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- [00:00]
Sarah Gibson Tuttle
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- [00:04]
Alex Spears
Me.
- [00:05]
Sarah Gibson Tuttle
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- [01:00]
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- [01:11]
Alex Spears
power.
- [01:11]
Commercial Narrator
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- [01:30]
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- [02:48]
Alex Spears
Welcome to the slam and jam here on the Athletic NBA Daily. On today's show, we got Bryce Simon on to talk about summer league. And not only that, hand out summer league awards, the show you've all been waiting for. Where are my summer league awards? They're here for you. Today. We're going to be doing slam and jam every other week during the summer, just to let you guys know. So this week it's on a Wednesday. Most every other week it'll be Friday. But you guys couldn't wait till Friday for your summer league awards. So we're here. Alex Spears with me as always, who came up with some amazing awards for summer league. And then Bryce Simon of the Game theory podcast. Bryce, thanks for joining us.
- [03:32]
Bryce Simon
Yeah, as you guys know, always happy to be here. Happy to talk hoops with you guys. And I'm excited for this one because summer league is always interesting to do these type of things. A small sample size and trying as hard as possible not to overreact to anything.
- [03:49]
Alex Spears
We saw Jaeger for mvp. Is that too strong?
- [03:54]
Bryce Simon
Jaeger will be one of my answers to one of the upcoming questions. Oh, not that mvp. I thought you were talking about like regular season.
- [04:04]
Alex Spears
Oh, I was. Oh, I was. You were reading me correct. You were reading me correctly. I'm getting a little hyped for Jaeger. Alex, you want to give the first award? Yeah.
- [04:13]
Andrew
Now, Bryce, just to be clear, because I want people to know how seriously we would take this, you were in Las Vegas. You were at summer league, Correct?
- [04:22]
Bryce Simon
I was. And I watched very little basketball, even though the only places I went were. Leave that part out, please, Thomas and Mac. The pavilion I did go to, I think it was the Las Vegas Convention center to watch eybl. I'll work that in at some point to one of these answers. And I ate and then went to my hotel. That was it. That's all I did. But as I'm sure people have heard other people talk about, you end up not watching as much basketball as you would expect being in Thomas and Mack and the pavilion because you just end up talking to other people so much. I did go back and watched almost all of these players. Not every game, I want to be fair, but all of these players, at least one game.
- [05:06]
Andrew
Not every game. I feel like that you're more letting people know, like, I'm not crazy. I didn't watch every summer.
- [05:15]
Alex Spears
I have a family. But I did watch some of these guys.
- [05:18]
Bryce Simon
So here, here's the thing. This 10 day stretch is the busiest stretch of my summer. And like, oh, poor me, I'm a teacher. I get the whole summer off. I understand. But I go to Vegas, I come back and then we immediately go into football camp while all of these things are still going on. So we have football camp, we travel, we stay in the dorms down there. The Internet's not great, all of that. So I get back from football camp after just getting back from Vegas and then I feel like I have to really catch up on everything. So I have been doing that the past few days.
- [05:49]
Andrew
Well, let's start with the point God award. Obviously there were a ton of point guards in this draft. It was a big talking point. In the run up to the draft. How did you rank these different point guards? This award goes to the rookie point guard. Who impressed you the most at summer league. So who gets that award for you? Bryce?
- [06:09]
Bryce Simon
So this one was honestly guys, one of my tougher awards. Like if I like complete transparency, this is one of my tougher ones because I don't know that I was just blown away by how Darius Acuff played or how Keaton Wagler played or how Mikel Brown Jr.
- [06:26]
Alex Spears
Played.
- [06:27]
Bryce Simon
And so then it was okay. Kingston Fleming's probably played the most like true, like just point guard, you know what I mean, in the traditional sense of it, where he just really created, didn't score nearly as much as those other players, only seven points per game, but did average six and a half assists. I will say the player that probably was was Phylon, but if you look at like the shooting percentages, they weren't very good. Braden Smith was another player I considered. So I guess my question is, does Braden buries count? Can we count Braden buries as a point guard for the purpose of this award?
- [07:05]
Alex Spears
I think so.
- [07:06]
Andrew
Talk to us about buries because I do feel like he was one of the standout players in summer league. I feel like the, the narrative around him going into the draft, there were a lot of people trying to put a cap on his ceiling. And I feel like coming out of summer league people have are a lot more rosier about a potential ceiling for him.
- [07:23]
Bryce Simon
Yeah, I thought the jumper looked smooth on and off the ball, had a really nice shot. Fake one dribble, three point against a closeout. The Jumper is just so compact and pure, you know, has ball manipulation, finishes at the rim. He took a smaller defender into the mid post and isolated. He just looks so composed, under control. He looked, he looked ready for the NBA. And again I'm, I'm, I try not to overreact to these things, but this is what we're doing. We're talking about it. So these were my thoughts as I watched him play. And so I, I do. I think you mentioned the ceiling. I think the ceiling with Burry's comes from can he play more on ball right. Like I would call buries more of a combo guard right now. And that's probably what he's always going to. But if you said hey, is he more 60, 40 point guard, shooting guard or shooting guard, point guard. I would have said shooting guard, point guard. If he can shift that into like hey, he can really play as your primary initiator, not just a secondary second side creator or something like that. That's what raises his ceiling. And I thought he was really good at summer league. The other player I will mention who I also don't think is a point guard but just initiated all of the Cavaliers offense was Malik Thomas. Like Malik Thomas was just doing everything for the Cavaliers and a lot of it was coming on the ball.
- [08:41]
Andrew
Great answers to the point God award. Bryce took two guys who he says are not point God.
- [08:50]
Bryce Simon
In fairness I said Kingston Flemings and I said Braden Smith. They just weren't as impressive of the two guys. I actually wanted to talk like I wanted it to be Phylon. Like truthfully like Phylon is what I wanted the answer to be. And then I looked at the shooting splits and it was like 38, 26, like not great. He did still average 18 and a half and six assists. Like Phylon is probably the answer but to your point here I would consider Phylon still more of like a combo guard. You know, like I, I don't think Keaton Wagler's playing point guard this year. For what it's worth. Like I don't think he's the point guard in, in LA as, as in his rookie season. I think true point guards are going to be what a Cuff Flemings and Mikel I think Will. Yeah, yeah, Bennett Sturts. Like some people would probably expect me to say a Buka Corey, but I'm probably more like I just watched every second of a book a Corey so I saw some of the limitations he showed through summer league as well.
- [09:48]
Alex Spears
Yeah, you, you mentioned percentages at what point do you like really care about like how these.
- [09:54]
Bryce Simon
Oh, I don't shoot. I don't. Yeah, yeah. Like I'm only bringing them up for the sake of the conversation.
- [10:00]
Alex Spears
Sure.
