Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: WVUAFM Tuscaloosa.
[00:00:09] Speaker B: Hello, everybody. This is WVUA 90.7 FM the Capstone. And welcome to episode 77, Luka Troncic of the full Core Press podcast. My name is Jamie Martinez and I'm joined by Nick Atkinson and Caden Johnson. To stay up to date, make sure to follow us on Instagram @FCP podcast UA. With that being said, let's get into it. We got a new system today.
We're gonna be, you know, kind of pushing the kinks out on this one, but a whole lot of cool stuff going on, so we're gonna have a good time. We may even have some sound effects here and there. We'll see if we can make that work. So let's jump in with the news. Pretty heavy news week this week. Whole lot of contracts getting signed. So, Kaden, let's get into it.
[00:00:51] Speaker C: Yeah, like, the preseason contract extension deadline was this past week, so we're going to go over every single contract extension for rookies and whatnot. I'll just kind of list them off to you guys and we can talk about how we feel about them. All right, first up, the warriors resigned Moses moody to a three year, $39 million contract extension from Shinaria.
[00:01:14] Speaker B: I like that with this new warriors team. No Clay Thompson, they're really going to develop the young guys. Moses Moody's there to stick around for the long haul, so hopefully they can develop him. Right. I wanted him in Sacramento like last year at the trade deadline, so. Good for Moses Moody. He got his bag.
[00:01:30] Speaker A: Yeah.
It's kind of a small contract, but it'd be cool to see what happens.
[00:01:36] Speaker C: Yeah, I feel like they definitely got a bargain.
[00:01:38] Speaker A: Yeah, for sure.
[00:01:39] Speaker C: He probably could have got more with a different team. Maybe the warriors are a little more bought in than people realize. Something to note, they did not give Jonathan Kuminga a rookie contract extension. They did not reach a deal with him.
[00:01:53] Speaker B: Well, I'm pretty sure he said that he didn't want to sign the extension because he wanted to bank on himself and he thinks he's going to be way better than that contract extension says and he wants to sign, like, a big, big deal at some point.
[00:02:05] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:02:05] Speaker C: And I think all of us on here have, like, predict him to be good enough to get a big deal after this season. Yeah, big season for him.
[00:02:12] Speaker A: I saw something, I think it was yesterday, saying that the warriors almost traded Kaminga for Cat, but it fell through.
[00:02:20] Speaker B: That would have been really interesting, like.
[00:02:22] Speaker C: During the season last year or before.
[00:02:24] Speaker A: Like before Cat got traded.
[00:02:25] Speaker C: Oh, really?
[00:02:25] Speaker B: How would you have felt about that?
[00:02:26] Speaker A: I would have liked that a lot more than Randall. Yeah.
[00:02:28] Speaker B: You bear, huh?
[00:02:30] Speaker C: There's more upside there. Yeah, for sure.
[00:02:31] Speaker A: 22 years old. Yeah, that's true.
[00:02:34] Speaker C: All right, let's see. We've got the Pelicans and Trey Murphy III agreed on a four year, $112 million rookie contract extension. Big boy bucks for the former G leaguer.
[00:02:50] Speaker B: I like that a lot. He's been. He's proven himself to be very, very good. Him and Herb Jones, some dogs defensively, they could shoot. So I like that for the Pelicans. And if they want to contend, Trey Murphy's a big part of that.
[00:03:03] Speaker C: Yeah, I agree. And I mean, obviously he's a knockdown shooter, but you would think with them giving him this kind of money, it's got to mean Brandon Ingram's time is getting close to being done, at least you would think, because there's no way they're going to pay Trey Murphy this much money to have him continue to be on the bench long term.
[00:03:23] Speaker B: I mean, Sacramento, make the call. Brandon Ingram, he's there.
[00:03:27] Speaker C: All right, next up, we got the Houston Rockets agreeing to a rookie contract extension with their guard Jalen Green. It's three year, 106 mil. He's actually got a player option in his third season, which I'm pretty sure is the first time a rookie contract extension has ever had a player option after the first two years.
[00:03:49] Speaker B: Wow.
[00:03:49] Speaker C: Yeah, that's interesting. So they're giving him a lot of leverage, which is maybe a little bit surprising.
[00:03:55] Speaker B: Yeah. Considering how things have kind of turned out for him. I mean, he's been really good, but I mean, he hasn't taken that big, big jump yet that people were kind of expecting him to take scoring and efficiency wise. So I'm a big Jalen Green believer. I like this a lot, and I think he could be a big piece for Houston and this young core if they're going to contend in the future. So shout out Jalen Green. I think he has all star, all NBA type potential. We'll see if he could, you know, get there at some point, though.
[00:04:22] Speaker A: Yeah, I agree.
[00:04:23] Speaker C: You definitely got to ramp up the defense if you're making that kind of money, though.
[00:04:26] Speaker B: It's true.
[00:04:27] Speaker C: Like, which maybe he will with a larger contract.
All right, next up, the Magic reached a deal with their guard Jalen Suggs. This is five years, 150.5 million.
[00:04:41] Speaker B: Wow.
[00:04:42] Speaker C: Kind of five years, one feel, I was gonna say.
[00:04:45] Speaker B: I saw a lot of people on Twitter calling this an overpay.
[00:04:47] Speaker C: What?
[00:04:47] Speaker B: And I don't.
[00:04:48] Speaker C: I think it's an overpay. I mean $30 million for Jalen Soggs.
[00:04:52] Speaker A: Good.
[00:04:52] Speaker B: He's so good defensively, but I think he's got a, he's kind of got to step up his game offensively for.
[00:04:57] Speaker C: Sure because he like can't shoot like at all.
[00:05:00] Speaker B: At all. And if you're going to be the starting guard on that Magic team that's that deep, you have to be able to shoot.
[00:05:04] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:05:05] Speaker B: So I'm really hoping he gets that point. I love Suggs. Great rebounder. Great. Great defender.
[00:05:10] Speaker C: Yeah. All NBA.
[00:05:11] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:05:12] Speaker C: 24 for a defensive team. Yeah.
[00:05:14] Speaker B: For. I. Absolutely. Yeah. He's. He's like that.
