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Host 1
Good morning and welcome to the NBA Daily. Coming up, Steph Curry. He's ridiculous. He's the goat we're going to talk about him a little bit. The Lakers got another win, but Anthony Edwards oddly got ejected and may miss a few games. And Law Murray stops by for a wide ranging conversation about why every team doesn't actually play this. Good morning everybody.
Host 2
Good morning S. Good morning, Dave.
Host 1
Great night of hoops. What a Steph Curry, man. Look, the warriors went to Orlando and look, with the way Orlando's been playing, they got crushed by 40 the other night. I was thinking, all right, we're probably not going to hit this game. The warriors would just wipe them out. Didn't work out that way. The warriors did win the game and we're going to get to that. But the way this game started out, the, the Magic actually had a really nice run to start the game. Got themselves a big lead. But Steph Curry just did the thing that he does s and had a 22 point third quarter. He had 12 threes in the game, had 56 points and the warriors needed all of those to win the game. And including all the points they got from Quinton Post, who we'll talk about. But this game was number one. A game that I did not expect us to be talking about. So it was a nice surprise. But number two, Steph Curry, 56 frickin points. He is. What is it? He's got the most 50 point games after turning 30 with nine now. Yeah. Do you want to, you want to a little bit about that?
Host 2
Yeah, of course. Steph is incredible. The one thing I saw was that he has the most 20 plus point quarters ever, which is just ridiculous. The Curry flurry, man, it's, it's incredible to watch. I think he's still the number one guy to watch in the NBA and I don't think that's a hyperbole. I think when he gets on those moments.
Host 1
To the ratings.
Host 2
Yes. Oh yeah, that's true. To the ratings as well. Like it's must watch TV when that guy is just going like that. And it's funny because there was this clip circulating today of him against the warriors in 2016 and just the flurry that he went on against that. Excuse me, against the thunder in 2016. Yeah. But it just kind of reminds you of how great he was in his prime and how kickass he still is when he gets on that level. The other thing I wanted to mention about Steph, which is crazy because like Jimmy didn't have the greatest offensive game and Steph was just like, no problem. I got this 22 points in the third quarter, ended up with what, four more threes in that fourth quarter to finish it off for them. Incredible stuff which kind of downplayed a, a good Paulo game from the Magic too.
Host 1
Yeah, Paolo put up 41 and we just, we're just not even going to talk about it. I mean, it's a really good game from him, but, you know, Steph is more important. But I think the other thing is, you know, these are two teams that are kind of trending in different directions. And the Magic, like, we gave them a lot of credit because they did, you know, they were, they were treading water without all their guys. And, and yeah, like we talked about the other day, they really, their offense is struggling without Jalen.
Host 2
Saw some of that for sure.
Host 1
But, but for the warriors, they're now 7 and 1 since they got Jimmy Butler. This is a completely different team. They're a half game back as we record this going into Friday of the Clippers for the six seed. I, I think, I think that there's a great chance that by Monday or by Tuesday this is a team that is a six seed and we've been kind of penciling them into the play in this entire time. I think that's a pretty big deal. But the, the biggest deal to come from this game that wasn't Steph Curry. Quentin Post, he came off the bench, put up 18 points, hit a couple threes. He, he's big, but, you know, and we're going to talk about the shots he made, but man, I think his defense has come a really long way in such a short amount of time. And he might be a guy. I mean, he's going to be in their rotation in the playoffs. He may be one of the more important guys coming off the bench for them.
Host 2
Yeah, he's shooting 44% on threes this season on over four attempts a game. So that's like near the top of the list, if not the top of the list for rookies right now in Quentin Post. And so his size, his ability to shoot, but also like you said, just be a big body out there for certain lineups has been awesome. And I was looking up some lineup data. The warriors have two looks that they go for now with Jimmy Butler. They have like the Jimmy Butler led lineup with which includes Quentin Post. And that's because you want spacing around him. Jimmy's going to barrel to the basket, et cetera, et cetera. And then they have the Steph Curry lineup which is, you know, kind of catered towards what Steph can do as an off ball shooter. I think they found an identity there with staggering Jimmy and Steph. And to your point about post, like, he just adds a three point shooting element from a big that they do not have. Like they can use him. Yeah, yeah. It's crazy to hear Marie Spates in 2025. That's unreal.
Host 1
I just need to see, look what I need to see over the next few weeks. I need to see a handful of Steph Curry, Quentin Post pick and pop. I just want to see what it looks like, like, give me that a few times a game because if that's something that he can develop confidence in and, and obviously he can run it with Jimmy Butler. I mean, Jimmy Butler is such an effective driver that I think that, you know, with, with post popping out to the three point line, you're just going to create lanes for Jimmy Butler. So I, I just want to see him involved in so much, especially in those second units when he's out there. And it's Jimmy kind of reminds me.
Host 2
Of like what they wanted Dario Sarge to be, of course, a little bit.
Host 1
Yes. You know, this is something that they've, I think they've been searching for for a while. So yeah, that's a guy to watch. But man, Steph the Goat. Let's talk Lakers and Wolves. The, the Wolves lost. Okay, that, that's the, the long story short, the Lakers pick up the win, but it was kind of an odd victory, I would say, for the Lakers. They, they got out to this huge lead early. They look great, just world beaters. The defense, which we've been trying to highlight here the last, you know, few games for them is. It looked great. It was incredible. Yeah. Yeah. Then Anthony Edwards gets ejected over what I thought was a pretty soft technical. I don't know what he said, but I just don't, I don't really understand what, what benefit there is to toss, you know, one of the brightest stars of the game out for something that isn't egregious. So he gets ejected and then once again, the Wolves go on a run without Anthony Edwards and I start texting you s. And I'm saying, okay, so Terence Shannon and Jaden McDaniels and Nikhil Alexander Walker. That's, that's a three man core. That, that kind of brings some energy for them.
Host 2
So they're a lot of.
Host 1
Yeah. Before we get to the Lakers, let's talk about the Wolves and in particular that little, that little unit.
Host 2
That little unit, yeah. Well, first of all, Terence Shannon is like, we've, we've kind of described him as like bull in a china shop. Right. But he plays like the Tasmanian Dev constantly going and I think that's one of the coolest parts about him. He's an older rookie, so his size and his body is already sort of developed.
Host 1
Like he's ready to be 6 to 15.
Host 2
Absolutely. Which helps in these situations because he can just destroy people at the basket. I think one of the coolest things about him is just like his relentlessness and that pair as well when you have a team that's trying to come back from deficits because he's not going to give up. He's not going to be a guy who's just going to give up on a possession. And so Nikhil Alexander Walker, good two way player. McDaniel's another great defender. They just have guys who can lock in when it's that group and it, and it causes these weird funky lineups that force comebacks. You add Nas Reed to this situation and he's shooting and making shots, et cetera, et cetera. Clark also the rookie who just got his contract converted, that's another guy who's been locking up. So I really like this Wolves team. Like they're younger guys. They have play these guys more in my opinion. You know what I mean? Get these guys some reps. Let's talk.
Host 1
About the Lakers and their offensive symmetry and balance. Okay. In this game they attempted 41 two pointers, 41 three pointers and 46 free throws. S.
Host 2
Look, Wolves fans are not going to be happy if you saying that right now because I think that's something. You know, it's funny, they said the same thing. Chris Finch complained about the Thunder getting called. Well, man, he's gonna complain after this one.
Host 1
I wonder. I mean, listen, I. It's the Lakers tax that, that you pay when you go and play him in la and I, I know that that's going to be the big thing, but I wonder if Chris Finch complaining about the officiating, which we've been seeing a lot of and by the way wrongly, because a lot of fans have already dug this up, that Shay Gilders Alexander's free throw rate on drives is actually lower than Anthony Edwards. Of course Chris Finch was complaining about all the foul calls for Shay, but this was a, an egregious amount of free throws and it did feel a little ticky tack. I'm not going to, I don't know, I, it was, you know, it's stuck on the officiating. But it was a ton.
Host 2
I was going to say, yeah, like it's so hard to parse through officiating usually where I just, I sort of disregard it at this point and I, I know it sucks to do that, but ultimately it's kind of like the game is the game and you got to play it right. So if the officiating happens that way, you kind of have to dictate the way you're going to play to what the calls are being made on that and on any given night. That said, like, the Lakers tend to be a pretty good team at drawing free throws anyways. Like, Austin Reeves attacks the basket, well.
Host 1
Aggressive to start the game. He had like eight or nine drives in the first half. So they were, they were actually getting, getting the Wolves to, to kind of commit a lot of fouls. But there were a lot of free throws, especially down the stretch. But that's neither here nor there because we want to talk about the game. Luca kind of had a rough game. He did not shoot the ball well. I think he missed 10 straight shots and a lot of those were just right at the basket. I'm not sure if this is, again, the calf issue is going to be a night in, night out thing until he's 100% healthy. So we're going to see stuff like this. But LeBron continues this run that he's on.
Host 2
Incredible, man.
Host 1
I said he's top 10. He's playing like a top five player right now. Two way player, 20, excuse me, 33 points, 17 rebounds, five offensive rebounds, six assists, a steal, a block. And when you're watching the ground that he covers defensively during this stretch, it is undeniable to me that this guy is, he's been top five for this little like, month.
Host 2
LeBron is playing the exact same role that Draymond Green does for the Golden State warriors on defense, quarterbacking it all, the anchor safety, that kind of defender for them, weak side rim protector. A guy who's like basically on the back backside of everything they do on their switch, everything defense and saying where to go and what, what's coming from where. That is the beautiful defensive acumen of a guy like LeBron. Like, he's incredible at figuring out what offenses are going to throw out at you and figuring out how to stop it. And I don't think we've seen it to this level for a pretty long time because he's, he's always had Anthony Davis behind him in a Lakers uniform to be able to kind of clean those things up. Now it's him doing that stuff, which is awesome to see the Other thing I wanted to mention about LeBron, it's like there were a couple times today where I watched him and I'm like, I can't believe this man is 40 years old. I mean, I really can't believe he is a 40 year old man doing this. I've been watching him since I was 8 years old and I am nearly 30.
Host 1
I just got to tell you, let's just relax. It's just 40 is not that old. But also say it's juxtapose this, right? Think about this. Okay, so we just watched Steph 56 points at his age, LeBron and I think Steph, like the shooting is going to stick around. He's probably not going to be as dynamic, you know, as he continues. But LeBron, 40, he looks like he's got at least another three years left in him.
Host 2
Yeah. And now he does.
Host 1
Yeah. Kd, who is going to likely be on a new team because the Suns are cooked. Yeah. You know, he still is playing.
Host 2
Yeah.
Host 1
Still does this thing, you know, this is. I think we're entering into a unique era where the limits just don't exist yet. We haven't found them for these elite guys. But what LeBron's doing is to me, unparalleled. I see people comparing Tom Brady, I think the demands of a pocket passing quarterback, especially like with the skill and all of the mental acuity that Tom Brady had, I think you can scheme your way into that guy being maybe looking better than he is. But what LeBron is doing night in, night out, he is absolutely crushing souls of guys that are half his age.
Host 2
He's playing honestly, like if LeBron was playing like this all year, he would be in the MVP conversation, which is ridiculous to say for a man again, 40 years old. I wanted to to your point about Steph, KD and LeBron obviously moving away from the fact that KD and the Suns are not going to be making the playoffs. We're quick to be like, oh, this new era. Oh, this new era. But you, you're gonna get LeBron and Steph in playing competitive basketball, maybe vying for a championship. Yeah, maybe. We don't know.
Host 1
Yeah, these guys are going to be the face of the league until somebody else takes it from them.
Host 2
Yep.
Host 1
We should mention before we go to break, Zion Williamson recorded his first career triple double against the Suns. Again, the Suns are cooked. The post game stuff was really bad for.
Host 2
Yeah, it's over.
Host 1
But how is this Zion's first career triple double? I mean, it's just he's gotten a lot better.
Host 2
Well, yes, not a lot of games under his belt, but also he's gotten a lot better at learning how to create advantages outside of kind of like the double teams that he sees. You know, he's the most double team player in the entire NBA. That stat was going around a little bit earlier, so just his vision has improved since seeing so many doubles, especially in the post, like draw kick, because.
Host 1
Steph Curry exists, and they double him every single time. That's right. Yeah, that's right. All right, guys. Guys, stick around. After the break, we have one of the best conversations that we've had on the pod since we launched it with Law Murray. Just talking about how different each team actually plays. Got a big game tonight. We got Luca and the Lakers going up against the Clippers for the first time. So we got to get our guy Law Murray in here. Law, are you excited for this? I mean, it's Luca versus the Clippers. That feels a little bit bigger than just the Lakers.
Law Murray
I. I guess I've seen Luke and the Clippers plenty of times, and I've seen the Lakers and the Clippers plenty of times. I'm just happy to be allowed in the building, dude. It's like I'm gonna. I'm gonna sit, and I'm gonna let the game itself. So if it's an incredibly boring game, then I'm enjoying my Friday night one way or the other. So that's where I'm at.
Host 2
I have so many Luca vs. The Clippers memories now that you bring that up. The bubble, the playoff series with him and Kawhi went back and forth, which was an incredible playoff series, if anybody remembers that. How do you feel this, I guess, iteration of it will go with Luca now on the Lakers?
Law Murray
It's a perfect match of hate. Like, that's what. That's where it is. Like, Luca hates these dudes. Like, he always has. And I mean, his first two playoff experiences in the bubble in 2020 and then in 2021, he put up historic numbers. We all there. There are some people who, you know, if you don't watch games or anything like that, just watch highlights. You thought that Luca won one of those in 2020 and 2020, like, people. That's how, like, I. I used to walk through the halls of the American Airlines center that they have there in Dallas. Right. And they still. You know, obviously, I haven't been there since the trade, but he had that image in 2020 of Lucas step back over Reggie Jackson. You know what I mean?
Host 1
I believe they just blacked out the image of Luca and put.
Law Murray
Yeah, it's probably a hologram now, you know, but that's. That's what. That's what it was actually. It's probably hologram of Anthony Davis from his one game on their team. All that aside, this is a part of a seven game road trip for the Clippers. They are coming home after playing four games in the Midwest. I'm laughing because it's actually funny. The Clippers build a new arena and they still get short and stick with the scheduling. They get to come home, sleep in their own beds, and then play in someone else's arena for two games before heading out for yet another road game. So that dynamic I'm excited about, I've been to Staples because I refuse to call it by its sham name now. A few times anyway.
Host 1
Don't worry.
Law Murray
Exactly.
Host 1
Come on. Exactly.
Law Murray
Okay, so my. My editors, for the most part, are cool, and they don't insert the name in my stories. Right. Yeah. If you've ever. Ever since they changed the name, I think it was, what, December of 2023. I don't even remember a year because I don't like that. Yeah, sure. Like, I refuse to. To write crypto.com on social media. I would just say redacted. Right. Because I guess about, like, who is going to this website. Like, I don't even like Staples that much.
Host 1
Right.
Law Murray
But, like, it was iconic because of, you know, the Arena.
Host 1
We just call it a top shot Arena. We'll call it arena, and everybody will get the joke.
Law Murray
We're just in the sad place with arena names, period. Okay.
Host 2
I agree with you guys that, like, it's always Staples and the new name arena, silly as hell. But the nickname for it is kind of hard. The Crypt. Have you guys heard that? No.
Law Murray
Oh, yeah, I heard it.
Host 1
Yeah, sure.
Host 2
Yeah, yeah.
Host 1
But yeah, I don't even know if they do monster trucks in there. So, like, is Grave Digger ever gonna. You know that?
Law Murray
Right?
Host 1
That's what I need. All right, well, I want to talk to you about something else, not just Clippers, because the thing is, Law, you're one of my favorite people to talk basketball with with. Like, you watch everybody, and if you guys follow Law on social media, you'll see that he is watching every single game that he's. That he's not covering directly. I mean, the guy is clipping stuff and, you know, you're doing power rankings. But I really, I. I loved the piece that you wrote about what separates NBA teams offensive identities. Because, like, there's been a huge topic of conversation. I actually brought it up on the show yesterday about people being bored watching the Celtics. There's been all this hand wringing over all Star weekend, enough that Adam Silver had to address whether they need to make changes to the actual game itself. Are people bored? Are there too many threes? And I happen to disagree with the negative discourse about the game. But I can certainly understand with the increase in three point proliferation where people feel like everyone is just same same. But the truth is when you dig into the the tape like I do and like you do and like EST does and like Xena does, I mean we know that there is a difference from night to night, game to game, team to team, the schemes change. So you wrote and, and what I want to say is an exhaustive piece with a ton of research. I want to give you a ton of credit for that because I know what it takes to go in and see this stuff where essentially if you guys haven't haven't read it, I will link it in the show description so that you can get there because I do think it's worth taking a look at and even at a glance. So just for instance, here is just how plays start for each team. Who touches the ball the most, what their preferred go to play style is so like the Boston Celtics, of course Jayson Tatum is the touch leader. His preferred non pick and roll play style, isolation. Does he take more threes? Does he shoot in the mid range? Does he get to the paint? And here you say he prefers threes and this is for every single team and then you go in and you break down. What's their pick and roll? Possession rank, where do they rank in drives? Where do they rank in passes? So number one, I want to just give you a lot of credit because I understand the work involved. But number two, I want to thank you for providing a lot of context to back up what the real ball knowers know every night when we're watching. And it's just that the game is so complicated that when you're trying to dumb it down, it can be hard. That's it. Well, thank you. Now how did you get here? What surprised you when you were looking at all this stuff?
Law Murray
Well, you know the, the haters do a good job of giving me stuff to write about. So shout out to people hating on national platforms. Hey, I, I always tell this story. A couple years ago I saw somebody criticize Paul George for an Instagram comment that he left on his great friend Carl Anthony Towne's page. You know, related to, you know, the. The vaccine. And I was like, you know what? I should write a story about Paul George and Carla V. Town's friendship. That wanted to be one of my best stories the following season. So it's the same thing here. It's like a lot of people get off on talking about what they don't like about the game that we're all here to enjoy. And so with me, I'm never. I'm not the best general manager typewriter. I've learned to be a pretty good coach writer, which I'm not. Dave. Dave Davis has literally coached, you know, the country of Georgia. You know, I'm not at that. I'm not at pretty good law.
Host 1
You're pretty good.
Law Murray
Yeah.
Host 1
You're pretty good.
Host 2
You know, get an assistant coach situation.
Law Murray
Hey, man, I'm. I'm available from August 1st to August 31st.
Host 1
You know what? Maybe we go coaching the Drew League law. But. But continue. I. I really. The story behind it, I think, is important.
Law Murray
Yeah. So I was. I've always kind of wanted to evolve my way of understanding the game. Right. But to do so in a way that's digestible, that I can communicate effectively all the basic stats out there, you need to, you know, complement that with watching the game. And you can watch a game, but you want to contextualize it. You want to. It's like when you're taking the SATs, you know, I'm saying everybody in the country takes the SATs or whatever that random test is in the south that they take, that I was never a part of, I think the act. Exactly. I don't know anything about that. But, you know, it's all standardized. Everybody gets grouped in the same thing. And you can evaluate from there. You know what I'm saying? Those tests say a lot. They don't say everything. You need to interview me. You need to see what kind of student I am in high school, talk to my guidance counselor, if I have one. Right. Shout out to the schools that have guidance counselors, though. So it's the same thing with basketball. It's like we have all these numbers, all this information, but which are the ones that you can digest and say, okay, I can see this happening on the floor. Right? And so I wanted to put all that in one place. And then I wanted to say, look, the game is simple. Put the damn ball in the basket more than the other team does. But from there, it's like, how are these teams doing it? And that's what the fun part is of watching Basketball. That's why we watch thousands of games every season. Because even though we have an idea of how the thing might end, we want to see how, right, we can look at a game between the Hornets and the Thunder and say the Thunder probably won't win, but you want to see how the game turns out. I just saw the Hornets beat the damn Lakers just a week ago. How the heck did that happen? And so that's what this story was about. This story was about saying, hey, look, there are things that teams do every game. Of course there are. It's one ball in four quarters, five guys are playing on each team. But how those teams actually play and the consistency of them, we can say that you're not going to get a team that plays the same way all the time. Even the teams that copycat, because it's a copycat league, how they copycat is going to be look a little different. Well, it's inherent differentiate them.
Host 1
It's inherent in the sport.
