48 Minutes: Opening Week Preview and Individual Award Predictions

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

0:38 ... Episode #127 is dedicated to Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, who both averaged "27" points per game last season.

0:55 ... Bet OnLine live commercial read from Ross

1:36 ... We preview Tuesday night's opening games on TNT.

1:51 ... Bruce starts it off with a preview of Knicks vs Celtics, including some historical facts about their renewed rivalry. World B reminds Bruce that the Knicks actually won game 7 of that 1973 eastern finals on Boston's home court. World B also pointed out that the Knicks played more pre-season minutes together than any other starting five in the NBA.

6:14 ... Ross points out that Boston will have a target on its back like all champions.

6:53 ... Ross asks Bruce if he thinks Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla will use more players off the bench and Bruce feels that Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman will give him good minutes at center in relief of Al Horford until Kristaps Porzingis returns from injury.

8:23 ... World B points out that NY is very thin up front with Precious Achiewa and Mitchell Robinson on the shelf to start the year. Ross is looking forward to seeing Mikal Bridges' and his new jump shooting form.

10:50 ... In the second game on opening night, the Lakers host the Timberwolves and World B feels Minnesota has a solid collection of players and that Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo make the Wolves formidible.

12:24 ... Bruce is looking forward to seeing how TNT handles its coverage in the final year of their contract. Will Charles Barkley and Shaq stir things up? As for the Lakers/Wolves matchup, will JJ Redick throw Bronny James out there against an elite team in his first NBA game? Ross feels that he'll get Bronny out there pretty quickly just to put it to bed.

14:46 ... Ross asks World B if he'd be shocked to see LA win the opener against a great Minnesota team. World B says Anthony Davis will shoot a lot more threes this season.

17:25 ... The Thunder vs Nuggets game on Thursday provides OKC with a chance to make a statement against the 2023 champs on Thursday night. Ross feels OKC is young and talented but World B thinks Christian Braun really needs to step up for Denver this season.

21:49 ... The Pacers vs Knicks on Friday will be another key first week matchup as they meet right away after having played each other in a 7 game playoff series last season. Bennedict Mathurin's return gives Indiana a huge boost.

24:21 ... Ross is excited for the Suns/Clippers matchup at the new Intuit Dome in LA. He also thinks James Harden may try to revert to his Houston days and become a volume scorer again. Coach Mike Budenholzer is expected to really help Phoenix become a solid defensive team to complement their great offensive players.

26:51 ... Ross tees up our segment on postseason awards predictions. We begin with the MVP race. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic are getting love from our crew.

29:57 ... All three guys have different choices for Rookie of the Year. Bruce likes Stephon Castle of the Spurs. World B likes Zach Edey of Memphis. Ross has the biggest eye opening choice in Tidjane Salaun of Charlotte.

33:50 ... Bruce considered Victor Wembanyama for two awards: Defensive Player of the year and Most Improved Player but he settled on Wemby as the top defensive player. All three panelists agreed.

36:18 ... The Coach of the year discussion centers on Ime Udoka of Houston and Jamahl Moseley of Orlando.

39:10 ... The Most Improved Player Award is a three-way race between Cade Cunningham, Wembanyama, and Jalen Williams. World B feels that this award has settled into a very predictable pattern with a good player who becomes a first-time All Star almost always winning the award in recent years.

42:29 .... Bruce predicts a Celtics/Thunder NBA Finals matchup with Boston winning and Jayson Tatum winning Finals MVP. World B feels the Timberwolves will win the west but that Boston will be the eventual champion while Ross is on the OKC bandwagon and believes they'll use draft capital to bolster their team and ultimately win it all.

49:38 ... Ross says goodbye and see you next week!

TRT 50:06

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