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- [00:00]
Janese
Hey, it's Janese from Warner Bros. Discovery. This episode is brought to you by IQ Bar, our exclusive snack and hydration sponsor. We're so excited to announce they've teamed up with Thomas Keller, Michelin star chef of the French Laundry, on two special edition products, a salted caramel chip protein bar and a Yuzu Mango hydration mix. I love these flavors. They bring a little sophistication to my daily snack break. You know, I like to keep snacks on hand at all times, but I don't want just any snack IQ bars. Plant protein bars are the perfect thing to elevate any moment of my day, whether I'm working in the voiceover booth or out in meetings or hiking in the mountains. They're packed with clean, delicious ingredients. And while all the flavors are super tasty, my personal favorites are almond butter chip and peanut butter chip. I keep a few bars in the car. I keep a few bars in my bag because they're just the right size to quell my hunger, and they have a richness to them that I really appreciate without being too heavy or too sweet. I also love mixing the Yuzu Mango IQ mix into my water to get the electrolytes and magnesium I need, not to mention a little bit of lion's mane. I feel so refreshed and energized when I drink this, and I think it's pretty cool that a Michelin star chef is supporting me in my hydration. You should also check out the Pina colada flavor, too. It tastes like a little vacation. And right now, IQ Bar is offering our special podcast listeners 20% off all IQ Bar products, plus free shipping. To get your 20% off, text obsessive to 64,000. Text obsessed to 64,000. That's obsessed to 64,000. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details.
- [01:41]
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- [02:13]
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- [03:42]
Zena Katie
Welcome to the Athletic NBA Daily for August 7, 2025. Zena Katie here with my guys, Espear Honey and Andrew Schlecht. And we gotta get into NBA over and unders. But first we got some exciting news to share. The sports gossip show has joined the athletic podcast network. So whether you're a diehard fan that has the standings of multiple leagues memorized, I gotta give you credit. Or you're someone that thinks that Taylor Swift put Travis Kelce on the map, which I will take that credit right back. So join Madeline Hill and Charlotte Wilder as they break down sports with one eye on the game and one eye on the personal life section of the athletes Wikipedia pages. This is every Tuesday and Thursday on YouTube, Apple, Spotify or wherever you you get your podcast. All right, official business. Out of the way. Andrew S. It's August.
- [04:31]
Andrew Schlecht
Yes.
- [04:31]
Zena Katie
We're closing this out. We gotta make some predictions. Over and under in the NBA. Are you guys ready?
- [04:38]
Andrew Schlecht
Let's do it.
- [04:39]
Espear Honey
Born ready.
- [04:40]
Andrew Schlecht
Yeah.
- [04:40]
Zena Katie
All right, let's dive in. First team Atlanta. This is a team that, you know, we feel pretty high on, especially with some of the offseason moves that they made. Right now the over under is 47 and a half. Their record last year, 40 and 42. Remember, they added Kristoff Sporzingis, added Nikhil Alexander. Walker lost some size inside. No more Clint Capella, et cetera. But they shored up some things that they really needed in defense, in depth. S. What you thinking? Over under 47 and a half, man.
- [05:14]
Andrew Schlecht
This is a really interesting one because like they probably end up winning 50 games if they're fully healthy. But the question is if they're fully healthy. Especially Christoph Sporzingis who labored through a really weird injury to finish his year. And with Boston it was clear that like he wasn't towards the end of last year, he just wasn't the same player that they needed him to be. If Atlanta wants to win 50 games, he needs to be healthy, he needs to be available and he has to play like 60 plus games. And so if they can get that version of Christoph Sporzingis in a contract year, by the way, so we know how he can hoop when it comes to money being online. I think that's probably the swing factor here. Before, between them being 47 and a half and going over or 47 and a half going under, I would say over at this point because I like their depth and what they've done this off season. But yeah, I'm going to go over.
- [06:09]
Espear Honey
Wow. I'm going to take the over as well. The way that you laid it out there makes me feel less confident because we're talking about Chris and playing 60 games.
- [06:20]
Andrew Schlecht
Yeah.
- [06:20]
Espear Honey
I think it's about Jalen Johnson for them.
- [06:22]
Zena Katie
Yeah.
- [06:24]
Espear Honey
He tore. He had a torn labrum that caused him to miss the rest of the season. Last year only played 36 games. Like they. That's the guy that I think they need to get 65 plus games out of. And if they do, I think one, he's gonna make the All Star team and then two, I think like this team be really, really good. You have a Kong Woo that can kind of shore up the center position. They really need one more big because I do think like Chris Chaps is probably going to miss time.
- [06:51]
Andrew Schlecht
Yeah.
- [06:51]
Espear Honey
And so I think their guard rotation is awesome and I love the guards and wings that they have. I think that they're really set at that position, but it's really the center position that they, they need a little bit more from.
- [07:05]
Andrew Schlecht
Yeah.
- [07:06]
Espear Honey
And so I do worry about. About that specifically. But if they do have relative health, I think that this is. They're going to be a 50 plus win team and they'll be one of the surprise teams in the NBA.
- [07:16]
Andrew Schlecht
Yeah. You'll notice that like with every Eastern Conference team, I'm just going to say someone has to win games. Someone has to win games. There will be a team that just racks up wins because someone on any given night has to win a basketball game. That's. Yeah.
- [07:34]
Zena Katie
But Andrew, I think you make a really good point with Jalen Johnson. I Think people really don't realize how much he was impacting winning for Atlanta before he went out having S. You've mentioned it before on this show, an all Star. And Andrew, you mentioned it too. All star level kind of game before he went out. And now it's a level of Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels and Zachary Re Sachet stepping into the shoes of, of the moment, of the opportunity. So I am going to say over as well. I'm with you guys on that. All right. Now, the reason why I started with S on the Hawks is because we're doing the Raptors next. And I got to get Andrew's thoughts before we get into S's thoughts on the Raptors right now. Raptors are predicted.
- [08:22]
Andrew Schlecht
Remember what I said? Someone has to win.
- [08:24]
Zena Katie
Someone has to win. 37 and a half now. Remember, they only won 30 games last year.
- [08:31]
Andrew Schlecht
Yep.
- [08:32]
Zena Katie
Andrew, I'm going to let you start with this team.
- [08:36]
Espear Honey
This feel like. It feels like a really high over under to me.
- [08:40]
Zena Katie
I think so, too. I'm with you on that.
- [08:42]
Andrew Schlecht
I'm here. I'm listening.
- [08:44]
Espear Honey
That feels. That feels high. I. I don't know what this team is like. I don't know. I don't know what is going on in Toronto. They have a lot of talented players, I would say, but I, I don't really quite understand the direction that they're going. I'm. I'm taking the under on the Toronto Raptors. I think that they are smack in the middle. I think that they'll, they'll win around what they're over. Under is 35, 36 games, I think is where they're going to be at. But like, I, I don't quite know. Like behind Scotty Barnes, like, they have talented guys. Like I said, Emmanuel Quickley is a good player. Brandon Ingram is a good player, but I just. I don't know. I. I don't know how cohesive they'll be. Their. Their pieces don't exactly, like, fit together in my brain, and maybe that's a me problem. I don't know.
- [09:41]
Zena Katie
It seems like the Yaka Podol resigning isn't doing it for Andrew. What are you thinking?
- [09:46]
Andrew Schlecht
Oh, man. People have been really wildly misreporting that extension. That's, that's another story for another day. I'm going to smack the over on this. Absolutely. I'm smacking it, too. Like, I'm. I'm hammering the over.
- [10:02]
Zena Katie
Like a noise. We got to get that on there. That's crazy.
- [10:05]
Andrew Schlecht
Look, I'm just, I'm Again, going to say someone has to win games in the Eastern Conference. Okay. There will be teams that, like you said, Andrew, like, at the very least, this is a generally talented basketball team. Their starting five has players that can win basketball games.
- [10:23]
Espear Honey
They do.
- [10:24]
Andrew Schlecht
And in the Eastern Conference, that is all you need to win more than 37 and a half games. Here's my pitch. Okay. They won 30 games last year. They had a stretch in December where they went 1 in 16 because they didn't have. I believe they only had two of their players in the starting lineup fully healthy. Okay. One in 16. That was when the Tank started. They're like, let's just pull the plug everything. And towards the end of the season, they had a very easy schedule and they tried to tank. They weren't successful in tanking because they were too good to tank.
- [10:57]
Espear Honey
Too good to tank.
- [10:58]
Andrew Schlecht
Too good to tank. And so they won 30 games, tripping over themselves. I'm going to say by adding Brandon Ingram, they've obviously added some talent and just talent itself will be enough to win 37 and a half games. I'm taking the over there. Wow.
- [11:16]
Espear Honey
The great thing about the Ingram deal is, like, it could be anything because we've not even seen it. We don't know.
- [11:23]
Andrew Schlecht
We have no idea. Anything happen. It is. We are optimistic at this point, you know.
