ESPN's Tim MacMahon discusses the Thunder's chances and potential trade options, Lakers struggling offense, surging Phoenix Suns, and Kevin Durant's legacy.
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Quick takeaways
Despite their current success, the Oklahoma City Thunder are prioritizing the development of their young core and taking a patient approach to the season.
The Los Angeles Lakers' struggles on offense, including poor three-point shooting and low offensive rebounding numbers, have hindered their performance and need to be addressed.
The Phoenix Suns' Big Three of Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant, and Devin Booker have displayed great offensive chemistry, but their defensive performance and ability to stay healthy will determine their success in the postseason.
Deep dives
The Thunder's Focus on Growth and Progress
The Oklahoma City Thunder are taking a patient approach to the season, focusing on evaluating their young core and allowing them to continue to develop. While currently sitting in second place in the Western Conference standings, the team remains grounded and understands that they have a long way to go. With a roster filled with young players who have limited playoff experience, the Thunder are focused on taking it one day at a time and building a strong foundation for sustained success.
The Lakers Struggle on Offense
The Los Angeles Lakers have slumped to a 500 record, primarily due to their struggles on offense. Currently ranked 23rd in offensive efficiency, their lack of three-point shooting and low offensive rebounding numbers have hindered their performance. While individual players like LeBron James and Anthony Davis have performed well, the team as a whole has struggled to find consistency and generate efficient offense. To turn things around, the Lakers need to address their offensive shortcomings and find ways to improve their scoring output.
The Phoenix Suns' Big Three Show Promise
With the return of Bradley Beal, the Phoenix Suns' Big Three of Beal, Kevin Durant, and Devin Booker have shown great potential. Despite limited minutes together, they have displayed excellent offensive chemistry, with an offensive rating approaching 130 in their time on the court. While their small sample size raises questions, if they can stay healthy, the Suns have the potential to have one of the best offenses in NBA history. However, their defensive performance and ability to stay healthy will be key factors in determining their success in the postseason.
Lakers' Roster Decisions: Separating Westbrook and Reeves
The podcast discusses how putting Austin Reeves in the starting lineup and separating him from Russell Westbrook could benefit the Lakers. Reeves fits well with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, making it their best trio to play together. It is argued that the Lakers made a mistake trading for D'Angelo Russell instead of Mike Conley, who would have been a better fit for the team. The podcast also criticizes the current lineup and suggests that the Lakers should focus on playing their three best players together for better results.
Kevin Durant's Legacy and Phoenix Suns Supporting Cast
The podcast explores Kevin Durant's legacy and the expectations placed on him to galvanize the current Phoenix Suns team. It is acknowledged that Durant has had a successful career and is likely to be considered as a top-10 all-time player. The discussion also touches on the trade that brought DeAndre Ayton to the Suns and how they miss a young talent like Tumani Kamara. The impact of Kamara's shooting struggles on the Suns' rotation is highlighted. Overall, the podcast emphasizes the importance of the supporting cast and the need for the Suns to make the most of their current roster.
Zach and ESPN's Tim MacMahon discuss the Thunder's chances and possible moves they can make, the Lakers struggling offense, the surging Phoenix Suns, Kevin Durant's legacy, and more.
Four stages of Thunder thoughts (3:49)
Is Lauri Markkanen available? (14:40)
Jordan Clarkson going for a triple-double (17:35)
The Lakers offense is struggling and defense is slipping (20:05)
Re-visiting the Westbrook trade and how well Minnesota did to get Conley (31:36)