WHAT Podacst: Can Jusuf Nurkic be an All Star? with DeVon Pouncey

Highlights 1:00 Icebreaker: Catching a foul ball at an A’s game and a football at Autzen Stadium.  5:30 Damian Lillard game-winning 3 against the Lakers. Devon couldn’t help but cheer on press row. 8:00 DeVon grew up in the Bay Area playing three sports. Basketball drew him, he especially loved his team. Played four years at Diablo College and Pacific University. As soon as he graduated from college he went right into a sports media internship. 11:00 Was inspired to go into media by a teacher at Pacific University. Had an early internship with John Canzano. He learned from Canzano to be himself.  15:00 Wake Up and Win podcast was inspired by Dr Jules Boycoff’s class on sports and politics. 22:00 Technical difficulties ……... 23:00 Back to basketball, after dating a Warriors dancer he fell in love with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson.  27:00 Perspective on the team from someone who didn’t grow up a fan. Wants to see Damian Lillard win a championship, especially because of his loyalty to the city.  29:00 What would it take for the Blazers to take the next step? They need a second all star, and it's not likely to be CJ McCollum. But it could be Jusuf Nurkic?  31:00 Nurkic’s strong return in the bubble was encouraging.  34:00 Off-season was really good for bringing in guys who are complimentary pieces. Melo was a good get because he is probably really confident after the bubble. Covington is the best wing they have had in a long time, he can be both 3 and D. Not having to constantly switch out wings for offense or defense gives them a lot more versatility. 37:00 Covington has a big load on his shoulders. There are big expectations for him to be a difference maker right away. 40:00 Younger players who will have a big impact. Anfernee Simons is in a good situation, playing behind Damian Lillard and having Lillard’s confidence will be good. His athleticism may give him All-Star potential.  43:00 Gary Trent Jr could have a really long and solid career and be a key role player. DeVon doesn’t see him as an All Star.  46:00 Which outstanding bubble performances are going to turn out to be real and which will be a mirage?  50:00 What do we feel now that we are hearing about players getting COVID-19?  58:00 Outro Find DeVon Pouncey on Twitter @Pounce_Station and find Wake Up And Win on Apple podcasts Thank you for listening to the WHAT podcast!  Join the Women’s Hoops And Talks Facebook group to talk about Trail Blazers with others who identify as women who love basketball. Music used in the episode: “Happy Alley” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify Find us on Twitter @wehaveatake @tcbbiggs @CassidyGemmet Part of  @bluewirehustle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices