Are the Cavs the easy resolution to the NBA’s viewership decline? Wine and Gold Discuss podcast

Takeaways:

• The NBA’s scores battle is tied to the absence of a brand new face of the league.
• Darius Garland’s path to stardom is sophisticated by present expertise within the league.
• The 50-40-90 chase might be important in tying Garland’s profession to a person milestone.
• Successful the gang is essential for a participant’s recognition.
• The dialog about who will take the torch from NBA legends is ongoing.

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Learn the automated transcript of right now’s podcast under. As a result of it’s a computer-generated transcript, it might comprise errors and misspellings.

Ethan Sands

What up Cavs nation? I’m your host Ethan Sands and I’m again with one other episode of the Wine and Gold discuss podcast. Chris, the Cavs had again to again TV video games. My goodness, it appears like endlessly since we’ve been in a position to speak about that as a result of it hadn’t occurred this season but. And it was in opposition to the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday. After which they’ve the sport in opposition to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder that’s already being dubbed the rematch on Thursday. So Chris, relating to, and this can be a little off matter based mostly on the Cavs, however relating to the scores of the NBA being down, what’s your resolution to fixing the issue across the NBA relating to viewership, relating to scores, relating to getting the most effective basketball groups in entrance of their followers and internationally, relatively than perhaps simply having groups named la, Miami and New York on the docket?

Chris Fedor

Okay, so I believe that is so multilayered and there are such a lot of completely different ways in which we are able to go along with this. I believe we have now to put it out like this. Before everything is, you understand, the schedule is made in August. Okay. The early season portion of the schedule might be going to, it’s in all probability going to function groups that NBA schedule makers imagine in, noticed achieve success the 12 months earlier than or like made important adjustments within the off season that make them fascinating. Proper? So just like the early portion of the schedule, I believe it’s extra about fascinating, I believe it’s extra about previous success and I believe it’s much less about making an attempt to foretell the long run. And I don’t assume it’s a shock that the Cavs nationwide TV video games past NBA TV as a result of that doesn’t depend. The true nationwide TV video games are extra within the second a part of the schedule as a result of it was like a hedge your wager form of factor. You recognize what I imply? Like, okay, cool, you went to the Japanese Convention semifinals. All proper, you received practically 50 video games once more. However like, are you actual? Is that going to carry up? Let’s see what it seems like first within the first half of the season after which the primary alternative that these TV execs bought to flex them into, you understand, a giant time spot in opposition to Oklahoma Metropolis twice. They had been keen to do it. So I believe that’s a part of this equation. The opposite a part of it’s, Ethan, like I do assume there needs to be some degree of recognition from everyone that makes these selections. You recognize, overlook drama, overlook market. Simply try to discover, you understand, the most effective, most deserving groups. And if there’s something that we noticed from, from the sport the primary sport between the Cavs and the Thunder, it’s that like high quality basketball between high quality basketball groups. If you’re not speaking about Jimmy Butler and that nonsense and also you’re not speaking concerning the Lakers and a few of their nonsense and also you’re not speaking about like all these different issues, like unrelated to the sport itself, the product on the ground that may be adequate. Like these TV reveals. Yeah, it’s, it’s entertaining and yeah, you’re looking for sizzling button points. However like within the construct as much as the sport between the Cavs and the Thunder, it was all concerning the sport. It was all concerning the matchup. It wasn’t about drama, it wasn’t about commerce rumors. It wasn’t about, you understand, every part else that’s occurring across the NBA that might doubtlessly occur in per week or two weeks or three weeks or 4 weeks. You recognize, it was simply concerning the right here and now. It was simply concerning the Cavs and the Thunder and the way nice these two groups are and the way nice they had been going into that matchup.

Ethan Sands

And it’s not simply these video games, proper? The Cavs are beginning to get the TV recognition that they’ve been asking for. They’ve had two nationwide tv video games added to their schedule. Once more, that occurred on Wednesday. Their sport on Thursday, January 30, when the Atlanta Hawks, the one group within the NBA to beat the Cavs twice, traveled to Cleveland. They may now have that sport televised by TNT. And the brand new begin time at 7pm Japanese Normal Time when Cleveland hosts the Boston Celtics on February 4th. That sport will even now be on TNT. The NBA introduced on Wednesday the brand new begin time for that sport is 7:30pm Japanese Normal Time.

