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Gonna find out who's number one is the customer. Whose Walmart is it? My Walmart?
Dave Dufour
If you looked at Audible, it was kind of like growth, growth and then growth.
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It separates Amazon and AWS from anyone else.
Esperaheny
Join me, Jimmy Allen, partner of Bain.
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Andrew Schlecht
Hey, Andrew Schlecht here. Black Friday game day is coming to prime with an epic day of live sports. Black Friday football is back with the Chicago Bears taking on the Philadelphia Eagles at 3pm Eastern followed by an Emirates NBA cup doubleheader. Bucs Knicks at 7pm and Mavs Lakers at 10pm and the whole day starts with the Capital One Skins game as four elite PGA golfers meet with $4 million on the line. Black Friday game day the Capital One Skins game at 9am Bears Eagles NFL action at 3pm and the final night of the Emirates NBA cup group play with bucks Knicks at 7 and Mavs Lakers at 10 only on Prime.
Dave Dufour
Good morning and welcome to the NBA Daily. I'm Dave Dufour and coming up we've got Esperahenny live after the Raptors big win to extend their winning streak out to eight games. The Pistons won their 13th straight and we've got Xena to talk about the warriors and the latest on Jonathan Gaminga and why he's still missing games. Good morning everybody. Just me here today because S and Xena were working games. We had Xena was working warriors post game so went live with her after the warriors game and caught up and we're going to go to S right now to talk about the Raptors and their big win to get their win streak up to eight games. Joining us live from Toronto, our man Esperaheny. Guys don't mind if you're in the car listening that is not like a gunshot. They're just packing up the arena behind as it is so loud in there. S It was loud during that game.
Esperaheny
It's a hockey arena as well, so they have to pack it up and change the whole thing. So that's why you're hearing the big bang going on right now.
Dave Dufour
Yeah, big bang. The Raptors picked up their eighth straight win. They beat the Cavs, both teams on the second night of a back to back. And the Cavs are a little banged up. But as this was still, this is a big win again, eight straight. They now beat the Cavs twice during this streak. I actually want to start with the defense a little bit. They held them to 99 points in the game. This is a Cavs team that just was dancing all over the Clippers yesterday. And Donovan Mitchell, 17 points on 6, 20 shooting. And he has had an amazing start to the season. Like he's, you know, top five in scoring, averaging 30 a game. And I thought that they did a great job of just making him uncomfortable the whole night.
Esperaheny
Yeah, he had seven points heading into the fourth quarter, which is a huge testament to just how elite this defense has been, especially against these feistier guards. When you look at what they've been doing over the last couple of weeks, especially because, you know, like I mentioned before, they started one in four defensively. They were terrible of a defensive team to start the season. They've picked it up now. They're near the top 10 in defensive rating. A lot of that is because they put so much pressure on the ball. And that requires guys like Jamal Shed, like Jacoby Walter to play very, very aggressively on the defensive end. And then they have the backline rim protection in a Scotty Barnes in a Jakob Hurdle that really allows them to play aggressively because they know that that length on the weak side can help them recover out to shooters, can block shots. And we saw that tonight. They were aggressive, but to a point. And they made life tough on Donovan Mitchell.
Dave Dufour
Yeah, also pretty tough man. Brandon Ingram, who's been excellent to start this season up there. He had 37 points, five threes. I, I mean, look, a couple of things. Number one, that team needed somebody who can score and be like the guy when you need a bucket, he, he gets the ball. His passing has really opened up some things for them because he, he's actually an excellent passer, but man, he's catch and shoot threes. Anytime one of these other guys drives, if he's the release guy, it just is good. The second it leaves the hand, his hand. And this quick decision making, the 05 decision making. Brandon Ingram is the best example. If I was making an argument for Darko as coach of the year. And I would point to the way that I watched him play in New Orleans and the way that I'm watching him play in Toronto and it is night and day.
Esperaheny
Well, it's funny you say that because right now in the post game press conference, Brandon Ingram was like the big reason why I'm playing like this is because of Darpa Rakovic. He's made me completely buy in to being unselfish, to moving the ball, to knowing that, you know, I'm going to get it once I move off of it. They've obviously empowered him to be more of a rebounder. He's averaging a career high in rebounds. You mentioned the three point shooting over the last six games. He's shooting 45% from three. That is a huge development for a guy who, you know, most people would probably consider the three point shot to be the weakest part of his game offensively. This is the crazy thing about this, Dave. He's not even 100%. He's mentioned it multiple times to us where he's like, I'm still getting my legs under me. I'm still trying to, you know, get to where I was before my ankle injury. And nights like tonight, like you mentioned, that's why they traded for Brandon Ingram for when no one else is getting anything going offensively for him to be the scorer, work in the mid range area, which is basically his playground at this point. And to your point, I think a lot of that has to be because of the coach and the buy in that they've gotten from all of these guys. Ingram, very, very particular.
Dave Dufour
Yeah, Scotty Barnes, another Swiss army knife sort of game for him. I want to talk about the bench and not just because Sandru Mamou looks really is on the bench. And you know, Mahmu is my guy. He was awesome again in this game. But the entire bench has been really good. Like this has become a team that has quite a bit of depth and it's young and, and obviously is developing. But you know, this entire bench crew, CMB Colin Murray Bowles, I thought has shown some stuff early on he had a finish around the basket where Evan Mobley was guarding him in a kind of a post up position. I, I was really impressed at seeing a guy in his rookie year kind of settle in and use his body a little bit like that. But talk about that bench, man, this is kind of been the key to their, their entire run here.
Esperaheny
Yeah, Mamu comes in and instantly provides offense for this team, especially in the first quarter tonight he had a sequence where corner 3 above the break 3 blocked a shot, got out in transition, found Jamal Shed and this was all within the span of two minutes. So he comes in and instantly juices every lineup that they throw out there. A lot of it is because they don't have a stretch five option. Yaka Pertle is more of a traditional big right, like can, can get into that short roll area. Really good at floaters, a good defensive big too. But Mamu allows them to play five out basketball and that's why you see their offensive ratings skyrocket when Mamu is on the floor. I was looking at this before the game, but they are 19 points better per 100 possessions when MAMU is on the floor. It's near the top of the league, but it's also one of the best of any bench player. So if this continues, you know, I'll make the declaration here on the NBA Daily that I think he will be in the sixth man of the year conversation just by how impactful he's been off the bench. And you can't forget Jamal Shed. Who and Dave, I'm curious to get your thoughts on Jamal because he's, he's a very traditional point guard. Like, yeah, I'm going to make the right plays work and pick and rolls. He's extremely quick, so he's able to make decisions on the go and he leans into their transition offense. But he's also been a big reason why the chemistry of this team is through the roof. They just, they know how to play when those two are on the floor. And those two together have developed quite the chemistry.
Dave Dufour
Well, Mama wants to get out and run, which is so rare for a big right. Like he's so fast in transition and I think Shed's kind of got the same thing with him. It's like two guys who, who just are full court demons, you know, to, to a certain degree. And then when you have a young point guard who's not just looking for his own shot when he's really looking to set everyone up first, I think a lot of good things come from that. Right. Like there's this just unselfish nature to those sorts of players, especially when you're coming off the bench where you don't know like my minutes are going to change game by game. So if you know you're out there with a guy who is unselfish, makes it a little easier to be unselfish yourself, I think. So, you know, the bench has been great. I, I mean, I guess what's the next step for this team? Okay, like we, we're talking development wise because this is a year where they're not, like, they're not contenders for the title, but this is a team that's, that's up and coming. You know, I, I said yesterday on the show that they might have a chance at home court in the playoffs just because of the. The start that they've had. Like right now they'd be the two seed if the playoffs started today. And we're almost a quarter of the way into the season. So what do they need to get done here s in the next few months just to. To grow before we get to the playoffs?
Esperaheny
I think this whole season is a trial run for everything that they want to do moving forward. They that this season is more about figuring out how this group coalesces together. Because last year they were so injured and so decimated by injuries that they never got an opportunity to really see that starting five together. Brandon Ingram didn't play a game for them last season, so they never knew how he would be incorporated into the roster. This season is more about data and collecting as much data as you possibly can to see what you can build moving forward. The great thing is that they have all of their picks left to them at their disposal. Some of their contractual situations will eventually get better because those contracts will get shorter and shorter. And I think the long play for this team is to winning cures all things. Winning also boosts the value of the players on the court for you. So if this team continues to win, you will obviously see them be aggressive in the trade market. This front office, even with Bobby Webster in the fold, has always been trying to be aggressive. I wouldn't be surprised if, if they somehow stay in the top three or four come February, they start looking around and seeing if they can make another win. Now move, because this was a trial run, this will be a trial run for the rest of the season. But they're also never afraid to make a move to try and, you know, gun it, especially because the east is open. Man, I don't know how you feel, but like the Cavs tonight obviously were decimated. They were there, they were injured and they missed Jared Allen deeply. But I just thought that they looked a little lethargic, especially they're on the second night of a back to back. For what it's worth, the Knicks are also working through their own kinks offensively and the defense is awful. If you are a team like the Toronto Raptors, if you're a team like the Atlanta Hawks. If you're a team like the Detroit Pistons, who are still streaking, right, why not feel like you have a chance?
Dave Dufour
I mean, listen as I don't know if you heard, but demarta Rosen is available. Maybe a little reunion. I don't know. All right, we're doing something new. Zena is at the warriors game, so we're going to go to her next after the break. Guys, stick around for that.
Andrew Schlecht
Hey, Andrew Schlecht here. Black Friday game day is coming to prime and it'll be an epic day of live spring sports. Black Friday football is at the center of it all with the Chicago Bears taking on the Philadelphia Eagles at 3pm Eastern. That's followed by the final night of the Emirates NBA cup group play and a doubleheader starting with Bucks and Knicks at 7pm and Mavericks and Lakers at 10pm but the whole day starts with the return of the Capital One skins game as four elite PGA golfers face off with $4 million on the line. Black Friday game day tees off with Capital One skins game at 9am Eastern before the big bears Eagles football game at 3pm and it all culminates with a double dose of Emirates NBA cup action featuring Bucs Knicks at 7pm and Mavs Lakers at 10pm only on Prime.
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Dave Dufour
All right, joining us from the studio there out in the Bay, Zena K, my co host. The warriors pick up a big win. Zena, you know what teams love when they've lost a few games?
Zena K
What is that?
Dave Dufour
Seeing the Utah Jazz look. The Utah Jazz, they look, they can score. We talked about how much fun that they've been early on this season. Keante, George, Lowry, Markkanen. But that defense is not good and that's exactly what the warriors needed. Their offense looked much better. Steph at 31. You know, what was your big takeaway from the game with the Warriors?
Zena K
Yeah, the warriors needed to get their act together basically and they took the time to do that. They actually finally had practice on Sunday. They talked about watching over 40 clips going through their offense, going through their defense, getting their defensive terminology right, getting basically back on the same page. Even Brandon Pajoski had an interview pregame where he said it wasn't necessarily schematically that we needed to get better. It was just like effort and hustle and like just basically mentally getting all on the same page again. And this was a as you mentioned, Utah shafts are exactly the type of team you want to see when you're looking to do something like that. Now I'M not going to put too much though, on Utah. They did come out 11 and oh to start the game and Keonte George was cooking. He was doing his thing, as we've seen him to do. He ends up with 28 on the night. But ultimately the warriors, one of the things that they have not been able to do consistently throughout the season is answer runs. And you saw them do that tonight. They come out and they hit 21 and oh at the top of the second quarter. I think they're the only like three, three teams in the history of the NBA have ever started a quarter or second quarter. 21 to 0 of a run. Unbelievable. All based off of defense into offense. The warriors did an interesting thing tonight. They started GP2 because Draymond Green was out. He got his foot stepped on in that Portland game last Friday and GP2 was exactly what the warriors needed, that connective tissue to be able to get assists up. He had eight on the night. He had this chemistry with Stefan that is very similar to what Draymond and Stefan typically do in terms of their pick and roll, their ball, handoffs, et cetera. And when you've got Yusuf Nurkic guarding GP2 because he's the de facto four or five out there, it forces you to have to make a decision. Whoever's being picked off, are you going to stick with Steph or are you going to roll with GP2? And a lot of the times we know Utah is not great at defense, they made the wrong decision and they usually stayed with Steph, leaving GP2 open. So there was a lot of great things that happened, but ultimately it was, they were able to answer runs because they were able to find offensive rhythm. And that's what you need in terms of confidence when you've gone on a three game losing streak.
Dave Dufour
Yeah, it's. This is funny to say about a Warriors team because we've never, maybe I've never felt this way, but I, I just can't tell you what their identity is at this point of the season.
Zena K
Their identity is Stefan.
Dave Dufour
Basically it. Right?
Zena K
It has been. And that's the, that's been the challenge this season is how do you find more than just Stefan? And if it's not Stefan has been Jimmy. And Jimmy's been quietly phenomenal this season. But I think because of the record and the way it looks, it's just kind of like, ah, is this enough? Have we gotten out enough out of those two together? But ultimately it's been Stefan, save us. And that's why I think a game like tonight, where you see the ball hop around, 34 assists, you see the warriors score 134 points. They've only scored over 130 points three times this season. You see eight different players hit threes on the night. I mean, there was, you see 1, 2, 3, 4 players get 6 rebounds. Like there was so much there in terms of team basketball that it's like, all right, there's something to build off of. But right now the, the main question has been outside of Stefan, who can you count on night in and night out, right? And that on top of injuries, right? Al Horford not being able to play the back to backs, Draymond now being out, of course, Jonathan Kamingas missing his six consecutive game. Like you've had inconsistencies with the roster availability as well. And so that's also contributed to the Stefan identity. But tonight was a, a way for them to say, okay, let's build on this and we'll see what happens when they, they meet the Rockets on Wednesday.
Dave Dufour
Well, I'm glad you brought up Jonathan Kaminga because that was the guy early on that we were all very into for this team. I mean, he was playing great. He was that scoring punch, you know, and then he gets demoted and now he's out, he's injured. And you know, Steve Kerr, he was asked about this today and I, look, I don't love the answer. You know, when your head coach says he did a few things, he's got to tell you where he is. I have no idea when he's going to play. Xena, this is Steve Kerr, head coach of the Golden State Warriors. So what is going on with Jonathan Kaminga? I mean, you know, I'm assuming he's hurt. When's he coming back?
Zena K
Yeah, the bilateral knee tendonitis. And you might have heard this with this warrior scene before because Stefan has had it as well. He dealt with it last year, during the end of the season, during the playoffs particularly. But I think no one anticipated Jonathan Kaminga being out for this long. The way folks are looking at it, it's like, okay, it's knee tendonitis, but Jonathan's a little bit younger, he'll be able to bounce back from it a little bit more. They did image his knees at the time that we're recording this and it was clear. And so that's a positive. But then you're wondering like between Steve Kerr being like, you got to ask him. And also like the, the sheer level of surprise in his voice about the fact that he, Jonathan Kamiga is going out to do workouts, and he can kind of barely get through it. He's not able to do on court work in the same way. He's out, you know, off work, you know, working out, getting strength training on his own. There's something there in terms of, like, the communication, because how rare is it for you to say, you know, to a coach or head coach to say, hey, like, what's going on with this guy? And his response, especially Steve Kerr, right? Guy like Steve Kerr to say, you got to ask him. It's like, okay, so I. Again, you know, we. We know he's hurt. Like, that's what's been reported by the training staff. He was able to travel with the team on their road trip. He was here with the team tonight on the bench or last night on the bench, but we just don't know, I guess, the degree of pain that he's in. And there's. When you're dealing with unknown pain, you don't really have a timetable on that. So I can imagine there might be some frustration within the team around that. That happens with all players that deal with, whether it's concussions or back issues or things that don't have those fixed timetables. It can be a little bit prickly to try and figure out, when are you coming back? When are you coming back? This is a. This is an interesting thing to keep an eye on, because obviously they want him back. I think obviously Jonathan Kamingo wants to be back on the floor. They're going up against some of the most athletic teams. Houston's coming up on Wednesday. The Pelicans are coming up again, and then OKC right after that. They need a rim pressure like Jonathan Kaminga, a guy that plays above the rim. So we'll see what happens. If I was coming, something to keep.
Dave Dufour
Your eye on, I'd come back for the Pelicans. I'd miss the Rockets, come back for Pelicans, Ms. Okc. And I, you know, everybody be like, wow, Kamingo looks great, because, you know, he only played against Pelicans. But also, Xena, look, there's another reason for the warriors to be cautious here because, like, December 15th's coming up, we're about to enter a trade season, and, you know, Jonathan Kaminga is kind of on a perfect contract to deal, obviously, like, you know, the entire contract situation dragged out. So, I mean, part of that may be this, right? Like, it could also be a little bit related to that. I don't want to speculate too far, but you Know, we are getting reports, like, more and more that the warriors, like, that's the plan. We're going to move on from this guy at some point this season. He's an asset.
Zena K
Absolutely an asset. I mean, he hasn't played in six games and he's still leading the team in rebounds. I mean, like, this guy came out this season and we saw the growth, the jump in his ability to pass, his ability to read offenses, his ability to be in the right places on defense, all the things that had been talked and labored over the week, the summer. I said the weekend, over the summer about Jonathan Kaminga, like, getting all these things together and just saw it starting to click a little bit more. And so I'm sure a lot of teams picked up on that as well. And they're looking at an opportunity to get a guy that's still really, really young, the opportunity to. To flourish in a different environment.
Esperaheny
Yeah.
Dave Dufour
Zena, look, I know you were, you know, you were working the Warriors.
Capital One Bank Guy
Did.
Dave Dufour
Did you see Pistons 13th straight win?
Zena K
I did. I did see that. I'm very proud of the Pistons. It's been so much fun watching this team. I mean, Dave, like, literally, let's be real. When the season started, would you have imagined that they were going to be the team that's going to go on a 13 win streak?
Dave Dufour
Oh, yeah. I mean, this is. This is really sustained. I'm very surprised. I mean, I still feel like they need another guy. Right? Like, I mean, that's what we keep saying.
Zena K
Well, that's what the, you know, the whole Jaden Ivy thing coming back, I thought that that was going to be maybe the. The opportunity there. But I'm not, I'm not necessarily against the fact that Caris Lavert was the person that stepped up. I think the fact that the Detroit Pistons have people that keep popping up within their roster to produce something alongside Cade is great. But you're absolutely right, they do need a consistent number two. They do need an identity in terms of what that backcourt can consistently provide. But overall, Indiana put up a fight. Pascal Siakam coming out, trying to do his best to carry this team. We know they're shorthanded. We know that they're playing with folks that haven't played together pretty much ever because they keep getting these injury, hardship type of contracts and things of that sort. But ultimately, Detroit rolling through teams right now, they're having fun, too. Yeah. And that's cool.
