The Athletic NBA Daily | Morning Shoot Around

Episode Theme: Who Do You TRUST More?
Date: February 25, 2026

Episode Overview

In this lively “Morning Shoot Around” episode of The Athletic NBA Daily, hosts Andrew Schlecht and S. (Esfandiar Baraheni) dive into a spirited debate about which current NBA playoff hopefuls are the most trustworthy down the stretch. Through a head-to-head “Who do you trust more?” format, they critically assess squads from both conferences, exploring their playoff identities, strengths, and fatal flaws, while weaving in real-time listener comments and plenty of NBA nuance.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trusting the Lakers or Rockets?

(03:32-09:42)

• Hosts: Andrew Schlecht & S.
• The Lakers’ inconsistency is at the forefront—elite on some nights, disastrous on others.
• Defensive struggles called out:

  “The Lakers right now are probably not getting enough flack for being the 24th ranked defensive team in the NBA.”
  — Andrew Schlecht (04:16)

• Their identity feels adrift, mainly relying on LeBron and Luka Doncic:

  “What's the identity of the Lakers? We have LeBron and Luka. That's our identity.”
  — Schlecht (05:28)

• Meanwhile, the Rockets, though offensively limited and clutch-challenged, at least know who they are:

  “Give me the Houston Rockets all day…they at least have an identity.”
  — Schlecht (05:10)

• S. doubts either team’s ability to get past round one against tougher West competition but leans Rockets over Lakers for a hypothetical matchup.

2. Who’s More Trustworthy: Suns or Lakers?

(09:42-11:20)

• Debate on the Suns’ injury issues vs. Lakers’ lack of identity.
• Schlecht notes the Lakers' talent could mean an explosive playoff series, but the Suns face a much tougher play-in scenario.
• S. concludes both have big hurdles, with injuries being the deciding factor for Phoenix.

3. Spurs vs. Pistons: Young Contenders

(11:28-17:32)

• Hosts question: Which inexperienced team do you trust more in the playoffs?
• Schlecht picks Pistons for their prior playoff run:

  “They've been through a playoff series. I do think that matters.”
  — (11:57)

• S. believes Spurs’ dynamic backcourt and more balanced offense will help in high-pressure moments:

  “When the going gets tough for the Spurs, they have a way to outsource some offense.”
  — S. (13:45)

• Both agree the East’s relative weakness is a Pistons advantage. Spurs’ and Pistons’ mediocre three-point shooting (both around 35%) could be a playoff issue.

4. Knicks vs. Celtics: Who Inspires More Confidence?

(18:06-26:17)

• Schlecht is adamant:

  “Give me the Celtics. The Knicks…are confounding. They’re inconsistent. They don’t know who they are.”
  — (18:21)

• S. supports the Celtics' steadiness, especially in playoff settings, but makes a case for Jalen Brunson:

  “I’m not sure there’s a player in the east that I trust more in the playoffs than Jalen Brunson currently.”
  — S. (22:34)

• Both agree playoff experience and team identity favor Boston, but acknowledge Brunson’s rising postseason stardom.

5. Thunder or Nuggets: Who’s the West’s Surest Thing?

(27:03-32:47)

• S. leans Thunder:

  “Even without their stars, they are finding ways to win...Since [Denver’s] star has come back, they haven’t looked the same...Can you get to a point where your defense gets good in six weeks? I don’t think you can.”
  — S. (27:34)

• Schlecht agrees, citing OKC’s depth and two-way prowess, but stresses health (particularly Jalen Williams):

  “It’s really just like which of Aaron Gordon or Jalen Williams’ hamstrings is going to heal and stay healthy?”
  — (30:16)

• Both note how playoff rotations shrink and untested depth becomes less reliable.

6. Cavaliers or Timberwolves: Which Do You Believe In?

(36:44-40:54)

• S. acknowledges the Cavs’ argument, but both ultimately trust the Wolves—thanks to playoff pedigree and Anthony Edwards’ ascendancy.
• Schlecht highlights Cleveland’s recurring playoff issues and questions around James Harden and Evan Mobley:

  “Now you add a guy who has just as many question marks as anybody throughout the history of the NBA in the playoffs...”
  — (38:10)

• Lighthearted tangent: Jared Allen’s “three-two-one” rule for reading, gaming, and movies (39:16).

7. Raptors vs. Sixers: A Play-In Dilemma

(44:14-48:15)

• Schlecht dismisses the Sixers out of hand:

  “If Joel Embiid is on the roster, that football is being pulled, period. I will believe in this Philly team when Embiid is gone.”
  — (44:24)

• Raptors, despite offensive limitations, get the nod due to defensive identity and lesser history of postseason heartbreak.
• S. prefers Tyrese Maxey’s scoring but admits both teams have fatal flaws.

Timestamps for Notable Segments

• (03:32) — Lakers vs. Rockets debate opens
• (05:10) — “Give me the Houston Rockets all day.” (Schlecht)
• (11:28) — Spurs vs. Pistons trust question
• (14:00) — S. breaks down Spurs’ offensive options in crunch time
• (18:21) — Knicks or Celtics: Trust breakdown
• (22:34) — “I trust Jalen Brunson more than anybody else in the playoffs right now.” (S.)
• (27:03) — Thunder vs. Nuggets discussion
• (29:49) — Schlecht details OKC’s depth and playoff question marks
• (38:10) — Schlecht on Cavs’ playoff mystery with Harden and Mobley
• (44:24) — “I will believe in this Philly team when Embiid is gone.” (Schlecht)

Memorable Quotes

“Teams will tell you who they are over the course of a season.”
— Andrew Schlecht (04:16)

“There's not any perfect team [right now]. And even the Celtics ... the league's going to look a lot different next year.”
— S. (48:42)

“Their [the Lakers’] identity is: We have LeBron and Luka. That’s our identity.”
— Schlecht (05:28)

“Jalen Brunson ... is a bona fide playoff player.”
— S. (22:34)

“I agree. I think they [the Cavs] just have to go prove it. Like, I won't believe it until I see it with the Cavs—just won't.”
— Schlecht (43:39)

“If Joel Embiid is on the roster, that football is being pulled, period.”
— Schlecht (44:24)

Additional Fun & Tangents

• Spirited debate on whether audiobooks or Kindle count as “reading” (40:54 onward), prompting playful banter and audience participation.
• Jared Allen’s quirky monthly goal: “read three books, beat two video games, and see one movie in a theater” (39:14).
• Acknowledgement that looming offseason changes (potential Giannis trade, East’s reshuffling) could dramatically impact teams’ futures.

Listener Value

The episode offers an insightful, conversational rundown of the current NBA landscape, perfect for fans wanting a sharp, opinionated overview of contenders’ strengths, weaknesses, and true playoff viability. By focusing on “trust,” the hosts go deeper than standings or stats, challenging assumptions and voicing what many fans might quietly wonder.

For more rapid-fire, entertaining NBA debate and daily analysis, catch The Athletic NBA Daily each weekday morning.