Hardwood Knocks: An NBA Podcast

Josh Primo, the youngest player in the 2021 draft, was initially projected to go in the second round. He ended up with the San Antonio Spurs at No. 12. How did that happen? Dan spoke Todd Ramasar (@tramasar), agent to Primo and Pascal Siakam, as well as the founder and president of Life Sports Agency, about what went into Josh's rise and how impactful the pre-draft process is in general. TIMESTAMPS ⬇️ 🔘 Todd's first impressions of Josh (4:25) 🔘 How Josh prepared for the draft (6:50) 🔘 Josh's developmental curve outside of Alabama (11:55) 🔘 Concerns Josh had to overturn during pre-draft process (16:34) 🔘 When was it clear Josh would be drafted much earlier than expected? (19:44) 🔘 How youth factors into projecting draft prospects (22:22) 🔘 Impact of Josh's performance at the draft combine (26:12) 🔘 Was it *actually* a surprise to see Josh go at No. 12? (29:08) 🔘 Importance of organizational fit for draft prospects (32:15) 🔘 Unique impact of individual workouts for 2021 draft class (34:55) 🔘 The player-agent relationship (39:38) Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Twitter: @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

test dive into listener questions includes a look at Stephen Curry's Year 3 in the NBA vs. Trae Young's Year 3 in the NBA; the highest usage rate of all time among LeBron James' teammates; how much the Charlotte Hornets improved; the Toronto Raptors' approach to building a team; breakout candidates for the Orlando Magic; the developmental arc of RJ Barrett; ideal acquisitions the Dallas Mavericks could still target; and MUCH more. TIMESTAMPS ⬇️ 🔘 Youngest championship teams (1:41) 🔘 LeBron's highest-usage teammates ever (4:54) 🔘 Oldest players at summer league (7:09) 🔘 Trae Young vs. Steph Curry in Year 3 (12:20) 🔘 Did the Hornets improve? Should they have spent more on a center? (15:45) 🔘 Will the Jazz be better than they were last season? (21:51) 🔘 The Kings' offseason (29:01) 🔘 The Raptors' roster construction (33:54) 🔘 Ideal "gets" for the Mavericks (39:04) 🔘 Breakout candidates for the Magic (47:58) 🔘 Predicting next season's biggest disappointments (50:45) 🔘 Year 3 expectations for RJ Barrett (1:01:01) 🔘 Would you re-do any of the Knicks' moves? (1:06:24) Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Twitter: @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You may have heard that The Ringer's Mirin Fader (@MirinFader) has a book coming out on August 10: Giannis Antetokounmpo: The Improbable Rise of an NBA MVP. Well, she joined Hardwood Knocks to talk anything and everything about the book, from the writing process during a pandemic to what she sees driving Giannis forward in the wake of the Milwaukee Bucks' NBA title. Along the way, she reveals the ultimate sports-related reading list, her thoughts on Simone Biles, and so much more that's sure to capture your attention and interest. Purchase Giannis Antetokounmpo: The Improbable Rise of an NBA MVP here. TIMESTAMPS ⬇️ 🔘 Striking a balance between writing about basketball and Giannis' identity off the court (2:27) 🔘 The writing process, and how it was impacted by the pandemic (5:38) 🔘 Watching Milwaukee's title run after writing the book (10:36) 🔘 The fact-checking/collaboration process (15:29) 🔘 What will Giannis' motivation be after winning MVPs and a title? (18:12) 🔘 Giannis finding his political voice (19:58) 🔘 Giannis' impact on Black Greek people in Athens (22:51) 🔘 Brace yourself Atlanta Hawks fans 😬 (24:33) 🔘 Giannis' relative anonymity entering the 2013 draft and during his rookie season (26:01) 🔘 Favorite quote from the Bucks' championship run (30:22) 🔘 Getting unique insight into Giannis' personality (32:03) 🔘 Thoughts on the reaction to Simone Biles withdrawing from Olympic events (33:27) 🔘 Mirin's quintessential sports-related books (39:22) 🔘 Mirin's writing influences (41:25) 🔘 Book release (44:20) Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Twitter: @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Good lord. The first couple days of NBA free agency were a whirlwind. And while there's still plenty of offseason left to unfold, Hardwood Knocks tapped Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes (@gt_hughes) to dole out early impressions of what's taken place so far. Along with Dan, he covers the moves made by the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, New Orleans Pelicans, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors and muuuuch more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 Free-Agency landscape (2:10) 🔘 Lakers (6:19) 🔘 Bulls (17:06) 🔘 Pelicans (27:01) 🔘 Heat (34:22) 🔘 Knicks (44:44) 🔘 Warriors (57:43) 🔘 Raptors (1:07:09) 🔘 Western Conference hierarchy (1:14:45) 🔘 Suns (1:22:18) 🔘 Kings (1:26:06) 🔘 Cavs/Jarrett Allen (1:27:54) Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Twitter: @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hardwood Knocks analyzes the free-agency and trade markets for all 15 NBA teams in the Eastern Conference, a journey that covers proposed targets and hypothetical trades galore. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 👉 Hawks (3:20) 👉 Celtics (8:31) 👉 Nets (18:44) 👉 Hornets (24:48) 👉 Bulls (30:57) 👉 Cavaliers (39:46) 👉 Pistons (46:27) 👉 Pacers (50:19) 👉 Heat (56:28) 👉 Bucks (59:59) 👉 Knicks (1:04:33) 👉 Magic (1:09:44) 👉 Sixers (1:12:43) 👉 Raptors (1:17:51) 👉 Wizards (1:21:15) Check out our trade and free-agency targets for every Western Conference team here. Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Twitter: @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Submit your Blue Wire Hustle application here: bwhustle.com/join Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NBA Offseason mode is fully engaged, and so are we. Adam and Dan analyze the ins and outs of the trade between the New Orleans Pelicans and Memphis Grizzlies, covering everything from the cap mechanisms to how it impacts Lonzo Ball, Kyle Lowry, Ja Morant and much more. After that, we give our top trade and free-agency targets for all 15 Western Conference teams. Let's ride! TIMESTAMPS ⬇️ 🔘 Pelicans-Grizzlies Trade Analysis (1:53) 👉 Impact on Pelicans (3:30) 👉 Impact on Grizzlies (17:44) 🔘 Top Trade and Free-Agency Targets 👉 Grizzlies (26:53) 👉 Pelicans (33:33) 👉 Mavericks (46:07) 👉 Nuggets (52:15) 👉 Warriors (57:57) 👉 Rockets (1:03:32) 👉 Clippers (1:07:06) 👉 Lakers (1:13:06) 👉 Timberwolves (1:18:36) 👉 Thunder (1:21:57) 👉 Suns (1:27:16) 👉 Blazers (1:33:26) 👉 Kings (1:37:25) 👉 Spurs (1:43:56) 👉 Jazz (1:48:33) Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Twitter: @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Submit your Blue Wire Hustle application here: bwhustle.com/join Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NBA DRAFT SZN LET'S F'N GO! Hardwood Knocks brings back the best in the biz, Adam Spinella (@Spinella14) of The Box and One (@theboxandone_) to discuss everything about the 2021 NBA draft. We cover how to go about building a big board, draft philosophy, Coach Spins' top-10 big board, the most underrated prospects, Jalen Suggs, Jalen Green, Evan Mobley, Jared Butler, Sharife Cooper, Trey Murphy III, Davion Mitchell, Usman Garuba, Scottie Barnes, some of YOUR questions and muuuuch more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 Approach to building a draft-prospect big board (2:24) 🔘 Drafting best player available vs. drafting for fit (11:08) 🔘 Top 10 Big Board (21:24) 🔘 Evan Mobley vs. Scottie Barnes (29:50) 🔘 Usman Garuba (33:48) 🔘 Davion Mitchell (37:02) 🔘 Alperen Sengun (39:59) 🔘 Jalen Johnson (43:02) 🔘 Sharife Cooper (46:12) 🔘 Most Underrated Prospects: 👉Guard/Primary Playmaker (49:08) 👉Wing (49:59) 👉Big (51:18) 🔘 Cam Thomas (52:38) 🔘 Bones Highland (54:32) 🔘 Ayo Dosunmu (59:00) 🔘 Trey Murphy III (61:20) 🔘 Can the Suns trade up for Kai Jones? (1:05:58) 🔘 How do we normalize NBA comps? (1:07:24) 🔘 Will James Bouknight go in the top 10? (1:11:20) 🔘 Best shooters in the draft (1:11:51) 🔘 If the Warriors keep their picks, who should they target at No. 7 and No. 14 ? (1:15:07) 🔘 Bradley Beal, Pascal Siakam and the Warriors (1:17:48) Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Twitter: @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Submit your Blue Wire Hustle application here: bwhustle.com/join Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hardwood Knocks brings in SB Nation's Sabreena Merchant (@sabreenajm) to discuss all things Lakers and Clippers—trades, free agency, Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis, LeBron James, Kyle Kuzma, Reggie Jackson, coaching, everything. But first: We pour one out for Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks! 👉Giannis/Bucks (1:26) 👉Clippers Offseason Outlook 🔘 How Kawhi's injury impacts the Clippers' offseason approach (3:51) 🔘 Importance of bringing back Nicolas Batum and Reggie Jackson (10:22) 🔘 Will the Clippers make a big swing on the trade market? (14:57) 🔘 Will Serge Ibaka be back? (21:54) 🔘 Terance Mann's development (24:17) 🔘 Ivica Zubac (27:51) 👉Lakers Offseason Outlook 🔘 How much pressure is on LA to find a new third-best player? (29:18) 🔘 Possible trade targets (33:15) 🔘 Keep or Nah? (38:34) -Andre Drummond -Dennis Schroder -Talen Horton-Tucker -Alex Caruso -Montrezl Harrell -Wesley Matthews -Markieff Morris -Jared Dudley 🔘 More likely: Trading for a veteran point guard under contract or sign-and-trade? (46:42) 🔘 Kyle Kuzma's value (48:39) 🔘 Anthony Davis-at-the-5/Marc Gasol (52:19) Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Twitter: @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MAIL TIME. Hardwood Knocks' latest listener-steered trip around the NBA covers the NBA Finals, Phoenix Suns' three-game losing streak, Milwaukee Bucks' uptick in play, Devin Booker, Jrue Holiday, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Chris Paul, the Denver Nuggets, Damian Lillard and more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 Suns adjustments for Game 6 (1:46) 🔘 Jrue Holiday (6:32) 🔘 Phoenix's one-star minutes (8:36) 🔘 Suns' offensive flow (11:07) 🔘 Weird vibes about Game 6 (20:30) 🔘 Chris Paul (24:31) 🔘 Finals rotations (25:48) 🔘 Devin Booker (32:39) 🔘 Finals scoring records (33:32) 🔘 Most underrated skill for modern-day NBA player (35:56) 🔘 Nuggets offseason priorities (39:09) 🔘 Damian Lillard (49:16) Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Twitter: @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Adam and Dan discuss the process behind how they come up with fake NBA trades, and how they prepare for the negative backlash of them. This was a fun, fantastic conversation, and we strongly recommend listening to it in its entirety. After that, though, we talk about actual fake trades involving the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks, San Antonio Spurs, Indiana Pacers, Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Clippers and much more. Finally, Dan discusses the impact of Kawhi Leonard's partially right torn ACL on his future, as well as the Clippers' outlook. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 👉Process of Building Fake Trades (0:00) 🔘 Approach to building fake trades (4:01) 🔘 Importance of the "Both Sides" perspective (8:30) 🔘 What to look at when building fake trades (9:41) 🔘 Why fake trades don't have to be predictive (13:43) 🔘 Contextualizing every element of a trade (19:26) 🔘 Dealing with angry responses to fake trades (32:50) 👉ACTUAL FAKE TRADES (41:34) 🔘 Ben Simmons (43:25) 🔘 Hawks/Rockets (48:15) 🔘 Lakers/Nets (50:56) 🔘 Rockets/Hornets (53:30) 🔘 Cavs/Heat (56:05) 🔘 Celtics/Nuggets (59:30) 🔘 Clippers/Thunder (1:01:55) 🔘 Timberwolves/Magic (1:04:14) 🔘 Mavs/Nuggets (1:06:55) 🔘 Pelicans/Pacers/Spurs (1:08:56) 👉Kawhi Leonard Injury Fallout 🔘 Timeline for return (1:12:48) 🔘 Free Agency (1:14:44) 🔘 Clippers outlook without Kawhi (1:15:52) 🔘 Trade/Free-agency targets post-Kawhi injury (1:18:59) 🔘 Impact on 2022 championship landscape (1:29:37) Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Twitter: @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MAIL TIME. Our latest jaunt through listener questions covers Jrue Holiday's playoff struggles, the Milwaukee Bucks' long-term roster needs, the NBA Finals, Deandre Ayton, a 2018 Re-Draft, the future of the Eastern Conference and MUCH more. TIMESTAMPS ⬇️ 🔘 Jrue Holiday (1:02) 🔘 The Suns! (7:17) 🔘 More Jrue Holiday (12:42) 🔘 Future of the Eastern Conference (14:08) 🔘 Bucks offseason targets (16:50) 🔘 Re-Drafting top eight picks of 2018 draft (22:24) 🔘 Drafting philosophy (28:26) 🔘 Do Bucks need another primary ball-handler? (31:16) 🔘 Expectations for Ime Udoka in Boston (38:06) 🔘 Teams to lose playoff games after shooting 50% from three (40:35) 🔘 All-Time postseason leaders in PER and VORP (42:08) 🔘 Collin Sexton's extension (43:54) 🔘 Best Reggie Jackson fits (47:50) Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Twitter: @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan is joined by Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes (@gt_hughes) to discuss their biggest takeaways for the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks two games into the 2021 NBA Finals—a conversation that includes a long-term view of the Bucks' roster, and whether Devin Booker is a top-10 NBA player. After that, Dan and Grant each give their three most interesting teams of the NBA offseason. TIMESTAMPS ⬇️ 👉THE FINALS 🔘 Suns-Bucks takeaways (2:15) 🔘 Where do the Bucks go from here? (19:47) 🔘 Devin Booker is a top ___ player in the NBA (27:24) 👉Most Interesting Teams of the NBA Offseason 🔘 Team 1 (37:41) 🔘 Team 2 (45:36) 🔘 Team 3 (53:26) 🔘 Team 4 (1:03:56) 🔘 Team 5 (1:11:34) 🔘 Team 6 (1:21:10) Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Twitter: @HardwoodKnocks IG: @hardwood_knocks Follow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tara Bowen-Biggs (@tcbbiggs) from the We Have A Take podcast returns to Hardwood Knocks to discuss the Portland Trail Blazers' complicated offseason and the terrible start to which it's off. First, Tara and Dan talk about the decision to hire Chauncey Billups, Neil Olshey's tactlessness, the tokenism of Becky Hammon, and the message this all sends to the fanbase. After that, they get into Damian Lillard's future and what a Dame trade could look like; Jusuf Nurkic's value; Norman Powell's free agency (and dogs!); C.J. McCollum trades; other potential Blazers trades; free-agency targets; Derrick Jones Jr.; Robert Covington; and sooooo much more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 The Chauncey Billups hire (1:48) 🔘 Damian Lillard's future (21:15) 🔘 Jusuf Nurkic's future/value (28:05) 🔘 Should the Blazers trade CJ McCollum? (35:37) 🔘 Should Portland want Ben Simmons? (40:27) 🔘 Norman Powell's long-term fit (47:03) 🔘 Derrick Jones Jr. (51:14) 🔘 Most likely to be back: Enes Kanter, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson or Carmelo Anthony? (58:08) 🔘 Biggest need for Blazers in trades/free agency (1:01:43) 🔘 Zach Collins (1:03:06) 🔘 Trade/Free-Agency targets (1:07:40) 🔘 TRADE IDEAS! (1:11:04) Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Twitter: @HardwoodKnocks Instagram: @hardwood_knocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MAIL TIME AGAIN. Hardwood Knocks drops our second mailbag of the week to discuss the Hawks-Bucks series immediately following Game 5 and take a look at what Atlanta needs long term to solidify its place as a contender. After that, we get into Dejounte Murray's value, the Myles Turner vs. Domantas Sabonis debate, an Indiana Pacers trade idea, Memphis Grizzlies trade ideas, Julius Randle's leap, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's future, underrated free agents and much more. TIMESTAMPS ⬇️ 🔘 Hawks-Bucks (1:31) 🔘 Offseason trade idea for Atlanta? (12:32) 🔘 Dejounte Murray's value (18:40) 🔘 Myles Turner vs. Domantas Sabonis (22:47) 🔘 How injuries have impacted playoffs (28:44) 🔘 Julius Randle (35:37) 🔘 How can the Blazers improve the roster? (39:57) 🔘 Better matchup for Suns in the Finals: Hawks or Bucks? (44:20) 🔘 Should the Grizzlies try trading for a star? (47:08) 🔘 Zach Collins' future (57:40) 🔘 How better spacing has helped stars get to the mid-range jumper? (59:43) 🔘 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander appreciation STIZZATZ (63:20) 🔘 Underrated free agents (65:09) Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Follow: @HardwoodKnocks Follow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MAIL TIME. This week's listener-driven trip around the NBA includes the Phoenix Suns-Los Angeles Clippers series; a playoff-discourse rant; Damian Lillard's unhappiness; Chauncey Billups joining the Portland Trail Blazers; a look at the New York Knicks' expectations for next season; Russell Westbrook Trade destinations; Jarrett Allen's value to the Cleveland Cavaliers; scouting reports on Cade Cunningham and Evan Mobley; Utah Jazz trade targets; a Sacramento Kings stat; and much more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 Dame/Billups (0:38) 🔘 Hawks-Bucks (9:02) 🔘 Suns, Bucks, playoff luck rant (11:22) 🔘 Deandre Ayton (21:49) 🔘 Young stars taking the torch (26:46) 🔘 Out of bounds call rule changes (34:22) 🔘 Chris Paul (36:15) 🔘 Better matchup for the Suns: Bucks or Hawks? (38:26) 🔘 Jazz trade targets (43:22) 🔘 Expectations for Knicks next season (48:27) 🔘 Cade Cunningham's fit in Detroit (53:54) 🔘 Most likely Dame destinations 😬 (59:38) 🔘 Will Ben Simmons be an All-Star next year (1:00:50) 🔘 Kings performance vs playoff teams (1:05:08) 🔘 Jarrett Allen suitors (1:06:07) 🔘 What team can Russell Westbrook maximize his value with next season? (1:09:19) Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Follow: @HardwoodKnocks Follow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan begins the episode dealing with the fallout from the 2021 NBA draft lottery. Will the Toronto Raptors consider trading the No. 4 pick? Can the Golden State Warriors trade for a star using No. 7, No. 14 and James Wiseman? Will there be a lot of moves at the back of the lottery and on draft night? After that, Andrew Claudio (@AndreJClaudio_) and Jonathan Macri (@JCMacriNBA) from Knicks Film School join the pod to discuss—you guessed it—the New York Knicks' future. They tackle Julius Randle's value, RJ Barrett's ceiling, potential free-agency targets and just where the Knicks are generally headed from here. TIMESTAMPS ⬇️ 🔘 Biggest questions following NBA Draft lottery (2:57) 🔘 THE KNICKS! (34:16) 👉 How should we view the success of this season? (37:03) 👉 Importance of this offseason (42:03) 👉 Lonzo Ball's potential fit (48:17) 👉 Other free-agent targets for the Knicks (57:07) 👉 Who among their own free agents NEEDS to be re-signed (1:03:02) 👉 Futures of Julius Randle and Mitchell (1:12:37) 👉 RJ Barrett's ceiling (1:19:58) Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Follow: @HardwoodKnocks Follow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MAIL TIME. Hardwood Knocks' latest trip to ListenersAskQuestionsville covers the Utah Jazz's future, the Kemba Walker trade, the Boston Celtics' future, Marcus Smarts' contract extension, Denver Nuggets trade and free-agency targets, the Philadelphia76ers and Atlanta Hawks, the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers, injuries and much more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 Should the NBA have postponed start of Conference Finals? (1:08) 🔘 Who comes out of the East? (3:30) 🔘 Ty Lue's coaching (7:08) 🔘 Jazz free-agency/trade targets (15:44) 🔘 Highest 3P% in a single postseason run (25:25) 🔘 Denver free-agency/targets (28:47) 🔘 Best pull-up three-point shooters in the postseason (37:45) 🔘 Analyzing the Kemba Walker trade (39:23) 🔘 Best player in the playoffs so far (48:00) Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Follow: @HardwoodKnocks Follow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hardwood Knocks tackles the fallout from the Philadelphia 76ers' epic collapse(s) against the Atlanta Hawks; asks whether a Ben Simmons trade is inevitable; discusses the injuries to Kawhi Leonard and Mike Conley; breaks down the impact of Chris Paul entering the NBA's health and safety protocols; addresses LeBron James' comments about this season and the seeming uptick in injuries; takes stock of the New Orleans Pelicans' decision to fire Stan Van Gundy; and breaks down the league's most attractive coaching openings following Scott Brooks' exit in Washington. TIMESTAMPS ⬇️ 🔘 Hawks-Sixers, Does Philly have a Ben Simmons problem? (1:59) 🔘 Bucks-Nets (15:35) 🔘 Kawhi Leonard, Chris Paul, Mike Conley (25:04) 🔘 LeBron James' comments on the season (30:37) 🔘 Scott Brooks (35:40) 🔘 Fallout of Stan Van Gundy leaving the Pelicans (38:33) 🔘 Turbulence in Dallas (45:06) Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Follow: @HardwoodKnocks Follow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MAIL TIME. Hardwood Knocks' latest bag was FULL of mail. We talked Nikola Jokic; Jokic vs. Joel Embiid; Milwaukee Bucks-Brooklyn Nets; the Phoenix Suns' success; the Utah Jazz's performance vs. the Los Angeles Clippers; possible Buddy Hield and Malcolm Brogdon trades; efficient rookies; Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves; an off-beat build-your-team exercise; and much, MUCH more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 Nikola Jokic rant (1:06) 🔘 What goes into ranking stars? (10:12) 🔘 Joel Embiid vs. Nikola Jokic (15:21) 🔘 Build a five-man lineup that can... (23:58) 🔘 Cameron Payne/Torrey Craig (28:37) 🔘 Tougher WCF matchup for the Suns: Utah or LAC (31:32) 🔘 Clippers-Jazz (34:59) 🔘 Efficient rookies (40:25) 🔘 Top iso scorers in the playoffs (42:55) 🔘 Malcolm Brogdon/Buddy Hield trades (45:50) 🔘 James Harden (54:20) 🔘 Ben Simmons' defense vs. Trae Young (56:14) 🔘 Karl-Anthony Towns/Timberwolves (58:08) 🔘 Anthony Edwards (1:01:14) 🔘 What happens if the Nets lose to Milwaukee? (1:05:35) Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Follow: @HardwoodKnocks Follow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan talks with the GOAT, Caitlin Cooper (@C2_Cooper) from Indy Cornrows, about the Indiana Pacers' future. They discuss everything from Nate Bjorkgren's failures and the LIVE reaction to his firing, to the makeup of the roster and Caris LeVert's play post-trade from the Nets, to T.J. McConnell, Doug McDermott, T.J. Warren, Domantas Sabonis, Myles Turner, potential trades and much, much more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 The Bjorkgren experience (2:46) 🔘 Does the roster need to change? (12:43) 🔘 T.J. McConnell/Doug McDermott (17:52) 🔘 Reaction to Bjorkgren's exit (21:43) 🔘 Impressions of Caris LeVert (24:51) 🔘 T.J. Warren (32:10) 🔘 Oshae Brissett, Edmond Sumner (36:42) 🔘 Player most likely to get traded (39:58) 🔘 A dive into the defense (43:00) Please subscribe to Hardwood Knocks here. And if you're listening to us in Apple 's podcast player, please, please pretty please leave us a rating and write a review here. Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Follow: @HardwoodKnocks Follow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MAIL TIME. Dan brings on Alex Kungu (@Kungu_NBA) to discuss the state of the Boston Celtics, including Danny Ainge's legacy, Brad Stevens' promotion, head coaching candidates, Marcus Smart's value, Kemba Walker trades, Aaron Nesmith, Romeo Langford, Payton Pritchard, Robert Williams III, the direction of the franchise and much more. After that, Dan dives into a mailbag that covers Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, the New York Knicks, Utah Jazz, Milwaukee Bucks, Brooklyn Nets, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers and more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 Boston Celtics Deep Dive (1:12) 🔘 MAILBAG (59:00) 👉Are Hawks and Knicks rivals (59:24) 👉Future of Dame, CJ and Blazers (1:00:54) 👉Celtics coaching search (1:13:38) 👉Clippers small-ball vs Jazz (1:17:05) 👉Are the Suns favorite in the West (1:19:46) 👉Why are the Jazz so overlooked? (1:22:31) 👉 Better matchup for the Nets in Finals: Suns or Jazz? (1:26:53) 👉 Is Coach Bud criticism fair? (1:30:43) Please subscribe to Hardwood Knocks here. And if you're listening to us in Apple 's podcast player, please, please pretty please leave us a rating and write a review here. Host: @danfavale Host: @fromal09 Follow: @HardwoodKnocks Follow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The NBA news cycle rages on, so Hardwood Knocks does, too. First, Adam and Dan discuss the Boston Celtics' front office overhaul, offering their thoughts on Danny Ainge, Brad Stevens, the head coach search and the future of the franchise. After that, they dive into Joel Embiid's latest injury and what that means for the Philadelphia 76ers-Atlanta Hawks series. From there, they offer up some closing thoughts on the New York Knicks season. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 Fallout in Boston (2:48)🔘 Joel Embiid's injury/Sixers-Hawks (17:08)🔘 Knicks Postmortem/Outlook (24:27)🔘 'Built to Lose: How the NBA's Tanking Era Changed the League Forever' (35:30) Finally, Dan is joined by Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer), the author of Built to Lose: How the NBA's Tanking Era Changed the League Forever, to discuss tanking (obviously!), Sam Hinkie, never-before-heard anecdotes about the Lakers, Sixers, Kings and much more! We highly recommend checking out Jake's book, which you can buy here. Please subscribe to Hardwood Knocks here. And if you're listening to us in Apple 's podcast player, please, please pretty please leave us a rating and write a review here. Host: @danfavaleHost: @fromal09Follow: @HardwoodKnocksFollow: @The_Sports_Math Submit your Blue Wire Hustle application here: http://bwhustle.com/join Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MAIL TIME! Our latest listener-directed shindig covers the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks first-round series; Julius Randle's future; John Collins' free agency; the Lakers-Suns series; Anthony Davis' injury; LeBron James; a look at how the Milwaukee Bucks stack up against the New York Knicks; Collin Sexton; DeMar DeRozan; and the San Antonio Spurs. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 Knicks-Hawks (1:45)🔘 Playoff J = Julius, Jayson or Ja??? (15:01)🔘 John Collins suitors (17:42)🔘 Way-Too-Early Bucks-Nets thoughts (24:49)🔘 Point guards with most rebounds in playoff history (30:38)🔘 Bucks-Nets X-factors (33:44)🔘 Top-three teams in the NBA (37:07)🔘 Collin Sexton's value (38:38)🔘 Time to reassess Julius Randle's extension? (46:26)🔘 What will Spurs do with DeMar DeRozan? (48:03)🔘 Would Pacers be contenders if…? (53:14)🔘 Blazers-Nuggets (56:57)🔘 Reaction to Anthony Davis injury (1:02:03) Please subscribe to Hardwood Knocks here. And if you're listening to us in Apple 's podcast player, please, please pretty please leave us a rating and write a review here. Host: @danfavaleHost: @fromal09Follow: @HardwoodKnocksFollow: @The_Sports_Math Submit your Blue Wire Hustle application here: http://bwhustle.com/join Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Adam and Dan zoom out on the 2021 NBA playoffs with some big-picture takeaways for the Los Angeles Clippers, Ty Lue, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard; Dallas Mavericks; New York Knicks; Atlanta Hawks and Trae Young; Boston Celtics; Milwaukee Bucks; and Miami Heat, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Jimmy Butler. They also kick off the pod with some thoughts on the fans who hurled racial slurs at Ja Morant's family, poured popcorn on Russell Westbrook and spit on Trae Young. TIMESTAMPS ⬇️ 🔘 Ja Morant, Russell Westbrook, Trae Young, Danny Ainge, Marcus Smart, "fans" (2:36)🔘 Knicks-Hawks (10:51)🔘 Mavs-Clippers (18:09)🔘 Big-picture fallout of a Clippers series loss (23:42)🔘 Ty Lue (30:01)🔘 Celtics in a tough spot this offseason (35:23)🔘 Bucks-Heat (44:41)🔘 Are the Heat stuck? (46:51)🔘 Jazz-Grizzlies (57:59) Please subscribe to Hardwood Knocks here. And if you're listening to us in Apple 's podcast player, please, please pretty please leave us a rating and write a review here. Host: @danfavaleHost: @fromal09Follow: @HardwoodKnocksFollow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MAIL TIME. Our latest AMA covers Anthony Davis, Andre Drummond, Nikola Jokic, the Memphis Grizzlies, the Utah Jazz, Matisse Thybulle, the Boston Celtics, the Golden State Warriors, the Milwaukee Bucks, the Miami Heat and much more! TIMESTAMPS ⬇️ 🔘 Thoughts on Game 1s🔘 Do the Jazz deserve more respect? (8:14)🔘 When will Frank Ntilikina shut down Trae Young? (12:21)🔘 Do the Celtics have a chance against the Nets?/Kemba talk (15:29)🔘 Anthony Davis/Andre Drummond (18:42)🔘 Where does Nikola Jokic rank among NBA's top stars overall? (24:33)🔘 Which non-mainstream players will break out in the playoffs? (28:10)🔘 One-seeds vs. Eight-seeds (31:54)🔘 Should CP3 have been a top MVP candidate? (32:33)🔘 Historical MVP results (33:47)🔘 Donovan Mitchell vs. Devin Booker (37:08)🔘 Expectations for Klay Thompson next season (41:26)🔘 Jordan Poole's outlook (45:55)🔘 Warriors trade idea (47:12)🔘 Best and worst offensive player this season (50:11)🔘 Matisse Thybulle (51:54)🔘 How do the Grizzlies take the next step? (53:24) Please subscribe to Hardwood Knocks here. And if you're listening to us in Apple 's podcast player, please, please pretty please leave us a rating and write a review here. Host: @danfavaleHost: @fromal09Follow: @HardwoodKnocksFollow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Seven of the eight first-round NBA playoff series are set: Sixers vs. Wizards, Nets vs. Celtics, Bucks vs. Heat, Knicks vs. Hawks, Suns vs. Lakers, Nuggets vs. Blazers and Clippers vs. Mavericks. Dan is joined by Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes (@gt_hughes) to preview ALL OF THEM. We also discuss the Jazz's potential first-round matchup with the Warriors or Grizzlies, and how we expect that to shake out. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 Sixers-Wizards (3:08)🔘 Nets-Celtics (11:04)🔘 Clippers-Mavericks (19:24)🔘 Jazz-Warriors/Grizzlies (26:49)🔘 Nuggets-Blazers (37:08)🔘 Bucks-Heat (47:51)🔘 Knicks-Hawks (55:27)🔘 Lakers-Suns (1:07:20) Please subscribe to Hardwood Knocks here. And if you're listening to us in Apple 's podcast player, please, please pretty please leave us a rating and write a review here. Host: @danfavaleHost: @fromal09Follow: @HardwoodKnocksFollow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan and Adam drop their officially official All-NBA and All Defense picks. Officially. And let's just say, some tough cuts were made. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 All-Defense First Team (4:40)🔘 All-Defense Second Team (8:44)🔘 All-NBA First Team (18:30)🔘 All-NBA Second Team (20:04)🔘 All-NBA Third Team - Guards (27:02)🔘 All-NBA Third Team - Forwards (32:59)🔘 All-NBA Third Team - Center (38:31) Please subscribe to Hardwood Knocks here. And if you're listening to us in Apple 's podcast player, please, please pretty please leave us a rating and write a review here. Host: @danfavaleHost: @fromal09Follow: @HardwoodKnocksFollow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's NBA awards time! With the regular season officially in the books, Adam and Dan go through their final picks—not to be confused with predictions—for MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Player, Sixth Man of the Year, Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year. While some of these races are fait accompli—thanks to Nikola Jokic, Rudy Gobert, LaMelo Ball, Julius Randle and others—the second part of our ballots proved to be ultra-difficult. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 Adam ruins his wife's office (0:57)🔘 East play-in matchups (1:30)🔘 Executive of the Year (4:31)🔘 Coach of the Year (10:52)🔘 Sixth Man of the Year (19:58)🔘 Defensive Player of the Year (27:36)🔘 Rookie of the Year (32:37)🔘 Most Improved Player (39:42)🔘 MVP (45:56) Please subscribe to Hardwood Knocks here. And if you're listening to us in Apple 's podcast player, please, please pretty please leave us a rating and write a review here. Host: @danfavaleHost: @fromal09Follow: @HardwoodKnocksFollow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who needs All-NBA teams when you have All-Hardwood Knocks teams? Sure, we'll still discuss all the big names, a la Giannis Antetokounmpo, LaMelo Ball, Zion Williamson, Stephen Curry and others. But we're not necessarily looking to identify the *best* players at each spot. Instead, we’re looking for the players who excited and entertained us—AND YOU—most during the 2020-21 season. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 Criteria (0:47)🔘 First Team Guards (5:06)🔘 First Team Forwards (10:46)🔘 First Team Center (22:28)🔘 Second Team Guards (27:30)🔘 Second Team Forwards (34:20)🔘 Second Team Center (40:50)🔘 Third Team Guards (45:25)🔘 Third Team Forwards (52:13)🔘 Third Team Center (57:10)🔘 Full Fan Ballot (59:47)🔘 Adam's Full Ballot (1:04:53)🔘 Dan's Full Ballot (1:11:43) Please subscribe to Hardwood Knocks here. And if you're listening to us in Apple 's podcast player, please, please pretty please leave us a rating and write a review here. Host: @danfavaleHost: @fromal09Follow: @HardwoodKnocksFollow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hardwood Knocks drops their officially official 2021 NBA All-Rookie teams, an exercise that gets super interesting after going over LaMelo Ball, Tyrese Haliburton and Anthony Edwards. Then, it's on to our weekly mailbag. This latest dive into listen questions covers the future of the Memphis Grizzlies, Julius Randle's improvement, Michael Porter Jr.'s stardom, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Denver Nuggets, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, historical MVP data, tanking, the MIP discussion and more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 All-Rookie Picks (0:48)🔘 Nuggets/Jokic (32:16)🔘 Grizzlies (41:09)🔘 Should All-Stars be disqualified from MIP discussion? (48:01)🔘 Julius Randle (51:20)🔘 Total Points Added (56:17)🔘 Second-year leaps (59:18)🔘 Better to build around SGA or MPJ? (1:00:29)🔘 Tanking (1:03:08)🔘 Fewest games played among MVPs (1:07:25)🔘 Most 27-point games in NBA history (1:09:30) Please subscribe to Hardwood Knocks here. And if you're listening to us in Apple 's podcast player, please, please pretty please leave us a rating and write a review here. Host: @danfavaleHost: @fromal09Follow: @HardwoodKnocksFollow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan is joined by Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes (@gt_hughes) to discuss the turmoil with the Indiana Pacers; the Phoenix Suns' chances of winning the Western Conference; the Devin Booker-Chris Paul debate; the Denver Nuggets' ceiling; the Los Angeles Clippers flying under the radar; the Chicago Bulls' precarious future outlook; Kyle Lowry's free agency; Kristaps Porzingis' future with the Dallas Mavericks; Kevin Porter Jr.; Damian Lillard; Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors; and much more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 WTF, Pacers? (3:16)🔘 Dame/Steph/Warriors (8:15)🔘 Suns(22:04)🔘 Bucks (25:03)🔘 Devin Booker/Chris Paul (27:34)🔘 Nuggets/Jazz (34:50)🔘 Terry Stotts (38:07)🔘 East Play-In Tournament (41:12)🔘 Nets/Sixers/Bucks (45:31)🔘 Kristaps Porzingis (47:51)🔘 Kyle Lowry/Raptors (50:31)🔘 Bulls (53:38)🔘 Kevin Porter Jr. (57:39) Please subscribe to Hardwood Knocks here. And if you're listening to us in Apple 's podcast player, please, please pretty please leave us a rating and write a review here. Host: @danfavaleHost: @fromal09Follow: @HardwoodKnocksFollow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MAIL TIME. Our latest trip around the NBA covers LaMelo Ball's return and the impact it has on the Charlotte Hornets; the futures of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Sacramento Kings; All-NBA picks; Devin Booker's defense; the viability of the Washington Wizards; the threat level of the Miami Heat; Rudy Gobert's defensive value; Nikola Jokic's dominance; the Denver Nuggets' ability to contend without Jamal Murray and much, much more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 Rudy Gobert's defense (1:29)🔘 Denver's threat level without Jamal Murray (4:31)🔘 The MVP discourse (8:10)🔘 Nikola Jokic's historic season (10:10)🔘 All-NBA forward picks (16:58)🔘 Hornets immediate potential with LaMelo back (25:07)🔘 Wizards ceiling (31:11)🔘 Cavs vs Kings outlook (34:10)🔘 Warriors defense (42:53)🔘 Devin Booker's value (45:11)🔘 Steph's three-point count (52:05)🔘 Should teams fear the Heat in the playoffs? (53:19)🔘 Are Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook make an All-NBA team (54:30)🔘 Most trade-ready rosters (57:21) Please subscribe to Hardwood Knocks here. And if you're listening to us in Apple 's podcast player, please, please pretty please leave us a rating and write a review here. Host: @danfavaleHost: @fromal09Follow: @HardwoodKnocksFollow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

POSITIVITY SEASON. Adam and Dan roll through their picks for the most underrated player on every Western Conference team. If you haven't listened to our Eastern Conference edition, you can find that here! TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 Dallas Mavericks (7:01)🔘 Denver Nuggets (11:36)🔘 Golden State Warriors (18:17)🔘 Houston Rockets (21:22)🔘 Los Angeles Clippers (24:43)🔘 Los Angeles Lakers (31:17)🔘 Memphis Grizzlies (36:05)🔘 Minnesota Timberwolves (42:22)🔘 New Orleans Pelicans (46:05)🔘 Oklahoma City Thunder (52:57)🔘 Phoenix Suns (56:51)🔘 Portland Trail Blazers (1:02:21)🔘 Sacramento Kings (1:06:51)🔘 San Antonio Spurs (1:10:26)🔘 Utah Jazz (1:16:13) Please subscribe to Hardwood Knocks here. And if you're listening to us in Apple 's podcast player, please, please pretty please leave us a rating and write a review here. Host: @danfavaleHost: @fromal09Follow: @HardwoodKnocksFollow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Adam and Dan rank the future outlooks for all seven NBA teams with sub-1 percent chances of making the playoffs this year: Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic and Sacramento Kings. After that, they answer questions from listeners that cover the New York Knicks, Stephen Curry, Charlotte Hornets and LaMelo Ball, Toronto Raptors, Miami Heat, Portland Trail Blazers and much more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 Ranking futures of NBA's worst teams (1:36)🔘 Jae Crowder (43:47)🔘 Bam Adebayo (48:53)🔘 Julius Randle's All-NBA Case (53:20)🔘 The sustainability of the Knicks (59:31)🔘 Stephen Curry's MVP case (1:03:31)🔘 Dorian Finney-Smith/Maxi Kleber (1:06:50)🔘 The Hornets without LaMelo (1:09:15)🔘 Raptors (1:11:54)🔘 Stephen Curry's defense (1:15:17) Please subscribe to Hardwood Knocks here. And if you're listening to us in Apple 's podcast player, please, please pretty please leave us a rating and write a review here. Host: @danfavaleHost: @fromal09Follow: @HardwoodKnocksFollow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Let's spread some positivity shall we? Adam and Dan discuss their most underrated player for all 15 of the Eastern Conference teams. 🔘 Atlanta Hawks (4:00)🔘 Boston Celtics (8:51)🔘 Brooklyn Nets (11:46)🔘 Charlotte Hornets (18:13)🔘 Chicago Bulls (21:09)🔘 Cleveland Cavaliers (23:53)🔘 Detroit Pistons (29:36)🔘 Indiana Pacers (32:58)🔘 Miami Heat (39:12)🔘 Milwaukee Bucks (41:51)🔘 New York Knicks (45:01)🔘 Orlando Magic (52:10)🔘 Philadelphia 76ers (58:40)🔘 Toronto Raptors (1:02:18)🔘 Washington Wizards (1:05:54) Please subscribe to Hardwood Knocks here. And if you're listening to us in Apple 's podcast player, please, please pretty please leave us a rating and write a review here. Host: @danfavaleHost: @fromal09Follow: @HardwoodKnocksFollow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MAIL TIME. This week, our wonderful listeners had us discuss the Eastern Conference playoff race, the Denver Nuggets' future post-Jamal Murray injury, the New York Knicks, Julius Randle's outlook, Kristaps Porzingis, the Charlotte Hornets, Richaun Holmes, Myles Turner, the Portland Trail Blazers and much, MUCH more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘 Julius Randle, ASENDING (3:38)🔘 Eastern Conference playoff predictions (14:01)🔘 Significance of D-Wade becoming stakeholder in Jazz (33:03)🔘 How much better is Michael Porter Jr. compared to last year (35:45)🔘 Impact of Jamal Murray's injury on Nuggets' future (38:43)🔘 Clippers crunch-time numbers (42:19)🔘 Ja Morant, Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett in the clutch (47:19)🔘 Is Mitch Kupchak an underrated executive? (50:24)🔘 Historically low-volume three-point shooters (54:00)🔘 The Blazers' path to title contention (55:45)🔘 Lu Dort comps (1:01:41)🔘 Would you rather overpay Richaun Holmes in free agency or trade for Myles Turner? (1:04:12) Please subscribe to Hardwood Knocks here. And if you're listening to us in Apple 's podcast player, please, please pretty please leave us a rating and write a review here. Host: @danfavaleHost: @fromal09Follow: @HardwoodKnocksFollow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First, Dan discusses Jamal Murray tearing his ACL and the impact it has on on the star point guard's career, the Nuggets' 2021 title push and the team's future. After that, Katie Heindl (@wtevs) from Dime UPROXX and Basketball Feelings, among many other places, joins Dan to talk about the challenges of the 2020-21 NBA season, how the league has often operated in opposition of its own supposed image and the impact this year could have on the Association long term. From there, she takes us through the Toronto Raptors' outlook, including the future of Kyle Lowry, Masai Ujiri and what she expects the team to do after this season. TIMESTAMPS 👉Jamal Murray's injury (1:35)👉Katie Heindl (@wtevs) on her 'Contact Tracing' Series🔘Accountability amid a rushed and truncated season (20:31)🔘Has there been an increase in injury risk this year? (31:55)🔘Preparing for potential long-term effects of COVID-19 on careers (39:18)🔘The importance of empathy in league coverage (45:19)🔘Could any elements of this season end up sticking long term? (48:49)🔘Getting beyond the "business" of basketball (56:51) 👉Future of the Raptors (1:09:58)🔘The implications of Kyle Lowry staying past the trade deadline🔘What are the chances Lowry is back next year?🔘Is Toronto closer to being really good than advertised?🔘Early impressions of Gary Trent Jr.🔘Toronto's biggest need moving forward Check out Katie's 'Contact Tracing' series below: Part 1 - What We Can Learn From The Challenges And Pitfalls Of Remote Sports MediaPart 2 - The Curious Case Of Soft Tissue Injuries In The NBAPart 3 - The NBA Has Spent This Season Caught Between Its Moral And Business Compass Please subscribe to Hardwood Knocks here. And if you're listening to us in Apple 's podcast player, please, please pretty please leave us a rating and write a review here. Host: @danfavaleHost: @fromal09Follow: @HardwoodKnocksFollow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MAIL TIME. Adam and Dan discuss the impact of James Wiseman's injury on his future and the Golden State Warriors' outlook and then talk about the reported sale of the Minnesota Timberwolves to Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lores. After that, your questions take us on an ACID TRIP that covers RJ Barrett vs. Ja Morant, Donovan Mitchell vs. Devin Booker, Chris Paul vs. Devin Booker, Zion Williamson vs. Jayson Tatum, Luka Doncic's ideal No. 2, the title stock of the Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz, Zach LaVine's future with the Chicago Bulls and MUCH more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘Impact of James Wiseman's injury (4:31)🔘Timberwolves sale (13:26)🔘RJ Barrett vs Ja Morant (19:43)🔘Zion Williamson vs Jayson Tatum (26:11)🔘Brandon Ingram vs Lonzo Ball (32:16)🔘Luka Doncic's ideal sidekick (39:46)🔘Devin Booker vs. Donovan Mitchell (43:33)🔘Is CP3 more valuable to the Suns than Devin Booker? (47:01)🔘Title contender rankings: Nuggets, Suns, Jazz, Lakers, Clippers (53:03)🔘James Ennis (53:39)🔘Best NBA player since the start of March (1:00:27)🔘Best fantasy basketball scoring setup (1:03:47)🔘Zach LaVine vs Jamal Murray (1:05:31) Please subscribe to Hardwood Knocks here. And if you're listening to us in Apple 's podcast player, please, please pretty please leave us a rating and write a review here. Host: @danfavaleHost: @fromal09Follow: @HardwoodKnocksFollow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With March Madness officially behind us, Adam Spinella (@Spinella14) from The Box and One (@TheBoxAndOne_) joins Dan to break down the top prospects and sleepers in the 2021 NBA Draft. And after rapping about Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Jalen Suggs and Jalen Green, among many others, it's on to the Boston Celtics, who remain tantalizing yet have underachieved this year. From Kemba Walker and Jaylen Brown to Jayson Tatum and the bench, we cover it all. Please subscribe to Hardwood Knocks here. And if you're listening to us in Apple 's podcast player, please, please pretty please leave us a rating and write a review here. Host: @danfavaleHost: @fromal09Follow: @HardwoodKnocksFollow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MAIL TIME. This week, your questions take us on a journey that visits the Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks, Charlotte Hornets, Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons, Miami Heat, Joel Embiid, Jimmy Butler, the competitive balance between the East and West and the most underrated two-way players in the NBA. TIMESTAMPS⬇️🔘Thibs' love for Elfrid Payton (3:20)🔘Are the Pacers in trouble? (6:41)🔘Rank these three teams: Knicks, Pacers, Hornets (10:30)🔘Toronto's path back to contention (11:21)🔘Nemanja Bjelica in Miami (16:41)🔘Jimmy Butler's rank among the league's top stars (18:42)🔘Best wide-open three-point-shooting teams (20:02)🔘Center targets for the Hornets (22:11)🔘Pistons' place in the lottery (29:51)🔘East vs. West Imbalance (31:28)🔘Underrated two-way players (38:03)🔘Joel Embiid (45:14)🔘How many legitimate cornerstone prospects to the Knicks have? (46:21) Please subscribe to Hardwood Knocks here. And if you're listening to us in Apple 's podcast player, please, please pretty please leave us a rating and write a review here. Host: @danfavaleHost: @fromal09Follow: @HardwoodKnocksFollow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Adam and Dan collectively re-draft the 2020 NBA lottery, and woo boy, do things start to get interesting after LaMelo Ball. Let us know what you think about our do-over picks! Please subscribe to Hardwood Knocks here. And if you're listening to us in Apple 's podcast player, please, please pretty please leave us a rating and write a review here. Host: @danfavaleHost: @fromal09Follow: @HardwoodKnocksFollow: @The_Sports_Math Submit your Blue Wire Hustle application here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MAIL TIME. On the heels of the trade deadline, Adam and Dan reassess the NBA's title race. Did anything change? Are the Denver Nuggets now close to favorites? After that, they take a trip down YOU ASKED, WE ANSWERED LANE and cover the Boston Celtics, RJ Barrett, Chicago Bulls, Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic, the Los Angeles Lakers and Andre Drummond, our center rankings, the MVP race, Damian Lillard, Chris Paul vs. Kyle Lowry and much more! TIMESTAMPS ⬇️ 👉LaMarcus Aldridge/Andre Drummond (2:34)👉Reassessing Title Race Post-Trade Deadline (8:38)👉Giannis' MVP case (25:55)👉Damian Lillard's MVP case (26:44)👉Rudy Gobert's MVP case (28:44)👉Weakest statistical MVP (29:44)👉Lonzo Ball contract predictions (31:45)👉Pelicans (36:57)👉The Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic fit (41:51)👉Al Horford's value (48:07)👉Top seven centers (49:32)👉RJ Barrett's next step (53:45)👉Suns Finals stock (56:50)👉What's next for Boston (57:32)👉Definition of a wing (59:20)👉Notable G-League performances (61:23)👉Rockets/Christian Wood (62:58) Please subscribe to Hardwood Knocks here. And if you're listening to us in Apple 's podcast player, please, please pretty please leave us a rating and write a review here. Host: @danfavaleHost: @fromal09Follow: @HardwoodKnocksFollow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan brings on Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes (@gt_hughes) to discuss the fallout from the 2021 NBA trade deadline. Were the Toronto Raptors smart to keep Kyle Lowry? Did the Los Angeles Lakers miss an opportunity? How does Aaron Gordon fit with the Denver Nuggets? Did the Chicago Bulls make the right call on Nikola Vucevic? Why did the Los Angeles Clippers give up so much for Rajon Rondo? Where could the top potential buyout candidates land? Are the Houston Rockets screwed? Are the Miami Heat flexing? We cover all this—and more! TIMESTAMPS ⬇️ 🔘 Was this a good trade deadline? (3:22)🔘 Kings (7:36)🔘 Raptors (9:30)🔘 Heat (20:54)🔘 Lakers (25:14)🔘 Sixers (28:20)🔘 Bucks/Nets (34:11)🔘 Bulls (34:51)🔘 Magic (41:01)🔘 Celtics/Fournier trade (44:26)🔘 Nuggets (46:48)🔘 Blazers (53:57)🔘 Celtics/Theis trade (58:01)🔘 Clippers/Hawks (1:04:06)🔘 Mavs (1:08:40)🔘 Buyout candidates/Best Destinations (1:10:49) Please subscribe to Hardwood Knocks here. And if you're listening to us in Apple 's podcast player, please, please pretty please leave us a rating and write a review here. Host: @danfavaleHost: @fromal09Follow: @HardwoodKnocksFollow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MAIL TIME! This latest trip down What Listeners Asked Us Lane covers injuries to LeBron James and LaMelo Ball, Victor Oladipo's market value, the Toronto Raptors' center position, the MVP race, Zach LaVine's future and NBA trade deadline needs for the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Philadelphia 76ers and