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NBA Preview Bonanza
12 Plays19 days ago
23 Questions to Cover the League
- What is 1 player you are looking forward to monitoring this season
- What is more likely - someone other than Cooper Flagg wins ROY or someone other than Wemby wins DPOY?
- What are your expectations for Cooper Flagg?
- Who plays more games this season - Jayson Tatum or Joel Embiid?
- What is more likely to happen this year - Sixers win a playoff series or the Sixers win less than 25 games?
- Will LeBron play 65 games this year? Will LeBron play another season?
- What team do you think is being underrated?
- What team do you think is being overrated?
- What team does Giannis play for on February 6, 2026?
- Will an All-Star get traded this season?
- Who wins more games this year - Lakers, Clippers, Warriors?
- What team will have the best record?
- What team will have the worst record?
- Predict a first time All-Star
- Are you a believer in skinny Zion?
- Who has a better record - Denver or Houston?
- The Orlando Magic will end the season as the ____ seed?
- True or False - Bronny James will score 20 points in a game this season
- Who will win MVP this year?
- Who will win the Eastern Conference?
- Who will win the Western Conference?
- Who will win the NBA Championship?
- One Bold Prediction about the season?
Game of the Week
Opening Night Double Header
Rockets @ Thunder
Warriors @ Lakers
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction and Canadian Sports Success
00:00:09
Chino Onwuka
Thank you.
00:00:10
Emeka
Hey, everybody, welcome to episode 37 of the Love of the Game podcast. Coming to you, recording this on October 20th. It was the day before the NBA season.
00:00:24
Emeka
Vibes are high. Everyone's team is in the playoff hunt. We all have big dreams. We just saw the Blue Jays make the World Series. Shout out to Canada. Shout out to the Blue Jays.
00:00:34
Chino Onwuka
Let's go, PK, wherever you want.
00:00:34
Emeka
You know, man.
00:00:37
Chuku
Yes, sir.
00:00:38
Chuku
Yes, sir.
00:00:38
Chino Onwuka
Shout out.
00:00:38
Chino Onwuka
I know you hype right now.
00:00:40
Emeka
Hey, like, it vibes are high right now, man, but we still take time.
00:00:42
Chuku
We're in the six right now.
00:00:45
Emeka
We're taking the time to still chat to y'all because we talk a lot about NOSACA in this podcast. We've talked a lot about NFL in this podcast. We just gave a shout-out to the Jays.
NBA Season Preview and Key Questions
00:00:54
Emeka
But it's basketball season, and we're coming to you with a full NBA podcast, breaking down the league.
00:01:01
Emeka
And there's no one I'd rather do that with than my boys Chukul. Chukul, how you living right now, man?
00:01:07
Chuku
Yo, yo, yo, man. We're living good. We're living good. You what saying? It's been a wonderful weekend. If you know, you know. I'm just ready to chop it up again with the boys. You know, shout out to, you know, again, we finally, you know, reunited. know, I feel ready to just, know, get a lot on my plate. And I think it's to be a good episode today, boys.
00:01:27
Chuku
Let's go.
00:01:28
Emeka
Yes, sir. Vibes are high. And, of course, the man making the magic happen, my man Chinna. Chinna, how you living, brother?
00:01:35
Chino Onwuka
We're playing basketball. We love a basketball.
00:01:40
Emeka
What's that? Uh. Uh. Uh.
00:01:43
Chino Onwuka
Nah, as you can tell, i am excited for the start of the NBA season. Last year ended off with the OKC Thunder being crowned champions. You know, it was pretty interesting offseason, you know, for myself. You know, i visited some Shaolin monks, was doing bicycle kicks in Guatemala, but now I'm back.
00:02:05
Chino Onwuka
ready for the takes, for the analysis, for the thoughts on this NBA season. I think it's going to be an exciting one. Let's get it.
00:02:13
Emeka
You know, we all grew three inches in the offseason. We're all lost 10 pounds, but gained 20 pounds of muscle. It's that time of year, man. I love it. As mentioned, this is going to be a long, solely NBA-focused podcast.
00:02:26
Emeka
To make up for lost time, everyone talked about basketball over the summer. We're going to give you guys 23 questions. Why 23? Come on now. Doing for Jordan and doing it for LeBron. 23 questions to cover the league.
00:02:39
Emeka
Some will be short. Some will be longer. We're going to try hit on most of the teams that are relevant, and if we don't talk about your team, be better. To start us off with question number one, we'll start you, Chino.
00:02:53
Emeka
Give me one player you're looking forward to seeing in this upcoming NBA season.
Player Highlights: Wemby and Reed Shepard
00:02:59
Chino Onwuka
Okay, this is going to be funny because I just gave Chukwu a warning about this episode and not to just bomb it with Orlando Magic talk. But honestly, the player I'm most looking forward to watching is Wemby.
00:03:13
Chino Onwuka
And the reason that is, is if we all remember last year, his season was caught off after 46 games by a block clock. And if you know what that is, you know how serious of a medical issue that is where you know Not only his playing career was in question, but also his health. And so for him to be back on the court healthy, I think is a big deal, not just for the Spurs, but for the NBA as a whole, because a lot of people are really excited to watch him and see what he can do.
00:03:42
Chino Onwuka
And, you know, he's going into year three. you know Usually this is the stage at which, you know, the superstars really explode. So, you know, for that reason, know, hoping he stays healthy, you know, Wemby is the player i'm I'm really looking forward to to watching. you know, I joked a little bit in my intro with sort of his Gullivan's journeys over the summer, going to Shaolin temples.
00:04:04
Chino Onwuka
He trained with Hakim, trained with KG, know, last year. What he decided to to to show us was him shooting 10 threes a game. You know, he was experiment experimenting with himself, testing his limits. And now it looks like, you know, we might see a little bit more more of an inside game, more of a post presence, which I know Emeka, especially you have wanted to see more of a balance from that. So yeah, really interested to see what he can do this year.
00:04:30
Emeka
And there's a reason why I started off asking you that question because, I mean, I'm just going to echo you and say, Wemmy, man, like, what what a summer he's had. And I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what he looks like. There's a you know a couple other questions I have based around Wemmy because I think he's one of the,
00:04:48
Emeka
One of the guys to watch. I'll keep my own brief for this one. One play I'm really looking forward to seeing is Reed Shepard on the Houston Rockets. We didn't really see him much last year. i feel like for number two overall pick, or number three over sorry when three overall pick, like the least playing time I can remember in someone's rookie season.
00:05:05
Emeka
Going to the year, big expectations for the Rockets. Van Vliet tears his ACL. And now he's going to get minutes. i don't know if he's going to start, but he's definitely going to get minutes. And he's one of the swing guys that if he takes a step forward this year and he's actually good, then the Rockets are like entrenched top three seed in the West like sky's the limit for them. They keep going forward.
00:05:29
Emeka
If he starts struggling and all of a sudden the Rockets are using a lot of Amon Thompson, a point guard, and don't really have much of shooting around, things can get a little techie and maybe they start making some trade moves and move off some of the assets they have. So i I just like when a young guy just controls such a big swing on a good team.
00:05:46
Emeka
So I'm really looking forward to seeing how he adapts the season. And, you know, if he goes well, the Rockets are going to be a real threat. And if he struggles, we might start seeing some trade rumors. Chico, what's one player you're looking forward to seeing in this year?
00:05:58
Chuku
Well, I'll try and keep mine short and sweet as best as I can because I've been warned. But, you know, sticking on the theme of past number one overall picks, for me, it's an easy shout.
00:06:11
Chuku
Paulo Banqueiro is my answer. I just like the progress. My young stud of of a, you know, franchise player has been, you know, improving over the years. And lo and behold, who would have thought Orlando would have been one of the big,
00:06:25
Chuku
you know, contenders or one of the big, you know, I guess acquisition, you know, teams in the offseason, acquiring the talent of a Desmond Bain. And I just think being able to finally watch a young franchise player, Paolo, who's had to play with horrific shooting around him.
00:06:42
Chuku
I can't emphasize this enough. I repeat, horrific three-point shooting around him. You know, I just think this year is going to be, just us I'm just intrigued to see what he's going to,
00:06:54
Chuku
what he can look like having better shooting around him. Because, you know, I felt a little bit salty, you know, coming off watching that Celtics-Orlando Magic playoff series that, you know, that I ran last season.
00:07:06
Chuku
And it was just basically Franz and, know, Franz and Paolo and a bunch of non-shooters. We're not going to go into too much detail about this, but I just think watching them this year is going to be, I'm very intrigued to see how how it plays out.
00:07:20
Emeka
Absolutely. And picking up the man Cheno mentioned, Mr. Shaolin Monk, I have another second question of this preview, and it's simple. What is more likely to happen this year?
00:07:34
Emeka
Someone other than Cooper Flagg wins Rookie of the Year, or someone other than Wenmeyama wins Defensive Player of the Year?
Rookie and Defensive Player of the Year Debate
00:07:42
Emeka
Chuku, let's start with you. What do you think is more likely to happen?
00:07:46
Chuku
Yeah, that's a very tough question there, bro, because those are easily favorites in each of the categories. But if I had to choose one right now, i just got to believe that, yeah, there's got to be a better chance of a better another rookie coming up on top of a Cooper Flagg than there is someone else taking that defensive player of the year spot for Wembe, especially knowing...
00:08:09
Chuku
the year that he had prior to the injury, and the fact that he he couldn't qualify to get the award. I just think this is the year he gets the award easy. And yeah, as long as he stays healthy, Wembe is locked for that defensive player of the year.
00:08:23
Emeka
Chin up. You agree?
00:08:26
Chino Onwuka
See, I disagree, but for different reasons. I think it's a known fact that right now, even last season, Wemby is the best defensive player in the NBA pretty easily by a pretty wide margin.
00:08:41
Chino Onwuka
But even though that was the case last year, he didn't win it. Why? Because he didn't meet the 65-game threshold. And that's going to be a risk for him. And really, we see with a lot of the stars in the league,
00:08:54
Chino Onwuka
just due to injury. That's not something that you can't control, especially if he's seven seven So just because of that reason, you know, i think there is a bigger chance somebody wins DPOY just because of the injury factor, because of the 65 game rule.
00:09:12
Chino Onwuka
You know, I do think Cooper might have some challengers, you know. Dylan Harper, in terms of the talent, will be there, but will he get enough of a role because it's he's a rookie, so he still has Fox in.
00:09:24
Chino Onwuka
and Castle ahead of him this season. I think Ace, you know, based off of what he did in in in preseason, and he's going to have, you know, a lot of chance to shine on that Utah team. You know, he he's looking like he he can be something. But, you know, i think with Cooper, you know, the great white hope, you know, all the hype he has, you know, he's going to be playing point forward. So i think he's, he's, he's, I mean, Emeka, you probably have the odds. What are the odds on him winning winning rookie of the year? I think,
00:09:55
Chino Onwuka
particularly because of that injury factor, because of who Cooper seems to be. a lot of the factors I mentioned, I think Cooper's more likely to win versus the field.
00:10:04
Emeka
I asked that question because they actually have the exact same odds of all the Emmy Awards the two that have prohibited favorites are Wemby for a defensive player of the year and Cooper flag rookie of the year both minus 180 and like That might sound low, but for a preseason award, to have one guy be the odds-on favorite is insane.
00:10:23
Emeka
And we have two of them. so I thought it was interesting. like they're Clearly, of all the awards, everyone thinks they're the guys. And I am leaning towards it being more likely someone other than Flagg wins Rookie of the Year.
00:10:36
Emeka
Just because, like you mentioned, Trino, I think it's an undisputed fact Wembe is the best defender in the league. And the only way he doesn't win is health. Whereas a Cooper Flagg, I think...
00:10:47
Emeka
Obviously, health is a factor, but I also think even if he does play all of his 65 games, there's a world where he doesn't don't think...
00:10:52
Chino Onwuka
i don't i don't think I don't think there's the 65-game threshold for a Rookie of the Year.
00:10:55
Emeka
There's not? Oh, even if he's healthy, then. I don't think it's it's a lock to win rookie of the year because yeah you mentioned we talked about Dylan Harper.
00:11:07
Emeka
It's opportunity. It's opportunity. And it's going to lead perfectly to my question number three is, what are your expectations for the great white hope of Cooper Flagg? And I'm just going to start by saying I'm on the record by – want to be so clear when I say this next thing cause I'm not calling him a bust.
00:11:23
Emeka
I just think Cooper Flagg is cast as something he's not. They cast him as a number one overall pick guy, first option franchise player. And i just I just think he's more of a Siakam, which is a very good player, all-star, all-NBA, can be a second best player on a championship team.
00:11:43
Emeka
I just don't think he can be the first guy on a championship team. And you couple that with the fact that, unlike a typical number one overall pick who's going to a pretty bad franchise, he's going to somewhere where he is...
00:11:56
Emeka
arguably the second or third best guy off the jump. Like, AD's the best player on the team by far. And, I mean, Kyrie's out injured, but he might come back in January and he's shooting. Klay's there, he's shooting.
00:12:07
Emeka
Like, there are enough guys on the team who take shots that... For guy who doesn't create himself, I can see him just kind of fitting in for his first year, being a very good player. But, you know, wouldn't shock me someone like an Ace Bailey a Trez Johnson, like someone else who does a green light, has a better year.
00:12:24
Emeka
So I'm not expecting fireworks from Cooper
Cooper Flagg's NBA Prospects
00:12:26
Emeka
Flagg. I'm just going to honest. I think he's going to average something like 15-6-6, which is a great year for a rookie. Fantastic year, above average defense.
00:12:34
Emeka
But I just don't expect, especially as a rookie, for him to be come in, 20 a game, take over the league. Maybe I'm wrong on this. I don't know. I didn't watch college ball like that. That's just my opinion from watching this game.
00:12:47
Emeka
I know, Channel, you do watch college ball, so please correct me if I'm wrong. What are your expectations for Cooper Flag this year?
00:12:54
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, he's a weird one because I've been keeping track of Cooper Flag for a long time. And, you know, I agree with a lot of what you said, but the thing with Cooper is he keeps confounding expectations in that, you know, he develops at a really fast rate.
00:13:13
Chino Onwuka
You know, when he was hyped, you know, as a sophomore, he really was all defense, couldn't play old to save his life. Then coming into his senior year, he could score, but it's like, okay, like you said, can he be a number one option in the league?
00:13:27
Chino Onwuka
He couldn't shoot a three-pointer. Then he comes into college as a freshman at 17 years old. Let's add that because he reclassified. And all of a sudden, his three-pointer is working. He can shoot from the line and they give him a lot of on-ball responsibilities. And it started off rough. We all remember that first game where he got stripped multiple times on the closing minutes of the game.
00:13:49
Chino Onwuka
But by the end of the season, he was he was unreal. Unreal. So before, I didn't think he had a chance to be a a number one option. Now, I wouldn't put it past him.
00:14:01
Chino Onwuka
Now, as it comes to his first season, I think it's a weird thing because I don't know what Dallas' plan is. Are they trying to go for it or they going to use this as a development year because Kyrie's out? And I don't know how AD feels about it because...
00:14:17
Chino Onwuka
they could go one of one ways, you know, they could spam Cooper at point forward and have him learn and develop, you know, experiment. There's going lots of turnovers. It'll look bad, but you know, he can put up the counting stats and they'll maybe benefit him going forward, but it'll hurt them in terms of their, of winning and playoff percentages, or, you know, they already have AD. They have a number one option. They have a lot of good players there, you know, just have him use his all round game to, to benefit winning. So,
00:14:47
Chino Onwuka
I kind of not sure how how Dallas is going to play it. I think it could go either way. I still think he's going to be good because he's a selfless player. He's a winning player. But like you said, it's not going to be a It's not going to be what people think because a lot of people forget how bad even these great superstars, if you look at the underlying stats like their field goal percentage, just how bad all these guys are.
00:15:12
Chino Onwuka
Wemby's first... 40 games. The stats didn't look good. The overall points total did, but the average did not look good. KD was ugly. LeBron was ugly. So I think that's going to be the case with him. I'm with you. 15 to 17 points, six rebounds, four assists, one point something steals, one point something blocks.
00:15:35
Chino Onwuka
Good all around player.
00:15:38
Emeka
What were your expectations Shuku?
00:15:41
Chuku
Just to be clear, I mean, like, my expectations of him aren't anything, like, great in his rookie year, and that's simply just because of the team he got drafted into.
00:15:52
Chuku
i i of the I'm of the opinion that I do think if Cooper Flagg, say, was drafted to a team like Utah in a similar position as ace Bailey, I do believe he has the star qualities to be, like, a French... like a I won't say...
00:16:07
Chuku
not one option to lead you to a finals, but I dare say he's good enough to at least take you to the playoffs. You know what I'm saying? And I mean, look, at the end of the day, maybe not as a rookie, but with decent enough talent around him, I just think like and him at his best, not him right now, but as to what he could become and develop type of player that you can develop into.
00:16:18
Emeka
As a rookie? At the end the day...
00:16:32
Chuku
I definitely think he's, you know, franchise player. I do think he's he's good enough to be a team that can lead or lead a team to a finals with him being the second option.
00:16:48
Chuku
I do think he's good enough for that. like If he has another type of 1A and he'd be like the you know the Robin to someone's Batman, I do think he has that ability. So, like, i just think there's a – because I think people have this opinion of him that, like, he's just like a Andre Kerlenko type, like, you know, glue guy type.
00:17:09
Chuku
I really do think his offensive game has come a long way. And you people will be shocked, you know, to find that he's going to be a type of player that is going to be able to average – 20 points a game. Maybe not right away, right now, with the team as stacked as it currently currently is with the Mavs, but if he has a chance to be a second at least a second option, I think he can average 20-plus points a game.
00:17:32
Chuku
No doubt. No doubt about it. And his passing ability for a guy with of his size is elite. So I just think, you know, yeah. No, I definitely think he – okay, to answer your question exactly, for this season, I think he's going to be the perfect role role player.
00:17:49
Chuku
He's probably going to average somewhere around, like I said, 15 points, three to four rebounds, through three to four assists. And, yeah, he's just going to fit in where he can get in. That's what you know thats that's the type of year I see him having.
00:18:01
Chuku
And that's probably know one of the reasons why i had Wemby being the more likelihood of happening as being the defensive player of the year, just because when it comes to winning rookie of the year, we all know it's mostly about numbers.
00:18:18
Chuku
right individual accolades or individual numbers. And I just think player, for example, of like an Ace Bailey or even an Edgecombe in Philly, I think have better opportunities to be able to put up more stats or put more numbers that can make them eligible to win that award. So that's just my rationale behind it.
00:18:39
Emeka
Yeah, no, listen, people think I'm insulting him when I call him Siakam. Siakam's a hell of a good player. I just, you know what? We'll see. But I don't think, I think we're all in the agreement that we're going to see a lot more after his rookie season than during the rookie season. So, unless, hey, Chino made a point too. Who knows the Mavs thinking that? Maybe they're thinking this is a wash and we're going to tank, roll out point flag and and see what happens. So, hey, I'm looking forward to seeing it.
00:19:02
Emeka
From the youngest guy in the league, we're going to go all the way to the oldest guy in the league.
LeBron and Player Game Count Predictions
00:19:06
Emeka
And, I know if you know any of us here on this chat, you'll know we all. The reason why i picked 23 questions to cover the league, and it wasn't because of Jordan.
00:19:16
Emeka
The King, LeBron, entering season 23. Entering with a back injury, sciatica, missing the first two or three weeks. Chinna mentioned it now. know recently they changed the rules that you have to play 65 games to win certain awards, including All-NBA.
00:19:32
Emeka
So, Chinna, I'm going to you a question that is weighing on me heavily. Will LeBron James play 65 games this year and keep the All-NBA streak alive? Or do you think this is when Father Time starts catching up with him?
00:19:46
Chino Onwuka
Man, that's a tough one because I think he will do all that he can to play that 65 games to be eligible for that.
00:19:57
Chino Onwuka
But, you know, let' let's, which all NBA team did he make last year? Okay.
00:20:05
Emeka
Suck it. Should have made first and got hurt, honestly.
00:20:08
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, because the thing is like, first of all, the belief is father time is going to win at some point. Is he still good enough to even make all NBA, you know, if he makes that 65 threshold, I think we're, we're sort of taking it for granted because he's LeBron.
00:20:27
Chino Onwuka
I think he's already losing a couple of games to start the season. And all it takes is a twisted ankle and you're near out, but I will, I'm not the one that's going to vote against King LeBron's I say he he squeezes past that 65-game threshold, and he makes All-NBA 13.
00:20:49
Emeka
I hope you're right, but I don't know, man. When you get old and then you have back injuries, I'm terrified of guys with back injuries. Siataka doesn't get better overnight, and he's already going to miss seven or eight games to start the season.
00:21:05
Emeka
And like now you now you sit your ankle injury away from missing two weeks, and that's it. like People who sleep on 65. It seems like a low thing to hit. You we can only miss 17 games.
00:21:17
Emeka
It comes up on you, especially a guy like LeBron, who I imagine would sit a lot of back-to-backs. And I think we're going to get a point where the Lakers just decide, we just want to make the playoffs, man. Like, if we get in the playoffs, we can take our chance to anybody.
00:21:30
Emeka
Let's just be healthy in the playoffs. And I can see the streak ending. It's been 22 years straight of all NBA appearances, by far an NBA record. I'm going to be very bummed when it ends, but I think this is the air this is the year it ends.
00:21:43
Emeka
So we got one on both sides. Chico, break the tie. Do you think LeBron plays 65 games this year?
00:21:49
Chuku
I just think LeBron is kind of guy that, you know, he he pays attention to the little details, you know. He's a very, yeah, he's definitely one of those guys that, you know, he's very methodical with how he moves. And I just think, you know, this is one of those things where if he's coming back to play another season, I think he's, like, he's coming back to be able to show and prove that he's still are easily a top player.
00:22:18
Chuku
25 player in the league and with that being said i i do believe he's going to play enough games to be that that is the 65 games to be eligible for uh an all nba and we will see him come into the season that's just my my my thoughts
00:22:36
Emeka
All right, two say yes, one say no. I don't like betting against LeBron, but something just tells me. I don't know. I i hope you guys are right. I love seeing LeBron. I want to see LeBron and Luka. But back injuries and entering the season with a back injury, it makes me nervous.
00:22:52
Emeka
Well, question number four. Speaking of games played, I heard this in the Bill Simmons podcast. I had a good laugh. Because when y'all can think about it, it's funny. But I can't lie, I'm 50-50 on it.
00:23:03
Emeka
Chukwu? Who plays more games next season? Jason Tatum or Joel Embiid?
00:23:10
Chuku
What a question. My goodness gracious me. That is crazy to think. Joel Embiid or Jason Tatum?
00:23:20
Emeka
Jason Tatum, mind you, who tore his Achilles in May of this year.
00:23:26
Chuku
Yeah, no, man. I can't do it, man. Joel Embiid. I just, I can't do it, man. It has to be Joel Embiid. Because, first of all, for For the Celtics to even want to even bring back Tatum, I just don't think that's wise.
00:23:44
Chuku
Unless they're in a good place position. So it's like... And Joel Embiid is allegedly supposed to be entering the season at least kind of healthier or a bit healthier. you know what I'm saying?
00:23:56
Chuku
Ali definitely has his ACLs in place. So all I'm just trying to say is I just think I'll be dumbfounded if we come end of season, I see Jason Tatum has more games than Joel Embiid played.
00:24:11
Chuku
I'll be shocked. So no, I'm going Joel Embiid plays more games this season.
00:24:15
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, Joel Embiid's going to play more games. He was able to get on the court during preseason, so at least the beginning of the season he's going to play. if If Tatum does come back, it's probably likely to be, you know, usually, what, a year out? So maybe March, April at best. So, yeah, I think Embiid plays more games.
00:24:38
Chino Onwuka
I know Tatum is trying to do his Mamba mentality stuff, and I'm sure. He has the exact timeframe that Kobe took to to get better, and his goal is probably to beat it by one day or eight days or 24 days or something like that. But, yeah, come on.
00:24:54
Emeka
Hey, man, I am resounding. Jason Tatum is playing more games than Joel Embiid this year. Joel Embiid played 19 games last year.
00:25:00
Chino Onwuka
Wow. Wow.
00:25:05
Emeka
And yeah, the Sixers were tanking and all, but just for a guy that size, I really think he's damaged goods. I think playing on the Olympics ruined his knees. And listen, we can joke and laugh, mama mentality, all that stuff, blah, blah.
00:25:20
Emeka
Jason Tatum is dunking basketballs now. Five months after tearing his Achilles. That is insanity to me. And he, I know you said to Kouba, like, well, when they bring him back.
00:25:31
Emeka
i I like what he's done. He has put, he's made it known to the organization. He's not like, I'm trying to, he said, I'm coming back this year. Like, i am going to play this year. I think it's really important thing for him. ill give Tatum credit. He's one of the guys who, he never sits out. He plays games.
00:25:47
Emeka
And he's going to want to beat Kobe's thing. Kobe tore his Achilles in April. It came back in December or November. I think you're right. He's going to want to beat that. like That's the high watermark. I think Tatum's going to beat it. And I think if he comes back, he's playing.
00:26:01
Emeka
And I just, don't know. It's more an anti-NB bet than a pro Tatum bet. But I don't know. The video of him dunking already just blew my mind. And him saying, like, I'm going to play this year. I think he's back by Christmas.
00:26:13
Emeka
And if he's back by Christmas, I think he's going to play more games. He's going to get like 30-something games. And if you tell me right now, and B plays less than 30 games, I would believe you. So I'm on the Jason Tatum part.
00:26:25
Chino Onwuka
We all saw, and I guess it's different because Rodgers was 40-something, but we saw he was putting up videos of him taking dropbacks, and it was like, oh, he's coming back, and he never came back.
00:26:25
Emeka
It's a hot take, but hey.
00:26:36
Chino Onwuka
So, I don't know.
00:26:36
Emeka
Well, you just nailed it. He's 40. He's not the team. He's in the prime of his life as a young man. And he's wanting to take dropbacks. Tell me Aaron Rodgers dunking the basketball five months after telling his Achilles. That's all I'm going to say.
00:26:49
Emeka
But speaking of Ewellyn B's injuries, I have another fun question. And I actually heard on the podcast. It made me laugh because I think of all the teams in the league, the Philadelphia 76ers have – I think it's fair to say by far the biggest variance between the best case scenario and the worst case scenario.
00:27:08
Emeka
So, you know, simple, yes, or like oh one answer, sentence answer. What is more likely to happen this year?
76ers' Season Outlook and Team Evaluations
00:27:16
Emeka
The 76ers win a playoff series or the 76ers win less than 25 games?
00:27:22
Chino Onwuka
I think it's more likely they, did you say make the playoffs or win a playoff series?
00:27:26
Emeka
I said win the playoff series. Not just make it.
00:27:29
Chino Onwuka
Ooh.
00:27:29
Emeka
You got to beat somebody.
00:27:32
Chino Onwuka
And the opposite side of it was win less than 25 games.
00:27:35
Emeka
They win less than 25 games.
00:27:37
Chino Onwuka
Man, the East is so bad that I don't think they're going to win less than 25 games.
00:27:37
Emeka
They won 19 last year.
00:27:44
Chino Onwuka
because you You've got Washington, you've got Charlotte. Who else you got down there at the bottom? Like if Joel Embiid, and obviously I think Joel Embiid's going to play more than you do. If Joel Embiid has a modicum of health, if Paul George can just get back to not being ass and just above average, you still got Maxi there.
00:28:08
Chino Onwuka
You've still got a mccain McCain coming back.
00:28:12
Emeka
Do you? Already injured.
00:28:15
Chino Onwuka
Oh man, see, I'm i'm not updated. But the East is so good.
00:28:17
Emeka
Paul George, already injured.
00:28:19
Chino Onwuka
The East is so bad that I don't know. like if If some of those guys come back at some point during the season, if it's not season-ending injuries, they have they have a chance. The East is just decimated, man.
00:28:32
Chino Onwuka
If this was the West, yeah, but East is just so decimated that I don't see how day they win more than... and The reason I picked the other one is because of the 25 game. If you'd said 35, then I probably would have gone with that, but I don't see Sixers...
00:28:48
Chino Onwuka
winning less than 25 games.
00:28:52
Emeka
hey You already know my stance. I think this is easier to help.
00:28:53
Chuku
I got a question for you, Chino.
00:28:54
Emeka
Yeah? What did you say to me?
00:28:56
Chuku
No, on that, just really quickly, I just got a quick question for Chino. You say you don't see them not winning 25 games, yeah?
00:29:03
Chuku
My question to you is, who do you see them beating in the Eastern Conference playoff setting?
00:29:09
Chino Onwuka
I don't know what could happen.
00:29:10
Chuku
Kane?
00:29:11
Chino Onwuka
They could get into a... like We saw a lot of upsets last year. So if they somehow get into the playoffs and Embiid is somehow healthy, Paul George is playing, they got Maxie, they got McCain, then they could cause an upset.
00:29:26
Chino Onwuka
A higher seed they could be playing against could have injuries. like i like With the teams that are really, really trying to bottom out, I just don't see them winning.
00:29:37
Chino Onwuka
it's It's more of I don't see them winning twenty five less than 25 games than I think they're going to do and make any noise in the playoffs.
00:29:46
Chino Onwuka
But if there's a team that they I think they'd match up really well against, probably the Magic.
00:29:46
Chuku
Fair enough.
00:29:51
Chuku
Interesting. Okay.
00:29:54
Emeka
They won 24 games last year.
00:29:54
Chuku
Okay.
00:29:55
Emeka
Just saying.
00:29:57
Chuku
mean, I disagree with that.
00:29:57
Emeka
true
00:29:57
Chino Onwuka
i i was joking about I was joking about the Magic, by the way, honestly.
00:30:01
Chuku
Oh, I thought it was serious, but fair enough. okay All right, well, I definitely think it's more likely to win less than 25 games because I'm sorry, man. I just don't see which team they beat in in the playoff setting in the East right now.
00:30:15
Chuku
Quite frankly, I got the Cavs, the Pistons, the Magic, the Knicks.
00:30:26
Chuku
Then we start thinking the Hawks.
00:30:29
Chuku
Start thinking the Bucs. Can't rule out. We got one. They got Giannis. And then that's already seven teams. that's already, what, six teams? Then lastly, if Tatum comes back and is serious, you got the Celtics. I just, I don't know, man. I just don't see them winning a playoff series right now with the teams in the East. I know is not the best, you know, conference right now. But quite frankly, I still i just think they're underdog teams. You know, hell, even the Raptors.
00:30:57
Chuku
I mean, you know.
00:30:58
Emeka
I was waiting for that.
00:31:00
Chuku
But I'm just saying there's some and underdog teams, you know, in the East, and i just don't I just don't see it because, quite frankly, one thing you can bet your money on is Joel Embiid can't stay healthy.
00:31:12
Chuku
And you got Paul George on his last legs. You're relying heavily on Maxie and McCain. You got the young boy, Edgecombe. I just don't see a team in the East that Philly beats on with, you know, two of their,
00:31:29
Chuku
top three players pretty much playing on broken ACLs. I don't know. Or broken legs. i don't I just don't see it in Embiid and and Paul George. So for that reason alone, I just think it's more likely to win less than 25 games.
00:31:46
Emeka
Well, that links my next question, number seven, is what team do you think is underrated in the NBA for entering next season, just based on media expectation, media hype?
00:31:59
Emeka
And Chukwu mentioned the team briefly. is I just want to say I truly think people are sleeping on the Milwaukee Bucks. I think there's this assumption that Giannis will be traded during the year, and we'll touch on that later. But if Giannis is staying,
00:32:15
Emeka
And you look at their roster. First of all, Giannis is unquestionably by far the best player in the East. And it's like, that Tatum is injured, and the next best guy is like, grand canyon gap after him. You give him, you know, some competent players, not great, just competent players, and you stick them in the crappy East, they're going to win like close to 50 games.
00:32:35
Emeka
Giannis is good to get you that. And you win 50 games in the East, you're a top four-ish seed, especially when you take out Boston, you take out the Pacers. And I'm seeing them like the over-under is 42.
00:32:46
Emeka
And yes, I guess they're a factoring Giannis' trade, but I just think that's crazy. That's disrespectful. A guy like Giannis is getting a projected to win 42 games in the East. I think people are really sleeping on the Bucs in the East. I don't know. That's just me. So, yeah, that's my underrated team for for this year.
00:33:01
Emeka
Chukwu, what team do you think is underrated entering next season?
00:33:07
Chuku
Okay, so for me, i just don't think, I think this team i'm about to mention, like, people are aware of them. People know that they're good, but because they play in such a small market, I just don't think people realize how good they are.
00:33:24
Chuku
And as an Orlando Magic fan, I can tell you right now, this team I'm about to mention is definitely someone that's going to be on my radar. And that's the Detroit Pistons, man. I just think people sleep on Detroit.
00:33:35
Chuku
I like what they've been doing, what they've been building. And I think they have guys on their team that are ready take steps, man. KC Cunningham, he's the real deal. Like, he's a top player. Top 10 guard, just for the sake of argument, is a top 10 point guard in the league right now. And I just think, you know, some my argument may even be higher on that list. But I'm just saying, i think the Pistons, I like what they're doing. And yeah, they're a good ball club. I think they're going to be up there for that, you know, top four, top three seeds in the NBA, Eastern Conference NBA.
00:34:08
Emeka
Chukwu? mean, sorry, Chino, what team do you think is the most overrated in the NBA? I mean, underrated.
00:34:12
Emeka
and I'm tripping.
00:34:13
Chino Onwuka
underrated right I'm gonna keep it in the east and I'm gonna go with the Raptors I just think no one's no one's really thinking about them right now they've sort of been in the wilderness for the last couple of years but you know they've got talented players I don't know how it all fits there might need to be a trade done in mid-season to you know really make the team make sense but you've got so much talent you've got quickly you've got RJ Barrett you've got
00:34:13
Emeka
Underrated in the NBA.
00:34:18
Emeka
e
00:34:42
Chino Onwuka
Random Ingram's now there, and you know to him, he just gives you a floor. You've got Scotty Barnes, Jakob Poto, so that's your starting five maybe. You've got decent players on the bench.
00:34:55
Chino Onwuka
Again, the East is just so decimated that I think they can make a play play-in run at the very least. So yeah, I think Toronto's a team being being slept on.
00:35:06
Emeka
Hey, man, let them sleep for good reason. We've been trouble terrible the last couple years. But, hey, I like it, man. Shouts out to Raptors. Sticking with you, Janelle, we'll go from the highs to the lows. What is team you think is being overrated entering this season?
00:35:21
Chino Onwuka
a team that I think is overrated. don't don't know. To me, the team that really first came to mind, i don't know if I think they're overrated or not, to be honest, but I'm just going to go with the Clippers.
00:35:43
Chino Onwuka
I think they do this they do this thing where they people count them out and then
00:35:44
Emeka
Interesting.
00:35:49
Chino Onwuka
You know, they always take teams by surprise. They always just battle and and grit and grind. And Lou always has has them working. But now no one's going to be sleeping on them this year.
00:36:02
Chino Onwuka
And so, you know, the beard, he's a year older. They're just such an old team. They're best player. You can't count on his fitness as well. So I think just teams are going to be ready for them with the age of that team.
00:36:19
Chino Onwuka
you know you have more of a chance of things going going wrong there when everybody's 35 plus.
00:36:26
Emeka
I can't lie. I'm high on the Clippers this year. So I got to say, interesting. I didn't expect that. I will keep mine short because I talked about it in the beginning. I think the Houston Rockets are smidge overrated. and i like them. but They're good.
00:36:42
Emeka
But like I mentioned with the Reed Shepard thing, it's it scary to me how much of their season relies on someone who got 10 minutes a game last year. I'll be a high draft pick, very high-rated prospect. But that Van Vliet injury, I think people are really sleeping on it. like Point guards are so important in the NBA, especially when you don't really have a really reliable ball handler outside of them.
00:37:04
Emeka
Yeah, KD can handle the ball. Yeah, Ahmed can handle the ball. Yeah, like, Shingun can pass. But they don't really have a floor general now that Fred is gone. And I think that's in the dog-eat-dog world that is the West, I think that's a big deal, especially because I think KD is at the point of his career where he's not playing 75 games. He's going to, you know, ankle injury here, a strain calf there. going to sit him out on back-to-back. So when you're not down two of your three best ball handlers most games,
00:37:35
Emeka
it's asking a lot from Ahmed, asking a lot from Shingu. And like, these are great guys. They're going to win a lot of games. I just think people have them as like the second or third best team in the West. And I think they i would it wouldn't shock me if they finished like fifth, sixth, seventh seed, which is how competitive everybody is in the West. And a minor slip up there, you fall down. So I think the Houston Rockets are just even being a little smidged overrated, especially since Fred Van Vliet got hurt.
00:38:02
Emeka
Chukwu, what team do you have as being overrated?
00:38:05
Chuku
So I might be surprised because this team I want to mention has a player that we all healed high and dearly. But I'm keeping it in L.A. I think the Lakers, man, I think the Lakers might be a smidge overrated.
00:38:17
Emeka
That I agree with.
00:38:17
Chuku
You know, I mean, if you really think about it, you know, I mean, this team for a very, you know, guess I guess it's very stacked at the top, but not a lot and though in the middle and in the back end. And if something was to happen to LeBron, which, you know, we already talked about that, you know, early on.
00:38:35
Chuku
I mean, what what else did it really got, man? I don't really believe too much. and I mean, I like that Donchus has chosen to, you know, come back healthier and, you he looks a lot fitter and whatnot. That's great and all. But, I mean, is do we really believe that, you know, LeBron,
00:38:50
Chuku
What's the biggest name they got again? Yeah,
00:38:54
Emeka
Number one overall pick, you have
00:38:55
Chuku
Aiden. Yeah, Aiden. Yeah. Do we really think Aiden?
00:38:58
Chino Onwuka
No, no, no, no. Y'all ain't saying it right. Dominating.
00:39:02
Chuku
Yeah, I'm going to leave that one with you.
00:39:03
Emeka
your eight. Hey, man. Domination, baby.
00:39:06
Chuku
or Do we really think Aiden is going to be the answer? I don't think so. Do we really think – man, what's love mom my favorite white boy?
00:39:14
Chino Onwuka
so hold hold up real quick. Hold up real quick. you You were hype. We were hype. Not just you, because were like, okay, Mark Williams can do something there. So why can't we expect that from Aiton?
00:39:28
Emeka
Mark Williams has more dunks, I think, last year than Aiton has in his entire career. That's why.
00:39:34
Chuku
and mark And Mark Williams is definitely more, when healthier, is way more of a defensive presence in the paint than Aiden ever dreamt of being, quite frankly. So I don't know. I mean, look, at the end the even with Mark Williams, I'm still saying that it wouldn't have been enough with the rest of the supporting cast if say an injury happens to a LeBron James, who we expect he's not going to be playing as many games as he has been playing in the past and rightfully so.
00:40:04
Chuku
I mean, year 23, I know. Right. And you're going to be putting a lot of pressure on, you know, Luca to pretty much, you know, kind of dominate with, you know, but a bunch of role players. I mean, Austin Reeves is great and all. Like, you we all people might have recognized him as one of the best third options in the league. But once you start going down the list below Reeves, I mean, you start looking at, it's really hoping, you know, for major consistency from guys like Rui, you know what I'm saying?
00:40:32
Chuku
Bronny might be expected to, know, step up and play minutes. I mean, like, you yeah, I just don't know.
00:40:38
Emeka
I just don't know.
00:40:39
Chuku
i just don't think,
00:40:39
Emeka
I don't know.
00:40:41
Chuku
Sure, but again, i mean, Marcus Smart has not really been or done much the last couple of years in the league, I mean. Maybe it was a no decent name three, four years ago, but right now it ain't carrying the same weight, you know I'm saying? So I just don't think the Lakers are there. Easily could be a play-in team, in my opinion.
00:41:00
Chuku
That's how stacked the West are. I'm sorry, but I have to also disagree with that Houston take because I just think Houston are going to be one of the much better sides in the in the in the Western Conference built to play well in the during the and have a good NBA regular season.
00:41:16
Chuku
And, yeah, I just think the Lakers, they things have to almost go perfect for them to be a top team in the West. Yeah. We're going to to see. But yeah, I just think they're overrated and definitely have no chance of winning a championship, in my opinion, at least this year, unless some ridiculous trades come through. But with their current squad, not it.
00:41:38
Emeka
Yeah, like, I think the Lakers' goal season was for Luka to sign an extension. He already did. The season's gravy. They're just like, we just get by. Like, don't know what's going on with them and LeBron, but they're just saying, get to the offseason. We get cap space. We have our picks. We'll we'll move on. So i'm with I think, yeah, Lakers. My thing is, not don't think people are overrating them, actually. I think, actually, people have caught on, and now they're they're seen as, you know, one of the lesser teams in the West. But, hey.
00:42:07
Emeka
well We'll see how the season goes. Next question. just want a simple yes or no answer.
Giannis, All-Star Trades, and California Teams
00:42:14
Emeka
NBA trade deadline is February 5th. So on February 6th, 2026, Giannis Atetekunpo is a Milwaukee Buck.
00:42:23
Emeka
Yes or no?
00:42:25
Chino Onwuka
Yes. Si. see
00:42:28
Emeka
Chico?
00:42:29
Chuku
Yes.
00:42:31
Emeka
And I'm also yes. Which leads to my next question. If Giannis is not getting traded this year, will any former All-Star be traded? When I say former All-Star, let's say within the last three years.
00:42:42
Emeka
Last season, obviously, there was the big trade, Luka. There was also Darren Fox. like There were a couple out there who got moved. So will will that follow suit this year? Will a former All-Star be traded to midseason?
00:42:54
Emeka
And if so, who do you think it'll be? Chukwu?
00:42:59
Chuku
My answer is yes, but I just don't know the all-star that's going get traded. Yeah,
00:43:06
Chuku
yeah it's tough to say. I'm going to have to pass on the on the on that answer, but as of right now, I'm inclined to still say yes. someone will Someone will get traded.
00:43:17
Chuku
I just don't know who.
00:43:19
Emeka
Fair, and I'm going to throw a curveball, a giant curveball.
00:43:24
Chino Onwuka
Okay. don't Just don't say my name.
00:43:27
Emeka
Well, we'll see. I'm ready because I'm watching starting five, but I think Jalen Brown gets traded this season.
00:43:34
Emeka
I think this the Celtics are going to have a weird patch, and it's going to be the excuse they need to make a shakeup, a giant shakeup.
00:43:35
Chino Onwuka
o Okay.
00:43:43
Emeka
And I think if one of these teams start off hot, even like a Detroit, who have a lot of assets, or Atlanta or or Houston, start off hot and they think we're just the one trade away, I can see someone...
00:43:55
Emeka
giving a big package for the Celtics. But you they have a bad start to the season. They start off like 10 and 30 or something. It's just a wash. I can see them trading Jalen Brown. And don't know, it's vibe I got watching starting five. I think, yeah, he says he's fine being number two and everything. But I think deep down, he's like, what if I have my own team?
00:44:13
Emeka
What if I was the man somewhere? So that's, really hey, it's the curveball. I thought I'd throw it out there. But I think someone like Jalen Brown is getting traded this year. That's just, we'll see. It's a bold take, but hey, screw What were you going to say?
00:44:26
Chino Onwuka
Well, that's spicy because I can definitely see a lot of teams being interested in Jalen Brown if they put him up because he's that type of two-way wing that you know every team is looking for. I can think of my my team specifically. That's what we're we're missing a little bit, know some size.
00:44:42
Chino Onwuka
But my answer is yes. And the player I think like almost 100% is getting traded is Laurie Markkinen.
00:44:49
Emeka
I was going to say him, but I was like, let me be excited. Yeah. What team you think going to get traded to?
00:44:54
Chino Onwuka
See, that that we don't know. Who who's who has assets? Who's a playoff team that's going to be in the market? We know the Warriors were interested in him heavy. Houston's going to be there.
00:45:06
Chino Onwuka
San Antonio is is an option. Are there any teams in the East that have assets that are making a run? i'm not sure. Maybe Cleveland could do something. He would fit really well with them, actually. So, yeah, i don't know who, but...
00:45:24
Emeka
alright A quick follow-up.
00:45:25
Chino Onwuka
yeah
00:45:26
Emeka
If the Spurs gave up two firsts for marketing, one of the Atlanta firsts and a future first, would you be happy?
00:45:33
Chino Onwuka
Would I be happy? i would think it's a good move.
00:45:38
Chino Onwuka
you you you You know the type of person I am. It takes a lot to always think.
00:45:42
Emeka
That's what I'm asking.
00:45:43
Chino Onwuka
Yeah.
00:45:45
Chino Onwuka
It could work. It could work. It could work. i think I think you'd fit in really well with the team. Like obviously size with shooting, it'd be a really good pairing with Wemby, to be honest. So yeah, I'd be, i'd be like if, let it depends on what, if we're like somehow like top six in the West and then we get him, then yeah, I'll be really happy.
00:46:07
Chino Onwuka
So I think that's a move where it's like, okay, this team can actually do something.
00:46:08
Emeka
I think that's
00:46:12
Emeka
a move. Fair enough. My next question, sticking in the West, we've talked he talked about two of these three teams, but California has four basketball teams.
00:46:23
Emeka
Three are good and one are the Kings. Of all the three major teams in the in California, who will win more games? The Lakers? the Clippers, or the Golden State Warriors.
00:46:36
Emeka
Chukwu, I'll start with you. Who wins the most games of all those three teams?
00:46:42
Chuku
oh That's tough, man. That's tough. If I can tell right now, it's going to be between the Clippers and the Warriors, in my opinion.
00:46:52
Chuku
But I think I'm going to give the edge to
00:46:58
Chuku
the Clippers. I think they're just built to be a good... regular season team. And I think Kawhi plays enough games. James Harden plays enough games.
00:47:12
Chuku
And I like the addition of a Chris Paul to help on the bench. yeah i think Yeah, I think the Clippers have enough to to be a really good regular season team. So, yeah, Clippers.
00:47:25
Emeka
you know
00:47:27
Chino Onwuka
Man, this is a really good question because all these California teams are really good. Warriors, when they got Jimmy Butler, they went on that insane run. My worry with the Warriors and the Clippers is that they're old and they're just going to try and manage themselves through the regular season.
00:47:46
Chino Onwuka
Right? And who which team has...
00:47:48
Emeka
Can you do that in the mo West though? That's the thing.
00:47:52
Chino Onwuka
That's a good point, right? But are they just going do enough to just... make the playoffs and then take it from there but that's a really good point and then my head is thinking that oh you know what like which team has the best player it's the lakers by far with luka donjic he's there for a whole season they have the whole year to work with him know man it's between no i'm not gonna go in my head i'm gonna in my heart lakers
00:48:21
Emeka
Oh, wow. Well, I guess we're three for separate three because give me the Warriors any day of the week. I think you guys are crazy. I think, but I mean, I know and I'll take it back.
00:48:32
Emeka
The Clippers are really good, so I can easily see them winning this. But you mentioned it, man. Post-Butler trade, the Warriors won on a crazy pace.
00:48:42
Emeka
And yes, they're older, and they got even older by adding Al Horford, but as long as you got Curry and Draymond and Kurt, I can't bet against these guys. And a lot of the times I was watching their games last year, I kept thinking, man, they're giving Quentin Post a lot of minutes, and now those minutes are going to be replaced by Al Horford, a responsible man, adult, knows what he's doing.
00:49:03
Emeka
And last but not not least, they finally you know took all summer. But they signed Kuminga to that contract. And I think everybody understands Kuminga is getting traded. So they're going to turn that Kuminga into someone who Kerr hates.
00:49:16
Emeka
Into ideally someone that Kerr actually you know kind of likes. And hey, who knows who that player might be? They get some decent guys. You put them in a career gym on. I can see them winning 50 games.
00:49:27
Emeka
Lakers, I had with think, are going to be disappointing. And the Clippers, who knows, man. I mean, from we probably know Kowaki gets to suspended halfway through the year. That's not going to happen. But, yeah, there's a weird vibe going on around them.
00:49:38
Emeka
Give me the Warriors, man. I think the Warriors are going to surprise people this season. All right, you know, Chukwu's been a good soldier. We're 15 minutes in. So my next question is dedicated to him. Chukwu, at the end of the year, the Orlando Magic will end the season as the blank seed in the East.
00:50:03
Chuku
third.
00:50:06
Chuku
Third in the yeasts.
00:50:06
Emeka
Third in the Third. Okay. All right. So give me your one and two then.
00:50:13
Chuku
So let me just take a quick look.
00:50:13
Emeka
So in order. Just, yeah.
00:50:16
Chuku
I just think I got to have Cavs in there because I like the addition of Lonzo and the team is just – I'm not saying we can't beat them in the playoffs, mind you.
00:50:16
Emeka
I just think. Yeah.
00:50:21
Emeka
Yeah.
00:50:28
Chuku
i just think they're just a better regular season team at the moment. So I got them, number one. And then number two –
00:50:39
Chuku
I think if they can get their stuff together, I just think the Knicks have the quality, like the starting five quality to be a good regular season team as well.
00:50:51
Chuku
And those are two guys I have above, just above Orlando.
00:50:57
Emeka
I'm curious, only those two. Everybody else, Orlando, huh? You believe.
00:51:00
Chuku
Only those two.
00:51:01
Emeka
All right.
00:51:02
Chuku
Yeah, oh, yeah. Oh, yeah, only those two because the rest, Bucs, Pistons, you know, Alana, I just, nah, man. I think Alana because I think with even even with the Knicks, I'm struggling to to put the Knicks above, but i just think the Knicks are just well-balanced team.
00:51:22
Chuku
Like, they just have enough pieces that they can win enough games in the East.
00:51:27
Chuku
They win enough games to just be a just a little just of smidge record better. But part of me wants to put Orlando second, but i'll just i'll so I'll settle for third.
00:51:39
Emeka
Hey, you know what? I'll be fair. I have them fourth because I have those two and have the Bucs finishing above them. But I'm not mad at it.
00:51:47
Chuku
The what?
00:51:48
Emeka
Hey, I told you. Underrated team.
00:51:49
Chuku
The what?
00:51:51
Emeka
I think they're the most underrated team in the league. So I got to be honest.
00:51:53
Chuku
Oh, my God. Get out of here, bro. Look, I love Giannis, but, bro, the Bucs? Oh, my.
00:52:00
Emeka
Yeah, the Bucs.
00:52:01
Chuku
Okay. All right. All right. Hey, we're going to play this back later when the season ends, yeah? I'm going to come back to this. I'm going remember this. The Bucs? Oh, my God.
00:52:12
Chuku
All right. Go ahead.
00:52:14
Emeka
I know, I'm saying something so outlandish. Chinon, what do you think the Lionel Magic finished this season?
00:52:21
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, I got to agree with Chukwu. I think, you know, third, you know, Cleveland in first place, Knicks in second, and Magic in third.
00:52:33
Emeka
Hey, fair enough. i We'll see. I just, I just, I gotta give respect to the all guys and I gotta give respect to Giannis. but hey, maybe the Magic blow the Sox up. I will say, though, I had them fourth. It was a tough one because I can also see the Hawks finishing above them.
00:52:50
Emeka
I really like the Hawks this year, and but I believe the Warriors, Orlando, going to be close.
00:52:52
Chuku
Oh my goodness.
00:52:52
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, Hawks will be good. Hawks will be good.
00:52:57
Chuku
Bro, I have to say, the block?
00:52:58
Emeka
It'll be close.
00:53:00
Chuku
you Can you name me the block starting five, bro?
00:53:02
Emeka
and
00:53:05
Emeka
Yannis, Antetokounmpo, and I don't care about the rest.
00:53:09
Chuku
So wait, so wait, wait, hold on. You have Giannis played all 85 games or however many games?
00:53:16
Emeka
I've got to play it enough because he's talking about how this is it, man.
00:53:20
Emeka
It's the last dance. Like, we got to do something this year. We got to make a shake. That's the kind of guy I like talking. And listen, we joke, Miles Turner, Kevin Porter, you Bobby, they have competent NBA players.
00:53:33
Emeka
And they have Giannis, like I'm talking about.
00:53:34
Chuku
Brother,
00:53:36
Emeka
They have Giannis.
00:53:37
Chuku
if Giannis is missing a game, their odds of winning that game drop precipitously. And I mean heavily, bro. You can't, like, who is the second best player on the box right now?
00:53:52
Emeka
Mouse Turner.
00:53:54
Chuku
Yeah, and enough said. right, all right. Okay, enough said.
00:53:57
Emeka
Who's the first person on the Bucs?
00:53:58
Chuku
Anyways.
00:53:59
Chuku
Yo, okay, okay, bro. Anyways, we can move on, we can move on, we can move on, we can move on.
00:54:01
Emeka
Okay. Yeah. Listen, the reason why I said the most underrated team in the league was the Bucs. We'll see.
00:54:09
Chuku
See, I love Giannis' talk, yeah, but last I checked, Orlando has two players that are going to be in top 50. In fact, I would venture to say two players in the top 35 in the NBA as we speak.
00:54:22
Chuku
Bucks can only boast one. And the other player, don't know if he's in the top 75.
00:54:24
Emeka
Yeah, that one is the third best player in league, probably.
00:54:26
Chuku
So, hey.
00:54:27
Emeka
Or second. So, yeah, levels.
00:54:30
Chuku
What? Wait, that again?
00:54:31
Emeka
Levels. I said that one guy is the third or fourth or second best player in the league. So, you know.
00:54:36
Chuku
Okay, but my guy is top 15. You make it seem like he's that far off. What the hell? Paolo is literally in the...
00:54:43
Chuku
What? Wait, wait.
00:54:45
Emeka
Yeah.
00:54:46
Chuku
You don't think Paolo is a top 15 player in the NBA? All right.
00:54:50
Emeka
Listen, I can't listen off the top of my head right now.
00:54:51
Chuku
See you last, see you last. See you last, bro. It's all good. all Like I said, I'm i'm intrigued to watch Orlando this year. i I think people's eyes are going really pop when they see. i thought I was being generous giving us third, man.
00:55:04
Chuku
All right, but hey, this guy has the books. I can't believe what I'm hearing, man. I actually can't believe it, but I hear it, man. Fair play, fair play.
00:55:14
Emeka
Giannis, know. I'm on your side, brother. Keep me disrespecting you. These next two, I think, can be pretty quick, but i'm curious it maybe I'm wrong. Maybe someone disagrees.
Cavs, Thunder, and Bottom Teams Discussion
00:55:24
Emeka
Will a team other than the Cleveland Cavaliers in the East or the Oklahoma City Thunder in the West have the best record in their respective conferences? To me, resounding no. I think...
00:55:37
Emeka
We're going to an easy repeat of last year, and the Cavs and the OKC are going to end the season at least like five games clear up top of both conferences. Maybe I'm wrong. So, start you, Chena. You think any team, and if if so, what team is more likely to not finish first in the conference between the Cavs and the Thunder?
00:55:56
Chino Onwuka
I mean, the team more likely to not finish with the best conference is the Cavs, just because I think the Knicks might run them close. The West is tough. Other teams might run OKC close, but I just think with their youth, unless they sort of have a championship hangover, that's the only risk.
00:56:16
Chino Onwuka
They've got depth. They can withstand injuries. I don't think any team other than... If you were to ask me as of this, you know, October 20th, 2025, I think it's those two are the favorites to to ended To win the conferences, but I'll give you a team for the East.
00:56:31
Chino Onwuka
If it's not Cavs, you know, highly likely to be the Knicks. In the West, you know, I would go Denver as a as a competitor.
00:56:39
Emeka
I'm to say save that West one. We next question coming up. But it's all good. Chukwu, anybody you think is a lock, the Cavs, and the Thunder finish first or someone else can challenge them? Probably Orlando Magic from what you've been telling me.
00:56:52
Chuku
Yeah, of course. Exactly. Uri kind of beat me to it. But I just think for me personally, it's a complete lock in the West. Like no team in the West, in my opinion, is coming close to the Knicks. Sorry, the Knicks.
00:57:05
Chuku
Coming close to OKC in the regular season. I just think they are just too good of a team. They got too much talent. retained all their guys to long-term contracts. everyone the the People forget it's a young squad. They're only going to get better with a year under their belt, especially after winning the championship.
00:57:22
Chuku
I just think, yeah, they've solidified themselves as the best team in the NBA, in my opinion, and they're going to be the best team in the West. Hands down, they're built to be a top team in the regular season. Now, for the Cavs, I mean, look, the Cavs, I still think, are the favorites, no doubt, no doubt.
00:57:39
Chuku
But like I said, I'm very intrigued to see what my magic, you know, have brewing. And I've talked about the Knicks as well being, you know, tough competitors. And I'm just, i just think, you know, hell, I know, uh,
00:57:54
Chuku
You brought up the Bucs as four. But me personally, I have the Detroit Pistons as number four. I think, like I said, I just think they're very, very, very slept on. And they're another team I think could contend, you know, with guys taking the next step to be that team that's in a top, know, in in contentions for the top spot.
00:58:11
Chuku
So I just think, you know, with with the Cavs, it's not a given. There are definitely teams coming up, and I just think there's they have a better chance because between the two, Cavs and the OKC, I just think OKC are just we what way more stacked and ready to repeat.
00:58:27
Chuku
And with the Cavs, you know, I like their addition of Lonzo, but again, feel like they're team that can get gut at. And mean, was hearing rumors about them looking to shop their big, what's his name again? The Afro dude?
00:58:43
Emeka
Hey,
00:58:44
Chino Onwuka
Enjoy that one.
00:58:44
Chuku
Yeah, Joe Dowling. I was hearing rumors about him being possibly in the trade market. So, hey, look, we don't know what might happen, but i just think there's more likelihood that someone in the East take sir takes their spot, my opinion.
00:58:57
Emeka
hey well, we'll see. On the opposite end of the spectrum, and so we don't have to be negative on this podcast, but sometimes we have to. What team will have the worst record in the NBA?
00:59:10
Emeka
I'm going to go for team that I don't think will have the worst record, maybe on paper, like wins and losses, but I think vibes. And you know what? This is a podcast me to get some grievances out, something to say.
00:59:23
Emeka
i think no team will have a worse season than the Sacramento Kings this year. And them signing Westbrook was the final nail in that coffin. I think I've never seen a franchise deteriorate faster in the NBA.
00:59:33
Chuku
You are crazy, my friend. You are crazy.
00:59:37
Emeka
letting me be crazy.
00:59:37
Chuku
You are absolutely crazy. have you might May I introduce you to the franchise or the worst-run franchise in the league, the Washington Wizards? Can I introduce you to those guys? You think...
00:59:48
Emeka
I think the worst words in the wizard
00:59:49
Chuku
Do you honestly think the Kings will have a worse record than the than the Wizards and Utah Jazz?
00:59:54
Emeka
You didn't hear a single thing I said.
00:59:57
Chuku
Oh, who sorry. Go ahead.
00:59:58
Emeka
I literally said, I might not be wins and losses, but on vibes, I think the Kings will have the worst season because all those teams you mentioned are actively trying not to win games.
00:59:59
Chuku
No, I didn't.
01:00:08
Emeka
The Kings are trying their hardest to win games, and they're still going to win like 21 games this year. It's the roster. When you actually look at the team that made the playoffs as a top four seed two years ago and what they are now, it's incredible.
01:00:26
Emeka
The garbage they're trotting out.
01:00:27
Chuku
I'm going to go to the next slide.
01:00:28
Emeka
Keegan Murray's injured. They're trying to shop Malik Monk for I don't know why. For some reason, they just looked at the Chicago Bulls in the last three years, who were the 10th seed in the East, and decided, that's the team I want to assemble.
01:00:41
Emeka
Because now only they have all these guys on their roster. I don't understand it. And again, they're actively trying to win. So that's why it makes it worse for me. Like, yeah, okay, record-wise, whatever, the Jazz or the Nets. But I just think, i just want to point out the Kings because it's unbelievable. And I feel for Kings fans because when they didn't have that year, they were actually decent.
01:01:01
Emeka
How great it was. Like, it was so awesome to see them. Light the beam and everything. And to go from that to this in two seasons, man, I feel for the Kings. So I just have to get a letter that off my chest. But yes, you're right, Chukwu.
01:01:13
Emeka
If I have to pick... Interesting. You said the Wizards. going to let you cook on that. You think the Wizards are going to be worse than the Nets?
01:01:21
Chuku
Honestly, I think people are sleeping on the nets, bro. Like, i yeah i yo, know Michael Porter Jr. i mean, look.
01:01:29
Chuku
One thing about that brother, he's going to put up buckets. And I just think the company, they have, at least in my opinion, i Well, for one, I think they're going to have a better record than the Wizards. Yes.
01:01:42
Chuku
I think the Brooklyn Nets have a better record than the Wizards. That's not saying much because I still think both of those teams are going to be ass and they're still going one of the bottom feeders and locked to be no lottery teams for sure.
01:01:54
Chuku
But I just think, you know, with what the the Brooklyn Nets got going on, I like being able to put Michael Porter in in in a spotlight position compared to what I've seen from know what know the Wizards got going on over there.
01:02:11
Chuku
And yeah, I just think, yeah, the Wizards are just a worse team, simply put.
01:02:17
Emeka
hey Fair enough. I think the reason why i have the Nets is because i feel like the Nets are going to be playing a lot of rookies and Michael Porter Jr., but a lot of rookies, especially rookie guards. And there's one thing.
01:02:27
Chuku
And Cam Thomas.
01:02:30
Emeka
And Ken Thomas.
01:02:30
Chuku
Don't forget Cam Thomas, Mixed Classy.
01:02:32
Emeka
We'll see if they play Ken Thomas on this qualifying offer. I mean, Nick Klaassen is fair. Nick Klaassen is fair. But just a lot of rookie guards, and I just – at least the Wizards have, like, a McCollum.
01:02:43
Emeka
Like, there's something to say about a guy like a steady kicker.
01:02:45
Chuku
Bro, this is is the McCollum these days? Bro, okay. Anyways, go ahead. Yeah, sort go ahead.
01:02:50
Emeka
These are going to be still terrible teams, but like when where I'm splitting hairs, that's why I'm leaning towards the net, just because they're going to play a lot of rookies versus other teams. But hey, listen, they're all going to be terrible.
01:03:01
Emeka
Cherno, what team do you think is going to have the worst record in the league, either record-wise or vibes-wise? I mean, I kind of went off topic, but either one.
01:03:07
Chino Onwuka
I think the three worst teams are going to be the Wizards, maybe say four. Wizards, Nets, Charlotte, and the Utah Jazz.
01:03:21
Chino Onwuka
choose and Who isn't mentioning the Nets? Chukwu keeps mentioning the Nets. Yeah, it should be rough with the Nets because they have five first-round picks. Four of them are sort of almost lead guards in a way.
01:03:35
Chino Onwuka
But the reason I don't have them for the worst record the NBA is because of Jody Fernandez. He really coaches the hell out of that team. you know, that team last year is a team you would have expected to have the worst record in the NBA, and they had 26 wins. So I just think he has them playing way too hard have the worst record.
01:03:53
Chino Onwuka
There are two teams who are unabashedly trying to get the first pick. The Wizards... and the Utah Jazz. like That is their modus operandi. That is what they're going for.
01:04:07
Chino Onwuka
Wizards, their whole team is first round picks or former first round picks. I think they have eight first round or former first round picks the last three years on their team. They traded for Cam Whitmore.
01:04:19
Chino Onwuka
They had three last year. They have Bilal. so Anyway, to cut my answer short, it's good I think the Wizards are going to worst record because that is something they really want. The team with the worst vibes still has to be Nottingham Forest. Maranakis, I don't know what you're doing.
01:04:37
Chino Onwuka
You went from Muno to Andrew, which was a disaster, and now we're going to Sean Bych.
01:04:42
Chuku
Oh my God.
01:04:43
Chino Onwuka
oh Nottingham Forest. You are in the Champions League.
01:04:47
Chuku
I didn't expect that.
01:04:49
Emeka
I've got to be the craziest three.
01:04:50
Chino Onwuka
Now look at where you're at, man. Forest Warspies. Had to get that over my chest.
01:04:54
Emeka
yeah
01:04:54
Chuku
I didn't expect that answer.
01:04:54
Emeka
I hope, I hope, I truly, really hope we have a Nottingham Forest fans for this podcast. Just out of nowhere. Just, what say me for? yeah I really hope, I need that. oh my God, I'm dying.
01:05:06
Emeka
All right, from worse more positive days. Just give me pause for this podcast.
Zion Williamson's Fitness and Role
01:05:12
Emeka
of my favorite things about the and NBA season is there always guys who break through, and I love especially guys who make the first All-Star team.
01:05:19
Emeka
So who is one guy you think will become a first-time All-Star this year? I'm going to start, and I know what you come mean. You were beefing, so I'm going to give you a positive one.
01:05:30
Emeka
I think Franz Wagner is going to be an all-star this year. I think the Magic to have two guys make the team, Bancaro, and I think Wagner's going to make it. And, i you know, from zero basket performance, he had some moments in the playoffs. He had some moments when Paulo was down last year.
01:05:44
Emeka
i think the Magic are going to win enough games to send two. He's going to average like 24, 25 a game. He's going to make the all-star team. So there you go, Chico. I think the Magic get two all-stars.
01:05:55
Emeka
Wagner gets it. Chido, what's the first-time All-Star, you think, will make it this year?
01:06:01
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, Wagner is going to be my pick as well. Just because I think, you know, Magic finish really high in the West. They're going to get two players in the East. Sorry, they're going get two players in East is also decimated. You know, he plays a forward. They just lost Jason Tatum. So that opens up a spot for him.
01:06:17
Chino Onwuka
so I'm just going to mention some other names, some guys who I think probably have the talent to, the opportunity to, but, you know, The name is our man Thompson. you know i just think he's really good. The issue is the amount of guards in the West. You've got Doncic.
01:06:35
Chino Onwuka
If he meets the threshold, you've got Ant, you've got Steph. So I think that's going to be his stumbling block unless they list him as something else. And then like let him just get one because it's sort of it's going to be a trivia question all the time if he doesn't.
01:06:49
Chino Onwuka
Jamal Murray, let's just give him one as as a as a lifetime achievement. Achievement.
01:06:54
Emeka
yeah I'm winning, man. Get him one. Get him one.
01:06:56
Chino Onwuka
Yeah.
01:06:59
Emeka
Chukwu?
01:07:00
Chuku
I mean, short and sweet is Franz Wagner, man. I just think that's the easiest easy just answer. And, yeah, he's been on he's been brewing for some years now. And, you know, as Shinna said, like, you know, with the injuries that occurred in the West – sorry, the injuries that have occurred in the Eastern Conference, especially in the position, forward position – I just think it's just tailor-made for him to make that entry.
01:07:22
Chuku
you know And I just think with the hype that Orlando Magic have come into the season, everyone's expecting, or most people are expecting, Orlando to be a good team. So if we can make it to a top three, top two seed, it's easily going to be because of the cocktail. We're going to be behind the cocktails of Franz Wagner and Paulo Banqueiro. And I just think those will be the two. Franz will be the one to make make it for the first time.
01:07:46
Chuku
So, yeah.
01:07:48
Emeka
I just want to give a quick honorable mention to Jalen Johnson. I think he's really, really good. If he stays healthy, I can see Atlanta winning enough games.
01:07:56
Chino Onwuka
Oh, yeah, for sure.
01:07:56
Emeka
I can also see him making it. But I think France is better, and I Atlanta going to win more games. And either way, yeah, I think I would give it to France.
01:08:04
Chino Onwuka
And honestly, speaking of the magic, I think, you know, let's say one of the guys gets injured. I think Desmond Bain has a chance as well.
01:08:12
Emeka
I was thinking Bain, but I just think... he's, Farron's going to have the ball more in his hands. I mean,
01:08:17
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, and that's that's if one of the other two magic guys can't make it for some reason, then, you know, Bain gets the next man up.
01:08:22
Emeka
yeah, no, fair enough.
01:08:24
Chuku
Yeah, that's fair.
01:08:24
Emeka
think we're all going to say it's going so in the East. Like there's so many injuries, like three former East all-stars last year tore their Achilles. There are spots open. So yeah. from Speaking of all-stars in the West, we talked about Jamal Murray hopefully making it.
01:08:40
Emeka
Someone who had a big offseason, maybe not the same as Wemby. Didn't see no Shaolin Monks, but I think the fact that I didn't hear any former porn stars out of him probably good summer for him.
01:08:51
Emeka
Zion Williamson making some waves at the photos. Looking skinny. Looking Ozefek Zion. You know, looking in shape. We've seen this before. Fun story. All three of us on this podcast were there for the first ever NBA Cup We saw the King win it, seeing everything was fun. But we all also noticed on the sideline, my goodness, in person, Zion looked fat.
01:09:14
Emeka
Famously, Stephen A had his whole thing about he was eating the table and all that back in the day. I'm telling you, in person, it's crazy. He looked fat to see him. Now, we're up two years later, he's in shape, coincidentally, a contract year.
01:09:28
Emeka
I'm just going to say, you know we've been down this road before. you know Zion has crazy to think about because, man, he was the most hyped American college player since LeBron, I feel like like. Obama's at his games, and now we're here six years in, and I feel like it's all gone. But are you back on the bandwagon?
01:09:44
Emeka
Has skinny Zion got you up? You think him and the Pelicans going to make some noise this year, or are you still on the, man, we've seen this before, trade with Zion?
01:09:46
Chuku
you
01:09:54
Emeka
Chin-up?
01:09:56
Chino Onwuka
Man, it's crazy because you have some guys who are really hyped who have just sort of become afterthought. It's almost like the league is moving past them, but they're still really talented. Like the other guy I'm thinking of is Ja.
01:10:08
Chino Onwuka
But Zion,
01:10:11
Chino Onwuka
thing is, how long is it going to last? I think he will play and he'll be electric and he'll be explosive.
01:10:15
Chuku
Yeah.
01:10:18
Chino Onwuka
And then he'll he'll pull a hammy and then everyone's just going to be like, oh of course this happened and we're going to forget about it. So I do think he's going to be a factor while he's on the court. I just don't, I don't know. I can't count on him doing that for a whole season because we haven't, we've we've never seen it.
01:10:40
Chino Onwuka
We've honestly never seen it. I still think he's a brilliant player. You know, I worry about the construction of the team. I think that's honestly a question about a lot of young teams and in the,
01:10:52
Chino Onwuka
especially in the West, you know, really talented teams, but there's a question of shooting. You know, they they drafted Fears. They drafted Derrick Queen. How's all that going to work? But they still have Herb Jones. They still have Trey Murphy.
01:11:05
Chino Onwuka
But the issue with that team is health. A lot of those guys have gone down. Zan's had injury problems. So I believe in the talent for sure. I just don't know if I believe in the, what's the right word, that his his body can hold out.
01:11:21
Emeka
Thank you.
01:11:25
Chuku
Funny things like I've been watching preseason. of Obviously, I've been paying attention with my Orlando Magic, but I just bring that up to say, know, funny enough, we just I just recently seen game. Orlando played the the Pelicans, and I mean, can't lie, you know, he looked look pretty decent. know you know I mean, this was a former number one overall pick for a reason, you know?
01:11:49
Chuku
So I just think, He himself is going to have a good year. I can see that, like a really good year. Problem is he plays in the West and the Pelicans just ain't good enough. I'm just, you know, that's just a problem. And i don't even know if they're going to be good enough to be a playing team, let alone, you know, good enough to, you know,
01:12:14
Chuku
do anything or make any noise in the, in the West. the The problem is there's just too much talent, man. There's too much talent in the West. And, I don't know if he's, he' good if he's good enough to carry this, this Pelican squad to, uh, the heights that they're hoping they can achieve. So quite frankly,
01:12:33
Chuku
going to have a good year. be I do think in a couple of years, in one or two seasons, he's going to be one to watch as someone that might need to look at getting a different destination. Maybe come to coming to the East?
01:12:47
Chuku
Who knows? But... I just think Zion eventually is going to have to leave but the Pelicans because, quite frankly, I just don't think zion as Zion is good enough as the number one player in the squad to really take you to anywhere prosperous. you know That's just my opinion on him.
01:13:04
Chuku
He probably needs to be a second or third option you on a really good team. So, yeah.
01:13:11
Emeka
Man, I'm just off on Zion. Maybe I'm just cynical. I think Jeff Teague had a the great rant about this i agree with. like I can't take you seriously when you're professional athlete and you have a whole press conference saying you know year six in your career.
01:13:27
Emeka
I'm taking this seriously now. Brother, don't you take this seriously in the beginning? like This is ridiculous. We're paying you max money and you're just now deciding that. yeah and let me Let me try and lock in. i don't know, man.
01:13:38
Emeka
I'm off on Zion. and it's Like you mentioned, it's crazy how like he went from being the guy to now an afterthought. like At least Ja. When Ja plays, he's a must-see.
01:13:50
Emeka
Zion just doesn't even play. It's out sight, out of mind. and I cannot stress seeing him in person, how fat he looked. And that's just burned in my head. So you can know what you can drop all the weight he wants and be skinny, but man, it's tough. It's tough for my man Zion, man.
Western Conference Predictions
01:14:04
Emeka
Staying in the West, a question I teased earlier. I'm bringing it back now, which is question 17.
01:14:12
Emeka
and think we all agree the Oklahoma City Thunder are the best team in the West. I think that's best team in the league. But I think we all agree.
01:14:20
Chuku
Best team in the NBA, bro.
01:14:21
Emeka
Yeah, I think I'll say about your but It's fair to say, best team in the West. So, forget like this is not a regular season question. This is a postseason. If you have to see one team to beat to match them in the Western Conference Final right now, obviously you know injuries are going to change everything. So assuming everyone is healthy, if you have to pick one team you think would make it to the Western Conference Final to play Oklahoma City out of Denver, Houston, Minnesota, or maybe another team you have. I think those are the three I've seen consistently picked as the next best.
01:14:54
Emeka
Of those three teams, who do you think will be the second best team in the West? Chukwu, I'll start with you.
01:15:01
Chuku
Easily. And I repeat, easily. Houston Rockets.
01:15:09
Emeka
over over then Over the, you know, three-time MVP, made some trades.
01:15:13
Chuku
Over the three-time MVP, Jokic.
01:15:14
Emeka
Two-time
01:15:17
Chuku
Over all that.
01:15:18
Emeka
Western Conference Finals in a row.
01:15:18
Chuku
Give me Houston Rockets.
01:15:20
Emeka
Yeah.
01:15:23
Chuku
Give me... didn't stutter. Give me Houston Rockets. I just don't think people understand. Kevin Durant is in this squad, bro.
01:15:35
Chuku
And you were talking about... you know i remember I heard you talking about... don't want to spend too much on this, but real quickly. i heard you talking about you know worries about Fervor and Vliet and you know are they going to have any flu?
01:15:47
Chuku
Who's to be the floor general? Who's going to be able to run the offense? Brother... Armand Thompson, don't know if you know this, bro, but he played point guard all through his you know, coming up prior to making the NBA.
01:16:01
Chuku
He is a good enough floor general to lead this, know, lead this team. I've always been saying this. If Armand Thompson ever develops a consistent jump shot,
01:16:15
Chuku
It is over. It is so over. Okay? I mean, bro, we're talking about somebody that I think as a guard right now, I know we talked about, you know, defensive player of the year, Locke with Wemby.
01:16:29
Chuku
But respectfully, Armand Thompson deserves some shouts as far as from the guard position. He's going to be a top five guard defensive, at least, guard in the league, in my opinion.
01:16:40
Chuku
And that's who's going to be starting as your a point guard, most likely, with what I'm seeing and how they're starting to, you know, their starting lineup. And you're going to add KD. You have Jabari Smith as like you just a fourth option on your team.
01:16:57
Chuku
Have you taken a look at seeing how, like, what their starting lineup is going to comprise of, man? Like, we're talking about... I've seen... Armand at the the Sangun at the 4, Steven Adams at the 5. This team is ready to compete and they're ready to go all the way to the finals. And I think if any team is, you know, both and ready to compete on the, know, to win the championship...
01:17:26
Chuku
and compete to against the OKC Thunder, I just think my money is going to be on the Houston Rockets. i just i just I'm just a believer, a very, very firm believer that this the is the year, if they're going to make noise, it's going to be this year, and they have a very strong chance of being able to, you know, to have a guy like KD on the court, you have a good chance to win.
