Zach Lowe, an ESPN personality celebrated for his deep NBA insights, joins to rank the most exciting teams to watch for early 2024. They discuss the thrilling evolution of basketball media, contrasting commentary styles, and the Bucks' defensive struggles. Rising stars like the Oklahoma City Thunder are highlighted, showcasing their innovative strategies. The conversation also dips into trade dynamics and team performances, revealing emotional ties fans have with players and the potential impacts of upcoming trades.
The Thunder's young team of Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, and Holmgren has been impressively mature and is a contender in the league, making them appointment viewing.
The Celtics have shown improvement with their new addition, Porzingis, who has been more efficient and versatile, making them a serious championship contender.
The Nuggets, led by MVP Nikola Jokic, bring a high level of competition every night, and despite some defensive challenges, their offensive firepower and Jokic's brilliance make them must-see TV.
The Timberwolves' improbable rise, led by Anthony Edwards, make them a fascinating team to watch, with their competitiveness and high-level games becoming highlights.
The Suns' trio of Beal, Booker, and Durant brings star power and excitement every game, and monitoring the health of Beal and Durant will be crucial for their performance as a championship-caliber team.
Deep dives
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder's young team of Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, and Holmgren has been impressively mature. They play with a calm and lack of mistakes beyond their age. They are a contender in the league and appointment viewing.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics have shown improvement with their new addition, Porzingis, who has been more efficient and versatile. The combination of Jalen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Porzingis makes them a serious championship contender. The team's competitiveness and balance make them exciting to watch.
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets are led by the MVP Nikola Jokic and bring a high level of competition every night. Their bench adds an interesting subplot to the games. Despite some defensive challenges, their offensive firepower and Jokic's brilliance make them must-see TV.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves' improbable rise, led by Anthony Edwards, has made them a fascinating team to watch. Their competitiveness and high-level games make their close matchups enjoyable. Edwards' development and the team's commitment to defense make them an exciting team.
Phoenix Suns
The Suns' trio of Beal, Booker, and Durant brings star power and excitement every game. With a healthy squad, it's time to see their full potential and how they perform as a championship-caliber team. Monitoring the health of Beal and Durant will be crucial.
Golden State Warriors season analysis
The Golden State Warriors' season has been filled with ups and downs, including inconsistent performances from players like Wiggins and Green. However, there have also been standout players like Kuminga who have shown promise. The last days of Clay Thompson's recovery have been a highlight, and Stephen Curry continues to be a force on the court. Despite their chaotic season, the Warriors have a solid floor and are still a formidable team.
Houston Rockets progress and roster dynamics
The Houston Rockets, led by rookie Jalen Green, have shown potential and promise. Their young core, along with veteran players, has made for an interesting and captivating team. While they may not have a winning record, watching their games provides an exciting glimpse into their development and growth. As they continue to find their rhythm and navigate different lineups, the Rockets offer an entertaining and intriguing basketball science experiment.
Phenomenal performances of Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey
The Philadelphia 76ers have been a standout team with the extraordinary performances of Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Embiid's dominant presence on the court, averaging over 35 points per game, combined with Maxey's impressive contributions make them a captivating duo to watch. Their performances have propelled the Sixers to success, making them a thrilling team to follow.
The exciting style of play of the Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies, led by Ja Morant, bring an exciting style of basketball to the court. With Morant's electrifying plays and the supporting cast of talented players like Bain and Jackson, the Grizzlies showcase an entertaining and high-energy brand of basketball. Their fast-paced play and highlight-reel moments make the Grizzlies an enjoyable team to watch.
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by ESPN’s Zach Lowe for an early 2024 NBA League Pass Rankings. They draft their top 14 fun teams to watch based on an aggregation of factors, like style of play, exciting players, announcers, and more!
Host: Bill Simmons
Guest: Zach Lowe
Producer: Kyle Crichton
The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming, please checkout theringer.com/RG to find out more or listen to the end of the episode for additional details.