[00:05:17] Speaker C: Yeah, I agree. But their biggest problem last season was shooting. That was the death of them that their guards couldn't shoot. So you'd like to see that kind of be something that can. If he's going to be making $30 million a year because as of right now he's not a 30 million dollar a year player in my opinion.
[00:05:32] Speaker B: They're betting on the potential.
[00:05:34] Speaker C: Yeah. And that's, that's fine.
The Wizards and Corey Kisper, four year, 54 million dollar contract extension.
He's kind of been one of the very, very, very few bright spots in the W over in the Wizards organization last year and the year before. He's kind of developing a little bit too. He's. He's adding a little bit of defense to his game and then obviously his shooting is top tier. How do we feel about that?
[00:06:01] Speaker B: I mean, I guess it's good form. I saw somebody say that the Wizards are going to be contending with the, the all time worst record with the, with Charlotte back in the day.
[00:06:12] Speaker C: I. Dude, I don't think they're that bad.
[00:06:13] Speaker B: I don't think they're that bad.
[00:06:14] Speaker C: Yeah, the NBA is too good now to have a team be that bad.
[00:06:19] Speaker B: Yeah, exactly. I don't agree with that take whatsoever. I think they've got some decent pieces here and there. So I like Kisper. Great, great shooter coming out of college and it's good to see he's developing in the league too because there's going.
[00:06:30] Speaker C: To be games too. Like just going back to that take. There's going to be games where the Wizards beat like a team they really shouldn't be. You know what I'm saying? Yeah, like something like that. And I feel like that is something that's relatively new to the NBA. Like if you're thinking about like that like 10 win sixers team like they weren't beating, you know, whoever was running the league at that time.
Anyways, moving on again. Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy has agreed to a three year, $18 million rookie contract extension. You want to talk about steals? I feel like this is probably the biggest deal that we've talked about today. Six million a year for three years of Jaden Hardy.
[00:07:06] Speaker A: Yeah, that is really good.
[00:07:07] Speaker B: I like that a lot. For the scoring he brings to the table, he, he got playoff minutes. I'm pretty sure he played in the finals a little bit too.
So I mean, to develop him for that little money on three years, it's a lot of time. So I like Hardy a lot. And Dallas got themselves a steal for sure.
[00:07:23] Speaker C: Yeah, definitely one of the bigger contracts of the deadline. Atlanta Hawks for Jalen Johnson agreed to a five year, 150 million dollar rookie contract extension with the Hawks. 30 million a year for the next five years for Jalen Johnson, who broke out last year after not really doing too much in his first couple of years in the league, had an awesome year last year and he's like a triple double threat kind of kind of guy.
[00:07:50] Speaker B: It's pretty weird. I like Jalen Johnson.
Would you say he's like the second best player on the Hog? Right?
[00:07:55] Speaker C: I mean, yeah, it's either him or Bogdanovich. Right. I mean, and he's probably by the end of the year at least going to be better than Bogdanovich.
[00:08:04] Speaker B: Yeah. For somebody who's progressed that much, I think that's a pretty decent contract. Bit of a steal with the Hawks got for him. If he's going to get better than what he was last year. 30 million a year is not bad. I like that.
[00:08:15] Speaker C: Yeah, I agree.
And then lastly, not a rookie contract extension, but the Nuggets agreed to a contract extension with Aaron Gordon. Four years, $133 million. That's a lot of money. How do you feel about that?
[00:08:32] Speaker A: Yeah, especially because he's getting old and now you're gonna have to pick between him and Murray and I guess they're picking him. I guess so.
[00:08:40] Speaker B: Pretty wild.
[00:08:41] Speaker C: I mean, it's a way though, like just know they really did that.
[00:08:44] Speaker A: I mean, unless they're going to. Unless that's exactly.
[00:08:47] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:08:47] Speaker C: I mean, Jamal Murray's like a jersey retirement kind of guy though for. For Denver, I hope for them and. Well, he is already, I think. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, Aaron Gordon, there's no way they don't retire Jamal Murray's jersey. Yeah, it's got to maybe. Yeah, maybe even that whole starting five, like, for sure. Jokic and Jamal Murray, though, I feel like that's unquestionable.
[00:09:07] Speaker B: KCP is gonna be up in the rafters one day, baby.
[00:09:09] Speaker C: Wow. That's a thought. From ankle monitor in game to Jersey in the rafters. Yeah, the journey.
All right, a couple of injury news for this opening week. Milwaukee Bucks star Chris Middleton is expected to miss Wednesday season opener versus the Philadelphia 76ers. He's rehabbing from off season ankle surgeries and then adding on to that just because it's in the same game. The Sixers are going to be down Joel Embiid, who is, quote, progressing well and ramping up and scrimmaging this week, but will not play at all this week. And then Paul George is going to be reevaluated later in the week from the injury he suffered in the preseason.
[00:09:51] Speaker B: Joel Embiid, man, what is that? Just makes me kind of the irony.
[00:09:55] Speaker C: Of, you know, Buck Sixers already like playing each other and. And it's season opener and it's going to be what, Damien Lillard against Tyrese Maxi.
[00:10:03] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah.
[00:10:04] Speaker C: Like Dame and Bobby Portis against Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain and he hurt, too.
[00:10:11] Speaker B: Oh, he did? Yeah, yeah, yeah.
[00:10:13] Speaker C: Jared McCain got hurt. Okay. Awesome.
[00:10:16] Speaker B: Wow.
[00:10:16] Speaker C: Sweet. Yeah.
[00:10:17] Speaker B: Season's off to a hot.
[00:10:18] Speaker C: Sixers are like the deepest team in the league, but they're going into the season missing like three key rotational guys.
Eric Gordon's gonna go for 40. I forget Kelly Oubre too, I guess.
[00:10:29] Speaker B: Yeah, They've got the cuteness on their team, I guess.
[00:10:31] Speaker C: Oh, okay. Jamie, you want to break the sad, depressing news about hoop grids?
[00:10:36] Speaker B: Yeah. So with our new soundboard and new system this week, no hoop grids. It's a bit of a.
[00:10:42] Speaker C: Our mobility is limited.
[00:10:43] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:10:44] Speaker C: We're further away.
[00:10:45] Speaker B: Small table, big system. Big board on our table right now. So no hoop grids. I know people really, really love that. Whole lot of reception back from that. I know. Loved. There was love.
[00:10:56] Speaker C: I love tears.
[00:10:57] Speaker B: Tears will be shed.
[00:10:58] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:10:58] Speaker B: According to this. So the final standings in the scoreboard was Jamie zero, Nick one, Kaden one.
[00:11:03] Speaker C: We get shake on it. It's a good course. Jamie's got to buy us dinner.
[00:11:07] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:11:07] Speaker A: Yep.
[00:11:08] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:11:08] Speaker A: Yeah, you do.
[00:11:09] Speaker B: Yeah, you do. Talk about rewards. Maybe I have 10% off if you buy. If I buy two combos, so.
[00:11:16] Speaker C: Okay.
[00:11:16] Speaker B: Each get a combo.
[00:11:17] Speaker C: All right.
[00:11:18] Speaker B: 10% off, baby. There we go.
[00:11:19] Speaker C: All right. Yeah. I mean, I'll take it. Yeah, that's a good. That's a good way to use.
[00:11:23] Speaker B: There we go. Incorporating the sound board. That's awesome.
[00:11:26] Speaker C: All right.
[00:11:26] Speaker B: All right. No hoop grids. So we're going to dive right into our main segment where we're going to be breaking down some of the top matchups of opening week. NBA is underway today.
This Tuesday, opening up at 6:30, we have the New York Knicks headed to TD Garden. So face the Boston Celtics, two heavy hitters on opening night. And then later on today at 9:00, we have the Timberwolves taking on the Lakers. But we'll get into that after this first game. Nick, Celtics, how are we feeling about this game? How do we think it goes down in Boston, the defending champs going up against the Knicks, who definitely reloaded in the off season. Any score predictions? Any player predictions? How are we feeling about this game?
[00:12:07] Speaker A: I don't feel like there's a way the Celtics could lose when they're lifting a banner. That's a little crazy.
[00:12:12] Speaker C: Yeah, I agree. 100. I mean, Knicks, you know, probably the second best team in the East.
I think they're at full strength tonight too. I don't, I don't know if Mitchell Robinson's playing. It would make sense if he wasn't. He just seems like a guy that's not ready for opening night. Yeah, no offense to him.
[00:12:29] Speaker B: He never is.
[00:12:30] Speaker C: But Cat's plan. And then for, for Boston, I know Kristaps is out, but other than that, you know, I, I'm pretty sure we're. We're good other than that. So probably going to be starting out Horford tonight. My predictions, I, I really don't think this game is going to be high scoring, actually, believe it or not, just typical opening night stuff. I, I could see both teams being pretty cold. And then both of these teams have really great individual defenders as well. So I expect this one to be, I think, on the lower end of scoring and a close game too.
But I, I do think the Celtics pulled this one out tonight. Like Nick said, no way we lose on banner night.
[00:13:12] Speaker B: Mm.
[00:13:15] Speaker A: What's up, man?
[00:13:16] Speaker B: I was wondering if you wanted to give a low score prediction. Player predictions.
[00:13:21] Speaker A: Not a blowout. I don't know about predictions necessarily in terms of who's gonna have what, but. Celtics win.
[00:13:28] Speaker B: Okay, I'm gonna say.
I'm gonna say Boston takes this one for sure. I think we hit. I, I think it's gonna be close. I think the opening day opening matchup has to be close. So I say Celtics win this one. I'll go 116 to 113.
I'm gonna have it going down to the wire. I like both these teams. I think Jalen Brunson has himself a really good opening night. I think big pur. I think he gets his buckets, but I think he has a bit of an inefficient night. And I think. I think Tatum and Brown kind of pick up from where they left off. I think they're going to be very, very dynamic dough. I could see 30 apiece from each. So I'm going to go Boston taking this one.
[00:14:07] Speaker C: I'm going to go 108, 103 Celtics. Okay, I like what you said. I think Jalen Brown picks up where he left off tonight. I think he leads the game in scoring.
Tatum probably leads an assist if that's the case.
Yeah. I just think Boston still, even without Kristaps, is just going to be too much for the Knicks. They've also got a lot of really recent changes to their roster. You know, they're. They're adapting to playing without Divincenzo. Cat just got brought in. And then Macau Bridges too. That's another guy that they're. They don't really have that chemistry yet. So opening night to have to play against, you know, the best roster in the NBA. I just don't think that's going to work out too great for him tonight. But I do think it'll be a close game.
[00:14:55] Speaker B: Bridges also did not have the best preseason shot. Very, very poorly. Apparently he worked with some trainers to get a new jump shot and it's not pretty from what I've seen. So hopefully the Knicks can, you know, make that work. But I do think Boston starts off the season one and oh, second game of the day we have the Minnesota timberwolves heading to LA to take on LeBron and the Lakers should be a very, very good game. A lot of, you know, a lot of really good players in this matchup. So how are we feeling about this one?
[00:15:28] Speaker A: I feel like the Timberwolves are significantly better, obviously, but I feel like it being open night and Bronnie and LeBron, all that stuff. It being in LA, I feel like the Lakers are going to win, sadly.
[00:15:40] Speaker B: So I could see that for sure. I'm wondering if like the rookies get some time to play guys like Dillingham.
[00:15:46] Speaker A: He'S our backup point guard.
[00:15:48] Speaker B: Yeah, I figured Dylan play, but I think it'll be interesting to see if like Terrence Shannon gets some minutes. How many minutes Dalton connect gets considering how good of a preseason he had.
I'm not saying the game's Going to come down to them or anything, but I do think it'll be interesting to see how they play.
I do like Nick's reasoning. Opening out opening night in la, it's kind of hard not to say the Lakers, no matter how good or bad they are.
So I think even with that, I think I'm going to take a Timberwolves win in this one. I think Anthony Edwards has himself a pretty good game. I'll say he hits somewhere between 25 and 30 for the points. And I think the Sea Wolves take down the Lakers, all right.
[00:16:26] Speaker C: A little bit different of an approach, I guess, from all three of us, but I think the Timberwolves blow them out tonight. I think they go in to the Lake show and I think they get the job done. I just really think that there is a gap within these teams. And even though it's, you know, one game at a time, Lakers are at home opening night. It's got all the hype. I think now is as perfect of a time as ever for the Timberwolves to show that they mean business this year, that they're a solidified top two, at worst, top three team in the West. And I think they proved that tonight to a Lakers team that it isn't great and it's consistently aging. I like Timberwolves big in this one. I'm going to go 118, 103. I think ant has a big game.
Devon Shinzo comes off the bench, gives him a spark shooting. Same with Dillingham. But as for the Lakers, what I'm really interested to see is, like you said, connect. I want to see how they can incorporate him and what lineups they can put Connect in. Like, is Connect really going to be playing with LeBron? Yeah, it would be nice to see too. Like, will Connect be like their sixth man.
It'll be interesting to see how they play with him. And then obviously, you know, there's Bronny James and there's no way in the world he doesn't play tonight. Like, yeah, he will 1000% get in the game at some point. So we should just do like a Bronnie score, like, stat line prediction every single time. The Lakers.
[00:17:48] Speaker B: Okay, I'll go one. I'll say he has like a three or something in the whole. Like, they'll call a timeout. You know, confetti will rain down for LeBron.
[00:17:58] Speaker C: Like, full on. Yeah, full on.
[00:18:00] Speaker B: Like, celebration. Like. Like when LeBron broke the squad.
[00:18:02] Speaker C: Yeah, that's what I was gonna say. Storm the court.
[00:18:05] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, he'll go one for, one for eight, three points, two steals, a board and two turnovers.
[00:18:14] Speaker A: I'm going six points, two of 12 from the field, three turnovers and a block.
[00:18:25] Speaker C: I don't think he gets on the court enough to shoot that many times. I'm gonna go one for four. Two points, a block, an assist. I think he plays like three minutes. Yeah, I think he plays like three minutes tonight. But. But they, they're gonna put him in just because you have to, right? I mean, like.
Yeah, yeah. He just have to watch.
[00:18:48] Speaker B: He's going to start, he's going to drop like 33, 10 and 10.
[00:18:51] Speaker C: Okay. Yeah.
[00:18:52] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:18:52] Speaker C: All right. Yeah. I don't know what I'll do, but I'll do something.
[00:18:55] Speaker A: Won't be much NBA getting watched by me.
[00:18:57] Speaker B: Yeah, he's like all NBA first team at the end of the year. Yeah, that'll be the NBA. That'll make me.
[00:19:02] Speaker C: Didn't we just like make a bet like last episode? Like if so and so happens, we'll end the show or whatever. Was it like the Pacers win the east maybe or something like that? Or like Pacers make it to the Eastern Conference finals?
[00:19:13] Speaker B: That's what it was. If the Eastern Conference finally finals again.
[00:19:16] Speaker C: Okay, so now it's that and if Bronnie wins Rookie of the Year, if Ronnie wins Rookie of the Year, it's got to be worse than ending the show, right? Because that's even crazier than the Pacers making the ecf.
[00:19:28] Speaker B: We'll all drop out.
[00:19:30] Speaker C: Okay.
[00:19:31] Speaker B: Yeah. If Rookie of the Year, we'll drop.
[00:19:34] Speaker C: All right. All right. So yeah, Pacers make the ECF and we in the show. Bronnie wins Rookie of the Year and we drop out.
[00:19:39] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's pretty funny. It's pretty funny.
[00:19:43] Speaker C: Okay, that's all. What are we? We're sitcom.
[00:19:45] Speaker B: Yeah, there's actually got a live audience in here. Okay. We have this whole time, y'all just. All right, Moving on to tomorrow's games, we have the Pacers going on to take the Detroit Pistons on in Detroit. The Magic going into Miami to take on the Heat. We have the Cavs going to Toronto to take on the Raptors, the Nets, Hawks, Buck Sixers, Hornets, Rockets, Bulls, Pelicans, Grizzlies, Jazz, Suns, Clippers, Warriors, Trailblazers. No really eye popping games tomorrow, I would say. Magic, Heat. That's not a. That's not a bad game. So we could start there. So tomorrow's game, we have the Magic, obviously, Battle of Florida taking on the Heat Any predictions for that one? How we feeling?
[00:20:26] Speaker C: Yeah, now's the time for the Magic to start their. Their campaign. I have them on, like, Jamal Mosey wins coach of the year. They're like, almost a top three seed. Apollo is second team all NBA. They've got a lot of big expectations from some people after having a really great season last year. And, you know, their young stars are. Should be getting better. They made an acquisition, getting KCP in the off season, addressing their biggest need, which is shooting, while keeping that defensive intensity that they're known for.
Speaking of defensive intensity, though, that's going to be kind of the Miami Heat thing this year. They don't have a lot of shot creators on their team. I guess you could say Rosier, Harrow and Jimmy. That's. That's it. Like, those are the only guys on their teams that can create shots. They lost Caleb Martin and I. For the Heat, I'd like to see how. How they implement Yovich and Jaime Hawkes and see how they kind of, I don't know, have progressed over the off season. I think, especially for Jovic, time is. Is ticking with Heat fans. They're ready for him to develop and be able to. To give solid minutes in serious games, which he was starting to do a little bit in the playoffs last year. But as for this matchup tonight, I actually do like the Heat. I just think it's in Miami.
Yeah, it's in Miami. That's. That's really all I got to it this game.
[00:21:58] Speaker B: I'm going to take the magic. I do like Jaime Hawkes a lot. I think that he had a very, very good rookie campaign, and I think he comes out and has a solid game opening night. But I think this Magic team's really good. And despite it being in Miami, Miami has, like, the worst home crowd ever. There's probably gonna be like. Yeah, that's true. 14 people there cheering them on, so.
[00:22:16] Speaker C: They don't get there until like, 45 minutes after tip.