- [10:00]
Bryce Simon
I think Lebaron Filon is going to make shots. I think Darius Acuff is going to make shots. I mean, we'll talk about it was to like, I'm trying not to say it because it's going to be my answer on the next one and maybe it'll just. But like if Caleb Wilson shoots 50% from three, he's should have been the number one pick in the draft. You know what I mean? Like that's, that's one of those things coming out of summer league is. I think I've seen this posted on social media. Somebody's tracked the things that translate the stats that translate the most to the rookie season and three point percentage is like the, literally the lowest, like the, the one that correlates the least now three point attempts and I think maybe rebounding and some of those things are good indicators. It's a super small sample. I mean, I'm sure we can go find a sample of Steph Curry where he shot 25% from three over a five game stretch, right?
- [10:50]
Alex Spears
Yeah.
- [10:51]
Andrew
I don't know.
- [10:51]
Bryce Simon
No, Alex says no.
- [10:53]
Alex Spears
I mean Klay Thompson had that.
- [10:54]
Andrew
Let me load up that real quick.
- [10:56]
Alex Spears
Remember the crazy stretch that Klay Thompson had where he was shooting like 20% from 3. Everybody's like, what's wrong with Klay Thompson? Then he just like eventually bounced back.
- [11:05]
Bryce Simon
You guys just did a trivia where Shake Milton was the answer for the most consecutive three pointers made over a two or three game. And with all due respect to Shake Milton, like players can get hot and then players can get cold whenever it comes to, you know, their ability to make shots. Especially from the. I, I will say this, I think a book of Corey struggles to finish at the rim. And I didn't track every single player's rim finishing through summer league. So I'm just using a Corey as an example because I watch every second I take more from that than I do what a player shoots from three. Right. Because I mean those rim finishing things I think are a little, I think you can take more away from that. Or at least I do.
- [11:46]
Alex Spears
Yeah, that makes sense. Okay. You already kind of teased it, but yeah, sorry, second award. No more teases. Okay, no more teases. Okay, second award. If I had known that award. This award goes to the player who showcases skill in summer league that if it's real, might have changed your evaluation on them.
- [12:05]
Bryce Simon
I mean, the answer is Caleb Wilson. To me, if, if Caleb Wilson is this level of self creator, if he's shooting 8 of 19, 42% on dribble three pointers and 50% on two point dribble jumpers and playing in isolation and pick and roll, ball handler and all of those things the way we saw in summer league, then I should have had. I don't even know if I should have him higher on my board. He at least should have been in the same tier as the other three. So complete transparency here. I had DebonSA slightly above Peterson and Boozer only in the sense that I would have taken debons in number one for all 30 teams, no matter who got the first pick. I would have taken AJ Devonsa. Then I had Boozer and Peterson where I would have taken those guys two or three, no matter what. But fit would matter in that scenario. Call it 15 teams. Boozer, 15 teams. Peterson, the way it played out, I thought was right. And then I had Wilson unquestionably fourth, but in both directions, right above whoever was five, but below whoever was number three. If this is real in any way, I was wrong. Like he should have at least been there with Boozer and Peterson and maybe up there with debona because he's an incredible athlete. Going to be a defensive disruptor, going to make an impact on the boards and if he shoots the ball and self creates this way, I mean, that's a ridiculous two way player.
- [13:31]
Andrew
Yeah. And the, the thing I love is which, which Sam Vasini warned me about when we talked about him. He said this guy is hyper competitive.
- [13:39]
Bryce Simon
Yeah.
- [13:40]
Alex Spears
Yeah.
- [13:40]
Andrew
His personality already coming through in summer league, which is awesome. Okay, next award.
- [13:48]
Bryce Simon
Can I get two quick ones? Can I? I promise I won't like elaborate. Cam Boozer's perimeter defense impressed me throughout summer league. That was something I was really worried about with him playing the four. And we saw him like picking up full court and stuff like that. And then this is going to be a me thing. A lot of other people will be like, dub Bryce. We saw it at Santa Clara. Alan Graves, defensive disruption immediately translating to the G League was. Was really good to see. We'll see now. And I think in Toronto it makes a lot of sense. That's what they want to do. But two quick ones there as well that I wanted to bring up.
- [14:19]
Alex Spears
Yeah, Graves was really good. I was impressed.
- [14:22]
Bryce Simon
Graves, yep.
- [14:23]
Andrew
Okay. Swinging the other way. It's summer league. Bryce isn't worried. But award now this award Goes to the rookie whose summer league performance at least has you asking some questions. Okay. You're not worried? Bryce, we're not freaking out. Summer league, it doesn't matter. But you're asking a couple questions.
- [14:42]
Bryce Simon
Okay, so I'll bring up three names that we'll talk about. One like you want the one award. So, you know, Isaiah Evans didn't have a great summer league. Shot making is a big part of his game. He didn't make shots. Okay. Dalen Swain, not a great, you know, Caleb Wilson's teammate there in Chicago, Somebody I was very high on. Not a great summer league. I think the player that I like. Man, this doesn't look good. Sorry, Andrew. And Alex was a Dai Mara. Like a Dai Mara. And what it was, the things I was kind of already worried about. The things I was worried about when I had him lower on my board and then kind of got talked into having him higher. That happens to me with one player every year. And this year it was Mara showed up at summer league. Some of the movement stuff, the physics, like, as big and strong as he is, I still think he gets moved more than somebody as big and strong as what he is. And then Andrew, I guess this was just me and you. We must have been doing down to dunk or something. Remember I made the comparison to young Hansen?
- [15:45]
Alex Spears
I did. I do, yes.
- [15:47]
Bryce Simon
And it was like some.
- [15:48]
Alex Spears
I'll never forget seared in my brain. Yes.
- [15:51]
Bryce Simon
I. I vividly remember a play at summer league where Mara gets an offensive rebound at eight feet, dribbles one foot away, and then throws a behind the back pass baseline out of bounds. And it's not like it's one play, but it. To me, it was just like what I told you was, passing is cool, but can you do all the other stuff? Like the passing has to be the secondary skill for Biggs. And I'm a little bit nervous about that with Mara. So I'm not like, just some of my worries showed up in summer league is my thing with him.
- [16:26]
Alex Spears
Yeah, that. That pass was a little shout out to Poku, you know, just like a little ode to Poku there. Yeah, he. There were certainly a lot of concerning things. I think the number one thing that like hit my brain watching him was, man, he gets tired real fast. He's like, yes, like a he. He's like a robot on low battery out there. If he's out there for more than like five minute stretches at a time. And like, you can see his like, defensive effort. Wayne, in those moments, you can see offensively he's not quite as engaged. Like, he just, he doesn't have the conditioning. And I. And maybe you can answer this question. I've had a lot of people kind of ask me this question. How do you get to the level of college basketball that he was at and not be in better, like physical condition? Like, what does that look like?
- [17:17]
Bryce Simon
So this is one of. I don't have an answer and I don't want to be irresponsible here and say something that like, I don't have any insight or information on. Right. You know what I mean?
