in the half court, that's atrocious. It's not going to get it done at any level.

And it just comes back to a lack of spacing, a lack of movement, guys not understanding where to be at certain times, other teams that are... throw different coverages at them like the Warriors that showed zones. They blitzed. You have Alpey in the middle of the free throw line trying to direct traffic, and guys don't know where to be. It's just a mess.

And it just comes back to a lack of spacing, a lack of movement, guys not understanding where to be at certain times, other teams that are... throw different coverages at them like the Warriors that showed zones. They blitzed. You have Alpey in the middle of the free throw line trying to direct traffic, and guys don't know where to be. It's just a mess.

And I think that's been the biggest issue because they don't know how to score at an efficient rate. And when the fourth quarter comes around, their luck that they rode all year is starting to come back to bite them. I think even though they're 18-12, In the clutch, they have like a minus seven net rating, which is just, that's the basketball gods to a tee.

And I think that's been the biggest issue because they don't know how to score at an efficient rate. And when the fourth quarter comes around, their luck that they rode all year is starting to come back to bite them. I think even though they're 18-12, In the clutch, they have like a minus seven net rating, which is just, that's the basketball gods to a tee.

And now you're seeing them come back to earth in terms of how these teams are starting to affect them on a nightly basis.

And now you're seeing them come back to earth in terms of how these teams are starting to affect them on a nightly basis.

If I was to pinpoint an area where I think a man has made the biggest leap, it has to be in his mid-race comfortability. I think as a rookie, it was clear that he either was going to go to the rim and try and get fouled or, you know, look for someone else to come get the ball. Now...

If I was to pinpoint an area where I think a man has made the biggest leap, it has to be in his mid-race comfortability. I think as a rookie, it was clear that he either was going to go to the rim and try and get fouled or, you know, look for someone else to come get the ball. Now...

that the Rockets have put more trust in him in the half quarter, seeing him kind of get to his spots a little bit more, you know, with a little more fluidity, still a bit of a rigid ball handler. And you see at times he turns the ball over a bit too much when you saw like late game in Brooklyn and New York. But. As a mid-range pull-up guy, he does have some potential there.

that the Rockets have put more trust in him in the half quarter, seeing him kind of get to his spots a little bit more, you know, with a little more fluidity, still a bit of a rigid ball handler. And you see at times he turns the ball over a bit too much when you saw like late game in Brooklyn and New York. But. As a mid-range pull-up guy, he does have some potential there.

Obviously, the shot is still kind of funky in terms of the mechanics, but it looks a lot better than it was as a rookie. And I think that that part of his game, obviously, with the athleticism he possesses, he can get to the rim at will.

Obviously, the shot is still kind of funky in terms of the mechanics, but it looks a lot better than it was as a rookie. And I think that that part of his game, obviously, with the athleticism he possesses, he can get to the rim at will.

But if he creates that in-between game, that 12- to 15-foot jumper or floater, that will open up a lot more doors for him and will make him a more well-rounded offensive player.

But if he creates that in-between game, that 12- to 15-foot jumper or floater, that will open up a lot more doors for him and will make him a more well-rounded offensive player.

I did. I did. And that goes back to your earlier question about their struggles in the half court. I always thought that they still could use a legitimate floor spacer. If you're at a point where Dylan Brooks is your most consistent shooter, that kind of tells you where you are as a team, as an overall shooting unit. So I thought they were getting the mix for Cam Johnson.

I did. I did. And that goes back to your earlier question about their struggles in the half court. I always thought that they still could use a legitimate floor spacer. If you're at a point where Dylan Brooks is your most consistent shooter, that kind of tells you where you are as a team, as an overall shooting unit. So I thought they were getting the mix for Cam Johnson.

They didn't want to do that. I thought they were getting the mix. There were a number of guys on the market that I thought could come in and even if they're playing 15, 18 minutes a night, give Houston some legitimate spacing. I think their biggest issue is that a lot of their guys want to do the same thing. They want to get to the basket. They want to attack the rim. They want to hunt for fouls.

They didn't want to do that. I thought they were getting the mix. There were a number of guys on the market that I thought could come in and even if they're playing 15, 18 minutes a night, give Houston some legitimate spacing. I think their biggest issue is that a lot of their guys want to do the same thing. They want to get to the basket. They want to attack the rim. They want to hunt for fouls.

When you have that, you have a guy in Alper and Shanguna who's so crafty around the basket. He has great footwork. He wants to get guys open looks. These guys aren't great shooters. They're inconsistent shooters. So I was surprised that the Rockets didn't – that they weren't more aggressive around the trade deadline.

When you have that, you have a guy in Alper and Shanguna who's so crafty around the basket. He has great footwork. He wants to get guys open looks. These guys aren't great shooters. They're inconsistent shooters. So I was surprised that the Rockets didn't – that they weren't more aggressive around the trade deadline.

It seems like everything that was coming out of their books was they're confident in this group. They want to ride the momentum out to the playoffs. But as you've seen over the last two weeks, that can only get you so far. So – Prior to the trade-in, I thought that this is a group that could make a run to the Western Conference Finals.

It seems like everything that was coming out of their books was they're confident in this group. They want to ride the momentum out to the playoffs. But as you've seen over the last two weeks, that can only get you so far. So – Prior to the trade-in, I thought that this is a group that could make a run to the Western Conference Finals.

Now, if you ask me today, if they lost in the first round, I wouldn't be surprised.

Now, if you ask me today, if they lost in the first round, I wouldn't be surprised.

Yeah, I think so. I think if everything building up to this moment has been about accumulating data, I do think that once you have a playoff series under your belt, now you're almost along that cycle of... I remember a couple years ago, they had the whole thing about phase one, phase two, whatever. And I call this phase 2.5 because...

Yeah, I think so. I think if everything building up to this moment has been about accumulating data, I do think that once you have a playoff series under your belt, now you're almost along that cycle of... I remember a couple years ago, they had the whole thing about phase one, phase two, whatever. And I call this phase 2.5 because...

Up until you make a blockbuster move, then you're fully in phase three. If they had gone out and gotten a Jimmy Butler, if they had gone out and gotten a Kevin Durant, now you're putting yourself in phase three. But I think after this playoff period coming up in a few months, they'll have enough data to see, okay, this is what we have. This is what should stay.

Up until you make a blockbuster move, then you're fully in phase three. If they had gone out and gotten a Jimmy Butler, if they had gone out and gotten a Kevin Durant, now you're putting yourself in phase three. But I think after this playoff period coming up in a few months, they'll have enough data to see, okay, this is what we have. This is what should stay.

This is where that could possibly go. If we look to go bring in a bona fide A1 Alpha, And I think this summer, potentially, you could do that because as far as flexibility goes, you're under the tax right now. Next season, the extensions kick in. Jones kicks in. Alperin kicks in. You're going to be over the tax. You start to have to look at flexibility down the line.

This is where that could possibly go. If we look to go bring in a bona fide A1 Alpha, And I think this summer, potentially, you could do that because as far as flexibility goes, you're under the tax right now. Next season, the extensions kick in. Jones kicks in. Alperin kicks in. You're going to be over the tax. You start to have to look at flexibility down the line.

And then you look at Jabari's potential extension, Tari's, and you look at Ben Thompson. You have to deal with all that. It's in the near future. So I think if you can get ahead of it and go bring in a guy that can come in, now you're putting yourself farther along that timeline of trying to chase a Western Conference to try to get to pass the second round series.

And then you look at Jabari's potential extension, Tari's, and you look at Ben Thompson. You have to deal with all that. It's in the near future. So I think if you can get ahead of it and go bring in a guy that can come in, now you're putting yourself farther along that timeline of trying to chase a Western Conference to try to get to pass the second round series.

Because as currently constructed, this is a fun team. This is an exciting team. But I don't think anybody's actually looking at them as a potential threat.

Because as currently constructed, this is a fun team. This is an exciting team. But I don't think anybody's actually looking at them as a potential threat.

I think as long as you can hold on to at least three of them, then you have the makings of... you know, a title contender, right?

I think as long as you can hold on to at least three of them, then you have the makings of... you know, a title contender, right?

Like, if you have their core six that they call it, you know, the last six first-round picks, Amin, Cam, Tari, Jawari, Jalen, Alperin, if you can keep half of those guys, you know, obviously, I don't think Amin will go anywhere, but if you can keep half of those guys, now you really start to think of a team that can go far in the West Carolina.

Like, if you have their core six that they call it, you know, the last six first-round picks, Amin, Cam, Tari, Jawari, Jalen, Alperin, if you can keep half of those guys, you know, obviously, I don't think Amin will go anywhere, but if you can keep half of those guys, now you really start to think of a team that can go far in the West Carolina.

Because obviously, if you're going to give up a star player, an A1 player, you're going to ask for one or two of these guys, or even three, and then multiple to the first-round picks. Everybody's not going to be Nico Harrison and give you one first-round pick and send you on your way. So it's going to cost you a premium to acquire one of these guys. So it's going to take some time.

Because obviously, if you're going to give up a star player, an A1 player, you're going to ask for one or two of these guys, or even three, and then multiple to the first-round picks. Everybody's not going to be Nico Harrison and give you one first-round pick and send you on your way. So it's going to cost you a premium to acquire one of these guys. So it's going to take some time.

That's a good question. The way I see it, the Rockets don't see anybody as like a building. They have a lot of talented young guys on their roster that they're developing at the same time. Until one of them clearly outperforms the rest of the pack, then you still have to keep them all on that same tier of good guys to keep an eye on, but no one has broken that shield yet.

That's a good question. The way I see it, the Rockets don't see anybody as like a building. They have a lot of talented young guys on their roster that they're developing at the same time. Until one of them clearly outperforms the rest of the pack, then you still have to keep them all on that same tier of good guys to keep an eye on, but no one has broken that shield yet.

Obviously, Alpert is now being in the All-Star. You could say he's further along that path, but until you get to the playoffs, until you get to a real competition, you don't know what you really have in these guys going forward over the next three to five years. I don't think that definitively they could say, you know, this is a guy that we want to keep long time versus this guy.

Obviously, Alpert is now being in the All-Star. You could say he's further along that path, but until you get to the playoffs, until you get to a real competition, you don't know what you really have in these guys going forward over the next three to five years. I don't think that definitively they could say, you know, this is a guy that we want to keep long time versus this guy.

But I do know that Alperin is a hell of a talent. I understand why other teams would want him because of the skill set he possesses at that age and their trajectory. But again, you know, until you get to the playoffs, you really don't know what you have with these guys. So I think you have to wait and see. Going back to the thing about trying to accumulate as much data as possible.

But I do know that Alperin is a hell of a talent. I understand why other teams would want him because of the skill set he possesses at that age and their trajectory. But again, you know, until you get to the playoffs, you really don't know what you have with these guys. So I think you have to wait and see. Going back to the thing about trying to accumulate as much data as possible.

And the good thing about the playoffs is that it puts your players in the best position to win a game. So you'll know really what you have in these core six guys come April and May.

And the good thing about the playoffs is that it puts your players in the best position to win a game. So you'll know really what you have in these core six guys come April and May.

What's my record in this? Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. What's my record in this versus the beat? Because I think I'm... I don't think I've lost. I don't think I've lost. I might be mistaken.

What's my record in this? Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. What's my record in this versus the beat? Because I think I'm... I don't think I've lost. I don't think I've lost. I might be mistaken.

I've been on three times.

I've been on three times.

I just got to throw it out there. I got to throw it out there.

I just got to throw it out there. I got to throw it out there.

I want to go... It can't be more because then you're going to live too damn long. 27 sounds right. Like 27, 28. That sounds about right. I'm going to go slightly higher.

I want to go... It can't be more because then you're going to live too damn long. 27 sounds right. Like 27, 28. That sounds about right. I'm going to go slightly higher.

Can I steal? I know one guy.

Can I steal? I know one guy.

Hakeem Otis Thorpe.

Hakeem Otis Thorpe.

On...

On...

Larry. It's not Larry Dawson. Larry. There's Smith.

Larry. It's not Larry Dawson. Larry. There's Smith.

Okay. Let's go with eight. Let's go with eight.

Okay. Let's go with eight. Let's go with eight.

100 or more?

100 or more?

Oh, K.J. Oh, K.J.

Oh, K.J. Oh, K.J.

K.J. did do it. K.J. did do it.

K.J. did do it. K.J. did do it.

How did he just know that off the rip? He knew that because... Did he write these questions? Is this like one of those...

How did he just know that off the rip? He knew that because... Did he write these questions? Is this like one of those...

Did y'all watch It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia?

Did y'all watch It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia?

Because this is like the episode where they had the game show, and Charlie filled out the survey, and he knew all the answers because he filled out the survey. And they were wondering how he knew all the answers because he did it. All right. All right, Andrew.

Because this is like the episode where they had the game show, and Charlie filled out the survey, and he knew all the answers because he filled out the survey. And they were wondering how he knew all the answers because he did it. All right. All right, Andrew.

Wait, I've been named how many?

Wait, I've been named how many?

Franchise and most three-pointers. That's striking since 19-whatever. All right. You said James is first?

Franchise and most three-pointers. That's striking since 19-whatever. All right. You said James is first?

Gordon.

Gordon.

Eric? Is PJ on that list? No, Trevor Reese is on that list. Trevor Reese is on that list.

Eric? Is PJ on that list? No, Trevor Reese is on that list. Trevor Reese is on that list.

It's not T-9. It's not Kevin Martin. Is it PJ? Is it PJ? This is hard. Wait. I'm going to go with P.J. Tucker. No. Is that career three? Rockets. Hold on. Hold on. One second.

It's not T-9. It's not Kevin Martin. Is it PJ? Is it PJ? This is hard. Wait. I'm going to go with P.J. Tucker. No. Is that career three? Rockets. Hold on. Hold on. One second.

I'm going to go with Aaron Brooks.

I'm going to go with Aaron Brooks.

Aaron Brooks has got to be up there.

Aaron Brooks has got to be up there.

Can we get a hint?

Can we get a hint?

Oh, so it's an old school guy.

Oh, so it's an old school guy.

It is Vernon Maxwell.

It is Vernon Maxwell.

So you said it's been the first four seasons?

