Dan is joined by Jason Maples (@JJMaples55_MST) from the Temple of Hoop podcast to discuss teams that intrigue us ahead of the 2022 NBA playoffs—for both better and worse. We dive deep into the New Orleans Pelicans’ performance with CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram’s growth and Zion Williamson’s future. After that, it’s on to the sad-sack Los Angeles Lakers, and what to expect from them moving forward. From there, we cannonball into thoughts on the ascendant Boston Celtics, surging Dallas Mavericks, suddenly plucky New York Knicks, and the youth movement being authored by the San Antonio Spurs. TIMESTAMPS⬇️

🔘 Intro (0:30)
🔘 Pelicans (3:58)
—CJ McCollum’s fit so far (4:22)
—Brandon Ingram’s playmaking leap (8:38)
—Zion Williams (9:48)
—New Orleans’ defense (15:44)
—Jose Alvarado (17:40)
—Larry Nance Jr./Trey Murphy III (18:27)
🔘 Lakers (20:44)
—Can this season be salvaged? (21:01)
—The complicated Blame Game in LA (22:53)
—How should Lakers approach the offseason? (25:09)
🔘 Mavericks (29:31)
🔘 Celtics/Eastern Conference (30:45)
🔘 MORE MAVS (32:40)
🔘 Spurs (33:46)
🔘 Knicks (36:11)

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