Tag / donovan mitchell

by Alex Fischbein

Eastern Conference Preview, 2024-25 NBA Award And Season Predictions | TAF319

Welcome to episode 319 of The Atlantic Files! We’re back with a full court of NBA goodness, just in time for the 2024-25 season to tip off. This week, we’re breaking down three divisions, giving our early predictions for the season’s biggest awards, and discussing all the latest from week one of NBA action. If you’re ready to get hyped for hoops, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s jump into it!

2024-25 NBA Atlantic Division Preview: Battle for the East

We kick things off with a preview of the Atlantic Division, where rivalries are brewing, and every team has something to prove. The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers are once again expected to be the big dogs, but don’t sleep on the New York Knicks or the Brooklyn Nets, who could both make some noise. Plus, the Toronto Raptors are looking to bounce back with a new head coach and fresh energy. We break down each team’s strengths, weaknesses, and what it’ll take for them to emerge as the division champs.

Southeast Division Breakdown: Can the Heat Stay Hot?

Next, we shift our focus to the Southeast Division, where the Miami Heat are looking to keep their fire burning after a deep playoff run. But they’re not the only ones with high hopes; the Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic both have young stars ready to make a leap. The Washington Wizards, meanwhile, are still figuring things out post-Bradley Beal, while the Charlotte Hornets hope that their offseason changes can finally lead to some consistency. We dive into all the teams and assess who could be this season’s sleeper.

Central Division Preview: Who’s the King of the Midwest?

The Central Division is stacked with intriguing storylines, from the Milwaukee Bucks‘ new-look lineup to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ ongoing rise. The Chicago Bulls are hoping to make noise with their star power, while the Indiana Pacers continue to build around their young talent. And then there are the Detroit Pistons, aiming to take a significant step forward with Cade Cunningham leading the charge. We break down each squad’s potential and predict how this division might shake out.

2024-25 NBA Awards and Playoff Predictions: Who’s Taking Home the Hardware?

It wouldn’t be the start of an NBA season without some bold predictions! We share our picks for the MVP, Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and more. Plus, we take a stab at predicting which teams will make the playoffs and who could be in for a deep run. Are we riding the hype train for Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs, or do we see a seasoned veteran reclaiming the MVP throne? Tune in to find out!

News and Notes from Week 1: Early Surprises and What to Watch

The first week of the NBA season always brings some surprises, and this year is no different. We cover the top stories from week one, including standout performances, unexpected struggles, and key injuries. Which teams look like they’re hitting their stride early, and who’s already showing signs of trouble? We’ve got the insights you need to keep up with all the action.

Timecodes:
00:00:00 Intro
00:03:56 Southeast Division Preview
00:28:23 Central Division Preview
00:40:47 Atlantic Division Preview
00:56:28 NBA Awards and Playoffs Predictions
01:12:44 Outro

by Alex Fischbein

Gordon Hayward Complaining, NBA Conference Finals, Cavaliers’ Future | TAF313

Welcome back to The Atlantic Files, your premier source for in-depth NBA analysis and the latest basketball news! In today’s episode, we delve into the heartbreak and drama of the Game 7 losses by the New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets, explore Gordon Hayward’s frustrations over his playing time, discuss the future of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Donovan Mitchell, and react to the unfolding excitement of the 2024 NBA Conference Finals. Stay tuned for all the essential updates and expert insights!

Knicks and Nuggets Fall in Game 7: We start off the episode with a recap of the dramatic Game 7 losses suffered by the New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets. Both teams fought valiantly throughout their series but ultimately fell short in the decisive games. We analyze the key moments that led to their defeats, the standout performances, and what these losses mean for their future strategies and roster decisions.

Gordon Hayward’s Playing Time Controversy: Next, we turn our attention to Gordon Hayward, who has recently voiced his dissatisfaction with his playing time. Hayward’s comments have sparked a debate about his role on the team and the coaching decisions that have limited his minutes. We delve into the potential implications for Hayward’s future with his current team and explore possible trade scenarios.

Cleveland Cavaliers and Donovan Mitchell’s Future: Shifting our focus to the Cleveland Cavaliers, we discuss the uncertain future of the team and their star player, Donovan Mitchell. After a disappointing playoff run, the Cavaliers face crucial decisions about their roster and strategy. We analyze the potential moves the team could make to build around Mitchell or explore trade options that might better suit their long-term goals.

2024 NBA Conference Finals Reactions: As the NBA Conference Finals heat up, we provide our reactions and insights into the matchups and performances that are shaping this critical stage of the playoffs. From key players stepping up to strategic adjustments by the coaches, we break down the factors that are determining the outcomes of these high-stakes games and predict who might advance to the NBA Finals.

Timecodes:
00:00:00 Intro
00:12:40 Gordon Hayward complains about playing time
00:22:35 What should the Cavs and Donovan Mitchell do?
00:40:30 Knicks and Nuggets lose Game 7s
00:48:50 NBA Conference Finals are set
01:00:33 Outro

by Alex Fischbein

Kelly Oubre Jr. Signs With The Sixers | TAF286

This week, on episode 286 of The Atlantic Files, Kelly Oubre Jr. is signing a one-year deal with the Sixers, James Harden trade talks were ended by the Clippers and not the 76ers, we continue our divisional preview series with the Central Division, the NBA has established new resting rules for star players, and we bring back our fantasy basketball and football corner!

Daryl Morey and the 76ers actually made a roster move that wasn’t trading James Harden. Kelly Oubre Jr. is joining the team on a one-year deal! We’re still not exactly sure why Oubre wasn’t signed by any other teams until now, but it’s a huge pickup for a team that’s in limbo with one of their superstars.

Speaking of James Harden, news came out that the trade talks were actually ended by the Clippers. Brian Windhorst spoke about how the Clippers were the ones moving on after the trade talks hit a stalemate. Originally, the drama began because it was believed that Morey finished the negotiations. Now, the shoe is on the other foot and we haven’t heard from Harden since then.

The NBA also established new rules in regard to resting players throughout the regular season. We’ll, hopefully, begin to see more and more stars playing on national TV and in away games. The issue becomes how the league will actually enforce all of these rules and how they’ll make sure that the injuries listed are real.

Finally, we continue our divisional preview series for the 2023-24 season. The Central Division is the next one on the list before our specialty next week. Will Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks win the division again or will Cleveland take another step up with their young core and Donovan Mitchell?

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Timecodes:
00:00:00 Intro
00:02:15 Fantasy Football Corner: Week 2
00:17:37 Kelly Oubre Jr signs with Sixers
00:32:21 Clippers end trade talks for James Harden
00:36:27 New resting rules in effect in the NBA
00:46:50 NBA Central division preview
00:58:48 Outro

by Alex Fischbein

Jaylen Brown Gets The Bag! | TAF280

On episode 280 of The Atlantic Files, Jaylen Brown gets a supermax extension from the Boston Celtics, Mikal Bridges hypes up Ben Simmons like many have done before, Donovan Mitchell apparently won’t stay in Cleveland, we discuss the top rookies for redraft and fantasy basketball leagues, and we play the NBA grid game!

Jaylen Brown gets a whole boatload of money from the Celtics to go with a five-year extension. Now, the debate is whether or not he can produce enough to match the amount of money he’s making. Some don’t even think he’s the second-best player on his team!

Mikal Bridges went on Paul George‘s podcast and talked about Ben Simmons and where the team’s mindset is at in regard to getting him back on the court. Bridges hyped up Simmons’ attitude and his work ethic heading into this season while he said that Simmons was actually the one talking the most in their team group chat. Will this turn into yet another hype reel that doesn’t turn into any real production?

Now, there are reports flying around that Donovan Mitchell won’t be staying in Cleveland longer than his current contract. His eyes are already set on another city apparently and the team would be smart to just trade him away to get something for him. Should they keep him and try to convince him to stay instead?

Finally, we discuss the top rookies heading into this season for fantasy basketball. We talk about both redraft and dynasty leagues and the best rookies to look out for if you happen to be participating in either one this year!

SUBSCRIBE to Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don’t miss a new episode!

Timestamps:
00:00:00 Intro
00:03:07 Jaylen Brown gets the Supermax from the Boston Celtics
00:11:58 Mikal Bridges hypes up Ben Simmons
00:24:18 Donovan Mitchell won’t stay in Cleveland?
00:33:31 Top fantasy basketball rookies for redraft leagues
00:47:28 Top fantasy basketball rookies for dynasty leagues
00:59:28 The NBA Grid game!
01:14:22 Outro

Joel Embiid, Mikal Bridges, Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, NBA Playoffs, Atlantic Files
by Alex Fischbein

Joel Embiid vs Mikal Bridges, NBA Playoffs Heat Up | TAF269

In the latest episode of The Atlantic Files, hosts Alex Fischbein discussed the latest happenings in the NBA playoffs. As always, the podcast focused on the Atlantic Division but also covered some broader observations about the playoffs as a whole. Here are some of the highlights from the episode:

Philadelphia 76ers vs Brooklyn Nets playoffs series

Alex broke down the first-round series between the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets, two of the most talented teams in the Eastern Conference. Mikal Bridges has proven to be a top-notch player that deserves to be the number-one option on a playoff team. On the other side, Joel Embiid has grown in his playmaking abilities as he’s been consistently finding his teammates out of double teams.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs New York Knicks playoffs series

He also talked about the matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks, which had been an unexpected and exciting series. They highlighted the impressive play of Cavaliers’ guards Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, as well as the toughness and grit of Knicks’ star Julius Randle.

2023 NBA Playoffs observations

In addition to discussing specific matchups, Alex also shared some broader observations about the playoffs. He talked about the dominance of Western Conference teams, the rise of younger teams like the Sacramento Kings and the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the importance of coaching in the postseason.

Draymond Green stomping on Domantas Sabonis

One controversial moment in the playoffs was Draymond Green’s stomp on Domantas Sabonis during the Golden State Warriors’ series against the Sacramento Kings. Alex weighed in on the incident and its potential consequences, both for Green and for the Warriors’ playoff hopes.

Jaren Jackson Jr. winning Defensive Player of the Year

Another topic of discussion was Jaren Jackson Jr. winning the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award. The host praised Jackson’s ability to guard multiple positions and impact the game on both ends of the court.

De’Aaron Fox winning clutch player of the year

Finally, De’Aaron Fox won the Clutch Player of the Year award, which recognizes players who perform best in high-pressure situations. They talked about Fox’s ability to take over games in the fourth quarter and his importance to the Sacramento Kings’ success.

The Atlantic Files continues to be the go-to podcast for fans of the Atlantic Division and the NBA as a whole. With expert analysis, engaging conversation, and a focus on the latest news and trends in the league, it’s no wonder the podcast has become such a hit among basketball fans. Be sure to tune in to the next episode for even more great content!

SUBSCRIBE to Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don’t miss a new episode!

Timecodes:
00:00:00 Intro
00:03:10 Joel Embiid, Mikal Bridges, Sixers vs Nets
00:22:11 Knicks vs Cavs tied 1-1
00:38:20 NBA Playoffs observations from around the league
00:53:17 Draymond Green suspended for stomp
00:57:55 Jaren Jackson Jr and De’Aaron Fox win awards
01:00:29 Outro

Kyrie Irving, Trade, Dallas Mavericks, Brooklyn Nets, Atlantic Files
by Alex Fischbein

Kyrie Irving Traded To Dallas Mavericks | TAF261

On this week’s episode of The Atlantic Files, Kyrie Irving gets shipped off to the Dallas Mavericks while Spencer Dinwiddie comes back to Brooklyn, Pascal Siakam and Bones Hyland are rumored to be on the move amongst others, fights broke out between Donovan Mitchell and Dillon Brooks plus Mo Bamba and Austin Rivers, we make our own NBA All-Star picks and talk about the snubs, plus more!

The biggest news in the Atlantic Division right now is obviously Kyrie Irving demanding a trade and then getting shipped right out to the Dallas Mavericks. He and Markieff Morris are on the way to Texas while Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, multiple second-round picks, and a 2029 first-round pick are headed to Brooklyn. Dinwiddie may not want to get too comfortable as there are already rumors that the Nets could then flip him over to Toronto for Fred VanVleet.

Other players that are rumored to be on the trade block right now include Bones Hyland, Pascal Siakam, Cam Reddish, and Furkan Korkmaz, among others. Who is most likely to get shipped to another team and who would benefit their team more if they stayed and had some pieces around them?

In non-trade news, fights have been popping up across the league at what seems like a very high rate. Not only are they entertaining because fights rarely happen, but the one between Austin Rivers and Mo Bamba was just straight comedy. Dillon Brooks and Donovan Mitchell also got into a scuffle after Brooks took a cheap shot which didn’t surprise many people.

Finally, we talked about the 2023 NBA All-Star snubs as well as the players that were selected that probably didn’t deserve to be there. So, we picked our own All-Stars! Let us know which ones you think deserved to be in the All-Star game.

SUBSCRIBE to Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don’t miss a new episode!

Timecodes:
00:00:00 Intro
00:09:58 Kyrie Irving traded to Dallas for Spencer Dinwiddie
00:35:15 Bones Hyland, Pascal Siakam, and other rumored trades
00:46:46 Donovan Mitchell vs Dillon Brooks plus more NBA fights
01:06:13 2023 NBA All-Star snubs and we pick our own
01:30:07 Outro

Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Jayson Tatum, Kyrie Irving, Atlantic Files, Podcast
by Alex Fischbein

Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics Now At The Top | TAF257

This week on The Atlantic Files Podcast, the Brooklyn Nets and the Boston Celtics are the top two seeds in the East while the Philadelphia 76ers are fifth, offensive explosions have happened everywhere including Luka Doncic, Donovan Mitchell, LeBron James, and more, the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic got into a fight, Grayson Allen is still dirty, and some surprising teams are rising in the West! That plus much more!

The Atlantic Division is rising once again as the Celtics and Nets occupy the two top seeds in the East while the Sixers are just a few games back in fifth and the Knicks are battling for the play-in. Lagging behind is the Toronto Raptors who still have plenty of time to right the ship and make it into the play-in games.

Across the league, there have been some fantastic offensive games and record-breaking nights. Joel Embiid had his historic night, Luka Doncic had a 60-point triple-double, Donovan Mitchell scored 71 points in a game, and LeBron James scored 40 on his 38th birthday, and that’s just naming a few. We’re in an offensive renaissance right now!

In case people haven’t heard, the Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons got into a fight which resulted in a handful of suspensions. Some think it could have been a flop that started it all and others think Killian Hayes actually has some quality hands. Everyone has their opinion, of course. Except for Grayson Allen, everyone knows that guy is dirty.

Finally, Nate McMillan is rumored to be thinking about quitting his head coaching job. Nobody would blame him because the Atlanta Hawks seem like a dumpster fire when it should be a contender right now. Trae Young probably would love this idea though.

SUBSCRIBE to Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don’t miss a new episode!

Timecodes:
00:00:00 Intro
00:04:43 Nate McMillan might resign from the Atlanta Hawks
00:16:36 Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics are top 2, 76ers at fifth
00:32:36 Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic get into a fight
00:40:18 Grayson Allen is still dirty
00:45:29 Offensive explosions from Luka Doncic, Donovan Mitchell, etc
01:00:44 Surprising Western Conference playoff teams
01:16:47 Outro

Collin Sexton, RJ Barrett, Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, Atlantic Files
by Alex Fischbein

New York Knicks or Cleveland Cavaliers, which trade package was better?

Rumors came out about the type of trade packages that the New York Knicks offered to Danny Ainge and the Utah Jazz. Some of them seemed so good that Ainge was insane NOT to accept them. So was Cleveland’s trade package actually better?

Ultimately, the Cleveland Cavaliers gave the deal that Ainge liked the most. They gave more unprotected picks than the Knicks, and one can argue that Collin Sexton is better than RJ Barrett. What about the rest of the trade package though?

There’s Obi Toppin vs Lauri Markkanen, which currently favors Markkanen. Then, there were different combinations of Immanuel Quickley, Quentin Grimes, Evan Fournier, and Mitchell Robinson offered by the Knicks.

It shouldn’t take a statistical analysis to know that all of those younger and more talented players favor the Knicks trade package. On top of Quickley and Barrett, Leon Rose even offered a couple unprotected picks and some pick swaps. That seems like a trade that would interest any rebuilding team.

Let’s take the main piece of each trade first. RJ Barrett is already the younger of the two compared to Collin Sexton. Barrett is also 6’6, more versatile, and is just as good of a playmaker as Sexton. Sexton, however does have the shooting efficiency nod and is a much better three-point shooter right now. They essentially play the same position at shooting guard, which is where the 6’1 player usually doesn’t have as high of a ceiling as the 6’6 player.

We’ll let you listen to the part of our podcast where we talked about all of this. Then let us know what you think!

Donovan Mitchell, cleveland cavaliers, jarrett allen, darius garland, evan mobley, atlantic files
by Alex Fischbein

Does Donovan Mitchell make the Cleveland Cavaliers a top-three team?

The Cleveland Cavaliers have obviously improved their team after the Donovan Mitchell trade. This team is getting the full hype train treatment now. Not that the hype is undeserved, but should we all pump the brakes a little?