- [11:29]
Zena Katie
Right. As a reminder, Brandon Ingram traded in February and we haven't seen anything. I do think it's going to be definitely a factor again of young guys stepping up. Grady Dick psychs me. I think he can be something really electric. And we saw aspects of this last year, but yeah, RJ Barrett, Scotty Barnes, Grady Dick, another year older. They're. They've got a lot of young talent, but again, I'm with Andrew. Feels a little scattered for me. I think they'll be over what they did last year. I don't think they're going to be over 37 and a half. So we're going to have to go.
- [12:05]
Andrew Schlecht
You know what? I'll. I'll double down on this. They're going to be over 500. Going to go ahead and say they're going to be over 500.
- [12:14]
Espear Honey
Am I going to be like the three seed in the East? What's going on?
- [12:17]
Andrew Schlecht
No, no. Come on.
- [12:19]
Zena Katie
Well, let's talk a little bit about a team that might challenge that 50%. The magic. Okay. The Magic. I am very excited about. We know we've talked about their way to be resilient, to be gritty in this league, and they dealt with some Major injuries last year. Those guys are healthy. Paolo, Ben Caro is just fine. Franz Wagner just fine. So over under is 51 and a half. That is a lot. Andrew, I'm gonna go back to you on this one. What do you think?
- [12:51]
Espear Honey
It is a lot. Someone does have to win in the east, and I, I think that they're gonna be over this. I think this Orlando Magic team is ready to take the next step. They dealt with a ton of injury last year and I know hopefully they don't have a ton of weird oblique injuries. Again, that was just very, very strange. Part of the reason why I think that they're going to win more is like their guard rotation was really, really bad last year. One of the worst in the NBA. If Jalen Suggs can stay healthy, you add Desmond Bain to that mix. You had Tyus Jones to that mix is just a great backup point guard that's going to take care of the ball. And I just think another year of development for Paolo and Franz. I think, like, this team is just destined to be a lot better. And so just adding some shooting and Desmond Bain is going to help. They need someone else to pop, though. Like, they need like Tristan De Silva to be able to take on minutes and shoot it really well. You can't just get by with just like one really good shooter. They need somebody else. Like, if Jet Howard could show some kind of life, that would be nice. I'm not counting on that. But they just, they need a little bit more than just Desmond Bain shooting to make it work. But I do think, like, this team has a really high floor just because of their defense. And then offensively, if they can get a little bit more from some of these other guys on the roster, I think like, they're going to win a lot of games. Like, they're. They're just going to be teams defensively and if they can just get a little bit more shooting across the roster, I think like, this team is destined to win 53 games.
- [14:30]
Zena Katie
I also like the fact that they added Ty Jones and I think that that is a great floor setter and adds that depth that you need, as Andrew's mentioning from a guard position perspective. Also, Mo Wagner resigned.
- [14:43]
Andrew Schlecht
Yes, he's better or getting better.
- [14:47]
Zena Katie
What do we think as over under?
- [14:48]
Andrew Schlecht
Yeah, I'm going to take the over to just really quickly. Franz Wagner played 60 games last year. Jalen Suggs played 35. Paulo and Caro played 36. The main thing for me is health, and the guy I'm looking at is Jalen Suggs because with him out of the lineup, their defense wasn't the same. Tenacious defense, I mean, they still defended the hell out of the ball, but they weren't as tenacious at the point of attack. He makes up what they want to do so much just with his feistiness, guarding at his position. He sets the tone for them and for Jamal Mosley and I think he's the big kind of swing factor for them this season to go above 51 and a half if he's healthy. And honestly, they won 41 last year in a year where none of their players were healthy in and out of the lineup. Like Andrew mentioned. I'm going to. I'm going to take the over on this one for sure.
- [15:38]
Zena Katie
I'm going to take the over and health is going to be a factor. Those playoffs showed me something. The way that Paolo and Franz played off of each other in the playoffs versus the Celtics. Yes, they lost 4 1. They didn't get swept. And those games were fun. They were exciting, especially in the first half, at least where they felt like they had a grasp of how they wanted to attack Boston. Of course, Boston's a little bit more veteran and they were figuring it out towards the end of games and being able to close things out. But I liked the things being put together at the end of that season and I like now that they have a chip on their shoulder from what happened. So I'm going to take the over on the magic. Let's move it to the west coast. The Lakers. Lakers just got their extension out of Luka Doncic. They're feeling good now. Did they put enough people around Luka to get a 47 and a half for the season? Over, under. I'm going to have to ask us, last year they won 50 games. What do you think? Us?
