The Ringer NBA Show Who Said What? NBA Media Day Quotes Edition. Plus, Potential Fred VanVleet Replacements.
10 snips
Sep 26, 2025 NBA media days kick off excitement for the upcoming season as hosts unpack memorable quotes. They dive into Fred VanVleet's season-ending injury and the pressing need for the Rockets to find a replacement. The ideal but impractical option of Jrue Holiday gets a spotlight, along with concerns about Russell Westbrook's fit. Meanwhile, Zion Williamson's health looms large over the Pelicans' prospects, while the duo humorously critiques media-day clichés and highlights emotional challenges for aging players. It's a mix of insights and laughs!
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VanVleet Loss Is Structural, Not Just Positional
- Fred VanVleet's ACL is a seismic roster event because he was the Rockets' on-court conductor and culture glue.
- Replacing him requires balancing veteran leadership now with the franchise's young timeline and Kevin Durant's finite window.
Prioritize A Veteran Conductor Over A Perfect Talent Match
- Do pursue an experienced floor‑manager even if you downgrade talent slightly; leadership and orchestration matter more than pure scoring.
- Avoid trading core young assets to chase a perfect replacement; prefer veteran signings or low‑cost trades.
Assets Exist But Practical Trades Are Limited
- The Rockets have draft capital but few movable young starters, making high‑salary trades costly and complicated.
- Realistic targets are mid‑tier veterans or expiring deals rather than stars like Jrue or Holiday without major asset cost.