BBALL BREAKDOWN Podcast

Get Coach Nick's immediate reaction to Game 3 between the 76ers and the Raptors. Alongside Jared Weiss, they answer live questions as well about everything going on in the playoffs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get Coach Nick's immediate reaction to the big win by the Portland Trail Blazers over the Denver Nuggets in Game 2. Jared Weiss of The Athletic joins Coach Nick, as always, and they break down the adjustments and performances of the players and coaches. Plus, a mailbag as the live audience asks questions directly and Nick and Jared answer them one by one, covering the whole NBA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jared Weiss, writer at The Athletic, and Coach Nick discuss their immediate reactions to the big Spurs win to set up an epic Game 7 in Denver. They also take questions from Periscope that run the gamut across all the playoff series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Portland Trail Blazers fell behind by 15 points midway through the 4th quarter of Game 5 last night, and it seemed certain that they'd face a game 6 in Oklahoma City. But the crowd rallied around them, Mo Harkless and CJ McCollum began the slow march upward, and then Damian Lillard yet again ended the series with the most improbable shot we've ever seen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coach Nick is joined as always by Jared Weiss of The Athletic to discuss how the Nets upset the Sixers in Game 1, plus the shocking end to the Magic Raptors game. They then turn to the West to go over OKC vs Portland, and Houston vs Utah. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anthony Irwin of the Locked On Lakers podcast comes on the show to discuss the "podcast" Magic Johnson recorded live in front of a host of reporters in the bowels of Staples Center last night. Irwin dissects why he's stepping down and what we can decipher from his impromptu ramblings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coach Nick is joined as always by Jared Weiss of The Athletic to discuss what we do know about the matchups in the NBA Playoffs in both the East and West. It'll be an interesting final couple of games as some teams aren't motivated to win, others want to move up or maybe down, and it all doesn't matter as the Warriors are playing great. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Game 1 of Michigan State's NCAA Tournament run, head coach Tom Izzo lost control while yelling at freshman Aaron Henry, sparking a huge debate across the basketball world - fueled in part by Coach Nick's tweet of the footage. Also, the NBA Playoff race at the bottom of each bracket is heating up and Coach Nick and Jared break down some of the surprises. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Athletic's Jared Weiss is back in the saddle with his weekly appearance on the pod, and he and Coach Nick discuss the Denver Nuggets in detail. Is Jamal Murray the X-Factor? Does Mike Malone give them an edge during the playoffs? They also wander over to San Antonio to discuss what makes them so competitive this year, with a big reason being Derrick White, mama. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A rare behind the scenes look at the preparation that goes into calling the premiere games of the week in the NBA, Coach Nick goes in depth with Mike Breen on what it's like to be courtside at all the best games. Plus, they discuss interacting with some of his more eccentric partners like Bill Walton and Walt "Clyde" Fraizer. Breen also recounts the horror of being in the middle of the Malice At The Palace when the Pacers and Pistons got into an all out brawl that spilled out into the stands. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coach Nick is joined IN STUDIO by the insightful and hilarious John Henson - comedian/Knicks fan as seen on TV in the shows Wipe Out and Talk Soup, among many others. They go in on the Knicks with great analysis and lots of humor, plus they express their love and astonishment for Mitchell Robinson way too much. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Lakers season is slowly falling off a cliff into the sea, and Coach Nick and Jared Weiss go through their various issues. The Celtics are in a better position, but have some real issues of their own, and it's unclear if they'll right the ship before the end of the season. Plus, Andrew Bogut's return to the Warriors speaks volumes about the play of DeMarcus Cousins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the modern game has taken hold of the NBA, the traditional dominant shooting guard that started with Michael Jordan, then Kobe Bryant, and on to Dwyane Wade might never lead a team to a title again. Find out why. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Now that the NBA is back from All Star vacation, Coach Nick and The Athletic's Jared Weiss break down the marquee game from last night, discussing what the future holds for two of the top teams in the East. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The top teams in the Eastern Conference, save for the Boston Celtics, all made trades to bolster their rosters. Coach Nick and Jared Weiss go through them to analyze who improved the most and what the seedings for the playoffs should look like 25 games from now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do NOT miss this episode as Jared Weiss of the Athletic and Coach Nick discuss all the trades that went down and what they mean for the respective teams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are few NBA writers with the breadth and depth of Sam Amick, and as a Friend Of The Breakdown sits down with his insider's knowledge of the inner workings of the Lakers and Celtics as they jockey for position in the Anthony Davis sweepstakes, as well as the Grizzlies intentions to move either Mike Conley and/or Marc Gasol. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coach Nick is joined by New York Knicks beat writer for The Athletic Mike Vorkunov, who gives his perspective on the bombshell trade that just happened between the Knicks and the Dallas Mavericks. Jared Weiss also weighs in on how the trade works for Dallas as well, and the prospects for a Doncic Porzingis pick and roll are too exciting to imagine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pelicans Beat Writer for The Athletic Will Guillory joins Coach Nick to give his insider's analysis on why Anthony Davis suddenly wants out of New Orleans after 6 1/2 years. And as a bonus, Jared Weiss of The Athletic fills in more of the blanks about potential destinations that both fit Davis's playing style and lifestyle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coach Nick has a pretty hot take on the LeBron James/Luke Walton situation in Los Angeles, plus him and Jared Weiss of The Athletic discuss the Warriors Celtics game and the All Star starters and potential reserves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coach Nick welcomes Friend of the Breakdown Jovan Buha, Clippers beat writer for The Athletic, to discuss what has happened to the hot start of the Clippers. Jovan explains why Avery Bradley has become a four letter word on #NBATwitter, and what potential trades they might explore to upgrade the roster for a strong playoff push. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcoming Dave DuFour back, he and Coach Nick show you how to do a pod: They examine how DeMarcus Cousins looks on the floor for the Warriors, whether CP3 can come back and help the Rockets with Super Saiyan Harden, and we answer a ton of questions from the live Periscope Broadcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coach Nick is joined as always by The Athletic's Jared Weiss to discuss Kyrie's comments that he called LeBron James to commiserate, are the Mavericks seriously thinking about trading Dennis Smith Jr, and should the Rockets cut down on their three point attempts? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The reporter that broke the news of Team President and Head Coach Tom Thibdeau's firing from the Minnesota Timberwolves was none other than Jon Krawczynski, and he joins Coach Nick to discuss what it all means and the state of the franchise going forward. Then, Jared Weiss joins Coach Nick to go into more depth about who they'll search for to replace Thibodeau, plus an NBA mailbag from the Live Show recorded on Periscope. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paul George is having an MVP caliber year, and deserves to be in the discussion for the award. The Grizzlies had a physical altercation after a bad loss to Detroit, and Coach Nick and Jared discuss whether it's even a good idea to have a meeting immediately after a game. Anthony Davis puts up monster numbers, but something about his game doesn't seem to profoundly affect whether the Pelicans win or lose. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coach Nick is joined by The Athletic's Jared Weiss to discuss the newest defensive adjustments made against the Warriors, and whether the Trail Blazers are on solid footing in the West. Plus, Adam Silver's memo urging players from refrain from recruiting each other publicly was a direct shot at LeBron James and his comments regarding Anthony Davis. Who's right? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coach Nick is joined by The Athletic's Jared Weiss to discuss the Sixers issues down the stretch with a non shooter like Ben Simmons in the lineup. They also go in detail about the necessity to play Justise Winslow at point guard and how it has unlocked a lot of things for the Heat who have won 5 of 6. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Chris Paul's hamstring injury, it places the Rockets in real peril of missing the playoffs. The league continues to draft traditional big men at the very top, does De'Andre Ayton deserve that spot? And Joel Embiid is one of the most dominant big men in the NBA, but there's a big issue with his game that Coach Nick and Jared discuss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Wizards and Celtics had an old fashioned overtime shootout, complete with strange coaching and player decisions, and a mano a mano between Kyrie Irving and John Wall. Also, what is going right and wrong with the Rockets? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the firing of Fred Hoiberg and replacing him with Jim Boylen, John Paxson has ushered in a new era for the Chicago Bulls. They seem to have gotten the message, as the team is playing with lots more intensity and passion, but is it sustainable? Senior NBA Writer Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic brings his insider knowledge to the show to discuss the differences in Boylen's approach, whether Lauri Markkanen can become a savior, and whether they've finally turned a corner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Best friend of the breakdown Jared Weiss joins Coach Nick in a weekly show to discuss his breaking news on the Markelle Fultz situation, from his wrist injury to the nerve damage that has caused his shot to get so funky. And Fred Hoiberg was fired early Monday morning, and the only surprising thing might have been that it took that long. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Celtics have surprisingly struggled this year considering all the talent they have. Celtics beat reporter for The Athletic Jared Weiss joins Coach Nick to discuss the lineup changes Brad Stevens has played with, and whether Kyrie needs to be more of The Man in the offense to get them going in the right direction. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marcus Thompson of The Athletic was one of the first to report on the rift between Draymond Green and Kevin Durant, and what it means to the dynamic of the team. Will it hold them back from another title? Will it cause Durant to leave in free agency? Find out from one of the most prominent insider voices in Thompson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Draymond blew up at Kevin Durant at the end of regulation versus the Clippers, it brought up a lot of issues that had been bubbling to the surface regarding KD's free agency. Mark Medina of the Bay Area News Group joins Coach Nick to give us his insider's analysis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coach Nick welcomes a very old Friend Of The Breakdown Kurt Helin of NBCSports.com to discuss what the Rockets are doing with Carmelo Anthony, the Jimmy Butler trade to the Sixers and whether Markelle Fultz will be able to handle it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coach Nick welcomes back Friend Of The Breakdown Spencer Dinwiddie to discuss his game saving and game winning heroics on Halloween as he carried his Brooklyn Nets in crunch time over the Detroit Pistons. He also discusses how the new rules emphasis has affected his play, and the league in general. A must listen to get a rare glimpse into the mindset of an NBA player. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe Vardon has been on the Cleveland Cavaliers beat for years, and now covers them and National NBA News for The Athletic. In a candid conversation, Vardon details the events surrounding the slightly surprising termination of Tyronn Lue as head coach of the Cavs. After leading the team to 4 straight finals and one title, it's hard to fathom Lue would get dumped so quickly, but after a disagreement with General Manager Koby Altman, his days were numbered. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Coach Nick and Dave DuFour as they go around the horn answering the best questions they got in their live post game show, ranging from Should Billy Donovan Be Fired, to whether Rondo and Ingram will start when they return from suspensions, and what's wrong with the Boston Celtics offense? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get into the mindset of one of the winningest players in the NBA - having won 2 NBA titles with the Rockets and one with the Spurs, Mario Elie has a unique perspective on the league having been a player and an assistant coach. Coach Nick discusses how the Rockets were the progenitors of volume three point shooting back in the mid 90's, as well as how tough Gregg Popovich was in his early days of coaching. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While the first game in Boston was sloppy, the Celtics proved they are the class of the East as they blew out an undermanned Sixers team. In the night cap, the Thunder gave the Warriors a run for their money behind Paul George's hot second half, but Steph Curry and Kevin Durant were too much for anyone to handle, much less the Russ-less Thunder team. Coach Nick and Dave take live questions as well to help diagnose what just happened on Day 1 of the 2018-19 NBA Season. YOU IN? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever wondered how Steph Curry trained himself to be the all time best shooter the NBA has ever seen? Get a rare glimpse behind the curtain as Coach Nick discusses Curry's training with his personal player development coach Brandon Payne. They discuss what Steph has added to his game this year, and the key components to training shooters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When the video of Ted Alexandro's comedy bit comparing his sexual prowess to the Celtics-era Shaq went viral, Coach Nick felt compelled to reach out to Ted to break down the process of writing this as well as a funny take on Steve Kerr's coaching. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Coach Nick was a young student manager for the Men's Basketball Team at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, little did he know years later that he'd be able to interview his former boss. From being head coach of the Knicks, the GM of the Vancouver Grizzlies, and Vice President of the NBA itself, Stu Jackson has held every job at every level there is in basketball. Currently an analyst on NBA TV and Senior Associate Commissioner for Mens’ Basketball for the Big East, Coach Nick and Stu discuss what it was like coaching in the 90's, how the game has evolved, and his exciting storylines for the upcoming season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coach Nick and Dave DuFour are back together again for a new NBA Season! Find out their expert opinions on what the Lakers have in store for them in the West, and how LeBron James will integrate his game and also allow Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, and Lonzo Ball to flourish at the same time. Plus, the latest on the Jimmy Butler saga and who's going to go first: Jimmy or Thibs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Once an unshakeable pairing, Jimmy Butler has decided he wants out of Minnesota now. As Darren predicted back in July. With more information, we discuss how Butler and Thibs went from a love affair to a messy divorce - and who gets custody of the kids. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a long layoff, Dave DuFour is back on the show to discuss a variety of topics, based on questions from twitter and Periscope. We ran the gamut, across both conferences. Keen insight into the Western playoff race and which very good teams might end up being sorely disappointed at the end of the year, and how competitive (and fun!) the East will be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The WNBA Semifinals just saw TWO epic 5 game series take place, and it's just a prelude to what will undoubtedly be a Finals for the ages. Now that the WNBA has embraced the pace and space and 3 point shooting of the modern game, it has unlocked a whole new level of excitement and skill. Join Coach Nick and Ryan Ruocco of ESPN and The Yes Network as they discuss the last round and preview the Finals that start Friday, September 7. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Friend of the Breakdown Mo Dakhil joins Coach Nick to discuss in detail his experiences working for the Spurs during Manu's golden years (2009-2011) and what his legacy means to the NBA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coach Nick just dropped a video comparing and contrasting Nuggets center Nikola Jokic to the Sixers Joel Embiid, and TJ McBride, editor and Nuggets beat writer for Mile High Sports, joins him to discuss. They also go in depth on the expectations of this team, and how, fully healthy, they could contend for home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did the Rockets improve by adding Melo but losing Trevor Ariza and luc Richard Mbah a Moute? That's a lot of defense to make up, but perhaps Anthony's role in the Rocket's high powered offense, plus the support of PJ Tucker, CP3, and Clint Capela can get them over the hump and defeat the Warriors in the playoffs. Find out from Rockets super fan and Sirius XM NBA Channel personality Curtlow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices