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The Merseyside Derby Preview | Are the Chiefs and Texans in Trouble? | OKC Favourites to Repeat
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Derby Day Drama, NFL Panic Meter & NBA Deep Dive — This Week on Who’s Got The Ball? 🔥
⚽ Shane & James break down the Premier League’s performance of the week, before previewing a blockbuster weekend:
👀 Merseyside Derby
⚔️ Man United v Chelsea
🚨 Arsenal v Man City — Title implications already??
🏈 Then it’s NFL time:
– What’s REALLY going on with the Chiefs & Texans slow starts?
– Panic time or just early rust?
🏀 Plus, a deep NBA dive you don’t want to miss:
The Thunder, Timberwolves, and Trail Blazers — who’s for real, who’s fool’s gold, and which sleeper team could shake up the West?
Tap in or miss out. Big calls, hot takes, and one hell of a week in sports.
🎧 Listen if you’re into:
- Football (soccer) analysis
- NBA previews & predictions
- Weekly NFL reactions
- Underdog betting tips
- Draft-style sports debates
- Power rankings across multiple sports
- Sports content from an Irish perspective with global takes
🔁 New episodes drop weekly!
Follow/subscribe so you never miss a breakdown of the latest in the EPL, NBA, and NFL.
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📩 Send your takes → wgtbpod@gmail.com
🌍 Based in Ireland | Talking global sports weekly
(00:00) Intro
(04:30) The Premier League Performance of the Weekend
(10:23) The Merseyside Derby Preview
(18:03) Can Man United Bounce Back Against Chelsea?
(23:11) Super Sunday Showstopper: Arsenal vs City
(28:27) Are the Chiefs & Mahomes in Crisis Mode?
(35:27) CJ Stroud Needs to Take Down the Jags
(40:06) Gan Seans: Our Underdog Picks of the Weekend
(43:05) Can the OKC Thunder Pull Off a Repeat?
(48:57) The Lads are Hopeful for the Rejuvenated Trail Blazers
(55:20) The Minnesota Timberwolves: A Championship Ceiling?
(01:03:04) Premier League and NFL Power Rankings
Recommended
Transcript
Champions League and Football Excitement
00:00:09
Speaker
Alright lads, welcome back to another episode of Who's Got The Ball. Myself and Shane here back once again. Shane is absolutely buzzing the Champions League is back, aren't you Shane? Yeah, you're not being sarcastic for a change like you are in the summer.
00:00:22
Speaker
We're back to having football seven days a week almost with the odd Monday game as well. We had the League of Ireland on Fridays as well. So great to have Champions League Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.
Juventus vs Dortmund: A Tale of Two Halves
00:00:32
Speaker
And it really didn't disappoint to start this week off an anyway with Juventus and Dortmund playing the most boring first half of football and saying, OK, that's enough of that. Let's go out and just cause havoc and finishing four all. And some of the goals in that game were just outrageous.
00:00:47
Speaker
Yeah, I after i think it's really harsh handball, but not as harsh as the one that was given to Madrid against Marseille. But
Controversial Handball Incidents Analysis
00:00:54
Speaker
Yildiz's goal is sick. Yeah, Yildiz's goal is sick. But yeah, go back the handball for second. It's an absolute joke. What else you meant to do?
00:01:03
Speaker
When Liverpool got the VAR last night the potential handball, I was like, if they give that, I might actually have to give up on knowing what a handball is. Because it hit his chest, basically hit his face and then kind of brushed his hand. was like, they give that, I give up. But Liverpool got over the line doing what they do, they're going to continue to do all season, scoring in the 90 plus minute with Ngamoa on the pitch just for fun.
00:01:30
Speaker
i
European Competitions and Team Highlights
00:01:31
Speaker
I just love the Champions League and and another seven games of it, listen another seven game weeks of it left. Yeah, it's going to be great. And I think it'll be good as well to see Forest and Palace in the other European competitions. yeah be Palace coming to Ireland, which is going to be great to play
Introducing 'Jot Sports' and Audience Engagement
00:01:49
Speaker
shells. But yeah, just a couple of things to shout out before we get into the rundown.
00:01:54
Speaker
We're doing a new segment on Twitter every day to keep the account, you know, something to give to you. and We're doing Jot is what we're calling it. Jot Sports. So just one thing sports. We're giving thought each every day just of what's happened recently. And we want to hear your thoughts on those. We want to get you replying and get you sharing those around. So and give us a follow over there and keep an eye on those because they're coming every day.
Transition of Sports Gambling Segment to Instagram
00:02:18
Speaker
And then it's another thing. I've started doing is starting the week with a tenner and trying to bump that up as the week goes along. We're not exactly doing a rollover. So like usually sometimes people do 10 on something. If they win 20, they'll throw the 20 on the next thing.
00:02:34
Speaker
We're going to change it up with seeing and what opportunities come up throughout the week. So this week we started a off with a good win, two good wins back to back. and Obviously, then on Wednesday, was we had ah we had a close one, but back again tonight. So if you have been seeing those, keep an eye on them. We are up like up to 25 for this week, and we're hoping to keep that driving up. I'm going to change it. It has been on TikTok, but TikTok isn't great with putting out, if you mention sports gambling. So we're going to throw that over onto the Instagram page for the podcast. So keep an eye on those. I'll do breakdowns on my ideas for them.
00:03:08
Speaker
And then let's get into what we talked about this week. It was a packed episode,
Premier League Highlights and Performances
00:03:12
Speaker
some really good stuff. We introduced a new segment. Um, for the Premier League. Shane, Shane brainstormed this one as a really good idea to kind of come back every week to something that we were really impressed with it from the week before or the team that was kind of the most impressive performance from the weekend before in the Premier League. So we touched on one of those. We'll leave that until you get into the episode to see what it is.
00:03:38
Speaker
We previewed the three big games then for the weekend. Merseyside, Derby, United and Chelsea and Arsenal versus City on Sunday. We
NFL Challenges for Chiefs and Texans
00:03:46
Speaker
moved then on to the NFL, talked about the Chiefs and Texans both having an 0-1-2 start.
00:03:50
Speaker
Where do they go from here? Are they just cursed or what's going on here? are they able to turn this thing around? Then moving into Gonshance, where I took a 1-0 lead from last week. Very narrow lead. We gave our three picks then each for this week. I think it's your first lead.
00:04:05
Speaker
Oh, yes. Here we go. Let's just end it
NBA Team Previews and Predictions
00:04:07
Speaker
now. then NBA previews continued we're into the Western Conference now the Thunder last year's champs the Blazers and Timberwolves and then we moved on to the Power Rankings to wrap up last and the Power Rankings police are at Shane's door as we speak so listen to the end find out why that is bye lads let's get straight into the episode lads all right let's start with a new little thing where we're going to talk about like the performance of the weekend or of the last game week for the premier league so um shane let's let's let you kick this one off since it was your bit of um brain work that got this one going so i think you want to focus on brentford and how they played against chelsea for the first one
00:04:49
Speaker
Yeah, so it's one of the few games where the stats really don't tell the story of the game because judging off the stats, if you were just looking at stats, you'd think Chelsea dominated this from start to finish, but they really didn't. thought Brentford were absolutely exceptional in the first half.
00:05:04
Speaker
ah Particularly defensively, Elanders got the tactics down to a tee, went back to the old kind of Thomas Frank, Thomas Frank style of the 3-5-2 and it worked wonders. Igor Tiago was absolutely brilliant up top. Collins was excellent in the centre defence.
00:05:19
Speaker
Keller didn't put a foot wrong. Bar maybe the second goal, he was a bit unsighted on it though, so it's probably very harsh him a bit of any criticism on that. But I just thought they were brilliant up until the Palmer goal. Then Chelsea kind of took over for 20 minutes, got the two goals, got the lead. But the way they never gave up is something I really didn't see them having this season.
00:05:39
Speaker
I obviously backed them to go down at the start the season. They were one of my three. There's so many I'd love go back and change and now there were four five games in and obviously we can't do that. But I just think they, I thought they were exceptional. I think they've been really solid barred a couple of poor performances. But other than that, they're through in the cup.
00:05:56
Speaker
Great point here against Chelsea. Like their set pieces are always going to be dangerous. I thought... with Thomas Frank going that they might kind of dull a bit, but that throw-in from Kevin Chalda to get second goal was outrageous. was right into the heart of the box.
