The Athletic NBA Daily The NBA Contender Pie | Morning Shoot Around
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Mar 25, 2026 Two hosts break down a playful 'contender pie' to assign title odds across the league. They debate East stability and a deeper, chaotic West. Conversations jump from Celtics and Cavs to Spurs, Thunder and Nuggets. There's lightfood banter, longshot calls and vivid trophy-imagining to set the vibe.
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Dave's Pumpkin Pie And Silkworm Cocoon Story
- Dave recalls growing up eating pumpkin pie without whipped cream and trying silkworm cocoons in South Korea as a street food.
- He describes the cocoon as nutty, gritty, and surprisingly good with beer, illustrating his adventurous palate.
Celtics Are East Favorites When Healthy
- The Celtics are the clear favorite in the East when healthy due to depth and playoff experience.
- Andrew and Dave cite Boston's deeper roster and veterans like Jalen Brown and Derrick White as decisive over other Eastern teams.
Pistons' Ceiling Hinges On Cade Cunningham
- Detroit's regular-season success suggests they belong near the top of East contender conversation, but their offense is overly dependent on Cade Cunningham.
- Dave warns that Cade's absence or limited effectiveness could lead to a first-round exit despite Detroit's record.