The Athletic NBA Daily — November 17, 2025

Episode Theme:
Are the Hawks better without Trae Young? + Pelicans fire Willie Green

Hosts: Dave DeFore, Zena Keita, Esfandiar “S” Baraheni

Episode Overview

On this episode, the crew recaps an action-packed NBA weekend, dissecting pivotal games, major injuries, and organizational chaos. Featured topics include the surging Hawks during Trae Young’s absence, Willie Green’s awkward firing in New Orleans, and the incredible performances from stars like Steph Curry, Victor Wembanyama, and up-and-coming contributors. The hosts also weigh the implications of a series of injuries across the league and muse about the dynamics of reintegrating star players like LeBron James and Trae Young.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Magic vs. Rockets: Offense, Hierarchy, and Houston’s KD Factor

• Magic:
  • Played without Paolo Banchero, but the offense “made a little bit of sense” with “21 assists tonight for the Orlando Magic. Ball was flying a little bit. Basically, every single player that played tonight had an assist.” (03:09, S)
  • Desmond Bane and Franz Wagner stepped up, but the consensus is “not time yet to say they’re better without Paolo.” (03:09, S)
• Rockets:
  • Houston “is a machine at this point…lethal offensively” with a clear identity—crash the glass, exploit isolation (03:09, S).
  • Kevin Durant “running more pick and rolls than ever,” and Alperen Sengun “has taken a leap” as a scorer and facilitator (03:09, S).
  • Durant and Sengun combined for 65 points. “KD had huge shot after huge shot.” (03:09, S)
• Hierarchy Shift:
  • “You can feel the hierarchy in Houston now…Sengun kind of acting like the engine of the team, pushing everyone across the line.” (04:41, Zena)
  • “Most importantly, you’ve got Sengun and KD sharing those late-game possessions. It’s less ‘somebody save us’ and more ‘one of y’all got it.’ And that feels good.” (05:12, Zena)

Notable Quote

“They have an identity which is we’re going to crash the offensive glass like Mad Men… We have Kevin Durant, who’s a great isolation scorer… Alperen Sengun, who has taken a leap.”
— S [03:09]

2. Steph Curry vs. Victor Wembanyama: Enigma vs. Enigma

• Steph Curry erupted for 95 points over two games against the Spurs, a “nightmare” for Wimby’s young career.
• The dynamic: Curry’s relentless motion and quick decision-making challenges even someone with Wembanyama’s gifts. “There was a possession that stands out…down the stretch, you watch Wimby just trying to track Steph. That’s impossible.” (06:35, Dave)
• Wemby deserves credit—“a lot of chasing Steph, but then also being…in the paint” (07:23, Zena).
• The hosts marvel at the “poetry” of NBA generational clashes—“old guard vs. new guard” and speculate about a potential playoff series between Spurs and Warriors.

Notable Quotes

“We are blessed by the basketball gods that we get to see a matchup like this in real time…Wemby’s ridiculous size and the space that he covers versus Steph’s processing speed.”
— Zena [07:43]

“It’s Enigma versus Enigma…Steph was the guy who…you’re like, ‘what am I watching right now?’ Wemby is that guy now.”
— S [08:24]

3. Hawks Without Trae Young: Defensive Renaissance & The Real Question

• The Hawks are 7–2 without Trae Young, “the second best defense in that time…just went 4–0 on this west coast road trip.” (10:10, Dave)
• The offense has also been solid: “12th best offense also since then, which maybe is a surprise since Trae Young is an offense to himself.” (10:10, Dave)
• Notable names stepping up: Dyson Daniels (averaging 7+ assists), Jalen Johnson (triple-double: 31/18/14).
• Debate: Are the Hawks better without Trae?
  • Zena reframes: “That’s the wrong question…Can Trae Young plug into this version of the Hawks…without slipping back defensively?” (11:13, Zena)
  • “Hawks play better defense into offense than we’ve ever seen before, and that’s what’s really levitating them.” (12:20, Zena)
  • S and Dave: Offense can incorporate Trae’s gifts, if he buys in off-ball and defensively. “He should just be joining in on the fun. He should blend in. Hopefully he does.” (14:10, Dave)

Notable Quotes

“My question is when Trae Young comes back…can he ensure him coming back does not slip this team back from a defensive perspective?”
— Zena [11:13]

“That is the thing with Trae Young that’s been missing from his game: being dangerous without the ball in his hands.”
— Dave [14:03]

4. Pelicans Fire Willie Green: Organizational Dysfunction & Borrego’s Challenge

• Willie Green was fired after weeks of speculation and mishandling: “Dragged it out quite a while and, in my opinion, got a bit disrespectful…including dragging it out an extra like two weeks and then not announcing him along with the starting lineups at home.” (18:00, Dave)
• James Borrego named interim head coach.
• Zena: “It’s been messy as hell…serves as a perfect parallel to what Willie Green has had to deal with in terms of his roster and the consistencies in his roster.” (18:53)
  • “I do feel like he got the short end of the stick…For the Pelicans organization, you can switch out the coach, you cannot switch out dysfunction.” (18:53, Zena)
  • Derrick Queen’s emergence noted, but Borrego “won’t suddenly solve the problems—too much dysfunction.” (19:58, Zena)
• S and Dave: Derrick Queen is a bright spot but not enough to change the fundamental issues.

Notable Quote

“You can switch out the coach, you cannot switch out dysfunction…you cannot switch out what you build around Zion.”
— Zena [18:53]

5. Injury Round-Up: Knicks, Grizzlies, Nuggets, and More

• Knicks: Jalen Brunson (ankle), OG Anunoby (hamstring, out at least 2 weeks).
  • OG Anunoby: “Not just like a role player for this team. Like, he is solid 16 points a night, almost two steals a game.” (22:56, Zena)
  • Team depth needed, Clarkson and McBride highlighted as key fill-ins.
• Grizzlies: Ja Morant left with injury. He “hasn’t really looked like himself…shooting 30% from the field, 18% from three.” (24:40, S)
• Nuggets: Christian Braun out at least six weeks (ankle), but depth much improved.
  • “Nuggets are only –1.6 plus-minus without Jokic this year…last year –10.8.” (25:59, Dave)
• Rockets, Pacers: Tar Eason and Aaron Nesmith out a month; Pacers likely tanking.
• Bulls/Jazz Double OT Thrill:
  • Kobe White returns, “27, 4 and 8,” with a layup forcing double OT (27:32, Zena).
  • Lowry Markkanen and Keyonte George combine for “80 points” in the Jazz win. (28:04, S)
• Lakers/Mavs: Anthony Davis still out; Cooper Flagg emerging, Anthony Davis trade chatter beginning.

6. LeBron’s Return and Lakers Fit

• LeBron James Sr. to return to practice: “NBA players don’t just practice for the hell of it…assuming he’s ramping up to return.” (29:32, Dave)
• Lakers’ need: 30th in transition frequency—LeBron can “speed them up. Luka likes to play slow. LeBron will speed them up.” (30:17, Dave)
• Zena jokes: “I love that one of the oldest guys in the league—we need you to speed us up.” (30:17, Zena)
• S’s concern: “Ball has looked good in Austin Reaves’ hands, and Luka Doncic’s hands…LeBron will want the ball in his hands…That might mean a little bit of a work in progress over the next couple weeks.” (31:22, S)
• Dave: Ultimately not worried—“Nobody’s ever said we don’t need LeBron James.” (32:04, Dave)

Notable Quotes

“We need you to speed us up. Right now we’re playing slowly and badly in transition and we need LeBron, 40 years old to come in.”
— Zena [30:17]

“Nobody's ever said we don't need LeBron James.”
— Dave [32:04]

Additional Memorable Moments

• On Playoff Desires:
  “I want a playoff series—give me a playoff series of Spurs versus Warriors.” (08:43, S)
• On Derrick Queen Jerseys:
  “There’s a lot of bachelorette parties in New Orleans. You could do Queen New Orleans.” (20:30, S)
• Trade Rumors: “They need AD to come back so that he can rebuild his trade value.” (28:47, Dave) “I think it’s time to pull the plug. I think it’s time to start over with Cooper Flagg.” (28:47, S)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:09] Magic-Rockets recap and Houston’s new offensive identity
• [06:35] Steph Curry vs Victor Wembanyama: generational duel
• [10:10] Hawks’ hot streak without Trae Young; defense focus
• [11:13] Zena’s reframing: Integration vs. subtraction with Trae Young
• [18:00] Pelicans fire Willie Green, Borrego takes over
• [22:56] Knicks injuries and depth challenges
• [24:40] Ja Morant’s struggles and Grizzlies injury woes
• [27:32] Kobe White’s return and impact for Bulls
• [28:04] Jazz’s Markkanen and George go off for combined 80 points
• [29:32] LeBron James Sr.’s return to practice and Lakers transition issues
• [31:22] S’s devil’s advocate: LeBron's integration into Lakers offense
• [32:04] Dave’s reassurance: “Nobody’s ever said we don’t need LeBron James.”

Tone and Language

Throughout the episode, the hosts balance sharp analysis with playful banter and a conversational tone, frequently referencing insider perspectives, fandom narratives, and basketball history. There’s an emphasis on nuance (especially around “Are they better without [star player]?” tropes), as well as appreciation for the emotional and human side of the league.

Summary prepared for those wanting a comprehensive, engaging recap of The Athletic NBA Daily’s November 17, 2025 episode.