What is the Jazz Plan? + Who gets traded? | Slam N Jam

What is the Jazz Plan? + Who gets traded? | Slam N Jam

Welcome to the Saturday Slam and Jam. I’m your host, Andrew Schlleck. On today’s show, we’re talking about the Utah Jazz. We’re going to do some trivia. But before we do any of that, Alex, tell me what happened in the NBA this week. Andrew, our top story this week is the world champion New York Knicks who won the NBA Cup this week, beating the San Antonio Spurs 124 to 113 in Las Vegas. Jaylen Brunson scored 25 points in the game, winning the NBA Cup MVP. But the most impressive performance might have been Mitchell Robinson, who grabbed 15 rebounds in only 18 minutes of play, including 10 offensive rebounds. For all you for all you Cupheads out there, that is definitely the most offensive rebounds in an NBA Cup final in history. >> Now, uh despite the big win, it was reported after the game that the Knicks would not be hanging a banner to celebrate the NBA Cup win. >> The announcement was a massive disappointment for all cup respectors, but was welcome news for all the Atlantic Division respectors. Thankfully, the Knicks five Atlantic Division banners, which celebrate the seasons when the Knicks were better than four teams, will still hang proudly in MSG. The Knicks have now won six in a row, only a game and a half back of the Pistons. Now, for the Spurs, it was a disappointing end to their cup run, but there’s still a lot to be excited about. First, to make it to the final, the Spurs had arguably the biggest win of the season, defeating the Thunder 111 to 109 in the semifinals. Unlike OKC’s first loss of the season, the Thunder were healthy, playing their normal starting lineup for the first time this season. OKC could not overcome minutes restriction, Victor Webbyama, who returned to the Spurs bench for the first time in a month. We scored 22 points and was a game high plus 21 in only 21 minutes. Now, the other thing for Spurs fans to be excited about is the recent history of NBA Cup finals losers. Two years ago, the Pacers bounced back from their devastating cup loss and made the Eastern Conference Finals. Last year, the Thunder rebounded from literally their worst game of the season against the Bucks in the Cup finals and won the championship. Could the Spurs be the next team to use their NBA Cup loss as fuel for a deep postseason run? One team that probably won’t be making a deep postseason run is the Golden State Warriors. And when that reality begins to sink in for a proud franchise, what else is there to do but email the billionaire owner? This week, Warriors fan Justin Gutari did just that. After searching for and finding an email for Warriors owner Joe Leup, Justin sent off an email voicing his frustrations about the need for a real second option, a true center, complaining about the immense burden on Steph Curry. Surprisingly, Joe Leup quickly responded, writing, quote, “You can’t be as frustrated as me. I am working on it. It’s complicated. Style of play, coaches desires regarding players, league trends. Jimmy is not the problem. How many fan bases saw this story and were like, “What the hell? You could just find their email and yell at them.” The fan has a point, though, because this week, Steph Curry broke Michael Jordan’s record for most 40point games after turning 30 when Steph dropped 48 in a game against the Blazers. And yet it wasn’t enough as the Blazers won 136 to 131. The Warriors have now lost three in a row, dropping to 13- 15, ninth in the Western Conference. Now, we didn’t have a lot of games this week because the NBA Cup, so let’s talk about some of the crazy results we did get on Thursday night, our first night with a full slate of games in a bit. One game after getting an impressive road win in Boston, cementing their place at top the Eastern Conference, the Pistons dropped an overtime game to the Dallas Mavericks 116 to 114. The Mavs have won six of their last eight. And in one of those games they did lose, Cooper Flag set an historic NBA record, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to score 40 points after he scored 42 in a loss to our Utah Jazz, breaking a record previously held by LeBron. The Pelicans also got a surprising overtime win on Thursday night, beating the Rockets 133 to 128, led by Sadi Bay season high 29 points. It is the Pelicans third consecutive win, which means the Clippers are now only a half game out of being the worst team in the Western Conference. The other surprising win was the Hornets getting the win over the Hawks 133 to 126. Now, maybe the win itself isn’t that surprising, but it’s how the Hornets did it. Charlotte tied an NBA record with 18 three-pointers in the first half, including seven from LaMelo Ball in his return from an ankle injury. LaMelo finished with 28. Conanipple had 28. Brandon Miller had 26. The game was also Trey Young’s return to the lineup who only played 20 minutes in the loss. And those were the top stories this week. >> And what what a week. What a week. I just got back from got back from Vegas with the NBA Daily Crew >> a couple days ago. Great to be with them. Great to just just see NBA fans in Vegas. It was a It was a great time. >> Is this your third NBA Cup? Have you been there since the beginning? >> I have been to every single NBA Cup. Geez Louise. I mean I mean you’re setting yourself up for like 30 years. You You could be the NBA Cup his the preeminent NBA Cup historian. I could be I could be the cup expert. That could be make that your thing. >> Golly, I’ve been looking for a thing for a while. This is it. >> This is the thing. >> You could quit the athletics, start your own podcast just about the NBA Cup 12 months out of the year, multiple times per week. >> I have to just change my last name to Cups. Andrew Cups. >> That’d be cool. Uh, Andrew, speaking of the cup, we’re going to talk about some things we like this week, some things we didn’t like, and some things that left us a little confused in a segment we call good, bad, what? So, Andrew, what was your good this week? >> I’m going to I’m going to take it back to the cup because apparently that’s my thing. >> Um, I want to talk about Tyler Kolic who was awesome >> in the NBA Cup. >> In the cup final, he had 14, five and five, one turnover. two made threes saved the Knicks butts in this game. Alex, I want to ask you a trivia question. >> Oh. >> How many times before the cup final did Tyler Kick score zero >> double digits? Double digits. >> Zero. >> It’s zero. >> Oh yeah. >> He didn’t score double digits before the cup final. Al, >> he’s a cup riser. >> He is. He had two games where he’d scored eight points. That was his careerhigh. And in 22 games that he played, he scored zero points. He’s in his two-year NBA career. Like, this is truly out of nowhere. And I know like there’s there’s a story that James Edwards put out there about how hard he’s been working behind the scenes and all that. Like that has to be a part of his story. Like he couldn’t just not be working hard behind the scenes. But the dude, like I I stood next to him like we are probably about the same height. Like he it’s it’s pretty impressive. like I’m I’m like just under six feet. He’s probably there. He’s listed at 6’2. Not buying it. Um but this dude is is awesome. And not only did he play great in the NBA Cup, but he just had a nice game to save the Knicks butts again where he had 16 points, 11 assists, six boards. Um he’s he’s a good player and a guy that the Knicks who were just desperate for depth last season just like anybody could we get anybody and he’s played really well for them and to just have another creator off the bench. He’s a really really good passer. Um certainly a great live dribble passer. A guy that can do that for them and has a ton of toughness. Uh, I mean, he’s like flexing on Wimby like that. He just he is like a really good basketball player. And so for Knicks fans who have been clamoring for him, by the way, behind the scenes want this guy to play more. Uh, it’s a really good sign for him. Like he’s he’s playing really well and perhaps they have found like a nice bench player and Tyler Kick who is certainly a cup riser. >> Yeah. And and the big question now is just how many of these guys are are you going to be able to play in the playoffs? you know, how many of Jordan Clarkson, Tyler Koh, Yabelli, how many of those guys are you going to be confident in once you get to the playoffs? And you’re probably not going to find out until the playoffs, >> which is why I, you know, I have heard, you know, uh, talks about the Knicks maybe trying to make a move for just one more depth piece. And I do like that idea because >> it still does worry me a little bit when you get to the playoffs, how many of these guys were actually going to be able to trust. >> Sure. But even if you move off of somebody and you have Kohix sitting there like you at least you don’t feel like oh my gosh there’s this guy has like no shot of being good. >> Yeah. And and I mean maybe this is turns everything around. Maybe he comes a staple of the rotation following this this cup win. >> Is this a a sanity that that is just like about to emerge in New York? >> Let’s go. >> Uh for my good I want to talk about the All-Star game because Allstar voting opened up this week. I think we have one of the strongest crop of potential firsttime all-stars we’ve had in a long while. Austin Reeves, Chad Homegrren, Jaylen Johnson, Jaylen Duran, Duran, Danny Avdia, maybe Josh Giddy since the Bulls decide to start winning some games this week. But the one guy >> who I want to talk about because I think it’s finally going to happen is Jamal Murray. >> Yeah, >> he has been on an absolute undeniable heater. Listen to this line. 25 points per game, four rebounds, 6.6 assists, shooting 504689 for the season. Everywhere you look, he is averaging a careerhigh points, rebounds, assists, three-point volume, three-point percentage, two-point percentage, free throw volume, all of those at careerhighs. At age 28, Jamal Murray has, in my opinion, finally reached undeniable all-star level where I don’t even need to make a list of West Allstars to know that he should and will be in the game playing at his current level. And he had a massive week. He scored 35 in that super fun Nuggets Rockets overtime game. Also, those teams are playing again today on Saturday. The first two games were two of the best games of the season, so excited for that. He got to the line 15 times in that game, which tied a careerhigh. But maybe you’re not impressed by free throws. Well, the next game against Orlando, he goes out and he hits seven of 12 from three. Only the 13th time in his career that he’s done that. Now, the Nuggets did have that weird little blip where they brief briefly threw us off the scent. They lost to the Bulls, the Kings, Spurs, and Dallas. They went four and four during that stretch, but they now share the longest winning streak in the NBA at six games with the Knicks. They’re solidly back in the second spot in the West at 20 and six. And of course, they’ve writed this ship without two of their starters, Aaron Gordon and Christian Brown. And what’s crazy is if you look at who they lost to, and by how much, if those two guys are available for a couple of those games, this team would probably be a game or two back of OKC, which is crazy. They could easily be like 22 and four right now. >> In my opinion, Jamal Murray has a near flawless case for making the All-Star game. And more broadly, this Nuggets team, they tricked us for a couple weeks with some bad losses, but they remain the no-brainer pick for winning the championship if you’re not going to take OKC in my opinion. Like, if you think there’s any chance OKC doesn’t win this year, getting Denver at plus 700 odds, which is still what they’re going for, that’s crazy. Denver is great value. This is a really good team. So, they are my good this week, Andrew. >> Yeah, they he’s he’s been ridiculous. Yeah, it’s fine. It’s finally time for Jamal Murray to make the All-Star team. >> Finally have and I and not like he’s not gonna be a injury replacement. Like this is like a locked in all-star performance so far, >> dude. We’re like five years removed from Bubble Murray and like he’s just now making the All-Star team. That’s crazy. >> Uh let’s flip it around. Let’s get a little negative. Andrew, what was your bad this week? Uh my bad this week is uh a press release that came from uh Walt Disney. I don’t know if you are aware. >> What’s he up to? >> What what Mr. Walt’s been up to? Uh you know you know what Dunk the Halls is? >> Dunk the Halls. I do not know what Dunk the Halls is. >> All right. So if if you’re unaware of what Dunk the Halls is, they tried this last year and it’s where they play a game. So that this year it’s the Cavs Knicks are going to be on television and then you can turn to this alternate channel and instead of watching a real basketball game >> you can watch the players that looks it kind of looks like a video game but it’s uh like I don’t know Carl Anthony Towns I think was on this last year too. the Knicks. Um, was he on the Yeah, on the Knicks where he was goofy >> and you can watch Jaylen Brunson as Chip and Dale. >> Um, okay. You know, like >> it’s this cartoonized like version of an actual game that’s happening. >> And you’re against this? >> You know, they tried it last year. It’s just funny that like the NBA is like, “God, we will try anything. We’ll do anything. we have to keep changing the All-Star game. It has to keep changing to keep everybody’s attention. And then they play Dunk the Halls last year. You don’t even know what it was. And they’re like, “You know what? Run it back.” And in not only run it back, let’s add Stitch is what they decided to do. >> Adding Stitch. Okay. >> Stitch is going to be uh making his Dunk the Halls debut. I just can’t believe this is happening. Like I just it to me is just a a very strange thing. I I tuned in for it and as I’m watching it, I just thought there’s no way they are running back dunk the halls. But you know what? They’re running back dunk the halls. I think it’s a bad thing. Well, like why? We can’t just watch a basketball game. Like what is happening? >> Honestly, Andrew, everything you’ve said so far has just got me more excited for Dunk. >> I knew I Listen, I knew it would. I want you to actually watch it because I watched it last year and it was it was odd. It was it was I just I’m like I don’t understand who this is exactly for. Like what’s like who are they who are they targeting here? >> I will say they could uh boost the roster a little bit. >> You know, they’re using a lot of the classic Disney characters. They’re fine, but I feel like they’re a little outdated. You know, I was watching there was a NFL version of this. >> You got to see like Mike Wazowski do a kickoff. Now, >> sure. You can’t tell me you don’t want to see Mike Wazowski do a kickoff. >> Huh? >> What about Big Sully running it in >> the I am I am now that I’m thinking about it pretty intrigued by the football version of that. Um >> the basketball version I’m just out on. I’m completely completely out on. It’s like well our basketball game isn’t entertaining enough. Let’s make sure that uh these guys are Donald Goofy. Okay. >> See Donald Goofy. I I think they just need to switch up the characters. I I think if if we had more representation from the Pixar crew, >> we had like Toy Story guys out there. >> Yes. Toy Story. If you had Wall-E uh as one of the players. >> Wow. >> Ratatouille. Like you’re you’re tuning in for that. Mickey and Minnie >> Donald. I’ I’ve seen these guys. I mean I know what they’re about. >> Yeah. If you had like Draymond Green as Sid from Toy Story. >> Oh, wow. you know, like let’s go. Like if if they made it more thematic like that, instead it’s just like, hey, now it’s Josh Hart as Pluto. It’s like what? Like what? Like what are we doing here? >> H >> what are we doing here? >> Okay. >> Okay. That that’s Andrew’s opinion. My opinion, we actually need to expand this. There should be an alternate telecast for every NBA game >> on the holiday for the whole season. For the whole season. >> Yeah. No, you want Dunk the Halls for every game. >> I get what you’re saying. And you are you are a father. So, I mean, if if your kids were really into this, I feel like you would know. It sounds like they’re not. >> I turned it on. I turned the I turned Dunk the Halls on last year. I was the only one watching it. And then when we turned the actual basketball games back on, my kids were back in. >> What What if What if they added uh the diff? Actually, the diff might be on it because the Cavs are playing. Yeah, I was going to say we might be presented with the diff as Donald Goofy gives a gets a alleyoop, you know. Okay. Um, well, that was your bad this week. Uh, mine’s much different. U my bad this week, I unfortunately am going to talk about the state of refereeing in the NBA. And I say unfortunately because I hate talking about the refs. I hate that I can match the name Mark Davis to a face. I don’t want to be able to do that. I don’t want to say to myself during a game, “Oh, Finchie’s big mad at Zack Zarba.” I don’t want to say those words in my head. >> I’ve complained about how much of the NBA discussion comes back to foul calls because I think it’s the least interesting part of the game and it’s usually the least interesting conversations. But I have to admit at this point it’s a problem because when Adam Silver called the NBA a highlight sport, he wasn’t wrong in that a lot of the discussion about the league centers around highlights around specific plays. And when a noninssignificant number of those highlights, the plays that are stimulating discussion among your fans are foul calls, it is a problem. And I don’t think that’s going away. And this week, I’m going to briefly flip this from a bad to a good. We got what I think is the best summation of the current issues with officiating in the form of a YouTube video from Ben Taylor at Thinking Basketball. Ben spent 20 minutes detailing some of the biggest areas of the game that are currently being abused by offenses. Things like moving screens, the gather step, use of the off arm, and then just running over defenders, everyone becoming Giannis. I thought his use of highlights from NBA games in the 2010s showing how different the game is called from not that long ago was really good because he’s got so many clips from the early Thunder years of Katie and Russ getting called for things that would barely register for a ref today. And I thought that comparison was a really helpful visual to explain how much things have changed in such a short time span despite the rules not changing at all. You know, it’s not like he’s showing clips of the Jordan rules, you know, in the early 90s or something. I’m watching Russell Westbrook getting called for barely using his off arm on a play. >> Again, I hate talking about this stuff because it it’s become such a huge part of the conversation. >> It seems like you don’t, but just keep going. >> I I just don’t think it can be ignored anymore. And I’m I’m talking about this week because I think it’s significant that Ben Taylor is doing a video on it. Like we’re talking about the same guy who did a video last season explaining why a lot of SGA’s foul calls are actually fouls. Yeah. >> You know, it felt like we had gotten to a decent place in the second half of last season and into the playoffs where things got really physical. The refs were letting teams play and fans were generally happy with the changes. I know there were still complaints during the playoffs, but those finals, the way Indie matched OKC’s physicality, I thought that was awesome. But now we’ve seemingly gone backwards where offenses are once again setting all-time efficiency records. But that added efficiency is being almost entirely influenced by how the game is being called. My stance has always been I just don’t want to talk about this stuff. I don’t want to know the names of the refs. I don’t want to see highlights of questionable foul calls. I don’t care that Bill Kennedy is being a little goober at the scorers table. I don’t care. I want to focus. >> I do care. I do care about that. I know you care about that. >> I I want to focus on the basketball, but it’s becoming increasingly harder to do that when seemingly everyone, including someone I really respect like Ben Taylor, is talking about the officiating. >> So, that is why it’s my bad this week. >> Yeah. Yeah. Ben Ben is the man and like somebody who’s un he’s he’s completely reliable with almost everything that he talks about. So, yeah. Even on Thursday night, there was this like call on Dimin Abdia that ended up like deciding the game. >> Brother, don’t that is we’re getting to that. Okay. So, that’s going to be my what? >> Okay. All right. We We won’t talk about it. We won’t talk about it right now because it is it is mindboggling. >> Um uh what is your what this week? >> Uh you ever you ever regifted anything, Al? >> Oh, yeah. A lot of kids toys. >> Yeah, kids toys. Uh it’s it’s trade season and our our good friend and frequent slam and jam guest Sam Vassini has put out his NBA trade board for 2526 and uh the top guys on his trade board who are >> these teams are hoping to regift them to somebody else. >> Yes. >> Uh Anthony Davis number one, >> Trey Young number two, De Manis Sabonis number three, Kobe White four, and Quinton Grimes number five. Uh, of all of those, Al, who do you expect to actually be moved before the deadline? >> Um, I I I I’d be surprised if Quinton Grimes got moved. Is is that must be a tax thing. >> Yeah, I think it And it’s also just like a contract thing for him. >> I mean, the way that Mavs are talking, it seems like they’re not going to move Anthony Davis. >> I kind of think they’re going to. >> I kind of think they’re going to. Are they going to extend him? >> It’s either you move him. No, that’s that’s the part that I just like >> I think they’re going to try to move him. I think they’re going to try to move him. And the best fits from Vini, >> Pistons, Hawks, Raptors, Celtics. >> I I kind of have a feeling that this just feels like and I’ve had a conversation with a friend of mine that it’s like, you know what, I just feel like the Raptors are the team that’s going to do this. It just feels like a Raptorsy thing. Like the Raptors are not going to be able to bring in guys via free agency. One, they don’t have calf space or the money to do it, but even if they did, they couldn’t. Um, they’re not in going to be in position to get a high draft pick. Like, how can they increase their ceiling from where they’re at? I just wonder if there’s something there with the Raptors and Anthony Davis. Um, and I just feel like the there’s a sunk cost that’s happened in Dallas where it’s like, yeah, does it look good to trade the guy that you, you know, traded your star