Pelicans? Suns? Warriors? 🤔 TOP SLEEPERS in the West with Perk, Austin Rivers & Windy | First Take
The top four teams in the west are separated by only two and a half games and then there’s a fight to stay out of the play in tournament with the pels and the Suns currently occupying the last two guaranteed spots all right we got a little NBA Squad here Austin Rivers
Kendrick Perkins and Bri let me lock in let me lock in all right per I’m going to start with you on this one which team do you have as the biggest sleeper team in the west oh it’s the New Orleans Pelicans and I don’t know if any on this panel is
Going to disagree with me when you look at this team and look at their depth the only thing that was could that had people concerned about the Pelicans is Zion Williamson the mindset of Zion Williamson Zion Williamson is engaged right now he’s he’s available and his
Mentality is there but when I look at the others Brandon Ingram we don’t talk about him enough a certified bucket getter on the offensive end of the floor herb Jones what he brings to the table on both ends of the floor being a guy that’s being able to be a slasher and
Knockdown shots and a hell of a wing Defender when you look at Trey Murphy size length athleticism what he brings to the table and so I look at CJ McCullen as the leader who’s a who’s averaging around about 20 points and I’m looking at this Pelicans team and I’m
Like nobody really want to see them in the west and if they do they gonna have to strap their shoes up that’s why I got them as my sleep love your pick perk people don’t talk about New Orleans enough for me though I’m going to go out
West as well and go to Phoenix the Phoenix Suns yes sir we just saw them get a big win versus Denver fully healthy Denver without Devin Booker by the way um listen you talk about their team when we talk about title contention teams we talk about star power they have
That when we talk about role players they have that I’m even willing to say if we’re talking best seven to eight guys they’re probably top two or three in the NBA if we’re talking about roster you have Kevin Durant at the top you got dein Booker there two guys that can
Close games hit clutch shots create their own shot and create for others you have Bradley Bill who I think we have yet to even seen his best play with Phoenix I think he’s still figuring it out as we know that takes time and then also the role players that they have
Grayson Allen having a career year Eric Gordon a a knockdown shooter Royce O’Neil A underrated pickup and then you have nage inside uh to you know throw around and bang around versus guys like yic so they could play multiple lineups I I I think they’re a team that could
Easily easily kind of get creep into the playoffs and cause some problems perk I like your answer because the Pelicans of the last 15 games number four in the league in offense number four in the league in defense that’s excellent uh an excellent spot to be in
But my answer is the Golden State Warriors and it’s really for one basic reason schedule when you look at how tightly packed this is the Warriors schedule is a weapon going forward they have the third easiest schedule going down the stretch now look everything that you said Austin about the Suns is
Right but they got the second toughest schedule their last 12 games go take a look at them everybody they’re absolutely brutal the schedule favors the Warriors regardless of everything else because you’re going to have games you win and lose these teams are flawed in certain ways but that is really in
Their favor the team it’s right in front of them Dallas they play them three more times the team you know uh they have a much easier schedule than the Suns and an easier schedule than the Kings I think the schedule is going to be a huge Factor especially in those last seven to
10 games the Warriors are going to be in position and if you can get out of that play if you can avoid that getting that six seed not you know dodging all of that Carnage that’s going to happen over those couple of days in April that’s a
Huge win that’s a big winner to me I think the Warriors are best position schedule-wise to do It
Pelicans? Suns? Warriors? 🤔 TOP SLEEPERS in the West with Perk, Austin Rivers & Windy | First Take
On First Take, Kendrick Perkins, Austin Rivers and Brian Windhorst discuss top sleeper teams in the NBA’s Western Conference.
#ESPN #NBA #FirstTake
✔️Subscribe to ESPN+ http://espnplus.com/youtube
✔️ Get the ESPN App: http://www.espn.com/espn/apps/espn
✔️Subscribe to ESPN on YouTube: http://es.pn/SUBSCRIBEtoYOUTUBE
✔️ Subscribe to NBA on ESPN on YouTube: http://bit.ly/SUBSCRIBEtoNBAonESPN
✔️ Watch ESPN on YouTube TV: http://es.pn/YouTubeTV
35 Comments
I know yall seen that 35 point blowout last night against the “2 seed”😂
Suns are a absolute sleeper and any team beside Denver would risk losing in the first round to them
warriors and lakers
another one I would throw in is the mavericks if thier defence is somewhat average
Windy been riding with the Warriors since AllStar
We’re taking sleepers. Pelicans for sure with Zion.
Honestly, the NBA has too many stars in the West. Let's move the Clippers to the East.
An emotive journey through storytelling finesse; laughter and introspection seamlessly woven.😛
A video not centered on the lakers?! Thank you espn!
Perkins has to be one of the worst analysts on television in the last 20 yrs
Suns
If the Heat beat the Mavs tonight, and if the Warriors beat the Bulls as well tonight, then the Warriors will take that number 8 seed.
Suns are so good best team they will win trust
How the west was won
…the Pelicans have blown out YOUR favorite teams on the low…they have two of the better defenders in the league on their team in Herb Jones and Dyson Daniels…just don't be surprised in the playoffs if they sweep a team
Can you get a 5 o’clock shadow on top the dome?
Perk "I don't know if anyone will disagree with me"
Producers " O we'll see about that 😈"
Perk learned a hard lesson about New Orleans and became a fan 😂
Agree 💯👌🏽
Ben Simmons out of season, his career over!
Kerr is always really late with adjustments. My only criticism now is he is not playing TJD to handle the bigs but he actually did it yesterday but maybe he has it together now.
Its Golden State. Teams with Championship DNA are dangerous come playoff time. Not to mention if the Nuggets don't get the 1 or the 2, the Warriors would have a psychological advantage over the Thunder and Timberwolves because of experience. I smell another "We Believe" caliber playoff run, except it would have the surprise element to it.
why do people like perk. in 3 weeks he's had 4 different answers to this question.
Warriors are 14-4 in last 18 games and have 3rd easiest schedule left. They can easily get to 5 or 6 seed
Thank you windy 💯
The sleeper team in the west are GS. They have a easier schedule remaining and they have deep playoff experience
Did Rachel Nichols’ appearance today on Undisputed after months being gone have an effect on Skip Bayless? Skip now thinks Denver is the best team? His basketball IQ went up but too bad Undisputed’s ratings hasn’t. I can’t understand the words coming out of Lil Wayne’s mouth and Keyshawn has zero charisma.
Denver is the best team and Jokic is the best player in the league. He’s going to dominate like Shaq did in the early 2000s. I don’t trust Boston enough. I tried to and they always let me down. I don’t care what they do in the regular season. Suns won 64 games in 2022 only to lose to Dallas in the 2nd round. Regular season results means nothing to me once third week April hits.
I really want to see my Los Angeles Clippers win a championship but I don’t see it. Paul George can idolize Kobe Bryant but he’s a beta male without any winning intangibles. PG is more T-Mac than he is of Kobe. I don’t see the same passion and desire at winning. I don’t see the same mentality, approach or work ethic.
I see very skilled players getting paid too much without that same desire that Jordan and Kobe had. Like Nique and Vinsanity were great dunkers. The latter being the GOAT at it. But Vince was the Nique of his generation. He was not a winner or leader. He played well, had some nice highlights, but he didn’t have the same approach to the game as MJ and Kobe. Skilled but that’s it. No winning intangibles.
A team nobody is talking about but I can see them make some major noise next year are the Orlando Magic. They’re currently 4th in the East above the Knicks. They’re going to be similar to OKC this year. A team that surprises and becomes a top 3 seed next year. Paolo Banchero rarely ever gets mentioned but he’s a stud.
Warriors lmfaoooo 10th seed
Zion Moriah-Onlyfans
Anthony Street-Clothes
Draymond Punch-A-Poole-then-Gobert-then-Nurkić-who’s-next
How come nobody talks about Orlando in terms of their weather? I know Florida can be hot and humid but Orlando is up there for best weather among cities with NBA franchises below Los Angeles and Miami. More star players should sign with Orlando. Disney sponsors them. LeJuice did win his Mickey Mouse ring over there.
Best Weather Among NBA Cities –
1. Los Angeles
2. Miami
3. Orlando
4. San Francisco (it does get cold)
I might buy the blue azure Shaq Attaq 1s while buying a black Shaq Orlando jersey. Maybe one of Penny too but I already own a bobblehead of him, so no need. The Shaq Attaqs are only $80. Rock that black and blue.
I want to feel like ages 13-14 again (circa early 1994) rocking Shaqs. Don’t fake the funk on a nasty dunk! Then feel like ages 25-30 rocking Jordan 7 Citrus. That too is $80 on OfferUp. I want to own those sneakers again. Great to be alive during the 90s and mid 00s way before smartphones and social media rotted our brains.
Without Stephen A n Molly first take boring
Pelicans have a roster that’s actually well communicated, they’re actually where most nba fans expect due to the top 4 talent in the west.
If Suns are healthy it’s easily them
The Kings get no respect. they would have beat the Warriors last year not for a Fox broken hand.
Clippers will go fishing after first round – Pelicans will destroy them ( espc. When Kawaii, Harden and George watch each other in defense, like who should off watch this guy )
Warriors will flop out, Huston will flop out, Clippers flop out…
Four or five best teams in west will be Nuggets, Wolves, Suns, Thunder and Pelicans… Maybe Lakers if the stars fart-dust them and that's it