So you said it's been the first four seasons?

I totally forgot Scola. Dang. Oh, my God. Luis Scola. I'm down by one. You're down by one.

I totally forgot Scola. Dang. Oh, my God. Luis Scola. I'm down by one. You're down by one.

I'm begging you, Andrew.

I'm begging you, Andrew.

They've led the league in fouls.

They've led the league in fouls.

Charles Oakley?

Charles Oakley?

P.J. Tucker.

P.J. Tucker.

And he was on the Rockets?

And he was on the Rockets?

It's got to be COVID year.

It's got to be COVID year.

Washington.

Washington.

Oh, I got it. Okay, Kelly, you can still... There is one more name. Double or nothing. If you don't get it, you win. If you don't get it, we call it Son of Death.

Oh, I got it. Okay, Kelly, you can still... There is one more name. Double or nothing. If you don't get it, you win. If you don't get it, we call it Son of Death.

Double or nothing right now. You can say it right now. You can say it right now.

Double or nothing right now. You can say it right now. You can say it right now.

If you don't get it, go to Sundance.

If you don't get it, go to Sundance.

I'm kind of laughing at all the winning streaks that have happened in the West have been against teams that weren't that great. It's like, how much did we really learn? But you talk about the transition aspect and particularly the Rockets wanting to control the offensive glass. I'm looking at that double big lineup.

I'm kind of laughing at all the winning streaks that have happened in the West have been against teams that weren't that great. It's like, how much did we really learn? But you talk about the transition aspect and particularly the Rockets wanting to control the offensive glass. I'm looking at that double big lineup.

I want to say it's nothing, only because I've seen teams have skids at the end of the year and it's like, is this going to be an indication on the fact that this is a team that's had 12 game winning streaks three times this season, 15 game winning streaks two times this season. However, in those four games, there were a few things I noticed.

I want to say it's nothing, only because I've seen teams have skids at the end of the year and it's like, is this going to be an indication on the fact that this is a team that's had 12 game winning streaks three times this season, 15 game winning streaks two times this season. However, in those four games, there were a few things I noticed.

Of course, that helps them in that capacity, but could have been a hindrance to them going the other way. How much do you think that that double big lineup with Shang-Goon and Steven Adams in the middle was a help or a hindrance?

Of course, that helps them in that capacity, but could have been a hindrance to them going the other way. How much do you think that that double big lineup with Shang-Goon and Steven Adams in the middle was a help or a hindrance?

Number one, the Cavs have struggled against perimeter physicality, particularly The Magic and the Clippers were giving it to their guards outside in terms of just bumping up against them. And Mitchell struggled. Garland struggled. And so, very curious on that. Also, if Donovan Mitchell isn't producing... Ja, ich glaube, es ist etwas.

Number one, the Cavs have struggled against perimeter physicality, particularly The Magic and the Clippers were giving it to their guards outside in terms of just bumping up against them. And Mitchell struggled. Garland struggled. And so, very curious on that. Also, if Donovan Mitchell isn't producing... Ja, ich glaube, es ist etwas.

Oh, du hast auf zwei Dinge zu sprechen, über die Playoffs, aber auch darüber, wer diese Off-Saison bekommen kann. S, ich lasse dich diese Frage stellen. Ich möchte dich über dieses Playoff-Monat fragen, und vor allem über die Teams, die die Hierarchien haben, weil wenn ich die sechs, sieben, sieben, acht sehe, ich meine, die Warriors haben ein System. Ich denke, die Clippers haben ein System.

Oh, du hast auf zwei Dinge zu sprechen, über die Playoffs, aber auch darüber, wer diese Off-Saison bekommen kann. S, ich lasse dich diese Frage stellen. Ich möchte dich über dieses Playoff-Monat fragen, und vor allem über die Teams, die die Hierarchien haben, weil wenn ich die sechs, sieben, sieben, acht sehe, ich meine, die Warriors haben ein System. Ich denke, die Clippers haben ein System.

Sie haben auch Veteranen, richtig? Richtig. Was ist ein Team, und wenn man sich die Standorte anschaut, welches ist ein Team, das die Houston Rockets absolut nicht gegen zu kämpfen wollen?

Sie haben auch Veteranen, richtig? Richtig. Was ist ein Team, und wenn man sich die Standorte anschaut, welches ist ein Team, das die Houston Rockets absolut nicht gegen zu kämpfen wollen?

Ich mag tatsächlich den Fakt, dass sie mit dieser Schwierigkeit zu tun haben.

Ich mag tatsächlich den Fakt, dass sie mit dieser Schwierigkeit zu tun haben.

Ich muss nichts sagen. Ich muss nichts sagen. Ich bin wie Kevin Durant, ein Masterclass zu stellen. Wie es Devin Booker es genannt hat. Ja, das ist normal. Verstehe mich nicht falsch. Wir können nicht regelmäßig. Es ist nicht regelmäßig in dem Sinne, dass es nicht beeindruckend ist. Es ist einfach so, dass wir das aus Kevin Durant erwartet haben. Right.

Ich muss nichts sagen. Ich muss nichts sagen. Ich bin wie Kevin Durant, ein Masterclass zu stellen. Wie es Devin Booker es genannt hat. Ja, das ist normal. Verstehe mich nicht falsch. Wir können nicht regelmäßig. Es ist nicht regelmäßig in dem Sinne, dass es nicht beeindruckend ist. Es ist einfach so, dass wir das aus Kevin Durant erwartet haben. Right.

And so him putting on this masterclass to be able to beat the Cavs, them surging at the end of the year in a desperation move to get into the play in like it's almost expected. Of course, Phoenix would try to put their last foot effort or the last effort to try and get into the play in and play at the level that we've all expected them to play all season. So I'm not going to say too, too much.

And so him putting on this masterclass to be able to beat the Cavs, them surging at the end of the year in a desperation move to get into the play in like it's almost expected. Of course, Phoenix would try to put their last foot effort or the last effort to try and get into the play in and play at the level that we've all expected them to play all season. So I'm not going to say too, too much.

I want to see what happens in the play in. Are they able to get those through those two kind of death matches and get into the playoffs? Then I'm like, all right, maybe it's something. But right now, Kevin Durant being amazing, surreal Kevin Durant. It feels weird to say nothing, but it's like, all right. I mean, this is who he is.

I want to see what happens in the play in. Are they able to get those through those two kind of death matches and get into the playoffs? Then I'm like, all right, maybe it's something. But right now, Kevin Durant being amazing, surreal Kevin Durant. It feels weird to say nothing, but it's like, all right. I mean, this is who he is.

zena i'm assuming something nothing everything for the la lakers i'm gonna say everything everyone knows what lebron james brings in terms of a calmness out there on the floor and even lucas said this in the post game like he knows and even with him being the person that's been leading this defense without lebron he's been averaging 31 points he's been putting up ridiculous

zena i'm assuming something nothing everything for the la lakers i'm gonna say everything everyone knows what lebron james brings in terms of a calmness out there on the floor and even lucas said this in the post game like he knows and even with him being the person that's been leading this defense without lebron he's been averaging 31 points he's been putting up ridiculous

performances but even he knows that when lebron james is out there it's his team there is a natural rhythm to the way that they play they just he adds a little bit more poise for the lakers overall and so i think it's everything that lebron is back especially at this juncture in the season when the lakers are trying to solidify their position in the playoffs not playing particularly in the playoffs and then avoid a match up with okc to enter the season or

performances but even he knows that when lebron james is out there it's his team there is a natural rhythm to the way that they play they just he adds a little bit more poise for the lakers overall and so i think it's everything that lebron is back especially at this juncture in the season when the lakers are trying to solidify their position in the playoffs not playing particularly in the playoffs and then avoid a match up with okc to enter the season or

I think it's everything because of the dog days of the season right now. Okay.

I think it's everything because of the dog days of the season right now. Okay.

It's March Basketball, which is so hilarious, because obviously it's the opposite in the college sphere. March Madness is a real thing. But right now, March for the NBA is always a drag. And the way that Chicago is playing is the complete opposite of that. I mean, Lil Boosie Vert is so apt, right? Ich hasse es, aber ich liebe es gleichzeitig.

It's March Basketball, which is so hilarious, because obviously it's the opposite in the college sphere. March Madness is a real thing. But right now, March for the NBA is always a drag. And the way that Chicago is playing is the complete opposite of that. I mean, Lil Boosie Vert is so apt, right? Ich hasse es, aber ich liebe es gleichzeitig.

Ich meine, Matos Mazzellos hat einen 40-Inch-Vertical bei 6'10". Er ist ein Highflyer. Er spielt über dem Rimm. Aber er ist auch wie dieser Schock-Kreator. Er handelt den Ball gut. Er bewegt sich wirklich gut in der Transition. Und ich liebe, mein Lieblingspart von dieser Geschichte ist, dass er ein Hometown-Produkt ist. Wie die Bulls waren in

Ich meine, Matos Mazzellos hat einen 40-Inch-Vertical bei 6'10". Er ist ein Highflyer. Er spielt über dem Rimm. Aber er ist auch wie dieser Schock-Kreator. Er handelt den Ball gut. Er bewegt sich wirklich gut in der Transition. Und ich liebe, mein Lieblingspart von dieser Geschichte ist, dass er ein Hometown-Produkt ist. Wie die Bulls waren in

his backyard growing up and so it's really dope to see him put on this performance for his hometown team especially alongside these other kind of flashy players i don't want to say kind of very flashy players and kobe white and then josh giddy who I think everyone that watched him at OKC knew what he was capable of, but wasn't sure if it would translate to Chicago. And it absolutely has.

his backyard growing up and so it's really dope to see him put on this performance for his hometown team especially alongside these other kind of flashy players i don't want to say kind of very flashy players and kobe white and then josh giddy who I think everyone that watched him at OKC knew what he was capable of, but wasn't sure if it would translate to Chicago. And it absolutely has.

In his last 10 games, he's had nine triple doubles, excuse me, just double doubles, two of which were triple doubles. He's just constantly playmaking, constantly finding a way to get the Bulls offensively going. And so I think it's everything right now. As a fan, I love watching them. It's fun. Yeah.

In his last 10 games, he's had nine triple doubles, excuse me, just double doubles, two of which were triple doubles. He's just constantly playmaking, constantly finding a way to get the Bulls offensively going. And so I think it's everything right now. As a fan, I love watching them. It's fun. Yeah.

Yeah, that's everything. That's huge for the franchise.

Yeah, that's everything. That's huge for the franchise.

Nein, es ist etwas. Es ist absolut etwas. Und ich denke, du bist absolut richtig. Der Aspekt von Kawaii, insbesondere seine Gesundheit, ist groß. Ja. He spent a significant more time out this year being very cognizant about this particular portion of the season, being able to come back and making sure that he was ready. His team, the Clippers, did a phenomenal job.

Nein, es ist etwas. Es ist absolut etwas. Und ich denke, du bist absolut richtig. Der Aspekt von Kawaii, insbesondere seine Gesundheit, ist groß. Ja. He spent a significant more time out this year being very cognizant about this particular portion of the season, being able to come back and making sure that he was ready. His team, the Clippers, did a phenomenal job.

of blocking out the noise of what's going to happen with Kawhi and not sending him out there too early. And so now you're seeing Kawhi that looks healthy, that's moving really well, that's fighting well against pressure, which you saw OKC was incredibly physical with them on Sunday night. And Kawhi in that high post area was really maneuvering pretty well around that.

of blocking out the noise of what's going to happen with Kawhi and not sending him out there too early. And so now you're seeing Kawhi that looks healthy, that's moving really well, that's fighting well against pressure, which you saw OKC was incredibly physical with them on Sunday night. And Kawhi in that high post area was really maneuvering pretty well around that.

And that's where I was a little shaky of what's those turnaround fader jumpers going to look like with two people trapping him or trying to swarm him. And he looked really good. I do agree with you in that this has been a factor. What I'll say is Kawhi looks really good, but there's also other elements to the Clippers that have elevated. Zubats, to me, is number one.

And that's where I was a little shaky of what's those turnaround fader jumpers going to look like with two people trapping him or trying to swarm him. And he looked really good. I do agree with you in that this has been a factor. What I'll say is Kawhi looks really good, but there's also other elements to the Clippers that have elevated. Zubats, to me, is number one.

Zubats' game, particularly the connection he has with James Harden, but his game in general, has elevated to another level. You add in Bogdan Bogdanovic, who's been phenomenal for them since the trade from Atlanta. Great fill-in for Terrence Mann. And then you add in the defense of Chris Dunn.

Zubats' game, particularly the connection he has with James Harden, but his game in general, has elevated to another level. You add in Bogdan Bogdanovic, who's been phenomenal for them since the trade from Atlanta. Great fill-in for Terrence Mann. And then you add in the defense of Chris Dunn.

And there's all of these factors and elements coming together to play that I don't know if the Clippers have had recently. I mean, yes, Amir Coffey was shooting before and Derek Jones Jr. has been a great high-flying alley-oop type of player and they also can hit the wing three, but

And there's all of these factors and elements coming together to play that I don't know if the Clippers have had recently. I mean, yes, Amir Coffey was shooting before and Derek Jones Jr. has been a great high-flying alley-oop type of player and they also can hit the wing three, but

Ich fühle mich, dass all diese Elemente über ihre Defense und ihre Kapazität für Offense auf einem anderen Niveau dieses Jahres sind. Und das, besonders jetzt, wenn Kawhi zurückkommt. Und ich fühle mich ziemlich sicher darüber. Also denke ich, es ist etwas.

Ich fühle mich, dass all diese Elemente über ihre Defense und ihre Kapazität für Offense auf einem anderen Niveau dieses Jahres sind. Und das, besonders jetzt, wenn Kawhi zurückkommt. Und ich fühle mich ziemlich sicher darüber. Also denke ich, es ist etwas.

Yeah, guys do a great job over there. Rich Hoffman, Derek Bodnar, Kyle Newbeck. Thank you very much, man. Guys, stick around after the break. S and I are going to catch up with Kelly Eco after Rockets Grizzlies. Man, that was crazy. The Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies played a basketball game last night. The Rockets only play crazy games. They only have crazy finishes.

