The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Zach Lowe to discuss some NBA happenings that occurred during Zach’s podcast hiatus, including the Luka trade, the Suns, 76ers, and Mavericks’ disappointing season, and more (2:31). Then they talk about Monday’s Rockets-Lakers game (29:44) and discuss the 25 most intriguing characters heading into the NBA playoffs (40:46). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Zach Lowe Producers: Kyle Crichton and Chia Hao Tat The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Chapter 1: What NBA topics are Bill Simmons and Zach Lowe discussing?
I don't know what they do, but don't you think like one year from now, I'm really interested to see where they are.
Oh, like, well, first of all, it's, it's funny. I was talking about this with somebody yesterday in the league and it's like, you know, look, we, we all know that they've kicked around both of the Phoenix stars. Right. And I think there's some division internally about the Durant question there. Eme Odoka obviously has a history with Durant, really likes him. Um,
This person asked me, what do the Rockets do if they lose in the first round? And I think the implication was that would make them even hungrier to go for like a big win now trade. I said, well, let's flip it around. What if they win a round and they lose to Denver in seven games? Like a really hard fought, like I can feel good about this outcome.
And my implication was, does that make you more confident in staying the course? And the scout that I was talking to flipped it around and said, actually, it may make you think we're so close that we still should go for the right kind of all-in upgrade. And it's just going to be interesting to see how they perform in the playoffs and what the implications of that are.
Offensively, I just don't think they're good enough. But defensively, toughness-wise, they have everything. And I don't know. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
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Chapter 2: How did the Luka trade impact the NBA?
I think I'd have him as a most improved player, by the way. I know all the smart money is on Cade. I think considering expectations and expectations and prior track record, I don't... I don't think anyone's made a bigger leap than Dyson Daniels. I mean, it's not surprising when he scores 20 points in a game and also does what he does. Dort is a great pick.
Wait, can I say one thing on Daniels? Yeah. Because I completely agree. And obviously not allowed to bet on the awards. I always want to mention that. But I always look to see, like, am I missing something? Like, Dort was 26-1 last week. And I'm like...
I haven't done all my work yet, but if you just put a gun to my head right now and said pick a defensive player of the year, I think I'd pick Dort because he was the best defender I've seen. I felt the same way about Daniels. I thought he was going to be favored for most improved player, but it's Cade. Daniels is plus 110. I'm not shocked that Cade's better.
He was the number one pick in the draft and he has a better coach and whatever. Daniels was thrown into the DeJounte Murray trade, basically. You know, he was one of the prizes, but it wasn't like, oh my God, they traded Dyson Daniels. It was like, I don't know what that guy is. And now you watch him and he's like an absolute keeper.
And I don't know why he wouldn't be the most improved player of the year. I don't get it.
So the incredible thing about Oklahoma City's defense is... Dort is going to be their all-defense representative. I actually think I would have Jalen Williams on as well. I think I would have two Thunder players on as well.
Well, they missed him in that Clipper game I went to. Not having him on Kawhi, you could feel the difference because that's 6'8 type of guy.
You can look at a lot of the metrics and the metrics will tell you the Thunder have three better defensive players on their roster than those two guys. And none of the three, Hartenstein, Holmgren, and Caruso, are eligible for awards because of games played and minutes played. But the statistics scream out that those guys would be in this conversation too.
And it's like, oh my God, how many... Well, you didn't mention Wallace. And Wallace is terrifying. Yeah, Wallace is another one. Wallace is like... He and Jalen Williams, you don't see a lot of guys who will just... I'm just going to swipe at the ball constantly because I can do it without fouling you.
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Chapter 3: Why are the Suns, 76ers, and Mavericks struggling this season?
You don't think so? You don't think the bench has been utilized enough? There was a game in December. I think it was December where I didn't watch the game. I looked at the box score the next day. They beat the Hornets by 24 points. I think the final score is 125-101. I don't obviously 24 game, 24 point game can be semi close. It's points, whatever.
Yeah.
McHale bridges. Someone could fact check me on this. I'm going from the top of my head, played the first 46 minutes and 30 seconds of the game consecutively in a game. The Knicks won by 24 points. Yeah. And I was like, how, how is that even, how's that even allowed? Like, I don't like that anyway. Yeah.
We both like Tibbs. I think there's a real question of whether his coaching style can be sustainable for nine months if you're trying to win a title, and we're going to find out. Brunson stepped on somebody's foot. You can't say it was the minutes that caused it, but I don't think it's sustainable how he coaches, and I don't think he's been creative enough.
Let me defend the offensive creation. Creation is maybe the wrong word because the Bridges thing has been underutilized until now, in part because the Towns Brunson thing is so unguardable. So Tibbs has been, and all the Tibbs backers around the league will tell you, His teams have performed better offensively than his reputation.
He's had a lot of top 10 offenses in Minnesota, Chicago, elsewhere. And even though he's been pigeonholed as this defensive mastermind behind the 2008 Celtics and other great defensive teams, the Bulls with Noah and Gibson and all those guys. And that's true. They're right. And almost all of those offenses have been of just the complete brute force variety. Like we just don't turn the ball over.
We're number one or two in offensive rebounding. We're number one or two in free throws. And we just beat the hell out of you. We just we isolate. We play simple basketball, low risk basketball, and we beat the hell out of you. This team still has some of that in, but it's not built to be a great offensive rebounding team. It's not built to be a beat the hell out of you team.
It is built to have a Josh Hart runs the ball down your throat six times a game team. But I do. I. You can quibble with the Bridges thing, and I think you're right.
I do think... Can I quibble with the Minutes thing too? Because it's those two things together that I think are the biggest red flags.
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