00:06:09
Speaker
It fell nicely for the man who wasn't marked, basically because Garnaccio doesn't mark, apparently. I just thought they were brilliant to start finish, they were very, very worthy of their point. Yeah, I think they definitely deserved it.
00:06:22
Speaker
The first goal was nice. I thought that like little after they won the ball back, they had a nice little interworking set of passes in midfield before Henderson played that ball over the top.
00:06:33
Speaker
And then a good finish going through on goal. I know it did take a bit of a nick, but it was still, you know, he had the right intention of what he wanted to do with it. I think Shada is going to be important for them this season. Yeah.
00:06:45
Speaker
Big time. For multiple reasons. um So he kind needs to step up. But Igor Thiago is very good. I think they... You know, he had the injury last year. I think they were expecting him to come in a lot more than he did. But now he's really stepped into that.
00:06:57
Speaker
I think Kelleher was important because that save on George in the first half and then the one on Palmer in the second half was... really important to keep kind of keep the game bay as Chelsea were pushing on.
00:07:13
Speaker
And then Chelsea did get a goal, but instantly there was that chance right after the first goal where Bournemouth could have got one back. And then obviously Chelsea go 2-1 up, as you said, and they showed that fight.
00:07:25
Speaker
I think... Losing to Forest on the opening weekend seems like a million miles away from now. like They've come a long way even from there. I think it was a little bit unsettled with the Whistler situation i think at the time. and Now that that has been cleared up since then, they only lost to Sunderland. In that game...
00:07:42
Speaker
They kind of caught them on the hop late and Sunderland have looked pretty good so far. So, you know, I won't take that away from them. And to beat, it as you said, they're through in the cup. They've beaten two teams now in the cup, both in the Premier League.
00:07:53
Speaker
So to beat Bournemouth, who are flying this year, and then to beat Villon, it's just, it bodes very well. And they did have more XG than Chelsea in that game, even though they only had four shots on target. It shows that...
00:08:06
Speaker
you know They were efficient at what they had. And having Andrews still there as a set-piece coach from last year surely helps with these long throws. so i think Yeah, they brought in a new set-piece coach as well. He was Irish, which is good to see as well. I can't remember his name i've top my head, but I think he's from Cork.
00:08:22
Speaker
and he's come in now to take over the set pieces. So that's a real positive as well. You'd just love to see him do well. I think Xhada and Thiago, while they probably won't get as many goals as Vissard and Bruno did last year, they definitely have a chance to build a a relationship as good as that in the next two or three years. And then Carvalho coming off the bench and scoring will do wonders for his confidence as well. And he could very easily slip into that front too if they needed him too.
00:08:46
Speaker
He's pacey, he's direct. Looking good, looked lovely. Yeah, I've been really impressed with him. As you said, the Biss's situation probably did patch him cold towards the start of the season, but now he's gone, they can kind of say, OK, this is what we have till January at least, and we can go from here. And to be fair, they've looked really, really good. I think their back three looks solid. I know they've conceded seven goals in the four games, which isn't ideal, but...
00:09:12
Speaker
Kind of building a relationship there at the back. Having Rico Henry back i after missing most of last season as well with the ACL is is so important because he's such a big player for him. No, it was Ethan Pinnock, sorry, that missed the majority of last season.
00:09:26
Speaker
Seth Van de Berg is coming on leaps and bounds every week as well and Collins, obviously, their captain. like a different man to the one we saw playing for Ireland but we touched enough on that last week but yeah what I'm just I'm really happy with him really happy really good see him um and it's really good to see how well they're playing and hopefully they can continue you yeah I think it's good to have the Irish representation there of a team that's actually doing very well and Collins is the captain Kelleher looks good and then they've got a lot of Irish coaches as you said including the head coach in Andrew so
00:10:00
Speaker
I think, yeah, it's really positive and hopefully they keep it up because they do look solid. And even though they're not like for like replacements in terms of, you would say, talent, Henderson looks to have filled that Norgaard role and Shara, Watara and Thiago have collectively seemed to fill that Wissa and Mbwemo role for now.
00:10:18
Speaker
So I think, yeah, good stuff so far from them. But... Looking ahead then to this weekend, we've got some very, very big games. Starting the weekend at 12.30 on Saturday, we've got Liverpool versus Everton, the Merseyside derby.
00:10:34
Speaker
Very big one. Liverpool winning a very like ah lot of very late goals so far this season. Not good for you. All late goals. um So... Let's see this this weekend. Will it go down to the wire again? You would say that it seems like that's the script for a lot of their games and Everton will look to be hard to break down. So you could see if something is going to come, it might come late. What's your thoughts on this one?
00:10:59
Speaker
I think it's a really tough one to call. off um I'm far more confident now as after last night's the Atletico Madrid game than I was heading into it before that game. I thought last night they looked a lot more like themselves, just missed a couple of big chances, a couple of things just didn't fall for Wierth and the Fring Pong air shot. There were a couple of chances to have that game well wrapped up before they got it back to 2-all.
00:11:22
Speaker
i just I thought they were really good last night. It was a real show of strength from him, I think. I thought Izak was excellent in his 55 minutes. I don't think he'll start Saturday. i think Klopp said something that if he plays 45 against the Letico, don't expect him to play 45 against Everton as well. So Ekiteke will be back in.
00:11:41
Speaker
They're two really good strikers. Ekiteke had a chance at the end of that game last night to wrap it up as well. don't know how he missed that one. I think it's the bounce catches him, bounces up to him just as he's about to hit it. It is absolutely, it's guilt edge, you do have to be scoring it, but I'll give him the mitigation on it.
00:11:59
Speaker
I just thought Salah looked back to himself last night, Frimpong was brilliant at heart, defensively and defensively. The midfield last night looked really, really, really well balanced, getting Sabah's eye back in there. Obviously, the Cavs was coming back in for someone.
00:12:13
Speaker
Massive difference, yeah. He's he's just a workhorse. I didn't think last night was his best performance, but he was still the man who put the ball in for Van Dijk's header. He was just all over the place. Ryan Gravenberch, I could talk about him for months. I think he's absolutely unreal. His first touch, get him out of tight situations, incredible.
00:12:29
Speaker
For Everton, they've obviously had a really good start. They're definitely top of the, like, having the most fun league at the moment with the likes of Grealish, Indy.
00:12:41
Speaker
here in the Dewsbury Hall, they just have some really good players. And ah you were saying there that they might try and look try and they might try and be hard to break down. But when they're attacking so well, I don't think they can get away with just hitting 11 men behind the ball like Burnley did and hoping for the best. I think they are going to need to have a goal here and see if they can go out and win it at Anfield.
00:13:01
Speaker
Yeah, I don't think that they're going to be overly attacking from the start. I just think that Moyes is too astute of a manager. Like, he knows by now. i don't I still think they're going to attack.
00:13:13
Speaker
I think it's just going to be more counter-attack because now they actually have the ability to do that a lot more effectively with players. Like, enjoy on the counter-attack is absolutely lethal. So, if they can get the ball in behind to him or you can get Grulish down the wing with a cross, that's probably their best bet of scoring.
00:13:31
Speaker
I see them like kind of frustrating Liverpool. I could see them managing to get a counter-attack goal themselves and being 1-0 up. And I think there will be a late goal, but i I can see it being a Liverpool goal to tie it this time instead of to win it.
00:13:46
Speaker
So I'm going to go with 1-1 because I think Liverpool inevitably do have more talent. But just all these games coming down to the wire, I think one of them...
00:13:57
Speaker
is not going to go your way eventually and I think this could be two points dropped but still something gained late on with an equaliser and another thing I will say is Wurz does need to be part of a goal now getting a sister get a goal because the longer this goes on it's going to get into his head more and you start overthinking things so needs to be something on paper Yeah, he was robbed last night of a couple assists by some really poor finishes. The one Salah put onto the post is outrageously bad. But he created five chances last night, so five big chances, so five chances that led to a shot.
00:14:35
Speaker
I don't know how much more you can do in a game if you can't. So if getting shots off on five of his passes and that's... We're not really testing the keeper. Salah has to score it that one and put the game to bed as well. It's another really, really poor miss.
00:14:47
Speaker
um I thought he was excellent last night. thought he was really good in the second half against Burnley. I think he's coming into his own now. would be great if he got his first goal against Everton. I have gone two in the Liverpool.
00:14:58
Speaker
He wasn't overly impressive. He was frustrated a lot of times. and think he he didn't I thought he was good in the second half. I thought he was kind of a lot flustered. Looked like a lot of players were, but he wasn't really giving it over too much time. I mean, for the price that's paid, you can create all the big chances you want and you can't blame other players. But, you know, it's time to start delivering it with goals and assists. Yeah, he is also only five games in to a new league and new countries. So I'll start judging him after 10 or 15. No matter how many in total between Community Shield, these games, Champions League.
00:15:35
Speaker
We're creeping up on... This weekend we're looking at the 007 if he doesn't get it in. so Although we won't see that on straight because they'll milk Liverpool to be driven by usual, so it's okay. If you want to include the Community Shield, then he does have an assist. so you might want to go back to your sixth game there if you want to be looking at the 007. Okay, perfect. going
00:16:02
Speaker
all your science, like Eketika has been outstanding and playing, if you claim, 45 good minutes against Burnley. And now, yes, he was impressive last night, but the amount of space Atletico gave him, you won't get that in the Premier League.
00:16:15
Speaker
I'm just saying he needs to perform in the Premier League. You do need to take off the Liverpool tinted glasses on this one because he is... struggling in the Premier League. There's no denying that, even Klopp said when he took him off against Arsenal he got a real eye-opener to the Premier League. take call of What did they call him?
00:16:33
Speaker
Klopp, twice today. You were yearning for him back in the room. No, absolutely not. Slott does need to, sorry, Slott did say that he had to take him off because he literally ran out of gas. So that's not a good start.
00:16:46
Speaker
I think the reason Liverpool will win this game is because of the game we're going to talk about in a few minutes, Arsenal City. If Liverpool win, they go six points ahead of Arsenal, nine points ahead of City. And they can't both close the gap on them in that game. So would be such a big three points. And I know it's five games, and it's ridiculous to say it, but it would a massive three points in terms of title race.
00:17:05
Speaker
when you have those two playing against each other, you really do need to pick up points those weekends where their main rivals are playing against each other. Yeah, it does I think every point every point early is big because if you can build up a big lead early, it's easier to defend that than it is...
00:17:22
Speaker
when you're confident, if you're not confident, it's a lot harder to defend it. You prefer to be chasing, but they are confident. So I think building up a lead is a better, whereas maybe Arsenal, they might prefer to chase a little bit because it doesn't seem like they would have the guile to see it out.
00:17:36
Speaker
Yeah, if they were any points ahead, you wouldn't really back up. Yeah, so I think we will see a lot from first because I really liked him and I said at the start the season he was one of the best signings that was coming through this summer.
00:17:50
Speaker
But he just does need to deliver for his own sake because otherwise these things are going to get pushed more onto him. But what are you going to go with the final score? I'm going to Liverpool.
00:18:02
Speaker
Tuna. Okay, so let's move on then to the half-five game. There's some cracking games this weekend. Half-five game on Saturday is Man United versus Chelsea. United have performed in small bursts this season, like for 20 minutes at a time, half an hour at a time, and then sloppy defending, silly mistakes, just misplaced passes, and they capitulate.
00:18:25
Speaker
That's a lot down to... I think it's not going to solve everything, but if Manu did start, it would make the world of difference. Every minute he's played this season, they just look more together as a team because he's calm and he's able to take the ball in half spaces.
00:18:39
Speaker
i think if Kunja plays, be a big one as well because he's been impressive at the start of the season. So those two, i weigh a lot on that. If Manu starts, I could see them getting something from this game.
00:18:50
Speaker
If he doesn't, I think by the time they bring him on, it'll be out of reach. Garnaccio, quite funny in the game versus Brentford because, you know, he put that cross in for Caicedo's goal, but it took a massive clearance before it got to Caicedo.
00:19:04
Speaker
And Chelsea fans were acting like he set the goal up. And then he was completely of place for for that defensive goal. as you mentioned already, on the long throw. So I think I'd like to see him start this game and someone leave one on him early just because of the role he had acted leaving and going out the door. It's very petulant behaviour by him in general. But looking on the positive side for Chelsea, Pedro looks absolutely superb. I was impressed with him last night against Bayern, even though Chelsea could have got clattered in that game. They were lucky they didn't get beaten from Bayern. Yeah, sure, by all accounts.
00:19:38
Speaker
And Palmer as well. He looks back from his best at back to his best after that injury he had. So I think they're there to be caught on the press because they make sloppy mistakes in defence. But going forward, they're blistering.
00:19:49
Speaker
So I think on a short week... looking at them having to play on Wednesday in Bayern and then come and play against United on the Saturday, I think it's a tough ask for them. And and they haven't won in Old Trafford since 2013. So this is one of the only fixtures United can continuously get something out of.
00:20:07
Speaker
But what's your thoughts on this one? Yeah, I'm glad you brought up the Kaby Maynou starting at the first because that was my main point was if they do start Bruno as the eighth here beside Casedo, then they're literally looking for trouble because Chelsea's midfield will just walk all over him with Casedo and Angel Fernandes and whoever else plays in there with him. It was Rhys James last night, which didn't work so well, so I doubt it'll be that again.
00:20:32
Speaker
I think Bruno is one of the tens. I just said if Cunha's back, so if it was like Bruno, Cunha and Mbremo who was beating been United's main shining light this season in my opinion. I think he'd been really, really good.
00:20:45
Speaker
Other than that, I just think this is a game that is going to flatter to deceive. and I think it's going to be either Chelsea could absolutely walk away with this, United could nick it, it could be a nil-all draw. It's one of those games where you don't know what it's going to be, but none of it sounds overly interesting.
00:21:02
Speaker
So we'll have to wait and see at that point, I think. This is the game where Chelsea, if they're going to try and finish top three or top four, they really need to show us in a game like this. and If United win this, then it kind of depends on how they win this.
00:21:16
Speaker
It could be a good bit of momentum going forward because I don't think they have had too much of that this season. Not playing Europe but any e ah in in any kind of capacity. I don't know if it's going to help them or hinder them because wouldn't you love an all-campus league game against...
00:21:32
Speaker
Hazekstan at home to score a couple of goals, build a bit of confidence and see where he can from there. But they don't have it now, so we'll have to wait and see. I thought they were Or against City. The pullbacks just couldn't cross the ball. So how were the forwards meant to do anything when they can't get anywhere near the ball?
00:21:48
Speaker
So that's a problem for them as The time against City, the time when they were actually playing well, they looked very good. And then it just went straight back to the same issues as before, like the silly mistakes. And then everyone's head is dropping, which is... yeah yeah just not acceptable i thought dorgoo in the second half was exceptional he got into great position he obviously was drilled to do that in the second half and abuema was good some great saves from donnarumma showed why he was he was brought in but outside of that i wasn't really impressed with anybody at all i thought they were all quite poor so it's going to have to be a big jump from that uh i just think just because the long run record of chelsea at old trafford and also
00:22:32
Speaker
Because of Chelsea playing on Wednesday. I'm going to go with a draw. I don't think United are going to win. So I'm going to take 2-2 as my result. Yeah, I'm back to draw here as well. I've gone 1-1.
00:22:44
Speaker
um yeah wouldn't surprise but it was yeah It wouldn't surprise me if it was 4-1 to Chelsea either. But I do think, as you said, Joe, da Chelsea are back-to-back poor results. Brentford and Bayern have probably dropped a little bit. They're still a very young team. So let's see. if If they come out with fire in here, then it could be anything really. But I just don't see it happening.
00:23:04
Speaker
Like you said, it's a big one for them if they do want to finish high. Because you need to be taken down. United, especially the way they're playing at the moment. Yeah. Last one then of the weekend, the big one, is Arsenal versus City on Sunday.
00:23:16
Speaker
So this is the big game at half four. do you make of this? City are going to want revenge after last year's humiliation there. There are... I just don't see Grot Gourez or whatever we like to call him now. I don't see him getting anywhere near in this game, the same as against United, the same as against Liverpool. I think he'll have another quiet game and come off after an hour unless Eze can do something really, really special.