Yeah, guys do a great job over there. Rich Hoffman, Derek Bodnar, Kyle Newbeck. Thank you very much, man. Guys, stick around after the break. S and I are going to catch up with Kelly Eco after Rockets Grizzlies. Man, that was crazy. The Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies played a basketball game last night. The Rockets only play crazy games. They only have crazy finishes.

Trey is the guy that jumps out to me. I know people will talk about LaMelo Ball. As a potential option just because he's putting up the numbers and led the fan voting for guards in the East. Is there a conspiracy against LaMelo Ball? I don't think there's a conspiracy. No, I don't think there's a conspiracy at all. I think it's just the Hornets are 12 and 32.

Trey is the guy that jumps out to me. I know people will talk about LaMelo Ball. As a potential option just because he's putting up the numbers and led the fan voting for guards in the East. Is there a conspiracy against LaMelo Ball? I don't think there's a conspiracy. No, I don't think there's a conspiracy at all. I think it's just the Hornets are 12 and 32.

And Kelly Eco, our, I don't know, roving regional beat reporter who covers Memphis and Houston, somehow has to cover these exhausting games every single night. Kelly, I hope you're okay. I hope you're getting plenty of sleep. What happened with that timeout, man?

And Kelly Eco, our, I don't know, roving regional beat reporter who covers Memphis and Houston, somehow has to cover these exhausting games every single night. Kelly, I hope you're okay. I hope you're getting plenty of sleep. What happened with that timeout, man?

So Jaron Jackson gets the foul call. He hits the two free throws. And the Grizzlies hold on. But, you know... S and I, we're watching this game and we're chatting in our group chat. And we're saying, are they going to do this again? Are they going to have another chance to maybe take the lead, win the game, just not run a play? S, you dug up some numbers on what they've been doing in clutch time.

So Jaron Jackson gets the foul call. He hits the two free throws. And the Grizzlies hold on. But, you know... S and I, we're watching this game and we're chatting in our group chat. And we're saying, are they going to do this again? Are they going to have another chance to maybe take the lead, win the game, just not run a play? S, you dug up some numbers on what they've been doing in clutch time.

By the way, just before we get to the numbers here, if the Grizzlies lost that game, that would have been the first time I think an actual protest would have worked post-game. You know what I mean? I think it would have actually been successful.

By the way, just before we get to the numbers here, if the Grizzlies lost that game, that would have been the first time I think an actual protest would have worked post-game. You know what I mean? I think it would have actually been successful.

That's crazy. Okay. So let's break down this Rockets offense, especially in the fourth quarter. They've been struggling this season. Kelly, we talked about it a couple of weeks ago when they played Memphis before. And if you look at the numbers, 18th and clutch offense, 26 and fourth quarter points, 26 and fourth quarter offense minus two point nine net rating in the fourth quarter. They lost.

That's crazy. Okay. So let's break down this Rockets offense, especially in the fourth quarter. They've been struggling this season. Kelly, we talked about it a couple of weeks ago when they played Memphis before. And if you look at the numbers, 18th and clutch offense, 26 and fourth quarter points, 26 and fourth quarter offense minus two point nine net rating in the fourth quarter. They lost.

They went on a 15 to one run. The Grizzlies did in the fourth quarter of this one. What is it about Houston's offense that makes them stagnate like this in the fourth quarter in clutch situation?

They went on a 15 to one run. The Grizzlies did in the fourth quarter of this one. What is it about Houston's offense that makes them stagnate like this in the fourth quarter in clutch situation?

They're second worst in the Eastern Conference. And so it's tough to get a guy like that.

They're second worst in the Eastern Conference. And so it's tough to get a guy like that.

He's got the stink on.

He's got the stink on.

him and also the numbers look he's having like this experimental season it's not a good season yeah it's not a bad season but it's it's kind of an insane it's fun yeah it's great and he's putting up some some impressive numbers and doing some crazy things i love to watch him play but yeah come on i think i would rather have trey over lamello for whatever all-star stuff yeah but yeah

him and also the numbers look he's having like this experimental season it's not a good season yeah it's not a bad season but it's it's kind of an insane it's fun yeah it's great and he's putting up some some impressive numbers and doing some crazy things i love to watch him play but yeah come on i think i would rather have trey over lamello for whatever all-star stuff yeah but yeah

Yeah, missing their all-star, right? Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah, missing their all-star, right? Yeah. Yeah.

let me ask you because we've talked about this not to cut you off but it it does rely a lot on beat the guy in front of you even off the ball right and that works because they have athletes but in the games when you play as hard and with the pace they play i mean you know i mentioned this because like you they start the fourth quarter and i mean it's just a full court sprint every single possession and you know they don't they're not committing fouls

let me ask you because we've talked about this not to cut you off but it it does rely a lot on beat the guy in front of you even off the ball right and that works because they have athletes but in the games when you play as hard and with the pace they play i mean you know i mentioned this because like you they start the fourth quarter and i mean it's just a full court sprint every single possession and you know they don't they're not committing fouls

all that often, actually, in some of these stretches. So it's not like they get a lot of rest. And I wonder, like, is some of this running out of gas and not being able to do the things that they're able to do athletically, you know, in the game?

all that often, actually, in some of these stretches. So it's not like they get a lot of rest. And I wonder, like, is some of this running out of gas and not being able to do the things that they're able to do athletically, you know, in the game?

Yeah, Memphis is on the other side, right?

Yeah, Memphis is on the other side, right?

What about the West? Okay, yeah, the Western Conference also some snubs here, but we got Anthony Edwards on there, Anthony Davis, James Harden, Jaron Jackson Jr., Alperin Shangoon becoming his first-time All-Star, Jalen Williams becoming an All-Star as well, and then Victor Wembanyama, of course. Snub-wise, the guy I'm thinking about, DeMontis Sabonis, Sacramento Kings.

What about the West? Okay, yeah, the Western Conference also some snubs here, but we got Anthony Edwards on there, Anthony Davis, James Harden, Jaron Jackson Jr., Alperin Shangoon becoming his first-time All-Star, Jalen Williams becoming an All-Star as well, and then Victor Wembanyama, of course. Snub-wise, the guy I'm thinking about, DeMontis Sabonis, Sacramento Kings.

I think one of the interesting things for me when you mentioned the release valve, to credit the Rockets, the last couple of weeks, they've won some really, really impressive games.

I think one of the interesting things for me when you mentioned the release valve, to credit the Rockets, the last couple of weeks, they've won some really, really impressive games.

They've looked great, right? Beating the Cavs twice. They beat the Celtics. They kind of survived against the Hawks on the second night of a back-to-back. They've won these games despite losing the lead. So to credit them, they're still getting the job done for the most part. And against the Grizzlies, they're 3-1 this season. Like this was a grinded out win for the Grizz.

They've looked great, right? Beating the Cavs twice. They beat the Celtics. They kind of survived against the Hawks on the second night of a back-to-back. They've won these games despite losing the lead. So to credit them, they're still getting the job done for the most part. And against the Grizzlies, they're 3-1 this season. Like this was a grinded out win for the Grizz.

I guess I guess from the Rockets perspective, knowing that approaching the trade deadline in just a week, knowing the guys that they have and what they want to stay put with with how well they're doing this season. What do you think the Houston Rockets are going to do at the trade deadline? Spill the beans, Kelly. Give me the trade.

I guess I guess from the Rockets perspective, knowing that approaching the trade deadline in just a week, knowing the guys that they have and what they want to stay put with with how well they're doing this season. What do you think the Houston Rockets are going to do at the trade deadline? Spill the beans, Kelly. Give me the trade.

He's not a shooter, though. I know what you mean.

He's not a shooter, though. I know what you mean.

Yeah, and I feel like with Sabonis, he's a little bit a victim of the Kings' lack of success. I mean, I would point to Alper and Shingun maybe getting a boost for the Rockets' success. And the Rockets have been, you know, we're going to talk to Kelly later about them, right? It seems like they're on national TV a lot right now, and maybe that added attention.

Yeah, and I feel like with Sabonis, he's a little bit a victim of the Kings' lack of success. I mean, I would point to Alper and Shingun maybe getting a boost for the Rockets' success. And the Rockets have been, you know, we're going to talk to Kelly later about them, right? It seems like they're on national TV a lot right now, and maybe that added attention.

Then who, Kelly? I mean, you know, pie in the sky, Kelly Eco, you get to make it happen to make this team an actual title contender. Who's the guy?

Then who, Kelly? I mean, you know, pie in the sky, Kelly Eco, you get to make it happen to make this team an actual title contender. Who's the guy?

Demar is right there. Fred and Demar back on the same team would be funny.

Demar is right there. Fred and Demar back on the same team would be funny.

You need the guy, Kelly.

You need the guy, Kelly.

The story of this season for the Rockets and the fourth quarter. Yeah, I mean, the personality does matter. But this is the thing about this team is that that's the piece they're missing. They're missing the guy. They've got 10, 15 guys who can run through a brick wall. They don't have the guy that can settle them down at the end of games, where they need to be.

The story of this season for the Rockets and the fourth quarter. Yeah, I mean, the personality does matter. But this is the thing about this team is that that's the piece they're missing. They're missing the guy. They've got 10, 15 guys who can run through a brick wall. They don't have the guy that can settle them down at the end of games, where they need to be.

We've also got Kyle Newbeck on the Sixers and Kelly Eco on the Rockets. Good morning, everybody. Good morning, S. I can't believe we pulled that off.

We've also got Kyle Newbeck on the Sixers and Kelly Eco on the Rockets. Good morning, everybody. Good morning, S. I can't believe we pulled that off.

Again, Kelly, I know we keep you busy. We keep you up late. We're going to see you next week. Trade deadline, live stream. All right, Kelly's going to be there.

Again, Kelly, I know we keep you busy. We keep you up late. We're going to see you next week. Trade deadline, live stream. All right, Kelly's going to be there.

Can't get enough Kelly Eco. Guys, go and read him over at The Athletic. Thank you, Kelly, for hanging out with us. For Espera Heddy, for Kelly Eco, for Kyle Newbeck, thanks for stopping by. I'm Dave Dufour, and this has been the NBA Daily. Thanks for waking up with us.

Can't get enough Kelly Eco. Guys, go and read him over at The Athletic. Thank you, Kelly, for hanging out with us. For Espera Heddy, for Kelly Eco, for Kyle Newbeck, thanks for stopping by. I'm Dave Dufour, and this has been the NBA Daily. Thanks for waking up with us.

But, you know, Sabonis leads the league in reboundings. He's second in three-point percentage, which seems crazy. I mean, this guy is a double-double machine. He's a monster. And look, they have been pretty good since Doug Christie took over as head coach. I mean, you know, they kind of turned the season around, and Sabonis has been a big reason for that.

But, you know, Sabonis leads the league in reboundings. He's second in three-point percentage, which seems crazy. I mean, this guy is a double-double machine. He's a monster. And look, they have been pretty good since Doug Christie took over as head coach. I mean, you know, they kind of turned the season around, and Sabonis has been a big reason for that.

So, like, there's even a narrative reason for him to have gotten in. I think he's probably – if I was splitting hairs between Sabonis and Trey, I almost say, you know, the gap between the person you have to get rid of in the West to Sabonis – Craig is bigger, yeah. Yeah, it's like Sabonis is maybe a greater snub than Trae Young. What do you think?

So, like, there's even a narrative reason for him to have gotten in. I think he's probably – if I was splitting hairs between Sabonis and Trey, I almost say, you know, the gap between the person you have to get rid of in the West to Sabonis – Craig is bigger, yeah. Yeah, it's like Sabonis is maybe a greater snub than Trae Young. What do you think?

Okay, yeah, sure. Sabonis is the greatest snub of all time. How about that? Let's lean into it. I don't know. I mean, right. Biggest snub this year, for sure. Yeah, for sure. No, he even was a snub last year, which I think he didn't make the team. And so I don't know what it is necessarily with his game, but I think it's a lot of fun watching Sabonis. I think he's like a...

Okay, yeah, sure. Sabonis is the greatest snub of all time. How about that? Let's lean into it. I don't know. I mean, right. Biggest snub this year, for sure. Yeah, for sure. No, he even was a snub last year, which I think he didn't make the team. And so I don't know what it is necessarily with his game, but I think it's a lot of fun watching Sabonis. I think he's like a...

beautiful playmaker who can make tons of passes which is really cool i love when biggs can make plays uh he's an all-star in my books you know what the other conversation maybe they should expand the all-star teams that's an interesting thought well you know now with this new turn tournament format and we'll see if this sticks beyond this year um you could see an argument to do that and and frankly like they could just do an all-day tournament i mean let's make everyone an all-star why not

beautiful playmaker who can make tons of passes which is really cool i love when biggs can make plays uh he's an all-star in my books you know what the other conversation maybe they should expand the all-star teams that's an interesting thought well you know now with this new turn tournament format and we'll see if this sticks beyond this year um you could see an argument to do that and and frankly like they could just do an all-day tournament i mean let's make everyone an all-star why not

15 All-Stars per side feels a bit much, honestly. For a game that most guys don't even really play hard in, I think 12 is plenty. It's an honor to be there. It is true. If you make it, you don't. And if you don't, hey, it's not that big of a deal. Life goes on. Guys, we're going to bring in Kyle to talk about the Sixers and their season. I don't know. It's a cursed season. Crazy.

15 All-Stars per side feels a bit much, honestly. For a game that most guys don't even really play hard in, I think 12 is plenty. It's an honor to be there. It is true. If you make it, you don't. And if you don't, hey, it's not that big of a deal. Life goes on. Guys, we're going to bring in Kyle to talk about the Sixers and their season. I don't know. It's a cursed season. Crazy.

Season from hell, unfortunately.

Season from hell, unfortunately.

Yeah. Philadelphia 76ers are having the season from hell. I think that's pretty much the only way you can describe it. Came into the year S and they were seem to be the one of the favorites in the East. You know, they get Paul George. They put all these role players around Joel Embiid. Tyrese Maxey set to have a breakout season. Didn't even know how good Jared McCain was going to be.

Yeah. Philadelphia 76ers are having the season from hell. I think that's pretty much the only way you can describe it. Came into the year S and they were seem to be the one of the favorites in the East. You know, they get Paul George. They put all these role players around Joel Embiid. Tyrese Maxey set to have a breakout season. Didn't even know how good Jared McCain was going to be.

