Steph Has Luka TOUCHING EARTH, Bron's Sixers Own The Knicks Again & Klay Goes VINTAGE In Miami! Part 2

0:00 All right, well, let's keep this thing moving. Talking about another team who may or may not be in the playoffs. But before we do, shout out to everybody in the chat. Chat, if you appreciate the show and all that we do for you. And if you hate spiders as much as I do, hit that like button right now. Help us get these numbers up. Keep the show rolling. But let's shift over to the Eastern Conference. After an 0-4 start to the Giannis era, the Heat finally got in the win column last week after beating the Hawks Wednesday. Made it two in a row Friday in their NBA Cup opener against the shorthanded Pacers. who are once again without Halle and Zubats. The Giannis and Bam duo was dominant for the second straight game, and after an underwhelming start

0:38 to his season, Klay Thompson put on a vintage shooting night to silence his critics, some of which reside in this arena, on this very couch. Said he was in a three-year slump, but at least for one game, Klay got his get back. Let's take a look at the highlights, please, if we can.

0:55 Oh.

0:56 A little too bright for my particular liking. He put up 145 points in this game, but once again, their defense left much to be desired, especially against this shorthanded Pacers squad.

1:07 I thought that was the Pacers squad. Yeah, yellow is different. I thought that was Indiana's group.

1:12 Oh, yeah, it is.

1:13 Wait, that's Miami's group?

1:14 Yeah, I thought that was the Pacers group. That's nasty.

1:17 Why yellow for Miami? Where the hell did that come from? We call them mellow yellow. So Pacers put up 42 points. Black and red?

1:23 In the first quarter, led by six after the first frame, he got back on track in the second quarter, outscoring the Pacers 32-19. Giannis started dominating the paint, attacking the rim, finishing through contact, and finding open teammates.

1:35 See, I knew that was fucking bad.

1:37 They got to keep the goal. They got to keep the, yo, a court for Clay. Light-skinned excellence.

1:42 The Greek freak messed around and dropped his second triple-double this season. Giannis had 31.17 boards, 10 assists in only 31 minutes.

1:50 Giannis' first player in Heat history.

1:52 Who recorded at least 30 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists while shooting 70% from the field in the game. Miami kept their foot on the gas in the second half. Klay came through with his vintage shooting night, delivering his best game so far with the Heat. Klay had 25 points on 9 of 14 shooting. He was 7 for 12 from deep. Bam had his highest scoring output of the season so far with 27 points and 9 rebounds.

2:14 Who the fuck was that?

2:15 Klay.

2:16 You know who that is, man. Bam, 11 for 14 from the field.

2:18 That was Klay right there? Yeah. You know who that is?

2:22 Okay, shit. Even Giannis got in on it. Barrage.

2:25 Barrage the threes.

2:26 Bam had his second straight 20-point game. Davion Mitchell, 15 points and 11 assists. He took a 15-point lead in the final frame. Offensive explosion was not finished. Miami put up 42 points in the fourth quarter to get the 20-point win in their second straight victory.

2:43 Giannis.

2:46 Push him to the back.

2:49 There we go. Yeah.

2:52 Last one right here. They kept him in the game.

2:56 Keep him in the game, Giannis. With his final step. He's going to.

3:01 Run some shit for them.

3:02 He's a dog, man.

3:04 We got to see them do that against them. Who do they play tonight?

3:06 They play the Los Angeles Lakers. Tonight in LA, Gil. Easy. We're talking a lot about shit about Giannis.

3:14 No, I'm just kidding. We'll see what happens. But, Gil, you had the Heat. Your predictions are going to be the number one team in the Eastern Conference. You've since shifted that. But let's just look at this Heat squad. What's changed for the Heat in the past two games versus the first four? Two straight wins after an 0-4 start.

3:30 It looks like they, for the most part, took the ball out of Giannis' hands. Put him closer to the basket where if he's going to move, he's right there. If there's a double, it's easy to pass out of that. Half court, it looks.

3:45 Like they put the ball in Bam's hand a little bit where he's getting the feel for it. I mean, this game, you know, you can see, you know, Klay's shot looks like Klay's shot. And that was the question, like how, like you're a shooter. Like, I don't understand how you lose that, you know, lose that jump in the middle and all that. But you just hitting pure shots, that should be easy, easy work for you. So, you know, seeing him, you know, make these shots. As I said, like, once he got moving, now it's hit it with a little step back. Like, you don't need to make a few shots to do what you do, right? You know, the little post-up fade, all that shit, that's your game. So, to see that it's still there. Like, I'm one of

4:35 the guys who don't believe, you know, it's washed. I believe that the nigga still in Golden State is still here. You know, you just got to find it and unlock it. So to see that, you know, he went seven for 12 is great. Now, if he's that or half of that the rest of the season, they're in a good spot. They're going to be in a good spot.

5:02 I agree.

5:03 I think the difference that I've.

5:07 Seen within just the offense for Miami is one, it's more paced within the offense. Earlier in the season, it was a lot of catch, hold, hesitation into the next swing or to the next part of the play. It looks like the offense is moving a little more fluidly now. Even when it came to the pin down, clay came up, it was the automatic lock. Everything just kind of flowed straight into the play. So you can.

5:33 Tell that they really rehearsed the offense.

5:36 Or maybe it's... more offense is being put within the game. Because earlier on, it looked like it was a lot of just Giannis open court, ISO, get to the half court is more ISO. Then it's kind of a grenade into a bad shot type of deal.

5:51 So you can tell.

5:55 They've really rehearsed the offense a bit more, and it looks like guys are a lot more comfortable within it. And then on top of that, just having those perimeter guys specifically.

6:06 Play That opens up the game for everybody.

6:09 You know what I mean?

6:09 So, I think it's, hopefully, it's starting to click for the squad. It's not heavy, you know, Giannis, Iso anymore. And everybody gets a little more comfortable within the offense. Even, I didn't quite see those pocket passes getting into the paint.

6:27 It's early on for Miami. Dave Young?

6:31 Yeah. Dave Young.

6:31 Yeah, so, like I said, it just looks like everybody's a bit more comfortable within the offense, which is great for Miami.

6:37 And, you know, hopefully they can, you know, start stacking the Ws.

6:40 So, yeah.

6:42 Who was their win before Indiana?

6:44 Let me pull it up for you. I think it was two bad teams. I mean, there's... Brooklyn?

6:48 Yeah, there's... I mean, there's a lot of ass around the NBA right now.

6:52 I'm just saying.

6:53 There's injuries, so... There's not a lot of good teams. They got the Hawks on Wednesday, and then they beat the Pacers.

6:58 Okay, so... The Hawks are a reasonable win.

7:00 That's a good win, yeah.

7:01 Tonight, I think, will be a better test for them.

7:04 Again, so.

7:06 Good sign they're in a better direction. Hard to gauge them with Atlanta's solid, but Indiana without their two main guys, you know, and some other probably supporting cast members missing from Indiana. But it's a good win, and you need that sometimes. You need a confidence booster as a shooter. You're going to have moments. So Clay hopefully helps him with the confidence of, you know, showing himself that he can be himself still. Sometimes when you get older, you lose that lift, which kind of changes your shot some.

7:35 But his legs look good, look like he's fresh. I think it's more of the touches than how you're getting the touches. And he's used to getting way more attention or abundance of touches when he was in Golden State than when he left when he was in Dallas to here. So he's still figuring that out. But you see that Bam is more involved in the offense, and Giannis is not as ball-dominant. I think it helps him a lot.

7:58 I think some guys at the bench that have some good games, you know, Larson. We won't really know until we see them versus a decent team. I think tonight will be a good test for them. Again, I still have them. Now, like I said, I see them in the 7-9 range. They can probably get back in that. The East has gotten better, man. They're a solid team, but I still think if they turn around to be different, I'll be the first to say I was wrong. Again, They're a decent team at best right now. And I'm interested to see how it works versus some other decent teams.

8:39 So three-point shooting was definitely a major issue to start this season. Obviously, Clay, THJ, other people weren't living up. But Clay in this game, Gil, if he can continue to shoot like this, the Clay that obviously they were hoping for and expecting when he came to South Beach, does that maximize Giannis offensively and the rest of this Heat team?

8:58 That maximizes everyone.

9:00 Right, when you're talking about guys. Just him?

9:01 No, just him.

9:02 MTHF, just if they can get it. Yeah, you don't need more than just him.

9:05 Yeah, yeah.

9:06 Him and Ben, I mean, just opening up the lane, right? Mitchell, he's playing phenomenal. Like, you know, nobody wants to talk about it, but he's playing great basketball. He is playing great. So, if you have Klay making shots, Wiggins making shots, and then off the bench, you got Hardaway making shots itself. Bam.

9:30 Berman Giannis has the freedom to just play the game, right? Because you can't leave anybody. You got to stay home. They get to use their one-on-one skills. There's no one sitting in a lane, right? So that itself just helps the team overall. So hopefully Klay can.

9:49 Look at this.

9:50 This ain't no vintage. It's there. It's still there. So hopefully he can just continue, man. I just it's hard to see splash brothers and you're questioning who's the better shooter. Right. And then, you know, one is still shooting at a very high level and the other one's not. And it was like, I know you shoot a thousand shots, you know, a week. So, you know, most of it is just probably just mental block, you know, um, Get rid of that shit. You're going to have mental block when you're done playing. Unblock that shit for right now and go out there and splash. That's all I'm saying. You can mental block when you're done, man. You can be miserable when you're done.

10:33 I mean, him definitely shooting the ball like that helps them a ton. But the biggest concern for me before the season was they didn't have enough shooting. Him and Tim Hardaway are good shooters. They're going to give you moments. If you can do it consistent, that'll be great for them. But I was wondering where else the offense was shooting.

10:49 I knew the defense was going to be okay.

10:51 You just thought defense would be okay?

10:54 Yeah, I didn't see a lot of defensive wings. Davion is a good defensive point guard. Wiggs is a little older. He's solid. Clay, Tim, I didn't see good enough or youth to keep up and run with those other young groups out there. I knew Bam and Giannis were going to be good at the rim. They're going to rebound.

11:11 They're going to do what the wings and then the shooting was the issue. If they can get shooting, which has been, as I said, even THJ had some struggles and Clay had some struggles, it'll change a lot of the outcome and success that they'll have. But, again, everybody's going to have to shoot pretty decent for Giannis to have that space and bam. Because if they don't shoot well, everybody can just pack the paint.

11:37 Let's talk about the other side of the ball, though. So, you know, I think, you know, the season first start, we talked a lot about what the defense could be. with that dominant front court, Giannis and Bam. Heat are allowing nearly 122 points per game this season. Fifth most in the league. They currently have the fifth worst defensive rating in the league. So, Boogie, how concerning is the Heat's defensive issues, given the expectations for this team?

12:00 I'm not concerned.

12:01 I think they get back.

12:04 I think they get back to their ways.

12:05 I just think the biggest distraction has been their offensive end for them. So it's kind of– and it happens with most teams– Coaches get on us.

12:15 About it a lot. It's like we allow the offense to dictate our defense, and I.

12:19 Think that's what Miami is doing right now. But just off their makeup, I think they're eventually going to get back in order and become one of the best defensive teams. Obviously, they're anchored by two very good defensive big men.

12:37 So even though I do.

12:40 Feel Giannis is a step slower defensively, and that's not saying much because he's so great defensively, but I do believe he's.

12:48 A step slower.

12:49 It's not the same, you know, that it was those Milwaukee years. So I can't say that, but regardless of that, I think they give back to him.

13:00 He's getting a little older, you know. He's not young anymore.

13:02 Which is understandable.

13:02 He has to carry a lot of the offense, so it's a given. It's granted. I'm concerned, not going to lie to you. So this is after their two wins. They're still– This is this season. They won by 20 last game. So, what were they before the last one? Were they dead last? They were in the bottom.

13:22 They were in the bottom.

13:23 So, they got better.

13:25 Like, again, I thought they'd be decent at best, and I thought even at worst, they would still be above the bottom five.

13:30 Right.

13:32 Still early.

13:32 You can turn it around. But, again, their defenses have to be better for them, unless those guys shoot lights out.

13:41 This is technically a new team though. It is. It is.

13:46 So is Lakers. Lakers damn near a new team too. They're nine new guys.

13:51 I feel like it's different.

13:52 They're going to play tonight. We're going to see.

13:54 How many guys they got returning from the Heat starting five of last year?

13:59 Wiggs and Davion.

14:02 Did Davion start last year?

14:02 He didn't start but he was there.

14:04 So it's two starters returning.

14:07 Same for the Lakers.

14:10 Yeah. True.

14:13 We got nine new players on the team. And they were top five in defense. Nobody thought that was going to happen. That's way over exceeding my expectation.

14:23 I don't think that's that.

14:24 It's not going to last. But both of them will come back.

14:27 Your point is valid. Yeah.

14:29 But right now, it's like, unless you're going to out-shoot people, that was a great game against Indiana. I just don't see that happening anymore. every night, where Giannis is hitting threes, too.

14:38 So your gut telling you they're basically going to be mediocre. Well, you said 7-9. You said a 7-9 range this year, right?

14:46 I mean, because, again, I had six teams in the East that I thought for sure were better than them.

14:50 Eric Sposler and Giannis in the 7-9 range.

14:52 He thought he was going to be really great before the season started.

14:55 I did, too.

14:56 Started on 4. I don't think that's an accident. I think there's... I mean, they can get better. Other teams will get better, too.

15:04 But, again.

15:06 Philly, New York, Cleveland.

15:08 Detroit, Boston. I mean, shit, New York bad right now.

15:13 Toronto. Look at me.

15:14 Trash, trash.

15:15 Those five teams.

15:16 Who? Toronto. He said trash. Trash.

15:20 I said that.

15:23 They're above Miami.

15:24 I said that. I said that.

15:26 Kawhi ain't going to be out all season.

15:27 He will.

15:28 He got his bread.

15:30 The thing is, that's a determining factor. It is. Kawhi?

15:34 Joel's a determinative factor.

15:35 No, he's not.

15:36 Philly's still going to be a good team. They're going to win games.

15:38 They won't be a contender.

15:40 Huh?

15:40 They won't be a contender without Joel.

15:42 Who? It changes a lot. I think they could be.

15:44 You take one of the best players off your team, it changes a lot. That's any team.

15:47 Oh, he's nice.

15:48 He's fourth option right there.

15:52 It still changes your contention.

15:54 I mean, I want him.

15:55 I'd rather have him there than not have him. And the Arizona ain't going to be going to host. It changes a lot.

16:03 But that's a makeup.

16:04 I just don't think Toronto.

16:07 Oh, did y'all talk about Toronto still?

16:10 He said trash. I said they're not going to have Kawhi. He's not going to be gone all season. They're not going to be trash. Kawhi helped them make the playoffs. They're going to beat the bad teams.

16:17 Yeah.

16:17 They're going to beat the bad teams. And not just beat them. They're beating them by 20. Who else did they beat? Was it Brooklyn by 30?

16:23 Down 25?

16:23 Down 26 to the Lakers boogie, but did not have. They didn't have a– Kawhi.

16:32 That's what I'm saying.

16:32 Kawhi is– The game before, they went by with 30.

16:34 Who did they beat?

16:35 They went by 20-30. They're not that terrible, the way you make it seem.

16:39 No, they're just not that good.

16:40 They're not right now. Well, Kawhi is going to be a different story. He's not going to be gone all season. That's my point.

16:44 So they beat the Magic by 30. They lost to the Magic on Friday in the NBA Cup. Then obviously lost to the Lakers.

16:52 They're going to be one of the 50-50 team. You know what I'm saying?

16:54 Yeah, is that 50-50? Beat them by 30 and then came back and lost? Yes.

16:57 They lost them before the 30, I think.

16:58 They beat them by 30 Wednesday, played them on Friday. Okay. Lost by seven. That's... Again, they... Sufficient Raptors talk for the day.

17:09 I don't know, bro.

17:11 Let's shift back over to the Western Conference. Spurs were back in action Halloween night. Wimby took full advantage of the holiday festivities with a spooktacular performance. So getting his shot blocked by Amon Thompson with the game on the line in the second game of the season, Wimby's been looking more and more like a big man, embracing his height, focusing more on getting buckets closer to the rim, delivered his best game of the season on Halloween to give the Spurs their fourth straight win after an 0-2 start.

17:39 Let's take a look at the highlights if we.

17:40 Can, please.

17:42 So Wimby arrived at Frost Bank Center dressed as Geraldo Rivia from The Witcher.

17:47 The Witcher.

17:49 Complete with silver hair, Dark clothing and a sword. Then went out and carved up the Wolves. Missing both Ant-Man and four-time defensive player of the year.

18:00 Rudy Gobert.

18:01 With two hands, though? Like, I didn't think he was going to get there with one. Like, all right, but he dunked that bitch with two hands.

18:06 So, when we put up 24 points in the first half, the Wolves did their best to keep pace. Minnesota actually had a one-point lead heading into the half.

18:17 You must know Berringer, too, right? They're all French. French days.

18:21 From the French part of Compton.

18:23 Spurs open the second half with a 13-4 run to take control of the game.

18:30 That's what the offense should be.

18:31 I agree.

18:33 Pick and roll with him is like downhill with that guard and then him at the rim. He was already... He was open five seconds ago.

18:41 San Antonio outscored Minnesota 61-50 in the second half. Get the 10-point win. They improved to 4-2 this season. Wimby finished with a season-high 43 points. When we have 43 points, seven rebounds in six blocks, 17 for 34 from the field. Took 34 shots in this game. Shout out to Wimby. Three for eight from deep.

19:00 Boom. So Alien is.

19:02 The first player since David Robinson in 1996 to record at least 40 points in five blocks.

19:08 And he still won't have.

19:09 A chance to do this? In a game. Yeah.

19:12 You can still play it on the floor. Yeah, but let's make the game simple.

19:18 Nice block on Kaminga. Brenton down the court. There we go, Wimby. Wimby leading the league in dunks right now, too. He's 32 dunks so far this season. And all of them came in the last two games. So offensive production has been on a steady rise over the Spurs last four games this season.

19:37 Did Steph get hurt? Steph Castle, did he get hurt? He only played 22 minutes.