00:23:40
Speaker
Haaland is ridiculous this out of the season. He'll be the that massive test for this Arsenal back four, especially if Saliba's not back as well. United are going to need to be so defensively switched on and try and play on the counter-attack. Who?
00:23:54
Speaker
oh you United? i Sorry, Arsenal. Arsenal are going to have to try and play on the counter-attack. i This is a really tough one to call. I really think it is because ah don't know how good City are, I don't know how Arsenal are.
00:24:07
Speaker
City have been good at patches. Two really, really poor performances. Well, not even the performance against Brighton. The last half an hour against Brighton, they were awful. They were really poor from start to finish against Spurs. And then they show up against United and just turned it on. Now, the early goal helped them as well. But Alan, superb. Docky even looked like a footballer against United, which is saying a lot. And he's starting again tonight, I just saw there. So...
00:24:31
Speaker
I don't know, I think it's a massive game. I'd love a draw for Liverpool's sake, especially if we beat Everton. I think the extra two days recovery for Arsenal will come into this because they did play a tough game in Bilbao in a very tough place to go and they did get a good result which I thought was solid.
00:24:49
Speaker
They'll have confidence after beating Forest too but I just can't see so I don't know know you guys all know what the result in the game against Napoli is that but I cannot see City winning that and if they do win it's going to be a scrape of one goal and it's going to be tough.
00:25:03
Speaker
Napoli haven't lost in a competitive game since February. So I don't think it's going to be kind of a clean clean walk here for a City in this game. I think they'll be tired after that. And I think Eze does make a big difference.
00:25:15
Speaker
Like you said, if Giacres is going to get a goal, it's going to be like a perfect, pin-perfect Eze cross that leads to a tap-in like he did at the... i I like Arsenal in this. I think City, they beat United because they were tactically better than them and other teams did not allow them to beat them because of the midfield dominance. So what City did against United was they loaded everyone into the midfield and United didn't make any tactical adaptation to it.
00:25:44
Speaker
They just allowed the midfield to get overrun. And then City were like pressing really high because they're kind of combating what had happened earlier. If you press Arsenal really, really high, they're absolute experts at getting out of a high press and switching the ball to the other side or creating an overload.
00:26:01
Speaker
And they're not going to boss around Arsenal's midfield. So I just don't see what they have that could trouble Arsenal like they did at T United. So I'm going with 2-0 Arsenal here. I think they're the better team from what we've seen so far this season.
00:26:14
Speaker
I think City are going to need to go with Rodri and Nico in this game if they're going to have any hope in the midfield battle. They need two of them in there winning balls back. As you said, de if they try and high press, Arsenal are just going to put it over top. They they will try and high press because this is like their new thing to and stop how bad they were earlier in the season. But it's dangerous, I think.
00:26:35
Speaker
Yeah, it is massively. and Madueke, I'll give him his flowers for a change. I thought he was excellent against Forrest. He made the pitch really, really wide. Came up against probably Nico O'Reilly or whoever they played left back there. He's come back to his four centre-back nonsense again with Kushinop at right back. So Kushinop against Eze and Madueke against O'Reilly just isn't really confidence build there for anyone. I'd nearly fancy running at Nico O'Reilly or Kushinop myself, to be honest. sam I've also gone Arsenal in this. Arsenal 2-1.
00:27:06
Speaker
I think Callad is going to keep up his goal-scoring runs because he's just a machine. But this is this is a game where Arsenal could really be brought back to earlier. If Man City get an early goal, they could lit them.
00:27:20
Speaker
So we'll have to wait and see. i think Arsenal need to be switched on for the first half an hour and then try and nick one from a set piece or something, which they're very good at doing, obviously, and trying to build on that then. But I am going to go Arsenal 2-1 in this.
00:27:32
Speaker
Nice. So those are our predictions and also kind of breakdowns for those games. So obviously everyone will be locked and glued to the couches this weekend. I think there's a lot of good matches on in the NFL too, which is a real, yeah, great lineup for the weekend. Yeah, there there's two there's two things. I was trying to pick a last-man standing team today and I nearly ter tore all my hair out. And then trying to do gun chants looking at the NFL games, I was like...
00:27:58
Speaker
There's no massive underdogs here that have a hope of winning. So we get on to that after we talk about the NFL. But this is the hardest gun chance weekend of all time. And probably the hardest last man standing pick of all time. I ended up having to go with Liverpool.
00:28:11
Speaker
So I'd better do the job. It's probably the safest looking at most of them this weekend. Although there is team I fancy. It would be a risky one. But we'll get to that in gun chance.
00:28:23
Speaker
No, i'll I'll let you know when we get there. So speaking of the NFL, then let's move on. We're going to talk about two teams that started out 0-2. Teams that are expected to do well and teams that where can they go from here to to get back on track. So let's start with the obvious one in the Kansas City Chiefs.
00:28:42
Speaker
I think Mahomes has not been bad, but the Chiefs just look kind of stuck. They're still averaging 21 points per game, which is what they averaged the last two seasons and somehow got away with it. They've lost both of their first two games, both by a single score, having won single score games 17 times in a row before this.
00:29:01
Speaker
I did say the streak was going to be broken, but I didn't think they'd do a back-to-back losses. um That Kelsey drop in the Eagles game to allow the interception was huge. It made a massive difference to the outcome of the game.
00:29:12
Speaker
and But overall, I just think their offensive line is probably not fully up to scratch. Mahomes doesn't look comfortable back there. And to have him as your leading rusher, 123 yards after two games, he's on pace for 1,000 yards.
00:29:26
Speaker
That is not good for the Chiefs. That is not what they want him to be doing. So I think that's the biggest issue of all, having looked at looking through all of this. But what have you made of them in the first two weeks?
00:29:38
Speaker
Yeah, so look, I was looking at this kind of objectively and anyone can lose to the Eagles. Anyone can lose 2017 to the Eagles. and Every single team in the league, the Bills could go out and lose the Eagles. But it is their issue with the running backs. He clearly doesn't trust any of the running backs to hand it off and expect him to go and get 10 or 15 yards because he's doing it himself constantly over and over again.
00:29:58
Speaker
I think that's a massive issue. I think not having Rasheed Rice is also a big issue. like his His main receiver against the Eagles was Hollywood were Brown with five catches and it was only for 30 yards.
00:30:11
Speaker
ah Kelsey had four for 61 and obviously that massive drop which he would have walked in for a touchdown if he holds on to it. i just I think they'll be okay, especially looking at their their next five will really define their season as well with the Giants, the Ravens, the Jags, the Lions and the Raiders.
00:30:27
Speaker
Three very winnable games, and I'm sorry to say it, but the Giants, the Jags and the Raiders, they really should be winning those three. And then put how they get on against the Ravens and the Lions, if they do win those other three, will really tell you if they're and anywhere near to what they were last year.
00:30:43
Speaker
as you said, the offensive line just doesn't look right. People are getting through. There's so much pressure being put on him nearly all the time. And the Chargers are actually going to run him.
00:30:54
Speaker
He's like having to force to run. Like it's not even designed runs. It's just scrambling, which is even worse. Like, And yeah, like he's he's not the fastest. I know he looks fast and he gets going, but yeah, he doesn't have it. He's not going to rip off a 50-yard run the way Josh Allen did against the Jets. like I don't think he has that in him anymore, but he keeps picking up these first downs and he's still so tempted to take the hit at the end and try and get the penalty flag but he just steps out of play like he just he can't do anymore it was his birthday yesterday he's 30 now he's the wrong side of the hill he's on my side of the hill now unfortunately but I think Rasheed Rice coming back will be a massive help for him because I think he does trust him he's going to have to trust Pacheco again because I think Pacheco had a really good running back I don't know what I know he was injured last year but think he's going to get back up and going I think this year yeah
00:31:46
Speaker
But I think you just need to play him back into form. This weekend against the Giants, there's probably no better time than just give him 20 rushing attempts to try and get his 100 yards or whatever and build a bit of confidence.
00:32:00
Speaker
The goal line, hand it off to him. Don't be trying to throw Hollywood passes to Hollywood or to Kelsey. Just try and just let Pacheco do what he did in his rookie year on the ground. Just sit past people and get a couple of touchdowns. I think the Chiefs are going to be absolutely fine.
