Can the Celtics Stop Joel Embiid & the 76ers on Opening Night?

Can the Celtics Stop Joel Embiid & the 76ers on Opening Night?

you feel like you’ll be able to go on Wednesday. We’ll see. We’ll take it one day at a time, but as of now, I feel great. Um, so, [Music] uh, I wasn’t too concerned. I think it was nothing, you know. Uh, so I was fine. Just maybe a little tweak, but nothing crazy. What’s up, everybody? Behold my banner, Nessen Nation, and you see it right there. Albe it from NBA fans. The NBA is back. It’s opening night. I know. Not for our Boston Celtics. We got to wait one more sleep for that. As you see on your screen, we got a double header tonight. We got the defending champs, the Oklahoma City Thunder in action, the LeBronless Lakers. Fire up the round ball rock. Where’s Joe? A basketball. We’re back, baby. Campbell all the way on my left. Travis Thomas, where you been all my life? Adam Kaufman, good to see you. I’m glad to be in here. You ready for basketball? Yes. All the offsee, it’s time for the real thing. We made it. No more trade generator. Can the money match up? It’s still going to happen come the deadline. Don’t you worry about that. Yeah, we’ll get back to that later. Simon isn’t off the hook yet. Not yet. Sam Hower, I’m looking at you too, dog. No fact. We just heard from Jaylen Brown and I know there was a little bit of a scare maybe in that last preseason game where he only plays what, seven minutes, the hamstring issue, but obviously spoke to the media and didn’t outright say, “Yeah, I’m gonna play you. It’s the whole dayto-day thing, but indicated as much that we should expect to see him out there on the floor for Boston.” So, look, this first game, not not not to go all Vegas, Travis, but Boston is actually a slight favorite in this contest to open up the year against these Sixers. So, let’s start with you here. I mean, what are the general expectations for game one? Um, foul and beat, get him out the game, uh, beat him up, rough him up a little bit. Who Who’s doing that? Pton Pritchard. Anybody? Who’s doing that? Put Talk about size Marcus Mar. He’s got fouls to waste. We don’t need to see play basketball. Uh do whatever you can to beat up Joel Embiid because if he’s in the game getting rebounds for more than 25 minutes in this game, it’s a problem. He might have 18 free throw attempts in this game. I And I hope he does. You want me to answer the question? Ask it again. Expectations for game one. Pain for who? The Celtics. Get ready. Really? That’s all. Yes. This is just a sign right doing this. We’re going to do this on all my banner. They can’t sit here and believe they can win game one. Even Vegas says they can win game one’s not right. Paul George is not right. The game is not available. They’re never right. Right. Let me ask two questions. Who in the hell is going to rebound for this team? Not just tonight, but big picture. Who’s rebounding and who’s rim protecting? Kada. Right. So, no further questions, your honor. Joel Embiid is going to do whatever the hell he wants to know tomorrow night and we all know it. This is This is not going to go well. I’m sorry. Listen, I don’t worry about Embiid dropping 40 points though. The other guys, you got to slow down. It’s going to be a fun team. This team’s going to shoot threes. They’re going to be scrappy. They’ll cover some spreads. They’re not going to win a lot of games. And it’s going to start tomorrow night. They are losing to the 76ers tomorrow. I see. Look, here’s the thing. I I was with you. I think Embiid if he does play more than 25 minutes in this game, he is going to have a double double. It is going to be monstrous. I know in his last game he shot the ball like three times only. It’s not going to be that way in a regular season game. He’s going to come out and try to be dominant and all this other stuff. Hopefully, he stays healthy. Obviously, we don’t want to see anybody get hurt. That’s right. Hopefully, he can play the amount of minutes that he’s hoping for, but at the end of the day, what else do they have besides him and Tyrese Maxi? What else am I worried about? Dylan Brown is gonna play in this game. I hope everybody can dispel the oh, is he gonna play a blah blah? He is gonna play in this game. I think that he is gonna finish this game. Derek White is still here. Hayden Pritchard is still here. Ever Simons is going to come off. Yeah, that front court problems 100%. That’s what I’m talking about. But at the end of the day, I’m not worried about when Drummond comes in and helping them score. They can’t put the ball on the basket. We know that’s not going to happen. If Embiid’s not on the floor, they are going to struggle to put the ball on the basket. So, I’m not worried about this team at all from that standpoint. Will this be a rock fight? Will it be a close game? Will it be a kind of a clash of a of a of matchups? Yes. But we are getting the Celtics. So, he sees this game completely different than me. I actually think I’m taking the over in the game. I think it’s going to be scoring galore, especially the first game of the year. There’s no playoff implications, none of that nonsense. You’re bit buying into the the pace, the tempo. Yes, of course I am. And by the way, they better play that pace because what are you going to do in a half court offense? What are you going to do when you need to slow it down? How’s you can’t sound? So, yes, of course they’re going to be running up and down here. I just I I’m not buying it. I do not Everything you named is not wrong, but I didn’t poke shots at Jaylen Brown not playing or Derek White’s ability. I’m saying size matters. Okay. The Celtics have none. And this monster Embiid for right now, we know he’s going to get hurt in 3 2 1. I agree with you. We don’t want to see it happen, but like we know it’s coming. He’s healthy right now is he’s going to absolutely dismantle this team tomorrow. He’s going to dismantle it. I I’m not worried about any of that. Look, Tyrese Maxi hasn’t played NBA basketball in a little while. It’s going to take him a little while to get up to speed. VJ Ecom is a rookie. I mean, he’s going to come in trying to I like him. He’s going to be a good NBA player. He may not do it right out of the shoot. I just think right out of the gun he could. You think he’s torching Derek? I’m saying he could. I’m saying the kid has a lot of talent. I’m not going to just poo poo and be like, “Well, he’s not going to do anything cuz he’s a rookie.” Like, he can play. He can play. He’s athletic. You know what I’m saying? I’m not disrespecting him at all. He can he can make a couple plays here and there, but the field goal percentages have not been pretty in the preseason. So what I’m saying is you have a lot of experience in this back court for the Boston Celtics and not a lot of experience in the back court for that 76ers team. So while be yes the front court will be outmatched. The rebounding thing will be an issue all year. Adona Drummond coming off the bench too. Those dudes will get offensive rebounders. Rim protecting they will that will be an issue. But as far as their front court goes, I’m not worried about