player, a guy that would have shaped your team for the next decade, you traded him, then you trade him months later. Like, yeah, it looks terrible, but either you do that or you offer him a contract extension this summer. What would be worse? I would argue offering him the contract extension would be far worse and just like doubling down on it. So I just I just feel like Anthony Davis is gonna get moved. I wonder if he’s going to get moved to a team like the Raptors. I like the fits that he put there. The Celtics is very interesting. I really don’t know what they could do to pull that off just because of the amount of money >> that AD makes, but the Raptor seems to make a lot of sense when it comes to like how that team has been built and kind of how they prioritize building their team through trade and through guys that are a little bit undervalued, which I would say Anthony Davis is right now. Um, but yeah, I kind of think that AD is going to be moved. One one thing I’ve been thinking about is, you know, I I’m of course always obsessed with picks and stuff and so I’m looking at this Dallas situation like, “Oh my gosh, you have this golden opportunity to get a high pick to pair with Cooper Flag.” >> Yeah. >> How how is that not priority number one? >> But I will say the fact that he is 18, >> I at least understand the other argument because yeah, they don’t own their pick for the next four years after this one. Yeah, >> they could get to that point and Cooper Flag’s still only 23. Isn’t that they could get through this entire period of darkness where they’re not going to own their pick and he’ll be like 23 or 24, which is about the age that Shay was when they started adding young players to the Thunder. >> Yeah, exactly. >> So maybe like it could work. Maybe you could be competitive for a couple seasons with AD and Kyrie when he comes back >> and then you reset when Cooper is 23 or 24. Like he is it’s as bad as things have been in Dallas. Like the fact that he is 18 and scoring 40 points in an NBA game. Like it it really does open the possibilities where in some ways you can’t do too much wrong right now. Like I I was kind of against the idea of them keeping this team together, but the more I thought about it, I’m like, I guess it’s not the worst thing in the world if if they were competitive for the next couple years just because he is so young. >> But they’re just not even competitive, though. >> Oh, really, Andrew? They just beat the Pistons. >> I’m aware of that. >> Their last eight. >> Okay. What is competitive in the Western Conference? I mean, if if they got and they will get Kyrie back and have AD going into next season, like I why why can’t they be like, you know, six, seven in the West? That wouldn’t shock me. >> Yeah, that’s just not I mean, it’s just not what what any of this was for, you know? >> I know, but that’s gone. That that’s that whatever this was for isn’t happening anyways. I’m I and I don’t think there was there was one person on earth that thought it was actually possible. >> And if you’re if if you are trading AD, you’re really giving up on that because I I really do think there could still be some upside. Not like championship upside with this team if they were all healthy, but like a a good Western Conference team. If you trade AD right now, like the the package better be really good or or why bother? >> Yeah. I don’t know. I just wouldn’t want to trap myself in a contract with AD if like what if he just can’t do it anymore. >> Yeah. >> Like due to injuries. Like that to me is like the scariest thing is like now you’ve got like this giant contract on your books and you’re >> maybe in like the same boat as the Sixers with Embiid where it’s just like what do we what do we do here? Like I I’m more of the mind like trade them while you feel like you can >> because like we we see an example of this in the Eastern Conference where like who’s trading for Joel Embiid? I mean, nobody Yeah. Yeah. It it could it could get ugly fast if if things turn, but I I just I’m just saying I’m at least open to the idea now that they could be competitive for the next couple years and maybe would be >> That’s very reasonable. It’s very reasonable. I just I just wonder if they even want um to extend him. >> Yeah. I Yeah, that that is scary. That is the scariest part of all this, including for the teams that are thinking about trading for him. >> Uh, okay, Andrew, my what this week was whatever the Blazers and Kings were up to on Thursday night. Truly one of the more hilarious games of the season. >> That’s so crazy. >> It was so funny. The Blazers were up by 15 with a minute 57 left in the game. >> The Kings go on a 17-2 run to force overtime. And those final two minutes, I mean, just a comedy of errors for Portland. They fouled a three-point shooter. They had a bad pass turnover. They missed four free throws in the final 28 seconds. Individually, none of these are that funny, but in succession, the funniest. By the time we got to Demar De Rozan’s game tying corner three, I was crying. Even on that play, he only got possession because the inbounds pass from Westbrook randomly bounces off Keegan Murray and Denny Obdia straight into Demar’s hand. And it wasn’t like like the Kings obviously had to play really well in those final two minutes, >> but they didn’t play flawlessly. They there was a there a play where uh Reo could have gotten a rebound and it went out of bounds and went back to the Blazers under under a minute left. So they they they weren’t even playing perfect and they somehow were able to come back. People a lot of times we’ll say free basketball when a team ties it up. Andrew, I would have paid extra to watch that overtime. I wanted to see how that stupid game was going to end. And of course the way it ends made it a masterpiece. Klingan misses two free throws could have given Portland a three-point lead. On next play, Demar Rosen once again hits a big shot. Turnaround jumper, give the Kings a one-point lead with 4 seconds 4.4 seconds left. Denny gets the ball, races up the court, just runs into two guys, throws up a shot as time expires. He misses it. The game’s over. The Kings are celebrating. They’re so happy at what they just did. All of a sudden, Mark Davis on the other side of the court, way behind the play. I don’t even know if he had crossed half court by the time that foul happened. If it happened, he starts blowing his whistle. I did not hear a whistle before time expired. But now he’s whistling away. He’s whistling. He’s whistling >> over and over again. >> That was a That was a bad whistle. >> That was a horrible whistle, but I got your dog going. >> I did get my dog going. I guess I could have just actually whistled something like that. Uh they call a foul. Denny goes to the line, sinks both free throws, game over. >> It was the It was the most what deserving game all season. And shout out to Maxim Reno. He had 29 and 11 in this game. >> Yeah, he did. >> He’s He’s been on uh fire ever since Sabonis went down. He’s been taking over. He started their last five games. He looks like just another good rookie from this class. >> Yeah. >> But also, what was that game? >> What in the world? What? What was that game, Andrew? >> That was just garbage. The end of that one just doesn’t make sense. Oh my gosh. Uh something that doesn’t always make a ton of sense is the Utah Jazz. We’re going to talk about them right after this quick break. All right, Andrew, it is time once again for the Wheel of Fandom. The weekly segment where we spin a wheel, it lands on a team, and we become fans of that team for the next week. And last week, the wheel landed on the Utah Jazz, who I would say had a pretty fun week. The Jazz won their first two games, beating Memphis and Dallas before losing a competitive game to the Lakers, despite not having Lori Marketin. Over the three games, Keonte George scored 110 points, including a career-high 39 in the win over the Grizzlies. Per cleaning the glass, the 10 and 16 Jazz have the 19th ranked offense and 29th ranked defense. Andrew, if the Jazz are our favorite team, who is our guest? Got Sarah Todd of the Desert News. Sarah, thanks for joining the Saturday Slamman Jam. >> Yeah, not a problem. Glad to be here. >> So Sarah, this was the the best week of Keonte George’s career so far. He’s taken a massive leap this season, hitting career highs across the board. What have been some of the main improvements in his game compared to years one and two? >> Yeah, I think uh shot profile is one. Um he’s not taking it’s and not just like where the shots are falling from, but how he’s taking them. So, not as many forced shots. He’s not trying to like iso into threes as much as he was. A lot of it’s coming more on catch and shoot stuff or like uh dribbling into it in rhythm and transition, stuff like that. He’s also not hunting fouls as much. He’s just like playing to score. So, I think that’s where he gets a bump in efficiency just on two points. And but I think, you know, for me personally, having been around him for 3 years, that the biggest difference that I see is just maturity. Um, he was he was given some really blunt off season and exit interview feedback. He was basically told like, “Hey man, time to grow up. time to not start feeling entitled and like you haven’t done anything. You haven’t proven that you’re anybody yet. So, let’s work on that part of your mind before you start expecting anything. So, and that’s that’s really where I’ve seen the biggest difference with him is just how he’s kind of approaching things and that um he’s more willing to kind of give of himself to the team rather than expecting for the team to work for him. I was just saying that it’s it was really cool to see Will Hardy cape for him after the last game. Just like, hey, there’s like he’s a really good player now. >> Yeah. And like in my defense and everyone else’s defense talking about Kee George uh over the last like 25 games, I don’t think that there’s been too many people that have tried to give excuses on why Keonte is good this season other than like, oh, >> he’s changed. Um, but like yeah, it that’s great for, you know, one of your best players to be able to hear that your coach in front of a camera and a microphone is like nobody should have an excuse for why this is happening. It’s not happening because Lowry’s playing better this season. It’s not happening because of anything other than like the work that Keonte is doing. >> Yeah. >> Um, I want to ask you about Ace Bailey because his role has been steadily increasing since the early season. Uh there’s been plenty of flashes as an offball movement shooter, which was kind of the the cell on him going into the draft. What have you thought about the rest of his game? And what are your expectations for how the Jazz are going to explore his game the rest of the season? Are you expecting to see more heavy onball minutes with him? >> Yeah, I mean, as the Jazz progress their season with the hopes that they’re not going to win too many more games, >> right? Uh I I expect for there to be like a lot more Ace Bailey just so that they can kind of give him a runway. I as in years past uh I think that you can expect more of like Lowry sitting or other guys not playing on certain nights. And so that’s just going to give a bigger runway for a lot of the young guys on the team. But especially Ace Bailey. I mean, I think what has surprised me the most is that he is so much more than advertised and then also um nothing at all like he was advertised. Like he came in because of his, you know, management and representation issues as a guy that everyone was like this selfish, entitled, horrible kid. And it’s just so far from the truth because he couldn’t be happier to just be in the NBA. I’ve never seen I’ve never seen a teenager come into the NBA and just like so willing to be like, “Yes, coach. Anything you need? I am just happy to be here. I will be the loudest one clapping. Does anybody need water?” Like, and he’s just so happy to be here. And also passes the ball a ton. He’s not selfish, but if you, you know, put it in context what was happening at Ruckers, it’s like, yeah, we want Ace Bailey to score 35 points, so just put the ball in his hands and let him do whatever he wants. And if he knows that his teammates aren’t going to make the shots, then like, why would he pass it to them? And he’s in a completely different situation where he’s like, “Yeah, Lowry’s the guy that I want to have the ball in his hands, I will pass it to him every time.” So, um, he’s he’s really smart. He’s really athletic. Um, and I’m all of the tiny little flashes that we’ve seen, it just makes me so excited about what else is coming in the future. >> How hard is it to judge defense on this team, you know, like I think they’re 29th, I said, in defense, and Ace Bailey kind of had that reputation like, oh, this guy’s going to be like a pretty good defender one day. Um, what have you seen on that end from him? >> Uh, willingness is the first thing. So, you know, like he’s clearly been told by who whatever coach it is that like you better be in a low stance anytime that you’re on the ball and I want you communicating no matter what or you’re just not going to be on the court because he is just like perfectly positioned and constantly talking and so he’s trying to do all the right things right now. And I think that just like nervousness and newness to the league is not something that’s worn off and is probably going to take him a while. Like these guys are coming in younger and younger now. And so um >> yeah, he seems like that. He seems like a teenager, which he is. And so, >> uh, but he’s so long and he’s so long in wingspan and like his legs are so long. And so, there have been moments where like he’s closed out on a corner and gotten there way faster than expected and is knows how to use his length in those situations and he just moves quickly and there’s also been plenty of mess ups and plenty of times that he’s like completely out of position like on a shift or a rotation. But, you know, that’s going to happen. He’s a rookie. >> Right. Right. All right. Mhm. Uh you wrote an article this week titled, “Are the Jazz winning too much?” Uh Alex and I are pretty familiar with watching a team that might be quote uh too good to tank. We actually made shirts for the our Thunder podcast that said too good to tank on them. Uh this team has been pretty competitive this season uh even after uh the loss of Walker Kesler, which has been kind of surprising. Um, how committed do you think the organization is to ensuring that there is a that they get their top eight protected pick and not send it to OKC and like how much will we see Lowry throughout the rest of this season? >> Yeah, I think the organization is very committed. I I have no doubts that, you know, when I wrote that article that you’re talking about, you know, that’s 10 wins by mid December. >> And that is too many. Like we’ve got >> seven teams in the NBA that are on pace to finish with like fewer than 25 wins. And if you want to >> be guaranteed top eight, you’ve got to finish like fourth worst or worse. and 10 wins in December is just crazy if you’re trying to tank. So, they can’t really win more than 12 games the rest of the way out. And I feel like