- [16:43]
Andrew Schlecht
Yeah, this is tough because obviously they will now have a full season of Luka Doncic. Skinny Luka is going to be playing for them this year according to all of the hype that Lakers fans have about how excited they are about his physical health and how he looks and fitness fit. Luca, whatever you go. So to me that's the intriguing part. It's a full season of Luka doncic. How does LeBron James look heading into year 23? I think they've rounded out their rotation well with Deandre Ayton and Jake Laravia and Marcus Smart. How effective those three will be because they were pretty cost effective pieces to add in the first place. Like deandre Ayton got bought out Marcus Smart Got bought out. They got bought out for reasons. Right. There's a lot of if factors to what happens with the Lakers next season and especially in a really competitive Western Conference where honestly, Xena, like I could, I could convince myself 13 teams could make the playoffs next year and there's just not enough wins to go around. And so I would probably say under for 47 and a half now. I could, I could have pie on my face and I would be okay with that. If Luka Doncic has an MVP type season and just obviously like dominates and they win very easily more than 47 and a half games. We've seen him do that with the Dallas Mavericks, but right now where they are stacking up against the rest of the West, I think I'm taking the under.
- [18:14]
Zena Katie
Now, interestingly enough, when we talk about the east, it's someone's got to win games. When we talk about the west, there's not enough games to go around, not enough games to win. Andrew, what are you thinking? Are there enough games to go around for the Lakers to get the over on this?
- [18:31]
Espear Honey
Yeah, I think so. I think, I think the Lakers are going to be pretty good. I think.
- [18:36]
Andrew Schlecht
Okay.
- [18:36]
Espear Honey
I think if a lot of it just hinges on Luka Doncic being healthy and the fact that he's this committed to his health in the off season, I think is a really good sign. And So I think LeBron is, LeBron always plays a lot of games. I think that, you know, Luke is going to play a lot of games and I, and maybe this is just me like falling for it again. This is the football just being laid out there for me and I'm just about to just swing and tear my other ACL here. But I just think that deandre Ayden is at like the end of, at the end of the road right now. Like, he has to, like, hopefully he's taken like a good hard look in the mirror at his much older looking face than his age and said like, I've got to lock in defensively and if he does, I think this team is going to be really good. Now playoffs is like a whole other story. Like I don't, I don't know how successful they're going to be in the playoffs, but I think regular season wise, I think they're going to win a ton of games. And so, yeah, give me the over.
- [19:36]
Andrew Schlecht
I'd like to change my mind here. I'd like to change my mind. And the reason I say that is because I was looking at last year's standings and the eight seed, the Memphis Grizzlies won 48 games. 47 and a half. Yeah, feels easy. I think the Lakers will be a top six team in the west next year. Give me the over on that. Just statistically it makes sense.
- [19:55]
Zena Katie
Yeah, I absolutely want the over on this. And I agree with you, Andrew. I think that Luka has something to prove this year as well as Deandre Ayton. I think the combination of those two is going to be really fun. I don't know what Marcus Smart is going to look like out on the floor. I don't think he's going to be like the game changer. But I do think that's going to add another level of grit to them. A little, just a little edge to the Lakers. So I'm taking the over on this.
- [20:23]
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- [21:47]
Espear Honey
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- [21:48]
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- [22:44]
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- [23:38]
Zena Katie
Heading back over to Detroit, the Pistons, who won 44 games last season over under 45 and a half. This is the little engine that could coming out of the East S. What do you think?
- [23:55]
Andrew Schlecht
So they had a really great season and I was a big fan of them, as you guys remember, called the fact that they were going to be a playoff team.
- [24:03]
Espear Honey
Yep.
- [24:04]
Andrew Schlecht
Just want to mention that because of what I I've talked about with the Raptors and Blazers. You know, just want to throw that in there. You know, pre season preseason.
- [24:12]
Espear Honey
You were a big fan of them.
- [24:14]
Andrew Schlecht
Yes, absolute. I think this team is just as good as it was last year. They added Caris LeVert, they added Duncan Robinson, they've resigned a couple of their guys. They're also regaining Jaden Ivey, which I think is a massive part of their equation. Now Kate and Jaden Ivey didn't necessarily like they got better playing together, but they didn't necessarily win their minutes consistently. It was more splitting time, you know, one guy on the floor, one guy off the floor type of things for the Pistons when they were playing last year. I'm curious to see how much Ivy adapts to what the Pistons found throughout the season last year and whether that means having a more more refined version of his game. Regardless, I think that's like a talent ad for a Pistons team that won 44 games. And I think that's why I would say over also to the point of the Eastern Conference. I think this is like very thoroughly the fourth or fifth best team in the Eastern Conference, depending on who you talk to. And so they're locked into the east playoffs in my opinion. I think they're right there, especially with this young group Getting better. I'm going to take the over.
- [25:22]
Espear Honey
Yeah, I, I think that makes a lot of sense. And to me, the reason that I would take the over is just like I believe in Cade Cunningham. Like, I think he's going to continue to take steps. Like, he's the exact kind of player that you want leading your team. He's a 6, 6 guard that is going to handle most of your possessions. He's seventh in MVP voting last year, which is kind of crazy to think about. Like, he made a massive leap in his third season or his fourth season. And I think, like, he is going to continue to get better. And so I, I'll take the over there. Losing Malik Beasley is a huge deal. It's a huge, huge deal.
- [26:01]
Zena Katie
They did add Duncan Robinson. From a shooting perspective, it's not Malik Beasley numbers. But yes, I agree. Yeah, yeah.
- [26:08]
Espear Honey
Losing him is a huge deal. But I just think like the step up that Cade is going to take and that Jalen Duran could take to are going to be enough to overcome some of the losses.
- [26:19]
Andrew Schlecht
Also, like, you guys are forgetting my.
- [26:22]
Zena Katie
Favorite player, A Sar.
- [26:24]
Andrew Schlecht
Oh, is it A Sar Thompson also.
- [26:28]
Zena Katie
Was injured for a significant portion and he's going to have another offseason come back in. I'm. I'm big on the Pistons. I think going from 44 wins to over 45 is not going to be an issue. I'm taking the over on the Pistons. Let's keep it moving. Timberwolves 50 and a half is the over under for this season. Last year they had 49 wins in the regular season. Andrew?
- [26:53]
Espear Honey
Yeah. I worry a little bit about this Minnesota Timberwolves squad.
- [26:59]
Zena Katie
What's. What's keeping you up at night?
- [27:02]
Espear Honey
Well, I just, I think losing to Keel is going to. Is. Is a really big deal for their rotation and I just don't think you can replace him. I also, I don't know. I think regular season they're going to be fine. I think that Edwards could be better. I think there's a lot of things that could be better about this team. I am going to take the under, though, for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
- [27:27]
Andrew Schlecht
Finally we have an under. That was the first under we're taking, by the way.
- [27:33]
Espear Honey
I'll take the under. I think they're going to take a little bit of a step back just because I, I think that this team is just worse. I think that they, they needed to kind of shore up some stuff around Ant in the back court and Mike Conley's a year older. They lost Nikhil they're counting on some like really young guys that haven't been there before yet. And so I do worry about like, can Rob Dillingham, can he take on like real minutes? I think is a huge question. And if he can't, then I don't really know what the answers are for the Timberwolves. So I'm taking the under there. I think that they'll, they'll be probably, they'll have another chance to make a conference finals. I think that they're that good. But regular season wise, I think they're going to take a step back.
- [28:15]
Zena Katie
I feel like they're putting a lot of pressure on Terry Shannon Jr. Jr. To step up and. Oh yeah, someone.
- [28:20]
LinkedIn Sales Navigator
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- [28:21]
Zena Katie
Yes, totally.
- [28:22]
Andrew Schlecht
Absolutely.
- [28:22]
Zena Katie
What do you think?
- [28:23]
Andrew Schlecht
Yeah, I mean, I look at that trio of Rob Dillingham, Terrence Shannon Jr. And Jalen Clark of guys that are going to step into rotation minutes next year and fill what Nikhil Alexander Walker was for this team. To your point, Andrew Mike Conley, a year older, but also Rudy Gobert, a year older. And he was good. He had a good season in my opinion. But for the most part, you think of a guy who's now in his 30s. Obviously, like every year there's a little bit extra mileage on his body of a seven footer. And so my question is like, how much longer can he be that active defensive anchor for them consistently and then what's behind him? And so to me, I will say under. And I think it's more about a learning curve for this Timberwolves team to figure out some of their younger pieces, whether it is their young guy, their young big man who they drafted in Johan Berenger, he obviously is showed intrigue in the summer league. I'm very curious to see how. I don't think he's going to play play tons of minutes. But again, like, getting that development from this young group is the key thing for this Timberwolves team. And I think when you have so many young players that probably end up in your rotation, you're not going to win as many regular season games. So I'm going to go under. But they might be better for it in the playoffs because of it.
- [29:40]
Zena Katie
I really kind of hate that we're all going like three for three on some things because I'm going under as well. The west is getting tougher every year and I don't think that Minnesota got better with the moves that they made. Now we keep talking about younger with the Minnesota Timberwolves and that's who's Going to need to step up. Well, the youth in Philadelphia is going to have to step up as well because some of these offside moves for the 76ers, adding Kyle Lowry, Eric Gordon, a little bit older, but you know, they also are going to get some people back that were injured last year. So let's talk about 76ers right now. Over under 42 and a half. Last year, our 76ers ended at 24 games, but Jerry McCain's coming back. You know, Paul George, Olen Bead. What are we thinking? S starting with you.
