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>> GOOD DAY, SUITE WORLD.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS, AND WELCOME TO7"
SPECIAL -- TO "THE STARTERS."
>> THE SEASON IS FLYING BY.
>> TO MY RIGHT IS TREY KIRBY.
FINALLY ROUNDING UP THE TABLE IS
THE AUSTRALIAN FACT CHECKER,
LEIGH ELLIS.
A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT SHOW TODAY.
WE ARE NOT WEARING PLAID.
WE ARE GOING TO HAND OUT SOME
NBA HARDWARE.
WHO GETS OUR VOTES FOR M.V.P.,
SIX THE MAN, AND ALL THOSE
AWARDS?
WE WILL DISCUSS OUR BIGGEST
SURPRISES AND DISAPPOINTMENTS.
WE HAVE MULTIPLE TOP 10 LISTS,
INCLUDING THE TOP 10 DUNKS OF
THE SEASON SO FAR, AND FINALLY,
EVERYONE LOVES A MONTAGE.
WE'LL GET TO SOME OF OUR
FAVORITE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE --
FROM "THE STARTERS" SHOW.
AN ACTION-PACKED HOLIDAY
SCHEDULE.
LET'S GET INTO IT.
THE SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR.
WE ARE LOOKING AT, WHO DESERVES
YOUR VOTE RIGHT NOW, NOT AT THE
END OF THE YEAR?
#THESTARTERS.
MORRIS, THOMAS, AND THEN
JACKSON.
THOMAS COME ISN'T HE A STARTER
NOW?
>> IT DOESN'T MATTER.
YOU HAVE TO PLAY AT LEAST 50% OF
YOUR TEAM'S GAMES OFF THE BENCH.
HE HAS PLAYED IN WAY MORE THAN
THAT.
I NEED A GUY WHO CAN SCORE AND
TAKE OVER IN THE FOURTH, IF
NEEDED.
18 POINTS PER GAME OFF THE
BENCH, KILLS ALL OF YOUR GUYS BY
FAR.
ALSO, HE LEADS IN POINTS IN
FOURTH QUARTER BENCH POINTS.
THAT IS ALL I NEED FROM A GUY.
HE DESTROYS ALL OF YOURS IN ALL
CATEGORIES.
>> HE WAS SO GOOD COMING OFF THE
BENCH THAT THEY TRADED AWAY
GUYS.
>> HE IS THAT GOOD.
>> UPWARDS OF 60% OF GAME THAT
HE IS COME OFF THE BENCH.
I DON'T SEE WHY I CANNOT GO ON
THE TECHNICALITY.
>> GET YOUR VOTE IN NOW.
WE DO THIS -- NEXT TIME WE DO
THIS --
WHY ARE YOU TWO GOING WITH
REGGIE JACKSON?
>> THE BENCH IS AWESOME, DEEP,
AS WELL.
A BIG REASON THEIR FOURTH AND
DEFENSIVE EFFICIENCY IS BECAUSE
OF REGGIE JACKSON.
HE IS GETTING 12 POINTS A GAME,
3.5 ASSISTS A GAME.
I LOOK FOR MORE OF CONFIDENCE
AND TRUST HE'S GOTTEN AND EARNED
FROM THE COACHING STAFF, AND
MORE IMPORTANTLY, FROM SENIOR
PLAYERS, KEVIN DURANT AND WESSEL
-- WESTBROOK.
>> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.
EVERY TIME WE SEE IF UNDER GAME,
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE BENCH.
IT IS ALL ABOUT REGGIE JACKSON.
HE COMES OFF THE BENCH AND IS
LEGITIMATELY A WEAPON.
HE ISSUED IN THAT LITTLE
FLOATER.
HE SHOOTS 55% IN THE LANE.
ONLY BROOK LOPEZ SHOOTS A HIGHER
PERCENTAGE.
IT IS PRETTY IMPRESSIVE THAT
THAT IS HIS SHOT.
IT IS.
>> HE'S GOING TO BE IN THE
RUNNING FOR MOST IMPROVED, AS
WELL.
>> NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.
>> I'M GOING WITH MARCUS MORRIS
WITH THE SUNS.
I THINK IT IS MORE IMPRESSIVE
BECAUSE HE IS A POWER FORWARD.
THE POINT GUARDS YOU JUST
NAMED, GUYS LIKE NICK YOUNG,
THOSE GUYS GET THE GREEN LIGHT
TO SHOOT, BUT A POWER FORWARD
HAS TO DO IT WITHIN THE OFFENSE.
HE HAS BEEN A HUGE REASON WHY
THE SUNS HAVE SURPRISE A LOT OF
PEOPLE.
HE CAN GO FOR 25 ANY NIGHT.
YOU COMPARE THAT WITH THREE
GUYS, LET SO ANDROGENIC, AND HE
CAN GO FOR 25 A NIGHT.
HE GETS MY VOTE.
HIS TWIN BROTHER IS NOT THAT BAD
EITHER.
>> I WILL SAY THIS.
OBVIOUSLY, YOU GUYS ARE GETTING
ON ME, THAT MY GUY HASN'T PLAYED
OFF THE BENCH.
HE'S GOT MORE TOTAL FOURTH-
QUARTER POINTS THIS ENTIRE
SEASON THEN A LOT OF YOUR PICKS,
PLAYING FAR LESS GAMES.
THAT IS HOW GOOD HE IS.
THAT IS WHAT MY GUY NEEDS.
HE NEEDS TO COME IN AND SCORE.
>> LET'S HEAR WHAT PEOPLE THINK.
LET'S GET TO THE DEFENSIVE
PLAYER OF THE YEAR.
THIS ONE, UNANIMOUS.
ALL OF US GOING WITH THE PACERS
BIG MAN IN THE MIDDLE, ROY
HIBBERT.
NO REAL SURPRISE HERE.
I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WATCHING
ARE GOING TO AGREE WITH THIS
PICK, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE FIRST
25 GAMES SO FAR.
>> ARE YOU LIKE ME?
DO YOU HAVE A BIG MAN BIAS?
>> YOU HAVE TO.
>> THE BACK LINE IS FAR MORE
IMPORTANT THAN THE PERIMETER
GUYS.
YOU CANNOT STOP THE BEST -- THE
BEST PERIMETER DEFENDERS CANNOT
STOP PREMATURE SCORERS.
YOU NEED A BACK WHEN DEFENDER
WHO IS INCREDIBLE.
I THINK HE DOES IT ABSOLUTELY
ALL.
>> IT IS JUST HIS IMPACT IN
PRESENCE.
THE THING I TALK ABOUT A LOT ARE
THE SHOTS THAT GET CHANGED.
HE WOULD PROBABLY AVERAGE 5-10
OF THOSE A GAME.
WHETHER OR NOT THEY SCORE ON
THOSE OR NOT, IT IS HIM BEING
THERE, CHANGING THE APPROACH TO
THE LANE.
>> THE FIELD-GOAL PERCENTAGE AT
THE RIM, WE ARE TRYING TO
EVALUATE THAT.
HE IS INCREDIBLE AT THAT.
HE IS AFFECTING A TON OF SHOTS
AT THE RIM.
HE IS ALWAYS AT THE RIM.
HE IS JUST THEIR AFFECTING IT.
>> INDIANA, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT
THE BEST DEFENSE IN THE LEAGUE,
HISTORICALLY ONE OF THE BEST
DEFENSES WE HAVE SEEN SO FAR,
AND IT IS A BIG REASON WHY.
I CAN'T BELIEVE NONE OF US HAVE
SAID THE WORD "VERTICALITY."
>> THAT'S THE REASON WHY HE IS
SO GOOD, CHALLENGING SHOTS OF
THE RIM, AND HIM BEING THERE
MAKES IT EASY FOR THEIR GUARDS
AND LONG GUYS TO CHALLENGE SHOTS
ON THE PERIMETER.
>> WHAT ABOUT SOME LOVE FOR
ANOTHER PACER IN PAUL GEORGE AND
A PREMATURE GUY?
DO YOU BUY THAT AT ALL?
>> OF COURSE, HE DESERVES IT,
BUT TO ME, I WOULD VOTE FOR
FRANK VOGEL BEFORE PAUL GEORGE.
I JUST THINK THE DEFENSE AND THE
WAY THIS GAME IS, -- THE SCHEME
IS, PAUL GEORGE DOES AN
INCREDIBLE JOB, BUT EVEN AGAINST
LEBRON JAMES, PG CANNOT TAKE
HIM.
>> HE CANNOT TAKE HIM, BUT HE
DOES PICK HIM UP.
I THINK HE DESERVES
CONSIDERATION BECAUSE HE IS
THEIR BEST ONE-ON-ONE DEFENDER
IN THAT SENSE.
>> BECAUSE THEY HAVE HIBBERT,
THE GAME PLAN IS, RUN THOSE
THREE GUYS.
THE DEFENSIVE SCHEME IS, GIVE
THEM THE LONG TWO.
RUN THEM OFF THE THREE-POINT
LINE IS MUCH AS THEY CAN.
WE HAVE ROY HIBBERT TO ERASE OR
CHANGE AS MANY SHOTS AS
POSSIBLE.
>> YOU THINK BECAUSE HE IS 7'2",
YOU CANNOT GUARD HIM IN SPACE.
ONE-ON-ONE, AT THE RIM,
OBVIOUSLY HE IS 7'2", HE'S GOING
TO BLOCK YOUR SHOT, SECOND IN
BLOCKS, BUT IN SPACE, HE IS THAT
AGILE.
HE IS WORKED ON CONDITIONING
LIKE CRAZY.
HE CAN STAY OUT THERE AND STAY
WITH A POINT GUARD AND HANDLE A
PICK-AND-ROLL NO PROBLEM.
HE DOES IT ALL.
IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL TO WATCH THE
DEFENSE WORK.
>> OTHER GUYS IN CONSIDERATION
HERE, ANTHONY DAVIS?
A LOT OF BLOCKS FROM HIM.
LEBRON JAMES IS ALWAYS GOING TO
COME UP.
LET US KNOW.
WHO WOULD YOU PICK, DEFENSIVE
PLAYER OF THE YEAR?
MORE AWARDS STILL TO COME.
LET'S GET TO OUR TOP 10 LISTS.
WE HAVE BEEN SPOILED SO FAR THIS
YEAR WITH THE AMOUNT OF GAME
WINNERS WE HAVE HAD.
WE HAVE A TOP 10 GAME WINNERS
FOR YOU.
AT NUMBER 10, IT IS JOE JOHNSON
-- THIS IS SORT OF IN SLO MO --
SLOW-MO.
HE IS GOING TO GO FULL-COURT.
THAT LITTLE HESITATION AT THE
THREE-POINT LINE, TRICKING TALK
HER INTO THINKING HE WAS GOING
TO PULL UP, AND THEN FINISHES
WITH A BEAUTIFUL FLOATER.
HE DIDN'T CARE TO CELEBRATE.
>> THIS ONE, NUMBER NINE, AL
HORFORD OVER TUCK.
THAT IS A BEAUTIFUL PASS.
OT WINNER FOR AL HORFORD IN THE
FORTRESS.
>> SPEAKING OF OT, IT TOOK THREE
OVERTIMES FOR THIS GAME TO
FINALLY AND THANKS TO JRUE
HOLIDAY.
THEY ARE JUST HANGING IN THE AIR
AFTER CONTACT FROM TAJ GIBSON.
THAT IS AT NUMBER EIGHT IN THIS
LIST.
HE IS GOING TO GET PUNCHED FROM
HIS TEAMMATE, TYREKE EVANS.
>> AT NUMBER SEVEN, STEPH CURRY
AGAINST THE MAVERICKS HITS HIS
FIRST GAME-WINNER ON THE PUMP
FAKE.
>> DON'T CELEBRATE TOO EARLY,
STEPH.
THE GAME IS NOT OVER.
>> WHAT IS HE SUPPOSED TO DO?
HE IS GOING TO CHEER.
THE GAME IS STILL GOING ON.
>> AT NUMBER SIX, MONTA ELLIS
HAVING IT ALL, INCLUDING THIS
GAME-WINNER AGAINST THE BLAZERS,
WHO EVERYONE KNOWS ARE A TOUGH
BATTLE RIGHT NOW.
I LOVE ONES WERE YOU CAN RUN OFF
THE COURT.
>> NO POINTS LEFT.
>> AT NUMBER FIVE, DERRICK ROSE
VERSUS THE KNICKS.
WHY ARE WE SHOWING THIS?
THIS JUST MAKES ME SAD.
I THOUGHT THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO
BE AN UPBEAT SHOWED.
>> I REMEMBER THAT.
>> THAT WAS HALLOWEEN NIGHT.
AT NUMBER FOUR, ONE OF TWO GREAT
GAMES WE HAVE HAD BETWEEN THE
WARRIORS AND THE THUNDER.
THIS ONE IS IGGY, GREAT PLAY
CALL, GREAT SHOT, AND THE PLACE
GOES BONKERS.
A WEIRD CELEBRATION.
>> AT NUMBER THREE, WE HAVE A
TRIFECTA OF DAMIAN LILLARD GAME
WINNERS.
THE FIRST ONE IS BORING.
THEN THE SECOND ONE, RIGHT IN
THE EYE OF RODNEY STUCKEY.
ON BACK-TO-BACK NIGHTS, HE HIT
ANOTHER ONE, BACK-TO-BACK GAMES
FOR THE BLAZERS.
JUST A CLEAR OUT THREE BALL.
>> BACK TO THE THUNDER AND
WARRIORS AT NUMBER TWO, THIS
ONE, RUSSELL WESTBROOK, PAYBACK.
HE'S GOING TO KEEP THE REBOUND
ALIVE.
LOOK AT THIS.
THIS PLAY IS BONKERS.
AROUND THE CORNER.
INCREDIBLE.
I CAN'T WAIT FOR THESE TWO TEAMS
TO PLAY A GAME SEVEN SERIES IN
THE PLAYOFFS.
I CAN'T WAIT.
>> WE'VE GOT TO SHOW YOU A GREAT
ONE AT NUMBER ONE.
THIS PAST COMING FROM JEFF GREEN
AND THE CELTICS, HITTING HIM ON
THE OTHER SIDE, THIS GET PAST --
IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL.
A BOMB INTO THE CORNER.
NO TIME LEFT.
HE KNOWS IT IS GOING DOWN.
A FANTASTIC PASS.
>> THIS ONLY HAPPENED BECAUSE
WADE MISSED THE FREE-THROW.
>> DEALING WITH SOME CELTICS
FANS IN THE CORNER.
>> TOP 10 GAME WINNERS.
JEFF GREEN COMING IN AT NUMBER
ONE.
WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A BREAK,
BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MAKES
THIS SHOW SO MUCH FUN IS THE
INTERACTIONS WITH YOU GUYS, THE
FANS.
TO RECOGNIZE ALL THE GREAT
COMMENTS WE HAVE RECEIVED, WE
ASKED OUR DIRECTOR'S KIDS TO
READ SOME OF THE MORE THOUGHTFUL
TWEETS YOU HAVE SHARED WITH US.
TAKE IT AWAY, BOYS.
>> FOUR WHITE DUDES THAT NEVER
PLAYED THE GAME TALKING ABOUT
BASKETBALL.
#WHOCARES
>> WELCOME BACK TO "THE STARTERS
" HOLIDAY SPECIAL.
WE ARE HANDING OUT SOME NBA
HARDWARE, GIVING OUR VOTES TO
SOME AWARDS.
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER, MY MOST
FAVORITE AWARD.
WE ALL DISAGREE ON THIS ONE.
I AM GOING PAUL GEORGE.
TAS LIKES ERIC BLEDSOE.
THOMAS MAKING THE LIST AGAIN.
>> ERIC BLEDSOE ISN'T JUST A
WINNER WHO CAME OUT OF NOWHERE.
A LOT OF WINNERS COME OUT OF
NOWHERE.
THIS MAN HAD EXPECTATIONS.
WE ALL -- WE ALL QUESTIONED IF
BLEDSOE COULD HANDLE A STARTER'S
ROLE.
HE HAS DOUBLED HIS POINTS IN
ASSISTS.
