Mitchell Robinson injury + What now for the Knicks? | Offensive predictions - The Athletic NBA Daily

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[00:00]
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[03:11]
Dave DeFore
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[03:54]
Dave DeFore
Welcome back to the Athletic NBA Show. I am Dave DeFore here with Mo Decil. Coming up on the show, the Knicks are coming into training camp on a bad foot and we try to predict the top five offenses for the upcoming season and some of these could surprise you guys a little. Mo, how's it going?
[04:14]
Mo Decil
Going well, Dave. We're, we're in like the dog days of the off season and just waiting for everything to begin again.
[04:22]
Dave DeFore
We have media days coming up next week. Boston Celtics actually did their media day today because they're going to be traveling to the Middle east for some preseason games. But we do have a little bit of news and unfortunately bad news for the Knicks and kind of for us, Mo because we've been on the New York Knicks for a few years now and Mitchell Robinson is so important to what they do, but they're going to start the season without him. He will be unavailable until sometime in December or January. He is still recovering from the ankle surgery that he underwent in May. If you remember, he was injured in a matchup against the Sixers in the playoffs. Kind of got tangled up with Joel Embiid. This is huge because Mitchell Robinson's a massive piece to to the puzzle that that is the New York Knicks. But also it's even worse because they don't have Isaiah Hartenstein backing him up like last year when when Mitchell Robinson was out. They are in a really bad spot.
[05:25]
Mo Decil
You just went the long way around to just say they don't have a center. You just went the long way around to say that. Like let's just Be honest, they don't. I mean, they have precious Achua, which, okay, great, but like, they don't have a center on the roster, and I think that was one of those things. They don't. They weren't expecting to be able to keep Hartenstein, I think, in the, in the way the off season was going, but they never put any plan in action to replace the center, to replace him. And then they felt like they hoped that Mitchell Robinson would be able to kind of come back a little earlier than this. It's. I mean, this is a little bit of bad planning from the front office. It has been largely successful and, and, and, and pretty sharp for the most part, but I think it's just their way of saying, hey, guys, we're playing small. That's what we're doing. That's the plan. That's what we're going. With Randall, you're going to play the five, og you're the four, and, and just go to work from there. And I think that's kind of really the thinking. I, I'm assuming that's going on in New York right now.
[06:26]
Dave DeFore
Well, I mean, this is the nice thing about the Knicks is, you know, Mitchell Robinson being out. You still have six or seven guys that, you know, hey, this is, this is still our rotation. Randall can play up a little bit. I mean, it's going to help you on the offensive end a little bit more than on the defensive end. But with, with OG With Mikel Bridges, you've got some size and length, and in the East, I mean, really mo. Like, what teams are you really worried about as far as, like, needing like a Mitchell Robinson to be your five? I mean, you're worried about the Sixers. You know, is anybody else really going to be able to punish them there in the early game?
[07:01]
Mo Decil
You have to be worried about rebounding, and I think that's really the issue. So, like, the Cavs with the two big guys there, you know, I think you have to worry about teams that have just decent size and do well rebounding, and I think that's going to be something that, you know, the, the Knicks are just going to have to deal with. It's going to have to be a gang rebounding situation, and the whole group, everybody, all five guys, will have to rebound to make up for the fact that a lot of times they're going to be smaller than the other team. And I think that's just going to be the way it goes. You know, I don't think it hurts them. With the Pacers, it Will it will hurt them with Boston? I think it will hurt them with Milwaukee. Like, there's going to be places where it's going to be a problem for them, and that's something largely that the Knicks will have to figure out. And I don't know if it's necessarily scheming, but they do need to add at some point a center.
[07:51]
Dave DeFore
Yeah, I. It's the one nice thing about them is that everyone there does rebound. I mean, you know, Josh Hart, Dante DiVincenzo, those guys go and get offensive rebounds. So they, they kind of have that scheme. But I'm with you. I mean, they needed a center anyway. Mo. Do you think they need to just go make a trade or, or is there someone out there just, you know, sitting around on their couch right now? Or maybe they're on the, the treadmill right now thinking the New York Knicks might. Might call me up or. I mean, what would you do?
[08:19]
Mo Decil
I think, honestly I would. I would evaluate the way it looks in training camp. I wouldn't make any rash decisions in terms of coughing up any assets. And, you know, I have to kind of go back and look to see what their asset pool is even really like, after everything they gave up to get Mikhail Bridges, I think it's going to be a thing to keep an eye on. I can tell you some. One thing, though, Dave. I'd stay as far away from dominating. You know, I would stay far away from him.
[08:48]
Dave DeFore
Well, it's too much snow in New York. You can't, you can't do that.
[08:50]
Mo Decil
You need to. Then he. You got to make sure he gets a bed. But then I, you know, that, that fits him. He's not sleeping on an air mattress. Again, I think the other guy, like, could be interesting whether it's a matter of how healthy he is. Is Robert Williams the other guy, the other center in Portland? But then you're in the same situation, another big guy who can't stay on the floor. Like, it's, it's, it's a little bit difficult for the Knicks in terms of the prospects that are out there, but I wouldn't go rushing into a trade.
[09:19]
Dave DeFore
I mean, listen, this is a, this is a team that expects to make a deep playoff run. And even without Mitchell Robinson, this is still a. A really loaded team. We felt like they needed to get another center on this roster with Mitchell Robinson healthy. And so, I mean, is there anybody out there that maybe at the deadline you're looking at that this team can go and get? Because they, they. I think they're going to need two bigs during the playoffs. Obviously Mitchell Robinson, the injury concerns, and now coming off of a surgery, you know, you worry. And when you think about last year, Hartenstein was just the better player for them, right? Huge for them because he was not only available, but he was better after Mitchell Robinson came back from that injury. So, you know, is there a guy that's. That you could see as a good fit for them?
[10:02]
Mo Decil
I have two names for you, Dave and, and, and probably different levels of guys in terms of how gettable they might be, but Goga Bataze with the Orlando Magic, I know he just resigned on a three year deal, but we've seen this kind of stuff happen before where, hey, we signed him and then eventually he gets moved. I think that's a good target for them that I don't think would cost a lot, but I think I'd also go kick the tires on Clint Capella in Atlanta and see what the story is there and see if there's any, any movement there and kind of see you got to also let the season play out a little bit, right? Like teams that are thinking they're going to be pretty good, you know, start the season whatever, 2 and 12, all of a sudden they become to go like, maybe we need to reconfigure our plans for the season or whatnot or, you know, kind of start to explore different things. I think the other thing that's going to be tough for the Knicks, Dave, is that they're not the only team that needs a center. The New Orleans Pelicans also need a center and they're also going to be looking for one. So it gets a little difficult in terms of trying to figure out where you can sort of find those guys and, and you know, the, the price or whatnot. But I do like the idea. I think Gogo would help them quite a bit because that's the guy. Also, when Robinson comes back, you can slide to the bench and then have him play some more spot minutes. But I also still think even when Robinson comes back, they're still going to play small a lot.
[11:32]
Dave DeFore
Yeah, I mean they got to find a way to play all those guards and with Goga, you know, good rebounder, can credibly stretch the floor and actually really good passer. So like works for what they want to do, especially in. On the offensive glass.
[11:45]
Mo Decil
Kind of like hard Stein?
[11:47]
Dave DeFore
Yeah, yeah, a little. I mean not, not maybe not at that level, but yeah, but like lower.
[11:52]
Mo Decil
Level in terms of somebody coming off the bench.
[11:55]
Dave DeFore
Well, Mo, as you mentioned. We're actually not even in the summer anymore. We're in the fall now and we were talking about fun ways to, to address the upcoming season. And I was thinking about last year and the historic offensive numbers that we saw. The Boston Celtics had 122.2 offensive rating last year, which is absurd. And the Indiana Pacers were just behind them at one twenty and a half. I mean this is unprecedented scoring. So I, I think I want to start there. Given the change in officiating kind of mid season Mo, do you expect to see a downtick in scoring overall?
[12:40]
Mo Decil
I think we'll see a little bit of it, but not, not as much as I think people are expecting. I think part of it too is just, and this is the truth that people don't really want to discuss, offenses are really good now. These players are super skilled. They shoot the hell out of the ball. Like it's just that simple, you know, and, and they've cracked the code. A lot of teams are shooting more threes now and things like that. So it's, it's, it's gotten a little bit different in that sense. I think we'll see, I would like us to see it little scoring more in like the hundred range and not in the 115 range for games, but I think it's going to be kind of a up and down in that area where I think some games, sometimes we will and some we won't, but I don't think it's just automatically going to drop down. Like I don't think next season's offensive rating is going to be 115 is the number one rating.
[13:31]
Dave DeFore
Well, I'll tell you right now, I took a look at the numbers and now this is not exactly when the officiating change, but I looked at the post All Star break numbers for the season. The Boston Celtics were 122.2. As I mentioned before, post All Star break, they were 125.2. So Boston scored even more efficiently after the officiating change. So, I mean, I, I don't know. Again, this is an anecdote. I just think it's an interesting thing to keep an eye on and for people to remember as we head into the season. Because my hope is Mo, we don't revert to the old ways. But you know, you never know until you, you know, until the season starts to play out. So I wanted, I wanted to think about this in a couple of ways. Number one, Mo, who added the most offensive firepower this summer?
[14:20]
Mo Decil
I think you Got to look at Philadelphia adding some offensive firepower with just adding a third scorer in Paul George, I think is a big one. And I think the other team that you got to look at that's added quite a bit of offensive firepower is the Dallas Mavericks by adding Klay Thompson. Like, I think those are the two teams I look at right away going like, oh, their, their offenses should be better. They've added pieces that can help them.
[14:45]
Dave DeFore
Yeah, and the Mavericks were, they were a top 10 offense last year. They were ranked 8th. The Sixers were outside of top 10. But Embiid missed so much time, they didn't have a second guy. I mean, you know, Tobias Harris was kind of the second guy for Tyrese Max.
[15:00]
Mo Decil
Well, they didn't have a second guy. You were right in what you said.
[15:04]
Dave DeFore
And now, and now at least, you know, when these guys start to miss time, the drop off won't, won't be as much. So, so maybe they can get up there. What about Boston? I mean, again, historic numbers last year. They're going to start the season with no Porzingis. I think that, that, that's going to hurt them on both ends. But do you think that they're going to take a, a monster drop off or do you feel like Horford and Sam Houser and Luke Cornett is enough to kind of keep them, you know, up in that top two or three offense?
[15:35]
Mo Decil
Yeah, I don't think those guys are the reasons why they're going to stay in the top five of offense. I think, you know, Jason Tatum, Jalen Brown, pretty freaking good. They're going to be the reasons why they stay in the top five. I think you also look at Jrue Holiday and Derrick White and those guys will be the reasons that they stay in the top five in terms of offensive rating this season coming.
[15:57]
Dave DeFore
I don't think that was a given.
[15:59]
Mo Decil
Yeah, I think, I think, you know, I think the, the, the, the stuff there with Hauser and those guys, like, they help, that's cute. But like, yeah, it just means more, more. I think they'll feel Porzingis's impact more on the defensive end than the offensive end. And I don't even know if they'll feel it that much on the defensive end, but I think if we're going to see a difference, it'll be on that end more than the offensive end.
[16:22]
Dave DeFore
Indiana, we, we talked about their offense. I mean, pretty insane. Now, their defense was non existent during the regular. Yeah, exactly. Non existent during the regular season. But the offense, pretty, pretty insane. Do you feel like teams have had a chance to maybe catch up to them during the summer. Like, you know, you dive into the film. We always talk about the scouting reports, catching up on a guy. But for this team and their style of play last year, I, I think that they caught a lot of teams on their heels in the regular season. You know, you play a team once, right, you're not necessarily ready for that sort of pace that they played. And then the Olay defense can also wear you out a little bit because, you know, you're just running up and down the court. Do you wonder if. If the league might be able to catch up to them a little bit and slow them down?
[17:09]
Mo Decil
I think the hope is that they would. I think it's very difficult to do that in the regular season. Like, this team plays fast, like this is the way they want to play. And then having a full, you know, off season with Pascal Siakam, I think they're going to be just as fast as they were before. The only reason why they wouldn't be fast is because they want to focus a little more on defense and play more that way. But they don't have the means defensively. And I think they get a little bit better offensively with Benedict Matheran coming back. I think you, you know, the way you look at this team, I don't see a situation in which they would be worse offensively. Like, it's, it's. Even with teams kind of having caught up. Dave, by the second half of the season, everybody knew what the Pacers wanted.
[17:56]
Dave DeFore
Today I was gonna let me go to the numbers. So they actually, they slightly improve 0.1 points per hundred possession post, all star break. And Mo. They, you know, to your point about Pascal Siakam, they still weren't even really running plays for him in the second half of the season. So, you know, full training camp with him, Mather and back. I think that Indiana is going to have the best offense in the league. That's my expectation.
[18:23]
Mo Decil
I think that's right in the mix. Like, I think they're in the mix and I think it's, it's Boston. I, I think 1 and 2 will be the, for the most part, for best offensive in the league. Just because I don't see. Again, Indiana didn't really lose anybody. Right. Like, there's no reason for them to be different offensively. Like Boston. Yeah. Without Porzingis might be a little bit. But those other guys are so damn good. I don't think it'll make that big of a difference I still think that's one and two in terms of offensive rating.
[18:52]
Dave DeFore
People, people have been making the argument to me that we're sleeping on the Bucks a little bit. So I want, you know, thinking about their offense. Like, we know that their defense is not going to be what it used to be at their peak, you know, when they had Drew Holiday, obviously, but you got Damian Lillard and that should give you a pretty good offense. But, you know, while they were. They were top 10 in offense for the season last year, they ranked 6 overall. They were not in the top 10 in the second half of the season. They actually were 4 points per 100 possessions worse post All Star break. And Mo, I don't know what we can really blame for that. I mean, you know, you could say maybe it's just Doc trying to get things figured out and, and, you know, there's some confusion there. Dame, I, I think was struggling with some injuries down the stretch of the season, some tired legs, but this team has all the pieces to be, you know, one of the most potent offenses in the league. I mean, Damon and Giannis pick and roll should just be money every single time, right?
[19:54]
Mo Decil
Well, if they actually run it, like, I think that's always kind of been the running joke, right? Is like they haven't. They didn't run it enough, you know, and I think that was one of their larger issues in the way that they handled things in the. The Dame Giannis pick and roll wasn't even as prevalent as the Dame Lopez pick and roll, and that was pretty effective. But they ran that so much more than what we thought we were going to get with Giannis. I think ultimately, I think their offense will be fine. It'll get figured out. Part of the stuff that held them back offensively, too, was no. Chris Middleton only played 55 games and he was trying to kind of find his way back. We'll see how he comes back to start the season. Double ankle surgery is always kind of a little bit alarming.
[20:42]
Dave DeFore
Double anything surgery is alarming. I mean, if you told me, hey, he had double pinky surgery, I'm starting to think we got some big problems here. So. Yeah, I mean, that's the concern. But let me ask you, I mean, look, man, you know Doc Rivers as well as anybody. He is going to simplify things for them and he's going to get them their butter plays and, and he's going to have them set, taking away, you know, just the extraneous stuff and just saying, go do that pick and roll. Go play your Game, which is kind of what Doc does. I mean, they should walk into a really, really good offense.
[21:19]
Mo Decil
They should have walked into it last year.
[21:21]
Dave DeFore
Gary Trent, you know, Gary Trent on the wing.
[21:26]
Mo Decil
They'll be better off. Like I actually think with the full off season with Doc and, and Doc kind of spending this entire summer sort of, you know, either on the golf course or planning out the offense, I think they'll kind of figure that stuff out and I think, you know, they'll. I actually am pretty confident, David. They're going to be one of the top five offenses this season. I think they just have too many tools, you know, with what you have. And again, if Middleton's healthy now, it's a three headed monster with those guys. Lopez spacing out. Bobby Port is coming off the bench with a lot of extra energy. The, the role guys in terms of what you're talking about with Gary Trent Jr. Who's a guy that you have to defend out to three, kind of creates more space for them. All the tools are there for them offensively, for them to have a top five offense. And that's what they're going to have to lean into as a team. More than that because I don't think they're going to be as good defensively. I think yes, Brook and Giannis are great defensively. I think their perimeter is going to be hurting quite a bit and I think that's going to be something that. All the more reason why they're going to have to win games by outscoring opponents. And I think that's why their offense will be as solid as we expected. What we expected last year, I think we'll get this year.
[22:37]
Dave DeFore
You and I have been in love with what the Oklahoma City Thunder were able to pull off this summer. Getting Alex Caruso, getting Isaiah Hartenstein. They were the third best offense in the league last year and all we've talked about pretty much all summer is their defense. We've said, wow, this defense, I, I have them slated to be the best defense in the league coming into the season. Like on paper, just looking at what they did last year, looking at the individual pieces, Hartenstein and Caruso are just, I mean that's perfect capstones for what they've already built defensively. But the truth is this team was an incredible offensive team and I think they got better on offense too. Hartenstein is an offensive rebounder and passer facilitator is excellent. Alex Caruso we talk about all the time. He's one of the best offensive connectors, guys that Just don't need the basketball to, to help your offense run and function and make plays for other people. Is it possible they're going to have the best offense and the best defense in the league next year? Like is Oklahoma City just gonna be that good?
[23:44]
Mo Decil
Yes. Like, I'm sorry, it's not like anything shocking or it isn't groundbreaking. You know, it's different to see it though. It's what they were last year. You know, I, I mean where did they finish in defensive ranking last year? Fourth. They were top. You know, they're right in the mix. Like it's not a wild to sort of think that we're gonna have that again this year. Like when you look at it, what's changed so much for them? Just along the lines of like offensively they traded a non shooter in Josh Giddy and got a guy that can knock down spot up shots in Alex Caruso. You know, Shay is Shea. I think he's going to lead the league in scoring. If I had to take a guess, you, you're hoping for another year of development from Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren as your two and three options. You know, you have a lot of stuff there. You have Isaiah Hartenstein coming off the bench, you know, or even starting, depending how. If they really want to start super big and they have a lot of rebounding, offensive rebounding, passing and things like that can play even a different way if they want to. I think they're in a good position with where they are and defensively you still are solid the way they are across the board and that helps speed up their game because they want to play transition game too. They want to speed up the pace a little bit by forcing turnovers and get some easy buckets. There's no reason for this team to be in the top five in offense. Like I honestly it wouldn't shock me if they led the league in both offense and defense. Even though I still think it'll be Boston and the Pacers. It'll. Okay, she's right there in that mix and I think a little bit of a leap, you know, from, from guys like Shay shooting a better three ball and they're going to be right there.
[25:27]
Dave DeFore
Got some wild cards for you last year in the second half of the season. So we're just going to say post All Star break. The Los Angeles Lakers had the fourth best offense in basketball. Now if they're going to have a successful season, I think that that's what they've got to go for because they, they just don't have the guys moving to create the defense it's going to take to, to be competitive. I mean, they have Anthony Davis, that's great. They just don't have the other guys. I'm not ready to trust Jared Vanderbilt to be out there. Could the Lakers be a top five offense? Like, do they have the pieces for that, in your opinion, for, for a season?
[26:02]
Mo Decil
No, too old. I mean, it's, we're banking. Too old. I mean we're banking on a lot of things. One new head coach who's never coached before in JJ Redick. We have a new. No, nothing new after that. Right. Like, okay, D'Angelo Russell had an unbelievable season last year. You really want to bet on that? And you know it's in those things. And you're talking about the second half of the season, first half of the season they were not very good offensively and I think that's something like, I don't know if you're, you're necessarily going to be able to recreate that. Learning a new system, learning and having an understanding of that. You know, as great as LeBron is, as great as AD is, you know, those being your top two guys, how many games are you getting out of them? Yes, last year they were very healthy, but they didn't get, they didn't have a great offense for the entire year. Sure, they did it for a 16 game span in terms of the second half of the season or 20 games, however many they had in that post, All Star run. But like it's an 82 game season. There are knights, LeBron's going to take off. There are going to be those, those games and if you're assuming also just good health, you're going to be there. But I'm not sure if I'm going to look at them and say like they have a chance at a top five offense. I wouldn't, I wouldn't feel comfortable with that. Too many variables.
[27:22]
Dave DeFore
I know you love Phoenix. What about them? Second year with, with all these guys together, New coach Mike Budenholzer.
[27:31]
Mo Decil
Well, it's going to be new coach, new system again, so it's a little bit different in that sense. But the one thing I like that they did was they finally got a guard that can pass. And, and it takes some of that playmaking off of Devin Booker's shoulders and allows him to do what he does best, which is freaking score. Right? Like that's what he's, that's his game. And I think it's one of those things where, like when you try to make him a creator and a scorer. You. You take some of his powers away. So I think they'll see a bump in their offense, but I don't. I don't see them making that leap into a top five offense just yet. I. I'll have to see it to believe it because we know Bud's going to hang his hat more on the defensive end. Anyways.
[28:11]
Dave DeFore
How much do you believe in Buddy Healed?
[28:15]
Mo Decil
Why are we doing this? Why? You know why. Why? I mean, come on. That should answer the question.
[28:27]
Dave DeFore
I'm just gonna say Golden State warriors, they finished last season ninth in offense and they got so much better. So, hey, they. They got a chance. I. I think so. I think Kyle Anderson, the. Anthony Mountain. Yeah, Buddy healed.
[28:41]
Shopify Advertiser
I mean, we.
[28:42]
Mo Decil
Doesn't matter. Again, I'm going to say this. I said this before when we did this. If I'm scouting against them two guys to Steph, let's see what the rest of the guys can do.
[28:52]
Dave DeFore
We're gonna see the boxing one opening night for the Warriors. I think that's gonna do it for today's show, folks. We're gonna have Slammin Jam later on in the week. Man, it was really good to hear Alex Spears back on the show last week. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review this show on itunes, Spotify, wherever you listen to podcasts, give us five star review. We'll read it on the show and subscribe to the Bounce, where Zach Harper writes the funniest and in my opinion, most informative basketball newsletter on the Internet. But that's going to do it for today, folks. Thank you guys for listening. For Motakil, I'm Dave DeFore. This has been the Athletic NBA Show. Thanks for listening. As we head into the playoffs, it's safe to assume there will be a few calls made by the refs that will be hard to accept. But you know what isn't hard to accept? Discover. Believe it or not, Discover is accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide.
[29:54]
Mo Decil
You heard that right, 99%.
[29:57]
Dave DeFore
So make a good call for your wallet and get Discover. Based on the February 2024 Nielsen report. Learn more at discover.com credit card this.
[30:04]
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[30:58]
Mo Decil
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[31:03]
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[31:06]
Mo Decil
Hey guys.
[31:07]
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[31:09]
Dave DeFore
We make fun of everything but most importantly ourselves. I'm Paige Desorbo.
[31:13]
Mo Decil
I'm Hannah Burner.
[31:14]
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[31:15]
Mo Decil
Giggly Squad started on Summer House when we were giggling during an inappropriate time.
[31:19]
Dave DeFore
But of course we can't be managed.
[31:21]
Mo Decil
So we decided to start this podcast to continue giggling. We will make fun of pop culture news. We're watching fashion trends pep talks where we give advice, mental health moments and games and guests. Listen to Giggly Squad on Acast or wherever you get your podcasts.
[31:37]
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Summary6 min read