[00:22:19] Speaker B: Yeah, like, it's gonna be a pretty empty, empty game, and then come halftime, it'll be decently full, but it's all the people getting out from the club and whatnot. So I'm gonna take the Magic in this one. I think Suggs proves that he was worth the deal, has a decent little night, and I think Bono balls out. So I'm gonna take the Magic.
I'll go like 110 to 101, something like that.
[00:22:41] Speaker A: Yeah, I also have the magic. Winning the Heat are not gonna be that good to me this season. So I think the magical win this pretty convincingly.
[00:22:48] Speaker B: Yes. It's also going to be interesting to see how Jimmy Butler plays because I know he had a bit of a down year last year.
Is the. Is the downfall of Jimmy Butler upon us?
[00:22:58] Speaker C: Yes.
[00:22:59] Speaker B: Who knows?
[00:23:00] Speaker C: I just said yes.
[00:23:01] Speaker B: Oh, yeah. Kaden knows.
[00:23:03] Speaker C: Apparently I do.
[00:23:04] Speaker A: He's old sub.
[00:23:05] Speaker C: 20 points per game this year for Jimmy Butler.
[00:23:06] Speaker A: He did last year. He averaged 19 last year.
[00:23:08] Speaker C: Oh, really? I thought it was like right at 20.
[00:23:10] Speaker B: I thought it was 20 flat, but I wouldn't doubt if it was around 19 too.
So let's move on some pretty whatever, whatever games. Let's go. We'll go. Buck Sixers. We taught. We touched on it earlier.
It's pretty injury written already, but nonetheless, still two big names out in the Eastern Conference. How are we feeling about this one?
[00:23:31] Speaker C: Buck Sixers injuries?
[00:23:34] Speaker A: Yeah, I guess. Bucks, because. Is Giannis playing?
[00:23:38] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:23:38] Speaker A: Oh, then yeah, Bucks for sure. Yeah. Because there's nobody to guard. Guard him. So. Yeah.
[00:23:43] Speaker B: Yeah, I think no Joel Embiid, even with no Chris Middleton, I think Giannis will be enough to get the job done. He's an MVP candidate year after year after year. I'm pretty sure we all. I don't know if we all did, but had him top three in mvp.
So I think Giannis, he, he's, he's the freak for a reason. So I think he goes out and has like 45 and 12 or something and he just goes crazy against the Sixers. It's in Philly, so Sixers do have the advantage there, but Giannis is one tough dude to stop, so I'm going to take the box.
[00:24:17] Speaker C: Yeah, I'm right there with you. Lack of Embiid means of, lack of. Of guy to guard Giannis. Who's, who's the Sixers backup center? Is it Mo Bamba under Drummond? Yeah, Andre Drummond. Oh, okay. Yeah. I mean that, that's, that's a good rebounder. He's a decent rim protector as well, but I mean, all they got to do is space him out. If you can draw him out of the three point line, he's cooked. Giannis isn't going to be stopped.
And then I don't think the Sixers have the offense to keep up with the Bucks while being down. PG and Joel Embiid, undeniably their two best scores.
Tyrese Max, he's gonna have to carry a load and like he did in the playoffs, I expect him to score big in this one. I, I wouldn't be surprised. Like, maxi has like 40, but Bucks win and probably convincingly too. I'd say by 10 or more.
[00:25:10] Speaker B: Okay, moving on. Let's go. Hornets, rockets two.
[00:25:14] Speaker C: Okay. Very, very young.
[00:25:15] Speaker B: That's a fours.
[00:25:15] Speaker C: Yeah. Yeah.
[00:25:16] Speaker B: That's two very, very young cores.
Both their first games of the year. It's going to be fun to see how everybody meshes together. We got year two, Brandon Miller, all these young guys like Reed Shepherd, Eamon Thompson out in Houston, Cam Whitmore. So a lot of youth going into this one. A healthy Lamelo ball should be fun. Hornets, Rockets. How are we feeling?
[00:25:40] Speaker A: I'm gonna take the Hornets. I.
I don't know why. I just feel like they'll have a good chance to win for some reason. Just everybody will be healthy besides Mark Williams. So excited to see how that works.
[00:25:52] Speaker C: I'll go Rockets.
I just like, like their depth. I mean, they've got so many young players, so much young talent. And then like Nick said, Mark Williams is out. I think that's actually going to be a little bit of a big loss for them. Albertson Goon should be able to feast in the paint. Jalen Green's playing motivated off a bunch of new money.
Cam Whitmore is in his second year. Reed shepherd, potential rookie of the year candidate right there. I. I just think the Rockets have too much scoring. It's in Houston. I like the Rockets winning their first one at home.
[00:26:27] Speaker B: Yeah, I'm gonna have to agree with Kaden there. I like Houston a lot at home. I really, really like this Hornets core. I think Brandon Miller has himself a really good game. I think Lamello ball is back in the farm. He gets, you know, eight plus assists, whatnot. But I think this Houston team is very, very deep with a lot of young talent. And at home it's gonna. It's hard to pick against them. So I think Jalen Green has a good night. Sengun dominates without Mark Williams and the pain to stop him. And then all these young guys like Whitmore and Reed Shepard, I think they all play well. So forgetting Jabari Smith Jr. Too. I think he plays okay. So I'm going to take the Rockets in that one. Moving on, we have the Chicago Bulls taking on the New Orleans Pelicans. Oh, my goodness. Valentine. Oh, no. Love being able to use that. So Lonzo Balls return facing his former team, Zion and the Pelicans. How are we feeling about this one?
[00:27:22] Speaker C: Big, big night for Lonzo.
Emotional night. First time playing basketball in the regular season in what, two years? Two and a half years. I mean, it's Insane how long he's been out. Super happy for him. He deserves it.
Awesome player, one of the most fun college players to watch of all time.
Pretty stoked for him being able to go back to a place that he's familiar with. I'm sure they'll show him plenty of love, but the Pelicans scoreboard will not reflect that. I think they win this game by 30. I think they race them Pelicans. New Orleans has a chance to set the tone here for what their season can be.