19:40 I don't.

19:43 Know, but in Wimby's first two games this season, he averaged 19 points, 13 rebounds, four blocks.

19:48 He was shooting 29% from the field. 20% from three.

19:52 In the last four games, averaging 33 points, 10 rebounds, and 4.3 blocks, 55% from the field, 33% from three.

20:00 So, Boogie, we'll start with you.

20:01 When Wimby plays like a true big man, is there anybody in the NBA who can actually stop him?

20:06 He's a mismatch already.

20:08 So when he embraces the height, the way is the game comes easy for him and not only for him, but the most important part, everybody else around.

20:15 Um, I don't know.

20:18 It seemed like somebody had a, you know, a good, good, hard conversation with him. It seemed like, because a lot of his shots are, are more simple, um, just easier, more efficient type of baskets compared to, you know, trying to create a highlight with every, every time you, you, you know, you touch the ball.

20:36 But, uh, Credit to him for making the game more simple. Maybe he's heard the messages. I don't know.

20:41 There's been a lot of people kind of critiquing his game. And, you know, regardless, I think he's a superior talent. But, you know, every young player coming through this league, we all go through a stage of just having a simplified game and just understanding, you know, in some cases, less is more. So, you know, I think he did a good job of doing that.

21:06 Embracing the big man in this game.

21:08 And regardless of having to do that, you know, maybe if the game is 70%, 60% big man, you still got 40, 30% to show everything else that.

21:19 You can do in your game.

21:20 And I think he did a good job of that.

21:22 It was plays where he's still mixing at the top, you know, he ISO into the three and even getting downhill, you know, dunking the ball. So all the talents are still on display. It's just more smart, efficient basketball. which is a plus for him.

21:37 So, Gil, you went viral recently giving a very detailed breakdown of Wimby's game to that point and the issues that you had with it offensively, not playing like a big man, trying to be a 7'4 guard. But when you look at Wimby these last four games and what shifted, what are your thoughts on just Wimby changing up his game?

21:55 It shows you, you know, how intelligent he actually is to whatever noise... it is out there to not take it personal, to listen to what people are saying, and then apply it. When you're talking about just pick and roll and go. Your guards are so talented, you have to stop them. If you don't put a finger, an arm in front of the three guards that's doing the pick and roll, they're at the basket dunking. That's a big advantage for you. Because If my big man even thinks about going over there, when you roll, you have the inch. That's why I said, like, for the most part, they have to understand what his ability is also. So if you're coming up to pick and roll and you see this big man here, you know you can just

22:48 blindly throw it up there. He's going to, you know, he just has, he only needs half an arm in front where he's going to dunk it. So the fact that they've recognized that and they've been taking advantage of it, Once you do that, then you bring it out, then you can get your one and two. But sometimes the younger generation thinks because they're watching SportsCenter and you're watching top ten highlights, those top ten highlights are the highlights.

23:15 In a basketball game, you might have two highlights that game.

23:21 Right?

23:22 The other 98% of the time is regular, simple basketball. So, What you want to do is 98% just, I'm just going to come in here and do what I do. And then when I have some wiggle room to wiggle, I can do that for the fan base. So, you know, the fact that he's shown that he can adjust, shown that all of them can adjust, it's just going to make them more unstoppable.

23:51 Oh, yeah.

23:51 So now just watching them last four games, I put them back in the race.

23:55 Yeah.

23:57 You have removed him from the team? Hell yeah, I removed him. I have a 7'6 guy who don't get even past half court, and they already done chucked shots up. And for the most part, he just sits around the perimeter. He's not a threat.

24:08 Yeah, yeah, yeah.

24:09 I took the asses out. Now I'm putting him back in. Okay.

24:13 Winby, if you're watching, you'll roll the trick. Back in, you know. So, Dan, let's shift over to you.

24:18 Like I said, Winby, last four games, 33 points, 10 rebounds, four blocks per game. Field goal percentage is up. Still shooting threes, but also just getting to it. So when Wimby plays like a true big man, is there anybody in the league that can stop him?

24:37 No, I mean, no. He's a mismatch problem, like Boogie said, all over the court. Whenever he has a big on him, he's still taller than most bigs can shoot over him. He has better foot speed and footwork than most bigs, so he can also get around them. When he sets a screen and rolls or gets a switch, it's a real mismatch. I know this shouldn't dictate how well he plays, but he really needs his guards to be aggressive. Like, Dylan and Fox had a great game. I don't know what happened to Steph. He's struggling to play a lot of minutes. When they're attacking or calling screens and making him get involved and getting downhill and they're putting pressure on him, Fox 8 for 10, but he also had 7 assists, 8 rebounds. Dylan had 7 rebounds, 6 assists.

25:21 Plus 23 for Fox. He's not only scoring, but he's effect in the game by putting pressure on the rim and that opens up those lobs for him.

25:28 I think Castro had a migraine for that, but he played in the game.

25:33 Yeah, so those two guards, all three of those guards are unbelievable. They're incredible at the rim and getting to the basket. So they continue to, but not only they got to learn not to just wait for him, but as they're being aggressive, still look for him. Make sure you keep in mind, I got a 7-6 guy, so I got a layup, I got a dunk, I got a mid-range, but I also got Lob threat. But that opens up the floor for him. Even when that doesn't happen, I just want to see consistency. He's got to find ways to keep the game simple or have a package, like Gil said. We'll see what that does. This was a solid win. But Anthony Edwards' less Minnesota team, I would like a more comfortable win. And LaMelo didn't have

26:16 a great game. Got a good team, Danny.

26:18 They got a good team. Danny don't believe in them, man.

26:23 I'm looking at San Antonio because even before this game, when OKC came out, they looked like a well-oiled machine. This is a team that went to the finals. I would like to see better discipline structure. Whether it's sets, whatever it is, know what you're doing and just have It's game to game. And even other games before this game, they didn't win hands. You know what I'm saying? Those games, it looked like they were struggling. They're still dragging the feet.

26:49 San Antonio.

26:50 Uh-huh.

26:51 Dragging.

26:52 Like, to me, I'm like, all right. They're still getting out the kinks. And it's like, it's still early, so I'll give them some grace. But some of the wins they've had, even when they lost to the last preseason, I'm sure.

