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NBA is Back!
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Eli talks about the NBA players that will dominate as the season resumes.
July 31, 2020
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Transcript
Welcome to Episode 4
00:00:00
Speaker
Welcome to the fourth episode of Eli Studio
NBA's Return and Fan Excitement
00:00:03
Speaker
Sports. Today we will be discussing the and NBA which is finally back. We've been waiting since March and finally it's
Game Recaps: Jazz vs Pelicans & Lakers vs Clippers
00:00:12
Speaker
back. Two games have already happened. It was Jazz, Pelicans and Lakers Clippers. um The Jazz won by two. Brandon Ingram missed a shot that rattled out.
00:00:26
Speaker
And in the Lakers Clippers game, LeBron had a tip in with 13 seconds left. Paul George missed a three um with right around two or three. And what probably should have been a foul didn't get called. And then the game was over.
Who Will Dominate in the Bubble?
00:00:44
Speaker
So today I want to talk about players that I think will dominate um on each team.
00:00:51
Speaker
in the Orlando bubble. So let's get started on the Bucks. I would say Chris Middleton, but ah he hasn't touched a basketball for three months besides scrimmages and practices. So I don't think he's going to be able to dominate. One guy that I think will be able to dominate is Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Greek freak, of course.
00:01:14
Speaker
I don't think I'm surprising any of you saying that Yannis will dominate because he absolutely dominated when the season started in the regular season, not in Orlando. And I think he'll be able to bring that momentum over to Orlando to let him dominate and potentially lead the Bucks to a finals ring.
Raptors' Key Players: Lowry & Siakam
00:01:35
Speaker
Of the Raptors, I have two players that I believe will dominate and they are Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam.
00:01:43
Speaker
Well, Pascal Siakam surprised a lot of people, and he was an all-star starter. Kyle Lowry, on the other hand, showing that they don't need Kawhi Leonard to be a great team, and they don't. They're already a great team. They've exceeded expectations by a lot, and They're at least going to be the three seed in the East, which I think is an accomplishment considering they lost Kawhi Leonard and they're in their current standing that they were with Kawhi Leonard. So I think that's a big accomplishment for Toronto, but they also have one of the hardest schedules coming back and that's their only concern really because other than that, they have a really good team.
00:02:27
Speaker
So I think they can pull it off and stick with the three seed. I don't know if they'll be able to keep the two seed though.
Celtics' Potential Stars: Tatum & Brown
00:02:35
Speaker
On the Celtics, I have the man, Jason Tatum, surprising everyone this year. Another All-Star. He's climbing up that MVP ladder. And a lot of people think I'm going to say Kemba on the next one, but I'm going to say Jaylen Brown. And Kemba probably maybe might dominate.
00:02:56
Speaker
But I think Jaylen Brown has really been a surprise this year, averaging over 20 points per game and is awesome at defense. So I don't think that the Celtics have anything to fear. I think they might be able to pull off that two seed and take it away from the Raptors. I think that with Tatum and Brown coming together, that would be amazing. And with Kemba added to that team, I don't think that's going to be easy to stop. And tonight you can watch them play the Bucks on NBA Friday night on ESPN 530. So if you want to watch that, that's great. You can watch how Tatum dominates.
Heat's Standout Players: Nunn & Robinson
00:03:39
Speaker
The Heat. Well, a lot of people would say Jimmy Butler, Tyler Hero, Bam out of bio, but I've got none of those guys on my list. I have Kendrick Nunn and Duncan Robinson.
00:03:52
Speaker
And yes, Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Hero might dominate, but I just think that Kendrick Nunn and Duncan Robinson are going to show that they can dominate a little bit more, especially on the offensive end, because they only got Jimmy Butler for the defense and Bam Adebayo is also more of a defensive player than offense. So I think that Kendrick Nunn and Duncan Robinson will show that they have a chance at Rookie of the Year, which they probably don't. Maybe Kendrick Nunn does, but I believe that if Kendrick Nunn and Duncan Robinson average over 20 points per game in Orlando, or maybe even overall, it wouldn't be a surprise. Trust me, because Kendrick Nunn has been amazing. I can't believe he was undrafted and shooting the three ball like it's his eighth season. And Duncan Robinson has already made it to the three point contest.
Oladipo's Trade Speculations
00:04:48
Speaker
Moving on to the Pacers, I would like to go with Victor Oladipo. And he at first was not going to join the NBA bubble, but when he heard that the Pacers couldn't pay him when he wasn't playing, he decided that he would go to Orlando. But he might be looking for a trade, and that trade might be to Miami.
00:05:11
Speaker
But I think he'll dominate trying to get that trade, trying to get more teams to want him. I don't think right now he wants to be in Indiana. I think that he's just trying to play well on purpose, which everyone tries, but I think he's going to play with a little extra in Orlando, just so he can try to get a little bit more trade offers and possibly one for Miami. That would be nice because he lives there in the off season, so he'd be hooked up.
00:05:39
Speaker
The next team I would like to talk about is the
Magic's Hope: Vucevic
00:05:43
Speaker
magic. So I don't think the Sixers or the Nets will have anyone that dominates because, I mean, maybe the Sixers, but definitely not the Nets, especially with Kyrie out and Katie won't be able to rejoin. So anyways, I think the magic, I think Nikola Vuchevich will absolutely dominate.
00:06:06
Speaker
I think he's a player that is very underrated. A couple seasons ago he had a higher efficiency rating than Kawhi Leonard. Do you know how crazy that is? That is just absolutely phenomenal.
00:06:21
Speaker
And I just think that he is going to have to carry this team by himself now that Aaron Gordon is injured. And the only guy that could help him on that Magic roster is Jonathan Isaac. Other than that, they don't have much unless if maybe Mo Bamba steps up, but he's probably not going to be a starter in until maybe 2023. Unless if which of it
Wizards' Key Player: Beal & Wall's Potential Return
00:06:47
Speaker
retires early. so And then the last East team that I think will have a dominate player and it's the Wizards. And if you know a lot about basketball, you could easily say that that player is Bradley Beal. And unless if John Wall returned in Orlando, which actually he might, Bradley Beals is definitely the only player on the Wizards that could dominate besides Davis Burtons.
00:07:16
Speaker
I mean, they don't have much on that roster. Their starting point guard without John Wall is Ish Smith. How is that a starter? I'm asking myself that question. But Bradley Beale has averaged over 30 points per game. He's one of two NBA players to do that this season. That is phenomenal. I mean, who does that besides James Harden? Who? Trust me.
00:07:44
Speaker
So I think Bradley Beal will absolutely dominate and be that only guy that can score unless of John Wall returns.
Lakers' Dominant Duo: LeBron & Davis
00:07:51
Speaker
Now in the West, we have first off, the Lakers. Of course, LeBron James, you saw him last night. He played pretty well. And even without fans, he can show that he is clutch, especially with that tip in with around 13 seconds to go. And then I also have Anthony Davis dominating, especially on the defensive end.
00:08:15
Speaker
Did you know in college, Anthony Davis averaged 4.7 blocks a game? That is crazy. In the NBA, he might win Defensive p Player of the Year this year. Frank Vogel out loud said that he thinks LeBron James should win MVP and Anthony Davis should win Defensive Player of the Year. I'm not gonna lie, I agree with the Defensive Player of the Year on Anthony Davis' side.
00:08:39
Speaker
I just think that he has absolutely dominated on the defensive end and can play offense, so he will dominate.
Clippers' Key Players: Leonard & George
00:08:48
Speaker
Now the Clippers. I have two players. You can probably guess that they are Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. If you said so, you are probably correct. I think that Kawhi, he had a 28 point game yesterday. His hermages weren't great, so I think he's just showing the world or the basketball world.
00:09:07
Speaker
that he's still in this. Those scrimmages were just yet back in shape and just to show that they just need to warm up. And Kawhi's already warmed up and now he's back into basketball shape. The other guys, Paul George, who also had a 30-point game for the Clippers, and he was absolutely tough. And you see that foul at the end.
00:09:30
Speaker
Man, if only the refs called that, the Clippers probably would have won because Paul George is a very good free throw shooter. So I just really, really, really think that that Clippers team could win a finals ring. I just think that Paul George and Kawhi Leonard is the best offensive duo and the best defensive duo. So I think they're obviously the best duo overall and maybe one of the best duos in NBA history.
Nuggets' Standout: Jamal Murray
00:10:01
Speaker
Now we go to the Nuggets. I'm gonna go with Jamal Murray. And since last season, he hasn't been that big of a name because nobody really talked about the Nuggets till they made the free seed. And everyone was like, oh, okay, the Nuggets are a new dynasty or not a dynasty, but they're a new team to beat.
00:10:26
Speaker
And when they saw the roster, they were like Nikola Jokic and they didn't see that they still had a point guard who was very good and it was Jamal Murray. He's still putting up filthy numbers, even with Paul Millsap, Will Barden, Nikola Jokic on the same team. That's impressive. Now we're going to go to the Jazz.
Jazz's Dominant Pair: Conley & Mitchell
00:10:51
Speaker
I'm going to go with Mike Conley and Donovan Mitchell.
00:10:55
Speaker
First, Mike Conley, he really did not want to play in Memphis. And he didn't know that they were going to draft Ja Morant. Well, he probably didn't know that. But he didn't know that Ja was going to play like this. Because if he did, he was definitely going to stay. And then the Grizzlies would be very good.
00:11:17
Speaker
He came to Utah and people didn't know if he played great because there are a lot of all stars and stars on that team with Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, Joe Ingalls, Bo Jon Bo Donovich, Jordan Clarkson, who is in the star, but he's pretty good. So that is really a really, really good roster.
00:11:38
Speaker
But adding Mike Connolly to the equation just makes it almost unstoppable. And that's why they're in the four seed right now. I think if they can start winning games a little bit more, they can get higher. And they had a really, really close game against the Pelicans. If that continues, they might might get really low on the standings.
Thunder's Standout Players: Gilgeous-Alexander & Gallinari
00:12:04
Speaker
Now the five seed is the Thunder. I think they will have shy, jilted, Alexander dominating. He is really, really, really surprising a lot of people. People didn't even know that shy, jilted, Alexander was this good. I mean, some people are saying that he might be Russell Westbrook's replacement and I agree with that. I don't think it was Chris Paul because he's getting older and
00:12:34
Speaker
He's still playing and putting up filthy numbers, but I think with Shay Jilders Alexander coming up there and showing what he can do, I think that's very impressive. And I think that he will show the Thunder and other teams that he's definitely an all-star worthy player, all-star caliber. So I think that Shay Jilders Alexander will dominate. And another player on the Thunder that I think will dominate is Danielo Galinari. He has,
00:13:04
Speaker
really, really played well. So he was on the clip, or not that that not that many people knew his name. So then he went to the Thunder, and it was like, man, Danilo Gallinari, I need to watch him. I've never really heard of him. When they watch him, he's like, man, that guy's good. So Danilo Gallinari has really shown what he can do, and I think that's impressive. Now moving on to the Rockets.
Rockets' Star: Westbrook vs Harden
00:13:30
Speaker
And I think they only have one player that will dominate and it's Russell Westbrook. A lot of people might be asking themselves, what about James Harden? He does not pass the ball and he travels way too much. There is no way he's better than Russell Westbrook. And there is no way that he is going to dominate. And I think that Russell Westbrook is just really, really, really impressed people.
00:13:57
Speaker
And I really just don't think that Harden has shown that he is a great player. I think he's just shown that he's a ball harder. But Russell Westbrook knows how to pass the ball. A couple of seasons ago, he averaged a triple double. That's really amazing.
Mavericks' Dominant Duo: Doncic & Porzingis
00:14:14
Speaker
So I think that Russell Westbrook has really, really Impressed people because he's still scoring 27 points per game even with Hardin's averaging 34 a game, which is absolutely amazing But he still doesn't pass and gets away with way too many travels Now moving on to the Dallas Mavericks we've got two and I think this duo might carry them to a great playoff run
00:14:43
Speaker
And it is Luca Doncic and Christoph Sporzingis. While Luca has been absolutely amazing this season, he might win MVP. That is just amazing.
00:14:59
Speaker
He last season, he was an amazing rookie, one rookie of the year, one of the best rookie seasons since Lebron. And, but when we saw it, we were like, gosh, this guy's going to be a star and we were all right.
00:15:13
Speaker
It was like Patrick of Holmes. After one or two seasons, he's making the Hall of Fame. No doubt about it. Based on how he's played so far, yeah, he's making the Hall of Fame. Um, Luca has really shown that he can carry a team that only has one other superstar besides him.
Grizzlies' Young Stars: Morant & Jackson Jr.
00:15:30
Speaker
And our superstar, I think, will dominate in its Christoph Sporzingis. He's really, really, really surprised people. And, I mean, not because of scoring and all that.
00:15:42
Speaker
because he hasn't got an injured too much. Now he's still got an injured, but if he can stay healthy during the bubble, I think the Mavericks are a real contender to win the finals. Now we go to the Grizzlies. I got two players dominating and it's Jaron Jackson Jr. and Ja Maran. So I think Ja has really, really surprised a lot of people. Really, really surprised. I mean,
00:16:10
Speaker
He came out of Murray's day and they were like, well, he's not playing into any good teams. He's not, he's not going to play well. He's going to average two points per game. And then they see a wall. He's already averaged 17 points per game. And he's probably going to win rookie of the year unless of Zion or Kendrick. None goes ahead of him, which probably won't happen. I mean, that was, this is an incredible performance from genre. I don't know what.
00:16:39
Speaker
What in the world has happened? But I think John Morant has just really surprised a lot of people. And then Jaron Jackson Jr has done the same. I mean, he has really shown that he's a solid power forward that can help carry a team alongside another very good player. And him and John Morant are a very good duo, probably one of the best young duos in the NBA.
Kings' Standout: Buddy Hield
00:17:06
Speaker
Now moving on to the Sacramento Kings. I think they're a good team, but they're not a great team. You know what I mean? I think that that team could make the playoffs, but let's think about some players that could dominate. I only have one though. And that guy is Buddy Heald. Do you know if Fox might dominate? But Buddy Heald has been absolutely amazing from beyond the three point arc. That is just amazing performances.
Trail Blazers' Leaders: Lillard, McCollum & Nurkic
00:17:35
Speaker
And I don't know what
00:17:37
Speaker
you could be thinking if you say that the king's best player is not buddy healed because he has just absolutely carried this team two years in a row and they're in a tie in ninth place they're in a three-way tie so they can just make it to a play and game i think they have a chance at making the eighth season now going to the trail of blazers oh we all know who's dominating it is dame dollars it's dameon lillard and cj mccollum i think could also dominate and jusuf nerkich because he's back back from a big injury that's very very very good but dameon
00:18:22
Speaker
Man, we all know what he can do. He can shoot it from almost half court and make it 50% of the time. He's one of three NBA players, you can do that consistently. And that's Trey Young and Steph Curry, the other ones, and maybe not even Trey Young. But we all know Steph Curry can. And I think he's been a great first man for this Trailblazers team. And then CJ McCollum alongside him is just amazing. But then adding juice of nurcage to the equation. ah I think they're gonna make the playoffs, maybe even get a seven or seat seven or six seed. Probably an eight seed, but they're gonna be dangerous for the Lakers. The Lakers do not want to play the Trailblazers.
Pelicans' Key Players: Williamson & Ingram
00:19:05
Speaker
Now going to the Falcons, we all know who's dominating it. Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, I think. So Zion has been absolutely amazing. He is dunking like a champ. He is super strong.
00:19:21
Speaker
and he can even shoot threes. Is he the first big man since like the 19,000th since Wilt Chamberlain to make threes? I don't know, but he's really impressing a lot of people, even though we all knew that he was great. um And then Brandon Ingram, he has been a surprise. I mean, when you think about it, he came out of nowhere. I mean,
00:19:46
Speaker
He did average 18 points per game, but it was a team with like LeBron James, and then after that, there's no one else. So I think he's really impressed a lot of people, and he also made the All-Star team, so that's very, very, very impressive.
Spurs' Stars: DeRozan & Aldridge
00:20:02
Speaker
Now we go on to the Spurs, this low in the standings for the first time in forever, and it's probably the first time in the Greg Papavicera.
00:20:12
Speaker
but Hank, they have Demarder Rosen and Lamarcus Aldridge dominating. Demarder Rosen, he came on the Kawhi Leonard trade. The only reason why that trade had to happen was because Kawhi Leonard was demanding a trade. So that happened and then Lamarcus Aldridge, he came from Portland. Lamarcus Aldridge is an absolute freak. He had one of his best seasons last year and he's also putting up filthy numbers.
00:20:43
Speaker
He is an all-star caliber player along with Demarto Rosen.
Suns' Leaders: Booker & Ayton
00:20:46
Speaker
And the last team that has two dominating players, I think, like Suns, I think Booker and DeAndre Ayton, will dominate. We all know what Devin Booker can do. He can shoot the three-point shot and beyond from like a champ, like amazing. He was an all-star. He had to replace Damien Lillard after his injury.
00:21:08
Speaker
And then DeAndre Ayton coming back from a suspension this year, and he had really surprised a lot of people, but he did not surprise me. I knew that he was a very good center that would really, really show his talents this season, and he showed his talents. I think that he will become one of the best centers in NBA a history at one point.
Episode Wrap-up & NBA Viewing Encouragement
00:21:29
Speaker
Well, thank you for listening to this episode of Eli Studio Sports. Don't forget to watch some NBA. See you next time.