Hardwood Knocks: An NBA Podcast

After way too much information on the inner goings of Hardwood Knocks, Dan gets into some of the biggest-ticket items on the docket. First, he FINALLY responds to rumors that James Harden wants to return to the Houston Rockets. Then, he discusses the impact Devin Booker's injury will have on the Phoenix Suns. And after that, he lays out why Nikola Jokic should be considered the favorite to win MVP. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 2:01 - Longwinded-ass programming note 9:36 - Should James Harden and the Houston Rockets reunite this summer, and will it feel so good if they do? 21:49 - Can the Phoenix Suns survive the Devin Booker injury? 34:35 - Should Nikola Jokic be the MVP favorite? JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan and Grant roll out Part 2 of their THREE-PART Western Conference MAILBAG. Be sure to check out Part 1 here. In Part 2, we're tackling questions for the Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs and Utah Jazz. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 1:51 - Minnesota Timberwolves 9:32 - New Orleans Pelicans 22:28 - Oklahoma City Thunder 26:02 - Phoenix Suns 32:12 - Portland Trail Blazers 37:26 - Sacramento Kings 45:53 - San Antonio Spurs 52:07 - Utah Jazz JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Grant and Dan link up to tackle the first of a THREE-PART Western Conference mailbag. The Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, LA Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies are all put under the microscope in this episode. Find the TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 2:09 - Dallas Mavericks 12:20 - Denver Nuggets 23:09 - Golden State Warriors 31:51 - Houston Rockets 38:11 - L.A. Clippers 42:05 - Los Angeles Lakers 48:19 - Memphis Grizzlies JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan discusses the prospect of a Trae Young trade request from the Atlanta Hawks. Of course, he first gets into whether the Hawks can salvage their season. After that, it's TRAE YOUNG TRADE IDEAS GALORE, kids! Finally, he dives into the Orlando Magic's recent scorching-hot streak and what it means for their future. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:25 - INTRO 1:55 - Trae Young Rumors, John Collins trades, Hawks struggles and future 21:54 - Trae Young trades 42:55 - Are the streaking Orlando Magic for real?! JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan and Grant bounce around the NBA with a bunch of quick-fire topics. Are the Boston Celtics in trouble or just slumping? Can the Los Angeles Lakers trade for Fred VanVleet? Is Jordan Poole more valuable than RJ Barrett? What's the most overrated holiday beverage or food out there? Listen to us ramble about this, plus some start-bench-cut and playoff predictions and other fake trades! TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:25 - INTRO 2:24 - The sale of the Phoenix Suns 5:05 - Most overrated holiday food/beverages 10:01 - Are the Boston Celtics overrated? 12:56 - START, BENCH, CUT: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic 14:58 - Would you rather have Jordan Poole or RJ Barrett for the rest of their NBA career? 20:43 - START, BENCH, CUT: Desmond Bane, Darius Garland, Tyrese Haliburton #2 23:17 - Stat of the Week #1 (Iso Scorers) 25:21 - Stat of the Week #2 (Drivers) 28:25 - WHO SAYS NO?! #1 (Warriors and Spurs) 33:38 - WHO SAYS NO?! #2 (Kings and Nuggets trade) 38:01 - WHO SAYS NO?! #3 (Lakers and Raptors trade) 42:37 - Playoffs, Play-in or Lottery: Lakers, Timberwolves, Warriors 45:22 - Playoffs, Play-in Lottery: Bulls, Pacers, Raptors JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With fan voting officially live, Dan and Grant drop their much-too-early picks for the 2023 NBA All-Star Game. Yes, this was tough. Yes, we hate ourselves. Yes, Tyrese Haliburton and Lauri Markkanen were seriously considered. No, we're not sorry. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:25 - INTRO 2:05 - CRITERIA 9:40 - East Backcourt Starters 14:41 - East Frontcourt Starters 18:03 - East Frontcourt Reserves 24:42 - East Backcourt Reserves/Wild Cards 33:50 - Toughest East Snubs 37:30 - West Backcourt Starters 42:02 - West Frontcourt Starters 46:23 - West Backcourt Reserves 52:08 - West Frontcourt Reserves 59:45 - West Wild Cards 1:01:39 - Toughest West Snubs JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan discusses the impact Anthony Davis' injury will have on the Los Angeles Lakers and how they approach the rest of their season. After that, he gets into the crapshow that is the Chicago Bulls. And finally, he takes a look at what's ailing the Toronto Raptors—and whether they'll try to fix it or tear the whole thing down. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:25 - INTRO 1:57 - Impact of Anthony Davis injury on the Los Angeles Lakers 11:42 - The Chicago Bulls are confusing, and maybe hopeless, as hell 25:31 - Don't expect the Toronto Raptors to blow it up JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan reacts to a Bleacher Report article from Zach Buckley on three trade targets for every NBA team. This one's a doozy, so buckle up! And check out the full article here. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 2:43 - Atlanta Hawks 3:37 - Boston Celtics 4:56 - Brooklyn Nets 6:00 - Charlotte Hornets 6:59 - Chicago Bulls 8:05 - Cleveland Cavaliers 9:30 - Dallas Mavericks 11:36 - Denver Nuggets 13:19 - Detroit Pistons 14:17 - Golden State Warriors 17:49 - Houston Rockets 19:28 - Indiana Pacers 20:39 - LA Clippers 22:43 - Los Angeles Lakers 24:50 - Memphis Grizzlies 26:52 - Miami Heat 28:05 - Milwaukee Bucks 29:32 - Minnesota Timberwolves 30:46 - New Orleans Pelicans 32:37 - New York Knicks 34:05 - Oklahoma City Thunder 35:32 - Orlando Magic 37:01 - Philadelphia 76ers 38:39 - Phoenix Suns 40:12 - Portland Trail Blazers 42:14 - Sacramento Kings 44:41 - San Antonio Spurs 46:23 - Toronto Raptors 49:35 - Utah Jazz 51:21 - Washington Wizards JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan dives into the implications that the Stephen Curry shoulder injury and his subsequent absence will have on the Golden State Warriors. Is their season over? Will they make a trade? Embrace a gap year? VICTOR WEMBANYAMA TO THE DUBS? It's all on the table. JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan and Grant are back for Part 2 of their weekly two-part mailbag. If you haven't checked out Part 1 already, well, do that now! This batch of questions has us tackling the trade value of Bradley Beal, the New Orleans Pelicans' championship chances, the Phoenix Suns' slump, the future of Karl-Anthony Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA rule changes and MUCH MORE. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:00 - INTRO 3:01 - What is Bradley Beal's trade value? 8:47 - Indiana Pacers starting 4 spot 10:20 - Fringe contenders who should make a move at the trade deadline 16:15 - The value of Caleb Martin 18:13 - Who would win the "Clutch Player" award if voting ended right now? 21:34 - Are the Pelicans contenders? 24:40 - Do the Pelicans need to make a trade? 30:28 - Would Stephen Curry automatically win the MVP if the NBA implemented a four-point line? 31:43 - Should the Phoenix Suns Make a trade or save their assets for a bigger fish? 37:20 - Which teams can and should try trading for Lonzo Ball? 40:12 - WHO SAYS NO?! 41:12 - What's one NBA rule change you'd love to make? 44:56 - Can the NBA more effectively prevent tanking? 51:01 - What should the Toronto Raptors do at the trade deadline? 59:34 - Should the Minnesota Timberwolves trade Karl-Anthony Towns? JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan and Grant are back for Part 1 of the weekly two-part mailbag. This time around, your questions cover the state of affairs for the Cleveland Cavaliers, the future of the Chicago Bulls, trade deadline dives into the Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder, the most and least fun teams to watch and SO MUCH MORE. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 3:24 - Cleveland Cavaliers/J.B. Bickerstaff 8:12 - Most/Least fun teams to watch right now 11:48 - Who's the worst player who could be traded that might shape the title race? 14:49 - What star should OKC target via trade this summer? 18:14 - How wild will December 15 be? 19:14 - How should the Utah Jazz approach the trade deadline? 25:23 - Will LeBron James be traded this summer? 31:07 - Are the Brooklyn Nets officially contenders? 37:07 - Should the Chicago Bulls trade Zach LaVine/blow it up? 43:33 - What would it take for someone to win Most Improved Player twice? JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan cannonballs into the impact of the Cade Cunningham injury on both the short- and long-term outlooks of the Detroit Pistons. He also delves into what we've seen from Bojan Bogdanovic, Killian Hayes, Jaden Ivey, Isaiah Stewart and more over the past few weeks. JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan gives a quick shout-out to Brittney Griner following her release from Russian custody. After that, it's time to have an honest discussion about the New York Knicks, their trade-deadline approach and the players and assets at hand. JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan and Grant wrap up 'Hot or Not?!' 2.0 with Part 2 of YOUR blistering takes. This time, we're talking about the New Orleans Pelicans' title stock, Zion Williamson's MVP candidacy, the future of the Toronto Raptors, the San Antonio Spurs going full Charlotte Bobcats, whether Evan Mobley is overrated and much more! TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 1:58 - Is Tim Connelly a bad executive? 7:09 - Are the Toronto Raptors stealth teardown candidates? 10:44 - Will James Harden and Joel Embiid ever win another playoff series together? 13:10 - Is Zion Williamson an MVP candidate? Are the New Orleans Pelicans this year's Boston Celtics? 24:04 - Did the Oklahoma City Thunder already win the Ousmane Dieng trade? 26:43 - Is Evan Mobley overrated? 34:53 - Can the Sacramento Kings finish with an above-average defense for the entire season? 42:05 - Will the San Antonio Spurs JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan and Grant are back for another round of NBA 'Hot or Not?!' This will be Part 1 of our two-part deep dive into YOUR surface-of-the-sun takes. In this opening batch, we're talking about the trade value of John Collins, the future of Trae Young with the Atlanta Hawks, where Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson rank among the best backcourts, the Indiana Pacers' rookie guards, the Donovan Mitchell trade and so much more. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 2:46 - Do the Indiana Pacers have two All-Rookie members? 7:13 - Is Devin Booker the best mid-range scorer alive? 13:48 - Are the Memphis Grizzlies and Atlanta Hawks just the Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum era Portland Trail Blazers? 20:59 - Would Michael Porter Jr. go unprotected AND unselected in an expansion draft? 24:56 - Should the Cleveland Cavaliers have traded for someone other than Donovan Mitchell? 31:11 - Are Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson still a top-five backcourt? 35:20 - Is LeBron James still a top-10 player? Should the Los Angeles Lakers trade LeBron James this summer and rebuild around Anthony Davis? 39:07 - Will three of the top five players from the 2022 draft class be guards? 43:12 - Are the Charlotte Hornets the NBA's most depressing franchise? 46:45 - Should the Atlanta Hawks rebuild around Dejounte Murray instead of Trae Young? 52:02 - Is John Collins a salary-dump trade candidate now? JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan reacts to a Bleacher Report article from Greg Swartz that features 1 trade idea for every NBA team. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 2:37 - Atlanta Hawks 3:32 - Boston Celtics 4:18 - Brooklyn Nets 5:41 - Charlotte Hornets 7:06 - Chicago Bulls 8:28 - Cleveland Cavaliers 9:14 - Dallas Mavericks 10:52 - Denver Nuggets 12:46 - Detroit Pistons 14:06 - Golden State Warriors 15:36 - Houston Rockets 18:21 - Indiana Pacers 19:26 - LA Clippers 20:29 - Los Angeles Lakers 21:25 - Memphis Grizzlies 22:55 - Miami Heat 23:47 - Milwaukee Bucks 25:02 - Minnesota Timberwolves 26:31 - New Orleans Pelicans 27:27 - New York Knicks 28:59 - Oklahoma City Thunder 30:13 - Orlando Magic 31:45 - Philadelphia 76ers 33:22 - Phoenix Suns 34:54 - Portland Trail Blazers 36:46 - Sacramento Kings 38:44 - San Antonio Spurs 39:24 - Toronto Raptors 40:13 - Utah Jazz 41:39 - Washington Wizards JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Weekend pod? WEEKEND POD. Dan gives his thoughts on the Al Horford extension and then responds to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reporting that rival NBA teams are waiting for the Chicago Bulls to trade DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine. After that, he gets into the latest Los Angeles Lakers rumors from The Athletic and thoroughly unpacks three different trade ideas he cobbled together for Bleacher Report. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:00 - INTRO 1:26 - Al Horford extension 4:06 - Should the Chicago Bulls blow it up? 17:50 - Lakers trade ideas based on the lates rumors from The Athletic 19:21 - Trade No. 1 25:36 - Trade No. 2 28:01 - Trade No. 3 JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan is back for Part 3 of our three-part mailbag series this week. (Be sure to check out Part 1 and Part 2!) This batch of questions will cover A LOT of ground. We’re talking Memphis Grizzlies, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, Utah Jazz, Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, Indiana Pacers, Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, Defensive Player of the Year and MUUUUUUCH MORE. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 1. Is Chris Finch on the Hot Seat? 2. Can the Celtics be stopped? 3. Who's the next superstar to be traded? 4. Will the Los Angeles Lakers make the play-in? 5. If you could start a franchise and draft 1 active player age 22 or younger, who would you pick? 0:00 - INTRO 2:52 - Utah Jazz vs. Minnesota Timberwolves 5:47 - Should the Charlotte Hornets blow it up? 10:52 - Are the Indiana Pacers for real? 15:17 - Why is Eric Gordon still on the Houston Rockets? 19:12 - Which struggling contender will right the ship? 22:07 - Should the Portland Blazers Trade Jusuf Nurkic and Josh Hart? 27:25 - What's the outlook on Dejounte Murray in Atlanta? 31:07 - Does barely playing adversely impact averages? 31:47 - How important is self-discovery in the regular season? 34:56 - Is the Memphis Grizzlies bench ready for a deep playoff run? 39:45 - Who's the NBA Defensive Player of the Year? 42:45 - Do the Boston Celtics have the best offense in NBA history? 44:34 - Is Jayson Tatum the NBA MVP? 46:55 - Who has the best and worst plus-minus? 47:46 - FAST FIVE⬇️ 1. Is Chris Finch on the Hot Seat? 2. Can the Celtics be stopped? 3. Who's the next superstar to be traded? 4. Will the Los Angeles Lakers make the play-in? 5. If you could start a franchise and draft 1 active player age 22 or younger, who would you pick? JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan and Grant reconvene for Part 2 of our epic three-part mailbag. (FIND PART 1 HERE!) This batch of questions sees us tackling the value of Kyrie Irving to the Nets; whether the Lakers and Clippers should regret their superstar trades from a few years ago; a Bruce Brown Jr. vs. Michael Porter Jr. debate; the legacy of Klay Thompson and Draymond Green; and some thoughts and stats on heaves. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:15 - INTRO 1:20 - THANK YOU 4:37 - Kyrie Irving/Nets 7:28 - Rule changes we want to see 14:10 - Should the Lakers regret trading for Anthony Davis? Should the Clippers regret trading for Paul George? 17:55 - Is Bruce Brown more valuable than Michael Porter Jr.? 22:24 - Who's the third best center right now? 24:55 - Klay Thompson's defensive peak 31:26 - What's the highest pick you would use on someone guaranteed to have Draymond Green's career (not including titles)? 35:55 - Do players really avoid taking heaves to protect their field-goal percentage? JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan and Grant chopper in to tackle PART 1 OF A THREE-PART NBA MAILBAG! They begin by discussing the impact of the Karl-Anthony Towns on the Minnesota Timberwolves. After that, they ponder how many stars you need to win a title. Then, they talk all things Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks and their future together. From there, they dive into pressing questions on the New York Knicks and New Orleans Pelicans. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:15 - INTRO 3:36 - Impact of the Karl-Anthony Towns injury 15:57 - Do teams need two stars to win a title? 22:50 - Worst player who can be the best player on a title team 25:39 - Are the Mavs failing Luka Doncic? 33:26 - Do other stars want to play with Luka Doncic? 38:08 - Should the Knicks make a trade to improve their spacing? 47:30 - Have the Pelicans turned a corner? Is CJ McCollum superfluous? JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan is back with his latest 2022-23 NBA MVP ladder. If you're wondering whether this exercise has gotten any easier, the answer is no. He still hates himself. But he also enjoys talking about the heroics of Luka Doncic and Stephen Curry and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic and Jayson Tatum and many more. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:00 - INTRO 1:10 - This year's NBA MVP race is freaking hard 5:24 - Honorable Mentions: Nos. 10 to 6 10:35 - No. 5 12:56 - No. 4 16:08 - No. 3 18:07 - No. 2 20:57 - No. 1 JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan and Grant reconvene for Part 4 of a four-part series in which they thoroughly discuss their biggest question for every NBA team through the first portion of the 2022-23 season. Next up: The Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards. BE SURE TO CHECK OUT PART 1 AND PART 2 AND PART 3, in which we tackle the Western Conference’s 15 squads, plus the other half of the Eastern Conference. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:37 - INTRO/CRITERIA 2:10 - Miami Heat 11:23 - Milwaukee Bucks 20:20 - New York Knicks 28:20 - Orlando Magic 36:36 - Philadelphia 76ers 45:12 - Toronto Raptors 52:14 - Washington Wizards JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan and Grant reconvene for Part 3 of a four-part series in which they thoroughly discuss their biggest question for every NBA team through the first portion of the 2022-23 season. Next up: The Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers. BE SURE TO CHECK OUT PART 1 AND PART 2, in which we tackle the Western Conference's 15 squads. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:37 - INTRO/CRITERIA 3:30 - Atlanta Hawks 12:52 - Boston Celtics 18:22 - Brooklyn Nets 26:57 - Charlotte Hornets 34:40 - Chicago Bulls 41:38 - Cleveland Cavaliers 48:27 - Detroit Pistons 56:11 - Indiana Pacers JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan reacts to some of the latest trade rumors surrounding John Collins, Jae Crowder and the Phoenix Suns and the New York Knicks and Immanuel Quickley. He also discusses his favorite trade target for Phoenix. Finally, he wraps up reacting to Zach Buckley's biggest surprise for every NBA team over at Bleacher Report. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:52 - INTRO 1:42 - Housekeeping note 4:23 - Chicago Bulls/Zach LaVine 7:29 - John Collins trade rumors: Kings, Jazz, Suns, etc. 12:40 - Jae Crowder rumblings, Suns trade targets, Chris Paul injury 20:47 - Should the Knicks trade Immanuel Quickley? 23:46 - REACTING TO Every NBA team's biggest surprise this season JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan provides a live and quick reaction to Zach Buckley's article from Bleacher Report on the biggest disappointments of the NBA season so far. We're covering every NBA team in 30ish minutes, so strap in! JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan and Grant reconvene for Part 2 of a four-part series in which they thoroughly discuss their biggest question for every NBA team so far through the first portion of the 2022-23 season. Next up: The Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs and Utah Jazz. BE SURE TO CHECK OUT PART 1 HERE. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:27 -INTRO 1:49 - Minnesota Timberwolves?? 10:09 - New Orleans Pelicans 18:28 - Oklahoma City Thunder 26:20 - Phoenix Suns 34:42 - Portland Trail Blazers 40:15 - Sacramento Kings 47:13 - San Antonio Spurs 54:09 - Utah Jazz JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan and Grant convene for Part 1 of a four-part series in which they thoroughly discuss their biggest question for every NBA team so far through the first portion of the 2022-23 season. First up: The Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, LA Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:42 - INTRO/SHOUT-OUT TO OUR LISTENERS 4:39 - Dallas Mavericks 11:41 - Denver Nuggets 20:18 - Golden State Warriors 28:22 - Houston Rockets 36:55 - LA Clippers 44:13 - Los Angeles Lakers 52:18 - Memphis Grizzlies JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan drops his latest 2022-23 NBA MVP ladder and then digs into how and why the New York Knicks are on the fast track to nowhere. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 0:42 - INTRO 1:41 - MVP Ladder Criteria 2:59 - Updated MVP Ladder 24:04 - The plight of the New York Knicks JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan hops on to deliver his report card grades for every NBA team's top under-25 player so FAR. You can check out the full article here. Please remember all players are being grade relative to their expectations entering this season. Please also remember that getting a "C" means they're right around expectations, and it should not be taken as some massive slight. You're all the best! TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:00 - INTRO 1:15 - Criteria 3:43 - Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks 5:16 - Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics 6:29 - Nicolas Claxton, Brooklyn Nets 7:55 - P.J. Washington, Charlotte Hornets 9:32 - Ayo Dosunmu, Chicago Bulls 10:44 - Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers 12:28 - Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks 14:15 - Michael Porter Jr., Denver Nuggets 17:43 - Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons 19:46 - Jordan Poole, Golden State Warriors 21:35 - Jalen Green, Houston Rockets 23:20 - Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers 24:30 - Brandon Boston Jr., L.A. Clippers 26:16 - Lonnie Walker IV, Los Angeles Lakers 27:46 - Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies 29:13 - Tyler Herro, Miami Heat 30:39 - MarJon Beauchamp, Milwaukee Bucks 31:31 - Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves 33:03 - Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans 34:39 - RJ Barrett, New York Knicks 36:19 - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder 37:59 - Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic 39:24 - Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers 40:42 - Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns 42:53 - Anfernee Simons, Portland Trail Blazers 44:20 - De'Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings 45:52 - Keldon Johnson, San Antonio Spurs 47:09 - Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors 48:18 - Collin Sexton, Utah Jazz 49:37 - Rui Hachimura, Washington Wizards JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan runs through some way too early 2023 NBA trade deadline predictions he made a few weeks ago to see how they've aged. "Consequentially reasonable" will be the theme of these crystal-ball gazings. We're sticking to predictions about which you should give a damn but aren't senselessly nuclear. So, to the Hall of Uniformed Prophecies we go! JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan and Grant are back with Part 2 of NBA 'Peace or Panic?!' Be sure to check out Part 1 here. In this round of 'Peace or Panic?!,' we're discussing the workload Luka Doncic shoulders for the Dallas Mavericks, the urgency meter for the Golden State Warriors, the Miami Heat's offense, the Philadelphia 76ers, Dwane Casey and the Detroit Pistons and so much more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 1:12 - INTRO 3:23 - Are the Dallas Mavericks running Luka Doncic into the ground? 23:16 - Do the Philadelphia 76ers need to try trading These Maxey for Kevin Durant? 26:01 - Is the Miami Heat bench and overall depth doomed? 31:24 - Are the Milwaukee Bucks NBA title formalities at this point? 35:41 - Do the Detroit Pistons need to get rid of Dwane Casey? 43:48 - Time to worry about the L.A. Clippers? 47:44 - Is James Wiseman a bust? And do the Golden State Warriors need to make a trade? 54:12 - Are the Minnesota Timberwolves screwed? 59:53 - Can either of the Brooklyn Nets or Los Angeles Lakers salvage their season? JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan and Grant drop Part 1 of 2022-23 NBA 'Peace or Panic?!' in which they they take a look at the most desperate situations and decide whether it's time to sound the alarm or pump the brakes. Our AWESOME listeners submitted their topics, which cover everything from Zion Williamson on defense and the development of Jalen Suggs to the Denver Nuggets potentially needing to make a trade and the Utah Jazz DOMINATING the Western Conference. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 1:12 - INTRO 6:13 - Is Jalen Suggs a bust? 12:35 - Is it too late for the Utah Jazz to tank? 24:20 - Should the Denver Nuggets trade for a veteran floor general? 28:32 - Do the Denver Nuggets need to trade Michael Porter Jr.? 35:05 - Zion Williamson's defense/inconsistency 41:40 - Mo Bamba is not an NBA player 45:30 - Is Chris Paul cooked? JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan unpacks the fallout of the Cam Johnson injury for the Phoenix Suns. Then, he reacts to the "rumor" that the Los Angeles Lakers might be up trading Anthony Davis. After that, he delves into his early impressions of the Trae Young and Dejounte Murray partnership for the Atlanta Hawks and briefly touches upon the Golden State Warriors' need to make a trade. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:00 - INTRO 2:52 - Should the Los Angeles Lakers trade Anthony Davis? 19:06 - Impact of Cam Johnson injury on the Phoenix Suns 22:04 - Trade targets for the Phoenix Suns in the wake of the Cam Johnson injury 36:44 - The Trae Young and Dejounte Murray fit for the Atlanta Hawks 45:05 - Are the Golden State Warriors wasting Stephen Curry?/Is it time for the Warriors to trade the youngsters? JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan reacts to the latest news on Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets, the allegations against Josh Primo and the San Antonio Spurs and the resolution to felony domestic charges against Miles Bridges. After that, he dives into how the Philadelphia 76ers will navigate the James Harden injury and the opportunity ahead for Tyrese Maxey. Then, he calls for the New York Knicks to fire Tom Thibodeau. And finally, it's time we started talked more about Kristaps Porzingis. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:37 - INTRO 2:14 - Kyrie Irving 18:08 - Josh Primo/San Antonio Spurs 24:20 - Miles Bridges 28:43 - James Harden injury 37:34 - Should the New York Knicks fire Tom Thibodeau? 