Chris Fedor

In order that’s the opposite a part of it. And I believe the third layer to this complete factor, Ethan, is that relating to scores within the NBA, I simply, I don’t assume, I believe in some methods the NBA is in a extremely great place. However the one factor that makes it actually, actually tough is that there is no such thing as a up and coming LeBron James. There is no such thing as a up and coming Steph Curry, there is no such thing as a up and coming Kevin Durant. And I’m speaking about like an American born star that’s relatable, that strikes the needle. And I believe till the NBA finds like that man who’s that man that’s going to take the torch from these guys once they transfer on, I believe it’s going to be a battle to be on the identical degree as what the NBA was for the earlier twenty years, mainly. As a result of when LeBron strikes on, when KD strikes on. When Steph Curry strikes on, like, who’s that man that’s going to hold that torch? Who’s that mega star that’s going to make you tune in, make you go to video games? The man that you simply’re going to need to see that you simply really feel like you possibly can’t miss watching out, like, who’s that? I don’t know that that participant exists.

Ethan Sands

In order that will get into our subsequent matter and I believe you completely type of weave this into it with out even understanding you had been doing it. Have a look at that. Have a look at that. However Chris, I need to argue with you on one thing as a result of I believe the NBA has type of begun to develop the following wave of the celebrities of the NBA, proper? They’ve tried with a few of these gamers, and I really feel like they’ve type of tried to have these three completely different avenues. You will have LeBron, you’ve got KD, you’ve got Steph. And I believe probably the most tough one for them proper now could be the Stephen Curry one. So let me stroll you thru the place I’m at beforehand. So LeBron James, I believe his potential alternative, American born, anyone that may transfer the needle, anyone that’s relatable, anyone that’s likable among the many media, that may have rather less media coaching than LeBron James at this level in his profession. Anthony Edwards, that’s the place I’d go. Any person who can soar out of the health club, anyone that has a much bigger stature. And to me, this isn’t saying that KD, Steph, LeBron, that their careers are in a position to be made once more. These three guys are a number of the most completed in NBA historical past. LeBron James on the pinnacle of the league, making virtually each profession statistic his personal. After which Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry type of revolutionizing the NBA and altering it. And so for me, the following choice is in Kevin Durant. You bought Victor Wembanyama, a seven foot man who can shoot from the perimeter, who can dribble, who can submit up, who can do numerous various things that don’t look regular for a man at his measurement. And I believe that’s comparable comparability that has been made for Kevin Durant all through his total profession. And you then get to the toughest one, and I believe it’s Stephen Curry, as a result of not solely due to how he revolutionized the sport and adjusted it to make each participant on the court docket really feel like they need to have a 3 pointer of their arsenal and the way he can simply change a lead from being monumental to very small in a course of in all probability two minutes in a basketball sport, as Chris says, making any lead not protected, however I really feel like if there’s one man that I’d evaluate him to, and it’s fascinating as a result of it’s extra so concerning the trajectory that they’re on profession smart, it’s Darius Garland. Since you have a look at the place Darius has been from the start of his profession and also you have a look at the place that compares to what Stephen Curry has gone by means of. And I’m gonna run by means of some stats for you earlier than I allow you to rip up by means of the primary 5 season of Stephen Curry’s profession, 2009-2014, he was the runner up for Rookie of the 12 months, eleventh in MVP voting in 2012, 2013, sixth in MVP voting, 2013, 2014. He had simply two successful seasons. He had two playoff appearances, he had one playoff sequence win. He was balanced from the primary spherical in 2013, 2014, he had three completely different coaches.

He had two ankle surgical procedures and one season of simply 26 video games and just one season averaging beneath 15 factors per sport. Hearken to how comparable this sounds. For the primary 5 seasons of Darius Garland’s profession, he was an All Star in 2021, 2022, he had that on Steph. He had three successful seasons, he had two playoff appearances, he had one playoff sequence win. Clearly we all know that to be the Orlando Magic sequence final 12 months. He was bounced from the primary spherical in 2022, 2023 in opposition to the New York Knicks. He’s performed for 2 coaches, he’s handled a fractured jaw, and he’s had one season averaging beneath 15 factors a sport. So while you have a look at all of these issues and also you have a look at the aptitude, the creativity, and the largest factor for me is that Darius and Steph aren’t bodily specimen. They’re 6 foot 1, 6 foot 2, in a position to create, in a position to take action a lot with the ball of their fingers and nonetheless they’re in a position to be enjoyable for followers to observe and much more relatable in that sense relatively than somebody like LeBron and Anthony Edwards or Kevin Durant and Victor Wembanyama, what do you consider this?