Law Murray
Law.
Host 1
There's only so many ways to put the ball in the basket. You don't stop between plays. So play calling is on the fly. Literally. That's right. So you have bread and butter. Literally, bread and butter plays, that's what we call them. They're usually in my back pocket. And you go to those when you need a bucket. And so often things do look the same, but it's more rhyming than it is repetition.
Host 2
And you know what it is?
Host 1
It's different spaces and whatnot.
Host 2
I think what people get caught up in is the results versus the actual process of it, right? People think, all right, it resulted in a three point shot, it resulted in a bucket at the basket. But how did you get to that bucket? Was a handoff? Was it a pick and roll? Was did you cut your way to that basket? And I think Law, in your piece you kind of broke down that exact way. Like the Cavs, great pick and roll team, obviously with Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, they are elite. They're one of the best offenses league. Right behind them is the Memphis Grizzlies and they don't run any pick and roll. So there's this, there's a variety in the way that you can get to things. Law, I wanted to ask you about this because this is something I'm curious about your thoughts on. Is it an education thing for NBA fans to get them to the point to maybe understand that it's not the result or the outcome of a certain possession, but the way at which teams are going through this? And obviously Your piece is part of that. But how do we do that?
Law Murray
Well, I will say this. A lot of the data that made up this piece, especially in the tables, I didn't want to focus on who's good. You know, I didn't want to focus on just, you know, obviously you're going to lead. The NBA is led by the great players and the great teams, the champions of the past. Those are the teams that get remembered and the teams that, when you're putting teams together, you're saying, is there a blueprint? Is there something to say that there's a precedent for success as to why you're doing the way you're doing these things? Like, pretty much everything that I wanted to show as far as data was not a ranking of, they're great at this, they're terrible at this. It's a matter of just tendencies. You know, a fast paced team can be really good offensively, or a fast paced team can be the Bulls or the Wizards. All right, A slow paced team, we think of a slow paced team and we think that's a negative connotation. But honestly, there are a lot of teams that say, we're going to slow it down and we're going to beat you.
Host 1
Right? I mean, Boston is a prime example of this, right? Like, they, they slow it down because they want to attack a particular matchup. And they're one of the few teams that have stuck to this. Like, no matter what, we are going to pick on a guy every single possession. I actually think part of this too, with like, just the, the discourse. It is a bit of a perception thing, and I think some of it is brought on by highlight culture. I mean, you talked about it. There's 1230 regular season NBA games. That's. It's a lot. And I think that you see so many highlights and s. To your point, the play conclusion, yeah, it's a great pass if the shot goes in, but you never see that clip if the shot doesn't go in. And, and also lost in that context is like when you see this beautiful basketball and it's like five or six passes. Well, part of that is the defense has these guys having to move the ball and make it work. And that also gets lost in the discourse. But I think that the highlight issue, and then when you sit down to watch a full game, you're like, oh, hang on a second. These guys are hitting what, 35% of the shots they take? Because so many of them are threes now. And I do think that that's a Disconnect. I wonder if red zone watching may cause this down the line for football. Where when you sit down to watch a full football game, you're like, wow, this is incredibly slow. I, again, I'm just kind of guessing there, but, like, do you think I'm onto something here, Law, where it's just we see so many highlights. The play finish, the ball goes through the net. And then when you actually turn on a game. Well, it doesn't work that way.
Law Murray
Yeah. If you are watching. Because I look, I do this a lot too. Like, if I'm watching one game, I'm seeing things through one game. I'm literally in arenas watching the process of things that worked in the first quarter not work. All of a sudden in the third quarter, guys that are getting hot early or struggling early, it flips. Like, that's why you see four quarters. That is the context of a game. The games are what matter in the standings. But we will remember different things. Like, we'll remember if LeBron James dunks on somebody that he's, you know, old enough to be their father. You know what I'm saying? Like, that's just how we are. Like, you brought up football. I love red zone. I used to work in NFL, you know, Andy Siciliano and Scott Hansen are great friends of mine that I've literally handed notes to during live telecasts. I know how that stuff goes. You know what I mean? And so, like, if you watching Red zone from. If you're on the West Coast 10 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon, you're seeing a different experience of football. It's the same thing if you're at the airport and you can't watch a game, but you can see the conversation on social media develop. It's like, yeah, you're getting bits of pieces of things. You're getting things taken out. You're not seeing teams clip entire highlights unless it's the Pacers. Pacers love doing that stuff. You're not seeing entire possessions and stuff like that. You're not seeing what actually wound up creating advantages all the time. So that's what we don't. We don't talk about those things unless we have pull out stories that the Athletic provides. That's right to do.
