Are the Bucks still the class of their division? Plus, about NBA TV’s awkward moment

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They couldn’t even allow us to have some Donté DiVincenzo-Knicks drama for a day! I nonetheless select to consider in it.

Season Previews

Do the Bucks nonetheless run the Central division?

We’re previewing the 2024-25 season main as much as opening night time on Oct. 22, going by way of every division and every main particular person award. Yesterday, we did the Atlantic Division and MIP award.

For every group, I’ll make a daring prediction and a tackle the over/below set by BetMGM. 5 🥶 emojis on the new seat meter is job safety. 5 🔥 means it’s time to “Replace that resume.” Let’s preview the Central!

Greatest-case state of affairs? They’re who we thought they had been going into final season, they usually win the title.

Worst-case state of affairs? Doc Rivers throws everyone below the bus, and one of many stars needs a commerce after a first-round exit.

Confidence within the Bucks: 💪💪💪💪

Greatest-case state of affairs? Kenny Atkinson saves the offense, they make a transfer to stability out the roster, they usually make the convention finals.

Worst-case state of affairs? The offense continues to sputter, they get a tough first-round draw, they usually’re out by Could.

Confidence within the Cavs: 💪💪

Greatest-case state of affairs? Final 12 months wasn’t a fluke, they usually make the second spherical, if not additional.

Worst-case state of affairs? The offense isn’t historic, the protection is atrocious, they usually’re bounced within the first spherical.

Confidence within the Pacers: 💪💪💪

Greatest-case state of affairs? They will transfer Zach LaVine’s contract by the deadline, and the younger gamers look encouraging for the longer term.

Worst-case state of affairs? They continue to be the identical Bulls from the final couple years.

Confidence within the Bulls: 😢

Greatest-case state of affairs? Cade Cunningham leads this group to compete for a Play-In spot.

Worst-case state of affairs? Did you see final 12 months? Extra of that.

Confidence within the Pistons: 💪

Awards Predictions

Who will win Sixth Man of the Yr?

Over the past decade, there was some pushback or so towards the concept that the Sixth Man award ought to simply go to the participant who scores probably the most off the bench. I’m going to push again on that. So usually, we see second items on groups simply attempt to survive minutes when the starters are principally out. The offense falls off a cliff.

I feel the highest scorers being thought-about for this award yearly is the proper solution to go. With the ability to drop 14 to twenty factors off the bench on a nightly foundation is extremely worthwhile. With that mentioned, listed below are BetMGM’s favorites for this season’s Sixth Man award.

Favourite: Malik Monk (+600)

Threats: Naz Reid (+1100), Jaime Jaquez Jr. (+1100), Donte DiVincenzo (+1400), Bennedict Mathurin (+1400), Bobby Portis Jr. (+1500), CJ McCollum (+1500)

Darkish horse: Isaiah Hartenstein (+4000)

🔮 My prediction: Malik Monk. He would’ve gained it final season if he didn’t get harm on the finish.

What’s Beef?

Let’s talk about the perfect NBA TV second ever

Sadly, NBA TV doesn’t have the must-see programming it may have. It must be a hub for all issues basketball, very similar to “Contained in the NBA” is in relation to broadcasting video games and speaking in regards to the league in a enjoyable/entertaining method. As a substitute, it’s usually the basketball equal of window buying at a retailer you in all probability gained’t even go into – you’re taking a look and transfer on with an Auntie Anne’s pretzel in hand. There doesn’t appear to be any rhyme or reasoning to its programming. I don’t say that to be impolite. It’s only a reality for lots of us die laborious basketball nerds.

The opposite night time, although, NBA TV delivered us a beacon of sensible leisure. It was an extremely awkward second, between 2006-07 NBA Coach of the Yr Sam Mitchell and desk host Chris Miles, that caught hearth on the web. Miles, who was taking part in off of the dialog that Olympic coaches don’t get medals for basketball, tried a playful jab at Mitchell by joking that coaches shouldn’t receives a commission to present evaluation on TV both.

Mitchell joked about his personal paycheck from the TV community being small lately earlier than his jabs towards Miles rapidly became haymakers. For those who haven’t watched it in all its wonderful awkwardness, it’s important to earlier than we proceed. I’ll keep proper right here and wait in your return.

This NBA TV phase with Sam Mitchell and host Chris Miles could also be one of the awkward within the historical past of sports activities tv.https://t.co/73l1OLmh4U

— Terrible Saying (@awfulannouncing) October 12, 2024

You again? Good. How enjoyable was that? Painfully uncomfortable however enjoyable! Sam even gave out the handle in a while within the night time, however that clip is hard to search out. As somebody who often works with Sam on SiriusXM NBA Radio and has gone by way of what I’ll name “assessments” from him (for lack of a greater time period), I can say, as quickly as I noticed Chris point out Sam’s cash, I knew the scenario would escalate.

Since then, loads of injury management has occurred, so it’s about what you select to consider after what we KNOW we noticed. As one other NBA Radio colleague defined and talked with Sam about on the radio, this was all in jest. I can undoubtedly consider that. The handle given was apparently a made-up one, which I consider. In my expertise, Sam has enjoyable with testing folks in a method folks would discover impolite and uncomfortable, in the event that they’re the sort to clutch their pearls when coaches yell at gamers. Personally, I like that type of factor, so I discover the ribbing by Sam fairly enjoyable.

I additionally consider Sam wished to make it awkward and wasn’t joking as a lot as folks assume, however there was some joking there. It’s someplace in between, which feels much more like the reality after we see a compelled rationalization video like this. In the end, I recognize the leisure and hope we get extra prefer it. Pricey NBA TV, please put Sam on TV extra usually and provides us extra ribbing like this. It could draw much more followers to the channel.