48 Minutes: LeBron to Philly and other Big NBA Moves

0:00 ... Ross hello, welcome, and introduces the panel

0:32 ... Show #260 is dedicated to Hall of Famer Michael Cooper who was drafted with the #60 overall pick in the 1978 NBA Draft.

1:24 ... LeBron James is now a member of the 76ers and World B feels the upcoming season will feature a wide open and competitive eastern conference. There are 11 legit playoff contenders for just 8 spots.

3:44 ... Bruce feels like LeBron made the move to Philly in a desperate attempt to win 2 more rings and tie Michael Jordan with 6 championships and convince people that HE, not MJ is the GOAT. Bruce feels that Sixers games will be "Must Watch" TV.

5:24 ... Depth and health could be issues for Philly. Ross also feels that many more coaches will be on the hot seat with so many solid teams competing for just 8 playoff spots.

6:22 ... Bruce feels that the Jalen Duren contract impasse in Detroit could have a lingering effect that might affect the morale of the team if Duren's teammates feel he is being mistreated by Pistons management.

7:22 ... What's the deal with the Orlando Magic? Is their window closed as far as being elite in the east? They still have talent, but their offense is still sub-standard. Bruce feels that the team will be in the mix for the Play In tournament but he does not have a great feeling about this team.

12:31 ... Jalen Brown is no longer a Celtic, so who is going to step up? From a leadership standpoint, it has to be Jayson Tatum, but others like Derrick White, Hugo Gonzalez, and Baylor Scheierman need to all have solid seasons for Boston to challenge for the top 6 in the east.

14:43 ... World B agrees with Bruce that Derrick White needs to step up.

15:57 ... Ross asks Bruce if Tatum is capable of being a "fiery" leader and Bruce doesn't really know if Jayson is capable of adjusting his personality and mindset from his "too cool" exterior to someone who shows more emotion.

17:45 ... Atlanta has added Lu Dort and Ross wonders if Dort can bring the type of toughness to the Hawks that a guy like Dillon Brooks brought to the Suns? World B loves Dort's perimeter defense and his presence gives the Hawks much better depth. World B also feels Jalen Johnson has to continue his progress for the Hawks to excel. Bruce thinks Dort is exactly the type of gritty veteran Atlanta needs and their fans will love. Ross loves the move and thinks Dort's physicality will really improve the Hawks' defense.

22:17 ... The Portland Trailblazers have a new owner (Tom Dundon) and he has made some really unsettling moves since taking over the franchise. There are rumors that the Blazers, who are battling with local Portland politicians over arena funding and other financial issues could end up leaving the city. That would be devastating to the city of Portland and would give the city a real black eye.

24:14 ... Ross is very angry about the way that Dundon has treated their broadcasters like Kevin Calabro and Tom Haberstroh because he watched a lot of Blazers games and really enjoyed their telecasts.

25:32 ... World B feels Dundon has been an embarassment and cites the bad contract he gave new head coach Micah Nori as a really poor way to treat their new coach.

27:37 ... Bruce feels for the Portland fans, who are among the best in the NBA and since the Blazers are Portland's only major league team, their fans would be devastated if the team flatlines and eventually leaves town.

29:05 ... If you were a fan, would you rather be a Warriors or Clippers fan? Bruce would rather be a 'Dubs fan but Ross and World B would rather be Clippers fans. Everyone explains why they feel the way they do. LA owner Steve Ballmer is the main reason that Ross and World B prefer the Clippers.

33:09 ... Will DeAaron Fox be on the Spurs the entire season? Bruce feels he will because of his contract, which calls for him to be paid more than $222 million over the next 4 seasons. It's such a bad contract that it's hard to see any team taking it on.

37:04 ... It's time for the always enjoyable "Card Challenge" segment where Ross picks random cards and asks Bruce and World B to react to the players spontaneously to prove their knowledge. Jalen Duren of the Pistons is first for World B.

38:19 ... Next up is Klay Thompson of the Mavericks for Bruce

39:25 ... Kyrie Irving of Dallas is next for World B.

40:20 ... Tyler Herro for Bruce

40:57 ... Carmelo Anthony for World B.

42:29 ... Bruce Bowen for Bruce .... they'll be together on Wednesday at the Basketball Hall of Fame for a "HoopHall hangout" session with the fans.

44:17 ... Ross wraps the show and says goodbye

TRT 44:30

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