Kind of prove to their fan base, you know, enough of this being complacent with being anywhere from the 6 to the 10 seed. You know, we're, we're going to lock in this year, try to make a run. And that all starts with their star, Zion Williamson, and I think he sets the tone tonight. He had a really good preseason and he is showing to be one of the most efficient post scores. The Bulls down low have Nikola Vucevich and Zion is going to give him hell. Like, for lack of a better term, he's going to give Voch hell. I wouldn't be surprised if you see one of the classic Zion games of 28 on like 70, 16 shots. Yeah, 28 on like 16 shots. And he's improved his playmaking as well. Don't be surprised to see him averaging four to five assists a game this year. I think the Pelicans win this one big.
[00:28:51] Speaker A: Yeah, I agree with that. You know, it'll be fun to see how Zion plays since they're going to play mid center this year. So.
[00:28:58] Speaker B: Yeah, I agree. I'm definitely, definitely taking the Pelicans in this one. And like Hayden said, I think it will be in blowout fashion. It will be interesting to see how much Lonzo plays. Played in the preseason, played pretty well. Looked like the Lonzo we all know and love. So hopefully he's back to form.
[00:29:16] Speaker C: And it just goes to show you too, like, I mean, that's what being patient with your injuries exactly do. I mean, he's, he's not coming back and he's not. He waited until. He's at the risk of not, you know, almost losing his leg again. Basically he has an entire new knee. He took the time that he needed to come back and now he's able to come back and be an effective player immediately. You know, it's not something that he's. Obviously he is going to have to work his way back into getting in game shape, but skill wise, it seems to be that he's like, he waited until he has his skills back.
[00:29:49] Speaker B: Yeah and shout out to Chicago for not giving up on him not cutting them. They kept him around and Lon hope that they off. Yeah I'm really hoping it does because I really like so but should be interesting to see how Kobe White plays montage Buzelis the rookie. Nonetheless though, New Orleans is very very good. We get to see Dejounte Murray in his first game in New Orleans and Zion Williamson is. He's out for blood. So I think he goes out and has 35 on like 70% shooting. So I'm going to take the Pelicans big in that one.
Moving on. Let's go. Let's go. Suns Clippers. Well, this will be our last game for for this day because there's a few decent games, more than decent games on Thursday. So last game, Suns Clippers in la. The into it dome I believe it's called. Brand new arena for the Clippers. How are we feeling about this one?
[00:30:36] Speaker A: Blowout, Suns blowout.
[00:30:38] Speaker B: Yeah, I agree.
[00:30:39] Speaker C: Yeah. I just the Clippers give me the vibes of being the least motivated team in the entire NBA. Like like counting the Wizards, counting the Nets. Like the Clippers might be the least motivated team in the NBA.
Kawhi's not playing for you know, who knows how long. James Harden doesn't seem to really care about anything team wise. It's more just like trying to prove to people online that he is still like good or whatever. I mean that kind of seems to be his thing. And then you've got, I mean you've just got a bunch of like solid mediocre to solid role players. You know, like shout out Norman Powell, you know he's still hanging around Terrence Mann. Those are guys that can contribute for sure. But especially without Kawhi, this team just doesn't seem like they really want to win that bad. And that being said, I think the Suns capitalize off that and dominate the Clippers in their first game in the Intuit Zone.
[00:31:35] Speaker B: Yeah, I completely agree.
New into a dome. Same old Clippers. James Harden is built like Debo Samuel and the sun's ball movement in the preseason look very, very, very good. With the addition of Ty's Jones, I think KD has himself a night without Kawhi. Katie probably goes for 35, Booker probably goes for 28 or 30 and I think the Suns win this one by 25 plus so shout out the Clippers. Depressing, depressing times in LA. What could have been. So moving on to Thursday, we have four games. Celtics, Wizards that will be A massive blowout. So I would rather not cover that.
[00:32:13] Speaker A: Yeah, Wizards are going to go crazy in that game.
[00:32:15] Speaker C: Yeah, I was just saying that thing about like, there's going to be a game where the Wizards beat like a top NBA team. Like, watch it.
[00:32:20] Speaker B: It'll be this one.
[00:32:21] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:32:21] Speaker B: Jordan Pool, 40 piece. But the other three games are very, very good. We have Spurs, Mavericks, Thunder Nuggets and Timberwolves Kings. So we'll cover three those three games and we'll see where we go from there. So starting out, Victor Wembanyama and the spurs taking on the Dallas Mavericks. This should be a very, very good game. Two teams out of Texas. Luca and the Mavericks coming off of a loss in the finals. And the spurs looking a little rejuvenated. A lot more age on that team alongside Victor Wembanyama. So how are we feeling? Spurs Mavs.
[00:32:56] Speaker A: Give me Spurs.
[00:32:58] Speaker B: Oh yeah, give me the Spurs.
[00:33:00] Speaker A: I don't know why. That's just my, my pick.
[00:33:02] Speaker B: So I like it.
[00:33:04] Speaker C: This is. Should be a telling game for the Spurs. Kind of see how serious people should take them because this is a pretty big test for them opening night. I don't know if they're quite up to it yet though. I think Dallas has too much going on for them. They made some solid ads this season. I don't know how great Klay Thompson's going to be, but you know, there's. There's some more like low key ads that they made that that I think will play well. Like Najee Marshall. I think he'll be good for them this year. And then Derek Lively is going to be back. So Derek Lively on Wimby could be an interesting little match up there. But with that being said, I just think the Mavericks are better.
Have a, have a, well, more well rounded roster right now. Too much for the Spurs.
[00:33:46] Speaker B: Yeah, I think this game will actually come down to the wire. I think it's going to be very, very close. Regardless of that though, I'm gonna take the Mavericks. I love Luca and Kyrie and all the additions they've made. Adding Klay Thompson should be interesting to see how he plays. I know he struggled in the preseason, but I think he'll get back to form come regular season time. Another thing that's going to be interesting is seeing Victor Webmanyama and Chris Paul, how that match up kind of goes. Chris Paul, if he's still back in form. So regardless of that though, I think the Mavericks take this one at home and I think they win in the close one. I think it goes within 5ish points. So the next game. Let's go, Timberwolves. Kings. This will be the Timberwolves second game of the year already and the Kings first game of the year in Sacramento. How are we feeling about this one?