- [17:27]
Alex Spears
Like, I'm extremely professional of you and I respect it. Yes.
- [17:32]
Bryce Simon
Because I just don't know. You know what I mean? I understand your point though. And this was again something we talked about whenever I came on your Thunder podcast was. I think it was Donovan Clingan was the example I used. There was, you know, that was something I was nervous about with Clingan in terms of the, the minutes played and all of that. And so with Mara, it's the same with Mara at Michigan, it was, is this all the minutes he can play or is it just they have the depth like where you wanted Mirez to play some minutes at the 5 and Yaxel to play some minutes at the 4. And so this was just what the rotation was. This is why the NBA draft is so hard, especially for people in this space like us. We don't sit in an interview room. We didn't get to talk to Dusty May and ask how hard a certain player ran during preseason conditioning drills. You know what I mean? Like, we don't have those answers. Some people get to talk to scouts in front office and get those behind the scenes information, but we don't. And that's what we miss out on. A lot of the information that's going to dictate whether a player is successful at the NBA level or not. And listen, I want to be clear. Again, I don't know those answers with Mara. I have no clue. I'm not alluding to any, like, I do not know.
- [18:45]
Andrew
Well, just so you know, our, our cope right now is that this was the worst Thunder summer league team ever constructed, featuring some of the worst perimeter defenders ever collected in a Thunder jersey.
- [18:59]
Alex Spears
It's true.
- [18:59]
Andrew
And so we're hopeful that when Mara is playing behind like elite perimeter defenders, this will all look a little bit better. But I am still a bit worried.
- [19:10]
Bryce Simon
Important context. I agree, Alex. Not. Not a great Thunder team. Summer league team, summer league.
- [19:17]
Alex Spears
We're saying the worst ever.
- [19:18]
Andrew
They're Winless. Never before happened.
- [19:21]
Bryce Simon
I didn't. Is that true for the Thunder or any NBA?
- [19:26]
Andrew
No, no, no, no, no.
- [19:27]
Bryce Simon
Oh, okay.
- [19:28]
Alex Spears
The, the Pelicans had the streak. They had lost. They hadn't won a game since like 2024 until this summer league. Yeah, but the, the, yeah, the Thunder went winless, which is, it was strange
- [19:41]
Andrew
because they played in Salt Lake too.
- [19:42]
Bryce Simon
Yeah.
- [19:45]
Alex Spears
Just to clarify. Just to clarify.
- [19:47]
Bryce Simon
So here's the thing. Like I watched. I, I truly, this is the truth. I watched every second of the Piston Summer League. I, I don't know what their record was like, I can't remember whether they won any of those games.
- [19:57]
Andrew
Matters a lot, Bryce. Okay, awesome.
- [19:58]
Alex Spears
It's something we care a lot about here.
- [20:00]
Andrew
You need to get unreal GM where you can find all this information?
- [20:03]
Bryce Simon
Oh, I'm on real GM right now. It's just player stats though. It definitely is not team records.
- [20:11]
Alex Spears
Okay. Al, are we on to the sneaky summer league surprise award? This award goes to the player who you weren't really thinking about heading into summer league but forced their way into the conversation with their play.
- [20:26]
Bryce Simon
Jaeger. Definitely. I had two names, Jaeger and Common Malawatch. Like I was not. Those are two guys. I was. I truly like this was a perfect question. I wasn't thinking about them and evaluating them and all of that going into summer league. And then I did really like what I saw from both of those players. Jaeger may end up being one of my misses in the draft and I, for you know, his sake, for the net sake, I hope that I do miss that. Like he. Because I was worried that this guy that played as a primary creator at BYU and I didn't think was going to be able to be that in the NBA was going to be able to transition to this kind of off ball role, second side secondary creator. And he's showing all of the things that he needs to do that. And then with Malawatch, like obviously great size, he showed some three point shooting. That's all great. What I really liked was some of the catches and finishes in traffic and then also how quickly he moved from one action to the next. Like he would catch, dribble into a DHO catch, one dribble left hand finish. I was like, man, that was smooth. That was quick. Like all. Everything's happening so much faster. So I really, I really liked what I saw from both of those players. I will call out two other players that I don't know what the one, Seth Lundy had a really good summer league and then Zion Poland Had a really good summer league. Those were two, like, you know, those guys probably aren't rotation players or anything like that. But wasn't expecting to come on slam and jam and bring up the performances of Seth Lundy and Zion Pullen.
- [21:57]
Andrew
Jaeger's got to be one of the more interesting, like, prospects in recent memory for me because the conversation about him going into that draft is so different from the player that he looks like he's becoming.
- [22:11]
Alex Spears
Yeah.
- [22:11]
Andrew
And a lot of it just has to do with the shooting. Like, the shooting was not, like, was not being assumed at that time that it was going to come through. And that was the first thing that popped as a rookie. And now, like, you're saying he does look like this totally different player. I mean, everyone was comparing him to Josh Giddey and talking about, oh, the Thunder might be interested in him because this could be giddy 2.0. And then he's playing off ball and he's making his threes and he's becoming this completely different player than was talked about in the pre draft, which I just think is super interesting and would have probably changed, obviously, the conversation about him going into the draft if we were thinking about him this way.
- [22:52]
Bryce Simon
So I just want to give the numbers just for people who, like, whenever we say at byu, they have no context because I realize some people don't watch college basketball and study the draft. Right. He shot 27% from three in his freshman year at BYU and he was under 70% from the free throw line. So what Jaeger was supposed to be was this like, like you said, a Josh Giddy, archetype of player. The thing was, he didn't really get to the free throw line. He struggled to, like, break down defenses in isolation. So the evaluation was, this is a guy that's a primary creator, but we don't trust to break down the defense. But if he plays off the ball, like, yeah, that passing is going to be awesome, but is he going to shoot the ball well enough for it to matter? And so, like, that's why somebody like me had some questions. And for me as well, it's like we always say, well, if this player will just go play that role. Right, go play that role. I don't think that's as easy as what people realize. Sometimes when you've grown up playing on the ball or off the ball or in the post or whatever that role is, switching that role, let alone guys, you're also making the jump to the NBA. So, hey, Jaeger, jump to the NBA and completely change Your game, you know what I mean? Like that's what makes it so impressive because to your point then in his rookie season he shoots the ball really, really well. Shot 39% on six attempts. And so it's really cool to see him looking like he's going to really flourish in this role and be, you know, a great pick. I mean if this ends, if, if the trajectories he is on stays, that's going to end up looking like a really good pick for the Nets.
- [24:29]
Andrew
Okay, next up, the too good for summer league award. This could potentially go to Jaeger. This award goes to the second or third year player who most impressed you, Cedric Coward.
