Episode 038 - FIBA Fallout & NBA Pre-Preseason

Chris and Paul wrap up the 2014 FIBA World Cup Tournament before discussing NBA news, including management drama in Atlanta, and contract extensions for the draft class of 2011, and conclude on episode 6 of their "30 Rock" summer/autumn rewatch.

Episode 037 - 2014 NFL Preview

Chris and Paul spend almost two hours previewing the 2014 NFL season, starting with the AFC North and finishing in the NFC South.

Episode 035 - Injuries, Trades, and Football!

Chris and Paul discuss the Team USA news (Paul George's injury, Kevin Durant's withdrawal), the Kevin Love trade, some NFL preview stuff, and hip-hop groups.

Episode 034 - FIBA and Team USA

Chris and Paul break down the 2014 FIBA Team USA roster and discuss international ball, Boogie Cousins, and pass-first point guards. They finish the podcast with their summer re-watch of the 2nd and 3rd episodes of 30 Rock. 

Episode 033 - Free Agency and Summer League, Week 2

Chris and Paul spend the first 1:05 discussing the NBA's free agency period and Orlando and Las Vegas Summer Leagues and finish up the podcast by beginning their summer TV rewatch.

Episode 032 - Free Agency

Chris and Paul delve into NBA free agency and the monumental LeBron James decision by discussing the moves so far this summer and the first week of summer league action.

Episode 031 - NBA Draft Recap

Chris and Paul recap the entire 2014 NBA Draft.

#30 - San Antonio Spurs

Stephen Dunn/ Getty Images

What I’d Do:

Jordan Adams – UCLA

6’5” (6’10” wingspan), 209 lbs., 07/08/1994 (19 years old)

Should we really be bothering the San Antonio Spurs already? Can’t we give general manager R.C. Buford and head coach Gregg Popovich a chance to go on vacation without bothering them with trivialities like the NBA Draft?

Would you believe the Spurs have never drafted 30th in the Tim Duncan era? I thought for sure they finished with the NBA’s best record at least once in Timmy’s 17 seasons but no; the Spurs settled for one pick at #29 (guard Cory Joseph in 2011) and six times selecting 28th (including future-Finals MVP Tony Parker in ‘01).

#29 - Oklahoma City Thunder

Photo found at basketexpress.net

Walter Tavares – Cape Verde

7’3” (7’9” wingspan), 265 lbs., 03/22/1992 (22 years old)

Walter Tavares is far from your average freakishly huge, potential-stiff of a big man. If he ever comes over to the league he’ll be a walking dunk-prop and will have the infamous target on his back, as happens with every no doubt seven footer. I really wanted to make the Hasheem Thabeet comparisons when I first saw Tavares on video, and giggled a little when I saw him run, but he’s actually pretty agile for someone that gigantic and I’m a fan of him to the Oklahoma City Thunder at pick #29.

#28 - Los Angeles Clippers

Photo found at imagesslide.com

What I’d Do:

Patric Young – Florida

6’10” (7’1.75” wingspan), 247 lbs., 02/01/1992 (22 years old)

There is maybe no better candidate for me to write a three thousand word essay on their season and plans this offseason than the Los Angeles Clippers. I assure you, however, I’m way too tired from writing up the rest of these teams to dive into the Clippers’ chaotic last couple of months, and the finish line is in sight.

#24 - Charlotte Hornets

Kevin C. Cox/ Getty Images North America

What I’d Do:

Jarnell Stokes – Tennessee

6’8” (7’1.25” wingspan), 263 lbs., 01/07/1994 (20 years old)

In the few hours since I told Chris that I would be taking Jarnell Stokes at #24 for the Charlotte Hornets, word has come down from The Man Himself that my pick essentially doesn’t matter and they might have already settled on Mitch McGary.  I’m sure I’ll compare the two at some point in this piece but I’m okay with disagreeing on the player, because we agree on the team need at big man.

#22 - Memphis Grizzlies

Spruce Derden – USA TODAY Sports

What I’d Do:

P.J. Hairston – North Carolina/ Texas Legends (D-League)

6’5” (6’9” wingspan), 229 lbs., 12/24/1992 (21 years old)

It seems like every season since breaking up the OJ Mayo/Rudy Gay wing-duo, the Memphis Grizzlies have needed perimeter shooting. While their record dropped six games from the previous season, their 2014 team may have been more complete than during the deep 2013 playoff run, with actual contributions from a couple of wing options.

#20 - Toronto Raptors

NBA.com

What I’d Do:

Tyler Ennis – Syracuse

6’2” (6’7.25” wingspan), 182 lbs., 08/24/1994 (19 years old)

The Toronto Raptors are probably the most difficult team in the league to predict, this offseason. Such is life when Masai Ujiri is your general manager.

#18 - Phoenix Suns

Found on court-side.com, no credit listed.

What I’d Do:

Clint Capela – Switzerland

6’11” (7’4.5” wingspan), 222 lbs., 05/18/1994 (20 years old)

With the second of their three first round picks in this draft, the Phoenix Suns can afford to take a chance. I tried to address their roster situation and options going into the 2014 offseason with my post on #14, and will try to touch on the relevant points to their pick at #18.

#16 - Chicago Bulls

Joe Robbins/Getty Images North America

What I’d Do:

Elfrid Payton – LA Lafayette

6’4” (6’8” wingspan), 185 lbs., 02/22/1994 (20 years old)

Elfrid Payton is probably too good to still be on the board here at #16. At first I took him based on his value alone as the best player available for the Chicago Bulls but the more I think about it, the more this pick makes some sense beyond the value-aspect for the Bulls.

#14 - Phoenix Suns

Brace Hemmelgarn/USA Today Sports

What I’d Do:

James Young – Kentucky

6’7” (7’ wingspan), 213 lbs., 08/16/1995 (18 years old)

For a team that was in a full-on rebuild a year ago, the Phoenix Suns don’t have a lot of particular team needs. First-year general manager Ryan McDonough and first-year head coach Jeff Hornacek overhauled the roster last summer, hitting on trades (Eric Bledsoe, Miles Plumlee/Gerald Green) and stacking assets (three first round picks in this draft) while improving the team by 23 wins from the previous season. While the earliest of the three picks is their own at the end of the lottery, they’ll have over $25 million in cap room this summer with eight players on guaranteed contracts in 2014-15. The Phoenix Suns have plenty of options to continue rebuilding this roster in the pursuit of a playoff run next season.

#12 - Orlando Magic

Michigan Star-Telegram

What I’d Do:

Adreian Payne – Michigan State

6’10” (7’4” wingspan), 239 lbs., 02/18/1991 (23 years old)

With the #4 pick in this exercise I addressed Orlando’s long-term need at point guard with Dante Exum. As a scorer and lead ball-handler, he allows Victor Oladipo to move over to the shooting guard position and gives Orlando the ability to trade Arron Afflalo for other roster needs.

Episode 030 - Crazy Thursday

Chris and Paul celebrate their 30th episode this year with a 3-man podcast with their friend, Jay Collard. They discuss the crazy Thursday that set off a bunch of NBA news, including more Kevin Love trade rumors and the untimely injury to Joel Embiid, for the first 30 minutes then finish up with the season finale to the fourth season of HBO's A Game of Thrones.

#10 - Philadelphia 76ers

No photo credit listed.

What I'd Do:

Dario Saric – Croatia

6’10” (6’10” wingspan), 223 lbs., 04/08/1994 (20 years old)

Chris explained earlier why Philadelphia is in a great position in this draft and in their franchise’s future. General manager Sam Hinkie has thoroughly rebuilt the roster by clearing talent and acquiring draft picks, including this pick and New Orleans’s first rounder in 2013 (Nerlens Noel) for then-All Star point guard, Jrue Holliday. He drafted Jrue’s replacement in Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams at #11 last year and has Noel fresh after sitting out the entire season coming off of knee surgery. Despite an early-season scare of competence his team went on a historic run of 26-straight losses and moved whatever veterans he could at the trade deadline, resulting in the #3 pick that Chris already broke down. Hinkie has already shown to be among the more patient and shrewd GM’s around and is entering Year 2 of his Philadelphia 76ers rebuild.

#8 - Sacramento Kings

Rockey Widner/Getty Images

What I’d Do:

Marcus Smart – Oklahoma State

6’3” (6’9.25” wingspan), 227 lbs., 03/06/1994 (20 years old)

I promised myself if I had to write up the Sacramento Kings’s offseason and draft situation I would only mention the Rudy Gay/player option drama once. I’ll try to make it quick.