It's not every day we hit a milestone like this, folks - 75 episodes of Just 2 Murph's and trust us, we've got quite the celebration planned! Remember the Last Dance in the 90s quarantine time machine? That was one of our most-loved episodes, and for good reason - who could forget those pandemic times, and how it shifted our focus to the realm of basketball? Next in line of popularity was the Green Machine episode, where we first cut our teeth in podcasting.
This 75th episode is a wild ride, and we're taking you along with us! We're talking everything from Caden's inspiring basketball journey at Grandville high School, all the way to the heart-stopping NBA in-Season Tournament which kicked off November 3rd. We're breaking down teams, examining standings, and speculating on the potential contenders. Who's in it for the cup, and who's just going through the motions? Plus, we delve into a spicy discussion about NBA unicorns and offer an overdue apology in our unicorn quiz segment!
At its heart, basketball is about the people who play it - their skills, their stories. We're getting into the nitty-gritty of some of the greatest players in the NBA, looking at their draft picks, heights, athletic abilities, and college careers. Get ready for some hearty discussion around Ralph Sampson, Chet Holmgren and our very own NBA alien, Víctor Wembanyama. We're wrapping up by giving you a sneak peek into the upcoming in-season tournament championship on December 9th. So join us, and let's celebrate this milestone together!
Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!
Start for FREE
It's not every day we hit a milestone like this, folks - 75 episodes of Just 2 Murph's and trust us, we've got quite the celebration planned! Remember the Last Dance in the 90s quarantine time machine? That was one of our most-loved episodes, and for good reason - who could forget those pandemic times, and how it shifted our focus to the realm of basketball? Next in line of popularity was the Green Machine episode, where we first cut our teeth in podcasting.
This 75th episode is a wild ride, and we're taking you along with us! We're talking everything from Caden's inspiring basketball journey at Grandville high School, all the way to the heart-stopping NBA in-Season Tournament which kicked off November 3rd. We're breaking down teams, examining standings, and speculating on the potential contenders. Who's in it for the cup, and who's just going through the motions? Plus, we delve into a spicy discussion about NBA unicorns and offer an overdue apology in our unicorn quiz segment!
At its heart, basketball is about the people who play it - their skills, their stories. We're getting into the nitty-gritty of some of the greatest players in the NBA, looking at their draft picks, heights, athletic abilities, and college careers. Get ready for some hearty discussion around Ralph Sampson, Chet Holmgren and our very own NBA alien, Víctor Wembanyama. We're wrapping up by giving you a sneak peek into the upcoming in-season tournament championship on December 9th. So join us, and let's celebrate this milestone together!
Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!
Start for FREE
Welcome Just 2 Murph's talking hoops the Journey to June. Well, today we got a treat for you. We have got a treat. This is not just some run-of-the-mill ordinary pod. Today, this, everybody is the 75th extravaganza pod. That's right, coach. Welcome in to the 75th episode of this podcast 75 episodes later 75 pods Just to Murph's.
Coach Murph:J2M's and happy birthday, 75th anniversary birthday. What have you but happy birthday? Podcast P. The original podcast P. Sorry, paul George, you started your podcast this year. We started when.
Podcast Paul:We started in January of 2020.
Coach Murph:So he is the original podcast. P. Happy birthday to him. My brother, I love you. He just had a birthday to pass on the 8th, so this is extravaganza. This is the birthday pod. This is a lot going on here.
Podcast Paul:And I appreciate the shout out there, with me being the original P. But we have another P. Besides that podcast P, we also got preseason P, tournament P, peak up We'll get there.
Coach Murph:We'll get there.
Podcast Paul:We'll get there. So this is a great time, man, because this is an anniversary. And yes, it started Just 2 Murph's talking talking sports, but you and I both know the theme has always been basketball, so we had to change it to Jess2Murfs talking hoops, but obviously we're going to talk about the regular season. We're finally here in our first regular season pod of season two Of Just 2 Murph's talking hoops. But do you mind if we go back in time a little bit?
Coach Murph:man, we got to celebrate Time machine.
Podcast Paul:This is where I like to go. Today we're going to talk regular season, everybody, don't you worry. There's so much to talk about two weeks into the NBA season. That's what we're here for. That's the content we gave, but we also got to celebrate Before we got on the pod. Today, when I'm thinking 75 pods, I just can't believe it, man. You know what I thought I'd do, coach. I thought I would give you a little top five pods of all time.
Coach Murph:So we're going to talk about the top five favorite episodes. I love them.
Podcast Paul:No, not favorite. These are the top five most downloaded pods we can get there. Yeah, so this is more just informational. So again, I don't even know if you know this, this is the top five most.
Coach Murph:I don't know this because I come in, because I'm your trusty sidekick. This is Paul's brain childhood with the Coach Murph juice and give it that extra flavor, let's go baby.
Podcast Paul:We can also go into favorite pods too. We'll get there, but we're going to start here. It is Our top five most downloaded pods. Number one we don't need to go out and download, we just know it's a ton Number one. One more last dance in the 90s quarantine time machine.
Coach Murph:One more last dance. That's number one.
Podcast Paul:Number one.
Coach Murph:Why you don't know what you should have. Went five, four, three, two and then I probably could have. You're going backwards.
Podcast Paul:That's all right, it's OK. Yeah, that's the. Just get it all out there.
Coach Murph:It's all over. There's no build up there. We're going backwards. That's fine. We do it different here on J2M we go straight to the top. So straight to the top. Last dance, which was I was going to talk about this because Paul, kaz, paul and yours truly, coach Merff, were talking before about, about, about this stuff, about the episodes, and I went through to find my favorite episodes and that was one of the best. That was one of my favorites because we were in the quarantine, we were in pandemic and this that's one of the greatest things about this podcast. It saved us a lot. It actually brought us joy during pandemic times. This podcast was more than a savior. It was such a great energy and vibe we had going on in the last dance Was one of my favorites that we covered.
Podcast Paul:And what's interesting about how this morphed into just basketball and being our theme. Thank you, thank you, pandemic, because sports went away. Right, sports went away. We had nothing to talk about. So in this one we really got into, because the only thing that we had at the time no sports, and literally the only thing we had was the Bulls documentary. It was the last dance, the last dance and, and we got all excited to talk about it.
Coach Murph:And yeah, that was a fun one man. It swept the nation. We were waiting for that very cool behind the scenes.
