Brian Windhorst, a prominent NBA analyst, has recently hosted engaging discussions on various aspects of the league through his popular podcast. Joined by notable ESPN personalities including Tim Bontemps, Tim MacMahon, Kevin Pelton, Jarrett Allen, Bobby Marks, and Ramona Shelburne, Windhorst discusses preseason performances, team strategies, player statistics, and upcoming season expectations.
In those most recent episodes, Windhorst is reacting on the fly to Cooper Flagg’s NBA preseason debut with ESPN’s Bontemps and MacMahon. Check out their analysis below for some of the best insights into Flagg’s likely impact on his new team, and what it means for the league at large. Furthermore, Windhorst and his guests discuss key moments from recent preseason games, highlighting noteworthy performances that may shape team dynamics as the regular season approaches.
NBA Trends and Evolving Strategies
Windhorst’s discussion with Kevin Pelton focuses on the growing phenomenon of 3-point shots league-wide. This change is indicative of the increasing importance of shooting from beyond the arc, and how that is affecting strategies across all levels of play. The duo dives deep to unpack their impact on gameplay. Plus, they dive into how this affects shooting overall—in particular as more and more teams adopt a higher-three-point-share approach.
Plus, Windhorst and Pelton analyze the Oklahoma City Thunder’s historic success in rebuilding on the fly. They take stock of the team’s unorthodox approach, and how it shapes them into one of the league’s most serious contenders. Their thoughts offer tremendous context for basketball fans and analysts to better understand what the NBA is becoming.
The discussion touches on the MVP race, with Windhorst seeking Pelton’s perspective on potential frontrunners for the award this season. They take a look at individual player performances and the team’s overall contributions. That has produced a concrete picture of who is most likely to win the league’s most valuable player.
Cleveland Cavaliers Outlook
In a separate segment, Windhorst is joined by Cavs center Jarrett Allen to discuss the outlook for the upcoming season in Cleveland. They dive into the team’s strengths and weaknesses as they get ready to battle through one of the gauntlets that is the Eastern Conference.
Windhorst is focused on the NBA’s return to favoring a composition that favors size in player make-up. Allen’s insights are making a difference in a size-obsessed system. We hope this conversation paints a clear picture seeing how teams are discussing ways to use physicality to their advantage in play.
Fandom is giving way to hubris, though, as fans are becoming increasingly annoyed with the Cavs watchful eyes and earless face. With Allen’s interior defense leading the charge, fans are eager to see how the on-court product comes together.
Awards Predictions and Player Extensions
Windhorst, as always, is back to join Bontemps and MacMahon in forecasting the biggest NBA awards ahead of the 2023-24 season. This portion gets their professional takes on who’s most deserving of awards based on how the preseason and last year have gone.
Plus, Windhorst engaged in a long conversation with Bobby Marks about some of the significant extensions that have been signed or missed this offseason. Then they analyze how these extensions might shift the landscape of team roster building and salary cap allocation in the years to come.
Alarm bells about Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers are sounded in this wide-ranging conversation. Windhorst probes Marks on whether there is cause for concern regarding Embiid’s health and its implications for the 76ers’ championship aspirations.
Windhorst, Bontemps, MacMahon and Shelburne react to Shelburne’s groundbreaking sit-down interview with Clippers owner Steve Ballmer. They analyze Ballmer’s comments regarding the team’s direction and how it aligns with their competitive goals in a high-stakes Western Conference.
Leave a Reply