Speaker 1 (00:22.51)
Hello everyone. Welcome to the latest episode of the Uncommon Commentators. Thank you all so much for joining us whenever you are catching this. Today we have some great topics for you all. We're just gonna talk about the Lakers, their championship hopes, seeing how they've actually landed on their footing after that crazy date on February 2nd. We're also gonna talk about some playoff pictures, given how at this point we really know who's gonna be playing who in the playoffs. Of course the play-in can be...
changed dramatically at any moment. Of course, knowing the National Basketball Association, but for the moment, we really know right now, like first seed through eighth seed, like who's going to be playing who for the most part. So we're going to talk about some playoff picture predictions and we're going to talk about some Zon and Williamson situation. You know, he's been looking good lately. He just looked good last game. Of course, you know, the Pelicans have struggled this year.
But when he's healthy, he has still looked pretty solid this year. So just wanted to discuss their future as they have pretty good draft pick this year in the stacked draft class. So yeah, man, I always love doing this with my main man, but I can't do it without him. How you doing, Gary? Good, man. How you been?
I'm good, man, brother. The week is about to end, so can't complain. So, yeah, things good over here.
Yeah, most definitely. Same here, bro. I've just been working a lot. Just like everyone else around the world, always, know, five days a week, four days a week whenever we can get the money. And yeah, man, want to give a shout out to Jay Holloway, Raina Holloway, all this stuff, talking to them, you know, a master part of what we do.
Speaker 1 (01:59.854)
Um, gave us this opportunity that we're still extremely grateful to have and never take it for granted. I want to give a shout out to Nick Andre and Lil Olivia Pope. They also do a show together with Jay Holloway called the best day MW show. Um, I always love watching their content. You feel me? They're always making headlines for all the right reasons. Uh, just putting out great content. Um, like can really, really stand on tin toes when it comes to their takes. Not really. Um,
has transcended their show, really seeing how they really give valuable opinions, credible opinions. And yeah, they actually get real opinions, like no fluff or anything like that, you And yeah, man, of course, guy got to give a shout out to Wiley. He's actually the producer of the best in the show and our show as well. Most definitely he's right on time as always. Most definitely. But yeah, man.
Yeah
Speaker 1 (02:54.518)
always love doing this with y'all. And yet, and just like that, we are gonna get started tonight. So like I mentioned off the top, in gold have been looking good. They've won three in a row after going through some adversity. They're playing six games in eight days. That's an extremely rigorous schedule. Even Luka Dacic himself after the game last night said they haven't really had time to even practice and get their feet under them like that, but they've been producing wins. know, Luka and Austin have been playing amazing together.
And it's you know, it's it's really good to see that knowing that LeBron is out with a groin a groin strain That he suffered a few games ago. So I wanted to ask you get for your opinion first Obviously, we know the roster Jackson Hayes where we had you more all these pieces that they have You know, they're slowly getting them back after being out. Of course, Jared Vanderbilt's also having a pretty good season as well So I wanted to know now that we see how the Luca Lakers have
Like I said, on a three game win streak, Luca has led the team in multiple categories. He's had, he's like last game he had like 21 points in like the first quarter. He's been looking terrific. So how do you think the Lakers will look come playoff time and what are their ultimate hopes this year with LeBron seeing how they're performing without him? And like, obviously we can factor in how they'll perform when you have a player of that caliber come back with his leadership.
and everything he brings on the floor. So how do you think the Lakers will look this postseason come player time?
Well, currently they are a top 4 seed, well, top 3 seed rather if you want to be more specific, they've between LeBron and Luca, they've developed great chemistry together. That's a little fun fact. So between those two guys together as teammates, they became the first duo in NBA history to each record at least 30 points, six rebounds and six assists in consecutive games. So that
Speaker 2 (04:56.866)
to, you know, particular to statistic should tell you what kind of chemistry they have built in a short period of time and what kind of duo they could be if they continue to play more seasons together. Now, obviously LeBron is towards the end of his career. So you're, you're possibly looking at another year or two with LeBron, give or take, but I think currently where they are right now, I think they are a team that
could possibly surprise a lot of people because you wasn't really expecting them to be where they are right now after the trade. Yes, you would think that they would be better, but at the same time, you would have thought they would took a step back defensively since they lost AD. They don't really have a true big man. Yes, they have Jackson Hayes and Finney Smith, but of course you're in the West. You're not going to really
go far when you don't have much size on your roster. So, but they've been able to prove a lot of people wrong. They were on a what? Six or seven game winning streak somewhere in there at one point, not too long ago. But I just think that come playoff time, I just don't think they're going to go that far where we're considering them as.
a team that can make it to the conference finals or two league finals and win it all. I don't think they'll go that far. But under the same breath, just by looking at how well they've been playing when this team has been healthy or close to it right after the trade deadline, then that could give them a little bit of hope that they could make some noise in the playoffs. But I'm not really expecting that to happen. Now we could discuss this.
When next season starts after we get through the off season, that's the time when they'll add more players around Luca. Of course, the team will be more focused on building the team around Luca than LeBron because that's going to be their main focus. like I said, LeBron, he's towards the end of his career, so Lakers mindset is going to be what kind of players we need to surround Luca to be a true championship contending team again.
Speaker 2 (07:15.788)
I'm just saying for right now in the short term, I think that they could make some noise with those two guys, but it just, I don't think it's going to be as of right now. Probably next season we could circle around this to see who they add. And then we could consider them as another team that could compete for a championship before LeBron officially retires.
Right now, like, yeah, everything you said makes sense. Do you think like, even like their defense that they've been playing on now, like they, like it's, pretty astronomical than like the numbers they have been putting up on the defensive end in the interior with Dorian, Rui, Winnie Southy, Jared Vanderbilt. It's pretty crazy. Like to have a player like Luca, who is known for obviously struggling, struggling on the defensive end, with him on Ross, they've actually gotten better.
from the eye test and like at least on the perimeter, they've definitely improved and just like the interior, they've been playing solid all year, especially when fully healthy. I do like Rui Hachimura's physicality and Jackson Hayes down in the post. I think they're a really good young athletic front court. And I think they're honestly gonna be the front court for the future. Obviously they're gonna wanna upgrade over the off season. Like we mentioned on the previous show, I it was maybe a couple of shows ago talking about LA.
Clint Capella is gonna be an unrestricted free agent this summer. And obviously he got 22 million from the Hawks this summer he's supposed to. So I do think that the Lakers could go and pick him up. They have about 59 million in cap space right now. So Capella got 45 million from the Hawks originally. think given the fact that he's regressed, I think even he'll be okay with getting a little bit of a lower contract, like a lower veteran minimum.
Something like that, probably get him from like 32 million off like the back of a 16 million over like two years. Maybe something like that. And like even of course to analyze the what they have right now. Like I said, like their defense I think is gonna take them far because we already know how talented they are on offense. know, Dalton Connect, I think he's like three for three at one point from beyond the arc last night. He's been playing terrific ever since I'm struggling around the whole.
Speaker 1 (09:32.928)
Charlotte Hornage trade. He's increased his percentage up to like almost like I'm pretty sure over a little over 40 % right now in the last few performances that he has had. So I think everyone on the Lakers are finally finding their footing after the whole drama show that surrounded that trade. And to see them playing this good with just Austin Reeves and Luca Dodge, when they get that power forward to back, you know, like that man down low, I think even having LeBron is going to make them even better. Of course on both sides of the ball, but
I think it's really going to show us how far they can really go. Seeing the level that Austin Reeves has risen to, of course, he's always been this good, but he's been playing out of his mind. Like, you know, like about a couple of games going at 36 points, six rebounds and seven assists just last night. Yeah, 22 points, five rebounds and eight assists. So he's becoming really consistent right down there next to Luka. Even Luka's praising him as like, telling people like how much of a good player that he is. Of course he would say that.
Just being his teammate, just trying to give him kind praise. But you can see it on the court with their on-court interactions and how much you trust him, giving the ball up to him in the back court like that. He went from playing with Kyrie to playing with Austin. Of course, not comparing the two players, but Austin is playing terrific in my opinion, definitely.
So quick question. So with everything that's going on for the Lakers, as good as they've looked since the trade, do you guys worry about how they play on the road? Because they have lost the last four, they have lost the last four on the road within the past week.
for sure.
Speaker 1 (11:17.546)
I was just going to say like, you know, during those games that they were getting their pieces back like Jackson Hayes, Luca was also out like he's like, like he's out tonight, dude, like he's managing his sprain right ankle. So they were dealing dealing with some injuries during that streak. You know, like during their losses to like the Nets, like the Bucks, even like that close loss to the Denver Nuggets when they lost 31 to 136.
131 to 126 like that was a pretty close game. Um, even then like they, didn't even have Luca that night. Um, they just had Austin playing out of his mind with 37 points and they only lost to the nuggets by five points. So, um, when they are fully healthy, I think they can honestly be like one of those teams at one point they were the number two seed, uh, given how tight West is right now from like the second seed to the fifth seed, you know, any person can call themselves the two seed right now, but they were looking like it.
when they were fully healthy at that point in time. But like I said, like they're about about 80 % almost there. Obviously LeBron is a massive chunk of what they do. And yeah, but outside of that, of course, to answer the question of this whole topic, that was actually gonna be my next question to you, Garrett. Who do you think would be the team to stop them? As we mentioned, we are going to discuss the playoffs in a moment, but given the standings,
and where they're at right now. The Lakers would face the Warriors in the first round. The Warriors have been looking great. What do you mean, they're eight and two in their last 10. So do think the Warriors could stop them in the first round? Like both teams fully healthy with LeBron and Stefan and Luca and Jimmy. Like, you think the Warriors would stop them or do you think they could at least make it past the first round this summer with what they have?
Yeah, I think going to say can can can beat him because of the fact that ever since they drafted when I drafted but traded for excuse me traded for Jimmy Butler. I think they've only they haven't they've lost less than five games. I think it's I think it's two or three games that they lost since they traded for Jimmy Butler. So they've been playing very well just as much as the Lakers have, even though they're in different standings, though. But
Speaker 2 (13:44.046)
Post-trade deadline both teams have been playing very well. So that would be a team that People would like to see so I'm not going to say they're going to sweep the Lakers But I think this is a series that I think teams or I should say other people would like to see I think that's the series that could go six or seven games. So Of the fact that you have an upgraded backcourt between Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler
We all know what Jimmy does in the playoffs. He's a different beast. We all know what Seth does in the playoffs and you still have Draymond Green playing at a very high level. So you have to have other guys off the bench that can produce. So I think that's a team that could give Lakers a run for their money. But yeah, I think that's a team that could beat the Lakers as well. outside of Golden State, obviously OKC.
You could say that's a team that could be in for sure. Houston, maybe, maybe. So I think that you have a lot of young guys that are entering the playoffs for the first time in their, in their career. So I think with the experience part of that could play a part of it. I'm, I don't think they're going to be Denver at all, even if they're fully healthy, because I mean, between Joker and.
Jamal Murray with that dynamic duo, I don't ever think the Lakers can beat them in a playoff series. They shown that before and that doesn't change my mind. So yeah, I think those are teams that could potentially beat the Lakers. yeah, outside of that, like I said, I think the series between the Lakers and Golden State, I think that's the most interesting matchup in a playoffs right now. But of course with
the next games with the next eight games was it six games this is it have yeah with the necessary is that they have I think now I'll get out determine where they'll land before the playoffs start but if everything stands then yeah I think that Metro be very interesting
Speaker 3 (15:53.432)
Also real quick, the Warriors are 15 and two cents trading for.
I know I know I knew it was less than three, I wasn't sure yet, so
For sure. And Wiley, I honestly love to hear what you have to say about this in a second. I just wanted to provide just a little bit of context is all. So like over the last five games, Austin Reeves has averaged 29.7 assists with six rebounds. He's been playing absolutely incredible. I only mentioned that to say like, do think that given the fact, obviously we've seen what's happened with Denver the last three years with the Lakers.
and the playoffs they just haven't been able to get past them. think with the addition of Luka Doncic on the roster, that honestly has alleviated some fear in the Lakers locker room. Having two superstars that can go off on any given night like that compared to Anthony Davis who some nights be there and some nights he wouldn't. I do think that that really has given the Lakers a pretty good chance at beating them.
chance of being Denver.
Speaker 1 (16:59.278)
I think they, mean, in a series, like, I mean, yeah, like, don't get me wrong, like Denver has Nikola, the Lakers have Luca, you know, Luca's been playing still like Luca. He just had 31 points, nine rebounds and seven assists last night. That's a company by LeBron James, who's also averaging like 25, eight and nine. at this point.
You think Joker is afraid of?
For sure absolutely not like that's I'm saying like that's what I'm saying like Denver has Nicola while the Lakers have Luca like it won't just be like because I they still have LeBron James And everything you can do even at 40 years old But at this point they know they need more superstar talent not star talent superstar numbers like dudes that can really go off for 35 points and 12 assists in nine rebounds Lucas almost had multiple triple doubles the last
few games. Obviously we know the defense is going to be what it is, but that's what I mentioned. Like it's the Laker wall that they have built with all these players, like Rui Hachimora, even Gabe Vincent as I'm playing great perimeter defense as a guard. And like that's the point I was going to get to as well when it comes to Denver. I think that the main thing in that series, it would be the role of players at this point. Like I think that Michael Porter Jr. would be an X factor for men. I'm going to say Minnesota.
I've heard Denver, he's being an X Factor for Denver. Just given his jump shooting and his perimeter defense. I don't think he'd be able to shut down, look at Don Cich. I don't think anyone's really able to like shut him down. I think he can just shoot bad sometimes.
Speaker 2 (18:30.658)
like Denver has an upper hand on both sides though, because of the fact that remember you still have Russell Westbrook who could still be a tremendous playmaker. He's still playing at a high level. You still have Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun who are, you know, viable, you know, really good defenders. So, you know, it's kind of like, it may be where, you know, Los Angeles, they may have the upper hand just by a little bit.
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 1 (18:58.36)
It's close, I'm not at all fighting
Between Luca and LeBron, but it's still where Denver, can still match, you know, L.A. from offensive standpoint, because like I said, you still have Jamal Murray and MPJ and Joker, but then on the defensive side, you know, it's like, can the Lakers really match to what Denver has? That's all I'm saying.
course not, like everything you said was absolutely correct. know, like I just think with Denver losing, Kintavious, Caldwell, Poblou, Bruce Brown Jr. And like, I do think that those two pieces hurt them massively in those days where they were beating the Lakers like they were. And like, I just think with the Lakers with athleticism, their physicality, and those young players have improved, like Austin Reeves has improved, Dalton Kinect, like Ruby Hachimora has gotten way bigger in his physicality and his approach has improved.
the
maybe just.
Speaker 1 (20:02.894)
Yeah, he had he had about 12 points last night. He had 13 points the game for that Three points the game before that but the game before that he had 32 points in the loss versus Denver Dolphin connected so um They have all the all the pieces needed accompanied by the playmaking and defense and the rebounding um I want to sit like the rebounding is kind of just no one on the on the Lakers can match Yogi his physicality in the post at all
Of course, being 100 % objective about that, they don't really have. like, that's, like, they know that that's the most glaring hole about Los Angeles. That's like, trust me, they go to sleep at night thinking about who's really going to be able to guard this man, you know? But then I think about Denver, I don't think anyone on that side is gonna be able to lock down like the Luka, like, know, like the Luka, like, you know, like the Laker version of Luka, I should say.
I mean it goes back to what you said though. I mean it's gonna come down to the role players because I mean Luca and LeBron, they're gonna get there so there's no... course. ...like it now. I mean you could be you know strategic now. Now one thing I will say is this right here now Denver, I don't think in terms of a one-on-one defender and I think that proves your case about losing KCP and Bruce Brown because they don't necessarily have
a one-on-one defender that can affect Luca defensively like in the finals between Dallas and Boston. When Luca was in Dallas, mean, Jalen Brown and Derek White, I mean, they made it very hard for Luca during that series and he wasn't that effective. I mean, they only won one game in that series. So I don't think Denver
Make him a comsier blonde.
Speaker 2 (21:59.118)
will be able to approach Luca the same way, but due to the fact that they do have more defenders that can be strategic on how they want to defend them. So you can throw multiple guys at them, like I said, Luca and LeBron, they're going to get there. So it's just going to come down to the role players end of the day.
Of course, man, and like even to give credit to what you said, like I said, the player on paper would be the best player in that series, know? Nicole Yoakich, you feel me without a doubt. So like I said, that's a close series. I honestly pretty get it this time. Not giving no disrespect to Golden State, of course. Wiley, of course, like I mentioned, I would definitely love to hear what you have to say. Of course, that's actually our next topic.
as we move on in a little bit. about that series in particular, Wiley, I would love to hear what you'd have to say about Luca LeBron in the Lakers versus Curry, not Curry, Nikola Jelkic in the Denver Nuggets and everything that Jelkic brings to his team.
So I look at it from the experience. So of course the experience goes to Denver. They still have that same, they still have their same core. course, you got Joker, Murray, Aaron Gordon. Why can I not remember this tall light skinned Joker?
I'm for the junior
Speaker 3 (23:28.814)
There we go. So you still have them. they have that they they know what they need to do. When I look at the Lakers, of course, LeBron, LeBron, Luca and Austin Reeves, they're the ones who have the playoff experience. Now you have to look like you mentioned their bigs. Their bigs are the ones who have not really had that playoff experience, especially with Jackson Hayes.
So if they're going, if they match up with, they end up matching up with Denver, again, the game slows down. Like that whole mess of did the Lakers figure out how to beat Denver? Yeah, they did for one game. Now to try and do this for seven games, it's going to be completely different. Like your game plan is going to change as soon as the clock hit zero for both teams.
So, and you mentioned rebounding, like again, all this stuff is going to come into play, especially as the game slows down. So if you can't get out, if you can't get out and run, well, to be honest, the Lakers don't really run the floor like that. I think they have a little bit more since getting Luka, but beforehand, before that, they wouldn't run in the floor like that. They were probably one of the slowest teams.
in the league per possession. So.
It'll be interesting. Like you said, LeBron and Luca will get theirs. It's going, Austin Reeves is going to be the, he has to be the X factor for the Lakers between him and I would say Jackson Hayes, but again, how long will it last for you to be a pick and roll?
Speaker 3 (25:33.512)
in a rim runner before Denver figures out a new game plan to defend it. So.
It'll be, of course it'll always be interesting as far as that matchup. Of course I would lean Denver and that's just on experience alone. But again, it has to be proven just on the strength that we've seen Denver, what they look like throughout the season. They've been up and down, up and down. And having a little health issues, especially with Jamal Murray.
And for me, he would be the X Factor for Denver because they're going to need that guard play out of him that we haven't seen since.
our season.
Well, since they won the championship to me, since they won the championship, he's been, he's given you spurts. He's giving you, he's given us what he's looked like before, but it just hasn't been on a consistent basis.
Speaker 1 (26:41.708)
And yeah, man, like that was beautifully put and like it's pretty crazy that we're even talking about this, because this is literally our next discussion. Of course, we're not gonna talk about some hypothetical ones like how we were just talking about this reliving the past Western Conference and Western Conference semifinals and Western Conference finals and all that, of course. Like we did say, we're getting close to April as we record this, it is March 20th.
on Thursday night. So we're getting close to playoff time. Like I always tell people the regular season is for the kids in the playoffs or for the adults because that's when the real basketball starts. That's when the players obviously play way more aggressive. Just everything is just way more just gut wrenching, a turnover, a steal, a long rebound, like anything in the playoffs has hurt so much more. So of course, just looking at the standings right now.
Like we said, obviously we could go down the list and look at all of them and go over any playoff series that we could want to talk about, like Thunder versus Timberwolves, Rockets versus Clippers. But y'all know the standings as well. From the one through the eight in the West and the East, I would love to hear about any playoff series y'all are the most interested in. Playoff series, y'all think an underdog could be the favorite. Anything like that, three versus six, two versus seven.
You can start first if you got the standings in front of you or of course memorize them of course You could give any playoff series one or multiple that you do want to see the most and why
Speaker 3 (28:23.054)
My bad. a little bit of research. But looking so at the playoffs in there right now. Yeah. So if it started today.
No, fine.
Speaker 1 (28:32.078)
started today.
Speaker 3 (28:38.222)
I would, I would be interested in that three, six matchup, which would be the Knicks and the Pistons.
Speaker 3 (28:49.87)
I would be that that's the natural end is more so I want to see I'm interested to see what the Pistons will look like. Again, we know they're young. We know they're a young team. The funny part is New York is dog tired. Why? Because Coach Thibodeau does not know how to. Refute well, I won't even say he doesn't know how he refuses to play his bench to help to help his starters get.
get fucking rest. It's the reason why Jalen Branson is trying to nurse a injury as we speak.
I do want to say real quick, they just got blown out by Charlotte 115 to 98. Jesus.
But also, and you have Mikael Bridges who comes out and was like, hey dog, we are tired. Like, why are we doing this? We have people on the bench for a reason. Play them, play them. But also this is what you get with, this is nothing new with Coach Thibodeau. Like we've seen it at every stop that he's been at, he's going to run his starters in the ground. And it's-
It kind of makes sense a little bit. Now I'm not agreeing that, mean, your starters got to get rest at some point now. every starter playing between 35 to 40 minutes now, I think it's kind of like in between where, okay, you're coming down to the wire. Well, not to the wire, but you're coming down to the point where, okay, the playoffs are right around the corner. You're trying to get.
Speaker 2 (30:34.434)
your starters, acclimated with all together because you're, you're trying to get momentum heading into the playoffs, but under the same breath, mean, you're pretty much a lot for the top four seed. got to the stands again, but you're pretty much a lot for the top four seed. So you do want to have a balance of where you want your starters to get rest because especially you're at, you know, having a home court advantage.
But, but I think that just in the playoffs on court perspective, teams typically do do that where you know that you're not going to have like a, you're not going to go into playoffs and you're playing like, you know, 10 to 15 guys. mean, you know, your starters are going to play and then you may only have like three or four guys that's going to be playing off the bench.
So I think, so I'm just saying, think that's, I think that's where Tom Thibodeau is thinking in his mind where, okay.
We've been doing it all season.
Yeah, but you know, mean, I mean, yeah, but now as far as why he does it all season, I don't know.
Speaker 3 (31:47.918)
I can get it. I get it up to us.
I get it, but I do agree with you. mean, they do need rest, I mean, like at least like a week or two before the playoffs start, at least give the guys rest during that time. But just saying, I think that's where he's thinking.
Yeah, and they're currently three and a half games up on the paces right now, so.
Right. So yeah, so I think, I think they, will be fine. So.
Yeah. So I mean, yeah, like I said, that that's the, that's the matchup I would love to, to lock in on, and see how this plays out. and like I said, it's mostly just on, on the Detroit side of things because it's been a while since we've seen Detroit in the playoffs and it's not like there again, they're not, they wouldn't be in the play and they're in, they're actually in the playoffs. So.
Speaker 3 (32:46.912)
I want to see what they're, what could they possibly do? what JB Bickers have could possibly come up with 40 for his young team and Kate Cunningham, leading them along the way.
Just one moment, Garrett. Alright, Wiley. So, who wins this series and how many games does it take?
New York wins the series. I give them six.
for two.
Okay, I mean, hey, it's a solid breakdown. Who will get the series MVP? Kat Brunson.
Speaker 3 (33:27.51)
Nobody, just on to the next game. I feel like they're gonna be dog-tied. Nobody's gonna, everybody, of course, of course I would lean Jaylen. I mean, yeah, Jaylen Brunson.
Okay
Speaker 1 (33:44.206)
going off on Cade?
I mean, it's just, so he's the reason why that team is who they are. And it's more so in the clutch. He has the, he has more clutch points on that team than anybody come, anybody on the team combined. That's, that's including Kat. So if they go, they're going to go as he goes, especially when it's, when it's crunch time. So.
That's why I would lean towards Jalen Brunson.
