The First 30 Games of The 2023-2024 NBA Season w/ Tim Legler and JJ Redick
Dec 28, 2023
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NBA analyst Tim Legler joins JJ Redick to discuss various NBA topics, including Derrick White's All-Star potential, the validation of Joel Embiid's play, the importance of elite defense in championships, the offensive explosion in the NBA, the Indiana Pacers' performance, James Harden adjusting to playing with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, potential trades for the Oklahoma City Thunder, and why the Boston Celtics are currently the best team in basketball.
The Indiana Pacers need to reestablish their defensive focus and consistency to shut down opponents.
Tyrese Halliburton has proven himself as a special player in the NBA despite minor injuries.
The Boston Celtics have emerged as the best team in the NBA, balancing efficient offense with dominant defense.
Deep dives
Indy's defensive struggles continue
The Indiana Pacers, who gained attention during the end season tournament, have struggled defensively since the tournament ended. They have had a difficult time maintaining their defensive identity and have shown a lack of consistency. While they had a good defensive game against Boston, where they implemented a strategy to limit clean looks for Tatum and Brown, their overall defense has been inadequate. The team needs to reestablish their defensive focus and find ways to consistently shut down opponents.
Halliburton's impact and national recognition
Tyrese Halliburton of the Indiana Pacers stood out during the end season tournament and gained national recognition for his stellar play. He showcased his skills and entertained fans with his performances. However, he has also dealt with some minor injuries. Despite that, Halliburton's impact on the court has been undeniable and he has proven himself as a special player in the league.
Tough stretch for Indy
Indiana's performance since the end season tournament has been less impressive as they face the challenges of a long regular season. This period can be demanding both physically and mentally for players, and the team has appeared to have a drop-off in their performance. They need to find ways to regain their focus and consistency to navigate through this tough stretch.
Struggling to maintain defensive intensity
One area where the Indiana Pacers have struggled is in maintaining their defensive intensity. While they were able to implement a good strategy against Boston to limit their opponents' scoring, they have lacked consistency in their defensive efforts. It will be vital for them to establish a strong defensive identity and maintain it over the course of the season to find success.
Oklahoma City Thunder's Potential Championship Contention
The Oklahoma City Thunder have exceeded expectations and are currently the number two team in the Western Conference. With a top 10 offense and a top six defense, they are well-positioned to make a big move. Adding a perennial All-Star caliber wing player could potentially elevate them to championship contender status. Potential trade targets like Lauri Markkanen or OG Anunoby could be great fits for their lineup, adding positional size, shooting, and defensive versatility. However, the team may also choose to wait and assess their needs further into the season to make a more informed decision.
Boston Celtics as the Best Team in the NBA
The Boston Celtics have emerged as the best team in the NBA, especially when their starting lineup is together. They boast a 14-1 record and have a highly efficient offense with a 120 offensive rating and a dominant defense with a 100 defensive rating. Their success can be attributed to key additions like Dennis Schroder and Al Horford, who have seamlessly fit into their system. The Celtics prioritize post-ups, ranking second in the league in points per possession on post-ups. Their emphasis on half-court offense and the potential of their players, such as Jalen Brown and Jayson Tatum, to excel in these situations bodes well for their playoff prospects. However, they need to balance their three-point hunting at times to avoid becoming predictable on offense.
We are always psyched to welcome in our good friend Tim Legler to talk all things NBA. It's been roughly 30 games and we can start drawing some real analysis from this season. So what have we learned and what are we looking at for the rest of the season? Topics include: JJ on Derrick White playing like an NBA All Star, do the Philadelphia 76ers need to win an NBA championship to validate Joel Embiid's amazing play? Also, does you need to have an elite defense to win an NBA championship and more on the offensive explosion this year, Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers coming down to earth after the IST, how James Harden is adjusting to playing with Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and the Los Angeles Clippers, should the Oklahoma City Thunder make a trade? And finally, why Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics are the best team in basketball right now. Let's go!
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