And everything has gone wrong, including losing Jared McCain for the season. Paul George now has a pinky issue. Joel Embiid is, I don't know. I don't know when he's coming back. So we had to get our buddy from PHLY Sports, Kyle Newbeck, who covers the Sixers, to break down everything for us. Kyle, how's it going? How's the season been?

And everything has gone wrong, including losing Jared McCain for the season. Paul George now has a pinky issue. Joel Embiid is, I don't know. I don't know when he's coming back. So we had to get our buddy from PHLY Sports, Kyle Newbeck, who covers the Sixers, to break down everything for us. Kyle, how's it going? How's the season been?

There you go. That's it. Hey, guys, we got the all-star reserves. We actually have a huge show. Kyle Newbeck from PHLY Sports. We're talking Sixers, maybe trade options, talking about Joel Embiid, when he might be back. So stick around for that. And then we got Kelly Eco on the crazy finish with Rockets Grizzlies and what the Rockets might do at the deadline. But S, we got to start.

There you go. That's it. Hey, guys, we got the all-star reserves. We actually have a huge show. Kyle Newbeck from PHLY Sports. We're talking Sixers, maybe trade options, talking about Joel Embiid, when he might be back. So stick around for that. And then we got Kelly Eco on the crazy finish with Rockets Grizzlies and what the Rockets might do at the deadline. But S, we got to start.

What do you think has been the hardest part about this season? Because as Dave just mentioned, there's been a lot of components of like bad luck or bad timing or injuries or whatnot. What do you think has been the part that's really made it feel uncertain?

What do you think has been the hardest part about this season? Because as Dave just mentioned, there's been a lot of components of like bad luck or bad timing or injuries or whatnot. What do you think has been the part that's really made it feel uncertain?

It's just crazy. Wow. You know, but I will say this. Look, these guys are still playing really hard, even in spite of the injuries and the lack of success. But, you know, we have been discussing it for weeks. Should they tank? They seemingly are not going to tank. Is that the right call?

It's just crazy. Wow. You know, but I will say this. Look, these guys are still playing really hard, even in spite of the injuries and the lack of success. But, you know, we have been discussing it for weeks. Should they tank? They seemingly are not going to tank. Is that the right call?

Like, do you think that they should have just pulled the plug on the season, try to salvage, you know, the draft pick and, you know, get through it without, you know, suffering further injury to some of these guys who seem to be, you know, so prone to it?

Like, do you think that they should have just pulled the plug on the season, try to salvage, you know, the draft pick and, you know, get through it without, you know, suffering further injury to some of these guys who seem to be, you know, so prone to it?

with the all-star reserves, the Eastern conference reserves. I'll just run through the list real quick. Damian Lillard, Darius Garland, Jalen Brown, Cade Cunningham, Tyler Hero, Evan Mobley, Pascal Siakam. And I think if you're just saying, you know, who got snubbed, who's missing is really what it is. It's not, I don't want to do the whole, Oh, take this guy off.

with the all-star reserves, the Eastern conference reserves. I'll just run through the list real quick. Damian Lillard, Darius Garland, Jalen Brown, Cade Cunningham, Tyler Hero, Evan Mobley, Pascal Siakam. And I think if you're just saying, you know, who got snubbed, who's missing is really what it is. It's not, I don't want to do the whole, Oh, take this guy off.

Yeah, it's interesting you talk about the competitiveness of this year because I think signing Paul George was part of the process of expecting Embiid to miss games. And so you had another star there to kind of keep things afloat with Maxie throughout the season as Embiid would miss time. But George is also a guy who's been pretty hurt recently.

Yeah, it's interesting you talk about the competitiveness of this year because I think signing Paul George was part of the process of expecting Embiid to miss games. And so you had another star there to kind of keep things afloat with Maxie throughout the season as Embiid would miss time. But George is also a guy who's been pretty hurt recently.

Good morning and welcome to the NBA Daily for January 31st, 2025. Coming up, we've got the All-Star Reserve announcements, which means we've got snubs. Hey, it works. Look at that.

Good morning and welcome to the NBA Daily for January 31st, 2025. Coming up, we've got the All-Star Reserve announcements, which means we've got snubs. Hey, it works. Look at that.

And the pinky issue is another thing, but he's had an up and down season. He was starting to play better in January before getting hurt here. Has it been, I mean, it obviously has been frustrating, but do you think this team has what it takes? There are only two and a half games out of eight right now, or basically the play in race.

And the pinky issue is another thing, but he's had an up and down season. He was starting to play better in January before getting hurt here. Has it been, I mean, it obviously has been frustrating, but do you think this team has what it takes? There are only two and a half games out of eight right now, or basically the play in race.

Do you think they have what it takes to make that sort of run happen?

Do you think they have what it takes to make that sort of run happen?

You know, we're not haters here, but yeah. If I'm saying who's missing, it's got to be Trey Young, right?

You know, we're not haters here, but yeah. If I'm saying who's missing, it's got to be Trey Young, right?

Banking on making a run from the play-in, it's worked for a couple of teams, but... There's so many things that have to break right, including injuries to the teams that you might run into. Look, obviously, we could talk about the long term, but they're committed to Joel Embiid. Paul George is under contract. Tyrese Maxey is young and under contract.

Banking on making a run from the play-in, it's worked for a couple of teams, but... There's so many things that have to break right, including injuries to the teams that you might run into. Look, obviously, we could talk about the long term, but they're committed to Joel Embiid. Paul George is under contract. Tyrese Maxey is young and under contract.

I mean, this is probably the core of the team for at least the next couple years, right? I mean, barring a trade this summer or something. Or a Paul George, Jimmy Butler trade. I was going to say, what about a trade right now? Like, is there a chance that this team makes a move to try to improve today? Like, is there something out there for them where they can improve on the margins?

I mean, this is probably the core of the team for at least the next couple years, right? I mean, barring a trade this summer or something. Or a Paul George, Jimmy Butler trade. I was going to say, what about a trade right now? Like, is there a chance that this team makes a move to try to improve today? Like, is there something out there for them where they can improve on the margins?

Yeah, I think it is. You know, the Hawks are still in playoff position. I know they've been struggling recently, but Trey is leading the league in assists. It always seems like coaches are the ones who discredit Trey, which is an interesting thing. And I know he took to social media to talk about that earlier today, too. So he kind of feels slighted with what's going on. But I agree with you.

Yeah, I think it is. You know, the Hawks are still in playoff position. I know they've been struggling recently, but Trey is leading the league in assists. It always seems like coaches are the ones who discredit Trey, which is an interesting thing. And I know he took to social media to talk about that earlier today, too. So he kind of feels slighted with what's going on. But I agree with you.

I know that other teams are interested in some of their guys, like Eric Gordon and Yabusele, but, you know, is there a move they can make to, I don't know, help make up for Joel's absence, which I know is impossible, but is that on the table for them?

I know that other teams are interested in some of their guys, like Eric Gordon and Yabusele, but, you know, is there a move they can make to, I don't know, help make up for Joel's absence, which I know is impossible, but is that on the table for them?

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah, especially because, you know, you run into a situation where some of these guys, maybe in the offseason, you want to move them. Having those extra seconds to attach gets them off the books pretty easily. Kyle, you guys can find Kyle wherever you listen to podcasts, over on YouTube, PHLY Sports. You guys do live streams after every game, right?

Yeah, especially because, you know, you run into a situation where some of these guys, maybe in the offseason, you want to move them. Having those extra seconds to attach gets them off the books pretty easily. Kyle, you guys can find Kyle wherever you listen to podcasts, over on YouTube, PHLY Sports. You guys do live streams after every game, right?

Yeah, yeah. We'll save the Game 7 prediction because who knows? But I also believe it's going 7. The Knicks don't know how to do things easy. They just don't. Every single shot they take feels like an epic journey. I mean, literally returning the ring to Mordor just to get – A layup sometimes for Jalen Brunson.

Yeah, yeah. We'll save the Game 7 prediction because who knows? But I also believe it's going 7. The Knicks don't know how to do things easy. They just don't. Every single shot they take feels like an epic journey. I mean, literally returning the ring to Mordor just to get – A layup sometimes for Jalen Brunson.

So, you know, I think the Celtics, look, things are cleaner for them now with no Jason Tatum as far as like, hey, we know what we have to do. There's one, you know, if If you're going to exactly if you're going to say something, he has a ball in his hands a lot and there's a lot of dribbling there. And now there's one less guy doing that. And so your game plan becomes so much more simple.

So, you know, I think the Celtics, look, things are cleaner for them now with no Jason Tatum as far as like, hey, we know what we have to do. There's one, you know, if If you're going to exactly if you're going to say something, he has a ball in his hands a lot and there's a lot of dribbling there. And now there's one less guy doing that. And so your game plan becomes so much more simple.

And they executed it to a tee the other day. And Cornette being able to step up for Porzingis makes it so they're not so small inside when Mitch Robinson is out there and when Kat's out there. So, yeah, I think it's going to go seven. It has to. The Knicks just, again, they refuse to lose or win in six. So here we go. All right. Well, that's going to do it for the show, folks.

And they executed it to a tee the other day. And Cornette being able to step up for Porzingis makes it so they're not so small inside when Mitch Robinson is out there and when Kat's out there. So, yeah, I think it's going to go seven. It has to. The Knicks just, again, they refuse to lose or win in six. So here we go. All right. Well, that's going to do it for the show, folks.

Thank you guys for listening. Thanks to Kelly Eco for hanging out. Thanks for Zena Kata, as always. I'm Dave DeFord. This has been the NBA Daily. Thanks for waking up with us.

Thank you guys for listening. Thanks to Kelly Eco for hanging out. Thanks for Zena Kata, as always. I'm Dave DeFord. This has been the NBA Daily. Thanks for waking up with us.

I mean, you definitely know what they say. Never underestimate the heart of a champion, right? Like, I don't want to get into cliches, but this is kind of like this Nuggets team, they're running on fumes and they're running on Jokic, and then they got...

I mean, you definitely know what they say. Never underestimate the heart of a champion, right? Like, I don't want to get into cliches, but this is kind of like this Nuggets team, they're running on fumes and they're running on Jokic, and then they got...

You know, Jamal Murray, even though he was sick, like he comes in the game with like flu like symptoms, even though he was sick, gave him just a huge game. And then, like you said, every single shot that it seemed like they needed to hit, they did hit. Strother comes in and just fires them up and completely changed in the third quarter.

You know, Jamal Murray, even though he was sick, like he comes in the game with like flu like symptoms, even though he was sick, gave him just a huge game. And then, like you said, every single shot that it seemed like they needed to hit, they did hit. Strother comes in and just fires them up and completely changed in the third quarter.

His stint there, what did he score, eight straight points or something? Eight straight, yeah. Yeah, and that allowed them to just, like, Jokic got some rest because Strother went off. You know, to start the fourth quarter, they got to let Jokic sit a little bit longer just because Strother was out there and being aggressive.

His stint there, what did he score, eight straight points or something? Eight straight, yeah. Yeah, and that allowed them to just, like, Jokic got some rest because Strother went off. You know, to start the fourth quarter, they got to let Jokic sit a little bit longer just because Strother was out there and being aggressive.

I mean, he had a nice drive to the basket where he, you know, drew a foul. It was just, there was an energy shift for them with Adelman going to Strother as the primary guy coming off the bench for some scoring punch. What do you expect to see, like, looking ahead to game seven?

I mean, he had a nice drive to the basket where he, you know, drew a foul. It was just, there was an energy shift for them with Adelman going to Strother as the primary guy coming off the bench for some scoring punch. What do you expect to see, like, looking ahead to game seven?

Let's just go ahead and start previewing it because, I mean, look, we've kind of seen everything the Nuggets can do, right? They don't have a lot of guys. They just pulled one out of their hat tonight. I think it's the Thunder's turn to make an adjustment. Where do you think they need to go? I have an idea, but I want to see where you guys start.

Let's just go ahead and start previewing it because, I mean, look, we've kind of seen everything the Nuggets can do, right? They don't have a lot of guys. They just pulled one out of their hat tonight. I think it's the Thunder's turn to make an adjustment. Where do you think they need to go? I have an idea, but I want to see where you guys start.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Good morning and welcome to the NBA Daily. Coming up, the Thunder are going back to OKC after a game six loss to the Nuggets. The Nuggets survived. We got Kelly Eco here to talk about it. Good morning, everybody. Good morning, guys. We got ourselves a game seven. How are you guys feeling? Feeling good. Zena Kata, Kelly Eco here. We just finished up Thunder Nuggets game six.

Good morning and welcome to the NBA Daily. Coming up, the Thunder are going back to OKC after a game six loss to the Nuggets. The Nuggets survived. We got Kelly Eco here to talk about it. Good morning, everybody. Good morning, guys. We got ourselves a game seven. How are you guys feeling? Feeling good. Zena Kata, Kelly Eco here. We just finished up Thunder Nuggets game six.

Look, there's another one that's sitting right there. And I think Alex Taruso has probably been the second best player for the Thunder in this series. I think he needs more minutes. I think maybe even getting him in the starting lineup for game seven is the button to push. You know, everything that he's done. I mean, it just he has been a positive contributor in every single way.

Look, there's another one that's sitting right there. And I think Alex Taruso has probably been the second best player for the Thunder in this series. I think he needs more minutes. I think maybe even getting him in the starting lineup for game seven is the button to push. You know, everything that he's done. I mean, it just he has been a positive contributor in every single way.

And it feels like. Mark Dagnall has just down the stretch when things start to, the rope starts to kind of slip away. He's a little bit too late to get Caruso back in there. And Caruso is the guy that comes in and puts the fires out for them. So guys stick around after the break, we'll be back. We're going to keep talking about game seven because it's a game seven, the two best words in sports.

And it feels like. Mark Dagnall has just down the stretch when things start to, the rope starts to kind of slip away. He's a little bit too late to get Caruso back in there. And Caruso is the guy that comes in and puts the fires out for them. So guys stick around after the break, we'll be back. We're going to keep talking about game seven because it's a game seven, the two best words in sports.

All right, now Kelly said he wanted to have fun and make some predictions, but what he doesn't know is I'm actually going to make him predict Nick Celtics, too. Because Kelly covers the NBA. Let's just be honest here. Kelly covers a lot of teams. We'll stick with Thunder Nuggets first. Kelly, you're the guest. You're staying up late for us. How do you see Game 7 going?

All right, now Kelly said he wanted to have fun and make some predictions, but what he doesn't know is I'm actually going to make him predict Nick Celtics, too. Because Kelly covers the NBA. Let's just be honest here. Kelly covers a lot of teams. We'll stick with Thunder Nuggets first. Kelly, you're the guest. You're staying up late for us. How do you see Game 7 going?

I mean, it feels like it's such a toss-up.

I mean, it feels like it's such a toss-up.

Obviously, the Nuggets had a huge win. We got a Jamal Murray game, a Jamal Murray flu game. We got a Julian Strother game. Kelly, you were in the building, man. What was your initial impression following game six? How did you feel about the game?

Obviously, the Nuggets had a huge win. We got a Jamal Murray game, a Jamal Murray flu game. We got a Julian Strother game. Kelly, you were in the building, man. What was your initial impression following game six? How did you feel about the game?

Look, the Thunder had... A clean season outside of injuries, right? Like a clean season as a basketball team. They could have easily won 70 games this year. If they had just had a season, full health, absolutely. 70 wins, easy. The Denver Nuggets like to play in the mud. And they drag every team into the mud. And you know who the king of slinging mud is? Nikola Jokic.

Look, the Thunder had... A clean season outside of injuries, right? Like a clean season as a basketball team. They could have easily won 70 games this year. If they had just had a season, full health, absolutely. 70 wins, easy. The Denver Nuggets like to play in the mud. And they drag every team into the mud. And you know who the king of slinging mud is? Nikola Jokic.

Game seven, if this game is close, the Thunder have the ability to just blow them out. The Nuggets can't blow out the Thunder. If this game is close, I'm taking Jokic, I'm taking the Thunder, and I just can't bet against that guy at all. Swing it east, okay? The Celtics, they're back. They were down 3-1, now it's 3-2. Feels like they've got some momentum.

Game seven, if this game is close, the Thunder have the ability to just blow them out. The Nuggets can't blow out the Thunder. If this game is close, I'm taking Jokic, I'm taking the Thunder, and I just can't bet against that guy at all. Swing it east, okay? The Celtics, they're back. They were down 3-1, now it's 3-2. Feels like they've got some momentum.

Jalen Brown had his best game of the series. Everyone stepped up. Luke Cornett is a revelation.

Jalen Brown had his best game of the series. Everyone stepped up. Luke Cornett is a revelation.

Kristaps Porzingis makes that sort of absence not feel as harsh. Kelly, I know you've been keeping an eye on that. Are the Celtics going to do this thing? Are they going to take it to seven?

Kristaps Porzingis makes that sort of absence not feel as harsh. Kelly, I know you've been keeping an eye on that. Are the Celtics going to do this thing? Are they going to take it to seven?

I just realized it's really nice. And leave us a comment. Let me know. If you guys agree that Alper and Shingun is the best player on the Rockets. All right, look, the best player on the Rockets G League team the other day. We got to talk about this. Reed Shepard. I had people look over the summer. I had people comparing him to Steph Curry and Mark Price and all these guys.

I just realized it's really nice. And leave us a comment. Let me know. If you guys agree that Alper and Shingun is the best player on the Rockets. All right, look, the best player on the Rockets G League team the other day. We got to talk about this. Reed Shepard. I had people look over the summer. I had people comparing him to Steph Curry and Mark Price and all these guys.

And look, he's been he's been having a hard time cracking the rotation. And rightfully, look, there's a two seed and you're a rookie and you weren't great when you were out there. But he put up forty nine points the other night in the G League. It's good to get. To see him, like, get some run. Kelly, like, do you feel like that? Is that valuable? I mean, yes, it's valuable because it's minutes.

And look, he's been he's been having a hard time cracking the rotation. And rightfully, look, there's a two seed and you're a rookie and you weren't great when you were out there. But he put up forty nine points the other night in the G League. It's good to get. To see him, like, get some run. Kelly, like, do you feel like that? Is that valuable? I mean, yes, it's valuable because it's minutes.

If they're a play in team or if they're the sixth seed. I wonder if people feel.

If they're a play in team or if they're the sixth seed. I wonder if people feel.

But I mean, is the G League competition, is that good for him? Or do you feel like this is just a guy that maybe, I don't know, needs just more minutes in garbage time? Like, do the Rockets need to start blowing teams out?

But I mean, is the G League competition, is that good for him? Or do you feel like this is just a guy that maybe, I don't know, needs just more minutes in garbage time? Like, do the Rockets need to start blowing teams out?

There's a lot of people with mustaches they don't need. Look, he scored 49 points without a green light. 49 points without a green light.

There's a lot of people with mustaches they don't need. Look, he scored 49 points without a green light. 49 points without a green light.

okay so as uh you know you you cover the draft and you do prospect work um what do you think like where does he wind up you know i don't know if it's going to be houston but like where does he wind up positionally like is he going to play more off the ball like is he going to be able to play on the ball like i'm not i'm not sure how this works out for him he's such a good shooter do you see like the value of him running around off screens and

okay so as uh you know you you cover the draft and you do prospect work um what do you think like where does he wind up you know i don't know if it's going to be houston but like where does he wind up positionally like is he going to play more off the ball like is he going to be able to play on the ball like i'm not i'm not sure how this works out for him he's such a good shooter do you see like the value of him running around off screens and

All right, Kelly. You know, it's in my contract. I have to ask you. Is Jimmy Butler going to be a Houston Rocket? Is he going to be a Memphis Grizzly? Is he going to be a Dallas Maverick? What other teams are you working on? San Antonio Spurs? Does he make sense? Does he make sense for Houston or Memphis?

All right, Kelly. You know, it's in my contract. I have to ask you. Is Jimmy Butler going to be a Houston Rocket? Is he going to be a Memphis Grizzly? Is he going to be a Dallas Maverick? What other teams are you working on? San Antonio Spurs? Does he make sense? Does he make sense for Houston or Memphis?

Okay, we got to get – guys, if you're in Memphis and Kelly's in town, we got to get Kelly some friends. Some barbecue, you know. That's what we're going to work on.

Okay, we got to get – guys, if you're in Memphis and Kelly's in town, we got to get Kelly some friends. Some barbecue, you know. That's what we're going to work on.

All right. Kelly, you cover the entire Western Conference, it feels like. So I'm going to swing this question to you in a second. But I want to start with us because we talked last night about the path to the finals because we had the big Cavs-Thunder matchup. Right. Can any of these teams, can they beat Can they beat the Thunder?

All right. Kelly, you cover the entire Western Conference, it feels like. So I'm going to swing this question to you in a second. But I want to start with us because we talked last night about the path to the finals because we had the big Cavs-Thunder matchup. Right. Can any of these teams, can they beat Can they beat the Thunder?

And also Embiid dealing with a foot sprain. You got to get him healthy again. Yeah. Just been a rough season for them. The Cavs were set up in what I can only describe as the ultimate letdown game. I mean, this is the second night of a back-to-back for them. Almost there. They had the Super Bowl last night, you know, against the Thunder. And the game was close.

And also Embiid dealing with a foot sprain. You got to get him healthy again. Yeah. Just been a rough season for them. The Cavs were set up in what I can only describe as the ultimate letdown game. I mean, this is the second night of a back-to-back for them. Almost there. They had the Super Bowl last night, you know, against the Thunder. And the game was close.

Man. Yeah. Well, we've run out of time. Otherwise, I would have talked about the Spurs defense. But Kelly wrote about the Spurs and their defense. We just saw Wemby versus Giannis, which we went deep on on yesterday's show. It was amazing from Giannis, some of the stuff that Wemby does. So go and check that out over at The Athletic. Follow Kelly's work. I mean, the guy, come on.

Man. Yeah. Well, we've run out of time. Otherwise, I would have talked about the Spurs defense. But Kelly wrote about the Spurs and their defense. We just saw Wemby versus Giannis, which we went deep on on yesterday's show. It was amazing from Giannis, some of the stuff that Wemby does. So go and check that out over at The Athletic. Follow Kelly's work. I mean, the guy, come on.

So definitely do that. That's going to do it for today's show, folks. Thank you guys for tuning in. For Kelly Eco and S. Baraheni, I'm Dave DuFour, and this has been the NBA Daily. Thanks for waking up with us.

So definitely do that. That's going to do it for today's show, folks. Thank you guys for tuning in. For Kelly Eco and S. Baraheni, I'm Dave DuFour, and this has been the NBA Daily. Thanks for waking up with us.

I got to tell you, I was sweating a little bit. They wind up pulling it out, 132-126. Darius Garland just... Just clutch time. By the way, no Donovan Mitchell in this game. They gave him the night off and Darius Garland had a great clutch performance, hit another clutch shot. Just again, back to what we say about the Cavs. They just have a guy who steps up every single night.

I got to tell you, I was sweating a little bit. They wind up pulling it out, 132-126. Darius Garland just... Just clutch time. By the way, no Donovan Mitchell in this game. They gave him the night off and Darius Garland had a great clutch performance, hit another clutch shot. Just again, back to what we say about the Cavs. They just have a guy who steps up every single night.

Four all-stars. I agree with that. I mean, again, they are now officially on a 73-win pace. They're 33-4. Yeah. And by the way, their win streak is up to 12 games.

Four all-stars. I agree with that. I mean, again, they are now officially on a 73-win pace. They're 33-4. Yeah. And by the way, their win streak is up to 12 games.

Right. So they just got to beat the Pacers in a home and home. And and that's it. So, yeah. Yeah. The Cavs looking pretty good. Got to got to say the Suns had a game against the Hawks and it was it was a little dicey. But they pulled it out. One twenty three. One fifteen. Yeah. Bradley Beal has kind of been a hot topic, still coming off the bench.

Right. So they just got to beat the Pacers in a home and home. And and that's it. So, yeah. Yeah. The Cavs looking pretty good. Got to got to say the Suns had a game against the Hawks and it was it was a little dicey. But they pulled it out. One twenty three. One fifteen. Yeah. Bradley Beal has kind of been a hot topic, still coming off the bench.

There were stories or reports that there was maybe the benching was going to be used to motivate him to waive the no trade clause. It got me thinking, Bradley Beal is a better player than he's being credited as being. The no trade clause is really just what's holding him back. But if you were a team out there,

There were stories or reports that there was maybe the benching was going to be used to motivate him to waive the no trade clause. It got me thinking, Bradley Beal is a better player than he's being credited as being. The no trade clause is really just what's holding him back. But if you were a team out there,

Wouldn't you want to get involved and maybe get yourself in on some of that Bradley Beal action? I mean, if you're Detroit, if you're San Antonio, shout out to Wes Goldberg from Real GM Radio who put that little nugget in my head. Interesting.

Wouldn't you want to get involved and maybe get yourself in on some of that Bradley Beal action? I mean, if you're Detroit, if you're San Antonio, shout out to Wes Goldberg from Real GM Radio who put that little nugget in my head. Interesting.

And with Levine, I guess it's a shorter contract because he's likely to opt out after next season. But my expectation would be that if you trade for Levine, you're agreeing to the extension, at least a wink and a nod that, you know, is, hey, if the wheels don't fall off next season, we're going to keep you. And honestly, he's going to be going into his age 30 season next year. So I get that.

And with Levine, I guess it's a shorter contract because he's likely to opt out after next season. But my expectation would be that if you trade for Levine, you're agreeing to the extension, at least a wink and a nod that, you know, is, hey, if the wheels don't fall off next season, we're going to keep you. And honestly, he's going to be going into his age 30 season next year. So I get that.

A little bit of, we got some bad news to just start the show. First, the Hornets game against the Lakers out here in LA postponed due to the massive LA fires, which if you're listening or watching, you no doubt know about. We wanted to send out our thoughts and prayers to everybody affected by these fires.

A little bit of, we got some bad news to just start the show. First, the Hornets game against the Lakers out here in LA postponed due to the massive LA fires, which if you're listening or watching, you no doubt know about. We wanted to send out our thoughts and prayers to everybody affected by these fires.

But for me, it's Beals under contract for two years. No option.

But for me, it's Beals under contract for two years. No option.

But the no trade clause. So you are stuck with them. But I don't know. Guys, if you're watching on YouTube, let us know in the comments. Would you rather have Bradley Beal or Zach Levine? We've been trying to figure this one out all night. Guys, stick around after the break. Kelly Eco is here to talk Memphis and Houston.

But the no trade clause. So you are stuck with them. But I don't know. Guys, if you're watching on YouTube, let us know in the comments. Would you rather have Bradley Beal or Zach Levine? We've been trying to figure this one out all night. Guys, stick around after the break. Kelly Eco is here to talk Memphis and Houston.

Another night, another marquee matchup, maybe playoff preview in the NBA. So we had to get Kelly Eco in here. Kelly, the NBA Daily Curse says every time we invite someone who covers a team onto the show, their team loses. And tonight the Rockets won. They beat the Grizzlies, but you also cover the Grizzlies. So technically, no curse. Yeah.

Another night, another marquee matchup, maybe playoff preview in the NBA. So we had to get Kelly Eco in here. Kelly, the NBA Daily Curse says every time we invite someone who covers a team onto the show, their team loses. And tonight the Rockets won. They beat the Grizzlies, but you also cover the Grizzlies. So technically, no curse. Yeah.

I got to ask you, because I'm assuming that this is the question that everyone has on their mind. Right. Did Taylor Jenkins blow the end of this game down the stretch? It's a three point game. Desmond Bain has the basketball and Memphis is in like semi transition rocket scrambling on defense. And Desmond Bain pulls up as Taylor Jenkins is taking the time out. So you tell me, Kelly, did he blow it?

I got to ask you, because I'm assuming that this is the question that everyone has on their mind. Right. Did Taylor Jenkins blow the end of this game down the stretch? It's a three point game. Desmond Bain has the basketball and Memphis is in like semi transition rocket scrambling on defense. And Desmond Bain pulls up as Taylor Jenkins is taking the time out. So you tell me, Kelly, did he blow it?

