48 Minutes: Shaun Powell of NBA.com and NBA TV

0:00 ... Opening and welcome 0:22 ... Ross dedicates episode #57 to former NBA official Greg Willard who passed away in 2013 and wore that number on his jersey. 1:40 ... Bet Online live read from Ross 2:20 ... Bruce introduces this week's guest Shaun Powell of NBA TV and NBA.com 4:02 ... World B's opening comment is on basketball in Los Angeles with uncertain futures for both the Lakers and Clippers. 5:40 ... Bruce's opening comment is on LeBron James not retiring as a player, but he is retiring the #6 jersey in honor of Bill Russell. 7:22 ... Shaun's opening comment is on how the FIBA World Championships are this summer and how he believes if there were a game between International stars and American born stars, the International team would win. 12:00 ... Summer League thoughts with Cleveland beating Houston in the championship game 13:00 ... Shaun's feelings about the Houston Rockets and what their prognosis is for the upcoming season 15:35 ... World B feels the Rockets need to improve their shooting, but he is taking a wait and see approach 16:54 ... Ime Udoka will bring a renewed commitment to defense for Houston. 18:57 ... Ross is impressed with how the Rockets performed, including rookie Cam Whitmore. 20:59 ... The Portland Trailblazers have a sticky situation with Damian Lillard and his trade demand and Shaun wonders why the Blazers didn't trade him sooner. 24:35 ... Bruce feels that Lillard and his agent Aaron Goodwin put the Blazers in a box by demanding a trade to one team only: the Miami Heat. 26:38 ... Shaun feels Blazers rookie Scoot Henderson will come into the league and be a mature performer right out of the gate. 28:30 ... Bruce has lots of love for Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and believes he should be in the Basketball Hall of Fame.  Unfortunately for Bruce, none of his colleagues agree with him.   Luckily Bruce has thick skin and his feelings were not hurt. 33:29 ... The guys discuss James Harden and his demand to be traded from Philadelphia.  Shaun is tired of his yearly demands and feels he is team hopping and has "basketball insecurity." 35:43 ... Shaun understands why Joel Embiid wants Harden to stay in Philly. 36:08 ... Bruce feels Harden's performance last season was the best version of his "current self" and World B points out what an efficient duo he was with Embiid. 37:48 ... Phoenix traded Cameron Payne, leaving them without a true point guard.  Shaun feels that with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, two of their top guns don't really need a point guard because they can create for themselves. 40:12 ... Bruce initiated a discussion on DeAndre Ayton and whether new head coach Frank Vogel can get the best out of him. 41:43 ... World B feels that Vogel, known as a defensive oriented coach will be sorely tested by his new team and their defensive deficiencies. 42:36 ... Jaylen Brown has yet to sign a supermax deal but Shaun feels many teams are getting sticker shock and Brown may not deserve the supermax salary and that could be why he has not yet come to terms with the Celtics on a new deal. 45:06 ... Bruce has praise for Brown because he has leadership qualities and with Marcus Smart gone and Al Horford nearing retirement, he feels Brown will soon be the leader of the team. 47:00 ... The second apron of the new salary cap is something that is a huge factor moving forward when it comes to team building.  Shaun explains the financial stakes for owners and general managers. 48:12 ... Ross is concerned that the OKC Thunder may soon be contending with salary cap issues. 49:44 ... With all of the brothers currently playing in the league, we play Word Association with Shaun.  The Mobleys (Isaiah and Evan), the Holidays (Jrue, Justin, and Aaron), and the Balls (Lonzo and LaMelo) are our subjects 53:03 ... Final Thoughts: