Porzingis’s Rim Influence, Luka’s Dominance, Emerging Rookies, and New Year’s Resolutions
Dec 26, 2023
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Luka Doncic carries the Mavs to victory, Celtics dominate Lakers, Porzingis's rim influence, emerging rookies Podziemski and Jaquez Jr., can Brunson be a championship team's best player, and New Year's resolutions.
01:30:13
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Quick takeaways
Luka Doncic's exceptional performance on Christmas Day solidifies the Dallas Mavericks' chances in the playoffs.
The Los Angeles Lakers need to make a move to improve their shooting and find a point guard to settle the team down.
Steve Kerr's criticism of NBA officiating emphasizes the importance of maintaining flow and balance in the game.
Deep dives
Podcast Episode Overview
This podcast episode discusses the recent move of the podcast Offguard to its own podcast feed, where they will release two shows every week. The hosts, Austin Rivers and Pasha Givi, will cover the biggest stories happening in the NBA. The episode also mentions the partnership between Fanduel and the NBA, highlighting the Fanduel sportsbook app as a safe and easy-to-use platform for sports betting. The hosts express their excitement for their upcoming shows and discuss their favorite moments from the Christmas holiday.
Luka Doncic's Christmas Day Performance
The podcast highlights Luka Doncic's outstanding performance on Christmas Day, where he scored 50 points and recorded 15 assists against the Phoenix Suns. The hosts discuss how Doncic has been performing at his peak this season, dominating the court and elevating the play of his teammates. Despite the Suns' defensive efforts to double-team him, Doncic consistently made the right plays and showcased his exceptional shooting abilities. The hosts emphasize Doncic's impressive stats and suggest that the Dallas Mavericks have a strong chance in the playoffs with him leading the team.
Concerns for the Los Angeles Lakers
The podcast raises concerns about the Los Angeles Lakers, who currently have a 500 record. The hosts discuss the team's need to make a move to improve their shooting and find the right player who can elevate their chances of contending. They also touch on LeBron James' comments downplaying the importance of their recent game and highlight Anthony Davis' exceptional performance and efficiency. The hosts acknowledge the Lakers' defensive struggles and the need for a point guard to settle the team down and run the show.
Steve Kerr's Criticism of NBA Officiating
The podcast delves into Steve Kerr's passionate criticism of NBA officiating, expressing his belief that defense is being eliminated from the game and that players are not allowed to play physical defense anymore. While acknowledging that some calls, such as those involving Nikola Jokic, can be frustrating, the hosts highlight the importance of maintaining flow and balance in the game, where excessive free-throw trips disrupt the flow of play. The hosts also bring up the importance of fit and situation for players like Moses Moody and Omer Yurtseven, who have excelled in their respective teams' systems.
Maxi's adjustment to different coverages
One of the main points discussed in the podcast episode is the need for Maxi to adjust to facing different coverages during games. The speaker mentions how the Miami Heat threw various defensive strategies at Maxi, putting pressure on him to adapt. This highlights the importance of having a point guard or another ball-handler in the backcourt to alleviate some of the pressure on Maxi and provide additional options for distributing touches on the perimeter.
The significance of having multiple weapons
Another key point from the podcast is the importance of having multiple offensive weapons on a team. The speaker mentions the Philadelphia 76ers and the challenge they faced when the Atlanta Hawks deployed multiple defensive looks against Trae Young in a previous game. The discussion emphasizes the need for teams to have more than one standout player, as opponents will focus on shutting down the primary scorer. By having multiple scoring options, teams can better counter defensive strategies and distribute the offensive load among different players.
Verno and KOC react to the Christmas Day slate of games, beginning with last night’s monster performance by Luka Doncic as he carried the Mavs to a victory over the Suns (04:27). Are the Suns still viewed as a title contender? The guys move on to the Celtics' decisive win over the Lakers and discuss Kristaps Porzingis’s influence at the rim, as well Derrick White's continuing emergence as a key player (24:25). While looking at the Warriors-Nuggets and 76ers-Heat games, the guys discuss the impact of rookies Brandin Podziemski and Jaime Jaquez Jr. (36:38). Next, can Jalen Brunson be the best player on a championship team (01:01:10)? Also, the guys give out their New Year's resolutions (01:07:32).
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