Mm-hmm, for sure. All right, Garrett, which playoff series? know Wiley took the Knicks in the Pistons if you got another one in mind. Of course, what playoff series would you like to see the most and why first?
Well, I mean, when you look at the standings in the East and the West, I mean, there's not really one that stood out to me. Of course, I mentioned the Lakers versus the Warriors. I would like to see how Houston plays just to see how far they go because they have a collection of young guys and veterans. And we all know the type of coach Emey Udoka is. So just to see what, you know, he'll do with this group.
Speaker 2 (35:05.496)
So just to see how far they go into the playoffs. So I'm looking forward to see how they turn out. But I guess in terms of a matchup that I would like to see, I would like to see truly once and for all who is the better team in the East between Cleveland and Boston. I'm just looking forward to that. just more, there's not a matchup that I'm looking forward towards in the first round because-
you're on.
Wiley said, you know, the Knicks and the Pistons, was one of my takes as well. And like I said, the Lakers and the Warriors, but just when we get further into a playoffs, I think the Cavaliers and the Celtics is the matchup that I really want to see because of the fact that those teams match up very well against each other. And I think that's what excites.
Um, fans, the most are the teams that match up, uh, very well together. We've seen it over the past, uh, few seasons where you seen Boston and Miami, uh, face each other in the ESA conference finals and back to back seasons. So series like that, I think a lot of people love to see that kind of competition. So, I mean, we've seen Cleveland go up into Boston at a TD garden.
where they were down 29 and three and they came back and beat them on their, on their home court. And even for me as a horse man, we know, or even for any team, we know how hard it is to win up in Boston. Cause when you talk about getting loud and the fans are in it, I mean, it's very hard and that's outside of the players that Boston has. So, but yeah, I would, I would say that's the matchup I'm wanting to see further.
Speaker 2 (37:01.454)
in the playoffs, but yeah, to Wiley's point, I'm looking forward to seeing the Pistons and the Knicks going up against each other and see how far they go into that matchup. that'd be one of the most viewed matchups or a playoff series this year just because of the fact that like to Wiley said, Detroit hasn't been to a playoffs in a few years now. So a lot of teams will be looking forward to see how
you know, they turned out so it'd be nice.
And who wins the series between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics? And how many games does it take?
It'll definitely go to seven. I'm not even... That's not even a second thought, man. That's not even a second thought. But I will give it to Cleveland because some people have thought that this team is going to become a fluke or fade into the playoffs. But I don't see it with them this year because they haven't...
They haven't given me a reason to why they would just fade out into a playoffs. They just haven't given me that kind of vibe because like I said, in numerous times with the addition of Kenny Aguilson, he came in and changed the culture of that team. They're playing a different style of basketball. They're more getting involved in all the players playing together the right way, moving the ball, you know, side to side for the open, open three.
Speaker 2 (38:38.88)
And of course they added Deontre Hunter from the trade deadline. That was a big get for them. So, and the front court or the twin towers, as I call them between Evan Mobley and Jared Allen, those guys have been killing it on the glass and in the, in the paint. So that's going to get Boston a lot of problems too. And we all know what Daris Garland and Don Mitchell does on the offensive end. So like I said, they just have not given me any reason as to why.
They can't make it to the finals this year and win it all. So, but like I said, it's definitely gonna come down to the wire because Boston, they are the defending champs, but yeah, that series is going to seven games. I'd be shocked if it goes to six, but yeah, I think it'll be in seven.
I kinda wanna hear who you would pick in that series. I saw you had a big smile on your face during the-
Either man, gotta beat the man. I will pick Boston.
Speaker 1 (39:38.988)
Really? Just that easy? Okay. Nah, man. we know how the rest of the game is.
So he said that easy.
No, He said, he said, he
nice!
It's that easy, like it's just gonna be a cakewalk.
Speaker 3 (39:54.388)
I'm not saying it's gonna be a, again, to be the man, again, so we discussed Cleveland earlier in earlier episodes. Again, for me, Cleveland has to prove it. I'm not saying Cleveland cannot win it. Cleveland has to prove it. So again, to be the man, you have to beat the man.
I think it's written in stone already. But like you say, like you say, you got to approve it. But I'm just saying that further in advance, I think it's already set in stone. But I think it's set in stone. We'll see.
Of course, right, right, right, of course, you know, like great breakdowns from both of you like always just going down the rosters of course, in terms of superstar talent, the best player on paper in the series, we know of BJT Jason Tatum, at Duke University, of course, right behind that in my, mean, it's, mean, I guess it kind of depends who you think is better Donovan Mitchell or Jalen Brown, you know, that's, that's an argument people can have, like some people are just
Just gonna say Jay. I think some people would definitely take Donovan Mitchell over Jaylen Brown. Some people definitely would give him a hit.
I think that depends on what you're willing to pull from it because I'm like, we've seen Jalen Brown win finals in the VP and like he played.
Speaker 1 (41:18.798)
Be clutch.
Speaker 2 (41:22.71)
He's a better he's a better he's a better two-way guy. Yeah, I guess like different categories because
It just depends on on what how you look at each individual and their game because like I would lean Jaylen Brown because like you said He's better He's better on the two-way side of things but and that's no slouch to Donovan because
Day one too.
Speaker 2 (41:45.774)
He's been kind of slipping this year, kind of. Like, offensively, it just seems like he just had more off nights this season where he just hasn't really been the same. It's just like, okay, he'll give you like 25 on one night and then the next night he'll give you like 15, 16, but I mean...
You know the dawn of
Speaker 3 (42:10.774)
It's also the way that team is constructed because you'll have a Derek White go off and, all I got to do is, shit, grab rebounds and make a couple plays.
But that's the beauty though about Boston. It's just like with their starting five, I mean, any player in that starting five can go off on any night. could be Porzingis, could be the leading scorer. Then next night could be Tatum, then it could be Brown, then it could be, you know, Derek White. So, mean, I guess that's the best part about them. But like I said, it's just where you just want everybody to start clicking. And I'm just saying.
They're definitely gonna need Jalen Brown to step up and I'm pretty sure that he was just, it's just like this season, he's been kind of off. But we'll see how it goes with Dominic Mitchell. That'd be interesting matchup though.
