Sports journalist and analyst Howard Beck joins Zach to discuss the surprising success of the Philadelphia 76ers, the struggles of the Clippers with James Harden, the resurgence of the Warriors, and the potential of the Houston Rockets. They also touch on the Boston Celtics' performance in the playoffs and the entertaining Indiana Pacers.
The Golden State Warriors have made an impressive recovery from last season's struggles, with the addition of Chris Paul playing a significant role in their improved performance.
Despite showing promising signs, the Golden State Warriors have also experienced moments of inconsistency, highlighting areas for improvement such as Kuminga's struggles and the lack of a reliable shooting lineup.
The Los Angeles Clippers have had a rough start to the season, struggling on the offensive end and needing to optimize their talented stars' abilities and potentially make changes to improve their performance.
Deep dives
Impressive Recovery and Improved Bench Strength for the Warriors
The Golden State Warriors have made an impressive recovery from last season's struggles. Despite concerns about the trade of Jordan Poole for Chris Paul, the addition of Chris Paul has had a positive impact on the team. Paul's playmaking abilities and leadership have been evident, and the team is performing well with him on the court. The bench has also seen significant improvement with the arrival of Gary Payton II and Dario Saric. The Warriors' recovery and improved bench strength bode well for their championship aspirations.
Warriors' Ups and Downs in Early Season
While the Golden State Warriors have shown promising signs, there have also been moments of inconsistency. The team has had strong stretches where they demonstrate their championship-contender status, but they have also experienced lapses in gameplay. Issues such as Kuminga's struggles and the lack of a reliable shooting lineup persist. The upcoming games against the Cavaliers, Timberwolves, and Thunder will provide further insight into the Warriors' true potential.
Excitement Around the Potential of the Warriors
Despite some concerns, the Golden State Warriors have generated excitement and optimism among fans. The team's recovery from previous setbacks, the addition of Chris Paul, and the overall improvements to the bench have contributed to this positive outlook. While challenges and uncertainties still exist, the Warriors' recent performances have fueled hope in their ability to compete for a championship.
The Boston Celtics: A Promising Start with Room for Improvement
The Boston Celtics have started the season strong but still have room for improvement. Their starting five is impressive, with strong offensive potential and a determined focus on getting to the rim and the foul line. However, their playmaking can be stagnant at times, and they need to face tougher competition to fully evaluate their capabilities. Overall, the Celtics have high potential on both ends of the floor, with a solid defense that strategically allows some threes while shutting down corner threes.
Early Struggles for the Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers have had a rough start to the season, particularly on the offensive end. Their offensive plays lack cohesion and players seem unsure of their roles. Despite having talented stars in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, the team lacks structure and struggles to create effective plays. The Clippers need to find a way to optimize the talents of their players and make adjustments to improve their offensive performance. There may be a need for changes in the lineup and potential trades to address these issues.
Zach and The Ringer's Howard Beck discuss the Sixers' success without James Harden and the Clippers' struggles to find their footing with him. Plus, surprise teams, a star in the making, and more.
Philly looks great (2:10)
Should the Sixers try to add another star this season? (10:03)