Podcast Paul:I guess you're right. I did give it a, I did like this I did.
Coach Murph:Like this, you're the one.
Podcast Paul:It's OK, we're getting them out. But it is interesting that that one is. I mean it still gets tons of downloads. I would say every week I look and you see a new download into that one. Cool, I don't know why there's something about it.
Coach Murph:That's our time as old school older dogs the 90s that was when we talk about that part.
Podcast Paul:I think it was more like I know there was a few that we did on the Bulls Dynasties, but I mean we talked about sneakers, Roland oh yeah, we did.
Coach Murph:The sneaker had stuff with Jordan. We just talked about the impact of Jordan in Jordans and in all that.
Podcast Paul:It's just 90s basketball. Yeah, we just enjoyed that. That was. That was real physical ball, not this softy three-pointer stuff we're dealing with today.
Coach Murph:Yeah, yeah, I've, yeah, we'll get into that too, so that that was our number one download. We got number four or number two. What's number?
Podcast Paul:two, we had to stay with us. Now we got to we got to go with it. Number two is the first podcast we ever did Green Machine.
Coach Murph:Sound and scratchy. I went back to it. The audio was terrible.
Podcast Paul:And, that said, I love it though, because it's history. Man, it's the first part, totally the first part.
Coach Murph:You have to start somewhere, man, we're like we're like oh, button hands a little bit Like what's going on. I was like oh, the growing pains, like what is? This. What are we supposed to do? We've grown a lot since then. It's kind of cool.
Podcast Paul:That says it all. Man Green Machine. We started with the Celtics. Yeah, it's all about the Celtics. We have lots to talk about them in a little bit, but Green. Machine man, that was number two, Number three, most downloaded of all time. Seattle SuperSonics, a team ripped away from a city.
Coach Murph:Cool, I wasn't on that one.
Podcast Paul:You did that one with one of your guys, that's when we brought in a guest, a fan from another city. That's been our theme, and now we're kind of changing it up with bringing in real basketball players. We're going to get there in a second, but that was a great one, because I do who was their guest from American University. Who was that? His name was Jason, right here in Seattle.
Coach Murph:Oh, that's right, I called him. Oh, what did I call him? I have a nickname for everybody.
Podcast Paul:Born and raised right here in Seattle and I had to get a Seattle sports fan on because I for those listeners that don't know I live in Seattle, boston fan on the West Coast. But the Seattle SuperSonics are so intriguing to me because at the time when I moved here, only championship in a city and they moved him away. They're the Oklahoma City Thunder and we went into the whole thing about how the Oklahoma City Thunder stole their history. The 1979 championship banner for the Sonics it's Oklahoma City Thunder now.
Podcast Paul:So we went into that whole thing and for anybody who hasn't listened to that one, take a listen, it's a good one.
Coach Murph:That's unacceptable. That's unacceptable. That banner yeah, Totally. That's crazy how history like rewrites itself like a lot of this, a lot of, in just general in history, how things are just rewritten like that.
Podcast Paul:There should be a.
Coach Murph:Seattle SuperSonics. That's their championship. That banner should be there up there. It doesn't make any sense.
Podcast Paul:Well, the good news is, the NBA commissioner is coming out and talking about adding two new franchises potentially, and that's supposedly Vegas and Seattle. So maybe those SuperSonics come back. So number four this one's interesting because we are coming up folks I mean, the coach has said it we started this thing January 2020. We're coming up on four years, guys, Four years of doing this pod. But number four quickly, quickly moving up the ranks on the court with Caden, the Rising Stars journey.
Coach Murph:Number four that's like two months ago, not even.
Podcast Paul:So well, we're going to do a little. Well, not really. That last podcast no, it wasn't last.
Coach Murph:The last one was our preseason pod.
Podcast Paul:It was a one-on-one Preseason pod in Caden before yeah, still A month before yeah, it's great, what's awesome about this one is now that we're in episode two of Just Two Murphs talking Hoops' journey to June, and now that we got Caden on, we're now sharing his journey.
Coach Murph:Oh yeah.
Podcast Paul:So, while we're on this, any updates on Caden's journey.
Coach Murph:They start December 1st, but just, they're excited. I sent you the articles. Shout out to Granville High School, the tallest RC Boys basketball team in the West Virginia, big like I'm talking. Six, six. There's like five of them. Six, six, six, six, six, nine, six, seven. It's crazy. Six, five, caden. They're big boys and they're going to. It's exciting. So we'll be having him on the show in January or February. We'll figure that out. But hope you listen, buddy. But he's a part of the journey.
Podcast Paul:So we're following the NBA journey, but we're sharing his journey too, to see where he goes.
Coach Murph:They can win the whole, everything they have the major potential win all of Michigan. Let's say this this is major for this team. They didn't know it was a surprise. Caden just showed up and the coach. The article is great, just like wow.
Podcast Paul:Great podcast. For those that didn't listen, what was awesome about that pod? Yes, we're going to be following his journey Great guy. But it was also history First time on the podcast we've had a real hooper yeah, and we're talking AAU basketball and high school ball and college and he had a lot of great insight and just had great insight and he's won the NBA, so this is going to be awesome to go back in the archives because we had our guy on the show Rising stars journey man.
Podcast Paul:Before at all, before at all, quickly moving up the ranks on the most download podcast Number five here it is, number five, j2m's the Philly Special. Oh, nino, uncle Nino, he got knocked down. He was up there a little bit more.
Coach Murph:I miss having to think about Uncle Nino, because they're number one in the rankings right now in the East Philly. Yeah, so that one Congratulations.
Podcast Paul:That was back when we were talking all sports, so we brought in a little football game as props on the Eagles winning. But yeah, we've had him on one or two more times. Talking about the Sixers Two Should we call them the mighty sixers? We're gonna get into that in a sec.
Coach Murph:We're not calling them the mighty sixers. You can call them whatever you want.
Podcast Paul:But that's cool man right. Those are the five most downloaded podcasts. Given it to you on the 75th, there you go, Extravaganza Pod.
Coach Murph:Pod Pod first segment in the books.
Podcast Paul:Well, before we move on, though and you kind of kicked it off before I went into the most downloaded did you wanna throw out maybe your favorite episode so far in these first 75? Do you got a favorite out there, coach?
Coach Murph:Yeah, for me it's probably Caden, just because, oh yeah, I don't know him and I in our journey together. Wow, it was special.
Podcast Paul:You're blinding right up with the listeners.
Coach Murph:Yeah, well, that's just because it's. You know, that's the essence of the show. Like we bring a guest on to talk about our love for Hoops, but we're following his journey, his personal hoop journey, hoop dreams man, so it's all. And then his friends and players and family will listen to the show and we'll get more out there. You'll get more exposure and listeners. I got a couple other guys that are interested to come on the show as well, so it's just fun sharing that with one another, sharing this journey.
Podcast Paul:I'm gonna say my favorite episode and this is on the fly, so I didn't look up the name of it, and this is so silly of mine because it was just the end of episode one. It was just the end of episode one. It was a more recent one, so it was just you, merz, talking hoops when we switched to that, but it was the second to last episode of season one. What was it called? It was when we were down 03 to Miami.
Podcast Paul:Oh, yeah, yeah, that is definitely my favorite and I'll tell you why. Because we got on. We didn't wanna do that podcast. We were down 03 to Miami in these in conference finals. We got on and we just did this prediction that they were gonna get to game seven. We never said they were gonna win it, we just said they're gonna get to game seven and you and I had so much fun re-listening to that pod before every game with our prognostic skating. It was incredible and it was just so much fun, so that in real time was definitely my favorite episode.
Coach Murph:And episode 11, emergency pause as SouthX remained on life support. The SouthX are denied history, as Jimmy Butler backs up his guarantee there you go Ted. That was episode 12.
Podcast Paul:There you go, man.
Coach Murph:Yeah, that was fun. That was fun that great comeback they had. And then we can just get into what the problem is in the NBA, why we lost.
Podcast Paul:And boom. It's just like that. He's like enough of the nostalgia, let's get into the NBA season. Baby, let's go.
Coach Murph:Kernovers Kernovers Week two oh man, oh baby. So here's the deal, thank you listeners, Thank you for this journey that we're on, Paul and Craig. I love it. We do this once a month with the emergency pod exception, but let's go.
Podcast Paul:One last thing, actually one last thing before we jump into our first regular season pod of the 23-24 NBA season. There is another feature out on the Buzzsprout website of Jess Tumor is talking hoops. So for those that haven't checked out our website on Buzzsprout, there's a lot out there. Right, we've talked about the support of our show, we've talked about a few other things, but now we're actually posting podcasts that the coach and I love. So if you just want to check out some other pods like ours, I got Jason Timp out there hoops tonight. A little shout out to my guy little hoops tonight. I got the Celtics podcast, celtics Talk podcast. I got Buzzcast Good luck talking to my Buzzsprout people. We'll put a few more out there, but go check it out. That was my last little thing for the 70th pod extravaganza. Now we're moving on and we can't start the NBA regular season pod without hitting on the most exciting thing of the NBA season. That's right, the in season tournament baby.
Coach Murph:Oh, man the other, you're All right.
Podcast Paul:I think I'm the only person who cares about it.
Coach Murph:I didn't ask Paul gas Paul is. But God bless you and your enthusiasm, because we don't care around here at all. Every person I talked to was like whatever, but I boo, but Paul's, Paul's a cheerleader for this. Go ahead, Paul, here we go.
Podcast Paul:I got, I got a lot on this, everybody a ton.
Podcast Paul:Oh, you can jump in coach when you want to. So leading into the preseason pod when they, when they launched this over the summer and we talked about it like what is this nonsense? And I kind of felt that way, like most people. But then, as we got into it, first I saw what they did with the cool NBA courts. So this thing started November 3rd, right, but I didn't really check it out for the first time until last night, which was November 10th. Sorry, this is probably going to be posted on Sunday, folks, so I'm a little tardy with my dates, but it's OK. The first time I watched it was the Celtics, but the first time in their history played on a court that wasn't a parquet. In their history there was.
Coach Murph:So I had to check this out right.
Podcast Paul:So I do all this research. What is the in-season tournament? What does it mean? What's happening? Well, here it is. We are playing an in-season tournament game every Friday or Tuesday night through the end of November. So just know, everybody get excited for your Friday nights, tournament nights. The courts are going to look different and guess what? The players are going to start getting into it, because only the top four make it to the quarterfinals and then it's a knockout round. Coach.
Coach Murph:Round of the roll.
Podcast Paul:Here it is man.
Coach Murph:So the ninth.
Podcast Paul:We got A, b and C groups. That's right, we're going to get there and, by the way, we are definitely having our next pod December 9th, which is championship of the in-season tournament in Vegas.
Coach Murph:Where is it going to be too? Last Vegas maybe? Yeah, that's why, they're going to have an NBA Vegas team.
Podcast Paul:So there's three groups A, b and C in the East and West. The top team out of each group goes on to the quarterfinals, which is the knockout round, and then there's one wild card team. So the way it stands right now in the East and, by the way, we're only two weeks into the regular season, folks the Celtics have only played one of these, but it's OK.
Coach Murph:Here's the standings.
Podcast Paul:As we talk right now, the Boston. Celtics East leaders Boston Celtics, the mighty Philadelphia 76ers, and Boston Celtics the Charlotte Hornets, with our wild card being take a gas coat. Choose the wild card in the East.
Coach Murph:Oh, hold on, Pacers.
Podcast Paul:Ted's Miami Heat oh shoot. So there you go Right now. If it ended now, I always get mentioned in every pod.
Coach Murph:He is our number one fan.
Podcast Paul:He just doesn't go away, mr Miami Heat, he's always there, he's always on this journey with us always. But yeah, as it stands right now, if the group play ended right now, those four teams would go to the quarterfinals. Okay, so then in the West, let's move on to the West. The West is Denver Nuggets, minnesota Timberwolves. We're going to talk a little bit about them in a second. Okay, Hold that thought. And number three Ready for that? The Utah Jazz. You want to guess on the West Wildcard I shouldn't know this.
Coach Murph:huh, hold on, let me think.
Podcast Paul:I'm going to give you a hint. There's a big name of that.
Coach Murph:Oh, I picked them, sacramento, really.
Podcast Paul:There you go, sacramento Kings. So those are your leaders. Right now, folks, those ones are still in the running Because, hey, these NBA players might act like they don't care. As this gets closer and they can see $500,000 coming into their pocket, you don't think they're going to start caring. Of course they're going to care.
Coach Murph:Here's my take.
Podcast Paul:Who wouldn't want a little competition in November? We don't get into the playoffs till April. Man, it's the beginning of the season, let's get excited. Bragging rights but at the end of the day, it's like why are they doing this?
Coach Murph:Why? Why? Every single sportsman at basketball and I talked to them, it's just. This is a different view or shit.
Podcast Paul:It's probably going to be like why, why? Why a little bit for the rest of the month? Yeah, obviously these are just regular season games.
Coach Murph:They count.
Podcast Paul:But at the end of the month, so that first week of December, so the fifth December 5th, is going to be the first knockout round. So whoever the top four teams are in the East and West, it's a single elimination. I think people will be into that. Then Thursday, the seventh semifinals and then Saturday the ninth championship. People will watch. And how cool would it be if we get a little preview of Boston, Denver in Vegas, yeah.
Coach Murph:So here's what I'm thinking though man.
Podcast Paul:I also I went real deep on this, folks, real deep. We all care about rest. At the end of the day, this is the journey to June, right, yeah, and I was looking at the NBA calendar and it looks like when the semifinals and finals are, every other team gets to rest. So here's the real question. I said there's lots of incentives, everybody wants the the cup. Everybody wants the cup. But do they? Does Denver want the cup? Does Boston want the cup? Who's the other top contender? Or do they want to kind of like play it, play it easy? Where? Where maybe those bottom tier teams like Detroit or Toronto or whatever, they're going to be really fighting harder, because do they really have a shot of a championship? So it can go either way, right? Yep, we'll see what happens. What I liked about looking at it too, coach.
Podcast Paul:So back to the, the leaders right now. Obviously, our Celtics have played two weeks of basketball. They looked like the best team in basketball. They were four and oh, and then all of a sudden, they lost two in a row. Right, and everybody's screaming and yelling in Celtics town no, no, no, no, no, no. The problem with last year's team. They showed up against the competition, they laid down and played like poop against the bad teams so far this year. See, we thought when they lost to Minnesota they lost to a bad team. Coach, I'm here to tell you Minnesota might be going to the NBA finals.
Coach Murph:Whoa, that's crazy talk.
Podcast Paul:Mark it down, baby.
Coach Murph:Yesterday they beat the Spurs our boy Victor Wemby's team 117-110. They're six and two Yep. You can, we can talk about them a little bit, you know, if you want players Right now. I know we're two weeks in, but that's what we do folks we live in the moment.
Podcast Paul:It's our first pod of the regular season, so all we can go on is what we've seen the last two weeks and what I've seen the last two weeks. I don't even. I don't have the numbers in front of me Eight or nine games have been played Exactly so out of nine games I don't know the numbers off the top of my head, but I would guess Minnesota is near the tops when it comes to defensive ranking. I can tell.
Podcast Paul:And near the tops when it comes to offense. Anthony the aunt Edwards has gone to another level. This kid is scoring like 30 points a game. He's turning into a star.
Coach Murph:That's the last pod. What did I say?
Podcast Paul:What did you say, man?
Coach Murph:I said what look out? I called it. I said he's going to have a breakout year. Ant, yeah, yes, I did. I did All right, we might have to pull that out. Yeah, it's a clip. I said all right, well, here we go.
Podcast Paul:Let's check it out. Let's check it out right now. Let's do it right now.
Coach Murph:We're going to see Anthony Edwards. Oh, he's nice dude, he's real nice. They're two and all in the preseason, but like it doesn't matter, it's preseason, don't care, anthony Edwards is going to shine this year.
Podcast Paul:All right.
Coach Murph:Let's Told you so. But, like he, he had a game he had. He had a game against Austin Green. He had a game against yesterday against Spurs I mean sorry, yeah, the Spurs. He had a 28 and K towns at 29. It's a good numbers all the way around. You know they. But yeah, I call it. I called that, I'll take that.
Podcast Paul:So I'm throwing that out there. And then the other one and you've heard me say it twice now in this pot. I know you're not liking it. But going into the season, everybody was talking Milwaukee, obviously with Dame, dame Lilloud, and the Celtics and the Phoenix Suns and the Lakers All these teams. Not one person out there was talking Philadelphia 76ers. All they were talking about was the drama of James Harden. He's got to get off the team. Are they better than they've ever been Nine games into the season? Yeah, looking good. Man Maxi's another guy gone up a level.
Coach Murph:Yep, he's been every year getting better. He's such an athlete good gravy, speed, explosiveness, finishing at the rim. He's got a great touch. I love his game. It's dangerous. He scored a lot of buckets last game. I think it was like looking up. I was just looking that up.
Podcast Paul:Best team in the league right now, or the Philadelphia 76ers. After nine games, I've been in one.
Coach Murph:It was the Pistons yesterday. Big deal, but Maxi, yeah, they had one of the stats. Let me look at Yep, I knew it 29, scored, 29 in bead with 33. Tobias with 24. We'll sleep on Tobias either. So yeah, they're a dangerous team. Went healthy.
Podcast Paul:Went healthy and that's the big if, because we've seen this with a bead plenty of times. In fact, last year, remember they went on that 20-game run where they were like the number one seed, but they always get hurt. At the end of the year They'd always get hurt and I know, I know it's real early, but that's what we're talking is. We're talking early, yep, but my whole point with that because it always comes back to the green is I'm okay with those losses, because right now, as it stands, minnesota what are they? Number two in the West. They're either number two or number three. They're like they're up there. And the 76ers we just talked about them.
Coach Murph:They're number one of the East. So if the Celtics, by the way, the Celtics.
Podcast Paul:those are two teams that have been together a while. They have the same players from last year. We have a new team. We're still figuring it out and if those are the games that we're going to lose, I'm okay with that. But why? I'm really excited right now, right today, coach, while we're talking. Yeah, we got the tournament.
Coach Murph:We didn't have D-Way.
Podcast Paul:We got our first tournament win, but that's not why I'm happy. The one thing that has not been fun about the Celtics so far in nine games until last night until last night was the bench.
Coach Murph:But the bench is back, baby, let's go. Sam Houser, Peyton Prichard we're also coming out of that. Luke, Luke with 10 boards, Luke, yeah, and what I liked about the game what was the? What did I like about the game? Why did I like their, their?
Podcast Paul:perceptions no one turnovers.