27:07 So.

27:09 Yeah, Mavs, they beat the Mavs, but that was close for most of the game. Dallas is actually better than I expect them to be. Lost to the Rockets. Of course, they beat the Kings. Close game was at Utah. Some of these games, I'm like, I just expect them to win more comfortably. Minnesota ain't no slouch. I'm not saying they ain't a slouch, but if you're the finals team and you have everybody healthy, with no Anthony Edwards, I feel like you should have a more handedly win.

27:41 Yeah.

27:43 It is, you know, it was Halloween. Never getting turnt up. Too much candy, perhaps. But, you know, when you look at this team, is this the Wimby that they need? Do they need him playing like if they actually want to give up over the hump and win the championship?

27:58 Yeah.

28:01 You know, no one can go small. They can't play you off. I mean, if you're at the basket every single time and they're throwing those lobs, No team can play small, right?

28:09 The fact that they know you're.

28:11 Going down there forces everyone to actually kind of keep some bigs in, which is an advantage for you guys. It just changes the game when he's playing to his strength. I know his strength is he can do everything. You just don't need to right now, right? You don't need to play on the perimeter you don't never need to have your back to the basket, right? You turn and face, you see everything, you can, you know, maneuver it away.

28:44 I like, you know, I even like when he throws it off the backboard. Go get it. Like, shit, I can't get there.

28:50 Right?

28:50 You just, you're using everything God has, or your parents is giving you to your advantage, right? And just watching how he maneuvers and his reaction, right? Going, right, I can't get all over there. Let me just throw it off the backboard. Go get it.

29:08 Right.

29:08 Just just all of it is just he's playing. He's playing very smart basketball right now. And if he keeps this up this year and then add something next year, maybe, you know, maybe he might want to go into the post a little bit. He don't have to go into the post because he's going to the basket off of rolls and diving and understanding.

29:30 Oh, shit.

29:31 Wait a minute. I'm taller than them. I don't need to, when they're putting their body on me, I can literally just still stand straight up and just throw the ball here. versus doing this weird, you get low, I get low, type of. It's like, have you ever, you know how you speak to someone who don't speak English?

29:51 And then somehow your accent comes out.

29:53 Your accent comes out towards that.

29:55 That's what he does.

29:56 Like, oh, yeah, so you start doing that bullshit, right?

29:59 It's the same with that.

30:00 Like, they're sitting there going against you.

30:03 You get small.

30:03 Trying to, you know. So the fact that he's realizing, oh, man, just throw the shit.

30:08 Okay, here we go.

30:10 Yeah, no. I'm with you.

30:12 But, again, the thing that I looked at is their bench has really, I guess, been underwhelming for me. Champagny's been playing well. They haven't really gone deep in the bench. They didn't use Harrison much, but Kelton, he was one of their superpowers last year. Are they still not using Tobias Harris? He hadn't stood up yet. I think he's injured.

30:31 I don't know what the injury is.

30:32 I want to see what that looks like when he comes through.

30:34 I want to see what that looks like.

30:36 Is he the replacement for Harrison, or will they play him together?

30:40 We're going to figure it out. I'm going to have to figure it out.

30:41 Carter Bryant? I mean, they have so much.

30:43 Carter Bryant played minimum minutes. It says really Luke Kerner and Carter Bryant at the bench. Champagny was a starter last year, so he plays Kelton plays 24 minutes, gets some rebounds, but he was sixth man of the year last year. No, he struggled all through the playoffs as well. But regular season, he was the guy to come in and give you energy, double-double, and that's what gave you those 20-point wins.

31:03 All right, well, let's stick in Texas quickly. So Rockets and Mavs faced off Friday in their NBA Cup opener. Houston entered the game as one of the last unbeaten teams in the league, joining the.

31:14 Memphis Grizzlies, Cameron Boozer. Mm-hmm.

31:17 While the Mavs were coming off back-to-back wins against the Heat and Thunder, Cooper Flagg and Kyrie show why they could be one of the most dangerous duos in the league. So let's pick up the action in the fourth quarter of this one, if we can, please. So Rockets were up six, but then Kyrie started getting to it.

31:40 That's why he just gave him a layup?

31:42 Yeah.

31:43 Make him throw it, though. No.

31:45 He has buckets to get.

31:47 So Flagg and Kyrie combined for 27 points in the fourth quarter. Mavs put up 40 points in that quarter. Kyrie scored 26 of his 35 points in the second half. Ky had 16 in the fourth quarter as the Rockets had no answer for him.

32:05 It's good to see Kyrie back on the court. This is a dude that's never out of rhythm. Right? Missed a whole year and come back like nothing happened.

32:17 So Kyrie was also six for six from the free throw line in the game, extending the NBA's longest active streak of May free throws to 54.

32:23 54 free throws in a row. And Cooper Flagg. That's why he said Pablo.

32:30 Some big buckets in the clutch to capitalize on some Houston miscues.

32:34 Houston missed a.

32:35 Bunch of free throws late in this game that could have sealed it. And the Mavs took advantage. So Flag finished with 33 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. This bucket right here, nice little and one. The best white.

32:57 Pablo rolling over in his grave. That's a.

33:01 Tough bucket. That was a too tough bucket. Flag with some huge buckets in this game.

33:06 Mavs handed the Rockets their first loss of the season while Dallas got their third straight win.

33:11 Mavs, very surprising. To start this.

33:14 They are.

33:14 I was laughing because they seen a white dude on the bench talking crazy.

33:17 Yeah, yeah, yeah. So, Danny, we'll start with you.

33:21 Should we have more faith in what the Cooper flag and Kyrie duo can accomplish this season?

33:26 It makes me mad that they got rid of AD. And if you added AD in there right down, they are a contender.

33:33 Yeah, healthy AD, yeah.

33:37 This AD that's playing. Yeah.

33:39 This is the version. This is what Nico saw.

33:43 Huh?

33:43 This is what Nico saw?

33:46 I think so.

33:47 I mean, I didn't have any faith at all in him. I didn't have faith in Memphis either.

33:51 Well, I don't know if this is what he saw, but I think defensively with Kai at the point, that team.

33:58 With lively gaffer, like all those bigs.

34:00 You think you're going to be competitive, but once.

34:02 They got the number one pick, Kai's out. It's like, well, let me. That's what I said. I would have held on to Andy Davis one more year.

34:10 Let me.

34:10 Let me see what it looked like before I decided to trade it. Cause I can always trade them.

34:13 Yeah.

34:14 Um, but they did it. And you can see Dallas is a.

34:19 Big away.

34:20 Yeah.

34:24 A big away.

34:25 Um, the fact that Kai's, you know, playing his ass off and Cooper flag is taking a jump. Um, this leap is, is, is just incredible. Um, It just sucks that you know they're handicapped because they don't have the full talent that they need to really compete for a chip. So, you know, there's going to be some great basketball. I mean, they're going to maximize what they can maximize out of these guys. I mean, they're going to be fun to watch.

35:03 Yeah, they're playing some exciting basketball. They're making games competitive, which, again, I didn't expect to see. I expect them to have some competitive games. I knew Kyle would get buckets. I knew Cooper would get buckets. They're actually in games, winning some games. The Duke Brotherhood, then? Yeah, I didn't think they would be. They've proved me wrong. They surprised me.

35:20 Them and Memphis, you know. I thought them and Portland as well. So I thought Dallas, Portland would be at the bottom in Memphis.

35:27 They still could be.

35:28 I mean, right now, I think it still could be. But right now, they're above. They're way ahead of schedule for me anyway, so.

35:36 So you got Cooper flag, we're now averaging 27.

35:41 Future face of the league.

35:42 Seven, six.

35:44 Future face of the league, he'd be the first white boy to do it by himself. I saw, I saw Charlie, Charlie V.

35:52 Yeah.

35:52 He said something about it saying that it's never been a white boy to kind of do it by himself.

35:56 When Larry did it, it was, he was combined with magic. Which, What do you mean?

36:03 He was saying when, when, when, Larry Bird was one of the faces of the league or the face of the league. In order for them to do it, they had to pair him with Magic.

36:13 Oh, yeah.

36:14 I feel like Coop, and I'm not here to say I believe that or not, but when it comes to Coop, I feel like he could do it literally by himself.

36:23 Hold the league up by himself? Hell.

36:25 Be the face of the league.

36:26 Hell.

36:26 And he got the charisma and attitude to do it.

36:29 I don't know.

36:30 I got to watch interviews.

36:31 I haven't really seen him much in interviews.

36:33 Wholesome kid.

36:34 Okay.

36:35 I'm more so speaking about just the style of play, the explosive style of play.

36:41 I think in a different type of league he could, but when you got a Wimby and an SGA.

36:47 I think SGA too far ahead. When it come to Wimby though, bro, I think Wimby good. You talking about marketing?

36:54 Remember, I can sell Cooper Flagg.

36:57 Cooper ain't far off.

36:58 To my companies.

36:59 Mm-hmm.

37:00 It's hard to sell overseas guys because they're not here.

37:04 I'm saying that age bracket of guys that could be with Anthony Edwards, Kay Cunningham, they might be a little bit ahead of them, but like.

37:10 I'm talking about who the league leans on, right? When I'm making them pitches and I need them billions, I need these sponsors.

37:19 Bro, he ain't far off from me.

37:21 So he can go, hey, Papa John's coming to this meeting. He can do that. I mean, Shay can do it, too, because he's right up the street. But, you know, Wimby might be in, you know, the other superstars who act like Lucas and all that. They're not here.

37:35 If Wimby is one of the phases, so is Cooper. Cooper Flagg is not far off from Wimby.

37:40 No, no, no, no, no.

37:40 Like, I think they'll push Cooper before they push Wimby because he's American. Yeah.

37:46 Yeah. I think the new balance.

37:48 Listen, listen.

37:48 I think the brand and new balance help, too. Like, it's... You know, they embrace the so-called boringness. Like, you want to come to Kawhi.

37:57 Yeah. The cool guy and all that shit. I think it's good.

38:00 The reason the league pushed the Euros so much is because they didn't have American.

38:06 Whites to push.

38:08 Exciting American whites. So, they just... You know what I mean? So, even when you hear debates, they always use the Euros.

38:15 That's true.

38:16 As you know, as an American white, white, and it's like, no, he's the best one since, in a sense, since a great, since John Stockton. And it's in reality, when you're talking about being a, uh, impact and a, that's going to be a hall of famer, you know, yes, he's going to be the, I think he would be greater. I guarantee you when he's in that MVP category, He will possibly, he could possibly be the first one to do three MVPs in a row.

38:53 Ooh.

38:54 Yeah, lofty expectations, but understandable given the media.

38:58 And the current climate of the United States. You said he's probably going to be better than Stockton?

39:02 The way it's protected, see, that three in a row is protected because that's Larry Bird.

39:08 But for Cooper, they'll say, here you go. Here you go, Coop. There you go. In your new balance. Here you go.

39:13 We won't give orders fatigue for this one.

39:14 Yeah, these numbers is worth it.

39:16 We wasn't going to let the motherfuckers beat it.

39:20 We took it from Jordan twice.

39:24 You know, so it's one of those things where the numbers is going to always be there. Right. I mean, he's just tapping into his ability. That motherfucker's so good. He's just tapping into it. When, you know, Mike, Coach K, when he made the statement and people said, I don't believe it. Well, he's the coach.

39:47 That's a crazy statement. That's the coach.

39:49 He's seen all the talent that he's possibly seen come through there with the greats. He said, this is the best freshman I've ever had. That says a lot. That's crazy. If he said top five, that's great.

40:02 He had a lot of great freshmen.

40:04 He's had a hell of a lot.

40:06 Great when you go through the list.

40:08 All those guys.

40:09 Zion. Yeah, he's had a lot of great freshmen.

40:13 Grant Hill.

40:13 He was a good-ass freshman.

40:14 Julio Okafor came in and won a chip. As a freshman.

40:19 So we talk about this Kyrie Cooper flag duo. Kai starting to look more and more like himself after coming back from the ACL injury. A lot of talk about Kai's value in the marketplace. What other teams he could help. But let's talk about the team he's on right now. Kai seems to be enjoying his time in Dallas. I think appreciative of the Mavs for sticking with him throughout all the situation. Even he was with Luka. Obviously that situation happened. Now you got Cooper flag coming in. Both again members of the Duke Brotherhood.

40:45 Opportunity.

40:47 To be a mentor for Coop, play in an environment that's embraced him. Do you think Kyrie's best option is to stay in Dallas this season, or should he be looking to get moved before the deadline?

40:56 I think he's going to be on the move.

40:58 And regardless if, you know, Kyrie wants it or not, I've said it on here a few times.

41:05 It's a couple of teams.

41:06 That's a Kyrie away from making the title run. So it speaks on his talent. It speaks on, you know, the value that he can bring to a team. And, you know, he's been there.

41:21 He's done it. He's done it at the highest level.

41:23 So just having that experience, having that wisdom at your lead guard.

41:27 Position, that's going to boost any team's stock.

41:30 So you think about the Miamis, you think about the Torontos, and obviously it's a few others that could, you know, use that type of a talent.

41:41 You know, I think he pushes those type of groups over the hump.

41:46 So I also read the same report where, you know, suitors are, you know, kind of lining up and it's heating up around Kyrie's name.

41:53 Understandably so.

41:55 But at the end of the day, with the way he's playing, how happy he is in the situation, the connection he's, you know, building with Coop, also just being that veteran, you know, being a veteran superstar, you know, kind of grooming the next one. On the way up, I think that's also a healthy situation. It seems like Dusty May and him are getting along pretty well. It seems like everybody in the organization is on the same page for the first time in a while.

42:24 So I think that's a plus for Dallas.

42:27 I think he's also kind of instilled himself within that community and within that fan base to where he's, you know, one of the beloved. So I could see a situation where, you know, Depending on how this year plays out, if they decide to stick with him, next year they could be in the mode of let's build around these two and see what we can make happen. And I think they could actually make something shape, make something special.

42:49 So the ball.

42:51 Is in, you know, I feel like the ball is in Kyrie's hands right now as far as, you know, just being in a good situation. I feel like if he stays or if he goes, it's going to be a great situation for him.

43:02 So, yeah.

43:04 I feel like this could be a playoff team.

43:06 I mean, obviously very early in the season, but just looking at the way Cooper Faggs playing, also young, so you know, knock on wood, with all the injuries going on around the league, somebody who seems durable enough to be there consistently. Kai, obviously coming back from his injury, but playing at a high level still to scratch the surface on the Kyrie that we know and love. But when you look at this Mavs squad.

43:27 They could be in a play-in and sneak into playoffs. I... If he wants to win, it's probably in his best interest to move unless they say, you know, we can get a cat before, you know what I'm saying? But I don't see, we've seen that Golden State try to be young and old at the same time. That formula ain't going to work. So either they're going to start over or try to win now, which I don't see them doing. Like, I think they're in the mind frame of Cooper Flagg. This is the years of youth that we're trying to build with him and Lively. So if that's the case, if they're not trying to win now over the next couple of years, you might as well let Kai go somewhere where he can impact, you know, not just winning, but like he can help a team

44:14 win a championship. Because I think he could be a key deciding factor for a group, like Boog said. But yeah, right now it's fun. It's fun to watch. They're hooping. It looked like a good tandem. They could be in that playoff contention where it's going to be fun, especially watch them in a playing series, whoever it is they play against. Those are games that are going to be very competitive. Right now, they surprise me. They're shocking the basketball world in.

44:44 My mind.

44:46 Do you like Kyrie staying with the Mavs, or do you think it's a positive story for him, obviously, to ride that Cooper flag wave, too? There's potential now if this team gets to the playoffs.

44:59 When you think about, like, how Kai look at the game, right, is from a teacher standpoint, mastery. He has a student that wants to be great. They have the lineage. You know, I think he would want to stay to really help. Cooper flag become what he sees in them, right? Cooper flag, Cooper flag is the future, but Kai, Kai is still right now, right? When you really look at the game that the ball is in Kai's hand, Kai's making the decisions, right?

45:41 So this is a, this still is a Kyrie's team that has, you know, Cooper flag as the, the star, um, not fully ready to take it over, but I'm going to give you the game. I'm going to teach you how to do it. It seems like he's more in this teacher role while still demonstrating how great he is. When you listen to him talk, these guys that he's with appreciate him. They like being around him. When he hit that shot and all the whole team came up there, and they're sitting there shooting at everybody. This is the type of energy that Kai needs. He needs genuine love, genuine happiness of what he does and brings to this game.

46:37 So I think that he will stay, unless they just trade him. I don't think he will ask for a trade to get out of there. I think his win is helping Cooper Flagg become you know, a great. Giving him all the tricks and the trades. Like even like some of these little left-hand moves he's doing, I'm like, well, he ain't had that last shit. He been fucking hanging around with Kyle. He been hanging around with Kyle with these little floaters and shit.

47:05 Well, Mav's back in action tonight against the Kings, so expect him to get another win.

47:10 Yeah. But let's move on to Mostly Fans.

47:13 Damn, we can count on the Kings that fast. Acuff might have something to say about that.

47:17 Acuff might have 40. I think they 0-6 or something like that, man. Hey, man, as long as he keeps shooting, they can be 0-82. Keep shooting, young fella. Keep shooting. They can be 0-82.

47:25 I don't care.

47:26 Ain't a bad shot out there, man. Going with our traditional Mostly fans today. Still working through some things, ladies and gentlemen, just like my face. All right, work in progress. We're going to get it back. But we've got some questions from the chat and some comments as well. First comment from Demonte Reynolds. Said Luka, a.k.a.

47:45 Mr.

47:45 Frost, MVP season loading. Do you think Luka's getting MVP this season? Or are these empty calories?

47:52 Man, listen, I done seen some MVPs giving away to teams that's in the fifth spot, fourth spot, right? I think Jokic's team in the NBA that year, they was 10th? They had the 10th best rate? 10th overall, yeah. A motherfucker average 36, 8, and 8? Yeah, you're going to get that up. Get that up.

48:12 Wait, Jokic is where?

48:14 10th overall.

48:15 10th?

48:15 10th overall.

48:17 10th overall.

48:18 They were fourth? Fifth or sixth, something like that.

48:21 Yeah.

48:22 I ain't never heard that.

48:24 Wait, wait.

48:24 I think one MVP he won more than 50 games. Maybe not.

48:28 Maybe.

48:29 I don't know. I think Luka will be in the conversation. He'll finish in the top four or five.

48:34 He taking that shit.

48:35 But... If they don't win enough games, I still see them at like a 4-5 seed, like at best 4-5 seed. That ain't high enough when you got, I mean, Thunder's struggling. Because you always look at SGA, but voter fatigue. Wemby, if he keeps playing the way he's playing, he's going to be pushed for that narrative. He's a really good player.

48:55 Out East, Philly, Tyrese Maxey keeps hooping the way he is.

49:00 Jason Tatum.

49:01 Tatum, he has this year now.

49:03 Jason Tatum hooping.

49:04 He's hooping, and he's got... opportunity now because they ain't going to take away credit for him having great teammates. He has an opportunity to, but I don't know if he'll win MVP this year. I think he's got to get more. like he's one more solid piece of way to get him in the top three of wins to where he can be MVP.

49:23 36?

49:24 37?

49:25 38?

49:25 He had 34 last year.

49:28 I think he got a chance.

49:30 I think it's set up, like, not set up, but like just the way things are kind of falling in place with injuries and, you know, team's kind of stacking it, however you want to label it, but I think Tatum has a great chance. I think Luke has a great chance, and I think Wimby has a great chance.

49:51 Those are the three I have.

49:53 I think those three have the greatest chances to take it home this year. Now, obviously, Shea is always going to be in the conversation, and with the team kind of falling apart the way it has lately, I do think voter fatigue is a thing. I don't agree with it, but I do think it's a thing. But I think he still has a legitimate chance this year because as long as he's putting up numbers and keeping them afloat.

50:17 You got to throw his name in the hat.

50:18 If he keeps in the top three with those guys.

50:20 I don't know if top three is going to be possible.

50:24 Now, it would be like the Steve Nash. If they're expecting you to drop from that number one spot because you done lost two points. If you stay above four. If you stay one or two and you still have the same numbers, they're giving it to you because they're expectations.

50:38 Oh, yeah.

50:39 Where are you supposed to be this far? And the fact that you alone got them here, that's how he would get that one. But, you know, it is three in a row, and that's Larry Bird shit.

50:50 I got to sleep with him. You're not giving that up?

50:54 I got to sleep with him.

50:54 Who's your sleeper boogie? Kevin Durant. Kevin Wayne Durant?

50:57 Yeah, he's still asleep.

50:59 I think Kevin Durant got a chance. If they stay afloat, then you're six and one. What are they, five and one, six and one?

51:05 You know why they won't give it to Kevin? That would be crazy.

51:07 No.

51:08 They're not going to give it because they don't want him to have it.

51:12 I said my slip.

51:13 I know that's what I'm saying, but it's one of those.

51:15 Where the West keep falling apart and Houston keep winning. They fuck around a one and two seed.

51:21 They're going to throw it in the single.

51:22 That's a single. That's the shit they're going to do. You know what I mean?

51:25 That's how they be fucking with Kevin. They give a fucking MVP to Kevin. That's how they fuck with Kevin. Ain't no way. Ain't no way.

51:34 We got one more comment.

51:35 Oh, I did see a problem with Houston.

51:39 They got a problem.

51:40 What's the problem? What is making them good is kind of hurting them too. The point guard position. The problem is, one, the point guard is shooting a lot.

51:54 A lot. Fred?

51:55 Yeah, he's shooting a lot. He's not really efficient right now. And the defense aside, he....

52:08 That's what they.

52:09 Got Marcus Smart for. Yeah, he's smaller, but that's why he got all those big... Yeah, they're trying to hide it. Yeah, we're just going to.

52:14 Put Marcus Smart... But they're keeping him in.

52:17 It's like, well, damn, I got my A-man Thompson on, goddamn.

52:19 He just came off the ACL.

52:20 We're going to give him time to get right.

52:22 We're going to give him time to get right.

52:25 You keep this shit up, we're going to let the pit bull off the leash.

52:29 Yeah, it's like, you can't even guard your own player. They got to put you on.

52:32 They in a good spot.

52:33 I think Houston in a real good spot. That's the only thing that's shaking. I'm like... I like them on one side, but, you know, it's like.

52:41 No, they never really had defense.

52:42 Everybody ain't Kyrie coming off the ACL.

52:45 I know, but it's like.

52:46 Maybe Kyrie, bro.

52:47 But I can't put you on the smallest? He a champ, too.

52:51 You know what he doing.

52:51 I know, I know.

52:52 This is that one Dallas game. He didn't play a lot of the game after that. But the Dallas game, he had some shots up.

52:58 We got to give him some grace. Six or 17. Yeah, he came off.

53:00 What did he come off?

53:01 Same thing with the ACL.

53:02 Yeah, he'll find the shooting.

53:05 Okay, well, all 30 teams in action tonight. Election day tomorrow, midterms. Make sure you get out there and vote. Make sure you watch some basketball tonight.

53:14 Is there an election?

53:15 It's Tuesday. Yeah, tomorrow.

53:16 Tomorrow. Oh, shit. All 30 teams are playing.

53:18 Who are we going to vote for?

53:20 Exactly. Democrats? Exactly. Just say no to spiders. I don't vote, bro.

53:25 I don't do politics.

53:26 Democratic politics.

53:28 What time is the vote in? Are we going to be here?

53:32 We will be in there. Am I going to take a nap? Am I going to wake up and do the game? I'm not even picking the better portion.

53:41 15 games today, no games tomorrow. NBL will be back on Wednesday with a huge slate of basketball tonight. Shout out to everybody in the chat. Shout out to everybody on this couch. Shout out to everybody for rocking with me through good times and through bad. We're going to work through this. Temporary setback. I'll be back to looking as good as ever in the near future. Hopefully, God willing.

53:59 But this has been another episode of Gil's Arena presented by Polymarket and powered by Playmaker.

54:04 We'll see y'all tomorrow.