any of them scoring besides Joel Embiid. Sure. But he is a problem. He is. I guess my point is, who is he right now? Who is he? We going to find out. He looks skinnier. He’s passing. He’s complaining. Yeah. Who is he? He’s hurt. He’s I I think he’s heartbroken. I think Makes sense, right? Well, yeah. I I think Philly has turned their back on him, too, which is tough for him to But look, you know what? For an opening game, for him to come out against this front court, man, what a great get right spot for him. If I’m betting player props, I’m betting Joel Embiid overs. If he’s on my fantasy team, I’m looking at him like, “Get me some points.” I I think it’s a good spot for him. For him specifically against this team with no front court to speak of. This might be what’s Garza going to stop Joel Embiid. Is that what we’re going to do here? No, he’s not. He’s not. I’m not doing that. I’m not doing that. What I will say though, this might be the game if it doesn’t go the way that you’re talking about that starts the Nick Nurse to be the first headcuff. Absolutely there. I’ll agree with you. They want to run him out of town already, Adam. They already want to run him out of town. Where’s Boston’s offense coming from? You said higher scoring game. We know the obvious candidates, right? It’s Brown, it’s White, it’s Pritchard, it’s Simon. You know, if you’re if you’re looking into what an actual, you don’t need to throw out specific number like Jaylen Brown’s going to drop 24 points. You don’t need to give me that. But what’s the distribution going to look like? Are they going to get anything reliable out of that second unit? Because that is how you’re going to stay in a game like Well, that’s a big question for the season, right? I think for a game, I would rely on that. I I do I look also not like the 76ers are some great defensive team. No. No. So, that’s why even though I see what you’re saying and I could see that formula playing out, Rock Fight, I think you called it. I just don’t believe it. Like, it’s opening night. The excitement’s there. Neither one of these teams defensively are anything to write home about. So, I could see the scoring from everyone. Yeah, I could see the bench getting involved in scoring points here. It’s just the big picture where I would question that where I would say I I don’t trust this Ben. The reason I say a rock fight in this is one because I don’t trust the 76ers to be an efficient offense right now this early on in the season. And while the Celtics are trying to figure out who is actually playing on this roster, I mean that last preseason game, which was the real dress rehearsal that Adam and I were talking about last episode, you got to see 12 real Celtics players in rotation for that. So, I don’t think we’re going to get an opportunity to see anybody really get in rhythm. You know what I mean? Because they haven’t really played against real NBA competition before. We haven’t seen the night where Jaylen Brown is playing 30 minutes. We know he’s going to play 30 35 minutes in this game. We saw Derek White do it for a little bit, but we haven’t seen all of it together. So, I just think the Celtics team is going to take time to mesh and figure out who they are around each other. And that’s why we won’t get a high scoring. 227 and a half is the total. I’m on the over. He’s on the under. Where are you? You’re the swing vote. No pressure. I’m on the under. Okay. I’m on the under. Not by a lot. I don’t think we’re getting, you know, 200, but but I Yeah, I I think the scoring is going to be down just a little bit. A little bit. Yeah. And I’m right there. If you were to give me a score prediction or ask me about it, I was going to go 112 107 Celtics. So that’s So still under. cuz I was just about to say if this line had been like 217 and a half, I’m I’m looking at an over, right? You know, so somewhere in that middle. We’re actually not that far off here. You both have a higher scoring lower scoring game if that makes sense. I I’m I’m going I’m going video game. I’ll go I’ll go 124 114. Yeah. No, I’m going 76 maybe with overtime. Yeah, I’m I’m out on 124 114. I can’t pick Boston game one. I can’t do I think I’m beating Max. Do it. My heart won’t let me. The two question marks we have about their team are the two guys that I think go off in this game. Actually, ironically, we got a lot of questions on this show today, guys, because we are going I mean, we’ve got you for an hour here on Nest Nation. And we are going to get into everything. We’re going to hand out all the awards that you can dream about. First team allNBA. In addition to that, we are going to deep dive the two conferences and not your basic who’s in the final four, what’s your championship matchup. We are going to sit here in mid to late October and give you one through nine in the Eastern and Western Conferences in order each of us. You may say, why one through nine? We doing half the playing tournament? We are going to give you 1 through eight, your actual playoff teams once all of that is decided after that nonsense playin tournament and then who’s on the outside looking in your first runner up. We’re going to get into the Western Conference first. We’re going to make you wait on expectations for the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference. The West is on the way. Why? Because well, the West won, right? The West is going to win again. Oklahoma City, the defending champs. We start with the Thunder, I’m guessing, all three of us, and filter down from there when we come on back here on Hold My Banner. Now, you throw Kevin into the mix, prolific scorer. You know, what how high do they go here with him out there? We’ll see. I mean, they’re certainly a team we respect. Um he’s a player we respect and so um you know, we understand the challenge ahead of us in tomorrow night’s game. Um, but in terms of what the season looks like for anybody, nobody knows. As a local kid, Lemonster’s own Mark Dagnald, who is the head coach of the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder back here, hold my banner, Travis, Adam. What we’re going to do, we’re going to do this for the East as well, but you got to wait a segment for that. What we’re going to do here for the Western Conference, guys, and I’m excited about this because for those who don’t know, we all did this independently. We don’t know what the other one filled in, what it looks like, what the order is. We went 1-8 plus the first miss, if you will. So 1 through nine in the Western Conference, sitting here predicting on October 21st what the standings are going to look like come midappril when the season is over. Can’t account for injury, for trades, for any of that stuff. So it’s look, it’s a guessing game, but we went to our crystal balls. We’re going to show you what we came up with. So let’s take a look at this thing. Are we going to look at all three across? There we go. All right. So, listen. Wow. Two of us. Wait a minute. Two of us have the Thunder as the top. So, you’ve got I had to look at y’all a little crazy when y’all said that. You looked at us crazy. Yeah, I did. Start. Start there. Start