The Athletic NBA Daily – November 24, 2025

Episode: Klay Thompson gives Ja Morant a wakeup call
Hosts: Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, Esfandiar Baraheni

Overview

This episode centers on recapping a packed NBA weekend, highlighting classic games, surprise team streaks, standout player developments, and, most notably, Klay Thompson’s pointed public remarks toward Ja Morant after a heated Mavericks-Grizzlies clash. The hosts blend sharp analysis and humor, diving into the narratives shaping the NBA while unpacking player and team trajectories.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Nuggets vs. Rockets: A Western Conference Classic

[02:50–09:21]

• The Game: Friday night’s Nuggets-Rockets clash is called “one of the best games of the season” and a potential playoff preview.
• Denver’s Clutch Execution: Hosts agree that “there probably isn’t a team that I trust more than the Denver Nuggets in clutch situations.” (Esfandiar, 03:25)
  • Jamal Murray’s late-game heroics: crucial defensive stop on Kevin Durant, followed by aggressive offense. Murray is averaging career highs across the board.
• Reed Sheppard’s Emergence:
  • Initially doubted, Sheppard is finding his NBA niche after an underwhelming rookie campaign.
  • Recent surge: Last 8 games – 26 minutes, 16.5 points, 3 assists, 2 steals, 53% from three, 67.5% on twos. -- “He’s turned himself into this incredibly efficient scorer and the defense is coming along.” (Dave, 06:43)
  • Sheppard showcases valuable off-ball movement and has a budding two-man game with Alperen Şengün, drawing comparisons to Steph Curry’s synergy with Draymond Green.
  • Opportunity looms as Kevin Durant, out for personal reasons, likely opens a starting spot for Sheppard.

Teams on a Roll: Pistons, Thunder, Raptors

[09:21–13:50]

• Pistons: Noted for a 12-game winning streak, Jaden Ivey’s return, and deepening roster.
• Thunder: 17–1, on a nine-game tear, seeking redemption after a lone loss to Portland.
• Raptors:
  • First team into NBA Cup knockout round; on a 7-game streak after beating Wizards and Nets.
  • Statistical dominance: “Number one half-court offense in the NBA” (Esfandiar, 11:01), top fast-break points, high efficiency on drives, top five in assists and points in the paint.
  • Significant turnaround after a 1–4 start; internal development, unselfish play, and Darko Rajaković’s system are cited as key factors.
  • “If they were going to win the number of games you were saying, then [Coach Rajaković] had to [be Coach of the Year].” (Dave, 13:50)

Cavs vs. Clippers & Chris Paul’s Farewell

[18:09–25:53]

• Cavs Outpace Clippers:
  • Donovan Mitchell dominates (“dancing on those guys”—Dave, 18:16) in a game without Jarrett Allen.
  • Naquan Tomlin impresses as a long, energetic presence. “He is all arms…just extendo arms. He’s got great energy.” (Zena, 20:06)
  • Clippers’ age and lack of energy are repeatedly noted; Kawhi looks like himself, but entire squad appears “just…sad to me.” (Dave, 19:14)
• Chris Paul’s Retirement Announcement:
  • Paul receives standing ovation in Cleveland. Praised as possibly the fourth-greatest point guard ever behind Steph, Magic, and (per Esfandiar’s Canadian bias) Steve Nash.
  • “It’s a closing chapter of a particular type of point guard play…He really was the gold standard of how to run a team, how to organize a team, how to tell people to get into spots. He was the maestro of the pick and roll.” (Zena, 22:27)
  • Paul’s all-time accolades: 12× All-Star, 11× All-NBA, 9× All-Defensive, impactful in every era and situation.

Klay Thompson’s Wake-Up Call to Ja Morant

[25:55–29:41]

• Ja’s Trash Talk vs. Klay’s Resume:
  • Context: Ja Morant calls Klay Thompson a “bum” during Mavericks-Grizzlies game.
  • Hosts rebuff Ja: “Number one, Klay Thompson, objectively not a bum. I’m sorry, Ja. Four time champion…one of the greatest shooters ever.” (Dave, 26:07)
  • Zena notes: Klay’s played more games since his return from injury than Ja has in recent years.
• Generational Clash:
  • Zena references a viral tweet: “This argument between Ja Morant and Klay Thompson is the perfect Gen Z–Millennial battle.” (27:11)
• Klay’s Quote (from postgame):

  “We all want to see him out there and do his best, but he’s just been letting a lot of other stuff get in the way. We need that in the NBA. We need our best players to be out there. When you’re a star, it comes with a great responsibility.” (Klay Thompson, quoted by Dave, 27:44)

  • Hosts note the Spider-Man reference—“With great power comes great responsibility” (Dave, 27:53)—as an example of “killing him with kindness.”
• Hosts’ Reaction:
  • Esfandiar: “What is there left to be…redeeming from the Ja Morant side? … The off the court stuff has limited his ability…and he clearly…has struggled to be the same player he once was.” (28:21)
  • Zena: “Everything that Klay said—he wasn’t coming at him personally…He was saying, we expect more of you, bro. It makes me think of America’s Next Top Model…‘We were all rooting for you.’” (28:55)

Pop Culture Parallels

[29:19–29:41]

• Dave: “It’s like Star Wars, Episode III, when Obi-Wan says to Anakin, ‘You were the chosen one…’”
• The show’s blend of sports analysis and pop culture makes it a unique daily listen.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Nuggets in crunch time:

  “In a clutch situation, there probably isn’t a team that I trust more than the Denver Nuggets.”
  —Esfandiar ([03:25])

• On Reed Sheppard’s progression:

  “He’s turned himself into this incredibly efficient scorer and the defense is coming along.”
  —Dave ([06:43])

• On Raptors’ offensive leap:

  “The Raptors had the number one half-court offense in the NBA. That is amazing.”
  —Esfandiar ([11:01])

• On Chris Paul’s legacy:

  “He really was the gold standard of how to run a team, how to organize a team…He was the maestro of the pick and roll.”
  —Zena ([22:27])

• Klay Thompson’s words to Ja Morant:

  “We all want to see him out there and do his best, but he’s just been letting a lot of other stuff get in the way. We need that in the NBA. We need our best players to be out there. When you’re a star, it comes with a great responsibility.”
  —Klay Thompson (quoted by Dave, [27:44])

• Pop culture fun:

  “It’s like episode three, Star Wars, Episode three, when Obi Wan says to Anakin, ‘you were the chosen one.’”
  —Dave ([29:19])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:06] Episode content begins
• [02:50–09:21] Nuggets vs. Rockets, Reed Sheppard’s rise
• [09:21–13:50] Team streaks: Pistons, Thunder, Raptors
• [18:09–20:56] Cavs vs. Clippers, Naquan Tomlin’s impact
• [20:56–25:53] Chris Paul’s career, point guard legacies
• [25:55–29:41] Klay Thompson vs. Ja Morant, generational themes, Klay’s “wake-up call”

Final Thoughts

This brisk episode blends stats-focused breakdowns, player development insights, and sharp commentary on generational NBA beefs. From the Rockets’ up-and-comers to Raptors optimism and the Clippers’ twilight, the hosts keep things dynamic, punctuated by Klay Thompson’s mic-drop Spidey quote on Ja Morant—a masterclass in NBA veteran wisdom delivered with grace.