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The Ultimate NBA Preview: Shock East & West Picks | Awards Race Twisted by Underdogs
10 Plays13 days ago
The MASSIVE NBA Season Preview Is Finally Here – and the Lads are Joined by Michael for Their Boldest, Wildest Predictions Yet! 🏀
It’s that time of year! The lads are breaking down everything you need to know heading into the new NBA season – and they’ve brought in Michael to raise the stakes. Expect chaos, hot takes, and a whole lot of basketball madness.
🏆 Award picks? Covered.
💣 Underdog shockers? Oh yes.
🎯 Playoff locks from both conferences? You bet.
👑 Division champs? Locked in.
🔥 FINALS predictions? You won't believe who they’ve picked to take it all.
And that's not all...
❌ Who’s going to be the absolute WORST team in each conference?
🌶️ Plus: One SCORCHING hot take from each of the crew that might just melt your headphones.
This one is packed, unfiltered, and guaranteed to get fans talking. Strap in – it’s about to get tasty.
👉 Subscribe now and never miss the hottest takes across football, basketball, and beyond!
🎧 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.
💬 Connect with us:
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📩 Send your takes → wgtbpod@gmail.com
🌍 Based in Ireland | Talking global sports weekly
(00:00) Intro
(02:33) MVP Favourites and Underdogs
(09:46) Is Wemby a DPOY shoe in?
(14:30) Who will win NBA Coach of the Year?
(21:00) Our Rookie of the Year Picks
(26:03) The Eastern Conference Play-Off Picture
(32:28) The Western Conference Play-Off Picture
(40:03) East & West Bottom of the Barrel
(44:48) Playoff Predictions: East Finals + Winners
(49:00) Playoff Predictions: West Finals + Winners
(57:20) NBA Finals Winners & Finals MVP Picks
(01:05:35) Our Biggest NBA Hot Takes
(01:12:07) Best Bets for the NBA Season
Recommended
Transcript
Intro and Guest Introduction
00:00:09
Speaker
lads, welcome back to an extra episode of Who's Got the Ball. So this week we're doing our full NBA season preview. Shane and myself are joined by Michael. Absolute pleasure. Thank you for coming on once again, Michael.
00:00:22
Speaker
Thanks for bringing me. You know, I'm here. I'm suited and booted. I'm ready to give you the analysis and the facts that you need. Okay. Michael is on his Stephen A. Smith vibe. If you're watching on YouTube and if you're not, you need to click on.
00:00:37
Speaker
He has got a lovely shirt on him right now. He is ready to rock and roll. Myself and Shane, just in the usual attire, Michael is kind of and making us look silly. Maybe we'll never invite you on again. We'll never know.
00:00:49
Speaker
But yeah, appreciate you for for coming on.
Episode Structure Comparison
00:00:52
Speaker
So the topics we we touched on are kind of similar to the Premier League and NFL season previews, if
Player Awards Discussion
00:00:59
Speaker
you listen to those. But we went through our player award predictions first. So and MVP and and we went for a favorite of ours and an underdog for each one. So MVP, um Defensive Player of the Year, Coach of the Year.
00:01:12
Speaker
and then Rookie of the Year.
Playoff Predictions
00:01:14
Speaker
Then we went with our team predictions. So which teams were going to finish in the playoff spots in the East and in the West, and and who's going to finish bottom of each of those divisions. So that was a nice little extra thrown in there. Sorry to those teams. Then into the playoff predictions.
Finals Matchup Opinions
00:01:30
Speaker
We went into our Eastern finals matchup and our winners Western finals matchup and winners. We both had we all had a different matchup and across the board once it got into the finals. We all had different matchups going into the conference finals. So that was interesting.
00:01:43
Speaker
Gave our finals winners, finals MVP. And then we gave some interesting odds along the way for those if you're fancying a bet.
Hot Takes and Season Bets
00:01:50
Speaker
We finished off with a hot take each. You want to stick around for that one with Michael. He went full Stephen A there. And to be honest, I wasn't too far behind him. And then last up, we had our three best bets each. um And or you'll be beyond surprised to see what the focus of Shane's bets were. Definitely didn't go heavy on the Rockets there at all. but Never even heard of them. Never even heard of them.
00:02:10
Speaker
Let's jump straight into the episode because we've got a lot to get to, so enjoy what's ahead. Alright, so it is that time of the year. We're on to NBA season once again. Seemed like it rolled around very, very quickly, um but you're going to be listening to this. It's going be entering your ears on Tuesday morning.
00:02:26
Speaker
Very late tonight, 12am Irish time, we're going to get the season kicked off, so I hope you're all strapped in and ready to go. We've got... Player award predictions to kick us off. So we're going to start with our MVP choices.
00:02:40
Speaker
And for each section, well, for a number of the individual sections, we're going to give our underdog picks as well. Just for a little bit of something there for you, a bit of interest then for some outside picks. But we'll start with you, Michael, since you are the guest. and We've got MVP pick. Who are you going with for this season?
00:02:59
Speaker
I honestly, think there's only one man for it. It's got to be Jokic. Every time i feel like, especially as a Sixers fan, i feel like this is Embiid's year.
00:03:11
Speaker
He's just so consistently at the top. And even with his lack of athleticism, every year he just does more. And I think an even bigger part of that was...
00:03:23
Speaker
watching the team fall apart in the playoffs, you see how much of that team was flawed, especially on that roster, how much flaws there were and how much he kind of paints over everything. I think the addition of Cam Johnson, then obviously Aaron Gordon being healthy, hopefully for the year.
00:03:41
Speaker
I think it's, a great look for him to be MVP, for him to come back, have great numbers, be one of the top top four seed maybe this year. And I think that's at 3-1 odds.
00:03:55
Speaker
So, I mean, he is at the top, but I think he's the safest bet as well. Yeah, I'm going to jump in here before I throw it to you, Shane, because um I also have Jokic, so i'm just going to add on to that point that Just coming off last season, like if you look at statistically you mentioned, I know you mentioned his value to the team, but last year he had the most points he's ever had per game, 29.6.
00:04:22
Speaker
The most rebounds, second most rebounds, sorry, he's ever had per seat per game in a season with 12.7. The most assists he's ever had in a game per season with 10.2. So he averaged well over a triple double in a number of stats. And then the 10.2 assists, the first time he averaged over 10 assists You're looking at 1.8 steals per game, the most he ever had in a season.
00:04:44
Speaker
And his three-point percentage was the best he'd ever had as well, at 41.7%. And that was shooting more threes than he ever has before. So this guy is just an absolute machine. Like, he won the year before um the MVP, of course.
00:04:59
Speaker
Last year, it does come down to record, I guess, and... I did pick Shea to win it at the start of the year, so I was going to ride that until the end. But, like, the record played into that massively.
00:05:10
Speaker
And I think some of the... coaching situation and different things around the Nuggets probably didn't help Jokic so I think this year is his bounce back time and even if he does his like you know I just listed out how well he performed he doesn't have to do the best he's ever done in every stat but you know even people are so close to that and the Nuggets are like two or three wins even off the top seed then he's gonna definitely take it this year but who have you got Shane?
00:05:39
Speaker
Yeah so I did look at him as well obviously and I just think He's favourite. Well, he's not favourite. Today is the favourite. he is right up there for a reason. But I think this is the year of the Lakers and the changing of the guards.
00:05:53
Speaker
I think what Luka is going to do this year will put him in a really, really strong place to win this. So he's 4-1 as a small bit of an outsider. He's only third favourite. So it's not like I'm really pushing the ball down with this. But I just think if the Lakers are going to...
00:06:08
Speaker
kind of go and do anything, then he's going to be the man that's going to make a massive diction difference from here. So we finished last season in his 28 Lakers start to 28.2 points a game. If he can stay in or around that, then he'll be doing extremely well. That is some going, especially with seven and a half assists on top of it as well. So I just think if it's not going to be Djokic or it's not going to be Shea, then it has to be Luka outside those two then.
00:06:36
Speaker
Yeah, I like that shout because, like you mentioned, the changing of the guard there. That would be like a huge moment, I guess, in the NBA as well. If he does fully take over from LeBron, obviously it is going to be his team going into the future. So...
00:06:52
Speaker
Yeah, I think, and plus he was very close to winning it the year that Jokic did win it. It was under deep consideration, um but obviously Jokic was a different level, so it could be a thing of team success plays into it again. But in terms of underdogs, what have you done with, Shane? We'll stick with you.
00:07:10
Speaker
Another man who, if his team were going to do anything, he's going to be the big one. ah Kevin Durant at is... is It's a shout for reason. I've said this when I said the Jets were good.
00:07:21
Speaker
I'm open to the criticism when it comes. I'll absolutely take it. But I just think it's 60-1. If the Jets can go on and do something conference this year like really, really push themselves far, then he'll be a man that's kind of getting him over the line.
00:07:34
Speaker
So, yeah, so 60-1. His name as well is obviously going to help a long way as well if it comes down to it. So, yeah, Kevin Durant is 60-1. Yeah, I've gone with Anthony Edwards.