Of course in like, um, of course to give my picks just as we end on this topic So for me in the West I was actually pretty pretty interested though some might not agree But I was pretty interested to see the other first seed in the West for the eighth seed and that was the Oklahoma City Thunder faced the Minnesota Timberwolves because the superstar talent on both teams with Shay Kildes Alexander and Anthony Edwards, we know that um Obviously, okay see
Speaker 3 (43:28.43)
The Clippers?
Not hmm what what you mean?
So if in the right now, if we started to play us today, Minnesota would play the Clippers in the play.
The first sequence at 8th, doesn't it?
No, that's what I'm saying.
Speaker 2 (43:46.466)
No, they're playing, no, Marisota will play against, OKC right now. Is that an XC?
Yeah, that's what yeah Mm-hmm. Okay. That's what I was saying. Oh, no, you're fine, bro. You're good. Nice. Um, now you're fine, Brad. Yeah
It just, it wrote it out for me, so my bad.
No, no, no, you're You're fine, bro. Like I said, I think with OKC in Minnesota, it's really like the matchups that make it interesting. Obviously, we know that OKC does have Chahom Grant at the five spot. Minnesota also has Rudy Gobert. He's basically gotten a little more mobile the last couple of months. So he hasn't been like a stick in the mud like that. So I do think he could give Chad some problems. know that Minnesota also has Julius Randall as well.
I think he's a decent defender. We know what he could do on offense. Especially after finally getting his footing under him after that emotional trade out of New York with Julius Randall. So I think with Julius Randall, he could stick Dylan Williams and then that just leaves chat. I mean, not chat, but SGA and Anthony. Of course, we know how good of a two way player that Anthony Edwards is, but it'd be hard to stick, say, Gilderys Alexander for sure.
Speaker 1 (45:03.502)
But I just think that'd be interesting on paper, know, given the personalities involved. Minnesota does have a pretty fair amount of playoff experience, even with Anthony on the team. So I think that'd be fun to see them go at it, the Thunder versus the Timberwolves. Also the Denver Nuggets versus the Memphis Grizzlies, the fourth seed versus the fifth seed in the West. I also do want to see that as well. I'm just excited to have Jaq.
Back in the playoffs as well. mean, know, Jaren Jackson Jr. Is one of the front runners for defensive player the year. So it'd be interesting to see how he tried to deal with Nicola and how and how Nicola would deal with that physicality as well. And yeah, we talked about it earlier, the Lakers versus the Warriors. I do really want to see that series. Obviously we were to get LeBron versus Curry in the first round at that accompanied by other future Hall of Famers this time around. Of course we had to be
We had it the first time too, but I'm having new future Hall of Famers this time around with Luka Doncic and Jimmy Butler this time. But I think that also be pretty interesting as well. I'm not too interested on the Rockets versus the Clippers. I can't really tell you why. I mean, LA is really experienced and they have Kawhi, James Harden, like they could try to make this young Houston team uncomfortable.
in certain moments, but I don't know. think Houston can maybe probably get that done. And you guys said it in the East, of course, the South will play the Hawks, Knicks play the Pistons. That's definitely the best series out of that whole thing. Outside of the Pacers and the Bucks, I think on paper, that's going be really competitive. But I'd probably pick Milwaukee to win that off the superstar talent and the playoff experience alone. And yeah, man, the playoffs, they're here. They're shaping up.
It's crazy how fast this season really went by. Man, like you go to October to March just like that, you know, but time flies by when you're having fun. But of course, for our last topic, it's unfortunate. The team we will be discussing will not be in the playoffs. That's actually why we were going to discuss their future. More importantly.
Speaker 1 (47:14.414)
Zion Williamson, obviously he came out of Duke University with an unprecedented amount of hype, seen as a generational talent. He's played great while wearing the white and blue for Duke. I thought he was phenomenal player. Even when he first came out to the NBA, I thought he was a solid rookie. We just knew that he had discipline issues.
And I definitely think that his location has something to do with this motivation and him wanting to get out of bed for the team he was playing for. Now, even on like the night he got drafted, he didn't show a ton of excitement to go to New Orleans. A lot of people thought the New York Knicks were actually going to get the first pick around that time. We saw him get the third pick who they went off the draft, his teammate, RJ Bear, who actually now plays for the Toronto Raptors now. So.
With Zion and his situation, I wanted to start with you, Garrett. Do you think the Pelicans could possibly trade Zion this summer seeing how this draft class would be? It's like a passing training. It's coming like now or never. You're going to catch me or not. You know, to try to trade Zion during the draft to get a big draft pick back. They could get two big draft picks.
out of this draft that they wanted to, or do they just bring Zion home and try to retool the team? Obviously we saw them have a ton of adversity with De'Johnty Murray being injured, McCollum being injured, Herbert Jones, Trey Murphy, all these players, like they're all starting five, really. So what direction, if you were his agent, I guess, where do you think Zion,
the direction he will go now given this offseason. He just signed an extension over 197 million. It ends in the summer of 2028. So he'd be there for a while if he were to stay in a team or to get him. They get a young star, 24 years old on a new fresh contract. That somewhat seemed friendly for a player of his potential. So where do you think Zion Williamson goes this summer? And whether you would like to see him do or like the Pelicans or so.
Speaker 2 (49:27.18)
Yeah, it's kind of tricky in this situation because of the fact that if not the worst, New Orleans suffered one of the worst injuries throughout the entire roster this year. mean, one of their core players, Trey Murphy, is out for the entire season. We've seen Desante Murray go down with an injury too, and other guys.
It's kind of where they could, meaning New Orleans, the organization, they could say, hey, let's run it back because of the fact that they didn't have a full season of their core players when they added De'Zante Murray with the addition of him and CJ McCollum and Zion Williamson.
and other guys, they know how other guys play together. But with the addition of De'Jonte Murray, I mean, on paper, this is a team that could legitimately make the playoffs. Not maybe as a top four seed team or anything like that, but probably as a low seed team. Now, they could go in that direction to run it back and see what they have with that core. Or they could say, we want to trade Zion because
They are a lorry team right now. So you're talking about possibly adding a player like Cooper flag or a like Ace Bailey or VJ edge cone or, or someone else. So Trey Johnson or anyone else. So they could say, we're going to move forward and try to collect more young players and Jeff assets if we trade Zion. So.
That's why I say that, that situation, makes it more interesting, but I think the common denominator is how do they really feel about Zion's health? Now, yes, he's been playing very well as a late, but in terms of the long-term, what, how do they envision him as being part of that core with New Orleans? So that's really what's gonna, gonna come down to it. Now I'm pretty sure they, they would definitely trade them.
Speaker 2 (51:51.704)
for an offer that they can't refuse or if they see an offer that's going to put them in a better position later on. But, you know, nobody's not really gonna sell a farm for them because of his health and things of nature. Now, as far as a few teams that could take a chance on them, I'll probably say Detroit because of the fact that they just, they're making the playoffs this year and I'm pretty sure that they're gonna be looking to add to their group in the off season. So I think a young,
core of Kay Cunningham, Zion, Jaylen Duran and other guys. I think that's something that could get a lot of people's attention. I would say the Lakers as well, given the fact that with them adding Luca, they're going to find other opportunities to add. We all know that the Lakers identity is all about adding stars, no matter how it looks like, no matter what it takes to give them that that's clearly that's always on their mind.
And people may say, well, they don't have this player or the draft assets to get them or any kind of player. I mean, they're always going to find a way. They're always going to go for a star hunting.
for Zion more than anybody else.
Yeah, yeah, but you know, but you know the Lakers they're always going to be looking to add no matter what so they could that's a team as always I mean even if they're not that's always gonna be a team that's gonna be mentioned, you know, Anytime when you hear a star player potentially getting traded the Lakers always in the mix. Lastly, I would say San Antonio I think that's more of a dog horse because of the fact that this is a young team and it's still the same You saw they added Dan Fox
Speaker 2 (53:39.038)
and used to have Wembee even though they're out for the rest of the season. But clearly adding Darren Fox was a move indicating that, they're looking to win, at least starting next season. So by potentially adding Zion, now you're talking about a team that could definitely make the playoffs for sure. So those are just teams that could take a chance on them.
But yeah, I think for Zion, I think, you right now he's doing very good. He's averaging 24, seven and five. So I think there's, you know, teams out there that would definitely be interested. But like I said, if the price is right for both sides, because a team is not going to give up a lot for a guy that can't, you know, stick consistent with his health and not given the production that you're expecting him to give.
I think that teams are going to negotiate that, you know, to the wire and they're going to come, you know, meet down in the middle to where, okay, we'll give you this price for Zion and then, you know, Pelicans that could say, Hey, this is a fair price. We'll take it. So, but we'll see. I don't think that he's truly on the trade, trade block and my gut, think that they're going to look to run it back, especially if they add a top three pick.
And see how that player looks like with that core too, but you know, we'll see how they go. So they can go either direction.
Speaker 3 (55:14.264)
First stop, Zion, stay away from LA. If you know what I know, stay away from LA for your sake. And as I bring up the Lakers, like who would they, what would that trade look like? Because...
It would definitely, I mean, they could definitely now, don't get me wrong. I think with the Lakers, mean, and this is why I say based on how Zanon's contract is set up and where he is, you know, from a physical standpoint, because, well, like I said, that health situation, that's not something that they're just, that teams are just going to, you know, overlook. They're going to take a hard look at that.
I'm not saying it's a dwell and be situation, but I'm just saying it's bad enough to where it's like, okay, we need to, you know, give a second thought on this. I'm just saying that it would definitely, I think it's going to be where it's going to be more draft pick centric where the real value.
Dude, dude, how many drop picks do they have? At this point, cause I'm like, you've.
I know they traded like a well, let me see. I know I know that they traded their 2029 pick and For the Anthony Davis trade And I think I know maybe I may I may I may be mixed up on another team But Antoine he can correct me if I'm wrong or as far as what picks that they do have they don't They don't have like immediate draft picks like right now like a 2025 or anything like that. I'm not sure of that. I'm just saying
Speaker 2 (56:51.648)
any drop is that they do trade is going to be like years ahead. I'm just saying picks like that. And then on top of some of their guys that they have right now, like you could envision of adding or not adding, but including a guy like Ruiz Hachimura or a guy like Jared Vanderbilt. I think they could trade a couple of those guys like that and then add a couple of picks into that as well or one. But I'm just throwing out assets that they could put
No, no, I got you. So just pulled it up the Lakers. I'm not counting this year's draft because they have the second round. They got the second round pick for this coming up draft, but they have a 2026 first round of their own pick a 2027 first seven. Yep. That's for top four protected. Otherwise that will go to Utah. A 2028 first round, 2030 first round in it.
2031 first round.
First.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, because you can't necessarily, you can't trade picks in consecutive seasons where it's like a 2026, 2027, 2028, nothing like that. It has to be like every other year. So I mean, and that's why I say, I don't think you're going to get a, from the Pelican standpoint, you're not going to get a, you're not going to get value where you're getting like three first round picks for Zion Yard. I think you could probably get one or two, two, you know, maximum.
Speaker 3 (58:22.274)
Thank you.
If you're just being generous, but that's why I say.
that the Lakers get that Laker tax. Right from teams when it whenever it comes to a trade, we see it outside of Dallas.
Yeah, yeah.
Mm-hmm. And yeah, man, like for real, both of gave great takes on it. So you saying like that Zion should stay in New Orleans to Wiley or do you think he should maybe try to go
Speaker 3 (58:51.886)
I don't trust, I've never trusted that organization. Let's start there. I've never trusted Ellicott's organization. I just haven't. A possible team that could trade for them are the Trailblazers. Cause you have Shadin Sharp, Scoot Henderson, Donovan, Clint, so you,
Drop Zion in there, got a pretty young squad. Throw a couple of vets in there, you might be all right. Detroit was definitely one.
New York, New York's another team that teams or that people try and throw players at. The Lakers are always first, New York is always second. And of course, that had been talked years ago, hell, they thought that they were going to get to draft him. So there was that. But possible,
surprised me.
Speaker 3 (01:00:08.878)
anything's possible at this point. Although as I think about it, the contracts, man, the contracts don't mean anything at this point. Contracts mean nothing. Like you might as well, I feel like you might as well do a contract on a piece of toilet paper. And I'm just saying that the way how they trade these guys and with the amount of money that they have left, it's just like,
It's like you have to like mess the salary, you know to make it work
Yeah, but then it's like, all right, you trade for Zion, but he still has this big amount on his contract left.
So that's the part, that's also the part that teams have to worry about too. So it's like, all right, how much, how much money do we have in this cap that we can, that we can afford to legit go and get Zion? Then we have to run down, all right, is he healthy enough? To be honest, Zion playing well for the rest of the season is going to be a gift in the curse.
Yes, yes, yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:01:19.756)
because teams are gonna want you and the Pelicans are gonna wanna keep you because it's like, all right, you look healthy. Like you're looking healthy enough and you're playing the way that we thought you were going to be playing when we drafted you. So like you said, that's where the Pelicans can be like, well, hey, let's run it back. Like you said, let's see who we draft.
put, you know, bring our team back together, bring our plate, you know, make sure everybody's healthy and try and run it back again.
Yeah, it's not a bad situation because like I said, it's not where they would need to trade them now because that is another thing too. Now I think about it because like I said, I think they're pretty much a lot for a top five pick or even or even or even like top top three, but you know, top five just to be generous. So that's why I say potentially adding a Cooper flag, Ace Bailey, BJ, is calm or anyone you could possibly throw in.
So it's like, okay, you run it back, just be on the safe side, see what you have with your core alongside with your top five pick player and see what you have with that. And then it's where you can go on from there, give it up until the trade deadline and make your decision then like, okay, are we going to keep them, you know, for sure? Or are we going to pull a trigger and say, hey, we're going to move on from them and get whatever, you know, assets we can get back in return and continue to build the team on.
So they could do that as well. We're going to be best of both worlds.
Speaker 1 (01:02:58.862)
Of course, yeah. And even looking at his contract, he's making an annual salary of 39 million a year. It's going to end in the summer of 2028 when he'll have just turned 27 years old. So he'll just be approaching his prime when his contract ends. He's been here for a while, man. He's had a lot of hype. In those five years went by really fast. He came out super young. He was a one and done. So he's already 24. He'll make it could be 25, 26, 27.
And like I said, in the summer of 2028, that's when he will be an unrestricted free agent. This is just his rookie extension right now. So when he gets that Max Max contract when he's 27, of course we'll see if he would have earned that given his performances, but just wanted to provide some context on both avenues that they could take. Like I mentioned his contract, we've already got him on extension. So that's your franchise player already strapped in for the next five years if you want to keep them.
obviously he's still most definitely a top 10 power forward in my opinion. but also looking at the mock drafts, like Garrett did say, I've just checked the last four mock drafts. while you guys were talking, and every single one of them had them, had it, had the Pelicans getting the fourth pick in the draft. They were either going to give VJ edge comb or ACE Bailey. that's NBA draft room, NBA draft.net, NBA, even NBA.com itself.
Had them getting the fourth pick and actually getting ace Bailey. I'd be crazy to see ace Bailey fall that far I'm not gonna lie But but yeah, like either way to get my final answer on that I think they should keep them like like I did say they didn't really get a chance They even used this new court around him like everyone got hurt He didn't even get an opportunity to even play with his teammates really have his new point guard right by his side with the John T Murray so
Either way, they have a top draft pick so you can have that new future star alongside your current star right now. So it's kind of like a gift. This season was a gift. I was going to say a gift and a curse, but really more so just a blessing in disguise. We saw the Atlanta Hawks, I keep saying this, miss the season last year when they were the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference and they managed to, with a 3 % chance, win the NBA lottery and they now
Speaker 1 (01:05:22.894)
Got Zachary Sashay who has been playing great the last few games if you have been watching him. Like last game he was like five or six from three in the third quarter alone. He's been playing great. If you all play 2K he's actually an 80 overall on 2K after starting out this year like a 74. So if we're playing that I know it's a video game but obviously.
Obviously, they do pay attention to the progression of players and that shows that Zachary objectively is indeed improving. And I do think he will show why he was selected as the number one pick. Even Alex Sarr over in Washington over his last three games has averaged 25, 6, and 3 assists. He's good himself over in Washington, finally having his feet under him. Obviously, I like.
Cause I remember like in the summer league game, he shot like one of 15 and people were on his head that night. So it's really cool to see Alex Sarr get his feet under him as well. And I wish him nothing but the best out in Washington. Obviously we know the whole situation with his agent Bill Duffy and him not wanting to come to Atlanta around the Drift Night. And that worked out perfectly for both teams. Cause I think Zachary is tailor made for the Hawk system. And I think he's going to go on and be really good.
the Hawks. So I just want to thank y'all again for joining us for this episode of the Uncomment Commentators. I some great topics tonight, man. Some great conversations about the playoffs, the Lakers, and of course, the Pelicans. I really want to see where Zion Williamson goes. He's still so young and I want to see his full potential. And we're nowhere near seeing that at the age he is right now. Like I mentioned, when that contract ends, he would have just been approaching his prime.
And still be so young at 27, he could go to another team and hit the reset button at 27 if he wants to. So I'm excited to see what happens to playoffs, most definitely. But yeah, Garrett, that's it for me. If you have anything else you want to say, brother.
Speaker 2 (01:07:25.708)
Thank you all for tuning in with us. really do appreciate you guys, your time and your support. So thank you all again.
course. Thank you all so much. Don't forget to like, comment and subscribe. Wanna give shout outs again to the whole family over here at SXC. know, Olivia, Nick, Jay, Wiley, Reyna, everybody that does a show with us. Always love talking to y'all. Appreciate you. We thank y'all again. We appreciate y'all again for the opportunity. And yeah, y'all have a blessed night. Thank you for kicking it with the uncommon commentators talking about some hoops. Get us back
next Thursday night as always and y'all have a nice weekend enjoy some March Madness most definitely.