Chris Fedor

The Darius factor to me is slightly bit sophisticated and I believe there are a few issues that he’s going to proceed to run into. Primary, he isn’t going to get the highlight and he’s not going to get the platform. So long as he’s bought Donovan Mitchell on this group, it’s simply the reality. That is Donovan Mitchell’s group. That is Donovan Mitchell’s metropolis. Donovan Mitchell has the shoe deal. Donovan Mitchell is the marketable one. Donovan Mitchell is the bonafide celebrity and I believe Darius is All the time going to be in Donovan’s shadow for so long as Donovan stays within the prime of his profession. In order that’s challenge primary. And that doesn’t imply that Darius isn’t nice. It doesn’t imply that Darius isn’t magnetic. It doesn’t imply that Darius isn’t charismatic. It doesn’t imply that he doesn’t have a enjoyable type, as a result of he does. That’s challenge primary is the Donovan Mitchell shadow. And it’s one thing that the Darius, you understand, so long as he wins, I don’t assume he’s all that bothered by it. And it’s not one thing that Donovan did on goal, however, like, he’s bought extra of an opportunity to be the following face of the NBA based mostly on every part that he has completed and based mostly on the standing that he has already gotten to, extra so than Darius does. Right here’s the second factor. When it got here to Steph, Steph did one thing to a degree that no one else within the NBA might do, no one else within the NBA might attain. He’s fairly probably the best shooter of all time. He’s little doubt the best shooter of the final decade. And he remodeled the sport. He revolutionized the sport, as a result of what he was doing, no one else might do to the identical degree. There have been groups that needed to decide him up as quickly as he bought throughout half court docket. There have been groups that had been keen to surrender layups in transition as a result of they weren’t going to depart Steph. His motion, that was one thing that you simply simply didn’t see for the time that Steph, like, reached his prime and, like, turned Golden State into what it was earlier than Kevin Durant arrived and type of, like, they needed to share the highlight there. Like, Steph had already established himself. Steph had already turned himself into an mvp. Then it was nearly, like, boosting that resume. However, like, relating to Darius, and I don’t imply this in a unfavourable manner, and I don’t need this to come back throughout as I don’t assume he has an excellent season or he’s had an excellent profession, or he’s like, among the finest younger gamers, actually at his place within the NBA. However we’re speaking about turning into the face of the NBA. So it needs to be an sincere dialog, and it has to. It’s a significant dialog, too. And generally meaning you need to be slightly bit harsh, and generally the reality hurts. What does Darius do this no one else within the NBA can do? What separates Darius from everyone else, I.

Ethan Sands

I Assume it might be his dribbling greater than something. I positively assume it’s it’s his twitchiness and his potential to cease, begin, but in addition, like, make music whereas he performs, I assume, is how I’d describe it. However I get what you’re saying while you speak about how Steph’s capturing, like I hold saying, revolutionized basketball. Like, no one is Steph due to what he introduced in that side. However I positively assume it’s. It’s extra of relatability factor for me.

Chris Fedor

So right here’s the opposite factor. Is Darius Garland higher than Trae Younger thus far in his profession? Like, Trae Younger can do every part that Darius can do. Like, Trae Younger was supposedly the following Steph Curry due to his deep vary, due to his passing, due to his gamesmanship and his showmanship. And he’s already bought the signature established. He already has a model established. It’s Ice Tray. So, like, what does Darius do this Trae Younger can’t do? And Trae Younger has been extra completed, and he’s been arguably a greater participant than Darius. In order that they play the identical place, they play the identical type, however Darius doesn’t do it to the identical degree as Trey. Trey’s not going anyplace. Proper. And I do know that perhaps he’s not as likable due to, like, a number of the previous issues which have come up about how he interacts with staff inside the world and different issues which have come out about his teammates and, you understand, do coaches within the NBA respect him and like him. But when we’re speaking about simply, like, talent set and aptitude and charisma, magnetism and expertise and manufacturing and all these various things, as a result of, like, after we’re speaking about celebrity and we’re speaking about face of the NBA, that is an leisure enterprise. It’s a must to be entertaining. Hero or villain? Trae Younger has performed the villain position actually, rather well. He has already, like, adopted that. And he has a model all to himself. And thus far all through his profession, he has completed greater than Darius, and he’s been a extra constant and a greater participant than Darius. And that’s simply, like, one instance, proper? What does Darius Garland do higher than Jalen Brunson? So it’s like when you’ve got all. Steph separated himself from everyone within the NBA, everyone on the place. And I simply assume, like, Darius, yeah, he’s going to get overshadowed by his personal teammate in Donovan Mitchell. He’s additionally going to get overshadowed by different guys which have a much bigger stage and a much bigger platform than him, which have already completed greater than him thus far. Jalen Brunson’s not going anyplace. Proper. Like Trae Younger’s. Not going anyplace. He, Anthony Edwards isn’t going anyplace. So I believe these are the primary points that Darius might run into. Like do you shut your eyes and ever envision him being a high 5 participant within the NBA or a high 10 participant within the NBA? I don’t know that I can do this. It’s very onerous for me to try this proper now.

