[PODCAST] At The Buzzer: Unwrapping the 2020-2021 NBA season

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The NBA is back!

Host Naveen Ganglani and writer Joe Viray discuss the hottest topics and trends leading up to the opening of the 2020-2021 NBA season

The duo answers intriguing questions, like did the Lakers really get better? What are realistic expectations for the Warriors now that Klay Thompson is hurt? Are the Heat being disrespected? What are the repercussions of the James Harden trade fiasco?

In the 80-minute episode, Naveen and Joe also tackle other key topics, such as whether or not this is the year Luka Doncic contends for NBA MVP; are the Bucks significantly better with Jrue Holiday; and if the Nets should be the favorites to win the East with a healthy Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

Here is an excerpt from the episode:

Naveen: When [Kyrie] was with LeBron, he had the perfect role as the second guy. The problem there was, it seemed like he was unhappy being that second guy. Now that he’s with Durant, who he’s obviously closer to, who is practically his best friend, will he be willing to sometimes give up the ball late in games? Will he be willing to say, “Okay, you know what, KD, you’ve got it today – you take 30 shots, I will only take 10 shots and play more of a playmaker role.” 

If Kyrie’s game matures and it complements Durant, it’s game over. The Nets are just too good. They will challenge the Lakers and LeBron for the championship. But that’s not really a given. I don’t think based on what we’ve seen from Kyrie – I think Kyrie sees himself as Kobe, just a few inches shorter. That’s not to knock him or anything, because to see yourself as Kobe – you should have ambitions that high. I just feel that in a championship team his role for the team to really be at their best is to be a Robin to KD’s Batman rather than be Superman while KD is Batman…

Joe: I think Kyrie respects KD more and I definitely think he’s more willing to defer to KD than he was with LeBron. But for me, my concern with Kyrie [is] the playoff setting. In the regular season, the Nets will cruise, definitely, if KD shows that he’s 90% or as good as he was before the Achilles tear. I think he will… it’s the playoffs I have a concern with in terms of Kyrie. KD is no problem. Kyrie, I don’t know, because he might have this hero complex.

– Rappler.com