Coach Murph:Seven, double the double digit rule. If it stays 10 under, I'll give them 10. They win every time. Their boards they had more boards, they're, they're. This is rare at their free throw line being 71%. They need to do better there, but as long as they're keeping protecting the ball, this team is unstoppable. It doesn't matter, that's it. D-way wasn't around for the. The tempo was lost. You know it's high. Congratulations, second baby. This is the only time he's ever missed a game. I think he has an awesome style. It's like one in 58 times. He's only missed two games and it was the birth of his first baby, the birth of his second baby. Congratulations, d-white. Trade of destiny, you know, but that's it's. They're fine, they're fine. They look, they look good. Last game, they look better.
Podcast Paul:I get that, I'm happy for for Peyton Prichard, one of our, one of our fans, listening out there right now. Mr Will talking a lot of trash about Peyton Prichard a lot of trash. Who's talking?
Coach Murph:trash.
Podcast Paul:Will doesn't like Prichard.
Coach Murph:But yeah, I know people don't give him more time to.
Podcast Paul:Maybe it just took the tournament man Again. Maybe we should call him tournament P or the P cup. P cup is a little weird.
Coach Murph:Baby, it's all about the cup. There's a P cup the other day, there's like there's no, he's still growing. My Peyton Prichard is just fine, so you know the eyes. I saw it. Solid defender too.
Podcast Paul:You know who's a hater out there with all the talking heads? Cause I don't know if you watched the end of the game, the post game. Cause I'm watching the game and we're getting mad as fans because we're not up by 25 points or something Like we have to blow out teams Cause we had that one win against the Pacers where we scored more points than we ever did. So after the game, who was on the panel? Michael Wilburn, brian Windhorst, the bronze guy, and then the hater, our old guy here, perkins it's his problem, dude, jp. He's like, oh yeah, celtics aren't any good After they won, and Brian Windhorst is like, no, they're the best team in the NBA. I can't.
Coach Murph:I watched his preseason, like why they can't win Cause JB and JT don't compliment themselves. But he was saying, when the end of the game, when it came down to it, it would either go to Pierce or Garnett, you got to have those two players, but you don't. You don't. We have three, but poor Zengas. Hello, and we'll get into what I'm, what I'm about to start soon. I have a whole We'll get there.
Podcast Paul:I got a little bit more, though, before we get there.
Coach Murph:We have a squad. Drew looks so good last game. Did you see him in the beginning of the game? So we have the best starting five ever We've ever had, and people got to remember.
Podcast Paul:Celtics old back in the day Jalen JB and JT, jason Tate and Jalen Brown. They got to learn to play with these guys too. Like they're trying to figure out with their great talent how they're supposed to mesh when that's figured out. Last night's a perfect example. Tatum just was trying to find his way, but when he stepped up and, by the way, just get the guy the ball, how great does he look this year? How does Tatum's going to another level?
Coach Murph:too. He has it, just the turnovers. We just have to protect the ball, that's all. That's always the problem, that's the only problem.
Podcast Paul:Same as JB.
Coach Murph:That's it.
Podcast Paul:Feeling good.
Coach Murph:I can't even see the best of him yet. Man, not only am I feeling good, I love JB, jb and poor Zengas. Like poor Zengas is the guy. I told you how important this guy was in being the last pot as well. Oh, kp is slapped on my friend. This is the prediction, the hard prediction, I'm giving to everybody.
Podcast Paul:Here we go.
Coach Murph:This is a hard take. Is that? We've watched KP? He's been a prominent player in the NBA but he's had two knee injuries and he hasn't healed until now. His last season was his best season man. He had one game 43 points and another game he had 19 boards. Forget about it. I've already watched film of him booming on the boys in the action. Right now, Practicing, he is going to be a prominent factor, I mean obviously we just mentioned Philly's much improved.
Podcast Paul:I'm not scared of Milwaukee dude, should I be? No, they're like number 25 in defense right now. They're last in the league, that's what I said, it's all offense.
Coach Murph:Oh, I'll stop feeling good man, feeling great.
Podcast Paul:But the West dude, before we get into and I know you have some stuff you want to chat about but the West man, the West. Every time we get on this podcast talk hoops. It's just so deep. There's so many great teams well gets Never number one.
Coach Murph:Dallas map vixen number two Did you see lucre going off the other night? Scored 44?.
Podcast Paul:He's MVP right now.
Coach Murph:Nine games and the Joker and B and B as well.
Podcast Paul:I know they're doing it quietly again. Is it Denver two in the quietly thing again?
Coach Murph:Oh, they play.
Podcast Paul:It's. It doesn't quietly doing their thing.
Coach Murph:I don't like that. Fourth yeah, you know it's, it's still so.
Podcast Paul:We haven't even talked about my Oklahoma City Thunder. I know you're, you're chat, and no, I'm not I.
Coach Murph:And I wanted to use this pod to to apologize, to chat and to victor. Oh, because they are truly unicorn apologies. And with that we're just gonna get right into the unicorn quiz.
Podcast Paul:The coaches quiz. Oh, the unicorn quiz.
Coach Murph:Yep, because I wanted just to make up For my. It wasn't bad talking them. I'm just, they were just. I'm like. They look like big, tall skeletons. They're gonna get broken in half but eventually down the road I mean he got Joker. There's one game Joker gave it to chat. Remember the beginning of the year? It was one of the first games this season and he just checked one is your apology from our first episode of this season.
Podcast Paul:Yeah, I was like, yeah, and I was like these guys.
Coach Murph:And we're just talking like I don't, they're not gonna make, they're just. I think I thought they were just too frail. But victor's the real deal chat is too. I don't know. People know he read sure, his first, his first year was last year, but he broke his foot. It was a, I think it was a break in his foot. It was a foot injury. It was out the whole season. So this is his rookie year, so this is his first year and they're both making impacts. Are you ready? Are you ready? I'm ready, man Bring it.
Podcast Paul:I am so ready.
Coach Murph:I'm so, apologies. And here he goes to make up Check. There you go the makeup for chat unicorn. I'm being so. They're doing a great job, so do you know? Question one who the original NBA unicorn is where this term?
Podcast Paul:came from. So easy dude, that softballs are good in the first question. It's not what you think.
Coach Murph:It is the softball Crishtops ozingus, that's the modern NBA, your your?