48:36 - The rise of Kristaps Porzingis JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan and Grant plunder through a rousing round of NBA 'Too Hot or Not?!" using submissions from our MEGA AWESOME LISTENERS. Are the Cleveland Cavaliers 2022-23 NBA title favorites? Is Cade Cunningham a bust? Is Kawhi Leonard done? Should the Minnesota Timberwolves trade Karl-Anthony Towns? Shit gets REAL. Thick skins on? Let's ride. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 1:57 - INTRO 3:53 - Cade Cunningham vs. Jaden Ivey 13:15 - Indiana Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton, Domantas Sabonis, Worst trades of the past decade 22:11 - ALL THINGS Cleveland Cavaliers 34:08 - Dyson Daniels, Trey Murphy, Herb Jones vs. Brandon Ingram/CJ McCollum 36:33 - The New Orleans Pelicans will make the Finals??? 38:44 - Karl-Anthony Towns 43:20 - Is De'Andre Hunter a bust? 46:29 - Is Kawhi Leonard done? 49:56 - Jaylen Nowell, Anthony Edwards, Devin Booker 53:02 - Keldon Johnson 57:06 - The Charlotte Hornets need to tank 59:05 - Nick Richards 1:01:02 - Golden State Warriors, James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga 1:04:59 - Lauri Markkanen 1:06:43 - Trae Young, Dejounte Murray 1:09:45 - Tyrese Maxey 1:12:51 - Denver Nuggets 1:14:51 - Lottery odds/Tanking JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan and Grant react LIVE to the news that Steve Nash and the Brooklyn Nets have parted ways, and that the organization will move to hire Ime Udoka from the Boston Celtics. They cover everything from the implications of Nash leaving to the future of Kevin Durant, Ben Simmons and Kyrie Irving to Brooklyn's questionable moral compass. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 1:57 - INTRO 3:57 - Implications of the Brooklyn Nets and Steve Nash parting ways 17:01 - Reacting to the Nets hiring Ime Udoka from the Boston Celtics JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan gives his opinion on some of the latest NBA news, including the Josh Primo situation, Kyrie Irving's latest foray into harmful misinformation and Myles Turner speaking about potentially getting traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. After that, it's time for a much-too-early 2022-23 NBA MVP ladder, featuring Dan's top five, but really top 10, options through the early part of the regular season. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 1:57 - INTRO 3:35 - Josh Primo 7:05 - Kyrie Irving 20:00 - Myles Turner and the Los Angeles Lakers 29:11 - The Bojan Bogdanovic extension 30:47 - Blake Wesley injury in San Antonio 32:18 - Way-Too-Early NBA MVP Ladder...CRITERIA —Honorable Mentions, 10-6 (35:11) — No. 5 (39:03) — No. 4 (41:17) — No. 3 (42:56) — No. 2 (44:39) — No. 1 (46:27) JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan delves into the issues plaguing the Los Angeles Lakers and who's most to blame. Are they taking LeBron James for granted? Is this his fault? Should they trade Russell Westbrook already? After that, it's on to the Brooklyn Nets, who have a Ben Simmons problem. Is it time to panic, or will everything be fine? TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 1:30 - INTRO 2:25 - Los Angeles Lakers/LeBron James 13:32 - Brooklyn Nets/Ben Simmons JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MAIL TIME, PART 2. Dan plows through the second half of some truly amazing questions from our ever-awesome listeners. This batch of basketball queries takes us through the Minnesota Timberwolves defense following the Rudy Gobert trade, the potential for anti-tanking measures, an RJ Barrett vs. Wendell Carter Jr. debate and MORE! TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 1:15 - INTRO 2:33 - Can the NBA do anything else to prevent tanking? Is relegation a real option? 5:23 - The Lauri Markkanen-Era Dynasty in Utah 6:08 - The Minnesota Timberwolves defense 13:53 - Imagining Victor Wembanyama on the Orlando Magic? 17:55 - Is there any world in which Scoot Henderson gets drafted over Victor Wembanyama? 20:22 - F*ck, Marry, Kut from the team: Luka Doncic, Ja Morant and Trae Young 21:37 - With Chris Paul reaching 11,000 assists milestone, which player under the age of 25 is most likely to reach that benchmark next? 23:25 - Is Dan a monster for ranking RJ Barrett ahead of Wendell Carter Jr. in his "Top 25 NBA Players Under 25" article for Bleacher Report? 28:54 - R.I.P. Tony Brown/Favorite NBA referees JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MAIL TIME, PART 1! In the first mailbag for the 2022-23 NBA season, Dan tackles questions that cover the future of the Phoenix Suns and Devin Booker without Chris Paul, his own personal logo and mascot rankings, player evaluation and, of course, Russell Westbrook trade rumors. TIMESTAMPS BELOW⬇️ 1:15 - INTRO 4:05 - Devin Booker/Future of the Phoenix Suns 15:46 - Best and Worst NBA Logos 18:10 - Best and Worst NBA Mascots 21:36 - How should we evaluate young players on bad teams? 29:48 - The case for the Los Angeles Lakers to NOT Trade Russell Westbrook 33:01 - Will any team trade for Russell Westbrook and ACTUALLY KEEP him? JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan goes through his *personal* rankings of the top 25 NBA players under 25 right now. Please notice the emphasis on right now. We're not doing any sort of projection here...at least not on purpose. If you want to go into further detail with this pecking order, you can check out the full article published on Bleacher Report. Everybody ready to get really mad? Awesome. Let's do this. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 1:15 - INTRO/CRITERIA 4:40 - No. 25 5:41 - No. 24 6:52 - No. 23 8:07 - No. 22 9:36 - No. 21 11:01 - No. 20 14:20 - No. 19 16:03 - No. 18 17:14 - No. 17 18:33 - No. 16 19:54 - No. 15 21:07 - No. 14 22:12 - No. 13 23:27 - No. 12 24:48 - No. 11 26:15 - No. 10 27:28 - No. 9 28:49 - No. 8 30:12 - No. 7 31:37 - No. 6 32:41 - No. 5 33:52 - No. 4 35:12 - No. 3 36:25 - No. 2 37:29 - No. 1 JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan and Grant reconvene for an annual tradition unlike any other: NBA 'Truth or Trash?!' Sure, some might call this rebranded 'Fact or Fiction?' But those people suck. 'Truth or Trash?!' is super creative and unique and something no one else has ever thought to do. Anyway...Our cool, hip, trendier 'Fact or Fiction' will focus on some of our earliest observations for the 2022-23 NBA season. Are the Los Angeles Lakers doomed, even if they trade Russell Westbrook? Are the New Orleans Pelicans title contenders already? Is Doc Rivers on his way out of Philadelphia? We tackle all this...and more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 1:15 - INTRO 4:37 - Los Angeles Lakers/Russell Westbrook 19:05 - Cleveland Cavaliers 26:06 - Doc Rivers/Philadelphia 76ers 31:02 - Back to Russ for a sec 33:14 - New Orleans Pelicans 41:45 - Julius Randle 47:02 - Devin Booker 53:09 - Bennedict Mathurin, Paolo Banchero 55:59 - Charlotte Hornets, Portland Trail Blazers, Washington Wizards 58:03 - Lauri Markkanen/Utah Jazz 1:02:13 - Tyrese Haliburton 1:07:05 - Dallas Mavericks JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan bounces around the entire league for some good ol' NBA takeaways. Who cares that pretty much every team is only one game into their schedule? He sure doesn't! This was a fun one, and every batch of takeaways is delivered in roughly 60 seconds or less. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:30 - BLOCKBUSTER TRAILER DROP 1:07 - INTRO 4:22 - Atlanta Hawks 5:05 - Boston Celtics 5:37 - Brooklyn Nets 6:46 - Charlotte Hornets 7:29 - Chicago Bulls 8:14 - Cleveland Cavaliers 8:51 - Dallas Mavericks 9:43 - Denver Nuggets 10:25 - Detroit Pistons 13:41 - Golden State Warriors 14:20 - Houston Rockets 15:19 - Indiana Pacers 16:27 - LA Clippers 17:27 - Los Angeles Lakers 19:37 - Memphis Grizzlies 20:24 - Miami Heat 21:17 - Milwaukee Bucks 21:59 - Minnesota Timberwolves 23:07 - New Orleans Pelicans 24:19 - New York Knicks 25:41 - Oklahoma City Thunder 25:45 - Orlando Magic 27:37 - Philadelphia 76ers 28:58 - Phoenix Suns 30:30 - Portland Trail Blazers 31:27 - Sacramento Kings 32:42 - San Antonio Spurs 34:22 - Toronto Raptors 35:48 - Utah Jazz 38:43 - Washington Wizards JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan is joined by Keith Parish from the Fastbreak Breakfast (@fastbreakbreak) and Grits and Grinds (@grizzliespod) podcast for a deep dive into the 2022-23 Memphis Grizzlies. They start out by covering the Grizzlies' decision to lean further into development over the offseason and getting into the impact of Jaren Jackson Jr.'s absence, as well as his offensive development. After that, they discuss the next frontier for Ja Morant, expectations for Desmond Bane and Ziaire Williams, the revelation that is Santi Aldama, the rotation, trade possibilities and MUCH more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 2:46 - The offseason direction 9:49 - The next frontier for Ja Morant 16:19 - Timeline return for Jaren Jackson Jr./Defensive impact of his absence 21:30 - Jaren Jackson Jr.'s offense 24:41 - Year 3 expectations for Desmond Bane/Half-court initiation 29:57 - The development of Ziaire Williams 33:45 - Buy or sell Santi Aldama as an impact player 37:00 - Roles for Jake LaRavia and David Roddy 39:04 - Will Kenny Lofton Jr. get minutes 41:26 - Is the bench worse? 45:46 - Underrated strengths 50:16 - The 10-man rotation 51:40 - Go-to crunch-time lineup 54:36 - Weirdo lineups we want to see 58:20 - Over/under predictions, Where do the Grizzlies land in the Western Conference? 1:01:05 - Are the Grizzlies ripe for a trade? 1:05:21 - Brandon Clarke extension JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan hops on for a solo pod to discuss why he's picking the Denver Nuggets to win the 2022-23 NBA title. After that, he makes his predictions—complete with a rankings ladder—for who will win Coach of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, Most Improved Player, Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and MVP. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 2:01 - Why I'm picking the Denver Nuggets to win the 2022-23 NBA title 22:10 - Coach of the Year 27:16 - Sixth Man of the Year 31:59 - Most Improved Player 41:07 - Rookie of the Year 46:32 - Defensive Player of the Year 52:51 - MVP JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan is joined by Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) from The Athletic for a deep dive into the 2022-23 Utah Jazz. They discuss the organization's decision to trade Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell, Bojan Bogdanovic and Royce O'Neale over the offseason, and what it means for the future. Then, they get into how the Jazz will play this year, the early rotation, expectations for Walker Kessler and Ochai Agbaji, trade candidates and much more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 2:22 - THE OFFSEASON 5:59 - Was keeping Donovan Mitchell ever on the table? 7:35 - Play style under Will Hardy 9:05 - Will the Jazz tank? 15:59 - Collin Sexton's long-term value 20:08 - How to measure progress for the Jazz? 24:41 - Early impressions of Walker Kessler 27:56 - The value of Jarred Vanderbilt/Can he play with Walker Kessler? 29:12 - Will Ochai Agbaji be in the rotation? 31:10 - Nickeil Alexander-Walker vs. Talen Horton-Tucker 37:16 - Underrated strengths 40:34 - The future of Jordan Clarkson 41:41 - The 10-man rotation 42:37 - Go-to crunch-time lineup 44:28 - Weirdo lineups we want to see 47:56 - Trade over/unders, The future of Mike Conley 51:55 - Over/under predictions, Where do the Jazz land in the West? 56:34 - The importance of getting this rebuild right JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan is joined by Jabari Ali Davis (@JabariDavisNBA) from the Miles and Jack Got Mad Boosties (@MadBoosties) and NBA Finals File podcasts for a deep dive into the 2022-23 Los Angeles Lakers. They discuss Russell Westbrook, his role and the potential for a trade. After that, they dig into the Lakers' new addition, what to watch from Austin Reaves, a potential revenge season from Anthony Davis, the 10-man rotation, potential lineups and MUCH more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 2:51 - The Russell Westbrook situation 9:27 - Russ to the bench? 12:19 - Best/worst offseason additions, The fit of Lonnie Walker IV, Importance of Juan Toscano-Anderson 20:15 - Impact of Kendrick Nunn 21:45 - Who gets squeezed out of the guard rotation? 26:48 - Anthony Davis revenge season incoming? 29:23 - Anthony Davis-at-the-5, Roles for Damian Jones and Thomas Bryant 34:42 - Year 2 expectations for Austin Reaves 36:50 - Underrated strengths 39:20 - The 10-man rotation 42:31- Go-to crunch-time lineup 43:54 - Weirdo lineups we want to see 47:17 - Over/under predictions, Where do the Lakers stack up in the Western Conference? 48:58 - Will LeBron James play fewer minutes? JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan is joined by Matt Modderno (@MattModderno) from Bullets Forever and the Bleav in Wizards Podcast (@BleavinWizards) for a deep dive into the 2022-23 Washington Wizards. They discuss the decision to give Bradley Beal EVERYTHING in free agency and whether he can have a bounce back year. From there, they get into Kristaps Porzingis and his fit with Beal, the development of Deni Avdija, Corey Kispert and Rui Hachimura, the ideal role for Kyle Kuzma, the rotation, over/under predictions and MUCH more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 2:14 - The Bradley Beal decision 6:07 - Any concerns about Beal's 2021-22 season? 7:30 - Reflecting on the Will Barton and Monte Morris trade 10:31 - Kristaps Porzingis' impact/fit with Bradley Beal 17:03 - The fit and future of Kyle Kuzma 22:45: The Deni Avdija experience/His development 28:16 - What is Rui Hachimura? 31:58 - Development of Corey Kispert 34:06 - Role for Daniel Gafford 37:08 - Concern for Johnny Davis? 41:19 - Defensive ceiling 46:00 - Roster concerns 47:56 - Underrated strengths of the roster/The value of Delon Wright 50:06 - The 10-man rotation 51:33 - Go-to crunch-time unit 52:52 - Weirdo lineups we want to see 54:50 - Over/under predictions, Where do the Wizards land in the Eastern Conference? JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan and Grant are back together again to tackle their 2022-23 NBA Eastern Conference over/under predictions. To answer your question: Yes, we already hate ourselves. As always, we’re trying to factor in every imaginable and the most plausible outcomes for each while hitting these NBA win totals. And as a reminder, none of this should be taken as definitive betting advice, because we absolutely, positively, without question suck at this. Be sure to check out the Western Conference over/under pod, which you can find here or on your YouTube channel/where you get your pods! TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 3:20 - Atlanta Hawks 6:47 - Boston Celtics 13:16 - Brooklyn Nets 18:48 - Charlotte Hornets 22:48 - Chicago Bulls 26:31 - Cleveland Cavaliers 31:05 - Detroit Pistons 35:22 - Indiana Pacers 38:33 - Miami Heat 41:43 - Milwaukee Bucks 44:41 - New York Knicks 48:08 - Orlando Magic 52:32 - Philadelphia 76ers 54:13 - Toronto Raptors 57:11 - Washington Wizards JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan is joined by Imman Adan (@Imman_Adan) from Yahoo Sports Canada and the Dishes & Dimes podcast (@dishesdimespod) for a deep dive into the 2022-23 Toronto Raptors. They discuss the next phase of Scottie Barnes' development, whether Pascal Siakam can enter the MVP discussion, OG Anunoby's offensive potential, Precious Achiuwa going kaboom, the half-court offense, the defense, the rotation, Toronto's long-term future and so much more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 0:30 - INTRO 4:16 - Offseason impressions 7:10 - Year 2 expectations for Scottie Barnes 11:10 - OG Anuonby's role on offense 15:49 - Does Pascal Siakam have another gear? 24:35 - The rise of Precious Achiuwa 33:42 - Role for Dalano Banton 37:30 - The half-court offense 39:41 - The future of Gary Trent Jr. and Fred VanVleet 43:07 - Impact of the "take foul" on the Raptors offense 46:55 - Early impressions of Christian Koloko 48:04 - Underrated strengths of the roster 49:18 - The 10-man rotation 57:11 - Go-to closing unit 1:00:12 - Weirdo lineups we want to see 1:02:27 - Over/under predictions, Where do the Raptors land in the East? JOIN OUR DISCORD: bit.ly/discordhwk SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/31z7eyI FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️ TWITTER/IG: @danfavale / @danfavale TWITTER: @gt_hughes TWITTER: @fromal09 TWITTER/IG: @HardwoodKnocks / @hardwood_knocks TIKTOK: @hardwoodknocks TWITTER: @SportsMathNet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices