Lakers’ Looking Dangerous + NBA Awards Selections

Summary

Podcast Summary: Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective Episode: Lakers’ Looking Dangerous + NBA Awards Selections
Release Date: April 7, 2025

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Overview

In this episode of Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective, host Brian Windhorst teams up with ESPN insiders Tim Bontemps and Tim McMahon to delve into the latest developments in the NBA. The discussion primarily revolves around the Los Angeles Lakers' impressive performance, the tightly contested Western Conference standings, and the upcoming NBA Awards selections. The trio offers insightful analysis, shares their predictions, and includes notable quotes from their conversation to provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the current NBA landscape.

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Western Conference Dynamics

Tim Bontemps opens the discussion highlighting the intense competition within the Western Conference. He notes, “The Western Conference is tightly packed. You can't afford to lose and no, you can't” (00:35). The Lakers' recent victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder solidifies their position, preventing them from slipping into the play-in tournament. Brian Windhorst emphasizes the significance of this win, stating, “One week from today, the NBA awards ballot are due” (02:29), underscoring the interconnectedness of team performance and individual accolades.

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Los Angeles Lakers' Strong Performance

The Lakers have been on a remarkable streak, winning three out of the last four games against formidable opponents like Memphis, Houston, and Golden State. Brian Windhorst remarks, “The Lakers over the last eight or so days... they go 3 and 1. That's strong” (04:28). This performance boosts their chances of securing a top-six seed, crucial for avoiding additional play-in games. Tim Bontemps adds, “This was a massive win for the Lakers... puts them in very strong position to not finish outside the top six” (06:00). The trio discusses key players like Austin Reaves, whose impactful performances continue to be a point of contention and admiration.

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Defensive Player of the Year Race

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) race. Brian Windhorst states, “This I've never seen a defensive race like this” (08:51), indicating the competitiveness of this award. The primary candidates discussed include:

• Draymond Green: Currently leading the race due to the Warriors' strong defensive finish.
• Evan Mobley
• Jaren Jackson Jr.
• Rudy Gobert
• Ivica Zubac

Tim Bontemps shares his perspective, “He [Zubac] is one of the most players in the league this season across the board” (20:18). The conversation highlights the importance of team impact, with Zubac's consistent performance for the Lakers often cited as a strong case for his candidacy.

Tim McMahon critiques the current ballot structure, arguing for a more position-based approach to recognize diverse defensive talents: “you should be talking about building a team of defenders” (29:50).

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Coach of the Year Contenders

The discussion shifts to the Coach of the Year (COY) award, where Brian Windhorst identifies a two-man race:

• Kenny Atkinson (Cleveland Cavaliers): Praised for transforming the Cavaliers into a top-seed team by maximizing player potential and implementing effective strategies.

  Windhorst notes, “...he took a Cavs roster that was essentially the same... transformed them from a four seed... to a one seed” (32:30).

• J.B. Bickerstaff: Recognized for turning the Detroit Pistons around, tripling their win total and establishing a strong defensive foundation.

  Tim Bontemps supports Bickerstaff’s candidacy, stating, “JB's done a remarkable job with them defensively” (35:26).

The hosts discuss the remarkable progress both coaches have made with their respective teams, emphasizing the strategic acumen and leadership required to secure this prestigious award.

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Rookie of the Year Race

The Rookie of the Year (ROTY) competition is another focal point, with Stefan Castle (San Antonio Spurs) emerging as the favorite. Brian Windhorst explains, “Castle's statistics are strong... he was highly visible at the slam dunk contest” (43:23). However, Tim Bontemps highlights Zachary Richache as a strong contender due to his significant improvement and impactful performances in meaningful games: “...his shooting is dramatically better... he's playing for something” (46:13).

Tim McMahon adds, “Castle is the favorite because he... put up some numbers lately” (46:30), while Tim Bontemps counters that visibility and All-Star performances have disproportionately boosted Castle’s standing.

The trio debates the merits of different rookies, considering both statistical performance and the context of their contributions to their teams.

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Most Improved Player Debate

The Most Improved Player (MIP) award sparks a passionate debate among the hosts. Tim Bontemps expresses skepticism about the award’s relevance, stating, “I think this award is really dumb” (37:03). However, Brian Windhorst acknowledges candidates like Dyson Daniels and Malik Beasley, who have shown significant development throughout the season. Tim McMahon concurs, mentioning, “Beasley has been a major factor” (51:35) in his team’s success, supporting his candidacy.

The conversation critiques the award’s criteria and its application, debating whether it effectively recognizes true improvement or simply rewards increased usage and opportunities.

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Final Thoughts and Predictions

As the episode concludes, Brian Windhorst anticipates a highly competitive week ahead, with numerous playoff implications and award announcements set to influence the NBA’s postseason landscape. He emphasizes the unpredictability of outcomes, “We have a very high stakes week coming up” (53:39), urging listeners to stay tuned for ongoing analysis.

Tim Bontemps and Tim McMahon echo this sentiment, underscoring the dynamic nature of the league and the excitement surrounding the upcoming playoffs and award ceremonies.

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Notable Quotes

• Brian Windhorst: “This I've never seen a defensive race like this” (08:51)
• Tim Bontemps: “He [Zubac] is one of the most players in the league this season across the board” (20:18)
• Tim Bontemps: “It's a massive win for the Lakers... put them in very strong position to not finish outside the top six” (06:00)
• Tim McMahon: “If he didn't hit that three, he may not have won it [MVP]. That's how these things go sometimes” (28:50)
• Brian Windhorst: “We have a very high stakes week coming up” (53:39)

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Conclusion

This episode of The Hoop Collective provides a thorough analysis of the current NBA season's pivotal moments, focusing on team performances and individual accolades. The hosts offer diverse perspectives on award candidates, reflecting the nuanced and competitive nature of the league. Whether you're an avid NBA follower or a casual fan, this episode delivers valuable insights into what promises to be an exhilarating conclusion to the NBA season.

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Timestamps:

• [00:35] – Introduction to Western Conference dynamics
• [02:29] – Importance of upcoming NBA awards ballot
• [04:28] – Lakers’ recent performances
• [06:00] – Lakers securing top-six position
• [08:51] – Defensive Player of the Year race begins
• [20:18] – Discussion on Ivica Zubac’s impact
• [32:30] – Coach of the Year contenders
• [35:26] – J.B. Bickerstaff’s achievements
• [43:23] – Rookie of the Year race: Stefan Castle
• [46:13] – Zachary Richache’s candidacy
• [51:35] – Most Improved Player debate: Malik Beasley
• [53:39] – Final thoughts on upcoming high-stakes week

Transcript

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[Brian Windhorst]

Hello. Welcome to the Hoop Collective podcast. We talk about the NBA, which we're doing on Sunday evening. Joining us from New York City, where he's just back from Philadelphia, where the Top Sixers look like they might beat the Timberwolves on Saturday, but then got it done and the Wolves won their fifth straight game, it's Tim Bonteps.

[Tim Bontemps]

Hello, everybody.

[Brian Windhorst]

Western Conference is tightly packed. You can't afford to lose and no, you can't. Top Sixers can't afford to win. They've lost 10 in a row. Bottoms. Will they win again?

[Tim Bontemps]

They play the Wizards again, so maybe. But they're not going to win twice more and tie the Nets.

[Brian Windhorst]

I don't feel confident about the Nets are losing to the Raptors as we record this. Joining us from Dallas, Texas, where he spent the weekend in Austin at Father's weekend or something. You were, you know, honorary member of a sorority this weekend, Is that right? Tim McMahon, the band man.

[Tim McMahon]

Yeah, Tridel Howdy partners. By the way, howdy is used in Austin probably more than any other city in this great land of ours. But yes, I was at dad's weekend for the Tri Delt sorority. It's quite a festive weekend. Had a car get a workout too, fellas.

[Brian Windhorst]

Including on a father daughter pedicure, if I'm not mistaken.

[Tim McMahon]

Oh yeah, my, the third pedicure of my life had tip extra because, you know, my mid range game ain't so great. My toes ain't pretty, especially got the right big toe. I don't know what's going on with it, but it's, it's a.

[Brian Windhorst]

Let's just keep it to yourself.

[Tim McMahon]

It's a tough one. So. Yeah, no, I've gotten one with Gobert, one with the IT department, and now one with my oldest daughter. So feeling fresh and minty. Here we are.

[Brian Windhorst]

Bonsafe. When's your next pedicure?

[Tim Bontemps]

Not today.

[Brian Windhorst]

All right, so one week from today, the NBA awards ballot are due. We talked a lot about the MVP last week when the Bontemps.

[Tim Bontemps]

I don't think they come out. Oh, yeah, sorry. I guess they do. We don't Even get them until a week from today. But I was, I was thinking, aren't.

[Brian Windhorst]

They due a week from today?

[Tim Bontemps]

We don't get them till after the season ends. I don't remember if we have to turn them in the same day or not, because they have to. We used to get them early, but they hand them, they hand them out the day after the season starts. Ends now because of the, the 65 game. So I have to wait to see who's actually.

[Brian Windhorst]

Well, let me just, you know, pull back the curtain. It's not really a ballot. You go on to a website with the secret password and then you click from drop down menus. It's not, it's not like the good old days where you would fill out a piece of paper, which I'm old enough that I actually did that, so. But anyway, it's due soon and the, the days are dwindling and it's starting in other people's minds. Trust me. My phone is, my phone is ringing. Looking for the lobbying. The lobbying is under, under lobby is.

[Tim Bontemps]

The lobbying is underway.

[Brian Windhorst]

Lobbying is well underway. So we had our man, Ifitzia. Zubots, you.

[Tim McMahon]

I don't think you got the pronunciation right.

[Brian Windhorst]

Zoo, zoo. Yeah, yeah. I mean, you know, with all due respect, Zubot's okay, but getting a vitzia from that, it's a rough. It's a rough.

[Tim McMahon]

You're adding a vowel at the end.

[Tim Bontemps]

You're not saying his first name right, but that's fine. We can move along. We know who you're talking about.

[Brian Windhorst]

That's, you know, one of the reasons he came on the pod last week. Who knows?

[Tim Bontemps]

Have you mispronounce his name further?

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah, we may have more, we may have more campaigning on the pod over the course of the week. We'll see what happens. By the way, the Lakers right now are putting, are putting the finishing touches on a whipping of the Thunder in Oklahoma City. And I gotta say, if you make.

[Tim Bontemps]

Every shot, it's gonna look pretty good.

[Tim McMahon]

That's true.

[Tim Bontemps]

What they've done when you.

[Brian Windhorst]

I think they shot almost 70% on threes in the first half.

[Tim Bontemps]

They started the game 10 for 12.

[Tim McMahon]

I mean, from three, what they've done is just lit the league's best defense on fire.

[Tim Bontemps]

Shot the lights out.

[Brian Windhorst]

Look, and like, obviously they got a big, you know, another game with them on Tuesday. I will say this though, considering everything, the, the fact that the. And we'll see what happens. The warriors are playing the, this, the Rockets later tonight in a big game. Like we're not going to, I have to travel out to la so we couldn't do this pod too late. But the Lakers over the last eight or so days, you know, Memphis, Houston, Golden State, Oklahoma City, they go 3 and 1. That's strong. Golden State, Memphis, Lakers, Nuggets 3 and oh, we'll see what happens with the Rockets. That's strong. Like these teams are, are finishing, are really, you know, putting their best foot forward. And it's one of the reasons why we're excited about the postseason. Before I ask you about what is going to happen this week in Dallas McMahon, I want to point something out.

[Tim McMahon]

Okay.

[Brian Windhorst]

The LA Clippers whip the Mavericks on.

[Tim McMahon]

Saturday night and Friday for that matter.

[Tim Bontemps]

And Friday and Kawhi Leonard played in both games.

[Brian Windhorst]

That's what I wanted to bring up. Kawhi Leonard has 12 consecutive games of 20 points or more and he played in his first back to back Friday, Saturday, the baseball series with the Mavericks and then the second night of the back to back, he went 12 of 19. The Clippers, we talked about it with Zoo the other day. They have been on an absolute tear. They're defending, they've been defending all year and now with Kawhi, they have that edge. I don't, I have no idea how this Western Conference is going to shape out or shake out. And we're obviously paying a lot of attention to the Nuggets, the Warriors and the Lakers because those three teams where they finish between three and six, it's really going to depend on, we'll see.

[Tim Bontemps]

If they finish between three and six. Right. That's why this was a massive win for the Lakers. I mean, they had a very tough week getting this win today. It really puts them in very strong position to not finish outside the top six. Which look, if they'd lost these two games of the Thunder, they would have at least been in a position where you could have talked about them going from third to the play in, in the span of a week. Now getting, getting this win today certainly puts them in a much better position to avoid falling out of the top six, which for them, you know, for LeBron especially, and I'm sure Luca will feel the same way. The only real concern for them is just getting the week off of rest. They don't think they're going to be too concerned about starting on the road. It's just being in the top six and avoiding having to play extra games. And today was a big reason why they probably won't have to do that.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah. And let me just like the warriors again Going into tonight against Houston at home. I don't know what's going to happen in that game. Houston, Houston just, just whipped the Thunder on Friday. This has not been a great weekend for the Thunder. First time we've been able to say that all year. But The warriors are 20 and two with their. With Jimmy Butler in the lineup with Steph. And yet they are two bad days from being in the playing. Like you said, Bon Temps, like, and they know, like.

[Tim Bontemps]

And everybody's in that boat. I mean, there's two losses separating third to eighth. So it's going to be a crazy week. Right, which is why we're not talking about games today.

[Brian Windhorst]

Right. We're out of position. We're just the timing out of position. One more thing I want to point out. Yasa Tennikounmpo. They went into Miami and won on Saturday night. The Bucks. The bucks have won three in a row. They're in a dogfight for five, six in the east the last four games. These are Giannis's stats. 31 points, nine rebounds, five assists, 37 points, five rebounds, 11 assists, 35 points, 17 rebounds, 20 assists, 36 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists. In the last four games, he has 45 assists and, like, 12 turnovers.

[Tim Bontemps]

Well, with Dame out of the lineup, the ball is in Giannis's hands all the time. And he is putting up mega numbers and he's carrying them to some wins. And, you know, now they're in pretty good shape and we'll see how the rest of the week goes. But, you know, they've got a real shot going to those final two games in Detroit to avoid falling to six and playing the Knicks in the first round and being on the Knicks and Celtic side of the bracket. And it's, it's much better living playing potentially the Pacers and Cavs than the Knicks and Celtics in the first two rounds.

[Tim McMahon]

So.

[Tim Bontemps]

So we'll see how they do. We'll see if Dane comes back. But, you know, Giannis is certainly killing it at the moment and caring them along.

[Brian Windhorst]

Everybody's. Everybody's just turning up their games. You can just feel it, Steph. And again and again, not know what's gonna happen tonight. Steph has been on a tear as well. We'll talk about the Luca return later this week. But the bontemps, I mean, McMahon, what do you. What do you feel? What's the. Is it. Is there a growing buzz in Dallas? There was such venom when the trade went down. You know, now it's been, you know, two months.

[Tim McMahon]

There's It's. I was gonna say there's still plenty and it's. It's agony with a trending toward apathy. But this will not be this, will they? Nobody will be apathetic about Lucas return. And it's going to be very strange and surreal. It'll be six and a half, you know, celebrating six and a half spectacular seasons while mourning that it wasn't a lot longer than that. And then, you know, I anticipate, I. You know what, though? I thought Luca would really come in with like that just ruthless killers mentality the last time they played or the first time they played first. Right. And we saw just a glimpse of that early in the game. It didn't really stick. So I don't, I don't know what to expect from Luke. I know that there will be a full house, which has not been the case recently in Dallas, no matter what the attendance numbers say. And I know that pretty much everybody in those seats is going to be wanting to see Luca score 50, 60, 70 points. I. My assumption is the Mavericks will go to great lengths to make sure that that does not happen.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah, it's a big moment for Anthony Davis as well. Right. Because, you know, he, he's. He's trying to send a message. He's. He's truly trying to. You know, basically what I've said is a triple message, you know, coming back. You know, 1. Send a message to the fans, you know, I'm coming back, I'm here to play. You know, he was trying to do that from first day. Secondly, he's trying to, you know, establish himself with his new teammates and 30s. Really caping for Nico Harrison.

[Tim McMahon]

Yeah. And he's kind of doing it all with the one hand tied behind his back. He's still on a minutes restriction, you know, really, since he came back, he's had one AD like performance and that was. God, I can't remember.

[Brian Windhorst]

They were playing just a couple days ago. Yeah, yeah.

[Tim McMahon]

When he had the game winner, you know, had 30 some odd points, the game went. Why can't I even remember who that was against? Golly.

[Brian Windhorst]

Well, we're getting to that point. I believe it was against Atlanta, wasn't it?

[Tim McMahon]

There you go. That's who it was against.

[Brian Windhorst]

I don't know if anybody saw that. You know, what's remarkable about that game and it said a lot about the Mavericks is it was a tie game and they ran a. They had called a timeout and they ran a. An isolation play for AD like they gave him the ball at the Top of the key, like he was Kobe.

[Tim McMahon]

Well, I would say. Who else they're gonna run it for? I mean, Kyrie.

[Brian Windhorst]

Well, that's what I'm saying. It's a state. It's. It's a commentary by the state of the team. Do you ever remember running a top like a 14 flat for Anthony Davis?

[Tim McMahon]

Yeah. Yeah. And it wasn't like, you know, the old days with Dirk. It's maybe getting the ball in the nail and let him go to work from there. You're right. It was. Give him the ball up high, space the floor and. And he went to work and hit that nice little floater and then on the other end, switched out on Trey Young and smothered and made Trey take a really tough kind of fade away three that didn't draw irons. But that's the one. Like, oh, yeah, that's it. That's the dude they traded for performance that he's had since his debut, which he didn't make it all the way through. His Dallas debut, which didn't make it all the way through. And you know, obviously the guy's chipping off six weeks of rust. This is not the team that he. That the Mavericks thought he'd be playing for. I mean, but we all knew when Kyrie went down. Any hope of the Mavericks being even a reasonable playoff threat went kaput this year. And somehow they still might end up ninth and hosting the home playing game because Sacramento's completely falling apart and the Suns are back to being, frankly, a laughingstock.

[Brian Windhorst]

That's true. And you know, I think their record without Kevin Durant is hideous. And there's no sign of him returning right now, at least. By the way, as. As Austin Reeves, the Lakers ended up winning by 27 as Austin Reaves continues to have big game after big game. He had 31 against the warriors in a loss with a 20 point fourth quarter. He had 30 on Friday and a win over the Pelicans. He had a huge first half today. I don't think he did much in the second half of this game. He wasn't needed. It continues to be malpractice that Austin Reeves is still on the Lakers, not on the Mavericks.

[Tim McMahon]

Well, I mean, I would say the.

[Tim Bontemps]

Real malpractice is Luca Donchic.

[Brian Windhorst]

I understand, but geez, I mean, like.

[Tim Bontemps]

That'S what I would say. But yes, I get your point.

[Tim McMahon]

And there's the 2031 pick. The 2030 swap. Oh, my God. Pocket Dalton Connect. I mean, listen, man, we don't need.

[Tim Bontemps]

All we've gone over that ground enough.

[Brian Windhorst]

I just, just because. I know. Just because Austin Reeves has just had a huge, enormous week. I mean he, you know, I just wanted to point that out as we're talking about Lakers and going back into Dallas. All right, let's talk a little bit about these awards. Bon Temps and I had a piece on Friday talking to a bunch of people in the league and their opinions on these awards.

[Tim McMahon]

More Hoop Collective podcast after this.

[Brian Windhorst]

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[Tim Bontemps]

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[Brian Windhorst]

I'm telling you man, the defensive player of the year. This I've never seen a defensive race like this. If I have, I've forgotten it contributed by the fact that you know that one Benyama got out and was not is not going to qualify. It's just, it's just it's a very compelling race and a lot of people are in their feelings about it and we're going to continue to hear that during this week. Bon Thomps I don't know what what you came away from that. I had a lot of quotes on a lot of different players. I talked last week, we were talking the envy discussion about how I was leaning towards voting for Lou Dort. I've taken a lot of had a lot of commentary reach me about that. Both people supporting that and people telling me that I'm pointing in the wrong direction that I shouldn't vote for a non center that a center is by definition it's the lift. He goes, you can't. This one guy said to me, you can't say out of one side of your mouth that you vote that you focus on the lift and then on the other side of your mouth say that you're going to vote for a wing.

[Tim McMahon]

Well the the response there would be the guy takes the toughest defensive matchup every single night.

[Tim Bontemps]

Doesn't matter.

[Tim McMahon]

I will say this matter. I will say this. Lou Dort's defense player of the year candidacy did not get a boost today against Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers as they were just doing whatever they wanted against the Thunder, especially in the first half.

[Tim Bontemps]

I mean Lou is a fabulous defensive player. He's going to be first team all defense for me if the way this award the defensive player of the year by almost has to be a big because they just they're. You cannot you can scheme away from a good or bad perimeter defender. You cannot scheme away from a good or bad per decensive center over 82 games. I hear what you can you can in a specific matchup in the playoffs in some respects but those the the best defensive players, the most impactful defensive players are these interior defenders who you could build your entire defense in a room where for as great as Lou Dort is that is not the case and it's not the case for Dyson Daniels. It's not the case for Derek White. Name any of the these really good perimeter defenders. They're all really good. I'm gonna vote for all three of those guys for all defense. But my defensive player of the year ballot is down to five guys and they're all centers.

[Tim McMahon]

Who are your five in some order.

[Tim Bontemps]

Though I haven't really settled on it yet. Evan Mobley, Draymond green, Jaren Jackson Jr. Rudy Gobert and Vika Zubac. Our guest from the other day who I think is probably my lean right now for my boat of those five.

[Brian Windhorst]

He won you over with his eloquence on the pot.

[Tim Bontemps]

He didn't win me over with his eloquence on the pot. Though I just think if you look at their team, like, again, they've been a top five defensive team all year.

[Brian Windhorst]

That's true.

[Tim Bontemps]

And they, yes, they've got Derek Jones and Nick B. And some other solid perimeter defenders, but they're also playing James Harden a ton of minutes. Nor Powell's a average defender. Like, they. They're not. The Kawhi has been out a lot of the year. They're not teaming with super elite players and at the defensive end. And yes, Jeff Van Gundy's there. He's done a great job. Tyler's a great coach. But that whole thing is built around Zubac's ability to wall off the rim. And he is. He's been good at that in the past. He's been, I think, one of the most players in the league this season across the board. And I just think he's been massive for them.

[Brian Windhorst]

He. He plays every game. He plays every game. I think he's missed one or two games all year. He plays every game. He plays big minutes. He's playing the most minutes, I think by five or six minutes a game. And if you watch them play, what they ask him to do is. He is extremely important what they ask him to do. I mean, by my rules of evaluating the lift, there is no doubt that he meets that criteria by what they're asking him to do. And by the way, on. On Saturday night, he went 11 of 11 from the field offensively.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yeah.

[Tim McMahon]

Inspired.

[Tim Bontemps]

He's had a phenomenal year. He's had a phenomenal, phenomenal year.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah. Okay. So. So the, the, the Vogue name at the moment is Draymond because the warriors are finishing so strong. He came on to NBA today at the end of last week and declared. Declared himself.

[Tim Bontemps]

The Vogue name is Draymond because Draymond and the warriors have been openly and nakedly campaigning for him to win the award.

[Tim McMahon]

Yeah, he's campaigning as hard as we've seen somebody campaign for an award in recent history. Let's just.

[Brian Windhorst]

Well, for defensive player of the year, I mean, we've certainly.

[Tim Bontemps]

For any award, maybe he's campaigning as hard for any award as anyone ever. He's on a daily. He's on a daily crusade.

[Tim McMahon]

He has his own pod. He's booking mph.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yes.

[Tim McMahon]

I can't believe. Is he exclusive of his own pot? I can't believe he hadn't joined the parade of. Of windy guests. I mean, you know, I suspect if.

[Tim Bontemps]

We asked the warriors, he'd probably be on in three seconds.

[Brian Windhorst]

He said that he's the Most. How did he say it? I don't want to get said.

[Tim Bontemps]

He's the most impactful defender of the last 25 years.

[Brian Windhorst]

That's right.

[Tim McMahon]

Yes.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yes, 20.

[Brian Windhorst]

I think he said 20 years.

[Tim Bontemps]

Don't be at least 20. Whatever the number, it's also. Is it a 20 year award?

[Tim McMahon]

And he's had. He has had a great closing kick.

[Tim Bontemps]

Correct.

[Tim McMahon]

It is defense player of the year and not defensive player of the final quarter. So, you know, I'm just. Just pointing that out. I'm trying. I'm looking up when you talk about impact, like, it's not a perfect way to gauge impact, but the on off numbers for defensive rating are one way to do it. And you guys keep yapping. I'm.

[Tim Bontemps]

I'm looking for Draymond. It's about a point and a half difference.

[Tim McMahon]

Yeah, it's exactly a point and a half difference. And so are you going through and.

[Tim Bontemps]

Doing all of them? Is that what you're doing right now?

[Tim McMahon]

All five so far. Draymond is the. Is the lowest. I'm almost done. You guys keep yapping. Keep yapping.

[Tim Bontemps]

I mean, look, he's. He's certainly got a case. I don't think he's going to be first or second on my ballot. I'll see if he's on it. He's had a really nice year, I don't think.

[Tim McMahon]

Three or five on your ballot.

[Tim Bontemps]

Three.

[Tim McMahon]

Three.

[Tim Bontemps]

It's five for mvp. It's three for every other award. And then obviously it's five for the teams.

[Tim McMahon]

Three.

[Tim Bontemps]

All NBA team.

[Brian Windhorst]

If any player could say, hey, I had you, I had you in fourth place on my ballot. What do you want? Me. What do you want?

[Tim McMahon]

Yeah, that's fair. All right, here we go. So the on off numbers. You're right. Draymond is 1.5. Better. 109.1 on. 110.6 off. Mobley's 3.2. Better. 108.5. 111.7. Zubots. 2.6. 107.1. 1 0. Oh. 2.4. 109.5. I'm not that good at math. Jaren Jackson Jr. Let me see. 108.3 and 113.9. Wow, that's a big one. That would be a big old 5.6.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yeah. Between his injury and their struggles, he's probably slipped farther down ballots than he should have. But, yeah, he's had a great season.

[Tim McMahon]

And Rudy, 107.4 and 112.1. So Rudy's 4.7. So again, not Rudy.

[Tim Bontemps]

Rudy is the other one too. Where if you look at Rudy's numbers, they're basically the same as last year in terms of impact and performance and everything else. But for whatever reason, probably I think part at least significantly, because Minnesota's been seventh or eighth all year instead of first or second in the west, he has been not really in this conversation when I think he's got a pretty damn good case to win the award.

[Tim McMahon]

Again, this might shock you, but he thinks he has a pretty good case. He did. He, Rudy.

[Tim Bontemps]

Rudy also. Rudy also, like his nemesis Draymond, is also not afraid to advocate for himself, which I respect in both cases.

[Tim McMahon]

Now, he did not have a strong start to the season. He did not play to his four time defensive player of the year standards early this season. And you know, he, he, he would admit to that. But it is interesting where they're like for so long before, I mean, honestly, until Wimby went down, it was kind of okay. This is the first of many for Wimby. And so since then there's not been a clear cut front runner. But it's interesting how Gobert doesn't even really come up at all in, in that conversation.

[Brian Windhorst]

Jackson, where does go Bears. Where's Gobert on the odds?

[Tim Bontemps]

Sure, his odds are very low. I mean, he's not gonna win because of, because of that, but he should be much more in the mix than he is.

[Tim McMahon]

Well, and frankly, he has the, you know, he has to clear a higher bar because he has won it four times because another win would be the record breaking fifth defense player of of the year award.

[Tim Bontemps]

But is, hold on a second. Is anybody paying attention to that? I don't think anybody care. I don't think anybody cares about that at all. I don't think it has anything to do with why Rudy isn't getting any. I think you're the, as the Rudy Gobert chronicler, I think you're the one person who is aware of that. Oh, facetious about that. I wasn't even aware of that.

[Tim McMahon]

I wasn't either, really. That's interesting.

[Brian Windhorst]

Ben Wallace won it four times.

[Tim Bontemps]

I mean, players like to dump on Rudy for a reason, but that's that. I don't think that has, I don't think there's any voter that's like, man, not gonna let Rudy get a fifth defense player of the year award. I think it's, I think it's solely that the Wolves have been, like you said, for the first half of the year, it was sort of like Victor's gonna win in a romp.

[Tim McMahon]

Yeah.

[Tim Bontemps]

And then he got hurt, couldn't play. And since then, Minnesota continues to sort of be floating around in the bottom of the, you know, trying to get out of the.

[Tim McMahon]

Yeah, there'll be somewhere between six and eight, probably.

[Tim Bontemps]

Right. And they're not the number one schedule.

[Tim McMahon]

Last year they were the number one defense in the league. They're not. This year they're six, which ain't bad, but it's not, you know, it's not like, hey, he's anchoring the number one defense in the league. And you know, that's a lot stronger case.

[Brian Windhorst]

Rudy's not on the board is what Jackson.

[Tim McMahon]

Wow.

[Tim Bontemps]

I'm not so. I mean, he hasn't gotten any. He's. He should. My point is simply that like, you know, this is probably going to make Draymouth. He hears it extraordinarily angry. I. I would say that Rudy's got a. As good or better case than he does this year to win the employer.

[Brian Windhorst]

Draymond's usually very level headed, especially when it comes to Rudy. I don't think that's going to be an issue at all.

[Tim McMahon]

No, I think Draymond is very happy that Rudy has four defense players of the year and he only has one. I think that's. I don't think it's something that bothers Draymond whatsoever.

[Tim Bontemps]

Not one bit. Not one bit.

[Tim McMahon]

Yeah.

[Brian Windhorst]

Look, I don't, I don't like the concept that one good game in the last week or something is going to change this.

[Tim McMahon]

I don't like the idea Draymond has for a guy who's campaigning. He's. He's backing it up.

[Brian Windhorst]

I know, I agree. But like, you know, like when he's.

[Tim McMahon]

Trips Luca to seal a win over the Lakers that a few people tuned into on national tv.

[Tim Bontemps]

No.

[Brian Windhorst]

And that makes Franklin.

[Tim Bontemps]

He very well may win the award because of that.

[Tim McMahon]

I agree.

[Brian Windhorst]

I mean, that makes the voters look shallow.

[Tim Bontemps]

I mean, look, he's got a real case. I would say it's farther down the list.

[Brian Windhorst]

I'm just saying though, like, if he, if he would win the. The defensive player of the year award because look, Russell defensive plays in the fourth quarter. Quarter of one game.

[Tim Bontemps]

That's Russell Westbrook own MVP because he hit a three in a game in Denver.

[Brian Windhorst]

Okay, that's not true. He averaged a triple double for this.

[Tim Bontemps]

I understand that.

[Tim McMahon]

And his clutch numbers all year.

[Tim Bontemps]

I'm not saying he was not deserving. There's always multiple people that deserve to win. But Russell Westbrook won that MVP award the day he hit that three. If he didn't hit that three, he may not have won it. That's how these things go sometimes. There are defining moments that if you have a big moment in a spot where everybody's paying attention, it's going to carry extra weight.

[Brian Windhorst]

I can't argue he's right. He's right.

[Tim Bontemps]

It's got nothing to do with. I'm not sitting here trying to re relitigate whether Russia won that MVP or not.

[Brian Windhorst]

Well, look, I just think it's, I think, long story short, I think it's hard and last week I was fired up about Dort.

[Tim Bontemps]

Well, you were ready to put seven thunder on your 10 all defense ballot.

[Brian Windhorst]

Well, I don't regret that. I didn't say seven, but I'm.

[Tim Bontemps]

But no, you said five.

[Brian Windhorst]

But I, I had a number of people who I respect say, listen, I appreciate your, your sticking up for him, but I think you're wrong.

[Tim Bontemps]

Well, listen, I also think the way this award works now, there's, there's, there's 10 spots and there's no positions. So you can, you can really just have 10 bigs if you want. I don't believe in that either. Like I'm going to have on the all defense ballot, I put a couple wing players on both the first and second team because I think to me it's dumb that all defense is not as positionless because you should be talking about building a team of defenders.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah.

[Tim Bontemps]

And it would be dumb if you have the end of the year ballot just be the 10 best bigs in the league because technically that's probably what it should be. But it, that removes the point of in theory even having an all defense team which would be recognizing who's a guy who can guard point guards, who's a guy who could guard wings and then who are guys who are obviously going to be doing the job of walling off the paint.

[Tim McMahon]

By the way, the four time defense players of the year, Ben Wallace, Dikembe Mutombo and Rudy Gobert. Akeem Olajuwon who the trophies. The Akeem Olajuan trophy won it twice. There's. He's, he's one of a handful of guys who are multi time winners.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yeah.

[Tim McMahon]

More Hoop Collective podcast after this.

[Brian Windhorst]

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[Brian Windhorst]

Okay, we'll see how that defensive ballot ends up going in a week. Okay. Coach of the year was another one. That's interesting. Really a two man race. Although I did have some people say to me why they question why Mark Dagenault who we could go I thought they were still had 70 on the board. Now it's 68 and falling. But he wasn't really considered a leading candidate even though he's a coach of the year last year and his team is going to have the best record I think. But it's really between Kenny Atkinson who's been favored for quite some time by the Cavs, and J.B. bickerstaff.

[Tim McMahon]

And I, I would put Emea Doke also in the conversation to win it.

[Tim Bontemps]

I mean he's, he's gonna get votes, but he's not going to win.

[Tim McMahon]

I, I mean I, I, I think he should be on pretty much every ballot.

[Brian Windhorst]

Totally agree.

[Tim McMahon]

Win team without a, without a true star.

[Brian Windhorst]

Right. And, and second, if they hold on which they're in good position to the second seed in this Western Conference.

[Tim McMahon]

Nobody thought the Rockets are going to be a second.

[Tim Bontemps]

100. 100%.

[Tim McMahon]

He said at media day they'd be a playoff team this year. I thought that was way too bold.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yeah, 100%.

[Tim McMahon]

But okay.

[Tim Bontemps]

But he definitely deserves key definitely deserves consideration. Ty Lu has done a great job. I think he definitely deserves consideration, you know. But I, but I think the award to Brian's point is coming down to One or two people.

[Brian Windhorst]

And so Atkinson has been at the forefront of this for most of the season primarily because he took a Cavs roster that was essentially the same. They made the mid season trade for DeAndre Hunter, but it was essentially the same roster and transformed them from a four seed that looked like they were underachieving to a one seed that was beating people's heads in throughout the whole season. But I got to say, in talking to people across the league, while no one's putting down, no one's diminishing what Kenny Atkinson did. The lead, the people in the league, not they don't vote. You know, I'm not talking, this is not a poll. I'm seeking people's opinions. The, the groundswell for JB was strong. Taking a team with 14 wins and you know, right now they're in the five, they probably are not going to get to the four. But there was, you know, there was, you know, some period not, not too long ago where they, they might even had home court in the first round. And just what he's done with that team in his first year, I mean, you know, being a first year coach of the year, that's saying something that, you know, the fact that you're a candidate as a first, you know, year coach speaks well to both of the jobs that they did.

[Tim McMahon]

It's JB who got fired from Cleveland and the guy who replaced him. But I mean, they both have great cases though. And the Cavs were a good team that Kenny Atkinson helped become a great team. He, you know, 62 and counting win team. That's impressive. Nobody's ever tripled their win total. I mean the Pistons have tripled their win total and Pistons were as bad of a team as we've seen in recent memory.

[Brian Windhorst]

It hadn't made the playoffs since 18, I think it was.

[Tim McMahon]

And last year just, I mean they set the record for the longest losing streak in NBA history.

[Brian Windhorst]

28 losses in a row.

[Tim McMahon]

And you know, I forgot the exact date, but last year on a certain date, they were 8 and 49. This year, on that date, they, they won their eight straight game. You know, stuff like that. For them to be a playoff team, whether they end up, you know, probably a six seed, maybe a five seed, but a top six team in the east, tripling their win total. Be tough for me not to have just business picker staff on top of the ballot.

[Tim Bontemps]

That's where I'm at. I just, you look at their season, they've had just an absolutely remarkable year. And you know, we thought they, you know, we thought they'd maybe be fighting for a playing spot this season and that would be tangible progress for a team that in the last 16 years had had one season with more than 41 wins and one other season with 41 wins. And last year was a disaster. And for them to like, yes, they made some solid veteran pickups. Getting Malik Beasley, who has turned into a human flamethrower this year, in part because of how they've used them, getting Tim Hardway, getting Tobias Harris, like they got some solid veteran guys. But they put, you know, JB's done a remarkable job with them defensively. He's helped Kate Cunningham take a big step forward.

[Brian Windhorst]

Real quick diversion not to interrupt you.

[Tim Bontemps]

Sure.

[Brian Windhorst]

I don't really want to talk about most improved right now. It's kind of a squishy award. I got to go to the airport.

[Tim Bontemps]

That should not exist.

[Brian Windhorst]

Kate Cunningham is running very high in the odds and this is nothing against Cade's spectacular year. He's, we talked about him on, on this in the straw poll last week. Can you get a max contract and then win Most Improved?

[Tim Bontemps]

I mean, him and Evan Mobley are probably going to finish first and second on a lot of people's bouts.

[Tim McMahon]

I don't think either one of them.

[Brian Windhorst]

Should really be there.

[Tim McMahon]

I don't think.

[Tim Bontemps]

I don't know if Dyson Daniels really applies either.

[Brian Windhorst]

Well, like, I don't. He didn't sign a max contract.

[Tim McMahon]

I don't think lottery picks on their rookie deals should be eligible for most improved. You're supposed to get better under rookie deal and the lottery pick. You're supposed, especially a high lottery pick, a number one pick.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yeah, I mean I have a very hard rule. I know I will not vote for second year players for this reason because you're just naturally going to take a step, pretty step, big step forward in theory from your first and second years in the league. I think this award is really dumb. I think it should not exist. I don't understand why it exists.

[Tim McMahon]

Then you also have to do the thing like, okay, is Dyson Daniels, has he really improved that much or did he just get more of an opportunity?

[Tim Bontemps]

Correct.

[Brian Windhorst]

Dyson Daniels has improved a lot. I mean he's had a great.

[Tim Bontemps]

Dyson Daniels is getting a chance to really play.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah, he didn't.

[Tim Bontemps]

He was, he was buried behind players in New Orleans like he's had a great year. I'm not knocking Dyson Daniels. It's just like this is why this award is so dumb.

[Tim McMahon]

It's a bad Award it shouldn't exist. And Wendy, you gave us the history lesson on why it does exist and it's actually a pretty funny history lesson.

[Brian Windhorst]

Well, it used to be comeback player of the year which is you know, supposed to be for like a guy like Ty Jerome who like missed all of last year with like this.

[Tim Bontemps]

Somebody gets hurt and then comes back and wins.

[Brian Windhorst]

Right. But then in the 80s guys started winning it who were out for the year with drug. With cocaine suspensions and they were like what chance the most improved the NBA.

[Tim Bontemps]

Should have just if the NBA sunset at this award this year that not a single person would care who is.

[Brian Windhorst]

The most improved player award named after.

[Tim Bontemps]

I don't even. I don't even know.

[Tim McMahon]

I don't know if Jackson was ever doing producing. We probably know by now, but he.

[Brian Windhorst]

Did some producing to get this pod on the air. We had some technical issues that were at the corporate level. I'll just leave it at that.

[Tim Bontemps]

It's named after anybody. I'm trying to find out who it's named after.

[Brian Windhorst]

George Mikin.

[Tim Bontemps]

Oh, George Mikin. Yes, there it is.

[Brian Windhorst]

Is that because like the Mikan drill, you know, the concept is I think they just.

[Tim Bontemps]

I think they just got to another all time great player to here. We'll just give him this one.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah, the concept is you do the mic and drill.

[Tim McMahon]

George Mikin who led the league in scoring as a rookie. So let's name the most improved as a rookie. Actually let it his first three years. But yeah.

[Brian Windhorst]

Did he did. I know what it is. Mike got his, the, the prescription. He got a thicker set of glasses between like year one and two and all of a sudden his field goal percentage went like.

[Tim McMahon]

Yeah, many reasons looking at this officially George Mikin did have in his third season a 14.1 rebound per game spike. But that's just because rebounds were not accumulated before that.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yes, then they were. Yeah. So yeah, that award is dumb. We could set that aside.

[Brian Windhorst]

But all right, well anyway, I don't want to take. No, no, it's fine. Cunningham. I just.

[Tim Bontemps]

Oh. It's not about the fact that he.

[Tim McMahon]

Might win that award is going to be all NBA. Who gives a crap about most improved.

[Tim Bontemps]

Players whether he wins most improved. That's right. He's going to care about making the all B18, which he will. And Evan Mobley by the way will do the same thing and he will also get his money. So it'll be good for both of them. But. But yeah, to me if you just look at where the Pistons are and where they've been like, yes, the Cavs making it this leap forward has been really important and they obviously could go on to make the Finals, win the title, we'll see how their playoffs go. But I just think the, the structural foundation that JB has put in place with the Pistons this year, it's pretty remarkable. And I, as the year has gone on, I've looked more and more at it and I, I think I'm gonna be open for it.

[Tim McMahon]

And frankly, jb, I'm not saying give the guy credit for the Cavs success this year, but he did do a hell of a job laying the foundation in Cleveland.

[Brian Windhorst]

Right. And by the way, everybody in the Cavs organization would say that the Cavs will not counter, you know, program, you know, they will not, you know, as they make their case for Kenny Atkinson, they will not be like, well, come.

[Tim McMahon]

In and he's Mac. He's been able to maximize Mobley and kind of unlock some things there. Also with Darius Garland. Now, Darius Garland had a broken jaw the middle of last year and lost £15 and dealt with, you know, the.

[Brian Windhorst]

Post should be most improved.

[Tim McMahon]

Well, if there was a comeback player of the year, he'd have a case. But you know, it's not like, I mean the Cavs were a good team that won a playoffs.

[Brian Windhorst]

The Cavs, the, the case for Kenny Atkinson is that when you go down the line on the Cavs roster, he got like the best out of every single player. Donovan Mitchell's statistics do not indicate he's having his best season. But when you look at the games played his most in six years and he was able to sell Donovan on taking a smaller role. I mean Donovan played a big role in that too. But Darius Garland, most games played bounce back season all star far and away Evan Mobley's best season. His. The central game plan for Kenny Atkinson coming into this year was maximize Evan Mobley and the fact that he is have a strong chance to win defensive player of the year, make all NBA, made the all star team, 60 wins. That is pretty much his case. Ty Jerome, best year far and away of his career. Jared Allen, spectacular season balancing the two, playing those two guys together. The way he set the rotation up, you know, Dean Wade, you know, even DeAndre Hunter, the way he's brought him in and integrated him like, I mean he's, he's. That's his case. His case is he essentially had the same team and just maximized them from day one and was careful with minutes and you know, got, you know, went was a, you know, confidently played 10, 11 guys throughout the season and it put them in a position to, you know, just win incredible amount of games. That's his. That's his case. And. But I don't think it's a historic case when I think JB's got the history on his side. And, you know, ripping on your wings is pretty wild.

[Tim McMahon]

Yeah, you gotta be pretty bad in the first place to be able to do it. But tripling your wins and going from the worst team in the league to a top six spot in your conference.

[Brian Windhorst]

Is, you know, JB3X Bickerstaff. Okay. The other, you know, sort of interesting one is Rookie of the year Bontemps and I canvassed about. So there's been a groundswell for Stefan Castle. Stefan Castle of the Spurs.

[Tim McMahon]

Just use last names. You're really good with last name.

[Brian Windhorst]

I usually am good at first names too. I just, you know, Ivica. I keep.

[Tim McMahon]

Yeah, got it.

[Brian Windhorst]

Anyway, you know, Castle's statistics are strong, especially in the wake of both Victor going out and then Dear and Fox going out. His usage rate has just gone up a lot. Like something like 30% since. Since mid February. And he's put up big numbers. He had another couple of big games last week and you know, he was highly visible. He was in the slam dunk contest. You know, the spurs were on national TV a lot. I did have one guy that I talked to, he wasn't commenting on Castle. He was just saying he goes this year feels like the Michael Carter Williams year, which was 2014, where the class was just not super impressive and Michael Carter Williams had the best stats and so he won it.

[Tim Bontemps]

The best player in that class wound up being the guy who was taken with the 15th pick in that draft. Not 2011, 2013. I mean, when I had to be 2014, 13, 14 season went on to be certain Greek guy we were talking about earlier in the pod was pretty darn good.

[Brian Windhorst]

Anyway, Castle is the favorite. I will just say again, as I went around the league and talked to people, significant support for Zachary Richache. Not they were putting Castle down. What they were saying is Rishi's improvement throughout the course of the year is what has impressed them. I talked to one assistant coach who he has the Hawks as his scout and they played the Hawks early and then they didn't play them for like two or three months. And the difference between Rishi between those two times he prepared his team was significant and he just said his shooting is dramatically better. And if you do look at his stats in the second half of the year, his three point shooting is right about 40%. Where actually. Whereas Castles, again, not that this is about three point shooting, Castle. When Castle's usage has gone up, his efficiency has actually gone down. Which is what you expect by the way, from rookie guards. You expect their efficiency not to be high. Whereas as the season gone has gone along and the responsibility has gone more to Rishi, his numbers have improved. And the one thing that I think will be a factor as I make this decision is that Richard Shay has played a bunch of good games when the Hawks were playing for something. Not that the Hawks are flying into the finish. They're four or five games under.500, but the games that they're playing do have meaning and he's played well in them. Whereas the spurs are sort of playing out the strength. Not that that's Castle's fault, but Castle is the favorite. I've got people in the league that I listen to leaning richache.

[Tim Bontemps]

Castle is the favorite because basically by default. Because he, frankly, I think mainly because he had a very good All Star weekend and was visible at all star weekend. And that coupled with him putting up some numbers lately has lifted him up the list. Like not I, I'm a big fan.

[Brian Windhorst]

He's a good looking prospect.

[Tim Bontemps]

I'm a huge fan of him long term. I just think the reason he's at the top of the list for this award this year is a combination of this class is not very impressive. And he had some moments at the All Star game that I think have lifted it up more than anything else, personally.

[Tim McMahon]

He's also the only one in the rookie. He's leading the rookie class in scoring. He's fourth. And assists, of course. You guys know who leads the rookies in assists, don't you?

[Tim Bontemps]

Isaiah Collier, I believe, right?

[Tim McMahon]

Yeah. Just broke John Stockton's assist record. Or at least one of them.

[Tim Bontemps]

That's correct.

[Tim McMahon]

The Jazz rookie.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yeah, I'm a big, I'm a big Castle fan. Long term, I like him as a prospect. It's just I think to me if like for example, Reed Shepherd's playing in Houston, Reed shepherd is basically not played.

[Brian Windhorst]

All season because now he's hurt. Yeah.

[Tim Bontemps]

And he played against the Thunder a couple weeks ago. He had a huge game against one of the best teams in the league. Right. If he's playing for a team where he's playing 25, 30 minutes a game, my prediction would be he'd be running away with this award. But he's not. Jared McCain was gonna run away with this award. He Got. He, like Victor got hurt earlier in the year. He's out of the mix. So none of these choices are very overwhelming in terms of who you should vote for. Alex Sars was better the second half of the year.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah, Alex Sar before the All I have. I have some splits here. So what. What's Jalen Wells, the second round pick from the Grizzlies. He was sort of a pick that a lot of people were looking as a possible surprise pick. Some of it's that the Grizzlies have been healthier, but, you know, so before the All Star break, Jalen Wells averaged 11 points, three rebounds on 45% shooting. Since the All Star break, nine points, three rebounds on 37% shooting. And if you look at Saar, you know, the Wizards were so horrible for the first three months of the season that I don't think there's anything you could pull out of there that you could appreciate. But the first, you know, half of the season, he averaged 11 points and six rebounds. Since the All Star break, 16 points and six rebounds. He's still not shooting the ball great. I mean, he needs to get better efficiency there. But, you know, he's come on. He's come on late later.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yeah, he's definitely been better to me.

[Brian Windhorst]

The.

[Tim Bontemps]

To me, Reese should. Shea is going to be the guy that I vote for since he's, like you said, since January 1st. He's shooting 49 from the field, shooting 39 from three. He's playing real minutes on a team that has ambitions to at least try to make the playoffs, which none of these other guys do. He's playing a role on the team. But again, like I this is not comparing it to the Michael Carter, Victor Carter Williams, Victor Oladipo race is, I think, a fitting comparison because none of these. It's not last year where you've got Victor Wembanyama and Chad Holmgren and you're like, one of these guys has to win the award and one of them's going to finish second. And in most, you know, Chat was playing this year, Chat would have won unanimously this year.

[Tim McMahon]

Oh, no question.

[Tim Bontemps]

Wouldn't even have been a debate. So, like, there's not a. The reason this one's competitive is because there isn't a clear choice.

[Tim McMahon]

There are. There are other rookies that are playing significant roles for playoff teams. The two guys on the Grizzlies, Jalen Wells and Zach Eady. Yep. They don't have the numbers that resell Shea does. Quentin Perimeter on the warriors, he didn't.

[Brian Windhorst]

Even Start playing until January.

[Tim McMahon]

Yeah.

[Tim Bontemps]

Really nice season though. He will be on my. He will be on one of my all rookie teams for sure. Another thing that should go away is the second all rookie team that should also not exist.

[Brian Windhorst]

My God, I haven't thought about second team all rookie this year.

[Tim McMahon]

Yeah, he wants to get rid of so many things.

[Tim Bontemps]

I just. I just don't. I. I love the process of doing the awards. It's. I Super interesting.

[Brian Windhorst]

Second team all rookie is named after Bob Pettit. That's the Bob Pettitone.

[Tim Bontemps]

It is. It is just a ridiculous thing to be coming up with 10 rookies a lot of these years.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah, some years, some years not. But this year, yes.

[Tim Bontemps]

It's just gonna be tough.

[Brian Windhorst]

I'll just do a drive by real quick on six, man. By the way, for most improved, Denny Avia is a guy that I'm leaning towards.

[Tim McMahon]

By the way, that you discovered Dyson Daniels.

[Brian Windhorst]

Well, he's a serious candidate too. We'll see. We'll do a drive by on six, man here. Peyton Pritchard is the betting favorite. Malik Beasley. I was gonna say Malik Beasley.

[Tim Bontemps]

Peyton Pritchard is my pick.

[Tim McMahon]

Oh, well, I think that one's easy. Oh, why is it easy?

[Tim Bontemps]

He's. He has played a massive role for the Celtics. I would say he's their second most consistent player outside of Jason Tatum. His energy every day is a huge thing for them. He's really turned into a. An incredible scorer off the bench for them. You know, solid defender. I just. In terms of him coming off the bench every single game and giving them real production and minutes and energy every night. I. To me, he's been the clear favorite for this for most of the year. Malik Beezus had a great year. There's several other guys that you can point to, but the guy who you b.

[Tim McMahon]

The guy who you call E. Andre Hunter because you say he has no.

[Tim Bontemps]

D. DeAndre Hunter is a guy who serv.

[Brian Windhorst]

DeAndre Hunter has a case.

[Tim Bontemps]

My ballot too, for sure.

[Brian Windhorst]

Ty Jerome. Ty Jerome from the Caps.

[Tim McMahon]

Dude, Beasley. I'm like again, Beasley has been a major factor in the Pistons tripling their wins. Not only his scoring, but the fact you have to guard a guy and he's. He's come off the bench the vast majority of the games. He's averaging 16.3 points shooting, 41.6 from 3 point range on over 9 attempts per game. Some pretty significant value in that for a team that was so starved.

[Brian Windhorst]

Sounds like a most improved player to me. What is he like nine years into his career.

[Tim McMahon]

Ah, you know what though? He's always been able to shoot and he's always been able.

[Tim Bontemps]

I know his shooting has been, his shooting has been crazy. The other guy that I think will get strong considerations from my battle. Westbrook. Yes. Russell Westbrook. No, I, I think, I mean Nazrida won it last year. We'll probably get some votes again. But yeah, it's his teammate to me, Mikhail Alexander Walker, who I think is going to be very high on my ballot. But he knows he has had a fantastic year for the Wolves. Really good two way player guards, multiple positions, really good shooter, can handle the ball. You know, obviously Mike Conley's been in and out of the lineup with some injuries. He stepped in and handled point guard duties a bunch. We saw him hit that huge, hit those huge free throws the other day when he got fouled at the end of the game by Westbrook in that crazy Wolves Nuggets game. He, he's just had an awesome year and I think he's going to be pretty squarely in my consideration for my ballot too.

[Brian Windhorst]

All right.

[Tim McMahon]

Lead the league in three pointers made.

[Brian Windhorst]

Beasley said it.

[Tim Bontemps]

He's had a crazy season, right.

[Tim McMahon]

Crazy season right now. Ants got 303. Beasley's got 301.

[Brian Windhorst]

Well, Beasley hasn't missed a game either. It helps when you play every game and that's what the Pistons needed.

[Tim Bontemps]

I mean shooting 41 from three on nine attempts a game is crazy awesome. That's, that's really.

[Brian Windhorst]

Pistons could pull, the Pistons could pull some, some, some hardware here would be amazing. Talk about unexpected. All right. We have a very high stakes week coming up. We'll be talking about all of it's going to be changing by the day and we'll be with you breaking it all down. Got a couple of, got a couple of really important games coming up in the next four or five days. So thank you for watching, listening to Collective. Thank you to Jackson for pulling this together. Thank you to Bon Thompson McMahon and we'll talk to you later this week.

[Tim McMahon]

Adios Migos.