HIS PERMANENT NUMBERS ARE WAY
UP.
A GUY WE DIDN'T THINK COULD
SHOOT, HIS NUMBERS HAVE JUMPED
TO 49% ON THE FIELD GOAL
PERCENTAGE.
ON THE DEFENSIVE END, THIS MAN
KNOWS HOW TO GET HIS NOSE DEEP.
HE'S ALWAYS WORKING IT ON EITHER
SIDE OF THE BALL, HELPING OUT,
REBOUNDING.
LEBRON IS GAS ON THE DEFENSIVE
END.
EVERY NIGHT, HE MAKE SURE HE
WORKS AT BOTH ENDS OF THE FLOOR.
>> WHY ARE YOU GOING WITH
THOMAS?
>> THOMAS IS GOING TO WIN THIS
AWARD BECAUSE HE IS THE MOST
IMPROVED BASKETBALL PLAYER.
HIS MINUTES ARE NOT
SIGNIFICANTLY UP FROM LAST
SEASON.
SINCE THE TRADE, HIS NUMBERS
HAVE SHOT UP TO 21 POINTS A
GAME, 7.5 ASSISTS PER GAME.
HE SHOOTING 47% FROM THE FIELD.
>> THIS AWARD IS USUALLY A
MINUTE INCREASE.
BLEDSOE IS GETTING A LOT MORE
MINUTES.
IT IS MINUTES-BASED A LOT OF THE
TIME.
>> THOMAS' AREN'T HUGELY UP.
NOW HE HAS KEPT DEMARCUS COUSINS
HAPPY.
HE'S GOT RUDY GAY, AS WELL.
HE'S GOT A BIG ROLE, BUT HE
STILL WANTS TO INCREASE HIS
OUTPUT.
>> I'M A SUCKER FOR THE
CINDERELLA STORY.
XAVIER HENRY WAS SIGNED TO A
NONGUARANTEED CONTRACT.
NOW HE'S PLAYING FOR THE LAKERS.
HE IS REALLY MAKING THE MOST OF
HIS OPPORTUNITIES.
A CLASSIC MIKE D'ANTONI
RECLAMATION PROJECT.
HE PLAYED 13 MINUTES ON THE
HORNETS LAST YEAR.
NOW HE IS STARTING.
>> YOU ARE DOING THE FEEL-GOOD
STORY.
I'M GOING WITH THE GUY WHO IS
TAKING THE LEAP FROM GOOD TO
GREAT LAST YEAR, WINNING MOST
IMPROVED PLAYER, AND THEN GOING
FROM GREAT TO ELITE, SUPERSTAR
LEVEL.
I'M GOING PAUL GEORGE AGAIN,
MAKING HISTORY WITH THE FIRST
BACK-TO-BACK MOST IMPROVED
PLAYER AWARD.
IT SOUNDS RIDICULOUS AT FIRST,
BUT THEN, WHY NOT?
HE HAD A GREAT IMPROVEMENT AND
GOT IT LAST YEAR.
HE HAS TAKEN IT TO ANOTHER LEVEL
THIS YEAR.
I THINK HE HAS TAKEN IT TO AN
EVEN MORE DIFFICULT LEVEL.
>> HE WOULD BE THE FIRST PLAYER
IN HISTORY TO WIN ALL-STAR AND
THEN NEXT SEASON, MOST IMPROVED
PLAYER.
>> I THINK YOU CAN MAKE A CASE
FOR HIM.
>> I CANNOT BELIEVE THEY WOULD
GIVE IT TO HIM TWO YEARS IN A
LAREAU -- IN A ROW.
>> HIS MINUTES HAVE DECREASED A
LITTLE BIT, BUT HIS EFFICIENCY
IS CRAZY.
LET'S HEAR WHAT PEOPLE THINK.
#THESTARTERS
WHO DO YOU LIKE?
I THINK WE ARE GOING TO GET SOME
VOTES FOR JORDAN CRAWFORD AND
JOHN HENSON, MAYBE.
A LOT OF GUYS IN THEIR SECOND OR
THIRD YEAR.
>> ANTHONY DAVIS, AS WELL.
>> LET'S GET TO ROOKIE OF THE
YEAR.
I KNOW WE HAVE DISAGREEMENTS
WITH THIS.
I'M GOING WITH MICHAEL CARTER-
WILLIAMS.
TAS AND LEIGH, TREY BURKE.
AFTER OLADIPO, A BIG FAVORITE,
IS TRY'S PICK.
THIS IS FOR RIGHT NOW.
>> I GO TRADE BOOK WITH THE UTAH
JAZZ BECAUSE WITH ROOKIES, IT IS
ABOUT, WHO CAN I TRUST TO THROW
INTO THE LINEUP AND PLAY SOME
KEY MINUTES?
I CAN TRUST TREY BURKE.
THAT IS WHY I CALL HIM TRUSTY
TRY.
THROW HIM OUT THERE.
LET HIM RUN YOUR TEAM.
HE MISSED A TON OF CAMP.
NOW HE JUST COMES IN, AND HE IS
ONE OF THE BEST ASSIST-TURNOVER
RATIOS IN THE GAME.
HE REALLY IMPRESSES ME.
>> TRUSTEE TRY -- TRUSTY TREY
IS GREAT.
THE JAZZ HAD ONE WIN BEFORE HE
JOINED THEM, AND THEY ARE NOW 7-
11 SINCE HE JOINED THEM.
HE HAS GREAT COMPOSURE ON THE
BALL.
THEY LOVE HIM OUT THERE IN UTAH.
OLADIPO HAS BEEN GOOD, BUT I
THINK TREY BURKE IS THE PICK FOR
ME.
>> 36% FOR A ROOKIE, SOLID.
>> THIS ROOKIE CLASS HAS BEEN
DECIMATED BY THE -- BY INJURIES.
TREY BURKE HASN'T -- DIDN'T PLAY
A CHUNK OF TIME.
YOU ARE TAKING THE ONE GUY THAT
HAS PLAYED ALL OF HIS GAMES FOR
HIS TEAM.
>> THAT IS KIND OF A BIG REASON
WHY I WOULD TAKE VICTOR OLADIPO.
HE HAS PLAYED ALMOST MORE THAN
200 MINUTES MORE THAN THE NEXT
ROOKIE.
HE IS AMONG ROOKIES SECOND IN
SCORING, FOURTH IN ASSISTS,
FIFTH IN REBOUNDING, SIXTH AND
BLOCKS.
HE DOES IT ALL FOR THE MAGIC.
THE MAGIC DON'T HAVE A LOT GOING
ON.
HE HAS MANAGED TO PUT A PRETTY
DECENT NUMBERS WHILE STAYING
HEALTHY.
>> HE HAS MOVED TO THE BENCH
RECENTLY.
>> MAYBE WE CAN VOTE FOR HIM FOR
SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR.
>> I'M GOING WITH MICHAEL
CARTER-WILLIAMS.
HE MISSED A GOOD CHUNK OF TIME
WITH THAT BACTERIAL INFECTION ON
HIS KNEE.
HE WAS AN INCREDIBLE PLAYER.
HE IS.
HE IS BACK NOW.
HE LEADS THE LEAGUE IN STEALS
PER GAME.
YOU TALK ABOUT PLAYER
EFFICIENCY, HE IS LEAPS AND
BOUNDS BETTER THAN ANY OF YOUR
OTHER ROOKIES.
HE IS VERY HIGH, ESPECIALLY
OLADIPO -- MUCH MORE EFFICIENT.
HE GOT OFF TO A GREAT START THE
SEASON.
HE HAS MAINTAINED INCREDIBLE
NUMBERS.
WE WILL LET PEOPLE DECIDE AND BE
THE FINAL VERDICT OUT THERE.
#THESTARTERS
WHO DO YOU GIVE IT TO?
WE LOVE TO LOOK UP IN THE STANDS
WHEN WE ARE WATCHING THE GAMES.
WE ALWAYS POINT OUT THE RANDOM,
WEIRD THINGS.
WE HAVE THE TOP 10 A FAN MOMENTS
FROM THE SEASON SO FAR.
>> WE WATCH A LOT OF BASKETBALL.
>> THIS IS DURING THE BREAK.
AT NUMBER 10, IT IS A BULLS
PROPOSAL.
SHE IS A LOVABLE DANCER.
THEN HE -- BEN TELLS HER TO SIT
DOWN.
NHE PUTS THE RING ON THE WRONG
FINGER.
NOT OFF TO A GREAT START.
LOOK AT BENNY PUMPED UP.
>> AT NUMBER NINE, SIR PAUL
MCCARTNEY JUST WANT A SHIRT.
GIVE IT TO HIM.
>> I AM PAUL MCCARTNEY FROM THE
BEATLES.
>> YOU DON'T WANT THAT SHIRT.
IT IS GOING TO BE TOO BIG FOR
YOU.
>> IT HAS BEEN A LONG SEASON,
KNICKS FANS.
LOOK AT ANGRY, SAD KNICKS FANS.
THEY ARE GETTING KILLED BY THE
SPURS.
THERE ARE KIDS EATING $10
NACHOS.
>> AT NUMBER SEVEN, WE HAD TO
THUNDER FANS HAD BACKCOURT SHOTS
AND BACK-TO-BACK GAMES IN OKC.
CAMERON RODRIGUEZ BURIED IT ON
NOVEMBER 18, AND THEN BRAD
BROECKER ALSO ONE -- WON
$20,000.
THEN HE GETS TO MEET JAY-Z AND
BEYONCÉ.
>> AT NUMBER 6, 11-YEAR-OLD
PISTONS FAN AND ONE ALEXANDER
AND THIS PISTONS USHER BECOMING
YOUTUBE SENSATIONS.
I LOVE THIS KID.
HE'S GOT THE MOVES.
HE IS SO HAPPY.
>> AT NUMBER FIVE, IT IS GETTING
LATE IN THE GAME.
TIME TO BRING OUT THE UNBEATEN,
UNPARALLELED FREE-THROW DEFENSE.
YOU CANNOT SCORE WHEN YOU SEE
THE FULL ***.
>> IMPOSSIBLE.
>> DID HE HIT IT?
>> AT NUMBER FOUR, DUDE, WE ARE
WATCHING.
YOU MAY WANT TO WAIT TO FIX YOUR
JUNK.
>> DO THE TALK.
>> AT NUMBER THREE, THE MAN
BEHIND MARK JACKSON AND BLAKE
GRIFFIN PROBABLY DOESN'T KNOW
THE CAMERAS ON, BUT HE DON'T
CARE.
>> KNUCKLE-DEEP.
>> WOW, HE REALLY GOT IN THERE.
>> A FEW GOOD MOMENTS.
ZACH RANDOLPH TAKING THE SHIRT
OFF HIS BACK AND GIVING IT TO A
YOUNG GRIZZLIES FAN.
AMAZING.
WE SHOULD ALL DO THAT AT THE
SAME TIME.
>> AW!
>> AT NUMBER ONE, NOT AS
BEAUTIFUL A MOMENT, BUT IT IS A
GREAT MOMENT.
WOAH!
HE DOESN'T SPELL A OF THAT
DRINK.
>> OUR TOP 10 FAN MOMENTS.
WE'VE GOT TO TAKE A QUICK BREAK,
BUT WHEN WE RETURN, TWO MORE
AWARDS TO GIVE AWAY, BUT AS WE
GO TO BREAK, WE WILL THROW TO
YOUR TWEETS.
>> IS THAT THE GUY FROM THE
HANGOVER WITH A CHIA PET ON HIS
HEAD?
>> WELCOME BACK TO "THE
STARTERS" HOLIDAY SPECIAL.
CAN I GET AN EXTENSION ON MY
PSYCH PAPER?
>> I DIDN'T KNOW WE WERE THE
FIRST TO DRESS UP LIKE THE "MEN
IN BLACK" DUDES.
>> WE'VE GOT TWO MORE AWARDS TO
GIVE AWAY.
LET'S GET TO THE FIRST ONE.
COACH OF THE YEAR.
THREE OF US AGREE THAT AT THIS
POINT IN THE SEASON, IT SHOULD
BE BLAZERS COACH TERRY STOTTS.
THE ONLY ONE DISAGREEING, TREY
PICKING FRANK VOGEL AND THE
PACERS.
>> THIS IS A GREAT STORY, GUYS.
I'VE GOT TO DO WITH A GOOD
STORY, THE UNEXPECTED TEAM.
NOBODY EXPECTED THIS.
I THINK HE HAS INSTITUTED SO
MANY CULTURE CHANGES WITH THAT
TEAM.
YOU HAVE LAMARCUS ALDRIDGE
THINKING HE IS A SUPERSTAR.
I ALSO THINK THAT THEIR FIRST
PLACE OFFENSE, THEM STUDYING
PLAYS ON THEIR IPADS THROUGHOUT
THE GAME, IS A CULTURE CHANGE,
AND JUST EVERYBODY RALLYING
AROUND EACH OTHER, THE FACT THAT
THEY ARE THIS HIGH IN THE
WESTERN CONFERENCE THIS EARLY,
IT IS A HUGE CULTURE CHANGE.
>> THEY'VE DONE A GREAT JOB OUT
THERE.
THEY STILL CEDE A FEW TOO MANY
POINTS IN THE PAINT.
THEY HAVE A LOT OF SECOND-CHANCE
POINTS.
THEY ARE THIRD IN REBOUNDING
OVERALL FOR THE LEAGUE.
TERRY STOTTS HAS TAKEN THIS TEAM
FROM LAST YEAR -- THEY HAVE
POTENTIAL FOR A LONG TIME -- HE
HAS DAMIAN LILLARD PLAYING
REALLY WELL, POTENTIALLY AN ALL-
STAR, ALONG WITH LAMARCUS
ALDRIDGE, TWO GUYS AVERAGING 20
POINTS A GAME.
YOU LOOK AT THE RESULTS.
>> THIS TEAM IS PLAYING
UNSELFISHLY.
IF HE HAS FIGURED OUT THIS
TEAM'S STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES.
HE GETS MY VOTE, AS WELL.
YOU COULD EITHER GO WITH THE
BEST OFFENSE IN THE LEAGUE, OR
AS TREY IS DOING, THE BEST
DEFENSE.
>> GREAT CHOICES EITHER WAY.
IF YOU ARE TAKING TERRY STOTTS,
YOU'RE HAPPY.
IF YOU'RE TAKING FRANK VOGEL,
YOU'RE HAPPY.
WHAT HE HAS DONE WITH THE PACERS
HAS BEEN A TAD BIT MORE
IMPRESSIVE.
THEY HAVE BECOME A CONTENDER
THIS YEAR.
AFTER THEY TOOK THE HEAT TO GAME
SEVEN, COMING IN TO PROVE, WE
ARE A FOUR-REAL TEAM, THEY ARE
REPLACING THE BULLS AS THE TEAM
THAT CAN KNOCK OFF THE HEAT IN
THE EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS.
THAT IS PRETTY COOL.
>> I THINK YOU KIND OF EXPECTED
THAT WITH THE PACERS.
THEY WOULD BE UP THERE.
EVEN IN THE COACHING VOTING, I
THINK THAT IS WHY YOU GET SOME
VOTER FATIGUE.
THAT IS WHY THE STORY SURPASSES
THE PACERS.
>> LET'S HEAR WHAT PEOPLE THINK.
#THESTARTERS
OTHER VOTES, JEFF HORNACEK WITH
THE SUNS.
ALSO, BRAD STEVENS, THE CELTICS.
BOTH OF THEM HAVE DONE GREAT
JOBS AND SURPRISE A LOT OF
PEOPLE WITH THEIR TEAMS.
LET'S MOVE OVER TO THE
GRANDDADDY OF THEM ALL, THE MOST
VALUABLE PLAYER.
IS THERE REALLY ANY DOUBT?
CAN WE MAKE AN ARGUMENT FOR
SOMEONE ELSE?
I BELIEVE WE CAN, BUT WE ARE ALL
GOING WITH LEBRON JAMES.
IT IS THE UNANIMOUS PICK FOR ALL
OF US.
AGAIN, YOU CAN START TO MAKE A
CASE FOR A COUPLE OTHER GUYS.
>> YOU CAN NITPICK WITH LEBRON
JAMES.
OVERALL, HIS NUMBERS HAVE GONE
DOWN SLIGHTLY.
THE POINTS, REBOUNDS, AND
ASSISTS HAVE GONE DOWN.
HE IS BASICALLY THE PERFECT
OFFENSIVE PLAYER.
HIS FIELD-GOAL PERCENTAGE, HIS
EFFICIENCY HAS GONE UP.
HE IS NEARING 60%, 40% FROM THE
FIELD.
NOBODY WHO QUALIFIES FOR THOSE
TWO CATEGORIES HAS EVER DONE IT.
HE IS GETTING MORE EFFICIENT AND
BETTER AS HE GOES ALONG.
I THINK YOU HAVE TO GIVE IT TO
HIM.
AT SOME POINT, THERE WILL BE
SOME VOTER FATIGUE.
YOU CAN GIVE LEBRON JAMES THE
MPP EVERY YEAR.
I DO SEE PEOPLE LOOKING AT THE
OVERALL NUMBERS, THE RAW
STATISTICS, AND THEY WILL SAY,
HIS NUMBERS HAVE COME DOWN.
YOU CAN MAKE A CASE.
>> ON A PER-MINUTE BASIS, HIS
NUMBERS ARE UNIQUE.
HE'S PLAIN 35 MINUTES -- PLAYING
35 MINUTES OR SO PER GAME.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE WINNERS OF
THE MTP, PLAYING UNDER 35
MINUTES PER GAME, ONLY TO HAVE
EVER DONE IT, STEVE NASH AND
BILL WALTON.
IF THEY KEEP BLOWING OUT TEAMS
AND HE SITS OUT FOURTH QUARTERS,
HE COULD FALL UNDER 35 MINUTES
AT THE END OF THE YEAR AND WIN
THIS AWARD.
THAT WOULD BE RARE COMPANY.
LET'S MAKE A CASE FOR KEVIN
DURANT.
I THINK YOU CAN.
>> KEVIN DURANT CERTAINLY OVER
THE LAST STRETCH, HE HAS BEEN A
DOMINANT PLAYER.
AGAIN, HE TALKS ABOUT HOW HE
DOESN'T WANT TO BE THE SECOND-
BEST PLAYER IN THE LEAGUE.
IT IS NOT HARD TO PUT HIM AHEAD
OF LEBRON.
HE CERTAINLY A WORTHY CANDIDATE.
IF OKLAHOMA HAS THE BEST RECORD
AND HE -- AND HE KEEPS UP THIS
SORT OF RUN, I CAN SEE HIM
CHALLENGING HIM FOR THAT TITLE.
>> THE BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
LEBRON AND DURANT IS, FOR AS
GOOD AS LEBRON IS ON OFFENSE AND
DURANT IS ON OFFENSE, LEBRON IS
STILL SUCH A BETTER DEFENDER.
YOU DON'T SEE THAT WITH DURANT.
THAT IS WHY EVEN PLAYING SUCH A
FEW MINOR MINUTES, THAT IS WHY
HE IS A STEP AHEAD.
>> NOT LOOKING AT THE END OF THE
YEAR, AND SO IT IS LEBRON, ONE,
AND DURANT, TWO, WHO WOULD YOU
PUT A NUMBER THREE?
IS IT PAUL GEORGE, CHRIS PAUL,
LAMARCUS ALDRIDGE?
>> I'M GOING WITH CHRIS PAUL
MYSELF, BUT I CAN SEE WHY
SOMEBODY WOULD GO WITH PAUL
GEORGE.
HE REALIZES THIS IS THE TIME
WHEN THE CLIPPERS HAVE TO MAKE A
NAME FOR THEMSELVES.
HE'S BEEN REALLY AGGRESSIVE AND
HAS TAKEN A TEAM ON HIS
SHOULDERS.
I THINK HE WILL BE IN THE TOP
THREE OR FOUR VOTING.
>> TAS?
>> I LEAN TOWARDS CHRIS PAUL
RIGHT NOW.
I WOULDN'T BE MAD WITH PAUL
GEORGE EITHER, OR LAMARCUS
ALDRIDGE.
>> THEY ARE ALL PRETTY GOOD
BASKETBALL PLAYERS.
>> LISTEN, I'M NOT THAT
CONCERNED.
I'M CONCERNED WITH NUMBER ONE.
I'M GLAD WE ARE ALL STICKING
WITH LEBRON JAMES.
IT WOULD BE EASY TO GET VOTER
FATIGUE.
>> MOST VALUABLE PLAYER AT THIS
POINT IN THE SEASON.
ANOTHER TOP 10 FOR YOU.
THIS ONE IS A LOT OF FUN.
RANDOM ON-THE THE-COURT MOMENTS.
AT NUMBER 10, IT IS A FAVORITE
HERE ON7."
ANYTIME THERE IS A WEDGIE, WE
SHOW IT TO YOU.
IT IS PRETTY RARE TO GET THE
DEANDRE JORDAN WEDGIE.
>> AT NUMBER NINE, WE HAVE
KENNETH FARIED GETTING A MASSAGE
FROM STEVE HESS WHO IS REALLY
GETTING INTO IT.
>> THIS IS A MASSAGE?
>> HE GIVES HIM THE HEAD BUMP A
LA KEVIN GARNETT.
LOOK HOW HE GETS INTO THIS.
THIS IS THEIR MASSAGE/PREGAME
ROUTINE.
>> YOU ACT LIKE WE DON'T DO THIS
BEFORE EVERY SHOW.
>> JASON KIDD, NUMBER EIGHT,
WANTING A NEXT OR TIMEOUT.
HIT ME.
I WILL DROP MY COKE.
WE WILL CLEAN IT UP.
WE WILL BE FINE.
>> AT NUMBER SEVEN, BIG BABY
CARVES A TURKEY AND GOES IN FOR
THE BITE.
[LAUGHTER]
DON'T GIVE A BABY AND NICE.
-- A KNIFE.
HE GOES AND GETS THE SKIN.
>> THAT IS A RITUAL.
>> NUMBER SIX, VINCE CARTER, HE
HAS TALKED ABOUT WANTING TO BE A
PROFESSIONAL BOWLER WHEN HIS
CAREER IS DONE IN THE NBA.
HIS FORM LOOKS PRETTY GOOD.
HE GETS LOW.
IT'S BOUNCY.
HE SAYS HE AVERAGES ABOUT 170.
>> NUMBER FIVE, WE HAVE NETS
PLAYERS INCLUDING BROOK LOPEZ
JUMPED THE PISTONS MASCOT
HOOPER.
>> IT IS A BEAT DOWN.
>> HOOPER TWEETED, WHEN YOU COME
IN MY HOUSE TOMORROW, YOU BETTER
NOT MAKE EYE CONTACT.
ASK YOUR BRO IT HAPPENED.
LOPEZ REPLIED, ARE YOU LOOKING
TO GET JUMPED AGAIN?
HOOPER DID GET TAKEN.
SOME BONGOS.
THAT -- >> THAT'S MY HAIR.
FREE HAIR.
>> A VERY FUNNY GUY.
>> AT NUMBER FOUR, BACK TO
DEANDRE JORDAN.
THIS WAS A STRANGE ONE.
RIPPING THE LOS ANGELES LOGO
RIGHT OFF HIS JERSEY.
DEANDRE HAD NO IDEA.
DEANREA, WHERE IS THE LOS
ANGELES?
HE FIGURES IT OUT.
THEY GET HIM A NEW ONE.
YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE A BACKUP
JERSEY.
>> AT NUMBER THREE, ROCHON RONDO
SEES THE STATUTE -- STAT SHEET,
AND HE CANNOT BELIEVE HIS EYES.
WHAT?
>> IS THIS FROM THE SAME GAME
I'M WATCHING?
>> NUMBER TWO, AND COUSINS --
COUSINS AGAINST THE CLIPPERS.
FIRST OFF, HE DOESN'T WANT I
CAN'T -- THOMAS TOUCHING HIM.
LESS THAN A WEEK LATER, HE SORT
OF ACCIDENTALLY TAKES A J.J.
REDICK.
NO HARD FEELINGS.
WE ARE ALL GOOD, RIGHT?
WATCH J.J. REDICK'S REACTION.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU, MA'AM
-- MAN?
>> AT NUMBER ONE, CAN WE TOP
THESE?
GERALD HENDERSON WILL TRY TO DO
IT, RIGHT IN THE NOGGIN.
YOU GOT TO KEEP YOUR HEAD UP IN
NBA GAMES.
OMA GOODNESS -- OH MY GOODNESS.
SHE WAS ENTIRELY FINE.
GERALD HENDERSON, HE ENJOYED IT.
HE TOOK TO TWITTER AFTERWARDS.
HE FELT BAD FOR HER.
NO, YOU ARE NOT, GERALD.
>> ANDERSON COMING IN AT NUMBER
ONE.
WE'VE GOT TO TAKE ANOTHER BREAK.
WHEN WE COME BACK, WE WILL
DISCUSS THE BIGGEST SURPRISES
AND DISAPPOINTMENTS OF THE
SEASON SO FAR.
I HAVE A FEELING THE NEW YORK
KNICKS ARE GOING TO COME UP IN
THIS CONVERSATION.
DON'T GO ANYWHERE.
YOU ARE WATCHING "THE STARTERS."
>> I WANT TO WATCH "THE BIG ***
THEORY."
I WILL TURN IT TO TBS OR CBS.
"THE STARTERS" DO NOT BELONG ON
NBA TV.
GO BACK TO ITUNES.
>> BACK WITH "THE STARTERS"
HOLIDAY SPECIAL.
WE HAVE GIVEN OUT SIX AWARDS,
THE HARDWARE FOR OUR PICKS OF
THE MOST IMPROVED PLAYER,
M.V.P., AND SO ON.
WE HAVE A FEW MORE QUESTIONS TO
GET TO.
THE FIRST ONE IS PRETTY SIMPLE
-- BIGGEST SURPRISE OF THE
SEASON SO FAR.
IT COULD BE A PLAYER, 18,
ANYTHING YOU WANT.
IT IS A QUESTION WE WILL THROW
TO EVERYONE WATCHING AND
LISTENING.
#THESTARTERS
>> MICHAEL BEASLEY OF THE MIAMI
HEAT.
IN OUR PREVIEW PODCAST, THE
QUESTION IS, WHO WILL HAVE A
BIGGER IMPACT ON THE HEAT,
BEASLEY OR GREG ODEN?
WE DO NOT EXPECT ANYTHING.
THIS GUY WAS CUT BY THE SUNS IN
SEPTEMBER.
NO ONE GAVE HIM HOPE.
NOW IN YEAR SIX, HE IS SHOOTING
OVER 54% FROM THE FLOOR, UP 10%
FROM LAST YEAR.
THAT IS PHENOMENAL.
FROM GOING TO BE CUT FROM THE
PHOENIX SUNS, A TEAM NOBODY
EXPECTED ANYTHING FROM, TO CLAIM
HUGE MINUTES ON A CHAMPIONSHIP
TEAM, LEGITIMATE MINUTES, NOBODY
EXPECTED THAT.
>> WE DID SAY, IF HE WAS GOING
TO TURN HIS CAREER AROUND, THIS
WOULD BE THE ONE SPOT TO DO IT,
A TEAM HE ALREADY PLAYED WITH,
AND BEING A CHAMPIONSHIP WHERE
YOU CAN COME IN WITH YOUR ALPHA
DOGS AND LEBRON AND WADE AND
HAVE A ROLE.
IT IS GOOD.
IT IS STILL A HUGE SURPRISE.
>> I'M GOING WITH THE BOSTON
CELTICS AS A TEAM IN GENERAL.
THEY HAVE BEEN DURING GOOD THIS
YEAR, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THEY'VE
GOT A COACH WHO WAS A COLLEGE
COACH LAST YEAR.
WE KNOW THE TRANSITION FROM
COLLEGE TO PROS IS DIFFICULT FOR
COACHES.
ACCORDING TO ESPN, THEY HAVE HAD
AN EASY SCHEDULE SO FAR.
THE EASTERN CONFERENCE IS WIDE
OPEN.
A GREAT JOB WITH CRAWFORD AND
JONES.
COURTESY OF JOHN SCHUHMANN, SIX
OF THEIR LOSSES THIS SEASON THEY
HAVE LED IN THE FOURTH QUARTER.
THEY ARE BELOW .500 RIGHT NOW,
BUT THEY COULD EASILY BE PLAYING
.500 BALL RIGHT NOW.
>> I'M ALSO PICKING A TEAM.
THE PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS.
WE DID A REDDIT AMA.
SOMEBODY ASKED, HOW DO YOU THINK
THE BLAZERS WILL DO?
I SAID, THEY WILL DEFINITELY
IMPROVE.
THEY MAY NOT MAKE THE PLAYOFFS.
NOW THEY ARE 22ND IN DEFENSIVE
EFFICIENCY, WHICH IS NOT GREAT,
BUT THE PRESEASON STORY WAS THAT
THEY UPGRADED THEIR BENCH.
IT IS TRUE.
THEIR BENCH IS BEEN BETTER.
IT REALLY HAS BEEN, THEIR
STARTERS ARE ON FIRE.
DAMIAN LILLARD, A LOT BETTER.
BATUM IS MAKING PLAYS.
WESLEY MATTHEWS IS SHOOTING
LIGHTS OUT.
THEIR OFFENSE IS INCREDIBLE.
>> YOU DO WORRY, LIKE THE KNICKS
LAST YEAR, WHO STARTED RED-HOT
DOWNTOWN, IF THE THREE-POINT
SHOOTING GOES AWAY, HOW DO THEY
GET THE WINS?
>> I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE,
NOBODY EXPECTED THEM TO BE A
CHALLENGER FOR THE BEST TEAM IN
THE LEAGUE.
>> I WILL GO WITH THE KNICKS AS
MY SURPRISE.
WE KNEW THEY WERE GOING TO BE
WORSE, I THINK, THAN LAST YEAR'S
TEAM, BUT NO ONE HAD THEM GOING
THIS BAD.
LOOK, THEY HAVE BEEN HURT BY
INJURIES.
THE ONE TO TYSON CHANDLER WAS
DRASTIC.
HE IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THIS
TEAM.
IT IS BRUTAL ALL THE WAY AROUND.
THE STORYLINE, GET USED TO IT,
GET READY FOR IT, IS GOING TO BE
WHETHER MELO POPS OUT.
THAT IS ALL WE ARE GOING TO
HEAR.
THE KNICKS ALONG WITH THE NETS,
WHO SAW THAT COMING?
IT IS BEAUTIFUL.
>> ALL THE WORK THAT MELO DID TO
GET TO NEW YORK, AND IF HE OPTS
OUT, IT WOULD BE SUCH A CHANGE.
HE REALLY WORKED TO GET TRADED
THERE.
>> LET'S FLIP IT UP AND LOOK AT
THE OTHER SIDE.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST
DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE SEASON?
>> UNFORTUNATELY, I'VE GOT TO
STAY WITH THE KNICKS BANDWAGON.
I'M GOING WITH JERRY R SMITH
SPECIFICALLY.
THIS MAN WON AN AWARD LAST YEAR.
HE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ENTERING
HIS PRIME AT 28.
HE HAS GONE THE OPPOSITE ROUTE
OF MICHAEL BEASLEY.
HIS FIELD-GOAL PERCENTAGE HAS
DROPPED 8%.
THIS IS JR.
YES, HE HAD KNEE SURGERY THIS
OFF-SEASON, BUT DOES -- BUT IT
DOES NOT EXCUSE HIM.
HIS SHOOTING IS JUST AN
EXPLAINABLE.
-- UNEXPLAINABLE.
WE ALL THOUGHT HE GREW UP LAST
YEAR.
IT IS REALLY UNEXPLAINABLE.
I CANNOT PUT MY FINGER ON IT
WATCHING THIS GUY.
HE TAKES HIS SHOTS FROM THE SAME
SPOTS.
HE IS JUST MISSING.
>> WHAT ABOUT YOU?
>> THE GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS.
THE DARLINGS FROM THE PLAYOFFS
LAST YEAR, WE EXPECTED MORE.