- [24:41]
Bryce Simon
I mean I don't. He, he, he did not need to be there. I realized they ended up losing last night, but he's really, really good. I will always remember this Grizzlies team. Sorry, there's another one. Sorry Andrew spoiled another one or teased another one. But I will always remember this Grizzlies team. Like I'm going to remember the Memphis Grizzlies 2026 starting lineup for the rest of my life because you know, Javon Small, Cedric Coward, Omax, Cam Boozer, Taylor Hendricks, like those are just all names that I'm very familiar with and so, but Coward, I thought Trey Johnson was incredible in his one game. Like the Wizards knew that he was too good for summer league. And then I'll give you a sneaky name. Dylan Cardwell isn't a name that people expect here. But I watch Cardwell and just go like, I don't need to see this anymore. I know that he's an NBA backup big. Like I know what he's going to do and how he's going to go about doing it and be productive. And so I just found myself going, they can set him. This, this is a waste of time for Dylan Cardwell.
- [25:44]
Alex Spears
Yeah, I thought it was so interesting that the Grizz and it could have been just like the, the Grizzlies just all these guys wanted to play and so they played. But it's just, it's very unusual that they would play all of these guys this many games.
- [25:59]
Bryce Simon
This eight games, Andrew. Eight games.
- [26:02]
Alex Spears
And it's highly unusual for a second year guy and Cedric Coward and then like Hendricks and Omax, like even, even for Cam Boozer, like for him to play as many minutes and as many games as he did, it's to me it is highly unusual. Most other teams kind of like, okay, we've seen all we need to see. Let's hang it Up. They obviously wanted to try to win the summer league championship. They did not, which is disappointing because they do have like a stacked summer league roster. But it was just very unusual to see that many guys that have NBA experience play that much.
- [26:34]
Bryce Simon
He played over 200 minutes. He played over two minutes.
- [26:38]
Alex Spears
Let us just.
- [26:39]
Bryce Simon
I really want to go and look and see like what rookie last year didn't even play 200 minutes in their rookie season. And Cedric Coward did that in summer league because they played all eight games.
- [26:50]
Alex Spears
Yeah, I did not. I did not see that coming. Yeah, he looks great. If you're a Grizzlies fan, you have to be pretty pumped after watching that team and knowing that you have some other like good connected pieces that'll be on the real team. Okay, the next one. Are we done here? Award. This award goes to the non rookie who you are most worried about coming out of summer league.
- [27:12]
Bryce Simon
Okay. I don't like these negative ones. So the two names I came up with fairly quickly was Cody Williams and Noah Essingay. And Essingay. Sam brought this up like Essingay wasn't even starting for the Bulls by the end of summer league. And the other thing with Essingay is that's not the front office that drafted him. And this is, this is life as an NBA player. We bring it up all the time. It happens fast. Even as a first round pick anymore. You got to start showing something. In the first couple of years I think teams are more willing to not pick up your fourth year option. I think the third year option is obviously very rare. But that fourth year option, teams are more willing to trade you even if you're the number one pick. And so like let alone if the front office changes, maybe they do or you know, maybe they don't value what you bring or you're not the archetypal player, you know, whatever it is. So I'm a little interested to see what happens with Essingay. And then Cody Williams is just, you know, it's year three and he did year three. Players should be dominant, just standing out in an overwhelmingly positive way. Another thing with Cody Williams is like, where does he get into the rotation in Utah? That's a Utah team I love and I like a lot of their roster. Where do the minutes even come from for him? And so those are two players bigger than anything. Is just like, I wonder if they end up on other teams by the deadline. You know, if it's just like, hey, it's not working out here, let's go ahead and give you A chance somewhere else. So those would be two names that I feel like that might happen for, you know, by February, whatever the deadline is.
- [28:53]
Alex Spears
Yeah, Cody looked pretty good in Utah and he was like, really? Yeah. Looks. Looks a lot bigger through the shoulders too than he did when he came into the draft. So like there's like some positive things to take away. But. And then in Vegas, like it was. He had some like true no show games, which you just can't do.
- [29:11]
Bryce Simon
And so that's like, again, I'm irresponsible for me to even say this. Like, who knows what players mentalities are in some of those situations too. Right. Like Cody Williams may say, I don't need to be playing in Vegas. Why am I having to play? And I don't know, I'm not.
- [29:27]
Alex Spears
That. That cannot be. If that. But the way he's handling it can't be, then it's a big problem.
- [29:32]
Bryce Simon
To your point, it can't. So what is the answer though? Like, it's either that or you just didn't play well. I don't know. So, yeah, I was. Cody Williams, similar to Dai Mara, was a player I got talked into moving higher on my board and I was way lower. Even coming out of high school as a top recruit, he was just a player I was always a little bit lower on. And I mean, we'll see. I mean, I hope for the best for all of these players. I want to be wrong on the players that I had lower on my board or had questions about or whatever. But those would be two. And then I will quickly. Zachari and Young Hansen, they matched up against each other. Both showcased some really interesting things and both showed what I still have major questions about in terms of their ability to move and cut off drives and stuff like that. And so not. Not worried about it yet, big picture. But I was hoping to see a little bit more. And I know they do things that, you know, Hansen had some big games and all of that, but it really is just like some of the defensive movement ability for him.
- [30:38]
Andrew
Okay, next up, the Late but early award. This award goes to the player who was drafted late. So you can do late first or second round, who you think will contribute early in their career based on a combination of your original eval, the landing spot and their summer league performance.
- [30:55]
Bryce Simon
Alex, I couldn't bait you into a young Hanson conversation like you just. You didn't take that.
- [31:00]
Alex Spears
I know. I can't believe. He just. He's just.
- [31:02]
Bryce Simon
What. What is. What is going on? You just. He just bypassed.
- [31:06]
Alex Spears
Are you Done. Are you done?
- [31:09]
Andrew
Well, it's just. I just don't see. I'm struggling to see the path right now. Okay. I just, I don't know a lot of things in Portland. I don't know if you guys have been keeping up with the news.
- [31:22]
Bryce Simon
I just listened to. Yeah, so I, I was not aware of this until I listened to the Hoop Collective and Windhorse laid it out for 20 minutes. I was like, oh, okay. I, I did not realize this was all kind of happening right now.
- [31:37]
Alex Spears
Yeah.
- [31:39]
Andrew
Every news article that has come out, I feel like they keep. The language they use keeps getting worse and worse about this divide between the city and Tom Dundon.
- [31:49]
Alex Spears
So.
- [31:50]
Andrew
Yeah, yeah. I feel like they got bigger problems at Young Hanson right now.
- [31:53]
Bryce Simon
Okay. My answer to this is the Bear Cam car in la. I think he's going to have a role there. I think he, you know, his ability to make shots, his athleticism getting out in transition and we'll see where the defense ends up. I'm a little bit nervous on the ball where, you know, being able to hold off at the cutoff point, stuff like that. LeBaron Filon is another one, I think in Philly, even with the addition of Anthony Simons, I still think he plays in the regular season. You know, Dylan Harper is not what we should expect from rookies in a playoff run to the NBA Finals. I just want to throw that out there. At least not from. Especially from late round picks. But. And then I will give you a little bit a second round name. I really liked Emmanuel Sharpe coming into the draft and I think he, the way he competes defensively, his ability to make shots, I don't know what's going to end up happening with that Sacramento rotation roster, whatever. But if you told me he ends up playing quite a few minutes in the regular season for them, I would not be surprised. So that would be like a second round name.
- [33:03]
Alex Spears
Okay, that makes sense. Next one. Biggest pop award. This goes to the moment in summer league that got the biggest pop from the crowd. Like Bronnie guarding Cooper flag in 2025.
- [33:16]
Bryce Simon
So I took this question a little bit different because as I alluded to earlier, I wasn't always in the G. I mean the, the answer is the Debons a dunk against Utah. Right. I think he actually went by Cody Williams and then got a, you know, two hand donkey was actually right in front of where the media sits. I was not in the arena for the Caleb Wilson cam boozer like the Caleb Wilson debut. I think that's probably the Answer. I think the Caleb Wilson debut is probably going to be the thing that people remember the most from summer league. I kind of just wrote down the things I will remember from 2026 summer league. So it will be the Caleb Wilson debut. It'll actually be Darren Peterson and Jameer Watkins both having nine fouls in that Washington Wizards Utah Jazz game. Just ridiculous. The Grizzlies five man starting lineup. I already talked about that. I heard this. Somebody else brought this stat up. How about two Arkansas second round picks having 30 point games. Malik Thomas and Trevon Brazil. And then a little bit off Kaden Daughtry just taking over EYBL during summer league and becoming the biggest name. I don't know how familiar you guys are with, with Daughtry, but he just completely ran through Peach Jam this last week. And so that's what I'll always remember is just like this high schooler who was just going off during Peach Jam while summer league was also going on.
- [34:44]
Andrew
Could you. Because I've heard it EYBL before but I'm not like super familiar. Is it always during summer league in Vegas?
- [34:52]
Bryce Simon
Yes. So session not in Vegas. So Nike eybl, you know, there's different circuits or whatever on the AAU circuit, I guess for backup. So Nike put theirs in Vegas. So they have four sessions and then Peach Jam, which is like the big tournament. Think of it that way. So session four, they moved to Vegas. I think it was super smart because what you got was college coaches who could go watch. You know, take John Calipari for example, right? He could go scout EYBL games and then also go watch Malik Thomas and Trevon Brazil. And that's every college coach. You know, they could go watch their former players playing in Vegas while also checking out EYBL session four. So I went and caught an afternoon of games while I was there. I did not watch Caden Daughtry. I've seen him in person. But anyway he just like he's had an incredible two week stretch. Just so I will always kind of remember that that part of 2026 Summer League for me was actually Caden Daughtry. This is a name people will know over the next couple years when he gets into college basketball for sure.
- [35:59]
Andrew
Has he committed anywhere?
- [36:01]
Bryce Simon
He has not. He is not.
- [36:02]
Andrew
Okay, okay, okay. Final award. The summer league MVP award. Now of course Jackson Lindenberg won the official summer league mvp, but this is your choice, Bryce, for the best player you saw at summer league.
- [36:18]
Bryce Simon
Yeah, I like. I'm just gonna give it to Yaxel as well. He, this was a really good performance from him. And, you know, I've kind of brought up the Memphis Grizzlies starting five or whatever throughout the episode and they beat him in the fight. Like, I, I thought that Grizzlies team was going to win summer league if they played those guys throughout the whole thing. I didn't think they actually would. They did. Yaxel put up great numbers. You know, we talked about playing eight games. He played 215 minutes himself. Average 15, 7 and 4, what, almost two and a half stocks on 48, 46, 71. He shot the ball extremely. He just, he showed everything that we thought about Yaxel going into the draft and every reason why I think he's going to go in and contribute to the Golden State Warriors Day 1. And so I do still give it to Yaxel for how he played throughout Summer league.
- [37:14]
Andrew
Before we move on to trivia, as long as we have you here because of course you do a Pistons podcast as well. What is the general vibe of Pistons fans right now? Because I'm looking at this roster right now, I'm looking at it and anything stand out?
- [37:29]
Bryce Simon
Anything stand out?
- [37:30]
Andrew
Well, it feels like there's going to be a lot on Cage shoulders this year. Yeah, I thought, I thought, you know, back during the season we were thinking about, oh, it'd be nice if someone could help Kate out a little bit. And I feel like we've taken a step back even from where they were. So what, what are fans thinking about right now?
- [37:51]
Bryce Simon
I think they have some of the same worries. I think some fans feel like Trajan was not aggressive enough this off season. This is another thing. One of those things, like we don't know what happened behind the scenes. Maybe Trajan was super aggressive and just wasn't willing to give up the, you know, how the extra first round pick that would have taken to get Trey Murphy or, you know, whatever. Right. Like, I'm just throwing out examples or possibilities. I assume Trajan was aggressive, but I don't know. I would have tried to be aggressive. My thought was this was the off season to try to go get that number two option, especially when the playoffs come around and either because they weren't able to execute or just they didn't feel that way. That has not happened. I will say in general, I think they're better on the perimeter than what they were last year still. Like, I think they have more depth, I think they have more floor spacing. But to your point, they don't have the guy.
- [38:42]
Aura Advertiser
It.
- [38:43]
Bryce Simon
It's putting a lot on Dana Jenkins shoulders and potentially a book of Corey shoulders as a rookie to take some of that pressure off Cade Cunningham. Because as much as I like the John Collins, I guess it was a sign and trade, not signing. But as much as I like that and think overall it's probably an upgrade. Tobias did more of the creation than what John Collins can do. So that's where it could be problematic is if they need what Tobias was doing in terms of some of that creation, especially what we saw in the playoffs. So it they are set up to still make a move whenever they get into the season. Maybe the off season's not. I talked about with Sam. There's a lot of stuff that can still happen this offseason. I mean we just saw the Trade on Sunday. LeBron still has a decision to make it time of recording. Jonathan Kaminga is still out there. Demar DeRozan I'm not saying all these players are game changer. There's a lot of rosters that have hey, how are they going to get down to 15 and all of that? So maybe there's still a move. Maybe they wait till the deadline. But I understand your questions there, Alex, because I think a lot of fans have that and it's for me. I like the floor spacing. I think the front court got worse. And I still know who like the number two option come playoff time is.
- [40:04]
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- [41:03]
Bryce Simon
we all new drinks are now at
- [41:07]
Andrew
McDonald's with refreshers like the Strawberry Watermelon
- [41:10]
Alex Spears
Refresher and the Mango Pineapple Refresher with Popping Boba.
- [41:15]
Bryce Simon
To crafted sodas like the Sprite Berry Blast with berry flavors and cold foam.
- [41:21]
Andrew
Who knew ice cold drinks could be so fire six? All new drinks are here now at McDonald's.
- [41:32]
Bryce Simon
Refreshers contain caffeine.
- [41:34]
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- [42:51]
Andrew
All right, Bryce, it's now time to play Andrew versus the Be Our Tribute Show Ranger goes head to head against the beat writer. In this case, Bryce Simon. Now, Bryce, this is the Summer League MVP edition. Now, don't worry, you don't have to remember past Summer League MVPs. I will tell you who won in certain years, but each. Each number is going to refer to a different year of summer league. So if you pick one, for instance, that will be one year ago when Kyle Philipowski won summer league mvp. And then I will ask you a question about Kyle Filipowski in some way. Okay, so that's how it's going to work. So you can choose any number between one and eight.
- [43:35]
Commercial Narrator
Three.
- [43:36]
Andrew
Three. Three seasons ago. You guys know who won summer league mvp? I know I just told you I wouldn't make you do this, but it was Cam Whitmore.
- [43:46]
Aura Advertiser
All right?
- [43:46]
Alex Spears
Cam Whitmore.
- [43:48]
Bryce Simon
One of my. I had Kim Whitmore five on my board.
- [43:52]
Andrew
Well, I think Sam did too.
- [43:54]
Bryce Simon
He did?
- [43:55]
Alex Spears
Yeah.
- [43:57]
Andrew
What is Cam Whitmore's career high in points? You get to choose who Answers first. You can make Andrew answer first, and then you go higher, lower.
- [44:05]
Alex Spears
Crazy.
- [44:06]
Andrew
Or you can answer first, and Andrew go higher, lower. If you do make Andrew answer and he gets it exactly correct, he would get a bonus point.
- [44:14]
Bryce Simon
I'll go. Okay, there's got to be a game somewhere where they just let him do what he does best, which is score. The basketball has to be. I'm gonna stay with threes here. I'm gonna say 33.
- [44:31]
Alex Spears
Okay.
- [44:31]
Andrew
Andrew, would you like to go higher or lower?
- [44:35]
Alex Spears
Oh, my gosh. That's an outstanding number. He played for some basketball numbers. Oh, wow. Also Shaq's college basketball number. I would. I'll say over.
- [44:53]
Andrew
Bryce, you got within one point of the correct answer, and the correct answer was 34.
- [45:05]
Bryce Simon
Do I get a ghost? Can I get a ghost point? Don't you give out ghost point? No. I don't even get a ghost point.
- [45:10]
Andrew
Nope. No more ghost points. I'm not giving them out for free. I was giving them too liberally. Everyone. Everyone was asking for one, even though they had no value. I say, no more.
- [45:21]
Commercial Narrator
No more.
- [45:22]
Bryce Simon
So here. I mean, I walk out of here, and my kids are like, dad, did you win? No, but I got three ghost points, and they just look at me like, oh, you're the best. And now I can't even give them that. I just lost. Nope.
- [45:33]
Andrew
I lost.
- [45:33]
Bryce Simon
Guys, that's it. Take to the pool for four hours today to get back in their good graces. Sorry, go ahead. My bad. My bad.
- [45:43]
Alex Spears
Number one.
- [45:45]
Andrew
Okay, so as I mentioned, last year, Kyle Filipowski was summer league mvp. Which teammates has Kyle Filipowski played the most games together with during his first two seasons?
- [45:58]
Alex Spears
Oh, wow.
- [45:59]
Andrew
And as a hint or just a number, it's 134 games played together with this teammate.
- [46:05]
Alex Spears
Interesting flip. Who did Flip play the most minutes with? This is who played the most minutes on the Jazz. Would even be a question that I'm not sure I could answer. I'll just say Bryce Sensibaugh.
- [46:25]
Aura Advertiser
Wow.
- [46:26]
Andrew
That is correct.
- [46:27]
Alex Spears
Oh, yes.
- [46:29]
Andrew
I did not think you would get that. Why did you guess Bryce? Sensible.
- [46:34]
Alex Spears
No, he comes off the bench as does Flip, and I don't think he's really been injured. Right.
- [46:42]
Andrew
No, I. Yeah, I thought. Thought you would guess Keante George.
- [46:47]
Bryce Simon
I would have gr. I would have guessed Isaiah Collier for similar reasons as Andrew.
- [46:51]
Andrew
He was number two.
- [46:53]
Alex Spears
Okay.
- [46:53]
Andrew
Good job, Andrew. I thought. I thought I'd fool y' all with that one. Okay, Bryce.
- [46:59]
Bryce Simon
Another guy that can really score the basketball. 8.
- [47:03]
Andrew
Eight years ago in 2018. Josh Hart won summer league.
- [47:10]
Alex Spears
I love that.
- [47:11]
Andrew
Now everyone knows that Josh Hart went to Villanova along with Mikhail Bridges, Jalen Brunson, Dante Divincenzo. But they aren't the only former Wildcats in the league. Other than those four, how many Villanova Wildcats currently have an NBA contract for the upcoming season? You don't have to tell who they are. Just give me the number of Villanova Wildcats who are not part of that core. Four with Hart, Bridges, Brunson and Devon Chinsky.
- [47:38]
Aura Advertiser
So
- [47:40]
Bryce Simon
Harp. So Sadiq Bay is from Villanova. Whitmore is from Villanova. I'm gonna say there's one more that I'm not thinking of, so I'll go three.
- [48:02]
Andrew
That is incorrect. Andrew.
- [48:07]
Alex Spears
So he said Bay. I shouldn't.
- [48:10]
Bryce Simon
I shouldn't have done that. That was stupid, Cam. Bad strategy.
- [48:16]
Alex Spears
I think Colin Gillespie went to Villanova. I'll say. I'll say four.
- [48:26]
Andrew
It is just the two. Wait, he did go to Villanova.
- [48:31]
Alex Spears
I think Jeremiah Robinson Earl also went to Villanova.
- [48:34]
Andrew
He does not have a deal currently.
- [48:35]
Alex Spears
Oh, he doesn't? Okay, okay. I didn't.
- [48:37]
Andrew
Wait a second. Wait a second. Why did Colin Gillespie not show up the first time? Well, that means that Bryce got it correct.
- [48:45]
Bryce Simon
Oh, I deserve that. Villanova ended my college career, so I get.
- [48:51]
Alex Spears
Oh, really?
- [48:52]
Aura Advertiser
Yeah.
- [48:52]
Bryce Simon
In the NCAA tournament.
- [48:56]
Andrew
I'm just trying. Sorry. I'm just trying to. I. Oh, you know why? It's because he wasn't drafted. And when I sorted by year, it's sorting by the year they were drafted.
- [49:05]
Alex Spears
Oh, wow.
- [49:07]
Andrew
Okay. Well, Bryce, you get it. You're right to think that there was one more name because you did get Cam. Whitmore City Bay. Jerry does not currently have a contract. Kyle Lowry just retired.
- [49:20]
Alex Spears
Yeah.
