Podcast Summary: The Athletic NBA Daily – "First Time All Stars with You Know Ball"
Episode Information:
- Title: First Time All Stars with You Know Ball
- Release Date: August 2, 2025
- Hosts: Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, Esfandiar Baraheni
- Guests: Trill Bro Dude and Sam Sheehan from the "You Know Ball" podcast
- Segment Highlight: Selection of First-Time NBA All-Stars
1. Introduction to the Episode
The episode kicks off with host Alex Spears introducing the special segment, "Saturday Slam and Jam," featuring guests Trill Bro Dude and Sam Sheehan from the "You Know Ball" podcast. The primary focus of this episode is to select potential first-time NBA All-Stars for the upcoming season, with a particular emphasis on players from the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics.
2. Team Expectations: Philadelphia 76ers
Key Discussion Points:
- Season Realism: Trill Bro Dude and Sam Sheehan discuss what a successful season would look like for the 76ers, emphasizing player health and team performance.
- Joel Embiid and Paul George: Concerns about their health are paramount, with hopes that Embiid can play 45-50 games and George around 60 games ([02:42]).
- Young Core Development: Focus on the growth of Jared McCain, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecomb, viewing them as the future stars of the franchise ([04:35]).
Notable Quote: Sam Sheehan reflects on the season's challenges:
"A successful season to me for the Sixers basically looks like, can I just get 45 to 50 games of Joel Embiid, 60 games of a normal Paul George, and can we be a top five or six seed in the east with the young guys looking like they're taking steps in their development?" ([04:35])
3. Team Expectations: Boston Celtics
Key Discussion Points:
- Performance Goals: The Celtics' potential for a top-tier Eastern Conference seed is debated, with considerations about player injuries and team dynamics.
- Injury Impact: The health of key players like Jalen Brown and Derrick White is crucial for the team's success ([06:29]).
- Strategic Moves: Discussions include potential trades and the impact of new additions like Cam Boozer or AJ Debenga ([08:00]).
Notable Quote: Sam Sheehan shares his perspective on rooting for the Celtics:
"I'm just looking forward to seeing the young guys really ball out next year." ([06:07])
4. First Time All-Star Draft
Segment Overview: The core segment involves a mock draft where Alex Spears, Trill Bro Dude, and Sam Sheehan select their picks for first-time NBA All-Stars. The selection process uses a snake draft format, allowing each participant to choose players based on their potential impact and performance.
Selected Players and Justifications:
-
Franz Wagner (Orlando Magic) – Pick 1
- Justification: Wagner's consistent performance and efficiency make him a strong candidate for All-Star consideration.
- Quote:
"He’s consistently at the top of those boards. He has a lot of things going for him going into next season." ([17:35])
-
Desmond Bane (Orlando Magic) – Pick 2
- Justification: Bane's high efficiency and role in the Magic's ascent as contenders position him as an All-Star threat.
- Quote:
"Desmond Bain is going to benefit from efficiency statistics and he'll get a large amount of credit from the NBA media sphere." ([20:34])
-
Josh Giddey (Chicago Bulls) – Pick 3
- Justification: Giddey's impressive counting stats and potential for triple-doubles make him a standout candidate.
- Quote:
"He's almost averaging a triple double. He's got to be in the All Star Game." ([40:12])
-
Amen Thompson (Houston Rockets) – Pick 5
- Justification: Thompson's defensive prowess and improving offensive game could earn him All-Star recognition.
- Quote:
"Amen is going to rack up regular season wins and one of Shangun or Durant getting bumped for a little bit." ([25:22])
-
Vijay Zubac (Clippers) – Pick 6
- Justification: Zubac's defensive impact and consistency make him a strong candidate, especially with Clippers' improved team dynamics.
- Quote:
"Zubac is another guy that is somewhat of a coach's favorite nerd favorite." ([28:36])
-
Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets) – Pick 8
- Justification: If Denver secures a dominant regular season, Murray's performance could thrust him into All-Star conversations.
- Quote:
"This is the year when Jamal Murray rises up and stops riding the coattails of the playoffs." ([45:30])
-
Derek White (Celtics) – Pick 10
- Justification: White's efficiency and defensive skills, coupled with the Celtics' roster dynamics, could earn him an All-Star spot.
- Quote:
"He's shooting like 17 times a game and has good efficiency numbers." ([46:19])
-
Denny Abdia (Portland Trailblazers) – Pick 11
- Justification: Abdia's scoring ability, especially in a revamped Blazers lineup, positions him as a potential All-Star.
- Quote:
"Denny Abdia averaged 19 points, 10 boards, and five blocks in 20 games post All Star break." ([50:17])
-
Chet Holmgren (Thunder) – Pick 9
- Justification: Holmgren's defensive prowess and potential for offensive growth make him a valuable All-Star pick.
- Quote:
"Chet is destined to be an all-star at some point and he's got the game for it." ([33:19])
-
Cooper Flag (Dallas Mavericks) – Pick 7
- Justification: As a young and promising player, Flag's versatility and impact on defense could earn him All-Star honors.
- Quote:
"Cooper Flag is going to be a huge part of that [defense]." ([34:48])
-
Cam Thomas (Brooklyn Nets) – Pick 12
- Justification: Thomas's scoring volume and potential shooting improvements could make him a contender for the All-Star game.
- Quote:
"Cam Thomas shoots way above his head from three and is one of the best mid-range shooters and creators." ([55:41])
Notable Quotes:
-
Alex Spears on Franz Wagner:
"I just think we will get to a point where it's obvious they deserve two all stars and the question will be more about could they get three all stars." ([17:35])
-
Sam Sheehan on Desmond Bane:
"He is one of the best interior defenders, rim protectors in the NBA over the last handful of years." ([27:25])
5. Trivia Segment
The episode features an engaging trivia segment where hosts and guests answer questions related to the Celtics and Sixers. Despite a strong start by the "You Know Ball" team, challenges arose with difficult questions about historical player performances and specific playoff games.
Highlights:
- First Question: Identifying players who have played at least 150 games for both the Celtics and Sixers. Correct Answer: Evan Turner ([65:59]).
- Second Question: Naming all 20 players since 2010 who played for both teams. The participants successfully identified several, including Drew Holiday, Al Horford, Mike Mascala, Jarvis Varnado, and Greg Monroe ([74:16]).
- Final Questions: Focused on specific game statistics and player nicknames, highlighting the depth of knowledge required for NBA trivia.
Notable Quote: Alex Spears humorously remarks on the complexity of the trivia:
"We have to pick on guys that we're kind of betting on as pet projects." ([75:30])
6. Conclusion and Final Thoughts
As the episode wraps up, the hosts reflect on the unpredictability of their mock All-Star draft and acknowledge that the true outcome will only be revealed once the NBA season unfolds. They encourage listeners to stay tuned and engage with the content through surveys and continued podcast episodes.
Closing Insights:
- Uncertainty of Predictions: The hosts emphasize the speculative nature of their selections, acknowledging that actual All-Star outcomes may vary.
- Engagement with Fans: Encouragement for listeners to participate in surveys and share feedback to enhance future episodes.
Notable Quote: Alex Spears concludes with a light-hearted take on their draft predictions:
"We'll know who won if Cam Thomas is an All Star in February." ([59:54])
Summary Overview: In this lively and informative episode of The Athletic NBA Daily, hosts Alex Spears, alongside guests Trill Bro Dude and Sam Sheehan from the You Know Ball podcast, delve deep into the dynamics of the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics' upcoming NBA seasons. Through a mock First Time All-Star draft, they highlight emerging talents poised for recognition while engaging in a challenging trivia segment that tests their NBA knowledge. The episode balances insightful analysis with playful banter, making it both entertaining and valuable for NBA enthusiasts looking to stay ahead of the season's potential breakout stars.