there. How is OKC, a team that a lot of people believe is is going to contend for the best record in NBA history, win 70 plus games here in the regular season. How are they falling short of the one seed to the Denver Nuggets? You guys are acting like I’m just blasphemous, disrespectful to the Thunder. I got them at the two seed. First of all, with the Denver Nuggets, I love exactly what they did for their star Nicolo Yogic this year. They surrounded him with talent. They got rid of guys who were just onedimensional and went and got two-way guys. They brought back guys that helped them win the championship beforehand. And on top of that, the Thunder missing Jaylen Williams for some time here at the beginning. We know how vital he was to them throughout the last year. Is Tech going to stay healthy? I don’t know. I don’t really love these wiry sevenfooters, and we’ll get into all of that throughout this whole entire preview, but I can’t really bank on his health to be there. If they’re going to be a team that comes in there with a little bit of a championship hangover, comes in there with the Western Conference that’s focusing putting them on their headboard every night. The West is better. it it could be tough for them and tough sledding for them. They they got a lot of targets on their backs right now. And so, you know, I just think this Nuggets team is going to fly under the radar a little bit and sneak sneak sneak into the one. While we have the graphic up, I also have them under the radar. I tried to bury them in the Western Conference. I just want to point that out. Yeah, you’re I do not believe in the coaching. I actually think I still think I’m bitter about Malone there. I think that was a wrong move. despite the playoff run after him. I’m not I’m not Well, there I have them in the postseason. I just don’t think they No, but I mean what they did after they got rid of Malone last year. It’s not like they turned in seven. I think they blamed him for all their problems and that’s going to come back to haunt them. I do like what they did this off season. I don’t think it’s as great as Dante said. Oh, bud. This might be the best supporting castic has ever had. We’re going to find out. You know what I saw last time I saw Joic? He looked stressed. He looked like he was coaching the team. He had no help. Listen, Western Conference. We’ll see what happens. But I am not believing in the Nuggets as much as either one of you two, especially all of your upgrades. All right. You already have Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon. You have upgraded from Michael Porter Jr., Russell Westbrook, DeAndre Jordan, and you’ve brought in Cam Johnson, Tim Hardaway Jr., Bruce Brown is back, Jonas Valenudis. I mean, this team is excellent on paper. You think they’ll win the West? I think they’re going to be right there in the just spoiler in the final two. Okay, that’s why that’s why I was looking for it. I don’t I have Spurs. I have Rockets. There’s a number of teams I believe in more than the Nuggets. Not so much in the not so much knocking the Nuggets, but more so believing in those other teams. But I do not think that this offseason was as great as you guys do. I in fact, hot take. I still think Jokic at some point, there’s two stars in this league that I think will eventually force their way out. I think Jokic is one, and you know where I’m going with the other one cuz I’ve been saying it for two years. I think Giannis is going to be sick and tired of being sick and tired. I can’t wait to see where you put the Bucks then because if you’re going to disrespect I did the same thing. Well, we’ll talk since you Let’s see that graphic again because since you brought up the Spurs, I happen to notice that there is a real, you know, divide between the three of us. So, Travis, you got this. You were putting Wim at three. That’s what I’m telling y’all. We don’t even have star De’Aran Fox. That’s what he’ll be back. That’s what I’m telling. Essentially has them in the playin tournament coming in at the seed. You got most people do. Most people do. I think they will be one of the I mean, you can see from my graphic. I think they’ll be one of the toast of the towns in the Western Conference. I love the way this team’s constructed. I love the way they’re built. My only concern is what everyone else feel is is the WBY health. Right. Well, now obviously I’m betting on, as you look at those at those standings, I’m betting on him being okay. If he’s not, all bets are off, obviously. But what I like from this kid is the dog. He I’ve seen enough of him now where I’m like, “Okay, yeah, you’re 9 ft tall. You can handle the rock. I get it. You can block shots, but you also have that mfer in you.” I think WBY is due for a big year this year. And if he can go in the and they get healthy, if he can stay healthy and they get healthy, I think the Spurs are going to be at the top of the of the Western one of the top two. I love the I mean, look, De’Arren Fox, DeFon Castle, obviously the number two pick and Dylan Harper, you know, I Bry even. Yeah, I like the roster. I just don’t think they’re not quite there. Like they there’s another step to take. I think they’re a playoff team. That’s a step. Yes. A top three. I I really do. We saw this happen. Let’s not act like we didn’t see this happen with the Rockets. I mean, Eay got there five minutes later. They’re one of the top teams out west. I called that, too. I have witnesses. It’s on tape and everyone said I was nuts. I am nuts. But I did see that leap from the Rockets. They were able to make that. I think the Spurs are next in line. Yeah. I have to ask you about the Lakers. You got Wait, wait, before we get to the Lakers because this one also stood out. Let’s look at this graphic again. I’m sorry, Greg. I keep calling for this graphic because there so much Leave it up. No, you don’t have to leave it up. Travis has the Mavericks at number five. You will notice a and I don’t have the Mavericks on the list. Well, I’m sure they are not a playoff team to me. I I’m sure I’m I’m guessing you guys are predicating that on health and that they to start the year. That’s fair. See, unlike you two, I don’t knock your list because I see the logic in it. I am simply betting that they will be healthy. I like this team. I think they’re made to win right now. I think even Cooper Flag, to be honest, fits that. It’s ready made right now. Turn key. Dude’s a point guard all of a sudden. Yes, they have. I love their coach. I think the Mavericks are going to be a tough team. I wouldn’t be shocked, barring health. Obviously, if they get injured, all bets are off. If they’re healthy, I would not be shocked if they’re right back in the fight. I see PJ Washington in trade talks every day. I see uh Well, you’ve got a glut of bigs, right? I mean, Daniel Gaffford’s in trade talks every Anthony Davis, Cooper Flag, Derek Lively, Daniel Gaffford, PJ Washington, Naji Marshall, even we can put him in. Like, guys have to move, right? I’m sorry. Uh, Joic, WBY. There’s size in the West. I think they’re okay having depth with a bunch of big guys. You know who doesn’t have that? Here, the Celtics. We’ll get there. Send them all here. For God’s sakes, these guys don’t want bigs. Send them to Boston. I want bigs. I don’t want all the bigs. Speaking of terrible bigs, I I’ll I’ll forgive you for the Mavericks. You know, AD I don’t think is going to be healthy. You know, that’s one of those things that I’m I’m nervous about, right? Him and Kyrie being healthy and then being healthy when they need him to be. That is a concern of mine. That’s fair. Speaking of terrible bigs, I absolutely hate DeAndre Aiden Spit with the Los Angeles Lakers. They need a big desperately though. You have them at six, the highest out of anybody on on this. Do I? Let me see it again. I had him. I was like, I don’t think I did. But that’s not but that’s not high. You got them at seven. He’s got them at eight. Like these are these are somewhat interchangeable seeds. What you’re seeing in this Lakers I almost didn’t want to put them in. Like I almost didn’t put them in. I would rather put the honestly as we’re sitting here. I would rather put the Mavericks in over the Lakers because of the situation with LeBron and how he’s dealing with this. We only put him in because of Luca, right? To be honest, can I be honest with you? I was driving in earlier today because I sent this in or like I I put it together last night. I sent it in earlier to Trevor and I’m driving in and I’m still thinking about it. Yes. And I I audibly I’m in the car alone and I just I’m listening to music and just out of nowhere I go I put the Lakers too high. I did I did I was thinking about it. I was thinking about this list because no, I don’t believe in this team and I don’t believe in their ability to stay healthy. Hell, LeBron is already out to start the year till sometime next month with I how’s the 40 years old season 23. If ever there were an old man injury, it’s sciatica. It’s having a back issue LeBron here, but at some point he’s going to come back. He’s going to be good. That I think the biggest thing is honestly and and yeah, we can talk about the whole one through eight of it all, but if if we’re evaluating what this team’s potential is, the bigger issue is the incredible lack of depth. Yeah. because you have LeBron, he’ll look how he looks. We’re in, you know, best shape of my life, Luca mode all of a sudden. Again, fine, let’s see, you know, he was great obviously for Slovenia and Euro basket and, you know, hopefully he’s solid. I enjoy watching him. Not rooting against Luca. A kid’s got a Luca jersey. Not a Lakers jersey, mind you. I’m averag That’s not allowed. But I mean, your Austin Re Austin Austin Reeves is going to be good. Reeds is going to be good. I think Re’s going to be good tonight, by the way. You I’d invest in overs on his props without with LeBron sideline. But after that, can we count on Aton to stay healthy? Who’s who’s your next who’s your fourth best player? Is it Marcus Smart? And I don’t say that disrespectfully to Marcus because, you know, obviously his prime years are behind him, but it’s the it’s the roster construction of this team. It’s a mess. Is a mess. To be fair, guys, I’m not trying to be some Laker apologist here, but there were a lot of these issues last season. They were three seed out west. Yeah. Let’s let’s I’m not saying they’re going to do that again. I’m just saying like they they everything you just named has been an issue since LeBron’s been there. A lot of the West ate each other at the at the time. You know what I mean? Like itself. You got Mike Malone getting fired. You know what I’m saying? The Mavericks obviously the injury issues tanked them and stuff like that. Same thing with the Grizzlies, all that type of stuff. So, a lot of the key players really kind of just took themselves out of the race. And then we saw when they got the playoffs that they were foe. I guess my point is if we have them six, seven, eight, that sounds about right. They had these same issues last year and they overachieved to your point in a West that was maybe more open than we think it will be this year. So then it kind of balances out. I I could see a six seed. I just think it’s not crazy. I just wanted to know. I just wanted to know if you No, look, we don’t have time for it. But the larger point here, I think, is that we know who the best teams in the West are. It’s OKC. It’s Denver. It’s Houston, whatever order you want to put them in. The middle of the West is clunky and is is somewhat interchangeable. Quickly before we move on to the East cuz just miss. Who are the teams that you guys that you Oh, that just miss I put Dallas. Dallas was my my first one. I put the I put the Grizzlies. I had Me I had Memphis as well. I had Memphis as well. I don’t trust John the lead. I don’t trust Memphis to stay healthy. Okay, I’m fair with that, too. Otherwise, I probably would have had them in my eight. Yeah, you guys are smart. You factor in health. I sit down and I just assume health and I go from there. Yeah. Get I I tell you where I don’t trust is John Morant the leader. That’s where I’m just like I I that team feels like I think he’s walking into that locker room in guns blazing. No. Yeah. That’s a problem. That’s a problem. To the Eastern Conference. Rip up the rest of my notes and we go a beautiful day. Thank you. Beautiful. All right, Greg. Let’s see the Eastern Conference here. You guys are going to hate my list. Look at this. You see where I have the Celtics four. I got the Celtics. Travis has them at eight. He’s got them nearly missing. Okay. So, a couple of us have the Cavs, then the Celtics or the Knicks, pardon me. I want to be I’m speaking the Celtics into existence. So, these two teams interchangeable. We all have the Magic at three. Then again, it starts to get wonky in a wide wide wide open, which is all another way of saying bad Eastern Conference. So, how about eyeballing this thing? We start with I’ve got the Sixers. Yeah. At five. Neither one of us. Neither of you has the Sixers in the playoffs. You’re probably sitting there going, “How is this? How could you possibly put the Sixers in at five?” It is me to quote Travis, assuming health, which you cannot do with this team. See, but I believe that if Joel Embiid actually is healthy this year, and Paul George actually is healthy this year, we’re already talking about a Jared McCain injury with the thumb, the UCL. Yeah, but if those two guys can stay on the floor, Embiid, George, Tyrese Maxi, you know how many combined games played last year, wasn’t there like 11 or something? Well, that’s not Max’s fault. No, it’s not. He was out there. It’s the other two. So, I I think I think Well, he missed some time, but not like them. If Embiid is out there, Yeah. I think this team is a playoff team. Whatever seating you want to put him in, that’s a whole other The only issue that I have with that is that we know he’s not going to play backto-backs for pretty much the rest of his career. And the NBA said, “Great for you. 76ers, you’re getting 17 league leading.” That’s right. Back to backs this year. So, you can already out for 17 games. So, I’m glad the NBA did that. That’s the only reason I I have an issue with that. The other thing that I think I saw out there, somebody had the Pacers in the playoffs and it was you and Travis and Adam and I did it. Travis, please explain to me why you think the Indiana Pacers are making the playoffs. I would rather ask you why do you hate them so much? Because I’m sure Adam has a logical reason, but you hate this team every step of the way. These guys are in the finals and you’re hating on them. You’re telling me they ain’t no good. Tyresese Hallebertton’s gone. He what he what he is is absent. He’s gone. He’s out for the year. And they lost Hallebertton ain’t playing. And Miles Turner’s gone. And they lost their third best player. Right. Exactly. And Miles Turner for nothing. And they got back Jay Huff. Excuse me. And Isaiah Jackson is starting for them as right now. Excuse me. When we start talking about the best coaches in this league, did they fire their coach or is he still there? No, he’s still one of the the defense restaurant in the Eastern Conference, which is trash. You mean to tell me one of the best coaches in this league can’t take a talented team without their best player and make the playoffs? That That’s a hot take for me to put the Pacers in the playoffs. Really? One of the best coaches in the league with a talented team sends their best player. I’ll give you that. Can’t make the postseason in the trash. East, please. I don’t know what I don’t know what to even think about that. I at this point like you just really love the Pacers because I think it’s Yeah, I a good team. They’re going to be in the playoffs. You’re banking. I think they’re going to be fun to watch. I think they’re going to be hard to play against. I don’t think they’re going to be good. So, they’ll So, you two have them in like kind of playinville. Is that fair? Sure. Okay. A lot of these a lot of these get these teams from from four down. It’s going to be decided by one to two games here and there. I was telling Adam I think off air the other other day that I think it’s going to be one of those situations where you can get to the six seed and every team six and down are under 500. Okay, stay with me then. Keep this up, Greg, because I agree with what you just said. Let’s stay there from four down, right? Okay, let’s talk about this. Bucks have Giannis. Look, look at my list. Who else do they have? Bucks have I’m just saying. Stay with me. Bucks have Giannis. Stay with me a second. Bucks have Giannis. Pacers, I told you, have the coaching advantage. The Hawks have Ice Trey. The Celtics have Jaylen Brown and Derek. What have they ever won with Trey Young? Huh? What have they ever won with Trey Young? No, I’m confused finals. My point is from four down, you have to have something. You better have a fast ball because other than that, you have no chance. So, that’s kind of my point of putting the Pacers in. It’s just a coach as opposed to the player. That’s my only point. Yeah. I I just I don’t agree with that. I think there’s a lot of better teams in this league. I think there’s teams that we’re sleeping on. I think the Miami Heat, I think, is one team that I think First out for me. First out. Yeah. I think they’re a team that you guys are sleeping on. I think they did get better this off season somehow. We’ll see what happens with Tyler Hero when he returns and how that helps out this team. But Casper Jackonis, right, the rookie that they have from Illinois is a great player. He’s going to be able to come in and provide some good off the bench for them at point guard. We wear a droman there. Norman Pal’s there. He did a lot of great things with the Clippers last year. So, you know, I think that that teams like that that we, you know, didn’t make the playoffs last year like made some slight improvements and can really show up um you know, in this instance. Obviously, we need to talk about the Celtics before we go on and talk about our our finals predictions. Obvious um I think I see Adam here with them at four which is insane. So I let’s all I can see it though. I got a message at 8. Yeah. Let’s address the elephant in the room. Yeah. I will I will readily admit that I am being a complete and total homer when I put the Celtics at four. I’m glad you’re but at least there it’s not just I’m being a homer. Like just be being a homer. I’d put them at like two or three, right? Putting them at four. There’s a path guys. And the path is JT coming back. It’s pretty simple really. At least in theory. I’m not saying it’s simple in practice. Yes. It’s you don’t have any major injuries for Jaylen Brown or Derek White. Well, right. It’s Anthony Simons is a very productive leader of that second unit. Yep. It’s Payton Pritchard is going to average in the ballpark of 18 to 20 points per game. And it’s come February, Jason Tatum is back. That’s how you’re a top four seed. I can see it. And I’m I’m not mad at it. And the craziest thing about this team is nobody knows. And I can see all of our scenarios coming true. I could even see the missing the full scenario and you know and missing out on the playoffs as a whole. And then we get a little AJ the Ben a little Darren Peterson. Yeah. Because at that point tank your ars like if you’re not if if you’re around players if they’re a seat I’m hot. If they’re AC, I’m coming on to this show with you two and I’m yelling at I’m standing up and yelling at the screen, right? I’m like, why? Why are we here? Get out. Be a playin team like the like like the NBA two games or whatever and find your way into that lottery. Exactly. I I completely agree. I have them at eight here on on my uh on the graphic, but I completely agree. Word for word. If they’re an eight seed, we are screwed. We got to do it fast. Just miss. Who you guys have? I have the Hornets. I love Oh, Miami. I love this Hornets team. I really do. Young kids are exciting. They’re fun to watch. They’re my favorite like league pass team to watching, but they cannot stay healthy to save their ars. And they are too young. And they’re a bunch of losers. I don’t think they know how to win anything, but if they can figure it all out, I love that team. Before we hit before we hit the break, we got to do our our final four. Yes. Hold on. I didn’t tell you mine. Pacers. I do I do to barely miss. I would have rather not hear that. I’m sorry. I like I like Travis just feeling like he’s completely alone on Missoula. Just saying. Here you go. NBA season starting. Predict your NBA Finals champion. All right. So, we’ll take this a step further. Got it. Give me give me the conference finals. Okay. And then obviously your your finals match up and champion. Uh okay. So we have our beautiful graphic as always. Um and of course in the Western Conference I got OKC. Oh, you guys love vers the Nugget. Nugget. Uh just like you guys do except for Travis cuz he loves Wimby. It’s Wimby dog and thinks he’s Jesus for French Jesus. Touchdown Jesus. He’s from Notre Dame. No, I’m I’m joking. But yeah, I mean, I think this is what everyone should should pick. I think we’re getting a rematch. I think we’re going to get I’ll tell you about the finals in a second. We can go over to the Eastern Conference. Um, in the Eastern Conference, I have a little bit of a different matchup than you guys have. We all do, actually. We all think the Magic are getting there. Yeah, whatever. It’s weird. It’s weird. That’s the consensus team. Hello, dog. It is. It is weird that we all think that, but I’m rolling with Knicks. Travis, you’re rolling with Pistons. Cavaliers, Adam. I think people understand why the Knicks and the Cavaliers are here. Yeah, Travis, why the hell are the K Cunningham? You know, I’m gonna give you a a football reference here. I need to see him stay healthy another year. And you and I, Adam, have talked a lot about it. Christian Gonzalez, right? Gonzalez got hurt and then in that year two, he stayed healthy and he was an absolute stud. I need to see that from Cuttingham. Can you stay healthy again for a full year? Of course, I’m betting here that he does. I think that dude’s a leader. I’ve thought that from the beginning. And I I remember saying on air like if he can just stay healthy, he did. And look what he did with that team. Now that team believes in themselves, I think the Pistons, as long as he’s healthy, they got a chance to go to the finals. You have them toppling in a tough Cavs team in that 14 matchup. All right, now to the finals. Y who we got? Let’s see it here. All right, drum roll, please. We all got the magic moving on to the finals. I mean, this is this is crazy. Jason Tatum doesn’t have an Achilles. What do you want us to do? I’m rolling with the Nuggets obviously over the Thunder as you guys have to do. It’s It’s not even that we all believe in Orlando. It’s that we all question Cleveland. We all question New York 100%. This is This is the definition of settling in life. Okay. Well, can we change it up here? Who do we think is winning? Do we think the It ain’t the magic. The period. The West is winning. It ain’t the allgion. It’s just that is and look, we could do another hour and a half on this very topic, but we’re not gonna we’re gonna break the This is what agitates me so much. This is what makes me so sad as a fan that we’re sitting here having this conversation about a dismal, disappointing, ugly Eastern Conference knowing full well that if they had the Celtics a healthy Jason Tatum, even with the rest of this roster looking as it did, even if they had to get under the second apron and cut costs and trade away Holiday and and get rid of Porzingis and, you know, I think Horford they find a way to come back if you got a healthy Tatum. Horford basically admitted as much. But if you more or less have this same roster but a healthy Tatum from Jump Street, we’re just talking about coasting to the Eastern Conference at the step further too. There’s no Tibs in New York to out coach your coach come postseason here. He’s helping us, right? There there’s uh there’s no your boy in Indiana who you hate on. There’s so no um Oh, Tyres. Yeah, Hallebertton. So like I mean yes, you’re absolutely right. Even with everything you lost from a Celtic standpoint, from a roster standpoint, you could still win the East with a healthy. We should be talking about Banner. They choke. We should be the Cavs. They choke. Exactly. At some point, they’re going to be running Mitchell into the ground, too. Like, he’s running out of gas for sure. That core is going to be broken up in no time. We’re going to step aside. When we come back, all right, we told you where we think teams are going to finish. We told you who we think is going to win. What about players? What about the individual accolades? the name on the front of the jersey for a lot of these guys, right? It’s not the team, it’s it’s it’s that one. You know what I mean? We’re gonna get into the awards and find out who’s bringing home the hardware when we come on back. See, talk to it over there. How’d that come about and what do you get kind of benefit do you get from having coaches like that? He’s he’s been I mean, obviously one of the best coaches around for a long time. uh worked here uh won a championship here and and just happened to uh you know makes me better, makes our organization better. So, it’s a lot of respect for I like that question. Yeah, Tom Thibido uh knocked you guys out of the playoffs last year. What the hell is he doing here? What is Why’d you let him in? That key card is not supposed to work. Yeah, Tibs obviously is dismissed by the New York Knicks and as Joe brought up, part of that Banner 17 team led by Doc Rivers and obviously the new big three era, KG, Pierce, Ray, and and Tibs. He was, you know, assistant coach. He was awesome. Big big part of the defense and absolutely will be fondly remembered around here in spite of what happened last season. So, yeah, he finds his way in. I don’t know if he’s going to find his way on staff at some point in time, but takes us into the coach conversation as we talk awards. Coach of the year, and I’m just guessing, again, I don’t know what these guys submitted for all there. We’re going to do coach of the year and clutch player of the year and sixman of the year, most improved player of the year. We’re going to keep going. We got a whole bunch to get to, but just based on what I saw, all that love, justified or otherwise, for the Orlando Magic, I think I know where we’re starting for coach of the year. Let’s bring it up and see what it looks like. Oh, Eay. Well, how about that? An out. An outlier with E. Another former Celtic coach. Yeah. Eay to Jamal Mosley for the Orlando Magic. One Eay Odoka. All right. Probably Mosley. Obviously, if you’re going to be on the outside, take us through it. I just think this team, man, like I I didn’t pick them to go to the finals, but I’m rooting for them to do it. The The only reason I didn’t take them is cuz how much money I lost last year betting the Rockets. Don’t get started. Don’t get started. But Eay, in my opinion, is exactly what the Rockets needed. Obviously, he got there, they got tougher 5 minutes later. Now you add a Kevin Durant. So, a team that plays real defense, that is young, that has had a taste of playoffs, has had a taste of the big time of the big stage. Then you bring in this monster and Kevin Durant who still has something left in his tank and it’s a perfect fit for him because they need a closer. I believe in the Rockets and I believe in MA and I miss him. The only issue I have with it is I miss him. If he was if he was a two seed, I miss him. If the Rockets were a two seed last year, where can they go from there, right? The only way is for him to get up to one and you didn’t put them as a one seed. What I see is we all had the magic at the three seed, right? So, for them to go from a seven seed to a three seed and have this finals and all that, you know what I mean? Obviously, they choose these awards before the playoffs, but you know, I think that growth will push Mosley. We thought Mosley could be a candidate for it last year. So this year if they go from seven to three then it could be an opportunity for him to get comfort I have the I think I had the Rockets as a two seed so in a way it would be sustained success and maybe you just believe in them more going into the postseason that could be enough to push it but we’ll see I I do miss him here though to be clear I think he could coach circles around Joe Mazula I went with Mosley and I think all the arguments support Mosley like just brought up and part of this is, you know, another step forward, another leap for Paulo Bancerero. Part of it’s obviously the Desmond Bane acquisition, what he does for that team. You got a a real trio there. Y part of me, the smallest of part of me consider consider Joe Missoula. If I really believe the Celtics are going to be a four seed, if I really believe they’re going to be a four seed, he’s going to get votes. He’s going to be in the mix. He will give a little correlated logic. Travis, he’s right. If they’re a four seed, he will get some love. That’s it. All right, let’s go. Clutch player of the year, which was won last year by Jaylen Brunson. Can he do it again? Will it be somebody else? Well, how about this? Wow, we are all in lock step. Anthony Edwards, who was a finalist last year, this is not something out of nowhere. Obviously, he led the NBA last season 157 clutch points in the regular season. Really poor efficiency in those situations. Shot about 43% minus 10 net rating. still a finalist. 40% usage in the clutch. What are we thinking? You’re sitting here tackling him. Believe that. You think what I’m saying? No, I I I think it’s obvious that we all think he’s going to be clutch because of that. He did have a lot of clutch last years. He’s going to have opportunities for his team to be in a lot of close games because he plays in the Western Conference and and that schedule is going to be tough. And he’s going to have his moments. He has that aura. That’s why everybody’s so obsessed with him. And that’s why he’s in starting five and all this other stuff because he has the ability to just command people to want to give him the ball and get out the way. He’s the man. He’s going to be able to do that. He works super hard. I think this year he’s going to continue to get better and have those opportunities to do so. I agree. We haven’t talked about them in the postseason, but that’s another team. I mean, this guy’s absolut trips to the finals. Yes, that’s right. Everyone compares everyone to Kobe. He’s the actual killer here. He’s a guy that I see it where I’m like, “The game’s on the line. Give it to him. Get out of the way. As Dante said, I wouldn’t be surprised if this next one we have three different answers. Sixth man of the year. This is where the homer hat comes on again, guys. Anthony Simons. You told me this was a bull tape. And now you’re throwing it out there. You want to know why? Cuz I tal myself into it. I tal myself into the Celtics fans come at you for this one. Hey, I’m not protecting. You know why? You know what? He is actually fourth on the odds board. I saw that he’s he’s very much in the conversation in terms of expectation. I think 13 to1 something like that. Nas Reed past winner a couple years ago, you know, very well could have won it again last year. Lonzo Ball is fascinating. That’s like the fit. I actually don’t hate any of these takes to be honest with you. Like I love like all three of these guys for the fit. Like you said with Lonzo Ball, effort, assignments, the opportunity with this, you know, a Celtics team looking for scoring especially off the bench. And then Nas Reed, you know, they lost a couple of guys that were in their rotation last year um with the Timberwolves. And so for him, he’s gonna have to take a little bit of a role, a bigger role. He was my next choice. If I didn’t go Simons, I was probably going Reed. So, you know, I love all three of these picks for sure. All three could hit it. I I like that bet. I didn’t know those odds. I might consider that. It’s It’s worth the sprinkle. I’m just saying. Hate it. Most improved player. I I kind of went off the beaten path with this one. Let’s see what everybody else did here. So, we’ve got LaMelo Ball from Tra. you just big fan of the ball family. Uh Khlo Wear, love him. I think that’s a very realistic take there from Monte. I gave you Andrew Nemhard and the only real like the best reason I did that guys is because he’s going to take on a much larger role with Hallebertton out increased responsibility at point guard I think in line for a big bounce statistically as well. We saw, you know, some of those games, you think back to the Pacers and Celtics playing in the East Finals a couple years ago. Some of those games that Nehard had when Hallebertton was sidelined, he went nuclear against Boston. I think we could see that on a fairly regular basis in the regular season. And Turner gone as well. Yeah. I mean, for me, I didn’t mean to cut you off t for me. LaMelo, this is just one of those awards that they kind of BS around in the NBA. Like there’s no way the some of these guys who win this award are necessarily considered like Kade. Yeah, Cade is a great example of he didn’t improve. He was just healthy. So that’s where I’m going with LaMelo here. I again, hey, if there’s Hornets fans out there, if you exist, please jump in the comment section and help a brother out. I love your team. I really do. You just get hurt and you don’t know how to win. So this is predicated on LaMelo actually staying healthy because his numbers are really good. He only played 47 games last year. So if he could stay healthy and put it together for a full season, imagine what those numbers would be. Yeah. I I put just because I love to see a guy like him continue to grow. You see with Spolster, he, you know, with the rookies a little slow on them at first, but then you saw him in summer league, he was dominant. You saw him in preeason so far, he’s been dominant. And then on top of that, there’s all this chatter about whether Bam Adabio will actually be on this roster come playoff time or come after the trade deadline. If he’s not on this roster, they’re leaning right into that guy. And if he can shoot the three, he’s honestly all the things that we’ve been expecting of Wimi to be as a rookie and all this other stuff, he’s kind of been. Yeah. So, he’s been efficient. He’s spread the floor. He’s 7 foot. He block shot. He rebounds. He’s been doing all of those things. seeing that at a high level, I think the NBA is going to be put on notice this year, especially if the Heat are a playoff team like I predicted. I’m just looking at the odds real quick. The betting favorite for most improved player of the year, I think makes a lot of sense. Amen Thompson with Houston. Fair enough. Very viable. The second one is Josh Giddy. How much better can Josh Giddy than he was last year? Like he had a coming out season last year. Yeah. And he didn’t get the award. It’s a weird award for that. Then you have Benedict Matan who’s right there with Nemhardt. Actually, I didn’t realize Nemhart high on the board as he is. They’re both right around 15 to1. We’re going to come on back. We’re going to get to the other more prominent awards. I’m talking defensive player of the year, rookie of the year, most valuable player, obviously. We’ll even give you our top five players in the NBA, meaning the first team all NBA when we come back on hold my banner. We don’t quite get why there’s so much talk about exactly how tall you are. at the end of the day because you because you see me every day or because I’m just wondering if it hits you the same way of what does it matter whether it’s 75 76 74 or 76 75 whatever I’m wondering if 77 if if that comes across your mind like it does for us sometimes regarding you so the truth is um yeah sometimes I’m surprised that it’s still a conversation because yeah the truth is in my mind it doesn’t really make a That’s true. I’m to I’m taller than anybody else. That’s all you need to know. You guys ever notice guys that height all have the same voice? Yeah, you do. But he’s got a He’s spicy mouth. He’s got a little something to him. He’s got a little piss and venomous. Yeah, he does. All right. Well, there’s a reason that we show Victor Webbyama of the San Antonio Spurs. We’re going to talk defensive player of the year. He is the overwhelming favorite at nearly two to one. He is basically it’s widely considered his award to lose. Let’s see if we all agree as we gave you independently our defensive player of the year votes. All right, we got an outlier. Couple of Webby votes and Evan Mobley. So, let me ask you, Dante, is is it Evan Mobley because he’s better in terms of this category he’s going to win the award or is it you just don’t believe WBY plays the necessary 65 games? There you go. Bingo. On to the next question. Wendy’s not playing 65 games there. That’s the only answer you can give cuz the damn sure that Moy is better. You don’t believe that? No, but I think Moy is elite obviously. He’s one he’s one of one as well. He does a lot of things that Wim that Wimi can’t do. You mean I would rather have him switching on the guards than I do with Wimi. But I’m just saying, you know, yeah, Wimby does deserve his respect and if he is healthy, I would give him the award. I’m not banking on the health. Fair. Okay, let’s see if the main product and local New Balance stud is the consensus favorite for rookie of the year. Let’s see it. Greg. Yes, Lord. There he is. Cooper flag. Is there anything to say? No combo needed. Yeah. I mean, he’s going to get the most opportunity. He’s the best player in his class. What else do we need to talk? That’s it. So, before we talk about the best player in the NBA, let’s give you the five best players in the NBA. You’re finalists in a way. First team, all NBA. So scanning the board. We all have SGA. Of course, we’ve all got Anthony Edwards. We’ve all got Nicole Joic, right? We do not all have Jiannis attent. I left him off. We do not all have Luca Donuch. Matter of fact, that’s just over there who also has Paulo Beno. My other one Jaylen Brunson. Well, Travis has and you have Jaylen Brunson. So that’s the three that were Yeah, that’s what I said. Three. Yeah. Yeah. So, I mean, I I’ll start off. I you know, I think Luca Donis, once again, if this Lakers team is going to be successful at all, if they’re going to make the playoffs at all, it’s going to be because of him and having monster numbers, seeing them healthy. That’s why I have him as an outlier. I can’t believe you don’t have Giannis, to be honest. I’ll tell you why. Because if Giannis basically comes down to this, it depends what you think in Milwaukee. I think Giannis could lead the NBA in scoring. Yeah. Yeah, but if he leads the NBA in scoring and Milwaukee is a bad team that doesn’t even go 500, is he first team all NBA? I don’t think he is. They are going to be a bad team. That’s for sure. I I don’t know. I don’t know about that. I mean, you could be a playoff team and still not be 500 in the Eastern Conference. It’s the Eastern that I I get where Adam I agree with that. But, you know, here’s the thing. I think you’re doubting how great of a talent is up there. Well, he said he could lead the league in scoring. He’s not doubting him. I get what you’re saying. He’s also a winner. He also carries He wins when he’s on the court. He carries He’s carries. He needs to get the hell out of there. But what they keep doing is getting his trash brothers on the team. If you’re not putting them in and you’re telling me he’s not healthy, I’m fine with that. But if you’re not putting them in because you think this team is losing because Andy’s on the floor, that’s where I have a problem. If he’s playing 75 games, this team is is winning in the in the Eastern Conf. I tell you what was hard for me. I wanted to go WBY over Y over Joic. I just couldn’t do it. Yeah, I mean I’ve got WBY in there because again like if if I believe he’s going to be healthy and he’s going to be defensive player of the year and all that MVP conversation he’s going to be sitting there it was hard for me to do that but I do agree with you. I think in theory I just didn’t have the stones to do it. But let me talk about Paulo. This dude right here now got 10 seconds. I’m just saying granted we know we’re settling in the East putting the Magic in the finals. All three of us agree but this dude is the truth. The Magic ain’t. He is. All right. most valuable player, the best player in the NBA. We got two votes for MVP number four from Nicole Joic in a backto back. I mean, yeah, dude. Yes. Best player on the best team. He’s going to go back to back. It’s going to be boring as hell, but it is what it is. Hey, maybe maybe if those dudes chest not healthy, Jaylen Williams not healthy. He has to play up. They are the one seed. I can see a P. Jokic was second in in the vote last year. He’s won or finished second each of the last five years. He averaged a triple double last season with careerh highs in points, rebounds, and assists. Still didn’t win the award. Voter fatigue bounce back. Maybe. I think maybe. I like it. I think so. They’re not going to go back to that. Well, if they’re fatigued, they going to stay that way. SGA back to back. All right. We want to thank Greg, Kyle, Trevor, Travis, Adam. We have got tomorrow the Celtics tipping off with the Sixers tonight. Opening night in the association. John Tesh, take us out.

Are the Celtics already facing a crisis before tip-off? We dive into the Boston vs Philly matchup and ask the tough questions. Can the Celtics contain Joel Embiid without their usual size in the paint? Will Jaylen Brown play and if not who steps up to carry the scoring load? We break down key players, potential X-factors, and give our score predictions.

Next up is our full NBA Season Preview. We reveal our picks for the final standings in both conferences and predict who makes it to the Western and Eastern Conference Finals. We also go all in on our NBA Finals matchup and championship winner.

To wrap it up, we hand out our preseason picks for every major award from MVP to Rookie of the Year. No holding back and no safe choices.

Get ready for bold takes, honest debates, and plenty of surprises on Hold My Banner with Adam Kaufman, Travis Thomas and Ountae Campbell.

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00:00 Celtics vs 76ers Preview
11:50 NBA Season Preview – Standings / Champions
36:23 NBA Season Preview – NBA Awards Pt. 1
45:58 NBA Season Preview – NBA Awards Pt. 2