Wemby’s NBA Debut, the James Harden–76ers Standstill, and Changes to the 2024 NBA All-Star Game | Real Ones
Oct 26, 2023
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Sam Amick, senior NBA writer for The Athletic, joins Logan and Howard to discuss Victor Wembanyama's NBA debut and the challenges the San Antonio Spurs will face managing the spotlight. They also talk about James Harden's situation with the Philadelphia 76ers and the stalled trade talks with the Los Angeles Clippers. The podcast covers the upcoming changes to the NBA All-Star Game format and closes with the hosts' Real Ones of the Week.
The NBA is reverting back to the East vs. West format for the All-Star Game in an attempt to revive excitement and viewer interest.
The NBA's constant experimental approach to rule changes and formats can create confusion and a lack of continuity.
The NBA faces challenges in balancing entertainment, player empowerment, and competitive integrity in its league structure.
Deep dives
All-Star Game Changes
The NBA is making changes to the All-Star Game format, reverting back to the East vs. West format and eliminating the player draft and other recent features. The league has been experimenting with different formats in recent years to make the game more entertaining but has been met with mixed results. This latest change aims to address the decline in excitement and viewer interest in the All-Star Game. However, it remains to be seen if the new format will be successful in revitalizing the event.
League's Experimental Approach
The NBA's experimental approach to rule changes and format adjustments reflects Commissioner Adam Silver's desire to keep the league fresh and engaging. However, the constant changes can lead to confusion and a lack of continuity. While it is commendable that the NBA is willing to try new things, it is important for the league to find a balance between experimentation and establishing a consistent framework for the season and events like the All-Star Game.
The Challenge of Balancing Entertainment and Player Empowerment
The NBA's attempts to prioritize entertainment and cater to player empowerment can sometimes clash, leading to challenges in maintaining a cohesive league structure. On one hand, the desire for entertaining elements like player drafts and player empowerment can enhance fan engagement. On the other hand, it can also create complications and conflicts within the league and its teams. Striking the right balance between entertainment, player empowerment, and competitive integrity is an ongoing process for the NBA.
NBA coaches and players adapt to James Harden's holdout
The podcast episode dives into how NBA coaches and players have adjusted their plans and expectations due to James Harden's holdout situation. When it became clear that Harden would not be available, they have had to come up with new rotations and strategies, treating his absence as if it were a significant injury. Coaches and players in the league are accustomed to dealing with unexpected challenges and quickly transitioning their focus to the available players and moving forward.
Assessing the James Harden trade negotiations and future commitments
The podcast episode also delves into the ongoing negotiations surrounding a potential trade for James Harden. While the LA Clippers seem to be the front-runners, there is always a possibility of a surprise team emerging. However, the longer the negotiations take and the more games Harden misses, the less likely it becomes for another team to make a move. The episode also raises concerns about the long-term commitment that teams might be willing to offer to Harden, given his track record of demanding trades and the potential risk of injuries as he gets older.
Logan and Howard are joined by Sam Amick, senior NBA writer for The Athletic, to unpack how Victor Wembanyama navigated opening night jitters as a rookie and what the San Antonio Spurs are going to do to manage the spotlight that comes with a player like him (2:55). Next, they discuss reports that James Harden returned to the Philadelphia 76ers practice facility but wasn’t allowed to travel with the team for the season opener and that trade talks with the Los Angeles Clippers have stalled (24:40). Later, the guys talk about the series of changes coming to the league this season, including the return to the East vs. West format for the NBA All-Star Game (43:50). Finally, the guys close with their Real Ones of the Week (58:37).
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