The NBA Podcast
Morten Stig Jensen
Morten Stig Jensen walks through all of the latest happenings in the NBA, both on and off the court.
NBA Rebuild Vibe Check: Western Conference - Featuring Dan Favale
Mort & Dan take a vibe check on the rebuilding teams of the Western Conference.(Episode recorded before the news of Victor Wembanyama's season-ending diagnosis.)Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/ncaabUse the promo code "buzzerbeater" for big discounts at HelloFresh.
NBA Rebuild Vibe Check: Eastern Conference - Featuring Dan Favale
Mort & Dan take a vibe check on the rebuilding teams of the Eastern Conference.Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/ncaabUse the promo code "buzzerbeater" for big discounts at HelloFresh.
West: Contenders or pretenders? - Featuring Dan Favale
Mort & Dan Favale discuss which West teams are actual contenders, and which... are not.Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/ncaab
East: Contenders or pretenders? - Featuring Dan Favale
Mort & Dan Favale discuss which East teams are actual contenders, and which... are not.Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/ncaab
De'Aaron Fox/Zach LaVine trade reactions! - Featuring Dan Favale & Grant Hughes
As if a Luka Dončić trade wasn't enough, last night also saw the end of the Zach LaVine era in Chicago, and De'Aaron Fox era in Sacramento. Mort joins Dan Favale & Grant Hughes to discuss the trade!Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/ncaab
Breaking down the Luka Dončić/Anthony Davis trade... with an old friend
Luka Dončić is no longer a Dallas Maverick, and nothing makes sense anymore. In an attempt to string together some logic, Mort has invited an old pal onto the show, who may be able to shred some light on the situation. Or maybe not.Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/ncaab
Recapping the 2025 NBA Paris Games
Last week Mort went to Paris to cover the 2025 NBA Paris Games. Following are his thoughts on the event, and included are two soundbites from Chris Paul and Mitch Johnson.Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/nbaUse the promo code "buzzerbeater" for big discounts at HelloFresh.
De'Aaron Fox wants to be a Spur - Let's talk about it
Mort is under the weather, but couldn't help but to give his thoughts on the De'Aaron Fox situation.Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/nbaUse the promo code "buzzerbeater" for big discounts at HelloFresh.
Breaking down fringe NBA playoff teams: Western Conference - Featuring Dan Favale
We apologize for uneven audio levels!Mort and Dan Favale are once again linking up for a few episodes, and this time they're breaking down fringe NBA playoff teams in the Western Conference.Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/ncaabUse the promo code "buzzerbeater" for big discounts at HelloFresh.
Suns/Hornets Trade Reaction & NBA Rumors Round-Up - Featuring Dan Favale
Mort and Dan Favale are once again linking up for a few episodes, and this time they're reacting to the Suns/Hornets trade, as well as discussing some of the rumors floating around the NBA.Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/ncaabUse the promo code "buzzerbeater" for big discounts at HelloFresh.
2025: Fearless NBA Predictions - Featuring Dan Favale
Mort and Dan Favale are once again linking up for a few episodes, and this time they're reacting to some of the listeners most fearless predictions for 2025.Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/ncaabUse the promo code "buzzerbeater" for big discounts at HelloFresh.
Breaking down fringe NBA playoff teams: Eastern Conference - Featuring Dan Favale
Mort and Dan Favale are once again linking up for a few episodes, and this time they're breaking down fringe NBA playoff teams in the Eastern Conference.Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/ncaab
Is Boston's window closing sooner than we might think? - Featuring Adam Taylor
Mort has Adam Taylor join the show to discuss the Boston Celtics, a team that's still dominating, but could be forced into major changes due to financial reasons. In other words: For how long will we see this current core together?Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/ncaab
2025 New Year hangover cure (Magic, Nets, the value of draft pick) - Featuring Adam Taylor
Mort has Adam Taylor join the show to discuss the impressive Orlando Magic, Brooklyn's asking price for Cam Johnson, and the increasing value of draft picks.Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/ncaab
Breaking down the Nets/Lakers trade - Featuring Imman Adan
Mort has Imman Adan returning to the show to break down the Lakers/Nets trade, the Mike Brown firing, and the injury to Luka Dončić.Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/ncaab
The Toronto Raptors are coming, it's just a question of when - Featuring Imman Adan
Mort has Imman Adan join the show to break down the season of the Toronto Raptors. Where do they stand now, and what are their immediate projections in coming years?Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/ncaab
Identifying 3 Western Conference trades that make sense - Featuring Keith Smith
Mort has Keith Smith of Spotrac join the show, where the task is simple: Find three trades from Western Conference teams that make sense.Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/nba
Identifying 3 Eastern Conference trades that make sense - Featuring Keith Smith
Mort has Keith Smith of Spotrac join the show, where the task is simple: Find three trades from Eastern Conference teams that make sense.Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/nba
Teams that could drive the 2025 NBA Trade Deadline, Part 2 - Featuring Dan Favale
Mort has Dan Favale of The Hardwoods Knocks podcast join the show to discuss some of the main Western Conference teams driving the 2025 NBA Trade Deadline.Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/nba
Teams that could drive the 2025 NBA Trade Deadline, Part 1 - Featuring Dan Favale
Mort has Dan Favale of The Hardwoods Knocks podcast join the show to discuss some of the main Eastern Conference teams driving the 2025 NBA Trade Deadline.Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/nba
The Most Confusing Teams In The NBA - Featuring Dan Favale
Mort has Dan Favale of The Hardwoods Knocks podcast join the show to discuss some of the most confusing teams in the NBA this season.Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/nba
Too Many Guys? Teams with too much talent - Featuring Jack Quantrill & Judson Walden
Can there be such a thing as too many guys on an NBA team?Surely more good players, more contenders for playing time can only be a good thing?With Mort busy moving, Jack Quantrill and Judson Walden hop on the mic to talk about five teams brimming with rotation players galore.They talk about the Grizzlies and Rockets and how their depth is pushing them to the top of the Western Conference but on the other end of the spectrum they discuss teams that look congested, with the luxury of choice leadin
Hardwood Knocks w/ Dan Favale & Grant Hughes: Grading the top NBA players on new teams
Mort is moving across the country with his family, so Dan Favale & Grant Hughes from the Hardwood Knocks podcast have graciously shared one of their episodes to keep the podcast feed here active, as we enter December, while Mort will be on and off for the next couple of weeks.Join Dan and Grant through some of the biggest new NBA additions from over the offseason, where the duo grades how things have panned out so far.Subscribe to The Hardwood Knocks Podcast!Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps:
The Indiana Pacers are... confusing - Featuring Caitlin Cooper
Mort is joined by Caitlin Cooper of Basketball, She Wrote to discuss the confusing Indiana Pacers. What is going on with Tyrese Haliburton? Do they need extra positional size? What type of player should they be looking for? That, and loads more, in this episode.Support Caitlin's Patreon!Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/nba
The Phoenix Suns is under pressure, but they're not in a rush - Featuring Gerald Bourguet
Mort is joined by Gerald Bourguet from PHNX Sports to discuss the Phoenix Suns at large. What is their current plan for this year? How should they adjust in their immediate future? And finally, how does their long-term future look, assuming Devin Booker sticks around?Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/rothstein-45-week-2-2024
If he were to get traded, where should Giannis Antetokounmpo go? - Featuring Dan Favale
Mort is once again joined by Dan Favale from The Hardwood Knocks podcast, and the two discuss the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo, where they toy around with multiple trade ideas.Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/rothstein-45-week-2-2024
Do the Knicks have enough weapons to win the title? - Featuring Dan Favale
Mort is joined by Dan Favale from The Hardwood Knocks podcast, and the two discuss the ins and out of the New York Knicks, including the much debated changed jump shot of Mikal Bridges.Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/tom-izzo-on-his-potential-successor-i-m-going-call-mateen-cleaves-steve-smith-etc
Despite multiple star-related injuries, NBA play has been incredible - Featuring Jack Quantrill
Mort is joined by Jack Quantrill, and the two discuss the plethora of injuries the NBA is currently seeing. They also get into the NBA Cup, and lastly had to devote some words to Nikola Jokić who is, unsurprisingly, playing MVP-caliber ball.Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/tom-izzo-on-his-potential-successor-i-m-going-call-mateen-cleaves-steve-smith-etc
The Bulls have optimized their shot profile, but the timing of it is weird - Featuring Jason Patt
Mort is joined by Jason Patt of Cash Considerations to discuss the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls play a far more entertaining brand of ball this season, in large part due to an optimized shot profile. That's.... good, right? Well, not so fast says Jason, who argues the timing of it is off.Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/tom-izzo-on-his-potential-successor-i-m-going-call-mateen-cleaves-steve-smith-etc
The Sacramento Kings have major goals - Featuring Bryant West
Mort is joined by Bryant West of The Kings Herald to discuss the Sacramento Kings. Where are they going this year? How has DeMar DeRozan looked? What does an extension number to Keegan Murray look like? Is Malik Monk the heart of the team? And what about the long-term future?Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/5-notable-programs-hoping-to-end-their-ncaa-tournament-drought-in-2025
A way-too-early look at the 2025 NBA Draft - Featuring Nick Crain
Mort is joined by his editor over at Sports Illustrated/Draft Digest, Nick Crain, and together duo breaks down some prospects for next year's 2025 NBA Draft, with special focus on Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, and Dylan Harper.Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/nba-rookie-of-the-year-odds-zach-edey-the-favorite-bronny-james-getting-attention
A look from around the league - Featuring Mark Karantzoulis
Mort is joined by his old friend, and former Dennis Podman co-host, Mark Karantzoulis. The duo discuss rookie extensions, the New York Knicks, Miami Heat, and Houston Rockets.Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/nba-rookie-of-the-year-odds-zach-edey-the-favorite-bronny-james-getting-attention
The Bucks are in it to win it, and that's not changing anytime soon - Featuring Ti Windisch
The Milwaukee Bucks acquired Damian Lillard before the start of last season, made an in-season coaching change, and saw Khris Middleton limited to just 55 games played.Now, the Bucks are entering a year with a full training camp under their belt with Doc Rivers, Lillard isn't new to the system, and they signed Gary Trent Jr this summer.Ti Windisch, co-host of the Gyro Step podcast, joins the show to discuss why there are grounds for optimism in Wisconsin this season. Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookh
The Atlanta Hawks are complicated, but they may be fun - Featuring Brad Rowland
The Atlanta Hawks owe their 2025 unprotected first-round pick to the San Antonio Spurs, which means there's no incentive to lose games. As such, the Hawks are going all out, and will thus introduce top pick Zaccharie Risacher to a competitive environment immediately.Brad Rowland, host of LockedOnHawks, joins the show to discuss Atlanta's upcoming season, Trae Young's upside, and the long-term view of the team.Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/3-best-nba-mvp-bets-for-the
Where exactly are the Los Angeles Clippers going? - Featuring Justin Russo
The Los Angeles Clippers lost Paul George this summer, which could have a negative ripple effect on the team's chances this season. However, the door might be open for a competitive year, as long as Kawhi Leonard cracks 50 games played.Justin Russo joins the show to break it all down, while also touching on the Clippers beyond this season.Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/best-nba-finals-bets-for-the-2024-25-season
What to make of the San Antonio Spurs going into the 2024-2025 NBA season - Featuring Ty Jäger
The San Antonio Spurs made numerous chances over the 2024 NBA offseason. They added veteran leadership in Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes, and drafted Stephon Castle to be a part of their long-term future.Ty Jäger joins the show to break it all down. Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/best-nba-finals-bets-for-the-2024-25-season
Karl-Anthony Towns/Julius Randle trade analysis with Keith Smith
The New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves made a blockbuster trade, just weeks before training camp, with Karl-Anthony Towns, Julius Randle, and Donte DiVincenzo all getting new addresses.Keith Smith joins the show to break down the deal.Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/nba-schedule-release-key-dates-for-2024-25-season
2024-2025 NBA League Pass Rankings - Part 2 - With Dan Favale & Grant Hughes
The NBA season is soon upon us, and that means it's time for The NBA Podcast's annual NBA League Pass Rankings!Dan Favale and Grant Hughes from the Hardwood Knocks podcast joins the show to dig into the first 15 teams of the rankings. 0:00 - INTRO 2:07 - No. 15 6:22 - FAN CULTURE TANGENT 23:35 - No. 14 28:24 - No. 13 34:42 - No. 12 39:18 - No. 11 43:16 - No. 10 50:56 - No. 9 56:27 - No. 8 1:05:29 - No. 7 1:11:16 - No. 6 1:15:39 - No. 5 1:38:48 - No. 4 1:45:55 - No. 3 1:52:58 - No. 2 2:02:40 - No
2024-2025 NBA League Pass Rankings - Part 1 - With Dan Favale & Grant Hughes
The NBA season is soon upon us, and that means it's time for The NBA Podcast's annual NBA League Pass Rankings!Dan Favale and Grant Hughes from the Hardwood Knocks podcast joins the show to dig into the first 15 teams of the rankings. Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/nba-schedule-release-key-dates-for-2024-25-season
2024-2025 NBA Awards Prediction - Featuring Stephen Noh
Mort has Stephen Noh, senior NBA writer at The Sporting News, on the show to predict the 2024-2025 NBA awards.Listen in, as the duo discuss some candidates to win MVP, DPOY, ROY, MIP, 6MOY, COY, Executive of the Year, and of course Clutch Player of the Year.Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/nba-schedule-release-key-dates-for-2024-25-season
Guest Host Jack Quantrill: NBA 2025 Draft Introduction with Ahmed Jama
Jack is back in the hosting chair once again this week and Ahmed Jama of The Draft Council joined him to talk about one of the most highly anticipated draft classes of the decade.Listen in for the lowdown on the 2025 draft. Just what tier of prospect is Cooper Flagg? Can anyone challenge him in the race to go number 1 next summer? Which college teams should you be watching this year? Jack and Ahmed got through a ton on a fun introductory episode to what should be a fascinating draft cycle.Check
Five players who should get traded this season - Featuring Jack Quantrill
Jack Quantrill visits the pod, and he's brought five names of players who could - for one reason or another - get traded either before, or during, the upcoming NBA season.Listen in, as Mort & Jack discuss some potentially changing power dynamics within the league.Check out Jack at The Drop Step on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/TheDropStepNBAOdds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/nba-schedule-release-key-dates-for-2024-25-season
NBA storylines to follow - featuring Lauren Gunn
Mort invited Lauren Gunn to join the show, and the two discuss their NBA storylines to follow for the 2024-2025 season.Listen in, as Mort & Lauren discuss Dereck Lively, Zach LaVine, the Charlotte Hornets, Denver Nuggets, and much, much more.Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/ncaab
NBA Offseason Wrap-up - Eastern Conference
Mort's invited Keith Smith along to discuss how Eastern Conference teams did during the offseason, while also looking ahead to the upcoming season.Listen in, as Mort & Keith discuss the weird Atlanta Hawks, the strong minimum contracts made by the Milwaukee Bucks, and why both of them are skeptical of the Josh Giddey fit in Chicago.Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/ncaab
NBA Offseason Wrap-up - Western Conference
Mort's back after announcing the Olympics, and he's invited Ryan Blackburn along to discuss how Western Conference teams did during the offseason, while also looking ahead to the upcoming season.Listen in, as Mort & Ryan discuss the exciting Sacramento Kings, the not-so-exciting Los Angeles Clippers, and whatever the heck the Portland Trail Blazers are doing.Odds via FanDuel Sportsbookhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/ncaab
All-NBA First Timers: 24/25 season with The Drop Step and Hot Hand Theory!
XJ and Geoff of The Hot Hand Theory join the podcast to talk All-NBA First Timers!Listen in as we each drop our 5 players that we’re picking to earn All-NBA Team honors for the first time in their career.It’s a passionate, analytical and competitive episode with some truly “nerd-pilled” NBA analysts telling you who’s about to have the best season of their career!Who do you think is ready for a breakout season? How will you fare at our All-NBA related trivia? How aren’t you following The Drop Ste
Crystal Ball: Predicting Team USA & Team Canada at the 2028 Olympics with Jack Quantrill & Esfandiar Baraheni
Jack Quantrill (TheDropStepNBA) continues the August takeover of the NBA Podcast with Canadian Basketball expert Esfandiar Baraheni (JustEsBaraheni) joining to talk future Olympic teams!Listen in as Jack and Es predict the 12 man rosters for team USA and team Canada while discussing the current Olympic Basketball tournament too.Will Jayson Tatum forget to answer the phone for a 2028 call up? Just how good does Zach Edey need to be for Canada to jump to the next level and what can the O.G. Dream
Winning Time? Which Franchise will win their first title next? Featuring Dan Favale
There are still 10 franchises who've yet to hold the Larry O'Brien aloft in NBA history. Listen in as Jack Quantrill (@TheDropStep_NBA) and Dan Favale (@danfavale) go through each team yet to win an NBA championship and rank them by how likely we think they are to break that duck. Can Mat Ishbia and Steve Balmer drive their respective franchises to glory whilst bankrupting themselves in the process? Which one of Paolo Banchero, Ja Morant, Ant Edwards and Tyrese Haliburton is ready to put their n
Re-drafting the 2019 through 2023 NBA draft classes
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) is joined by Dan Favale (@danfavale) and Grant Hughes (@gt_hughes) of the Hardwood Knocks podcast (@HardwoodKnocks) along with Bleacher Report editors Jay Dunbar (@JayDunOnTheRun) and Joey Akeley (@Jakeley_BR).This time, they're re-drafting the 2019 through 2023 NBA draft classes.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=awardshttps://www.fanduel.com/research/nba-ro
Building superteams to beat the Celtics
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) is joined by Dan Favale (@danfavale) and Grant Hughes (@gt_hughes) of the Hardwood Knocks podcast (@HardwoodKnocks) along with Bleacher Report editors Jay Dunbar (@JayDunOnTheRun) and Joey Akeley (@Jakeley_BR).Their mission? Build superteams that could take down the Boston Celtics in 2024-25.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=nba-finalshttps://www.fanduel.com
Team-building lessons we've learned about the new CBA
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the team-building lessons they learned about the NBA's new collective bargaining agreement this offseason.3:30: How the middle class got crushed20:17: Are second apron concerns overblown?33:02: Teams picking a direction39:53: Fewer full max contracts?54:30: Other CBA workaroundsFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nbahttps://www.fand
What Jalen Brunson's extension means for the Knicks and the NBA at large
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss what Jalen Brunson's new $156 million extension means for the New York Knicks and the possible leaguewide ramifications.3:00: The future of this podcast11:52: What Brunson's extension means for the Knicks25:45: Where does this leave Julius Randle?42:08: Will other stars follow in Brunson's footsteps?59:30: How the new CBA changed the team-building meta Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDu
Breaking down the 2024-25 NBA title race after free agency
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Dan Favale (@danfavale) of the Hardwood Knocks podcast (@HardwoodKnocks) put all 30 teams into tiers after the bulk of free agency.1:50: The title favorites21:28: The biggest threats to the contenders42:12: Solid playoff teams59:44: The play-in teams1:22:45: The rebuilding teams Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=nba-finalshttps://www.fandue
The biggest moves from the first few days of 2024 NBA free agency
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest moves from the first few days of 2024 NBA free agency.1:15: Paul George and Andre Drummond to the Sixers14:59: Isaiah Harteinstein to the Thunder24:24: Derrick Jones Jr., Nic Batum and Kris Dunn to the Clippers 32:11: Klay Thompson and Naji Marshall to the Mavericks39:57: De'Anthony Melton, Kyle Anderon and Buddy Hield to the Warriors50:29: Chris Paul to the Spurs1:03:31: KCP to the Magi
Winners and losers of the 2024 NBA draft and 2024 free agency preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest winners and losers from the 2024 NBA draft and preview the big dominoes yet to fall in free agency. Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nbahttps://www.fanduel.com/research/2024-nba-draft-results-zaccharie-risacher-goes-first-overall 15% off New Era: https://zen.ai/HuILWCA7B160eTOuheU17A
The Mikal Bridges and Alex Caruso trades
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the New York Knicks' blockbuster trade for Mikal Bridges and the Josh Giddey/Alex Caruso swap between the Chicago Bulls and Oklahoma City Thunder. 9:56: Why the Knicks might not be able to re-sign both OG Anunoby and Isaiah Hartenstein26:09: The Nets made out like bandits32:15: The Rockets wiggle their way in, too43:40: WTF, Bulls?Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https:/
2024 NBA draft preview with B/R's Jonathan Wasserman
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) of Bleacher Report discuss the 2024 NBA draft.11:29: Prospects whom Wass is higher on than consensus30:41: Wass' favorite mid-to-late-first-rounders 47:20: Potential traps to avoid57:25: The inevitable Bronny James segmentCheck out the episode to hear Morten, Bryan and Wass discuss all of that and more. Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sport
Offseason questions for Celtics and Mavericks, Pascal Siakam's new extension
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest offseason questions for the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks, team-building takeaways from the NBA Finals and Pascal Siakam's new extension with the Indiana Pacers.3:45: Offseason questions for the Celtics25:56: Offseason questions for the Mavericks42:55: Team-building lessons from the Finals59:45: Pascal Siakam's extension1:15:38: Pistons fire Monty WilliamsFollow us on Twitter: @The
Predicting Year 1 salaries for 2024 NBA free agents
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Dan Favale (@danfavale) of the Hardwood Knocks podcast (@HardwoodKnocks) predict how much a number of free agents will earn in the first year of their new contracts. Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nbahttps://www.fanduel.com/research/run-it-back-friday-june-14th-2024 15% off New Era: https://zen.ai/HuILWCA7B160eTOuheU17A
We've lost the plot with the 2024 NBA Finals
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Games 2 and 3 of the 2024 NBA Finals and whether the Dallas Mavericks have any chance of getting back into this series.1:30: Has the Luka criticism gone overboard?4:25: The Mavericks' disappearing supporting cast7:45: Why aren't we focusing more on what Boston is doing right?15:40: Are the Celtics poised to be the next great NBA dynasty?33:05 : Do the Celtics close out the series tonight? Follow us
2024 NBA Finals Game 1 reaction and Game 2 preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals and preview how the Dallas Mavericks can be more competitive in Game 2. 1:55: What went wrong for the Mavericks in Game 1? 19:22: Game 2 adjustments36:31: How Game 1 changed our series predictionsFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nbahttps://www.fanduel.com/research/nba-finals-game-2-betting-picks-and-
Did the NBA's new CBA kill superteams?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Dan Favale (@danfavale) of the Hardwood Knocks podcast (@HardwoodKnocks) go on a deep dive into how the NBA's new CBA could affect trades and free agency going forward. Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nbahttps://www.fanduel.com/research/nba-finals-mvp-odds-who-will-win-the-bill-russell-trophy 15% off New Era: https://zen.ai/HuILWCA7B160eTOuheU17A
2024 NBA Finals preview and what's next for the Timberwolves and Pacers?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) preview the 2024 NBA Finals and discuss the biggest offseason questions for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Indiana Pacers.2:25: How the Celtics match up against the Mavericks defensively20:00: How the Mavericks match up against the Celtics defensively34:28: Biggest offseason questions for the Timberwolves56:27: Biggest offseason questions for the Pacers1:10:45: How the new CBA could affect Pascal Siakam and
Top takeaways from the 2024 NBA conference finals
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss their top takeaways from the first three games of each of the 2024 NBA conference finals.1:30: What's gone wrong for the Timberwolves15:11: The Rudy Gobert discourse34:24: What can we take away from Celtics-Pacers?49:14: Is there any downside to the Celtics' easy path to the Finals? Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=nba-fi
What's next for the Nuggets, Thunder and Knicks?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest offseason questions for the Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma City Thunder and New York Knicks.2:35: Denver Nuggets19:13: Oklahoma City Thunder41:25: New York Knicks Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=nba-finalshttps://www.fanduel.com/research/run-it-back-tuesday-may-21st-2024-copy 15% off New Era: https://zen.ai/HuILWCA
What's next for the Cavaliers and Game 6 previews for MIN-DEN, NYK-IND and OKC-DAL
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss what's next for the Cleveland Cavaliers and preview the Game 6s of Nuggets-Timberwolves, Knicks-Pacers and Thunder-Mavericks.2:00: Biggest offseason questions for the Cavaliers20:20: Nuggets-Timberwolves Game 6 preview35:22: Knicks-Pacers Game 6 preview45:37: Thunder-Mavericks Game 6 preview Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?t
Interview with Jamal Crawford
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Mort is on his own and decided to interview Jamal Crawford about his transition from player to media personality. They also discussed why there seems to be animosity between former and current players, and of course they discussed Seattle hoops!Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nbahttps://www.fanduel.com/research/pacers-vs-knicks-series-prediction-betting-odds 15% off New Era: https://zen.ai
What's next for the Sixers, Bucks and Clippers + Knicks-Pacers and Thunder-Mavericks previews
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and Dan Favale (@DanFavale) of the Hardwood Knocks podcast (@HardwoodKnocks) discuss the biggest offseason questions for the Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers beforew previewing the Knicks-Pacers and Thunder-Mavericks second-round series. 0:00 - Intro2:38 - Philadelphia 76ers30:15 - Milwaukee Bucks52:09 - Los Angeles Clippers1:21:30 - New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers Preview1:41:04 - Oklahoma City Thunder
What's next for the Lakers, Suns, Pelicans and Heat?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest offseason questions for the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, New Orleans Pelicans and Miami Heat.Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more. 1:00: Los Angeles Lakers21:47: Phoenix Suns43:18: New Orleans Pelicans56:16: Miami HeatFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=nba-finalshttps:
Takeaways from every first-round series after two games
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss their top takeaways about every first-round playoff series after Games 1 and 2. 3:00: Celtics-Heat17:20: Thunder-Pelicans25:27: Cavaliers-Magic34:05: Knicks-Sixers50:23: Nuggets-Lakers1:04:59: Bucks-Pacers1:11:47: Clippers-Mavericks1:20:42: Timberwolves-SunsFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=west-playoff-serieshttps://www.f
Previewing the first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) preview the first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs.1:00: Cavaliers-Magic12:02: Timberwolves-Suns22:30: Knicks-Sixers31:30: Nuggets-Lakers45:09: Clippers-Mavericks59:50: Bucks-PacersFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=east-playoff-serieshttps://www.fanduel.com/research/sports-betting-podcast-nba-and-stanley-cup-playoffs-previews 15% of
Previewing the Heat-Bulls and Pelicans-Kings play-in games
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) preview the Heat-Bulls and Pelicans-Kings play-in tournament games.2:00: Heat-Bulls22:28: Pelicans-KingsFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/ncaabhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/nba-play-in-tournament-kings-vs-pelicans-betting-picks 15% off New Era: https://zen.ai/HuILWCA7B160eTOuheU17A
Previewing the 2024 NBA play-in tournament
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) preview each game in the 2024 NBA play-in tournament.3:20: Pelicans-Lakers17:20: Kings-Warriors30:53: Sixers-Heat49:38: Bulls-HawksFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=play-inhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/run-it-back-thursday-april-11th-2024 15% off New Era: https://zen.ai/HuILWCA7B160eTOuheU17A
Our final 2023-24 NBA awards picks
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) make their picks for every major award for the 2023-24 NBA season.3:00: MVP18:11: Defensive Player of the Year33:35: Rookie of the Year47:59: Most Improved Player1:01:10: Sixth Man of the Year1:07:37: Clutch Player of the Year1:13:57: Coach of the Year1:20:58: Executive of the YearFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=awardshttps://ww
What's next for the Spurs, Trail Blazers, Grizzlies, Jazz and Rockets?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest offseason questions for the San Antonio Spurs, Portland Trail Blazers, Memphis Grizzlies, Utah Jazz and Houston Rockets.2:10: San Antonio Spurs17:55: Portland Trail Blazers32:15: Memphis Grizzlies44:54: Utah Jazz57:16: Houston Rockets Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/ncaab?tab=march-madnesshttps://www.fanduel.com/rese
How Joel Embiid's return and Julius Randle's surgery impact the East playoff picture
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the impact that Joel Embiid's return and Julius Randle's season-ending shoulder injury might have on the Eastern Conference playoffs.1:45: How Embiid's return impacts the Sixers10:29: Could the Sixers topple the Bucks, Celtics or Cavaliers?21:47: How Randle's absence affects the Knicks38:49: Could Randle be on his way out of New York this summer? Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Spo
What's next for the Pistons, Wizards, Hornets, Raptors and Nets?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest offseason questions for the Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets, Toronto Raptors and Brooklyn Nets.2:05: Detroit Pistons23:08: Washington Wizards38:06: Charlotte Hornets52:58: Toronto Raptors1:10:31: Brooklyn Nets Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nbahttps://www.fanduel.com/research/run-it-back-thurs
Biggest potential frauds heading into the 2024 NBA playoffs
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss which of the projected playoff teams should be on the biggest fraud alert.1:35: Milwaukee Bucks14:48: Cleveland Cavaliers28:12: Los Angeles Clippers:44:50: Phoenix SunsFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=nba-finalshttps://www.fanduel.com/research/run-it-back-thursday-march-28th-2024 15% off New Era: https://zen.ai/HuILWCA7B1
Our early All-NBA picks and the financial implications of them
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) make their All-NBA picks with a few weeks left in the season, and discuss what they might mean financially for certain players.2:10: First team15:17: Second team28:38: Third team41:11: Who gets the last spot?55:52: Does Victor Wembanyama have an All-NBA case? Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=awardshttps://www.fanduel.com/research
Silver linings for the NBA's worst teams
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss some of the bright spots from the teams toward the bottom of the NBA standings.1:15: Washington Wizards11:50: Detroit Pistons27:05: Charlotte Hornets35:25: Toronto Raptors40:57: Atlanta Hawks45:27: Chicago Bulls49:25: Portland Trail Blazers1:03:57: Memphis Grizzlies1:08:41: Utah Jazz1:13:39: Houston Rockets Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/
The play-in race with 1 month left in the 2023-24 NBA season
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss how the play-in race is shaping up with one month left in the 2023-24 NBA season.3:30: Which West play-in-adjacent team is the biggest threat?11:19: Obligatory Lakers segment18:40: Obligatory Warriors segment20:16: Which of those teams is under the most pressure?34:31: Which East play-in-adjacent team is the biggest threat?50:36: Are any of the East play-in teams under significant pressure?Follow us
How should the Spurs build around Victor Wembanyama moving forward?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) disucss Victor Wembanyama's historic rookie season and how the San Antonio Spurs should build around him moving forward.1:15: Putting Wemby's rookie season into historical context15:43: What is Wemby's ceiling?30:25: Should the Spurs feel pressure to go all-in sooner than expected?51:05: Dream PG targets and realistic PG targets to pair with Wemby1:02:53: Could the Spurs go double-big in the draft?Follow us
How Karl-Anthony Towns, Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley injuries shake up the NBA playoff race
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the impact that recent injuries to Karl-Anthony Towns, Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley could have on the 2023-24 NBA playoff race.5:00: How does Towns' injury impact the Timberwolves, both now and later?18:40: Which teams should the Wolves try to avoid in the first round?31:07: Can the Cavs hold on to the No. 3 seed without Mitchell and Mobley?50:32: Is it now Boston vs. the field in the East?Follo
Which Western Conference teams are legitimate title contenders this year?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss which Western Conference teams look like legitimate title contenders in the stretch run of the 2023-24 NBA season.6:00: Minnesota Timberwolves17:47: Oklahoma City Thunder28:17: Denver Nuggets34:52: Los Angeles Clippers50:10: Dallas Mavericks53:47: New Orleans Pelicans1:08:50: Phoenix Suns1:20:20: Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via Fan
Nets fire Jacque Vaughn and Mike Conley's new extension with the Timberwolves
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Brooklyn Nets' decision to fire Jacque Vaughn and Mike Conley's new extension with the Minnesota Timberwolves.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=nba-finalshttps://www.fanduel.com/research/introducing-fanduel-research-podcasts15% off New Era: https://zen.ai/HuILWCA7B160eTOuheU17A
Making sense of the Bucks and how the East stacks up after the 2024 NBA trade deadline
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Ti Windisch (@TiWindisch) of the Gyro Step Podcast discuss where the Milwaukee Bucks stand at the All-Star break and how the East stacks up after the trade deadline. 1:00: All-Star Saturday takeaways7:25: Early impressions of Doc Rivers with the Bucks17:51: Is there hope for a Damian Lillard turnaround?31:48: How Danilo Gallinari and Patrick Beverley fit into the Bucks' supporting cast40:39: Who is the second-best te
Winners and losers of the 2024 NBA trade deadline
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss their biggest winners and losers from the 2024 NBA trade deadline.18:25: Oklahoma City Thunder30:59: Philadelphia 76ers41:55: Milwaukee Bucks45:00: Boston Celtics48:00: Phoenix Suns51:26: Dallas Mavericks1:00:14: Chicago Bulls1:17:30: Brooklyn NetsFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=nba-finalshttps://www.fanduel.com/research/
The most interesting teams ahead of the 2024 NBA trade deadline
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the most interesting teams ahead of the Feb. 8 NBA trade deadline.3:25: Oklahoma City Thunder17:55: Brooklyn Nets31:34: New York Knicks37:37: Utah Jazz42:44: Washington Wizards54:26: Chicago BullsFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=awardshttps://www.fanduel.com/research/run-it-back-tuesday-february-6th-2024 15% off New Era:
LeBron James and the most interesting players ahead of the 2024 NBA trade deadline
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss LeBron James and the most interesting players ahead of the Feb. 8 NBA trade deadline.1:30: The Lakers wouldn't consider trading LeBron... would they?16:22: Who could offer a realistic package for LeBron?32:29: Dejounte Murray landing spots45:17: Will the Wizards trade Kyle Kuzma? Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=conferenc
All-Star reserves reaction, Joel Embiid's knee injury and the Steven Adams trade
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the All-Star reserve picks, how Joel Embiid's latest injury impacts the Philadelphia 76ers leading up to the 2024 NBA trade deadline and the Houston Rockets' acquisition of Steven Adams.1:35: All-Star reserves reaction17:40: How should the Sixers proceed as they await Embiid's timeline to return?37:29: Was the 65-game minimum for awards a mistake?52:40: The Steven Adams trade Follow us on Twitter: @
Our 2023-24 NBA All-Star reserves picks
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) make their reserves picks for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game.8:15: Eastern Conference locks19:46: Eastern Conference frontcourt debate41:39: Our Western Conference picks Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=all-starhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/run-it-back-tuesday-january-30th-2024 15% off New Era: https://zen.ai/HuILWCA7B160eTOuheU17
Our 2023-24 midseason NBA awards picks
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) make their midseason picks for every major award for the 2023-24 NBA season.3:40: Most Valuable Player21:05: Rookie of the Year36:06: Defensive Player of the Year41:05: Most Improved Player56:48: Clutch Player of the Year1:04:35: Sixth Man of the Year1:12:45: Coach of the YearFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=awardshttps://www.fan
Doc Rivers to the Bucks and the Terry Rozier trade
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Milwaukee Bucks firing head coach Adrian Griffin, their interest in Doc Rivers and the Miami Heat's trade for Terry Rozier. 4:10: Were the Bucks right to fire Griffin?13:32: Doc to the Bucks?!34:31: How Rozier fits on Miami49:27: What's next for Kyle Lowry?Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=nba-finalshttps://www.fanduel.
Reaction to the Pascal Siakam trade
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) react to the Indiana Pacers trading for Pascal Siakam.3:20: First impressions of the Siakam trade12:00: Siakam's on-court fit with the Pacers36:42: Did the Raptors get enough for Siakam?51:34: The fallout of the Siakam trade around the leagueFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=to-make-the-playoffshttps://www.fanduel.com/research/run
Kawhi's extension, Ja's season-ending injury and Dejounte Murray trade rumors
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Kawhi Leonard's extension with the Los Angeles Clippers, what Ja Morant's season-ending injury means for the Memphis Grizzlies and the recent round of Dejounte Murray trade rumors.2:35: Breaking down Kawhi's new extension with the Clippers10:49: What does Kawhi's extension mean for Paul George and James Harden?29:19: Did the Clippers chart the path for Big Threes under the new CBA?44:52: What should
Which teams should be sellers at the 2024 NBA trade deadline?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss which teams should be sellers ahead of the 2024 NBA trade deadline.2:00: Detroit Pistons15:45: San Antonio Spurs27:30: Charlotte Hornets38:15: Portland Trail Blazers47:30: Washington Wizards51:41: Utah Jazz1:05:25: Toronto Raptors1:32:05: Atlanta Hawks1:39:55: Chicago BullsFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=to-make-the-playo
Are the Lakers and Warriors cooked? And does OKC need to go all-in?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss turmoil with the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors, the first returns from All-Star voting and whether the Oklahoma City Thunder need to go all-in already. 2:00: Has Darvin Ham lost the Lakers' locker room?13:20: Would firing Ham solve anything for the Lakers?31:12: First returns on All-Star voting47:27: Potential All-Star snubs59:41: Do the OKC Thunder need to make a big move by the trad
Which Western Conference teams are contenders, and which are pretenders?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss which Western Conference teams look like legitimate title contenders and which teams are pretenders.1:35: Minnesota Timberwolves16:14: Oklahoma City Thunder33:26: Denver Nuggets41:35: Los Angeles Clippers54:14: Phoenix Suns1:04:10: Sacramento Kings1:11:41: Dallas Mavericks1:20:14: The rest of the WestCheck out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @T
Instant reaction to the Raptors/Knicks' OG Anunoby trade
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) give their instant reaction to the OG Anunoby/Immanuel Quickely trade between the Toronto Raptors and New York Knicks.3:35: Did the Raptors get enough in return for Anunoby?22:42: How does Anunoby fit in New York?35:50: Is there a clear winner of this trade?Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=conference-divisionhttps://www.fanduel.c
Which Eastern Conference teams are contenders, and which are pretenders?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss which Eastern Conference teams look like legitimate title contenders this year and which teams fall short of that mark.3:45: Boston Celtics11:48: Milwaukee Bucks20:50: Philadelphia 76ers35:48: Miami Heat41:20: Orlando Magic52:55: Cleveland Cavaliers1:07:11 New York Knicks1:29:47: The rest of the East Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigat
Our 2023-24 NBA awards picks heading into Christmas
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) make their picks for every major NBA award heading into Christmas Day.1:40: Most Valuable Player23:11: Rookie of the Year37:21: Defensive Player of the Year44:58: Most Improved Player55:02: Sixth Man of the Year1:07:50: Clutch Player of the Year1:17:30: Coach of the YearFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=awardshttps://www.fanduel.co
In-Season Tournament quarterfinals recap and IST semifinals preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the results of the in-season tournament quarterfinals and preview the IST semifinals.2:45: Celtics-Pacers12:11: Kings-Pelicans22:08: Bucks-Knicks43:34: Suns-Lakers52:30: Pacers-Bucks preview1:06:40: Lakers-Pelicans previewFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=in-season-tournamenthttps://www.fanduel.com/research/nba-betting-pic
How can the Spurs and Pistons get back on track?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the next steps that the San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons need to make in their respective rebuilds.2:35: Should the Spurs abandon the Point Sochan experiment?25:10: Which non-Wemby players are long-term keepers for the Spurs?44:24: Is Cade Cunningham a franchise cornerstone?58:30: How should the Pistons proceed this season?Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sp
Has the first NBA In-Season Tournament been a success?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the group-play stage of the first-ever In-Season Tournament and preview the knockout round.2:30: Group-play reaction20:18: East quarterfinals preview27:47: Kings-Pelicans preview42:29: Lakers-Suns preview47:55: East bracket predictions53:17: West bracket predictions1:02:02: IST Finals predictionsFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/n
Where do the Warriors and Magic go from here?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the next steps for the Golden State Warriors and Orlando Magic.2:00: Klay Thompson's early-season struggles13:31: What options do the Warriors have?34:40: What's gone right for the Magic so far45:15: The next steps in their rebuildFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/teams/nba/boston-celtics/oddshttps://www.fanduel.com/research/run-it-back-wedne
Our early 2023-24 NBA League Pass favorites
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss their favorite League Pass teams of the season to date.2:45: Indiana Pacers16:34: Oklahoma City Thunder28:12: Houston Rockets41:52: Atlanta Hawks44:56: Minnesota Timberwolves53:35: Orlando MagicFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/teams/nba/standingshttps://www.fanduel.com/research/run-it-back-wednesday-november-22nd-2023 15% off New Era: https
Which teams should try to trade for Zach LaVine?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Chicago Bulls' willingness to trade Zach LaVine and which teams should be interested.1:30: How did LaVine and the Bulls get here?13:00: Philadelphia 76ers25:30: Miami Heat36:30: Los Angeles Lakers44:41: Golden State Warriors56:33: Wild-card destinations1:20:40: What is the Bulls' long-term plan?Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/teams/nba/
Early standouts from the 2023-24 NBA season
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the players and teams that have stood out most to them in the first few weeks of the 2023-24 NBA season.1:40: Atlanta Hawks15:05: Minnesota Timberwolves32:50: Indiana Pacers45:28: OKC Thunder56:20: Boston Celtics1:01:00: Golden State Warriors1:08:25: Philadelphia 76ersFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/teams/nba/indiana-pacers/oddshttps://www
Early-season panic meter for the Grizzlies, Suns, Lakers, Bulls, Heat and Raptors
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss which teams off to a slow start to the 2023-24 NBA season should be the most concerned.1:30: Memphis Grizzlies10:53: Phoenix Suns25:47: Los Angeles Lakers33:35: Chicago Bulls46:49: Miami Heat56:04: Toronto RaptorsFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/teams/nba/los-angeles-lakers/oddshttps://www.fanduel.com/research/run-it-back-thursday-november-2
Top takeaways from the Clippers-Sixers James Harden trade
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Clippers' outlooks after the James Harden trade.1:30: Did the Sixers get enough for Harden?11:07: What's the Sixers' endgame?29:20: How does Harden fit with the Clippers?42:19: Where do the Clippers rank in the NBA hierarchy now?1:01:43: Could the Clippers have more moves up their sleeve?Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sport
Top takeaways from opening night of the 2023-24 NBA season
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss their top takeaways from opening night of the 2023-24 NBA season.0:55: The Bulls' disastrous start to the season10:14: Lakers-Nuggets26:22: Suns-Warriors38:10: Klay Thompson's rocky extension talks45:12: Rockets-Magic52:15: Celtics-Knicks1:01:37: Mavericks-Spurs (WEMBY!) Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nbahttps://www.fanduel.com
Our 2023-24 NBA awards picks
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) make their picks for every major award ahead of the 2023-24 NBA season.1:00: Most Valuable Player17:17: Defensive Player of the Year30:25: Rookie of the Year42:36: Most Improved Player54:35: Clutch Player of the Year1:02:13: Sixth Man of the Year1:12:29: Coach of the YearFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=awardshttps://www.fanduel.
Fun NBA financial chat with Keith Smith
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and special guest Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) discuss the inner workings of the NBA's financials, and how they relate to player contracts. The duo also discuss rookie extensions, and what the Atlanta Hawks should do with Onyeka Okongwu.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=regular-season-winshttps://www.fanduel.com/research/jrue-holiday-traded-to-the-celtics-how-t
Picking over/unders for every NBA team's 2023-24 win total
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Josh Eberley (@JoshEberley) make their over/under picks for every team's win total ahead of the 2023-24 NBA season.3:00: Atlanta Hawks through Charlotte Hornets17:55: Chicago Bulls through Dallas Mavericks32:29: Denver Nuggets through Los Angeles Clippers49:48: Los Angeles Lakers through Minnesota Timberwolves1:03:15: Milwaukee Bucks through Orlando Magic1:16:30: Phoenix Suns through San Antonio Spurs1:30:00: Toronto
The 2023-24 NBA title race after the Dame and Jrue trades
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Es Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) of SDPN Sports discuss the 2023-24 NBA title race in the wake of the Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday trades.5:15: The inner circle of title contenders18:29: Are we collectively overlooking the Nuggets? (And the Suns?)33:10: The Lakers and Warriors44:47: The outer circle of title contenders59:40: Dark-horse contenders Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://s
Our 2023-24 NBA League Pass rankings
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by special guest Dan Favale (@danfavale) of the Hardwood Knocks podcast and Bleacher Report to go through their League Pass rankings for the 2023-24 NBA season.3:20: Nos. 30-2715:40: Nos. 26-2233:17: Nos. 21-1748:53: Nos. 16-131:04:58: Nos. 12-91:20:04: Nos. 8-51:39:43: Nos. 4-1Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nbahttps://www.f
Winners and losers of the Celtics' Jrue Holiday trade
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the fallout from the Boston Celtics' trade for Jrue Holiday.2:05: Boston Celtics26:16: Portland Trail Blazers33:16: Malcolm Brogdon landing spots49:45: Philadelphia 76ers1:04:20: Other questions leading into media dayFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=conference-divisionhttps://www.fanduel.com/research/nba-championship-odds-
The fallout from the Damian Lillard trade
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the fallout from the Milwaukee Bucks' blockbuster trade for Damian Lillard.5:00: Milwaukee Bucks23:16: Portland Trail Blazers39:34: Phoenix Suns53:57: Who messed up more, the Miami Heat or the Toronto Raptors?1:11:20: Jrue Holiday landing spotsFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nbahttps://www.fanduel.com/research/damian-lillard-tra
2023-24 Southeast Division preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and Giancarlo Navas (@gnavas103) of the Miami Heat Beat podcast preview the Southeast Division ahead of the 2023-24 NBA season.3:20: Atlanta Hawks25:52: Charlotte Hornets36:56: Miami Heat55:35: What if the Heat don't get Damian Lillard?1:13:29: Orlando Magic1:28:41: Washington WizardsFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=conference-divisionhttps://www.fanduel.com
2023-24 Northwest Division preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by special guest Ryan Blackburn (@NBABlackburn) to preview the Northwest Division ahead of the 2023-24 NBA season.5:10: Denver Nuggets26:36: Minnesota Timberwolves49:54: Oklahoma City Thunder1:06:45: Portland Trail Blazers1:35:21: Utah JazzFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=conference-divisionhttps://www.fanduel.com/resea
2023-24 Pacific Division preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Justin Russo (@FlyByKnite) preview the Pacific Division ahead of the 2023-24 NBA season.2:40: Golden State Warriors18:24: How interested should the L.A. Clippers be in James Harden?33:29: Non-Harden Clippers storylines53:07: Los Angeles Lakers1:12:17: Phoenix Suns1:38:31: Sacramento KingsFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=conference-divisionh
2023-24 Central Division preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Ti Windisch (@TiWindisch) of the Gyro Step Podcast preview the Central Division ahead of the 2023-24 NBA season.3:15: Chicago Bulls22:53: Cleveland Cavaliers43:07: Detroit Pistons56:32: Indiana Pacers1:11:31: Milwaukee BucksFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=nba-finalshttps://www.fanduel.com/research/the-bucks-are-running-it-back-with-brook-l
2023-24 Atlantic Division preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) of Spotrac preview the Atlantic Division ahead of the 2023-24 NBA season.8:30: Boston Celtics29:03: Brooklyn Nets53:09: New York Knicks1:12:51: Philadelphia 76ers1:37:28: Toronto RaptorsFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook:https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=nba-finalshttps://www.fanduel.com/research/nba-championship-odds-celt
2023-24 Southwest Division preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by special guest Mason Ginsberg (@MasonGinsberg) of the In The NO podcast to preview the Southwest Division ahead of the 2023-24 NBA season.3:10: Dallas Mavericks20:34: Houston Rockets33:10: Memphis Grizzlies48:21: New Orleans Pelicans1:08:34: San Antonio SpursFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=conference-divisionhttps://
Is Team USA in danger at the FIBA World Cup?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Team USA's loss to Lithuania at the FIBA World Cup and Shai-Gilgeous Alexander's dynamic run with Team Canada.3:50: Team USA's loss to Lithuania14:49: JJJ's foul trouble and Team USA's bigs problem31:33: SGA and Team Canada55:16: NBA expansion and the new media rights dealFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/basketball?tab=fiba-world-cuphttps://
Early 2023 FIBA World Cup takeaways
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss their top takeaways from the first round of the 2023 FIBA World Cup.2:05: Team USA takeaways15:53: France's surprising demise29:37: Biggest standouts from the first roundFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/basketball?tab=fiba-world-cuphttps://www.fanduel.com/research/fiba-basketball-world-cup-groups-and-betting-odds-can-anyone-beat-team-usa
P.J. Washington's new contract and Giannis Antetokounmpo's future
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss P.J. Washington's new contract with the Charlotte Hornets and Giannis Antetokounmpo's future with the Milwaukee Bucks.1:00: P.J. Washington's new contract with Charlotte15:26: Why Giannis won't sign an extension this summer30:13: How should the Bucks react to Giannis' comments?42:38: The Bucks' best path forward1:01:17: Which teams should be keeping an eye on Giannis?Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
2023 FIBA World Cup preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) preview the 2023 FIBA World Cup.3:10: Team USA breakdown15:17: What Anthony Edwards' breakout means for the Timberwolves26:17: Biggest threats to Team USA43:36: Team USA's possible Achilles' heelFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/basketball?tab=fiba-world-cuphttps://www.fanduel.com/research/fiba-basketball-world-cup-groups-and-betting-odds-can-anyone
Breaking down the early 2023-24 NBA awards favorites
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the early favorites for each of the major 2023-24 NBA awards.2:00: Most Valuable Player16:19: Rookie of the Year24:45: Defensive Player of the Year36:26: Most Improved Player53:04: Clutch Player of the Year1:00:40: Sixth Man of the YearFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=player-awardshttps://www.fanduel.com/research/nba-mvp-o
Where do James Harden and the Sixers go from here?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Trill Bro Dude (@trillbrodude) of the You Know Ball podcast discuss the absolute dumpster fire that is the Philadelphia 76ers.2:40: Why did James Harden accuse Daryl Morey of lying?20:00: Should the Clippers feel more urgency to acquire Harden?39:32: Did tampering rules contribute to the breakdown between Harden and the Sixers?1:04:19: Has the Sixers' title window closed with Joel Embiid? What's next for him?Check ou
Josh Hart's extension and early 2023-24 schedule leaks
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Josh Hart's new extension, the early leaks from the 2023-24 NBA schedule and the latest on the Damian Lillard trade front.2:50: Reaction to Josh Hart's four-year, $81M extension16:20: Opening week schedule highlights31:15: The Christmas Day schedule44:24: The NBA strikes back at DameFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=confere
Anthony Davis and Jaylen Brown's record-setting extensions
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Harrison Faigen (@hmfaigen) of SB Nation discuss the record-setting extensions that Anthony Davis signed with the Los Angeles Lakers and Jaylen Brown signed with the Boston Celtics.4:55: Reaction to Anthony Davis' extension 19:15: Any concerns with AD's extension?33:50: The Lakers' outlook this season50:29: Reaction to Jaylen Brown's new extensionCheck out the episode to hear Bryan and Harrison discuss all of that an
The in-season tournament, the new flopping penalty and NBA changes we'd like to see
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the NBA's new in-season tournament, changes to the flopping and coaches' challenge rules and innovations they'd like to see.1:00: First impressions of the in-season tournament format13:18: Will the prize money get players (and fans) to buy in?30:51: The coaches' challenge rule change41:45: The new in-game flopping penalty55:50: Other NBA changes we'd like to seeFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds
Is Joel Embiid's future with the Sixers in peril?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) break down Joel Embiid's recent comments about wanting to win a championship "in Philly or anywhere else" and how that could affect James Harden trade negotiations. 1:30: Should the Sixers be worried about Joel Embiid asking out?10:45: The implications for the James Harden trade talks33:05: What would be a fair value for Harden from the Clippers?38:50: What are the Sixers planning in 2024?51:05: Embiid's mo
Isaiah Stewart's extension, Paul Reed's offer sheet and Pascal Siakam's future
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Isaiah Stewart's extension with the Detroit Pistons, the Philadelphia 76ers' decision to match the offer sheet that Paul Reed signed with the Utah Jazz, and what the Toronto Raptors should do with Pascal Siakam.1:15: Isaiah Stewart's extension17:35: The BBall Paul offer sheet saga33:16: Should the Raptors trade Pascal Siakam this offseason?50:44: Possible Siakam landing spotsFollow us on Twitter: @T
Dejounte Murray's extension, the Grant Williams sign-and-trade and Matisse Thybulle's offer sheet
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Dejounte Murray's new extension, the Grant Williams sign-and-trade and the Portland Trail Blazers' decision to match Matisse Thybulle's offer sheet from the Dallas Mavericks.1:30: How the new CBA led to Murray's extension14:50: What's next for the Hawks?29:36: What does Murray's extension suggest about free agency moving forward?40:22: The Grant Williams sign-and-trade54:14 Dallas signs Matisse Thyb
Who are the top title contenders after the first wave of free agency?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss who the top title contenders are after the first wave of free agency and highlight the top remaining free agents.1:25: Which teams are the biggest title threats in 2023-24?18:29: Do the Blazers *have* to send Dame to Miami?38:38: Best remaining free agents Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba Check out The Duel: https://www.fandu
Best and worst contracts of 2023 NBA free agency so far
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) of Spotrac and The Front Office Show discuss their favorite and least-favorite signings from the first weekend of 2023 NBA free agency.5:00: The best values so far19:35: Houston's spending spree37:15: Other standout deals46:31: The Suns and other winners so far58:16: Which deals might age poorly?Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nbaC
Damian Lillard's trade request and James Harden trade scenarios
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Damian Lillard's trade request and where James Harden might end up after opting into his contract.3:00: Is it Miami or bust for Dame?14:21: Other possible Dame destinations31:25: Is Harden heading to the Clippers?48:44: What does the Harden situation mean for Joel Embiid's future in Philly?Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba Che
2023 NBA free agency preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Utah Jazz's trade for John Collins, the Chicago Bulls extending Nikola Vucevic and preview 2023 NBA free agency.3:15: John Collins actually got traded!16:12: Bulls extend Nikola Vucevic29:18: Where will the top free agents land?45:50: Are Brook Lopez and Fred VanVleet legitimate flight risks?1:00:06: Which other free agents are worth monitoring?1:07:15: Can the Blazers appease Damian Lillard?Fol
Winners and losers of the 2023 NBA draft
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Giancarlo Navas (@gnavas103) of the Miami Heat Beat podcast discuss the winners and losers of the 2023 NBA draft. 2:45: Biggest draft-night winners14:11: Impact of the new CBA24:33: Other draft-night winners32:20: Where do the Portland Trail Blazers go from here?46:54: Draft-night losersFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nbaCheck out The Duel: https:
Bradley Beal trade reaction and fallout
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Dan Favale (@danfavale) of the Hardwood Knocks podcast discuss the Phoenix Suns' trade for Bradley Beal and the ensuing fallout.1:30: What were the Wizards thinking?14:15: What's next for Chris Paul?31:19: Where do Kristaps Porzingis and Kyle Kuzma end up?51:19: How will Beal fit with the Suns?1:03:58: Should the Suns keep Deandre Ayton, or should they trade him?Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sport
Biggest offseason questions for the Hornets, Pistons, Magic, Pacers and Wizards
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest offseason questions for the Charlotte Hornets, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Indiana Pacers and Washington Wizards.0:45: Charlotte Hornets20:20: Detroit Pistons38:12: Orlando Magic54:48: Indiana Pacers1:14:05: Washington WizardsFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba Check out The Duel: https://www.fanduel.com/theduel/
What's next for the Nuggets and Heat after the NBA Finals?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the fallout from the 2023 NBA Finals and the biggest offseason questions for the Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat.4:15: Big-picture takeaways from the Finals16:50: Putting the Nuggets' playoff run into context32:20: Biggest offseason questions for the Nuggets55:49: Biggest offseason questions for the HeatFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigat
Are the Finals effectively over? What's next for Chris Paul and the Celtics?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss whether the Miami Heat can come back from their 3-1 NBA Finals deficit against the Denver Nuggets and what's next for Chris Paul and the Boston Celtics.1:35: How have the Nuggets gotten here?14:36: Are the Heat drawing dead?30:56: Nuggets-Thunder trade draft picks47:31: Chris Paul's future 1:10:47: Biggest offseason questions for the CelticsFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsboo
Heat steal Finals home-court advantage and reacting to coaching hires
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the first two games of the 2023 NBA Finals and the latest coaching updates around the NBA.2:00: How did Miami even the series?16:49: Game 3 preview33:35: Adrian Griffin to the Bucks38:42: Nick Nurse to the Sixers48:40: Frank Vogel to the Suns53:22: Monty Williams to the Pistons Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba Check out The D
What's next for the Lakers, Sixers and Knicks?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest offseason questions for the Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, and New York Knicks.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nbaCheck out The Duel: https://www.fanduel.com/theduel/sports-betting/nba
What's next for the Bulls, Raptors, Pelicans and Thunder?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest offseason questions for the Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder.1:15: Chicago Bulls25:32: Toronto Raptors39:24: New Orleans Pelicans1:00:22: Oklahoma City ThunderFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nbaCheck out The Duel: https://www.fanduel.com/theduel/sports-betting/nba
2023 NBA draft lottery reaction and Eastern Conference Finals preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the fallout from the 2023 NBA draft lottery, preview the Eastern Conference Finals and discuss the latest surrounding Doc Rivers, Monty Williams and Ja Morant.1:50: Victor Wembanyama's fit in San Antonio12:28: Options for Charlotte, Portland and Houston at Nos. 2, 3 and 436:14: Eastern Conference Finals preview49:39: Western Conference Finals Game 1 reaction1:02:45: Doc Rivers and Monty Williams fir
Western Conference Finals preview and what's next for the Warriors and Suns?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) preview the 2023 Western Conference Finals and discuss the biggest offseason questions for the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns.2:05: On the Los Angeles Lakers' midseason turnaround15:05: Who wins the Western Conference Finals?32:42: Biggest offseason questions for the Warriors56:40: Biggest offseason questions for the Suns Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbo
All-NBA reaction and which teams will advance to the conference finals?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss which teams they expect to make it to the conference finals and react to the All-NBA teams.1:35: Knicks-Heat16:30: Lakers-Warriors35:55: Celtics-Sixers50:31: Nuggets-Suns1:14:22: All-NBA teamsFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba Check out The Duel: https://www.fanduel.com/theduel/sports-betting/nba
What's next for the Grizzlies, Clippers, Timberwolves and Kings?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest offseason questions for the Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings.4:38: Memphis Grizzlies25:25: Los Angeles Clippers40:23: Minnesota Timberwolves55:34: Sacramento KingsFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nbaCheck out The Duel: https://www.fanduel.com/theduel/sports-betting/nb
Early takeaways from Round 2 of the 2023 NBA playoffs
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss their early takeaways from Round 2 of the 2023 NBA playoffs.2:00: Reaction to Joel Embiid winning MVP15:30: Celtics-Sixers35:49: Nuggets-Suns52:31: Knicks-Heat1:05:15: Warriors-Lakers1:19:41: Legacy talk for Steph and LeBron Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba Check out The Duel: https://www.fanduel.com/theduel/sports-betting/nb
What's next for the Bucks, Cavaliers, Hawks and Nets?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest offseason questions for the Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks and Brooklyn Nets.3:45: Mike Budenholzer's future with the Milwaukee Bucks10:45: How the new CBA complicates the Bucks' retool34:18: On Giannis and "failure"42:55: Cleveland Cavaliers59:45: Atlanta Hawks1:15:10: Brooklyn NetsFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fandu
Panic meter for each remaining first-round playoff series
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the five ongoing first-round series and whether any team can overcome a 3-1 deficit.0:50: Bucks-Heat14:30: Knicks-Cavaliers32:27: Lakers-Grizzlies48:45: Kings-Warriors1:01:20: Celtics-HawksFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba Check out The Duel: https://www.fanduel.com/theduel/sports-betting/nba
2022-23 NBA awards reaction and our remaining picks
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the awards that have been announced for the 2022-23 NBA season and make their picks for the remaining awards.5:30: Defensive Player of the Year17:25: Clutch Player of the Year21:10: Coach of the Year30:28: Sixth Man of the Year42:49: Rookie of the Year50:10: Most Valuable Player1:14:35: Executive of the YearFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/
Early takeaways from Round 1 of the 2023 NBA playoffs
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss their early takeaways from the opening round of the 2023 NBA playoffs.1:30: Kings-Warriors21:58: Suns-Clippers35:22: Grizzlies-Lakers46:21: Cavaliers-Knicks1:07:42: Bucks-HeatFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nbaCheck out The Duel: https://www.fanduel.com/theduel/sports-betting/nba
The futures of Rudy Gobert and Trae Young
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the long-term futures of Rudy Gobert and Trae Young.1:30: The Wolves' Rudy Gobert debacle13:15: What's the Timberwolves' next move?28:37: Hawks open to a Trae Young trade?Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba Check out The Duel: https://www.fanduel.com/theduel/sports-betting/nba
What we know (and don't know) about the NBA's new CBA
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss what's been reported so far about the NBA's new collective bargaining agreement.2:15: The second salary-cap apron20:45: How the new CBA could increase parity34:48: The new in-season touranment46:55: Where the new extension rules might fall short1:00:43: The cap-smoothing agreement1:10:52: Positionless All-NBA teams and the 65-game minimumFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: h
Bogdan Bogdanovic's extension and the state of NBA discourse
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Bogdan Bogdanovic's extension with the Atlanta Hawks and the current state of NBA discourse.1:30: Bogdan Bogdanovic's extension with the Hawks5:30: What is the Hawks' long-term plan? 35:43: Damian Lillard on NBA discourse59:15: The discourse around the MVP raceFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba Check out The Duel: https://www.f
Ranking the best young cores in the NBA
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss which teams have the best young cores in the NBA.1:00: Detroit Pistons and Houston Rockets18:08: Orlando Magic29:20: Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers50:58: Memphis GrizzliesFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nbaCheck out The Duel: https://www.fanduel.com/theduel/sports-betting/nba
How recent injuries are shaking up the Western Conference
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the recent injury news about Lonzo Ball, Steven Adams, Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Luka Doncic.1:00: Lonzo Ball and the Bulls24:50: Steven Adams and the Grizzlies37:31: Kevin Durant and the Suns53:12: LeBron James and the Lakers1:03:37: Luka Doncic and the Mavericks1:13:40: A market inefficiency in the draft?Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.c
Updated 2022-23 NBA awards picks with one month left
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) make their picks for every major award with one month left in the 2022-23 NBA season.1:00: MVP33:54: Rookie of the Year + All-Rookie First Team49:40: Defensive Player of the Year1:03:25: Most Improved Player1:16:00: Sixth Man of the Year1:23:11: Coach of the YearFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nbaCheck out The Duel: https://www.fanduel.c
Western Conference title contenders and pretenders
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss which Western Conference teams are legitimate title contenders and which are pretenders.0:50: Denver Nuggets15:30: Memphis Grizzlies33:15: Sacramento Kings42:36: Phoenix Suns59:24: Golden State Warriors1:15:24: Dallas Mavericks1:24:43: Which play-in teams could pull off an upset?Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nbaCheck out The D
Eastern Conference title contenders and pretenders
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) separate the Eastern Conference title contenders from the pretenders.13:50: Boston Celtics23:11: Philadelphia 76ers37:35: James Harden/Rockets rumors56:30: Cleveland Cavaliers1:02:30: Brooklyn Nets1:05:12 : New York Knicks1:15:15: Play-in teamsFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nbaCheck out The Duel: https://www.fanduel.com/theduel/sports-b
Hawks fire Nate McMillan, Russ' fit on the Clippers and Kevin Love to the Heat
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Atlanta Hawks' decision to fire head coach Nate McMillan, Russell Westbrook's fit on the Los Angeles Clippers, Kevin Love signing with the Miami Heat and Patrick Beverley joining the Chicago Bulls.1:40: How much blame did McMillan deserve for the Hawks' mediocrity?11:34: Should the Hawks be open to moving Trae Young?30:40: Russ to the Clippers43:23: Love to the Heat50:22: PatBev to the Bulls Fol
The top buyout signings and best remaining buyout options
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the top buyout signings so far and the best remaining options on the buyout market.00:55: Dewayne Dedmon to the Sixers6:05: Reggie Jackson to the Nuggets9:00: Danny Green to the Cavaliers16:27: Terrence Ross to the Suns31:18: Justin Holiday to the Mavericks35:53: Best Russell Westbrook landing spots51:45: Best Kevin Love landing spots1:02:46: Best remaining buyout optionsFollow us on Twitter: @TheNB
Winners and losers of the 2023 NBA trade deadline
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the winners and losers from the 2023 NBA trade deadline.18:10: Brooklyn Nets29:45: Denver Nuggets34:00: Los Angeles Lakers39:50: Los Angeles Clippers44:53: Rapid-fire winners58:47: Chicago Bulls1:14:22: Toronto Raptors1:20:35: Portland Trail Blazers1:26:44: Rapid-fire losersFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/teams/nba/teamsCheck out The Duel:
The fallout from the Dallas Mavericks trading for Kyrie Irving
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the fallout from the Dallas Mavericks' decision to trade for Kyrie Irving. 2:30: Does the reward outweigh the risk for the Mavericks?12:40: What happens if this trade backfires on Dallas?28:15 : Where does Brooklyn go from here?44:50: Realistic expectations for the new-look Mavericks1:00:51: What are the Lakers' options now?Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sports
Kyrie Irving's trade request and possible landing spots
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Kyrie Irving's trade request from the Brooklyn Nets and possible landing spots for him.15:12: Should the Nets move Kyrie by the trade deadline?26:19: How could Kyrie's trade request impact Kevin Durant's future?39:21: Are the Lakers his most likely destination?55:57: Should the Mavericks be interested?1:04:50: What would a Suns trade look like?1:17:30: Which other teams should inquire?Follow us on T
All-Star surprises and snubs and talking O.G. Anunoby, Bulls and Christian Wood trades
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss surprises and snubs from the All-Star reserves and then discuss O.G. Anunoby, Chicago Bulls and Christian Wood trade rumors.2:00: All-Star surprises and snubs14:26: The quiet trade market25:56: Should the Raptors trade O.G. Anunoby?41:55: Which teams should pursue Anunoby?1:01:50: Should the Bulls be shopping Alex Caruso or anyone else?1:16:14: Could Christian Wood be on the move from Dallas?Follow
All-Star starter snubs and our All-Star reserve picks
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the All-Star starter selections and make their picks for the All-Star reserves.5:00: All-Star starter snubs18:15: Eastern Conference reserve locks28:49: The Easten Conference wild cards48:25: Western Conference reserve picks1:04:05: The Jaren Jackson Jr. Reddit conspiracyFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba
The Rui Hachimura trade and which West teams need to make a move ahead of the trade deadline?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Rui Hachimura trade and which Western Conference teams need to make a move ahead of the 2023 NBA trade deadline.2:15: What is the Wizards' long-term plan?15:57: Should the Lakers make another move beyond Rui?26:49: Denver Nuggets30:55: Memphis Grizzlies39:31: Sacramento Kings51:19: New Orleans Pelicans59:02: Los Angeles Clippers1:09:47: Dallas Mavericks1:14:55: Phoenix Suns1:18:09: Golden State
Which Eastern Conference title hopefuls need an upgrade at the trade deadline?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss which Eastern Conference title hopefuls need to make an upgrade ahead of the NBA's Feb. 9 trade deadline.2:30: Boston Celtics13:08: Philadelphia 76ers28:34: Milwaukee Bucks40:13: Brooklyn Nets50:35: Cleveland Cavaliers1:01:52: Other title hopefuls?Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com
Our 2022-23 NBA midseason awards picks
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) make their midseason awards picks for the 2022-23 NBA season.1:00: MVP25:03: Rookie of the Year35:43: Defensive Player of the Year45:07: Most Improved Player59:15: Sixth Man of the Year1:16:21: Most Clutch Player 1:26:26: Coach of the YearFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba
Which NBA teams are facing a make-or-break January?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss which NBA teams are facing a make-or-break January.1:40: Toronto Raptors22:00: Chicago Bulls37:32: Washington Wizards55:47: Miami Heat1:05:42: Indiana Pacers and Utah Jazz1:23:55: Other teams in this mix?Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba
Who should be named an All-Star starter?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss which players should be named starters in the 2023 NBA All-Star Game.3:00: Should the NBA remove positions from the All-Star ballot?15:36: Eastern Conference frontcourt starters28:48: Eastern Conference backcourt starters45:01: Western Conference backcourt starters55:27: Western Conference frontcourt startersFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com
James Harden's future in Philadelphia, Luka Magic and the streaking Brooklyn Nets
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss James Harden's future in Philadelphia, Luka Doncic's historic night against the New York Knicks and whether it's time to buy the Brooklyn Nets as real title contenders.2:00: Is James Harden a real threat to sign with Houston this summer? 13:45: Luka Doncic's historic night against the Knicks31:09: Is it time to take the Brooklyn Nets seriously?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss a
Which teams make sense as Trae Young trade partners?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss which teams might make sense as a trade partner for Trae Young.2:10: The latest on Trae Young's future in Atlanta17:33: Would some teams balk at the price for Trae?30:11: Which teams would make sense for Trae?46:23: What makes a Trae trade difficultCheck out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbo
How Anthony Davis' injury impacts the Lakers' trade deadline outlook
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and SB Nation NBA Editorial Manager Harrison Faigen (@hmfaigen) discuss how Anthony Davis' foot injury impacts the Los Angeles Lakers' trajectory leading into the trade deadline.4:20: How had AD helped the Lakers turn their season around?17:29: Does this injury justify the Lakers slow-playing a Russ trade?31:36: Was there a Russ + picks trade that made sense, pre-AD injury?45:23: Should the Lakers stand pat because of AD's injury and
Interview with former NBA All-Star Deron Williams
Former NBA All-Star, and two-time All-NBA point guard, Deron Williams joins Mort on the pod to talk about his career, what he's been up to since retiring, which current player he'd love to play with, and what he thinks about the league today.Check out the episode to hear Morten and Deron discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
The start of NBA trade season and the latest on CBA negotiations
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the NBA's new awards trophies, the start of NBA trade season and the latest on the CBA negotiations.2:00: The NBA's new awards trophies12:04: The start of NBA trade season! ... or is it?29:51: Which teams might pivot into being sellers?47:19: The latest on CBA negotiations and how it could impact the trade deadlineCheck out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us
Anthony Davis' resurgence, Killian Hayes' emergence and Cam Reddish trade rumors
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) 2:30: How Anthony Davis' resurgence affects the Lakers' outlook20:32: What does Killian Hayes' emergence mean for the Pistons long term?35:29: Cam Reddish trade rumors48:57: A James Harden teaser!Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba
Revisiting the best and worst moves of the 2022 NBA offseason
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) revisit the best and worst moves of the 2022 NBA offseason now that we're one-quarter of the way through the 2022-23 NBA season.3:30: Dejounte Murray to the Hawks15:55: Rudy Gobert to the Timberwolves34:45: Bol Bol back to the Magic35:35: Kevin Hurter and Malik Monk to the Kings52:55: De'Anthony Melton to the Sixers54:25: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Bruce Brown Jr. to the Nuggets1:02:04: Jerami Grant to th
2022-23 NBA quarter-season awards picks
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) make their awards picks for the first quarter of the 2022-23 NBA season.1:30: MVP12:25: Defensive Player of the Year23:24: Sixth Man of the Year32:05: Rookie of the Year43:38: Most Improved Player53:39: Coach of the YearFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com
Should the Bulls blow it up? Plus John Collins and Jae Crowder trade rumors
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss whether the Chicago Bulls can turn their disappointing season around and try to find landing spots for Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins and Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder.1:10: What has gone wrong for the Bulls lately? 17:22: Can the Bulls afford to be patient?29:07: What would blowing it up look like for the Bulls? 52:08: John Collins trade buzz1:10:38: Where would Jae Crowder make the most sen
The most surprising players one month into the 2022-23 NBA season
