Buying Into the Chet Vs. Wemby Rivalry and the Emerging Warriors, Plus: Has Doc Fixed the Bucks?
Mar 1, 2024
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Discussing the potential rivalry between Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama, the impact of young players like Moses Moody on the Warriors, and the race for playoff spots in the West. Also, exploring Doc Rivers' influence on the Bucks' defense and Joel Embiid's return to the Sixers.
Milwaukee Bucks' defensive improvement under Doc Rivers has transformed their defensive ranking and playoff aspirations.
Kristaps Porzingis's offensive versatility as an inside scoring threat adds a crucial dimension to Boston's three-point heavy offense.
Uncertainty surrounding Joel Embiid's return timeline creates unpredictability for Philadelphia's playoff prospects and potential matchups.
Deep dives
Doc Rivers Revamps the Bucks' Defense
Under Doc Rivers' coaching, the Milwaukee Bucks have undergone significant defensive improvements, adopting varied defensive schemes depending on matchups. Griffin's departure, whose defensive strategies were criticized, has led to a more cohesive defensive effort, resulting in a major transformation from being bottom-ranked in defense to second in defensive rating. The Bucks are now better at protecting the rim, communicating on defense, and executing defensive plans, instilling confidence in their bid for a championship.
Kristaps Porzingis' Role for Boston in the Playoffs
Kristaps Porzingis has emerged as a key offensive threat for Boston, offering a versatile scoring option that stretches beyond pick-and-pop plays and attacking closeouts. Despite their heavy reliance on three-point shooting, Porzingis presents a potent inside scoring option that could be pivotal in games when perimeter shots are not falling. His enhanced post game and rim protection skills position him as a crucial component, especially in playoff scenarios where offensive versatility is paramount.
Playoff Matchup Scenarios in the East and West
The playoff positioning in both the East and West conferences could lead to intriguing matchups, with top seeds potentially facing challenging opponents in the early rounds. Boston's position atop the rankings might lead to tougher first-round matchups, while Philadelphia's uncertainty around Embiid's return opens up the possibility of formidable opponents like Miami and Milwaukee in the playoffs. The tight competition among the top teams in the West signifies intense matchups ahead, potentially pitting strong teams against each other right from the start.
The Impact of Embiid's Potential Return for Philadelphia
Joel Embiid's uncertain return timeline amid his recovery adds an element of unpredictability for Philadelphia's playoff prospects. The ambiguity surrounding Embiid's availability raises questions about the team's effectiveness without their star player and the challenges they might face in his absence. While there is hope for a late March return, Embiid's cautious approach and lack of timeline clarity create a sense of uncertainty regarding his comeback and its impact on the team.
Anticipated Drama and Matchups in the Play-in and Playoffs
The upcoming playoffs and play-in tournaments are poised to deliver heightened drama and intense matchups, with potential scenarios featuring top-seeded teams facing tough early-round adversaries. The uncertainty surrounding potential playoff pairings and the competitiveness among the top teams highlight the importance of strategic positioning and the impact of matchups on playoff outcomes. As the stage is set for thrilling postseason action, teams must navigate challenging matchups and adapt their strategies to secure playoff success.
Verno and KOC break down what could be the next great NBA rivalry between the Spurs and Thunder with Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama (01:50). They dive into how special these rookies are and why the future's so bright for both. With Andrew Wiggins away from the Warriors, Moses Moody slides into the starting lineup—the guys explain why this move could be beneficial for the team down the stretch (14:28). With the no. 5 and no. 10 seeds separated by only 3.5 games in the West, the guys debate which teams have the best chance to secure the guaranteed playoff spot and avoid the play-in (28:38). Also, KOC explains what Doc Rivers has done to fix the Bucks defense and discusses Joel Embiid's plan to return to the Sixers this season (37:00).
You can read KOC’s article about Doc and the Bucks here.
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