Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: WVUAFM Tuscaloosa.
[00:00:10] Speaker B: Welcome back to WVUAFM 90.7, the Capstone's NBA student section. I'm your host, Zachary Elrod, and here with me is Trey Simpson. And we got a great show for y'all today. We're going to be getting into the latest NBA news and we're also going to be getting into our Too Much Too soon segment and also going to be talking about the awards for the week and the last part of our show. So stay tuned because this show is going to be lit. So let's get straight into it, everyone. NBA news. Gregg Popovich will be out for an indefinite period with a medical issue. Now, the assistant coach, Mitch Johnson is currently serving as the interim head coach for the spurs. And the spurs are now one and two with Popovich's absence. So, Trey, what are your thoughts on the San Antonio Spurs? Because I know they got some people in the offseason. They got Chris Paul, Harrison Barnes got some people out of the draft. Obviously, they got Victor Wembanyama, but I mean, the spurs just haven't, haven't been doing much. What do you think?
[00:01:16] Speaker A: Yeah, I think it boils down to the leadership in the locker room. So like you said, Chris Paul is a big addition to their courts, you know, team.
I think, Greg, you know, obviously Coach Pop has a lot to do with the team successes over the years. You know, when you think about his legacy, you know, you think about the big dynasty with Ginobli, Parker, Tony Parker and Tim Duncan.
[00:01:39] Speaker B: But even Kawhi Leonard.
[00:01:41] Speaker A: Yeah, he forgot about him.
[00:01:43] Speaker B: Can't forget about him.
[00:01:44] Speaker A: Yeah, honestly, like, I think his presence is missed bad because honestly, like from the guards, I don't know if you noticed this, but it seems like they don't want to pass to Wemby as much as they should. I feel like at least, you know, watching the game sometimes, like, he'll be open and like, literally all you got to do is just throw it up. Lobby, he'll go get it.
[00:02:02] Speaker B: But I've seen some clips of him really frustrated, you know, people, because all you got to do, like you said, is just throw it anywhere in the vicinity of the room and he's just going to go up and get it. Or if he's trying to post up, I mean, just throw it anywhere. The dude's going to grab the ball and just go to work.
[00:02:19] Speaker A: Yeah. And it's not like Coach Pop wouldn't use them, you know, like, obviously he wants to run the offense through Wimby if he can you know, that pick and roll, that Chris, him and CP3 is running, that's been working for him. It's effective. Like, I don't, you know, I don't really think it's a way to stop it. I mean, it gets stopped every now and then if he gets doubled or, you know, fouled on the way up. But yeah, to your point, Coach Pop is definitely missed on that team. The veteran presence, you know, experienced. Like, they just, they need them, you know, nothing more to say. They need them all time.
[00:02:49] Speaker B: He's just one of the greatest NBA coaches ever. I mean, the things that he did, like you mentioned back in that 2010 era, and then even, you know, back a little bit further with David Robinson, I mean, they just had a lot of great years, especially with Greg Popovich as that head coach. So, moving on, Joel Embiid, a big topic of discussion. I mean, the Sixers got fined $100,000 because of the public statements he was making or the public statements that the Sixers were making about Joel Embiid's injuries not being as accurate as, you know, the NBA thought they were. So they fined him $100,000. Now, later on, MP goes on to have altercations with the media, even going as far as, you know, getting in, you know, a physical altercation with a reporter. And now he is facing a three game suspension. But he is expected to make his debut Tuesday versus the Knicks. Now, Trey, I know we can't get too much into this drama, but I mean, what do you think about Joel Embiid's relationship with Philly? Long term.
[00:03:57] Speaker A: I mean, long term. So obviously they gave him the keys to the city a long time ago. I mean, it's his team.
You know, players like Maxie and Paul George have been stepping up, but.
[00:04:07] Speaker B: And now Maxie's out.
[00:04:09] Speaker A: Yeah, but it's still Joel's team. Like. Yeah, not like just a quick comment on his drama, like shoving a person, that reporter, you know, of course, like, you don't want to see that. You don't want to hear about it. You know, you want to be able to be in control of your emotions.
He made a valid point. I mean, he was only speaking on his playing. Like, you know, his lack of. His lack of playing, you know, so like, basically just wants him to get on the court. So. And that's their job. You gotta remember, the media's job is to stir the pot, you know, essentially. So I don't know. To Joel Embiid, we want to see you on the court. We don't want to see you being injured or, like, faking the injury or whatever. We just want to see you play. Like, I mean, people all around the world want to see you play. Like, you got that mvp. You did a bunch of. You made a lot of noise.
[00:04:58] Speaker B: He is really talented, that mvp, and he's too talented for that.
[00:05:01] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah. So it's like, you got the award. Now you don't want to play. Now you don't want to work hard anymore. Like, you feel like it's accomplished or something. But anyway, you know, just get on the court, man.
[00:05:11] Speaker B: I mean, just.
It just seems like it's getting worse and worse as the years go on. Joel Embiid, just his time off, the. His time on the court is just getting slimmer and slimmer and slimmer as the years go on, and that's only causing more and more strife when it comes to him and the fans. So long term, I just don't know. I just don't know where you go from here. I mean, to get an altercation with, you know, and to get in all that drama and mess with the media, and now fans are even criticizing him. You know, like you said, Trey, we want to see you play. We want to see you get on the court. We're paying you all this money, and you just cost the franchise $100,000 because you weren't or, well, not him. But, you know, the franchise was forced to not really be entirely honest about his injuries.
[00:06:00] Speaker A: So three more games that he already missed, plus the games he already, you know, is missing on top of that. So, you know, if he wasn't playing home games back to or back to back games in general, that's about, what, 14 to 15 games. So plus three, like, you know, he's coming up on the.
To be ineligible for any awards like MVPs or final, like, all that type of stuff. So, yeah, I don't really know how much longer that's going to last. All that. Oh, I don't want to play back to Batman. Get on the court, bro. We don't want to hear that because.
[00:06:27] Speaker B: We did the math in past episodes and it was like 64 or something around there, like 60 games and now missing three games. I mean, you're getting even below the 60 game mark already and not even counting, you know, possible injuries, illnesses, whatever it may be that he, you know, runs up on throughout the career or throughout his season this year. I mean, Joel Embiid, I just is starting to become more of a Kawhi story right now. You know, it's starting to get to that point. So as far as the question goes for Joel Embiid and his relationship with Philly, it is not looking too good right now. He is on thin ice and moving on to Bronny James, officially heading to the G League, expected to make his debut this Saturday versus Salt Lake City. You know, Utah Jazz, their affiliated G League team. And he will be on the Lakers roster when they face the Sixers this Friday, though. So he's officially making his, you know, making his appearance in the G League Saturday, but he will be on the roster this Friday. So what do you think as a Lakers fan, Tre?
I mean, I know it's been rough for y'all as of recently, coming off a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. Anthony Davis kind of being day to day with his injuries. Rui Hachimura was also out for that game. What do you think about Bronny and his development as far as going to the G League?
[00:07:48] Speaker A: That's what he needs, man. If we're being honest with ourselves and being not like, you know, he needed more development. He, you know, obviously we already voiced our opinions on if he should have stayed in college or not, but, oh, yeah, he definitely needs some experience in the G League just to get his confidence because we know he's a good player. Like, we don't, you know, he's not trash, but he needs to, you know, calm down, like, of course, but like, it's a lot of pressure on him, his nerves there. But he definitely needs to get his experience up, you know. But the G League is just, you know, it's great competition, just like the NBA, you know, like the worst player in the NBA. The worst player in the G League is still miles ahead of the average person you're gonna see at LA Fitness.
[00:08:26] Speaker B: So, you know, that is true.
[00:08:28] Speaker A: It's good development for him as long as he, you know, stays positive and, you know, puts in time in the off season. Like just, you know, does that hard work, you know, behind the scenes, like he's gonna, you know, prove everybody wrong.
[00:08:40] Speaker B: Yeah. But I mean, we've mentioned it in previous shows. I know in my opinion, Bronny James, he needs, he needs to pay his dues. He needs to be in the G League. And he, you know, that's just only going to make him better as a player. Being a smaller guard. I know he's been really inconsistent from 3, so you just need to just get reps, just get live game reps, being able to shoot consistently from the three. I know the Lakers need people to be able to play off of LeBron James, especially when Anthony Davis is out. You need people to be able to knock down the open shot. I mean, that's just, that's just really what they need right now. So, yeah, I got to get used.
[00:09:18] Speaker A: To the NBA's pace because I don't think, I think he's too sped up trying to, you know, be worried about like him scoring, you know, I mean, he does have a lot of pressure on him, but he needs to get used to the pace, you know.
[00:09:28] Speaker B: True. And this is only going to be better for him. So also to mention, the Knicks just signed Auru Hukapuri. I don't know if I'm pronouncing that name right. A seven footer out of Germany to help them with the frontcourt. Matt Ryan also was signed by the Knicks. A six seven shooter, 45% from three is just came out of, you know, New Orleans. And now the Knicks got Matt Ryan and real. I mean they didn't play versus the Hawks. And it's a pretty nice, it's a pretty rough night for New York when it came to going to Atlanta. I mean, losing 121 to 116. I don't know if you saw the post game interview, Trae.
[00:10:07] Speaker A: I saw it.
[00:10:08] Speaker B: Trae Young, Trae Young waving him off the court. I mean, when it comes to Trae Young and the New York Knicks, he is always going to let him have it. And I'm, I'm here to, I'm here for it, man. I love it. I love it every time he lets those Knicks fans have it. So what was your reaction to the game?
[00:10:23] Speaker A: It was a good game, entertaining game. You know, as you said, it was close at the end, but honestly, man, like you said, man, two words, Trey Young.
Honestly, I don't know. I think it could have went either way. It just came down to like, I don't know who wanted it more at the end. Like, that's really all I could say about like just the final result. But to the point of like Trae Young talking his stuff to the Knicks and just the fans, you know, I ain't gonna lie. That's what we like to see. We need some more of that in the league.
[00:10:53] Speaker B: I love it when Trae Young just gets scrappy and just like just starts talking his stuff. And then Trae Young, I mean, he's been stuffing this stat sheet this year. I mean, if you have him on fantasy per se, I mean, you're really, you're enjoying watching Trae Young play because he's really stuffing the stat sheet with assist.
Always getting points. I mean, and not to mention their number one overall pick. I mean, dropping 39. Said Cheery. I mean, just having a career night for him. I know Especially he was getting used to the physicality. Like we were talking with Bronny. He was really getting used to the physicality of the NBA. Saying. I don't know if you saw this quote Trey, about him saying how he used to be the strongest guy back in out in France, but now heading to the NBA. He's just kind of a normal, normal guy. So he's having to get used to that physicality. Having to find his way to really stand out and to really, you know, be able to put his game on a. You know, get to that next level. But I mean, this has just been a great night for him. 33 points. I mean, two blocks, three steals, seven rebounds. I mean, the guy shot amazing. 5 for 9 from free throws, 6 for 10 from 3, 11 for 18 in total from the field. I mean, the dude was really balling. So what do you think about him and his future for the Hawks?
[00:12:18] Speaker A: I think, like you said, I think he secured his spot at least, you know, for the rest of this season. Like probably next season. Well, no, I think he might capitalize off his trade value. Maybe keeps on pace. Like, you know, I think he'll do.
I can't think of that player's name, but, you know, just players who capitalize off, you know, a breakout season. Like Gabe Vincent, for example, like his playoff run with the Heat.
[00:12:39] Speaker B: True.
[00:12:40] Speaker A: What was that series?
[00:12:41] Speaker B: He is young though, you gotta think. And they invested a number one overall pick into him.
[00:12:45] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:12:45] Speaker B: So I would think they would want to give him some time. I don't know. But maybe you capitalize on that trade value. Who knows? I mean, I don't know. He had one good game. We'll see where that goes from here. It's still early, early in the season, but I mean, I mean, round of applause for the guy. I mean, you know, it's good to get that confidence, especially if you're the number one overall pick. And I know coming from me too, I mean, when I saw that he was the number one overall pick, I was like, ah, you know, this is kind of underwhelming. But I hope he proves me wrong. And games like this do just that. So with that being said, we will be right back. You are listening to the NBA student section on 90.7. The capstone. We'll be right back. After this short break. Don't go away.
