Tag / zion williamson

by Alex Fischbein

2024 NBA Playoffs Preview | TAF308

Welcome to episode 308 of The Atlantic Files! This week, we’re covering everything from the highly anticipated 2024 NBA Playoffs to injury updates, Olympic roster announcements, and predictions for the NBA Regular Season awards. Join us as we break down the latest news and provide expert analysis on all things basketball.

Topics this week:

  1. 2024 NBA Playoffs Preview: We kick off the episode with an in-depth preview of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. From top-seeded contenders to underdog teams, we analyze the playoff matchups, predict potential upsets, and discuss the key storylines to watch as the postseason unfolds.
  2. Giannis Antetokounmpo Injury Update: Breaking news on Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s injury casts a shadow over the playoffs as we discuss the impact of his potential absence in Game 1 against the Indiana Pacers. We analyze how this setback could affect the Milwaukee Bucks’ playoff run and the strategies they might employ in his absence.
  3. Team USA Basketball Olympic Roster Finalization: We provide updates on Team USA Basketball as they finalize their roster for the 2024 Olympic Games. From star players to emerging talents, we discuss the athletes expected to represent the United States on the international stage and their prospects for bringing home the gold.
  4. NBA Regular Season Award Predictions: Get ready for some bold predictions as we forecast the winners of the NBA Regular Season awards, including MVP, Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and more. We analyze player performances, statistical achievements, and team success to make our predictions for each award category.

Timecodes:
00:00:00 Intro
00:03:27 Giannis Antetokounmpo may not be available
00:16:29 2024 NBA Playoffs Preview
00:50:29 Team USA finalizing their roster, who got snubbed
01:04:03 2024 NBA Awards predictions
01:11:43 Outro

by Alex Fischbein

Zach LaVine On The Block, NBA Officiating Off The Rails | TAF294

On episode 293 of The Atlantic Files, Zach LaVine and the Chicago Bulls both have an interest in finding a trade partner for the All-Star guard, NBA Officiating seems to be going off the rails as more techs are handed out and more people are aggravated, James Harden gets obliterated by a Mavs broadcaster, Kelly Oubre Jr. has a scary situation, Zion Williamson doesn’t seem happy in New Orleans, and Jordan Poole is finding out quickly that Washington is not Golden State!

The Chicago Bulls and Zach LaVine are reportedly talking to teams about potential deals to move the All-Star guard to a new team. It’s unclear whether or not this is the start of a full rebuild, but the two sides have a mutual understanding that LaVine is now firmly on the trade block. We take a look at who should make a deal for him.

NBA Officiating has been the topic of many discussions in post-game press conferences, social media, and much more so far this season. There have been game-changing calls, ejections out of nowhere, and even more questionable events that have caused even coaches to say things and get fined for talking about the refs. Is it especially bad this year or just par for the course?

Kelly Oubre Jr. unfortunately experienced a terrifying situation when he was hit by a car as he was just a pedestrian walking around his residence. The good thing is that his injuries are not as severe as originally expected, but after such a hot start, he’ll now be out for a while to heal from broken ribs and other injuries.

Speaking of players that may be on the trade block, Zion Williamson seemed very unhappy with his situation in New Orleans during a post-game press conference. Also, Jordan Poole is finding out very quickly that the Washington Wizards are nothing like the Golden State Warriors and it might be pretty difficult to be the best player on a team.

Finally, we also take a look at the epic rant from a Dallas Mavericks broadcaster that was aimed at James Harden and everything he’s done since leaving Houston.

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Timecodes:
00:00 Intro
07:26 James Harden gets roasted
21:43 Zach LaVine on the trade block
30:33 Zion Williamson unhappy in New Orleans?
38:54 NBA Officiating is off the rails
47:40 Jordan Poole and the Wizards are awful
50:41 Outro

by Alex Fischbein

James Harden vs Daryl Morey Cage Match! | TAF282

In episode 282 of The Atlantic Files, James Harden calls Daryl Morey a liar and won’t play for him, Daryl Morey isn’t surprised and stands his ground, the 2023 FIBA World Cup starts soon, we do our first divisional preview starting with the Southwest division, Dennis gives his fantasy basketball rankings for points leagues, and more!

James Harden was on tour in China with Adidas and fielded questions after an event where he took the chance to throw some shots at Daryl Morey. He called Morey a liar and said that he will not play for a franchise that Morey is a part of and he repeated a second time to make sure everyone understood. He obviously knew his audience and that people in China aren’t big fans of Morey. This moves the process to a whole new level of confusion.

The 2023 FIBA World Cup starts in a couple of weeks so we look at some of the rosters of the countries that are participating. We give our thoughts on the top rosters and the teams that have the best chance of taking home the gold.

Then, we kick off our divisional preview series as we take a look at the upcoming season for the Southwest Division. The Memphis Grizzlies won’t have Ja Morant for a chunk of the season and the Houston Rockets improved greatly. Will the New Orleans Pelicans finally stay healthy and realize their potential, or will they tank?

Finally, our very own Dennis Clausen put out his rankings for the 2023-24 fantasy basketball season. The rankings are geared toward points leagues so we discuss the top 30 players and whether or not we agree or think others deserve the spot instead.

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

Timecodes:
00:00:00 Intro
00:06:54 James Harden calls Daryl Morey a liar
00:34:13 2023 FIBA World Cup thoughts
00:51:32 2023-24 Southwest division preview
01:16:34 Dennis’s 2023-24 fantasy basketball points rankings
01:43:15 Outro

by Alex Fischbein

Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets Win The NBA Championship | TAF275

In episode 275 of The Atlantic Files, the Denver Nuggets win the NBA Championship in 5 while Nikola Jokic wins Finals MVP, the weird road that was the NBA Playoffs, early predictions and feelings about the offseason, where Chris Paul could land, Fred VanVleet will decline his player option, the Toronto Raptors hire a new head coach and much more!

Mike’s prediction from three or four years ago has finally come true as Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets get their first ring. Jokic brought the dominant form that he’s shown all year and even got himself a Finals MVP trophy to show for it. Can we expect more of the same from Denver as they potentially form a dynasty, or will the rest of the league catch on and end their run at one championship?

Then, on the very opposite of the spectrum of basketball events, Zion Williamson has gotten into quite a sticky situation. He welcomed his first child but that just dug out some skeletons in his closet that he was not hoping to reveal any time soon. There are now some scorned women cursing his name, so we break it all down tweet by tweet and text by text.

Moving back to actual basketball topics, Doc Rivers appeared on Bill Simmons podcast to talk about the Sixers, Celtics, and everything in between. He had some words about coaching James Harden and Joel Embiid, neither of them being that great. He was also asked the age-old question about the “losing culture” that the process has left behind. Oh boy!

Finally, we take a look at all the rumors going around the league. Bradley Beal is back in trade rumors for multiple teams, Chris Paul is most likely going to see a change of scenery, Jonathan Kuminga could be dealt for the right price, Fred VanVleet opted out of his option so that he could check out free agency, and more!

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

Timecodes:
00:00:00 Intro
00:06:38 Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets win a ring
00:21:07 Jokic better than Shaq all-time?!
00:28:57 Zion Williamson’s women situation
00:57:10 Doc Rivers comments on Bill Simmons pod
01:09:16 Rumors around Beal, Chris Paul, VanVleet, and more
01:24:09 Outro

Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans, Atlantic Files, Podcast
by Alex Fischbein

Are Zion Williamson and The New Orleans Pelicans Contenders | TAF255

On this week’s episode of the Atlantic Files Podcast, are Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans for real, Cade Cunningham is likely out for the season, the NBA awards received some new names, Jakob Poeltl is potentially on the trade block, who is returning to form more the Brooklyn Nets or the Philadelphia 76ers, Kyle Kuzma wants out and wants a lot of money, and who should trade for Bojan Bogdanovic.

Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans have been the talk of the league as they take over the first seed in the Western Conference. Both parties have been great this season and have defied many expectations. The Pelicans have had tons of injuries yet have stayed afloat to be a half-game ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies. Williamson has slowly been returning to his dominant self as he continues to score with the best of them. The real question is whether or not they are true NBA Finals contenders.

In unfortunate news, Cade Cunnigham has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to receiving shin surgery. The Detroit Pistons weren’t competing for much other than a shot at Victor Wembanyama, but it’s still a big blow to the excitement surrounding the team. Hopefully, it’s only a one-season occurrence.

The NBA decided to change the names of all of their season awards to commemorate some of the best players to come through the league. On top of that, they changed the look of all of them. We went through and decided if each one was a good or bad idea.

A couple of names have appeared on the trade block, Jakob Poeltl and Bojan Bogdanovic. Naturally, that means it’s time to predict who will trade for each one and which team should be trading for each one.

It’s time for another Brooklyn Nets vs Philadelphia 76ers debate. Both teams are returning to the form that many expected so which team is MORE back? Sure, that might not make sense, but you knew what we meant.

Finally, Kyle Kuzma is apparently making contract demands and team requests. He wants a lot of money from either a big market team or a competing team. Two scenarios that do not favor his wishes whatsoever. This should be interesting.

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

Timecodes:
00:00 Intro
04:52 Cade Cunningham out for the year
10:20 Are Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans true contenders?
29:38 Brooklyn Nets or Philadelphia 76ers, who’s more back
38:04 New NBA Award names, good or bad idea
44:24 Jakob Poeltl and Bojan Bogdanovic, who should trade for them
51:48 Kyle Kuzma’s outrageous demands
55:00 Outro

Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers, Atlantic Files
by Alex Fischbein

Anthony Davis has a bold strategy | The Atlantic Files Ep232

This week on the Atlantic Files podcast, we welcome Alex Burns to the show! He’s a fantasy basketball writer for RotoBaller and covers the Miami Heat for The Lead! Topics of discussion this week include Anthony Davis not shooting a basketball in months, the struggling offenses for both teams in the NBA Finals, the Golden State Warriors taking a 3-2 lead, the Miami Heat reportedly interested in James Wiseman, if Zion Williamson is worth the max or not, Bradley Beal’s future in DC, and the big men that could be on the move!

Being a Miami Heat fan and writer for The Lead, Alex Burns had to come on and give us some information on the Heat’s interest in James Wiseman. It’s rumored that he’s their target, but we were wondering what would happen with Bam Adebayo then. He also talks about the feeling of Jimmy Butler beating his former team in the playoffs, but that wasn’t nearly as fun to talk about.

We also had to talk NBA Finals, of course. After Game Five, the Golden State Warriors took a 3-2 lead over the Boston Celtics, and the chances that this young Celtics team could take home the Larry O’Brien Trophy are looking slimmer. Jayson Tatum isn’t exactly playing up to expectations, while Andrew Wiggins is exceeding all expectations on the other side. Everyone on the show had the Warriors winning but in different amounts of games.

Then, it comes to Anthony Davis and his shocking information. He admitted that he hasn’t even shot a basketball since April 9 of this year. He tried to clarify this by saying that’s what he always he does because works on improving his body before his basketball skills, but that hasn’t seemed to work too much over the years. So, something might just need to change with this regimen.

Finally, we wrap things up with whether or not Zion Williamson is worth a max contract, Bradley Beal’s unlikely future in Washington, and all of the big men that are rumored to be on the move this offseason. Tune in to hear all of our thoughts!

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https://twitter.com/aburnshoops
https://www.rotoballer.com/author/alexburnshoops

Timecodes:
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:16 Alex Burns gives Dennis his flowers
00:02:31 Alex and Dennis give their most incorrect ranked player
00:07:03 NBA Finals Game 5, Warriors take 3-2 lead
00:22:12 Miami Heat interested in James Wiseman, where does Bam Adebayo go
00:39:59 Anthony Davis hasn’t shot a basketball since April
00:47:37 Is Zion Williamson worth a max contract
00:51:40 Centers on the Free Agency market
01:00:21 Bradley Beal’s future with the Washington Wizards

philadelphia 76ers, bradley beal, james harden, joel embiid
by Alex Fischbein

Bradley Beal to Philly too?! | The Atlantic Files Ep218

On this week’s episode of The Atlantic Files, we talk about the rumors from Andrew Bogut that Bradley Beal wants to team up with James Harden and Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons is filing a grievance against the Sixers, all of this hate against Russell Westbrook, Zion Williamson all of a sudden getting healthy, some Los Angeles Clippers conditionals, and who we want to start a team out of Ja Morant, Trae Young, or Luka Doncic.

What seemed to be out of nowhere, Andrew Bogut dropped a rumor on everyone that Bradley Beal now wants to make a super team in Philadelphia. He apparently wants to go team up with James Harden and Joel Embiid! Obviously, a lot of things have to happen in terms of the cap room and trades for this to happen, but the thought of it is quite crazy. That would be one deadly offensive team.

On the uglier side of all the trade fallout, Ben Simmons is filing a grievance against the Philadelphia 76ers to recoup some of the money that he lost in all the games and practices that he didn’t show up for. He’s reportedly going to use the reaction from the fans to prove how hostile the environment was so he has a more thorough case. Not sure what else to say other than, yikes!

Then, all of a sudden Zion Williamson is getting healthy, dropping some weight, and somewhat close to returning to the New Orleans Pelicans. Not sure how it all happened so fast, but they could be a dangerous team to face come playoff time if he’s suiting up!

Speaking of injured superstars coming back, there have been some videos of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard working their ways back. If they came back does this make the Los Angeles Clippers automatic title favorites?

Finally, we wonder which young star would be the best player to build a new team around. Would you take Luka Doncic, Trae Young, or Ja Morant? All three are incredible and playing some amazing basketball. Which one really could take your team to the promised land though?

Timecodes:
0:00 – Intro
4:20 – Stop with the Russell Westbrook hate
21:05 – Bradley Beal heading to Philly in the off-season
33:30 – Ben Simmons filing a grievance against the Sixers
48:13 – Zion Williamson all of a sudden coming back
55:09 – Los Angeles Clippers favorites with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard back?
1:02:48 – Luka Doncic, Ja Morant, or Trae Young?

James Harden, Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, press conference
by Alex Fischbein

Ben Simmons vs James Harden press conferences | The Atlantic Files Ep215

On this week’s episode of the Atlantic Files, both Ben Simmons and James Harden had their introductory press conferences, Derrick White is a great fit in Boston, Victor Oladipo is on his way back to the Miami Heat, and Zion Williamson might need another surgery on his foot.

As everyone has probably seen by now, both James Harden and Ben Simmons had their respective introductory press conferences. Simmons was the first one to go and kept everything very professional. There were no digs at the Philadelphia 76ers and there seemed to be no hard feelings. The surprising part was when he said that the fans, coaches, players, and front office had nothing to do with his mental well-being nor had nothing to do with asking for the trade. Not sure why they were always brought up every step of the way until then.

James Harden, on the other hand, seemed to take some subtle shots at Kyrie Irving and genuinely seemed very excited to finally land with the Sixers. He revealed things like how the Sixers were his number one choice when he was leaving Houston in the first place. He had nothing but great things to say about Philly’s fans and the young players on the team as well as Joel Embiid. So which one of these guys is a liar and who is really telling the truth?

Derrick White has fit seamlessly into the Boston Celtics lineup. He’s been a great addition to the bench squad and now he’s already starting with Marcus Smart suffering an ankle injury. The team was red-hot until running into the Detroit Pistons, but either way, they’re back into the bulk of the playoff race and the rest of their schedule is in their favor.

In good injury news, Victor Oladipo is working his way back to playing again. He was assigned to the Miami Heat’s G-League affiliate team. Could he be the final piece to really push this team over the top and back to the NBA Finals?

Finally, there’s the bad injury news in Zion Williamson. He reportedly may need another surgery on his foot. This rehab process has been lengthy and difficult and now it doesn’t look like the end is in sight. Hopefully, he can get himself healthy and back on the floor!

Timecodes:
0:00 – Intro
3:25 – James Harden vs Ben Simmons intro press conferences
30:15 – Seth Curry and Andre Drummond looking good for Brooklyn
40:10 – How much does Victor Oladipo help the Miami Heat
43:15 – Derrick White and Boston Celtics are on a hot-streak
59:09 – Zion Williamson might need another surgery