The Athletic NBA Daily – Episode Summary: "Is Amen Thompson a Star? | Beal or No Beal for Chicago"

Release Date: January 28, 2025

Hosted by Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, and Esfandiar Baraheni, The Athletic NBA Daily delivers an in-depth analysis of the latest happenings in the NBA. In this episode, the hosts delve into the rising star Amen Thompson, Bradley Beal's trade speculations, and the Memphis Grizzlies' recent performances. The discussion is enriched by insights from analyst Keith Parish, offering listeners a comprehensive look at current NBA narratives.

1. Rockets' Dominant Victory Highlighting Amen Thompson

The episode kicks off with a recap of the Houston Rockets' significant win against the Boston Celtics, underscoring Amen Thompson's performance.

• Dave DuFour introduces the Rockets' victory, emphasizing Thompson's impact:
  "The Rockets pick up a big win thanks to Amen Thompson's best game as an NBA player. He hits a game-winning shot." ([02:57])

• Keith Parish discusses Thompson’s potential as the franchise cornerstone:
  "I think Amen Thompson can be that guy. Because there is a world in which this guy is dominating defensively, one of the best athletes in the league." ([04:00])

• The conversation compares Thompson to Giannis Antetokounmpo:
  DuFour: "Giannis has elite length." ([04:55])
  Parish: "Amen Thompson is not scared. He's not scared to even shoot the three." ([06:21])

2. Evaluating Amen Thompson’s Star Potential

The hosts and Parish delve deeper into whether Thompson can transcend his current role to become a bona fide star.

• Parish raises a critical point about Thompson's offensive limitations:
  "How much further can he go without the jumper? Does he break conventional wisdom of how far a star can go?" ([04:33])

• DuFour highlights Thompson’s versatility beyond shooting:
  "He’s a good passer. And you can have shooting around him." ([05:06])

• The discussion touches on Thompson's confidence and leadership on the court:
  "The confidence, the attitude, the run through a brick wall sort of mentality that he's got." ([06:35])

3. Bradley Beal's Trade Speculations and Chicago Bulls Interest

Shifting focus, the hosts address the latest news regarding Bradley Beal and his stance on a potential move to Chicago.

• Fred Katz reports that Beal will not waive his no-trade clause to join the Chicago Bulls:
  “The Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal will not be waiving his no trade clause to go to the Chicago Bulls.” ([09:04])

• DuFour comments on Beal’s control over his trade options:
  “Bradley Beal really holds all the cards here. His family just moved to Phoenix before the season.” ([10:35])

• Parish speculates on the limited teams interested in Beal due to his preferences:
  “Bradley Beal is not willing to go to a place that's cold and has a losing record.” ([10:18])

4. Memphis Grizzlies’ Recent Struggles and Offensive Overhaul

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to analyzing the Memphis Grizzlies' performance, especially their recent loss to the New York Knicks.

• Keith Parish assesses the Grizzlies' offensive strategy:
  "Nearly dead last in pick and rolls, still dead last in handoffs. They're working off cuts and ball movement." ([22:13])

• DuFour and Parish discuss the implications of Ja Morant's off-night:
  "John Morant was horrible and like he was not good." ([27:59])
  "Can this new Grizzlies offense, which has been humming along so well at times, collapse if one superstar starts stinking in a game?" ([28:05])

• The conversation highlights the Grizzlies' turnover issues and defensive lapses:
  "The Grizzlies' offense, their turnovers, which have been an issue all year, that for me, is what they could not overcome in this game." ([25:36])

• Parish explores potential trade moves and the team's strategy moving forward:
  "They might have poked around Cam Johnson. What do you think this team does two weeks away from the trade deadline?" ([30:20])

5. NBA All-Star Weekend Dunk Contest: A Disappointing Lineup

The hosts critique the lineup for the upcoming Dunk Contest, expressing disappointment over the lack of star power.

• DuFour expresses his sentiment about the contestants:
  "Mac McClung is not on the list of guys that I'm paying to see." ([13:31])

• Parish reminisces about past dunk contest legends and the current lack thereof:
  "It used to be a thing that blossoming stars would do. I remember Vince Carter's Dunk Contest 2000." ([14:11])

• The hosts propose alternative contestants, highlighting their favorite young talents:
  "Let's pick four people... Amen Thompson, Anthony Edwards, Victor Wembanyama, and Ja Morant." ([15:11]-[15:51])

6. Engaging with Listeners and Future Predictions

Towards the end, the hosts encourage listener interaction and provide forecasts for upcoming games and player performances.

• DuFour invites listeners to share their Dunk Contest picks:
  "Guys, in the comments, let us know who are the four guys you would want to see in the dunk contest." ([16:54])

• Parish emphasizes the importance of consistency against elite teams:
  "It's very unproven against the absolute elite teams. It's hard to win in the NBA against the best teams when your best player has an off night." ([25:36])

• The episode concludes with final thoughts on the NBA landscape as teams gear up for the postseason:
  "The Grizzlies are a wins machine. Do you worry that they're showing off too much before they get to the playoffs?" ([26:28])

Key Takeaways

• Amen Thompson is emerging as a potential star for the Houston Rockets, showcasing versatility and leadership, though questions remain about his offensive ceiling without a reliable jumper.

• Bradley Beal asserts control over his trade destiny, ruling out a move to Chicago and limiting his trade options based on his personal preferences and family considerations.

• The Memphis Grizzlies face challenges with their offensive overhaul, particularly when reliant on Ja Morant's performance, and must address turnover issues to sustain their success against top-tier teams.

• The NBA Dunk Contest is criticized for lacking star contestants, prompting hosts to suggest a new lineup of exciting players to revitalize the event.

• Listener Engagement is encouraged, with hosts seeking opinions on dunk contest participants and discussing broader NBA strategies as teams prepare for the playoffs.

This episode offers a thorough exploration of pivotal NBA stories, blending statistical analysis with engaging dialogue, making it a must-listen for basketball enthusiasts seeking deeper insights into the league's dynamics.