Anthony Slater, who covers the Warriors and the NBA for The Athletic, joins to talk Western Conference contenders, refereeing, the state of Golden State and more.

We start by maybe, just maybe, encouraging Lakers fans to slow their roll on Damian Jones. He's looked good in his first two games in purple and gold - hasn't missed a shot! - but there's a reason the center has been let go by three teams over the course of a very short career. But is there a role he can fill? Can the Lakers expect the buyout market to yield... anything?

Next, it's the Phoenix Suns, who beat an undermanned Lakers team Tuesday night. How good are they? Can they challenge the perceived elites in the West? Why has Chris Paul been able to resurrect his career in ways people may not have seen coming? (Plants!... in part.)

Does the NBA have a referee problem? The game Tuesday, a marquee matchup on national TV, was undercut by the quick-trigger ejection of Suns star Devin Booker. What can the NBA do about that, and what appears to be a crazy number of reviews, particularly in late game situations?

Why has Steph Curry been able to rebound so well this year, after an injury plagued 2020? What has made this year unique, relative to others in his career. And do the Warriors regret taking James Wiseman over LaMelo Ball?