much more. TIMESTAMPS ⬇️ 🔘 Energy drink(s)-induced delirium (0:36)🔘 Impact of LeBron's injury on the Lakers (4:30)🔘 MVP Ladder (09:58)🔘 Suns/Aaron Holiday (18:41)🔘 Elfrid Payton/Austin Rivers (21:33)🔘 Should the Knicks be interested in Lonzo? (24:37)🔘 Lonzo's next contract (28:02)🔘 Impact of LaMelo Ball's injury (31:10)🔘 Under-the-radar buyers and sellers (34:51)🔘 What should the Bulls do with Zach LaVine? (39:57)🔘 Clippers point guard hunt (47:21)🔘 Buyout candidates in the backcourt (51:36)🔘 Surprise trade candidates (53:26)🔘 Victor Oladipo landing spots (56:20)🔘 Sixers trade-deadline blueprint (58:59)🔘 What will the Celtics do? (1:00:58) Please subscribe to Hardwood Knocks here. And if you're listening to us in Apple 's podcast player, please, please pretty please leave us a rating and write a review here. Host: @danfavaleHost: @fromal09Follow: @HardwoodKnocksFollow: @The_Sports_Math Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Let's cannonball into some talk about the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers, shall we? SB Nation's Sabreena Merchant (@sabreenajm) stops by to discuss MVP cases for LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard, the significance of Anthony Davis' injury, Paul George's play, Marc Gasol's defense, potential trades, the NBA championship race and much, much more! TIMESTAMPS⬇️ CLIPPERS (1:34)🔘Offensive changes under Ty Lue🔘Serge Ibaka’s fit🔘Offensive shot profile🔘Defensive warts🔘Crunch-time play🔘Kawhi Leonard’s MVP case🔘Paul George’s recent roller coaster ride🔘Ivica Zubac’s value🔘The significance of Patrick Beverley🔘Postseason lineups🔘Trades! LAKERS (39:39)🔘Anthony Davis’ injury🔘AD’s change in shot profile🔘LeBron James’ MVP case🔘Montrezl Harrell’s fit/recent play🔘The Marc Gasol experience🔘Kyle Kuzma’s importance🔘Dennis Schroder’s role🔘The half-court offense🔘The “No LeBron” minutes🔘Trades! Please subscribe to Hardwood Knocks here. And if you're listening to us in Apple 's podcast player, please, please pretty please leave us a rating and write a review here. Host: @danfavaleHost: @fromal09Follow: @HardwoodKnocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

LOADED POCAST ALERT. First, we propose some NBA trade ideas for the Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns, Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks, Utah Jazz and others. Then, we take listener questions on the Warriors, Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, RJ Barrett and much more. And finally, Salman Ali (@SalmanAiNBA) of the Red Nation Hoops podcast rolls through to discuss the Houston Rockets' future, including the importance of Christian Wood, the trade markets for PJ Tucker and Danuel House Jr., John Wall's play, the team's direction and more. TRADEZ🔘Trade-deadline sellers (1:25)🔘Trade ideas↪️Nets (3:10)↪️Nuggets (6:15)↪️Clippers (10:30)↪️Lakers (13:10)↪️Warriors (15:02)↪️Suns (20:15)↪️Sixers (23:15)↪️Bucks (26:17)↪️Jazz (29:09) MAILBAG🔘Impact of Joel Embiid's injury on MVP race (32:57)🔘RJ Barrett (38:04)🔘Thunder (42:47)🔘Anthony Edwards (45:20)🔘Can the Nets win a title without KD? (48:30)🔘Should the Hornets look at Marvin Bagley? (57:35)🔘LaMelo Ball (1:00:32)🔘Most electric teams to watch (1:04:40)🔘Will a top-50 player be traded? (1:07:26) 🔘HOUSTON ROCKETS LOOKAHEAD (1:10:58)↪️Trades, trades, trades↪️Victor Oladipo's value↪️Eric Gordon's injury↪️Christian Wood↪️John Wall's play↪️Houston's direction↪️More Please subscribe to Hardwood Knocks here. And if you're listening to us in Apple 's podcast player, please, please pretty please leave us a rating and write a review here. Host: @danfavaleHost: @fromal09Follow: @HardwoodKnocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The New York Daily News' Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) returns to break down all things Brooklyn Nets. He speaks with Dan about Blake Griffin's fit on the roster, James Harden's play since arriving, Kevin Durant's season, how Kyrie Irving has adapted, Nicolas Claxton's rise, prospective trade targets, lineup combinations, championship stock and much more. TIMESTAMPS⬇️ 🔘Blake Griffin's fit in Brooklyn (4:04)🔘Nets roster needs (8:58)🔘Trade possibilities/Dinwiddie's future (14:35)🔘Most important non-core players (25:52)🔘Building crunch-time lineups (38:04)🔘Nicolas Claxton (41:26)🔘James Harden's vindication (44:49)🔘Kyrie Irving (56:09)🔘Most likely player to be traded (57:52) Please subscribe to Hardwood Knocks here. And if you're listening to us in Apple 's podcast player, please, please pretty please leave us a rating and write a review here. Go to Brooklinen.com and use promo code KNOCKS to get $25 off when you spend $100 or more, PLUS free shipping. Host: @danfavaleHost: @fromal09Follow: @HardwoodKnocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MAIL TIME. Our first mailbag on the Locker Room app covers a LOT of ground. Dan and Adam are talking Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, RJ Barrett, Miami Heat, Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler, Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks, Travis Schlenk, Nikola Jokic, Chris Paul and much, much more. TIMESTAMPS ⬇️🔘 Warriors future/trade targets (2:15)🔘 All-Star "Weekend" (14:12)🔘 Heat/Jimmy Butler/Bam Adebayo (20:04)🔘 Rudy Gobert (26:14)🔘 Andre Drummond (30:46)🔘 Eastern Conference (35:19)🔘 Hawks/Travis Schlenk/John Collins (38:23)🔘 Nikola Jokic's defense/MVP case (45:43)🔘 Best stats to consider for betting (49:45)🔘 Favorite tracking stats (52:08)🔘 RJ Barrett/Knicks (54:30)🔘 Best defense in final two minutes (59:42)🔘 When will the Kings make the playoffs again? (1:02:00) Please subscribe to Hardwood Knocks here. And if you're listening to us in Apple 's podcast player, please, please pretty please leave us a rating and write a review here. Go to Brooklinen.com and use promo code KNOCKS to get $25 off when you spend $100 or more, PLUS free shipping. Host: @danfavaleHost: @fromal09Follow: @HardwoodKnocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan is joined by Chris Crouse (@NBACrouse) from FortyEightMinutes (@FortyEightMins) to discuss all things Philadelphia 76ers and Washington Wizards in advance of the 2021 NBA trade deadline. TIMESTAMPS ⬇️ 👉Washington Wizards (7:47)👉Philadelphia 76ers (40:42) Please subscribe to Hardwood Knocks here. And if you're listening to us in Apple 's podcast player, please, please pretty please leave us a rating and write a review here. Submit your Blue Wire Hustle application here: http://bwhustle.com/join. Host: @danfavaleHost: @fromal09Follow: @HardwoodKnocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spinsters is putting a spin on the NBA. You can expect candid conversations, featured interviews, and storytelling from some of Haley and Jordan’s favorite reporters, who will creating pieces just for the show. Pulling from history, pop culture, original reporting, and deep dives into the wonderful world of the NBA, Spinsters looks at basketball from a new perspective. Subscribe to Spinsters on Apple, Spotify or wherever else you get your podcasts. Listen to the first episode here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices