Be sure that to pay attention and add the 13 Guidelines: NBA Random Ideas podcast the Shot Clock Pod to your record! This week Steve shares his ideas after week 7 of the 2025-26 NBA season. Youth Motion Rising: Why Youthful, Quicker Groups Are Thriving in At the moment’s NBA
Quicker Groups Are Thriving: The Tempo of Play Is Growing
Why the Recreation Is Quicker
This 12 months, groups are averaging extra possessions per recreation, that means it’s a quicker recreation. This makes youthful gamers with excessive power who’re defensive disruptors beneficial. By defensive disruptors with excessive power, I imply gamers who’re flying round on the defensive finish, inflicting issues, getting deflections and steals.
Younger Defensive Standouts
Gamers like Davion Mitchell, Dyson Daniels, Cason Wallace, each Thompson brothers, Jalen Suggs, Stephon Citadel, and Jordan Walsh. Their groups are doing higher than anticipated.
Veteran Groups Are Struggling
Clippers and Warriors Present the Draw back of Age
Take a look at the LA Clippers — earlier than the season, they loaded up with veterans, and most of the people believed they’d be contenders. One other instance is the Golden State Warriors, who’re previous and battling accidents. In case you take a look at older groups, their gamers are getting paid properly, however in return, they’re typically injured, and their efficiency has decreased. Youthful, less-paid gamers appear to be the way in which to go.
The Zion Williamson Dilemma
Unbelievable Expertise, Ongoing Availability Points
Zion Williamson has a grade 2 abductor pressure and once more will probably be out for some time. It’s a disgrace Zion can’t keep on the courtroom as a result of he’s a drive offensively.
Why the Pelicans Must Transfer On
As for his workforce, the New Orleans Pelicans, they’re caught with a participant with huge potential — however it’s simply that, potential. It’s time New Orleans dealt him. I do know there’s a concern that he’ll have a wholesome season, however sufficient is sufficient — they will’t rely on him.
Utah’s Quiet Rebuild
Rising Younger Core
I do know they aren’t superb — their report is 8-14 — however the Utah Jazz are slowly placing items collectively. For a very long time, I questioned what they have been making an attempt to do. Keyonte George is their level guard, and he’s averaging 22.9 factors and 6.9 assists a recreation.
Constructing Blocks for the Future
You pair him with Lauri Markkanen, a former All-Star who’s averaging 27.6 factors and 6.6 rebounds. You pair them with first-round decide Ace Bailey and Kyle Filipowski, and a possible lottery decide this 12 months, and also you see they’ve a future. Don’t neglect Walker Kessler — their heart — is out for the season, so his return will even assist subsequent 12 months.
Chris Paul’s State of affairs in Los Angeles
Frustration Builds for the Clippers
Chris Paul was despatched dwelling by the Los Angeles Clippers this week — only one extra downside for the 6-17 Clippers. The explanations given have been that he’s opinionated and his opinions have been grating on his workforce and coaches. This shouldn’t occur to one of many biggest level guards of this era. He ought to be allowed to retire on his personal phrases.
The Worth of Talking Up
Nevertheless, Paul has at all times been an opinionated participant, and that’s tolerated when you find yourself nice. The lesson is that when you find yourself simply one other participant, you need to preserve your opinions to your self.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Commerce Rumors
Bucks Might Be Getting ready for a Reset
Giannis Antetokounmpo could also be nearing the top of his time with the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks haven’t formally put him available on the market, nevertheless it appears to be coming. Through the summer time, the Bucks spoke to the New York Knicks about dealing Giannis. The Knicks don’t appear to have the younger gamers and draft picks a rebuilding workforce would need.
Potential Commerce Locations
The query turns into: will the Bucks honor Giannis’ request to go to the Knicks, and might the Knicks get the draft picks and gamers Milwaukee needs? If it doesn’t work out, the San Antonio Spurs and Atlanta Hawks seem to be favorites to get him as a result of each groups have the draft picks and gamers to make a deal.
Damage Issues Cloud His Worth
The one fly within the ointment is that Giannis has missed a mean of fifteen video games a season over the past 4 years. He has missed six video games already this 12 months and will probably be out not less than one other week or two. Although nice, his availability might be an issue.
The Wizards’ Defensive Woes
Historic Struggles on Protection
In case you watch one minute of a Washington Wizards recreation, I’ve two questions for you: Why are you watching, and do they ever play any protection? For what it’s price, Washington permits 128.1 factors per recreation. The one workforce ending a season with a better quantity of factors given up is the 1990–91 Denver Nuggets at 130.77.
The Celtics’ Early-Season Shock
Jalen Brown’s Management Shines
The Boston Celtics are taking part in properly. In a 12 months when most individuals believed they’d be at greatest a .500 workforce, they’re an early-season shock. Give the credit score to Jalen Brown, who has stepped in as their chief and has performed properly.
Supporting Solid Stepping Up
Jordan Walsh has been their greatest shock — a wonderful defender and an improved offensive participant. Nemias Queta will get higher with every recreation he performs. They’re additionally getting what was anticipated from Derrick White and Payton Pritchard.
Brad Stevens’ Good Roster Strikes
Brad Stevens did an excellent job placing collectively a workforce after having to commerce 4 gamers in final 12 months’s rotation. They’ve overwhelmed the Pistons, Knicks, Cavaliers, Magic, and Lakers over the past couple of weeks.