01:17:49
Chuku
And I just think, Yeah, Houston are just too talented. And I think they're better better team or better side than Denver right now, in my humble opinion.
01:17:58
Emeka
Fair enough. of Me, short and sweet. Don't bet against the Joker. like denver Denver are my team to be match up with the OKC, especially after the move they made this offseason. Bruce Brown is back.
01:18:11
Emeka
They traded Michael Porter, who I really like, but for a guy Cam Johnson, who I also really like, I think fits a little better. Open up some cap space to get some more depth. They got Balanchunas. Even though he was crashing out and trying to leave the and NBA, he's back. So, at end of the day, they got that man, Big Nico. Like, hey,
01:18:29
Emeka
In the playoffs, the best player usually wins. Give me donever Denver, Denver OKC repeat. It's all the conference finals, you know, the Western Conference finals. And yeah, I think will be think it'll be pretty fun to watch. But yeah, listen, Houston, no i know I have no argument against any points we raise. I just said I am concerned about the shooting and passing. Like, Ahmed is great. He's not that kind of, he's not a floor general.
01:18:53
Emeka
Maybe he develops into it, but losing a guy like Fred is big. I was just worried about it. Maybe Reed takes the step. Reed Shepard takes a step. It's all a moot point.
MVP Predictions and Contenders
01:19:02
Emeka
But fine margins, I think they're both going to be great. And also a quick shout out to Minnesota because I think it slept on.
01:19:09
Emeka
They've made the conference finals two years in a row. Like, that's impressive. But, hey, give me Denver, man. Give me Big Yoke. you know What team you got?
01:19:17
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, I've got Denver as well. I mean, we had them taking... Only only team that really threatened them last year. Took them to seven games in last year's playoffs. So I think, yeah, Jokic, the best player in the NBA, always a threat. So that's going be their biggest competition.
01:19:36
Emeka
I got a fun question next. And Vegas has this pretty 50-50. So I'm curious what side you land. True or false? Bronny James will score at least 20 points in one game this upcoming season.
01:19:52
Emeka
Chico?
01:19:55
Chuku
Yes.
01:19:56
Emeka
Chino? Chico?
01:19:59
Chino Onwuka
Yes.
01:20:00
Emeka
Y'all are crazy. A resounding hell no. Ronnie James ain't scoring 20 points in no game next year. I cannot believe Vegas had this as I will put a sizable chunk of money.
01:20:13
Emeka
20 points is hard to do. You don't just wake up, and especially on good team. If Lakers suck, then yeah, maybe. The Lakers are good. They're going to trying win games. He's not going to get minutes.
01:20:24
Emeka
but We had the whole song and dance last year. hey Y'all are more positive than me, man. I love Bronny. yeah Yeah, I checked it up. His career high is 17. There was a game last year where everyone the Lakers was injured and he started and played 35 minutes against the Bucs.
01:20:38
Emeka
Almost ducked on Giannis. Hey, throw it out there. Almost ducked on Giannis. He had a good game. I don't think that's happening again this year. and I hope I'm proven wrong, but a resounding hell no for me.
01:20:49
Emeka
I guess I'm curious.
01:20:49
Chuku
He scored 17 points as a rookie.
01:20:49
Emeka
Y'all can get breathing?
01:20:53
Chuku
We already talked about, like, again, was respectfully, The Lakers last year and the Lakers this year, i mean, I would like to venture to believe that the Lakers of last year had more names on their roster than they did this year, than they do come into this year.
01:21:10
Chuku
Like, coming into this year, I'm hearing reports that Bronny's, no, I'm not saying he's going to play an integral part of the team, but I mean, he's established himself on the team.
01:21:21
Chuku
He's established. Like, he's going to be he's going to get minutes. And what I'm trying to say is, At some point in time, in the 85 games, the long season, there's going to be a game. All it takes is one game. We've seen one game where, you know, and weve if if the game wasn't towards the end of the season, if the game doesn't really really mean much, things have already been settled, you know, you know the standards have already been made, and they decide, hey, we just this game doesn't really mean much to us, we're just going to play our bench.
01:21:51
Chuku
Hell yes, you know, Bonnie, if we given the green light, can score 20 points in one game. I just don't get why you think it's that hard to believe when he's literally scored 17 as a rookie and people didn't even believe he was going to playing any games or make any progress or be any part of of the NBA season that year.
01:22:10
Chuku
So, in my opinion, I think it's going to be an easy yes. One game, he's going to have one a game. He's already shown flashes of it already, and I just think he's going to be, you know, It's going to be a scenario where it's one of those games where, you know, Bronny's starting.
01:22:25
Chuku
There's not, you know, all the starters are rested or most of the starters are rested and he's going to just go off. And that's how it's going to get it. That's how it's going to be. Simple as simple as.
01:22:36
Emeka
hey I hope you're right. I hope you're right. Well, the reason why, I don't want to say the reason why, i related is I'll speak to my next, answer my next question, question 19. We're now into the nitty-greedies and the big ones. And, you know, we're not we're not really doing award prediction this pod. We kind of talked on defensive play of the year, rookie of the year. But I think this award deserves, you know, its own thing.
01:23:01
Emeka
And it's who will win the NBA MVP this year. And I'll start off by, it's honestly at this point a self-running joke I have. Because I've done the same pick for the last five years.
01:23:12
Emeka
It's always wrong. But I'm always like, this is the year it's going to happen. And you know what? Doubling down. I didn't believe in skinny Zion. I believe in skinny Luka. Even though think the Lakers are not going to be that good, give me Luka Doncic to finally win MVP. I think that he's going to average disgust.
01:23:31
Emeka
I'm saying like 33, 9, and 8. Something absurd. Because LeBron's out. They give him the contract. He has a big guy. I think Luka's going to take every single shot.
01:23:42
Emeka
He's in shape now. like This is the Lakers team. It's just... Luka, do what you got to do and we'll live with the rest. It might make them... The downside is I don't think they're going win that many games. It might be that they sneak a fourth seed or a third seed, but I think Luka is going to have one of those years where we just by default. And also, I think Jokic won it enough that he's not going to win anymore, I think.
01:24:04
Emeka
And I think Shea, who probably is the favorite... He's just boring. we Okay, see, he won already. He's won the championship. He's won the MVP. It's hard to repeat unless you do like something special. There's kind of like a wide open. Giannis is another guy. he's The Bucs are not good. Tatum tore his Achilles.
01:24:21
Emeka
The Cavs going to have that kind of. I just think it's set up perfectly for my man Luka to sneak something out. And I i pick him every year. One of these years, he has to be right. So maybe it's this year.
01:24:31
Emeka
My pick for MVP, Luka, Magic, Skinny Doncic. Sure not. I think I know who you're gonna pick, but who do you have to win MVP this year?
01:24:40
Chino Onwuka
I got Jokic for MVP. In my opinion, he's still the best player in the and NBA. SGA deservedly won it last year. i think it's going to come down to the two of them, but probably because a lot of people still think Jokic is the best player, they might now start docking SGA a little bit now that he's won his first one to just say, oh, well, he has the way better team.
01:25:02
Chino Onwuka
So that's going to be in Jokic's favor. So he's my pick. You know, to your Luka pick, I think the issue there is how good are the Lakers going to be because I think historically, you know, it's the first or second seed.
01:25:16
Chino Onwuka
You know, when Westbrook won it, you know, it was because he had that first season of averaging a triple-double.
01:25:23
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, historically, you know, you have to be the first or second seed to win it. You know, when Westbrook won it's because he had that first season averaging a triple-double. And then listening to some pods, I think this was the Zach Lowe pod.
01:25:36
Chino Onwuka
pawed You know, if you're not the first or second seed, for you to win... For you to win MVP, you have to like over exceed your, your over under by like six games. And so that's what it would take for Doncic to win it. So he might have a bit of a narrative there, but yeah, I don't, I don't see them winning first or second seed. So my pick is still Jokic.
01:26:02
Emeka
I mean, maybe. I thought you were going to pick Wemby. But I guess, no, the wins thing is the is the big thing as well. I can see that. Chukwu, what? Paolo Mancara, who'd you have winning MVP this year?
01:26:11
Chuku
Yeah, that's let's relax. Maybe not this year. But funny enough, I mean, I think – I think this is a year maybe the you know the league remembers who Giannis is, you know?
01:26:22
Chuku
I think Giannis, I do like, because I think Giannis is in a position where, you know, he's going to be able to put up pull up a lot of and numbers.
01:26:33
Chuku
And, I mean, you know, in a and the east side that, you know, is looking kind of shaky. I mean, as long as he you know has the buck somewhere around that fourth, fifth seed range, I mean, you've got him going third.
01:26:47
Chuku
you So, I mean, wevi if you if he gets them to where you project them to be, Emeka, I mean, I think he has a good shot getting MVP for that season because we know for the Bucs to be way you know any good, Giannis going to be playing, you know, 30-plus points, 10-plus rebounds, 5-plus assists. He's going to be putting up crazy numbers. So, yeah, I just think, you know, Giannis can make a good shot for MVP.
01:27:17
Emeka
Hey, man, I'm right there with you. Right there with you. I just, again, it's a running joke with me. I literally bet Luka to win MVP. I think it's five years in a row now. One of these years, I'm going to be right. I'm just committed to it now.
01:27:27
Emeka
And he's skinny. Hey, man. Skinny Luka. Skinny's out there with me. Skinny Luka won me. All right, we're here wrapping up now the end.
01:27:33
Chino Onwuka
It's so funny, just before go, the irony of Chukwu's pick is that for Giannis to win MVP, that means what he was screaming and crying about earlier will probably have to come true for that to happen.
01:27:35
Emeka
It's all right. Where'd you go?
01:27:45
Emeka
I didn't want to say it, but yes, Giannis wins MVP. Very likely the Bucks are top three seed. And that was so crazy what I said. But, hey, you know, we'll see.
01:27:55
Chuku
For the record, I don't believe they're going to top three seed. I'm just saying, you know, you have them there. So, I mean, look, regardless of where it where the Bucs are at, personally speaking, I have the Bucs the fifth seed.
01:28:06
Chuku
And I still think even as a fifth seed, with the numbers he's going to be putting up, I think he has a strong chance of still being and MVP candidates and possibly andv MVP.
01:28:16
Chuku
Because for them to be even in the top five conversation, i think... the Giannis is going to have to put historic, monstrous numbers. And I just think he's going to be he's in a position to do so.
01:28:29
Chuku
No alert. They got Miles Turner. It's going to be on Giannis to create. He's going to be scoring buckets for fun, passing kicking the ball out to Miles Turner. Hopefully, he hits a couple of threes. and That boosts, you know, assist numbers.
01:28:41
Chuku
we but We all know, Monser doesn't like to rebound. So Giannis is going to be the one rebounding in the paint, doing everything. So, I mean, I just think for the usage, like player usage, Giannis usage is going to have to be through the charts for the Bucs to have any semblance of a good season. And we know, we all know Giannis wants to win. So I just think he's in the best position for him to be in talks for MVP candidacy.
01:29:06
Chuku
simply based off of the stats or the numbers he's going to be putting up to keep the Bucs relevant is all I'm trying to say.
01:29:14
Emeka
No, no, I agree with everything. And just for the record, because I looked this up before we started, MVP right now, Vegas has Shea is the favorite, plus 175. Jokic second, plus 250. Luka third, 4-1. Giannis fourth, 10-1.
01:29:27
Emeka
luca third four one janis fourth ten to one Wemby, fifth. That's surprising. I don't know. That kind of surprised me. 12-1 for Wemby. Anthony Edwards, sixth, 25-1. And Chukwu's boy, and my boy, too, by the joke.
01:29:40
Emeka
Cade Cunningham, seventh. Cade. Good for Cade, man. And then, to wrap it up, you know, 11th. Above Steph Curry. Paulo Banqueiro, 80-1 to win MVP.
01:29:53
Emeka
You know, he's up there. Top ten. Chukas at top 15. For Davis' credit, Vegas certainly thinks so. 11 for favorite to win MVP.
01:30:03
Chuku
The reason why I can't have Paolo there as MVP is just because as much as I love Paolo, and I think he's a really great and by far clear our number one option, our number two option is not that far behind him. And I mean, any given year, Franz Wagner, I mean, I just think people, one of the most underrated players in the NBA, in my opinion, just simply because of who he plays next to, you know, in in a given night. And I just think,
01:30:28
Chuku
and As much as Paulo is taking strides and leaps, France has done the same, and I just think it'll be tough no for Paulo to put up the kind of numbers that Giannis be putting up playing next to a guy like France, in my opinion. So that's just why I just can't have Paulo as MVP.
01:30:45
Emeka
don't know, fair enough. And listen, if I was given a recommendation, Anthony Edwards, 25, I can see the Timberwolves having a great season. don't know. I think that's that surprised me that he was below Wemby like that.