[00:34:36] Speaker C: Pretty interesting game for you, Jamie.
I. I like the Kings in this one. I think the Timberwolves ride high off their opening night win. I have them winning by like 15 to 20 tonight. But the Kings have a really fun new look type of roster with DeMar DeRozan. And then there's guys that the Kings have kind of placed a lot more responsibility on this year, like Keon Ellis, who's going to be put in a position where they can, he can break out.
[00:35:03] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:35:04] Speaker C: That being said, I do like the Kings in this one. DeMar DeRozan's first game. I think he goes off. I think he has 30, 30 plus. And the kings win in a close one.
[00:35:14] Speaker A: Yeah, I agree. I think. Well, really, I think it depends. If the Wolves lose tonight, then I think the Wolves win. If the Wolves.
[00:35:21] Speaker C: Yeah, I, I agree. I, I can see that for sure.
[00:35:24] Speaker B: Entirely. Yeah, Yeah, I completely agree with that. I think if the Lakers beat the Timberwolves tonight, then the Timberwolves go into Sacramento and I think they kind of beat on Sacramento.
[00:35:34] Speaker C: A Mollywop.
[00:35:35] Speaker B: Yeah, a Mollywop. A slaughter.
But I think if the Timberwolves do win tonight, then I'm going to take Sacramento and I have the Timberwolves winning tonight, so I'm going to take Sacramento in that game. Like Hayden said, a new look. Kings adding to Marta Rosen, second year. Keon Ellis, who is the best defender on the team. Then Keegan Murray, who took a big, big jump offensively last year. Three point shooting is out of through the roof. Very, very good. But the Kings in the preseason looked extremely, extremely mediocre. I'm pretty sure they only won one game out of like the eight games they played because they shot 25% from three. So I think if that continues going into the regular season and if they shoot 25% from three, there's no shot they win this game. But if they rely on guys like DeMar and De'Aaron and Sabonis to kind of do their things, play how they play, I think Sacramento is just fine. And I'm going to take the Kings in this one and in a close game, I think it's within 10. But I'm going to take the Kings regardless. Last game of Thursday, we have the Dallas, not the Dallas, the Denver Nuggets and the Oklahoma City Thunder, two absolute powerhouses in the Western Conference, having a heavyweight boxing match. So how are we feeling about this one?
[00:36:49] Speaker A: Give me. Is it in okc?
[00:36:52] Speaker B: I think so.
[00:36:52] Speaker C: Oh, no, it's in Denver.
[00:36:53] Speaker B: Oh, is it computer?
[00:36:55] Speaker A: Well, I don't know if that's the case. Give me okc. If it was in Denver or if it was in okc, I would expect Westbrook to have a really good game, but considering it's not, I think he'll play okay. And I think that the Thunder will win.
[00:37:07] Speaker C: I didn't even think about that element of the game. That'll be fun to watch, especially when they go to Denver. That or not. Sorry. When they go to okc. Yeah, that'll be really fun to watch. That being said, though, I, I like the Nuggets in this one. Really, really, really close game though. Like, I'm talking, like, could be a buzzer beater type of game.
[00:37:25] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:37:26] Speaker C: Decided within two or three points for sure. And a high scoring game as well. I think both teams are going to come out firing.
Both of these teams are, are well rounded on both sides of the ball. Both are probably top five teams in the NBA.
This is an, this is an awesome game. Probably the best game that we have, I would say. Even I agree in opening weekend, I'm.
[00:37:47] Speaker B: Going to go with Denver in this one, Mile High Stadium.
You know, Denver just plays so, so well at home. It's hard to pick against them when it's in Denver. Despite how good OKC looks, how. How much they did in the off season and how good they were last year, it's very, very hard to pick against them. But Denver's Denver and they're going to be good regardless. As long as you have Nikola Jokic, who is one of, if not the best player in basketball, you're going to be just fine. So I'm going to take Denver in this one. And like Hayden said, I think it gets decided last second, buzzer beater type stuff. It'll probably be like a Michael Porter Jr. 3 with like two seconds left.
[00:38:28] Speaker C: Yeah, something like that.
[00:38:29] Speaker B: Yeah, it'll be something just like that.
[00:38:31] Speaker C: Big X factor to look out for, though. For the Thunder is Daquan Cook.
[00:38:34] Speaker B: Daquan Cook. Yeah.
[00:38:35] Speaker C: His spirit, him up in the off season. He's going to bring morale, he's going to bring grit, he's going to bring hustle, he's going to bring everything.
[00:38:42] Speaker A: It's been a long time since he's been on okc.
[00:38:44] Speaker B: Yeah, he's.
[00:38:44] Speaker A: I think they're going to Retire his jersey after this year?
[00:38:46] Speaker B: Probably, yeah. I mean, you know, clapping from the sideline.
[00:38:49] Speaker C: Whenever the heat go to okc, they'll retire as he's like, it's two teams.
[00:38:56] Speaker B: One of the most influential players ever in the history of sports, not just basketball.
[00:39:00] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:39:01] Speaker B: Because I mean, we don't talk like, we don't talk about any athlete like we do Daquan Cook on this show. That just, that's a testament to his, his grit and his, you know, everything he's done. So got a little bit of time left.
[00:39:14] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:39:14] Speaker B: So let's go into Friday.
I say we kick it off with Pacers, Knicks. Yeah. Eastern Conference finals. Rematch, Semifinals. Rematch.
Pacers in New York should be fun to see because like we've made known multiple times, the Pacers beat a very injured Knicks team in the playoffs. So now that the Knicks are healthy and a very reloaded roster, how do we feel this one goes?
[00:39:40] Speaker C: I think this is a New York Knicks beat down. I think they're angry after the loss to Boston.
They're angry after the conference semifinals last year. You know, they were up 3, 2. Then you have Andrew Nimhard to hit an insane shot. A lot, a lot of drama in that series and a lot of get back potential on this game for the Knicks. It's the first game in Madison Square Garden of the season. Everything's just kind of pointing to the New York Knicks in this game. I think they win by 15.
