Searching for Jaylen Brown and is the future now for OKC?
Nov 21, 2023
01:27:47
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Sports journalist Andrew Schlect joins the podcast to discuss the red-hot Thunder, potential trades, and young rising teams like the Kings, Rockets, and Magic.
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Quick takeaways
The Oklahoma City Thunder's success is attributed to their unselfish play and development of key players.
The Thunder's future trades will depend on their performance and playoffs insights, focusing on fine-tuning their roster.
The Thunder may adopt a conservative approach for now, focusing on evaluating their roster's performance in the playoffs before making significant trades.
Deep dives
The Thunder are exceeding expectations
The Oklahoma City Thunder, currently 10-4, are performing beyond expectations as one of the youngest teams in the NBA. They have established a unique style of play, showcasing unselfishness and a maturity uncommon for a young team. With talents like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, and the impressive rookie Chet Holmgren, the Thunder are more than the sum of their parts. Their success is largely attributed to their playmaking ability and a strong focus on unselfishness. As they continue to develop and establish their key players, future trades and adjustments to the roster will be based on the team's performance and the need for specific position and skill improvements.
Options for the Thunder's future
While there are different strategies being debated for the Thunder's future, such as trading for a star player or maintaining sustainability in the long run, their current success might lead them to take a patient approach. The team's performance will dictate the next steps, and if they continue to play at a high level, future trades may focus on fine-tuning and adding depth to the roster rather than making major changes. The playoffs will provide valuable insights into the team's needs and potential areas for improvement.
Exploring potential trades
The Thunder have a plethora of future first-round picks and trade assets, which give them flexibility and numerous trade possibilities. While trade scenarios range from acquiring a star player to smaller-scale upgrades, the Thunder may adopt a conservative approach for now. They are likely to focus on evaluating the roster's performance in the playoffs before making significant moves. Adding a big forward who can defend and shoot may be their target, although the ideal player fitting their timeline and long-term financial plans is still unclear.
Considering future trades
The Thunder's approach to future trades will depend on various factors, including the development and performance of their young players, upcoming trade deadlines, and potential targets. The team's commitment to maximizing the value of their assets and maintaining long-term sustainability will guide their decision-making process. As they gather experience and utilize the team's current success to gain a better understanding of their needs, the Thunder may navigate the trade market with a focus on both immediate impact and the future.
Shan Goon shines as a star player for Houston Rockets
Shan Goon has emerged as a star player for the Houston Rockets, showcasing his skills as a dominant force around the hoop. With his impressive rebounding, passing, and scoring abilities, he has become a key player for the team. Despite the slow start from Jalen Green and the team's struggles with bench production, the Rockets have shown promise with their competitiveness and organization. While there is room for improvement, Houston's future looks bright with players like Shan Goon leading the way.
Orlando Magic shows potential with strong defense and young talent
The Orlando Magic has displayed their potential with their strong defense, currently ranking as the number one defense in the league. While their offense has struggled, their defensive metrics suggest that their success is not solely due to luck. The Magic's young players, such as Franz Wagner and Cole Anthony, have shown promise and continue to develop. However, the team needs to work on closing games and improving their shooting. With their current trajectory and focus on player development, the Magic are building a solid foundation for the future.
Zach discusses the Celtics season so far, the Bucks recent uptick in play, and what to watch for in their showdown on Wednesday. Then Andrew Schlecht of the Athletic joins to discuss the red-hot Thunder and their potential approach at the trade deadline, plus other young teams on the rise: Kings, Rockets, Magic, Pacers, more.
1:00- Start to the season for the Celtics
9:50- Balancing the Celtics offensive concerns with their defensive excellence
