Podcast guest Nekias Duncan shares early observations of the NBA season, including Dame's impressive debut in Milwaukee, the Sixers' offense without Harden, Lakers' offensive struggles, unstoppable Jokic, and rapid fire observations.
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Quick takeaways
Luca Doncic now has an impressive lob-catching rookie center, Derek Lively, providing a new weapon in the Mavericks' offense.
The Toronto Raptors' preseason games have shown noticeable improvements in passing, movement, and a more dynamic offense under head coach Darko Rajakovic.
Deep dives
Derek Lively adds excitement to Dallas offense
Dallas Mavericks' rookie center Derek Lively showcased his impressive lob-catching ability, providing Luca Doncic with an exciting new weapon in the team's offense. With Lively's vertical presence, Doncic's lob passes to the rim become even more artful and challenging for defenses to stop. The fast pace of the Mavericks' preseason game indicates a potential change in the team's playing style, with Luca and the young legs around him running at a quicker tempo.
Toronto Raptors show promise in preseason
The Toronto Raptors remain undefeated in the preseason, displaying a noticeable increase in passing and movement in their half-court offense. Head coach Darko Rajakovic has been intentional about implementing a style of play that emphasizes more passing and sets, resulting in a more dynamic and promising offense for the team.
Offensive struggles and defensive strength of Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors faced offensive challenges in their game against Minnesota due to personnel issues, lack of shooting, and movement on the roster. However, their defensive strategy of swarming the opposing team, forcing turnovers, and running in transition proved successful. Scotty Barnes showcased tremendous defensive skills, strictly defending players from position three to five, while OG Anunoby's defensive performance against Anthony Edwards was remarkable. Despite concerns about half-court offense, the Raptors' strong defense gives them the potential to surpass expectations and compete for a higher seed.
The impressive performance of Victor Wembanyama
In a game against the Mavericks, Victor Wembanyama displayed his defensive prowess and shot-blocking abilities, stunning opponents with his ability to block jump shots right in front of their faces. His defensive impact was not limited to his own man, as he effectively rotated to disrupt opposing shooters. Wembanyama's defensive skills earned him praise as one of the best help-side defenders and indicated his potential to become an elite NBA player. With his skill set and confidence, Wembanyama could earn multiple All-Star selections and potentially join the ranks of basketball legends like David Robinson and Tim Duncan.
Zach and Nekias Duncan of the Dunker Spot go rapid-fire around the first week of the NBA season: Dame's debut in Milwaukee, Lakers and Suns two games in, the Sixers without Harden (and what happens next there), Wembanyama, and tons of other early observations.