Podcast Summary: The Athletic NBA Daily Episode: Mitchell Robinson Injury + What Now for the Knicks? | Offensive Predictions
Release Date: September 25, 2024
Host: Dave DeFore and Mo Decil

Introduction

In this episode of The Athletic NBA Daily, hosts Dave DeFore and Mo Decil delve into pressing issues surrounding the New York Knicks, particularly focusing on the significant injury to Mitchell Robinson and its implications for the team's upcoming season. Additionally, they provide comprehensive offensive predictions, analyzing which NBA teams are poised to dominate offensively in the forthcoming year.

Mitchell Robinson's Injury and the Knicks' Future

Mitchell Robinson’s Status: The episode opens with unsettling news for Knicks fans. Mitchell Robinson, a cornerstone of the Knicks' roster, will miss the start of the season due to ankle surgery. Dave DeFore announces, “Mitchell Robinson is going to start the season without him. He will be unavailable until sometime in December or January” (05:24). This injury stems from an incident during the playoffs against the Sixers, where Robinson tangled with Joel Embiid.

Impact on the Knicks: Mo Decil emphasizes the severity of the situation, stating, “They don't have a center on the roster” (06:26). Without Isaiah Hartenstein to back him up, the Knicks find themselves without a traditional center, forcing them to adjust their game plan. DeFore and Decil discuss the Knicks' reliance on a smaller lineup, suggesting that general rebounding must become a team effort to compensate for Robinson's absence.

Possible Solutions: The hosts debate potential avenues the Knicks might explore to address the center position. Decil proposes, “I have two names for you, Dave… Goga Bataze with the Orlando Magic” (10:02), and suggests Clint Capela in Atlanta as another viable option. However, both hosts agree that any trade should be approached cautiously, without rushing into decisions based on pre-season uncertainties.

Strategic Adjustments: Despite the setback, the Knicks retain depth with players like Josh Hart and Dante DiVincenzo capable of contributing to offensive rebounds. DeFore remarks, “It's the one nice thing about them is that everyone there does rebound” (07:51), highlighting the team’s inherent strengths that can mitigate the loss of Robinson.

Offensive Predictions for the Upcoming Season

The bulk of the episode focuses on predicting the top offensive teams in the NBA for the upcoming season, analyzing changes from the previous year and assessing team adjustments.

1. Boston Celtics

Expectations: The Celtics are projected to maintain a high offensive ranking despite losing key players like Porzingis. Mo Decil asserts, “Jason Tatum, Jalen Brown, pretty freaking good. They’re going to be the reasons why they stay in the top five in terms of offensive rating” (15:35). The presence of Jrue Holiday and Derrick White further solidifies their offensive prowess.

Key Insights: Decil notes that the Celtics’ offensive strength lies in their star players, which will continue to drive their high rankings. However, their defensive capabilities may see a dip, placing more emphasis on outscoring opponents to secure victories.

2. Indiana Pacers

Leadership in Offense: DeFore and Decil consider the Pacers as likely candidates for the top offensive rankings. Decil confidently states, “They’re in the mix and I think it’s Boston” (18:23), yet he leans slightly towards Indiana’s offensive consistency.

Team Dynamics: With Pascal Siakam back and Benedict Mathurin’s return, the Pacers are expected to enhance both their offensive speed and efficiency. Decil highlights their balanced approach, “There's no reason for them to be different offensively” (18:23), reinforcing their position as a formidable offensive force.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder

Dual Threat: The Thunder are highlighted as a potential powerhouse, combining both offensive and defensive strengths. Decil comments, “I honestly it wouldn’t shock me if they led the league in both offense and defense” (24:26), citing the addition of Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein as key factors.

Offensive and Defensive Balance: With emerging talents like Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, coupled with strategic acquisitions, the Thunder are poised to excel on both ends of the court. Their ability to play a fast-paced transition game further augments their offensive capabilities.

4. Los Angeles Lakers

Challenges Ahead: Despite finishing last season with the fourth-best offense, the Lakers face uncertainties. Decil expresses skepticism, stating, “Too many variables” (26:01), citing the team’s age, new coaching strategies, and reliance on star players like LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Offensive Outlook: The Lakers’ offensive potential is fragmented, with concerns over integrating new systems under coach Mike Budenholzer and the health of key players. Decil concludes that the Lakers may struggle to consistently rank in the top five offensively due to these complexities.

5. Phoenix Suns

Incremental Improvement: Phoenix is expected to see gradual offensive enhancements with the second-year under coach Budenholzer. Decil acknowledges, “They’ll see a bump in their offense” (27:30), primarily through improved playmaking around Devin Booker.

Future Prospects: Though Phoenix has the tools to improve, Decil remains cautious, noting that while they may not break into the top five offense immediately, their strategic additions could set the stage for future success.

6. Golden State Warriors

Potential for Excellence: Mo Decil highlights the Warriors as a wild card with the potential to ascend to the top five in both offense and defense. He remarks, “If I'm scouting against them two guys to Steph, let's see what the rest of the guys can do” (28:40), underscoring the depth and versatility of their roster.

Balanced Strength: With stellar performances expected from players like Stephen Curry and the strategic integration of key role players, the Warriors could emerge as a dominant force, leveraging both their offensive firepower and defensive strategies.

Conclusion

Dave DeFore and Mo Decil provide a thorough analysis of the upcoming NBA season's offensive landscape, identifying key teams expected to excel and discussing the strategic adjustments necessary for the Knicks in the absence of Mitchell Robinson. The episode underscores the dynamic nature of the NBA, where injuries, trades, and strategic shifts can significantly influence team performance. Listeners are left with a nuanced understanding of the potential top offensive teams and the challenges facing the New York Knicks as they navigate the new season without a pivotal player.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

Mitchell Robinson Injury:
- Dave DeFore: “Mitchell Robinson is going to start the season without him. He will be unavailable until sometime in December or January.” (05:24)
- Mo Decil: “They just don’t have a center on the roster.” (06:26)
Potential Trade Targets:
- Mo Decil: “I have two names for you, Dave… Goga Bataze with the Orlando Magic.” (10:02)
Offensive Predictions:
- Mo Decil: “Jason Tatum, Jalen Brown, pretty freaking good. They’re going to be the reasons why they stay in the top five in terms of offensive rating.” (15:35)
- Mo Decil: “I honestly it wouldn’t shock me if they led the league in both offense and defense.” (24:26)
Lakers Outlook:
- Mo Decil: “Too many variables.” (26:01)
Warriors Potential:
- Mo Decil: “If I'm scouting against them two guys to Steph, let's see what the rest of the guys can do.” (28:40)

Timestamps

05:24: Mitchell Robinson Injury Announcement
06:26: Lack of a Center on the Knicks' Roster
07:51: Knicks' Rebounding Strategy
08:19: Discussing Trade Options
10:02: Suggested Trade Targets for the Knicks
15:35: Boston Celtics' Offensive Strength
17:55: Indiana Pacers' Offensive Consistency
18:23: Oklahoma City Thunder's Dual Strength
24:26: Warriors' Balanced Potential
26:01: Los Angeles Lakers' Offensive Challenges
27:30: Phoenix Suns' Incremental Improvement
28:40: Golden State Warriors' Potential Dominance

For more insights and detailed analyses, listen to the full episode of The Athletic NBA Daily on your preferred podcast platform.

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Transcript73 lines

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Dave DeFore
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[03:54]
Dave DeFore
Welcome back to the Athletic NBA Show. I am Dave DeFore here with Mo Decil. Coming up on the show, the Knicks are coming into training camp on a bad foot and we try to predict the top five offenses for the upcoming season and some of these could surprise you guys a little. Mo, how's it going?
[04:14]
Mo Decil
Going well, Dave. We're, we're in like the dog days of the off season and just waiting for everything to begin again.
[04:22]
Dave DeFore
We have media days coming up next week. Boston Celtics actually did their media day today because they're going to be traveling to the Middle east for some preseason games. But we do have a little bit of news and unfortunately bad news for the Knicks and kind of for us, Mo because we've been on the New York Knicks for a few years now and Mitchell Robinson is so important to what they do, but they're going to start the season without him. He will be unavailable until sometime in December or January. He is still recovering from the ankle surgery that he underwent in May. If you remember, he was injured in a matchup against the Sixers in the playoffs. Kind of got tangled up with Joel Embiid. This is huge because Mitchell Robinson's a massive piece to to the puzzle that that is the New York Knicks. But also it's even worse because they don't have Isaiah Hartenstein backing him up like last year when when Mitchell Robinson was out. They are in a really bad spot.
[05:25]
Mo Decil
You just went the long way around to just say they don't have a center. You just went the long way around to say that. Like let's just Be honest, they don't. I mean, they have precious Achua, which, okay, great, but like, they don't have a center on the roster, and I think that was one of those things. They don't. They weren't expecting to be able to keep Hartenstein, I think, in the, in the way the off season was going, but they never put any plan in action to replace the center, to replace him. And then they felt like they hoped that Mitchell Robinson would be able to kind of come back a little earlier than this. It's. I mean, this is a little bit of bad planning from the front office. It has been largely successful and, and, and, and pretty sharp for the most part, but I think it's just their way of saying, hey, guys, we're playing small. That's what we're doing. That's the plan. That's what we're going. With Randall, you're going to play the five, og you're the four, and, and just go to work from there. And I think that's kind of really the thinking. I, I'm assuming that's going on in New York right now.
[06:26]
Dave DeFore
Well, I mean, this is the nice thing about the Knicks is, you know, Mitchell Robinson being out. You still have six or seven guys that, you know, hey, this is, this is still our rotation. Randall can play up a little bit. I mean, it's going to help you on the offensive end a little bit more than on the defensive end. But with, with OG With Mikel Bridges, you've got some size and length, and in the East, I mean, really mo. Like, what teams are you really worried about as far as, like, needing like a Mitchell Robinson to be your five? I mean, you're worried about the Sixers. You know, is anybody else really going to be able to punish them there in the early game?
[07:01]
Mo Decil
You have to be worried about rebounding, and I think that's really the issue. So, like, the Cavs with the two big guys there, you know, I think you have to worry about teams that have just decent size and do well rebounding, and I think that's going to be something that, you know, the, the Knicks are just going to have to deal with. It's going to have to be a gang rebounding situation, and the whole group, everybody, all five guys, will have to rebound to make up for the fact that a lot of times they're going to be smaller than the other team. And I think that's just going to be the way it goes. You know, I don't think it hurts them. With the Pacers, it Will it will hurt them with Boston? I think it will hurt them with Milwaukee. Like, there's going to be places where it's going to be a problem for them, and that's something largely that the Knicks will have to figure out. And I don't know if it's necessarily scheming, but they do need to add at some point a center.
[07:51]
Dave DeFore
Yeah, I. It's the one nice thing about them is that everyone there does rebound. I mean, you know, Josh Hart, Dante DiVincenzo, those guys go and get offensive rebounds. So they, they kind of have that scheme. But I'm with you. I mean, they needed a center anyway. Mo. Do you think they need to just go make a trade or, or is there someone out there just, you know, sitting around on their couch right now? Or maybe they're on the, the treadmill right now thinking the New York Knicks might. Might call me up or. I mean, what would you do?
[08:19]
Mo Decil
I think, honestly I would. I would evaluate the way it looks in training camp. I wouldn't make any rash decisions in terms of coughing up any assets. And, you know, I have to kind of go back and look to see what their asset pool is even really like, after everything they gave up to get Mikhail Bridges, I think it's going to be a thing to keep an eye on. I can tell you some. One thing, though, Dave. I'd stay as far away from dominating. You know, I would stay far away from him.
[08:48]
Dave DeFore
Well, it's too much snow in New York. You can't, you can't do that.
[08:50]
Mo Decil
You need to. Then he. You got to make sure he gets a bed. But then I, you know, that, that fits him. He's not sleeping on an air mattress. Again, I think the other guy, like, could be interesting whether it's a matter of how healthy he is. Is Robert Williams the other guy, the other center in Portland? But then you're in the same situation, another big guy who can't stay on the floor. Like, it's, it's, it's a little bit difficult for the Knicks in terms of the prospects that are out there, but I wouldn't go rushing into a trade.
[09:19]
Dave DeFore
I mean, listen, this is a, this is a team that expects to make a deep playoff run. And even without Mitchell Robinson, this is still a. A really loaded team. We felt like they needed to get another center on this roster with Mitchell Robinson healthy. And so, I mean, is there anybody out there that maybe at the deadline you're looking at that this team can go and get? Because they, they. I think they're going to need two bigs during the playoffs. Obviously Mitchell Robinson, the injury concerns, and now coming off of a surgery, you know, you worry. And when you think about last year, Hartenstein was just the better player for them, right? Huge for them because he was not only available, but he was better after Mitchell Robinson came back from that injury. So, you know, is there a guy that's. That you could see as a good fit for them?
[10:02]
Mo Decil
I have two names for you, Dave and, and, and probably different levels of guys in terms of how gettable they might be, but Goga Bataze with the Orlando Magic, I know he just resigned on a three year deal, but we've seen this kind of stuff happen before where, hey, we signed him and then eventually he gets moved. I think that's a good target for them that I don't think would cost a lot, but I think I'd also go kick the tires on Clint Capella in Atlanta and see what the story is there and see if there's any, any movement there and kind of see you got to also let the season play out a little bit, right? Like teams that are thinking they're going to be pretty good, you know, start the season whatever, 2 and 12, all of a sudden they become to go like, maybe we need to reconfigure our plans for the season or whatnot or, you know, kind of start to explore different things. I think the other thing that's going to be tough for the Knicks, Dave, is that they're not the only team that needs a center. The New Orleans Pelicans also need a center and they're also going to be looking for one. So it gets a little difficult in terms of trying to figure out where you can sort of find those guys and, and you know, the, the price or whatnot. But I do like the idea. I think Gogo would help them quite a bit because that's the guy. Also, when Robinson comes back, you can slide to the bench and then have him play some more spot minutes. But I also still think even when Robinson comes back, they're still going to play small a lot.
[11:32]
Dave DeFore
Yeah, I mean they got to find a way to play all those guards and with Goga, you know, good rebounder, can credibly stretch the floor and actually really good passer. So like works for what they want to do, especially in. On the offensive glass.
[11:45]
Mo Decil
Kind of like hard Stein?
[11:47]
Dave DeFore
Yeah, yeah, a little. I mean not, not maybe not at that level, but yeah, but like lower.
[11:52]
Mo Decil
Level in terms of somebody coming off the bench.
[11:55]
Dave DeFore
Well, Mo, as you mentioned. We're actually not even in the summer anymore. We're in the fall now and we were talking about fun ways to, to address the upcoming season. And I was thinking about last year and the historic offensive numbers that we saw. The Boston Celtics had 122.2 offensive rating last year, which is absurd. And the Indiana Pacers were just behind them at one twenty and a half. I mean this is unprecedented scoring. So I, I think I want to start there. Given the change in officiating kind of mid season Mo, do you expect to see a downtick in scoring overall?
[12:40]
Mo Decil
I think we'll see a little bit of it, but not, not as much as I think people are expecting. I think part of it too is just, and this is the truth that people don't really want to discuss, offenses are really good now. These players are super skilled. They shoot the hell out of the ball. Like it's just that simple, you know, and, and they've cracked the code. A lot of teams are shooting more threes now and things like that. So it's, it's, it's gotten a little bit different in that sense. I think we'll see, I would like us to see it little scoring more in like the hundred range and not in the 115 range for games, but I think it's going to be kind of a up and down in that area where I think some games, sometimes we will and some we won't, but I don't think it's just automatically going to drop down. Like I don't think next season's offensive rating is going to be 115 is the number one rating.
[13:31]
Dave DeFore
Well, I'll tell you right now, I took a look at the numbers and now this is not exactly when the officiating change, but I looked at the post All Star break numbers for the season. The Boston Celtics were 122.2. As I mentioned before, post All Star break, they were 125.2. So Boston scored even more efficiently after the officiating change. So, I mean, I, I don't know. Again, this is an anecdote. I just think it's an interesting thing to keep an eye on and for people to remember as we head into the season. Because my hope is Mo, we don't revert to the old ways. But you know, you never know until you, you know, until the season starts to play out. So I wanted, I wanted to think about this in a couple of ways. Number one, Mo, who added the most offensive firepower this summer?
[14:20]
Mo Decil
I think you Got to look at Philadelphia adding some offensive firepower with just adding a third scorer in Paul George, I think is a big one. And I think the other team that you got to look at that's added quite a bit of offensive firepower is the Dallas Mavericks by adding Klay Thompson. Like, I think those are the two teams I look at right away going like, oh, their, their offenses should be better. They've added pieces that can help them.
[14:45]
Dave DeFore
Yeah, and the Mavericks were, they were a top 10 offense last year. They were ranked 8th. The Sixers were outside of top 10. But Embiid missed so much time, they didn't have a second guy. I mean, you know, Tobias Harris was kind of the second guy for Tyrese Max.
[15:00]
Mo Decil
Well, they didn't have a second guy. You were right in what you said.
[15:04]
Dave DeFore
And now, and now at least, you know, when these guys start to miss time, the drop off won't, won't be as much. So, so maybe they can get up there. What about Boston? I mean, again, historic numbers last year. They're going to start the season with no Porzingis. I think that, that, that's going to hurt them on both ends. But do you think that they're going to take a, a monster drop off or do you feel like Horford and Sam Houser and Luke Cornett is enough to kind of keep them, you know, up in that top two or three offense?
[15:35]
Mo Decil
Yeah, I don't think those guys are the reasons why they're going to stay in the top five of offense. I think, you know, Jason Tatum, Jalen Brown, pretty freaking good. They're going to be the reasons why they stay in the top five. I think you also look at Jrue Holiday and Derrick White and those guys will be the reasons that they stay in the top five in terms of offensive rating this season coming.
[15:57]
Dave DeFore
I don't think that was a given.
[15:59]
Mo Decil
Yeah, I think, I think, you know, I think the, the, the, the stuff there with Hauser and those guys, like, they help, that's cute. But like, yeah, it just means more, more. I think they'll feel Porzingis's impact more on the defensive end than the offensive end. And I don't even know if they'll feel it that much on the defensive end, but I think if we're going to see a difference, it'll be on that end more than the offensive end.
[16:22]
Dave DeFore
Indiana, we, we talked about their offense. I mean, pretty insane. Now, their defense was non existent during the regular. Yeah, exactly. Non existent during the regular season. But the offense, pretty, pretty insane. Do you feel like teams have had a chance to maybe catch up to them during the summer. Like, you know, you dive into the film. We always talk about the scouting reports, catching up on a guy. But for this team and their style of play last year, I, I think that they caught a lot of teams on their heels in the regular season. You know, you play a team once, right, you're not necessarily ready for that sort of pace that they played. And then the Olay defense can also wear you out a little bit because, you know, you're just running up and down the court. Do you wonder if. If the league might be able to catch up to them a little bit and slow them down?
[17:09]
Mo Decil
I think the hope is that they would. I think it's very difficult to do that in the regular season. Like, this team plays fast, like this is the way they want to play. And then having a full, you know, off season with Pascal Siakam, I think they're going to be just as fast as they were before. The only reason why they wouldn't be fast is because they want to focus a little more on defense and play more that way. But they don't have the means defensively. And I think they get a little bit better offensively with Benedict Matheran coming back. I think you, you know, the way you look at this team, I don't see a situation in which they would be worse offensively. Like, it's, it's. Even with teams kind of having caught up. Dave, by the second half of the season, everybody knew what the Pacers wanted.
[17:56]
Dave DeFore
Today I was gonna let me go to the numbers. So they actually, they slightly improve 0.1 points per hundred possession post, all star break. And Mo. They, you know, to your point about Pascal Siakam, they still weren't even really running plays for him in the second half of the season. So, you know, full training camp with him, Mather and back. I think that Indiana is going to have the best offense in the league. That's my expectation.
[18:23]
Mo Decil
I think that's right in the mix. Like, I think they're in the mix and I think it's, it's Boston. I, I think 1 and 2 will be the, for the most part, for best offensive in the league. Just because I don't see. Again, Indiana didn't really lose anybody. Right. Like, there's no reason for them to be different offensively. Like Boston. Yeah. Without Porzingis might be a little bit. But those other guys are so damn good. I don't think it'll make that big of a difference I still think that's one and two in terms of offensive rating.
[18:52]
Dave DeFore
People, people have been making the argument to me that we're sleeping on the Bucks a little bit. So I want, you know, thinking about their offense. Like, we know that their defense is not going to be what it used to be at their peak, you know, when they had Drew Holiday, obviously, but you got Damian Lillard and that should give you a pretty good offense. But, you know, while they were. They were top 10 in offense for the season last year, they ranked 6 overall. They were not in the top 10 in the second half of the season. They actually were 4 points per 100 possessions worse post All Star break. And Mo, I don't know what we can really blame for that. I mean, you know, you could say maybe it's just Doc trying to get things figured out and, and, you know, there's some confusion there. Dame, I, I think was struggling with some injuries down the stretch of the season, some tired legs, but this team has all the pieces to be, you know, one of the most potent offenses in the league. I mean, Damon and Giannis pick and roll should just be money every single time, right?
[19:54]
Mo Decil
Well, if they actually run it, like, I think that's always kind of been the running joke, right? Is like they haven't. They didn't run it enough, you know, and I think that was one of their larger issues in the way that they handled things in the. The Dame Giannis pick and roll wasn't even as prevalent as the Dame Lopez pick and roll, and that was pretty effective. But they ran that so much more than what we thought we were going to get with Giannis. I think ultimately, I think their offense will be fine. It'll get figured out. Part of the stuff that held them back offensively, too, was no. Chris Middleton only played 55 games and he was trying to kind of find his way back. We'll see how he comes back to start the season. Double ankle surgery is always kind of a little bit alarming.
[20:42]
Dave DeFore
Double anything surgery is alarming. I mean, if you told me, hey, he had double pinky surgery, I'm starting to think we got some big problems here. So. Yeah, I mean, that's the concern. But let me ask you, I mean, look, man, you know Doc Rivers as well as anybody. He is going to simplify things for them and he's going to get them their butter plays and, and he's going to have them set, taking away, you know, just the extraneous stuff and just saying, go do that pick and roll. Go play your Game, which is kind of what Doc does. I mean, they should walk into a really, really good offense.
[21:19]
Mo Decil
They should have walked into it last year.
[21:21]
Dave DeFore
Gary Trent, you know, Gary Trent on the wing.
[21:26]
Mo Decil
They'll be better off. Like I actually think with the full off season with Doc and, and Doc kind of spending this entire summer sort of, you know, either on the golf course or planning out the offense, I think they'll kind of figure that stuff out and I think, you know, they'll. I actually am pretty confident, David. They're going to be one of the top five offenses this season. I think they just have too many tools, you know, with what you have. And again, if Middleton's healthy now, it's a three headed monster with those guys. Lopez spacing out. Bobby Port is coming off the bench with a lot of extra energy. The, the role guys in terms of what you're talking about with Gary Trent Jr. Who's a guy that you have to defend out to three, kind of creates more space for them. All the tools are there for them offensively, for them to have a top five offense. And that's what they're going to have to lean into as a team. More than that because I don't think they're going to be as good defensively. I think yes, Brook and Giannis are great defensively. I think their perimeter is going to be hurting quite a bit and I think that's going to be something that. All the more reason why they're going to have to win games by outscoring opponents. And I think that's why their offense will be as solid as we expected. What we expected last year, I think we'll get this year.
[22:37]
Dave DeFore
You and I have been in love with what the Oklahoma City Thunder were able to pull off this summer. Getting Alex Caruso, getting Isaiah Hartenstein. They were the third best offense in the league last year and all we've talked about pretty much all summer is their defense. We've said, wow, this defense, I, I have them slated to be the best defense in the league coming into the season. Like on paper, just looking at what they did last year, looking at the individual pieces, Hartenstein and Caruso are just, I mean that's perfect capstones for what they've already built defensively. But the truth is this team was an incredible offensive team and I think they got better on offense too. Hartenstein is an offensive rebounder and passer facilitator is excellent. Alex Caruso we talk about all the time. He's one of the best offensive connectors, guys that Just don't need the basketball to, to help your offense run and function and make plays for other people. Is it possible they're going to have the best offense and the best defense in the league next year? Like is Oklahoma City just gonna be that good?
[23:44]
Mo Decil
Yes. Like, I'm sorry, it's not like anything shocking or it isn't groundbreaking. You know, it's different to see it though. It's what they were last year. You know, I, I mean where did they finish in defensive ranking last year? Fourth. They were top. You know, they're right in the mix. Like it's not a wild to sort of think that we're gonna have that again this year. Like when you look at it, what's changed so much for them? Just along the lines of like offensively they traded a non shooter in Josh Giddy and got a guy that can knock down spot up shots in Alex Caruso. You know, Shay is Shea. I think he's going to lead the league in scoring. If I had to take a guess, you, you're hoping for another year of development from Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren as your two and three options. You know, you have a lot of stuff there. You have Isaiah Hartenstein coming off the bench, you know, or even starting, depending how. If they really want to start super big and they have a lot of rebounding, offensive rebounding, passing and things like that can play even a different way if they want to. I think they're in a good position with where they are and defensively you still are solid the way they are across the board and that helps speed up their game because they want to play transition game too. They want to speed up the pace a little bit by forcing turnovers and get some easy buckets. There's no reason for this team to be in the top five in offense. Like I honestly it wouldn't shock me if they led the league in both offense and defense. Even though I still think it'll be Boston and the Pacers. It'll. Okay, she's right there in that mix and I think a little bit of a leap, you know, from, from guys like Shay shooting a better three ball and they're going to be right there.
[25:27]
Dave DeFore
Got some wild cards for you last year in the second half of the season. So we're just going to say post All Star break. The Los Angeles Lakers had the fourth best offense in basketball. Now if they're going to have a successful season, I think that that's what they've got to go for because they, they just don't have the guys moving to create the defense it's going to take to, to be competitive. I mean, they have Anthony Davis, that's great. They just don't have the other guys. I'm not ready to trust Jared Vanderbilt to be out there. Could the Lakers be a top five offense? Like, do they have the pieces for that, in your opinion, for, for a season?
[26:02]
Mo Decil
No, too old. I mean, it's, we're banking. Too old. I mean we're banking on a lot of things. One new head coach who's never coached before in JJ Redick. We have a new. No, nothing new after that. Right. Like, okay, D'Angelo Russell had an unbelievable season last year. You really want to bet on that? And you know it's in those things. And you're talking about the second half of the season, first half of the season they were not very good offensively and I think that's something like, I don't know if you're, you're necessarily going to be able to recreate that. Learning a new system, learning and having an understanding of that. You know, as great as LeBron is, as great as AD is, you know, those being your top two guys, how many games are you getting out of them? Yes, last year they were very healthy, but they didn't get, they didn't have a great offense for the entire year. Sure, they did it for a 16 game span in terms of the second half of the season or 20 games, however many they had in that post, All Star run. But like it's an 82 game season. There are knights, LeBron's going to take off. There are going to be those, those games and if you're assuming also just good health, you're going to be there. But I'm not sure if I'm going to look at them and say like they have a chance at a top five offense. I wouldn't, I wouldn't feel comfortable with that. Too many variables.
[27:22]
Dave DeFore
I know you love Phoenix. What about them? Second year with, with all these guys together, New coach Mike Budenholzer.
[27:31]
Mo Decil
Well, it's going to be new coach, new system again, so it's a little bit different in that sense. But the one thing I like that they did was they finally got a guard that can pass. And, and it takes some of that playmaking off of Devin Booker's shoulders and allows him to do what he does best, which is freaking score. Right? Like that's what he's, that's his game. And I think it's one of those things where, like when you try to make him a creator and a scorer. You. You take some of his powers away. So I think they'll see a bump in their offense, but I don't. I don't see them making that leap into a top five offense just yet. I. I'll have to see it to believe it because we know Bud's going to hang his hat more on the defensive end. Anyways.
[28:11]
Dave DeFore
How much do you believe in Buddy Healed?
[28:15]
Mo Decil
Why are we doing this? Why? You know why. Why? I mean, come on. That should answer the question.
[28:27]
Dave DeFore
I'm just gonna say Golden State warriors, they finished last season ninth in offense and they got so much better. So, hey, they. They got a chance. I. I think so. I think Kyle Anderson, the. Anthony Mountain. Yeah, Buddy healed.
[28:41]
Shopify Advertiser
I mean, we.
[28:42]
Mo Decil
Doesn't matter. Again, I'm going to say this. I said this before when we did this. If I'm scouting against them two guys to Steph, let's see what the rest of the guys can do.
[28:52]
Dave DeFore
We're gonna see the boxing one opening night for the Warriors. I think that's gonna do it for today's show, folks. We're gonna have Slammin Jam later on in the week. Man, it was really good to hear Alex Spears back on the show last week. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review this show on itunes, Spotify, wherever you listen to podcasts, give us five star review. We'll read it on the show and subscribe to the Bounce, where Zach Harper writes the funniest and in my opinion, most informative basketball newsletter on the Internet. But that's going to do it for today, folks. Thank you guys for listening. For Motakil, I'm Dave DeFore. This has been the Athletic NBA Show. Thanks for listening. As we head into the playoffs, it's safe to assume there will be a few calls made by the refs that will be hard to accept. But you know what isn't hard to accept? Discover. Believe it or not, Discover is accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide.
[29:54]
Mo Decil
You heard that right, 99%.
[29:57]
Dave DeFore
So make a good call for your wallet and get Discover. Based on the February 2024 Nielsen report. Learn more at discover.com credit card this.
[30:04]
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[30:58]
Mo Decil
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[31:03]
Wayfair Advertiser
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[31:06]
Mo Decil
Hey guys.
[31:07]
Shopify Advertiser
Welcome to Giggly Squad, a place where.
[31:09]
Dave DeFore
We make fun of everything but most importantly ourselves. I'm Paige Desorbo.
[31:13]
Mo Decil
I'm Hannah Burner.
[31:14]
Shopify Advertiser
Welcome to welcome to the Squad.
[31:15]
Mo Decil
Giggly Squad started on Summer House when we were giggling during an inappropriate time.
[31:19]
Dave DeFore
But of course we can't be managed.
[31:21]
Mo Decil
So we decided to start this podcast to continue giggling. We will make fun of pop culture news. We're watching fashion trends pep talks where we give advice, mental health moments and games and guests. Listen to Giggly Squad on Acast or wherever you get your podcasts.
[31:37]
Wayfair Advertiser
ACAST helps creators launch, grow and monetize their podcasts everywhere.
[31:43]
Mo Decil
Acast.com.