IF THE PLAYOFFS WERE TODAY, THEY
WOULDN'T BE IN THE PLAYOFFS OUT
WEST.
I'M JUST DISAPPOINTED THAT WE
HAVEN'T SEEN THEM REALLY
ESTABLISHED THEMSELVES AS A
TRUE, QUALITY CONTENDER OUT
WEST.
ANDRE IGUODALA WAS THEIR BIG
SIGN.
HE MISSED A FEW GAMES WITH AN
INJURY.
OTHER THAN THAT, WE HAVE SEEN
THEM LOSE -- WE SAW THE GREAT
COMEBACK AGAINST THE RAPTORS --
THAT IS FUN BASKETBALL TO WATCH.
THAT IS NOT WHAT YOU WANT
AGAINST A TEAM LIKE THE RAPTORS.
THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DIG
THEMSELVES OUT OF THOSE HOLES.
I WANT TO SEE THEM NOW IN THE
SECOND HALF OF THE SEASON OR AS
THE NEW YEAR TURNS TO ESTABLISH
THEMSELVES AS A TRUE PLAYOFF
TEAM.
>> THERE ARE A LOT MORE THINGS
YOU SAY WITH THAT SUIT JACKET
ON.
>> HE SOUNDS WAY MORE IMPORTANT.
LIKE A LOT OF TEAMS IN THE WEST,
THEY ARE INCONSISTENT.
YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT TEAM YOU ARE
GETTING.
THE ROCKETS LOOK UNBEATABLE ONE
NIGHT, AND THEN THEY GET KILLED
THE NEXT.
I THINK THE WARRIORS ARE SORT OF
LIKE THAT.
>> THEIR TWO BEST GAMES HAVE
BEEN AGAINST OKLAHOMA CITY,
SHOWING THEY CAN HANG WITH THOSE
BIG TEAMS, BUT AGAIN, THEY WERE
DOWN 27 AGAINST THE RAPTORS.
>> WHAT ABOUT YOU, TRADE --
TREY?
>> I'M GOING WITH THE PELICANS,
NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE
UNDERPERFORMING, BUT BECAUSE
THEY CANNOT STAY HEALTHY.
IT REMINDS ME OF THE
TIMBERWOLVES FROM THE PAST
COUPLE OF SEASONS.
YOU GET EXCITED TO WATCH, AND
THEN EVERYBODY GETS HURT.
ANTHONY DAVIS WENT OUT.
TYREKE EVANS HAS BEEN IN AND
OUT.
THEIR BIG FIVE LINEUP OF JRUE
HOLIDAY, EVIDENCE, ANTHONY DAVIS
AND ANDERSON HAS ONLY PLAYED 81
MINUTES TOGETHER.
THEY ARE SCORING LIKE CRAZY.
THEY ARE AN AWESOME TEAM TO
WATCH.
PEOPLE JUST KEEP GETTING HURT.
>> I WILL STICK WITH THE INJURY
ANGLE FOR MINE.
IT IS DERRICK ROSE AND KOBE
BRYANT.
RETURNING FROM INJURY HIM AND
GETTING INJURED AGAIN.
THIS IS JUST DEVASTATING AS A
BASKETBALL FAN TO LOSE TWO OF
THE BEST PLAYERS IN THE GAME.
IT OBVIOUSLY MEANS SO MUCH TO
THEIR TEAMS.
THEY BOTH GO DOWN.
>> BOTH OF THEIR TEAMS ALMOST
UNWATCHABLE.
>> THE BULLS, ESPECIALLY.
>> THE LAKERS ARE WINNING GAMES.
>> THE LAKERS, YOU CAN STILL
WATCH THEM.
>> THE LAKERS ARE ALWAYS GOING
TO BE FUN WITH SWAG HE -- SWAGGY
P.
>> DISAPPOINTING INJURIES TO
BOTH OF THOSE GUYS, ESPECIALLY
AFTER COMING BACK AND PUTTING
ALL THAT WORK INTO REHAB AND
HAVING YOUR SEASON DERAILED
AGAIN.
LET'S HEAR WHAT YOU GUYS THINK.
#THESTARTERS
ONE MORE HERE.
LET'S LOOK FORWARD.
HIT US WITH ONE BOLD PREDICTION
FOR 2014.
MAKE IT BOLD.
>> I WOULD SAY THE PHOENIX SUNS
ARE MAKING THE PLAYOFFS IN THE
TOUGH WESTERN CONFERENCE.
>> IS THAT BOLD ENOUGH?
>> BEFORE THIS SEASON, WE
THOUGHT THIS TEAM WOULD BE ONE
OF THE WORST IN THE LEAGUE.
IF THEY MAKE THE PLAYOFFS, TWO
OTHER TEAMS ARE NOT GOING TO
MAKE THE PLAYOFFS.
IT IS LOADED OUT IN THE WEST.
TOP FIVE OFFENSIVELY.
THIS IS NOT AN ACCIDENT.
THIS IS GOING TO KEEP UP.
THEY CAN -- THEY MAY GET EMEKA
OKAFOR BACK.
I LIKE THE WAY EVERYBODY IS PART
IS GETTING WITH HORNACEK.
THEY HAVE ONE IN ALL SITUATIONS.
ON THE ROAD, AT HOME, COMING
BACK.
>> A LOT OF CLOSE GAMES.
>> THEY ARE GREAT IN CLOSE
GAMES.
THEY HAVE THE BLAZERS' NUMBER TO
SOME DEGREE.
I DON'T SEE THEM FADING.
THEY ARE SORT OF LIKE A NUGGETS
TEAM.
I DO IT BY COMMITTING.
I THINK EVERYBODY IS CHIPPING
IN.
>> YOU'VE GOT THE SUNS MAKING
THE PLAYOFFS.
>> MIKE WOODSON SURVIVES THIS
YEAR AS THE NEW YORK KNICKS
COACH.
I THINK HE'S GOING TO DO IT.
HE SURVIVED THAT 41-POINT HOME
LOSS TO THE BOSTON CELTICS.
I THINK JAMES DOLAN IS GOING TO
BE SENSITIVE TO THE CRITICISM.
I THINK PEOPLE KNOW, THE KNICKS
HAVE A PRETTY BAD ROSTER, AND
HE'S GETTING A LOT OF PEOPLE --
A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM PEOPLE.
JR SMITH HAS BEEN HORRIBLE FOR
THEM.
CARMELO HAS BEEN GOOD FOR THEM.
TYSON CHANDLER, AS WELL, BEING
OUT INJURED HAS REALLY FOR THAT
TEAM.
I THINK MIKE WOODSON, IF HE'S
GOTTEN TO THIS POINT, AND HE'S
GOING TO GET THROUGH THE SEASON.
>> THERE ARE A LOT OF BAD TEAMS
WITH POOR ROSTERS PRETTY WHEN
YOU LOSE BY 40 POINTS, YOU DON'T
HAVE THESE GUYS RATED TO PLAY OR
CARRIED TO PLAY -- CARING TO
PLAY.
>> I WONDER IF DOLAN HAS LOOKED
GOT TO SEE WHO WOULD WANT THIS
JOB AND PEOPLE ARE BACKING AWAY
FROM IT.
IT IS NOT A VERY APPEALING JOB.
>> THIS IS NEW YORK!
>> MY BOLD CONSTRICTOR --
PREDICTION IS THAT LEBRON ISN'T
GOING TO WIN THE MDP.
WITH THIS TEAM NOT HAVING THE
BEST RECORD, EVEN IN THIS
CONFERENCE, AND THERE IS AN EASY
CASE TO BE MADE FOR ALDRIDGE
BEING A BIG DEAL FOR HIS TEAM, I
CAN SEE IT VERY EASILY TURNING
OUT -- LEBRON IS HAVING HIS
GREATEST SEASON EVER, BUT HE IS
PLAYING SUCH SMALL MINUTES THAT
IT DOESN'T MATTER.
>> LEBRON DOESN'T WIN M.V.P.?
THAT IS BOLD.
>> THEN YOU GO TO NBA.COM, AND
HE IS NOT EVEN ON TOP OF THE
LATTER RIGHT NOW.
KEVIN DURANT.
>> I'M GOING WITH THE RAPTORS TO
MAKE THE PLAYOFFS.
I SAYS IT IN THE SEASON PREVIEW.
>> THAT IS NOT BOLD.
>> YOU WANT BOLD?
CLIFF ROBINSON, REMEMBER HIM?
I'VE GOT HIM WINNING SEASON 28
OF "SURVIVOR."
I DON'T KNOW IF HE'S GOING TO BE
ON THE SHOW.
BOLD PRODUCTION FOR 2014.
LET US KNOW.
#THESTARTERS
LOTS MORE STILL TO COME,
INCLUDING OUR FAVORITE SHOW
MOMENTS, AND TOP 10 DUNKS OF THE
YEAR.
>>7" IS PROBABLY -- "THE
STARTERS" IS PROBABLY THE WORST
SPORTS SHOW I HAVE EVER SEEN.
THEY ARE SITTING THERE FOR AN
HOUR TALKING ABOUT TWEETS AND
LADY GAGA.
[LAUGHTER]
>> BACK WITH "THE STARTERS."
37 SHOWS, FOUR GUYS, AND USUALLY
A WHOLE LOT APPLIED.
IT IS BEEN A GREAT SEASON FOR
"THE STARTERS."
LET'S LOOK BACK AT SOME OF OUR
FAVORITE MOMENTS.
>> IMAGINE THIS WAS YOUR JOB TO
DO, EVERY DAY.
>> THIS IS YOUR JOB.
[LAUGHTER]
>> GUSTAVO.
LET THE REBOUNDS TAKE YOU OVER.
>> THAT IS VERY GOOD.
>> I'M GOING TO SET THIS PICK
FOREVER.
>> EXTENDED VERSION.
>> WE ARE GOING TO GET TO THE
GAMES FROM LAST NIGHT.
LET'S GO TO THE PHONE BOOTH IN
WASHINGTON.
I CAN'T EVEN SEE MY NOTES HERE.
THERE WE GO.
THIS IS IT.
IT IS HOT IN HERE.
>> THAT IS MACKLEMORE WITH
LEBRON JAMES.
AREN'T YOU ON "THE STARTERS"?
>> I DON'T SEE A RESEMBLANCE TO
A SINGLE ONE OF US AMONG -- NONE
OF US LOOK LIKE MACKELMORE.
>> LET'S SAY I'VE GOT TO TIE MY
SHOE.
[LAUGHTER]
HOLD ON.
SHE IS OK.
EVERYTHING IS FINE.
THE PHONE WORKS OK.
>> TORONTO MAJOR, Y'ALL WAS
DRIZZY UP FROM THE BOTTOM.
[LAUGHTER]
>> I AM RUSSELL WESTBROOK, AND
ALONGSIDE ME AS ALWAYS, ANOTHER
RUSSELL WESTBROOK.
>> GLAD TO BE HERE.
>> TO MY RIGHT, STARTERS BLOG --
"THE STARTERS" BLOG EDITOR,
RUSSELL WESTBROOK.
IT IS THE AUSTRALIAN VERSION OF
RUSSELL WESTBROOK.
>> CHALLENGING THE HEAT IN THE
EAST, BULLS, NOT SO MUCH.
THE PACERS, THE NETS A RETOOLED,
AND OUT WEST --
>> I CAN BEAT THAT.
[LAUGHTER]
THERE IS NO BONE IN THAT FINGER.
>> I AM SO MAD DRIBBLING THE
BALL AS HIGH AS I CAN.
I AM SO ANGRY, SO MAD.
WHY AM I NOT HAVING A GOOD TIME?
[LAUGHTER]
>> COME ON, LEIGH.
[LAUGHTER]
HE ALMOST BELIEVES THE DRAFT IS
THE MOST MAJESTIC ANIMAL.
-- THE GIRAFFE IS THE MOST
MAJESTIC ANIMAL.
>> I APOLOGIZE TO ALL THE
GIRAFFE LOVERS OUT THERE.
I TRIED TO GET A "YOU BET
GIRAFFE" T-SHIRT.
WE ARE GOING TO THE ZOO.
>> I'M GLAD IT FINALLY CAME OUT.
>> WHO AM I KIDDING?
I'M NOT ANGRY.
I'M SCARED.
I'M SCARED IF I START YELLING
AND SCREAMING THAT PEOPLE WILL
SEE WHO THE REAL KEVIN GARNETT
IS.
I *** MY HEAD ON A STANCHION
BEFORE EVERY GAME.
I AM A 37-YEAR-OLD MAN.
DO YOU THINK I LIKE DOING THAT?
>> I DID.
>> I THOUGHT YOU DID.
>> BRENT BARRY, A.K.A. SANTA
CLAUS.
>> THESE ARE EMPTY.
>> TO NOT ONLY GIVE US GIFTS BUT
TO ANSWER SOME QUESTIONS.
>> BACK WITH "THE STARTERS."
ONE MORE TOP 10 LIST FOR YOU.
IT IS THE BEST ONE.
THE TOP 10 DUNKS OF THE SEASON.
AT NUMBER 10, IT IS PELICANS BIG
MEN ANTHONY DAVIS GOING HIGH FOR
THE ALLEY-OOP.
THE EXTENSION ON IT, BEAUTIFUL.
>> AT NUMBER NINE, WE'VE GOT
BLAKE GRIFFIN DUNKING ON HIS OWN
TEAMMATES.
THAT IS HOW GOOD IT IS.
RYAN HOLLINS WANTS A BETTER LOOK
AT IT.
HE GETS UNDERNEATH HIM.
LOOK OUT, RYAN HOLLINS.
>> THERE IT IS.
PUT IT UP ON YOUR WALL.
AT NUMBER EIGHT, IT IS VICTOR
OLADIPO WITH THE 360.
IT IS NOT ALL ABOUT THE POWER
DUNKS, GUYS.
THERE IS A LITTLE FLAIR HERE.
DID HE TRAVEL?
WHO CARES?
>> ANOTHER ROOKIE, BEN
MACKLEMORE.
THAT IS SWEET, SMOOTH ALL AT THE
SAME TIME.
>> HE HAS HAD FIVE OR SIX GREAT
DUNKS FROM THE SEASON SO FAR.
AT NUMBER SIX, PAUL MILLSAP IS
GOING TO CRUSH IT ON JERRY
SALINGER.
YES, HE'S THE ONE THAT FALLS,
BUT THAT WAS HUGE.
WE WERE THEIR LIVES.
>> AT NUMBER FIVE, GERALD GREEN.
>> THAT'S TOO EASY.
>> EVERY DUNK LOOKS THIS
SPECTACULAR.
HE DOESN'T WANT TO BE KNOWN AS A
DUNKER.
>> AT NUMBER FOUR, LEBRON JAMES
IS GOING TO PULVERIZE BEN
MACKLEMORE.
HE DUNKS ON MCLEMORE AND -- MACK
LEMORE AND LEWIS.
>> HE APOLOGIZED AFTERWARD.
AT NUMBER THREE, IT IS A VERY
HENRY -- XAVIER HENRY.
>> THIS IS A NUMBER ONE --
ISN'T NUMBER ONE?
LET'S GET TO THE TOP TWO.
AT NUMBER TWO, JEFF GREEN IS
GOING TO KILL.
I GOT A LOOK.
I LOVE WHEN A GUY STANDS OVER
THE OTHER GUY THAT HAS FALLEN
AND SORT OF STAIRS AT HIM.
>> HE DIDN'T GET A TECH FOR IT.
>> AT NUMBER ONE, THIS DUNK HAS
IT ALL.
J.J. HICKSON ALL OVER MARVIN
WILLIAMS.
THE TO HAND HER -- TWO HA-
HANDER, MARVIN FALLS TO THE
FLOOR.
HICKSON DESTROYS HIM.
>> YOU COULD HAVE PUT ANY OF
THOSE TOP THREE DUNKS AND THE
NUMBER ONE SLOT.
THAT IS IT FOR THE SEASON SO FAR
SPECIAL.
THANKS FOR JOINING US.
CHECK OUT THE BLOG
NBA.COM/THESTARTER --
NBA.COM/THESTARTERS.