Especially with the way that teams defend now, like when they're up three. You know, you get them in transition. Maybe the guy doesn't remember. But after, I mean, after a timeout, they're just always going to remember. Now, look, man. I don't think Desmond Bain was even going to take that shot, much less make it if that timeout hadn't been called.

Especially with the way that teams defend now, like when they're up three. You know, you get them in transition. Maybe the guy doesn't remember. But after, I mean, after a timeout, they're just always going to remember. Now, look, man. I don't think Desmond Bain was even going to take that shot, much less make it if that timeout hadn't been called.

I've had a lot of friends, you know, personally have a lot of friends who have had to evacuate. Me too, yeah. We learned today that Lakers head coach JJ Redick, his house was lost in a fire. You know, so it's a very sad time around here, but generally everywhere. So definitely want to send out our thoughts to everybody affected by the fires. The basketball game. Guess what? They can make it up.

I've had a lot of friends, you know, personally have a lot of friends who have had to evacuate. Me too, yeah. We learned today that Lakers head coach JJ Redick, his house was lost in a fire. You know, so it's a very sad time around here, but generally everywhere. So definitely want to send out our thoughts to everybody affected by the fires. The basketball game. Guess what? They can make it up.

I mean, they're definitely going to need something. Because, I mean, again, part of this is they had the injuries to start the year on the wing. You know, no Vince Williams. It's been kind of a tough go for them, I think, on the margins, injury-wise. But then also, don't forget, they're basically re-implementing John Rantz as well. So, you know...

I mean, they're definitely going to need something. Because, I mean, again, part of this is they had the injuries to start the year on the wing. You know, no Vince Williams. It's been kind of a tough go for them, I think, on the margins, injury-wise. But then also, don't forget, they're basically re-implementing John Rantz as well. So, you know...

santi adama's having a breakout year uh kelly let's swing to the other side of this man because um i don't want to act like these games aren't big this game is huge uh this game is huge yeah the rockets pick up you know they they add some space in the race for number two and i mean this is a big head-to-head win which could come up in a tiebreaker again these teams i think that these teams are battling for that two spot i think it's going to be them they've got the youth they've got the legs

santi adama's having a breakout year uh kelly let's swing to the other side of this man because um i don't want to act like these games aren't big this game is huge uh this game is huge yeah the rockets pick up you know they they add some space in the race for number two and i mean this is a big head-to-head win which could come up in a tiebreaker again these teams i think that these teams are battling for that two spot i think it's going to be them they've got the youth they've got the legs

Tell me a little bit, like, how do the Rockets feel like they match up with Memphis if they happen to face each other in the playoffs?

Tell me a little bit, like, how do the Rockets feel like they match up with Memphis if they happen to face each other in the playoffs?

Good morning and welcome to the NBA Daily for January 10th, 2025. Coming up, the Cavs were playing the Raptors in what could have been a letdown game, but luckily Darius Garland exists. Kelly Yuko stops by to talk about the Rockets and the Grizz and to let us know which team is a better fit for Jimmy Butler. Good morning, everybody. Good morning, S. Morning, morning.

Good morning and welcome to the NBA Daily for January 10th, 2025. Coming up, the Cavs were playing the Raptors in what could have been a letdown game, but luckily Darius Garland exists. Kelly Yuko stops by to talk about the Rockets and the Grizz and to let us know which team is a better fit for Jimmy Butler. Good morning, everybody. Good morning, S. Morning, morning.

I mean, they, they don't want to, they are. And I mean, if this is a playoff series, Dylan Brooks is going to get like 17 texts. If it goes seven games as Albridge and goon was ridiculous in the game, 32 points and 14 rebounds, five assists, and then a clutch block on John Morant on a layup. I mean, as like,

I mean, they, they don't want to, they are. And I mean, if this is a playoff series, Dylan Brooks is going to get like 17 texts. If it goes seven games as Albridge and goon was ridiculous in the game, 32 points and 14 rebounds, five assists, and then a clutch block on John Morant on a layup. I mean, as like,

Some of it does not matter.

Some of it does not matter.

Exactly. Other bad news. Sixers bright spot. Jared McCain going to be out for the year with that torn meniscus after surgery. We had gotten an update that he was healing pretty well. But, you know, about a month ago and we got the news today that he was not going to make a return this season. A lot of people are thinking about the Sixers as this dark horse.

Exactly. Other bad news. Sixers bright spot. Jared McCain going to be out for the year with that torn meniscus after surgery. We had gotten an update that he was healing pretty well. But, you know, about a month ago and we got the news today that he was not going to make a return this season. A lot of people are thinking about the Sixers as this dark horse.

Yeah. I got to say, if you guys aren't watching us on YouTube, if you're only listening to the podcast, you are missing out on the amazing camera work that Kelly Eco's camera is doing. It's zooming in and out all over the place. And by the way, if you are watching or listening on YouTube, I know that some people just put it on. Thanks. Absolutely. There's a lot more of you now.

Yeah. I got to say, if you guys aren't watching us on YouTube, if you're only listening to the podcast, you are missing out on the amazing camera work that Kelly Eco's camera is doing. It's zooming in and out all over the place. And by the way, if you are watching or listening on YouTube, I know that some people just put it on. Thanks. Absolutely. There's a lot more of you now.

Doing good, man.

Doing good, man.

So I think one of the bigger signs of growth from a young team like the Rockets is how to figure out those ugly games late in the fourth quarter where you see you have to withstand a Kyrie and Luka Doncic onslaught, and you're on the road in a tough crowd, and the offense is sluggish and stalling out. You have to figure out a way to crank out a dub.

So I think one of the bigger signs of growth from a young team like the Rockets is how to figure out those ugly games late in the fourth quarter where you see you have to withstand a Kyrie and Luka Doncic onslaught, and you're on the road in a tough crowd, and the offense is sluggish and stalling out. You have to figure out a way to crank out a dub.

And I think for the Rockets, and especially for Jalen Green, You're seeing that late in these games, they're putting all of their trust in him to figure things out on the fly. And in year one and year two, he might have taken some bad shots here and there, and he might not have had the most efficient night overall.

And I think for the Rockets, and especially for Jalen Green, You're seeing that late in these games, they're putting all of their trust in him to figure things out on the fly. And in year one and year two, he might have taken some bad shots here and there, and he might not have had the most efficient night overall.

And even tonight, it was still a tough night because Dallas set their defensive game plan around Jalen Green, slowing him down. But you saw what Emay did in the fourth going small, opening up the driving lanes for him and allowing him to attack angles with the man Thompson as that small ball screener.

And even tonight, it was still a tough night because Dallas set their defensive game plan around Jalen Green, slowing him down. But you saw what Emay did in the fourth going small, opening up the driving lanes for him and allowing him to attack angles with the man Thompson as that small ball screener.

So I think this is a good – the process of the game might not have been great, but from a viewer perspective, that's kind of – it was kind of like a playoff. Oh, it was fun. It was fun, man. The records. It's an in-season tournament. Yeah. It's an in-season tournament kind of game, so it was a good experience.

So I think this is a good – the process of the game might not have been great, but from a viewer perspective, that's kind of – it was kind of like a playoff. Oh, it was fun. It was fun, man. The records. It's an in-season tournament. Yeah. It's an in-season tournament kind of game, so it was a good experience.

I think so. And this goes back to a lot of the work he put in over the summer to improve his overall efficiency. Now you're seeing, I think he's averaging the lowest turnover percentage he has in his career.

I think so. And this goes back to a lot of the work he put in over the summer to improve his overall efficiency. Now you're seeing, I think he's averaging the lowest turnover percentage he has in his career.

I think it's like seven and a half percent compared to a 31 and a half usage rate, which is telling you that, you know, this guy is taking care of the ball and they're giving him the lion's share of the offense. And obviously you can go back to the three-point shooting and shooting over 12 threes a game and he's hitting like 40%. The effective field goal percentage is up. The true shooting is up.

I think it's like seven and a half percent compared to a 31 and a half usage rate, which is telling you that, you know, this guy is taking care of the ball and they're giving him the lion's share of the offense. And obviously you can go back to the three-point shooting and shooting over 12 threes a game and he's hitting like 40%. The effective field goal percentage is up. The true shooting is up.

And he just looks like the game is slowing down. And you want to see that going from year three to year four. Everyone compares it to Anthony Edwards and the leap he took in year four. Now, obviously, it might not be the same because of different circumstances, but Jalen is a guy that...

And he just looks like the game is slowing down. And you want to see that going from year three to year four. Everyone compares it to Anthony Edwards and the leap he took in year four. Now, obviously, it might not be the same because of different circumstances, but Jalen is a guy that...

When you put everything together, you kind of see exactly why he's the sort of player that the Rockets pinned their rebuild hopes on. Because he's so electric. He's a three-level scorer. You can get from end to end. And you see now he's playing engaged defensively. That was one of the biggest questions of his career. Was he going to be a defensive liability for all these years to come?

When you put everything together, you kind of see exactly why he's the sort of player that the Rockets pinned their rebuild hopes on. Because he's so electric. He's a three-level scorer. You can get from end to end. And you see now he's playing engaged defensively. That was one of the biggest questions of his career. Was he going to be a defensive liability for all these years to come?

And you're seeing him engage. I think E-May has really gotten through to him in that respect. And then he's turned it out and been efficient at the end.

And you're seeing him engage. I think E-May has really gotten through to him in that respect. And then he's turned it out and been efficient at the end.

In a game like this in the fourth quarter where the game kind of slows down and gets bogged down, it's really possession by possession. Alperin wants to set up on the low block. He wants to try and attack either Gafford or Lively or whoever's on him. But at the same time, the way the game was going, Jalen and men, they were finding success going downhill.

In a game like this in the fourth quarter where the game kind of slows down and gets bogged down, it's really possession by possession. Alperin wants to set up on the low block. He wants to try and attack either Gafford or Lively or whoever's on him. But at the same time, the way the game was going, Jalen and men, they were finding success going downhill.

Now it gets kind of – if you go back to – think of when the Rockets had Clint Capella and Russell Westbrook. It didn't work for a reason because – Late games, Rose wants to go downhill, Clint's in the way. It's kind of a similar thing, only that Alperin is most effective on the block.

Now it gets kind of – if you go back to – think of when the Rockets had Clint Capella and Russell Westbrook. It didn't work for a reason because – Late games, Rose wants to go downhill, Clint's in the way. It's kind of a similar thing, only that Alperin is most effective on the block.

But going small is like a tool in Ime's kit where even if you don't play the whole game that way, it's nice to have a strategy to go to switch things up when you want more spacing, when you want guys going downhill. And the key here really isn't really Alperin, but the key is Amin Thompson.

But going small is like a tool in Ime's kit where even if you don't play the whole game that way, it's nice to have a strategy to go to switch things up when you want more spacing, when you want guys going downhill. And the key here really isn't really Alperin, but the key is Amin Thompson.

When he's that small ball destroyer in terms of rolling to the rim, downhill force, you saw late in the game he hit that tough mid-range floater in a time where they actually needed that bucket. Just being able to go small, EMA talked about he needed to get more space and he needed to give Fred and Jalen as much room to navigate as possible.

When he's that small ball destroyer in terms of rolling to the rim, downhill force, you saw late in the game he hit that tough mid-range floater in a time where they actually needed that bucket. Just being able to go small, EMA talked about he needed to get more space and he needed to give Fred and Jalen as much room to navigate as possible.

And the only way to do that is by taking off and out of the game.

And the only way to do that is by taking off and out of the game.

Yeah, I do. I do. Obviously, the key to assists is your teammates have to make the basket.

Yeah, I do. I do. Obviously, the key to assists is your teammates have to make the basket.

And there are about five or six passes every game where he makes a killer pass and they either miss the shot or they weren't expecting it. But in terms of Al Prince processing speed, He could definitely reach those goals. It might take some time just because, you know, the biggest thing now for Jokic, he still has that three-point shot in his bag, right?

And there are about five or six passes every game where he makes a killer pass and they either miss the shot or they weren't expecting it. But in terms of Al Prince processing speed, He could definitely reach those goals. It might take some time just because, you know, the biggest thing now for Jokic, he still has that three-point shot in his bag, right?

Even though it's not his, he won't rely on it, but he'll do it. He'll shoot if he has to. And you may try to get Alperin more comfortable with spacing the floor, taking those threes, even if it's only like two a game. As long as the defense knows they can't just wall up in the middle, knowing that you're able to step out and hit a three, that's going to be a big thing for him.

Even though it's not his, he won't rely on it, but he'll do it. He'll shoot if he has to. And you may try to get Alperin more comfortable with spacing the floor, taking those threes, even if it's only like two a game. As long as the defense knows they can't just wall up in the middle, knowing that you're able to step out and hit a three, that's going to be a big thing for him.

In terms of the passing, I think his passing is already pretty advanced for his size and his experience. But in terms of the overall package, like, for example, this season, He may have hampered down on him to become more of a screener. And I think last season, the Rockets scored about 10 points off of his screen assist. That number jumped to almost 17.

In terms of the passing, I think his passing is already pretty advanced for his size and his experience. But in terms of the overall package, like, for example, this season, He may have hampered down on him to become more of a screener. And I think last season, the Rockets scored about 10 points off of his screen assist. That number jumped to almost 17.

And adding Steven Adams, which is arguably the best screener of all time, is going to help a lot in that respect. But Alperin, he lost weight over the summer. He got stronger. And he really dug into the film and saw – Why screening is such an underrated skill in the half court and the angles he can create for all those guys.

And adding Steven Adams, which is arguably the best screener of all time, is going to help a lot in that respect. But Alperin, he lost weight over the summer. He got stronger. And he really dug into the film and saw – Why screening is such an underrated skill in the half court and the angles he can create for all those guys.

So to your point, you know, even if you were to go late in the game, you could still go small with Alperin if he's facing the floor and cutting as hard as he can. So it's really give or take depending on the nightly basis. But I think he's in a great spot.

So to your point, you know, even if you were to go late in the game, you could still go small with Alperin if he's facing the floor and cutting as hard as he can. So it's really give or take depending on the nightly basis. But I think he's in a great spot.

Yeah, yeah. We'll save the Game 7 prediction because who knows? But I also believe it's going 7. The Knicks don't know how to do things easy. They just don't. Every single shot they take feels like an epic journey. I mean, literally returning the ring to Mordor just to get – A layup sometimes for Jalen Brunson.

So, you know, I think the Celtics, look, things are cleaner for them now with no Jason Tatum as far as like, hey, we know what we have to do. There's one, you know, if If you're going to exactly if you're going to say something, he has a ball in his hands a lot and there's a lot of dribbling there. And now there's one less guy doing that. And so your game plan becomes so much more simple.

And they executed it to a tee the other day. And Cornette being able to step up for Porzingis makes it so they're not so small inside when Mitch Robinson is out there and when Kat's out there. So, yeah, I think it's going to go seven. It has to. The Knicks just, again, they refuse to lose or win in six. So here we go. All right. Well, that's going to do it for the show, folks.

Thank you guys for listening. Thanks to Kelly Eco for hanging out. Thanks for Zena Kata, as always. I'm Dave DeFord. This has been the NBA Daily. Thanks for waking up with us.

I mean, you definitely know what they say. Never underestimate the heart of a champion, right? Like, I don't want to get into cliches, but this is kind of like this Nuggets team, they're running on fumes and they're running on Jokic, and then they got...

You know, Jamal Murray, even though he was sick, like he comes in the game with like flu like symptoms, even though he was sick, gave him just a huge game. And then, like you said, every single shot that it seemed like they needed to hit, they did hit. Strother comes in and just fires them up and completely changed in the third quarter.

His stint there, what did he score, eight straight points or something? Eight straight, yeah. Yeah, and that allowed them to just, like, Jokic got some rest because Strother went off. You know, to start the fourth quarter, they got to let Jokic sit a little bit longer just because Strother was out there and being aggressive.

I mean, he had a nice drive to the basket where he, you know, drew a foul. It was just, there was an energy shift for them with Adelman going to Strother as the primary guy coming off the bench for some scoring punch. What do you expect to see, like, looking ahead to game seven?

Let's just go ahead and start previewing it because, I mean, look, we've kind of seen everything the Nuggets can do, right? They don't have a lot of guys. They just pulled one out of their hat tonight. I think it's the Thunder's turn to make an adjustment. Where do you think they need to go? I have an idea, but I want to see where you guys start.

Yeah.

Good morning and welcome to the NBA Daily. Coming up, the Thunder are going back to OKC after a game six loss to the Nuggets. The Nuggets survived. We got Kelly Eco here to talk about it. Good morning, everybody. Good morning, guys. We got ourselves a game seven. How are you guys feeling? Feeling good. Zena Kata, Kelly Eco here. We just finished up Thunder Nuggets game six.

Look, there's another one that's sitting right there. And I think Alex Taruso has probably been the second best player for the Thunder in this series. I think he needs more minutes. I think maybe even getting him in the starting lineup for game seven is the button to push. You know, everything that he's done. I mean, it just he has been a positive contributor in every single way.

And it feels like. Mark Dagnall has just down the stretch when things start to, the rope starts to kind of slip away. He's a little bit too late to get Caruso back in there. And Caruso is the guy that comes in and puts the fires out for them. So guys stick around after the break, we'll be back. We're going to keep talking about game seven because it's a game seven, the two best words in sports.

All right, now Kelly said he wanted to have fun and make some predictions, but what he doesn't know is I'm actually going to make him predict Nick Celtics, too. Because Kelly covers the NBA. Let's just be honest here. Kelly covers a lot of teams. We'll stick with Thunder Nuggets first. Kelly, you're the guest. You're staying up late for us. How do you see Game 7 going?

I mean, it feels like it's such a toss-up.

Obviously, the Nuggets had a huge win. We got a Jamal Murray game, a Jamal Murray flu game. We got a Julian Strother game. Kelly, you were in the building, man. What was your initial impression following game six? How did you feel about the game?

Look, the Thunder had... A clean season outside of injuries, right? Like a clean season as a basketball team. They could have easily won 70 games this year. If they had just had a season, full health, absolutely. 70 wins, easy. The Denver Nuggets like to play in the mud. And they drag every team into the mud. And you know who the king of slinging mud is? Nikola Jokic.

Game seven, if this game is close, the Thunder have the ability to just blow them out. The Nuggets can't blow out the Thunder. If this game is close, I'm taking Jokic, I'm taking the Thunder, and I just can't bet against that guy at all. Swing it east, okay? The Celtics, they're back. They were down 3-1, now it's 3-2. Feels like they've got some momentum.

Jalen Brown had his best game of the series. Everyone stepped up. Luke Cornett is a revelation.

Kristaps Porzingis makes that sort of absence not feel as harsh. Kelly, I know you've been keeping an eye on that. Are the Celtics going to do this thing? Are they going to take it to seven?

And as a player, your pride and ego is affected by that. That happens five, six, seven times because in this day and age, that becomes a label on you. So what Jalen did is have those hard talks with EMA, have those hard talks with Ben Sullivan, the coaching staff, and figure out exactly what he was doing wrong defensively. And now you're seeing his tendencies are improved.

His reaction time has improved. The overall IQ has improved. And because of his size and length and his speed, If he's able to lock in defensively, it really raises the ceiling more than anyone else on that roster because of what he can do offensively as well. Right. And given his I guess his ceiling, you know, as a potential, you know, a one guy.

These are the games that you have to show that your teammates can trust you in because this is the first time all of you are going to the playoffs as the young core. It's going to be a lot of information that's going to be carried over to the offices now will affect some of our decisions, future contracts, stuff like that. It starts now.

And credit to Jalen, he's put in the work behind the scenes to become – That dependable player, especially on the defensive end, he's worked hard to not be a liability on the end of the floor. And because of that, he's become a positive team defender. And as you saw in game two, when he's aggressive and he's spearheading that scheme, there's no telling what that team can do.

So I think to kind of forecast his projection, It's really hard to say because, you know, is this a one-off or is this, you know, going to be a big moment of consistency for me?

Yeah. Yeah, the coming out party for me. So I think it's a good thing for young players to kind of have those moments like tonight where you kind of feel good about yourself and you understand what it really takes to win at the highest level. It's not just about scoring 30 points 15 times in a month or more. You have to be able to lock in against the best of the best

in a slugfest like tonight was.

I think Steve Kerr talked about it. Like if Jimmy's out, it really changes everything. They have to rethink everything, which is very true. I think for Houston, you know, given that they've been able to impose their will physically in this year, I think they're up. I think they're a plus 34, 33 on the rebounds over this, the last two games tonight, they had almost nothing.

what, 20 more points in the paint than Golden State. And just from the eye test, like you're watching a team dominate, you know, them on both ends of the floor with their physical abilities. Right. They're huge. I think if there's going to be a counter... I think if there's going to be a counter for Golden State, you know, they did have some success. I mean, you saw the 1-3-1 zone.

The Rockets kind of struggled against that. And that goes back to their overall half-court issues.

I think initially it kind of took them by surprise because, you know, Kaminga still has that size and speed as an impact player. I think the problem for Kaminga is that because as a player, you need that rhythm as well.

you know, it's obvious that Steve Kerr doesn't play him for certain reasons in terms of how he fits in with Jimmy and the other guys. And he's kind of like, Pat Spencer gave them more problems. Yeah, exactly. So I think it's, it's tough. Like when you have those kind of,

dark horse type players yeah it's really hard to scheme for them because you're not sure with this warriors team who's going to step up now if jimmy's not able to play game three who's going to be that next go-to guy is it going to be is it going to be pods is it going to be jk is it going to be buddy like who moses if he'll get the shots up right

I think if you were to look in the vacuum, it has to be Kuminga, but who knows to see how they actually scheme.

Yeah, Emay kind of said, you know, this is the identity that the Rockets have built, you know, over the past two seasons. This is who they are. They're going to be a team that likes to muck things up. They like to get physical. They enjoy that. They thrive off of it because it allows them to –

as long as the officiating is in their favor, it allows them to thrive and be the best version of themselves. Obviously, this is a team that's pretty up and down offensively, but defensively, if they can get into you physically at the point of attack, they can blow up your actions. Now it becomes a battle of wits.

And as you saw in game two, technical fouls, flagrant fouls, scuffles, dust-ups, that's kind of the game they enjoy because... it takes the air out of the room. And I think for this Rockets team especially, if you look at how they've been able to defend Curry tonight,

being able to be aggressive at the point of attack, not letting him get free off of those actions that he's thrived on for over a decade, you can kind of see where the Rockets can find their advantages. Now, obviously, heading into Game 3, there are going to be some counters to those, and there's going to be some changes.

But I think as far as this series remains chippy and competitive, the Rockets have that in their back pocket.

I just saw confidence. Obviously, this was pretty much the biggest game of their lives, because if you go down 0-2 to a Warriors team this experienced, you're not getting control back in this series. So obviously, you know, from that perspective alone, Jalen knew he had to bring it. He's a game and he knew that finding a rhythm early.

If you've watched Jalen over the years, that's the biggest key to having to seeing the games he has that are productive. When he gets cooking early, you know, the Rockets kind of feed into him more. They allow him to progress and go through his reads, and they play off of his aggression. And ironically enough, you know, that thing started early defensively. He was locked in on Curry.

He was in the passing lanes. Two jump balls in the game. Two jump balls and just being aggressive as – that lead a defender and that kind of fueled his offense because it gives you more juice, more energy to want to score and want to be that go-to guy.

And obviously, you know, given the kind of player he is and the kind of person he is, you understand that he's extremely confident in his own abilities. And this is the biggest time of the year where those big time players show up. So,

impressive for him to come back and respond after you know the last five games that's where he was averaging i think like 5.25 points a game and just not looking the kind of score that we know him to be so yeah for him to go and have that kind of performance he really galvanized the group and now heading into game three they should be full of confidence that they can have a similar type performance

I think the biggest thing now is trust, trust in the coaching staff, that renewed sense of communication and honesty between those guys and seeing the deficiencies in his game and where he needed to improve on defensively. Because, you know, early on when he first got to Houston, it was a common thing to take him out end of games whenever he needed to get a stop.

I'm kind of laughing at all the winning streaks that have happened in the West have been against teams that weren't that great. It's like, how much did we really learn? But you talk about the transition aspect and particularly the Rockets wanting to control the offensive glass. I'm looking at that double big lineup.

I want to say it's nothing, only because I've seen teams have skids at the end of the year and it's like, is this going to be an indication on the fact that this is a team that's had 12 game winning streaks three times this season, 15 game winning streaks two times this season. However, in those four games, there were a few things I noticed.

Of course, that helps them in that capacity, but could have been a hindrance to them going the other way. How much do you think that that double big lineup with Shang-Goon and Steven Adams in the middle was a help or a hindrance?

Number one, the Cavs have struggled against perimeter physicality, particularly The Magic and the Clippers were giving it to their guards outside in terms of just bumping up against them. And Mitchell struggled. Garland struggled. And so, very curious on that. Also, if Donovan Mitchell isn't producing... Ja, ich glaube, es ist etwas.

Oh, du hast auf zwei Dinge zu sprechen, über die Playoffs, aber auch darüber, wer diese Off-Saison bekommen kann. S, ich lasse dich diese Frage stellen. Ich möchte dich über dieses Playoff-Monat fragen, und vor allem über die Teams, die die Hierarchien haben, weil wenn ich die sechs, sieben, sieben, acht sehe, ich meine, die Warriors haben ein System. Ich denke, die Clippers haben ein System.

Sie haben auch Veteranen, richtig? Richtig. Was ist ein Team, und wenn man sich die Standorte anschaut, welches ist ein Team, das die Houston Rockets absolut nicht gegen zu kämpfen wollen?

Ich mag tatsächlich den Fakt, dass sie mit dieser Schwierigkeit zu tun haben.

Ich muss nichts sagen. Ich muss nichts sagen. Ich bin wie Kevin Durant, ein Masterclass zu stellen. Wie es Devin Booker es genannt hat. Ja, das ist normal. Verstehe mich nicht falsch. Wir können nicht regelmäßig. Es ist nicht regelmäßig in dem Sinne, dass es nicht beeindruckend ist. Es ist einfach so, dass wir das aus Kevin Durant erwartet haben. Right.

And so him putting on this masterclass to be able to beat the Cavs, them surging at the end of the year in a desperation move to get into the play in like it's almost expected. Of course, Phoenix would try to put their last foot effort or the last effort to try and get into the play in and play at the level that we've all expected them to play all season. So I'm not going to say too, too much.

I want to see what happens in the play in. Are they able to get those through those two kind of death matches and get into the playoffs? Then I'm like, all right, maybe it's something. But right now, Kevin Durant being amazing, surreal Kevin Durant. It feels weird to say nothing, but it's like, all right. I mean, this is who he is.

zena i'm assuming something nothing everything for the la lakers i'm gonna say everything everyone knows what lebron james brings in terms of a calmness out there on the floor and even lucas said this in the post game like he knows and even with him being the person that's been leading this defense without lebron he's been averaging 31 points he's been putting up ridiculous

performances but even he knows that when lebron james is out there it's his team there is a natural rhythm to the way that they play they just he adds a little bit more poise for the lakers overall and so i think it's everything that lebron is back especially at this juncture in the season when the lakers are trying to solidify their position in the playoffs not playing particularly in the playoffs and then avoid a match up with okc to enter the season or

I think it's everything because of the dog days of the season right now. Okay.

It's March Basketball, which is so hilarious, because obviously it's the opposite in the college sphere. March Madness is a real thing. But right now, March for the NBA is always a drag. And the way that Chicago is playing is the complete opposite of that. I mean, Lil Boosie Vert is so apt, right? Ich hasse es, aber ich liebe es gleichzeitig.

Ich meine, Matos Mazzellos hat einen 40-Inch-Vertical bei 6'10". Er ist ein Highflyer. Er spielt über dem Rimm. Aber er ist auch wie dieser Schock-Kreator. Er handelt den Ball gut. Er bewegt sich wirklich gut in der Transition. Und ich liebe, mein Lieblingspart von dieser Geschichte ist, dass er ein Hometown-Produkt ist. Wie die Bulls waren in

his backyard growing up and so it's really dope to see him put on this performance for his hometown team especially alongside these other kind of flashy players i don't want to say kind of very flashy players and kobe white and then josh giddy who I think everyone that watched him at OKC knew what he was capable of, but wasn't sure if it would translate to Chicago. And it absolutely has.

In his last 10 games, he's had nine triple doubles, excuse me, just double doubles, two of which were triple doubles. He's just constantly playmaking, constantly finding a way to get the Bulls offensively going. And so I think it's everything right now. As a fan, I love watching them. It's fun. Yeah.

Yeah, that's everything. That's huge for the franchise.

Nein, es ist etwas. Es ist absolut etwas. Und ich denke, du bist absolut richtig. Der Aspekt von Kawaii, insbesondere seine Gesundheit, ist groß. Ja. He spent a significant more time out this year being very cognizant about this particular portion of the season, being able to come back and making sure that he was ready. His team, the Clippers, did a phenomenal job.

of blocking out the noise of what's going to happen with Kawhi and not sending him out there too early. And so now you're seeing Kawhi that looks healthy, that's moving really well, that's fighting well against pressure, which you saw OKC was incredibly physical with them on Sunday night. And Kawhi in that high post area was really maneuvering pretty well around that.

And that's where I was a little shaky of what's those turnaround fader jumpers going to look like with two people trapping him or trying to swarm him. And he looked really good. I do agree with you in that this has been a factor. What I'll say is Kawhi looks really good, but there's also other elements to the Clippers that have elevated. Zubats, to me, is number one.

Zubats' game, particularly the connection he has with James Harden, but his game in general, has elevated to another level. You add in Bogdan Bogdanovic, who's been phenomenal for them since the trade from Atlanta. Great fill-in for Terrence Mann. And then you add in the defense of Chris Dunn.

And there's all of these factors and elements coming together to play that I don't know if the Clippers have had recently. I mean, yes, Amir Coffey was shooting before and Derek Jones Jr. has been a great high-flying alley-oop type of player and they also can hit the wing three, but

Ich fühle mich, dass all diese Elemente über ihre Defense und ihre Kapazität für Offense auf einem anderen Niveau dieses Jahres sind. Und das, besonders jetzt, wenn Kawhi zurückkommt. Und ich fühle mich ziemlich sicher darüber. Also denke ich, es ist etwas.

10.

How you doing, man? Sorry for the late notice. A lot of stuff going on here, so I had to get to it.

I think the biggest issue for them right now is that their half court issues are starting to become exploited on a bigger stage. Obviously, playing without Fred VanVleet has been their organizer, their table setter for two years now. I feel like they became so attached to him as their plan A that they never sufficiently created a plan B in the case of an injury or absence or whatever.

So what you're seeing now on a nightly basis is the Rockets are struggling to generate consistent half-court shots against the Warriors. I think they finished the game scoring... 68 points per 100 players in the half court, that's atrocious. It's not going to get it done at any level.

And it just comes back to a lack of spacing, a lack of movement, guys not understanding where to be at certain times, other teams that are... throw different coverages at them like the Warriors that showed zones. They blitzed. You have Alpey in the middle of the free throw line trying to direct traffic, and guys don't know where to be. It's just a mess.

And I think that's been the biggest issue because they don't know how to score at an efficient rate. And when the fourth quarter comes around, their luck that they rode all year is starting to come back to bite them. I think even though they're 18-12, In the clutch, they have like a minus seven net rating, which is just, that's the basketball gods to a tee.

And now you're seeing them come back to earth in terms of how these teams are starting to affect them on a nightly basis.

If I was to pinpoint an area where I think a man has made the biggest leap, it has to be in his mid-race comfortability. I think as a rookie, it was clear that he either was going to go to the rim and try and get fouled or, you know, look for someone else to come get the ball. Now...

that the Rockets have put more trust in him in the half quarter, seeing him kind of get to his spots a little bit more, you know, with a little more fluidity, still a bit of a rigid ball handler. And you see at times he turns the ball over a bit too much when you saw like late game in Brooklyn and New York. But. As a mid-range pull-up guy, he does have some potential there.

Obviously, the shot is still kind of funky in terms of the mechanics, but it looks a lot better than it was as a rookie. And I think that that part of his game, obviously, with the athleticism he possesses, he can get to the rim at will.

But if he creates that in-between game, that 12- to 15-foot jumper or floater, that will open up a lot more doors for him and will make him a more well-rounded offensive player.

I did. I did. And that goes back to your earlier question about their struggles in the half court. I always thought that they still could use a legitimate floor spacer. If you're at a point where Dylan Brooks is your most consistent shooter, that kind of tells you where you are as a team, as an overall shooting unit. So I thought they were getting the mix for Cam Johnson.

They didn't want to do that. I thought they were getting the mix. There were a number of guys on the market that I thought could come in and even if they're playing 15, 18 minutes a night, give Houston some legitimate spacing. I think their biggest issue is that a lot of their guys want to do the same thing. They want to get to the basket. They want to attack the rim. They want to hunt for fouls.

When you have that, you have a guy in Alper and Shanguna who's so crafty around the basket. He has great footwork. He wants to get guys open looks. These guys aren't great shooters. They're inconsistent shooters. So I was surprised that the Rockets didn't – that they weren't more aggressive around the trade deadline.

It seems like everything that was coming out of their books was they're confident in this group. They want to ride the momentum out to the playoffs. But as you've seen over the last two weeks, that can only get you so far. So – Prior to the trade-in, I thought that this is a group that could make a run to the Western Conference Finals.

Now, if you ask me today, if they lost in the first round, I wouldn't be surprised.

Yeah, I think so. I think if everything building up to this moment has been about accumulating data, I do think that once you have a playoff series under your belt, now you're almost along that cycle of... I remember a couple years ago, they had the whole thing about phase one, phase two, whatever. And I call this phase 2.5 because...

Up until you make a blockbuster move, then you're fully in phase three. If they had gone out and gotten a Jimmy Butler, if they had gone out and gotten a Kevin Durant, now you're putting yourself in phase three. But I think after this playoff period coming up in a few months, they'll have enough data to see, okay, this is what we have. This is what should stay.

This is where that could possibly go. If we look to go bring in a bona fide A1 Alpha, And I think this summer, potentially, you could do that because as far as flexibility goes, you're under the tax right now. Next season, the extensions kick in. Jones kicks in. Alperin kicks in. You're going to be over the tax. You start to have to look at flexibility down the line.

And then you look at Jabari's potential extension, Tari's, and you look at Ben Thompson. You have to deal with all that. It's in the near future. So I think if you can get ahead of it and go bring in a guy that can come in, now you're putting yourself farther along that timeline of trying to chase a Western Conference to try to get to pass the second round series.

Because as currently constructed, this is a fun team. This is an exciting team. But I don't think anybody's actually looking at them as a potential threat.

I think as long as you can hold on to at least three of them, then you have the makings of... you know, a title contender, right?

Like, if you have their core six that they call it, you know, the last six first-round picks, Amin, Cam, Tari, Jawari, Jalen, Alperin, if you can keep half of those guys, you know, obviously, I don't think Amin will go anywhere, but if you can keep half of those guys, now you really start to think of a team that can go far in the West Carolina.

Because obviously, if you're going to give up a star player, an A1 player, you're going to ask for one or two of these guys, or even three, and then multiple to the first-round picks. Everybody's not going to be Nico Harrison and give you one first-round pick and send you on your way. So it's going to cost you a premium to acquire one of these guys. So it's going to take some time.

That's a good question. The way I see it, the Rockets don't see anybody as like a building. They have a lot of talented young guys on their roster that they're developing at the same time. Until one of them clearly outperforms the rest of the pack, then you still have to keep them all on that same tier of good guys to keep an eye on, but no one has broken that shield yet.

Obviously, Alpert is now being in the All-Star. You could say he's further along that path, but until you get to the playoffs, until you get to a real competition, you don't know what you really have in these guys going forward over the next three to five years. I don't think that definitively they could say, you know, this is a guy that we want to keep long time versus this guy.

But I do know that Alperin is a hell of a talent. I understand why other teams would want him because of the skill set he possesses at that age and their trajectory. But again, you know, until you get to the playoffs, you really don't know what you have with these guys. So I think you have to wait and see. Going back to the thing about trying to accumulate as much data as possible.

And the good thing about the playoffs is that it puts your players in the best position to win a game. So you'll know really what you have in these core six guys come April and May.

What's my record in this? Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. What's my record in this versus the beat? Because I think I'm... I don't think I've lost. I don't think I've lost. I might be mistaken.

I've been on three times.

I just got to throw it out there. I got to throw it out there.

I want to go... It can't be more because then you're going to live too damn long. 27 sounds right. Like 27, 28. That sounds about right. I'm going to go slightly higher.

Can I steal? I know one guy.

Hakeem Otis Thorpe.

On...

Larry. It's not Larry Dawson. Larry. There's Smith.

Okay. Let's go with eight. Let's go with eight.

100 or more?

Oh, K.J. Oh, K.J.

K.J. did do it. K.J. did do it.

How did he just know that off the rip? He knew that because... Did he write these questions? Is this like one of those...

Did y'all watch It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia?

Because this is like the episode where they had the game show, and Charlie filled out the survey, and he knew all the answers because he filled out the survey. And they were wondering how he knew all the answers because he did it. All right. All right, Andrew.

Wait, I've been named how many?

Franchise and most three-pointers. That's striking since 19-whatever. All right. You said James is first?

Gordon.

Eric? Is PJ on that list? No, Trevor Reese is on that list. Trevor Reese is on that list.

It's not T-9. It's not Kevin Martin. Is it PJ? Is it PJ? This is hard. Wait. I'm going to go with P.J. Tucker. No. Is that career three? Rockets. Hold on. Hold on. One second.

I'm going to go with Aaron Brooks.

Aaron Brooks has got to be up there.

Can we get a hint?

Oh, so it's an old school guy.

It is Vernon Maxwell.

So you said it's been the first four seasons?

I totally forgot Scola. Dang. Oh, my God. Luis Scola. I'm down by one. You're down by one.

I'm begging you, Andrew.

They've led the league in fouls.

Charles Oakley?

P.J. Tucker.

And he was on the Rockets?

It's got to be COVID year.

Washington.

Oh, I got it. Okay, Kelly, you can still... There is one more name. Double or nothing. If you don't get it, you win. If you don't get it, we call it Son of Death.

Double or nothing right now. You can say it right now. You can say it right now.

If you don't get it, go to Sundance.

Yeah, guys do a great job over there. Rich Hoffman, Derek Bodnar, Kyle Newbeck. Thank you very much, man. Guys, stick around after the break. S and I are going to catch up with Kelly Eco after Rockets Grizzlies. Man, that was crazy. The Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies played a basketball game last night. The Rockets only play crazy games. They only have crazy finishes.

Trey is the guy that jumps out to me. I know people will talk about LaMelo Ball. As a potential option just because he's putting up the numbers and led the fan voting for guards in the East. Is there a conspiracy against LaMelo Ball? I don't think there's a conspiracy. No, I don't think there's a conspiracy at all. I think it's just the Hornets are 12 and 32.

And Kelly Eco, our, I don't know, roving regional beat reporter who covers Memphis and Houston, somehow has to cover these exhausting games every single night. Kelly, I hope you're okay. I hope you're getting plenty of sleep. What happened with that timeout, man?

So Jaron Jackson gets the foul call. He hits the two free throws. And the Grizzlies hold on. But, you know... S and I, we're watching this game and we're chatting in our group chat. And we're saying, are they going to do this again? Are they going to have another chance to maybe take the lead, win the game, just not run a play? S, you dug up some numbers on what they've been doing in clutch time.

By the way, just before we get to the numbers here, if the Grizzlies lost that game, that would have been the first time I think an actual protest would have worked post-game. You know what I mean? I think it would have actually been successful.

That's crazy. Okay. So let's break down this Rockets offense, especially in the fourth quarter. They've been struggling this season. Kelly, we talked about it a couple of weeks ago when they played Memphis before. And if you look at the numbers, 18th and clutch offense, 26 and fourth quarter points, 26 and fourth quarter offense minus two point nine net rating in the fourth quarter. They lost.

They went on a 15 to one run. The Grizzlies did in the fourth quarter of this one. What is it about Houston's offense that makes them stagnate like this in the fourth quarter in clutch situation?

They're second worst in the Eastern Conference. And so it's tough to get a guy like that.

He's got the stink on.

him and also the numbers look he's having like this experimental season it's not a good season yeah it's not a bad season but it's it's kind of an insane it's fun yeah it's great and he's putting up some some impressive numbers and doing some crazy things i love to watch him play but yeah come on i think i would rather have trey over lamello for whatever all-star stuff yeah but yeah

Yeah, missing their all-star, right? Yeah. Yeah.

let me ask you because we've talked about this not to cut you off but it it does rely a lot on beat the guy in front of you even off the ball right and that works because they have athletes but in the games when you play as hard and with the pace they play i mean you know i mentioned this because like you they start the fourth quarter and i mean it's just a full court sprint every single possession and you know they don't they're not committing fouls

all that often, actually, in some of these stretches. So it's not like they get a lot of rest. And I wonder, like, is some of this running out of gas and not being able to do the things that they're able to do athletically, you know, in the game?

Yeah, Memphis is on the other side, right?

What about the West? Okay, yeah, the Western Conference also some snubs here, but we got Anthony Edwards on there, Anthony Davis, James Harden, Jaron Jackson Jr., Alperin Shangoon becoming his first-time All-Star, Jalen Williams becoming an All-Star as well, and then Victor Wembanyama, of course. Snub-wise, the guy I'm thinking about, DeMontis Sabonis, Sacramento Kings.

I think one of the interesting things for me when you mentioned the release valve, to credit the Rockets, the last couple of weeks, they've won some really, really impressive games.

They've looked great, right? Beating the Cavs twice. They beat the Celtics. They kind of survived against the Hawks on the second night of a back-to-back. They've won these games despite losing the lead. So to credit them, they're still getting the job done for the most part. And against the Grizzlies, they're 3-1 this season. Like this was a grinded out win for the Grizz.