Is Luka Dončić the MVP Front Runner?

We still believe in the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni check in after a 15-game slate in the NBA to recap Shai Gilgeous-Alexander & Luka Doncic’s heroic 40+ point performances and Houston’s dominant win over the Boston Celtics.

Then, Will Guillory, staff writer for The Athletic who covers the Rockets and Pelicans, joins the show to discuss: internal growth allowing the Rockets to hit another gear early in the season, Fred VanVleet’s return allowing his teammates to find their roles, the credit Alperen Sengun deserves for Houston’s long range shooting success, how Marcus Smart mirrors Ime Udoka and more! Also, what do the Pelicans have planned for Herb Jones, Dejounte Murray and Trey Murphy III?

And we end the show with a salute to Ty Jerome, Draymond Green and the Indiana Pacers.

Host: Dave DuFour
With: Esfandiar Baraheni
Producer: Zuri Irvin
Audio/Video: Alex Oliver

00:00 - Intro
00:59 - Thunder 117, Cavs 112 - SGA drops a season-high
07:37 - Luka goes for 42 again - Lakers defeat the Heat 138-117
12:04 - Rockets beat Celtics 109-103 but KD takes just 6 shots
17:26 - Have the Houston Rockets made the leap to contender?
19:37 - Has Fred VanVleet put everyone in the right role?
22:00 - Is Alperen Sengun unlocking this Rockets offense?
26:04 - What does Marcus Smart's reunion with Udoka add?
28:14 - What's Houston's realistic path to the Finals?
30:33 - What direction are the New Orleans Pelicans heading?
34:17 - Is there a trade market for DeJounte Murray?
39:14 - Warriors win 5 straight - Draymond ejected again
40:26 - Grizzlies lose their first game - Ty Jerome goes for 40
41:41 - Pacers play Hawks with only 6 active players

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Thumbnail credit: Ezra Shaw / Staff, Alex Slitz / Staff, Kenneth Richmond / Staff | Getty Images North America via Getty Images

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