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Welcome back to the NBA student section. And we're back and we're getting into our little creative segment here. It's called Too Much, Too Soon. Now, Trey, how this works is we're going to be going down the line of NBA teams or players. We're going to make a statement and we're going to say if it's too much too soon or if we agree with it. So let's get straight into it. The Bucs are tied for the worst record in the NBA at 16 with the Utah Jazz. And ironically, they play tonight. So based on what the Bucs are doing right now, with the worst record in the league, only their only win was an opening night versus the Sixers.
Do we think the Giannis era is over? Do you. Do we think that at the end of this season the Bucs are going to continue down this path and Giannis will be traded and it's over? The honest era in Milwaukee has come to a close. Do we think this.
[00:15:04] Speaker A: No, I don't. Well, okay, I'm gonna base it off of their success of this season. So if they make a playoff run, like a deep playoff run.
Well, no, because remember, didn't he quote and say if they didn't win that? He quoted that.
[00:15:20] Speaker B: That's why I'm asking this, because he quoted at the beginning of the season, if they do, if they don't want to chip, I mean, because that's the standard in Milwaukee, especially with the talent they have on this roster. I mean, if they don't win the chip, Giannis might be out of there.
[00:15:36] Speaker A: Yeah, I think. Okay, well, that might not be too much. I think that might be agreeable because it just depends on there, like what they do, you know, especially in his playing tournament because they're obviously going to be in the play ins. But what. They might not even make the plan. Not. Might not even make it if they don't.
[00:15:53] Speaker B: You know, they're one in six right now. It is early. That's why it's the too much too soon segment.
But what do you think, Trey? So you're saying. You're saying they're fine. You sit. You're saying that the Giannis era will continue?
[00:16:09] Speaker A: Yeah, I think they're going to turn it around. I don't think they're going to stay with the bad record? I hope not. But I will say this is obviously a reflection of coaching because they never started out this terrible.
[00:16:21] Speaker B: I agree.
[00:16:21] Speaker A: And I'm not going to, you know, talk stuff about them necessarily, but I'm going to be honest. Darvin Ham, Doc Rivers, together.
[00:16:29] Speaker B: I saw a picture where they were just like, sitting together, cross arm. You know what I'm talking about, dude? I mean, this is crazy.
[00:16:36] Speaker A: It's crazy.
[00:16:37] Speaker B: You can't tell me that's a good coaching staff.
[00:16:40] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:16:41] Speaker B: I mean, based off those two guys not discrediting the rest of the coaching staff, not putting them in this equation, but I mean, based off that, that's just wild. And they're coaching a talented team with Dame, Giannis, Corian, print. Chris Middleton. I mean, Brook Lopez.
[00:16:57] Speaker A: Right.
[00:16:58] Speaker B: Brook Lopez. I mean, you got guys on that team. Bobby Portis, and it's just. And it doesn't matter. Gary Trent Jr. He hasn't been doing well.
[00:17:07] Speaker A: Question. Do you think Giannis regrets requesting the trade for Jrue Holiday? Well, I don't think he necessarily requested, but, like, do you just. Do you think he regrets that trade that went through from, you know, Damian to Jrue Holiday?
[00:17:20] Speaker B: My answer to that is Dame. He did have that really bad game just the other night with four points, but besides that, the dude, he has struggled from three, but he's putting points on the board. I mean, if you look at Giannis's supporting cast, like Taurean Prince, Gary, Trent Jr. Brooke, like, lot of those guys aren't putting up big numbers at all. Yeah, mostly none of them are. I mean, Giannis is averaging 30 right now, and that's obviously, Giannis is still doing Giannis things. It's not because Giannis is struggling. It's because his supporting cast is just not playing.
[00:17:54] Speaker A: Yep.
[00:17:55] Speaker B: And I mean, they got talent on that on the bench. They got talent in the rest of that starting lineup, and it's just. It just doesn't matter.
[00:18:04] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:18:05] Speaker B: So I don't think it's Dame's fault. I think. I don't think he regrets bringing Dame to the Milwaukee Bucks. Now when Giannis is shipped out, I know Dame is probably going to find himself in another Portland trailblazer situation if that happens now, will Dame regret going to Milwaukee?
I mean, I don't know if he would regret it, but I think he's definitely going to be surprised that it's not going to be the future that he intended it would it to be.
[00:18:33] Speaker A: You think he's gonna make a Return to Portland just to retire.
[00:18:37] Speaker B: I don't know. That's just way out there.
[00:18:40] Speaker A: Yeah, that was being funny. But to the point of, like, honestly.
Yeah, I don't. I don't. I mean, honestly, I don't want. I don't see Giannis leaving. Like, I think that was kind of like, you know, leverage to, like, you know, kind of force the organization's hand and, like, get somebody, which he has.
[00:18:59] Speaker B: Done that in previous years.
[00:19:00] Speaker A: Yeah. So I. Because, remember, he. His whole thing is about loyalty. Like, he already won a chip in Milwaukee, I'm sure, so he's fulfilled his goal to the city and promotion. So honestly, if he wanted to leave, it wouldn't be a problem. It just depends on the team he goes to. Like, the KD situation. We don't want him going to, like, Cleveland to go team up with D Mission here at Garland. Now, that'd be crazy. But, you know, that's like. We don't want to see that.
[00:19:26] Speaker B: So for me, my answer. I think if they continue down this path, I think the Milwaukee Bucks should trade Giannis. Not because he's doing bat or anything like that, because he's doing so well and it's just not working out anymore and just get the value. I mean, he is at the peak of his value. Giannis is just. You can get a lot for a galaxy, and I mean a lot, like a whole team. So to be able. I mean, that piece is just invaluable. And I mean, he can contend with any team. I mean, heck, that would be pretty sick to see him on the Warriors. I know they've hinted at that for a few, but. Yana. Oh.
[00:20:07] Speaker A: Oh, man. Honestly, I think it's going to be a coaching switch this season. Like, they're going to. Like, if they already fired the other, like, and he won the championship, like, why wouldn't they fire Darvin and Dark Rivers? They're going to clean those at some point. Now, they're not going to fire him.
[00:20:20] Speaker B: At the same time they did fire Mike Bootenholzer. Why not fire Darvin? Him and Doc Rivers.
[00:20:25] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:20:25] Speaker B: Yeah. I mean, I agree.
Moving on. Jason Tatum. I really wanted to talk about this. Jason Tatum. JT is averaging 37 and 5 on 48% from the field. I understand they lost last night. He had a really good game, though.
Do we think this is his year to win mvp?
Jason Tatum?
[00:20:48] Speaker A: I do. Okay. But check this out, though.
[00:20:50] Speaker B: I think I could agree.
[00:20:51] Speaker A: I. It's. It's a couple players that we're going to mention later, but like, at just focusing on jt. I think he's. I mean, obviously, bro, he came out on a revenge tour even in preseason. Remember, he's been hooping like. Like, this is consistent. Jason Tate. This is perfect form. Jason Tatum.
[00:21:06] Speaker B: I know.
[00:21:07] Speaker A: Like, he was. I think he's definitely on page.
[00:21:09] Speaker B: He looks really good right now.
[00:21:11] Speaker A: And not only is he on pace to get, like you say, mvp, I think the Celtics are just on pace to go back to the chip.
[00:21:17] Speaker B: Like, they're going to the seven and two right now. I don't see why not. They look great right now.
[00:21:22] Speaker A: Like, who's going to stop. Man, like I said, we thought the Bucks.
[00:21:25] Speaker B: No, the warriors stopped them last night.
[00:21:27] Speaker A: We thought the Knicks. Nope.
[00:21:29] Speaker B: Nope.
[00:21:29] Speaker A: Not the Cavaliers. Nope. Who going to stop the. Who's stopping the. Boston?
[00:21:33] Speaker B: The Cavs are 9 and 0 right now, though.
[00:21:35] Speaker A: Yeah. Okay. Forgot. But they haven't played yet, have they or did. Did they play the Cavs and the Celtics? Have they played yet this season? No, not yet. Okay, well, that's going to be a matchup. We want to see.
[00:21:44] Speaker B: That was.
[00:21:45] Speaker A: Yep, that's a good playoff match. Like I said, we thought the Knicks were going to do something. They, you know, they. I ain't gonna lie. Boston, if you notice, like, if you watch their games, they always come out firing. Like Joe Missoula. He's preaching. Come out hard so you don't have to work as hard, you know, later in the game.
[00:21:59] Speaker B: He's an intense guy, and it shows in their play. And I mean, they are not, and I repeat, are not afraid to shoot the three pointer. Not afraid to shoot three ball.
[00:22:09] Speaker A: And everybody can shoot. Everybody.
[00:22:11] Speaker B: Everybody can shoot.
[00:22:11] Speaker A: Everybody's facing the floor. And y'all know I'm a Lakers fan, bro. It pains me to give Boston their props, but I have to. I wouldn't be an unbiased reporter, you know, if I didn't say Boston was going like that.
[00:22:22] Speaker B: Saying a lot.
[00:22:23] Speaker A: Yeah, they are them guys.
[00:22:25] Speaker B: But right now, I agree with you, Trey. I brought up this point because I really do think this is Jason Tatum. I mean, what else does he not have? Obviously, he didn't win Rookie of the Year, but, I mean, that's. You know, in the past, he's got the title now. He's multiple All Star appearances, multiple all NBA. I mean, all that's really left. And you got to think the dude is young. He is doing this at an age that is just, like, insane for a guy that's, you know, that has the resume that he has to be able to add an MVP to that would just be extraordinary. So, I mean, yeah, I think this is the best year for him. I mean, he's 26 years old. I mean, Michael wasn't doing this. I mean, I think he won his first championship in when he was 29. So this is, you know, I think this is Jason Tatum's peak year to win the MVP award.
[00:23:20] Speaker A: I will say. Just. Okay, so just an honorable mention about, you know, them last night. So did you watch the game last night? Celtics and Warriors?
[00:23:27] Speaker B: So it's a great game.
[00:23:28] Speaker A: Yeah, close game. Came down to the wire. Buddy Hill hit that nice shot in the corner at the three. Him and Steph Curry. Hey, just right quick, Steph Curry and Buddy Hill, like, do you think they're a better Splash bros duo than him? And I mean, they're not better than the og. I'm not gonna. I'm not gonna say they're.
[00:23:44] Speaker B: Oh, come on now.
[00:23:45] Speaker A: But Buddy healed, bro. This is consistent. I know, but I want to keep seeing it, though, like, throughout the. But I don't think he's gonna lose.
[00:23:50] Speaker B: He's dropping multiple 20 point games. He looks. He looks really, really good. Now this brings us to the next debate question. They're 7 and 1. Just beat the Celtics. Do we think the warriors are back?
Are they back?
[00:24:04] Speaker A: Look, I'm not going to lie now. You know, I was one of the people that was like, man, warriors is over. Warriors is over.
[00:24:09] Speaker B: I was, too.
[00:24:10] Speaker A: I was too. I said they was over. I'm going to keep it a band they got rid of. Now, I'm not going to say Klay Thompson was a locker room cancer, but I will say it affects the team when you're literally, you know, people that try to pick you up and you're in a slump. Yeah. You're discouraged and you're just kind of like, ah, whatever, whatever, whatever. And instead of being humble about it, you're trying to flex like, 1, 2, 3. Like, we don't want to. You know, I ain't gonna lie. They got rid of, you know, the locker room drama. Like, they got rid of, you know, Jordan Poole after the Draymond situation. Draymond's going to be Draymond. They know that. They know what they're getting into when, you know, keeping him like Steve. They have.
[00:24:43] Speaker B: That's fine. That's fine. They can win with that.
[00:24:46] Speaker A: Oh, yeah. Remember in the first episode where I was like. I was criticizing Steve Kirby, he said, this is the deepest team they have. I take.
[00:24:53] Speaker B: Oh, yeah.
[00:24:54] Speaker A: I mean, I was incorrect Oh, I was incorrect. World Steve Kerr might not have been wrong because like I said, the way they've been playing, like I said, I thought the word. I'm thinking, oh, yeah, Steph's wasting his last couple of years.
[00:25:05] Speaker B: But no, I mean, they look really good now. What I'll say is when it comes playoff time, especially when Curry's little, you know, gas. He's gassed. He might be banged up his ankles where.
[00:25:18] Speaker A: I'm worried about his injuries, bro.
[00:25:19] Speaker B: I mean, you know, he's already had a little bit of an injury in the beginning of the season. He's back though. But I think the warriors, in order to take that next step, to take the step to being a title contender that we're used to seeing, they need a second star.
They need that second star to pair with Curry in order to be able to truly contend in a seven game series with a team like the Celtics or whoever it may be.
So, but this warriors team, to answer the question, I mean, we were just talking about Buddy Hield and how. And Andrew Wiggins. Let's give credit to Andrew Wiggins. I mean, not being available for most of the practices coming into it, he wasn't even really there for preseason and now he's. He's hooping though. He is hooping for him in an amazing way. Jonathan Kaminga, he has had, he's had flashes.
[00:26:12] Speaker A: Yeah, up and down.
[00:26:13] Speaker B: He's up and down. I mean, that he just got. He's on the bench now. He's coming off the bench, but I mean, he's having flashes of. He's having 20 point games. Last night he had 10. We're seeing, you know, certain moments, especially when he gets downhill. I mean, there's not many people that can guard him when he gets ahead of steam and he's able to finish because with his athletic ability, I mean, you just really can't guard that. So it's just, it's him developing his pace, developing obviously his shooting ability and just his decision making overall. But I mean, this warriors team, credit to Buddy Hill, dude. And what they're.
[00:26:52] Speaker A: How's Kevin Looney doing?
[00:26:53] Speaker B: Kevon Looney, I mean, he had 10 rebounds last night. That's what you want from Kavan? Yeah, I think it was 10 rebounds, maybe it was 16. But I mean, he's, you know, Kavan Looney, he's getting offensive defense, whatever you need, he is there. He's open, he is hooping, he's getting it back. He's giving him second chance points, second chance opportunities, especially in the Fourth quarter, I noticed first the Celtics, that they were getting a lot of second chance opportunities. And then as they started to roll, the Celtics, you know, they were hitting, but they weren't back, back to back, because there was spurts in that game to where the Celtics were just. Especially in the beginning of the fourth quarter, not late in the fourth quarter. The Celtics were just three after three after three, and it's just like, what can you do? But, I mean, the warriors started to slowly get their way back into it. You know, the Celtics kind of took their foot off the gas, and then it came down to free throws. And then the warriors knocked down most of their free throws, and that was the game. So credit to this warriors team. Dude, I think, to answer the question, I think they need a second star in order to really consider them a title contender, a true title contender. They need that second star. What do you think, Trey?
[00:28:09] Speaker A: I agree. I would say they're good in guards, but I would say they need to like a standout big man. Come on. Ludy's not, you know, nothing to discredit him. Nothing to discredit Kaminga. They're doing, like, okay. Imagine they had Clint Capella to kind of take the pressure off of Kaminga to be trying to get boards because we know he wants to be a more offensive guy first. And he doesn't really want to do the dirty work necessarily. Like, he'll do it, but he wants to be like, you know, kind of.
[00:28:34] Speaker B: You know who I'd love to play for the Warriors? Miles Turner. Tell me that's not a good fit.
[00:28:41] Speaker A: I can see that.
[00:28:42] Speaker B: Miles Turner. I mean, the defense he plays with every night, the ability to knock down the three to finish that. Miles Turner is just that guy. I mean, you know, when it comes, he's been great for the Pacers, and I think he'd be great for this warriors team.
But anyways, to sneak them in, I mean, it's crazy to say we're just sneaking them in. The Cleveland Cavaliers are currently 9 0, the best start in their entire franchise history.
Now, considering this, I know we just talked about the warriors being title contenders. Do we think the Cavs are the best bet to beat the Celtics? And if not, who?
[00:29:26] Speaker A: Yeah, like you just said, if not them, who? I mean, I still want to advocate for New York. Like I said, I'm always going to be kind of a New York advocate because they're. They're deep as well. They just kind of got to find their stride.
[00:29:35] Speaker B: Like, they got to get in rhythm, especially with the New roster.
[00:29:38] Speaker A: Yeah. Kat's still adjusting. Mikael Bridges, as we know, he's still adjusting. I ain't going lie. Bridgers, get it together, bro.
Yeah. So if it's not the Knicks or the Cavs, even the Bucks, man, if the Bucks can turn it around and, you know they're one in six, but think about it, like, it was another team that started out just like that and they ended up turning around, I'm gonna have to find that and verify that. But to the point, man, it's still early.
[00:30:00] Speaker B: It's early in the season because, like.
[00:30:03] Speaker A: I said, players are going to be gassed. But I'm going to be honest, though.
[00:30:06] Speaker B: Because they're only three and four.
[00:30:07] Speaker A: Tatum and JB aren't getting gassed. Yeah, like, they'll be a little fatigued. Like, you'll be able to tell, but, like, they're not getting, like, oh, like, I don't know. The worst thing they'll have to do is deal with injuries. Just like last night. Like, JB didn't play last night. Now imagine if JB played in that game last night. I think Celtics still.
[00:30:22] Speaker B: Porzingis hasn't been playing.
[00:30:24] Speaker A: Yeah, like, that's what I'm saying. They're just deep, bro.
[00:30:26] Speaker B: Like, they just got so many players.
[00:30:29] Speaker A: Because you got Derek White and Peyton Pritchard, man. They're hooping. Peyton. Yeah. Peyton Pritchard. That's your guy, man. Peyton Pritchard, bro, My God's been open, man.
[00:30:39] Speaker B: But Derek White, I love Derek White. I mean, just to. I mean, the guy that just, like, it feels like every time he hits the three, the Kevin Harlan, just like Derek White hits another three, I'm like, why aren't we surprised about this? Now Derek White's just. If he's open, he is scoping. I mean, you know what I'm saying? Yeah, he's just a sniper, so. I mean, this Celtics team is tough. I think I was talking about it with my friend earlier. I know Drew is going to want us to say the Phoenix Suns, and respectfully, heck to the no. I mean, I just can't say it right now. I can't. They're seven and one. Give them credit. Kevin Durant, he's playing well. But the Suns, I just don't think they have what it takes to beat the Celtics. Now, the thing. The team that I think is deep enough to play with them, Me and my friend were talking about this other day, is the Oklahoma City Thunder.
[00:31:31] Speaker A: Whoa.
Over. Over the Lakers.
[00:31:34] Speaker B: Yes, over the Lakers.
[00:31:37] Speaker A: Over the lake. All right.
[00:31:38] Speaker B: Over The Lakers, I'm just saying.
But I'm not putting the Mavs in this because I don't think the Mavs are. They're not there yet, man.
[00:31:51] Speaker A: But the Thunder don't really have, like a solid. Their bench, bro. They're not keeping up with the Celtics bench. Like, that's the only reason why.
[00:31:57] Speaker B: I'm saying they got Aaron Wiggins, they got Isaiah Joe.
[00:32:00] Speaker A: But like I'm saying, like, man, I don't know. The Thunder, they got.
[00:32:06] Speaker B: They got people.
I mean, Shay, J Dub, Chet Homebrew.
[00:32:13] Speaker A: Yeah, I know this. I know them. But like I'm saying, for the bench unit, like when Celtics bench unit comes.
[00:32:17] Speaker B: In because you're swapping Caruso, they just out added Alex Caruso, Isaiah Hartenstein. They got guys, dude.
They got guys. Case and Wallace. He has been solid.
[00:32:28] Speaker A: For him, it's another. Nah, bro, I'm gonna find it.
[00:32:32] Speaker B: It's another Jalen Williams above them. The other Jalen Williams. Not the Jalen Williams.
[00:32:38] Speaker A: You always forget Lou Dort.
[00:32:40] Speaker B: I said Lou Dort.
[00:32:41] Speaker A: You did?
[00:32:41] Speaker B: Oh, I think I did. I don't know. I'm sorry, Lou Dort. If I forgot you. Lou Dort's amazing, man.
[00:32:46] Speaker A: Anyway, okay, so I don't disagree with you to that point, but at the.
[00:32:49] Speaker B: Same time, I mean, who else you got to think. I'm just saying they're the best to compete with the Celtics. Who else do you think? I mean? Because, I mean, this isn't just a one team answer.
[00:33:05] Speaker A: Um, in the west, man, it's tough.
[00:33:10] Speaker B: I know, dude. It's because the Boston Celtics are just.
[00:33:15] Speaker A: I'm gonna be honest, bro. I don't care. Like, I'm gonna throw my Lakers in there. I don't care. 40 year old LeBron, I'm throwing him in there.
[00:33:21] Speaker B: Oh, goodness.
[00:33:22] Speaker A: All right, I'm still mad about that game. Look, I'm still mad about that game where LeBron got fouled, right? The ref didn't call it. I'm talking about Clear as day.
[00:33:32] Speaker B: Are you talking about his.
[00:33:33] Speaker A: Yeah, Jason Tatum.
[00:33:34] Speaker B: Yeah, that was like a regular season game.
[00:33:36] Speaker A: I don't.
[00:33:37] Speaker B: Bro, dude, why are we still talking about this?
[00:33:40] Speaker A: Because, bro, we cannot talk about if we're not. If we're not getting biased.
[00:33:46] Speaker B: Oh, my God.
[00:33:47] Speaker A: If we're not getting biased calls. Messed up. Look, bro, Lakers would have won that game.
Like I said, man, we're deep enough to compete with them.
[00:33:58] Speaker B: This is just a wild episode.
[00:34:00] Speaker A: Deep enough, man.
[00:34:01] Speaker B: Oh, my goodness.
[00:34:02] Speaker A: I'm saying. But you said no to the sun. So if you say no to the Suns. I mean, it's not wild to say yes to the Lakers because the Suns are pretty deep too. If you want to talk about deep.
[00:34:08] Speaker B: Like, the Suns are deeper this year, but I just got. I just can't. I just can't base it off that just yet.
[00:34:15] Speaker A: Yeah, they're too inconsistent. I don't know. They're starting. They're hot, though. They're starting hot.
[00:34:18] Speaker B: They're hot right now. They are.
[00:34:19] Speaker A: They have a tendency to cool off, man. I would have said the Clippers, man, that Kawhi was playing, like, not for them to be beating the Celtics. But I'm just saying, like, you know, you want Kawhi on Tatum, and we just saw Harden's been playing, like, I.
[00:34:31] Speaker B: Mean, the warriors just beat them. But I just don't. It's just one game. I don't want to base everything off one game, you know? And I still think they need that to compete with them in a seven game series. They need that second start of Perry Curry.
[00:34:46] Speaker A: What do you think about a healthy Memphis team?
[00:34:49] Speaker B: Healthy Memphis? Yeah, I know they just beat y'all, so. But y'all, they didn't have Desmond Bay nor market Smart.
[00:34:57] Speaker A: We didn't have Anthony Davis or Rui. So we're gonna, you know, exclude. We're gonna, you know. Down already. Yeah.
[00:35:04] Speaker B: Hey, man, D'Angelo Russell plays no defense.
[00:35:07] Speaker A: He got benched on per matter of fact. Respect to JJ Reddick, Coach Reddick.
[00:35:11] Speaker B: Respect to jj.
[00:35:12] Speaker A: I'm gonna be honest, man on the.
[00:35:13] Speaker B: Bench, if he's not. If he's watching people go, how are.
[00:35:17] Speaker A: You gonna chuck up?
[00:35:18] Speaker B: Like, he just squatted down and just watched the dude just run past him. I'm like, what are you doing?
[00:35:23] Speaker A: Five seconds into the shot clock, into the possession. You want to chuck up at long.
[00:35:26] Speaker B: I hate to be the negative guy here, man. Like, come on.
[00:35:30] Speaker A: It's crazy.
[00:35:31] Speaker B: Do. Do you have to. Do you have to threaten him to trade him every time just so he gets to play better? Are y'all gonna have to do that this year?
[00:35:39] Speaker A: Deadline D trade. Deadline D low, please.
[00:35:41] Speaker B: You might have to threaten them with that.
[00:35:43] Speaker A: Not even my. I want him traded anyway, like I said, I'm talking. Because literally he showed us what he can do once he wants to lock in. But, like, it shouldn't have to be. That shouldn't have to be.
[00:35:50] Speaker B: It shouldn't have to be that way.
[00:35:51] Speaker A: Traded in.
[00:35:52] Speaker B: It should not.
[00:35:53] Speaker A: Oh, hold on, wait. Minnesota. What do you think? We forgot about Minnesota. You think of Minnesota?
[00:35:58] Speaker B: They've been inconsistent, though. Too.
[00:36:00] Speaker A: Yeah, I think they got a little.
[00:36:01] Speaker B: Well, honestly, I was big on Minnesota, but you were talking about in previous episodes how they're inconsistent, and I. I kind of agree with you now.
[00:36:09] Speaker A: Yeah, I think kind of ant has a tendency to kind of want to do stuff on his own sometimes, but that's not all the time. Like he would. He does make the right pass.
[00:36:16] Speaker B: And then him and Julius Randall, that pairing, I just don't. I just don't know how to feel about that. I just don't know how to feel about that.
[00:36:22] Speaker A: I don't know when they both dropped 33 and what, 35 or something when they was back and forth.
[00:36:26] Speaker B: I just don't know how to feel about it.
[00:36:28] Speaker A: Yeah, I don't know. Give it time. Like you said, it's still early, man.
[00:36:31] Speaker B: It's still early.
[00:36:32] Speaker A: Week two.
[00:36:33] Speaker B: That's the point of this segment. Is it too much too early? So, you know, but this Cleveland going back to Cleveland. Going back to the Cleveland Cavaliers. I mean, they have been hooping. Evan Mobley, you are a stud. And just. I hope you keep playing this way. Donovan Mitchell. I mean, people haven't been giving him his flowers, I think, in previous years. You got to give it to him this year. I mean, this guy's playing at an amazing level. Who knows? If he keep playing. If he keeps playing like this, he could be in MVP contentions. But anyways, that's going to do it. You are listening to the NBA student section on 90.7 the capstone. And we'll be right back after this short break.
[00:37:23] Speaker A: Wvuafm Tuscaloosa.
[00:37:33] Speaker B: Welcome back to the NBA student section. We're back and we're getting straight into it with our awards for the week. Now, Trey, we're picking a standout team and a standout player. Now, do you want to go first or me? What do you. How you want to do it?
[00:37:49] Speaker A: Um, okay.
Standout team. Now, this is an honorable mention. I didn't. I didn't put it on the notes, but this is what I have in my head. Remember, I got you the Charlotte Hornets, man. Honorable mention.
[00:38:02] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:38:02] Speaker A: Brandon, my. Our boy, Brandon Miller, he just hit his game winner. Him and lamelo ball going off. Man, the Charlotte Hornets. I'm liking what I see. That might be the Thunder in the East. What do you think?
[00:38:14] Speaker B: What do you. What did you say about the Thunder?
[00:38:16] Speaker A: I said that might be the Thunder in the East. Like, just the level of, like, you know, young guys, young core.
[00:38:22] Speaker B: Oh, you're saying up and coming.
[00:38:23] Speaker A: Yeah, maybe if they Keep their momentum, man.
[00:38:26] Speaker B: I don't see why, if they keep their momentum. I mean, they got guys like Trey Burke. I know he's also on that team. They got Lamelo ball, obviously. Mark Williams, Brendan Miller, Miles Bridges. Miles Bridges, he's going to be out for a little bit because of a bruised knee, but Miles Bridges, I mean, he's a great guy to have two on your team.
[00:38:45] Speaker A: Do they have Terry Rozier as well?
[00:38:47] Speaker B: No, no, they're in the heat.
[00:38:48] Speaker A: Oh, he's on. Yeah. Okay, okay, okay.
[00:38:49] Speaker B: He was good for him when he did play, though. I love my boy. Scary Terry, no doubt. But anyways, I mean, yeah, the Charlotte Hornets. I don't have no idea how Brandon Miller got the ball, got the rebound for that putback. That was just insane.
[00:39:01] Speaker A: Follow your shot. I mean, he didn't shoot it, but.
[00:39:04] Speaker B: He didn't shoot it. It was Grant Williams, remember?
[00:39:06] Speaker A: Look, they weren't boxing out. Yeah, people like teams don't box out no more. Fundamentals is lost. But anyway, whatever.
[00:39:11] Speaker B: And of course, it happened to the Pistons. Just a good young team like the Pistons, someone to have a quick mental error like that. Honestly, not really surprised. But Brandon Miller, I mean, just got to the ball, put it back up and in, and he was letting. It was at home, too. Their announcer, you know, the Charlotte Hornets, like, announcer. He's just electric. Brandon Miller, just absolutely electric. I love that guy. But yeah, great team. If I got to pick a team.
I know this is kind of obvious. We just talked about it. But it has to be the Golden State Warriors. I mean, I was thinking of the Cavaliers, but I feel like for this week, the warriors have just been too good. And I mean, their 7:1 record has just propelled them to beyond my, you know, imagination as far as how well they were going to be doing, especially to start this season. And kudos to Buddy Healed. I mean, he has just been absolutely balling for him. Andrew Wiggins, we've talked about it. But to go to into TD Garden and to give the Celtics their first L of the season, I mean, that's a. That's pretty tough. That's tough business to take care of.
[00:40:14] Speaker A: I got some honorable mentions for players. First one, I got my player. I know I'm gonna give it to John Morant.
[00:40:20] Speaker B: John Morant. He's. He's been hooping.
[00:40:22] Speaker A: Give it to John Morant because I don't even really have to say much on him. You know, we all saw the 360 layups. Not one, but two.
[00:40:28] Speaker B: Oh, my God.
[00:40:29] Speaker A: Just his left athletic man. Matter of fact, while I'm on the Grizzlies, I'm gonna go ahead and throw Zach Edey in there. You know, our boy Zach Edey. And Zach Edey's been balling for him. Been doing, doing a little something, you.
[00:40:40] Speaker B: Know, little something something.
[00:40:41] Speaker A: Little something. Something light. Nothing too crazy. But oh, yeah, obviously for the Suns, I'll go Kevin Durant, we got to throw him in there because, you know.
[00:40:52] Speaker B: He'S been hooping like he has been great for him. I think for my honorable mention, I got to go with the number one overall pick, Zachary from the Atlanta Hawks. I mean, to come in and have a 33 point game, especially considering, you know, his lack of size and just getting used to the NBA. We've talked about it earlier. I mean, he's coming to his own and I hope he continues to do that for the Atlanta Hawks, because for the last few years, besides DeAndre DeAndre Hunter, I mean, the Atlanta Hawks draft picks have not really well, and Trae Young, obviously they traded for, but the Atlanta Hawks draft picks have kind of been, you know, a little bit all over the place. Kind of, you know, they go to another team, whatever it may be. So, you know, hopefully this, this one sticks for the Atlanta Hawks and it works, works out for them. But my actual standout player. Give it to the man, Russ. Russell Westbrook for the Denver Nuggets as A starter is 3 and O with the Denver Nuggets. They have. They've won three of their last few games. He is averaging 18, five and six with 2.7 steals per game on 50% from the field. I mean, you saw it versus Oklahoma City, gave them their first loss and I mean, had like 29 points. It just absolutely balled out. He shot like 75% from three. I believe he was three for four. But I mean, this guy was absolutely destroying, I mean, his X team. So, I mean, I got to give it to Russ especially. You know, he's kind of been inconsistent for them, especially coming off the bench. So for Russ to be able to get into a rhythm and to really help out that Denver Nuggets team, I mean, that's just. That's amazing for him. So let me give you the exact stat line, though. Russell Westbrook, 29 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds, 10 for 15 from the field, 3 for 4 from 3. And that was last night versus the Thunder. We were just talking about how good the Thunder is. Russell Westbrook, man, come on. Now, as a starter, Denver Nuggets are three and oh, gotta give credit where Credit is due.
[00:43:02] Speaker A: Yeah, I agree. I got one more honorable mention.
[00:43:05] Speaker B: I got you.
[00:43:07] Speaker A: I already talked about him enough, but like 80. I got to throw Anthony Davis in.
[00:43:10] Speaker B: He has been. I mean, when he is, when he is playing. I mean, that dude has been destroying.
But talking. Talk more about your guy.
[00:43:19] Speaker A: What has he been like the last couple of games? Has been a consistent 30 piece every time. You know, he's definitely going to get his 10 rebounds, getting his blocks, like you just said. I mean, like when he's aggressive, when he, like it's his. It's got to be his team. Like, we want to put it on LeBron now. Honorable mention for LeBron right quick. He just had, what did he have? 39 against the Grizzlies last night or was that.
[00:43:41] Speaker B: Yeah, 39. Okay, so, yeah, near triple double. I mean, that did.
[00:43:44] Speaker A: Yeah. I mean, he's trying. Yeah, you're not going to be able to stop LeBron, but like, you know, that's just like. It has to be AD's team, though. Like, he only had to step up like that because of the fact that AD was out.
[00:43:55] Speaker B: But, you know, but AD, I mean, he's currently averaging 32, 11 and 3 1.6 steals a game. I mean, the dude's just like. He's putting up MVP numbers. Yeah, he really is. And I mean, I know he's day to day right now. I don't think he's.
He. I think he's playing the next game, but he's day to day right now. So we'll see his status as far as the Lakers next game. But I mean, Anthony Davis, he's putting up MVP numbers, so kudos to him.
[00:44:25] Speaker A: Yeah, he's definitely commanding his respect. Hey, you know what I think it is? I think he has a motivation to get his defensive player of the year. Like, I don't. I think he wants to leave it with like unanimous decision.
[00:44:33] Speaker B: I know we were talking about that last year. As far as him comparing him to Rudy Gobert and Victor Wembanyama. Yeah, I think, I mean, he, he was definitely putting up a case for it. So I also want to mention too, this is not really kind of player of the week. And I know he's kind of been out. He was out last night versus the Mavericks. But Zach Lavigne, come on now. He has been tearing the lead. I mean, he has been destroying right now.
He has.
[00:45:01] Speaker A: What's his stats, man? Pull up a stat line, right?
[00:45:03] Speaker B: Pull up his stats. Yeah, yeah, let me pull up his stats real quick. He talked for a little second man.
[00:45:09] Speaker A: LaMelo Ball. I forgot. I mean, we just gonna go ahead and throw him in there. I mean, he's making it look effortless out there, like.
Anyway, that was quick. Little mention. Shout out lamelo ball, man.
[00:45:19] Speaker B: Yeah, shout out lamelo.
[00:45:20] Speaker A: Shout out Lonzo too.
[00:45:21] Speaker B: But the Bull, I mean, for the Bulls, he's been averaging 22.7, 45% from three, five rebounds, almost three assists. So, I mean, 45% from three. Near 50% from the field, basically. 50% from the field. 22. But I mean, overall, he's just been cooking, especially coming off that injury. And I mean, it's early in the season two. He's day to day right now. So I feel like when he really starts to get a flow and really get healthy, I know he's, you know, dealing with some shoulder injuries. So if once he gets really healthy, I think Zach Levine, because a lot of everybody just always underestimates my boy. So you gotta, you know, I feel like more people got to keep an eye on him.
[00:46:03] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:46:04] Speaker B: So any final thoughts, Trey, before we close the show out?
[00:46:07] Speaker A: No, that's all I got for this week. To everybody who's listening, thank you. We appreciate it. We know you're gonna be here next week. That's all I got.
[00:46:16] Speaker B: Yep. Thank you all so much for listening to WVU AFM 90.7, the Capstone's NBA student section.
I'm your host, Zachary Elrod and Trey Simpson. And we're out. Thank you all for listening. Peace.