00:32:15
Speaker
I don't see having too many issues. i think they'll still get to their 11 wins, I think was the line when we were talking about it. I think they'll get there still. i um' I'm actually a little more worried for him because I think, yeah, I know it as well about Rasheed Rice coming back and Giants in New York this weekend is the perfect game to get right.
00:32:37
Speaker
But then after that is where I'm kind of looking because they have the Ravens at home. So I don't know. like And then Jags on the road lines at home. Massive And between those four, they really need to go three and one because, yeah, they'll probably beat the Giants and Jags, but then they need to beat one of the Lions or Ravens because if they want to get Rasheed Rice back and they're sitting at three and three, then they can make a bit of a charge.
00:33:00
Speaker
But if you're slipping to one and for five or of two and four two four, you're in a difficult position there. And then after that, Raiders at home, winnable, but then commanders at home and builds on the road.
00:33:12
Speaker
Like, it's not, it's not an easy, I think they'll, yeah, they'll eat, they'll eat out some close games and they'll do what they do as usual. But if they lose to the giants, it's over. If they lose to the giants this weekend, their season is done because that'll tell me all I need to know about them.
00:33:30
Speaker
And yeah, It is a get-right game. Hollywood Brown, 129 yards two games. Kelsey, won away taekwan torrentton one 100. It's not exactly your big three of receivers that they were hoping for.
00:33:43
Speaker
but An old Kelsey and two guys who are probably wide receiver three or fours on most teams. So the sooner, the better to get Rasheed and... worthy back from injury as well.
00:33:54
Speaker
But I'm worried about them. i I don't know. I'm just, i'm not I'm not there yet. And if they beat up on the Giants, I'll still be worried about them. It's after that run, after this, that that's going to see what their metal is really, what they're made of.
00:34:07
Speaker
Yeah, I think the big thing is you don't go from winning 17 one score games in a row to losing every single one you're in for the next season. Like that just isn't going to happen.
00:34:18
Speaker
As you said, I do think they leak out a couple of close games. I think the Ravens will be a very close game. I think they leak it out in the last quarter. The Lions, that could be any score. like When you look at the Lions last week, they look really, really looked back to their rest after week one. fifty two twenty one Amon Rasain Brown was like the Amon Rasain Brown of last year. Again, he was just unbelievable. like so When is Rasheed Wright's not back for that? That's game.
00:34:47
Speaker
he's not. He'll be back for week seven. So that'll be the game against the Raiders at home. Oh, Raiders is game seven, Sarah, yeah. So, yeah, so but missing him for the Lions game is big and that's the game where he really will have to trust his his his core receivers because you can easily put 30 up in the Lions, but they can very easily put 50 up in you at the same time. So, yeah that that's a game that but we will really tell a lot about him, both defensively and offensively.
00:35:17
Speaker
Yeah, no, I agree with that. That's a big one for them. I'll have that one circled. Now they're going to need to deal with the Giants and Jags first. Yeah, definitely. Then another team who's had a poor start in terms of the wins column is the Texans.
00:35:33
Speaker
I expected a lot of them. I had them get into the AFC Championship game. Now, I still think that they're going to be absolutely fine. I'm more confident on them than I am on the Chiefs because...
00:35:44
Speaker
Yes, they only had 28 points in the opening two games, but their run game has been stifled and Stroud has been under a lot of pressure. and I think with the new offensive coordinator, he's he's allowed Stroud to adjust the pressures on his own line.
00:36:01
Speaker
Before each snap. And I think it's proven to be too much for Stroud. Because we alone he's allowing a lot of pressure. He looks like he's overthinking things. And he looks a bit confused at times. So if if the new coordinator can just take that call back himself.
00:36:16
Speaker
And i allow Stroud to just focus on what he's calling for him. I think that will definitely help. And you know six sacks and one touchdown so far. it doesn't come for a good reading. I think they need to just strip it back, allow him to play his game and the defense will take care of the rest because yeah they've been absolutely brilliant. they're probably been the best in the league and they had two wins, to be honest, against the Rams and the Bucs. They should have won both of those games.
00:36:41
Speaker
They were better than the Bucs for the majority of the game. Stroud just couldn't get it done and the Rams, a similar story. So once they can sort that out, I think they'll be fine because looking at you know, the teams they have to play, it's a lot easier than the Chiefs because right now they're getting the Jags on the road and the Titans at home.
00:37:00
Speaker
It's just the division they're in. They have a lot more easy games than other teams and I think they'll get back to two and two after these two. Yeah, I think they have to get back to 2-2 from the next two.
00:37:11
Speaker
I think they have to beat the Jags and the Titans with no excuses. ah Nico Collins, three catches with 52 yards and touchdown at the weekend. He looked more like himself, but that three catches need to be 9, 10 or 11 catches. They really need to kneel on him so heavily.
00:37:27
Speaker
very It's being forced to him as well, it seems. Yeah, it is. Yeah. Yeah. So I just don't think he's another man who doesn't trust his receivers either. And at some point, like this is what you have. So you you do need to trust him. You can't do it all yourself. You can't do it all with one man.
00:37:41
Speaker
You need to be able to trust the second and the third choice man as well to catch the ball and make plays for you. I thought they were okay against the Rams as well, but just never got going. He couldn't find a pass to save his life. If he was still throwing that game today, he still wouldn't have thrown a touchdown in that match the way things are going like so they were They were good against the Bucs and they were they were co caught on a sucker and that.
00:38:03
Speaker
Their next two, yeah, we just said they have to win the Jags and Titans. Then they have the Ravens as another... They're both going into the Ravens with massive tests and back-to-back weeks.
00:38:14
Speaker
So we'll see how they get on in those two. but It's mad that we're completely opposite in this because I'm more worried about the Texans than the Chiefs and you're more worried about the Chiefs than the Texans. But I do think both will eventually be okay.
00:38:26
Speaker
It's just taking bit longer. It's just like the fact that usually we might only get one team that turns it around from 0-2. So I'm thinking both could do it, but it's a little bit more unlikely. I just think that the the the Chiefs have a much more difficult schedule coming up.
00:38:43
Speaker
And... Yeah, that's that's where I find it hard because I think the Texans can get right a lot easier than the Chiefs can. And I think they've showed, they played two teams that are very strong, as did the Chiefs. So it's kind of hard to weigh up both because you're after seeing both teams take down being taken down by very good teams. So it is quite hard. We could see both bounce back, but yeah, I'm still of the opinion that the Texans are and okay. Yeah.
00:39:10
Speaker
I think we're both kind of on on that boat that they're going to be okay. But I did meant like mention in my notes, and I was looking at it, Nico Collins, 77 yards through two games.
00:39:20
Speaker
and He only had six catches on 14 targets. Now, all those targets weren't exactly amazing throws, but... you know you would You would expect a higher conversion rate from the number one guy and you would expect the good them the two of them to be on a better page. But that also comes from the pressure on the quarterback. So let's see if they can turn it around against the Jags. I think they will.
00:39:40
Speaker
Yeah, and there's also three teams who are going to come back from because the Jets are still getting to the last playoff. And the Giants are going to make it for sure No, no, let's not be ridiculous now. The Giants are going nowhere. The Jets, Tyra Taylor this weekend, 370 yards. Easy. we go. I'm going to get that from Russ.
00:40:00
Speaker
Come on, 450 yards. Here we go. And it's still loose. But anyway. Oh, shotgun. After last week, then we had Gonshance come back, obviously. So I had one win.
00:40:11
Speaker
Shane had a duck egg. A duck egg. A big zero. I had the Seahawks to beat the Steelers. I was so close having two wins. Somehow Jake Browning, throwing three interceptions, still managed to come back and beat the Trevor Lawrence-led Jags.
00:40:25
Speaker
That told me all I needed to know about the Jags. And they are on my band list. I'm never, ever picking them again. because I just don't trust them even in the slightest. So that's that's them gone out of my list. I'm going throw out my picks first for this weekend.
00:40:41
Speaker
I teased one already. That was a team that I think could be a bit of an underdog here if you're looking at last man standing. I fancy Brentford to go into Fulham and get a result. Fulham are evens and Brentford are 14-5. I think that, you know, we've talked about Brentford, what they did to Chelsea, what they've done in the Cup.
00:40:59
Speaker
I think that they they're well able and I think they could go in and get a result here against Fulham. Then my two other picks are both NFL picks. and First one is the Texans. We just talked about them. I can't believe that the Jags are money on favourites against them.
00:41:14
Speaker
I just said I'd never pick the Jags, so I'm going against the Jags this week. 11-10 on the Texans there. And then the third one is the Rams to beat the Eagles. I haven't been impressed by the Eagles so far. They did get two wins, but they've been incredibly boring to watch.
00:41:29
Speaker
I think the officials are going to be hot on the tush push and calling off sides and false starts on it this weekend after all the coverage it got after last weekend so I think I'm going to pick the Rams here they almost took them down last year in the playoffs and I really like what the Rams have done so far I think they're just a really solid team and Stafford is not going to go down without a flight anytime soon so those are my three and if you do fancy all three the three of them are 20 to 1 put together so we're back to the usual stuff to end of last season because i' have two of the same of yours and
00:42:03
Speaker
I also have the Rams at the Eagles. and i Six to four, I had them at. had Brentford Fulham as well, but I wasn't confident enough to go at them in the last man standing.
00:42:16
Speaker
And I have the Broncos at five to four to beat the Chargers. okay I thought the Broncos looked a lot better last year. As I said, the Premier League was near impossible to call, so had to put one in here that I wasn't overly, overly confident about. And I wasn't backing the Jets again after last week, so I did go the Broncos. and think going to be great game, the Broncos and Chargers. I think it's two good teams. I think they'll be very evenly matched, and hopefully the Broncos can get over the line for me.
00:42:42
Speaker
Yeah, I think that the the Broncos do need to bounce back in this one too, because although they did win last week, or they won, sorry, in week one last week, they had a slicker punch of a loss and that needs a big bounce back. So yeah, Chargers will really see as well if they're going to be able to take down another big defense after having done it to the Chiefs in week one. So really interesting and divisional games.
00:43:04
Speaker
So those are our picks for this week. like Let's move on then to the and NBA and continue our previews as we've been doing. We've got through all of the Eastern Conference teams now. They're all done, so we're halfway through the league. Let's move on to the West.
00:43:18
Speaker
um And we will start with last year's winners of the NBA, winner of the Larry O'Brien Trophy, the Oklahoma City Thunder. So we've got where do they need to improve most from last season to start?
00:43:32
Speaker
so In the playoffs, their three-point shooting dropped to 33.8%. Massive drop off from what they were doing in the regular season. and They really need to keep that up this year if they are hoping to go back-to-back. So basically their three-point shooting consistency really does need to get a lot better, especially in the postseason this year coming.
00:43:51
Speaker
If they get to the postseason, we'll see. I think you can nail that one on fairly quickly. But they, yeah, that's a great point. I couldn't believe how bad it was. And the fact that they still won and they won a couple of series quite comfortably shooting the ball horribly, especially against the Timberwolves. That was crazy. But what went with, the only thing they can improve upon is improve upon how other teams have gone after winning a chip recently.
00:44:19
Speaker
They need to back it up now in a big way and do the thing that teams have failed to do for a number of years and get a back-to-back. So outside of that, I don't see what else they can improve upon. Obviously, you made a good point there, but they still managed to win through that. So I just want to see them do the thing now that teams haven't done for a long time and kind of prove what they can do even at a very young age. Because I think that they're... I like what they've built and I like the set up.
00:44:44
Speaker
I would like... If anyone could go back to back outside of my own team in the Sixers, it would be... i would like to see the Thunder do it. So... Looking at a player under the radar then that you like for the team, who did you go for on this?
00:44:58
Speaker
Yeah, so I had to kind of cheat on this and be perfectly honest this because i don't think anyone really goes under the radar on the team that won the championship. But the one who I felt was the most underappreciated last year among all the stars was Chet Holmgren.
00:45:10
Speaker
okay I just think so like when he's healthy, he's just everything he has is just brilliant. He offers shots, his length is incredible. ability in general is just absolutely class and he just keeps getting better at shooting every single year that goes on.
00:45:26
Speaker
I think when when you're surrounded by so many stars, it's it's very like very easy to get forgotten and I just don't think he should be forgotten about. Yeah, no, I like that shout. And I thought he was really good in the finals as well with, you know, some of the defensive plays that he made. i think, yeah, some of the blocks he made, he was he was incredible. So that's a good shout because he doesn't get as much flowers as he should.
00:45:49
Speaker
I went with Kaysen Wallace. I think he's the most under the radar out of everybody who plays consistently for them. ah really like him. He's only 22 years of age. He may be the long-term replacement for Lou Dort because they're going to have to pay him in 2027-28 so that rolls around they've got kind of a guy who's an excellent defender and he's he's trying to improve on his three-point shot now that does need to step up if he wants to replace what dork gave them last year who wasn't consistent before but last year his three was quite good last year he started 43 games 27 minutes per game he gave eight and a half points three and a half boards and nearly two assists per game or two steals per game sorry
00:46:30
Speaker
He is, just his hands are everywhere. He's an incredible part of the defence. They've got so many good defenders, but I think appearing in 23 playoff games and starting three last year at a very young age is definitely going to stand to him.
00:46:44
Speaker
And if he just improves the three-point percentage, he'll be that long-term replacement for Dort, in my opinion. But... Yeah, I really like him already and I think he'll continue to to kind of contribute massively to this team. And if he's not there in the future, he'll be brilliant for somebody else that'll pay him a whole lot of money. So that's my pick.
00:47:02
Speaker
Looking at... him The over-under wins then. It's 62.5. It's very, very high. Last year it was 68. 57 the year before. And both years they finished the one seed.
00:47:14
Speaker
I think this line has been set exactly in the middle of their last two years on purpose. but Just to make it really tough. Because both years they got the one seed. I'll just say that they're going to get just about under.
00:47:26
Speaker
It's very, very high. They've just won the championship. I don't think they'll put as much... kind of emphasis on the regular season. I think they'll win just enough as they need to to get to that one seed in their eyes and that'll just get her around 60-61. I don't see them getting above 62.5 even though they have the ability to do it. I just don't think the ne necessity is there.
00:47:47
Speaker
Yeah, I wonder as well. I think 58-60 will be absolutely fine for them. just to They went on runs last year where they were just unstoppable and that's how they got to 68 games. I don't see that happening again this year. A lot of teams around them have strengthened again.
00:48:00
Speaker
We know this is a far stronger division than the other side is. So I think, yeah, 58 to 60 and I think they will get the two seed because the Rockets are going all the way. Yeah, I actually wouldn't be surprised if the Rockets got the one seed now.
00:48:13
Speaker
I really like what they've done. As we kind of talked about in the offseason, they've they've done this perfectly. But that'll be an interesting... talking point when we do our full season predictions over who's going to come on top there i' and then the ceiling with the current roster on coach for the season ahead I'm going to go a championship and they're the best team and they're the favorites again this year like 14 to 5 there so I was proud of my pick on them last year because they were a little bit under radar in terms of what they are now so I think if I pick them again this year I'm just going chalk so I'm going to have to go somewhere else but
00:48:49
Speaker
Yeah, i do see them getting back there and winning it because they are the best overall roster. Yeah, exactly. Let's move on. Yeah. Blazers then, where do they need to improve most from last season?
00:49:02
Speaker
ah Their transition game, both offensively and defensively. and They were middle middle of the league in pace and fast break points last year. And T did a lot of fast break points as well. So they really need to sort that outcome into this year if they're going to have any hope of doing anything that even resembles having a good season.
00:49:19
Speaker
Yeah, mine ties in with that a little bit. I've gone with they need to be better connected as an offense. They have one of the lowest assist numbers in the league with 23.8 per game It's fine if you have if you have low numbers, if you have a very good isolation score or you are very effective on fast break. But as you've mentioned, they did cause a lot of turnovers, but they weren't able to be effective with it.
00:49:41
Speaker
And that brought the assist numbers down. So just be more efficient. You can't just continue to rely on low scoring games and your defense. You don't really have a whole lot of offense. But I do think that bringing in Drew Holiday is massive for this because he's the king of...
00:49:56
Speaker
you know learnt knowing what to do when you turn the ball over and being smart and contributing with the teammates and kind of fostering a good culture. So I think that was a really good move. Yeah, that's going to happen. Yeah, i looked at I did look at that as well. 24 assists a game is probably only 50 points that you're getting off actual good attacking play. The rest is kind of just hopeful shots up or someone just driving coast to coast. That's not a conducive way of winning any sort of amount of games. So they really do need to improve that, definitely.
00:50:26
Speaker
Yeah, no, I agree with you. i'm Looking at a player under the radar, I'll give mine first. Someone I really, really like is Timane Kamara. I think he's an absolute dog on their defence. Last year, he was really important as well. He did put up some points, but in general, his defensive work.
00:50:42
Speaker
It got him second all defense team last year, only in his second year in the league. 52nd overall pick in 2023 is an absolute steal. So I think he was really excellent. 78 starts already.
00:50:57
Speaker
11 points per game, six boards and two steals and blocks combined. And for someone who's so tough physically and handsy and gets stuck in and is it what is a very capable defender, only three fouls per game is very impressive. So he clearly knows exactly what he's doing and he's able to control what he needs to do at times. So if he can continue to be...
00:51:19
Speaker
improving on his offensive side, his defense is already where it needs to be. So he's, I think he's one for the future for them. And he's on a very, very low contract since they got him in the second round. Yeah, so because I went so heavy on the first time we're going with Chet Holmgren, I've gone for one that's really under the radar here as well.
00:51:36
Speaker
I've gone for Donovan Klingen. like he had a really solid rookie year last year. 37 starts, 67 appearances, 6.5 points a game, and just under 20 minutes a game. So had a really, really good rookie year, especially in a team that wasn't really passing the ball, as we just talked about there a couple of minutes ago.
00:51:53
Speaker
The one thing he really needs to improve is his free throws and his tree shot, both in the 50s. So it's 53.9% for his tree and 59.6% for his free throws. So that really does need to... His tree is 53.9%.
00:52:07
Speaker
Yeah. or That is great. That is unbelievable. How much better can he get from that? From tree. Oh, his tree is 28.6%.
00:52:16
Speaker
his field goal percentage is 53.9 oh sorry yeah his tree yeah that's a nice sorry his tree is the twentieth yeah 20 yeah his tree was 28 53 percent three point that be Barry, yeah. So yeah, his three point was 28.8 and his free throws was 59.6. Needs improve on the free throws in particular and maybe get another couple of starts under his belt.
00:52:43
Speaker
Oh hang on, sorry. Those free throws are horrendous as well. My God. But I was impressed as well with him on the offensive boards. I thought he was, or on the boards in general, I thought he was very good for rookie to be able to use his size effectively.
00:52:58
Speaker
Eight rebounds per game it is quite impressive. He was somebody that I was actually thinking about picking before I went with Kamara. Then looking at their over-under wins, 34.5. Now last year they had 21, the worst in the West, but they did tank. I thought when they played earlier in the season, they were actually quite impressive at times.
00:53:18
Speaker
And then they just went into pure tanking mode after that. I think it is a huge jump, but I think it's one they can take, to be honest. I really like what they've done getting in Drew Holiday. Although Dame probably won't play for most of the year, they've got another veteran in there.
00:53:33
Speaker
He's back home. I think they'll get another jump from Tamani. Donovan Klingon is someone who's going to take a jump and then Scoot and Shaden Sharp are also players that need to jump. And I think they will with more veterans around them and they've still got Jeremy Grant. So I think to get 35 wins is well within in the realm of this team and I'm i'm going to take it as as an over.
00:53:55
Speaker
I've gone just under. i do like what they've done as well, but I don't like teams having to jump up 13 or 14 wins to get to the line been set. I just can't. I can't back it on anyone. I don't care who it is. I just can't see it. I was the same with the 76ers when we spoke with them a couple of weeks back. I don't see them making these massive jumps. I think they'll get over 30, but I think even adding nine wins or 10 wins is really impressive. and I do think they'll have a good season, especially what they did last year.
00:54:21
Speaker
Yeah, i'm I agree with you there. And I think that was one thing that was putting me off. But the only time that I kind of look to that as something that can be overcome, a big jump in wins, is just when a team doesn't tank anymore because you're just throwing wins away at times.
00:54:36
Speaker
So I think them that might be something for it. But the West is very tough. So looking at the ceiling then for the roster and coach for the season ahead, what did you go for? so their Their ceiling is a play-in on the chance that they do go over like you think they will. They get into a play-in, they could win a play-in and then lose in the first round of the playoffs. I don't think they go anywhere deep. and They just really need to stay healthy and stay young players they have need to develop a good bit.
00:55:02
Speaker
Yeah, I think I had the same of them getting to a play-in. I didn't actually have them winning in it. and getting into a first round, I don't think they're there yet. But similar enough, I think they could get to a play in standings if things go well for them and they get 39-40 wins with with a big jump.
00:55:18
Speaker
But moving on then to our last team of the day is the Minnesota Timberwolves. So where do they need to improve most from last season? You can go first on this one. I've gone first the other two. So we'll let you take over here. um i I think it's time now for them to c close out on the big stage.
00:55:35
Speaker
They've improved. I think both of their last two seasons were a massive improvement on what happened before. At times, the offense does go a little bit stagnant in big games when Ant can't get it going. But I was really impressed with Randall in the playoffs this year.
00:55:51
Speaker
He's known for kind of crashing out in the playoffs before he went to the Timberwolves and now that completely switched. I think they'll build on that. But the biggest challenge for them and the biggest thing they can improve on is getting to the finals. They need to get by that kind of and Western Conference final point. They've lost 4-1 in both of the last two years at that point.
00:56:11
Speaker
So that's the main thing for them, just having that ability to close out against... you teams that other people would probably see as superior they need to make themselves the superior team and im do it this year yeah especially like against the thunder this year they were quite quite poor in all even the game they won they were pouring off and i think the first game it was over to half was there was the the first game or the second game they were absolutely annihilated and yeah after what they did in Yeah, after what they did in the regular season to go out and put up that must have been really, really disappointing.
00:56:46
Speaker
i'm Kind of on the back of that, I'd gone with there their their defense regressed a good bit over the season. So they were elite defensively for most of the season. And then when it came to playoff time, they just, they weren't protecting the paint. They weren't getting defensive rebounds. They need to just keep that consistency up for the whole season, especially they are going to have any hope of going in against the Thunder or whoever gets the one seed there and doing anything decent.
00:57:11
Speaker
yeah Yeah, I think I actually like their defense a lot. And I think that just in general, the way that they're they were able to maintain control in a lot of games, um it just they just need to push push it now because they've got Ant. He is one of the best players in the league, but they just need to push it beyond what they've done already, I think. and So looking at someone who's under the radar, I've actually kind of gone similar to what you did with the Thunder because...
00:57:40
Speaker
Just somebody who I think doesn't get enough love even though they get a lot is Nas Reid. He's not under... I was going to ask if I could guess. Yeah, i was going to ask I could guess because I'm the same fella as well. When you said that I was like, it's Stephanie Nas Reid he's gone with.
00:57:53
Speaker
I think he's unbelievable. Just what he offers them and is above and beyond. I think he's better than everyone else on the team, bar Ant, in my opinion, just in what he offers to them. Sixth man of the year 2024. To be honest, last year he was even better.
00:58:07
Speaker
He could have won it again. It's just that usually don't give that to somebody. They don't give many things to people back to back. and yeah So most minutes per game last season he's ever had, 27.5%.
00:58:20
Speaker
14 points per game, six boards, 1.6 steals and blocks. And for a big man, he shoots 38% from three on six attempts. That is not bad at all. He's somebody who you can rely upon in big moments. He showed it in the playoffs the last few years. So I really like him and I think he's a massive part of their team. I'm happy that they sorted that out and paid him this offseason and locked him in for the future.
00:58:43
Speaker
Yeah, so he just doesn't get the headlines that Anthony Edwards gets, that Rudy Gobert gets, and he really does deserve him. and You've laid out everything he did last year, six men of the year, incredible again last year. I just think he is so important to what to do.
00:58:57
Speaker
In everything to do, he is so important. he just builds up so much of what to do when he is on the court. And you do notice him when he is off the court as well, which is why I am surprised he's probably not...
00:59:09
Speaker
pushing more to be in their starting five, but their their team is just so strong as well that it is really hard get them in there. I think the thing with that is just how they kind of rely upon him to help with the the bench unit.
00:59:22
Speaker
And then he comes in as the first guy off the bench. And then as players wiggle off, he's still there and kind of providing that stability. So I think that's kind of the main reason that they do that. Not that he's not as good as others. I think that's probably why Looking at their over-under wins then, 49.5, right on the mark from last year, they had 49.
00:59:42
Speaker
What do you think for this? Just under. I think 48 to 40, sorry, 47 to 49. I was going to say 48 to 50 without putting them over. 47 to 49. They'll be in around the same as they were last year. They'll have no problem making the playoffs again.
00:59:58
Speaker
Yeah, i just I think it's a really, really good line. It's so hard to pick it. They could very easily hit 50 plus, but I'm just a bit cautious on them. Yeah, I'm just looking at the year before when they had 56. I think they can get closer to that once again because i think they know that they're going to need a pretty high seed. They want to have a home playoff series, you know, home court advantage for as long as they can.
01:00:22
Speaker
And there's a lot of good teams in the West at the moment. Obviously, the Lakers will be hoping to take a jump. The Clippers are looking very, very good. They were good in the offseason. The Warriors will be looking to get another season of Jimmy and Steph back together.
01:00:35
Speaker
um And then that's not to mention the guys who will probably be around the top at the Nuggets, Rockets and timal are and Thunder. So I think they're going to need to really push in the regular season.
01:00:47
Speaker
And I think they're just going to try and get as many as they can and get a good streak going. So I think they're going to get around 51, 52. So I'm going to take the over, but it's a really good mark here. I think it could go either way and,
01:01:00
Speaker
it's definitely not something I'd be betting on. Then looking at the ceiling with the current roster and coach for the season ahead, what did you go for? but you just mentioned it there. I think their ceiling is a top four and a really, really deep player front of the conference finals again. Can and they get over the line? I'm just not convinced they can beat OKC or Nuggets if it does get there. I can tell by your face you have them as a finals pick here you anyway, but no, I don't have them a finals pick. Not this time around.
01:01:29
Speaker
Yeah, I think they can win it. Really? Yeah. Getting to the Western Conference Finals two years in a row. like you know neither I know that the OKC did it last year. They got there. They won the whole thing. the year before, the Mavs beat them.
01:01:45
Speaker
But neither of those teams did it in two years in a row. They've done it. They're consistent. A very different team this time around as well with Randall instead Katz. I think they paid who they needed to pay. They've brought Randle back. They obviously like what he's got going on there with Ant.
01:01:59
Speaker
And I think just looking in general, looking through their squad list here, Edwards, Gobert, Randle, Jadon McDaniels, unbelievable defender. Nasri, Dante, DiVincenzo, who I like as well.
01:02:10
Speaker
Rob Dillingham will probably take a jump. um there They're definitely hoping that Terence Shannon will take a jump and then Mike Connolly in the background as a a kind of a veteran. I think they have a very condensed but very good squad.
01:02:22
Speaker
um I think if they keep everybody healthy and they gel, there's no reason why they can't win it without leading them. Now, do I think they'll win it? You'll have to find out in our full NBA season preview, but I think that is a ceiling for them. I think I can see them getting there.
01:02:37
Speaker
So, yeah, that's my take on that one. Let's see. Let's see how it goes. Long season ahead. but It is far too long. Yeah, incredible amount of games. I need to cut that one down. But look, we're not complaining about it when it does get around to like. Yeah, exactly. Have the playoffs and everything else is done. So let's Let's keep it for now the way it is unless they want to start the season later and then keep going into the summer because we enjoy that over here with me having a whole lot else going.
01:03:02
Speaker
But looking then at our last point of the day, the power rankings. went first last week, so I'll let you take the reins and go ahead this week first. Yeah, i'd I'd just like to question the rules before I go with mine here. Are we allowed to do four and two split or are we saying we have to go three and three?
01:03:19
Speaker
I think let's go 3-3 because we've done 2-2-2 when the and NBA comes back. So I think we'll we just keep it consistent. but and So last week I had Liverpool, Bills, Chelsea, Everton, Eagles and Packers. This week I have Liverpool remain top.
01:03:38
Speaker
i just I hope they can keep scoring 80-plus minute winners for the whole season and win every game because it's heart-wrenching and funny at the same time. I've gone with the Chargers in second. I just really like what they're doing. I think Justin Herbert has been exceptional in the the opening two games.
01:03:54
Speaker
They look like they're having fun and the power rankings and bit about teams are having fun as well as teams who are really, really good. So they're second for me. I have the Packers at three. Again, another team who are having a lot of fun and really like them.
01:04:07
Speaker
They're really far better than they expected them to be. I have Arsenal at four, just because they have to, unfortunately. The Bills at five and pains me to put them in there, but they're just, they're really, really good.
01:04:21
Speaker
Josh Allen is a freak. They're just, they're they're they're absolutely unbelievable. And finally, I have Man City at six. and It was really hard to pick three Premier League teams. That's i wanted to go for, two split. But Man City were really good at the weekend. We'll just see if they can back it up this weekend now.
01:04:38
Speaker
Out of interest, who would have been your fourth NFL team? and The Eagles after beating the Chiefs. Yeah, I just think what you've done there on that is absolutely outrageous to drop the Eagles.
01:04:49
Speaker
like As I mentioned last week, I will continue to leave Liverpool and Eagles at the top because they won the competition last year and they're both still unbeaten.
01:04:59
Speaker
So it's a toss-up over which one is more powerful out of the two and it's Liverpool right now because the Eagles aren't great to watch. But like they haven't lost and they just came off the Super Bowl. So...
01:05:10
Speaker
I know, but du like I dropped them out because there dirt they're not fun to watch. The other three are fun to watch at least. those the angels a third million Liverpool were not fun to watch at times. and we yeah that was Yeah, that was last year. That was last year. they don't i'm i'm I'm not very sentimental when it comes to this.
01:05:29
Speaker
The pro-Rankins police are going to be on the call. They can do what they want. They know where I live, I'm sure. So I'm going to go ah but mine. Liverpool Eagles.
01:05:43
Speaker
Yeah, that's the start. But last week I had Liverpool Eagles to start as well. I had Bills, Chelsea, Packers and Palace. This year, this year this week, I've gone Liverpool. um I've moved the Packers up then to third because...
01:05:57
Speaker
I think they looked exceptional and they've beaten two very good teams. so they're moving up for me. but That means the Bills moved down a spot to fourth. They absolutely waxed the Jets in second gear. So can't move them off with that one. um Then next up, I've gone with Spurs in fifth.
01:06:13
Speaker
I thought they've been very impressive this year. They've only conceded one goal. and They've lost only to Bournemouth this year, who look impressive themselves. And they did well in the in the Champions League as well to eke out a win, even though it wasn't a very pretty watch. They still managed to do it.
01:06:28
Speaker
And then sixth is the aforementioned Bournemouth. The only reason I have them lower is because... They weren't impressive in the Cup. And yeah, I think Spurs have been more consistent over the last three weeks. But before that, Bournemouth did beat them.
01:06:42
Speaker
They've looked very impressive throughout the season. So that's my six. Liverpool, Eagles, Packers, Bills, Spurs and Bournemouth. I actually wish I put Bournemouth in instead of Man City because they're having a lot more fun than Man City are. But we have next week to fix this.
01:06:55
Speaker
Yeah, we have next week. yeah let's see how we Let's see how we get there. And we'll probably still... We better see the Eagles back on there if they win this weekend, I'm telling you that. But let's see. If they weren't winning nine points to three or something, they're going nowhere near. If they win 3-0 in overtime, they're getting back up to my one spot.
01:07:16
Speaker
But thanks again, lads, for listening for another week. We really appreciate it.
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01:07:21
Speaker
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01:07:28
Speaker
But yeah, it's all to you, Shane, to say good job your goodbyes. Yeah, just echo what James said. Just keep keep following along. and We're starting to post more on Twitter as well. So we're trying to do one a day. If you could over and give us a follow over there as well. And just repost what we're doing. we're just kind of We're bringing ideas together every week, just trying to get better and better. And we just we we really, really, really appreciate the support. So we'll see you next week. Thank you very much.
01:07:54
Speaker
See you next week, guys.