NBA Cup Thunder Takeaways and New All-Star Format With Tyler Parker. Plus, Mac McClung on the G-League, ‘The Break,’ and His Dunk Contest Future. | Real Ones
Dec 20, 2024
auto_awesome
Tyler Parker, a unique Ringer writer, shares his insights on the Thunder's absence from the NBA Christmas lineup and reflects on their performance in the NBA Cup. He analyzes the evolution of the Thunder, comparing them with past teams and discusses the new All-Star game format. Mac McClung, a two-time dunk champion and G-League MVP, reveals his experiences as a two-way player for the Orlando Magic and the challenges of documenting his journey in 'The Break.' He also hints at whether he'll defend his dunk contest title.
The absence of the Thunder from the NBA Christmas Day schedule raises concerns about league recognition of smaller market teams' talents.
The inaugural NBA Cup received mixed reactions, with needs identified for improved fan engagement to enhance the event's atmosphere.
Proposed changes to the All-Star Game format aim to increase competitiveness and excitement, fostering player pride and enhancing fan experiences.
Deep dives
Introduction of New Co-Host and Outline of the Show
The podcast introduces Dave Jacoby as the new co-host, joining Chris Vernon for a fresh season of NBA discussions. They emphasize their commitment to covering all aspects of the league, including player performances, team dynamics, trade rumors, and general dysfunction among teams. The duo commits to engaging listeners twice a week, focusing on delivering in-depth insights and entertaining commentary about the NBA. The podcast encourages audience participation through social media and ratings, establishing a welcoming and interactive community around their content.
Holiday Season and Betting on NBA
As the holiday season ramps up, the podcast highlights the festive atmosphere surrounding the NBA and introduces FanDuel as their preferred sportsbook. Listeners are encouraged to take part in betting on various NBA games, including unique markets like live player props and parlays. The hosts discuss the safety and instant payment features of the FanDuel app, enticing fans to engage in sports betting during the exciting holiday games. The message reinforces responsible gaming practices, ensuring that listeners are aware of resources available for support.
G League Winter Showcase Discussion
The hosts delve into the ongoing G League Winter Showcase, highlighting its significance in showcasing top talent in the league. This event draws attention from NBA scouts and general managers, providing an opportunity for players to impress and possibly earn call-ups. They mention that the showcase can significantly impact players' careers, leading to opportunities in the NBA. The conversation emphasizes the excitement and competitiveness of the showcase as players aim to position themselves favorably for potential future contracts.
Christmas Day NBA Games Schedule and Reactions
The discussion shifts to the upcoming NBA Christmas Day games lineup, which features notable matchups. The absence of the Oklahoma City Thunder from this slate raises concerns among fans about the league's investment in smaller market teams. The hosts express disappointment that the Thunder, one of the best teams in the West, were overlooked for the prestigious holiday games despite their strong performance. There is a call for the league to recognize and celebrate the talent and competitiveness of all teams, irrespective of market size.
Reflections on the NBA Cup
The conversation reflects on the NBA Cup and the mixed reactions surrounding its inaugural season. The hosts discuss their observations attending recent games and how the energy in the arenas sometimes felt subdued compared to expectations. They suggest that increasing fan engagement and enhancing the event's atmosphere are crucial for its future success. The hosts share their skeptical views but acknowledge that interest and enthusiasm shown by players like Giannis Antetokounmpo can lend credibility to the tournament.
All-Star Game Format Changes
Transitioning to the All-Star Game, the hosts discuss potential changes in its format designed to enhance competitiveness and excitement. With a shift from East vs. West to new teams competing and a target score instead of a timed game, they view this as a positive attempt to revive interest in the event. The hosts highlight the importance of maintaining a competitive spirit, despite the game's inherently exhibition nature. They express optimism about the changes, noting that fostering a sense of pride among players can lead to a more engaging experience for fans.
Howard Beck is joined by The Ringer’s Tyler Parker to discuss the NBA Christmas Day schedule and why the Thunder are not playing that day (5:30). Then they discuss Tyler’s experience at the NBA Cup and whether he had any takeaways from the Thunder’s Finals loss against the Bucks. They wrap up by comparing this iteration of the Thunder to past teams (39:00) and quickly giving their thoughts on the new All-Star game format (1:06:10). Howard is then joined by two-time NBA dunk contest champion and reigning G-League MVP Mac McClung to get into his experiences as a two-way player on the Orlando Magic (1:17:24). They also talk about what it’s like to have that documented on “The Break”. Mac later touches on whether he’ll be defending his dunk contest title again.