Podcast Paul:you mean the unicorn thing happened before Crishtops for zingles of the original NBA unicorn.
Coach Murph:A what a unicorn is. One of a kind player and the word unicorn the NBA it's like something you've never seen before. Unique. There have been a few like chris taps, so you're not all wrong there, because the modern day when we started hearing this again was Crishtops. Very good, most people don't know that. Now we have also the greek and they came in the greek, but it was chris taps who got that. But in the 1980s In the NBA, this man, what is his name came, uh from the 80s or 90s, 80s, 80s.
Coach Murph:The nba unicorn, are you sure?
Podcast Paul:there was a unicorn monitor in the nba.
Coach Murph:This is fax. This is fax.
Podcast Paul:It is the code.
Coach Murph:This is research right here. So All right, coach. The original unicorn came into the nba in the 1980s and I'm giving you some clues here out of the university of virginia.
Podcast Paul:Oh, ralph sampson.
Coach Murph:You're welcome hoop fans from coach mirth To podcast. Paul's birthday present to little birth unicorn birthday present because he loves chat Well and personally for me.
Podcast Paul:I have some closeness to him because I went to the american university, which is part of the colonial athletic association at the time. They now move to a different conference, but they played in the same conference as Mr Ralph sampson. Is that? There you go. It was the virginia, that's right university of virginia.
Coach Murph:He's a coach, I don't know somehow he was connected there. So yeah, ralph sampson Can you get. Can you guess the pick? In a year he came into the nba with the draft. Guess three, two one 1986 three 1980, that was a live one. He was the number one pick. Yeah, and he had a unique playstyle because the size I mean. How tall was he?
Podcast Paul:7, 2, 7 4.
Coach Murph:Whoa with athletic of the original unicorn, you're welcome, wow, you're welcome. Folks, whoa, oh yeah. Athletic ability, the quickness, the soft hands and he also had a really high basketball IQ. Man, he was an unbelievable player. You know, some injuries had him back a little bit, but he was. He was the all-star. He was an all-star four times rookie of the year. He was the MVP of the all-star game. You know, in five seasons in houston he would average almost 20 points per game, almost 11 rebounds To to assists. You know, one block per game. But wow, he was something special.
Podcast Paul:Yeah, man, that was good. I like that, I like it a lot.
Coach Murph:That's it, man. There's the original. Now We'll talk a little bit about chat. All right, this is podcast boss favorite. When was chat to born?
Podcast Paul:I'm going to go with 1996.
Coach Murph:Whoa whoa, he's 21. He's only 21. May 1st 2002 he was born I feel like that wasn't that long ago.
Podcast Paul:What is he?
Coach Murph:listed at his high list of that.
Podcast Paul:He is seven feet straight up, seven one.
Coach Murph:He's, so I'm just gonna give you a one so you can get a ding ding, a ding ding, what's called?
Podcast Paul:you go to. He went to a gun, zaga the zags baby.
Coach Murph:And he, and he was in the draft. He came out. I got my ding ding right, you ding ding ding. But what pick was he in the draft 2002. Yeah, it was number one. This number, he was the second overall pick. Who was the first overall pick in the 2022 draft? Ooh Ah.
Podcast Paul:I don't know man, darn brain went dead.
Coach Murph:Ooh ding, dong, ding dong, the magic drafted out of Duke.
Podcast Paul:Oh, Paolo Broderic.
Coach Murph:Pancero. Yeah, it's Duke Paolo Bacciato. Oh, close it up, dan Cherro.
Podcast Paul:He's a player man.
Coach Murph:Yeah, there you go, almost done. We're just going through this little unicorn quiz. But Chad is a great player and I was like yeah. And he's. And then obviously Wemby is a great player, was you know? His early life career was in Minnesota. Yeah, his college career do you know anything about his college career? It was short. On November 22nd the seven-foot freshman finished with 19 points, seven to nine, three or three from the line, but the man at seven blocks five assists, you know, and it's.
Podcast Paul:He didn't play that great in the tournament Because I didn't even think they went that far that year.
Coach Murph:And the only two players. This isn't just this. I'm not going to go off the quiz, just to tell you. It was the first time in history NBA history that two players, wemby and Chet they had to have 10 for the first six games.
Podcast Paul:10 blocks, 10 for Yama Like threes and blocks dudes Like a lot NBA man.
Coach Murph:But who is? The other man out of Minnesota has the highest draft to pick. But this is history. Come on, you know who he is the NBA Hall of Famer Green Machine.
Podcast Paul:Oh, the ticket, man Garnett oh no, no, no, that's true.
Coach Murph:No, I mean, he lived there. Wait what, Kevin?
Podcast Paul:McCail. Oh, Kevin McCail. Yeah, I want to bring Kevin McCail into the unicorn Into the situation.
Coach Murph:Yeah, so, and now let's go into Victor a little bit. Oh man, paul is Victor.
Podcast Paul:I mean maybe the biggest storyline. We talked about the N-Season tournament. We talked about all these great teams. We talked about other stuff here in the first nine games, but I would say this might be the number one storyline. The NBA right now is Victor and Yama.
Coach Murph:Let's finish with Wemby. How tall is he?
Podcast Paul:7'3", 7'4".
Coach Murph:Oh, he's, also a rapper, how old?
Podcast Paul:is he 19.
Coach Murph:That's right, dave. Finally, he's been playing all the players in the NBA. Like what is this? This guy like I-.
Podcast Paul:Well, he's got a new term. He's not a unicorn, he's an alien. He's an NBA alien. Yeah to me.
Coach Murph:He's a stuff above chat Chasman and Faktiv and they're both just good players, but I've never seen this wingspan Like a block like that. I've never seen something. Karim just popped in my head and then Will distilled popped in my head, but I've never seen anybody block somebody like that. He's got the block that he had one of them. I was like I've never seen anything like that.
Podcast Paul:It wasn't I mean here, I thought the Cornet Contest was the best block I've ever seen. But yeah, no, he's got-.
Coach Murph:But he is the tallest act of NBA player as well. So you know, he's began his professional career, obviously, in France. He's French, and you know, and just I just wanted to give him props about what he's doing, he's being, he's effective on the spurs, he's got some great numbers. You know Not, that's it, man.
Podcast Paul:That's how it's been Actually. You know, they haven't really put a team around him. No, and they're playing okay, considering, I mean, nine games in. They're not at the bottom, they're like middle of the pack with a crappy team around him. I mean I don't get that. Actually, like get a couple more good players. You're kind of wasting. I mean, I know that he's going to be around a while, but why not go in all in with him right now?
Coach Murph:He's breaking records already. David Robinson did what he did, yeah, with the numbers, you know, yeah, so they're just that's amazing watching these guys watching what he's doing. So I just wanted to give him a little props, some love. Looking like they're going to be the rookie of the year, and I was wrong. So there you go.
Podcast Paul:Man, you got me on that quiz man. Trivia oh wow, Trick me. You got me a little Victor, you got me some trick question.
Coach Murph:Yeah, it's a great one. I love that. Yeah, with the Sam, the Samson was right at the Ralph. So there you go, guys.
Podcast Paul:Moving on. So moving on, man. Like you know, considering we just started nine games in and this is our first paw in the regular season, it's amazing all the cool things going on. Yeah See, I got you sold in the end season tournament, didn't I coach?
Coach Murph:You're in. I know I like the courts.
Podcast Paul:I like the Unis. What about the new Unis?
Coach Murph:I like. The NBA, I feel, is the most creative league. They did the best, I always say, during the pandemic. This has been going on. They've been talking about the end season tournament for 15 years. I don't know if you know that. Oh, you read that. You didn't know. They've been talking about this for years. Knowledge, and it's because our guy there oh, my gosh, I just forgot about our NBA commissioner's name, silver Silver. Thank you, adam Silver. Yes, he loves the European soccer. That's why this is all set up like the European soccer league. So that's why they're doing that and that's fun. But the Victor and chat, the unicorn noise, and then the Clippers I want to talk about them. All these super teams. Go for it, man. All these you know, and just in.
Podcast Paul:They lost like 40 points to the Mavericks last night, but go ahead.
Coach Murph:But I know, dame going over it, you know all the different moves that were made this season. All right, yeah, so it's fun, but I was James Harden's a problem. Sorry, james, you're the problem, dude, I think they're own two with him. Oh, and three.
Podcast Paul:Oh, and they lost like 40 points last night to the.
Coach Murph:Mavericks. But if they can get it together, man, that's, that's We've been saying that for like since Kawai got there.
Coach Murph:Podcast P. The second Paul George, kawai, russell Westbrook and Harden. Get your teats together. Get it together, man, and you can. That's an unstoppable force, man, you know. But to me it all comes down to the green machine, the best team in the NBA. We have the best players, we have the best five. So it's just I mean Garnett was saying he's a little worried about Porzingis, but Pierce, like, don't you worry about him, it's not all centered around him, he's not going to have to. We have so many other weapons.
Podcast Paul:Yeah.
Coach Murph:Lou coming in grabbing 10 boards. They'll have to wear that big L. Do your thing, it's just like you know that's it.
Podcast Paul:I got a prediction what Next time we get on this pod, you're going to do another apology to the to about the NC's internment Cause, the next time we get on, you're going to be so excited.
Podcast Paul:The championship will be here. You're not going to know what to do with yourself. You're going to have the new union. But that's that's my question to you right now, coach. So obviously we're still in the beginning. This goes group play goes to the end of the month, like I spelled out for everybody. So who? Who are your predictions? Who is going to make it to the final when we get on here? Because we're coming on that Saturday, we're going to come on right before the championship. Is that cool? Does that work for you? No, it works out perfect. We'll get on. We'll preview the championship in Vegas Saturday night, cool. So when we get on, what's your prediction? Who do you think is going to make it to the final Right now? Just to remind you, the East leaders. Granted, we just started this thing Boston, philly, boston South, charlotte Hornets in the Miami Heat. Do you think that's going to stay true? We got somebody else in the East that's going to come out that you see in the final.
Coach Murph:Pacers.
Podcast Paul:Whoa, you're going with the Pacers.
Coach Murph:Yeah, they're third. You know what?
Podcast Paul:Your Boston Celtics in the final.
Coach Murph:No, the 76ers dude.
Podcast Paul:Oh, so you're. Oh, so you're 76ers.
Coach Murph:Yeah, the sixers in the south is.
Podcast Paul:So you say the semifinals, semi-finals is going to be the Pacers Sixers, with the Sixers going to the final. Yeah, okay, all right, and in the last we're winning all dude Green wins everything.
Coach Murph:The first Hold on, hold on, hold on.
Podcast Paul:Maybe you misunderstood so the final is going to be. It's going to be an East team. It's going to be a West team. Yeah, I know, it's like the NBA championship baby. Yeah, I know so who's going to be the East? So you're saying Celtics are going to make it?
Coach Murph:Dude the first year we're going to win the Cup, dude and no, all right, here we go. Winning the.
Podcast Paul:Ramp, I see what you're saying. So you're saying the semifinal or the quarterfinals? Yeah, it'll be Boston, philly, indiana and somebody else. You got it. Yep, but you won. Okay, you got Celtics, you got.
Coach Murph:Celtics. We took it to Indiana, but they Trust me. Haliburton Wow, this team. I watched the game this last. Dude we beat them by like 60 points Doesn't matter, I know, no, they just won by 40. Like literally won by 40 points. We beat them by the same. But just trust me, watch, all right, another prediction.
Podcast Paul:So who's going to make it in the West? Right now you got Denver, minnesota, utah and the Kings.
Coach Murph:That's going to change up Dallas and Dallas, yeah, dallas, and the Nuggets.
Podcast Paul:You're not stopping the Nuggets, all right, so.
Coach Murph:Boston Nuggets Kyrie Irving was effective. They crushed it last game too. They're like with him, that's they're going to All right. See, we'll see, we'll see, so you're going with and I brought this up earlier.
Podcast Paul:So you're definitely going with the contenders, are going to get into the in-season tournament and they're going to be excited about winning the cup, whoever that team is. I know you predicted our Celtics, but you're saying the contenders are going to show up. It's not them just going to coast. It's going to be some stinky team in there, it's going to be one of the contenders.
Podcast Paul:You know what I like, that. I'll tell you why I like that and this is why I'm getting into this thing. Man, Imagine if it's Boston Denver or Boston Dallas a preview of the NBA finals. Going after a little trophy before the big trophy, let's go.
Coach Murph:We're getting the NBA cup. They're calling it and the ring. This year, the cup, baby, the cup and a ring. Cup and a ring. Yeah, this is the year, dude. This is all. That's why this too, it's going to be historic.
Podcast Paul:Cup and a ring.
Coach Murph:Remember, oh yeah, the NBA cup. We got that first year, the first they wanted. It's time.
Podcast Paul:This is it.
Coach Murph:All right, this is it. It's it. Poor Zincas man. I love watching this man Play dude. Him and JB are jowling together. Drew, dude, I'm just loving our team. So I got another quiz. Oh, one more quiz.
Podcast Paul:It's an extravaganza dude. Oh well, we are. That's what I was going to say. Like it's, this podcast the extravaganza, we almost forgot it 75. 75.
Coach Murph:I got backups. It's just the NBA League leaders quiz. Are you ready? Let's go, let's go on the style man. It's a points per game right now.
Podcast Paul:Number one. I'm not even looking. I'm going to say Luca.
Coach Murph:Boom, Ding, ding ding. The unicorn didn't start off in the NBA. So well, but this one is. Here we go. The energy just went, let's go. Who is number? Two Points per game.
Podcast Paul:The Joker.
Coach Murph:No, he's actually not in the top five.
Podcast Paul:Oh, I'm going to mess up the guy's name. It's the dude from Oklahoma City, thunder Joel.
Coach Murph:Embiid. That's why I've been saying he's in talks with the MVP, but it's just so early. 32.9 for Luca, 31.9 for Joel.
Podcast Paul:Joel yeah.
Coach Murph:I'll stop there, but I'll just fly through. It's Mitchell from the Cavs. Durant Sons Curry, Seth Curry. All right, all right, all about 30. 32 is Luca's got 32. Rebounds per game who's number one?
Podcast Paul:Rebounds per game would be gosh, let me think the Joker.
Coach Murph:Number two. Ooh, number one is Rudy for the Timberwolves.
Podcast Paul:See, that's French connection.
Coach Murph:They. It's great because there's not just the scoring on that team man. We always say about defensive rebounds. Now Deandre Aitin, then we brought him a hand with three trailblazers. Also, robert Williams, out for the year injuries. Oh, I saw that he had his knee done for the year, for the time Lord.
Podcast Paul:I let you, I want to talk about that.
Coach Murph:The Kings use me, so bonus in Robinson and the next Got it Assist per game.
Podcast Paul:Assist per game Halliburton Boom.
Coach Murph:Ding dong. There you go. That's why I'm picking him. He had a strong triple double. Ass game Was like 19, 19, 13 or something crazy. Five assists, high boards. Who's number two Paid Cunningham?
Podcast Paul:No, but we're all talking about the Hawksmuch.
Coach Murph:I'm not talking about the Hawksmuch, oh Trey, mr Trey Young with 10. Wow, he passes the ball. We don't talk about Mr Ball on the Hornets. He's third. All right, all right, mr Ball. And guess who's fourth? Luca, Ooh, yep, all right. Motor Raptors Van Fleet Rockets Number five Field goal percentage the Joker Nope, he's not on the top five, really. Mr Williams on the Hornets 74.2. Smith on the pace of 71. Poetel, poetel, poetel. Oh, isn't this European, or whatever he is, eastern European? 66% for Raptors. I'll stop there. Three pointers made.
Podcast Paul:Wait is on that. I'm wondering if there's one more person on that list.
Coach Murph:Speed mahalakou.
Podcast Paul:It's Moe, it's Waggon. I just wanted to get that name out there. No yeah, mahalakou.
Coach Murph:Nice job, dude. You did it, man. The pronunciation of speed. We were going over that For God. Good job, dude. Saltix player. We have shooter on our Saltix speed. So Seth Curry is number one with three pointers made. How many a season? How many is made? Yeah, 110. No, not that much. 53.
Podcast Paul:All right.
Coach Murph:Mark Hannon or McCannon from Jazz is 41. Luca again 39. All right, so we'll keep moving and we'll go out. We'll finish with Blocks and Steels. Who's got the most blocks in the NBA right now? Wembe Amma Per game. Wembe Anthony Davis, 3.0. A-d. Ok, and that's what Garnett was saying, that Zingus is the Anthony Davis of the East injury-wise? I'm like no, and that's what Pierce had. The good points, Dare you. But he's not that prominent. There's pressures all on A-D, there's not as much, poor Zingus.
Podcast Paul:That's a great point.
Coach Murph:You know what I?
Podcast Paul:mean.
Coach Murph:That's Pierce. Pierce had that. It's not as much like physical. Everything's falling on A-D All right. Wembe, wembe, wembe, yana Wembe, wembe, yama Wembe 2.6, number three on the list and right behind him's Chet. So they're top five.
Podcast Paul:There they are, my guys, isn't that cool?
Coach Murph:My guy. Well, I'll give him the quiz Steels per game and we'll stop there. Number one Steels per game.
Podcast Paul:Oh, we got to bring an old friend in, marcus Smart.
Coach Murph:He's not anywhere near there.
Podcast Paul:And bye-bye. Swarm, not here anymore about him. Yeah, memphis, he's gone.
Coach Murph:No, he's gone. That's done. This is his career. He's now gone, but we love you and we thank you for your being defensive player of the year. Your prowess, what else? He was great. His energy and Brad, we trust. Yep, paul George, not the original podcast. P Number one 2.4. You're right, trick ya, marcus Smart. Number two he's still getting steals. He's getting steal, 2.3. He's on the Grizzlies. We love you, but you're not going to do anything. Yeah, neither I like the knock to do either.
Podcast Paul:We'll stop there, there you go Great quiz man.
Coach Murph:Greatest.
Podcast Paul:Trabaganza. Hey, here's the question. Yeah, man, we started the pod off talking about the most downloaded pods of all time. This might be go rising up the charts, man, this is incredible.
Coach Murph:This is the most amazing pod of all time. Don't you worry, when it comes to the in-season tournament on December 9th, we'll start to feel it. The Christmas vibes Don't get all caught up in the shopping. Now. We've got Thanksgiving coming up. Let's be thankful just for the day, just today. And that's it, man. It's the 75th extravaganza Pog. It's finished. Some peace, love and the green machine.
Podcast Paul:Jess Tumur is talking hoops. The journey to June continues. The race to the cup continues. See you for championship Saturday in Las Vegas. Peace.