Podcast Summary: Biggest Lessons Learned in the Early NBA Season

Podcast: Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective
Date: November 24, 2025
Host: Brian Windhorst (B), with ESPN Insiders Tim Bontemps (C) and Tim MacMahon (A)

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the early storylines, surprises, and key takeaways from the first month of the NBA season. Windhorst, Bontemps, and MacMahon discuss notable altercations, players under and over-performing, trade market realities, contract issues, and league-wide trends—sprinkled with their characteristic humor and insider anecdotes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Klay Thompson vs. Ja Morant: Old Beefs and Brutal Honesty

• [02:05 – 15:39]
  The team recounts on-court and postgame fireworks between Klay Thompson and Ja Morant, underscoring the depth of their history and Klay’s no-nonsense criticism of Morant's lack of accountability and play.

  • Klay’s two on-court confrontations (with Santi Aldama and Vince Williams Jr.), the missed game-tying shot, and his pointed words for Ja Morant, who taunted him from the sidelines despite not playing.
  • Memorable Quote – Klay Thompson, via Tim MacMahon [10:09]:
    “He says it was just running his mouth, and he's been running his mouth for a long time. It's funny to run your mouth when you're on the bench. It's kind of the story of his career so far, just leaving us wanting more. We all want to see him out there and do his best, but he's just been letting a lot of other stuff get in the way of that. We need that in the NBA. We need our best players to be out there. And when you're a star, it comes with a great responsibility. I hate to see that go to waste.”
  • Panel’s agreement: Klay’s remarks hit harder because they’re true (“He didn't say one single lie.” [10:12]).

2. Ja Morant’s Decline & Grizzlies’ Direction

• [15:39 – 18:23]
  • Bontemps brings stats showing Morant’s diminishing rim-attacking and poor shooting—down to 15% of shots at the rim and just 17% from three.
  • [17:27]: No improvement on his jumper; lost explosiveness; heavily reliant on a skill he’s abandoning due to injury/fear.
  • Panel questions potential trade value: “Why is anyone rushing to trade for Ja Morant?”

3. Trade Market Realities: Blockbuster Deals, Bad Contracts, Limited Returns

• [23:08 – 35:38]
  • Analysis of how the market for high-salary “star” players (e.g., Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Domantas Sabonis, even Anthony Davis) has collapsed because of bloated contracts and new NBA economics.
  • MacMahon [32:13]: “A good AD trade provides some significant financial relief next year... probably going to be tough at picking a swap and at least a young player who, you know, you can see as a rotation player...”
  • Discussion of the Luka-for-AD trade, low return for “stars,” and how recent blockbuster trades (e.g., Kevin Durant) are canaries in the coal mine (with a detour explaining the phrase at [35:38]).

4. Team Snapshots: Lessons Learned So Far

Miami Heat: System Over Stars

• [36:22 – 39:39]
  • Praise for Miami’s new up-tempo, ball-moving system, perfect for the current roster and fast pace.
  • Norm Powell has excelled, averaging 25.4 PPG on a 65.8 TS% in only 30 MPG.
  • Bontemps [39:11]: “They are the fastest paced team in the league by over two possessions per game... and [Powell] is perfect fitting into that.”
  • Anticipation for Tyler Herro's return and how he fits.

Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis’s Indispensability

• [39:39 – 46:12]
  • Bontemps asserts Giannis is the MVP by team dependence metrics; team collapses offensively without him.
  • MacMahon and the group push back, listing Jokic and SGA as equally impressive.
  • Key Point [43:34]: “When you take Giannis off the court, the Bucks go from having the best offense in the league to... the worst...”
  • Bucks record: “When he hasn't played, they've been very bad... There really is no plan B.”

Denver Nuggets: Surviving Injuries

• [46:12 – 51:03]
  • Jamal Murray is having a career-best start—critical with Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun out.
  • Team is searching for depth with players like Peyton Watson stepping up, but overreliance on Jokic is a concern during softer schedule.

Lakers: Winning But Unconvincing

• [52:41 – 57:44]
  • Lakers have a strong record (12-4, 8-2 on the road) but questionable net rating and “quality wins.”
  • LeBron’s conditioning and defensive effort scrutinized. The team awaits tougher schedule to judge their real ceiling.

Atlanta Hawks: The Jalen Johnson Leap

• [57:47 – 62:22]
  • Bontemps highlights Jalen Johnson’s emergence (22 PPG, 10 RPG, 7 APG, 57/41 splits) and his possible place in a post-Trae Young Hawks blueprint.
  • MacMahon [58:08]: “I want to start less—than after one month—there might be a blueprint for the post-Trae Young era.”
  • Atlanta finding internal answers instead of trading for another ball-handler.

Clippers: Legends, Not Winners

• [62:22 – End]
  • Kawhi’s return, big Zubac game, and the team’s struggles; Clippers feel old and slow, battling injuries and Father Time.
  • James Harden’s offensive fireworks keep them competitive, but team’s age and fit are clear issues.
  • Stat nuggets on 50-point games: Harden now tied with Kobe for 3rd all-time.
  • Nostalgic look at Chris Paul’s impending retirement and historical assist/steal records.
  • Ongoing theme: Team’s poor results enhance Oklahoma City’s future, given their control of the Clippers’ picks.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Klay on Ja Morant [10:09]:
  “It's funny to run your mouth when you're on the bench... just letting a lot of other stuff get in the way... when you're a star, it comes with great responsibility.”
• On AD’s Trade Value [32:13]:
  “A good AD trade provides some significant financial relief next year... not going to be something that excites people, but that’s the kind of business the Mavericks will be, I believe, looking to do.”
• On Miami’s Offensive Fit [39:11]:
  “They're playing fast and they are attacking and [Norm Powell] is perfect fitting into that.”
• On Giannis’s Importance [43:34]:
  “…if Giannis isn't on the court, they're one of the worst teams in the league.”
• Jalen Johnson Breakout [58:08]:
  “There might be a blueprint for the post-Trae Young era.”

Timestamps of Important Segments

• Klay vs. Ja & postgame quotes – [02:05 – 15:39]
• Ja Morant’s decline & lurking trade questions – [15:39 – 18:23]
• Blockbuster trade reality check & contract values – [23:08 – 35:38]
• Canary in the coal mine explanation – [35:38 – 36:22]
• Miami Heat’s system, Norm Powell emergence – [36:22 – 39:39]
• Milwaukee Bucks w/o Giannis = disaster – [39:39 – 46:12]
• Denver injuries & depth, Jamal Murray – [46:12 – 51:03]
• Lakers: results vs reality – [52:41 – 57:44]
• Hawks’ Jalen Johnson evolution – [57:47 – 62:22]
• Clippers aging, Harden bombs, CP3 career tributes – [62:22 – End]

Style, Language, and Tone

The podcast blends deep statistical analysis, reporting from inside the league, banter, and sharp humor. MacMahon leans blunt, Bontemps methodical and data-driven, and Windhorst often reflective and anecdotal. The tone is casual yet authoritative, with plenty of playful ribbing among friends.

Summary Takeaways

• Tensions from past playoff history can reemerge in fiery ways (Klay v. Ja)—and veteran stars won’t pull punches on younger rivals.
• The NBA trade market has fundamentally shifted due to contract size and value changes—big names might fetch little in return.
• New offensive philosophies (Miami), injury management (Denver), and breakout stars (Jalen Johnson) are shaping team fortunes.
• The modern league exposes aging rosters fast (Clippers) and reaffirms how indispensable true superstars are (Giannis in Milwaukee).
• Throughout, comedic asides (“canary in a coal mine?”), digressions into NBA history, and trivia keep the episode lively and accessible for both hardcore and casual fans.