00:07:45
Speaker
I think just in general, he's a guy that he's already spectacular, but his defense plays a massive part as it does for Jokic. But Jokic might carry bit more of an offensive load.
00:07:59
Speaker
Anthony Edwards is well capable of doing it on both sides of the ball. He's still so young. He's still able to take another two or three leaps, I would say, over the course of his career. And if this year is a big one, like the story's already coming out that he was in the gym literally the day after they got eliminated and he's been in there ever since.
00:08:18
Speaker
You just know that he's taken this so seriously. So if he takes a big jump, I think at 25-1, it's worth the luck. What about you, Michael? You guys went with much more measured responses than I did. Look, if you're going to go underdog, you just got to go all in.
00:08:34
Speaker
And I went with Paolo Banqueiro. I mean, i feel like the magic, especially with Desmond Bain added... I think they're a prime, at least regular season team.
00:08:46
Speaker
I think they could balloon up to, like, could be a top two seed. And I think a lot of the time when a team jumps, you know, and makes such a big step, you know, in what they're looking to do, a lot of time it's that main man.
00:09:03
Speaker
That's Paolo on that Magic team, you know. think Desmond Bain and Franz Wagner great pieces around him. So, I mean, that's 101 odds. That's a great bit of cash, you know? know I think, like, even if you don't factor in injuries, I think they'll be a great regular season team, at least.
00:09:24
Speaker
Yeah. So, no, I like it. I like the show. So we've got, that's the furthest outside, but I'm surprised it's actually a hundred to one. That's yeah considering how good they could be in the East, um but more on them later, I guess, when we get into our conference picks, because yeah, I've got some things to say about that magic team.
00:09:46
Speaker
So defensive player of the year. I'd be beyond surprised if we didn't all go for the same person here. It's a shoe in pretty much. I think Wemby, he would have won it last year without injuries. He's four to seven.
00:09:57
Speaker
Looking at last year, 3.8 blocks a game, 1.1 steals, 11 boards, and then 46 starts. And yeah, that's on top of everything he's doing on the offensive side. But obviously this is a defensive ward. So do you both have Wemby?
00:10:13
Speaker
Yeah. yeah Yeah. There's no option there. There's no... It feels like some of these awards are just like, you can say whatever you want to try and be controversial or stand out of it, but sometimes you just, you can't stand out without looking like a fool.
00:10:28
Speaker
And this is one of the ones where you really can't stand out without looking like fool. Wemby's going to walk it if he stays fit. Yeah. We have to put it there. i So I think the underdog conversation is probably a more interesting one here.
00:10:40
Speaker
In my opinion, it would have to be when we get injured again so for this to happen. So let's take in then that case. Obviously, you don't want to wish injury upon anyone, but other than and injured, he has to win it. So let's go with you first, Michael. Who's your underdog?
00:10:54
Speaker
Ooh, my underdog, I love him. It's Tumani Camera ah for the Blazers. He's got an extensive list of the coolest nicknames I've ever heard. The Shadow, The Box.
00:11:09
Speaker
What's... I can't remember his third one, but two of the coolest nicknames I've ever heard. And i mean, at the end of the season last year, Portland Trail Blazers were a top five defense in the league.
00:11:22
Speaker
They've just added Drew Holiday and probably their weakest defender, who, in my opinion, was Anthony Simons. I mean, Shaden Sherp has the potential to be a great defender, especially with his athleticism. So, I mean, you look at that team,
00:11:39
Speaker
Even if that team is a six seed, they could be top five in defense. And if he's the kind of generator in the middle, the tax collector, that's his third nickname. If he can be the tax collector of that team against everyone else.
00:11:55
Speaker
I think he's got a really, really good 275 to one. Wow. it's It's another... i feel like it's so low.
00:12:07
Speaker
But... It's worth it. I think that's worth a look. Like, if you're thinking, like, the same thing that could have happened last year, to be honest. I think it's definitely worth a look. And my player that I've gone with is, I guess, under your...
00:12:23
Speaker
argument i don't want to assume anything, but I'm guessing it's like you're considering the team with one of the best defenses. You're going to pick the best defensive player on that team. and Sometimes that comes into play. So I've gone the same way, and that's why I've gone with Dyson Daniels.
00:12:38
Speaker
I just think that this Hawks defense is going to be unfair. Like him and Nikhil Alexander-Walker on the court at the same time is just going to be absolute torture for anyone that's trying to come through that paint and trying to literally do anything of the sort.
00:12:54
Speaker
And looking at last year, he had three steals per game in 76 starts. They were missing some of their best players. No Jalen Johnson. He's another factor that's going to play into this defense. Their defense is going to be probably the best in the East, maybe up there anyway with the Magic and and the Pistons are going to fight for that as well. But I think he's going to be the one that puts the most stats up and continue to start on this team and shine for them. So that's 25 to 1.
00:13:19
Speaker
um So that was my pick there. We've got you, Shane. but What do you think? Yeah, so I've put down two, I thought it would be unfair to put down one twin without mentioning the other as well. So I've gone for Eamon and Osair Thompson, 16-1 and 60-1. Eamon's defensive stats last year were 8.1 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.3 steals across to go across the season.
00:13:46
Speaker
A-star then was 5, just under 1 and just over 1. So the two of them have been really, really good defensively. Especially with if the Rockets are going to do what I really hope they're going to do. He's going to have a big, big part to play.
00:13:58
Speaker
And if he's not going to win MVP, then they should give him the defensive player of the year for when we go and walk every single match and finish with a non-beaten record.
00:14:10
Speaker
Big talk. But yeah, no, he is a good he is a good player, good defender. But Assar is a good shout because he took, like obviously he had those blood clot issues and now he kind of trickled slowly back into this team and the Pistons defense is unbelievably good. So that's another shout of a strong defender on a strong defensive team.
00:14:29
Speaker
So we've got that locked up. We've got our MVP locked up. Let's give the coaches some pop here. Coach of the year favorite. I'm going to go first this time because this is a team that...
00:14:41
Speaker
It kind of falls into my last point. This is a team that's going to be defensively excellent and they're going to take such a jump from what they've done in the last few years, in my opinion. And that's going going to be the Atlanta Hawks. So i've gone with Quinn Snyder.
00:14:54
Speaker
He's 15 to two here. I just love the roster that the Hawks have. Like not going to be What they had last season, kind of the core of Trae Young. I know Jalen Johnson was injured, but he was there.
00:15:07
Speaker
You had Rhys Hachet, Okongwu as an option, Dyson Daniels. But then to go into this offseason and add Christaps Porzingis and Nikhil Alexander-Walker, Luke Kennard is another good piece.
00:15:20
Speaker
I just think, add all that, you've got Zachary Rees as Shea, still probably, they'd be hoping for him to take another jump and continue to develop over time, which I think is, it was important to get in Chris Tapps, maybe to lighten that load on him a little bit.
00:15:34
Speaker
So, all in all, I think this team will be incredibly strong and When a team is strong and they take a big jump, the coach usually gets looked at favourably. mean, he is a very good coach already, but this will probably allow him to take a jump into being considered for this award, I think.
00:15:52
Speaker
So I'll throw it to you next, Shane. So I've actually gone with the favorites for this award um with the bookies in ah Mosley of the land of the Magic. I just think they're going to come on leaps and bounds this year. And if they they get anywhere close to kind of the level they're looking at, they get a top five, top 60. He's definitely going to be in the conversation.
00:16:12
Speaker
He's favored for a reason. I couldn't keep going with Rockets, s lads. So I didn't want put Aimeidoka in here as well. So I've just kind of pushed the boat out and gone with the favorites. Yeah, Michael, have you gone any different from either of us?
00:16:26
Speaker
if I actually have Imei Yudoka written down here and scribbled out and Quinn Snyder written above And it's been like that for about two hours because I feel like I am on the same train as you. We had our basketball draft yesterday.
00:16:42
Speaker
Dyson Daniels has been one of my higher picks and it's looking great. I think that team put together... I mean, with all the pieces they have, like you said, they should be a top defensive team. And can we not forget that Trey Young, the Midas touch of an offense, he is just going to be a wizard up there doing whatever he wants on that team.
00:17:08
Speaker
I think... I'm on the same page as you, Quinn Snyder, I feel like for me has to be the favorite. I know the Magic look also to be a top seed, but I think the quick turnaround of the Hawks, whereas the Magic have kind of been building.
00:17:22
Speaker
Yeah, the big jump always plays a massive part in it, I think. But I think another look at somebody then who could make a big jump is... kind of fallen back in again to your defensive mention um you went to it to manny kamara i'm going as coach as my underdog so i'm going with chancy billups here i was surprised he was 41 because i think the blazers are a make a leap candidate here and if everything goes right their roster is much improved um and they've got some more veterans in there
00:17:55
Speaker
Justice at the tone. Dame Lillard, I know he's injured, but being back on the team is a big big thing for morale and helps the coach out no end. and So I think that Billups is going to be someone in a lot of consideration for this. even if If the team even makes it like to an eighth seed, he has to be strongly considered, I think. So um what do you guys make of the Billups show?