- [49:20]
Andrew
Sign that one day contract.
- [49:22]
Alex Spears
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- [49:23]
Andrew
All right. Bryce. Well, that was a big swing.
- [49:25]
Alex Spears
Do I get a. Do I get a ghost? No. Forgive.
- [49:29]
Andrew
In fact, I might take away a ghost.
- [49:32]
Alex Spears
No, no, no. Okay. All right. Number two. Number two. All right.
- [49:36]
Andrew
Two years ago, the Summer League MVP was Jalen Wilson. Jalen Wilson has played over 3,500 career minutes. There is only one second round pick in the 2023 draft who has played more career minutes than Wilson. Who is it?
- [49:54]
Alex Spears
2023 drafts. So the Wemby draft player that played more than that
- [50:03]
Andrew
second round.
- [50:04]
Alex Spears
From the second round to money.
- [50:06]
Andrew
It is too many. Kamara, let's go.
- [50:10]
Alex Spears
Good job.
- [50:11]
Andrew
Okay, Bryce, board is yours.
- [50:16]
Bryce Simon
Seven.
- [50:18]
Andrew
Question number seven. Okay, so this is seven years ago. 2019, Brandon Clark won Summer League MVP rip his best playoff game. Was a 21.15 rebound performance in a two point win against the Wolves in 2022. Which Grizzly has the most 2015 playoff games in franchise history?
- [50:44]
Bryce Simon
Wow. Zach Randolph.
- [51:02]
Andrew
That is incorrect. Andrew.
- [51:06]
Alex Spears
Wow. It's gonna be tricky because like the other like obvious answer is probably not right either. So like who would that be? I mean I'll say Marcus Saul, but that feels wrong too. Marcus All.
- [51:22]
Andrew
It is Marcus All.
- [51:23]
Alex Spears
Oh, okay.
- [51:24]
Bryce Simon
Gosh dang. It was my answer silly.
- [51:27]
Alex Spears
No, that was like. Those are like the two names on my mind were.
- [51:30]
Bryce Simon
Okay, were those.
- [51:31]
Andrew
No. I think the only guys who had done it were Zach Randolph, Marcus All Pal Gasol back in the day.
- [51:37]
Alex Spears
And then that was always out in round one, which is why.
- [51:41]
Bryce Simon
So that's. I was trying to think about playoff series and total games play and stuff too.
- [51:47]
Andrew
Andrew, board is yours. Three questions remain.
- [51:50]
Alex Spears
Four.
- [51:52]
Andrew
Question number four. Four seasons ago, Keegan Murray won Summer League MVP. In 2022, Keegan hit 263 pointers in his rookie season, a rookie record at the time. We're going to name the other nine players in the top 10 for most three pointers made as a rookie. So Andrew will give me name. The Bryce will give me a name. We'll go back and forth until one of you stumbles. So this is over the entire NBA history. The top ten for most three pointers made by a rookie. Number two is Keegan Murray and we'll name the rest. Khan canippel. Number one. Bryce.
- [52:32]
Bryce Simon
Brandon Miller.
- [52:33]
Andrew
Brandon Miller. Number four. Andrew. Actually I guess five.
- [52:43]
Alex Spears
The entire NBA history.
- [52:47]
Andrew
Yeah, you can go back. Don't.
- [52:48]
Bryce Simon
Don't go back.
- [52:49]
Commercial Narrator
Don't.
- [52:50]
Bryce Simon
Don't go back too far. Andrew.
- [52:52]
Alex Spears
I want, I want to.
- [52:53]
Andrew
I want to jump in Joe.
- [52:55]
Aura Advertiser
Folks,
- [52:57]
Bryce Simon
I don't. I don't think. I don't think even like Reggie Miller is showing up on this list.
- [53:01]
Alex Spears
Lamelo.
- [53:04]
Andrew
Lamello. That is incorrect. Andrew.
- [53:06]
Alex Spears
Dang.
- [53:07]
Bryce Simon
I felt pretty good about this question because I had one that I didn't think Andrew would say. He's actually a name we already mentioned. Sadiq Bay.
- [53:14]
Andrew
Yeah.
- [53:15]
Alex Spears
Oh, Sadiq Bay.
- [53:16]
Bryce Simon
Because Sadiq did it in a. The season after Covid. So he. Sadiq. I think if I remember right, he was on track to. He was. He was on track to break Donovan. Mitch Mitchell had it.
- [53:28]
Andrew
Oh yeah.
- [53:29]
Bryce Simon
And Bay was on track to. Would have broke it if he played if it wasn't the shortened season.
- [53:35]
Alex Spears
Yeah.
- [53:35]
Andrew
Yeah. So you mentioned Donovan, Mitchell, Dame.
- [53:38]
Alex Spears
Steph.
- [53:39]
Bryce Simon
Anthony Edwards.
- [53:40]
Andrew
Steph is number 10 Anthony Edwards on the list. Luca.
- [53:43]
Alex Spears
Dang. It I was gonna say I was trying to decide between Aunt Lamello and then Landry Shamit.
- [53:50]
Bryce Simon
We made Trish.
- [53:52]
Andrew
Okay, Bryce, you're down by three, but you have control of the board. You could get within one here.
- [53:59]
Bryce Simon
5.
- [54:00]
Andrew
Or you could tie it because this question is worth three points.
- [54:04]
Alex Spears
Oh, no.
- [54:06]
Andrew
And we've left it for. So there was no summer league in 2020, and then 2021 there were CO MVPs. So this question number five is about one of those CO MVPs, which was Cam Thomas. There are only three Brooklyn Nets in franchise history who have more 40 point games than Cam Thomas. Name all three so you get one point per correct answer. So these are Brooklyn Nets in their franchise history who have more 40 point games than Cam Thomas.
- [54:37]
Alex Spears
Wow.
- [54:41]
Bryce Simon
Just had to do it once.
- [54:44]
Andrew
Well, you had to do it more than Cam Thomas, and I believe you did it.
- [54:47]
Bryce Simon
Oh, more than not. Okay. Yeah.
- [54:49]
Alex Spears
I was like. Okay.
- [54:50]
Bryce Simon
I was like, this has to be more than three players. Okay. Players that have done it more times than Cam Thomas. Okay.
- [54:55]
Alex Spears
Yeah.
- [54:59]
Bryce Simon
Kyrie.
- [55:00]
Alex Spears
Yes.
- [55:00]
Andrew
That is correct for one point.
- [55:04]
Bryce Simon
Katie.
- [55:05]
Andrew
That is correct for two points. You're within one. You could tie the game. If you get this final name correct.
- [55:20]
Bryce Simon
I'm out. I. I don't have a good guess here.
- [55:22]
Andrew
You want. You could just name anyone in Nets franchise history.
- [55:31]
Bryce Simon
Vince Carter.
- [55:32]
Andrew
Exactly. Game is tied.
- [55:35]
Alex Spears
Oh, no.
- [55:36]
Andrew
Let's go. Game is tied. Six. Six. Heading into the final question number six. All right, are we ready? Andrew? If you get this question correct, you win the week.
- [55:48]
Alex Spears
Okay.
- [55:48]
Andrew
If you get it wrong, Bryce will have a chance to steal a point and win the week. Now, the other CO MVP in 2021, other than Cam Thomas, was Davion Mitchell. And despite playing for three teams so far in his career, Davion Mitchell has played more career games than any other player drafted in the 2021 NBA Draft. Kind of interesting. Who has played the second most games among 2021 draftees?
- [56:18]
Alex Spears
Wow, that is extremely surprising.
- [56:21]
Andrew
I know, isn't it? And it's. If I remember correctly, it's not close. But then you start going through the guys and it's like, well, Cade was injured first season. It starts to make more sense. But still. Yeah, he said 371. No one's within like 10 games of him.
- [56:39]
Alex Spears
That is bizarre. That doesn't even make sense. Scotty.
- [56:48]
Bryce Simon
That would have been my guess.
- [56:49]
Andrew
Number three on the list by only two games behind the number two player, Bryce. That sets up an opportunity for you to win. Andrew versus the Beat. If you can name the player drafted in 2021 who's played the second most career games behind only Davion Mitchell.
- [57:10]
Bryce Simon
Does this count, playoffs or just regular season?
- [57:13]
Andrew
Just regular season, I think. Okay, hold on. I can't actually tell you.
- [57:23]
Aura Advertiser
Oh.
- [57:24]
Andrew
Oh, wait. Is that. Okay?
- [57:31]
Alex Spears
Yes.
- [57:31]
Andrew
Just regular season.
- [57:33]
Bryce Simon
Okay, I. I think my answer is still going to be the same, but if it was playoffs, I. I'm just going to say Evan Mobley. Scotty Barnes would have been my answer.
- [57:42]
Andrew
Evan Mobley, number eight on the list.
- [57:47]
Bryce Simon
Not a great guess.
- [57:51]
Andrew
All right, so the game is tied.
- [57:53]
Bryce Simon
Do we just keep guessing till one of us gets it right and that's the winner, so you don't have to
- [57:57]
Andrew
come up with a. Oh, but I want it to be fair. Would that be fair?
- [58:03]
Bryce Simon
I mean, what's the score right now? I can walk out of this room with, like, my head held high at this point, so.
- [58:09]
Andrew
Are you sure?
- [58:10]
Bryce Simon
Oh, yeah.
- [58:11]
Alex Spears
Are you sure?
- [58:13]
Andrew
Okay, fine. Let's just keep naming names. Andrew. Oh, by the way, Evan Mobley. Did I say he was number eight?
- [58:19]
Bryce Simon
You said he was eight.
- [58:20]
Alex Spears
Yeah. Yeah. Okay, I will guess. Jalen Green.
- [58:26]
Andrew
J. Green. Number six. Bryce, your gamble has paid off. It has returned to you again. You have a chance to win.
- [58:36]
Bryce Simon
I'm gonna go. This might be IO dumu I odisumu.
- [58:43]
Andrew
Number five. Andrew, you have another opportunity.
- [58:49]
Bryce Simon
I love IO I love. He's been. He's so good.
- [58:53]
Alex Spears
He is good. He's a good guess.
- [58:55]
Andrew
He's number five on the list.
- [58:58]
Alex Spears
What about. What about. This is crazy. Aaron Wiggins.
- [59:04]
Andrew
Aaron Wiggins. He is number seven on the list.
- [59:08]
Alex Spears
Oh, my God.
- [59:11]
Bryce Simon
Okay, so you said Jalen Green, which made me Shingoon
- [59:17]
Andrew
Alperin. Shingoon is number two on the list,
- [59:22]
Bryce Simon
which means Bryce has won the week.
- [59:26]
Alex Spears
Wow.
- [59:27]
Andrew
Seven to six, our final score.
- [59:30]
Alex Spears
Wow, those are.
- [59:32]
Aura Advertiser
That's.
- [59:33]
Alex Spears
That.
- [59:33]
Bryce Simon
That's a fun thing to do. I've. I think I did that. I found that whenever I was. We were having a LaMelo ball conversation a couple years ago, and I was trying to defend where I was at in terms of LaMelo Ball and his games played. And my whole point is I found that on Real gm, Right? Or is it basketball reference? I think it's basketball reference, but just going to the draft classes and seeing which players have the most gambling games played and minutes played and. And all of that, or whenever you're doing, like, a redraft. It's a very useful resource as well.
- [60:04]
Commercial Narrator
So.
- [60:04]
Andrew
Yeah, Lamelo is 26th in his class. Number four was Corey Kisper.
- [60:14]
Bryce Simon
Oh, in the 21st.
- [60:15]
Commercial Narrator
Yeah.
- [60:17]
Alex Spears
Wow.
- [60:17]
Bryce Simon
Yeah, I think the Lamello thing was at one point, Sadiq Bay had steel plate, played more games than Lamelo or something like that. And wow, like, Sadiq had missed the whole year with the ACL or something. Like, it was just, you know, Lamello had a great year. I want to be fair, that was a couple years ago, so.
- [60:35]
Alex Spears
Wow. Wow.
- [60:36]
Andrew
Hey, but shout out Davion Mitchell.
- [60:38]
Bryce Simon
Yeah.
- [60:40]
Andrew
Sengun is at 358, our other, like, super close to him.
- [60:45]
Alex Spears
That's wild.
- [60:46]
Bryce Simon
With all due respect to Davion Mitchell, who's a very good basketball player. I wonder how many draft classes. Yeah. So like Jabari's number one, then Christian Brown. Like, I just wonder what games played. Like, who has played the most games in a lot of classes. Tamani and Cason. Cason is second in that class.
- [61:05]
Alex Spears
Yeah, yeah, he, he's. He's been relatively healthy.
- [61:09]
Bryce Simon
Bub Carrington. Ron Holland is second in that.
- [61:11]
Andrew
Hey, don't look at these. I might use these for future trivia questions.
- [61:14]
Bryce Simon
Stop, stop, stop, stop it. My bad.
- [61:19]
Alex Spears
Please go listen to the Game Theory podcast and the Pistons Pulse podcast, which is very enjoyable if you just want to.
- [61:26]
Bryce Simon
We'll have you guys on in a couple months. Right. Like you. Come on. We'll preview the Western Conference like we did last.
- [61:31]
Alex Spears
Love to. Would love to.
- [61:32]
Andrew
Well, it's gonna be spicy this year.
- [61:35]
Alex Spears
Yeah, it will. It's gonna be fun. Go listen to those shows again. We will have shows Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Throughout the rest of the off season. We will have the emergency Lebron pod. So whenever that happens, we'll be here for that as well. Hope everybody has a great rest of your week and we'll talk to you guys again in two weeks.
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Bryce Simon
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