#005 - Weak West no more

The G'day MBA podcast discusses the Western Conference and predicts where each team will finish in the standings. They start with the Portland Trail Blazers and discuss the uncertainty surrounding Damian Lillard's future with the team. They then move on to the San Antonio Spurs, who they believe will struggle this season. The Utah Jazz are predicted to finish 13th, with expectations of them going under their projected win total. Finally, the Houston Rockets are discussed, with notable additions such as Fred VanVleet and Dylan Brooks. Hello and welcome back to another episode of G'day MBA. We are the home of the triple dribble, where there is consistent banter and we take ill-advised shots. Before today's podcast, we would like to thank our sponsor, Boxed Out Brakes. Boxed Out Brakes is a reputable car braking company here in Australia, run and owned by a Celtics diehard Aidan Brakes Monday to Friday nightly at a very reasonable price. Card braking is an affordable way of collecting basketball cards with the chance of hitting rookie autos, veteran autos, game worn jersey patch cards and many more cool inserts. Be sure to check them out on Facebook and don't forget to box out. Back again to talk all things Lakers and things in the West is Mitch. How are you today Mitchy boy? I'm good bro. How about yourself? I'm good. Going good. We've both got tight eyes by the looks of things. Yeah, 100% mate. Two kids, all our listens out there. Think about it. Dad life. Dad life and sickness. Yeah, yeah. You wouldn't change it for the world but a bit of sleep would also be appreciated. Yeah, 100%. In today's pod, we're going to be diving into the Western Conference. For those that do follow us on Instagram, they'll see the ins and outs and predictions that we've done. So we're going to have a bit of a yarn about that. Where we see each team finishing and whether they will go over or under the projected win totals that they've been given for the season. Yeah, so the way that we'll run it, we'll have it in order of how I have the West finishing and you can say whether you agree or if you have them, where you have them finishing as such. What is crazy though, it shows how strong the West is. 11 teams are predicted to go over the 0.500% which shows how strong the West is this year. The West is back baby. The West is back. It was a couple of years ago, what was it, 16th, Golden State, or was it even before that? Like when they were just super dominant though. Yeah, yeah, would have been. Like when it was the Cavs, Warriors days, was the West pretty stacked then? Yep, 100%. Although the East had like LeBron, Cavs, but outside of that, the East was pretty dogshit. Yeah, 100%. Yeah, would have been. The Cavs, I think the Hawks were alright back then but that was... Even like a baby faced Tatum, it was either in the second round or the Eastern Conference final, they took Cavs to seven games. But like outside of that, that was... Yeah, yeah. I mean, Toronto was good obviously when Kawhi was there. Yeah. For those couple of years, but outside of that, not much happening. Yeah, so anyway, let's kick it off with who I have finishing 15th, the Portland Trailblazers. So, as of this moment in time, Dame Lillard's still there. So, do you reckon he'll be there at the start of the season? Dude, I don't know. Like, I thought he was going to be gone, but I mean... Time's starting to run out. Yeah, it is and it's... Yeah, I don't know, it's one of those things bro, it's probably going to turn ugly before it gets any better. You know, they want a lot for him, he wants to go to a certain spot and they're just... I think they're in... Have a lot of differences in what they want to do, but you know, the Blazers might just say, well, we're just going to hold on to you. So, you either play or you wait until we want to trade you somewhere. And I think a lot of owners and GMs and that are getting their back up because there's always talk about, you know, players, you know, sticking their feet in and really controlling what happens. And I think, you know, owners and GMs are getting sick of it, so they're digging their heels in too, so it should be fireworks. Should be interesting. I reckon he'll still get traded before the season starts, so that's how I've predicted him at 15th. Just on that too, dude, just while we're talking about Dame, what about the stuff going on with James Harden at the moment? I know. What he said about more... Like, oh my God, that's going to be fireworks and fun to see what happens there. On that too, Ben Simmons has come out during the week, like, just gone and said, like, I wouldn't mind going back to Philly. I don't know if it was just him taking the absolute piss or like... I didn't see that. Yeah. I couldn't believe it. And I was like, nah. I was on Basketball Forever. Oh, really? Yeah, on their Instagram. Worth a little read of the article. OK. Yeah. Proper giggle. OK. But yeah, so the Inns for Portland is Moses Brown, Scoot Henderson, who was the third pick, Chris Murray, brother of Keegan Murray, and then they're out for the upcoming season. Drew Eubanks, who's off to Phoenix, Kevin Knox, Cam Reddish, who's headed to your Lakers. Let's go, Cam. Trendon Watford, who's off to the Nets, and Justice Winslow, who's, yeah, looks like he's out of the league. So I've got them 15th. Their projected win total is 30.5. I've got them going under as Scoot will be great, first year. I've got him rookie of the year, but, yeah, probably a tank job to try and get some more picks. 