Are the Spurs inevitable?

Summary

The Athletic NBA Daily – "Are the Spurs Inevitable?"

Date: May 15, 2026
Hosts: Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, Marcus Thompson

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Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into current NBA playoff storylines, with a primary focus on the surging San Antonio Spurs and their rookie sensations, a breakdown of the Wolves-Spurs series, the Cavs-Pistons series’ surprising twists, and speculation about Steve Kerr’s contract with the Warriors and offseason possibilities, including LeBron James’ potential destinations.

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Key Segments & Insights

1. Spurs vs. Timberwolves – The Spurs’ Rising Dominance

[01:26 – 18:30]

San Antonio’s Young Core Looks Unstoppable

• Marcus Thompson highlights storylines around the Spurs’ rookie Dylan Harper, discussing his maturity and composure in the playoffs.
  • “You could kind of feel all of their like knowledge and, and willpower and just mindset mentality in him… It’s so uncanny to watch a rookie just confidently go coast to coast. It just doesn't happen, not in the playoffs.” (Marcus Thompson, 03:24)
• Dylan Harper is compared to both Kawhi Leonard and Cade Cunningham for his poise, physicality, and body awareness.
  • “To me, it was just more like the composure and the patience and like this kind of like almost unearned trust in their skill…” (Marcus Thompson, 05:18)
  • “I think that's why I got the Cade Cunningham comparison of just like Cade, knowing how he takes up space out on the court...” (Zena Keita, 09:44)

Victor Wembanyama’s Influence

• The hosts discuss Wemby’s constant impact and even reference his “body awareness” as a marker of his greatness.
  • “For Wemby to be saying that as well, like, I don't know if we've really learned about Dylan's care for his body, but also, like, how he's using his body...” (Zena Keita, 09:43)
  • “[Wemby’s] comments, you know, just to be honest… that's the most wimpy answer of all time… this is the most like… He's like, you know what really impresses me? How he uses his body.” (Marcus Thompson, 10:55)

Minnesota’s Problems

• Ant Edwards’ injury limits his explosiveness; Marcus and Dave lament not getting a true “Ant vs Wemby” playoff highlight.
  • “He's not exploding at all...he's playing like he's the old head playing younger dudes.” (Marcus Thompson, 12:49)
  • “In what universe is he not trying to dunk on Wemby?” (Marcus Thompson, 13:32)
• Wolves’ inability to make threes is called out as the key reason they’re falling short.
  • “They have to make threes. When they're hot from three, they become pretty tough and...Ant needs it.” (Marcus Thompson, 12:47)

The Spurs’ Imposing Future

• Spurs' depth, attitude and skill set make them almost “inevitable” in the West.
  • “San Antonio, just as gangster as them. You're not pushing Steph Castle around...These dudes are just like them, but with the skill, like, top to bottom.” (Marcus Thompson, 17:34)
• Wolves must “build around Ant,” perhaps pursuing a star like Giannis, because “you can’t walk into next season saying, Julius Randle is my second best player.” (Marcus Thompson, 16:33)

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2. Cavs vs. Pistons – Turning Points & Disappointment

[20:51 – 32:34]

A Series Lacking Fireworks

• The Cavs-Pistons is described as a "rock fight" with stretches of boredom—“It's like Disneyland…when it's lit, is lit. Otherwise, it's waiting in line.” (Marcus Thompson, 21:07)

Jalen Duren’s Playoff Struggles

• Duren is “borderline unplayable”; questions swirl about whether the Pistons are asking too much of him, or if he's simply not ready.
  • “On the list of people who lose the money this playoffs is up there.” (Marcus Thompson, 22:24)
  • “Should we have known it was a lot to ask for him...he was set up to fail...” (Marcus Thompson, 24:02)

Cleveland’s Mixed Fortunes

• James Harden steps up at the right moments; Evan Mobley’s play is recognized as a difference-maker.
  • “Evan Mobley, for all of the things we said about him not showing up in big moments, he's been really big.” (Dave DeFore, 30:25)

Game Management & Future Warnings

• Detroit's inability to capitalize on turnovers is alarming (“That’s a blowout. And it wasn’t,” Zena Keita, 31:24), and both sides are criticized for inconsistent execution.
• Discussion about whether the Cavs stepped up or the Pistons choked: “I think it’s a little bit of both… but the Cavs are playing better.” (Dave DeFore, 30:03)

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3. Offseason Rumors – Warriors, LeBron, and the Golden State Roster Dilemma

[32:34 – 42:07]

Steve Kerr’s Extension & LeBron Speculation

• Warriors re-sign Steve Kerr for two years. Where does LeBron go? Marcus is skeptical of a Warriors move, suggests Knicks or Cleveland as more likely destinations.
  • “No, I don't think it's happening. I think he goes home if he leaves.” (Marcus Thompson, 32:52)
  • “That Brunson, LeBron, and Cat just feels like that's a lot. That's just made for… a Page Six story.” (Marcus Thompson, 33:13)

Golden State’s Roster Options

• The #11 pick has some value, but Golden State needs rotation-ready talent, not more developmental projects.
  • “They need somebody who can come in and play. They don’t need a guy at the end of the bench. They need a Dylan Harper, obviously not that level, but somebody who’s in the rotation.” (Marcus Thompson, 35:38)
• The importance of a strong second unit to support aging stars is emphasized—no more “retirement home” rosters.
  • “For every old person you add, it’s gonna be harder to keep them dudes fresh come April… you’re already doing it with Jimmy… with Draymond… With Porzingis. You basically got to get a second unit, like a second line.” (Marcus Thompson, 39:05)

Trade & Value Targets

• OKC’s role players (Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins) are lauded as fits for the Warriors’ bench needs.
  • “Anybody that plays in OKC is in the rotation for the Golden State Warriors. Every single guy on that roster.” (Dave DeFore, 41:23)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the San Antonio Spurs’ Culture:
  • “That’s the problem with San Antonio…these dudes are just like [Minnesota], but with the skill, top to bottom…Dylan Harper is the rookie, and he will go at anybody.” (Marcus Thompson, 17:34)
• On Anthony Edwards’ Playoffs:
  • “He hasn’t even dunked [on Wemby]…His C performance is better, right?” (Marcus Thompson, 13:39 & 14:14)
• On the Cavs-Pistons Series:
  • “It’s miserable, but for those moments where it’s excellent—when you’re on the ride, everything else is like, you’re waiting three hours in line…” (Marcus Thompson, 21:07)
  • “That’s a blowout. And it wasn’t.” (Zena Keita, 31:24)
• On Golden State’s Aging Stars:
  • “This is where you want to go if you’re trying to sunset.” (Zena Keita, 38:05)
  • “You can put together a pretty sick old man team…get KD, get LeBron…” (Dave DeFore, 38:44)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Spurs/Wolves Analysis: 01:26 – 18:30
• Cavs/Pistons Breakdown: 20:51 – 32:34
• Warriors/Offseason Speculation: 32:34 – 42:07

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Overall Tone

The episode is lively, playful, and candid—hosts offer sharp opinions, banter and basketball nerdery, often peppered with laughs and vivid analogies. Marcus brings memorable one-liners and brings insight into the pressures facing young stars and GMs alike.

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For Listeners Who Missed the Show

This episode distills what makes the 2026 NBA playoffs so captivating: the inevitable rise of the Spurs, the drama of young stars finding their place, the high-stakes decisions looming for Minnesota and Detroit, and the unpredictable future of veteran superstars. Even without having heard the podcast, you’ll get sharp context on team trajectories, evolving NBA archetypes, and the biggest questions as the league prepares for seismic summer moves.

Transcript

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[Dave DeFore]

Good morning and welcome to the NBA Daily for May 15, 2026. I'm Dave DeFora here with Zena Keda and Marcus Thompson. Coming up, we go deep with Marc on the Wolves and Spurs series. We hit the Cavs and Pistons and we talk about Steve Kerr resigning with the warriors and whether they're going to get LeBron James. Good morning everybody. Hello, Zena. Welcome Marcus, how are you, buddy?

[Marcus Thompson]

What's going on, man?

[Dave DeFore]

You know, just chugging along, getting through the playoffs. If you guys haven't been following along over at the Athletic, Marcus has been covering both sides of Wolves. Spurs had a great story about Anthony Edwards and his relationship with his mom and a great story on Dylan Harper. And you know, it's funny, I was having this conversation with another buddy of mine that does basketball work and we were talking about Dylan Harper. That dude plays like a guy who had an older brother that was just beating him up all the time. Like we, I compared him to Jon Jones. You know, Jon Jones has two brothers in the NFL. Like, of course that dude knows how to fight. And like when you watch Dylan Harper play, kind of plays like a guy that got picked on a little Bit by somebody that, you know, maybe was better than him for a large portion of his life. But he plays older and that has to come from the big brother thing, right?

[Marcus Thompson]

I don't know, it might come from his mother,

[Zena Keda]

you know, the Philippine connection he's been talking about that his mama, mama coached him. Gotta give credit to the women, coached

[Marcus Thompson]

him hard on him. Might have come from his mom. I mean, could have come from his, his five time champion father. Right. So it just feels like he had it at every turn. Right. No matter, no matter where he went, he was, he was getting the business from somebody who knew basketball at a level he didn't yet. So you could kind of feel all of their like knowledge and, and willpower and just mindset mentality into him. It's just, to me, it's so uncanny to watch a rookie just confidently go coast to coast. It just doesn't happen, not in the playoffs. Nobody feels that great just to be like, I got this. And if you do, it's like a wild ride, like, hey man, what are you doing?

[Dave DeFore]

And then the one time he didn't, he gave up the, he gave up the pass to, to Julian Champagne that he missed. And, and Zena and I after, we're like saying, no, no, we want Dylan Harper. Take that thing to the hole. And like, I've never felt that way about a rookie in the playoffs.

[Marcus Thompson]

Yeah, no, it's, it's, it's just crazy. And these aren't like, like bad defenders. Like, this is Jaden McDaniels. Like, this is people who, you know, he's going at Julius Randle. And if Mike Conley, who is, I understand he's old, but he is a savvy guy who knows how to get around. He's a smaller guy, so he's been figuring this out for years. He got every trick in the book, probably. He is just little boy. And Mike Conley, he's like, if you're on me, I am going inside. You just don't see rookies stink like that. The game is too fast for them, but for Dylan, it's not fast at all. That, that's the part that's impressive to me.

[Zena Keda]

Yeah. You talked on like in your story about the Kawhi comparison and I was looking at Dylan Harper and it's between Kawhi Leonard's build and the confidence and the casual way that he was cooking as a Rookie back in 2012. I'm also thinking about like Cade Cunningham and his build and how he gets to his spots as well. But I was curious how you came up with the Kawhi particular comparison of Dylan Harper. Like, what, what kind of characteristics came to mind for you?

[Marcus Thompson]

Well, I was mostly thinking like, you know, as you would know. Well, Xena, when you got a dynasty, it's hard for rookies to get like, a shot. And the spurs were good for so long. I started thinking, like, who's the last rookie to get, like, burned? And you really had. It was Kawhi, right? In the playoffs, it's tough to throw a rookie in there. So then you go back and it's the same type of qualities, right? It's, you know, they, they have different games. They do. They do know how to use their bodies. But to me, it was just more like the composure and the patience and like this kind of like almost unearned trust in their skill, right? We. This, like NBA ability, you know, or just basketball ability. You, like, you have to earn it at every level. You know, Nobody, I don't care what they say. You don't know how good your skill is on a playoff level, like, even for women. Yama, if he would have had a bad playoffs, we'd have been like, yeah, that's how I go. Next one will be fine, right? Like. Like, it wouldn't even have been a knock because it's, it's unproven at that level. So to me, that was like, man, was the last time somebody was like this. His composure and his confidence for a rookie in the playoffs, like, remember when he wasn't there, he just, he just owned Portland. He's like, I'm. I'm doing this right? It was the fact that he thinks that way is just crazy. And it, you know what? The crazier part, the craziest part about all of this, all of it is Rutgers was terrible with him. How do they not win a championship?

[Dave DeFore]

I don't know. That feels like a coaching issue of all time.

[Marcus Thompson]

Like.

[Dave DeFore]

But this happens a lot in college, man. Some of the most talented college teams, it just doesn't come together. I think there is a part where I think, yeah, you need some more experienced guys with them. I mean, look, this guy, he's been incredible and, and like, stop me here if I'm jumping a gun. Marcus, you've seen a lot of players that, I mean, you've. You watched to me, the goat, like Steph Curry his entire career. You've seen a lot of players that have broken out and become like, hall of Famers, all NBA. He is an all NBA player. Like, you can see it as A rookie that he's an all NBA player. And I just, I, I just feel like this might be a guy who is vying for like MVPs at some point in his career. Like, that's the way I feel about him as a rookie.

[Marcus Thompson]

Except his teammate. Right.

[Dave DeFore]

I know that's the biggest problem. Right.

[Marcus Thompson]

Can you imagine that being as good as Dylan Harper and not even close to being the best player of your team?

[Dave DeFore]

Like, that's seven and a half feet tall, man. You can't teach that.

[Marcus Thompson]

Like, that's just a wild. But if you were like ranking, you know, one of my favorite things in the playoffs, like just rank best players just in a series, right?

[Dave DeFore]

Yes.

[Marcus Thompson]

You know, when B1 and 2, you're not getting far down before you say Dylan Harper's name. It's just not happening.

[Dave DeFore]

Right.

[Marcus Thompson]

Like, you know, you could, you could make a, you, you know, from experience, you could say Fox.

[Dave DeFore]

Sure.

[Marcus Thompson]

You know, I'm not saying Randall. I probably put McDaniel, he not falling out of my top five. That's just like, which is crazy.

[Dave DeFore]

I think he's been the second best spur.

[Marcus Thompson]

I think so too. I, I, I think, look, they played it perfectly. Mitch Johnson has done a wonderful job. But if you, Dear Fox, you're like, okay, that, that clock is ticking. It sounds loud. It is loud. It's like a, it's like, like a bug, like a wildly coyote bomb about to go off. Right. It's like, you know, this dude is coming from my spot.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah.

[Zena Keda]

I just love the fact that everyone on this team, like, I love that Carter Bryant said if he wasn't on this team, he would be rookie of the year anywhere else. Right. That goes exactly in line with what you all are laying out. And you know, I like what Wemby was saying about his body awareness because that to me, that is the highest compliment from someone that can do the splits and cares about his body so much at such a young age. And we know that, we've heard vets around the league.

[Marcus Thompson]

I was supposed to be like, you still doing the splits? Okay, first, but foremost, I don't know what,

[Zena Keda]

you don't need anybody imagining things. All right. I'm just saying we've seen Wemby's flexibility and we know that he does the work. He is so diligent about calling up vets. What do you do to take care of your body, et cetera. So for Wemby to be saying that as well, like, I don't know if we've really learned about Dylan's Care for his body, but also, like, how he's using his body. I think that's why I got the Cade Cunningham comparison of just like Cade, knowing how he takes up space out on the court and how he can slither by people despite him having a larger frame. But what do you make of the body awareness comment and what. How that helps him down the line? As you said, imagine five years from now how that can help him.

[Marcus Thompson]

You know, the Cade part makes so much sense to me because Kate is one of those players. They'll do a move and they'll just go with like a basic, like, layup, like a finger row, right? Where generally you'll be worried about it getting blocked. But it's like, they know I'm big. I got my shoulder there. I don't need. It's just like, I'm not trying to break the rim. I'm just gonna spin, get you to my spot, troop. And there's nothing you could. They play like they know there's nothing you can do about it. Because once I get my body between you, like, right. You can't get there. Which. That. That's where I get the K. I'm a drive. I'm a spin. I'm gonna get there and I'm. Get to the rim. I'll do all this work and I'm just gonna simply lay you because there's nothing you can do about it. Almost mercifully, I. I definitely feel that from Dylan, like, Wimby's comments, you know, just to be honest. You know what? It struck me ass. I'll be like, that's the most wimpy answer of all time. Like, this is the most, like. You know what I'm saying? This old Furious Styles dude, this old Cordell West Cooper, like, he's like, you know what? I really impresses me how he uses his body.

[Dave DeFore]

I'm like, are you saying that his emotions.

[Marcus Thompson]

No, I'm just saying it was just like, philosophy. Most people like his poise. He's like, right. The way he uses his body.

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Yeah.

[Marcus Thompson]

It's like, yeah, okay, okay. You just read a book. I got it. Like, it was a very wimy answer. I was like, that's deep.

[Zena Keda]

The answer for that is he's French. That's. That's what that is.

[Marcus Thompson]

I was. I. I was gonna let you say that. Frenchman.

[Dave DeFore]

All right. What do you think about the series, man? Like, obviously Minnesota wasn't at full health coming in. It does feel as if they, like, ant has gotten healthier as the series has gone on.

[Marcus Thompson]

I don't think so.

[Dave DeFore]

You don't think so? I mean, he's still playing a little bit hurt, but he has gotten healthier. He looks a little bit better. I. I don't know. Like, he's definitely not full health.

[Marcus Thompson]

Right.

[Dave DeFore]

So this. This team, this Minnesota Timberwolves team, they just went through the. The Nuggets, they look like the better team.

[Zena Keda]

They.

[Dave DeFore]

The spurs struggled a little bit, I think, with the physicality that they brought, but the spurs have kind of figured them out. When you're looking at game six, like, the spurs just wrapped this thing up because they really have solved it.

[Zena Keda]

Or.

[Dave DeFore]

Or do the Timberwolves have something else up their sleeves?

[Marcus Thompson]

I don't think they have something else, but maybe the thing they have might work because it's really just. They got to make threes. That's what they have, right? They have to make threes. Nasri's got to make threes. Julius Randle's got to make threes. IO they just have to make shot. They can't have. Like, they're. They're. These dudes are dud, shooting 40%. Like, yeah. On twos. Like, you're not wimy. They just feel him. Julius smells them, right? Like, Julius is like, I can smell you coming. Like, they've stopped attacking completely.

[Dave DeFore]

A mistake.

[Marcus Thompson]

They have to make threes. They just have to make threes. When. When they're hot from three, they become pretty tough and. And they. And ant needs it. The reason I'm saying, like, I don't think he's getting healthier is because he's not exploding at all. Like, everything is. It's like he's playing like he's the old head playing younger dudes. Like, I'm just gonna beat you with my mind. Like, think about what are the chances we find they're throwing a double at

[Dave DeFore]

him every time, too.

[Marcus Thompson]

Exactly. But he's not. If you watch him, he's doing. He. It's very simple. He's going lay. He's falling on just about everything on purpose because I think it hurts when he lands on his knees. If you notice, he's just going up. He's not landing. He's doing everything he can not to land, but just. We know Anthony Edwards. We know him. We're five games in. In what universe is he not trying to dunk on Wimby?

[Dave DeFore]

Right?

[Marcus Thompson]

He hasn't even dunked. Yeah, he hasn't even. He's not dunking. He's getting to the rim, and he's laying. I like that explosion is so, like, pivotal to his game that it almost feel like, dang, we kind of got robbed. Because I still think San Antonio is just overwhelmed. But the ability for Ant to do the Herculean thing is a bit diminished. Because one thing, I don't know if it would change the series, but you gotta see if. If he banged on this dude, how

[Dave DeFore]

would he come back?

[Marcus Thompson]

How does that. That's the part we're missing. And Julius is trying to do it, like, trying to bully and do that. And it's just. He's just too strong, man. Like, he's not good enough to do this to Wimby. Like, no matter if it's, like, psychological, in the end, Wimby's just so categorically better. Like, his. His C performance is better, right? So somebody like Ant, who is in the stratosphere, like, you could at least make him worry. I don't think anybody makes Wimby worry on that team except Ant, which is why they're just openly double. They're giving them the Steph Curry treatment. And you can see the other ones feeling tight. Because it's different when you gotta make sure.

[Dave DeFore]

They missed Dante DiVincenzo big time.

[Marcus Thompson]

So badly, right? So badly. So badly. It's corner threes, right?

[Zena Keda]

They're missing the corner threes, transition threes. Those pull up threes. That can give you a little boost. I mean, what's tough for Minnesota is that it feels as if it's not just Wemby. And I know we're talking about San Antonio. They kind of got the bright lights and they're a little young, they haven't proven themselves. But, like, even Ant said this. I think it was after game four that, you know, after Wemby goes out second quarter, they still played really well. And Ant called it out. He said, when everybody. When every team is missing their best player, people are getting, you know, they're running, they're doing their thing, they're getting shots. Then he came back. He still dominated them. Had 27 the next game. So it's like, Wimby or not. I don't. I don't see a world in which Minnesota right now has enough, especially with a. An Anthony Edwards that's not dunking on bodies every time he gets into the paint. You don't. I just don't see how you have enough to do anything. So now I'm already in the mindset, Minnesota, turning your attention to what's your window, what are you doing with Aunt Edwards? And capitalizing on him when he's healthy. But, like, making sure

[Dave DeFore]

it's over.

[Marcus Thompson]

It's over.

[Dave DeFore]

We did this yesterday. We had an exercise on the shoot around, and. Yeah, we already threw Minnesota in there this series.

[Marcus Thompson]

Yeah, that's what I'm saying. You already done. You like. Yeah, Game six is coming. But I. I hear you on game six, but we build around Ant.

[Dave DeFore]

What are you gonna do?

[Marcus Thompson]

Giannis just go get. Giannis a quit playing. Just go get.

[Dave DeFore]

Could be right.

[Marcus Thompson]

You just got it. Just can't. You can't walk into next season saying, Julius Randle is my second best player. Like, you're basically saying we're not.

[Dave DeFore]

Well, Jaden McDaniels is probably the second best.

[Marcus Thompson]

I don't. I don't think either one. You could win. You're not San Antonio or Oklahoma City with them as your. And that's where it's like, now you're looking like, oh, that cat. Cat would be perfect in the series. So it's like, oh, that was. That would kind of hurt, like, if you're better.

[Dave DeFore]

Hurts. Especially when you're watching what he's doing in New York and he's operating as an offensive hub and, you know, really, like, making everybody's life easier.

[Marcus Thompson]

Yeah, that. That. That is a tough one. I. I do think, though, Zena's right. If you're Minnesota, you have to be thinking, we have to do something.

[Dave DeFore]

Right?

[Marcus Thompson]

Because San Antonio, this is. This is their first time through.

[Dave DeFore]

Like, their last three draft picks, Wemby and Dylan Harper.

[Marcus Thompson]

Come on, man. That's the problem with San Antonio. Like, if you're Minnesota, like, you live by bullying people. Like, that's the thing. San Antonio, just as gangster as them. You're not pushing Steph Castle around. You're not. You're just not pushing these guys around. Carter Bryant is a rookie coming in, giving smoke. The sixth man of the year is ready for it all. Like, these dudes are just like them, but with the skill, like, top to bottom. That's the. Like, Dylan Harper is the rookie, and he will go at anybody. And then at the top of the thing, Wimby's proven, like, he's built appropriately, like, up here. Right? What do you do? Right?

[Zena Keda]

That's.

[Marcus Thompson]

So you're looking at. If you're Minnesota, you like, we got Ant, but we had. You know, we got to deal with them. And then last year, you had to

[Dave DeFore]

deal with okc, start petitioning the league. We got to move to the east, right? They got to get to the Eastern Conference.

[Marcus Thompson]

Yeah. I think as one who's taking that flight, that Get Eastman. Which I. Yeah, they gotta get to the point. All right.

[Dave DeFore]

Hey, guys, we're gonna take a quick break. We'll be back with more Marcus Thompson.

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[Zena Keda]

Okay.

[Dave DeFore]

Marcus Cleveland, Detroit it it's the playoff series that just I. I can't really say it's been entertaining.

[Marcus Thompson]

It has bounce of entertainment, you know, but it's like Disneyland. It's like Disneyland.

[Dave DeFore]

It's like watching a rock fight.

[Marcus Thompson]

It's miserable, but for those moments where it's excellent, when you're on the ride, everything else is like, you're waiting three hours in line. It's hot, it's hella people, the food is terrible. But, man, when you get on that ride, that's this series. When it's lit, is lit. You're in line at Raiders of the Lost Ark.

[Dave DeFore]

And so the game the other night, the Cavs, they take a 32 lead. Pistons blow a lead late. And honestly, they've been. They flirted with this even in their wins, and Cleveland now won three in a row. Like, kind of feels like they figured out at least a little bit of a formula. Like James Harden. Getting all of the James Harden magic to work at exactly the right time really paid off for him. But I think the biggest story out of this series is, again, this is two series in a row. Jalen Duran just doesn't really look like he belongs on the court half the time. You know, we've kind of harped on this quite a bit because, you know, thinking about the summer, obviously he's got a contract extension coming up, and, man, it just. He has looked borderline unplayable against the Cavs in the last few games. Man, I don't know how much how clued in you've been, but that is, to me, the biggest story of the series.

[Marcus Thompson]

Man, on the list of people who lose the money this playoffs is up there. Oh, man, oh, man, oh, man. I think the only person who's. At first it was I gave him a pass in the first series.

[Dave DeFore]

Sure.

[Marcus Thompson]

So to me, it was like IO losing money because I'm not playing after that 43 point game, I'm like, I'm driving 43. And I'm like, oh, my calf. I'm.

[Zena Keda]

This is all you're gonna remember?

[Marcus Thompson]

Yeah. You gonna remember that? Like, nope. So. But the. The worst. Worst in it. Like, the first one felt like a matchup. Yeah. Like, sometimes you get a bad matchup. Right? Window Carter is, like, very kind of complimentary. Like, you could see how, like, why he would be able to thwart him. He's a better shooter. Like, he's essentially who Jaylen Dura needs to become. Right? But this one, like, well, you can't

[Dave DeFore]

be the guys that he's. He's big enough to handle.

[Marcus Thompson]

Right. And plus, it's a big series, right? This is. They're running Jared Allen and Evan Mobley out there, right? Not to Mention like Streuss is big as a three. So like this is a series where you, all right, play big. And he just like, he's. Paul Reed came in like, hey, I'll cook these dudes. Like, I'll do it if you won't do it, right?

[Dave DeFore]

The biggest boost they got, beef stew comes in the game. Hits back to back threes, right? He provides shooting and rebounding, which is more than Duran's done. And then Paul Reed with all the activity and I mean he closed the game. He played the last 17 minutes of the game, but didn't play for the first three quarters.

[Marcus Thompson]

You know, here's the question. Is this actually Duran's fault or should we have known it was a lot to ask for him to not to go in here and be like, hey, I know you average 15. Yeah, but we need you to go be like the release valve for K because we, you know, it feels like he was put in position, like he was set up to fail in the

[Dave DeFore]

same on a shrunken floor. Zeno, we, we've been on this all year with Detroit. They often played a SAR like a SAR and Jalen Duran playing together on the defensive end has been great, but nobody can shoot.

[Marcus Thompson]

Asar is so good defensively, like it feels like it's worth it, but like somebody gotta get a bucket.

[Zena Keda]

That's right. And when you've got Dennis Jenkins, a guy that started the year as a two way player that's worked his way

[Marcus Thompson]

up,

[Zena Keda]

he is a Hooper, he's a baller, absolutely. But you got to think about he ain't making the money that the guys that are supposed to be right scoring the ball are making. And I, I just think about Jalen. I do feel like there's a factor of he is young and this is his, you know, first big moment in the, the bright lights kind of thing. However, there's also a level of like confidence and pride that you have to have of you've been tasked with this, right? Like people are looking to you and they believe in you to be able to do this. And I'm just trying to figure out like JB Bickerstaff, this is the guy that when he speaks to you, you feel it. You want to run through a wall for that man. And you're particularly playing against the Cavs and you're thinking like Jaylon Duran, like you are supposed to be the man in the midd is holding it down even not from just a physicality perspective, but just from an enforcement. Like I don't care if you can't score the ball, but there's. There's efforts of hit, set a hard screen, let people feel right. And that's what we're also not seeing.

[Dave DeFore]

Have your hands up.

[Marcus Thompson]

Rebound.

[Commercial Announcer]

Have your hands up.

[Dave DeFore]

He dropped a pass out of bounds and there was no one in the paint.

[Zena Keda]

Yeah, we're on the same. That's the part that I'm missing from him is like, it's one thing to ask him to be a 20 point, 10 rebound score alongside Kate every night, but it's a whole different thing to be like, we believe in you to be able to just show up and we're not seeing enough of that.

[Marcus Thompson]

You know. You know what's crazy? You know what Detroit needs? I'm gna say this, Zena, I think you'll agree with me, but I'm not sure. Oh, they could really use Draymond Green. Okay.

[Dave DeFore]

They can't play another non shooter. But yes.

[Marcus Thompson]

No, I. They would have to do something. But right. Who's gonna show Jalen? Like, it's not ability, it's the speed and the scheme. Like he's late on rotations. It's like, it's not like. You know what I'm saying? Like it's coming.

[Dave DeFore]

There's a lack of activity.

[Marcus Thompson]

Yeah, he's in pick. He's in all these pick and row. Like you could see him kind of like, oh, I gotta go here. Like it's his first time doing that and they don't have that guy there. Yeah, yeah. You know what I'm saying? They would have to figure out the whole situation of like facing on the floor shooting. But I mean, I feel like Cade and Jalen could use a Draymond. Somebody get cadence. Dylan Brooks. Dylan. I don't know if Dylan Brooks could teach Jalen how to play defense. A quarterback of defense. He didn't want to teach them teach him how to quarterback a defense. If you're going to be in the back of the. One of the best defense in the league like that playoff basketball, people don't understand. It is different, man. You run something game one and two, they not letting you do it again.

[Dave DeFore]

Think about, think about a scenario two months ago where I tell you that the Pistons close out a game that goes into overtime with a two way guy. Dennis Jenkins, Charis Levert and Paul Reed. You would think something catastrophic happened. I mean like, you would. You would honestly be like, what. What happened to Jalen Duran? I mean, and the truth is he just been played off the court.

[Marcus Thompson]

But. But look like the end of them games, right? We've seen James Harden do this a gazillion times. You know what he's doing? He's hunting Duncan Robinson or Tobias there. Like, you can't just let him do it. Like, you just can't. Oh, and live with it. Like, you need. You need somebody back there to blow that scheme up, right? That's what they did. They're just letting. And I get it. You know, it's not a bad strategy to be like, I hope James miss, but. But once he's making. Probably becomes a terrible strategy because this is what he does, right?

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah.

[Marcus Thompson]

It's like they can't figure out. They're just like, we're going to do the same thing we've been doing. And it. It works often. But now you get to this level and what if they make the next round, right? Just say somehow they survive. They win the last two. They get there. How they guard the Knicks? How are they guarding the Knicks? You gotta have Duncan Robinson on the floor. Tobias Harris is probably your. Your most critical secondary offensive player. Neither one of them can guard. You know, they couldn't guard a gnome. So, like, now you. Now you playing the Knicks, like, who dropped 128? Like, how is this gonna happen?

[Zena Keda]

It feels like a sweep 40. Like, that's a problem.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah.

[Marcus Thompson]

You guys think that. Figure this out.

[Dave DeFore]

You think the Pistons can get it to 7?

[Marcus Thompson]

Here's why I think they could. Yeah, I think they could. Because even though I'm getting a little bit more convinced, I just don't believe in Cleveland. Like, I can see Cleveland choking this game, but Moses did.

[Dave DeFore]

Not so good, right?

[Marcus Thompson]

I did not think they would be up. 3, 2. When it. When they got there, I was like, look at these calves. Blow it up. It's over. But they found some heart, right? They. Yeah, they found something.

[Commercial Announcer]

Which.

[Dave DeFore]

Would you say it has a lot of confidence?

[Marcus Thompson]

Is it more the Cavs, like, stepped up, or was it. Is it. Or did the. The Pistons just choke?

[Zena Keda]

Oh, that's a good question.

[Dave DeFore]

I think it's a little bit of both on here. What we. I will say this. We have maybe unfairly focused on the ways that the Pistons have messed up when we've done it talking about these games, but the truth is a little bit of both. The Cavs are playing better. Like, Evan Mobley, for all of the. The things that we said about him not showing up in big moments, he's been really big.

[Marcus Thompson]

Moly Kane.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah, he's been really big in this series. I think that that's Been the big difference between, you know, in the three wins is that Mobley, I think he's won the game.

[Marcus Thompson]

Donovan too, 39 point second.

[Zena Keda]

Well, no. What he's. Yes, that part. But Donovan, use your Disney analogy. We're sitting there in the three hour line and then Donovan shows up with the lightning pass at the very last second. And it's like, this is great, but where were you? Where have you been sitting?

[Marcus Thompson]

Exactly what you've been doing.

[Zena Keda]

So that's. I think the turnovers is what makes it hard for me to want to give this to Cleveland and push it more on that. Detroit is choking because we, we said this yesterday watching the game two nights ago, thinking about the fact that Detroit was up only 8 after beating the Cavs in the points off turnovers 20 to 2. You should be killing teams with that level of a disruption.

[Dave DeFore]

That's a blowout.

[Zena Keda]

That's a blowout. And it wasn't. And so that's where I'm like, Detroit is still hanging on too closely and we're getting a perfect foil in the way that New York is winning teams beating teams of. This is dominance. This is how you take care of business. And you can get some rest for your stars. And you don't wait till the last second to be able to show up like we're seeing, you know, Cleveland do. And you're also not waiting to squeeze the last little bit of juice out of Kate Cunningham like we're seeing Detroit do. So I. That's why I feel like it's just. It's teetering over to the Detroit is choking side for me than it is.

[Dave DeFore]

Well, those Cade turnovers are just. They are loud. They are exclamation points sometimes.

[Marcus Thompson]

Yeah, they are pretty. Yeah. It reminds me of like young Steph.

[Dave DeFore]

I, I knew you were gonna bring it up. No one has ever valued the basketball less than Steph Curry in crucial. But it's also why you get the

[Marcus Thompson]

magic one is 6, 2, 6 3. And he's got to be a little bit like he, you know, he's getting trapped, he's getting blit. Like, hey, what's your reason, man? You got all the size you got.

[Dave DeFore]

He's. He could just stop.

[Marcus Thompson]

It's a little lackadaisical. But also like, who's he. Who's he giving the ball to?

[Dave DeFore]

That's fair.

[Marcus Thompson]

That's fair.

[Dave DeFore]

Hey, before we get out of here, I want to talk about the, the Warriors. Steve Kerr is coming back for two years. LeBron James, notable free agent. Is he gonna go to the Warriors.

[Marcus Thompson]

No, I don't think it's happening. I think he goes home if he leaves.

[Dave DeFore]

You do?

[Marcus Thompson]

Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

I've been saying, what about the Knicks? If the Knicks. If the Knicks don't win the title. What about the Knicks?

[Marcus Thompson]

Why would the Knicks do it?

[Dave DeFore]

Why would. Why wouldn't they?

[Marcus Thompson]

Because they're right there.

[Dave DeFore]

Oh, I don't know. I think you put LeBron on that Knicks team, and I think that they're. They're in better shape.

[Marcus Thompson]

Yeah, I could see it. As long as you don't have to give up anybody. And they wouldn't. But, yeah, that Brunson, LeBron and Cat just feels like that's a lot. That that's just made for, like, a page six story at some point. I don't know what's gonna happen, but

[Dave DeFore]

I'm just thinking about the book, you know, like the LeBron book. If it finished up with, like, two seasons at MSG, kind of works.

[Marcus Thompson]

I don't know. I feel like Cleveland. I feel like the Knicks about to make the final. So you're probably right. If the Knicks make.

[Dave DeFore]

I think they are making the final.

[Marcus Thompson]

And then there are LeBron away. Like, I could see that. I could see that.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah.

[Marcus Thompson]

You know, and does he really want to go home again? I don't know.

[Dave DeFore]

I'm just. I'm trying to work this angle. I listen. I think that Cleveland is interesting, right? Cleveland's interesting. Of course, I have been. I'm gonna. I'm gonna speak it into existence.

[Zena Keda]

All right.

[Dave DeFore]

What are the warriors gonna do this summer? You know, they got the number 11 pick. I'm assuming they're going to use that in the drafts.

[Marcus Thompson]

I don't know. Everybody shop that thing. It's so many good players out there that the pick is. Has. The pick has value. But if you're the warriors and you had number two, number seven, and number 13, and starting next year, you have none of them, right? I mean, Moses Moody is coming back from a knee injury, but, like, do you really roll the dice out of. Like, if it was. If it was out of three, you evaluate like heck. And you pick your three, right? You pick one of the three. Yeah, it could be 10. Like, you just never. You know what I'm saying? Like, who. Who could it be? I'm curious. I think, especially because of the age of their team, it might be a more valuable pick for them if they can, like, maybe trade down and get a. Get another player. Right. But they could also just fall in love. Like, what's the kid from Tennessee? A Mint, right. I don't know if he'll be there at 11, but he. He's like, he's got. He's got a bit of that Kaminga athleticism, but. But higher, a bit higher skill, especially with the shooting. So, like, they. They need. They need somebody. No matter what. They need somebody who can come in and play. They don't need it. A guy at the end of the bed. They need a Dylan Harper, like, obviously not that level of player, but somebody who you could feel like, hey, he's in the rotation, he's going to play. If they get that, if he's a rookie, then they're good, but they definitely need somebody who can play. Because remember, Jimmy's not starting the season and who knows if Porzingis is even on the team or not, but you gotta wonder about how often he plays. And you can't play Steph. 70 games. You just. You shouldn't do it. You should only play him 50. That's 30 games. Somebody else gotta carry the team. You know what I'm saying? So they need.

[Dave DeFore]

We got Brandon Pajemski in house.

[Marcus Thompson]

Will you. I don't know. I want to see Cornrow Brandon. You know what I'm saying? I want to see coral Brandon. Like, maybe. Maybe it's different, right? Maybe he got his coral, he got the braids. Maybe he out here cooking dudes. I don't know. I'm.

[Dave DeFore]

I don't. He should shave, actually. That. That's the better move to go. Like, if you, you know, if you want to improve your game.

[Marcus Thompson]

I do feel like he's one of, like, as valuable pieces. He's a good sweetener.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah.

[Marcus Thompson]

In a deal. And I know that. I. You just know the warriors want a deal, right? They want to do something. So the reason I don't know if he'll be there is because, number one, he's probably going to want a pretty big extension, right? Probably. I don't know. Judging by the braids, maybe a bit more than the warriors want to give, but possibly got some brains. Like, hey, this money coming?

[Dave DeFore]

Anybody does anything to their hair when Marcus Thompson's around?

[Marcus Thompson]

No. Come on, people. Come on, man. You know.

[Dave DeFore]

You know how I feel about the guy having braids.

[Marcus Thompson]

Hey, if. If I was coming to somebody, and I know it's coming, I'm doing. I'm going crazy too. Like, oh, it's like, I. I might

[Dave DeFore]

not tell you I'm rich, but there will be signs I'm about to.

[Marcus Thompson]

Yeah, I'm gonna change a little bit. Yeah, yeah. I'm gonna change. So I do feel like if they do go for somebody, and I'm just not gonna mention the player that always mentioned. Just because I'm so exhausted by it. But Pods is a great. Yeah, he's a player that's good enough. You get him for one year, you can, you know, almost make good. See if, hey, do we want to pay this guy or not? Like, he just feel like a good sweetener. So, yeah, it's Pods you gotta pick.

[Dave DeFore]

Anthony Davis might be available.

[Marcus Thompson]

You know what I'm saying? Attach him to.

[Dave DeFore]

What about Paul George? I mean, you could probably get Paul George, right? Like high level role player.

[Marcus Thompson]

I think the one thing we all should agree they shouldn't get is somebody over 35. Yeah. No, please don't.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah. Z has been calling it the retirement home.

[Zena Keda]

I was gonna say it only feeds into my retirement home. Theory of just like this is, everyone knows the Golden State Warriors. The players vote. It's the best organization to play for. Your family's taken care of, you're taken care of. They're rehabbing and everything. You know, their health aspects are amazing. This is where you want to go if you're trying to sunset.

[Marcus Thompson]

This sound like one of the nursing home ads. We're the place. Good place for mom, right?

[Dave DeFore]

Send grandma. Yeah, you can. Hey, look, you can sail right up to the arena.

[Zena Keda]

The food's great, too.

[Marcus Thompson]

Take good care of her.

[Dave DeFore]

We got shuffleboard out back.

[Marcus Thompson]

We treat our people like family.

[Zena Keda]

We do.

[Dave DeFore]

I don't know. Listen, you could put together a pretty sick old man team if it was like Draymond, Steph, I mean, get KD, get LeBron.

[Zena Keda]

I just want to put that for the record that they did. The old heads versus the young ones and the All Star team still won.

[Marcus Thompson]

I know y' all not old like me, but the thing about being old is not that you can do it, it's that there's a price for doing it.

[Dave DeFore]

That's right.

[Marcus Thompson]

You know what I'm saying?

[Dave DeFore]

You can't do it. You can't. Listen, none of these guys can do

[Marcus Thompson]

it seven games a year, but you just go. You go. You know what I'm saying? You gonna have to pay for it. And you. And it's gonna be tough to keep them dudes fresh till April. Every. For every old person you add, it's gonna be harder to be fresh come April, that's another guy who you gotta have a replacement for because you need to sit down somewhere. They need to say, I'm telling you, Mike, don't even need to be like, hey, Steph, you're not playing 20 to 30 games. Like, we're just gonna schedule this. You're not playing. We need, like, there's no season if you're not fresh at the end, so you're not playing. Right? Yeah. And you got probably have to do it. You're already doing it with Jimmy, right? You definitely got to deal with Porzigas. You should do it with Draymond. Right. If you had Paul George, that's another guy. You basically got to get a second unit. Like, a second line.

[Dave DeFore]

Like, they need a second unit. Like, they legitimately. They have to. They have to join the rest of the NBA, and they got to be a 10 to 12 player team.

[Discover Advertiser]

That's.

[Dave DeFore]

That's just the only way forward for any of these teams.

[Zena Keda]

I mean, to be fair, 12, like,

[Dave DeFore]

yeah, Lindy Waters was in their rotation not that long ago, and Lindy Waters is playing blowout minutes only.

[Marcus Thompson]

I like Elton a crier, but come on, right?

[Zena Keda]

There's a. There is a difference. That's true. It's not quite literally just bringing up Santa Cruz every night. It is, right? Second unit. Yeah, I get you.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah, yeah.

[Marcus Thompson]

Like Minnesota, where they just keep pulling dudes off the. It's like, he's. He's hurt. Yeah. IO where you at? Oh, Terence Shannon. Like, they just keep pulling dudes off the bed. Like, then you're like, where these guys. Oklahoma City's got nine of these guys. I'm like, where is Aaron Wiggins? Where is aj? Milch is just taking all the minutes and. And

[Dave DeFore]

Isaiah Joe should be Golden State warriors next year.

[Marcus Thompson]

Isaiah Joe's that. That dude is. That dude is the truth, man.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah.

[Marcus Thompson]

Send the 11 pick.

[Dave DeFore]

Send the 11 pick. I think you can trade down with. With OKC. You can try to get Aaron Wiggins or try to get Isaiah Joe. Congratulations. There you go.

[Marcus Thompson]

That's who I would go for. I'll go for Aaron Wiggins. I like that dude, man. He a Hooper.

[Dave DeFore]

Any of the. Anybody that plays in OKC is in the rotation for the Golden State Warriors. Every single guy on that roster.

[Marcus Thompson]

Would you give up for A.J. mitchell?

[Zena Keda]

Ready to go.

[Dave DeFore]

A.J. mitchell, man. That's four firsts. Maybe that guy's $3 million a year. He might be the most valuable contract in the league.

[Marcus Thompson]

He should put it like, I'm. If I'm him, I'm. We going to court.

[Dave DeFore]

Oh, he's renegotiating for sure that, hey,

[Marcus Thompson]

they are too smart to let that happen.

[Dave DeFore]

Oh, I bet they do. I bet he gets a pay increase.

[Marcus Thompson]

Watch, he'll get an extension, but. Oh, yeah, he gonna. He gonna get these next three years. They not. That's not happening NBA. There ain't no way they doing that. He's gonna get that money.

[Dave DeFore]

All right, we gotta get out of here. Thank you, Marcus, for hanging out with us, man. Look, if you're listening to this podcast, you read Mar Marcus Thompson already. So go and hit the follow button on. On the website so that every single time he has a new story, it comes to you. So that way you know, and you don't have to go find it like I do every day. Marcus, appreciate you hanging out with us, man. Hey, look, I. I'm on the athletic every single day.

[Marcus Thompson]

I just go look for your name. He doesn't. He did.

[Dave DeFore]

I read everything you put out. Marcus Thompson is America's best sports writer, and I'm not his agent.

[Zena Keda]

And don't fall. Press the follow button because everyone

[Marcus Thompson]

to the search bar and type it in my whole name.

[Dave DeFore]

Definitely not doing that. No, but I have to read everybody, so I'm just reading it anyway. Anyway, Marcus, appreciate you, man. Thank you for hanging out.

[Marcus Thompson]

Anytime.

[Dave DeFore]

Thank you, Xena, as always. I'm Dave DeFore and this has been the NBA Daily. Thanks for waking up with us. Thanks for listening. Make sure you hit the subscribe or follow button so you never miss an episode. If you enjoyed it, drop a like, leave a rating or let us know in the comments. Thank you guys for waking up with us.

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