Cleveland did not give up all that much to go and get a top talent shooting guard like Mitchell. They gave up a couple players that were non-factors last season and a player that has seemingly reached his ceiling in Lauri Markkanen. They did, however, give up a bigger amount of unprotected picks and pick swaps.

If we’re talking about starting five, the Cavaliers have one that can go toe-to-toe with a lot of teams. Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Caris LeVert, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen is a very good, all-around lineup.

Then, when the conversation moves to depth, that’s where this team might start to lack some talent. Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio are serviceable players, but do they match up well to the benches of the top teams that made the playoffs last season?

Teams like the Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, and Milwaukee Bucks are all going to be competing for the top spots. Garland, Mitchell, and Mobley are going to be compared to big threes that include the likes of Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, Jimmy Butler, Jayson Tatum, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. That’s not just a big task, but to face these star-studded lineups after just forming this trio without the chemistry is a whole different story.

Don’t get this twisted, Donovan Mitchell can score with the best of them. His talent level is not in question. Garland and Mobley are still growing as players, Allen is still reaching his defensive potential, and the team chemistry is going to have to improve quickly. Once all of this comes together and the Cavaliers can sign some more supporting pieces, this team can be a force for years to come.

Right now, though, do you think they’re top three in the Eastern Conference?

Donovan Mitchell, trade, cleveland cavaliers, Atlantic files, podcast
by Alex Fischbein

Donovan Mitchell is finally traded to Cleveland | TAF242

This week on the Atlantic Files Podcast, Donovan Mitchell was finally traded and the New York Knicks saga is over. Should the Cleveland Cavaliers be considered a championship team now, Montrezl Harrell heads to the Philadelphia 76ers, Shaq says Kevin Durant is a failure outside of Golden State years, who will the next target be for the New York Knicks, Giannis, Jokic, and Luka all breaking records in EuroBasket, Rudy Gobert flashing improved post game during EuroBasket as well, and our weekly “Whatchu Got” segment!

Trading Donovan Mitchell was an entire saga this off-season. Danny Ainge and the Utah Jazz were holding out for the most draft capital they could get. Finally, they decided to pull the trigger on a non-Knicks deal. The Cleveland Cavaliers swooped in with some more picks and pretty good young players to boot. Now, we might see Mitchell competing for an Eastern Conference Finals title.

Does this trade make the Cavaliers a surefire top-three seed though? Could they even realistically compete for a championship this season?

Now, the New York Knicks have to change their direction of which superstar to target. Which assets are they going to use now to find another disgruntled star? Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may be on the market if the Oklahoma City Thunder continue tanking like they are.

Speaking of players moving teams, Montrezl Harrell is now on his way to Philadelphia. The 76ers have been on the market for a backup big after Andre Drummond left. Especially since Doc Rivers never trusts Paul Reed, Harrell gives them another look behind Joel Embiid.

On Shaq’s podcast, he said that Kevin Durant is essentially a failure outside of his Golden State Warriors days. Is that even fair to say or is it way out of line?

EuroBasket has been moving full steam ahead and some of the NBA’s biggest stars have been showing out. Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo have all been dominating and setting records. Even Rudy Gobert has been flashing an improved post game.

Finally, during our “Whatchu Got” segment, Dennis gives a prepared statement to the commenters on YouTube about Giannis Antetokounmpo, we offer our NBA Finals predictions, and talk about whether we’d pick Cade Cunningham or LaMelo Ball to lead a new team.

Timecodes:
00:00:00 Intro
00:04:27 Donovan Mitchell traded to Cleveland Cavaliers, NOT the Knicks
00:19:19 Are the Cleveland Cavaliers a top 3 seed in the East
00:26:30 The New York Knicks depth would suffer in Donovan Mitchell trade
00:31:10 Who should the New York Knicks target now, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?
00:36:54 Whose trade package was better, Knicks or Cavaliers?
00:43:28 Rudy Gobert improving post game
00:46:46 Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo dominating EuroBasket 2022
00:50:47 Philadelphia 76ers sign Montrezl Harrell to 2-year deal
00:56:34 Is Shaq correct about Kevin Durant being a failure?
01:04:14 Dennis’ prepared statement about Giannis Antetokounmpo
01:09:05 2023 NBA Finals Predictions
01:12:57 LaMelo Ball or Cade Cunningham to start a new team
01:18:23 Outro