100%. Where have you got them, and are they going over that total? I had them at 14. OK. So, yeah, pretty close to you. Even if Dane's there, I think it's going to be shambles anyway. Yeah. 100%. But, yeah, I think they'll be down the bottom. Yeah. All right. Moving on. In 14th, I had the San Antonio Spurs. So the Spurs, it's well known to everybody that follows basketball. If you didn't know about this, you're obviously not a true supporter. But they got the biggest, what's the word? It's like the biggest, highest expectation player to come into the league. Victor Wembenyama, number one draft pick. They landed him. They got that lucky lottery spot. But, yeah, outside of that, they don't really have much. So he's come in, Victor Wembenyama. Cameron Payne from the Suns comes across, which is a good pickup. Sidney Osmond from Cleveland coming across, and Reggie Bullock from Dallas. They're out is Keita Bates. Deop, who's headed to Phoenix. I didn't know Romeo Langford's actually going to Utah. You probably don't follow Romeo anyway. No, he's at the Celts. Yeah. I was pretty mad. But, yeah. Their projected total is 28.5. I've got them going under, but not by much. I can see maybe winning like 23 games in this upcoming season. But, yeah, where do you have the Spurs finishing? I wouldn't root about it, mate. I had them in 15th. Had them in 15th. We've just had a little swap on that one, haven't we? Just a little swap. Yeah, mate, I'm the same. I don't think, yeah, I don't think they'll be doing much at all. I think they'll be hype around Victor, but, yeah, I don't know. It'd be fun to have a market for his over under games played this upcoming season. I'm really interested to see. Do they just lead him into the league? Like, just give him maybe 50 to 60 games just to get him used to the NBA contact? Or do they just go for him? Like, let's go. I think, dude, I think he's probably going to be a similar like Joel Embiid style. Like, they go into those teams relied upon heavily. You know, coming into the league, it's, you know, different physicality. And I think, yeah, I think once they just start going poorly, I reckon they'll wrap him up and wait until they can get a decent team around him. Put him in cotton wool and try again next year? Yep, 100%. I mean, there's no, what, flogging him, you know. Let him get a bit of experience, full year of, you know, strength and conditioning with an NBA team under that. He'll be better for it the following year and hopefully they can get some pieces around him. Yeah, it'll be interesting to see what they can build there. So, moving to my 13th pick. They surprised everybody actually at the first half of the season with the team that they had. The Utah Jazz have got in 13th. So, looking at their ins and outs, they do manage to land John Collins. Keontae George, who showed a little bit of potential in the summer league. He looked decent. Romeo Langford, who we just talked about. Omer Yudusieben from The Heat. And, didn't know this one either, but Joey Hauser, who must be a brother to Sam Hauser, who is just a, I wouldn't even call him a 3 and D because he can't D. He's just a three-point shooter. Yep. And they're out. Udoka Azabuki, who's off to Phoenix. Vernon Kerry-Junor. Rudy Gay? Rudy be retiring by now? He's getting to that age. He's bouncing around a lot. He's bouncing around. Damien Jones, who's off to Cleveland. So, their projected win total, 35 and a half. I've got them going under. I've got them probably winning about 30 games. They've got a lot of draft picks there. They're building towards the future with the team that they have. What are your thoughts on the Jazz? Mate, I had them at 12. Okay. So, yeah, I think they're about on those wins, 35 and a half. Yeah, look, I don't know. I feel like last year they started playing, you know, a lot better. I think they were actually probably the surprise team last year. Everyone thought they were going to be horrible. Straight tank pretty much from the get-go. Jordan Clarkson carried them for a lot of the year. And Laurie? Laurie, yeah. Most improved? Yeah. Yeah, look, I don't know. They haven't really added, you know, huge pieces to that. So, I think they'll be thereabouts. Thereabouts, because I think they finished at 12th last season. Yeah. But they were in the top eight for a long time. Yeah. Yeah, they were. Moving on to spot 12 in the West. I've got the Houston Rockets, 10 inns and 9 out in total, which is one of the bigger ones, alongside Dallas, who have also got something similar in terms of moves made. So, we'll look at their inns, which the big one is Fred Van Fleet from the Raptors, Dylan Brooks from Memphis, Jeff Green, who's a good vet to add, who's just come from the Nuggets, Aaron Holliday from Atlanta, Jock Langdale, the Aussie from Phoenix, Amin Thompson, who was the fourth pick, or fifth pick. Him and his brother went fourth and fifth. Not sure of that order. And the other notable mention is Summer League MVP Cam Whitmore. The outs for the Rockets is Ty Ty Washington, who's off to Milwaukee, Josh Christopher, who's off to the Grizzlies, Kenyon Martin Jr. to the Clippers, Frank Kaminski, Boban Marjanovic, DJ Augustine, Willie Collie Stein, tongue twister. So, yeah, I've got them in 12th. Their over-under predictions is 31.5. I'm going to go overs, but just. Like, I'm thinking 33 wins. I think Imei, new coach of that franchise, he's a no-bullshit guy. If he can manage to get the locker room together, and I'm talking about Dylan Brooks, if he can get that dude's head in order, and as long as him and Kevin Porter Jr. aren't punching on, because I reckon those two might clash, if he can get those two in order, they're not going to do something, but they could just be on the fringe of that playoff, so that's why I've moved him up to 12th. Yeah. Well, I had him at 13th. Yeah. But, yeah, I think he'll do wonders for that team, but I think this year's probably going to be a feeling out year for him. He's going to see what the issues are, who's the problem, bad weeds, get rid of them. So, I think that they'll do a lot better. You know, maybe a sort of OKC vibe, that they'll do better than expected. That's a good shout. But I think the following year is when, yeah, things might start to happen. Yeah, with his, you know, better personnel, getting rid of those weeds. Because they do have a good young core, like Kevin Porter Jr., Alperin Shangoon, who had a really good season last year, and, yeah, it'll be interesting to see how these rookies go. So, might be a good shout. Maybe next year they might really start hitting some straps. Yeah, 100%. Yeah. Alright, and in 11th spot, I have picked the Minnesota Timberwolves. Quite hesitant now in terms of that, at FIBA, absolutely light things up. Get out of my brain, bro. I was thinking about this before. This is how stacked the West is. And I've just had them in 11th. I've got a few teams from last year that I see improving. I've got to gamble with another team, depending on their health, like players that have health concerns. So, I've gotten them in at 11th. Let's look at their ins and outs first. Their ins is Troy Brown from the Lakers, and Shaq Milton, really. They've got a couple of other draftees that they've picked up. Shaq Milton from Philadelphia. Their outs is Jalen Noel, Austin Rivers, Torian Prince, who's off to the Lakers, and Nathan Knight, who's off to the New York Knicks. Their over-under prediction is 44.5. I don't know. This is where I'm hesitant, because I see Ant-Man growing and becoming such a dominant player. But the two bigs last year in Gobert and Kaat just didn't seem to work. So, I'm stuck. So, yeah, I've got them on the unders at 44.5. Yeah, dude, I'm similar. I didn't know Jaden Knowles. He was actually good for them, the games that I saw. He was handy. He's become a free agent. Yeah, well, he started a fair few games for them, too. But, look, dude, Ant's good. But, yeah, I'm sorry for all you Kaat and Gobert fans out there. If there is any Gobert fans. Yeah, if there is. Yeah, there's probably a few Frenchies out there. Shout out to our Frenchie community. But, yeah, I just don't see them going anywhere with those two. I mean, you know, they tried to reinvent the wheel and we're going back to two bigs. Yeah, I think either of them have it, unfortunately. Yeah. You reckon they'll go over or under that line? I reckon under. Yeah. I agree. I have no confidence, unfortunately. Oh, with reason. Like it's shown last year that, yeah, it didn't happen with the two bigs. So, we shall see. If there is a team to maybe blow it up mid-year, it could be Minnesota. Oh, 100%. I reckon they'll be heavily on the trade market if it doesn't work early. Yeah. Coach will be under pressure, too. And, yeah, who knows? I think it's going to be a bit of a shit storm over there, I reckon. Definitely. Moving on to 10th. I have got the LA Clippers in there, which I've copped a lot of fuck about. But, yeah, it really comes down to their two superstars in Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. They can stay in, can stay fit, really. So, we'll just have a quick look at their ins. KJ Martin, Jr., coming from the Rockets. Kobe Brown, who had a good summer league. Jordan Miller, who's another rookie. Their outs, they lost Eric Gordon, which is pretty much their only out that they had. So, yeah, I've got them in 10th, 46.5. It's a lot of games to win. I've got them going under. Again, only just. And that will come down to whether or not Paul George and Kawhi Leonard can stay fit. 100%, dude. Paul George, we spoke about this last time, Paul George and Kawhi, you know what I mean? They do not get anywhere near the flak that they should about not playing enough games. But, yeah, dude, I mean, every year, you know what I mean? They go into the season and they're like, these guys are contenders. Here and every year. Yeah, here and every year. Contenders will not be, you know, stop. Like, you know, we'll come out of the West. And they just haven't done it, you know what I mean? Like, I just, I think they're just so heavily reliant on those two. And even when there's one of them, they still don't really do anything. They don't click. The claim to fame is they beat the Lakers during the regular season. Which amounts to nothing. That's cool, Clippers fans. I'm stoked for you. But I don't know who runs LA. So where have you got them finishing? And have you got them going over or under 46.5? Dude, I had them at 11. And I think they squeezed over 46.5. Just based on, you know, factoring in, I reckon Kawhi and Paul George play half the season. So that's pending on that. Yeah. If they're going over 46.5, I reckon I'll go higher than 11. Yeah. Well, dude, look. Hey, we're giving them the support, you know what I mean? Yeah. Giving them a bit of love. Yeah, giving them a bit of love, you know? We just chopped them down. We're giving them the shit sandwich. Yeah. Shout out, Clippers fans. Yeah, 100%. And then Westbrook will carry them for a few games. Yeah. Yeah, no, actually, start for Clippers. Yeah, I think they're going under. Talking me out of that. I don't know, 46.5, it's a lot of games. Yeah, I know. To be winning and, yeah. Yeah, true. Like, mate, it's undeniable. Like, if they're healthy, like, they can be really good. You know? If. Yeah, if they are. But this is my thing with the Clippers, too. Dude, they've got so much talent. Like, there's a lot of guys that have been on the bench there for a few years that'd be starters on other teams. Yeah. Do you know what I mean? And is that affecting, like, the chemistry of the Clippers? Like, you know, these guys are always injured. We're stuck on the bench. We'd be starters in other. Like, there's only a certain amount of game time to go around everyone. You know? Like, even Eric Gordon getting shifted. Like, I thought he was one of their best players. Yeah, so I don't know. Like, it's. Everyone went there like, oh, let's win the cheer. Let's build and win and it just hasn't happened. Yeah, they've done nothing. And I think they're going to have some decisions to make, too, with. Who's the good young? Terence Mann? Terence Mann. Yeah. Like, I really like him, but. He'll start getting frustrated shortly. Yeah, yeah. If his minutes aren't increased. 100%. Because the team looks so different when the two superstars are out. Like, you know, you give Terence Mann more of a leeway. But it's like, oh, OK, bro, go back to your place when the big dogs get back. And they're in and out. You know? So there's no consistency with anything. And surely that's going to piss you off as a player. It'll be interesting to see. Let's move on to ninth place. And I have got the Pelicans in there. And that's pending if Zion's healthy. If he plays a full year, I consider him finishing higher than ninth. Their line is 44 and a half. And again, these lines are dead set nailed. It's at 44 and a half. I've got them just going over. So we'll have a quick look at their ends. They've picked up Jordan Hawkins, who is a rookie, and Cody Zeller from Miami. They're out, who is Jackson Hayes, who is also over to the Lakers. Welcome, Jackson. Good luck. Josh Richardson, who is heading back to Miami. Garrett Temple to the Raptors. And Willie Hernan Gomez, who looks like he doesn't have a team at the moment. Maybe he can do another film. Yeah, Bo Cruise. Yeah, let's go. 2.0. So where have you got the Pelicans finishing? Bro, I have got them sliding into eighth. Nice. I think they were pretty good for most of last season. I think Ingram's playing super well. CJ was okay. Hot and cold. Yeah, he's very hot and cold. His three-point shootings just so up and down. He was consistent when he was at Portland. Yeah, another big thing, Zion. I've seen a couple of videos of him working out. It looks like he probably should be back. I think that changes things. I think they've got enough there to squeeze into eighth. I don't think they do much better than that, if there's question marks around Zion. Yeah, it'll be interesting. They've got a lot of talent and a good bench. Yeah, they're quite deep. Trey Murphy, who seems to be a good draft pick that they've picked up. Herb Jones is another one. Dyson Daniels, the Aussie, he's still young. Give him a couple more seasons, he'll be decent. Larry Nance, who's ever so consistent. Yeah, we shall see Pelicans fans. Moving on to my eighth spot. They exceeded expectations last year. Their coach, Mike Brown, coach of the Kings. Anyway, that's who I've got in eighth spot is the Sacramento Kings. One to eight. Eighth? No, they finished second. Denver? No. Was Denver first at the end of the regular season? Yeah, it was Denver. Yeah, they got second. Yeah. So two to eight. Two to eight. That's a tough call, but I was playing around with them forever. I had them at about six, but I've got a few other teams that are in for a huge improvement this year. We'll see, but I've got them in at eighth. We'll have a quick look at their ins and outs. Chris Jurate, they picked him up for nothing from the paces and he had a fair few injuries and whatnot. He could be something. Yeah, we'll see. It's a good pick up for what they gave away. Nerlandz Noel and a few other draft picks. Nothing to really yawn about. Their outs, though, Ozzie, Matty Delavidova, Reshawn Holmes, who's off to the Mavericks, Tremezi Metu, who's off to the Suns, and Terence Davis. He wasn't bad last year. He dropped from the Raptors, had a few issues there, and again, just not a bad bench player, but yeah, can't see him to get a role. So did I already talk about their overs or unders? No. Their projected total for wins is 44.5, which I've got them going over, again, just because if you're getting over that .500, it looks like you'll be playing playoffs, or at least get to the play-in. So I'm going to go the overs in eighth spot. Where have you got them landing and have you got them going under or over that total? I've got them in fifth. And I think that they go over that. That Chris Duarte trade almost seemed like Terese Halliburton was better than we thought, so we'll just give you Chris Duarte for nothing. I'm like, what's going on there? That was just crazy what they got from him. But I think that's a huge addition. I think Fox took a massive leap last year. Your boy Keegan Murray was outstanding. Starting to hit straps. Yeah, starting to hit straps. I don't think they finished as high as last year, but I reckon they're going to be middle of the pack. They'll take a lot of confidence out of last year, and they pushed the Warriors a long way. That series went to seven games. Yeah. And Mike Brown still wonders over there. I think they'll be middle of the pack in that eight. Not a bad shout at all. Alright, moving on. Seventh spot. And this is one where it's a gamble, but I think SGA is that good. So I'm going to go OKC in its seventh. I think they could even finish higher, but I probably wouldn't hear the end of it if they did nothing and finished down in 14th. But I just think how they've drafted in Giddy, Jalen Williams, getting SGA over from the Clippers for nothing. I think they're building nicely. They're probably maybe one or two vets away, whether that's a starter and just that bench vet that you need. They probably need that in and amongst the rank. So yeah, we'll have a quick look at their ins and outs. Their ins is Davis Votans, who really cares, from Dallas. Jack White, who's another Aussie, from the Nuggets. Victor Oladipo from Miami. Carson Wallace, who seems like another good rookie that they've picked up, along with a few other rookies. Their outs is Jared Butler, who's over to Washington, and Dario Saric, who's off to the Warriors. So yeah, I've got them in at seventh, and I've got them covering the 44.5. Yeah, I've got them in at sixth, and I think, yeah, they're overs. So we're in the same boat there, really. We're around the same there. Yeah. Yeah, as I spoke about, I thought they were the most improved team collectively. Oh, easy. Last year, Giddy's going to be even better than he was. And, you know, yeah, Shea's the real deal. He's definitely that, yeah. First NBA, All-NBA last year, or was he second? He was in one of the first two All-NBA teams, which, yeah, well-deserved. They're just a very well-rounded team, and, yeah, the coach has got them humming. So, yeah, I think they'll be better off for it. They may need a tad more experience at some stage, but, yeah, they're on the up. They're definitely on the up. Yeah. All right, let's move on. Sixth spot, a team that can finish as high as third, in my opinion, and can also finish as low as 11th. I've got the Dallas Mavericks. Mm-hmm. They were as active as what the Rockets were with 10 ins and 9 outs in total. Right. So a lot of changes, and I think it's for the better only if Luka and Kyrie can work it out. Yeah, yeah. If they can get on the same page. Yeah. That's a lot of ins and outs. Who's ins and outs for them? Yeah, so I'll look at that now. We've got Seth Curry from the Nets. Rashawn Holmes, who we talked about before. Yeah. From the Kings, Derek Jones Jr. from the Bulls. We've also got Grant Williams that came across from the Celtics and a few other bits and pieces. Joe Weiskamp from the Raptors. Derek Lively, who's a rookie, and they're outs. Davis Vatan, who we just talked about, off to the Thunder. Reggie Bullock to the Spurs. Justin Holliday to the Nuggets. Kyle McGee, which I read he got picked up somewhere today. I think he's gone to the Kings. Yeah, right. Yep. Frank the Tank, who's off to the Hornets. Christian Wood, who I'm surprised he hasn't been picked up yet. So yeah, they're the key ins and outs there. Yeah. So I've got them in six and going over 44 and a half wins. I've got them in seven. Fuck, we're close, are we? Yeah, we are. We are very close. Promise the listeners this wasn't pre-organized. But yeah, dude, I don't know. There's something about the Mavs, dude. Like, Luka's good, but he just whinges and carries on a lot. And he's not a great defender. Either's Kyrie. And I don't know, like, if Luka, Kyrie, are they the leaders of that team? I mean, someone like Kyrie seeing Luka and Carefactor and the way he acts, is that going to bring the best out in Kyrie? I think it's been proven, you know, that it doesn't from who he's played with. So yeah, I don't see it. And I think they've lost a lot of defence as well. Yeah, like, especially getting rid of Dorian Finney-Smith, that, you know, would mark up on the other team's best player. So I think they'll be thereabouts. I think our finals time, you know, defence wins chips. And, you know, I just don't see them shooting 150 for four games. Yeah. So that's my take. Most definitely. Fifth spot, getting to the exciting end where, yeah, these next five, I've got pretty much... Sorry, I'll go 4-1, I reckon, can finish in any order. In fifth, I've got the Memphis Grizzlies. I would have had them higher if Jarr wasn't suspended for the first third of the season. Huge out for that, yeah, for that amount of time. But let's have a quick look at their ins and outs. They signed extremely well, in my opinion. They picked up Marcus Smart from the Celtics, Derek Rose from the Knicks, Isaiah Todd from Washington and Josh Christopher from the Rockets. They're out, Dylan Brooks to the Rockets, and Tyus Jones, who's off to the Wizards. Their projected line is 46.5. I've got them going over. Like, if I've got them that high at fifth, I think they've got to get over that. Maybe 48 to 51 win games. And that's, yeah, again, with Jarr out for the first third of the season, where have you got them sitting? Ninths, bro. Ninths. Yeah, we've been off. Was that due to Jarr being out, or you just don't rate them that high? It's a part of it, but I think the biggest struggle now is that Tyus Jones is gone. Like, he started when Jarr wasn't there. And he was the backer. That's where Smart slots in, in my opinion. Yeah, I don't know if... Yeah, I don't... Yeah, Smart's a... I don't know. Like, he's a good point guard, but I don't think he's best suited to having the ball in his hands all the time. And he's going to have a lot of ball handling. So you're going to ask him to handle the ball and mark the other team's best player, like, all the time. That's a lot. It is, but, in my opinion, he did do that in Boston. Do you feel like he... Well, Derek White was there, who became a... Yeah, but don't you feel like Tatum held the ball a fair bit, and so did Brown? Like, it was shared more? Yeah. Like, who else is going to... Who else is going to run the point other than... At Memphis? Yeah, no, it's Smart. Yeah, so like... And it is a long time, a third of the season. Yeah, and I... Look, I think Tyres Jones going is what happened with Brunson leaving the Mavs. You've got it that high? Well, I'm just high on him, dude. Like, I'm pretty sure... We'll have to check this up, so listeners don't think I'm full of shit, but they probably do anyway. But I think he had the lowest assist to turnover ratio in the league last year. Like, he was so good with the ball. Never turned it over. He was dominant when Jarr was out. Yeah, have a look at that, but I'm pretty sure... I remember reading something about that. So I think him coming off the bench was huge when Jarr was out. Then when Jarr was not playing and he started, I think he kept him afloat. And now I just don't think you've got that... Desmond Bain? I'd honestly just forgotten about him until then. Yeah, I don't know. Yeah, I just don't... I think Desmond Bain's good. I think Marcus Smart is great. But when it comes to ball handling, I just don't think... I think they've taken a huge drop from Jarr and Tyce Jones and I think that will affect them in the win column until Jarr gets back. But that's my reasoning. We'll see. I reckon they're the best defensive team in the West. You've got former, just gone, Defensive Player of the Year. The year before that was Marcus Smart. You've got the likes of Stephen Adams as well. I reckon they're a really good defensive team. Yeah, I don't think they'll struggle with defence. Just on the offensive end. We'll see. It'll be interesting. This next four that I've got in line... Yeah, sorry. The next four that I've got in line, I reckon they can finish in any order. And this team is the team that is stacked, who just made a lot of off-season moves, with the headline being Bradley Beal. So that's the Phoenix Suns. I've got him fourth. The mid-year trade from last year, Kevin Durant. So let's run through that. They're another team with 10 ins and 9 outs. So the big one, as I've just mentioned, Bradley Beal from the Wizards. Bol Bol, who came over from Orlando. Yudart Wadanabe from the Nets. Jordan Goodwin from the Wizards. Eric Gordon from the Clippers. Chimezi Matu from the Kings. Drew Eubanks from the Blazers. And Yudoka Azubuki from the Judds. Oh, and Keita Bates-Diop from the Spurs. They're outs. Jock Langdale, head to the Rockets. Chris Paul to the Warriors. Cameron Payne to the Spurs. Terrence Ross. Leandri Schemmett to the Wizards. TJ Warren. Not picked up by anyone. Daris Bazley to the Nets. And Bismak Bionbo. So I've got them going under 52.5. They're going to be lethal on the offense, but can they bring it night in, night out? And how do you see the ball being split evenly between Durant, Beal and Booker? I've got them at two, and I reckon I'll go over. Okay. But, dude, this is... I have them at two, but I don't think they'll win the comp. I've said this. Just a regular season finish at two? Yeah, 100%. Because, dude, they're just an offensive juggernaut. Like, they've got so many people that can score. I mean, I go back to this all the time. That McHale Bridges and Cam Johnson, two great defenders for them, they sent away, and they're just, you know, putting all their chips in the middle. You know, we are just going to score more points than anyone else. More points than you. But it's... As long as it worked. Yeah. Their aim is, we'll give up 120, but we'll score 130. Yeah, 100%. You can't do that. Yeah, and they did that last year as well. And come finals time, what does that look like then? And how fit is Durant looking? Yeah. But it's the other thing too, dude. Like, it's a stacked team, but does everyone understand their role? Like, Bradley Beal's come from the Wizards where he had the ball in the hand his whole time. His whole NBA career. Yeah, yeah. Booker needs it. So does Durant. Like, you saw Durant a fair bit, like, had to play a lot, you know, off ball. Yeah, I don't know, dude. I've seen him win a lot of games, I just don't see him doing anything past that. That's just my opinion. And that's why I had them 4-4, just because I don't know how well they're going to work out those three key guys and how they're going to distribute the ball and balance it between them. So we'll move on from there. In third, I've got the Golden State Warriors moving back up the tail. They had a horrid season on the road last year. They got bounced out by your Lakers, which you managed to go over and have a squiz at. So, yeah, we'll have a quick look at their ins, which, as we just spoke about, Chris Paul from the Suns, Jerome Robinson, Dario Saric from the Thunder, and they got a couple of draft picks too. Out, one of the first ones, the first dominoes to four, Jordan Poole to the Wizards. Ryan Rolands is following him to the Wizards. Ty Jerome to the Cavs. Andre Iguodala retiring. Jermichael Green not picked up. Dante DiVincenzo, another big loss defensively to the Knicks. So their over-under prediction is 48.5. I've got them bouncing back on the road, which should see them cover 48.5, pending they all stay fit. Yeah, I've got them finishing third, but as high as first as well. Yeah, I've got them third on my list. So, yeah, I agree with your take. Yeah, I think they'll be up there, thereabouts. Chris Paul's a good addition. I feel it allows... I think Steph's one of those plays, he's as good as off the ball as on the ball, because he just moves, you know what I mean? Constantly moving. So I think that will conserve his energy a little bit. Yeah, I think Chris Paul can be a good addition there. DiVincenzo's a big loss there. Yeah. They're such a small team, like starting team too. They're going to have Curry... Their starting line-up will be Curry, Paul, Klay Thompson, Draymond and Looney, like a small starting line-up. But, yeah, Steve Kerr, he's a wizard. Yeah. Knows how to coach, he's coaching the world. The USA over in the FIBA World Champs now, they're killing it. So, yeah, another good year in store for the Warriors. In second spot, Mitch's team, hurts me to say it, but I think they're in for a big year. Again, asterisks next to it, if healthy. Not the asterisks that they got from the bubble chip, but, yeah. So let's have a look at their ins and outs. They've got nine in and ten out. A lot of movement. Their ins, Jackson Hayes from the Pelicans, Gabe Vincent, nice pick-up from the Heat, Cam Reddish from the Blazers, Torian Prince from the Wolves. I think that's all from the teams and you've got a fair few draft picks that you had. Is it Jalen Hood-Shafino? Yep. And Colin Castleton, who looked like decent players in the Summer League, just gone. Their outs, forgot he was even on the line-up there, Mo Bumba to the 76ers, Malik Beasley to the Bucs, Troy Brown to the Wolves, Wenjin Gabriel, who hasn't been picked up, Scottie Pippen Jr, Dennis Schroeder, who's been killing it in the FIBA World, Chance to the Raptors, and Lonnie Walker to Brooklyn. Tristan Thompson also not being picked up. So, yeah, I've got them in second and with the line of 47.5, if you're finishing second, you are going over. Yep. So I've got them fourth. OK. I thought for sure you would have had them first or second. No, no, I've got them fourth. I mean... The West is strong. Yeah, I think, look, it's probably the same when it comes to this. I think, you know, with those kind of additions, there'll be a little bit of working out. Obviously, AD and Bron have had some health issues over the years, but I do think this is different with both of them back playing and having this roster to start the season. I think it definitely takes the load off them and I think, you know, Davenham will be smart enough to not ride them full-time so he can get the most out of the season but also be ready for the playoffs because I think that was the other thing for us in the playoffs. I think, you know, we ran out of gas and, you know, hit the juggernaut that was rolling through in the nuggets. So, yeah, but I love the additions. I mean, I can't believe the upgrade we got at trade deadline last year and then I think, like... Tell me about what you've just done in the summer. Arguably, like, I think we've had the best pick-ups, you know, in this offseason. It pains me to say it but I agree. Yeah, like, you know, shout-out to my man Rob Palinka doing work over there. Getting raves for nothing. Yeah, and he's been killing it in FIFA just quietly. Yeah, I think he takes a leap and, yeah, those big pluses. Torian Prince, you know, Gabe Vincent. I think Jackson Hayes can fill that sort of JaVale McGee kind of role, you know, like in a less athletic big that can defend good in pick and rolls. So I think he'll suit the style that we play. And, dude, the other thing is too, like, I don't know, I think he's the most underrated assistant in the league but anyone that works with Phil Handy just takes leaps in ability. So I've seen some footage of him working out with Cam Reddish. Jackson Hayes. Yeah, Jackson Hayes, Cam Reddish and Gabe Vincent have been working out with Phil Handy a lot and I'm like, so I'm excited to see what they bring to the table. Like, I mean, Jackson Hayes has been there a bit. It's like Cam Reddish showed flashes but not... Well, he was picked sixth in the 2019-20 draft. Like, he obviously showed, yeah, some ability. I think he came out of the Duke system. Yeah. Could be wrong. But, yeah, he's obviously shown ability through college. So if he can, I think Darwin Ham's a good coach. So, yeah, who knows? He might be able to finally reach his potential. Yeah. Yeah, but I'm excited about the season. I guess as a Lakers fan too, like, I was always like, you know, what the fuck is this team going to look like when AD and LeBron are going, you know what I mean? But now, like, I feel like we've got a good mixture of youth and good contract. Max Christy. Yeah, Max Christy. We've got some good... Austin Reyes. He's coming through. So, yeah, look, I think, you know, we're able to compete now but we're looking good for the future too. Yeah, most definitely. Let's look at the top team, and I'm pretty sure you've got them there too. I've got the Denver Nuggets on top. Yes, I know it's hard to go back to back but they were that dominant in the final series just gone. Without too many changes as well, they're in Justin Holliday from the Mavericks along with a fair few draft picks, Hunter Tyson being the smokey out of them who showed glimpses of, yeah, of potential in the summer league. Their outs, their big out, in my opinion, is Bruce Brown finally got paid, heading to the Pacers. Thomas Bryant was at the Lakers move mid-year to the Nuggets, picked up a ring. Don't know if he got any game time or not. He's heading to Miami. Jeff Green to the Rockets. Jack White to the Thunder. Ishmith, who, yeah, again, just a free agent by the sounds of it. Their line is a whopping 53.5. I've got them going like a big shout. I've got them winning 61 games. Fit Nuggets, I've got them winning about 61 games. And, yeah, what's that league? Dropping 21, 82 games in the season? Dropping 21. Yeah, well, I've got them at one as well. I think they'll, hmm. A fit Jamal Murray is needed also to win those 61. Yeah, I think they'll. Who's coming to Australia next month. I think they'll go under. Yeah? Yeah, I'm going to say. I think they'll go under. And, look, I mean, like you've said it before, dude, but I feel like Bruce Brown is a big loss. He was a fill-the-gap guy, bought heaps of energy, reliable off the bench. And Jeff Green played some meaningful minutes too over the season, that veteran presence. I think that Jamal and Jokic is going to be relied on heavily again. And, I mean, winning the chip and having that long season that high, like it can be tough to repeat that. And especially where I don't think they had the help. They don't have as much help this year as they did. Yeah, it'll be interesting to see because in the NBA finals, Christian Brown had a huge, it was his rookie year, he had a huge final series. And from all reports, I feel like he'll be the one getting Bruce Brown's meaningful minutes. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, no, he was good. So maybe he fills in that gap. But, yeah, look, well-coached, good team, so they've got to be up there again. But you were right what you said before, like that top four is going to be pretty tight, I reckon. Yeah, most definitely. All right, that's our look at the Western Conference. Is there any locks or, like, guaranteed over-unders that you have as such? I'll have a quick throw at the stumps with this. I'm picking two that I reckon that will be a lock. And that will be the Nuggets that I just talked about. I know, it's risky, 60-odd games, but if they're doing 53.5, I think they cover that. And then the other one is the Wolves going under 44.5, and I'll talk about why in a second, because I've got to listen to a question that asks a question involved in that. Yeah. Is there anyone that stands out to you, any teams that you reckon are a lock to go over or under? Dude, I reckon the Kings and OKC would be value bets for me, over 44.5, I reckon. Yeah. Especially the Kings. I mean, yeah, I don't think they've got worse than last year. Yeah, other teams have got better, but... You don't think they'll be that far off from last year? Yeah, well, they've got the... Like, I mean, a lot of these other teams have got a lot of new players to gel with, you know what I mean? To figure out. Yeah, but the Kings are there together. That's it. Yeah, I feel like, you know... Good point. ...they'll be humming, so... In the first half of the year, that's where they could be dominant. You could see them on top for a fair while, and then just even if they do steady out, they're still reaching that over-projection. Yep, I understand. Any irrelevant news? No, not really. Not really? It's very quiet in Basel at the moment. Yeah, it is. The Boomers are on tonight, taking on Slovenia. Late one, 10pm. Australian Eastern Standard Time, so try and stay up for that, or just get some snoozing and watch the highlights in the morning. Yeah, get some snooze. I will give a shout-out on that. I'd like to see Josh Giddey have the ball in his hands and putty. Yeah, I'm going to try and stay awake for it, because I want to see Giddey versus Don Chick. I reckon I'll go at it. It'll be a really good watch. Yeah, so actually I did shout-out on last week's podcast, and I got the dates wrong. We will be at the Hobby Hangout, which is like a card show, a card-collecting show. So I said it was on Sunday the 14th of October, which is actually a Saturday. I just completely fucked up the dates. It's on Sunday the 8th of October, and I also said it wasn't at the university, which it is at the university, so completely scrapped last episode. It's at the University of New South Wales, which I believe is the one at Kensington, and it's at the Roundhouse there. So I'll be there. We'll be selling cards, yarn and all things basketball, and who knows, might even be able to get a live potty going there with a few of the collectors. We'll see. So we do have one listener question that I'll bring up. There was a couple of others, but they were pretty dribbly, because I did say, I put it out there saying potty time Western Conference questions, and a few questions came up about the East. I was like, we'll save that for another day. So the Ball Babble Boys, the Ball Babble podcast, which team should make a big splash trade? And this is where I was just talking about the Unders before with Minnesota, and I think by the trade deadline mid-year, I think Cat's going to go. And whether they get rid of Cat and Rudy, I don't think that will happen, because I don't know what you're going to get back for Rudy if it's worthwhile. But I think it's going to be turmoil, a big fooling out there, and I think they're just going to blow up the second half of the year, somewhat tanked, to get a few decent draft picks. That's why I had him at 11th, and that's why I've got him going under the 44.5. So is there anyone, to you, who you reckon might make a big trade, or who should make a big trade in the West? The other teams, the Clippers, if Quar and PG don't stay fit, their GM, what's his name? He's the one building the new stadium in LA. Anyway, we'll get that out to you guys, whatever his name is. I can't think of it. But he's always at the game. He's a huge fan. Jerry West. Not Jerry West. Not the logo, man. He's a Laker. Isn't Jerry West the Clips GM? Nah. Anyway, I hope you're right. Well, Bournemouth's the owner. Maybe it's Bournemouth. Yeah. I thought Jerry West was the GM. Could be right. I could be getting my fucking stats all over the place. We'll do a bit of research, but if PG and Quar aren't on the floor, as much as what they should be, I reckon I'll go, nah. Oh, it's the Clips and the Wolves. For sure. They're the two teams that could make a big splash, could make a ridiculous move. I think they're short-priced, either coaches or big splashes. You know what I mean? So, yeah. Yeah. Alright. Two quick shout-outs before we leave. Firstly, the Newcastle Knights going eight in a row. I'm not a Knights fan, but I am at the moment. Got my Knight shorts on today. Yeah, huge effort for a team that has stunk for the last what, three, four, five, six, seven years? Yep. So, yeah, they're playing some good footy. They love getting behind. Even though I go for the Gold Coast Titans, can't help but get behind the home team. And second of all, our boy that's just gotten out of hospital, Jim Bennis. I don't know if it's an excuse he's feeding himself peanuts, which he's allergic to, just so he doesn't have to come on the podcast or what it is. Yeah, that is a vicious rumour. But, Jim, I hope you're well, mate. And I did send flowers up to the ward up there. So, yeah, hope you're doing well, mate. Rest up, mate. Yeah, and I think you should listen to your wife next time. Yeah. Kordo could be the new set of feeding mushrooms to the family. Feeding Jim nuts, hiding in the meals. Yeah, I want you, Jim. You're a peanut. Oh, God. Alright, guys, on that note, thanks for listening once again, and we'll catch you next week. See you later. See you, gang. Bye.