Dave Dufour
Big win. Big win. All right, guys, that's going to do it for the show. Thanks. To S for joining us from the. From the Raptors Arena. What is it? Rogers Center. I can't remember that place. Thanks to Xena for supporting me there. I'm Dave Defore. This has been the NBA Daily. Thanks for waking up with us.
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Andrew Schlecht
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Esperaheny
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Dave Dufour
So we saw Donna.
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T-Mobile Salesperson
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Dave Dufour
Sounds like my family drama.
T-Mobile Salesperson
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Esperaheny
Hey, where are you going?
Zena K
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Episode Focus: Raptors Extend Streak to 8 + What Is the Warriors' Identity?
This episode dives deep into the Toronto Raptors’ impressive eight-game winning streak and examines the identity crisis facing the Golden State Warriors. Host Dave DuFour is joined by Esfandiar Baraheni (“S”) live from Toronto and Zena Keita (“Zena K”) from the Bay Area for firsthand insights. Additional discussion covers the Detroit Pistons’ surprising 13-game win streak.
Segment: 01:53 – 12:11
“They held them to 99 points...and they made life tough on Donovan Mitchell.”
—Dave DuFour (03:14)
S:
“He had seven points heading into the fourth quarter, which is a huge testament to just how elite this defense has been, especially against these feistier guards.”
—Esfandiar Baraheni (03:40)
“Brandon Ingram was like, the big reason why I'm playing like this is because of Darko Rajakovic. He's made me completely buy in to being unselfish... they’ve empowered him to be more of a rebounder.”
—Esfandiar Baraheni (05:28)
“He comes in and instantly juices every lineup that they throw out there... I think he will be in the sixth man of the year conversation just by how impactful he's been off the bench.”
—Esfandiar Baraheni (07:27)
“This season is more about data and collecting as much data as you possibly can to see what you can build moving forward... If this team continues to win, you will obviously see them be aggressive in the trade market.”
—Esfandiar Baraheni (10:10)
“Winning cures all things. Winning also boosts the value of the players on the court for you.”
—Esfandiar Baraheni (10:25)
Segment: 16:19 – 25:08
Zena K:
“Their identity is Steph. It has been. And that’s been the challenge this season—how do you find more than just Steph?”
—Zena Keita (19:27)
“There's something there in terms of, like, the communication, because how rare is it for you to say, you know, to a coach or head coach to say, hey, like, what's going on with this guy? And his response, especially Steve Kerr, right? ...’you've gotta ask him.’”
—Zena Keita (21:30)
“He hasn't played in six games and he's still leading the team in rebounds... you saw the growth, the jump in his ability to pass, his ability to read offenses... I'm sure a lot of teams picked up on that.”
—Zena Keita (24:32)
Segment: 25:11 – 26:29
“Let’s be real. When the season started, would you have imagined that they were going to go on a 13-win streak?”
—Zena Keita (25:15)
On Raptors Defense:
“They made life tough on Donovan Mitchell.” —Dave DuFour (03:14)
On Ingram and Coaching:
“The big reason why I’m playing like this is because of Darko Rajakovic.” —Esfandiar Baraheni (05:28)
On Warriors Identity:
“Their identity is Steph.” —Zena Keita (19:27)
On Kuminga’s Situation:
“…you gotta ask him.” —Steve Kerr, quoted by Zena Keita (21:30)
On Pistons’ Surprise:
“I did see that. I’m very proud of the Pistons.” —Zena Keita (25:15)
Tone:
Knowledgeable, candid, and conversational, with hosts directly quoting players, coaches, and each other to provide insights and context.
Conclusion:
This episode offers sharp, timely breakdowns of two of the most intriguing NBA storylines: Toronto’s sudden surge supported by defense, depth, and coaching buy-in; and Golden State’s transition year, with Steph still central, young talent in flux, and a looming sense that change is coming. The Pistons’ run is embraced as a welcome dose of fun in the early season chaos.