NBA Tournament Chaos and Top-10 Player Arguments with Justin Termine, plus Michael Rubin on Changing the Collectibles Industry
Nov 29, 2023
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Guests Justin Termine and Michael Rubin join Bill Simmons in a podcast discussing the wild final night of the In-Season Tournament, the impact of AI on merchandise, modernizing sports cards, Tatum vs Booker debate, and rankings of top 10 NBA players
Zach LaVine and Anthony Davis are underperforming and raising doubts about their status as top-tier players.
Anthony Davis is unlikely to establish himself as a top-tier player due to inconsistent performances and lack of competitive intensity.
Zach LaVine's scoring ability is overshadowed by his defensive deficiencies and poor attitude on the court.
Tyrese Haliburton has the potential to become one of the greatest Pacers in franchise history.
Fanatics is driving product innovation and marketing in the collectibles industry to make it more accessible and appealing.
Deep dives
Zach LaVine and Anthony Davis' underwhelming performances put their status as top players in question
Both Zach LaVine and Anthony Davis have underperformed this season, raising doubts about their status as top-tier players. LaVine's lackluster defense, tunnel vision, and inconsistent performances make him a less desirable trade target for teams. Similarly, Davis has struggled to live up to the hype and has failed to showcase the competitive intensity that great players possess. Moreover, his durability concerns and inability to become the best player on a team cast further doubts on his ability to lead a franchise.
The ship has sailed for Anthony Davis to become a top-tier player in the NBA
The ship has likely sailed for Anthony Davis to establish himself as a top-tier player in the NBA. Despite his talent, injuries, inconsistent performances, and inability to step up in crucial moments have hindered his progress. Davis' lack of competitive intensity and the fact that he performs best as a sidekick to a superstar rather than being the main leader on a team further contribute to his diminishing status among the league's elite players.
Should teams consider trading for Zach LaVine?
While some may argue that Zach LaVine's scoring ability makes him an attractive trade target, his defensive deficiencies, lack of playmaking, and poor attitude on the court raise concerns. LaVine's inability to make his teammates better and his aversion to playing defense make him a less desirable option for teams. Moreover, the lack of a clear fit for LaVine on contending teams limits his value and potential impact.
Tyrese Haliburton's potential to become the greatest Pacer ever
Tyrese Haliburton has the potential to become one of the greatest Pacers in franchise history. While he may not be competing with legendary players like Reggie Miller or Mel Daniels, Haliburton's talent, versatility, and impact on the court make him a promising prospect. If Haliburton continues to develop and stays with the Pacers for a significant part of his career, he has a real chance to make his mark as the best Pacer ever.
Improving the collector experience and reducing redemptions
Fanatics is focused on serving collectors directly and reducing redemptions in the trading card industry. They are providing products and allocations directly to hobby shops, breakers, and retailers, ensuring collectors have access to the items they want. Through better relationships with athletes, they have significantly reduced the number of redemptions, ensuring collectors receive their cards quickly and avoiding frustration.
Product innovation and creating unique collector experiences
Fanatics is driving product innovation in the collectibles industry. By introducing concepts like debut patches to commemorate players' first games and collector-friendly products, they are creating new and exciting experiences for collectors. They are focused on personalized, high-quality products that cater to fan demands and create strong demand. Their goal is to offer unique and innovative products that drive the growth of the industry.
Marketing and strategic partnerships to elevate the industry
Fanatics recognizes the need for marketing and promotion in the collectibles industry. They are actively marketing collectibles and trading cards to a wider audience, raising awareness and attracting new collectors. They are also exploring strategic partnerships with brands, artists, and athletes to create collaborations that will excite collectors and drive growth. Their goal is to elevate the industry and make it more accessible and appealing to a broader audience.
Summary of Podcast Episode
In this podcast episode, Michael Rubin discusses various topics including his career, relationship with athletes and commissioners, the White Party event, sports gambling, and the collectibles industry. He emphasizes the importance of athletes and their talent to the sports business, and how he enjoys helping and learning from others. Rubin also talks about his role in sports ownership, the challenges and innovations in the collectibles industry, and the positive response to their offerings. He mentions the need for patience in the sports gambling industry and his personal preferences in gambling activities.
Highlights of the Episode
Some highlights include Rubin's role in bridging relationships between different industry leaders, the success and growth of the White Party event, his admiration for Tom Brady and his work ethic, and challenges and innovations in the collectibles business. Rubin also mentions the audits done for card breaks to ensure fairness, the positive reception to their offerings, and his passion for bringing people together from different backgrounds. Additionally, he discusses his interest in art, his personal collection, and the focus on being great in the three main businesses - gambling, collectibles, and merchandise.
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Justin Termine of Sirius/XM NBA Radio to break down the wild final night of the In-Season Tournament group stage including the Kings comeback win over the Warriors and whether Golden State is in big trouble, plus some sports radio debates like Tatum vs Booker and who wants Zach Lavine (01:40). Then, he chats with Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin on how AI will impact merchandise, modernizing the sports cards market and more (54:00).
