Elevator Pitch: Which West team will move up the standings? | NBA Today

Elevator Pitch: Which West team will move up the standings? | NBA Today

play a little elevator pitch. We’re going to take a deeper dive into the conference. So, this is last year’s standings. For the purpose of this discussion, we’re going to zoom in on the teams that were left out of the playoffs. Maybe Sacramento, Dallas, Phoenix, Portland, San Antonio, New Orleans, and Utah. That’s where we’ll start the discussion at least. Perk, who do you believe is going to elevate into the playoffs this season when you look at their offseason moves? Y’all know sometimes a lot of times I ease drop and listen to vanity conversation. Queen, she on the phone with her friends and and it and it say and she be saying stuff like, “Baby, honey, child, listen. Y’all listen to this.” Here’s the thing. I’m looking at the Spurs. I’m looking at the Spurs and I’m looking at Victor Win. But it is time. We’re talking about when you start comparing them and saying the greatest prospect since LeBron James was Victor third year. LeBron James third year. They he took that leap and gotten into the postseason. And when you look at what the Spurs have has done, they have surrounded him with some nice pieces. You look at a De’Arren Fox who just signed a contract extension. We know what he could bring to the table. Allstar level type play. Harrison Barnes, a three and D guy at the wing position. They did really well in the draft. You got some nice young pieces with a evil genius in their new head coach. I’m looking at the Spurs to and Wimby to go out here and make some noise and move up in this Western Conference and for them to get in the postseason. Perk, it’s always a good day when you mention your better half, Queen Vanity. And by the way, congratulations. I saw all the pictures time. Happy anniversary to you guys. Uh my squad, you know where we’re from. You, me, Van from Texas. And I’m going to stay there and stand on it. We already know stay in Texas. Yeah. Yeah, that’s the point. like we’re keeping it in the family here. We’re keeping it in the family. And everyone knows that I’m going to pick the Rockets naturally, but I want to pivot actually to Dallas because I feel like some people might be looking past them, especially given Kyrie Irving, his lack of availability due to injury. But still, their starting lineup is going to be solid. I mean, adding DLo there who’s a professional point guard. You’ve got Cooper freaking Flag joining, which is going to help bring that positivity back to the city. And then has anyone had a better summer maybe than Klay Thompson spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally, all that type of stuff going back out there knocking down shots. You have Gaffford and Lively Maintain. This is going to be one of the biggest groups. And of course, helming it on the interior is Anthony Davis. And so I’m looking at the Mavs, you know, they they were not good last year, obviously fizzled out, but then maybe finding that continuity continuity, especially as they try to buy time until Kyrie comes One of the games that I’m definitely going to have circled when the schedule comes out later this week is when Anthony Davis returns to Los Angeles because we still haven’t gotten to see that game yet. He was hurt the last time around, so we didn’t get to see him play. I know I gave the stipulation of teams that didn’t make the playoffs, but I think you guys have that covered. I think that a team that was already great last year that I think has the potential to get even better. Go with me here, guys. What about the Denver Nuggets? I really, really like bringing in Cam Johnson here for Michael Porter Jr. They have a true backup center in Valenunis. You’re bringing Bruce Brown back. Their first round pick from 2024 is actually going to be able to play. Remember, he was out all of last year. And this is the team that took the defending champs to seven games. And Isaiah Hartenstein said this was the most difficult, as you see him there trying to guard Nicola Joic, the most difficult, the scariest series they ever faced. If we’re looking at teams that aren’t just going to make the playoffs, but have the ability to maybe even take it to OKC, I’m looking at Denver as that group. The West though, I think you got it. It’s super wild. [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause]

I’m joined by Chiney Ogwumike and Kendrick Perkins on NBA Today to debate which team in the Western Conference will make the biggest move up the standings this upcoming season.