01:30:57
Emeka
Half as much. I love Wemby, but the Spurs, eh, neither here nor there. Anyhow, like I said, we're wrapping up the pod. I'm glad you're sticking around with us. On to the nitty-gritties, the last major ones.
01:31:10
Emeka
Who will win the Eastern Conference and make the finals this year? For me, I think everyone has the Cavs, but, you know, i kind of mentioned them earlier. i think the New York Knicks are going to surprise a lot of people.
01:31:22
Emeka
I think they're getting slept on. I almost picked them by most underrated team because I've seen people say they're going to win like 48 wins. That makes no sense to me. I think the Knicks are really good, and I hate that history is going to say, oh, they beat the Celtics because Tatum tore his Achilles.
01:31:38
Emeka
He tore his Achilles when they were down 3-1. Knicks are going to win that series regardless. Now the Celtics are gone. The Pacers are gone. You know, I can kind of see it. I don't know. For some reason in my brain, I'm just thinking the Knicks are going to surprise a lot of people.
01:31:53
Emeka
Knicks tape, Knicks tape, and make it to the NBA Finals. Chinna, who do you have making the NBA Finals out the East?
01:32:02
Chino Onwuka
Man, I i think, look I honestly think the Cavs are a better team, but I think the Knicks just take that next step up. They've been in and around the Knicks over the last couple of years, and I think, you know, they take that next step and they make it to the finals this year.
01:32:19
Emeka
Is it three for three, Chico? Who do you have making out the East?
01:32:23
Chuku
Man, I got my Orlando Magic coming out the East. What are we talking about?
01:32:28
Chuku
Orlando, it's our year. We're going for it. I like the team we've assembled. We look ready. po We've seen us in the preseason. We went undefeated.
01:32:39
Chuku
i mean, I know no one keeping up on this preseason and whatever whatever you would know whatever it was y'all want to say about that, but I just think you know the momentum is there. Power France taking the next step.
01:32:51
Chuku
We add Desmond Bain to the mix. We add the Tyus Jones to the mix. I just think We are building a squad good enough. Who knows what we do, mid-season trades or acquisitions, if we're able to add anyone.
01:33:04
Chuku
But I just think, yeah, this is this is the year, man. and People been sleeping on us. And I just think, yeah, it's time to show we are ready to take that next leap.
Eastern Conference and Season Enthusiasm
01:33:12
Chuku
And I got the magic coming out of the East.
01:33:18
Emeka
Wow. Hey, I love it, man. I love it. All right, for the next one, I think I'll ask it this way. Does anybody have a team other than the Oklahoma City Thunder winning the Western Conference next year?
01:33:31
Chino Onwuka
Well, of course I got my Spurs. No, just kidding. Of course it's the Thunder.
01:33:37
Chuku
Yeah, nah.
01:33:38
Emeka
I get
01:33:38
Chuku
The Thunder. Easy, easy.
01:33:41
Emeka
wrong with the Thunder. So, next question.
01:33:44
Chuku
Actually, no You know what?
01:33:45
Emeka
Who will win the NBA
01:33:46
Chuku
You know what? I take it back. I take it back. Man, I'm going in.
01:33:49
Emeka
championship?
01:33:51
Chuku
Houston, man. Houston. We got a problem.
01:33:54
Emeka
Okay. All right.
01:33:55
Chuku
got Houston, man.
01:33:56
Emeka
I like it.
01:33:56
Chuku
You know what? I believe Houston.
01:33:57
Emeka
Let's move it up.
01:33:58
Chuku
no i believe i believe houston
01:34:02
Emeka
All right. Well, I'll start with you then. In your NBA finals prediction of Magic versus the Thunder Rockets, who do you have winning the and NBA championship?
01:34:11
Emeka
easy
01:34:11
Chino Onwuka
Chuku, this is you, man.
01:34:13
Emeka
You building suspense? What's going on?
01:34:15
Chino Onwuka
Yeah.
01:34:16
Chuku
I just think, sorry, i'll just I just think, yeah, it's it's kind of hard to go your first year to the finals with two stars, co-stars, under the age of 25, winning the championship as the head dogs. I think it would be too tall too tough to say. And I just think with KD's acquisition, to go along with that talented squad over the in the West, I just think...
01:34:41
Chuku
they'll have enough to to pretty much take them over the line, you know? So I'll have to go the Houston Rockets, your NBA champions.
01:34:48
Emeka
Look at that, a man of reason. He you know he might pick them to win everything, but he's not picked them to win the finals. yeah that's That's where he draws the line. I respect it. Chin-O, me and you have the same finals prediction. Knicks versus the Thunder.
01:35:01
Emeka
Who do you have winning the NBA championship?
01:35:04
Chino Onwuka
Thunder in Six.
01:35:07
Emeka
Hey, I'm going to
01:35:10
Emeka
Brunson. Huntson, i don't fucking know the rest of Thunder Five. I'm too tired the kid or something. It's a long podcast, people. Thunder and Repeat. We haven't repeat champion since 2018.
01:35:22
Emeka
Seven years. They're the Wheel of Parity. I think everyone had jokes about how Thunder is dynasty. I think they were on to something. The Thunder. Man, I can't pick against them.
01:35:33
Emeka
and My boy Shay, I've been loving 35. His whole life's consistent. I think they're going to be consistent some more. Your NBA champion, Oklahoma City Thunder. We're now at question 23. I can make it more better time than I thought.
01:35:47
Emeka
Good for us. We always do this. I think it's snow so it's fitting. What is one bold prediction you have about the NBA season? And I want something bold. And I'm going to lead us off.
01:36:00
Emeka
And Chukwu kind of touched on this. We talked about the Brooklyn Nets. I think... After a summer of a generational summer of podcasting, at some point this season, the stars are going to align, and Michael Porter is going to score 75 points at an NBA game.
01:36:17
Emeka
Or more. He's going to have one of those games where he finally gets to shoot 30, 50, 40 times like he wants to. Some one one game, they're all going to go in, and I think he's goingnna have you going he's going to shock a lot of people.
01:36:31
Emeka
The highest we've had since Kobe's 81 was Booker, who dropped 70. I think Michael Porter is going to break that. Light skin on light skin crime, he's going to hit 75.
01:36:40
Chino Onwuka
Wow.
01:36:40
Emeka
that's my That's my bold prediction for the NBA season.
01:36:43
Chino Onwuka
All the players to do it, though.
01:36:45
Emeka
Hey, that's why he's bold. Yeah,
01:36:48
Chino Onwuka
Not Luka. Luka, who's already, he's touched 70, right?
01:36:51
Emeka
I think he was close to, the Hawk. I think he hit 70.
01:36:55
Chino Onwuka
Against the Hawks.
01:36:56
Emeka
It was like 68.
01:36:56
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, he touched 70, yeah.
01:36:58
Emeka
So maybe I can him on Booker. But yeah, 70 is the high watermark. Like it's only two guys that touched it since Kobe. We're going to see three this year. Again, ball prediction. Some balls, man.
01:37:10
Emeka
I mean, coming to meet you, you know. What's your ball prediction for the NBA season?
01:37:13
Chino Onwuka
Man, I ain't as spicy as y'all. I mean, one take I had is the Chargers are going to get hit with those 115 charges for their shenanigans. And someone's going to get suspended.
01:37:28
Chino Onwuka
So, yeah, get I get... Did I say the Chargers? The Clippers, sorry. Clippers are going to get hit with the Chargers. They're going to get that Rico. And it's going to be a...
01:37:38
Emeka
Oh, you think too during the season they're going to suspend Kawhi? That's just what you're saying.
01:37:41
Chino Onwuka
They're going to get that? They're going to get that Rico, baby. So, yeah.
01:37:45
Emeka
Oh, hey, that's bold, I think. No, ain't no way the NBA want to open this can of worms during the season. But, all right, fair enough. Chukwu, what's your bold prediction for the NBA season?
01:37:58
Chuku
Man, I've heard you all in this podcast. I don't know if Chinon was... i think it was you and Mecca that was talking about this team and how bad... actually can't remember who it was. Maybe it was both of you all. Who knows?
01:38:10
Chuku
But I like who they drafted. i think they drafted a winner. I think... know, the star point guard, someone I enjoy, someone I like, and I think, you know, this is is the year that, I mean, not saying anything crazy as, like, you know, going to do anything in the playoffs so even make the playoffs, but I think they're going to better season than people honestly, you know, predict, and and this is this is the
01:38:39
Chuku
The Hornets, man. I think they make the play-in. The Hornets make the play-in in the East. And I think the that the pickup Knoppel might be the key, glue, the missing piece to an interesting Brandon Miller, Lomelo, Knoppel combination.
01:38:58
Chuku
And no I think they might have enough there. to be be a playoff, no, play-in contention team this year in the East.
01:39:09
Chuku
So, yeah, that'll be my, nothing crazy, nothing too crazy, but so still out there, still out there.
01:39:14
Emeka
It's funny you say that because last second i was I changed my original bold prediction. But my original bold prediction was this is the last year the Mello Balls in this part of the Charlotte Hornets.
01:39:26
Emeka
i think I think that
01:39:27
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, if if were're if we were thinking of an all-star who would be traded, Ball with LaMelo would be another good show.
01:39:33
Emeka
that was also the guy I had before I out. I went crazy with Jalen Brown. I think especially because they dropped the Knipple. You know, antithesis of LaMelo, a winner, old-fashioned. And he's not like he's athletic and everything, not because he's white, but like he's just a Duke guy, cornbread.
01:39:51
Emeka
I can see the management being tired of the antics and the flat. and Where has LaMelo era really given us? We're really paying this guy all this money for what? i can i For some reason, i just something tells me this is the last year we see LaMelo in Charlotte.
01:40:06
Emeka
Maybe be good for both parties. Maybe LaMelo needs a change of scenery to go somewhere else and and shine.
01:40:07
Chuku
Thank you.
01:40:10
Emeka
But no, we're spending too much time talking about the Charlotte Hornets anyway. Well, it's been a long – we promised you guys a long NBA podcast, and we delivered. Like, hey, listen. This is, where i'm so I'm excited to NBA and start. I love the NBA games every day.
01:40:27
Emeka
Like, yeah, everyone brings up the NFL ratings and blah, blah, blah. They play one game a week. Like something to be said about playing three to four games every every week, game every day. I just love the NBA, man. It's just a never-ending marathon.
01:40:40
Emeka
Starts off tomorrow, the debut of NBA on NBC. I didn't have consciousness the last time this was a
Final Predictions and Expectations
01:40:48
Emeka
thing. So I am so excited to see how it differs from TNT.
01:40:52
Emeka
We have a nice opening night doubleheader. Rockets at the Oklahoma City Thunder when they hang the banner. And the nightcap, the Golden State Warriors at the Lakers. I know Adam Silver is sick that he doesn't get a Curry versus LeBron, but dams the brakes.
01:41:08
Emeka
you're listening this podcast, you know we love to do predictions. And we're going to switch, you usually we pick a Premier League fixture, but, you know, it's NBA. It's NBA podcast. Opening week, opening day. like We got to switch it up. So, guys, tell me, no scores, just two games. Who do you think win the opening night doubleheader?
01:41:27
Emeka
I'm go and I keep it short. I think Thunder, there ain't no way they lose on banner night, especially with KD coming back to Oklahoma City. That's going to blowout. And Luka MVP, even though picked the Warriors to have the better record, I think the MVP campaign starts off earnestly from night one.
01:41:43
Emeka
Luka's going to drop like 45 on national TV and get the narrative rolling. And I think the Lakers handle business against the Warriors to start the season. Chinna, who do you have for the NBA opening night doubleheader?
01:41:56
Chino Onwuka
I got the Thunder, and I got the Warriors.
01:42:01
Emeka
Chukwu, take us home.
01:42:03
Chuku
They want to differ from y'all a bit. But i got the I got the Rockets, man. I think the Rockets are going make a statement, and I got the Lakers.
01:42:11
Emeka
Hey, I like it. We all picked different things. Well, you heard of here first, everybody. It's a long season up ahead of us. I'm excited for it. Next week, we'll probably be back with Prem and Champions League and other stuff.
01:42:23
Emeka
Maybe NFL. Maybe NBA. Or maybe whatever you want. Who knows? Maybe we'll cover the Blue Jays. And the Blue Jays win. you You're actually going to get a mention on this podcast because the Dodgers are looking scary.
01:42:34
Emeka
Either way, hope you join us for whatever we decide to cover next in this beautiful, long NBA season. We know we know ball, too. And I'm always like chopping up my man Chinna, chopping up my bro Chukwu, and listen to y'all, man.
01:42:48
Emeka
Like Chinna said last week, we really do appreciate when sometimes it feels like we're recording this into the void. So whenever you you know yeah have any comments or something, like let us know, man.
01:42:54
Chuku
right.
01:42:56
Emeka
It always oh this feels nice to feel like we're actually chatting to y'all because we do love to do this, and we love that you're rocking with us on this journey. Come back next week for hearing more on the Love of the Game podcast.