Team USA's World Cup Woes, KOC’s Franz Crush, and the NBA's New Rest Rules
Sep 12, 2023
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KOC, basketball analyst and podcast host, recaps the FIBA World Cup, discusses Germany's win, debates Franz Wagner's potential, shares insights on top prospects from Vegas, and dives into new rules for resting star players.
French prospect Alex Tsar impressed NBA executives with his defensive skills and offensive versatility, potentially making him a top pick in the draft.
G League Ignite players Madas Buzelis, Ron Holland, and Eten Almanza showed promise and standout moments during their games.
The NBA plans to implement stricter rules and punishments to limit the resting of star players in nationally televised games, with the goal of maintaining the quality of the product on television and maximizing the value of TV rights.
Deep dives
Alex Tsar shines defensively and offensively for G League Ignite
Alex Tsar, a French prospect, stood out in the G League Ignite's games, showcasing impressive defensive skills and offensive versatility. He made smart passes, finished at the rim, and showed an improved shot. Tsar's performance earned praise from NBA executives, with some suggesting he may be the number one pick in the draft.
Madas Buzelis, Ron Holland, and Eten Almanza represent G League Ignite
Madas Buzelis, Ron Holland, and Eten Almanza played for the G League Ignite team. Buzelis had some standout moments, while Holland displayed explosive skills. Almanza, a Spanish center, also showed promise off the bench.
New NBA rules aim to prevent star players from resting
The NBA plans to implement stricter rules and punishments to limit the resting of star players in nationally televised games and instances where multiple All-Stars sit out individual regular season games. The goal is to ensure that star players play in important games and maintain the quality of the product on television.
NBA's efforts to curb resting of star players linked to TV deals
The NBA's stricter rules against resting star players are partly driven by the league's push to secure new television deals. The league wants to avoid situations where major stars miss games, as this impacts ratings and the attractiveness of the NBA product. The hope is that by curbing resting, the NBA can maximize the value of its TV rights.
Possible impact on NBA schedule and control over regional sports networks
The NBA's attempts to curb resting may lead to changes in the league schedule, potentially reducing the number of games. Additionally, the NBA's control over regional sports networks, such as Valley Sports, could enable them to create a more uniform product, improving the viewing experience for fans.
Verno and KOC recap the FIBA World Cup and discuss what went wrong for Team USA, before showing some love to Dillon Brooks and Team Canada (01:58). After congratulating Germany for beating Serbia to win the World Cup, the guys debate how good Franz Wagner can be (19:15). KOC shares what he saw from the top prospects in Las Vegas after a series of exhibition games between the G League Ignite against the Perth Wildcats (41:59). Also, the guys dive into the new rule regarding resting star players (47:35).
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