We kick things off today with some tough news out of Cleveland, as Cavaliers guard Max Strus is set to miss three to four months after surgery on his left foot. While any injury is a setback, the question is how much this really changes the outlook for a team with title aspirations. We look at the data from last season when the Cavs posted an incredible 23-4 record in the games Strus missed and ask if this early-season adversity could have a cumulative effect that catches up to them later in the year.
From one top Eastern Conference team to the best of the West, we're asking which franchise is poised to set a new regular-season win record. Inspired by a recent Locked On Nuggets episode, we examine the candidates, from Denver itself to the upstart Houston Rockets and even the veteran-laden Los Angeles Clippers. The discussion gets interesting as we consider what it takes to gamify the regular season and rack up wins against weaker opponents and division rivals.
Finally, the Oklahoma City Thunder set their own franchise record last year, and for them to take the next step, they'll need continued improvement from their young core. We turn our attention to Chet Holmgren and his potential path to a first-ever All-Star bid. We explore the two key areas he needs to develop—three-point volume and a go-to move from the elbow—to elevate his game to that next level. Plus, our Tournament of Moves continues with a Final Four showdown between Kareem's Skyhook and Dirk's one-legged fadeaway
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