Ethan Sands

So only a rebuttal on the Trae Younger factor. I do assume that there have been extra similarities when Trae Younger got here into the league between Steph and Trey due to his astronomical capturing. That’s one thing that we everyone knew about Trey since his highschool days, going by means of school, all of these issues. However I believe additionally to be a star within the NBA, to be a face of the NBA, you need to win video games. And as a lot as Trae Younger might need a much bigger platform and a much bigger marketability with the branding that he’s created for himself, as you stated, hero or villain? Villain is the position that he selected. I positively assume that while you have a look at Steph Curry’s early profession as a result of once more it’s relatability how the 2 type of match up early of their careers. It took till Steph’s sixth season within the NBA for him to win a championship. Darius Garland’s in his sixth season Darius Garland is arguably having a greater season than Donovan Mitchell this 12 months and main the Cavs to a possible first championship. Clearly that is nonetheless to be heard, to be seen, all of these various things, however I believe even when Donovan is the face of the franchise, which he’s, that’s not debatable. I believe Darius Garland’s relatability 1 Darius Garland being 24 going to show 25 offers him a greater benefit to be a face of the NBA than 28 12 months previous Donovan Mitchell who thus far as we all know remains to be coping with some type of knee points that might hinder the later half of his profession. And as we all know, Anthony Edwards 23 years previous Victor Webignyama 21 years previous Trae Younger 26 years previous. So for me all of these items mix into this dialog and I’m not going to argue that Jalen Brunson has some stardom to him and a few potential. However I really feel like his sport isn’t as fairly. It’s I’m a get into you, I’m going to get the mid vary, I’m going to get to the bucket, all these different issues. There’s not a lot showmanship relating to Jalen Brunson. Darius Garland has added the kiss to the sky Proper. That’s one thing that he marketed and began after speaking to Tristan Thompson in New York in Madison Sq. Backyard, and he’s finished that each sport since. And that’s turn into his trademark. And I believe that’s additionally an indication of a rising star like we. All people remembers Carmelo Anthony, the three to the top. All people remembers LeBron James, the silencer D. Wade. That is my home, all these different issues. And marketability is one thing that Darius, I believe, is engaged on, even when it won’t be as noticeable to the widespread eye. However I do assume that Darius, as a lot as there are different layers to this that I agree with you on, that may make the dialog harder. I positively assume that he’s rising in each side that he must be to be on that trajectory. If he’s not there but, he’s positively rising.

Chris Fedor

There’s little doubt about it. This model of Darius Garland is rather a lot completely different than I believe, some other model of Darius that we noticed. It’s very near his All Star season, however I believe there’s a degree of consistency that he’s exhibiting. And one of many issues that he has is the 50, 40, 90 chase, you understand, that’s fascinating to individuals, that resonates with individuals, that type of separates him from different individuals as a result of not many guys, if he can do it, if he can end it off, not many individuals in NBA historical past have been in that group. That’s an elite fraternity, that’s an unique fraternity. So he has been actually, actually good this 12 months for the Cavs, and he’s been a giant motive why they’re the most effective group within the NBA. And he deserves numerous credit score for bouncing again from, you understand, what he even characterised as one of the vital tough years of his total life. Not simply one of the vital tough years of his NBA profession or his basketball profession, one of the vital tough years of his total life, given every part that he handled. So to see him, you understand, the way in which that he performed final 12 months and the way misplaced at instances it felt like he was final 12 months, after which to see him, the maturity that he’s exhibiting inside the sport, the following degree that he has taken his sport to with making the following cross and never turning the ball over and the cease and begin and understanding easy methods to finest, you understand, dissect a protection and course of the sport because it’s occurring. Like an instance the opposite evening in opposition to Toronto, he had been entering into the paint and hitting these floaters and attending to the rim and ending across the rim. After which late within the sport, you understand, Toronto was anticipating him to try this. And he hit Scotty Barnes with pullback transfer and he made the three like that was a sophisticated play. That was recognizing every part that led as much as that second within the sport and what he thought was going to work finest for him based mostly on how the sport was unfolding. So there’s a special maturity to Darius this 12 months as nicely. I believe there’s a special professionalism to Darius this 12 months as nicely. And he deserves all of the credit score on the earth for that. And this was a giant 12 months for him and he took the step that he wanted to take, the step that he wished to take final 12 months. Getting himself again into the all Star dialog, getting himself right into a dialog of among the finest gamers within the NBA at his place, all of that’s nice. He’s not well-liked. He’s not. For no matter motive, he doesn’t resonate with individuals. For no matter motive, he doesn’t have the followers. Did you ever see Gladiator?

Ethan Sands

After all.

Chris Fedor

The unique Gladiator. What was one of many first messages that was delivered to Maximus in that film?

Ethan Sands

Now I’m blanking.

Chris Fedor

Win the gang.

Darius hasn’t received the gang. And it’s evident within the all Star voting with the fan returns. The primary fan returns. He’s exterior the highest 10 of guards within the Japanese Convention. He’s like twenty fifth amongst guards in your entire NBA. That was the primary returns, and now he’s ninth. Ninth. So barely cracking the highest 10. The followers are talking and saying, for no matter motive, we like Lamelo extra, We like Donovan Mitchell extra. Damian Lillard extra. We like Jalen Brunson, we like Trae Younger, we like Kate Cunningham, we like Jordan Poole extra. You recognize what I’m saying? So, like, and he’s clearly engaged on this and also you’re writing a narrative on this, clearly, however, like, he hasn’t received the gang. He simply hasn’t. Perhaps he has to do it extra constantly. Perhaps he has to do it on the playoff stage. Perhaps he has to proceed to include slightly bit extra aptitude in his sport. Perhaps he has to change from New Stability to someplace, I don’t know. However he hasn’t received the gang till he does that. Like, how might I sit right here and say, like, he can be the following individual to doubtlessly deliver the NBA into a brand new period when he’s the ninth, in line with fan voting in All Star? And this, you understand, that is solely part of it, however it’s. It’s a part of the dialog. And never each fan goes to vote for All Star. They’re not going to, like, pull up their telephone or they’re not going to go to Twitter, you understand, so there’s some NBA followers that simply aren’t going to take the time to vote for All Star. However, like, by way of All Star voting, he’s the ninth hottest guard within the Japanese Convention. Have a look at Shai.

Have a look at Steph. Nonetheless. Have a look at Ant. Have a look at Lamelo. Have a look at Trey. They’re all manner additional alongside than he’s relating to simply recognition and successful the gang. I believe I simply wished to say Gladiator as a result of it’s one in all my favourite motion pictures of all time. Anytime that I can combine that in there, I’ll discover a gap to try this.

Ethan Sands

It’s a nice film. And I believe you make a superb level about successful the gang as a result of I really feel like as unfair because it could be to Darius, being labeled the worst participant within the NBA after his rookie season sticks with you. We’ve had individuals come again and take heed to the podcast and surprise who the hell I’m as a result of they had been so used to listening to Hayden. Proper. Like, they haven’t listened to the podcast in a 12 months and a half or no matter. They usually come again and so they’re like, who is that this man? Like, that’s generally how followers devour the NBA. And in the event you look again to only two years in the past, the New York Knicks sequence after which final 12 months, the Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic, Fractured Jaw, the worst season, the worst 12 months of his life. That’s what individuals are remembering behind their head. They’re not seeing, hey, they’re 33 and 5. Oh, they assume Donovan Mitchell. Okay? So I believe it’s positively fascinating for that dialog available. However while you’re speaking a couple of man like Darius Garland who’s elevating his sport to a special degree, to a special normal even than when he performed in an All Star sport already in his profession, I really feel like it’s value and it’ll occur if it continues once more. That is the start of the trajectory that we had been speaking about. If Darius continues this play, his followers fandom will rise as he continues as a result of the fame, as Chris likes to say, could be very onerous to alter. However in the event you proceed to provide them a motive to alter the fame, that can occur once more. In the event that they go to the NBA Finals this 12 months once more up within the air, we’ll see what occurs. This isn’t saying that they’re successful the NBA Finals, but when they do do this, that’s going to provide a special notion from followers that had been like, we are able to’t beat the New York Knicks as a result of we’re too smooth. That’s the place we’re at within the journey of Darius Garland and comparability to Stephen Curry. You make some nice factors of different individuals which are within the dialog. All I’m saying is I believe Darius Garland must also be in that dialog.

Chris Fedor

There’s one final level to make, and it got here out instantly after the Cavs misplaced to the Celtics within the Japanese Convention semifinals. There’s a motive that Darius individuals sat down with the Cavs and talk about the potential of discovering him a brand new residence within the NBA. And it’s not as a result of, you understand, they didn’t imagine within the path of the Cavs. It’s not as a result of, like, they had been ardent JB Bickerstaff supporters. It’s not as a result of, like, they didn’t imagine that Darius might win in Cleveland. It’s as a result of sharing the highlight with anyone might be tough while you’re making an attempt to create your individual model, while you’re making an attempt to be extra marketable, while you’re making an attempt to raise your profile to a special type of place. And this isn’t Darius. This isn’t Darius speaking. It’s his individuals, his people who find themselves type of, like, liable for searching for these issues, for taking note of these issues, for monitoring these issues, and for making an attempt to do no matter it’s they really feel is finest for them, their consumer. They usually seemed on the state of affairs and stated, look, if Donovan comes again, like, the issues that we’d need for Darius out of his profession, the issues we imagine that he ought to get out of his profession, they’re not going to be doable, to not the extent that we wish, not in Cleveland. And it wasn’t about market. And like I stated, it wasn’t about, like, get him on the playoff stage. It wasn’t about, you understand, can he win there. It was about all these different issues that we’re having a dialog about. And I do know Darius is his personal individual, and Darius is all about successful, and he hates shedding, particularly given anyone who got here into the NBA, like, and got here right into a state of affairs with the Cavs, that they had been on the backside. They had been the laughing inventory of the NBA. They had been rebuilding. Such as you talked about, he was labeled the worst participant within the NBA, and the Cavs had been completely nothing. They had been irrelevant when he got here into the NBA. So he needed to undergo all these darkish instances. He needed to undergo the worst parts of a rebuild so as to get thus far. So he appreciates successful extra. He loves successful. However there’s a motive why his individuals sat down with the Cavs group and stated, is there one thing that we are able to do about this, Is there a spot the place you possibly can ship him that may be extra useful to us? Like, there’s a motive why they need it out.

Ethan Sands

And, Chris, I believe that’s an excellent level. And I believe what you had been mentioning with coming into the league and being within the darkest instances of the Cleveland Cavaliers, I imagine, like, that could be the largest distinction between the way in which that Steph and Darius type of began their careers. As a result of Steph was the child from Davidson that got here onto the scene, and everyone was seeking to see if he was going to alter the sport. And that’s the craziest half about Steph. And simply to provide him and LeBron his credit score, like, LeBron got here in being the one, the chosen one, and lived as much as that. Like Klay Thompson. And I’m going to speak about him in a second. Klay Thompson talked about, after scoring 16,000 factors the opposite day, was like, do you perceive how loopy that sounds, that LeBron has 40, 40,000? After which Steph coming in and being the child from Davidson, and folks had been suggesting he could be the following individual to take the reins of the most effective shooter within the NBA. After which dwelling as much as that, two gamers that on this technology that we’ve gotten to witness that haven’t solely lived as much as the expectations that had been so excessive, however exceeded them, like, that’s exceptional. So, clearly, once more, these are all simply matters of dialogue that we’re speaking about on the days of infancy of those discussions. However, like, Stephen Curry had Klay Thompson, proper? They had been marketed because the Splash brothers. It was Steph and Klay. And I believe that’s a part of the way in which that Donovan has been in a position to hold this collectively.

Chris Fedor

One man went Underneath Armour, the opposite man went with a shoe model I’ve by no means heard of. Okay.

There are ranges to this, proper? Like, yeah, you’re proper, it was the Splash brothers. However Steph was up right here, manner up right here, and Clay was getting shoe offers from Anta.

Ethan Sands

Effectively, you’re proper, however I’m saying they had been nonetheless marketed collectively. And that was my subsequent level. Any person’s bought to be Clay. Of a dynamic. Any person’s bought to be Clay. It doesn’t matter in the event you’re right here and right here or right here and right here or right here and right here. Any person’s bought to be choice B, proper? And within the Donovan Darius dynamic proper now, it’s Donovan Darius. And that’s the understanding that Donovan. And in the event you search up on any platform, Darius and Donovan, the primary image, I wager you I put cash on it, it’s them hugging. It might be this 12 months. It might be final 12 months, like, they’re hugging or cheering at one another or yelling at one another, like, in a constructive method, clearly. However like I believe Donovan listening to these rumors or these conversations had by Darius, individuals took it upon himself to say, as he was saying all of final 12 months, I imagine in him. I would like him right here. I need to create this basis that we have now, as a result of I imagine we might be among the finest backcourts within the NBA. And he’s not solely proven that in how he’s talked about him off the court docket, talked about Darius to us, however he’s proven that in his play this 12 months as nicely. Getting off the ball, permitting him to do his maestro mastery. All the opposite belongings you need to speak about Darius Garland, it’s partly due to what Donovan Mitchell has been in a position to do himself. Similar factor. Steph Clay. The issues Clay was in a position to do is numerous the rationale, as a result of individuals had been working round chasing Steph. It’s a must to decide your poison. That’s the place the Cavs try to get. There are ranges to this, however I once more assume when the dialog is had, we’ve Talked about the place LeBron James is, like, it might be Anthony Edwards, it might be Jason Tatum. It might be these guys which are bodily specimen. After which Victor Wemanyama and kd. Aliens, proper? Unicorn, alien, no matter you need to name them. Steph Curry’s alternative. Not a alternative. No person replaces Steph Curry, however, like, the following man that’s bought to be, like, act, like, create. Like, Steph Curry is. Gotta be a guard or anyone that followers who should not 6 foot 5 and above can relate to. And to me, based mostly on the trajectory of their careers, Darius Garland must be in that dialog.

Chris Fedor

He’s simply bought to do one thing. Even that, that separates himself, that places him in that dialog. Steph got here into the NBA and he had the entire Davidson factor. He bought the NCAA match and he simply wowed everyone. He received the gang. He. He wowed each. Who doesn’t bear in mind Steph taking little Davidson with a bunch of different white dudes by means of an NCAA match run. A bunch of white dudes that didn’t belong in opposition to the groups that they had been enjoying in opposition to by means of an NCAA match run with miraculous shot making with unbelievable vary. He had that coming into the NBA, after which that translated to the NBA, proper? Like Trae Younger, for no matter you need to say about him, he has the. Going into Madison Sq. Backyard, occurring a deep playoff run the place it was him. Like, the place he was making these massive pictures, the place he was making these massive performs, the place he was doing the ice Tray factor all through a miraculous run that no one noticed coming from the Atlanta Hawks, however it occurs due to him. Lamelo has TikTok. How do you compete with TikTok?

Ethan Sands

Effectively, TikTok’s going away, Chris, so he doesn’t have an excessive amount of longer.

Chris Fedor

Excuse me. He’ll discover one other social media avenue to place his stuff there. However like he additionally has like the distinctiveness of his title. He’s a ball brother and he was like probably the most thrilling ball brother arising. And never at all times for all the proper causes, however nonetheless thrilling that folks like wished to stream highschool video games to observe this dude play. They wished to observe him play abroad to see what it was all about, proper? Like there was simply one thing magnetic about him that you simply streamed highschool video games to observe him play as a result of all you heard was like, oh my God, this dude does loopy issues on the court docket and he takes these one footed pictures when he will get throughout half court docket and he could make threes that only a few guys that we have now seen at this degree could make. Like he did one thing proper? Damian Lillard, he did one thing. Take into consideration. He put the Portland Trailblazers again on the map as a corporation. Jalen Brunson, he did one thing for no matter you need to say about him and the type of play and foul hunter and all these various things. Like, he grew to become the face of the New York Knicks. Take into consideration that. Mr. New York. Are you kidding me? There’s star energy there, there’s an attractiveness there. There’s one thing that resonates with individuals there. And you then hold taking place the checklist and it’s like, has Darius finished any of that? Something like that? Like, is his declare to fame at this cut-off date? Successful the abilities competitors factor with the Cavs at All Star Weekend when it was just like the Cavs hitting the half court docket, no matter they name that, what’s that even known as? Taking pictures stars?

Ethan Sands

The talents competitors. It’s the abilities competitors.

Chris Fedor

No, no, no. The one with like all of the teammates. As a result of Evan Mobley was part of it and Jared Allen was part of it. Keep in mind the one the place they’ve like.

The talents competitors is the person one the place there’s passing and so they’re capturing and there’s dribbling concerned. I’m speaking concerning the one with like, there are 4 groups, they’re all teammates. And the Cavs received that one and prefer it type of like lit up your entire area. And I’m not saying this to be imply once more. I’M simply saying this to be sincere and to place it in perspective and to be actual. I don’t know at this cut-off date what’s synonymous with Darius Garland.

Ethan Sands

I’m over right here making an attempt to determine what the rattling factor is known as.

Chris Fedor

I believe it’s known as Taking pictures Stars. I actually do.