the front office is pretty committed to that. So, you know, last night was kind of one of the first indications Lowry out with what is what was called groin injury management. >> Okay. >> And I’m surprised to hear that he’s managing a groin injury that did not exist before yesterday. So, um, and I would expect many more of the same types. I I expect so many Cody Williams minutes, uh, to come. >> Yeah. Yeah. It is really interesting though cuz like in past seasons, they had veterans that they could offload. like there was like other things you could do to tank and now they’ve gotten to this point where it really is just the young guys and so they are just going to have to sit them more or like you said play Cody Williams more which I I have a question kind of related to him because beyond guys like Keonte George, Ace Bailey, Flip the Jazz have a ton of young guys that I don’t know what to do with just yet. So if you had to bet that one of Isaiah Collier, Cody Williams, Taylor Hendricks, Bryce Sensah or Walter Clayton Jr. We’re going to be on the next great jazz team. Who would you pick out of that group? >> Man, that’s difficult. I mean, okay, immediately I’m I’m narrowed it down to Bryce Sensiba and Taylor Hendris. And here are the problems is like uh Taylor Hendrickx has two NBA things that could keep him in the league, right? He can shoot the three and he is strong and big and so that can that can keep you in the NBA for a few years. Likewise, Bryce Sensib can shoot the three incredibly. So like just being a shooter can usually keep you in the league, too. Uh problems, we have no idea if Taylor Hendrickx can reliably play basketball because his rookie season it was like, “Oo, this guy’s not ready.” and then he played three games and broke his leg. So that’s where we are right now. And he’s just coming off having missed a year. So his reaction time is horrible. He’s just getting back into like playing regular rotation minutes. And so I have no idea what it really looks like for Taylor Hendris to do anything. And Bryce Sensbach cannot play defense. So, if you’re able to be hunted, that makes it difficult for you to be a good shooter and stay on the floor unless you’re JJ Renick, right? Like, >> right. >> Uh, so I think that I would bet on athleticism between the two and just go with Taylor Hendris, but I mean, yeah, there’s there’s a chance none of these guys are not only not on the next great Jazz team, but like not in the NBA, >> right? Yeah. Well, I I’m I’m kind of glad that was your answer because that’s how I’m feeling about these guys. Like, I just don’t know who to buy into right now. Um I’m I’m hoping that we get some more Walter Clayton Jr. minutes as the season goes on. You know, he’s a rookie, so there could be something there. But yeah, I’m I just really struggle with all of these guys. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I mean, when you look at Isaiah Collier, right, like he had a good game against the Lakers and he’s had he’s had good games for the Jazz. He he looked like he had a he he looks like he has a lot of potential, but then when you kind of peel the layers back a little bit, the truth is that he’s small and either can’t shoot, doesn’t shoot, or is scared to shoot. And small and can’t shoot as a point guard is just not someone who’s going to be on a team that’s actually trying to win playoff games. And then if you’re, you know, Walter Clayton Jr., opportunity hasn’t been there yet to show me that I should bet on him for anything long term. And I described the Taylor Hendricks and Bryce Sensah conundrum. So yeah, I think there’s a lot of the guys on this team right now who don’t realize the really golden opportunity they have with the Jazz because were they on another team, they would have been waved. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Uh, so there’s been reports lately that Utah is fully committed to marketing in long-term. Is there expectation that regardless of what happens with this pick that Utah will make moves this summer to officially end the tank and try to bring in more talent? >> Expectation from who? >> Uh, good question. Um, front office like what’s what is what is your thought on like what what’s going to happen with this team? like if they’re committed to Markin. Markin is not some like super young guy, you know, and so if you do want to build around him, you got to get that thing going pretty quickly is kind of my thought. >> Yeah. I mean, Lowry’s 20 27 now, >> so you know, we’re we’re in his prime. We’re we’re there. And so if you if you want to use him and not waste him, like now is the time to go. I think that the Jazz being kind of handcuffed by this OKC pick the last few years has forced them into this situation a little bit. That being said, like we all know the NBA, we all know Utah, and so it’s not like there are a lot of big-time free agents that are going to be like clamoring to move to Salt Lake City. And even when it comes to trades, like you have to have trade partners that have if you have big time players, like usually the players are a part of this discussion on where they want to end up. We see that happening with Giannis. Like there’s there’s a preferred list and teams usually work within those bounds. Uh, that being said, the Jazz do have a history of not really giving into those demands. Whether or not they can find a partner that’ll do the same remains to be seen. So, like building through the draft is a must with all of that in mind, uh, they would love to try and go for it starting next season. So like this summer if they can like get some pieces in where they really feel like they’re going to try and win games, I expect for them to think that’s going to happen. And then what I kind of think is possible is that they try to win games and then once January rolls around, they evaluate, are we still a bad team? And if they are, then they can always pull the rug out and tank again. >> Yeah. Yeah. I do feel like the start to this season though, I mean, especially compared to the last couple seasons, has to give fans some hope that even if they add one or two pieces, like this team could be solid ne as soon as next year, which I wouldn’t have said at the beginning of this season. I would not have said, “Oh, they just they’re just one or two pieces away from just being a solid Western Conference team.” And it does. Does it feel that way to you? Sometimes I there are nights where it feels like, man, there are some scrappy guys on this team. Like this could be good if they got a couple of guys in here. And there are some nights where it feels a little bit like fool’s gold, right? Like I just I think the Lakers game is a good example of like of that and that if that was a an actual like postseason game. Um, I just think that the Lakers are so much better and have so much more talent that there’s guys on I mean Luca had a 45point triple double and I still think like well Luca didn’t really seem like he was trying that hard >> and so like I I just think that it’s going to require so much more of the guys that are already on the team and then the type of help that they need in order to be competitive in the Western Conference. It needs to be like really big talent because a Lowry Markin le team with Keonte George like I just I think you’re playing it best there. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Well, Sarah, thank you for answering all of our questions about the Jazz. But it is now time to play Andrew Versus the Beat, our weekly trivia show where Andrew goes head-to-head with an NBA beat writer. This week, Sarah Todd from the Desert News. Now, Sarah, how this works is I’ve come up with eight questions about the Utah Jazz. You’re going to give me a number between one and eight. It’ll correspond to a question. Some are easy, some are hard. Uh, if you get it right, you’ll get at least two points. If you get it wrong, Andrew will have a chance to steal for one, and we’ll go back and forth till all the questions have been asked and answered. So to start us off, Sarah, I just need a number between one and eight. >> Three. >> Question number three. Only one of Utah’s 15 most played twoman lineups has a positive net rating. And get this, it’s a + 12.3 in 292 minutes. >> Wow. >> Who are the two players in that lineup? Now, you do get one point per correct answer. A plus 12.3. >> Impressive. >> 290 minutes played together this season. >> Yes. >> I don’t actually know how it’s possible for one twoman lineup to be that good while all the other ones in the top 15 are negative, but it is true. >> Yeah, that is wild. >> It feels like Oh, man. It feels like I should just go obvious, but it feels like if it was this obvious, then the team would be good with that kind of a net rating. Okay, I’m just going to go uh Lowry Marketing and Keonte George. >> Well, I’m glad you said Lowry first because that is correct for one point, but is not Kee George. >> Yeah. So, Andrew, you could steal a point if you can name the other player. >> Oh, boy. Um, what about my guy Flip? >> It is your guy Flip. >> Let’s go. >> Your guy. I didn’t know that we had big flip heads. >> Oh, big flip heads here. We We were big We were big fans of him in the draft. We wanted the Thunder to draft him. Yeah. >> Yeah, we did. Yeah, we did. And I feel like it’s been justified. I’m excited. >> Yeah, I feel good about that one going forward. >> I’ve been made fun of a lot for that take and I feel pretty good about it today. Um, all right. Number one. >> Deontay George >> had 39 and 37 points in back-to-back games. This I wrote actually wrote this before last night. He had another 30-point game. >> Yeah, he did. >> So, that would actually be his 13th >> 30point game of his career. Okay. Okay, so he’s had 13 games where he scored scored 30 points or more. >> That ties him for 15th all time for most 30-point games by a Jazz player. We’re going to name the 14 players ahead of him. So, this is throughout Jazz franchise history who has had more 30point games than Kee George. There’s 14 names how this works. Andrew will give me a name, then Sarah will give me a name, and we’ll go back and forth till one of you stumbles. So, Andrew, who would you like to start with? Carl Malone. >> Carl Malone. Great guess, Andrew. He is number one on this list. >> It was a guess. Yes. >> All right, Sarah. >> Donovan Mitchell. >> Donovan Mitchell. Number four on the list. >> Oh, wow. >> Andrew. Uh, Gordo. >> Gordo. Gordon Hayward. Yes, he is on the list. Uh, I can’t do the I can’t count, but around 10. around 10ish. Uh, all right. Sarah >> Darren Williams. >> Darren Williams. He is on the list. Around eight, he is number eight on the list. Andrew, >> Adrien Dantley. >> Adrien Dantley. Number two on the list. Back to Sarah. >> Rudy Gobear. >> Rudy Gobear. That is incorrect. Rudy Gobear does not make the list. I was hoping someone would say John Stockton because he’s not on this list. >> He I felt so nervous about that one because he never did he even ever average like 20 points a game. Like I don’t feel like he did. >> Yeah. I don’t know. Uh but he and he’s like right below the list. He had like 11 or something. Uh the other names uh Pistol Pete because of course this goes back to the New Orleans days. >> Uh Daryl Griffith, Markin, >> Carlos Boozer. Ah, yeah. >> Truck Robinson. >> Dang. >> Jordan Clarkson, Boon Bogdanovich, Al Jefferson, and John Drew. >> Wow. >> Drew. Okay, Sarah, the board is yours. >> Oh boy. Two. >> Two. Who has the most double doubles for the Jazz this season? Ysef Nerkage. >> That is correct for two points. >> Oh, Ysef Nerk. >> Uh, we have a tie game. Three- three. Andrew board is yours. >> Uh, I will go number four. >> Question number four. In terms of points per play, Utah is ranked highest in which of the following categories on cleaning the glass? Halfcourt offense, transition offense, halfcourt defense, transition defense. Oh my. Half court offense, transition offense. Half court defense, transition defense. Um, this is really hard. I don’t know. Transition offense. I have no idea. That is incorrect. Andrew Sarah, you have a chance to steal. One point. Half court offense. >> It is half court offense for one point. But get this, it changed overnight. I had to go back and look. >> Oh, >> after the Lakers game because it yesterday it was transition defense which I thought was crazy. >> Oh, interesting. >> That is crazy. >> But I guess they they scored a lot of points against the Lakers and uh so it it helped them out. Um okay. Uh Sarah, it’s your turn, right? >> Yes. >> Seven. >> Question number seven. Larry Markin had a game with eight three-pointers this season. That’s the second time he’s done that as a member of the Jazz who holds the franchise record for most games with eight plus three-pointers, he did it four times. >> Wow. >> Who is that player? >> Oh man. Most games with eight or more. >> Yeah. Made eight plus three-pointers made in a game, this player did it four times. Wow. Huh. >> I’m gonna go with Donovan. >> It’s a good guess, but it is incorrect. Andrew, you have a chance to steal. >> I feel like this is either going to be right or really dumb. >> Okay. >> Joe Engles. >> Joe Engles. Oh, unfortunately, it’s really dumb. Andrew, that is incorrect. Correct answer was Boon. Boon. Oh man. >> All right, Andrew, you’re down by one. >> I thought it was error. >> Dang it. Um, five. >> Question number five. Ysef Nerkich holds a franchise record for the Phoenix Suns for most rebounds in a game. How many rebounds did he have? Now, you get to choose who answers first. >> Oh my god. >> You can make Sarah answer and then you go higher or lower. Or you can set the line and Sarah will go higher or lower. If if the guesser gets it exactly correct, they do get a bonus point. So, think about that as well. Oh boy. I’ll say I think I kind of remember him doing this because I think it was against OKC if I’m not wrong because I think he had like 30 something rebounds against the Thunder once. >> I’ll say 30. I’ll say 30. Okay, Sarah, would you like to go higher or lower? This is a Yousef Nerkage game for the Suns and set the franchise record for most rebounds. >> Yeah, I actually know this answer, so I’m going to go higher because it is 31. >> And it is 31. >> Oh, shoot. I can’t believe I missed it. Dang it. >> It was against OKC. >> Yeah, it was. >> Oh, Andrew, you were so close once again. That is painful. Uh, >> but dang it. >> Uh, six. >> All right, Sarah, you are up five to three. One question remaining. >> My god, my heart is beating so fast. I’m like so competitive that this is this is a big moment for me. >> You could close out the week right here. Okay. Uh, the question is, Kevin Love had a 20point game against Memphis this week at age 37. >> Yeah, he did. Who was the last Jazz player aged 37 or older to have a 20point game? >> Carl Malone. >> That is incorrect. Andrew, you have a chance to steal. Oh my gosh. Al >> 37. >> 37 years old. 37 is That’s old. That’s old. And a lot of these older like the older Jasmine I’m thinking of didn’t play that long. Um golly, if we’re going for longevity, I mean, John Stockton, even though he didn’t score very much, I guess John Stockton, >> that is also incorrect. The correct answer was Kyle Corver. Kyle I would not have gotten there. >> No. Dang it. >> Okay, final question. Now, Andrew, this is your question, so you’ll get first dibs on it. You are currently down five to three. So, oh my gosh. If if you get it right, it will send the game into overtime. I will have to come up with a >> totally prepared for. You’ll be totally prepared for it. Don’t worry. >> Uh, okay. So, going back to the question that I screwed up on. Larry Markin made six three-pointers in a game against the Suns this season. That is the uh who who cares? He’s done it a lot of times. We’re going to name We’re going to name all the Jazz players throughout their history that have had at least three games hitting six plus three-pointers. Okay. There’s 13 of them. 13 players in Jazz history who have had three games with six plus three-pointers at least. So Andrew, you’re going to give me a name. Then Sarah will give me a name. We’ll go back and forth to one of you stumbles. Obviously, I already said marking in, so we’re already down to 12. >> Okay, >> Andrew. >> How about Buon Bdanovich? >> What a good guess. He is number two on the list. He did that 20 times >> as a member of the Jazz. >> Let’s go. >> Okay, Sarah. >> Donovan Mitchell. >> Donovan Mitchell. Another good guess. Number one on the list. Did it 21 times. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Andrew, >> what about Jingling Joe? >> Jingling Joe Engles. He is number four on the list. Did it 15 times. >> All right, >> there you go. Sarah >> Kyle Corver. >> Kyle Corver. I heard I heard he did it when he was 37. >> Uh oh my gosh, Sarah. He only did IT TWICE. NO, THAT MEANS SIX. YES. >> YES. Let’s go. Yes. Okay. So, the game is tied five to five. We are going to name the top 10 in Utah Jazz franchise history for total blocks. >> Okay. The top 10. >> Okay. >> So, there’s some easy names here and there’s some hard names. Yeah. >> So, Sarah, this time you’re going to start us off and we’ll go back and forth until one of you stumbles. Mark Eaton. >> Mark Eaton. Number one, 3,64 bucks. >> Uh, Go Bear. >> Pretty Gob Bear. Number three on the list. >> Oh, was this top 10? >> Top 10 all time. >> Car Malone. >> Car Malone. Number five on the list. Uh, AK-47. Andre Kolinko. Number two. All top Utah Jazz franchise history. Back to Sarah. >> Thor Bailey. >> Thor Bailey. Yes, he was number six on the list. Andrew, had you heard that name before? >> I have heard the name. Yes. >> Okay. Okay. >> That was condescending. Um I will go um what about Greg Oster Tag? >> Oh my gosh. Greg Oster Tag number four. You all have already named the top six perfectly. >> There are four names remaining. >> This is horrible. I’ve really put Sarah through a lot in her first appearance on Andrew. >> Emotional. >> Yeah, you have. Dang. >> Um, >> four names remain. >> I think I have two names left in my brain and then I might be done. >> Paul Milsap. >> Paul Milsap. >> Number eight on the list. >> That was one of my names. >> I’m down to this one. And if he’s not on the list, then I’m then I’m dead. >> Derek Favers. >> Derek Favers is on the list at number seven, which leaves two names remaining. >> Yes. And um Sarah, I’ll just say good luck. >> I don’t want to do it. >> Good luck. >> So, what happens if I want to know the game implications right now? Uh the game implications are if if you cannot name one of these two names who are are ranked nine and 10 all time for blocks for the Jazz, >> the game will be over and Andrew will have won six to five. However, if you can pull one of these names out, the game would continue and Andrew would be forced to name a name. >> Okay, it’s going to be somebody from the 70s. So, >> I’m I’m way out then. >> It has to be >> we’ve gone past like Derek Favers and Paul Milsap at this point. So, >> it’s probably not even someone that played on the Jazz that long. Yeah, let’s This is definitely wrong, but in just to say a name and to not to not say nothing, I’ll say Truck Robinson. Truck Robinson, >> who I think was a guard, >> by the way, >> that is incorrect. Which means Andrew does win. Now, listen to this cuz I was like, I wonder I wonder how far Walker Kesler is. >> He he is only he is less than 20 blocks away. >> I was wondering from making top about that. That’s wild. But unfortunately the last two names which in retrospect unfair question Ben Poquette aka Gentle Ben. >> Gentle Ben is on the block list. Great. >> You don’t know about Gentle Ben? He let’s see. He only played four seasons in Utah. And then number 10, >> Rich Ryland Kelly. Rich Kelly. Uh, now he did play on the Jazz for a while when they were in New Orleans and then he eventually did play in Utah. >> Wow. >> Um, how tall was Oh, he was a sevenfooter. Never heard of him before today. >> I’ve never heard either of these names in my life. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That was a tough one. Uh, I didn’t look all the way down the list. I was like, “Oh, there’s some names I know.” >> Well, Sarah, thank you so much for playing Andrew versus the Bee. What a first game. >> Feels I feel like that’s stolen valor. I I don’t agree with the terms. >> You’ll be submitting a uh you’ll be submitting something to the league, you know, letting them know. Uh >> yeah. Yeah. Who’s the pool reporter here? Um Sarah, thanks so much for coming on. Go check out Sarah’s work at the Desert News. We appreciate you coming on the show. >> Yeah, no problem, guys. Anytime. All right, Andrew, that was jazz week and it’s time to spin the wheel of fandom once again. And this is a big week because we’re going to be off next couple of weeks for the holidays. >> So, whoever we get, we’re going to be watching a lot of them. >> Double dose. >> I’d love to get a team that’s playing on Christmas, but let’s see who we get. Next Wheel of Phantom team will be Oh, the San Antonio Spurs. Wow, >> that is a spicy spin right there. Wheel of fandom. >> That is really spicy. I mean, we got two games against the Thunder. >> Yeah, >> that’s one of our best spins ever. Got to say >> that is our Yeah, that is one of our best spins ever. Yeah, Christmas Day, I’ll be there in person to watch. >> Oh my gosh. >> My the wheel of fandom team. Unbelievable. >> Uh Jared Weiss. Yeah, Jared now. >> Yeah, we’ll get Jared on here. God, this is this is incredible. Incredible. They’re fascinating team, too. It’s a great team. That’s a great spin. Thank you, Wheel of Fandom. Uh, also, I’ll say thank you to anybody that leaves us a fivestar review on Apple Podcast. You got a couple weeks to do it. All right, leave us a fivestar review and we’ll read it on the podcast. Would really appreciate that. Hope you guys have a merry Christmas. Thank you so much for listening to our podcast. Enjoy the basketball. Enjoy the Christmas Day basketball. There’s no better day to watch basketball on Christmas Day. It’s just the very best. Enjoy it and we’ll talk to you guys again in a couple weeks.

Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers discuss the week of NBA basketball, officials, AD getting traded? After a break Sarah Todd of the Desert News joins the show to discuss the Utah Jazz. We touch on Keyonte George’s season, how Ace is developing, if the Jazz are keeping Markkanen, and more. Then the gang play a fun edition of Andrew vs. the Beat

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Host: Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers
With: Sarah Todd
Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht
Audio/Video Producer: Monica Compton

00:00 Intro
06:18 The Good, Bad, and WHAT???
30:45 Interview with Sarah Todd from Desert News
47:13 Trivia: Andrew vs. The Beat
01:04:35 Wheel Spin

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