Podcast Summary: The Athletic NBA Daily – "Pelicans poised for a run? + Shai's MVP case" (March 14, 2024)

Hosted by Sam Amick, Anthony Slater, and guest Will Guillory

1. Introduction

The episode kicks off with Sam Amick welcoming returning guest Will Guillory, a distinguished NBA writer from The Athletic. The hosts set the stage for an in-depth discussion on the New Orleans Pelicans' potential playoff run and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's (Shai) compelling case for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

2. New Orleans Pelicans: Playoff Ambitions and Team Dynamics

a. Post-End Season Tournament Performance

Sam highlights the Pelicans' underwhelming performance in the end-season tournament, noting it as a pivotal moment for player Zion Williamson and the team. He remarks:

"The end season tournament gave you this mid-season spotlight. You can either make the most of it or not..." [02:49]

b. Zion Williamson’s Evolution

Will Guillory underscores Zion's transformation, both physically and mentally, asserting his significant improvement:

"Zion is playing the best basketball in his career... The way he's moving around, the way he's playing defense." [05:22]

c. Team’s Standing and Western Conference Dynamics

The discussion delves into the Pelicans' position in the Western Conference, emphasizing their potential to secure the 5th or 6th seed. Anthony Slater analyzes the competitive landscape, mentioning:

"They are the likeliest to be the five." [07:11]

d. Future Outlook and Organizational Strategy

Will elaborates on the Pelicans' strategic crossroads, contemplating offseason moves and contract negotiations:

"This is the organization that has never paid the luxury tax... Can you convince ownership to pay for a roster that's maybe the fifth seed in the west?" [18:39]

He speculates on the Pelicans' ability to sustain their current core and the challenges of balancing payroll with championship aspirations.

3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP Candidacy

a. Consistent Performance and Efficiency

Anthony Slater praises Shai's steady contributions, emphasizing his efficiency and two-way play:

"His true shooting percentage for a perimeter score, you know, 64 is like really unbelievable." [35:21]

Will concurs, highlighting Shai's consistency:

"Every single night is 30 points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals... just every single day." [37:12]

b. Defensive Prowess

Shai's defensive impact is a cornerstone of his MVP case. Anthony notes:

"He leads the league in deflections too." [35:21]

Will adds:

"The fact that they have zero weaknesses in that starting five... is a big part of their success." [36:52]

c. MVP Race Context

The hosts compare Shai's performance to Nikola Jokić's, discussing whether Shai can surpass Jokić in the MVP standings:

"I think for him to legitimately, you know, beat Jokic for MVP... I just can't put him over Jokic quite yet." [38:10]

However, they acknowledge that if Jokić's Denver Nuggets falter, Shai's MVP prospects could strengthen significantly.

4. Oklahoma City Thunder: A Remarkable Season

a. Emerging Talent: Chet Holmgren and Josh Giddey

Anthony Slater highlights the Thunder's unexpected success, crediting key players:

"It's been done with a top two rookie of the year and a top two MVP, which hasn't been done since '01-'02." [24:13]

He elaborates on Chet Holmgren's defensive contributions and Josh Giddey's versatile playmaking:

"Chet has been incredibly special... He's acting like a five-year vet out there." [26:35]

b. Team’s Playoff Potential and Fan Sentiment

Will discusses the Thunder's playoff prospects and the evolving fan atmosphere:

"This feels like it's going to be an arrival for this core... They have MVP candidate and two potential future All-Stars." [30:43]

Anthony adds insights on fan engagement, noting a shift from the Russell Westbrook era to a new chapter under current leadership.

c. Organizational Decisions and Future Moves

The hosts contemplate whether the Thunder will make significant roster moves despite their deep assets, questioning the effectiveness of recent acquisitions like Gordon Hayward.

"Did they bring in Gordon Hayward, but he just doesn't look like himself." [31:36]

5. Eastern Conference Focus: Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat

a. Milwaukee Bucks’ Struggles

The episode transitions to the Eastern Conference, where Anthony and Will critique the Bucks’ recent performances and uncertainties surrounding key players like Chris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

"One of the big disappointments of this Bucks season is that I just don’t think they got the Dame that they thought they were going to get when they made that massive move." [43:26]

b. Miami Heat’s Lurking Threat

Will Guillory sheds light on the Miami Heat's quiet rise, highlighting Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo's standout seasons, while questioning the role of Tyler Herro and the team’s defensive strategies.

"If Jimmy, Bam, and Spo walk into your building, you're in the danger zone because those guys know how to win playoff games." [48:19]

Anthony underscores the Heat's potential to disrupt playoff scenarios with their seasoned approach.

6. MVP Race: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander vs. Nikola Jokić

a. Analyzing Shai’s MVP Case

Anthony delves deeper into Shai's statistical dominance and leadership on both ends of the floor, arguing his case for MVP based on his efficiency and defensive contributions.

"He has to. For him to legitimately, you know, beat Jokic for MVP though, I think they have to be the one seed they can’t be under Denver in the standings." [37:02]

b. Comparing Consistency Between Shai and Jokić

Will emphasizes the stark contrast in consistency between Shai and Jokić, suggesting that while Jokić continues to improve, Shai's steady performance makes him a formidable MVP contender.

"Shay has separated himself as too, you know, he’s just.... true shooting percentage... consistent." [38:10]

7. Concluding Thoughts and Final Highlights

The episode wraps up with reflections on the overall NBA landscape as the playoffs approach. The hosts emphasize the unpredictability of the postseason, the critical upcoming games for the Pelicans and Thunder, and the emerging narratives around MLK's MVP race and the Bucks' resilience.

Notable Quotes:

• Sam Amick on Zion's Leadership:
  "Zion is one of those guys who pays attention much more than he'll let on." [05:22]

• Will Guillory on Pelicans' Playoff Potential:
  "They feel pretty good... but I think you need to see how they match up against the best teams in the league." [12:29]

• Anthony Slater on Shai’s Defensiveness:
  "He leads the league in deflections too." [35:21]

8. Closing Remarks

Sam thanks Will Guillory for his insightful contributions and encourages listeners to tune in next week for more NBA analysis. The hosts briefly touch on upcoming matchups and the ever-evolving dynamics as the NBA season hurtles toward the playoffs.

Key Takeaways:

• The New Orleans Pelicans are emerging as a strong contender in the Western Conference, primarily due to Zion Williamson's improved performance and leadership.
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander presents a compelling case for MVP, backed by his consistency, efficiency, and defensive prowess.
• The Oklahoma City Thunder’s unexpected success is driven by standout performances from young talent like Chet Holmgren and Josh Giddey, raising questions about their future moves.
• The Milwaukee Bucks face challenges despite Giannis Antetokounmpo’s stellar season, while the Miami Heat quietly strengthen their playoff potential.
• The upcoming playoffs are shaping up to be highly competitive, with strategic positioning and individual performances playing crucial roles.

For more detailed discussions and expert NBA insights, listen to the full episode of The Athletic NBA Daily hosted by Sam Amick, Anthony Slater, and guest Will Guillory.