Ethan Sands

All Star Expertise Problem outcomes. Evan Mobley for the win. Yeah. NBA All Star Expertise Problem outcomes highlights. Evan Mobley comes up clutch to provide group Cavs victory.

Yeah. I’m telling you, it’s the abilities problem in 2022. The brand new format.

Chris Fedor

Actually?

Ethan Sands

Yeah.

Chris Fedor

Okay, Gotcha. So I used to be unsuitable on that.

Ethan Sands

Yeah, it occurs.

Chris Fedor

Anyway, so what’s the one known as the place they individually undergo and so they dribble across the cones?

Ethan Sands

I believe that was it. I believe that was the brand new format. The brand new format was three, please. However it was once the abilities problem when it was only one individual. I bear in mind watching that again within the day. I believe it was like, Chris Paul who did it. However, yeah, like, that was only one individual. However I believe the brand new format was, like, groups. So it wasn’t like, the quickest participant within the league’s gonna win it each time.

Chris Fedor

All proper, I gotcha. Okay. However nonetheless, yeah, level stays. Like, what’s his signature second? What’s his. What’s synonymous with Darius Garland at this level? Proper. If you assume Darius Garland, what do you consider. And do you’ve got any of these issues that I simply talked about with these different guys thus far? No. Proper?

Donovan Mitchell has playoff spider. Donovan Mitchell has playoff spider from early in his profession after which what he did within the bubble.

Ethan Sands

I agree, as a result of I used to be trying on the All Star checklist, and I’m working down this checklist, and it’s Donovan Mitchell, spider, Damian Lillard, Dame Time. Jalen Brunson, King of New York, Trey Younger, Ice Trey, motorcade, Jordan Poole, pool celebration. So I positively assume, like we had been speaking about earlier, everyone has their trademark, whether or not it’s a celebration, whether or not it’s a reputation, whether or not it’s all these various things. And I believe it’s a begin for Darius Garland to have the kiss to the sky as his signature. It’s a starting, hopefully.

Chris Fedor

It’s an enchanting dialog, although. Truthfully, I do. And I believe it’s one which, you understand, different individuals across the NBA are having, and I do know that gamers in NBA locker rooms are having it as nicely about, like, who takes the torch from LeBron, from Steph, from KD, and so they have their very own opinions on it. And it’s fascinating, I believe, to listen to numerous the gamers talk about it.

Ethan Sands

What I’m writing about and I believe it’s I didn’t need to get too far into this as a result of one it’s very nuanced and extra nerdy. However like the truth that Darius Garland the factor that it’s going to take Darius Garland to the following degree and be nearer to what Steph did is what goes on behind the scenes. His exercise routine, his restoration, his energy being put again on and the way he’s utilized these various things. Whether or not it’s taking punishment on the defensive finish and looking for out the most effective matchup on every evening, guarding Steph Curry, serving to out on Jayson Tatum, switching, having the ability to be carried out in these completely different schemes that Kenny Atkinson has created, or occurring the offensive finish and such as you stated, not shying away from contact whereas driving to the basket and even shelling out a few of his punishment of his personal whereas additionally having the ability to have the creativity on the outside, on the perimeter to dribble, create and now have success from past the arc. 50, 40, 90 is inside attain. He’ll turn into simply the tenth individual in NBA historical past to achieve 50, 40, 90. So if you wish to say what’s what you bear in mind about Darius, that may be it. And that may not solely elevate the dialog, however however it might additionally simply be like, hey, that is one thing that I’ve finished that nearly no one else within the league has finished. Stephen Curry’s finished it. Kevin Durant’s finished it. These are actual conversations that we’re having and I just like the forwards and backwards. I simply assume it’s positively a dialog value having, although.

Chris Fedor

You’re proper, that may be his one thing.

Ethan Sands

With that being stated, that’ll wrap up right now’s episode of the Wine and Gold Discuss podcast. However bear in mind to turn into a Cavs insider and work together with Chris, me and Jimmy by subscribing to Subtext. That is the place you possibly can ship in your questions for our weekly hey Chris episode. So to try this, join a 14 day free trial or go to cleveland.comcavs and click on on the blue bar on the high of the web page. If you happen to don’t prefer it, that’s wonderful. All you need to do is textual content the phrase cease. It’s simple, however we are able to let you know that the individuals who enroll stick round as a result of that is one of the best ways to get insider protection within the Cavs from me, Chris and Jimmy. This isn’t simply our podcast, it’s your podcast. And the one technique to have your voice heard is thru subtext. Y’all be protected. We out.