Host 2
That's right.
Host 1
That's. And that's why I love working at the Athletics, because we're the only place that's doing that right now. Law, Murray, go and check him out again. I try to remind everybody, if you, if you read the Athletic on the app or on the website. You can follow the writers that you love. I love Law Murray. I read all of his stuff. Follow him. You get a notification every single time he posts a new story, which I believe there's one today on Luca versus the Clippers. So good timing on that. Thank you Murray for hanging out and talking to Ball. Thank you Esperaheni, as always. I'm Dave Dufour. This has been the NBA Daily. Thank you guys for listening.
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Law Murray
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Marc Maron
Hey folks, it's Marc Maron from WTF. It's been more than 15 years now and I'm still talking to all kinds of people in my garage every week. Sometimes it's Bill Burr, sometimes it's Ariana Grande.
Host 1
She just looks at me because she's always going like, dad, it's not that big a deal. Yeah.
Marc Maron
I go, sorry, I lost my temper.
Host 1
I go, I still love you. You know, Daddy has issues.
Aura Voice
Are you afraid of.
Host 1
Of it? Of death?
Marc Maron
Of death?
Host 1
Well, I don't. I think about it all the time.
Law Murray
How are we here already?
Marc Maron
Listen to WTF with Marc Maron twice a week on your favorite podcast. App or get more WTF with a WTF plus subscription. Just go to wtfpod.com and click on WTF Plus.
Law Murray
Acast helps creators launch, grow, and monetize their podcasts everywhere. Acast.com.
The Athletic NBA Daily: Steph Drops 56 | LeBron and Lakers Keep Rolling
Release Date: February 28, 2025
Hosts: Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, Esfandiar Baraheni
Special Guest: Law Murray
In this high-energy episode of The Athletic NBA Daily, hosts Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, and Esfandiar Baraheni delve into some of the most electrifying performances and pivotal moments in the NBA. From Steph Curry's astonishing 56-point explosion to LeBron James and the Lakers maintaining their dominant form, the discussion is packed with expert analysis and insightful commentary. The episode also features an engaging conversation with NBA analyst Law Murray, who provides a deep dive into the evolving playing styles of NBA teams.
Timestamp: [02:31]
The episode kicks off with an in-depth analysis of Steph Curry's incredible performance, where he scored 56 points against the Orlando Magic. Hosts highlight Curry's exceptional third-quarter performance, where he amassed 22 points, including 12 three-pointers, which were pivotal in securing the Warriors' victory.
Dave DuFour emphasizes, “Steph Curry just did the thing that he does. He had a 22-point third quarter and 12 threes in the game... he is the GOAT.”
Zena Keita adds, “Steph is still the number one guy to watch in the NBA. When he gets on those moments, it's must-watch TV.”
The discussion also touches on Curry's achievement of accumulating nine 50-point games after turning 30, underscoring his enduring prowess and significance in the league.
Timestamp: [06:36]
Beyond Curry's heroics, the hosts spotlight Quentin Post, a Warriors' bench player who contributed significantly with 18 points and improved defensive efforts. His ability to shoot 44% from three-point range on over four attempts per game makes him a valuable asset in the Warriors' rotation.
Zena Keita remarks, “He's shooting near the top of the list for rookies right now... his size and ability to shoot add a crucial three-point element for the Warriors.”
Dave DuFour expresses optimism, “I need to see Steph, Quentin Post pick and pop a few times a game. If he can develop confidence in that, it's a game-changer.”
Post's defensive improvements and versatility are expected to play a critical role in the Warriors' playoff run.
Timestamp: [08:12]
The conversation shifts to the Lakers' recent game against the Minnesota Wolves, where the Lakers secured a win despite an unusual turn of events. Anthony Edwards, a key player for the Wolves, was ejected following what appeared to be a minor technical foul, leading to speculation about his potential absence in upcoming games.
Dave DuFour questions, “I don't really understand what benefit there is to toss one of the brightest stars of the game out for something that isn't egregious.”
The hosts discuss how Edwards' ejection allowed the Wolves to make a comeback with their trio of Terence Shannon, Jaden McDaniels, and Nikhil Alexander Walker, injecting energy and resilience into the team.
Zena Keita highlights the Wolves' young core, “They have guys who can lock in when it's that group, forcing comebacks with their defensive intensity.”
Timestamp: [12:10]
LeBron James continues to defy expectations with his outstanding performance, recording 33 points, 17 rebounds, and 6 assists. His defensive prowess is compared to Draymond Green's role with the Golden State Warriors, showcasing his ability to quarterback the Lakers' defense.
Zena Keita observes, “LeBron is playing the exact same role that Draymond Green does... his defensive acumen is unparalleled.”
Dave DuFour praises LeBron's longevity and impact, stating, “LeBron looks like he's got at least another three years left in him. He's crushing teams with players half his age.”
LeBron's ability to maintain a high level of play at 40 years old cements his status as one of the league's most formidable and influential players.
Timestamp: [16:03]
Zion Williamson made headlines by recording his first career triple-double against the Phoenix Suns. This milestone highlights his growth and versatility on the court, particularly his improved vision and ability to create advantages despite facing heavy double teams.
Zena Keita notes, “His vision has improved since seeing so many doubles, especially in the post. Steph Curry exists, and they double him every single time.”
Williamson's development as a playmaker adds another dimension to his already explosive offensive game.
Timestamp: [17:33]
One of the episode's highlights is a wide-ranging conversation with NBA analyst Law Murray. The discussion centers on the distinct offensive identities of NBA teams and how these styles influence their performance and adaptability.
Dave DuFour commends Murray’s work, “Your piece was an exhaustive piece with a ton of research. Thank you for providing a lot of context to back up what the real ball knowers know every night.”
Law Murray explains, “The game is simple: put the damn ball in the basket more than the other team does. But from there, it's about how these teams are doing it... it's inherent in the sport.”
They delve into various team strategies, such as the Boston Celtics' reliance on pick-and-roll plays versus the Memphis Grizzlies' preference for a different offensive approach. Murray emphasizes the importance of understanding these nuances to appreciate the complexity and variability of the game.
Zena Keita adds, “It's a variety in the way that you can get to things. The Cavs, for example, are elite with their pick and roll, while the Grizzlies don't run any pick and roll.”
The hosts and Murray discuss how modern basketball’s emphasis on three-point shooting and highlight reels can overshadow the intricate playmaking and strategic elements that define successful teams.
Law Murray advises, “The data shows that teams have specific tendencies, but it's about how they implement them on the floor consistently.”
As the episode wraps up, the hosts reiterate the significance of understanding team dynamics and individual performances in shaping the NBA landscape. They encourage listeners to engage with in-depth analyses and follow insightful writers like Law Murray to gain a deeper appreciation of the game.
Dave DuFour concludes, “These guys are going to be the face of the league until somebody else takes it from them. Thank you, Law Murray, for hanging out and talking basketball.”
The episode effectively combines thrilling game highlights with thoughtful analysis, providing listeners with a comprehensive view of current NBA narratives and future prospects.
Notable Quotes:
Dave DuFour [02:31]: “Steph Curry just did the thing that he does. He had a 22-point third quarter and 12 threes in the game... he is the GOAT.”
Zena Keita [04:08]: “Steph is still the number one guy to watch in the NBA. When he gets on those moments, it's must-watch TV.”
Zena Keita [06:36]: “He's shooting near the top of the list for rookies right now... his size and ability to shoot add a crucial three-point element for the Warriors.”
Dave DuFour [12:43]: “LeBron looks like he's got at least another three years left in him. He's crushing teams with players half his age.”
Law Murray [17:33]: “The game is simple: put the damn ball in the basket more than the other team does. But from there, it's about how these teams are doing it... it's inherent in the sport.”
This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, standout performances, and expert insights presented in the episode, offering both casual listeners and dedicated fans a thorough understanding of the latest NBA developments.