Zach and Steve Jones Jr. pick their 5 Biggest Questions for the rest of the NBA season: Bucks, Suns, Knicks, Sixers, Lakers and Warriors. Chris Fedor joins to discuss the red-hot Cleveland Cavaliers: Are they contenders? The hosts analyze defensive improvements, trade thoughts, and the chances of the Knicks and Sixers in the standings. They also debate the continued partnership for Evan and Jarrett on the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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Quick takeaways
The Milwaukee Bucks have shown potential in their defensive improvements and key players, aiming for a successful playoff run.
The podcast analyzed the race for the Western Conference championship and the impact of home-court advantage.
The New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks face challenges in maintaining their current playoff positions due to injuries and over-reliance on certain players.
The Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors have the potential to go far in the playoffs with their respective defensive improvements and strong performances from key players.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have diversified their offensive attack, improved their bench, and aim to win their first-round playoff series.
Deep dives
The Milwaukee Bucks: Evaluating their current performance
The main focus of the podcast episode was on the current state of the Milwaukee Bucks and their performance. The question raised was how good exactly are the Bucks? Despite being 9th in net rating, the Bucks have shown potential with their key players, such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, and Brook Lopez. The emphasis was on their defensive improvements with the addition of players like Pat Beverley and the importance of Giannis' weak-side rotations and help defense. The team's goal is to clean up their defense and find enough to make a successful playoff run.
The Western Conference Title Race: Who Comes Out on Top?
The podcast delved into the race for the Western Conference championship. The main question was who would come out on top in a tight competition between teams like the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, and Los Angeles Lakers. Each team was assessed based on their recent performances, strengths, and weaknesses. Additionally, there was a focus on the importance of home-court advantage and how it could impact the playoffs.
Analyzing the New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks' Playoff Hopes
The podcast discussed the chances of the New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks in holding on to their playoff positions. The Knicks were praised for their defensive improvements following the acquisition of players like OG Anunoby, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Alec Burks. However, injuries to key players such as Julius Randle and OG Anunoby raised concerns. As for the Mavericks, their success relied on star player Jalen Brunson and the team's ability to find the right balance between focusing on individual matchups and utilizing their entire lineup. The question remained whether these teams could maintain their current positions and perform well in the playoffs.
The Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors: Evaluating Their Potential
The podcast explored the potential of the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors in the playoffs. The Celtics were mentioned as a team with the potential to go far in the playoffs, despite recent slippages in their play. Their defense was highlighted as a trump card, with the belief that when games really matter, they can reach another defensive gear. The Golden State Warriors were considered a team that could be a threat in the playoffs, with their recent performances, including the strong play of players like Jonathan Kaminga and Andrew Wiggins. The focus was on their improved defense and the need for certain players, like Klay Thompson, to figure out their role and contribute to the team's success.
Can the New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks Secure Playoff Spots?
A big question raised in the podcast episode was whether the New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks can hold on to their playoff positions. Both teams faced potential challenges in maintaining their current standing, with injuries impacting the Knicks and the Mavericks needing to address certain issues, such as over-reliance on Jalen Brunson. The importance of getting healthy and finding consistent success was highlighted as crucial factors for these teams in securing their playoff spots.
Cleveland Cavaliers finding success with versatile playing styles
The Cleveland Cavaliers have found success by diversifying their offensive attack and utilizing different lineups and combinations. They have the ability to play with two bigs, go with four shooters, or incorporate more movement-based offense. This versatility has allowed them to be more unpredictable and improve their offensive efficiency. Additionally, their bench has greatly improved from last year, contributing to their success. Despite their strong performance, it is important to remember that this is still a young team that has not yet won a playoff series together. Their main goal this season is to win a first-round series, and anything beyond that would be seen as a bonus.
The importance of pace and unpredictability in the Cavaliers' offense
The Cleveland Cavaliers have prioritized playing with pace and unpredictability on offense. They have been running their half-court offense at a faster pace, utilizing quick cuts, handoffs, and off-ball movement to keep defenses off balance. This style of play has led to significant improvements in their offensive performance. The team has also added more shooting, which has helped create better spacing and scoring opportunities. However, there are still some challenges with the two bigs on the floor in terms of offensive spacing and efficiency. This will be an important area to watch as the team continues to evolve.
The need for decision-making in closing lineups
One challenge the Cleveland Cavaliers face is making decisions on closing lineups that involve their two bigs, Jared Allen and Evan Mobley. While they have had success with these lineups defensively, there are still concerns about offensive spacing and efficiency in these situations. The team now has more options offensively that can provide additional shooting and help expand their offensive capabilities. This means that head coach JB Bickerstaff will need to make tough decisions about who to include in closing lineups and how to optimize offensive production. How these decisions are made and received by the players will be a key factor in the team's success.
Defining success for the Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers have exceeded expectations this season and are currently in a strong position in the Eastern Conference standings. While their ultimate goal is to be a championship contender, a successful outcome for this season would be winning a first-round playoff series. The team has made significant improvements, including adding more shooting and improving their bench production. They have addressed many of the weaknesses that were exposed in last year's playoffs, and their confidence has grown as they continue to dominate games. While there is still room for growth and improvement, achieving success in the playoffs would mark a significant step forward for the team.
Zach and Steve Jones Jr. of The Dunker Spot pick their 5 Biggest Questions for the rest of the NBA season: Bucks, Suns, home-court in the West, Knicks, Sixers, Lakers and Warriors figuring things out, Trae Young's future, much more. Then Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com joins to discuss the red-hot Cleveland Cavaliers: Are they contenders?
What are the Bucks? (1:29)
Who wins the West? (11:10)
How good are the Suns? (19:52)
Are you starting to believe in the Lakers or Warriors? (25:24)
Can the Knicks and Sixers hold on? (41:59)
Can Boston avoid getting in its own way? (47:41)
What's the plan with Trae Young? (51:01)
Who wins coach of the year? (1:04:05)
Fedor (1:07:28)
How is the reintegration of Garland and Mobley going? (1:12:30)
Cavs have the inside track at the #2 seed in the East (1:17:14)
Is this team a legitimate championship contender? (1:21:48)