- [30:32]
Andrew Schlecht
So if I was actually betting, I would tell betters to not bet on the Philadelphia because it is terrifying to Even look at 42 and a half wins for a team where Paul George is already injured. We're getting reports of Joel Embiid and his knee not necessarily being 100% yet. And they don't know if he'll be ready for training camp. They're going to take a slow approach with Embiid's knee generally, which I think is the right approach. But for winning regular season games, I don't know how many you're going to win if your two best guys are not there. That being said, Tyrese Maxey going to be fully healthy for to start the season. Their rookie and Vijay Edgecombe is very exciting. We'll see what happens with Quentin Grimes and them resigning him. Jared McCain should be intriguing. Their guard trio, or quartet, if you will, is really fun.
- [31:23]
Zena Katie
Right.
- [31:24]
Andrew Schlecht
I just don't know how healthy this team is going to be. And so I would personally say under because I don't know what to expect from Joel Embiid and Paul George. And I just wouldn't touch it. I wouldn't touch it. I'm sorry. I wouldn't do it.
- [31:38]
Espear Honey
Yeah.
- [31:39]
Zena Katie
For what it's worth, Paul George had surgery this July in the off season to clean up his left knee. He is supposed to be evaluated at the start of training camp. Is that enough for you, Andrew? Do you feel confident enough in the town available?
- [31:52]
Espear Honey
No.
- [31:52]
Zena Katie
Okay.
- [31:53]
Espear Honey
No, absolutely not.
- [31:54]
Zena Katie
Yeah.
- [31:55]
Espear Honey
No. I'm like, Joel Embiid is not going to play a lot of games. He's just not. And the problem, that's the biggest issue to me is like, they. They don't have anybody to back him up. Like, Andre Drummond is there to back him up. Andre Drummond is not going to drive wins. And they have a Dembona who's behind him, who I don't think is going to help him win games. I mean, the truth is, like, they have A lot of good young players, but young players don't win games in the NBA. That's just like a hard and fast rule. Like, young guys don't win games. And so I do worry about them. I think Tyrese Maxey will be kind of like the lone guy that's going to play a lot of games for them, but everybody else is either injury prone or they're too young to help them win. Like, I don't think that McCain is necessarily, like, ready to help this team win a lot of games. So give me the under. I don't care what the number is. Give me the under.
- [32:51]
Zena Katie
Yeah, I think they're going to win 40 games, so that technically is under the 42 and a half. But we're going to see a lot of, I think, 40 point games out of Tyrese Maxey and Quentin Grimes, which will be fun. Which will be fun to watch. All right, let's keep it going. Blazers going up to the northwest. Over. Under right now is 33 and a half. 33 and a half. And they won 36 games last year, so bet MGM the market. Everyone thinks it got worse.
- [33:24]
Andrew Schlecht
S where you think, this is my team, folks. This is my team for next year. Yes, absolutely. I'm rocking with the Portland Trail Blazers. I'm going over. Okay, look, before I start on my pitch for why they over, I understand that there will be offensive concerns since they've lost Anthony Simons, since they've lost Deandre Ayton, I completely get it. But they will be a defensive juggernaut. In my opinion, they will be one of the best defensive teams in the league. I know Drew Holiday. Yes. Juggernauts.
- [33:56]
Zena Katie
Yes.
- [33:56]
Andrew Schlecht
Yes. Going to be puff pieces all over about this Portland Trailblazers defense in January. And I think a big part of that, obviously, like Drew. Adding Drew Holiday, who is older, who is on, you know, in his mid-30s at this point, isn't the defender he once was, but still a very good point of attack. Defender is big. I think generally, if you look up and down their depth chart, they just have plus defenders basically everywhere. Donovan Klingan stepping into a bigger role is something I'm intrigued by. Young Hansen, I'm intrigued by. I don't know how many minutes he'll end up getting, but it'd be fun to watch. Young Hansen cook. I'm going to go over purely for the fact that they won 36 games last year and 33 and a half just feels disrespectful to a team that kind of figured things out last year, in my opinion. I'm going to go over. I don't know if I would go wildly over because it's the Western Conference, but I think they could win 36 games again, to be honest with you.
- [34:54]
Espear Honey
So.
- [34:55]
Andrew Schlecht
Yeah, over.
- [34:56]
Espear Honey
Yeah, I'll take the over, too. I won't use words like juggernaut or my team or anything like that. Like, I don't. I don't have to do all that. This is.
- [35:04]
Andrew Schlecht
This is my pistons. This.
- [35:06]
Zena Katie
This is this year simmering it down for us. All right, give us the tepid take here, Andrew.
- [35:14]
Espear Honey
I think this team is better than they were last year. I just think. I think they have. They have an identity. I think that they. They have a coach that is on more solid ground with his extension. And I just think, like, they're be good defensively. I agree with that take. I. I agree with every. I agree with everything that s said. It was just like, he had to.
- [35:34]
Andrew Schlecht
Just, like, le in too much.
- [35:36]
Espear Honey
Dumping sprinkles on a cake where you're like, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Like, why are you doing that? The cake's already pretty good. You don't need to do that.
- [35:42]
Zena Katie
Icing's there. The icing there.
- [35:44]
Espear Honey
Icing there. And in fact, there's already sprinkles on it. But you're just like, let's, you know, like, you're very excited about it, which is cool, I guess.
- [35:53]
Andrew Schlecht
Shade and sharp sprinkles all over. Shade and sharp. Let's just.
- [35:58]
Zena Katie
That's what I was going. Shaden. Sharp is my sprinkles. Scoot Henderson, another year older is my. You know. And then of course, you mentioned Matisse Tyl. You talked about Tamani Kamara. Like, the defense is going to be there, and I think that that shores up.
- [36:10]
Espear Honey
And I think that even mentioned their best player, Denny Abdia.
- [36:15]
Zena Katie
Exactly, exactly. And he was cooking towards the end of the season last year. So I definitely think they'll be in a good position to definitely get over 33 and a half games. So definitely taking the over on that one. Let's go down to the Spurs. 43 and a half is there, over, under. Remember, they basically last year had to play games without Wemby for the. Towards the end of the season, they only won 34 games. Okay, so this is a bit of a jump. 43 and a half. Andrew, I'm gonna start with you. What do you think?
- [36:50]
Espear Honey
I'll take a slight over for the San Antonio Spurs. I think having Dear and Fox there for the whole season, I think is a big deal he's locked in. If Victor Wimbanyama just plays a majority of the season, I think that you're in a good spot. They also have like, good backups for him. I think that Luke Cornett and Kelly Olenek are going to just be helpful to them and then like how much further they can go than that. It's like solely dependent on a lot of these younger players that they have. They're like, can Stefan Castle take a step forward with his shooting? I think is a massive question. I still, I'm still like a believer in Jeremy Sohan and like, I don't know that there are a ton of believers out there in him, especially in his fit with Wimby. But I just like a guy that has the tools that he has as a defensive player. And then offensively, like, the shooting's not there, but there's a whole lot else to like about him. It's like he. There's potential for him to take a step forward for sure. But. But then like, I don't know, like, they're still really young. This is still a really young roster for the most part. And so I think like the talent of Wimby and the talent of Dear and Fox will drag you to like the 45ish wins that they get to be the over. But yeah, that's kind of. That's kind of where I'm at. I think this, they're headed in the right direction and I think that they're going to get to where they want to go eventually. But. But you know, baby steps for the, the Spurs.
- [38:21]
Andrew Schlecht
Yeah. Speaking of those baby steps, I am going to go over on this one. This is mostly because I think people are over correcting on Dear and Fox a little bit. Yes, he got a massive contract and so there's obviously people that sticker shock of like, oh my God, he's max players making this much money. I think he's going to have a really great season for the spurs and I think he's the perfect guard to pair alongside Victor Wembanyama. Think of a downhill threat who can get to the basket, who can create his own shot. And you think of the pick and pop ability of Victor Wembanyama and how that kind of works machination wise with what Fox can bring on the floor. I think it's a perfect fit and I think a full season of that should win 43 and a half plus games so very easily and over for me. And plus I think their young guys are good defenders. And when you have Young guys who are good defenders above everything else, you're gonna have a baseline for everything you want to do.
- [39:22]
Zena Katie
This is actually the first one. I'm kind of struggling. I don't know if I want to take the over or under. Mainly because there is. We still don't really know what Dear and Fox and Wemby look like together. I still feel a little bit like Devin Vassell, Stefan Castle. All the young guys on that team do have to take a step up. I think I'll take the O. I might take the under. I think they'll take the. Switch it up.
- [39:50]
Andrew Schlecht
Switch it up.
- [39:51]
Zena Katie
Yeah. Let's round it out with the. The biggest question mark in the West. The Rockets. The Houston Rockets. Now this is the one that is being blown out the water on the betting markets. 55 and a half. 55 and a half. Now, remember they had 52 games last year, but they've added some big names. Dorian, Finney, Smith and of course Kevin Durant. S close us out. What do you think?
- [40:20]
Andrew Schlecht
Yeah. So it feels like this is an easy over. And the reason I would say it's an easy over is because even if Kevin Durant misses time, this is a team that won 52 games without him. They have a baseline again, that baseline of competency when it comes to their defense, their defense wins them games. In the regular season. All of their questions, in my opinion, are playoff focused. Right. Can this team score in the clutch? Can this team score in the fourth quarter in the playoffs? And that's more of a Kevin Durant question that's about Kevin Durant's availability, how healthy he is. Come April and May in the regular season, this team should be absolutely dominant. And you look at the rotation that they have, the depth that they have. Steps from an Almond Thompson and Tari Eason getting those young guys to get more opportunities. Maybe read Shepherd Pops. I think they have like nine, 10 players consistently that can play rotation minutes for them. When you have that in the regular season and when you have the talent that they do, they're going to win a lot of games. So 55 and a half I'm going to go over for sure.
- [41:22]
Espear Honey
Yeah. I think the name of the game for the NBA right now is depth. Like especially if you're going to be like a 60ish win team like they it and they have it. They have depth at every single position like you. Yeah, they may even have excess depth. You could say, yeah, there's going to be good players that don't get much burn for them and so now that. That can be a problem depending on, like, how your team culture is. I think, like, that is something to monitor. Is like, are. Are there going to be young guys that are going to be satisfied? I think that's why they dealt Cam Whitmore is because, like, there was just not going to be the minutes for him and he was not going to be happy about that. Now you do have signs that the chemistry and the cohesiveness is. Is there with Fred Van Vliet, you know, taking the deal that he did this summer. I think like, that, yeah, is like a clear signal to the rest of the roster. Like, hey, like, we're building towards something together and there's sacrifice that's happening. So I will also take the over just because I think, like, Houston has built this team for the modern NB and they have what it takes to be. I mean, I think that they could have a top three record in the NBA period this year. And so I think, like, I think they'll repeat as the number two seed in the west and we'll look pretty strong going into the playoffs. And yeah, they'll have. They'll have huge questions to answer once they get there, but regular season, I don't think there's a ton of questions in my mind.
- [42:55]
Zena Katie
Agreed. Taking the over, I think at least 60 wins with this team. The depth is there, but I also love this veteran experience that they added to this team. Of course, adding Kevin Durant, but Clint Capella as well. I just really like the fact that they've got people that have been in locker rooms and know what it takes to focus and win, and I think that that's going to be huge. They resigned a lot of folks, and this will be great mentorship for some of these young guys that definitely want to get more minutes and be more impactful on the team. So. So we're just going to stick with that. I think that was amazing, guys.
- [43:28]
Andrew Schlecht
I just want to say we took one under.
- [43:31]
Zena Katie
Are we just, like, way too hype on the. On the. On the NBA right now? Like, what? I also.
- [43:38]
Espear Honey
It probably had to do with the. The teams that I chose to. I got. I didn't. I didn't. I wanted to end our. Our little run. Okay.
- [43:47]
Zena Katie
I took two wonders.
- [43:48]
Andrew Schlecht
Yeah, you did. The Wolves and the spurs for you and then the Wolves for everybody.
- [43:53]
Zena Katie
I'm a negative Nancy over here in comparison. Okay, well, appreciate you guys doing that exercise with me. That was a lot of fun. And remember, guys, this is our last show until the top of September, so If you guys want to know the exact moment that we're dropping back in, you need to make sure you follow subscribe, do all the digital things so that you can be back up with us when season starts to pick back up. Otherwise you're just gonna have to wait until next year's Pistons pick is immortalized. So see you guys then. Appreciate the time and enjoy the rest of your day.
- [44:52]
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- [45:50]
Espear Honey
That return of the old king man. Oh wow, Emotional King of the Hill is back. They got a Bob's in the airport now.
- [45:58]
King of the Hill
Oh, that's Boba.
- [45:59]
Andrew Schlecht
World has changed.
- [46:00]
Espear Honey
Dad, Bobby wants to bring that new.
- [46:02]
King of the Hill
Girl over for dinner.
- [46:04]
Espear Honey
The vegan. What the hell am I supposed to feed her? Can't we just put some grass in a bowl?
- [46:08]
Andrew Schlecht
From Mike Judge and Greg Daniels.
- [46:10]
Espear Honey
Ready to make some memories, dad? Let's freaking go.
- [46:14]
Andrew Schlecht
A Hulu Original Series King of the Hill. All episodes now streaming on Hulu.