The Atlantic Files #139: Southwest Division Preview

This week on The Atlantic Files:

The king of the Southwest Division, James Harden, welcomes Russell Westbrook on Houston’s journey to win a ring this coming season. The rest of the Southwest, on the other hand, is either getting towards the wrong side of thirty, or they’re rebuilding through the draft.

Three teams finished with the same exact record last season, and the only other team to make the playoffs besides Houston was the San Antonio Spurs led by DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge. Dallas is primed to take a step forward with another year of Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis returning. Memphis and New Orleans, on the other hand, are both coming in with a brand new kind of youth movement.

The top two picks in the 2019 NBA Draft are in the same division. Zion Williamson and Ja Morant look to carry each of their respective teams to a surprise playoff appearance. The Pelicans look like their primed to actually do it. Mike and Alex give their full thoughts on the division for this coming season in the full episode below!

Topic Rundown:

1:30 – Thoughts on the Southwest Division in the 2018-19 season

7:45 – Houston Rockets

9:30 – Can James Harden and Russell Westbrook co-exist

18:15 – San Antonio Spurs

28:15 – Memphis Grizzlies

33:10 – New Orleans Pelicans

38:00 – Dallas Mavericks

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Alex Fischbein

Being from the suburbs of Philadelphia, it was hard not to become a Sixers fan during Allen Iverson's prime. Other than just the Sixers, I enjoy watching all forms and levels of basketball, especially the WNBA. Outside of basketball, I've been playing and coaching volleyball for most of my life. Also, after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh, I became a Software Developer by day, while writing and hosting podcasts by night.