00:18:19
Speaker
I mean, ah definitely ah definitely see that also possibly happening. But for me personally, my underdog has got to be Joe Mazzoula.
00:18:30
Speaker
i think I think the Celtics could creep into the playoffs without their best player. And no team I think they're going to give credit to the coach. Well, I don't know. Jason Tatum might show up after Christmas like a birthday present.
00:18:44
Speaker
like like
00:18:47
Speaker
I just think even... i just think there's no way Joe Masula is letting that Celtics team be bottom four of that conference. you know And if he... I think in the Eastern Conference, he could coach his way to a six seed if Anthony Simons does the jump that he wants him to in a kind of winning environment instead of the last few years of the Trailblazers.
00:19:13
Speaker
And... So, I mean, that's 13 to 1. i mean, all of my all of my underdogs are crazy, but at least I might make something if one of them hit.
00:19:26
Speaker
I see the vision on that being possible because if it does happen, it's going to have to be credit for him because... Yeah, like the team does not look good right now on paper. Like their centre rotation is pretty woeful viewing. So if he does something there, i understand the view. But Shane, then what about you to wrap up the coach conversation?
00:19:50
Speaker
So I'd let myself be influenced by the time we had a chat a couple of weeks back or a month or so ago. and that Do you think the 76ers are going to be... top seed and Nick Nurse at 22 to 1 if they're going to do what you think they're going to do and I think they're going to be crap and they all of a sudden being very good he'll be in the conversation I think at 22 to 1 just really good odds I'm really starting to give your teams too much credit now last week Kevin the giants in my power rankings and this week have your coaching as the underdog coach of the year. So we'll have we'll have to leave it there now, but I think 22 to one, I just think is a really, really good bet.
00:20:27
Speaker
If he can keep, he can keep the big boys face and they can win upwards of 40 games, then he'd have to be in the conversation. No, I like it. But obviously both myself and Michael would be happy to hear that choice. um And just on leaving it there for my team's absolutely no chance. Let's get to Thursday's episode on Man United defeating Liverpool as the main topic of conversation. There was no football at the weekend. I don't know much you're talking about.
00:20:53
Speaker
but Anyway, let's keep on track with the NBA stuff. We've got one more player award to go through here. So we're going to hit rookie of the year. Again, I find the underdog conversation more interesting here.
00:21:05
Speaker
Unless any of you have gone away from Cooper flag for your favorite. But I have flagged. No, I have flagged. Yeah, Michael's head shown as well. So we're gone. All flag shoe in here at 8 to 15.
00:21:19
Speaker
Just the level of him coming out of college and... how good he already looks to be and how good he will be. It's without a doubt. It's only if somebody else really shines that they could take this or God forbid, an injury, as we already mentioned in the Wemby situation. We don't want to see that. But let's give the underdog conversation a go then, Shane. I'll throw it to you first. Who have you got?
00:21:39
Speaker
Yeah, I've gone for Ace Bailey at 9-1. Not allowed coming out of college full of confidence. Looks really, really good. Last year, he played 30 games in his only only a year of college basketball.
00:21:52
Speaker
Seven rebounds, two assists, and 17.5 points per game. he's like I know he's going to drop a little bit, but he's not going to fall out of face the face of the earth and just become another duds in the space of three months. I think at 9-1, now it is going Cooper flag, but if it's not and you're looking for someone to just kind of this kind of place your hat on, then Ace Bailey is a good shout there.
00:22:15
Speaker
Yeah, I think that Bailey is not a bad show at all because the Jazz would probably let him kind of do what he wants. Yeah, absolutely. If they do want to tank, unless they're, for some reason, you know, changing their idea. But I think they're still continuing to probably allow the team to, like, experiment with different things. And the long-term contract the coach is under, like, he can kind of...
00:22:38
Speaker
you know, do it anymore. That's a possibility, but I've gone with Dylan Harper, um, 12 to one. I just think that in a world where the Spurs find out that Harper is their, their man for the future and it's not going to be Castle and it's not going to be Darren Fox. If he's the one that shines, even if he's doesn't statistically put up as much as those who are,
00:23:03
Speaker
is a little bit better than Castle, a little bit less than Fox statistically or minutes-wise. I think as the season rolls on, if Harper does kind of cement himself as the more permanent guy to feed Wemby and maybe perform strongly with the bench unit initially,
00:23:20
Speaker
If the Spurs do well this season, then he should be under consideration. And I think 12 to 1 is a bit steep. um I think it it should be a little bit. It's just all swayed because flag is money on. So you're getting decent odds outside of it. So if you did want an underdog, I think I like Harper here. But let's throw it to you, Michael, then.
00:23:38
Speaker
Guys, I told you all of my underdog picks are absolutely insane. Okay? So, I didn't go Vijay Edcom. I've actually went away from most, like, Sixers love picks because I don't want to be blindsided.
00:23:52
Speaker
So, I've just thrown dart at the board and I've thought about it a lot. I think Igor Dimin on the Nets in the one-off chance that Cooper Flagg gets hurt. Like you said,
00:24:06
Speaker
like I think it's also underrated how and NBA ready this guy is. He's been training, I mean, there's clips on YouTube of him training with professionals for like three years now.
00:24:19
Speaker
And he was on the USA Select team. But I think the Nets were so bad last year and were so low on playmaking, any sort of playmaking or passing or whatever.
00:24:33
Speaker
I think if he can have his shooting be a little bit better than what it was in college and just have it be respectable, He could be averaging like nine assists a game if they just chuck him out there for 30 minutes.
00:24:49
Speaker
um And he's got Cam Thomas and Michael Porter Jr. on his right and left. He might have to rip the ball out of Cam Thomas's hands if he wants to. but But they yeah, I see the point that he's probably the best choice out of all their their multiple first rounders.
00:25:06
Speaker
Yeah, i just I just think with like Ace Bailey and that Jazz team, i don't know, sometimes like there's so many players there that they let do whatever they want.
00:25:17
Speaker
It might start to feel a bit crowded. And Vijay Edgkomb, I can't help but feel that that starting seven once McCain comes back is going to be...
00:25:29
Speaker
that key seven rotation is going to be short as well. And if he's not immediately ready, which he looks pretty ready, he looks it. ah He could suffer a little bit. So, I mean, eager to min 150 to one.
00:25:43
Speaker
Chuck a tenner. A tenner, man. Come on. Do your there. lose
00:25:51
Speaker
Yeah, so that's that's our lovely ended on it on a crazy note there. One of the most outrageous picks, but we love that. So that's our all our player performance. Let's get into the juicy bit now. Let's get into how which teams we think are going to make the playoffs.
00:26:08
Speaker
um which teams we think are then from there going to, you know, go all the way. Um, but we'll start off with our Eastern conference team playoffs. So we're just going to ignore play, play in teams for here. Let's, let's just, who's going to end up in the one to eight seeds, regardless of how it goes into playing.
00:26:26
Speaker
Um, um, I think to start off, I'm just going to say we should all have Cavs, Knicks, Magic and Pistons. I'm going to say those points. Yeah, so we're all in agreement there.
00:26:39
Speaker
We'll just nail those four on. Now, when we get to the West, I think there's a a lot more variability because there's so many good teams. But for here, I think those four are just shooting. um And I'm going to throw it to you first, Michael, to go from there. What other four teams do you have?
00:26:55
Speaker
My next four teams are Hawks, Sixers, Heat and Celtics. ah money I have the exact same eight as Michael.
00:27:11
Speaker
There's no way. The exact same eights. In a different order, what the exact same eights. That outrageous. Oh my gosh. So Shane hasn't learned from his hate comments on YouTube saying that he's completely wrong on the Celtics. But I've not got the Celtics. I've not got the Celtics.
00:27:30
Speaker
Can I ask you all one thing here? Who's the best player in the East? Who's the best player in the East? Just right now? Forget it. Like Embiid is, I know, is injury prone. He's probably the most talented.
00:27:43
Speaker
But over the last number of years, who has it been? It's been Giannis. It's been Giannis. And neither you pick them to get into the playoffs is crazy work.
00:27:55
Speaker
Like, I think that the Bucs are definitely going to get a spot. He's not going to leave. he's not He's not... I don't think he's one of those guys that is going to, in season, try to blow the team up.
00:28:06
Speaker
He's too nice of a guy and he doesn't really play the thing the same way the American guys do with, like, forcing out things and sitting out. I think he could do it at the end of the season, yeah, if things go wrong. But he's going to give this a go.
00:28:18
Speaker
They've got Myles Turner there now. Let's see how that works out. I'm not going to say they're going to win like 50 games, but this East is very weakened and I think they're definitely going to get in. I should also say i agree with both of you on the Sixers and Hawks. I've got both of them and I think Hawks are a shoe in.
00:28:37
Speaker
Sixers, health dependent, I think they're going to be a very good team if they keep healthy. And then my last spot is I'm also going on a team that's injury hit. I'm going with the Pacers.
00:28:48
Speaker
I think they don't step away from getting to the finals by literally missing the playoffs by a margin to the likes of the Heat and the Celtics. The Celtics team is completely destroyed, dismantled.
00:29:04
Speaker
I actually think that some of the options that the Pacers have still that didn't get as many minutes last season, The likes of Benedict Matherin, the likes of Andrew Nembhard actually handling the ball more, which we saw him do in the playoffs and look pretty good at it.
00:29:18
Speaker
The likes of Obi Toppin. These guys are very solid players. And I don't think that they're going to take that much of a drop off the face of the earth because Halliburton is injured. They're going to play a different way.
00:29:32
Speaker
But they're still going to get enough wins to get in the playoffs for me. And I like the odd was on them to get in. They're 27 to 20. I think they have quite a strong chance to get into the playoffs. But what do you guys think?
00:29:44
Speaker
I have no real issues with what you're going with. I do think if we were doing a play-in here, if we were adding the play-in teams, that I would have those two firmly in there. like They would absolutely be in in in a top 10 for me.
00:29:57
Speaker
I just think the Celtics are just so used to winning. fact I just don't see them falling off about just clearly the that you do. Who's used to winning for them? Who's used to winning for them? Drew Holiday...
00:30:08
Speaker
Jason Payton, Al Horford, they don't have any of those guys anymore. Yeah, but I think more is an organisation in themselves. Their fans will demand performances and when they're playing at home.
00:30:21
Speaker
They'll demand the three-pointers, they'll demand everything. Now, maybe I could be completely wrong and all the faceless accounts on TikTok could be very, very righty or bus. I just don't see it at all, to be honest.
00:30:33
Speaker
I just, I mean, i'm i'm with you as well. i was really thinking about the paces going up, but I think i think the big thing about the Bucs, the reason why I left them out, which I think was a huge thing that I didn't really elaborate on, Giannis has been getting more and more short-tempered.
00:30:51
Speaker
As the years have went by. And even this offseason, he was saying, like, he wants some changes to happen. They trade Dame. picked up Miles Turner. And then, I mean, i think two and a half, three weeks ago, we're hearing whispers now about him talking about buying a house in Greece and doing all this other stuff, even though they just picked up both of the Antetokounmpo brothers.
00:31:13
Speaker
I mean... Regardless of everything they did this summer, he's still talking to people around him about the option of him leaving. And I think there's a chance that... like the first two and a half months of this season go really bad for the Bucs.
00:31:31
Speaker
And he starts ringing the fire alarm, you know, internally. I don't think he would come out and start bashing the the org. But I think after a trade by December or something, you will probably hear whispers come out that he was not happy for the first half of the season.
00:31:49
Speaker
So I just feel like the Bucs have almost like, They've tried their hardest. and done everything that they could for him. And i think I think he's grateful for that.
00:32:00
Speaker
So that's why I don't see that happening to the extent we're used to see it happening with American players, as I mentioned. didn't the Players that have come from Europe and other countries have never really done that thing that American players have done.
00:32:15
Speaker
and kind of demanded this is this is what's happening, whether I'm under contract or not. That's why I just struggled to kind of see it. But I get your point that if that does happen, then the books probably do fall away, but I don't think it will.
00:32:28
Speaker
So let's move on then to our West playoff teams. I think we'll we'll give all of our picks here. ah i think there's a few that will definitely match up across the board, but there is a few that are a little bit more difficult. So I'll let you go first, Michael, here. What what have you got as your eight?
00:32:46
Speaker
My A going through is Thunder at the top, then ah Nuggets, Timberwolves, Rockets, Grizzlies, Lakers. And then you might hear some crazy stuff.
00:32:59
Speaker
I've got the Spurs and the Clippers. Oh, it's not i too crazy. It's not too crazy, but the Warriors missing out for you. The Warriors missing out.
00:33:11
Speaker
I think... Betting on an old team. And I know the Clippers also is kind of crazy, but I like John Collins and I think Zubac is a fantastic center for them.
00:33:24
Speaker
So I think they kind of have... I think Bradley Beal is also going to add a lot, but the Warriors are... elderly... They are. They are elderly.
00:33:34
Speaker
But the Clippers are so old as well. And I would rather ban an elderly Steph than an elderly James Harden. I need it. True. But I...
00:33:46
Speaker
I think so many people, I mean, i think Horford's waiting to fall off of Cliff. Anytime he's not in the Celtics, like scheme, he has been horrible for like the last four years outside of like a little bit with o OKC. And even after that, one picked him up other than the Celtics.
00:34:06
Speaker
So like it's I think it's prime for him to come in, have 20 minutes a game for a month and then be horrible. And then people starting to get injured. And the Warriors, like they've done the last three years, have completely failed to put a team around Steph, completely failed to build out depth on the team.
00:34:24
Speaker
And ah I think they miss it altogether. i would um I'm pushing back on that because I'm never going to go against like a Steph-led team. And I think what they've actually done have another... i know the last time Jimmy Butler has played like more than 60 games or in a season was back with the Bulls.
00:34:42
Speaker
um So this is a long time. He's going to miss time but regardless. Steph... Probably will miss time. But I think the two of them together with Draymond, I know you argued against Horford, but I do think that it's a better option than Kevon Looney.
00:34:57
Speaker
He was running out of road there with that team. Personally, I think that they did as much as they could with him over the years. And I like the other pieces they have.
00:35:08
Speaker
Like Pajemski, probably falls out of the starting rotation, to be honest, for Buddy Heald because he was poor last year. and pre-season, he's looked atrocious again. So Buddy Heald and Jimmy have a nice thing going too, which I like. And then Seth Curry, he was always a Warriors player. He should have been there a long time ago.
00:35:25
Speaker
He fills it up. He plays off the bench. she plays hard. So... I have them in, but I know I said about the elderly Clippers, I have no problem with it. I have no problem with i'm just saying I would rather that the Warriors than the Clippers, but I still have those Clippers in there.
00:35:40
Speaker
I've got them, and the team that I left out that you selected is the Spurs. I just think there's too much more talent and kind of know-how on other teams.
00:35:54
Speaker
Maybe the Grizzlies could be one that the consensus would be to drop them out. But I'm on the same boat as you, as we had a chat about when when you came on a couple of weeks ago. I really like them. And six to four for them to get into the playoffs, I like that a lot. So I think they have a good chance. So I think my total list is Thunder, Nuggets, Rockets, Lakers, Timberwolves, Warriors, Clippers and Grizzlies. But Shane...
00:36:16
Speaker
What have you got? Have you gone similarly to us or any spanners thrown in there? Yeah, I'm pretty similar. I don't know if I'd call it a spanner, but I was kind of very stuck between the Spurs and the Maverick, and i I have put the Maverick in as my eighth seed here.
00:36:29
Speaker
I have the Thunder, Rockets, Nuggets, Timberwolves, Clippers, Lakers, Warriors, and Maverick as my top ace. i I actually found the West easier than the East pick, which a bit mad because to the East is just kind of, it looks like it's just all there and should all just be so easy to pick, but...
00:36:46
Speaker
I just think there is a lot of good teams in the West, but there's a lot of them that are you're just like, yeah, you're a playing team at best. It's what you're going to be for the next couple of years. I just found choosing between the Spurs and the Mavericks was my only issue here. I think the rest them, the Clippers, didn't even think twice about it. Same with Warriors. I know you're both saying about them elderly, but...
00:37:03
Speaker
No, they're theyre they're two really good teams. They're going to win enough games to get a year into a top eight. I have the Rockets at seconds over the Nuggets. That's definitely nothing to do with Bias. Other than that, yeah, not much more to say. I think we're all fairly similar. i think it says a lot about both sides.
00:37:21
Speaker
um I just think this one is far more competitive than the other side is. And I'll be saying this all year long, especially the Chops when we talk about the Knicks. I'll be telling him about how his division is far easier and than ours is, so he can't really talk to me.
00:37:33
Speaker
Yeah, it's true. it is it is true. It is a lot easier. And that's why looking at this and doing this, I've always thought this way over the last few years, but especially now more than ever, I thought, like, thank God this Sixers team is bouncing back in an East and not in a West because I don't i would be way less confident that they make the playoffs.
00:37:51
Speaker
But you left out the Grizzlies, did you? Yeah. Yeah, I think that is interesting. But I do think that that's more... Probably the consensus having lost Bain, but I still really like them.
00:38:03
Speaker
And I like them more than the Mavericks and the Spurs, in my opinion. I think Mavericks and Spurs are around that playing point. And the the Blazers are not too far off that either for me. Yeah, I just think there's always so much turmoil in Memphis because of what Jamaranta's doing. Now they've gotten rid of Desmond Bain as well. I think they're due a year where they just kind of hit the long whittle of the road and dawned really don't really set any world in life. And I think it might be this year. Now, it wouldn't surprise me that all of them came out and they finished...
00:38:34
Speaker
yeah Yeah, I suppose. yeah Last year wasn't their best either, but I just don't see them bouncing back too quickly. They were 48 and 34 last year. They were 8 games above the Kings and the Mavericks, so it is big jump for either those teams to knock them out.
00:38:50
Speaker
I just don't think it's going to be the same eight again ah this time next year as it was this time last year. I just feel like the Grizzlies are too talented to not make the playoffs. But I think they're... I mean, unless they prove me wrong halfway through the year or just a first-round exit, like you said, they just...
00:39:13
Speaker
i I think I like a lot of their pieces, but ah can anybody sit here and really envision them in the Western Conference Finals? Like they need something to change. And I think Desmond Bain was not the choice.
00:39:30
Speaker
But also, as I mentioned on that episode we did, I think now is the time for Ja and Jaron Jackson Jr. to kind of really be like, grab this team by the throat and be like, this is our vision. This is what we're doing now. They trusted us.
00:39:46
Speaker
Let's show now what we're going to do. So I think in six months time, it could be, oh yeah, now this is a team we could see getting to the Western Conference Finals. But on paper, without Bain, it is, I agree, it is kind of harder to see that.
00:40:00
Speaker
So those are our teams for each of the runs. Let's end on a looking at the team predictions with a little look at who we have ranked bottom in each conference before we move on to our playoff chat.
00:40:13
Speaker
So who have you got as bottom in the East and bottom in the West, Michael?
00:40:22
Speaker
Bottom in the East? I have...
00:40:28
Speaker
I'm right in between the Wizards and the Nets. And I'm i'm leaving it until the last minute. But i I want to say the Wizards. I actually feel a bit better about the Nets than the Wizards. crazy.
00:40:40
Speaker
ah Just because the Nets have decided to go experience scorer Michael Porter Jr. And then pick five rookies that can pass the ball. And they're praying that something happens.
00:40:53
Speaker
I think something's got to stick. And they've just got to be better than the worst team. I think this now the worst team... but I actually think that there's more talent in the veteran level and the rookie level on the Wizards.
00:41:08
Speaker
and my I kind of like the Wizards and I like some of the pieces as well, but I will never like, at least the Nets had that like bump year with Katie Harden and Kyrie.
00:41:21
Speaker
The Wizards have always like, I have a feeling like Jordan Poole is going to have a great year and with the Pelicans this year. And it's just going to show that the Nets organization like, and not the Nets, the Wizards organization might just be really, really bad.
00:41:39
Speaker
But we'll see. hopefully Hopefully it's wrong and they bring themselves out of the depths. Well, you can take from my argument that I had the Nets. Shane, who did you go with? I went with neither of those teams. I went with the Hornets.
00:41:53
Speaker
but They finished last season with 9-1 of their last 10. im They were only one game above the Wizards. I just think they're atrocious. I really do. I think they're atrocious. I think the Nets, even though they are absolutely abysmal, just think that they'll always find a way to win enough games. Like they beat the Rockets last year in ridiculous shootout. They can go and do that maybe one game of 10 and they can very easily get to the 25-26 wins again that kind of shoots them up the table bit.
00:42:19
Speaker
I just don't see where the Hornets are getting their wins from. um i think they're going to have an awful struggle all year, so I've damaged my bottom in the East. I just like the Knoppel pick and I also like Brandon Miller a lot, so that just deterred me from it. But apart from that, yeah, they have no centres, so it's hard to make some plum leaf. might Yeah, rocket points right to the bottom. and But let's stick with you then. Who have you got with the West chain as your bottom seed?
00:42:45
Speaker
The Jazz are going to continue propping up to the division next year. Yeah, I'm going with the Jazz too. Yeah, they're just useless. I think they want to be useless, but then they never get the first pick in the lottery, so have to keep being useless until they eventually get the first pick in the lottery and get themselves a Cooper flag or an Ace Bailey or something. The year they it is going to probably be the worst year ever coming out of college. I know, yeah.
00:43:10
Speaker
It's going to be the Rockets' second bottom to the the the year they get it then or something. Who have you got then, Michael, for this? Stop. i am I wrote off... It was really interesting writing down the playoff teams. I went one to six, and then I couldn't fit in the last two.
00:43:26
Speaker
So I wrote in the next eight teams, or whatever, and I was like, oh, I'm missing a team. Who's supposed to be at the bottom? And then I just wrote jazz, l LOL, right there at the bottom.
00:43:40
Speaker
And that's my pick. i love some of their pieces on their team. Seems like a big black hole of nothing going on though. So I'm just not going to trust it. There's no reason to trust it. I don't, I think probably of all the teams in the West, you could argue about different things to yourself about each one of them, something positive.
00:44:02
Speaker
To be honest, For me, the sons are pretty close to this point as well, because it's so hard to see things working, but they have enough good pieces. And this is a more let's see with them because they have a lot of pieces. The jazz have nothing. So has to be the jazz here. But one thing i wanted to go back on.
00:44:19
Speaker
I forgot to mention, i think the Celtics to miss the playoffs at three to two is decent if you want to add it in with something else. um So that was another nice odds that I had. But let's move on to the big one, the playoff predictions.
00:44:34
Speaker
We're going to go through our conference finals matchups and winners, and then we'll move on to the NBA a finals winners and our finals MVP as well before we wrap up with something fun then for you at the end.
00:44:47
Speaker
So playoff predictions. We'll start in the East as we did already. We'll throw it to you first, Shane. Who have you got in the east Eastern Conference Finals who have you got winning? The Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks and the Magic um for me. I ah just think the Knicks are going to come on a lot stronger than they did last year. They were really, really good towards the end of last year.
00:45:07
Speaker
The Knicks to win it is 7-2 and they'll beat the Magicks in the final. How many games do you think that will go if you had it? Oh, go six anyway, if not to a game seven.
00:45:19
Speaker
Well, I'm going to run off the back of that because I have the exact same matchup. I have Knicks and Magic as well. I think the Knicks probably the best offensive team, the Magic the best defensive team. And I've said it before when we talked about the Knicks and when we talked about other teams in the East, when they will come unstuck is playing a physical team that pushes them so hard.
00:45:39
Speaker
Like they nearly came unstuck against the Pistons last year. i think this Magic team... has the makings of a finals team now with Desmond being added and they have so much talent and I think they have an excellent coach as well so I'm going with the magic to win it in six and take the East
00:45:58
Speaker
oh guys I have ah I've got the Knicks But I have the Hawks. Now, I was in between the Hawks and the Sixers because the homer part of me is like, this is the year.
00:46:15
Speaker
It's just going to set us up for failure. deep That's exactly why I didn't do it. So if it happens, I'm just pleasantly surprised. But like deep down inside, just know I really wanted to pick the Sixers. But I picked the Hawks.
00:46:28
Speaker
And that is 90% of the reason that i have Trey Young's name written on my heart. Okay. I think this is another Western Conference finals minimum.
00:46:41
Speaker
Like this team is, I'm so high on this team, on Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels. I mean, they, like you said, they got Chris Stapps as well. ah I think it's Knicks Hawks.
00:46:53
Speaker
I think it goes seven. I think ah on top of that, that might be the most entertaining Eastern Conference finals we'll ever have, ever. that would be amazing.
00:47:06
Speaker
See Trey Young in the garden. ah It would be, and brunson Brunson responding right back this time. The Knicks having someone who can go toe-to-toe with Trae Young yeah is just going to be so entertaining.
00:47:19
Speaker
The optics of these two point guards going up against each other. But I do have the, well, I had the Knicks winning originally, but all of that pressure now.
00:47:30
Speaker
There's no way the Knicks win. So it's got to be the Hawks going into the finals. Eight to one odds. There's no... Think about it. The Giants just lost that game yesterday, and I nearly went to sleep because I thought they were just going to Anything can happen.
00:47:44
Speaker
It's New York. Anything can happen. But New York winning the... Going to the finals? Probably not going to happen. Yeah, thanks i I see the Knicks as a team that just won't make it past the Eastern Conference Finals because that's that is why I picked the Magic to win because I just saw...
00:48:01
Speaker
the Knicks and i I, envisioned it. I envisioned them getting to the final Eastern conference finals. They are going to be so happy over in New York. They're going to be on the streets. And then ah just see things going very wrong.
00:48:13
Speaker
I just can't. And their coach as well, like Mike Brown, he doesn't strike confidence into me. Um, at that level i'm sorry but i just think i wanted to go here i wanted to go magic hawks and first of all the first thing i put in was like sixers and then i was like no and put the curse on them yeah let's change so i went magic hawks in my head and then i went no i can't pick two teams that need to take a large jump so i was like i'm gonna go with the magic i think they're more likely but i love the hawks show too and it's a brave one so
00:48:51
Speaker
We've got Shane. I like this so far. Shane's got the Knicks in the and the NBA Finals. I've got the Magic. Mike's got the the Hawks. So let's move on then to the West.
00:49:02
Speaker
We'll go to you first, Michael. Who is your matchup and who is your winner? Shane, you're going love this. My matchup is Thunder Rockets. Because I think, you know, we going back through the Western playoff teams, and I really couldn't put the Rockets top three seed.
00:49:25
Speaker
But... I would not want to play him in the playoffs. That seems like I'm so high on so many of their pieces. think Jabari Smith Jr. is great. I think Jalen Green getting removed was the best thing they could have done.
00:49:38
Speaker
I'm really upset for you about the Fred Van Vliet loss. That is heartbreaking. But you cross your fingers that Reed Shepard got enough experience last year and M.M. Thompson can make a bit of a playmaking jump this year as well.
00:49:54
Speaker
And then you're fine. i mean, especially in the playoffs, it's just going to be Dane deadly. And that's why I'm picking the Thunder 6-5. There's no way anyone's beating them. It's like the Celtics when they won the Cup.
00:50:08
Speaker
They're just going to be top two seed, then they're going to walk into the finals, and then they're going to kill whoever's in the other side. That's what's happening. You did the Pat McAfee, like, lined it up as if you were going to pick his team and then just... Sorry, man. Sorry, man.
00:50:24
Speaker
I have the shirt on and everything. Oh Shane, what have you got Shane? We'll throw it to you after that. Gut wrenching speech. The exact same as him ah to be honest. The whole the way down to the Thunder winning it at 6-5. I do think the Hawks will get there.
00:50:39
Speaker
They're just not the best team in that conference, the Thunderer. I just backed the Thunder to do it over six or seven games. think they'll just have enough know-how to just, unfortunately, just end my year in heartbreak. But if we got to a conference finals, I would be over the moon with that, to be honest, as kind of the first step after all the effort of tanking put in for couple of years to just finally get there would just be great. And then just push on the year after. Durant's last year of his contract, then CP can go on and win it, then, in 2027.
00:51:08
Speaker
I know we had that chat last week. We had the Rockets as one of our teams and I did mention that, you know, I don't think it will be this year, but that's not to say it won't be over the coming years. And I've kind of envisioned that and that's why I've gone with the Thunder and Nuggets in the finals.
00:51:26
Speaker
I just think they're the best two teams in the West. And this is not to say to draw anger or anything like that, but the Rockets are a team that, whether wrong or right, it's just going to be a fact that a lot of other teams will want to play them in this in this playoff picture.
00:51:45
Speaker
The same way the the Warriors wanted to play them last year. It's just there is a formula there to beat them. Now, whether KD takes that away... and Van Vliet comes back in time for the playoffs, then it's a different story. But from the outlook right now, i think teams will want to play against them. And I do think that the Thunder and Nuggets are both stronger.
00:52:06
Speaker
i love what the Nuggets have done. Cam Johnson is just a huge upgrade on MPJ. They've brought him in. A joke of a trade. I don't know what the Nets are doing there. Valanciunas is a very solid centre-backup, even though he did want to go play in Europe. He's there now, so he's going to be the backup.
00:52:23
Speaker
You've got Christian Braun still there. I think somebody else between Peyton Watts and Zeke Nagy and Julian Strother will take at least some sort of a step, one of them. Outside of that, you brought Bruce Brown back. You've got Tim Hardaway Jr. who can shoot at times.
00:52:38
Speaker
And then the main core, Jokic. We all had him very high. We'd all chatted about him highly earlier on. And then Aaron Gordon and... and ah Jamal Murray you've got a team there that already won a championship and it's it's more improved so I just think the Nuggets are going to do it this time I think they're going to win in seven them I see them bringing the Thunder to seven in an unbelievable series I think the Thunder will grow again this year but I just think the Nuggets have done enough to actually win it this time once it gets to a game seven they've primed themselves and they're ready for it
00:53:13
Speaker
Yeah, so the thing the hope for me on this is that somehow the Thunder and the Nuggets have to play each other before they get to meet in the final. So if that means Nuggets have to finish in 5-8 range, or I don't know how it's going to work. But I just and just need some sort of miracle where one of them has to knock out the other one and the Rockets have a free ride through with the other side. so um I think it will be between those three.
00:53:35
Speaker
I think they're both fair shouts. If Anidia had said anything involving those three teams, then there's nothing really you can... complain about because they're there I think they are probably heads and shoulders above the rest them but there's so many teams on this side that would go into the other side and absolutely walk through and get to the finals in their own right so it is it's a really really competitive division so we'll have to wait and see how things go but I just I just I think Rockets making that step to get to her conference finals this year will just be incredible and it'll be a really enjoyable season the whole way through until we lost to game seven as well so
00:54:08
Speaker
Yeah, it's all I want. Just a year of happiness from one of my teams. Yeah, i I didn't really realize, just to come to Shane's defense as well, I didn't realize how high I was on the Rockets until I was doing research for this.
00:54:20
Speaker
And really, like even looking at the Nuggets and how like matching up against the Nuggets and how to defend against them, maybe it'll be different with the coach. I think, first of all, Rockets have one of the best coaches in the Western Conference.
00:54:35
Speaker
Ima Uduoka is fantastic. And I think they have the team... that I think I would like that matchup against the Nuggets. um Now, you never want to bet against Jokic, and he's just going to be insane. Who's who's like who's going to stop him there on the Rockets side? I don't know. You just throw Steven Adams at him and hope he does the same thing that Dwight Howard did for the Lakers.
00:55:00
Speaker
But i kind of like i I really like the Rockets. I really like him to make the Western Conference Finals. i I'm not a betting man.
00:55:11
Speaker
but rockets might have my number, you know, by, by the end of this, because ah I think it's a good shout. I don't know. Maybe, maybe I'm a bit lower on the nuggets than I thought.
00:55:24
Speaker
Well, I think the Rockets have a bit of a better rounded roster around KD. more i just think they have... I think sometimes you can have too much.
00:55:36
Speaker
i think sometimes you can have too much because it's a decision then about who do you play, who's fighting for minutes, what way do you go here. You can't feed everybody. um And I know the Thunder did that very well, but that team has been developed into that. They were the one seed the year before.
00:55:54
Speaker
I just think the Nuggets have that, and they have the best player in the world, to dumb down the argument. They have the best player in the world, and they have the players around him. They've gone back to the formula of bringing Bruce Brown back.
00:56:07
Speaker
They've actually got a proper backup this time at centre, and they've also gone and got an improvement on Michael Porter Jr. So I just can't see it any other way than that. But I think...
00:56:19
Speaker
I don't know. I don't know what I would be more swayed to move in the Rockets for the Thunder or the Nuggets, but I do agree they're in that third spot for me, I think. But I just can't talk myself out of the other two.
00:56:30
Speaker
So we've got our match-ups. Yeah, god I think it it could definitely be a shoot-out for who gets there between those three teams. Like, if whichever of those two have to come up against each other, like, there's going no walk-overs than that. They're going to be really, really tight games the whole way through, and it'll just be about who has more know-how or who...
00:56:48
Speaker
kind of like if what player can just step up on the day who can stop Jokrit or who can stop Durant and Sengun is what is it is all going to come down to in the end and like there's a reason that these odds are all so close as well from them to win in the West Finals because even the Buckees don't know what they're doing here so ah think it's be really interesting year yeah that that point of using know how is them kind of way I came to my conclusion because the Thunder no hundred percent i have to piles more at this point but it only takes one year to change everything so at least we've we've all got our matchups now and they're all different which is great so since you're the guest Michael we give you the honor of going first you've got your finals matchups I believe it's Thunder and Hawks interesting who have you got winning it's definitely the no it's the Thunder
00:57:37
Speaker
let's Let's be 100% real. I just think, like, where did they take a step back this year? You know, everyone is already so young. They should be developing every year.
00:57:49
Speaker
They look like one of the best cores out there, unless you have Wemby on your team. and It's just, where are they supposed to take a step back?
00:58:01
Speaker
Jalen Williams is going to take a step up. and He was already an all-star last year. He's only going to get better next year. i mean, they've got wonderful guards around him. They've got Hartenstein at the back and they've got Chet to only allow flourish more and more in this environment.
00:58:18
Speaker
I think unless there's some catastrophe like catastrophe and and people get injured, I think they'll end up winning and we'll say, oh, I don't know how we got convinced they weren't going to halfway through.
00:58:31
Speaker
Yeah, I think it's hard to look past them if you have them there. Against any East, I think the West would be where they would fall down. But how many games would you think it's going to go and give us your finals MVP pick as well?
00:58:47
Speaker
I think... I think it could genuinely go, like, six games. Now, if I had to put my money on it, I'd probably say five.
00:58:57
Speaker
But...
00:59:00
Speaker
So I'll stick with five. I'll just go five games. I think Trae Young gets one game, but like their defense is so good. Their interior defense is so good.
00:59:11
Speaker
You know, they kind of play a little bit of a bully ball basketball as we saw in the finals that a lot of people were complaining about. But when when matches get tight and stakes are on the line, the refs like to give a little push and pull for both teams. And they seemed ready you know and that's that that's the biggest test for a young team is physicality knocking them um on their back i think they're going to feel really prepared for this offseason and i think sga wins wins the mvp i don't think there's any other choice for me two to one odds this is boring but i mean who knows it it might stay boring the whole way
00:59:53
Speaker
It is a possibility, and going off last year, it's, yeah, that's the script right now. And since, Shane, you also have the Thunder in the finals, let's get your prediction then. Yeah, so I don't actually like sticking with the scripts and I have gone with the Knicks to win the finals at 10 to 1 at the moment to win it out.
01:00:13
Speaker
i just think that the Thunder just had it all their own way last year, pretty much from game one. They'd only lost 14 regular season games and then just kind of waltzed their way through the playoffs. They had it too easy.
01:00:23
Speaker
They did not waltz through the playoffs. They won seven games against the Nuggets. Even still, like, yeah, they were still, once they once they got to the finals, they were never going to lose to the Pacers.
01:00:36
Speaker
I think at 10-1, the 5-2, which good odd as well. But Dalen Brunson, finals MVP, Knicks lift the trophy, blah, blah, blah. The Thunder unhappy. I'm unhappy.
01:00:48
Speaker
Off we go. I would be very surprised if the Knicks win it out this year. i Just the big stage has always come undone for them.
01:00:59
Speaker
And a lot of players fall apart on the big stage too. I don't think Brunson is one of them. So I think if they are to win it, it's going to be an incredible effort. That finals MVP makes the most sense out of anybody on that Knicks team.
01:01:12
Speaker
I just can't see that and if they did have the Thunder, that it would go that way. But I've got two completely different teams. So I've got the Nuggets and the Magic in mind.
01:01:25
Speaker
I'm going with the Nuggets to win in six. I just think they're too strong. They're the same team, as I've already said, that won a championship, but yet they're better.
01:01:37
Speaker
And last year, even in their weekend state, they brought the Thunder to seven. they're, you know, they're just a superb team. I just think that all around the all around, everything about them makes sense.
01:01:51
Speaker
There might be questions about the coach, but really... When Jokic is on the court, it doesn't matter who your coach is. And that's why I'm going to have them to win it in six. Now, for them and the Magic to just be in the finals together, that's 35-1.
01:02:05
Speaker
For the Nuggets to beat the Magic in the finals in the exact forecast, it's 50-1. So, a bit mad there. It wouldn't be something I would be maybe taking a chance on because youre you need both teams to get in and then you need someone to win. But maybe the Nuggets and...
01:02:18
Speaker
and Magic matchup at is a nice one. And then Jokic finals MVP, I think 15-2 is crazy because if he gets to the finals, I think he'd beat anybody. And he's the best player in the world, as I've already said. So that's my that's my selection there.
01:02:35
Speaker
What do you guys think? Yeah, I think if if your finals ends up being what it is, then I do think the Nuggets will win that. I do think it'll be in five or six as well. I don't tink just don't think the Magic, if they get to finals this year, will have enough. i They can't start there and bully the Nuggets because no one bullies Jokic.
01:02:55
Speaker
And if he can't get under his skin, the rest them are going to kind of just... to stand behind him and to say, oh, you're coming at us. I'm just going to put my big brother in front of me and we'll see what you do then. So I think if that is the finals matchup, then it would be the nuggets for me that will get over the line.
01:03:10
Speaker
i I think the only thing I would change is like when two teams match up like that, you go with the best player in the world. So you always go with Jokic and a hundred times out of a hundred, if Jokic makes the finals, I'm going to be betting on it.
01:03:24
Speaker
But I think it's in seven because I think if the Magic end up making the finals, they've done exactly what the Pacers this did this year.
01:03:34
Speaker
And they've just like supercharged themselves every step of the playoffs. I think, you know, they'd have to beat some combination of the Sixers, Hawks, or the Knicks, which I think... I mean, if the Sixers are healthy, even if Joel Embiid is playing 30 minutes a game, that is a frightening team to stand up if you're Paolo and you're playing the four on defense and you have Joel Embiid, 7'2", coming at you and you know he's going to every time. James Rowe in the ice here as if, like... Mr. Allenby doesn't have the most talent of any NBA player. It's nothing to with his talent. It's to do with his fitness. Is he going to be there if he's going to get to playoffs?
01:04:19
Speaker
I know, like but the last time he did. Has it been three years since he's been available for 30 minutes a game for 50, 60 games a season? He will. In playoff run.
01:04:31
Speaker
My point is, ah I think the Magic are a pretty flawed team. If they're going to end up making the finals, it's going to be a need to covered up by their better, best players. And I think if they get a hang of that and they make the finals, they'll at least push it with the Nuggets. But like you said, you've got to just bet on the best player in the world and Jokic will have 60-point triple-double and have the MVP in his hands. like That's why I went with them to win the West as well, because...
01:04:59
Speaker
Yeah, I agree with your point you made before, Michael, that the OKC aren't weaker or anything like that. It's just the Nuggets are slightly better and slightly better might get them that one extra game that they need to win.
01:05:12
Speaker
But those are our finals picks our yeah our finals picks and our playoff picks are right across the board. So we've got one section left to wrap things up. We're going to throw out a hot take each. We know Michael is prepped and ready for this in his Stephen A. Smith shirt.
01:05:26
Speaker
And then we've got our three best bets each for the year ahead. And the reason I didn't say too much on Embiid there is because you'll see why. in a minute. Let's go hot takes first. Let's go for you, Michael, because I know you're at you're dying for this moment. let's Let's get it on you. Right into the camera, that the biggest hot take from Michael for a season ahead.
01:05:47
Speaker
Kawhi's contract should be absolutely voided. He should not be playing for the Clippers right now. That man completely circumvented the cap, and we want to put all the blame on the Clippers.
01:06:02
Speaker
Right? We want to put all of that blame on the Clippers and Steve Ballmer. But all he had to do was sign a couple of basketballs, take a couple photos shaking people's hands, one pointing at a tree, and no one would have talked about this.
01:06:17
Speaker
It is just straight up pride that he doesn't want to do anything for $48 million. dollars Joe Smith did a one... oh my god. Did like...
01:06:31
Speaker
And 30th of what this was, like 1% of what this was in terms of cash and his contract got voided.
01:06:42
Speaker
But just because it's the richest owner, and like this is a horrible look for the league. This is actually a horrible look for the league. The fact that the All-Star game is on in the Clippers stadium this year and they're saying, oh, we can't come out with it until after the All-Star game. Of course you would say that.
01:06:59
Speaker
It was the most upsetting thing I've read about this whole offseason. Every episode of Pablo Torre fans out, I was watching it immediately. It was outrageous.
01:07:12
Speaker
One reason I think that that is not going to happen is because the so many owners are doing similar things with their owners and that there's none of them. None of them are pushing for this. No other owner is going, oh guys, we really need to, you know, get on this. not None of them are doing it.
01:07:28
Speaker
That's why it's not going to happen because no one cares about us as fans and what we want to say. It's all about the owners. They have the money. If they don't want it, it's not happening. At a certain point, it's got to be about exposure, right?
01:07:40
Speaker
When it comes to the owners. Like, if there's a six-part docuseries and he's bringing it out incrementally, letting you incriminate yourself, and then bringing out more, and then letting you do it again, and doing it four times?
01:07:55
Speaker
Come on, man. Like, at some point... it It can't just be a fine on the organization. Like, Kauai is also involved in this. And there's been a lot of ex-players saying, like, why are we looking into it?
01:08:10
Speaker
he did He could have done smidgen of something and they wouldn't be talking about One picture. It's because he's doing nothing. But he doesn't care. like He demanded so much throughout the years through the uncle.
01:08:23
Speaker
And this is just him. So, yeah yeah, I like the hot take. I think that would be a very interesting turn of events and it would get a lot of headlines. So give give your hot take now, Shane. Where are you going with Yeah, so my hot take is not even on the same level as his. I kind of took the hot take as good bet and I just have the Rockets to win the division at 8-1. It's nothing mental. I really wish if I had a couple of seconds there to pause the recording and go find something outrageous, I'd have to listen to Michael there at the Donner's Bus. I just wanted the Rockets to win the division.
01:08:55
Speaker
Yeah, Rockets to win the division at 8-1. I just point off. Yeah, I think not hugely hot, but given that none of us picked them, then there's a bit of warmth there.
01:09:06
Speaker
It's a bit toasty. I'm going to go with something similar to Michael, I guess. But mine is that LeBron, he's going to be sick. He's going to see this Luka team.
01:09:17
Speaker
He's going to see everybody going, Luka, you know, this is all about you for the future. Everyone within the Lakers organization Suddenly, JJ Redick is Luka's best friend. They're going for coffee together.
01:09:28
Speaker
They're drinking wine together. Even during the season, they shouldn't be doing it, but they're doing it. LeBron is just getting so annoyed. He just doesn't know what to do. He's not even injured right now. He's just lying.
01:09:38
Speaker
He just doesn't like what's going on. He can already see it coming. Before the trade deadline, he's coming out. He's saying, get me out of here. I want to be the main face somewhere else. And LeBron is going to demand to leave this Lakers team in season.
01:09:53
Speaker
Does he bring his son? and And where is he going? Does he bring Bronny? doesn't matter where he's talking. He's just gone. Oh my God. He's gone, lad. That's the end of it. He's saying, oh, what the East over there. That East looks good, huh?
01:10:06
Speaker
but East, oh. Man. Oh, oh i'll take a I'll take a bit of that Milwaukee look with Giannis. Ooh. We've got Ian to the Kumpos and a couple of Jameses.
01:10:17
Speaker
Let's just go straight ahead. One is 35. But you have to imagine he's going to be like, I'm so upset. I'm going to go get a penthouse in Milwaukee.
01:10:30
Speaker
No, that was just a troll. not actually saying he's going to. ah like the bible I'm not adding any extras of picking the team where he ends up. I'm just going My hot take is that he's going to be like, get me out of this place in season.
01:10:45
Speaker
but if he just If he just goes across, he says, you know what? You know those old guys across the hall? Get me there! so i want to get back to Tai Lu. I can still see my son every day. He'll take pictures with as many trees as he needs to. He'll sort out for a while. He'll do it. He'll smooth it all over. yeah Photo of him and Kawhi next to an apple tree.
01:11:08
Speaker
it'll be beautiful yeah I agree I agree I think our two our two probably tie in your one is about to happen and LeBron goes let me just step in here and get a quick snap of this oak tree and then everything is finished everything is sorted the Clippers they just run the whole where they've got that wall going in the Intuit Dome and they are running their way and let me change my finals pick the Clippers mic drop Clippers To be fair, I do you think if LeBron got traded to Clippers, no one would talk about it.
01:11:40
Speaker
It would be completely forgotten. If you look up Clippers, Kawhi, it'll just be Kawhi and LeBron playing together, blah, blah, blah. Like there there would just be no coverage. Oh man, James Harden is going to so upset.
01:11:53
Speaker
Oh my God, he's going to be so upset. And then he demands to get traded and all of a sudden we have this big massive last day of the trade. It wasn't going everywhere. Let's take a picture with a shrub or something, that James Harden. It's okay.
01:12:06
Speaker
trip Yeah, that's our hot take. So let's wrap up finally then. But we've got three best bets for the year ahead. I'm going to go mine first. I'm going throw it out.
01:12:18
Speaker
My first one is the Nuggets to win it all. I think seven to one is very good. So I like that one and I like the odds on it. And I think i already mentioned it um on our NFL chat, but I doubled them up with the Rams to win the Super Bowl as a very big outside bet.
01:12:32
Speaker
So I like that. I like the Nuggets to win.
Knicks as Regular Season Leaders
01:12:35
Speaker
Then another one I've gone with is the Knicks to get the most regular season wins. I see them as a very strong regular season team and in a kind of a weekend East and a lot of the Western teams maybe balancing each other out and losing games here or there and then you get the Knicks on a charge over in the East.
01:12:51
Speaker
um So that's twelve to one And then last up...
Embiid's MVP Odds Discussion
01:12:56
Speaker
I've got Joel Embiid grabbing that MVP. 125 to 1.
01:13:02
Speaker
He is, when he plays, to mention, going back, I think Shane, what you said, like maybe three years ago was when he was last, the full compliment. What did he do? What did he do that season? He won that MVP.
01:13:14
Speaker
Let's look at him already in preseason. Let's look at, oh, he was driving with the ball. he was He was in transition. He wasn't throwing those long passes. was saying, no, I'm bringing this thing up. And then there's a couple of times said, let me just dish it to the young fellas and I'm going to let this reset.
01:13:28
Speaker
If they do that in the season, if they save his legs and he plays a lot, then he does have a chance. Now, do I think he'll win it? No, it's 125 to one. I just think it's a very, very good price.
01:13:41
Speaker
For somebody who is so talented, there's no way you could say that. There's no, he's 125 to one to but to bring this in. He has way too much talent for that. So I'm going with that as my third, just chuck a couple of bob on it and see what happens. So what have you got then for your three best bets, Shane?
LeBron's Future and Rockets Talk
01:14:00
Speaker
I have LeBron to be traded to the Nets at 66-1. I literally just looked that up four seconds ago when you started talking about it, so I'm taking the piss there. No, I have the Rockets to win the title at 13-1. I don't think the odds are anything special, but I'm just using this all day as a Rockets hype train to have to finish up with something that keeps me on the hype train.
01:14:20
Speaker
um I have put back in my Kevin Durant MVP shout at 60-1 because I do think... one of them isn't going to come without the other one. I think if anyone's going to win an MVP there, will be him.
01:14:31
Speaker
And then finally, I have Rockets to win their division is 8-1. Obviously, against the finals, all Rockets, yeah. I hate picking best bets, especially in the NBA because there's so little surprises.
01:14:46
Speaker
So I was just like, yeah, let's just go all Rockets and they can get over us.
Rockets' Future Prospects
01:14:51
Speaker
Okay, Mike. You guys had all the good ones already, okay? First one of my one was Rockets winning.
01:14:59
Speaker
Same as you, Shane. Look, the OKC had a great year in terms of when their injuries landed, and they ended up being all good for the finals. But, I mean...
01:15:12
Speaker
What happened to the Celtics? The injury bug. They've just won one finals. Are they going to be hit with the same fatigue halfway through the season and then you're going to start seeing some of their best players go down?
01:15:23
Speaker
You never know, but I think... The Rockets are pretty good. i mean, they've got enough young talent. They've got KD there to just give them buckets fishing efficiently.
01:15:36
Speaker
I think that's a great bet.
Embiid vs. Jokic MVP Debate
01:15:38
Speaker
My second one was also Joel Embiid for MVP. Because I'm saying, if... as Look! Look! There's... Only two people, if completely healthy in the league, if everyone in the league is healthy, there's only two people talking about MVP.
01:15:54
Speaker
One is Embiid and two is Jokic. So... Jokic is obviously the favorite because he doesn't miss time. But if Joel Embiid doesn't miss that much time, now, if I am the Sixers, I'm pleading with them, you don't need to go for it.
01:16:11
Speaker
Please. no It's okay. Just wait for the playoffs. But knowing Joel Embiid, if he feels good, he's going to demand to get on that floor. And if he's genuinely feeling good for for the for the season, I'm not saying he's going to play 70 games, but...
01:16:28
Speaker
He is definitely going to be up there for MVP. He's going to drop so... If he's willingly playing all those games, he's just going to be dropping 30-point nights like it's nothing.
01:16:41
Speaker
How many games do you think he will play? if here We're talking now with what we fighting know going into the season. is he gone How many do you think he's going to play? I think 60. Healthy. sick Didn't he get 60?
01:16:53
Speaker
Between 55 and 60, I would say, yeah, they'll manage him in that way. like Yeah, i I would go... i don't know if I'd go over 60.
01:17:04
Speaker
I'd definitely go 55 and 60. I just don't think the Sixers would that put him in that position where he has to be 60. But I think if he's feeling good and he's at like 55 and they've got like 20 games left, he might just go for it. Then push it. Yeah.
01:17:20
Speaker
At that point, he will. I think he's the leading, all-time leading points per minute player of all time in the NBA. So there you go What's
Pistons' Win Predictions
01:17:29
Speaker
your last one? And then my last one is is pretty boring. it's It's pistons for over 45 and a half wins.
01:17:38
Speaker
I just really like the pistons. I think they could... I don't know. I had lost the odds for it right now. i don the blame it's gonna be If that's the line, then it's be like evens around that.
01:17:54
Speaker
Yeah, it's going to be ah evens But, I mean, i like the Pistons. I think it's it's an easy bet. I'll probably parlay it with something else and add it on as a leg or something. But I just feel like Cade Cunningham had a great year last year. and ah People seem kind of like a little bit down on the Pistons.
01:18:14
Speaker
I think Duncan Robinson is a little bit of an underrated addition over Malik Beasley. I mean, they're not asking him to do anything crazy, but for the price that he's at, I think it's decent. He's one of like the premier three-point shooters that was not getting used on the Miami Heat at all. And I think Cade just keeps ascending.
01:18:35
Speaker
I think he has another year where he looks really, really, really good.
Season Conclusion and Thanks
01:18:38
Speaker
Jade and I are back again. If he can stay healthy, that looks like a much more different team. No, like it.
01:18:47
Speaker
I like it. Those are our last, our last shouts of the day. You're fully locked and loaded now for the week ahead and the season ahead, but big week to get at least the season started. So good luck to all of your teams, whoever you support.
01:19:00
Speaker
And thanks again for listening. Thanks again to Michael for jumping on with us. It's a pleasure as always. And they yeah, we'll leave it there for you lads. And we will catch you again on Thursday for our regular episode.