The chapter delves into the defensive capabilities and impact of various NBA players, discussing their contributions, statistics, and potential consideration for all-defensive teams. It explores the challenges faced by players in the race for defensive player of the year and compares defensive stars from different teams. The conversation provides insights into how these players influence their teams' defensive strategies and play styles.
Zach and ESPN's Andrew Lopez discuss the red-hot Pelicans, Zion's play, Brandon Ingram's unheralded season, and how the Pelicans stack up against each of the West's elite. Then ESPN's Kevin Pelton joins to pick All-Defensive teams, talk Heat, Suns, Magic and Jamahl Mosley's extension, the recent decline in scoring and free throws, Victor Wembanyama, and much more.
Pels are a mystery box and a sleeping giant (6:26)
Zion's improved defense and rebounding (10:57)
Herb Jones has a case for All-Defense and Most Improved (13:28)
The Pelicans' shooting luck defensively (20:13)
Not enough talk about Brandon Ingram (27:08)
How the Pels match up against other Western Conference playoff teams (33:30)
Pelton (40:15)
Middle of the East (57:46)
2nd tier All-Defense guys (1:02:47)
Thunder in line for the top seed in the West (1:09:14)
Wembanyama's All-Defense case (1:15:27)
Scoring is down since the All-Star break (1:30:20)
Temperature check on the Suns (1:39:46)
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