[00:40:13] Speaker B: I don't know if it's going to be that much of a blowout. I still have a little bit of belief in the Pacers, but with this new look Knicks team, they're going to be very, very dangerous. I think this is a very, very high scoring game. Little defense will be played in this one. So I think this one hits around the 130 to 140 points mark.
[00:40:32] Speaker C: Yeah, probably. I can see that.
[00:40:33] Speaker B: But regardless, I do think the Knicks take this one. I'll say, I'll say 141 to 128. Very, very high scoring game.
But I think the big purloin gets it done. And Brunson's a dog and Bridges hopefully finds his footing.
So I'm going to take the Knicks in this one.
[00:40:49] Speaker A: Yeah, I'm going to go with the Knicks also. I just, I think that they're going to be riding high off the loss to the Celtics, so.
[00:40:57] Speaker B: Agreed. Agreed. Now let's move on.
It's kind of hard to, you know, it's some pretty mid games going on this week, which is Kind of surprising. We'll go. Let's go, Grizzlies. Rockets.
[00:41:07] Speaker C: Yeah, There you go. I like that one.
[00:41:09] Speaker B: I know we talked about the Rockets already. We've kind of sung their praises about that young court, but they're facing a very, very good Memphis team who we haven't seen fully healthy in a long, long time. John Morant, Marcus Smart, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson. A lot, a lot of talent on this Memphis roster, but John Moran's already injured.
[00:41:28] Speaker C: Yeah, so is Jaren Jackson.
[00:41:29] Speaker A: Yep.
[00:41:29] Speaker B: So. So backs are always.
[00:41:31] Speaker C: Yeah. With that being said, I, I like the Rockets again in this one. I think they start off the year high, get a couple of wins, close game. I, I think even the Grizzlies, even without JJJ and JA are still pretty good. Honestly, I don't think they're that bad as long as they have at least one of jjj, John, Desmond Bane. And then obviously, you know, they spent all of last year just kind of finding guys that could be their role players. And then drafted Zach Edie, I think. Is G.G. jackson out, too, for a minute?
[00:41:59] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:42:00] Speaker A: Like all season?
[00:42:01] Speaker C: Gosh, yeah. Yeah. Definitely going with the Rockets on this one, but I don't think it'll be like a blowout. But, yeah, the Grizzlies are going to have to get those guys back. I think having Desmond bank can keep them in games. But with that being said, I, I, I think the Rockets start off the year hot, get things going. 2 and 0.
[00:42:16] Speaker B: Yeah, I agree. I'm going to go with Houston in this one, starting it off 2 and 0.
Memphis. There's something floating in the water down in Memphis because the injury bug will just not go away.
And the Rockets look very, very good. Shout out Fred Van Fleet.
So I'm gonna take the Rockets in this one. I think Jalen Green has himself a day sanguine, has himself a day without Jaren Jackson, so I'm gonna go. Houston, moving on. Let's go. Let's go with that. Prime time game. Suns, Lakers, once again, two teams we've already talked about. But as much as we hate LeBron and as much as we hate the Lakers, we got to talk about them because this is a pretty exciting matchup. Katie and LeBron. Not often that those two play against each other. Considering the injury history.
[00:43:00] Speaker C: One of them will end up being out. Yeah, probably LeBron. You already know what's going to happen.
[00:43:05] Speaker B: Somebody's ducking on somebody. So let's just go into it saying that they're both completely healthy teams. Suns, Lakers, in la Suns.
[00:43:13] Speaker A: Suns Sons.
[00:43:15] Speaker B: Oh, man, I think it's tough.
[00:43:17] Speaker C: I think it's tough too because I have the Lakers losing tonight.
Yeah, screw. Yeah, I'll go Suns again. Yeah. Lakers start owing two with two games at home. Suns just are the better roster. I think picking up Tyus. Tyus Jones is going to do a lot of good things for them because it takes away like Beal, Bradley Beal, when he's asked to facilitate, he's having to do too much. You know, Bill's at his best when he's not having to facilitate, when he has a Russell Westbrook or a John Wall. Obviously Ty Jones isn't to that level, but Ty Jones is a good to great facilitator. It's going to let Beal and Booker play off ball more. Kind of let those guys, you know, do their own thing, take the off ball screens, kick out to the wing and knock down shots. And when Bradley Beal is asked to knock down shots, especially at this point in his career, that's what he can do and that's what he can give you at a high level. When he's not asked to facilitate, when he's not asked to defend at a high level the whole time he's in the game. I think that's going to help the Suns tremendously this year, get them a win over the Lakers.
[00:44:20] Speaker B: Yeah, I'm going to go Phoenix in this one as well. Lakers start 02 and Stephen A. Smith will be all over it saying, are the Lakers done? Should they trade LeBron two games into the year? I can already see it. So I'm going to take the Suns. Kevin Durant is that guy. Devin Booker is that guy. Bradley Beal, I think it's still that guy. And you add Ty's Jones and all these other pieces. I really, really like Phoenix and I think they'll. I think they're gonna be sneaky dangerous this year. So I think they beat the Lakers. I think they beat them pretty soundly. I'll go by 15 points.
[00:44:52] Speaker C: Oh, wow.
[00:44:54] Speaker B: You know, I'm not. I'm that type of guy.
[00:44:57] Speaker C: Something tells me you don't like the Los Angeles Lakers.
[00:44:59] Speaker B: Yeah, something deep down inside. I'm not that big of a Lakers guy, but nonetheless big Phoenix guy and I think they handle those dudes down in la. So anything else to that to add from any of you guys?
[00:45:13] Speaker C: I'm all good hyped to get the season started. I mean Boston and New York or should be underway right now.
[00:45:20] Speaker B: Yeah, it should give you a little.
[00:45:21] Speaker C: Score update on that it's 13 to 12. Boston.
So much for being a low scoring game. It's like four minutes in and it's already 25 total points.
Yeah. So that's where we're at in the NBA season.
[00:45:32] Speaker B: There we go, everybody. Enjoy opening day.
Thank you all for tuning in to WVUA 90.7 FM and the full Court Press podcast. We'll see you guys next week. Shout out to Daquan Cook. Peace.
[00:45:52] Speaker A: Wvuafm, Tuscaloosa.
