Bill Simmons is joined by Doc Rivers to discuss highlights from the NBA tournament and their thoughts on the Pistons, Warriors, Cavaliers, Hawks, Raptors, and Suns. They also dive into whether they believe in the Bucks, Timberwolves, Pelicans, Thunder, and Clippers. The episode concludes with story time about a wild meeting with the San Antonio Spurs during the Western finals.
The Milwaukee Bucks need to improve the chemistry between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton to maximize their potential.
The Phoenix Suns must find a balance between passion and composure to consistently perform at their best.
The Toronto Raptors are struggling due to Pascal Siakam's poor shooting, leading to potential trade talks involving Siakam.
The Cleveland Cavaliers need to balance their guards and frontcourt players while addressing their lack of size in the frontcourt.
Deep dives
Milwaukee Bucks: Figuring out the chemistry between Giannis and Middleton is key
The Milwaukee Bucks have high expectations, but they are still figuring out how to maximize the chemistry between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton. Currently, both players are playing well individually, but they need to learn how to make each other better on the court. Once they establish better synergy, it will make the game easier for the rest of the team.
Phoenix Suns: Dealing with injuries and emotional competitiveness
The Phoenix Suns have been dealing with the absence of DeAndre Ayton due to injury, which has affected their gameplay. Additionally, the team's emotional competitiveness sometimes gets in the way of playing in a controlled manner. They need to find a balance between passion and composure to consistently perform at their best.
Toronto Raptors: Uncertainty with Siakam's shooting and potential trade options
The Toronto Raptors are struggling due to Pascal Siakam's poor shooting and the uncertainty surrounding his role on the team. Siakam has not been able to find his shooting rhythm this season, making it difficult for the team to rely on him offensively. As a result, trade talks involving Siakam have emerged as a potential solution for the Raptors to address their challenges.
Cleveland Cavaliers: The challenge of balancing guards and frontcourt players
The Cleveland Cavaliers face the challenge of balancing their guards and frontcourt players, specifically Darius Garland and Evan Mobley. The team needs to find a way for both players to excel without getting in each other's way on the court. Additionally, their lack of size in the frontcourt can be a disadvantage against certain opponents. These issues need to be addressed for the Cavaliers to reach their full potential.
Atlanta Hawks: Struggling to find consistency and relying heavily on Trey Young
The Atlanta Hawks have been struggling to find consistency this season, relying heavily on the performance of Trey Young. While Young has had impressive individual performances, the team as a whole has not been able to consistently execute in crucial moments. Additionally, the pairing of Young and Cam Reddish has not been as effective as anticipated. The Hawks need to find a way to develop better team chemistry and offensive balance to improve their overall performance.
Minnesota's Potential in the NBA Finals
Minnesota Timberwolves have the potential to make it to the NBA Finals, despite their young and sometimes unpredictable nature as a team. While they may have their moments of inconsistency and silliness, they have shown great athleticism and fearlessness, making them a team that no one wants to play against in the playoffs. With players like Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns leading the way, along with the calming presence of a player like Jarrett Culver, the Timberwolves have the ability to surprise and compete against more experienced teams.
The Impact of Leadership and Separation in the NBA
Leadership plays a crucial role in the success of NBA teams. Having clear separators, players who step up and take charge, is essential for a team's cohesion and performance. Players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Haliburton have emerged as leaders for their teams, making a significant impact on the court. Gilgeous-Alexander, in particular, has shown his competitiveness and killer instinct, while Haliburton has been a strong presence both on and off the court. Their leadership qualities contribute to their team's success and make them valuable assets in the league.
The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Doc Rivers to discuss highlights from the NBA in-season tournament (3:46), before Bill asks "What's wrong?" with the Pistons, Warriors, Cavaliers, Hawks, Raptors, and Suns (25:37), then asks "Do you believe?" in the Bucks, Timberwolves, Pelicans, Thunder, and Clippers. This is then followed by story time and more (54:30).