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the most surprising players one month into the 2022-23 NBA season.1:30: Lauri Markkanen16:05: Trey Murphy III26:05: Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson36:52: Bol Bol48:30: Michael Porter Jr.56:05: Desmond Bane1:03:13: Ayo Dosunmu1:04:53: De'Aaron Fox Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba
Anthony Davis landing spots and trade packages
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss potential landing spots and trade packages for Anthony Davis.3:00: Why the Lakers should be open to Anthony Davis trades20:13: Chicago Bulls35:34: New York Knicks50:37: Golden State Warriors54:26: Minnesota Timberwolves1:03:38: Denver Nuggets1:15:56: Brooklyn Nets Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook:
Early impressions of the biggest offseason acquisitions
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the early returns from the biggest acquisitions of this past offseason.1:30: Donovan Mitchell10:55: Rudy Gobert32:40: Dejounte Murray45:45: Jalen Brunson57:06: Malcolm Brogdon1:04:36: Bojan BogdanovicFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com
What's next for the Brooklyn Nets after parting ways with Steve Nash?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss what's next for the Brooklyn Nets after they parted ways with head coach Steve Nash on Tuesday.1:25: The Nets part ways with Steve Nash16:01: The Nets' interest in Ime Udoka35:46: The Sixers' tampering penalty52:15: The NBA isn't all bad, we swear! Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba
Early-season panic meter: Which teams should be the most concerned?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss which teams should be the most concerned about their slow start to the 2022-23 NBA season.1:38: Brooklyn Nets21:19: Los Angeles Lakers46:19: Los Angeles Clippers55:47: Miami Heat1:08:39: Philadelphia 76ers1:18:45: Dallas Mavericks1:25:32: Golden State WarriorsFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba
Which hot starts to the 2022-23 NBA season are sustainable?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss which hot starts to the 2022-23 NBA season are sustainable.1:35: New York Knicks9:30: Washington Wizards25:29: Phoenix Suns38:48: Portland Trail Blazers51:10: New Orleans Pelicans Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba
The best surprises from the first week of the 2022-23 NBA season
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) make their picks for every Eastern Conference team's over/under. 1:15: The tankers aren't tanking... yet12:20: Rookie class living up to the hype23:31: The Hornets and Wizards are surprisingly frisky38:10: Christian Wood hits the ground running in Dallas46:44: John Collins and De'Aaron Fox's hot starts1:08:55: The MVP race looks loadedFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://spor
Buying/selling hot takes from 2022-23 NBA opening week
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss whether to buy or sell some of the hot takes from the first few days of the 2022-23 NBA season.1:30: Already time to panic for the Sixers?18:41: Already time to panic for the Lakers?31:22: Are the Pelicans legitimate title contenders? Are the Nets frauds?47:06: Are the Heat headed for the play-in tournament?59:05: Are the Jazz #TooGood for Wemby? Time to worry about the Nuggets' D?1:11:53: Did the S
2022-23 NBA playoff predictions and Finals picks
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) make their playoff picks for both conferences and their Finals picks ahead of the 2022-23 NBA season.1:30: Top six seeds in the East16:48: East play-in tournament teams27:02: Top six seeds in the West41:20: West play-in tournament teams52:14: Our Finals picks Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba
Our 2022-23 NBA awards picks
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) make their picks for every major award ahead of the 2022-23 NBA season.2:00: Most Valuable Player16:19: Defensive Player of the Year26:54: Most Improved Player42:27: Rookie of the Year51:55: Sixth Man of the Year1:04:37: Coach of the Year1:13:41: Executive of the YearFollow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com
Draymond Green's punch, the Victor Wembanyama tank race and Rob Pelinka's extension
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Draymond Green's punch, Victor Wembanyama's stateside debut and Rob Pelinka's extension with the Los Angeles Lakers.1:25: The short-term implications of Draymond's punch12:03: Is this a fork-in-the-road moment for the Warriors?25:12: Is Victor Wembanyama the best prospect since LeBron?30:22: How will Wembanyama affect the tank race?44:16: What Rob Pelinka's extension means for the LakersCheck out th
Picking over/unders for every 2022-23 NBA win total
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) make their picks for every NBA team's over/under ahead of the 2022-23 season.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nbaUse our special link zen.ai/thenbapod and use promo code thenbapod to save 30% off your first three months of Zencastr professional. #madeonzencastr
Our 2022-23 League Pass rankings
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Dan Favale (@danfavale) go through their League Pass rankings for the 2022-23 NBA season.6:00: Nos. 30-2522:12: Nos. 24-20 35:58: Nos. 19-1559:01: Nos. 14-101:15:12: Nos. 9-51:30:48: Nos. 4-1Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nbaUse our special link zen.ai/thenbapod and use promo code thenbapod to save 30% off your first thre
The latest on Deandre Ayton, Jae Crowder, Ime Udoka and Lonzo Ball
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) speaks with Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) of PHNX Sports about Deandre Ayton's apparent dissatisfaction in Phoenix and Jae Crowder's trade request. Then, Bryan and Morten Jensen (@msjnba) discuss the Ime Udoka situation in Boston and the latest on Lonzo Ball's knee.2:50: Does Deandre Ayton already want out of Phoenix?15:04: Jae Crowder's trade request and potential landing spots32:40: How the Ime Udoka situation could impact the C
2022-23 Southwest Division preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Mason Ginsberg (@MasonGinsberg) preview the Southwest Division ahead of the 2022-23 NBA season.3:55: How do the Mavericks replace Jalen Brunson?17:43: What are realistic expectations for Houston's young core?30:05: How will the Jaren Jackson Jr. injury impact the Grizzlies?42:35: Will Zion Williamson be full go this year?59:45: Are the Spurs the worst team in the NBA?Check out the episode to
2022-23 Pacific Division preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Mike Vigil (@protectedpick) preview the Pacific Division ahead of the 2022-23 NBA season.2:50: How do the Warriors replace Otto Porter Jr. and Gary Payton II?22:08: Who should be in the Clippers' starting lineup?37:11: The Lakers aren't going to start the season with Russell Westbrook... right?53:32: How do the Suns rebound from their collapse against the Mavericks?1:14:09: Could the Kings snap their playoff drought
2022-23 Northwest Division preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Ryan Blackburn (@NBABlackburn) preview the Northwest Division ahead of the 2022-23 NBA season.3:10: Will Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. hit the ground running for Denver? 25:50: How will Rudy Gobert fit next to Karl-Anthony Towns?40:50: How does Chet Holmgren's injury affect the OKC Thunder's trajectory?57:30: Can the Portland Trail Blazers force their way back into the playoff mix?1:10:
2022-23 Southeast Division preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Giancarlo Navas (@gnavas103) preview the Southeast Division ahead of the 2022-23 NBA season.3:40: How will Dejounte Murray fit with Trae Young?18:55: How do the Hornets replace Miles Bridges?37:13: Who starts at the 4 for the Miami Heat? 59:36: Could the Orlando Magic be sneaky good this year?1:12:31: Who should start at point guard for the Washington Wizards?Check out the episode to hear Bryan and Giancarlo discuss
2022-23 Atlantic Division preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) preview the Atlantic Division ahead of the 2022-23 NBA season.3:45: Will the Celtics' offseason upgrades push them over the top in the East?22:50: What to make of the Nets after *that offseason39:25: Where do the Knicks turn after missing out on Donovan Mitchell?56:47: Can James Harden help lead the Sixers to the Finals?1:12:17: Are the Raptors a sleeping giant in the East?Check out the e
The Donovan Mitchell trade and 2022-23 Central Division preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Ti Windisch (@TiWindisch) of the Gyro Step Podcast Network discuss the Cleveland Cavaliers' trade for Donovan Mitchell and preview the rest of the Central Division ahead of the 2022-23 season.3:10: The Donovan Mitchell trade and the Cavs' outlook21:19: Chicago Bulls preview36:45: Detroit Pistons preview51:04: Indiana Pacers preview1:07:40: Milwaukee Bucks previewCheck out the episode to hear Bryan and Ti discuss all
Debating the top players in the 2022-23 NBA season
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek and special guest Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) discuss the top players for the 2022-23 NBA season.1:30: The superstar tier9:01: The top All-Star candidates21:35: James Harden vs. Damian Lillard30:09: The fringe All-Stars41:39: Young up-and-comers57:13: The rest of the top 501:03:37: Toughest omissions from the top 50 Check out the episode to hear Bryan and Es discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sp
The fallout from Kevin Durant rescinding his trade request
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Josh Eberley (@JoshEberley) discuss the fallout from Kevin Durant's decision to rescind his trade request.2:00: Do the Nets deserve credit for not caving to KD?13:00: The Nets' outlook this year19:49: The impacts on player agency and the next CBA34:22: Should any team hvae been willing to meet the Nets' asking price?44:40: What's the Lakers' Plan B now that Kyrie is off the table?58:48: Which free agents might now fi
LeBron's extension with the Lakers and Ben Simmons' grievance settlement
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss what LeBron James' extension means for the Los Angeles Lakers and the bigger-picture implications of Ben Simmons' grievance settlement.2:05: What LeBron's extension means for the Lakers12:48: Could LeBron's extension accelerate a Russell Westbrook trade?33:00: Ben Simmons settles his grievance with the Sixers49:20: How the next CBA should address players' mental health58:50: How owners might seek to
Highlights of the 2022-23 NBA schedule
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the highlights from the newly released 2022-23 NBA schedule.1:40: Opening-week matchups32:47: The Christmas Day slate47:27: Rivalry week!1:00:07: Other must-watch gamesCheck out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/
Where do Kevin Durant and the Nets go from here?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss where Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets go from here after he reiterated his trade request over the weekend.2:00: Should the Nets give in to KD's ultimatum?15:05: Would KD hold out?28:20: Do the Sixers have enough to get Durant?46:35: Should the Heat be willing to offer Jimmy Butler for KD?1:01:47: A three-team Nets-Heat-Bulls trade ideaCheck out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of
The best players left on the 2022 free-agent market
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the best players left on the 2022 free-agent market.7:00: Collin Sexton20:00: Montrezl Harrell's future32:22: Best veteran bigs available48:49: Dennis Schroder and Eric Bledsoe1:07:35: Remembering Bill RussellCheck out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba
The Sixers get investigated for tampering and the Warriors' extension quandary
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the NBA's tampering investigation of the Philadelphia 76ers and the Golden State Warriors' upcoming issues with extensions and the luxury tax.5:30: The NBA's tampering investigation into the Sixers12:37: How should the NBA enforce tampering rules?23:10: Should the Warriors be willing to give Draymond Green a max extension?43:30: Are the Warriors' luxury-tax gripes justified?1:03:55: Where should Bos
How should the Lakers solve their Russell Westbrook dilemma?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Anthony Irwin (@AnthonyIrwinLA) of Silver, Screen & Roll discuss the latest updates the Los Angeles Lakers' attempts to trade Russell Westbrook.3:00: Should the Lakers be willing to include both first-round picks to dump Russ?13:30: Are the Lakers holding out for Kyrie Irving?26:08: Other potential Russ landing spots40:47: Is there any chance the Lakers don't trade Russ before training camp?58:30: Where should the Ce
What's next for the Pacers after missing out on Deandre Ayton?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Caitlin Cooper (@C2_Cooper) of Indy Cornrows discuss what's next for the Indiana Pacers after they missed out on Deandre Ayton.1:40: How would Ayton have fit with the Pacers?13:35: Myles Turner's future in Indiana31:49: Could the Pacers be the key to a Russell Westbrook trade?44:26: Did the Pacers get enough for Malcolm Brogdon?59:05: Takeaways from summer leagueCheck out the episode to hear Bryan and Caitlin discuss
Deandre Ayton returns to Phoenix, but where is Donovan Mitchell headed?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Deandre Ayton's return to the Phoenix Suns, where Donovan Mitchell might be headed next, Russell Westbrook's future and Keldon Johnson's extension.2:15: The Deandre Ayton offer sheet saga16:22: What should the Knicks be willing to give up for Donovan Mitchell?33:00: Should the Knicks go all-in on Mitchell?45:16: Which other teams should go after Mitchell?1:01:16: What's next for Russell Westbrook?1:
Winners and losers of 2022 NBA free agency
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest winners and losers from the first week-and-a-half of 2022 NBA free agency.5:30: The Chicago Bulls (?)8:10: The Boston Celtics (sigh)14:53: The Los Angeles Clippers 21:00: The Sacramento Kings22:00: The Dallas Mavericks31:45: Other clear free-agency winners40:50: The Philadelphia 76ers (?)51:59: The Portland Trail Blazers (?)57:50: Which teams were the big losers?Check out the episode to
The best and worst signings of 2022 NBA free agency
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the best and worst signings from the first week of 2022 NBA free agency.1:20: Caleb Martin back with the Heat3:30: T.J. Warren to the Nets10:17: Kevin Knox to the Pistons16:34: Donte DiVincenzo to the Warriors vs. Malik Monk to the Kings23:45: Marvin Bagley III back to the Pistons vs. Jalen Smith back to the Pacers43:02: The Clippers' and Lakers' moves53:15: How Kevin Durant is impacting the free-ag
The biggest deals from Days 1 and 2 of 2022 NBA free agency
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest deals from the first two days of 2022 NBA free agency.3:40: The Rudy Gobert trade19:51: The Malcolm Brogdon trade27:10: The Kevin Huerter trade32:13: Kevin Durant's trade request52:13: The max extensions (Beal, LaVine, Zion, etc.)1:01:37: The Knicks' offseason moves1:17:51: Favorite value signings Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on
Our 2022 NBA free agency preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) preview the 2022 NBA free-agent class.1:15: How James Harden's opt-out impacts the Sixers7:10: Kyrie Irving's return to the Nets11:33: The Knicks' pursuit of Jalen Brunson24:11: The Clippers' addition of John Wall29:05: Taurean Prince's extension with Minnesota 45:02: The Dejounte Murray trade57:31: The market for Deandre Ayton and Miles Bridges1:11:25: Which free agents should be getting more attention?Che
Winners and losers of the 2022 NBA draft
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) go over the biggest winners and losers from the 2022 NBA draft.2:30: Which team was the biggest winner of the draft?14:33: Other winners from draft night28:58: Value picks outside of the lottery47:04: Did the Kings screw up?1:02:08: The Knicks-Hornets-Pistons trade1:18:51: Did the Hornets just screw themselves with Miles Bridges?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Fol
The Jerami Grant trade and pre-2022 NBA draft buzz
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Jerami Grant trade and the latest news and rumors leading up to the 2022 NBA draft.1:30: Top three of the 2022 NBA draft set?10:22: Who won the Jerami Grant trade?15:45: Can the Blazers get OG Anunoby as well?27:16: Where is John Collins going?45:22: Is Kyrie Irving a real flight risk for the Nets?57:03: P.J. Tucker to the Sixers?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that
2022 NBA draft preview with Ricky O'Donnell of SB Nation
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by Ricky O'Donnell (@SBN_Ricky) to preview the 2022 NBA draft.5:45: Who's the No. 1 prospect in this year's draft class? 18:49: Who will the Magic take at No. 1?30:11: Ricky's favorite mid- and late-lottery picks39:35: Top mid- and late-first-round targets58:15: Will wing-heavy teams impact team-building strategy in the draft?1:10:50: Later picks worth consideringCheck out the episode to hear Mor
The Christian Wood trade and what's next for the Celtics and Warriors
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Christian Wood trade, Kenny Atkinson's about-face on the Charlotte Hornets and the biggest offseason questions for the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors.3:00: The Christian Wood trade23:19: Atkinson bails on the Hornets37:15: Biggest offseason questions for the Celtics53:14: What's a fair extension for Grant Williams? 1:02:26: Biggest offseason questions for the Warriors1:12:22: Should th
2022 NBA draft preview with Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by Bleacher Report draft expert Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) to preview the 2022 NBA draft class.2:00: Who's the top prospect in this class? Is that who Orlando is likely to take at No. 1?12:18: What should the Kings do at No. 4?21:57: Favorite mid- and late-lottery picks31:16: Who could be a steal later in the first round?42:56: Which second-round picks could pop?Follow us on Twitter: @The
How the Celtics can force Game 7, the Thunder-Nuggets trade and Kenny Atkinson's fit in Charlotte
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Games 4 and 5 of the NBA Finals, preview Game 6, then touch on the JaMychal Green trade and the Charlotte Hornets hiring Kenny Atkinson as their new head coach.2:20: Andrew Wiggins' impact on the Finals17:12: How the Celtics can force Game 733:30: The JaMychal Green trade51:03: Kenny Atkinson's fit in Charlotte1:01:45: Latest rumors roundupCheck out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all o
The Celtics take control of the Finals, and are the Jazz set to blow themselves up?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Games 2 and 3 of the 2022 NBA Finals and whether the Utah Jazz are poised to blow their roster apart this summer.2:00: Should Draymond have been tossed from Game 2? 13:55: What went wrong for the Warriors in Game 3?31:45: Are the Celtics now the favorites to win the Finals?40:15: Should Steph be Finals MVP even if the Warriors lose?44:17: What does Quin Snyder's departure mean for the Jazz and Donov
Finals Game 1 reaction and big-picture takeaways from the 2022 NBA playoffs
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Game 1 of the 2022 NBA finals and the big-picture takeaways from the playoffs.1:45: Game 1 takeaways12:01: Game 2 adjustments30:37: Will these playoffs cause teams to shy away from one-way players?43:36: The value of continuity58:59: Will teams move toward starting even *more* wings now?1:05:47: Do teams need the ability to switch everything on defense to go deep in the playoffs?Check out the episod
Our 2022 NBA Finals preview and what's next for the Heat?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) preview the 2022 NBA Finals and discuss the biggest offseason questions for the Miami Heat.3:45: How do the Celtics defend Steph Curry? 11:35: How do the Warriors defend the Celtics' starting five?20:57: Which team will have the bigger issue with turnovers?33:06: Our Finals picks41:03: Biggest offseason questions for the Heat1:04:04: Which free agents will the Heat be able to retain?Check out the episode to
Heat-Celtics Game 7 preview and what's next for the Mavericks?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) preview Game 7 of Heat-Celtics, discuss the Mavericks' biggest offseason questions and round up the latest NBA news and rumors. 3:00: Heat-Celtics Game 7 preview21:38: Will the Mavericks keep Jalen Brunson this summer?30:40: Do the Mavericks need to add a second star next to Luka Doncic?44:57: How will Darvin Ham fare with the Lakers?57:34: Will the Nets really refuse to re-sign Kyrie?1:08:44: Is Deandre Ay
Are we headed for a Warriors-Heat NBA Finals?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) give their updated conference finals predictions after the first few games of Celtics-Heat and Warriors-Mavericks.1:30: What went wrong for the Celtics in Game 3?14:34: Keys to Celtics-Heat Game 433:27: What went wrong for the Mavericks in Game 2?46:28: How can the Mavericks get back into this series?1:04:21: Reaction to the Kings hiring Mike Brown1:20:58: Will the Nuggets pony up to keep Tim Connelly?Follo
The biggest questions after the 2022 NBA draft lottery
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest questions after the 2022 NBA draft lottery.1:40: Orlando Magic's options at No. 117:50: OKC Thunder's options at No. 230:07: Houston Rockets' options at No. 339:35: What should the Sacramento Kings do at No. 4?47:26: How the lottery affects Jalen Brunson's free-agency outlook55:27: What do the Blazers do with the No. 7 pick?1:02:23: Are the Wizards now more likely to trade Bradley Beal?C
Conference Finals preview and what's next for the Suns, Bucks?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) preview the Eastern and Western Conference Finals and discuss the biggest offseason questions for the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks.1:30: Eastern Conference Finals preview17:43: Western Conference Finals preview39:45: What do the Suns do with Deandre Ayton this offseason?54:11: Other Suns offseason decisions68:22: Bucks' biggest offseason questionsCheck out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss al
Previewing Game 7 of Celtics-Bucks and Suns-Mavericks and what's next for Sixers, Grizzlies?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) preview Game 7 of the Celtics-Bucks and Suns-Mavericks series and discuss the biggest offseason questions for the Philadelphia 76ers and Memphis Grizzlies.2:05: Celtics-Bucks Game 7 preview20:54: Suns-Warriors Game 7 preview36:26: Sixers’ biggest offseason questions48:06: Harden contract options59:49: Can the Sixers win a title with Harden?1:15:39: Grizzlies’ biggest offseason questionsFollow us on Twitter:
Updated conference semifinals predictions and what's next for the Hawks, Bulls and Raptors?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) give their updated predictions for the conference semifinals and discuss the biggest offseason questions for the Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls and Toronto Raptors?How has Joel Embiid's return swung the Heat-Sixers series? Can Phoenix get its offense back on track? Do the Bucks have enough shot creation without Khris Middleton? Which teams should feel the most confident heading into Game 5? Should the Hawks t
What's next for the Jazz, Pelicans, Timberwolves and Nuggets?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest offseason questions for the Utah Jazz, New Orleans Pelicans, Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets.Should the Jazz trade Rudy Gobert and/or Donovan Mitchell this offseason? What happens if the Pelicans aren't willing to give Zion Williamson a fully guaranteed five-year max extension? Should the Timberwolves explore D'Angelo Russell trades? If the Nuggets run their same core back, cou
Our 2022 NBA Conference Semifinals preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) preview the 2022 NBA conference semifinals and make their predictions for each series. Do the Philadelphia 76ers stand a chance against the Miami Heat if Joel Embiid can't return at some point during the series? Will the Milwaukee Bucks miss Khris Middleton more on offense or defense? What are the keys to a potential Dallas Mavericks upset of the Phoenix Suns? Will the Memphis Grizzlies' size and rebounding
What's next for the Nets, Cavaliers, Hornets, Clippers and Spurs?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest offseason questions for the Brooklyn Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio Spurs.Should the Nets be willing to offer Kyrie Irving a five-year max extension? Will the Cleveland Cavaliers bring back Collin Sexton? Should the Hornets be willing to match a max offer sheet for Miles Bridges? Do the Clippers have too many wings? What's the right pri
How the Booker and Middleton injuries shake up the playoffs
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss how Devin Booker and Khris Middleton's recent injuries could impact the 2022 NBA playoffs.Could the Chicago Bulls now knock off the Milwaukee Bucks without Middleton? Are the Phoenix Suns now in danger of a first-round upset? Are the Utah Jazz headed for an offseason roster shakeup? How can the Minnesota Timberwolves shake off their Game 3 meltdown? Can the Brooklyn Nets get back into their series a
Top takeaways from Game 1 of every first-round playoff series
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss their top takeaways from Game 1 of every first-round playoff series.Are the Dallas Mavericks cooked without Luka Doncic? Should the Memphis Grizzlies pivot away from Steven Adams? Will Scottie Barnes' injury finish the Toronto Raptors? Does Nikola Jokic have enough help against the Golden State Warriors? How should the Brooklyn Nets be feeling after their last-second loss? Check out the episode to h
Previewing Round 1 of the 2022 NBA playoffs
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Dan Favale (@danfavale) of the Hardwood Knocks podcast make their picks for every first-round series in the 2022 NBA playoffs.Do the Chicago Bulls stand any chance of knocking off the Milwaukee Bucks? Are the Minnesota Timberwolves a bad matchup for the Memphis Grizzlies? Can the Dallas Mavericks beat the Utah Jazz without a fully healthy Luka Doncic? How much will the Boston Celtics miss Robert Williams against the
Our final 2021-22 NBA awards picks
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) make their final awards picks for the 2021-22 NBA season.Who should win MVP between Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo? Who will emerge from the wide-open Defensive Player of the Year race? Should Scottie Barnes win Rookie of the Year over Evan Mobley? Does Ja Morant even belong in the Most Improved Player discussion? Who's the Coach of the Year?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Brya
What's next for the Lakers, Blazers, Kings, Rockets and Thunder?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Anthony Irwin (@AnthonyIrwinLA) of Silver, Screen & Roll discuss the biggest offseason questions for the Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder.How will the Lakers look to get out of Russell Westbrook's contract this summer? Can the Blazers build a contender around Damian Lillard after blowing up their roster at the trade deadline? What is the Kings' lo
What's next for the Pacers, Wizards, Knicks, Magic and Pistons?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Mark Schindler (@MSchindlerNBA) discuss the biggest offseason questions for the Indiana Pacers, Washington Wizards, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons.Should the Pacers look to trade some of their veterans this season, or will they aim to retool rather than rebuild? Will Bradley Beal sign his five-year max to stay with the Wizards? Should the Knicks already be looking to get out of Julius Randle? Will
A deep dive into this year's MVP race
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) is joined by special guest Ryan Blackburn (@NBABlackburn) of Denver Stiffs and the Pickaxe & Roll podcast to discuss the MVP race and the Denver Nuggets' playoff outlook.What has caused the MVP race to swing in Nikola Jokic's favor as of late? What are the biggest arguments in favor of Jokic, Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo? Is there a "right" answer to this year's MVP race? Are Jamal Murray and/or Michael Porter Jr. coming back
How Robert Williams' injury and PG13 and Anthony Davis' returns could shake up the playoffs
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) is joined by special guest Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) of Spotrac and Celtics Blog to discuss how Robert Williams' injury and the returns of Paul George and Anthony Davis could shake up the playoffs. How did the Celtics turn their season around after such a mediocre start? How much will Williams' injury impact their title chances? Could Anthony Davis' return help the Los Angeles Lakers go on a deep playoff run? Are the Los Angeles Cl
Which playoff teams should be most concerned heading into April?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss which playoff teams have the biggest concerns heading into April.How much should we read into the Miami Heat's recent struggles? Are the Utah Jazz too predictable offensively? Which injuries could have the biggest impact on the playoffs? Could DeAndre Jordan sink the Philadelphia 76ers?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds vi
Our 2021-22 NBA All-Rookie teams
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) make their picks for their All-Rookie teams for the 2021-22 NBA season.Who should join Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley and Scottie Barnes on the All-Rookie first team? Is Franz Wagner a first-team lock? Could Ayo Dosunmu or Herb Jones make it onto the All-Rookie first team? Do Alperen Sengun and Jonathan Kuminga deserve All-Rookie nods despite their limited minutes? Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bry
Steph's injury, Pat Williams' return and LeBron's GOAT case
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Stephen Curry's latest injury, Patrick Williams' imminent return and LeBron James' GOAT case.What should Chicago Bulls fans expect out of Williams? How will Steph's injury impact the Western Conference playoff race? What does James Wiseman's latest setback mean for the Golden State Warriors? Is it realistic to expect Ben Simmons to return this season? Does being the statistical GOAT give LeBron Jame
Which play-in teams could upend the 2022 NBA playoffs?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss which teams in the play-in tournament could go on a deep playoff run.Are the Brooklyn Nets still a legitimate threat to make it to the NBA Finals? How would they match up with the Cleveland Cavaliers or Toronto Raptors in the play-in game? Will the Atlanta Hawks even make the playoffs? Could the Minnesota Timberwolves upset the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round? Are the Los Angeles Lakers drawing
Injury returns that could swing the 2022 NBA playoffs and an Iffe Lundberg scouting report
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest names who could return from injuries and swing the 2022 NBA playoffs.How much will Brook Lopez's return help the Milwaukee Bucks? Are we sleeping on a fully healthy Chicago Bulls team? Will Draymond Green's return push the Golden State Warriors over the Phoenix Suns? What happens if Kawhi Leonard and/or Paul George return to the Los Angeles Clippers? Is Ben Simmons the biggest wild card
Updated awards picks at the three-quarters mark of the 2021-22 NBA season
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) make their updated picks for every major award with one month left in the 2021-22 NBA season.Who should be the MVP, Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid or Giannis Antetokounmpo? Who's the favorite in a wide-open Defensive Player of the Year race? Can anyone stop Evan Mobley or Tyler Herro from winning Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year, respectively? Should Ja Morant even be eligible for Most Improved Playe
Which teams are legitimate dark-horse NBA title contenders?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss which teams should be considered legitimate dark-horse title contenders.Are the Utah Jazz destined to fall apart in the playoffs again? How seriously should we take the Boston Celtics? Can the Denver Nuggets and Chicago Bulls overcome their injury issues? Why aren't the Memphis Grizzlies getting more respect? Can Luka Doncic carry the Dallas Mavericks to the title this year?Check out the episode to
Early impressions of James Harden and the new-look Sixers
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) is joined by special guest TrillBroDude (@TrillBroDude) of the You Know Ball podcast to discuss their early impressions of James Harden and the new-look Philadelphia 76ers.Were the fit concerns about Harden and Joel Embiid overblown? Why has Tyrese Maxey been so effective in an off-ball role? Has Doc Rivers actually learned how to stagger his rotations? Who should be the Sixers' backup center? How can they get Tobias Harris going? Are
Can the Pelicans salvage the Zion Williamson era?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Mason Ginsberg (@MasonGinsberg) of the In the NO podcast discuss the latest drama between Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans.What should we make of JJ Redick's recent comments about Zion? Will Zion play at any point this season? How should the Pelicans handle his upcoming extension negotiations? What should they do if he refuses to sign their extension offer? Does the NBA need to make big-picture changes to
What's next for LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Harrison Faigen (@hmfaigen) of Silver Screen and Roll discuss LeBron James' future with the Los Angeles Lakers after his comments at All-Star Weekend.How did the Lakers get to this point with LeBron? Who's to blame for their disappointing season? Should they have made a big move at the trade deadline? How can they fix their roster this offseason? Should they consider trading LeBron this summer?Check out the episode t
Top NBA storylines to watch after the All-Star break
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Mark Schindler (@mschindlerNBA) of Basketball News and Indy Cornrows discuss what they're most excited to watch after the All-Star break.What should we expect out of Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers? How will Chris Paul's injury shake up the title race? How will James Harden and Ben Simmons change the Eastern Conference playoff picture? Which team is going to win the No. 10 seed out West?Check out the episode to hear
Making sense of the Eastern Conference after the trade deadline
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) try to make sense of the Eastern Conference after the explosive 2022 NBA trade deadline.Are the Milwaukee Bucks still the favorites to come out of the East? Which teams are lurking as their biggest threats? Which teams are most in danger of a first-round upset? Can anyone pull off a surprise deep playoff run?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @T
Winners and losers of the 2022 NBA trade deadline
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest winners and losers from the 2022 NBA trade deadline.Does the upside of James Harden justify the risk for the Philadelphia 76ers? Are the Brooklyn Nets now better off with Ben Simmons, Seth Curry and Andre Drummond? Can Kristaps Porzingis be the co-star that Bradley Beal needs? Which teams improved their title odds at the trade deadline? Which teams might regret not making moves?Check out
Sabonis, McCollum and LeVert trade reaction and final trade deadline predictions
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Domantas Sabonis-Tyrese Haliburton blockbuster along with the CJ McCollum and Caris LeVert trades and give their final trade deadline predictions.Did the Sacramento Kings get enough back for Haliburton? Are the Indiana Pacers the clear winners of that trade? How much will McCollum help the New Orleans Pelicans? What's the Portland Trail Blazers' long-term endgame? Did the Cleveland Cavaliers giv
Latest Harden-Sixers buzz, Clippers-Blazers trade and trade deadline buyers
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the latest James Harden trade rumors, dissect the Clippers-Blazers trade and break down which teams might be buyers at the trade deadline.Why would the Nets trade Harden before the deadline? Where should the Sixers draw the line in terms of what they're sending back? What does the Blazers' deal with the Clippers say about their long-term plans? Which teams should be buyers at the trade deadline?Chec
Which teams should be sellers at the 2022 NBA trade deadline?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss which teams should considering selling ahead of the 2022 NBA trade deadline.Should the Washington Wizards be shopping Bradley Beal? Would Domantas Sabonis or Jerami Grant make sense in Washington? Should the Houston Rockets be ready to take the best offers for Christian Wood and Jerami Grant? Which teams would make sense as landing spots for Gary Harris and Terrence Ross? Which teams may look to get
All-Star starter reaction, Harden-Sixers buzz and how did the Knicks get... here?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Dan Favale (@danfavale) of the Hardwood Knocks podcast (@HardwoodKnocks) and Bleacher Report discuss All-Star starter surprises and snubs, the buzz about James Harden and the Sixers, and the New York Knicks' descent back into mediocrity.Is it an outrage that Andrew Wiggins is an All-Star starter? Should the NBA abolish positions on the All-Star ballot and on All-NBA teams? How seriously should we take the Harden-Sixe
Our 2021-22 NBA midseason awards picks
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss who they'd pick for every major award at the midway point of the 2021-22 NBA season.Has someone else usurped Stephen Curry as the front-runner for MVP? How will Draymond Green's injury impact the Defensive Player of the Year race? Is Evan Mobley the clear favorite for Rookie of the Year? Who deserves to win the wide-open Most Improved Player race? Who should be the Coach of the Year?Check out the ep
Vogel on the hot seat, Kings/Ben Simmons rumors and Jerami Grant and Myles Turner's trade market
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Frank Vogel being on the hot seat, what to make of the Sacramento Kings/Ben Simmons rumors and the trade market for Jerami Grant and Myles Turner.Does Frank Vogel deserve to be on the hot seat? Should the Kings have any players off-limits in trade talks? Why are the Sixers so opposed to trading for De'Aaron Fox? How will Jerami Grant's extension demands affect his market? How will Myles Turner's foo
The Cam Reddish trade, KD and LaVine's injuries and trouble in Utah?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Cam Reddish trade, the implications of Kevin Durant and Zach LaVine's injuries and what to make of Rudy Gobert's recent comments.Why did the Atlanta Hawks trade Reddish for a heavily protected first-rounder? Are the New York Knicks the clear winner of that deal? Will KD's injury shake up the title race at all? Should LaVine's injury chance the Chicago Bulls' stance heading into the trade deadlin
What's next for Clippers and Blazers, Tobias Harris trade rumors and John Collins' future
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the latest on the Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Clippers, Tobias Harris trade rumors and John Collins' frustration in Atlanta.Should the Blazers hold a fire sale at the trade deadline in the wake of Damian Lillard's surgery. Are the Clippers headed for a gap year in the wake of Paul George's injury? Why are the Philadelphia 76ers trying to include Tobias Harris in Ben Simmons trade talks? Can
Interview with Pete Croatto, Author of 'From Hang Time to Prime Time'
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) has Pete Croatto (@petecroatto), author of the book "From Hang Time to Prime Time," on to discuss the NBA's marketing advancements during the David Stern era, and how the late commissioner always had a global mindset.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
Trade deadline questions and Kawhi Leonard's eventual return
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss what the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks should do at the trade deadline, how the play-in tournament could alter the landscape of buyers and sellers and what Kawhi Leonard's eventual return could mean for the title race.Should the Bulls be willing to trade Patrick Williams and go all-in? Are the Hawks in need of a consolidation trade to turn their season around? Will the play-in tournament convince
Kyrie and Klay's returns, Rubio's injury and re-evaluating OKC's rebuild
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the imminent returns of Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson, the Cleveland Cavaliers' response to Ricky Rubio's injury and where the Oklahoma City Thunder's rebuild stands.Do the Nets deserve criticism for caving to Kyrie? Should they try to avoid home-court advantage if he refuses to get vaccinated? Will Klay's return make the Warriors the clear title favorites? Can Rajon Rondo help to replace Rubio? Ha
Which teams are facing a make-or-break January?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss which teams are heading into a make-or-break January.Which direction will the Boston Celtics head over the next month? Should the New York Knicks and Sacramento Kings consider moving into seller mode? Can the Indiana Pacers and Portland Trail Blazers overcome their slow starts? What should the Dallas Mavericks do to get more talent around Luka Doncic?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan di
Trade ideas we'd like to see happen
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss trade ideas they'd like to see happen by the NBA's Feb. 10 trade deadline.Where would Norman Powell make sense? Is there a win-win CJ McCollum trade out there? Can anyone outbid the Philadelphia 76ers for Damian Lillard? Which teams should be in on Harrison Barnes? Could the Atlanta Hawks pull off a blockbuster in the next two months?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that
Who might be a first-time All-Star?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss early potential All-Star locks and which players might earn their first All-Star nod.Should availability not factor as much into All-Star debates this year because of COVID-19? Which typical All-Stars are in danger of missing out? How many spots seem up for grabs in each conference? Will we see any first-time All-Stars?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follo
The NBA's COVID response, the MVP debate and latest trade buzz
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the NBA's ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, where Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokic belong in the MVP conversation and the latest trade buzz around Ben Simmons and Russell Westbrook.How should the NBA deal with the leaguewide rise in COVID-19 cases? Should Jokic be getting more MVP buzz? Does Steph not deserve to be the MVP front-runner? Can the Philadelphia 76ers afford not to trade Simmons by the deadline?
The best surprises of the 2021-22 NBA season so far
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the best surprises of the 2021-22 NBA season to date.Could the Cleveland Cavaliers have two All-Stars in Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland? Do the Memphis Grizzlies have three foundational pieces in Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane? How have the Chicago Bulls and Golden State Warriors gotten off to such great starts? How many teams already regret passing on Alperen Sengun in the draft?Ch
Which 2021 free agents might get traded after Dec. 15?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) make their picks for every Eastern Conference team's over/under. Which teams did Las Vegas miss the mark on? Are the Boston Celtics headed for 60-plus wins? Will the Milwaukee Bucks or Indiana Pacers be legitimate contenders in the East? Can the Philadelphia 76ers top 55 wins?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbo
Our 2021-22 quarter-season NBA awards picks
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) make their picks for every major award one-quarter of the way through the 2021-22 NBA season.Is Stephen Curry running away with MVP? Who should be the Defensive Player of the Year, Rudy Gobert or Draymond Green? Can Cade Cunningham catch Evan Mobley or Scottie Barnes for Rookie of the Year? Who's the Most Improved Player in a wide-open field? Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of tha
Which NBA teams need to make a major change?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss which NBA teams are in need of a major shakeup.After firing Neil Olshey, should the Portland Trail Blazers explore trades involving Damian Lillard or CJ McCollum? What should the Indiana Pacers do ahead of the trade deadline? Do the New Orleans Pelicans need to make a move to appease Zion Williamson? Can the Los Angeles Lakers salvage the Russell Westbrook trade? How can the Boston Celtics better bu
MPJ, Bam and Dame injuries, Kemba benched and tampering penalties
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the impact of Michael Porter Jr., Bam Adebayo and Damian Lillard's injuries, what's next for Kemba Walker after being benched and the NBA's tampering penalties for the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat.What does MPJ's injury mean for the Denver Nuggets both this year and long term? Can the Miami Heat stay in range for home-court advantage without Bam? Will Dame's injury cause the Portland Trail Blazers t
Kings fire Walton, Tatum-Brown drama and Sixers' trade target list
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Sacramento Kings' future after firing Luke Walton, Tim Bontemps' report about the Boston Celtics and who might be on the Sixers' list of targets for Ben Simmons.Will Alvin Gentry fix what's ailing the Kings? Is De'Aaron Fox the right player for them to build around moving forward? How concerned should the Celtics be about the reported tension between Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown? Which players
Playing 'pretender or contender?' one month into the 2021-22 NBA season
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss which teams look like title contenders and which are pretenders one month into the 2021-22 NBA season.Do the Brooklyn Nets still look like the title favorites? Are the Golden State Warriors the favorites to come out of the West? Can the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks turn around their disappointing starts? What should we make of the Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers and Denver Nuggets
Which teams should already be in panic mode?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss which teams should already be in panic mode one month into the 2021-22 NBA season.Do the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks have any real reason to worry about their slow start? Is the organizational turmoil engulfing the Portland Trail Blazers and New Orleans Pelicans cause for concern? Do the Sacramento Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves need a wake-up call? Should the New York Knicks panic about th
Early impressions of rookies and Ben Simmons to the Celtics?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss their early takeaways about the top rookies from the 2021 NBA draft class and the recent report linking the Boston Celtics to Ben Simmons.Is it too early to panic about Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green and Jalen Suggs? Who should be the Rookie of the Year front-runner, Evan Mobley or Scottie Barnes? Which other first-round picks are making instant impacts for their teams, and how much should we buy into
The Robert Sarver report, Celtics dysfunction and latest on Kyrie and Simmons
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss ESPN's blockbuster report about Suns owner Robert Sarver, the Boston Celtics' early-season dysfunction and the latest updates about Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons.Should the NBA force Sarver to sell the Suns in the wake of ESPN's report? How concerned should the Celtics be about Marcus Smart's criticism of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum? With NYC not budging on its COVID-19 vaccine mandate, what should
Which hot starts to the 2021-22 NBA season are sustainable?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss players and teams that have gotten off to hot starts in the 2021-22 NBA season, and whether those are sustainable. Are the Miami Heat on the level of the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks? How have the Philadelphia 76ers gotten off to such a good start without multiple starters? Are the Bulls back? Can the New York Knicks and Washington Wizards keep it up? How much is Miles Bridges going to get in f
Which slow starts should we be worried about?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss players and teams who have gotten off to slow starts and how concerned to be about them.Have the NBA's new foul rules hurt James Harden? Are Damian Lillard and Joel Embiid being hampered by injuries? How concerned should we be about the Lakers and Suns? Will the Pelicans fall into too deep of a hole before Zion Williamson returns? What's caused the Boston Celtics to be so inconsistent?Check out the
Best and worst extensions from the rookie-scale deadline
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss all of the extensions signed ahead of last week's rookie-scale deadline.Did the Memphis Grizzlies get good value on Jaren Jackson Jr.? Could Wendell Carter Jr. wind up being a steal? Will the Phoenix Suns regret not extending Deandre Ayton? Will the Jonas Valanciunas and Malcolm Brogdon extensions age well?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitt
Early surprises and disappointments from the 2021-22 NBA season + the NBA's Top 75
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest surprises and disappointments from the first few days of the 2021-22 NBA season. Is it already time for the Los Angeles Lakers to panic about Russell Westbrook? How concerned should we be about the New Orleans Pelicans, Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics? Is the New York Knicks' hot start sustainable? How much should we buy the Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls? And who were some of the m
Our 2021-22 NBA season predictions
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) make their predictions for the 2021-22 NBA season.Which teams will make the playoffs? Which teams will reach the conference finals and the NBA Finals? Will the Los Angeles Lakers fall short of their hype? Could the Atlanta Hawks crash the Eastern Conference Finals? Will the Chicago Bulls be better than expected?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter:
Part 2 of our 2021-22 League Pass rankings
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by Adam Fromal (@fromal09) and Dan Favale (@danfavale) of the Hardwood Knocks podcast (@HardwoodKnocks) to finish up their 2021-22 League Pass rankings.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/sports/navigation/830.1/10107.3
Part 1 of our 2021-22 League Pass rankings
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by Adam Fromal (@fromal09) and Dan Favale (@danfavale) of the Hardwood Knocks podcast (@HardwoodKnocks) for Part 1 of their 2021-22 League Pass rankings.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/sports/navigation/830.1/10107.3
The Nets' Kyrie conundrum, Ayton's extension talks and the latest Ben Simmons update
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Brooklyn Nets' conundrum with Kyrie Irving, Deandre Ayton's extension talks and the latest on Ben Simmons.If Kyrie doesn't get vaccinated, should the Nets consider trading him? Who might they be able to get in return? Should the Phoenix Suns be willing to give Deandre Ayton a max contract extension? Will the Sixers fining Simmons for his holdout lead to a trade sooner than later?Check out the ep
Our 2021-22 awards predictions
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) make their awards predictions for the 2021-22 NBA season.Who will win the wide-open MVP race? Can anyone challenge Rudy Gobert for Defensive Player of the Year? Will Cade Cunningham or Jalen Green win Rookie of the Year? Who are some of the top candidates for Sixth Man of the Year and Most Improved Player?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheN
Mailbag! Tanking, tampering, Timberwolves and more
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) answer a number of questions submitted by listeners.Should the NBA work harder to prevent tampering? After implementing the play-in tournament, what other changes should the league make? Which Spurs players have All-Star upside? When will the OKC Thunder stop tanking? Should the Timberwolves blow it up and start over? How can the Heat get into legitimate title contention this year?Check out the episode to h
2021-22 Atlantic Division preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest questions for every Atlantic Division team ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season.Who should the Boston Celtics start in their backcourt? Is any team capable of beating the fully healthy Brooklyn Nets in a seven-game series? How much can the New York Knicks rely on Kemba Walker? What should the Philadelphia 76ers do about Ben Simmons? How much playing time will Scottie Barnes get for the Toront
2021-22 Central Division preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest questions for every Central Division team ahead of the 2021-22 season.How will DeMar DeRozan and Lonzo Ball fit with the Chicago Bulls' existing core? Who will the Cleveland Cavaliers start at PF? Could Cade Cunningham have the sixth 20-5-5 rookie season in NBA history? Who should the Indiana Pacers start at the 3 until T.J. Warren returns? How should the Milwaukee Bucks approach the reg
2021-22 Southeast Division preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest questions for every Southeast Division team ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season.Who should be in the Atlanta Hawks' starting lineup? Should the Charlotte Hornets start Miles Bridges and P.J. Washington over Kelly Oubre and Mason Plumlee? How will Kyle Lowry fit with the Miami Heat? How will the Orlando Magic distribute backcourt minutes? How will the Washington Wizards divvy up playing time
John Wall's future, Aaron Gordon's extension and an in-season tournament?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Houston Rockets' attempt to trade John Wall, Aaron Gordon's extension with the Denver Nuggets, the NBA's proposed in-season tournament and COVID-19 protocols for the 2021-22 season.Which teams make sense (if any?) as potential landing spots for Wall? Did the Nuggets overpay for Gordon, and will they regret doing so? Is a $1 million prize enough to incentivize players to care about the in-season
2021-22 Pacific Division preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) preview the biggest storylines for every Pacific Division team ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season.What are realistic expectations for Klay Thompson this season? Who should the Los Angeles Clippers start in place of Kawhi Leonard until he returns? Will Anthony Davis finally embrace playing center more often? Should the Phoenix Suns extend Deandre Ayton or Mikal Bridges by the mid-October deadline? Do the Sacram
2021-22 Northwest Division preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) preview the Northwest Division ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season.Should the Denver Nuggets sign Michael Porter Jr. to a max contract extension? How does Anthony Edwards build upon his promising rookie campaign in Minnesota? Which young player should you be most excited to watch in OKC? Did the Portland Trail Blazers do enough to put Damian Lillard's mind at ease? Should the Utah Jazz be the favorites in the W
2021-22 Southwest Division preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) preview the Southwest Division ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season.How much of an upgrade will Reggie Bullock be for the Dallas Mavericks? Can Jalen Green beat out Cade Cunningham for Rookie of the Year? Should the Memphis Grizzlies consider Jaren Jackson Jr. a franchise cornerstone? How will Jonas Valanciunas fit next to Zion Williamson in New Orleans? What is the San Antonio Spurs long-term plan?Check out the
Ben Simmons' holdout threat, Clint Capela's extension and Kevin Love's future
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Ben Simmons' holdout threat, the Nets and Lakers' new additions, Clint Capela's extension and Kevin Love's future.Are the Philadelphia 76ers now under more pressure to move Simmons before training camp? Should they call his bluff? How much will Paul Millsap and LaMarcus Aldridge help the Nets? Are the Hawks light-years ahead in their team-building strategy? What's next for Kevin Love if he continues
The Lauri Markkanen sign-and-trade and best remaining free agents
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the three-team Lauri Markkanen sign-and-trade and the best free agents still on the market.What were the Cavs thinking with regard to their acquisition of Markkanen? How much will Larry Nance Jr. help the Portland Trail Blazers? Could the Chicago Bulls be the biggest winner of this deal? Who are some of the top remaining free agents, and where might they fit best?Check out the episode to hear Morten
The Ringer's Mirin Fader on her Giannis book and the Bucks
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by special guest Mirin Fader (@mirinfader) of The Ringer to discuss her new book, "Giannis: The Improbable Rise of an NBA MVP."What was Mirin's inspiration to write a book about Giannis? How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect her reporting process? What surprised her the most while writing the book? How did she balance the on-court and off-court details about his life? Did she expect to break the i
More extensions! Rozier, TimeLord, J-Rich and who might be next
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the recent extensions that Terry Rozier, Robert Williams III and Josh Richardson signed before examining who might be next in line.Did the Charlotte Hornets overpay for Rozier, or could it wind up being a steal? Why were the Boston Celtics in such a rush to extend both Williams and Richardson? Will extensions for middle-tier veterans become more popular moving forward? Who else might sign an extensi
The PatBev trades, Embiid's supermax, Marcus Smart's extension and Christmas Day schedule
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the two recent Patrick Beverley trades, Joel Embiid's new supermax extension, the Boston Celtics extending Marcus Smart and the NBA's Christmas Day slate of games.How much will Eric Bledsoe help the Clippers until Kawhi returns? Can Jarrett Culver turn his career around in Memphis? Will Beverley help the Timberwolves compete for a playoff spot? Did the Sixers take too much of a risk fully guaranteei
2021 NBA Free Agency Review with Mark Deeks
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Mark Deeks (@MarkDeeksNBA) discuss NBA Free Agency 2021. The guys discuss the revamped Chicago Bulls, the Knicks making some big changes, what to make of Ben Simmons not having been traded yet, and what is going on in Portland.Check out the episode to hear Morten and Mark discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
DeRozan to the Bulls, Kemba to the Knicks and more free-agency analysis
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the latest free-agent signings, including DeMar DeRozan to the Chicago Bulls, Kemba Walker to the New York Knicks and Spencer Dinwiddie to the Washington Wizards.Did the Bulls overpay for DeRozan? Does it matter? Where does the signing of Walker put the Knicks in the new Eastern Conference hierarchy? Did the Wizards increase their odds of keeping Bradley Beal by adding Dinwiddie and trading away Rus
Top takeaways from Day 1 of 2021 NBA free agency
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the most notable signings from the first day of 2021 NBA free agency.Who did the best job on Day 1? Are the Miami Heat now in the same tier as the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets? Should the Phoenix Suns be favored to win the West again? Did the New York Knicks maximize the value of their cap space? What are the New Orleans Pelicans and San Antonio Spurs up to?Check out the episode to hear Morten
2021 NBA free agency preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) preview the 2021 NBA free-agent class.Are Kawhi Leonard or Chris Paul actual flight risks? How will the point guard carousel shake out? Who are some of the top restricted free agents on the market? Which veterans should contenders be pursuing?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds via FanDuel Sportsbook: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com
Winners and losers of the 2021 NBA draft
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss their biggest winners and losers from the 2021 NBA draft.Which teams came out as the biggest winners on draft night? Who were some of the best player-team fits? Which teams might regret their moves during the draft? And how will the Los Angeles Lakers' trade for Russell Westbrook work out?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPodOdds
Potential sleepers and busts in the 2021 NBA draft with Matt Babcock of Basketball News
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) speaks with Matt Babock (@MattBabcock11) of Basketball News about some of the potential sleepers and busts in the 2021 NBA draft class.Which prospects in the mid-to-late-lottery range have the potential to outperform or underperform their draft slot? Who are some of the prospects worth targeting later in the first round? Which second-round picks could emerge as steals? Which teams have been active in trade talks?Check out the episode
'Built to Lose' author Jake Fischer on NBA tanking, free-agency buzz
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer, the author of "Built to Lose," to discuss NBA tanking and the latest free-agency buzz.Is tanking as much of a scourge in the NBA as its critics make it out to be? Will the play-in tournament and lottery reform prevent tanking in the future? Why aren't the Oklahoma City Thunder catching as much flak for their rebuild as the Philadelphia 76ers did for theirs? What
What's next for the Suns and Bucks after the 2021 NBA Finals with FanSided's Gerald Bourguet
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by FanSided's Gerald Bourguet (@geraldbourguet) to discuss top takeaways from the 2021 NBA Finals and what's next for the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks.What do the Finals mean for the legacies of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Chris Paul? What lessons can the Suns take away from the Finals? Will the Suns be able to retain CP3 this offseason? How much should they offer Deandre Ayton and Mikal Bridge
Can the Suns force a Game 7 and Damian Lillard trade ideas
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss what the Phoenix Suns need to do to force a Game 7 in the 2021 NBA Finals and come up with Damian Lillard trade destinations.Is Devin Booker isolating too frequently? How can the Suns get Deandre Ayton and Mikal Bridges more involved offensively? Should the Blazers start listening to Damian Lillard trade offers? Who can put together the most compelling package? Which wild-card teams should get invol
Making sense of the 2021 NBA Finals and Team USA with Ti Windisch of the Gyro Step Podcast
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by Ti Windisch (@tiwindisch) of the Gyro Step Podcast to discuss the 2021 NBA Finals heading into Game 5 and Team USA's struggles ahead of the Olympics.How did the Milwaukee Bucks get back into the Finals? What adjustments do the Phoenix Suns need to make ahead of Game 5? What should the Bucks do with Brook Lopez moving forward? Who's going to win this year's title? And who should Team USA call t
How can the Bucks get back into the 2021 NBA Finals?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Games 1 and 2 of the 2021 NBA Finals and preview Game 3. What adjustments do the Milwaukee Bucks need to make to get back into the Finals? What have the Phoenix Suns been doing well so far? Is Deandre Ayton the key to the Finals? Who should be the front-runner for Finals MVP? And do the Minnesota Timberwolves have enough to offer for Ben Simmons?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss
2021 NBA draft preview with Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by Bleacher Report draft analyst Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) to preview the 2021 NBA draft. Is Cade Cunningham the no-brainer No. 1 pick for the Detroit Pistons? Should the Houston Rockets take Evan Mobley or Jalen Green at No. 2? How will the rest of the lottery shake out? Who are some potential steals later in the first round or in the second round?Check out the episode to hear Morten, B
2021 NBA Finals preview and what's next for the Hawks and Clippers
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) preview the 2021 NBA Finals and discuss the biggest offseason questions for the Atlanta Hawks and Los Angeles Clippers.Who should start in place of Giannis Antetokounmpo if he can't go in Game 1? How do the Bucks slow down Chris Paul and Devin Booker? Who should the Suns stick on Giannis? Which team will win the Finals? How much should the Hawks spend to re-sign John Collins? Is Kawhi Leonard a flight risk
What's next for the Nuggets, Jazz, Nets and Sixers?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the big offseason questions for the Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz, Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers.Should the Nuggets sign Michael Porter Jr. to a max extension this offseason? How much should the Jazz be willing to spend on Mike Conley? Will the Nets be able to retain Bruce Brown, Blake Griffin and Jeff Green? Should the Sixers try to re-sign Danny Green and Furkan Korkmaz?Check out the episode to
The latest on the Western and Eastern Conference Finals and NBA coaching hires
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Western and Eastern Conference Finals before diving into the latest news on NBA coaching hires.Can the Los Angeles Clippers overcome a third straight 2-0 series deficit? Did the Milwaukee Bucks figure out the Atlanta Hawks in Game 2? How will Rick Carlisle fit with the Pacers' personnel? Do the Dallas Mavericks and Portland Trail Blazers deserve to be catching heat for Jason Kidd and Chauncey Bi
2021 NBA draft lottery fallout, early Western Conference Finals reaction and Ben Simmons' future
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss their main takeaways from the 2021 NBA draft lottery and the first two games of the Western Conference Finals before delving into Ben Simmons' future with the Philadelphia 76ers.Is Cade Cunningham a lock to go No. 1 to Detroit? Should the Rockets take Evan Mobley at No. 2, and should they shop Christian Wood if so? Who should the Cavaliers, Raptors and Magic take at Nos. 3, 4 and 5, respectively? Ar
The Kemba-Horford trade, conference finals previews and Rick Carlisle landing spots
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Kemba Walker/Al Horford trade, preview the Western and Eastern Conference Finals and touch on Rick Carlisle and Zion Williamson's future.Which team came out ahead in the Walker/Horford swap? Who should be favored in the Western Conference Finals? Do either the Sixers or Hawks stand a chance against the Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals? Where should Rick Carlisle coach next? What should the
Kawhi's ACL injury, the Bucks' meltdown and SVG and Scott Brooks out
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) break down the onslaught of Wednesday's news dump.Can the Clippers beat the Jazz without Kawhi Leonard? How will Chris Paul's positive COVID-19 test impact the Western Conference Finals? Who's to blame for the Bucks' meltdown against the Nets in Game 5? What version of Joel Embiid will the Sixers get moving forward? Who should the Pelicans and Wizards go after to replace Stan Van Gundy and Scott Brooks?Chec
How can the Clippers, Bucks, Nuggets and Hawks get back into their series?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss how the Clippers, Bucks, Nuggets and Hawks can get back into their respective second-round series.Should the Clippers keep Ivica Zubac in their starting lineup, or should they go back to Nic Batum? Do the Bucks need to go smaller? Are the Nuggets drawing dead against the Suns? Should the Hawks replace Solomon Hill with someone else in the starting lineup?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Brya
What's next for the Lakers, Blazers, Grizzlies, Knicks and Wizards?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss what lies ahead for the Lakers, Blazers, Grizzlies, Knicks and Wizards this offseason.How much should the Lakers be willing to spend on Dennis Schroder? How can the Blazers appease Damian Lillard? Should the Grizzlies sign Jaren Jackson Jr. to an extension? Who should the Knicks target in free agency? Is it finally time for the Wizards to consider trading Bradley Beal?Check out the episode to hear M
Previewing Nets-Bucks, Sixers-Hawks, Suns-Nuggets and Game 7 of Clippers-Mavericks
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) preview the Nets-Bucks, Sixers-Hawks and Suns-Nuggets series along with Game 7 of Clippers-Mavericks.How do the Nets and Bucks match up defensively against one another? Who are the big X-factors in that series? Who should the Sixers start in place of Joel Embiid if he misses time with his knee injury? How can the Nuggets slow down the Suns' backcourt? Can the home team win a game in Clippers-Mavericks for a
What's next for the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss what comes next for the Boston Celtics in the wake of Danny Ainge's surprise resignation. Later in the episode, David Ramil (@dramil13) of Locked on Heat joins Mort and Bryan to preview the Heat's biggest offseason questions.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
How injuries are shaking up the 2021 NBA title race
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss how a handful of notable injuries are shaking up the NBA title race.Will Anthony Davis' groin injury send the Los Angeles Lakers home in Round 1? How can the Dallas Mavericks regain momentum in the wake of Luka Doncic's neck injury? Do the Philadelphia 76ers have enough talent to close out the Washington Wizards without Joel Embiid? How have these injuries affected the overall title race?Check out t
What's next for the Pacers with Caitlin Cooper and offseason previews for Hornets, Spurs and Warriors
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by Caitlin Cooper of Indy Cornrows to discuss what's next for the Indiana Pacers, and then they preview the offseasons for the Charlotte Hornets, San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors.Is there any way the Pacers can bring back Nate Bjorkgren? Should they run it back with their roster next season? How much should the Hornets be willing to spend on Devonte' Graham and Malik Monk? Should the S
Taking stock of every first-round playoff series heading into Game 3
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) break down every first-round playoff series heading into Game 3.Can the Miami Heat get back into their series against the Milwaukee Bucks? Can the Phoenix Suns beat the Los Angeles Lakers without a healthy Chris Paul? How can the Portland Trail Blazers counter the Denver Nuggets' Aaron Gordon adjustment? Should Elfrid Payton be out of the New York Knicks' rotation? Is it time for the Los Angeles Clippers to
Top takeaways from every Game 1 of the 2021 NBA playoffs
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the top takeaways from every Game 1 of the 2021 NBA playoffs.How should the Los Angeles Clippers defend Luka Doncic moving forward? How did the Portland Trail Blazers limit Nikola Jokic to only one assist? How can the Los Angeles Lakers get Anthony Davis going against the Phoenix Suns? Should Tom Thibodeau stop messing around with Elfrid Payton in his starting lineup? Are the Utah Jazz in danger of
Previewing every first-round series of the 2020-21 NBA playoffs
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) preview every first-round series ahead of the 2021 NBA playoffs.How can the Milwaukee Bucks stave off another Miami Heat upset? Can the Dallas Mavericks avoid getting knocked out by the Los Angeles Clippers for the second straight year? How can the Denver Nuggets slow down the Portland Trail Blazers' backcourt? Will the Los Angeles Lakers' two-big lineup work against the Phoenix Suns? Will the Atlanta Hawks
What's next for the Thunder, Kings, Pelicans, Bulls and Raptors?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss what's next for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Sacramento Kings, New Orleans Pelicans, Chicago Bulls and Toronto Raptors this offseason.Should the Thunder try to trade Al Horford this summer? How much should the Kings be willing to spend on Richaun Holmes? What should be the Pelicans' walk-away price for Lonzo Ball? Should the Bulls renegotiate-and-extend Zach LaVine? How much should the Raptors offer K
Our All-NBA and final awards picks
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) make their All-NBA and final awards picks for the 2020-21 NBA season.Should both Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic be on the All-NBA first team? Where should Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler be? Does Chris Paul deserve an All-NBA spot? Who should get the third-team forward spot between Paul George and Julius Randle?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @T
What's next for the Rockets, Pistons, Cavaliers, Magic and Timberwolves?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss what's next for the Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic and Minnesota Timberwolves.Should the Rockets try to move off John Wall and Eric Gordon this summer? What should the Pistons make of their rookies? How much should the Cavs spend on Jarrett Allen in free agency and on a Collin Sexton extension? What areas of need do the Magic need to address this offseason? Sho
The Pacers' Nate Bjorkgren mess and other coaches on the hot seat
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Indiana Pacers' ongoing Nate Bjorkgren disaster and other coaches who are reportedly on the hot seat.Has the Bjorkgren situation deteriorated to a point of no return? Should the Portland Trail Blazers be looking to move on from Terry Stotts? Is Mike Budenholzer done in Milwaukee if he can't get to the conference finals? Should the Sacramento Kings be willing to eat the remaining $11.5 million of
Which NBA teams have the brightest future?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss which NBA teams they believe will have the brightest future.Did the New York Knicks earn a spot thanks to their surprising season? Where do the Charlotte Hornets, Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies and Oklahoma City Thunder rank? Do the New Orleans Pelicans have the league's brightest future because of Zion Williamson?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow u
Breaking down the play-in tournament races
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss how the play-in tournament races might play out over the coming weeks.Are the New York Knicks a lock to finish as a top-six seed? Should the Miami Heat be favored in the East's play-in tournament? Could the Los Angeles Lakers slip into the West's play-in tournament? Will any of the play-in teams be a threat to pull off a first-round upset? Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all o
Our awards picks with one month to go in the 2020-21 NBA season
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) make their picks for every major award with one month remaining in the 2020-21 regular season.Can Joel Embiid catch Nikola Jokic for MVP? Should Ben Simmons beat out Rudy Gobert for Defensive Player of the Year? Will LaMelo Ball's wrist injury shake up the Rookie of the Year race? Should Julius Randle or Jerami Grant win Most Improved Player? Who should be the Coach of the Year?Check out the episode to hear
Can anyone in the East stop the Brooklyn Nets?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss whether any team in the Eastern Conference is capable of preventing the Brooklyn Nets from reaching the NBA Finals.What does LaMarcus Aldridge's retirement mean for the Nets' chances of advancing to the Finals? Are the Milwaukee Bucks their biggest threat in the East? What matchup problems do the Nets and Philadelphia 76ers pose for one another? Does any team in the East other than the Bucks or Sixe
Are the Los Angeles Lakers in real trouble?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss whether the Los Angeles Lakers' chances of repeating as champions are in jeopardy.How important is home-court advantage to the Lakers? Can they bank on Anthony Davis staying healthy? Are the Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers or Denver Nuggets legitimate threats to dethrone them? Can anyone else in the West pull off a first-round upset?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discus
Which 2021 NBA draft prospects are worth tanking for?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss which prospects in the 2021 NBA draft class are worth tanking for.Is Cade Cunningham the clear-cut favorite for the No. 1 overall pick? How does Evan Mobley compare to James Wiseman and Deandre Ayton? Are the Jrue Holiday comparisons justified for Jalen Suggs? Where do Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga rank among the top prospects in recent years?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss
How the trade deadline and buyouts shook up the title race
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss how the trade deadline and buyouts have shaken up the NBA title picture.Are the Denver Nuggets a real threat to win the title after adding Aaron Gordon? How will LaMarcus Aldridge and Blake Griffin impact the Brooklyn Nets? What will Andre Drummond add to the Los Angeles Lakers? Will Victor Oladipo help the Miami Heat get back on track?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of th
Winners & Losers of the NBA Trade Deadline
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) discuss the winners and losers of Thursdays' NBA Trade Deadline.How will Aaron Gordon in with the Denver Nuggets? Is the acquisition of Nikola Vucevic going to keep Zach LaVine in town for longer? What is the next step for the Orlando Magic? Is there a future for Norman Powell in Portland?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Keith discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
Trade chatter centered around Aaron Gordon, Kyle Lowry, Lonzo Ball and DeMar DeRozan
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) discuss the upcoming NBA Trade Deadline.Which team is going to get Kyle Lowry? Are the Bulls a candidate to land Lonzo Ball and DeMar DeRozan? Should the Celtics prefer Aaron Gordon or Harrison Barnes? What will happen to Victor Oladipo?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Keith discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
A look at the Hawks and Wolves, and rounding up NBA trade rumors
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) discuss Atlanta's five-game winning streak, what the Wolves need to do in order to not be dreadful anymore, and they close by looking at trade options near the NBA Trade Deadline.Could the Hawks consolidate some of their assets to get better? Should the Sixers make a play for Buddy Hield? Why do the Minnesota Timberwolves have six shooting guards?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Keith discuss all
Bryan's Goodbye & 2021 NBA Trade Deadline Preview with Keith Smith
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by Yahoo! Sports NBA writer Keith Smith, who will also be filling in for Bryan over the next few weeks, to discuss the upcoming NBA trade deadline on March 25th.What should the Orlando Magic ask for Nikola Vucevic? Are the Kings in seller mode? How interested is Boston in Harrison Barnes and would he fit their team? What are the odds of Victor Oladipo remaining in Houston past the deadline? Check
Top teams to watch in the second half of the 2020-21 NBA season
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss which teams they have an extra close eye on for the second half of the 2020-21 NBA season.Can Dallas continue their hot streak? Do the Celtics need to make upgrades at the NBA trade deadline? Should the Nuggets consider trading Michael Porter Jr.? Will the Pacers put a scare into top-tier East teams?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @Th
Our 2020-21 NBA midseason awards picks
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss their picks for every major award at the midway part of the 2020-21 NBA season.Who could stop Joel Embiid or Nikola Jokic from winning MVP? Is Rudy Gobert the clear front-runner for Defensive Player of the Year? Can anyone catch Jordan Clarkson for Sixth Man of the Year or Jerami Grant for Most Improved Player? Is Quin Snyder the clear favorite for Coach of the Year?Check out the episode to hear Mor
Lloyd Pierce's firing, John Collins and Victor Oladipo's future, and Rockets trade ideas
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Atlanta Hawks firing Lloyd Pierce, what's next for John Collins and Victor Oladipo and other Houston Rockets trade ideas.Did Pierce deserve to get fired? Is Nate McMillan the right person to lead the Hawks moving forward? Should they be shopping Collins ahead of the trade deadline? Does Oladipo have a future in Houston? Which other players should the Rockets attempt to trade this year? Check out
What's gone wrong for the NBA's biggest underachievers?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss what's wrong with the biggest NBA disappointments and whether they can turn their seasons around.Has the Boston Celtics' title window closed? Can the Denver Nuggets trust Michael Porter Jr. moving forward? Are the Miami Heat no longer a threat in the East? Should the Dallas Mavericks regret the Josh Richardson trade? How should the New Orleans Pelicans build around Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram
All-Star snubs, DeMarcus Cousins landing spots and Kristaps Porzingis trades
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss All-Star snubs, DeMarcus Cousins landing spots, Kristaps Porzingis trade rumors and the Minnesota Timberwolves' coaching change.Who were the most egregious All-Star snubs this year? Which teams should be interested in Cousins following his release from the Houston Rockets? Should the Mavericks be willing to trade Porzingis? Which teams should pursue him? Did the Timberwolves mess up by not promoting
NBA All-Star starter reaction and picking All-Star reserves
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) react to the All-Star starters being named and make their picks for the All-Star reserves.Should Damian Lillard have gotten the starting nod over Luka Doncic? Was Kyrie Irving the right choice next to Bradley Beal? Who should be locks in the East and West among the reserves? Which players deserve the final few wild-card spots? Could injury replacements open up additional spots?Check out the episode to hear
Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin's future, Anthony Davis' injury and the scorching Suns and Jazz
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss what's next for Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin, what Anthony Davis' injury means for the Lakers and the red-hot Suns and Jazz.Was Draymond Green right to call out the double standard regarding the Cavaliers sitting Drummond? Can any team afford to bring on Griffin? Will Davis' injury hurt or help LeBron James' MVP case? Should the Suns be having buyer's remorse on Jalen Smith? Are the Jazz a legit
How should the Blazers, Kings, Thunder and Rockets approach the trade deadline?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss how the Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets should be approaching the trade deadline.Should the Blazers be open to trading CJ McCollum? How much should the Kings want in exchange for Harrison Barnes? Which teams would be the best fits for Trevor Ariza and George Hill? Should any team be willing to give up a first-round pick for P.J. Tucker?Check out th
The Derrick Rose trade; finding new homes for Nikola Vucevic, Andre Drummond and Kyle Lowry
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Derrick Rose trade and discuss who else might be on the trade market.Was the Rose trade a good idea for the Knicks? Did the Detroit Pistons get enough for him? Which teams can assemble an attractive trade package for Nikola Vucevic? Where would Andre Drummond make the most sense? Should the Toronto Raptors listen to offers for Kyle Lowry?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all
Our early All-Star Game picks
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) make their early All-Star picks for both conferences.Do the Brooklyn Nets deserve three All-Stars? Should Bradley Beal get in despite how bad the Washington Wizards are? Who should be the final few reserves in the East? Will any New Orleans Pelicans or Phoenix Suns players make the Western Conference All-Star team?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitt
Our 2020-21 NBA quarter-season awards
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) make their award picks for the first quarter of the 2020-21 NBA season.If the season ended today, who should be the MVP? Can anyone challenge Rudy Gobert for Defensive Player of the Year? Is LaMelo Ball the runaway Rookie of the Year? Who should be in contention for Sixth Man of the Year and Most Improved Player? Who's the favorite in the wide-open Coach of the Year race? Check out the episode to hear Morte
Lonzo Ball, JJ Redick and Eric Bledsoe trade ideas with Mason Ginsberg and Shamit Dua of In The NO
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by Mason Ginsberg (@masonginsberg) and Shamit Dua (@FearTheBrown) of the In the N.O. podcast (@InTheNOPod) to discuss Lonzo Ball, JJ Redick and Eric Bledsoe trade ideas.What types of players/assets should the New Orleans Pelicans be seeking in return for Ball, Redick and Bledsoe? Which teams would make sense for Ball? Do any contenders have the right salary-matching pieces for Redick? Could a Ble
Which rookies have stood out in the 2020-21 NBA season?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the rookies that have made the biggest early impact in the 2020-21 NBA season.Which rookies have been the biggest surprise so far? Did the Minnesota Timberwolves make a mistake by taking Anthony Edwards at No. 1? Are the Golden State Warriors being too hard on James Wiseman? Which rookies are looking like the biggest draft-day steals?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that
Sorting through the Western Conference's middle class
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) try to make sense of the Western Conference's middle class of teams.Can the Portland Trail Blazers stay afloat without CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic? How should the San Antonio Spurs approach the trade deadline? Are the Utah Jazz the third-best team in the West? Could the Memphis Grizzlies finish as a top-six seed in the West? Are the Golden State Warriors a threat to win a playoff series?Check out the episo
Bulls' future, LaVine trades and Harden first impressions with Jason Patt of Cash Considerations
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by special guest Jason Patt (@Bulls_Jay) of the Cash Considerations podcast to discuss the Bulls' future and first impressions of James Harden on the Nets.Why have the Bulls struggled to start the year? Does Lauri Markkanen have a future in Chicago? Should the Bulls be shopping Zach LaVine? What should they expect in return? How did Harden fare in his debut with the Nets? Should Brooklyn fans hav
Winners and losers of the James Harden megatrade
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) break down the winners and losers from the four-team James Harden megatrade.How will Harden fit in Brooklyn next to Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving? Did the Rockets get enough in exchange for him? Will they try to flip Victor Oladipo? Are the Cavaliers the low-key winners of this trade? How will Caris LeVert fit in Indiana? Did the Philadelphia 76ers screw up by not trading for Harden?Check out the episode to
The NBA's COVID debacle, Bradley Beal trade rumors and what's wrong with the Pelicans?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the NBA's ongoing COVID-19 struggles, Bradley Beal trade chatter and slow starts from the Atlanta Hawks and New Orleans Pelicans.Does the NBA need to take a short hiatus to refine its COVID-19 protocol? Should the league "skip the line" for vaccines? Should the Wizards start quietly shopping Bradley Beal? Should teams prioritize him over James Harden in the trade market? Were we too high on the Atla
Should we believe in the Magic, Knicks, 76ers, Pacers and Suns?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss whether to buy or sell hot starts from the Orlando Magic, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Indiana Pacers and Phoenix Suns.How does Markelle Fultz's ACL tear affect the Magic's outlook? Are the Knicks a legitimate playoff threat? Is it too early to call the Sixers a legitimate title contender? Can the Pacers make real noise in the playoffs? Are the Suns a top-four team in the West?Check out the
Which slow starts are genuine cause for concern?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss teams and players that have gotten off to a slow start in the 2020-21 season.Will the Golden State Warriors struggle to make the playoffs? What's going on with Pascal Siakam and the Toronto Raptors? Should the Miami Heat be worried about their slow start? Are the Denver Nuggets still among the top teams in the Western Conference? Can the Washington Wizards overcome their 0-5 start?Check out the epis
Impact of Spencer Dinwiddie, Ja Morant, Karl-Anthony Towns and Kevin Love's injuries
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the impact of some notable early-season injuries.How should the Brooklyn Nets replace Spencer Dinwiddie? Does his injury take them out of the running for James Harden? Are the injury-ravaged Memphis Grizzlies heading toward the lottery? How can the Minnesota Timberwolves stay afloat without Karl-Anthony Towns? What does Kevin Love's calf injury mean for the Cleveland Cavaliers?Check out the episode
2020-21 League Pass rankings with Adam Fromal and Dan Favale of Hardwood Knocks
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by Adam Fromal (@fromal09) and Dan Favale (@danfavale) of the Hardwood Knocks podcast (@HardwoodKnocks) for their annual League Pass rankings.Which teams are must-watch this season? Which should you largely avoid? Which team sits atop our rankings? Check out the episode to hear Morten, Bryan, Dan and Adam discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
Top surprises and disappointments from 2020-21 NBA opening week
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest surprises and disappointments from the first few days of the 2020-21 NBA season.Are the Brooklyn Nets now the team to beat in the East? Is the Golden State Warriors dynasty officially over? Is it too early to panic about the Chicago Bulls or Portland Trail Blazers? Were we too high on the Dallas Mavericks? Should LaMelo Ball be starting for the Charlotte Hornets?Check out the episode to
Top takeaways from the wild rookie-scale extension deadline
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the top takeaways from an unexpectedly busy rookie-scale extension deadline.Was Kyle Kuzma's deal a good value for the Los Angeles Lakers? Did the Clippers overpay for Luke Kennard? Were the Magic right to gamble on Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac? Was OG Anunoby's extension an overpay or a steal? What's next for the fourth-year players who didn't sign extensions, such as Lonzo Ball, Lauri Markkan
Our 2020-21 NBA awards predictions
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) make their picks for all of the NBA's major awards ahead of the 2020-21 season.Can anyone stop Giannis Antetokounmpo from an MVP three-peat? Who should be favored for Defensive Player of the Year? Who will win the wide-open Rookie of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year and Most Improved Player races? What about Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss al
The fallout from Giannis Antetokounmpo signing his supermax extension
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the leaguewide ramifications of Giannis Antetokounmpo signing his supermax extension with the Milwaukee Bucks.Are the Bucks now the biggest winners of the offseason? Is the 2020-21 season no longer championship-or-bust for Milwaukee? With Giannis off the board, where do the Dallas Mavericks, Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat turn next? Could this loosen up the NBA's trade market?Check out the episode t
2020-21 NBA season preview: Eastern Conference playoff teams
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) finish their 2020-21 NBA season preview with last year's Eastern Conference playoff teams.Who should replace Jonathan Isaac in Orlando? What are realistic expectations for Kevin Durant and the Nets this year? Will the Sixers' added shooting help fix the Ben Simmons-Joel Embiid pairing? What's the next step in Bam Adebayo's development? Should Tristan Thompson start in Boston? How much of a difference will J
James Harden landing spots, trade packages
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss possible landing spots and trade packages for James Harden.Do the Brooklyn Nets have enough to land Harden? How much more should the Philadelphia 76ers be willing to give up beyond Ben Simmons? Can the Milwaukee Bucks cobble together a package that doesn't include Giannis Antetokounmpo? Which other teams should be interested?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more
2020-21 NBA season preview: Eastern Conference lottery teams
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) continue with their 2020-21 NBA season preview by discussing last year's Eastern Conference lottery teams.Are Collin Sexton and Darius Garland compatible long term? What is John Collins' future in Atlanta? Do the Pistons and Knicks have a long-term plan? How will Patrick Williams fit into the Bulls' frontcourt? Who should start at forward for the Wizards? How will Charlotte divvy up backcourt minutes after
2020-21 NBA season preview: Western Conference playoff teams
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) continue their 2020-21 NBA season preview with the Western Conference playoff teams from last year.Can the Trail Blazers contend for a top-four seed this year? How will the Mavericks replace Kristaps Porzingis until he returns from surgery? How will John Wall fit next to Russell Westbrook? Can Michael Porter Jr. cement himself as a star this year? Is Serge Ibaka an upgrade over Montrezl Harrell for the Clip
Westbrook-Wall trade reaction and AD/LeBron extensions
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Russell Westbrook/John Wall trade and LeBron James and Anthony Davis signing extensions with the Los Angeles Lakers.What are reasonable expectations for Wall this season? Does he fit better with Harden than Westbrook did? Will Westbrook increase the Wizards' chances of keeping Bradley Beal long term? What do the AD and LeBron extensions mean for the Lakers' chances of landing Giannis Antetokounm
2020-21 NBA season preview: Western Conference lottery teams
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) begin their preview of the 2020-21 NBA season with last year's Western Conference lottery teams.How will the Warriors bounce back from Klay Thompson's Achilles injury? What should Timberwolves fans expect from Anthony Edwards? Who will start in the Pelicans backcourt? Are the Suns now a playoff team after acquiring Chris Paul? What's next for Jaren Jackson Jr.?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan
Winners and losers of 2020 NBA free agency
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest winers and losers of 2020 NBA free agency.Were the Los Angeles Lakers the runaway winner? Did the Atlanta Hawks hit fast-forward on their rebuild too quickly? Are the Phoenix Suns getting too much credit? Did the Boston Celtics screw up with Gordon Hayward? What are the Detroit Pistons doing?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter:
Bam's extension, Gasol to the Lakers, Ibaka to the Clippers and more
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest free-agent news from the past few days.What does Bam Adebayo's impending extension mean for the Miami Heat's chances of landing Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2021? Does Marc Gasol joining the Los Angeles Lakers make them overwhelming title favorites? Is Serge Ibaka an upgrade over Montrezl Harrell for the Los Angeles Clippers? Will Aron Baynes help lessen the blow of losing Gasol and Ibaka fo
Breaking down the biggest deals from the first 24 hours of 2020 NBA free agency
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) break down the biggest deals from a wild first 24 hours of 2020 NBA free agency.Why did the Charlotte Hornets sign Gordon Hayward to a four-year, $120 million deal? Did the Toronto Raptors get good value on Fred VanVleet? Will Jerami Grant regret signing with the Detroit Pistons? Did the Los Angeles Clippers spend too much on Marcus Morris? Are the Los Angeles Lakers even bigger title favorites after landin
Live reaction to the first hour of 2020 NBA free agency
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) give their live reactions to the first hour of 2020 NBA free agency.Did the Miami Heat overpay for Goran Dragic and Meyers Leonard? Did the Los Angeles Lakers get a steal with Wesley Matthews? Where should the Milwaukee Bucks turn after the Bogdan Bogdanovic debacle? And what on earth are the Detroit Pistons doing?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitt
Winners and losers of the 2020 NBA draft
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest winners and losers of the 2020 NBA draft.How did Daryl Morey fare during his first draft with the Philadelphia 76ers. Did the Charlotte Hornets get their franchise cornerstone in LaMelo Ball? Which teams snagged draft-day steals? Did the Phoenix Suns reach on Jalen Smith at No. 10? Will the Minnesota Timberwolves grow to regret taking Anthony Edwards at No. 1? And what are the Houston Ro
The Bucks go all-in, the Suns get CP3, and is a Rockets teardown imminent?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Milwaukee Bucks' trades for Jrue Holiday and Bogdan Bogdanovic, Chris Paul going to the Suns and where James Harden should head next.Did the Bucks overpay for Jrue? Would they have made that move without knowing Giannis will sign a supermax? How did the Kings make out in the Bogdanovic sign-and-trade? Are the Suns now a playoff team? Should the Nets or Sixers trade for Harden? How much will Robe
Russ to the Knicks? CP3 to the Suns? Breaking down the latest trade rumors
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) walk through a wild week of trade rumors and discuss which are feasible.Should any contender want to trade for Russell Westbrook? Which teams would make sense as Westbrook landing spots? Should the Suns trade for Chris Paul? How would Jrue Holiday fit with the Atlanta Hawks? Do the Boston Celtics have the trade chips to make a big splash this offseason?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss
How the NBA's flattened salary cap affects 2020 free agency
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss how the NBA's flattened salary cap for the 2020-21 season will affect 2020 free agency.Are the Atlanta Hawks poised to be the offseason's biggest winner? Will the Golden State Warriors now balk at spending their Andre Iguodala TPE? Are sign-and-trades about to dominate free agency? And would the Charlotte Hornets be making a mistake if they trade up to No. 1 overall?Check out the episode to hear Mor
2020 NBA draft preview with Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) of Bleacher Report to preview the 2020 NBA draft.Who's the No. 1 prospect in the 2020 draft class? Which teams should be after James Wiseman? What are the concerns with Anthony Edwards? Who could emerge as a draft-day steal? Which teams are looking to trade up or down?Check out the episode to hear Morten, Bryan and Jonathan discuss all of that and more.Follow
The latest on the 2020-21 NBA season
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the latest updates on the 2020-21 NBA season.When should the 2020-21 season start, on Dec. 22 on MLK Jr. Day? How will the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic affect the salary cap? Which teams and players will benefit or get hurt by that? And should the NBA keep a play-in tournament next season? Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter:
Stan Van Gundy to the Pelicans and Daryl Morey to the Sixers with Mason Ginsberg of In the N.O.
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by Mason Ginsberg (@MasonGinsberg) of Bourbon Street Shots and the In the N.O. podcast to discuss Stan Van Gundy joining the New Orleans Pelicans and Daryl Morey joining the Philadelphia 76ers.Was SVG the best person for the Pelicans' job? What does his arrival mean for Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram? Will the Pelicans shop Jrue Holiday this offseason? How will Morey go about attempting to fi
Biggest takeaways from the 2020 NBA playoffs
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss their biggest takeaways from the 2020 NBA playoffs and how they might affect the upcoming draft and free agency.Will teams put more of a premium on size to counter the Lakers? Did the Lakers prove that the Big Two model is the way to build a team moving forward? Will two-way wings like Devin Vassell rise up draft boards after Jimmy Butler led the Heat to the Finals? Which teams are best positioned t
Daryl Morey's departure from the Rockets and Ty Lue to the Clippers
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Daryl Morey's departure from the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Clippers' decision to hire Ty Lue as their next head coach.What likely led to the breakup between Morey and the Rockets? What's next for the Rockets? Which teams should go after Morey? Was Lue the best fit for the Clippers? And how will Dave Joerger help the Philadelphia 76ers?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss
What's next for Lakers and Heat after 2020 NBA Finals + an offseason preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss what's next for the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat after the 2020 NBA Finals and preview the upcoming offseason.Why were we so bearish on the Lakers' title chances this year, and what did we miss? Who should they prioritize re-signing this offseason? Could the Heat add a big-name free agent? How will COVID-19 affect the NBA's financial outlook moving forward, and what does that mean for the 2020-
Finals Game 4 preview, Buddy Hield trade rumors and Victor Oladipo to the Knicks?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) preview Game 4 of the 2020 NBA Finals, discuss whether the Sacramento Kings should trade Buddy Hield and assemble a New York Knicks trade package for Victor Oladipo.Did Jimmy Butler's Game 3 performance prove he's a superstar? How will Bam Adebayo's return affect the outlook of this series? Who will win Game 4? What should the Kings be seeking in return for Hield? What can the Knicks offer the Indiana Pacer
Doc Rivers to the Sixers and coaching carousel fallout with Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) of ClutchPoints to discuss the Sixers' decision to hire Doc Rivers, how that might affect other coaching searches and preview Game 2 of the NBA Finals.Why did the Clippers part ways with Doc? Is he a good fit with the Sixers? What are some of the concerns about him coming in? Who are the front-runners for the Clippers and Indiana Pacers coaching jobs with Rivers now
2020 NBA Finals preview and what's next for Celtics, Nuggets and Doc Rivers with Allana Tachauer of HoopsHabit
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by Allana Tachauer (@AllanaTachauer) of HoopsHabit to preview the 2020 NBA Finals, discuss what's next for the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets and react to Doc Rivers' departure from the Los Angeles Clippers.Which players may be X-factors for the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers in the Finals? How can the Heat slow down LeBron James and Anthony Davis? How much should the Nuggets be willing to
How can the Nuggets and Celtics come back in the conference finals?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the keys for the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets to claw back into their respective conference finals series.Did Brad Stevens unlock a key in Game 5 by pivoting to his centers more? Do the Miami Heat need Jimmy Butler to be more aggressive offensively? How should the Nuggets adjust now that LeBron James is guarding Jamal Murray in late-game situations? Is it time for them to bench Gary Harris or P
Game 4 previews and Billy Donovan to the Bulls with Matt Moore of The Action Network
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by Matt Moore (@HPbasketball), Senior NBA Writer at The Action Network, to preview Game 4 of each conference finals and discuss the Chicago Bulls hiring Billy Donovan.Have the Denver Nuggets figured out how to attack the Los Angeles Lakers? Is LeBron James destined for a Game 4 eruption? How will Donovan fit with the Bulls? Does Gordon Hayward's return give the Boston Celtics the advantage over t
Early takeaways from NBA conference finals and what's next for the Clippers with T.J. McBride of Rocky Mountain Hoops
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by T.J. McBride (@TJMcBrideNBA) of the Rocky Mountain Hoops podcast to discuss their early takeaways from the Western and Eastern Conference Finals and what's next for the Los Angeles Clippers?What went wrong for the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 against the Los Angeles Lakers? What do they need to fix heading into Game 2? How much should the Clippers be willing to spend on Montrezl Harrell and Marcus
Bucks' future with Ti Windisch, what's next for the Rockets and Clippers-Nuggets Game 7 preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by Ti Windisch (@TiWindisch) of the Gyro Step podcast to discuss the Milwaukee Bucks' future before diving into what's next for the Houston Rockets and a Game 7 prediction for the Clippers-Nuggets.Are the Bucks making a mistake in bringing back Mike Budenholzer? How can they retailor their roster to convince Giannis Antetokounmpo to stay? Should they be open to Giannis trade offers? Who should th
Eastern Conference Finals preview and what's next for the Toronto Raptors?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) preview the Eastern Conference Finals, discuss what's next for the Toronto Raptors and weigh in on Michael Porter Jr.'s comments and the Danuel House Jr. situation.Which matchups could decide the series between the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics? Who should be favored? How much should the Raptors be willing to pay Fred VanVleet this offseason? Should they be open to trading Kyle Lowry? Was MPJ off-base in de
What's next for the Milwaukee Bucks, Oklahoma City Thunder and Utah Jazz?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest offseason questions for the Milwaukee Bucks, Oklahoma City Thunder and Utah Jazz.Should the Bucks fire head coach Mike Budenholzer? Do they have to entertain the possibility of trading Giannis Antetokounmpo if he doesn't sign a supermax extension? Should the Thunder trade away their veterans and rebuild? How much is too much for a Rudy Gobert extension?Check out the episode to hear Morte
What's going wrong for the Bucks and Lakers with Anthony Irwin of Locked on Lakers
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Anthony Irwin (@AnthonyIrwinLA) of Locked on Lakers discuss what's going wrong for the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers in their respective playoff series.How can the Lakers get even with the Houston Rockets in Game 2? Who's to blame for the Bucks being down 3-0 against the Miami Heat? Could OG Anunoby's game-winning shot swing the series against the Boston Celtics? Do the Denver Nuggets have any chance against
Early takeaways for Celtics-Raptors and Bucks-Heat, Game 7 predictions for Nuggets-Jazz and Rockets-Thunder
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss their takeaways after Game 1 of Celtics-Raptors and Bucks-Heat and make their predictions for Game 7 of Nuggets-Jazz and Rockets-Thunder.How can the Raptors get their half-court offense going against the Celtics? Do the Bucks have a Mike Budenholzer problem? Should they switch Giannis Antetokounmpo onto Jimmy Butler? Does Nuggets-Jazz Game 7 come down to Jamal Murray vs. Donovan Mitchell? Which vers
The NBA's Jacob Blake protests; Pacers' future with Caitlin Cooper of Indy Cornrows
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the NBA's protests over the police shooting of Jacob Blake and speak with Caitlin Cooper (@C2_Cooper) of Indy Cornrows about the Indiana Pacers' future.What was our reaction to the players' decision not to play games Wednesday? What are the next steps for the NBA in aiding social justice causes? Were the Pacers justified in firing Nate McMillan? Who should they target to replace him? How should thei
Sixers and Pacers postmortems, Celtics-Raptors preview, HOU-OKC and LAC-DAL predictions
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss what's next for the Philadelphia 76ers and Indiana Pacers, preview the Celtics-Raptors series and make predictions for Rockets-Thunder and Clippers-Mavericks.Who should the Sixers hire to replace Brett Brown? Should they trade Joel Embiid or Ben Simmons this offseason? Should the Indiana Pacers be shopping Victor Oladipo? Which matchups could decide the Celtics-Raptors series? Who will win Clippers-
2020 NBA draft lottery reaction and top Game 2 takeaways
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the fallout from the 2020 NBA draft lottery and the top takeaways from Game 2 of each team's first-round playoff series.What should the Minnesota Timberwolves do with the No. 1 overall pick? Who should the Golden State Warriors target if they trade the No. 2 pick? Are the Los Angeles Clippers in real danger of a first-round knockout? Is Jayson Tatum already a top-10 player in the NBA? Are the Utah J
Game 1 overreactions: Are the Lakers and Bucks in legitimate trouble?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) overreact to Game 1 of every 2020 first-round playoff series.Are the Los Angeles Lakers in legitimate danger of losing to the Portland Trail Blazers? Is Mike Budenholzer an "82-game coach?" Was Brett Brown to blame for the Philadelphia 76ers' Game 1 loss? Is Donovan Mitchell now effectively unguardable? Are the Indiana Pacers effectively finished after Game 1?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan d
Previewing every 1st-round matchup of the 2020 NBA playoffs
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) preview every first-round matchup of the 2020 NBA playoffs.Will the Portland Trail Blazers win the play-in tournament? Could they upset the L.A. Lakers? Do the Dallas Mavericks have a shot against the L.A. Clippers? How does Russell Westbrook's injury affect the Rockets-Thunder series? Can the Sixers survive the Celtics without Ben Simmons? Who will win the Jimmy Butler-T.J. Warren battle?Check out the epis
Our NBA seeding-game awards
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) hand out individual awards for the NBA seeding games.Who should be the Rookie of the Bubble? Are there clear-cut favorites for Sixth Man of the Bubble and Coach of the Bubble? Who deserves Most Improved Player and MVP? Who should be named to the All-Bubble team?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
How concerned should we be about the Grizzlies, Sixers and Lakers?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Jaren Jackson Jr.'s meniscus injury, Ben Simmons' kneecap injury, the Los Angeles Lakers' lethargic bubble play and Jim Boylen's future in Chicago.Are the Memphis Grizzlies no longer the favorites to win the No. 8 seed in the wake of Jackson's injury? Are the Philadelphia 76ers headed for a first-round playoff exit? Are the Lakers in danger of an early-round upset? Should Boylen return as the Bulls'
Jonathan Isaac's ACL tear, MPJ's breakout and the battle for the West's No. 8 seed
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Jonathan Isaac's ACL tear, Michael Porter Jr.'s breakout game, the battle for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference and whether the Toronto Raptors are a legitimate threat to repeat.What does Isaac's injury mean for the Orlando Magic moving forward? Should MPJ continue to start for the Denver Nuggets even when Gary Harris and Will Barton return? Are the Memphis Grizzlies in danger of falling out
Top takeaways from the first wave of NBA seeding games
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss their top takeaways from the first few days of NBA seeding games.Did the New Orleans Pelicans err with Zion Williamson's minutes distribution? Should the Los Angeles Clippers feel better about their chances against the Los Angeles Lakers despite the loss? Are the Portland Trail Blazers the favorites to finish with the No. 9 seed? What is the ceiling for Kristaps Porzingis and the Dallas Mavericks?Ch
Ranking the top 20 players in the Orlando bubble
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) rank the top 20 players in the NBA bubble ahead of the 2019-20 season restart.Who's the top dog in the Orlando bubble? How high does Luka Doncic rank? Where does Pascal Siakam belong in the league's hierarchy? Should we buy into Jayson Tatum as a bona fide superstar? Do Russell Westbrook, Khris Middleton and Kyle Lowry deserve to be in the top 20?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of
Power ranking every NBA team in the Orlando bubble
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) power rank all 22 teams participating in the 2019-20 NBA season restart.Do any non-playoff teams crack the top 15? Where do the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets land? What about the new-look Philadelphia 76ers? Are the Boston Celtics above the Toronto Raptors? Which team enters the bubble as the presumptive title favorite?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow
Our 2019-20 All-NBA teams (and snubs!)
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) make their picks for the 2019-20 All-NBA teams.Who should be the first-team All-NBA center? Is there room for Damian Lillard on the first team? Do Pascal Siakam, Khris Middleton and Jimmy Butler deserve All-NBA nods? Should voters overlook team success when considering Bradley Beal, Trae Young and/or Devin Booker? Where does Ben Simmons fit in? Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of t
Our final 2019-20 NBA award picks
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) give their final picks for every major 2019-20 NBA award.Is Giannis Antetokounmpo the clear-cut MVP, or does LeBron James have a case? Is Giannis the Defensive Player of the Year as well? Can anyone challenge Ja Morant for Rookie of the Year? Who should win the wide-open Sixth Man of the Year, Most Improved Player and Coach of the Year races?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that
Notable COVID-19 tests, Rajon Rondo's broken thumb and Sixers lineup changes
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the latest COVID-19 news from the NBA bubble, Rajon Rondo's broken thumb and some lineup changes for the Philadelphia 76ers.If Russell Westbrook can't join the Houston Rockets in Orlando, what does that mean for their chances of advancing in the playoffs? Will Rajon Rondo's broken thumb affect the Los Angeles Lakers' title odds? Could Victor Oladipo make the Indiana Pacers a dark-horse title threat?
The new-look Nets, Joel Embiid vs Kendrick Perkins and bubble concerns
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the depleted Brooklyn Nets, Joel Embiid's concerns about the NBA restart and players complaining about the accommodations at Walt Disney World.How much will Jamal Crawford and Michael Beasley help the Nets? Was Kendrick Perkins right to mock Embiid's concerns about the bubble? Are players risking PR backlash for criticizing their accommodations at Disney World? What will next season look like?Check
Which NBA teams are lurking as dark-horse title contenders?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss which teams might be dark-horse title contenders when the 2019-20 season resumes in Orlando.Are the Denver Nuggets a legitimate threat to emerge from the West? Could the Houston Rockets' small-ball experiment work? Do the Toronto Raptors have a genuine chance to defend their title? Are the Boston Celtics the biggest threat to the Milwaukee Bucks in the East?Check out the episode to hear Morten and B
The latest on the NBA's restart and a second bubble
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the latest news pertaining to the resumption of the 2019-20 NBA season and the possibility of a second "bubble" environment in Chicago.Should the NBA be entertaining a second bubble for the eight teams that weren't invited to Orlando? Does the risk outweigh the reward? What's a better alternative? Will the spike in coronavirus cases in Florida cause the NBA to rethink the resumption of the 2019-20 s
Seeding-game schedule reaction and notable opt-outs from 2019-20 season restart
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss winners and losers of the seeding-game schedule and notable players who won't join their teams for the rest of the 2019-20 season.Are the New Orleans Pelicans a lock to force a play-in tournament? Can the Boston Celtics jump the Toronto Raptors for the No. 2 seed in the East? Are we headed for a Miami Heat-Philadelphia 76ers first-round series? How much will the Los Angeles Lakers miss Avery Bradley
Re-drafting the 2013 NBA draft
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) re-draft the lottery of the 2013 NBA draft.Which player would we take over Giannis Antetokounmpo in any draft class since 2000? Who goes at No. 3, Victor Oladipo or CJ McCollum? Which undrafted free agents sneak into the re-draft lottery? How far do Otto Porter Jr., Cody Zeller and Nerlens Noel fall?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
Re-drafting the 2014 NBA draft
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) re-draft the 2014 NBA draft class.Who goes No. 1 overall, Nikola Jokic or Joel Embiid? Where do the likes of Zach LaVine, Aaron Gordon and Marcus Smart wind up? How far does Andrew Wiggins fall? Which real-life second-round picks jump into the re-draft lottery? Does Jabari Parker get selected at all?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
Bradley Beal trade rumors; which free agents should teams sign for the playoffs?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss some of the latest Bradley Beal trade rumors and go over possible free-agent targets for teams ahead of the 2019-20 season resuming.Should the Brooklyn Nets go all-in on a third star and trade for Beal? What could the Los Angeles Lakers offer for him? Which other teams should be interested? And who's out there on the free-agent market that teams should consider signing over the next few weeks?Check
Skinny Jokic, LMA's injury, bubble concerns and Thibs-Knicks rumors
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Nikola Jokic's weight loss, LaMarcus Aldridge's injury, concerns about the NBA's bubble and the latest New York Knicks coaching rumors.Will Jokic's weight loss hurt him more than it helps him? Is the San Antonio Spurs' 22-year playoff streak finally coming to an end? How should fans feel about players who are concerned about the NBA's bubble environment in Orlando? Would Tom Thibodeau be the best co
The top storylines to watch when the 2019-20 NBA season resumes
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the top storylines for when the 2019-20 NBA season resumes in late July.How will the extended layoff affect teams? Will any teams attempt to manipulate their seeding for easier early-round playoff matchups? Are the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers still resounding favorites? Which teams loom as dark-horse title contenders? Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan di
The NBA's return, George Floyd protests with Anthony Sain of AllGrizzlies
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by Anthony Sain (@SainAsylum) of AllGrizzlies.com to discuss the NBA's imminent return (!) and the ongoing nationwide protests over George Floyd's death and racial inequality.How will the NBA's new playoff format affect the bottom of the Western Conference bracket? Should the play-in tournament be here to stay permanently? Which teams might benefit from the extended time off? How has the NBA reac
Ranking the top centers in 2020 NBA free agency
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the top centers on the 2020 NBA free-agent market.Should Andre Drummond decline his $28.75 million player option? Will Montrezl Harrell re-sign with the Los Angeles Clippers? Should the Charlotte Hornets go after Christian Wood? Can the Toronto Raptors retain Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol? Could Derrick Favors change the NBA landscape by joining a contender?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Brya
NBA return-to-play plans and playoff scenarios with Yahoo Sports' Keith Smith
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) of Yahoo Sports discuss the latest news about the resumption of the 2019-20 NBA season and possible playoff scenarios.How many teams should we expect to see come back? What playoff formats are actively being discussed? How will the NBA keep players safe? Check out the episode to hear Morten, Bryan and Keith discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNB
Ranking the top power forwards in 2020 NBA free agency
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the top power forwards in the 2020 NBA free-agent class.What is Anthony Davis' best contractual option in free agency? Is Brandon Ingram a no-brainer max player? Which teams should go after Danilo Gallinari and Davis Bertans? Should the Denver Nuggets try to retain Jerami Grant and/or Paul Millsap?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheN
Ranking the top small forwards in 2020 NBA free agency
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the top small forwards in the 2020 NBA free-agent class.Should DeMar DeRozan decline his $27.7 million player option? How much should the Sacramento Kings be willing to spend on Bogdan Bogdanovic? Which contenders should go after Joe Harris? Who should take a flier on Derrick Jones Jr.? Should the Los Angeles Clippers attempt to re-sign Marcus Morris?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan di
Ranking the top shooting guards in 2020 NBA free agency
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the top shooting guards in the 2020 free-agent class.Should Evan Fournier decline his $17.2 million player option? If so, where should he sign this offseason? What about Tim Hardaway Jr.? Which teams should be interested in Malik Beasley? Will Kentavious Caldwell-Pope opt in? Which contenders could use Austin Rivers? Where would Bryn Forbes fit best?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan dis
A behind-the-scenes look at Bleacher Report's GM Week
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by Bleacher Report NBA national featured columnist Grant Hughes (@gt_hughes) to discuss B/R's GM Week project.As the Sacramento Kings GM, what did Grant hope to accomplish? How did he shake up the Kings' roster? How did he think he did? What did Bryan do as the Denver Nuggets' GM? What is Michael Porter Jr.'s trade value moving forward? And what were some of the other big moves made throughout th
Ranking the top point guards in 2020 NBA free agency
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the top point guards in the 2020 NBA free-agent class.Which teams should be interested in Fred VanVleet? Will Goran Dragic receive more than the mid-level exception? Should teams prioritize veteran backups such as Jeff Teague or D.J. Augustin? Will point guard prospects rise in the draft because the free-agent class is so weak?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and mo
The latest on when — or if — the 2019-20 NBA season will resume
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the latest updates on when (or if) the 2019-20 NBA season will resume in the wake of NBA Commissioner Adam Silver's call with players Friday.Why is a single-site solution more feasible than having every team play at home? Does the Disney idea make more sense from a medical perspective than Vegas or vice versa? Will the NBA's plan for player testing work? If fans can't attend games in the 2020-21 se
Re-drafting the 2015 NBA draft
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) re-draft the lottery of the 2015 NBA draft.Is Karl-Anthony Towns still the No. 1 overall pick? Who goes at No. 2, Kristaps Porzingis or Devin Booker? Do real-life top-five picks Jahlil Okafor (No. 3) and Mario Hezonja (No. 5) go in the re-draft lottery? How many real-life second-round picks become lottery picks in the re-draft?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follo
Is there a right way to rebuild in the NBA?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by T.J. McBride (@TJMcBrideNBA) of Mile High Sports to discuss whether there's a "right" way to rebuild in today's NBA.What lessons should rebuilding teams take away from the Denver Nuggets and Philadelphia 76ers? What are some of the typical pitfalls in a rebuild? Why haven't the New York Knicks, Orlando Magic or Phoenix Suns dug their way out of long-term rebuilds yet? How does ownership factor
Top offseason questions for the Jazz, Nuggets, Thunder, Timberwolves and Trail Blazers
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the top offseason questions for every team in the Northwest Division.Should the Utah Jazz try to trade Mike Conley this offseason? Did the Denver Nuggets miss their window for a consolidation trade? Should the Oklahoma City Thunder try to sell high on Chris Paul? How much should the Minnesota Timberwolves be willing to spend on Malik Beasley? Should the Portland Trail Blazers run it back or consider
Top offseason questions for Grizzlies, Mavericks, Pelicans, Rockets and Spurs
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the top offseason questions for every team in the Southwest Division.How much should the Memphis Grizzlies spent to retain De'Anthony Melton? What should the Dallas Mavericks' top priority be this offseason? Is Brandon Ingram a no-brainer max for the New Orleans Pelicans? Should the Houston Rockets bring back Daryl Morey and Mike D'Antoni? Is it time for the San Antonio Spurs to rebuild?Check out th
Top offseason questions for the Clippers, Kings, Lakers, Suns and Warriors
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the top offseason questions for every team in the Pacific Division.How much should the Los Angeles Clippers pay to re-sign Montrezl Harrell? What should the Sacramento Kings' walk-away price be for Bogdan Bogdanovic? Is Anthony Davis a lock to re-sign with the Los Angeles Lakers? Should the Phoenix Suns re-sign Dario Saric? What should the Golden State Warriors do with their top-five pick?Check out
B/R's Jonathan Wasserman on Jalen Green joining the G League; the 2020 NBA draft class
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by Bleacher Report lead draft writer Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) to discuss Jalen Green's decision to bypass college for the G League and go over the 2020 NBA draft class.How do scouts feel about Green's decision to go to the G League next year? Will it impact his draft stock at all? Why is the 2020 NBA draft class considered so weak? Is there a consensus No. 1 pick? Which non-lottery pros
K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago on the Chicago Bulls' new front office
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest K.C. Johnson (@kcjhoop) of NBC Sports Chicago discuss the recent changes the Chicago Bulls have made to their front office.Why did the Bulls decide to overhaul their front office? What is new executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas' vision for the team moving forward? How does former EVP John Paxson fit into the mix? What does Karnisovas' arrival mean for the rost
B/R's Eric Pincus on the financial ramifications of the NBA shutdown
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) of Bleacher Report and Basketball Insiders discuss the financial ramifications of the ongoing NBA shutdown.Why is the league trying to withhold a larger percentage of players' paychecks? How much could the NBA lose if it cancels the regular season and/or the playoffs? How will that affect players? What does all of this mean for the 2020-21 salary cap? Check out the e
The NBA's possible return and the Bulls' front office search
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the NBA's possible return and the Chicago Bulls' ongoing front office search.What will it take for the NBA to return this season? Is the quarantine/bubble solution realistic? What can the NBA learn from MLB's proposal? When will fans be able to attend again? And who should Bulls fans want the team to hire as the next top executive?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that an
The best games of the 2019-20 NBA season to rewatch on League Pass
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Josh Eberley (@JoshEberley) of HOOP Mag discuss the best games of the 2019-20 season to rewatch on League Pass.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
Top offseason questions for the Hawks, Heat, Hornets, Magic and Wizards
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest offseason questions for the Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets, Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards.How much should the Atlanta Hawks be willing to give John Collins in an extension? Is Bam Adebayo a no-brainer max player? How should the Hornets spend their cap space this summer? Do the Magic need to make major changes to their roster? How much should the Wizards be willing to
Top offseason questions for the Bucks, Bulls, Cavaliers, Pacers and Pistons
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the top offseason questions for the Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons.If the 2019-20 season does not resume, will that hurt or help the Bucks' chances of signing Giannis Antetokounmpo to a supermax this summer? Will Gar Forman's imminent demotion be enough change for the Bulls? Will the Cavaliers be able to trade Kevin Love this offseason? Should
Top offseason questions for the Celtics, Nets, Knicks, Sixers and Raptors
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the top offseason questions for the Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors.How can the Celtics bolster their frontcourt? Will Kevin Durant's return make the Nets a legitimate title contender? How should the Knicks spend their cap space this offseason? Can the Sixers find a taker for Al Horford? Should the Raptors run it back?Check out the episode to he
Our 2016 NBA re-draft: Does Ben Simmons still go No. 1?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) redraft the lottery of the 2016 NBA draft.Is Ben Simmons still the No. 1 overall pick? Does Pascal Siakam leap over Brandon Ingram at No. 2? How high does Malcolm Brogdon jump? Does Jamal Murray now go before Buddy Hield? Which other non-lottery picks would jump into the lottery in a redraft?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
How the coronavirus pandemic might affect the 2020 NBA draft and free agency
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss how the ongoing coronavirus pandemic will affect the remainder of the 2019-20 NBA season, the 2020 NBA draft and free agency.Why is mid-to-late June now being presented as the best-case scenario for the NBA to return? How could the league resume at that point? What will the ongoing shutdown and travel restrictions mean for the 2020 draft? How will this likely loss of revenue affect free agency?Check
Yaron Weitzman, author of 'Tanking to the Top,' on the Process Sixers
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) speaks with Yaron Weitzman (@yaronweitzman), author of the new book "Tanking to the Top," about the Process Sixers.What led to Sam Hinkie's downfall in Philadelphia? What misunderstandings about the Process do the general public — or Sixers fans — still have? Is Brett Brown's job in jeopardy? Can Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons coexist long-term? Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twit
A doctor's perspective on the coronavirus pandemic and the NBA's response
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) speak with Dr. Alex Toporek, a third-year internal medicine resident, about the coronavirus pandemic and the NBA.What makes coronavirus so bad? Why is social distancing critical right now? What should people do if they feel symptomatic? Why did the NBA have to shut down after Rudy Gobert tested positive? When might it return? And when will we get back to some semblance of normalcy?Check out the episode to h
What's next after the coronavirus shut down the NBA?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the NBA's decision to suspend the 2019-20 season in response to the coronavirus pandemic.Why did the NBA have to shut down? Did the league act quickly enough? How much blame does Rudy Gobert deserve? If the NBA is able to resume at some point, what should it do about the remainder of the regular season and/or the playoffs?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Fo
Kenny Atkinson leaves the Nets, the MVP race and the NBA's response to coronavirus
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Kenny Atkinson's departure from the Brooklyn Nets, whether LeBron James has overtaken Giannis Antetokounmpo in the MVP race and the NBA's response to the coronavirus outbreak.Why did Atkinson and the Nets mutually decide to part ways? Who should the Nets hire as their next head coach? Which teams should be interested in Atkinson? Has LeBron already overtaken Giannis as the MVP favorite? Can he? And
Joakim Noah to the Clippers, Dion Waiters to the Lakers and Steph Curry's return
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Joakim Noah signing with the Los Angeles Clippers, Dion Waiters signing with the Los Angeles Lakers, Stephen Curry's return and much more.How much will Noah help the Clippers? Can Jusuf Nurkic return in time to save the Portland Trail Blazers? Will the Lakers' Waiters experiment end in flames? Why did Curry return this season? And what should we make of a few deals that didn't go down at the trade d
Answering the biggest remaining questions in the 2019-20 NBA season
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) make their predictions for the biggest remaining questions in the 2019-20 NBA season.Can LeBron James overtake Giannis Antetokounmpo to win MVP? Who should be the front-runners for Defensive Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year and Most Improved Player? Can the Memphis Grizzlies stave off the New Orleans Pelicans for the West's No. 8 seed? Will the Denver Nuggets or Los Angeles Laker
The impact of Ben Simmons, Jeremy Lamb and Jaren Jackson Jr.'s injuries
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the impact of the recent injuries Ben Simmons, Jeremy Lamb and Jaren Jackson Jr. suffered.How can the Philadelphia 76ers survive Simmons' absence? What does Lamb's injury mean for the Indiana Pacers both this year and moving forward? Are the Memphis Grizzlies going to slip out of the playoff race with JJJ sidelined? And what must Bradley Beal be thinking after dropping back-to-back 50-point games in
The Elam Ending, the post-Beilein Cavaliers, #BuyoutSZN and remaking the Bulls
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the All-Star Game's Elam Ending, Cleveland Cavaliers head coach John Beilein's resignation, notable buyouts and more.Should the NBA implement the Elam Ending beyond the All-Star Game? How should the Cavaliers proceed in the wake of Beilein's resignation? Will any of this year's buyouts make a difference in the playoffs? Do the Brooklyn Nets need to make major changes this summer? How should the Chic
The top post-All-Star-break storylines to monitor
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the top storylines to monitor after the All-Star break.How will the 2-6 seeds shake out in the East? Can any of those teams beat the Milwaukee Bucks in the playoffs? Will the Washington Wizards or Chicago Bulls overtake the Orlando Magic for the East's No. 8 seed? Who's the favorite in the West? Will the Portland Trail Blazers or New Orleans Pelicans jump ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies for the West'
Sizing up the NBA after the trade deadline
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) give their early impressions of how the biggest trade-deadline acquisitions are faring in their new homes.Will the Houston Rockets' small-ball experiment work? Should the Philadelphia 76ers keep bringing Al Horford off the bench? Does Marcus Morris make the Los Angeles Clippers title favorites? Is Jae Crowder more important to Miami than Andre Iguodala? Can the Minnesota Timberwolves fix their defense?Check
2020 NBA trade deadline reaction: D'Angelo Russell, Andre Drummond, Andre Iguodala and more
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) react to the wild 2020 NBA trade deadline and break down the biggest deals of the day.Did the Golden State Warriors get the better end of the D'Angelo Russell/Andrew Wiggins trade? Why did the Detroit Pistons flip Andre Drummond for pennies on the dollar? Should the Miami Heat have gone all-in to get Danilo Gallinari? Does Marcus Morris cement the Los Angeles Clippers as title favorites? Will Alec Burks and
Instant reaction to the four-team Clint Capela-Robert Covington megatrade
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Tuesday's four-team megatrade between the Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets. Are the Hawks the clear winners of this trade? Can the Rockets survive with P.J. Tucker as their full-time starting center, or do they need to acquire another big man between now and Thursday? What do the Nuggets have up their sleeves? Will this trade grease the wheels on a D'Angelo R
Discussing latest trade rumors: Clint Capela, D'Angelo Russell, Andre Iguodala and more
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the latest trade rumors involving Clint Capela, D'Angelo Russell, Andre Iguodala and more only days before the 2020 NBA trade deadline.Which teams would be logical landing spots for Capela? Should the Golden State Warriors wait to shop Russell until the offseason? Is Iguodala doing the Memphis Grizzlies wrong? Which teams should be going after Tristan Thompson? Why would the Phoenix Suns be interest
All-Star snubs, the new All-Star Game format and the Knicks hit a new low
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss All-Star snubs, the new All-Star Game format and the New York Knicks hitting a new low Wednesday night.Should Devin Booker have gotten into the All-Star Game over Russell Westbrook? Does Bradley Beal have a legitimate gripe as a snub? Will the new format make the All-Star Game more competitive? Do the Knicks have any hope of a turnaround eventually?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan disc
Remembering Kobe Bryant; picking our 2020 All-Star reserves
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Kobe Bryant in the wake of his tragic death and make their picks for 2020 All-Star Game reserves.Why has Kobe's death hit the NBA community so hard? How will we remember him? What can the league do to honor him? And who should be selected as an All-Star reserve?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
The Willie Cauley-Stein trade, Zion first impressions and Clippers drama
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Willie Cauley-Stein trade, Zion Williamson's regular-season debut and behind-the-scenes drama with the Los Angeles Clippers.How much will Cauley-Stein help the Mavericks in the wake of Dwight Powell's injury? How concerned should Clippers fans be about the behind-the-scenes tension going on? Should the Pelicans be under fire for limiting Williamson's minutes? Will the 76ers make a panic trade to
Derrick Rose trade rumors, Dwight Powell's Achilles injury and our 2020 All-Star starters
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the latest Derrick Rose trade rumors, how Dwight Powell's Achilles injury will affect the Dallas Mavericks, and make their All-Star starter selections.Would Rose make much sense for the Los Angeles Lakers or Philadelphia 76ers? How will Powell's injury affect the Mavericks' trade-deadline plans? Who should start in the All-Star Game? Should the All-Star balloting get rid of positions entirely?Check
The Crabbe-Teague trade, Kyrie's leadership and latest trade rumors
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Jeff Teague-Allen Crabbe trade, Kyrie Irving's leadership and the latest trade rumors involving Robert Covington, Andre Drummond and D'Angelo Russell.Who won the Crabbe-Teague trade? Was Kyrie right about the Nets needing more pieces to contend for a title? Which teams should be in pursuit of Covington? Are the Atlanta Hawks wise to back out of Drummond trade talks? Should the Warriors wait to t
Our 2019-20 midseason awards picks
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) make their midseason picks for every major award.Who is the front-runner for MVP: James Harden, Luka Doncic or Giannis Antetokounmpo? Can anyone catch Ja Morant for Rookie of the Year? Who's leading the wide-open Defensive Player of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year races? Who deserves Most Improved Player? Is Frank Vogel a lock for Coach of the Year? Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss
NBA Trade Deadline season with Sean Deveney
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) is joined by Sean Deveney (@seandeveney) to talk about the NBA Trade Deadline and which deals could be made in the NBA over the next couple of weeks.Check out the episode to hear Morten and Sean discuss potential moves that include Andre Drummond, Kevin Love, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Kyle Kuzma and plenty more names.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
How David Stern changed the fate of two Europeans - Guest: Tom West
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Tom West (@TomWestNBA) talk about the impact the late David Stern had on the NBA, through a European lens.Check out the episode to hear Morten and Tom discuss how it was growing up with the NBA from across the pond.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
Re-drafting the 2017 NBA draft
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) re-draft the first 14 picks of the 2017 NBA draft.Which player goes No. 1 overall? (2:48) Who goes first, Bam Adebayo or Jayson Tatum? (12:18) How much does John Collins rise? (25:11) Where does Kyle Kuzma land? (42:47) How far does Markelle Fultz fall? (57:23) Does Lonzo Ball go in the lottery at all? (1:01:50)Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter:
Which teams should be sellers at the NBA trade deadline?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss which teams should be sellers ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline.Who should lottery-bound teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers (3:27) and New York Knicks (12:47) be looking to sell? What should the Washington Wizards do with Davis Bertans? (16:02) Should the Detroit Pistons be shopping Blake Griffin and/or Andre Drummond? (30:31) Should the Orlando Magic (46:52) and New Orleans Pelicans (50:36) ship o
Which teams should be buyers at the NBA trade deadline?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss which teams should be buyers ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline.Do the Milwaukee Bucks need to add more help for Giannis Antetokounmpo? Should the Portland Trail Blazers trade for Kevin Love? Do the Houston Rockets have the requisite assets to make a big move? Should the Boston Celtics trade for a center? Should the Atlanta Hawks add some veterans to turn their season around?Check out the episode to
Do Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic need to take over more often?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss recent criticism about Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic not wanting to dominate enough and delve into what's gone wrong for the New Orleans Pelicans.Why isn't Embiid having as much fun this year as he has in years past (2:08)? Was Thursday's performance against Boston a sign of things to come (12:35)? Why has Jokic been less engaged this season (28:20)? How worried should Pelicans fans be about their sl
The Knicks fire Fizdale, Kevin Love landing spots
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the New York Knicks' decision to fire head coach David Fizdale and try to find Kevin Love a new home.Will firing Fizdale fix the Knicks, or does their dysfunction stem from higher up? How concerned should the Cleveland Cavaliers be about players reportedly tuning out head coach John Beilein? Which teams might be interested in trading for Kevin Love? What should Cleveland realistically expect in retu
Separating contenders from pretenders at the quarter-season mark
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss which teams look like legitimate title contenders at the quarter-season mark of the 2019-20 NBA season.Are the Houston Rockets or Dallas Mavericks legitimate threats to either of the L.A. teams? Can Nikola Jokic shake off his slow start to make the Denver Nuggets contenders? Should the Philadelphia 76ers be considered a serious threat to win the title this year? What about the Miami Heat, Toronto Ra
Melo's Player of the Week award, are the Lakers for real, and time to worry about Jazz or Spurs?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Carmelo Anthony winning Player of the Week, dive into the Los Angeles Lakers' upcoming stretch and discuss whether it's time to be worried about the Utah Jazz or San Antonio Spurs.Was Melo's Player of the Week award undeserved? Are the Lakers being propped up by a soft early-season schedule? Why have the Jazz struggled so much as of late? Is this the year that the Spurs' playoff streak ends?Check ou
Does the NBA need to fix the regular season?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss whether the NBA needs to make drastic changes to the regular season.How can the NBA get players and fans to buy into an in-season tournament? Is the proposed play-in tournament for playoff spots a good idea? Should the league re-seed the conference finalists? What role does the media play in how the regular season is consumed?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and mor
Early front-runners for 2019-20 NBA awards
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the early front-runners for every NBA award through the first month of the 2019-20 NBA season.Can Luka Doncic legitimately challenge Giannis Antetokounmpo for MVP? Who's emerging as a candidate for Most Improved Player? Does Ja Morant have any competition for Rookie of the Year? Which coaches deserve love in the Coach of the Year race?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of tha
Melo to the Blazers, Ben Simmons hits a 3 and Nikola Vucevic's injury
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Carmelo Anthony signing with the Portland Trail Blazers, Ben Simmons hitting a three-pointer (!) and what Nikola Vucevic's ankle injury means for the Orlando Magic.Can Carmelo help the Blazers turn their disappointing season around? If Simmons begins to regularly take threes, will he fix the Sixers' offensive spacing issues? How will the Magic adjust without Vucevic for the next four-plus weeks? Che
Who's to blame for the New York Knicks' awful start?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss who's to blame for the New York Knicks' miserable start and the impact of injuries to Gordon Hayward, Khris Middleton and De'Aaron Fox.Is head coach David Fizdale the primary culprit for the Knicks' 2-8 start? How much blame do general manager Scott Perry and team president Steve Mills deserve? Can the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks stay toward the top of the East without Hayward and Middleton,
Which NBA surprises are here to stay?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss which early-season surprises will last and which will regress to the mean.Are the Phoenix Suns... good? Can Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis keep the Dallas Mavericks in the playoff race? Did Ryan Saunders fix Andrew Wiggins? Who's fueling the stunningly competent Charlotte Hornets?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
Which NBA teams should be worried about their slow starts?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss which teams should be concerned about their slow start to the 2019-20 NBA season.Should the Portland Trail Blazers be worried about their frontcourt in the wake of Zach Collins' shoulder injury? How concerned should the Sacramento Kings be? What's plaguing the Orlando Magic and Chicago Bulls? Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
The KAT-Embiid fight and Stephen Curry breaks his hand
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the fight between Karl-Anthony Towns and Joel Embiid, Stephen Curry's broken hand and Kendrick Nunn's hot start.What led to the fight between Towns and Embiid? Should Philadelphia 76ers fans be concerned about Embiid's immaturity? Should the Golden State Warriors tank in the wake of Curry's hand injury? Will that increase the odds of D'Angelo Russell being traded? And why should we pump the brakes o
Surprises and disappointments from Week 1 of the 2019-20 NBA season
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest surprises and disappointments from Week 1 of the 2019-20 NBA season.Is the Minnesota Timberwolves' hot start sustainable? Are the Phoenix Suns genuinely not as bad as expected? Can the New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings turn their respective seasons around? What's going on with the Chicago Bulls and Indiana Pacers?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that
Opening Week takeaways with Chris Herring of FiveThirtyEight
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Chris Herring (@Herring_NBA) of FiveThirtyEight discuss their biggest takeaways from the first few days of the 2019-20 NBA season.Can anyone stop the Los Angeles Clippers? How did James Harden and Russell Westbrook look in their first game together? What concerns have emerged for the Los Angeles Lakers? How does Deandre Ayton's suspension affect the Phoenix Suns? Which teams will regret the r
Top NBA storylines to watch in 2019-20
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the top storylines they're excited to watch during the 2019-20 NBA season.How will Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis fare alongside one another? Can the Lakers stumble upon the correct starting lineup? What will Pascal Siakam look like as a No. 1 option? Can Michael Porter Jr. be the Nuggets' X-factor? Will Giannis Antetokoumpo take another step forward?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Brya
Our 2019-20 NBA awards predictions
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) make their picks for all of the NBA's major awards ahead of the 2019-20 season.Will Giannis Antetokounmpo repeat as MVP? Can anyone dethrone Rudy Gobert as Defensive Player of the Year? Is Zion Williamson a lock to win Rookie of the Year? Will Lou Williams become the first four-time Sixth Man of the Year? Who are the best candidates for Most Improved Player?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan dis
Which players should sign rookie-scale extensions?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss which players should sign rookie-scale extensions ahead of the Oct. 21 deadline.Should the Toronto Raptors max out Pascal Siakam? How much should the New Orleans Pelicans be willing to spend on Brandon Ingram? Is Buddy Hield a max-caliber player? What's a fair price point for Jaylen Brown and Domantas Sabonis?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Tw
2019-20 League Pass rankings with Dave DuFour of The Athletic
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Dave DuFour (@DaveDuFourNBA) of The Athletic go through their League Pass rankings for the 2019-20 NBA season.Which teams are must-watch this season? Which teams can you safely ignore? Do either of the L.A. teams top the list? Where do Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans rank?Check out the episode to hear Morten, Bryan and Dave discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheN
2019-20 Pacific Division preview with Gerald Bourguet of The Step Back
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Gerald Bourguet (@geraldbourguet) of The Step Back preview the Pacific Division ahead of the 2019-20 NBA season.How will D'Angelo Russell fit next to Stephen Curry? Who should start next to Kawhi Leonard and Paul George on the Los Angeles Clippers? Can Dwight Howard redeem himself with the Los Angeles Lakers? How much will Ricky Rubio help the Phoenix Suns? Can the Sacramento Kings snap their 13-year playoff drought?
2019-20 Atlantic Division preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) preview the Atlantic Division ahead of the 2019-20 NBA season.Who will the Boston Celtics miss more: Kyrie Irving or Al Horford? Can Caris LeVert become an All-Star this year in Brooklyn? Can the New York Knicks find enough minutes for everyone this season? How will Al Horford fit next to Joel Embiid? Should the Toronto Raptors brace themselves for a fire sale at the trade deadline?Check out the episode to
2019-20 Southwest Division preview with Bobby Karalla of Mavs.com
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and Bobby Karalla (@bobbykaralla) of Mavs.com preview the Southwest Division ahead of the 2019-20 NBA season.What should we expect from Kristaps Porzingis this year? How will Russell Westbrook and James Harden fit together? How will the Memphis Grizzlies move on from the Grit 'n' Grind era? What are realistic expectations for Zion Williamson? Is the San Antonio Spurs' playoff streak in danger?Check out the epi
2019-20 Northwest Division preview with Andy Bailey of Hardwood Knocks
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Andy Bailey (@andrewdbailey) of the Hardwood Knocks podcast preview the Northwest Division ahead of the 2019-20 NBA season.How much of a difference will Jerami Grant make with the Denver Nuggets? Is there any hope for Andrew Wiggins? How will the Oklahoma City Thunder adjust to life after Russell Westbrook? Can the Portland Trail Blazers build upon their Western Conference Finals appearance?
2019-20 Central Division preview with Duncan Smith of Forbes
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Duncan Smith (@duncansmithnba) of Forbes preview the Central Division ahead of the 2019-20 season.How will the Chicago Bulls' point guard rotation shake out? Are Cleveland Cavaliers guards Collin Sexton and Darius Garland compatible? Will this be Andre Drummond's last year in Detroit? Do the new-look Indiana Pacers have a higher ceiling than last year's team? How will the Milwaukee Bucks repl
2019-20 Southeast Division preview with Jeff Siegel of Peachtree Hoops
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Jeff Siegel (@jgsiegel) of Peachtree Hoops and Early Bird Rights preview the Southeast Division ahead of the 2019-20 NBA season.Could the Atlanta Hawks make the playoffs this year? Are the Orlando Magic the favorites in the division? How will Jimmy Butler mesh with the Miami Heat? Do the Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards have any long-term hope?Check out the episode to hear Morten, Bry
Our all-time NBA draft
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by T.J. McBride (@TJMcBrideNBA) of Mile High Sports to conduct an all-time NBA draft.How do the all-time starting fives stack up? How far did Kobe Bryant fall? Which all-time greats went undrafted? And which team wound up as the best?Check out the episode to hear Morten, Bryan and T.J. discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
Dwight Howard to the Lakers, Caris LeVert's extension and a Joe Johnson sighting
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Dwight Howard signing with the Los Angeles Lakers, Caris LeVert's extension with the Brooklyn Nets and whether Joe Johnson is worthy of an NBA roster spot.Will Howard actually embrace a smaller role with the Lakers, or will he become a distraction? Did the Nets get good value on LeVert's extension? Could Johnson help a playoff team as a reserve?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss
2019 FIBA World Cup preview: Who are the biggest threats to Team USA?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Brandon Jefferson (@Jefferson_Hoops) of The Basketball Writers preview the 2019 FIBA World Cup.What are the strengths and weaknesses of Team USA's roster? Which teams pose the biggest threat to the Americans? Is Team USA in legitimate danger of not winning the World Cup?Check out the episode to hear Morten, Bryan and Brandon discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
Ranking the top 10 duos in the NBA
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) rank the top 10 duos in the NBA today.Where do Russell Westbrook and James Harden rank after joining forces this summer? How high are Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in the wake of the former's Achilles injury? Which L.A. duo is the best in the NBA?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
DeMarcus Cousins' torn ACL, Eastern Conference over/unders
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the impact of DeMarcus Cousins' torn ACL and make their picks for every Eastern Conference team's over/under. With Cousins likely to miss the 2019-20 season, how should the Los Angeles Lakers react? Will the Milwaukee Bucks or Philadelphia 76ers win upward of 60 games? Why are oddsmakers so low on the Brooklyn Nets? Will the Chicago Bulls or Atlanta Hawks cross the 33-win threshold? Check out the ep
Picking 2019-20 over/unders for every Western Conference team
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) make their picks for every Western Conference team's over/under ahead of the 2019-20 season.Are the Los Angeles Clippers going to finish with the most wins of any West team? Will the L.A. Lakers win 50-plus games? Why are oddsmakers so low on the Portland Trail Blazers and the San Antonio Spurs? Can the Phoenix Suns crack the 30-win threshold? Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of th
The Athletic's Seth Partnow on NBA team-building and analytics
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Seth Partnow (@SethPartnow) of The Athletic discuss NBA team-building in the player-empowerment era and basketball analytics.Do teams need to shorten their planning windows with players on the move so frequently? How has the discourse around analytics changed over the years? Which advanced metrics tend to get misused the most? Check out the episode to hear Bryan and Seth discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twit
Christmas Day games, Draymond Green's extension and Carmelo Anthony landing spots
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the NBA's Christmas Day slate, Draymond Green's new extension and Carmelo Anthony's future.Which games stand out on the NBA's Christmas Day slate? Did the Golden State Warriors get a steal with Green's new four-year, $100 million extension? Which teams make sense as a potential landing spot for Anthony? Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter:
B/R's Jonathan Wasserman on Summer League standouts and the 2020 NBA draft
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) is joined by Bleacher Report's NBA Draft lead writer Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) to discuss summer-league standouts and the 2020 draft class.Which second-year players stood out at summer league? Which rookies already look like draft-day steals? Did any players raise red flags? How does the 2020 draft class look at the moment? Is LaMelo Ball a future top-five pick?Check out the episode to hear Bryan and Jonathan discuss all of t
Mo Dakhil on NBA video coordinators, the Lakers' defense and Clippers weaknesses
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) is joined by special guest Mo Dakhil (@MoDakhil_NBA) to discuss life as an NBA video coordinator and the upcoming battle for L.A.What do video coordinators do on a day-to-day basis? How is preparing for the regular season different than the playoffs? What's the secret to avoiding information overload? Can Frank Vogel get the Lakers' defense on track? How should teams attack the Clippers this season?Check out the episode to hear Bryan
Power ranking the Eastern Conference after free agency
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) power rank the new-look Eastern Conference in the wake of free agency. Which team should be the favorite in the East, the Milwaukee Bucks or Philadelphia 76ers? Which teams look like playoff locks? Which teams could sneak in as a No. 7 or No. 8 seed? And which teams should already be looking ahead to 2020?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheN
Sizing up the new-look Western Conference with Bleacher Report's Howard Beck
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and Bleacher Report senior NBA writer Howard Beck attempt to sort out the new-look Western Conference.Which team should enter the 2019-20 season as the favorite in the West? Where do the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers rank after their big offseason moves? Are the Golden State Warriors in danger of missing the playoffs? And what does all of this superstar shuffling mean for team-building moving forward?
Instant reaction to Russell Westbrook being traded to the Rockets
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) give their instant reaction to Russell Westbrook being traded to the Houston Rockets.How does Westbrook fit with James Harden on the court? Did the Rockets give up too much to get him? Where does this trade leave the Oklahoma City Thunder? Should they be looking to trade Chris Paul immediately?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
Breaking down potential Russell Westbrook trade destinations
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Russell Westbrook's trade value and which teams should be attempting to acquire him.What should the Oklahoma City Thunder want in exchange for Westbrook? How could the Miami Heat make a deal work given their hard-cap issues? Does he make sense for the Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers or Orlando Magic? Should the Phoenix Suns or New York Knicks pursue a midseason trade for him instead?Check out t
Winners and losers of 2019 NBA free agency
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) go through the biggest winners and losers from a wild first week of NBA free agency.Which teams came out ahead in free agency? Which teams should have some regrets? And who does the jury remain out on?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
EMERGENCY POD: Kawhi Leonard and Paul George to the L.A. Clippers
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) give their immediate reaction to Kawhi Leonard and Paul George heading to the Los Angeles Clippers.Are the Clippers now the NBA title favorites in 2019-20? How will the Los Angeles Lakers bounce back after missing out on Leonard? Should the Oklahoma City Thunder consider trading Russell Westbrook after shipping George to L.A.? What's next for the Toronto Raptors after losing Leonard for nothing?Check out th
Free agency reaction: The Knicks reload, Seth Curry gets paid (!) and more
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the big signings from Day 2 of 2019 NBA free agency.Who came out ahead in the four-team Jimmy Butler sign-and-trade? Are the Knicks actually doing something smart in free agency? How will Seth Curry fare in Dallas? Have NBA teams learned their lesson about overpaying traditional big men?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
Free agency reaction: Jimmy Butler, Al Horford, D'Angelo Russell and more
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) react to the Jimmy Butler sign-and-trade, Al Horford signing with the Philadelphia 76ers and D'Angelo Russell going to the Golden State Warriors.How will the Heat structure the Butler sign-and-trade to make it legal? Are the Sixers now better than they were last year after getting Horford and Josh Richardson? How does Russell fit with the Warriors? Are the Pelicans going to make the playoffs after acquiring
Instant reaction to the start of 2019 NBA free agency
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) give their instant reaction to the first free-agent signings of the summer.Did Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks just win Executive of the Year after signing Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, DeAndre Jordan and Garrett Temple? Why did the Charlotte Hornets give Terry Rozier a three-year, $58 million deal? Which were the best- and worst-value contracts handed out in the first hour?Check out the episode to h
Part 2 of our NBA free agency preview: Jimmy to HOU? Kemba to BOS?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) catch up on the latest NBA free-agency rumors and predict where the top non-max free agents might land.How realistic is a Houston Rockets sign-and-trade for Jimmy Butler? Would the Boston Celtics be better off divvying up their cap space rather than going after Kemba Walker? Where might Al Horford, Nikola Vucevic, Julius Randle, DeMarcus Cousins and Brook Lopez land? What about JJ Redick, Bojan Bogdanovic,
NBA awards reaction and Part 1 of our NBA free agency preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) react to the NBA awards show and discuss landing spots for the top free agents on the market.Was Masai Ujiri robbed in the Executive of the Year race? Who came out ahead in the Kent Bazemore-Evan Turner trade? Should the Brooklyn Nets go after Kyrie Irving with or without Kevin Durant attached? Will Tobias Harris and Jimmy Butler stay with the Philadelphia 76ers? Should Kawhi Leonard stay with the Toronto R
Winners and losers of the 2019 NBA draft
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) walk through the biggest winners and losers of the 2019 NBA draft.Did any team have a better night than the New Orleans Pelicans? How bright is the Memphis Grizzlies' future after landing Ja Morant and Brandon Clarke? Who else had a night to remember? And what in the world are the Phoenix Suns doing? Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
Mike Conley trade reaction, Rockets drama and Al Horford leaving Boston?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Mike Conley trade, the Houston Rockets' latest drama and Al Horford's free-agent options.Does adding Conley cement the Utah Jazz as legitimate Western Conference contenders? Did the Memphis Grizzlies get enough for him? Can the Rockets smooth things over between James Harden and Chris Paul? If Al Horford leaves the Celtics, where might he go this summer?Check out the episode to hear Morten and B
2019 NBA draft preview with Sam Vecenie of The Athletic; Anthony Davis trade fallout
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) welcome Sam Vecenie (@sam_vecenie) of The Athletic to preview the 2019 NBA draft before discussing the fallout from the Anthony Davis trade.Where does Zion Williamson rank among top prospects in recent years? Should the Pelicans trade the No. 4 pick? Should the Grizzlies trade Mike Conley this week? Which mid-round prospects should teams be targeting? Did the Lakers really forget to negotiate the timing of
EMERGENCY POD: Anthony Davis traded to the Lakers
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) give their immediate reaction to Anthony Davis being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.Will getting Davis enable the Lakers to sign a third max star this summer? Did they give up too much for him? Will the Pelicans flip some of the assets they got from the Lakers? Who were the biggest winners and losers from the trade?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Tw
Did the Raptors just end the Warriors' dynasty?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss what's next for the Raptors, Warriors and the NBA at large after Toronto won the 2019 NBA title.With Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson both having suffered serious injuries, is the Warriors' dynasty over? How will other teams approach this summer now knowing the 2019-20 title picture is wide-open? Will Kawhi Leonard stay with the Raptors? What's the latest on the Anthony Davis trade front?Check out the
How does Kevin Durant's Achilles injury affect the NBA Finals and free agency?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss how Kevin Durant's Achilles injury will impact the NBA Finals and free agency moving forward.Can the Golden State Warriors win Games 6 and 7 without Durant? Is anyone to blame for his injury? Should he consider picking up his 2019-20 player option rather than testing free agency? How does his injury affect the New York Knicks' free-agent options?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss
Can the Warriors erase 3-1 jokes? + The Allen Crabbe trade
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss whether the Golden State Warriors can come back from a 3-1 deficit in the 2019 NBA Finals and the Allen Crabbe trade.How have the Toronto Raptors gotten out to a 3-1 lead? If Kevin Durant doesn't come back for Game 5, are the Warriors finished? Was the NBA's punishment for Warriors minority owner Mark Stevens severe enough? What does the Allen Crabbe trade mean for the Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawk
Finals Game 2 reaction, Game 3 preview and offseason chatter
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Game 2 of the 2019 NBA Finals, preview Game 3 and walk through the latest offseason chatter.Should the Golden State Warriors hold Klay Thompson out of Game 3 to avoid any setbacks with his hamstring injury? Who will take their backup center minutes with Kevon Looney sidelined? How should the Toronto Raptors exploit the Warriors' injury issues? Which free-agent centers make sense for the Sacramento K
Finals Game 1 reaction, Game 2 preview and the Rockets keep imploding
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Game 1 of the 2019 NBA Finals, preview Game 2 and question what the Rockets are doing this offseason.How can the Warriors slow down Pascal Siakam? Until Kevin Durant comes back, where can they generate reliable offense other than Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson? How confident should each team feel after Game 1? Are the Rockets trying to force Mike D'Antoni out?Check out the episode to hear Morten an
Pre-NBA Finals grab bag: Possible Rockets trades, Lakers chaos and more
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss potential Rockets trades, more Lakers dysfunction and RJ Hampton's decision to bypass college.Should the Rockets make major alterations to their roster this summer, or should they run back the same core? Are the Lakers screwed so long as Rob Pelinka remains their general manager? What does Hampton's decision mean for college basketball moving forward? Has the Kawhi Leonard trade now been validated n
2019 NBA Finals preview, 'Bye Felicia' for the Bucks and All-NBA reaction
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) preview the 2019 NBA Finals, say farewell to the Milwaukee Bucks and discuss the ramifications of the All-NBA selections.How can the Warriors slow down Kawhi Leonard until Kevin Durant returns? Should the Raptors put Leonard on Stephen Curry right away? Will Marc Gasol feast until DeMarcus Cousins comes back? Can the Bucks retain all of their significant free agents? Should the Hornets offer Kemba Walker a
Updated Bucks-Raptors prediction, 'Bye Felicia' for the Trail Blazers
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Bucks-Raptors series ahead of Game 5 and bid farewell to the Portland Trail Blazers.Can the Raptors' role players and bench keep lifting up a hobbled Kawhi Leonard? Should the Bucks bench Eric Bledsoe in favor of George Hill? How can the Trail Blazers improve their supporting cast this summer? Will the Lakers' dysfunction affect their free-agent plans?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bry
Are the Trail Blazers and Raptors already finished?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the first two games of the Western and Eastern Conference Finals and more fallout from the 2019 NBA draft lottery.How can the Trail Blazers slow down the Warriors' deadly Stephen Curry-Draymond Green pick-and-roll? Should Raptors head coach Nick Nurse bench Marc Gasol in favor of Serge Ibaka heading into Game 3? Should the Suns or Bulls consider trading their first-round picks for veteran point guar
T.J. McBride on the 2019 NBA draft lottery, 'Bye Felicia' for Nuggets, 76ers
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest T.J. McBride (@TJMcBrideNBA) of Mile High Sports discuss the wild 2019 NBA draft lottery and say farewell to the Denver Nuggets and Philadelphia 76ers.How does the Pelicans winning the No. 1 overall pick affect Anthony Davis trade talks this summer? Will the Grizzlies take Ja Morant at No. 2 and trade Mike Conley? Will the new lottery odds eradicate tanking? What are the biggest offseason questions the Nuggets and Si
2019 Conference Finals preview, and Anthony Irwin on the Lakers coaching debacle
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Anthony Irwin (@AnthonyIrwinLA) of Locked on Lakers preview the 2019 NBA conference finals and discuss the Los Angeles Lakers' debacle of a coaching search.Even if Kevin Durant misses the whole series, do the Portland Trail Blazers stand a chance against the Golden State Warriors? How can the Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks stop Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kawhi Leonard, respectively? Why did the Lakers balk at off
Game 7 previews and 'Bye Felicia' for Celtics, Rockets, Clippers and Spurs
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) preview Game 7 of Nuggets-Blazers and Raptors-Sixers before saying farewell to the Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio Spurs.Would trading for Anthony Davis cure all that ailed the Celtics this year? Should the Rockets consider major alterations this summer, or should they run back their same core? Is any franchise more appealing to star free agents than the Clippers? Which
Game 5 previews for all four second-round series
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) preview all four Game 5s for the second round of the 2019 NBA playoffs.How can the Philadelphia 76ers slow Kawhi Leonard down? What can the Portland Trail Blazers do against Nikola Jokic? Are the Boston Celtics drawing dead against the Milwaukee Bucks? Do the Houston Rockets have a real shot to topple the Golden State Warriors?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follo
Early takeaways from Round 2 of the 2019 NBA playoffs
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss their major takeaways from all four of the conference semifinals thus far.What adjustments should Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse make after their Game 3 shellacking? How can the Boston Celtics get Jayson Tatum going? Could Moe Harkless' sprained ankle help swing the Blazers-Nuggets series? Will the Houston Rockets stop complaining about officiating enough to win Game 3? Check out the episode
Bye Felicia for the Thunder, Jazz, Nets and Magic
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) bid farewell to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Utah Jazz, Brooklyn Nets and Orlando Magic.How can the Thunder build a contender around Russell Westbrook? Should the Jazz be looking to move on from Ricky Rubio? Should the Nets match a max offer sheet for D'Angelo Russell? How much should the Magic be willing to spend on Nikola Vucevic?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Fo
Eastern Conference 2nd-round preview; time to worry about the Warriors?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) preview the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs and discuss whether it's time to be worried about the Golden State Warriors.If Kawhi Leonard shuts down Ben Simmons, how can the Philadelphia 76ers get their offense going? Where will the Toronto Raptors hide Kyle Lowry on defense? How can the Boston Celtics slow down Giannis Antetokounmpo? How much will they miss Marcus Smart in this series? Are t
'Bye Felicia' for the Pacers, Pistons, Heat and Hornets
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) say farewell to the Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons, Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets.Are Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis compatible long term? Should the Detroit Pistons consider trading Andre Drummond and/or Blake Griffin this summer? How can the Miami Heat dig themselves out of salary-cap hell? Is there anything the Charlotte Hornets can do between now and July 1 to retain Kemba Walker this summer?Chec
Deep dives on Blazers-Thunder, Sixers-Nets and Nuggets-Spurs
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) do deep dives into the three most competitive first-round series before touching on the remaining five series. Which version of Russell Westbrook should the Oklahoma City Thunder expect moving forward? Should Jared Dudley or Jimmy Butler face additional discipline for their roles in the Game 4 skirmish? Will Torrey Craig remain in the Nuggets' starting lineup after his breakout Game 4? Why did the Detroit P
Early takeaways from the 2019 NBA playoffs
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss their biggest takeaways from the first few games of the 2019 NBA playoffs.Did Jamal Murray save the Denver Nuggets' season in Game 2? Are the Golden State Warriors at risk of an upset? How confident should the Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors feel moving forward? Can the Oklahoma City Thunder get back into their series against the Portland Trail Blazers?Check out the episode to hear Morten and
Our 2018-19 NBA playoff predictions and Black Thursday reaction
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) preview the 2018-19 NBA playoffs and make their picks for each first-round series.Can the Brooklyn Nets upset the Philadelphia 76ers if Joel Embiid misses time? Are the Denver Nuggets in danger against the San Antonio Spurs? Can the Portland Trail Blazers stave off the Oklahoma City Thunder sans Jusuf Nurkic? Who will emerge from the Houston Rockets-Utah Jazz bloodbath?Check out the episode to hear Morten a
Magic Johnson resigns, Lakers dysfunction reigns supreme
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Magic Johnson's abrupt resignation and what it means for the Los Angeles Lakers moving forward.Was Magic's decision to step down as Lakers president of basketball operations a blessing in disguise? Will general manager Rob Pelinka and head coach Luke Walton survive the fallout? Who should the Lakers target to replace Johnson? Can they rebound from this disastrous season?Check out the episode to hear
Our 2018-19 NBA award picks
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) make their award picks for the 2018-19 NBA season.Did Trae Young overtake Luka Doncic for Rookie of the Year? Is Pascal Siakam a shoo-in for Most Improved Player? Who should take home Coach of the Year in a wide-open field? Will Rudy Gobert repeat as Defensive Player of the Year? Who's the MVP: Giannis Antetokounmpo or James Harden?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.
'Bye Felicia' for the Pelicans, Lakers, Timberwolves and Kings
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) say farewell to the New Orleans Pelicans, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings.Where is Anthony Davis going to wind up this summer? If the Lakers whiff on Davis, will they land a superstar sidekick for LeBron James? How can the Timberwolves get more out of Andrew Wiggins? How much should the Kings be willing to spend to retain Willie Cauley-Stein?Check out the episode to hear Mort
'Bye Felicia' for the Hawks, Mavericks, Wizards and Grizzlies
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) say goodbye to the Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, Washington Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies.Does Trae Young have a rightful claim to Rookie of the Year? How should the Dallas Mavericks handle contract negotiations with Kristaps Porzingis this summer? Is it time for the Washington Wizards to trade Bradley Beal? Should the Memphis Grizzlies do the same with Mike Conley?Check out the episode to hear Morten an
Saying 'Bye Felicia' to the NBA's top tankers
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) bid adieu to the New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls.Which of the Knicks' young players are keepers moving forward? How much should the Suns be willing to pay to retain Kelly Oubre Jr. in free agency? Is Collin Sexton the Cavs' point guard of the future? Who should the Bulls target in free agency to round out their starting five?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan
Ricky O'Donnell on NBA prospects to watch during March Madness
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) welcome special guest Ricky O'Donnell (@SBN_Ricky) of SB Nation to hear which NBA prospects to focus on during the NCAA tournament.How big is the gap between Zion Williamson and any other prospect in this year's draft class? Why have RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish fallen short of the hype? Which prospects could rise up draft boards with a strong NCAA tournament performance? Which sleepers should you keep an eye
Confronting unruly fans, Brandon Ingram's future and the Rockets' title chances
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss unruly fans, Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball's future and the Houston Rockets' chances of knocking off the Golden State Warriors.How can the NBA protect its players from unruly fans? What should fellow fans do? Will Brandon Ingram's health scare affect his trade value moving forward? Can Lonzo Ball reach his peak alongside LeBron James? Are the Rockets the biggest threat to the Warriors in the West?Ch
Mailbag: LeBron's GOAT case, playoff liabilities and lottery teams' future
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) answer listeners' questions in our first-ever mailbag episode.Does this awful Lakers season negatively affect LeBron James' GOAT chances? Should the Lakers ever consider trading LeBron? Will Andrew Bogut and Isaiah Thomas be liabilities in the playoffs? How good of a chance do the Nuggets have of making it to the Western Conference Finals? Which lottery teams have the brightest future?Check out the episode
The Bucks' big moves and Sloan Analytics Conference takeaways
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Eric Bledsoe's extension, Pau Gasol's buyouts and takeaways from the Sloan Analytics Conference.Did the Bucks get good value on Bledsoe's four-year, $70 million extension? Will Gasol make an impact on the Bucks in the playoffs? NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said a majority of players are unhappy; what role do fans and the media play in that?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all o
Can the Lakers and Celtics fix what's ailing them?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss whether the Lakers and Celtics have enough time to right the ship, the Phoenix Suns' organizational dysfunction and some good players on bad teams who deserve more love.Will LeBron James drag the Lakers to the playoffs, or do they have too much ground to make up? Is there still time for the Celtics to live up to preseason expectations? How do the Suns dig their way out of the mess they've created? W
Should Zion Williamson's injury mean the end of one-and-dones?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Josh Eberley (@josheberley) of NBA Canada and HOOP Mag discuss the Zion Williamson injury and its implications for NCAA athletes moving forward.Should Zion play for Duke again this season? Why doesn't the NCAA scrap amateurism and allow student-athletes to profit off their likenesses? Will the NBA accelerate its timetable to eliminate the one-and-done rule and allow players to declare for the draft straight out of hi
The top post-All-Star-break storylines to monitor
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest storylines to monitor coming out of the All-Star break.What's the latest update in "As the Brow Turns?" Are the Lakers in real jeopardy of missing the playoffs? Could the Orlando Magic steal the No. 8 seed in the East? Which team should the top Eastern Conference contenders most prefer to dodge in the first round?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more
Our 2019 All-NBA teams at the All-Star break
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) make their All-NBA picks at the All-Star break, discuss whether the Golden State Warriors should fear any team and preview All-Star Weekend.With Enes Kanter heading to the Blazers and Markieff Morris going to the Thunder, will any Western Conference team pose a legitimate threat to the Warriors? Who should be the first-team All-NBA center, Joel Embiid or Nikola Jokic? Where do Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, L
Pelicans vs. NBA and the other fallout from the trade deadline
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the standoff over Anthony Davis' playing time and the early returns from major trade-deadline acquisitions.Is it fair for the NBA to force the Pelicans to play Anthony Davis? Should the Pelicans just pay the fine money and bench him? Who's now the favorite in the East after the trade deadline? What's plaguing the Boston Celtics? Will any buyout signings make a major difference in the playoffs?Check
Winners and losers of the 2019 NBA trade deadline
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest winners and losers from the 2019 NBA trade deadline.Who's the favorite in the East after the trade deadline arms race between the Bucks, Raptors and Sixers? Why is Bryan lukewarm on Philly's moves this week? Where do the Grizzlies and Bulls fall on the winners/losers spectrum? What about the Kings, Clippers and Lakers?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and
The Tobias Harris trade, who should buy or sell at the 2019 trade deadline
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Philadelphia 76ers' blockbuster acquisition of Tobias Harris and preview the 2019 NBA trade deadline.Did the Sixers risk too much by going all-in with the Harris deal? How can they round out their roster ahead of the playoffs? Are the Clippers clear winners here, regardless of what happens in free agency? Which teams should buy or sell ahead of Thursday's trade deadline?Check out the episode to
The Porzingis trade, latest AD rumors and All-Star snubs
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Mark Deeks (@markdeeksNBA) discuss the stunning Kristaps Porzingis trade, the latest trade rumors surrounding Anthony Davis and All-Star Game snubs.If the Knicks don't land a star free agent this summer, will the Porzingis trade go down as an all-time failure? Should the Mavericks be concerned about him signing his qualifying offer? How worried should the Celtics be about losing Kyrie Irving
#199 - Anthony Davis requests a trade and our 2019 All-Star reserve picks
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Anthony Davis' trade request and give their 2019 All-Star Game reserve picks.Will the Pelicans pull the trigger on a Davis deal ahead of the trade deadline, or would it behoove them to wait? What should they be seeking in return? Which teams should go all-in to acquire him? And will Luka Doncic be an All-Star this year?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follo
#198 - All-Star starter reaction, Oladipo's injury and Conley/Gasol trade buzz
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the All-Star starter selections, Victor Oladipo's season-ending injury and the Grizzlies' willingness to shop Mike Conley and Marc Gasol.Which All-Star starter stood out as the biggest surprise? Can the Pacers stay afloat with Oladipo now done for the year? Which teams should try to trade for Conley and Gasol? What should the Grizzlies be seeking in return?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Br
#197 - Our All-Star starter and midseason award picks
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) make their starter picks for the 2019 All-Star break.Is LeBron James at risk of not being named a Western Conference starter? Which Eastern Conference backcourt player will be named a starter alongside Kyrie Irving? Who's in the lead for MVP, Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Player, Sixth Man of the Year, Coach of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year at the midway point of the season?Check out the epi
#196 - Updated playoff predictions halfway through the 2018-19 season
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) revise their playoff predictions at the halfway point of the 2018-19 season.Can James Harden carry the Houston Rockets to the playoffs? Are LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in real danger of being left out? Will the San Antonio Spurs have their 21-year playoff streak snapped? How will the seeding shake out in the West and the East?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and
#195 - DSJ trade rumors, Harden's supernova run and Celtics dysfunction
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Dennis Smith Jr. trade rumors, James Harden's supernova run and the Celtics' recent dysfunction.Why are the Dallas Mavericks ready to cut bait on DSJ? Where would he make the most sense? Is Harden now the MVP front-runner? Do the Celtics need to make a deal before the trade deadline? Why are the Chicago Bulls refusing to buy out Robin Lopez?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all
#194 - Thibs gets fired, Jimmy Butler gets pissy and Justin Holiday gets traded
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Tom Thibodeau's firing, Jimmy Butler's frustration with his role in Philly's offense and the Justin Holiday trade.Why did the Timberwolves decide to fire Thibodeau now? Would Fred Hoiberg be a good replacement for Thibs? Is Jimmy Butler right to be frustrated with his role in the Sixers offense? Were the Memphis Grizzlies wise to trade for Justin Holiday? Will John Wall's surgery change the Washingt
#193 - An early look at the 2019 All-Star race
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) break down the All-Star race at the end of December.Can Luka Doncic become the first rookie to make the All-Star Game since Blake Griffin in 2011? Will Mike Conley receive his first-ever All-Star nod? Which Eastern Conference guard will be named a starter other than Kyrie Irving? Who will be snubbed?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
#192 - Previewing the NBA's 2018 Christmas Day slate
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) preview the NBA's 2018 Christmas Day slate.Will Giannis Antetokounmpo have an iconic performance against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden? Without Chris Paul, do the Rockets stand a chance against the Thunder? How will Jimmy Butler affect the Sixers-Celtics matchup? Can LeBron James and the Lakers topple the Warriors?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on
#191 - The Trevor Ariza trade and the Dillon Brooks/MarShon Brooks debacle
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Trevor Ariza trade and the three-team trade that fell apart because of confusion between Dillon Brooks and MarShon Brooks.Who's to blame for the failed three-team trade? How much will Ariza help out in Washington? Do the Phoenix Suns now have too many wings? Why are they waiving Austin Rivers without attempting to trade him first? Where would Rivers work well?Check out the episode to hear Morten
#190 - The Bulls attempt a mutiny, the Bucks get Hill and Embiid gets mad
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Bulls' attempted mutiny, the three-team trade for George Hill and Joel Embiid's frustration with his recent role.Are things only going to get worse for the Bulls given the clash between the players and new head coach Jim Boylen? How much of a difference will George Hill make for the Bucks? Is Joel Embiid right to be frustrated with his role? And are the Lakers in danger of striking out on top-ti
#189 - What's next for the Bulls after firing Fred Hoiberg?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Chicago Bulls' decision to fire head coach Fred Hoiberg.Did Hoiberg deserve to get fired? Is Jim Boylen the Bulls' long-term answer? Do the Bulls have any hope so long as John Paxson and Gar Forman remain in place?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
#188 - NBA award front-runners through the first quarter of the 2018-19 season
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the front-runners for every major NBA award through the first quarter of the 2018-19 season.Is Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the way in the MVP race? Can anyone challenge Luka Doncic for Rookie of the Year? With Rudy Gobert and the Utah Jazz struggling, who's the front-runner for Defensive Player of the Year? Who's in the mix for Most Improved Player and Sixth Man of the Year? Check out the episode
#187 - Which early-season surprises are for real?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss whether some early-season surprises are sustainable or will regress to the mean.What's plaguing the Boston Celtics? Can the Orlando Magic continue staying competitive? Are the Miami Heat in legitimate danger of missing the playoffs? Can the Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers stay in playoff contention? How can the Utah Jazz fix their broken offense?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Br
#186 - Is it time to blow up the Wizards?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss dysfunction around the NBA, starting with the Washington Wizards.Is it time for the Wizards to trade John Wall, Bradley Beal and/or Otto Porter Jr.? Can the Philadelphia 76ers count on Markelle Fultz in the wake of his latest shoulder issue? How can the Cleveland Cavaliers find a taker for J.R. Smith? Would the Kings be crazy to fire Dave Joerger?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discus
#185 - Will KD/Draymond drama upend the Warriors?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Kevin Durant-Draymond Green drama, revisit the key players in the Jimmy Butler trade and weigh in on Carmelo Anthony's professional limbo. Could tension between KD and Draymond upend the Warriors franchise? Should Sixers fans be worried after the team lost in Jimmy Butler's debut? Are the T-Wolves better off without Butler? Which team makes the most sense for Carmelo Anthony after he leaves the
#184 - Winners and losers of the Sixers' Jimmy Butler trade
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#183 - Trouble in Lakerland already
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss reaction to Derrick Rose's 50-point night and the ongoing drama with the Los Angeles Lakers.What's the best way to put Derrick Rose's 50-point night into context? Does Luke Walton deserve the blame for the Lakers' slow start? Will Tyson Chandler help fix the Lakers' ailing defense? Is Kyrie Irving being overly sensitive about Jamal Murray going for 50 with the game already in hand?Check out the epis
#182 - Tyronn Lue gets fired, the Rockets get desperate and Klay goes nuclear
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Cavaliers' decision to fire Tyronn Lue, the Rockets' godfather offer for Jimmy Butler and much more. Do the Cavaliers have a clear direction after firing Lue? Are the Rockets under more pressure to trade for Butler given their slow start to the season? Is Klay Thompson a threat to top Kobe Bryant's 81-point night at some point? Are the Sacramento Kings not total garbage?Check out the episode to
#181 - Week 1's biggest surprises and disappointments
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) highlight the biggest surprises and disappointments from the first week of the 2018-19 NBA season.Among the surprises, they discuss the Denver Nuggets' stout defense, Blake Griffin's MVP-caliber start to the year and the New Orleans Pelicans turning into an offensive juggernaut. For the disappointments, they weigh in on the lackluster starts from the Los Angeles Lakers, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Hou
#180 - Overreacting to 2018-19 opening-night games
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) fire off their most scorching hot takes about the first two nights of the 2018-19 NBA season.Is Markelle Fultz now officially a bust? Is Jayson Tatum already the Celtics' best player? Are the Rockets title pretenders rather than contenders? Has Anthony Davis already sealed up MVP? Is Kemba Walker going to average 35 points per game? Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more
#179 - 2018-19 NBA award and playoff predictions
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) run through the major awards races and make their playoff predictions for the 2018-19 season.Is Giannis Antetokounmpo poised to run away with MVP? Can anyone challenge Rudy Gobert for Defensive Player of the Year? Is Isaiah Thomas headed for Sixth Man of the Year? Who will emerge in a wide-open field for Most Improved Player? Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow
#178 - The top NBA storylines to watch in 2018-19
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the storylines they're most excited to watch throughout the 2018-19 season.How will LeBron James fare with the Lakers? Can Kawhi Leonard bring the Raptors to the Finals? Will Markelle Fultz remember how to shoot? How will DeMarcus Cousins fit in with the Warriors? Will the Timberwolves implode?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPo
#177 - 2018-19 Southeast Division preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by Nekias Duncan (@NekiasNBA) of Miami Heat Beat to preview the Southeast Division ahead of the 2018-19 season.What's the most the Miami Heat should be willing to give up for Jimmy Butler? Are the Washington Wizards doomed to implode because of chemistry issues? Should the Charlotte Hornets trade Kemba Walker by February? Who's the Atlanta Hawks' best young player? WTF are the Orlando Magic doing
#176 - 2018-19 Atlantic Division preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) of The Athletic to preview the Atlantic Division ahead of the 2018-19 season.Is it Finals or bust for the Boston Celtics this season? With Kawhi Leonard in the fold, are the Toronto Raptors a legitimate threat to win the title this year? What constitutes a successful season for the Philadelphia 76ers? Is D'Angelo Russell a long-term keeper in Brooklyn? Should the N
#175 - 2018-19 Central Division preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by Ian Levy (@HickoryHigh) of FanSided to preview the Central Division ahead of the 2018-19 season.Can Victor Oladipo build upon his breakout 2017-18 campaign, or is he headed for regression? Will Giannis Antetokounmpo have a career year under Mike Budenholzer? What should the Bulls expect from Jabari Parker? Is the Minnesota version of Kevin Love coming back this season? How can new Pistons head
#174 - Jimmy Butler demands a trade, the Sixers hire a GM
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Jimmy Butler's trade request and the Philadelphia 76ers' decision to hire Elton Brand as their new general manager.Do the Minnesota Timberwolves have to trade Butler ASAP? Which teams should be trying to trade for him? What should the T-Wolves be seeking in exchange? Did the Sixers miss an opportunity to bring in a big-name GM? How will their collaborative front office approach fare? What will Lee J
#173 - 2018-19 Southwest Division preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by Mason Ginsberg (@MasonGinsberg) of Bourbon Street Shots to preview the Southwest Division ahead of the 2018-19 season.How will Julius Randle fit with the New Orleans Pelicans? Will the Houston Rockets get anything out of Brandon Knight or Marquese Chriss? Is Luka Doncic the runaway Rookie of the Year favorite? Should the Memphis Grizzlies consider trading Marc Gasol? Is DeMar DeRozan headed fo
#172 - 2018-19 Northwest Division preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by T.J. McBride (@TJMcBrideNBA) of Mile High Sports to preview the Northwest Division ahead of the 2018-19 season.Do the Denver Nuggets already have a top-five backcourt? How will Dennis Schroder and Russell Westbrook fare together? Are the Minnesota Timberwolves at risk for an implosion? Where will the Utah Jazz get offense outside of Donovan Mitchell? Should the Portland Trail Blazers break up
#171 - 2018-19 Pacific Division preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by Anthony Irwin (@AnthonyIrwinLA) of Silver Screen & Roll to preview the Pacific Division ahead of the 2018-19 season.What's the realistic ceiling and floor for the new-look Los Angeles Lakers? Do the Golden State Warriors have anything to play for during the regular season? Why are the Phoenix Suns seemingly gearing up to compete for a playoff spot? Will the Los Angeles Clippers blow up their r
#170 - Our 2018-19 League Pass rankings
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by original co-host Sarah Cilea (@wildhorses65) to discuss which teams will be the most fun to watch in 2018-19.Could the San Antonio Spurs be sneaky fun this year? Is there any reason to watch the Portland Trail Blazers aside from Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum? Does Luka Doncic make the Dallas Mavericks a must-watch? Who will be the top League Pass teams this season?Check out the episode to hea
#169 - Picking every Eastern Conference over/under
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) make their picks for every Eastern Conference team's over/under. Which teams did Las Vegas miss the mark on? Are the Boston Celtics headed for 60-plus wins? Will the Milwaukee Bucks or Indiana Pacers be legitimate contenders in the East? Can the Philadelphia 76ers top 55 wins?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
#168 - Picking every Western Conference over/under
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) make their picks for every Western Conference team's over/under. Which teams did Las Vegas miss the mark on? Are the Los Angeles Lakers headed for 50-plus wins? Why are expectations so low for the Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
#167 - Opening Week and Christmas Day schedule reaction
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) go through the highlights and lowlights of the 2018-19 NBA opening week and Christmas Day schedules.Which opening-week games should already have you excited? How did we rank each of the Christmas Day matchups? Which teams should have been featured that weren't?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
#166 - Clint Capela, Kevin Love, Carmelo Anthony and more
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss all of the latest free-agent signings, including Clint Capela re-signing with the Rockets, Kevin Love's new extension and much more.How much of a steal is Capela's deal for the Rockets? Why did the Cavaliers sign Love to such a huge extension? How will Carmelo Anthony fit in Houston? Did the Celtics overpay Marcus Smart?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Foll
#165 - Kawhi Leonard and Carmelo Anthony trade reaction
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the winners and losers from the recent Kawhi Leonard and Carmelo Anthony trades.Did the San Antonio Spurs get enough for Leonard? How will DeMar DeRozan fit in San Antonio? Are the Raptors now the favorites in the East with Kawhi?How will Dennis Schroder fare with the Oklahoma City Thunder? Why were the Hawks so desperate to dump him? Why did the Philadelphia 76ers give up on two young wing prospect
#164 - Rich Cho on how NBA teams prepare for the offseason
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by former Charlotte Hornets general manager Rich Cho (@bigtimebites) for a behind-the-scenes look at how NBA teams prepare for the offseason.How early do NBA teams begin homing in on particular draft prospects? How much do off-court factors such as work ethic and attitude matter? How do teams balance the short- and long-term consequences of any given free-agent signing? How much influence do team
#163 - 2018 NBA Summer League standouts
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss which first- and second-year players stood out at Las Vegas Summer League.Are Jaren Jackson Jr. and Wendell Carter Jr. the two best big men from the 2018 draft class? Did the New York Knicks hit a home run with Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson? Is De'Anthony Melton the steal of this year's draft? How much should we read into John Collins, Josh Hart and Jordan Bell dominating at summer league?Check
#162 - Did the Bulls screw up by signing Jabari Parker?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Chicago Bulls' decision to sign Jabari Parker to a two-year, $40 million deal, including whether they overpaid for him and how he'll fit with their young core.Seeing as the Milwaukee Bucks were hard-capped, why did the Bulls offer Parker so much money annually? Could they have spent their cap space better elsewhere? How will Parker fit alongside Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr.? Why did M
#161 - Isaiah Thomas to the Nuggets, the Nets stay winning and more
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the latest free-agent happenings, including Isaiah Thomas signing with the Nuggets and the Brooklyn Nets' savvy salary dumps.Is Thomas a front-runner for Sixth Man of the Year in Denver? Why did the Hawks trade for Jeremy Lin rather than take on Kenneth Faried and Darrell Arthur from the Nuggets? Did the Nets get enough in that salary dump? Will Devin Booker live up to his new max deal?Check out the
#160 - Winners and losers from Week 1 of 2018 free agency
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest winners and losers from the first week of 2018 NBA free agency.Is there a glass-half-full way to look at the San Antonio Spurs' offseason so far? Are the Indiana Pacers low-key winning the summer? Should the Houston Rockets still be considered the 1B to Golden State's 1A after losing Trevor Ariza to the Phoenix Suns? Are the Philadelphia 76ers losers for not landing a marquee free agent?
#159 - The Zach LaVine emergency episode
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the Chicago Bulls' decision to match the Sacramento Kings' four-year, $78 million offer sheet for Zach LaVine. Why did the Bulls match LaVine's offer sheet? Was it just about optics, or is there any way he actually lives up to that contract? Why did the Kings offer him that much in the first place? What does that say about their talent evaluation?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discus
#158 - Boogie to the Warriors, Rondo to the Lakers and more
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss DeMarcus Cousins joining the Golden State Warriors, Rajon Rondo heading to the Los Angeles Lakers and more of Monday's notable free-agent signings.Should the NBA step in to prevent Cousins from joining the Wizards? Why would the Lakers be interested in adding another non-shooter in Rondo? Should the New Orleans Pelicans start Julius Randle alongside Anthony Davis? Did the Utah Jazz and Philadelphia
#157 - Reaction to LeBron James signing with the Lakers
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss what LeBron James' decision to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers means for the NBA moving forward.Are the Lakers championship contenders as currently assembled? What other moves might they make this summer? Should we pencil the Celtics in as Eastern Conference champions? Does this reduce the Spurs' leverage in Kawhi Leonard trade negotiations?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all
#156 - Instant reaction to the first night of 2018 free agency
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) give their thoughts on the contracts doled out during the first night of 2018 free agency, including Paul George, Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan. Was it a surprise to see George sign a 3+1 deal with the Thunder? Will the Rockets grow to regret giving Paul a four-year max? Which of the signings from the first night were the most questionable? Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that
#155 - Predicting where 2018's top free agents will sign
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) make their predictions for where the top names in the 2018 NBA free-agent class will wind up.Will LeBron James go to the Lakers if they can't get Paul George or Kawhi Leonard? Are the Rockets going to give Chris Paul his full five-year max? How much will the Pelicans spend to retain DeMarcus Cousins? Is DeAndre Jordan the Mavericks' best option at center? Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discu
#154 - Where should LeBron James sign in free agency?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) break down the pros and cons of each of LeBron James' likely free-agent landing spots this summer.If the Lakers sign LeBron, what other moves would they need to make to become championship contenders next season? Should the Sixers go all-out and trade for Kawhi Leonard to attract LeBron? Is it worth the risk for the Rockets to blow apart their team and trade for LeBron? What can the Cavaliers do to incentiv
#153 - Winners and losers of the 2018 NBA draft
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) break down which teams should be thrilled with their draft-night hauls and which teams should be feeling remorseful.Did the Atlanta Hawks get enough in return for Luka Doncic? Was Michael Porter Jr. worth the risk for the Denver Nuggets at No. 14? Did the Los Angeles Clippers reach too far on Jerome Robinson at No. 13? Will the Cleveland Cavaliers regret taking Collin Sexton at No. 8?Check out the episode t
#152 - Discussing top 2018 NBA draft prospects with Ricky O'Donnell of SB Nation
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by Ricky O'Donnell (@SBN_Ricky) of SB Nation to discuss the top prospects in the 2018 NBA draft class.Would the Phoenix Suns be making a mistake if they take Deandre Ayton at No. 1? How far is Luka Doncic going to fall? Will Trae Young's offensive upside make up for his defensive limitations? Are draft experts sleeping on Wendell Carter Jr.'s ceiling?Check out the episode to hear Morten, Bryan an
#151 - Is Kawhi Leonard heading for a breakup with the Spurs?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss possible Kawhi Leonard trade destinations in the wake of the report about him wanting out of San Antonio.If Leonard isn't willing to re-sign anywhere but L.A., how much should other teams be willing to offer for him? Is he destined to go to the Lakers? Would a superteam with Leonard, LeBron James and Paul George be able to defeat the Warriors next year? Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan
#150 - What's next for the Cavaliers, Warriors, Rockets and Celtics?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest offseason questions for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets and Boston Celtics.If LeBron James leaves Cleveland, should the Cavaliers begin a fire sale? How should the Warriors round out their supporting cast? What would it take for the Rockets to land LeBron or Paul George this summer? How much should the Celtics pony up to retain Marcus Smart?Check out the e
#149 - Can the Cavaliers come back against the Warriors?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by longtime NBA editor Spencer Lund (@spencertyrel) to discuss the 2018 NBA Finals, give an update on the Bryan Colangelo saga and ponder why Luka Doncic's draft stock may be dropping.Do the Cavaliers have any prayer of winning Games 3 and/or 4 against the Warriors? What adjustments can they make? If the Warriors win the title this year, have they ruined the competitiveness of the NBA?Why haven't
#148 - Who stood out at the 2018 Pro Basketball Combine?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) are joined by Jake Kelfer (@jakekelfer), the founder of the Pro Basketball Combine (@probballcombine), to discuss how this year's event went.How did the PBC come into existence? Who were some of the notable standouts from the first year of the event in 2017? Who caught the attention of scouts this year? How did Liangelo Ball fare?Check out the episode to hear Morten, Bryan and Jake discuss all of that and m
#147 - How should the Sixers react to the Bryan Colangelo Twitter saga?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the report about Sixers team president Bryan Colangelo allegedly using burner Twitter accounts to trash players, coaches and executives around the league.If the Sixers discover Colangelo is behind the accounts, is there any way he keeps his job? What if he isn't the one responsible for the accounts, but someone close to him is? How does this affect the team's offseason outlook?Check out the episode
#146 - 2018 NBA Finals preview and predictions
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) preview the 2018 NBA Finals and predict whether the Golden State Warriors or Cleveland Cavaliers will win.Who can the Cavaliers use to slow down Kevin Durant? How much will they miss Kevin Love if he remains sidelined by a concussion? Would Andre Iguodala's continued absence open the door for an upset? Who on the Warriors will draw the primary assignment on LeBron James?Check out the episode to hear Morten
#145 - Predicting Game 7 winners for Cavaliers-Celtics and Warriors-Rockets
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) predict who will win Game 7 in the Cavaliers-Celtics and Warriors-Rockets conference finals.Is there a silver lining to Kevin Love missing Game 7 for the Cavaliers? Should the Celtics move Aron Baynes out of their starting lineup with Love sidelined? If Chris Paul can't play, can the Rockets stave off the Warriors with a six-man rotation? Will the Warriors avoid the iso-ball that has plagued them throughout
#144 - Updated predictions for the 2018 Eastern and Western Conference Finals
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss where things stand through four games in the Eastern and Western Conference Finals and give updated predictions for each series.Will the Cleveland Cavaliers' supporting cast continue to play well as the series heads back to Boston? How can the Celtics get Al Horford going again? Are the Houston Rockets in danger of running out of gas as the series progresses? How worried should the Golden State Warr
#143 - Our post-lottery 2018 NBA mock draft
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) take turns making picks for each of the lottery teams in the 2018 NBA draft.Who should the Phoenix Suns select at No. 1? Should the Memphis Grizzlies prioritize fit next to Mike Conley and Marc Gasol at No. 4? Is Trae Young a lock to go to the Orlando Magic at No. 6? What holes should the Los Angeles Clippers address with their pair of late-lottery picks?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discus
#142 - Early takeaways from the 2018 Eastern and Western Conference Finals
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest takeaways from the first two games of each series in the 2018 Eastern and Western Conference Finals.Will the Cleveland Cavaliers' role players perform better at home than they did in Boston? Can the Celtics shake off the road woes that have plagued them throughout the 2018 playoffs? How worried should the Golden State Warriors be about Stephen Curry? Can the Houston Rockets' supporting c
#141 - 2018 NBA draft lottery livestream and reaction
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and special guest Jason Patt (@Bulls_Jay) of Blog a Bull react live to the 2018 NBA draft lottery.Who were the winners and losers from Tuesday night's lottery drawing? What should the Phoenix Suns do with the No. 1 overall pick?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Jason discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
#140 - What's next for the Raptors, Sixers, Pelicans and Jazz?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) look ahead to the big offseason questions for the Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans and Utah Jazz.Should the Raptors blow up their core after being swept in the playoffs? How should the 76ers round out their roster this offseason? Should the Pelicans re-sign DeMarcus Cousins? How much should the Jazz be willing to spend to retain Derrick Favors and Dante Exum?Check out the episode to
#139 - Did Dwane Casey and Stan Van Gundy deserve to get fired?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) debate whether Dwane Casey and Stan Van Gundy deserved to be fired and discuss the latest NBA coaching hires.After a franchise-record 59-win season, was it fair of the Raptors to fire Casey? With Van Gundy out in Detroit, will that bring an end to the dual coach/GM role? How will David Fizdale fare with the New York Knicks? And why is there so much backlash to Becky Hammon getting an interview with the Milw
#138 - 2018 Western and Eastern Conference Finals preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) preview the Houston Rockets-Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics-Cleveland Cavaliers conference finals series.Will the Rockets' wing depth be able to keep up with the Warriors' Big Four? How will Golden State slow down James Harden and Chris Paul? Should the Celtics sell out defensively against LeBron James and dare Cleveland's supporting cast to beat them? Who on the Cavaliers can stop Al Horford?Check
#137 - Early takeaways from the 2018 conference semifinals
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest takeaways from the first two games of each series in the 2018 Eastern and Western Conference semifinals.Do the Toronto Raptors have any hope of coming back against the Cleveland Cavaliers? How have the Boston Celtics shut down Ben Simmons? How worried should the Houston Rockets be about the Utah Jazz having stolen home-court advantage? Are the Golden State Warriors back to being commandi
#136 - What's next for the Heat, Bucks, Wizards and Pacers?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) look ahead to the big offseason questions for the Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Washington Wizards and Indiana Pacers.Could the Heat trade Hassan Whiteside for anything of value? How much should the Bucks be willing to spend to retain Jabari Parker? Should the Wizards consider trading John Wall before his new contract kicks in? Is Myles Turner deserving of a max extension this summer?Check out the episode to
#135 - 2018 Eastern Conference semifinals preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) preview the Raptors-Cavaliers and Celtics-76ers series ahead of the 2018 Eastern Conference semifinals.Will Cavaliers players not named LeBron James play better against Toronto than they did against the Pacers? Does Cleveland have the personnel to slow down Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan and the Raptors' Bench Mob? How much of an impact will Jaylen Brown's hamstring injury have against the Sixers? Can Al Horford
#134 - What's next for the Thunder, Trail Blazers, Timberwolves and Spurs?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) look ahead to the big offseason questions for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers, Minnesota Timberwolves and San Antonio Spurs.What are the odds of Paul George remaining in OKC? Is it time for the Trail Blazers to break up Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum? Is Tom Thibodeau the right coach for the Timberwolves? Will the Spurs patch up their relationship with Kawhi Leonard?Check out the episode t
#133 - 2018 Western Conference semifinals preview
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) preview the Warriors-Pelicans and Rockets-Jazz series ahead of the 2018 Western Conference semifinals.Can the Pelicans slow down Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant? Does New Orleans have enough offensive firepower to keep up with the Warriors? How can the Jazz limit Donovan Mitchell? Will Houston's three-point-heavy approach negate some of Rudy Gobert's defensive effectiveness? Check out the episod
#132 - Surprises and disappointments from Week 1 of the 2018 NBA playoffs
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Joshua Howe (@Howevolution) of Raptors Republic discuss their biggest surprises and disappointments from the first week of the 2018 NBA playoffs.Check out the episode to hear them discuss the Toronto Raptors starting a series 2-0 for the first time in franchise history, Hassan Whiteside and Jabari Parker clashing with their respective coaches, the return of Playoff Rondo and much more.Follow
#131 - Early takeaways from Round 1 of the 2018 NBA playoffs
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss their early takeaways from the first few days of the 2018 NBA playoffs.How much will Joel Embiid alter the Philadelphia 76ers-Miami Heat series? Are the Cleveland Cavaliers in legitimate trouble against the Indiana Pacers? Can the New Orleans Pelicans continue limiting the Portland Trail Blazers' star guards? Do the Utah Jazz have any chance against the Oklahoma City Thunder if Donovan Mitchell miss
#130 - What's next for the Nuggets and Clippers?
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the big decisions awaiting the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers this offseason.Should Mike Malone be on the hot seat in Denver? What should the Nuggets do with regard to Nikola Jokic's contract? Should the Clippers re-sign DeAndre Jordan and/or Avery Bradley? Are the Clippers better off after trading Blake Griffin?Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Fol
#129 - 2018 Western Conference Round 1 preview and predictions
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) break down Round 1 of the 2018 Western Conference playoff bracket and give their predictions for each series.Are the Minnesota Timberwolves too worn down to put up a fight against the Houston Rockets? Do the San Antonio Spurs stand any chance against the Golden State Warriors without Kawhi Leonard? Can the Portland Trail Blazers contain Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans? Should the Utah Jazz be fav
#128 - 2018 Eastern Conference Round 1 preview and predictions
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) break down Round 1 of the 2018 Eastern Conference playoff bracket and give their predictions for each series.Will the Toronto Raptors exorcise their playoff demons against the Washington Wizards? Do the Kyrie Irving-less Boston Celtics have the firepower to keep up with Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks? Should the Philadelphia 76ers be on upset alert against the Miami Heat? Can the Indiana Pace
#127 - Our 2017-18 NBA awards picks
Can anyone compete with James Harden in the MVP race? Who's more deserving of Rookie of the Year, Ben Simmons or Donovan Mitchell? Did Joel Embiid's facial fracture seal Defensive Player of the Year for Rudy Gobert? Who deserves to emerge from the closely contested Coach of the Year race? Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
#126 - What's next for the Lakers, Pistons and Hornets?
Who's the best player on the Los Angeles Lakers? What should the Lakers do with Julius Randle in free agency? If the Lakers do sign Paul George and LeBron James this summer, where would they stack up in the Western Conference? Should the Charlotte Hornets shop Kemba Walker over the offseason? Should the Detroit Pistons regret the Blake Griffin trade? Do they need to strip personnel power away from Stan Van Gundy? How can they improve moving forward? Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@
#125 - Panic meter for top NBA contenders
Are the Golden State Warriors or Boston Celtics in danger of a first-round upset with Steph Curry and Kyrie Irving sidelined, respectively? What could trip up the Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors? How concerned should the Cleveland Cavaliers be about LeBron James running out of gas? Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
#124 - Charting a path forward for Eastern Conference tankers
Does Atlanta Hawks forward Taurean Prince project as a No. 1 scorer someday? What should the Orlando Magic do with Aaron Gordon in free agency? Should the Brooklyn Nets offer D'Angelo Russell an extension? How much should the Chicago Bulls be willing to match on an offer sheet for Zach LaVine? Should the New York Knicks effectively punt on the 2018-19 season with Kristaps Porzingis recovering from a torn ACL? Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) dis
#123 - NBA draft risers and fallers from Week 1 of March Madness
With Tyronn Lue sidelined by health issues for the time being, what can we expect from the Cleveland Cavaliers moving forward? Are they the biggest wild card in the playoffs? Which NBA draft prospects stood out during the first week of the NCAA tournament? Did anyone do damage to their draft stock?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Daniel O'Brien (@DanO_Bball) of FanRag Sports discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheN
#122 - How can the West's bottom-feeders bounce back in 2018-19?
If the Memphis Grizzlies land the No. 1 pick, should they take Deandre Ayton or Luka Doncic? Should the Phoenix Suns re-sign Elfrid Payton this summer? How should the Dallas Mavericks make use of their cap space? Do the Sacramento Kings have any players worth building around?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
#121 - NBA prospects to watch during March Madness
Can Deandre Ayton cement himself as the No. 1 overall prospect in this year's draft class with a strong NCAA tournament? What should NBA scouts hope to see out of Marvin Bagley III, Michael Porter Jr., Jaren Jackson Jr. and Trae Young? Which prospects could surge up draft boards in the coming weeks?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Chris Stone (@cstonehoops) of Sporting News and FanSided discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Tw
#120 - How much will Derrick Rose help the Timberwolves?
Can Derrick Rose resuscitate his career with the Minnesota Timberwolves? Should the NBA have intervened with the Chicago Bulls' decision to rest a healthy Robin Lopez and Justin Holiday? Will Corey Brewer make a difference with the Oklahoma City Thunder? Is it time to worry about Stephen Curry's ankle?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod?
#119 - How should the NBA help to reform youth basketball?
In the wake of the NCAA's recruiting scandal, should the NBA ditch its one-and-done rule? Can it make the G League more appealing to elite high school prospects? What other steps could it take to reform youth basketball?Has the Los Angeles Lakers' recent surge affected their outlook this offseason? Will they be a more attractive free-agent landing spot to Paul George? Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Tw
#118 - Are the Sixers real threats to sign LeBron James?
Are the Philadelphia 76ers a legitimate landing spot for LeBron James? How can they carve out the requisite cap space for him? Is any team going to back up the Brink's truck for Isaiah Thomas? Will Shabazz Muhammad make much of a difference on the Milwaukee Bucks? Can the Blazers hold off the Minnesota Timberwolves for the No. 3 seed in the West?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
#117 - Are the Raptors and Rockets legitimate NBA Finals threats?
Should the San Antonio Spurs consider holding Kawhi Leonard out even if he declares himself ready to return? Are the Minnesota Timberwolves the third-best team in the West with a healthy Jimmy Butler? How much will Marco Belinelli and Ersan Ilyasova help the Philadelphia 76ers? Are the Toronto Raptors the favorites in the East? Could the Houston Rockets upset the Golden State Warriors?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss all of that and more
#116 - How should the Spurs proceed with Kawhi Leonard?
How should the San Antonio Spurs proceed with Kawhi Leonard moving forward? Are the Minnesota Timberwolves in danger of falling out of playoff contention in the wake of Jimmy Butler's knee injury? Will the NCAA's recruiting scandal impact draft-eligible prospects? Was the NBA right to fine Mark Cuban for his comments on tanking? Should the league change the way it seeds teams for the playoffs?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss all of that
#115 - Top post-All-Star break storylines to monitor
Can the Houston Rockets stave off the Golden State Warriors for home-court advantage in the West? Which teams will land the final few playoff spots in the West and the East? Can LeBron James catch up with James Harden in the MVP race? What will determine who wins Rookie of the Year?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
#114 - 2018 NBA trade deadline recap
How will the new-look Cleveland Cavaliers mesh? Do they stand a chance against the Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors or Golden State Warriors? How will Isaiah Thomas fit with the Los Angeles Lakers? Why did the Orlando Magic sell low on Elfrid Payton? Are the New York Knicks heading in the right direction? Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
#113 - Breaking down the latest NBA trade buzz
Should any team be willing to give up a first-round pick for Marcus Smart, Tyreke Evans or Lou Williams? What should the Utah Jazz expect to receive for Rodney Hood? If LeBron James were to waive his no-trade clause, what would it take to pry him away from the Cleveland Cavaliers?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
#112 - Can anything fix the Cleveland Cavaliers?
With Kevin Love out until March due to a hand injury, can the Cleveland Cavaliers snap out of their recent tailspin? Did the Chicago Bulls get enough from the New Orleans Pelicans for Nikola Mirotic? With Jabari Parker back, are the Milwaukee Bucks dark-horse Finals contenders? How will Greg Monroe fit with the Boston Celtics?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss all of that and more. Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
#111 - Where does DeMarcus Cousins' injury leave the Pelicans?
With DeMarcus Cousins done for the year due to his torn Achilles, where do the New Orleans Pelicans go from here? Should they be buyers at the trade deadline? Can they still make the playoffs? How should the Washington Wizards approach the deadline with John Wall sidelined until March? Should the Oklahoma City Thunder look for outside help to replace Andre Roberson? Will the Memphis Grizzlies conduct a fire sale with Mike Conley now out for the season? Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen
#110 - Breaking down the Blake Griffin trade
Did the Los Angeles Clippers get enough for Blake Griffin? Why did they decide to trade him now? Where do they go next? How does the trade impact the Detroit Pistons' short- and long-term outlook? Can they build a championship contender around Griffin and Andre Drummond?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
#109 - Discussing All-Star snubs, Cavs and Spurs drama
Who were the notable All-Star snubs? How should LeBron James and Stephen Curry divvy up their picks in the All-Star draft? Should San Antonio Spurs fans be concerned about Kawhi Leonard's reported frustration with the franchise? How can the Cleveland Cavaliers fix what's ailing them? Were the Milwaukee Bucks right to fire head coach Jason Kidd?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
#108 -Big decision coming up for the Chicago Bulls
In this episode, Bulls HQ host, Mark Karantzoulis, joins Morten to talk all things Chicago Bulls, as well as the upcoming trade deadline.Should the Bulls make a concerned effort to take, or should they stick with their new winning ways? What role will Zach LaVine have in the future? Is Robin Lopez worth more to the Bulls as a player, than as a trade asset? And why does Charlotte want to pair Kemba Walker with a big contract, when this decreases a potential return in a trade?Check out the newest
#107 - Picking 2018 All-Star Game reserves
Which players should be selected as reserves for the 2018 All-Star Game in each conference? Who will be snubbed from All-Star consideration? Can the NBA do anything to increase the competitiveness of the All-Star Game? Will scrapping the East-vs.-West format accomplish that goal?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
#106 - 2017-18 midseason awards update
Halfway through the 2017-18 NBA season, who are the favorites for each of the league's major awards? Can anyone catch Lou Williams in the Sixth Man of the Year race? Is Brad Stevens running away with Coach of the Year? Will anyone challenge Victor Oladipo for Most Improved Player? Is there a front-runner for Defensive Player of the Year? Can Donovan Mitchell supplant Ben Simmons in the Rookie of the Year race? Did James Harden's hamstring injury open the door for other challengers in the MVP rac
#105 - 2018 trade deadline preview
Which NBA teams should be buyers and sellers at the 2018 trade deadline? Should the Los Angeles Lakers start clearing out cap space for their ambitious free-agent plans? Is it time for the Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers to begin a rebuild? Should the Oklahoma City Thunder and New Orleans Pelicans consider trading Paul George and DeMarcus Cousins, respectively?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss all of that and more.Follow us on
#104 - How should the Lakers solve their LaVar Ball problem?
Is LaVar Ball becoming a legitimate distraction for the Los Angeles Lakers? Should Lonzo tell him to back off? What role does the media play in building up LaVar into a newsworthy story? Is Lonzo worth the headache for the Lakers? Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
#103 - Which players should be All-Star starters?
The first returns from 2018 All-Star Game balloting came out Thursday, complete with some significant surprises. Who should start for each conference? Why doesn't Jimmy Butler have more votes? Can Joel Embiid stave off Kristaps Porzingis? How do Manu Ginobili and Dwyane Wade have so many votes?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
#102 - Sizing up the NBA's tank race
Which NBA team is likely to wind up with the worst record? Should the Los Angeles Lakers be dangling Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson ahead of the Feb. 8 trade deadline? Will the Memphis Grizzlies host a fire sale? Are the Chicago Bulls screwing themselves out of a top-five pick? Where do the injury-ravaged Orlando Magic go from here? Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
#101 - 2017 Christmas Day preview
How will Ben Simmons fare in his Madison Square Garden debut on Christmas Day? Should we take away anything from the Cleveland Cavaliers-Golden State Warriors matchup? Will the Washington Wizards and Boston Celtics still have bad blood? Can Oklahoma City Thunder's Big Three keep up with the Houston Rockets? Will Lonzo Ball and the Los Angeles Lakers upset the Minnesota Timberwolves?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss all of that and more.Fo
#100 - What's holding the Thunder back?
Are the Oklahoma City Thunder finally beginning to coalesce? What's holding them back from becoming a legitimate Western Conference contender? Is George Hill justified in feeling wronged by the Sacramento Kings' reported change in direction? Will Tom Thibodeau ever learn his lesson about distribution of playing time? How have the Chicago Bulls started looking like a real NBA team?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Mark Deeks (@markd
#99 - Winners and losers of the Jahlil Okafor trade
Can Jahlil Okafor salvage his career with the Brooklyn Nets? How will he fit in with head coach Kenny Atkinson's system? Did the Philadelphia 76ers wait too long to trade Okafor? Was Trevor Booker enough to get in return?Does Stephen Curry's ankle injury open the door for the Houston Rockets to run away with the No. 1 seed? Who should the Golden State Warriors fear more: Houston or the San Antonio Spurs? Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss
#98 - First-quarter surprises and disappointments
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the biggest surprises and disappointments from the first quarter of the 2017-18 NBA season.Which teams and/or players have stood out as pleasant surprises through the first 20 games? Who has fallen short of expectations to date? Check out the episode to hear Morten and Bryan discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
#97 - Is it time for the Grizzlies and Clippers to tank?
Should the Memphis Grizzlies have fired head coach David Fizdale? With Fizdale gone, what's Memphis' next step. Should Marc Gasol be on the trade block? With Blake Griffin sidelined for up to eight weeks, should the Los Angeles Clippers sell DeAndre Jordan to the highest bidder? Which teams should be interested in him? Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss all of that and more. Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
#96 - Is this the end for Derrick Rose?
Derrick Rose has taken a hiatus from the Cleveland Cavaliers. If he retires, how will we remember his career? Can the Denver Nuggets survive without Paul Millsap for the next few months? With Patrick Beverley done for the year, should the Los Angeles Clippers consider trading DeAndre Jordan or Blake Griffin?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
#95 - Are the Celtics now the Eastern Conference favorites?
How surprising is the value of Robert Covington's extension? Who should the Philadelphia 76ers target in free agency next summer or in 2019? Are the Boston Celtics now the team to beat in the Eastern Conference? Are the Utah Jazz already in danger of falling out of the playoff race? Why do the Dallas Mavericks hate Nerlens Noel so much? Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss all of that and more. Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
#94 - The early leaders in the NBA's award races
Nearly one month into the 2017-18 NBA season, has a front-runner emerged for MVP? Which players look like candidates for Most Improved Player? Can anyone stop Ben Simmons from winning Rookie of the Year? Is Rudy Gobert still the heavy favorite for Defensive Player of the Year? Has Brad Stevens taken the lead in the Coach of the Year race? Which reserves are contenders for Sixth Man of the Year?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Sarah Cilea (@wildhorses65) and Bryan Toporek (@
#93 - Eric Bledsoe trade reaction
How will Eric Bledsoe fit with the Milwaukee Bucks? What does his arrival mean for Malcolm Brogdon? Does Bledsoe make the Bucks a legitimate championship contender this year? Did the Phoenix Suns get enough for Bledsoe? Should they buy Greg Monroe out? Do they need outside help at point guard now? Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss all of that and more. Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
#92 - Where should Jahlil Okafor, Mario Hezonja go next?
After their respective teams declined their fourth-year options, where should Jahlil Okafor, Mario Hezonja and Rashad Vaughn hope to end up next? How will the Cleveland Cavaliers survive the left calf injury that will sideline Tristan Thompson for the next month? What impact will Larry Nance Jr.'s fractured hand have on the Los Angeles Lakers? Is it time to panic about Lonzo Ball and the other struggling rookie point guards?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Sarah Cilea (@wil
#91 - Is it too early to worry about the Cleveland Cavaliers?
LeBron James says he isn't worried about the Cleveland Cavaliers' slow start. Should he be? Fresh off three straight wins, are the New York Knicks a potential playoff contender? What is fueling the Detroit Pistons' early-season success? Is Victor Oladipo's breakout year for real? Does the Los Angeles Clippers' loss to the Golden State Warriors mean anything long-term?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twit
#90 - 2017-18 early-season surprises and disappointments
Are the Brooklyn Nets and Orlando Magic for real, or are they taking advantage of soft early-season schedules? Can the Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers keep up their hot start? Is it time to be worried about Karl-Anthony Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves on defense? Should Los Angeles Lakers fans be jumping ship on Brandon Ingram? What's contributing to the Denver Nuggets' early struggles?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Sarah Cilea (@wildhorses65) and Bryan To
#89 - Where do the Phoenix Suns go from here?
Eric Bledsoe wants nothing to do with the Phoenix Suns, so where should Phoenix trade him? Why did the Suns fire Earl Watson only three games into the year? Are you surprised Dwyane Wade willingly accepted a move to the bench? Are opposing point guards actively targeting Lonzo Ball because of his loudmouth father? What's going on with Markelle Fultz's shooting stroke?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Sarah Cilea (@wildhorses65) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss all of th
#88 - 2017-18 opening night reaction
How can the Boston Celtics replace Gordon Hayward in the wake of his ankle injury? Should the Chicago Bulls have punished Bobby Portis more severely for punching Nikola Mirotic? Can the Brooklyn Nets rebound from Jeremy Lin's season-ending injury? Should any fanbases already be panicking? Is Giannis Antetokounmpo a legitimate MVP candidate this year?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Sarah Cilea (@wildhorses65) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss all of that and more. Follo
#87 - What to watch in the 2017-18 NBA season
Sure, the Golden State Warriors are overwhelming favorites to win the 2018 championship, but don't let that ruin the 2017-18 NBA season for you. After walking through some preseason takeaways and injury notes, Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Sarah Cilea (@wildhorses65) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss what they're most excited to watch this coming season. Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
#86 - Debating Joel Embiid, Gary Harris extensions
Did the Philadelphia 76ers make a mistake by maxing out Joel Embiid now instead of next summer? Is Gary Harris' four-year, $74 million extension too little, too much or just right? What about the deals Norman Powell, TJ Warren and Josh Richardson signed in recent weeks? Should Jabari Parker, Aaron Gordon, Dante Exum, Julius Randle or Elfrid Payton receive extensions by the Oct. 16 deadline?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss all of that and
#85 - 2017-18 NBA awards race preview with Matt Moore
Can Kawhi Leonard stave off Kevin Durant and LeBron James to win MVP this year? Who else might work themselves into the MVP conversation? Is Rudy Gobert the front-runner for Defensive Player of the Year? Will Lonzo Ball run away with Rookie of the Year? Who should we keep an eye on in the Most Improved Player, Sixth Man of the Year and Coach of the Year races? Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Sarah Cilea (@wildhorses65), Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Matt Moor
#84 - 2017-18 NBA season preview with Matt Moore
Which team is the second-best in the Western Conference? Are the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets playoff locks? Which teams will lock up the seventh and eighth seeds out West?Can the Toronto Raptors sneak past the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics to land the No. 1 seed in the East? Could the Milwaukee Bucks snag a top-four seed? Where do the Charlotte Hornets fall in the wake of Nic Batum's elbow injury?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Sarah Cilea (@wildhors
#83 - 2017-18 Atlantic Division preview
Is Kristaps Porzingis ready for the pressure that comes along with being the face of the New York Knicks? Can D'Angelo Russell resuscitate his career in Brooklyn? Will Kyrie Irving have an MVP-caliber season with the Boston Celtics? Is this the year DeMar DeRozan begins shooting three-pointers? What should we realistically expect from No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Sarah Cilea (@wildhorses65), Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest J
#82 - 2017-18 Central Division preview
How will the Cleveland Cavaliers adjust at point guard until Isaiah Thomas returns from his hip injury? Can Reggie Jackson and Andre Drummond bounce back after their disappointing 2016-17 campaigns? Do the Chicago Bulls currently have their point guard of the future on their roster? Is Myles Turner headed for a breakout year? Will Giannis Antetokounmpo force his way into the MVP discussion?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Sarah Cilea (@wildhorses65), Bryan Toporek (@btopore
#81 - Carmelo Anthony trade reaction
How will Anthony fit next to Russell Westbrook and Paul George in OKC? Are the Thunder now the second-best team in the Western Conference? How will Kristaps Porzingis handle being the New York Knicks' No. 1 option? Where will the Knicks finish in the lottery standings? After LeBron James, Chris Paul and Kobe Bryant spoke out against President Donald Trump on Saturday, will more NBA players follow suit? Should the league actively encourage this type of activism?Check out the episode to hear Mort
#80 - 2017-18 Northwest Division Preview
How perfect of a fit is Paul Millsap alongside Nikola Jokic? Can Jimmy Butler help Andrew Wiggins round out his game? Will Paul George emerge as a legitimate MVP candidate in Oklahoma City? Can Rodney Hood make Utah Jazz fans forget about Gordon Hayward? Will Jusuf Nurkic be able to sustain his post-All-Star-break surge?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Sarah Cilea (@wildhorses65), Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Adam Mares (@adam_mares) of Denver Stiffs and Lock
#79 - 2017-18 Southeast Division preview
Will the Miami Heat grow to regret their offseason spending spree, or could they emerge as a sneaky threat out East? How will Dwight Howard fit with the Charlotte Hornets, and what does his arrival mean for Cody Zeller? Who can the Atlanta Hawks rely on outside of Dennis Schroder? How should the Orlando Magic distribute minutes among their plethora of wings? Did the Washington Wizards upgrade their bench enough to make them a legitimate title contender? Check out the episode to hear Morten Jense
#78 - 2017-18 Pacific Division Preview
Is Lonzo Ball the Rookie of the Year front-runner? Who will run the Los Angeles Clippers' offense now that Chris Paul is gone? How will all of the Sacramento Kings' new pieces mesh? What should Phoenix Suns fans expect from Josh Jackson? How can Steve Kerr help the Golden State Warriors combat complacency?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Sarah Cilea (@wildhorses65), Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Shane Young (@youngNBA) of FanRag Sports and BBALLBREAKDOWN discu
#77 - 2017-18 Southwest Division preview
Will Nerlens Noel regret turning down the Dallas Mavericks' reported four-year, $70 million contract offer? How will Chris Paul and James Harden mesh in Houston? Will the DeMarcus Cousins-Anthony Davis pairing take flight in New Orleans? Is there any hope of Chandler Parsons having a bounce-back season in Memphis? What should the San Antonio Spurs do at point guard until Tony Parker returns from his quad injury?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Sarah Cilea (@wildhorses65), B
#76 - Who won the Kyrie Irving trade?
Did the Boston Celtics overpay for Kyrie Irving? How will he fit in Brad Stevens' system? Why did they cash in on Irving rather than Paul George or Jimmy Butler? Are they better or worse than they would have been if they rolled back the same core?How will Isaiah Thomas fit alongside LeBron James and Kevin Love? Does this trade make the Cleveland Cavaliers more competitive against the Golden State Warriors? Will it be enough to convince LeBron to re-sign with them next summer? If he leaves, how d
#75 - Our 2017-18 League Pass Rankings
Which teams will be appointment viewing for NBA fans this year? Which teams can you safely ignore? After losing Chris Paul, are the Los Angeles Clippers more interesting? Will the Utah Jazz be more boring without Gordon Hayward? Are the Nikola Jokic-led Denver Nuggets, Joel Embiid-led Philadelphia 76ers and Giannis Antetokounmpo-led Milwaukee Bucks each must-watch teams?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Sarah Cilea (@wildhorses65) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss all of
#74- Opening Week schedule and NBA 'Would You Rather?'
Which games should NBA fans be most excited about during the opening week of the 2017-18 season? Which matchups are appointment viewing on Christmas Day?For the 2017-18 season, who would you rather have: Nikola Jokic or DeMarcus Cousins? Jimmy Butler or Paul George? Kawhi Leonard or Kevin Durant? Joel Embiid or Karl-Anthony Towns? Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Sarah Cilea (@wildhorses65) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @Th
#73 - Who is the NBA's best two-way player?
With Doc Rivers out as Los Angeles Clippers president, is the dual coach/president role going extinct? Can Tom Thibodeau and Stan Van Gundy continue to handle those duties with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Detroit Pistons, respectively?Is Michael Jordan right to say Kawhi Leonard is the best two-way player in the NBA? Who belongs higher on all-time rankings, Kobe Bryant or LeBron James? Should the Timberwolves hand a max contract to Andrew Wiggins? Do you buy the argument from Houston Rockets
#72 - How will Derrick Rose fit with the Cleveland Cavaliers?
Can the Cleveland Cavaliers go into training camp with Kyrie Irving on their roster? How will Derrick Rose fit in Cleveland? If the Cavs trade Irving, can Rose be a viable starter for them?Did the Brooklyn Nets err in not receiving a draft pick in their trade for Allen Crabbe? Why did the San Antonio Spurs overpay Pau Gasol? Is there reason to worry about Ben Simmons serving as the Philadelphia 76ers' starting point guard?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Sarah Cilea (@wildh
#71 - Should the Cleveland Cavaliers trade Kyrie Irving?
With Kyrie Irving reportedly wanting out of Cleveland, should the Cavaliers trade him before training camp? Which teams make sense as a trade partner? What should Cleveland target in return?As for John Wall, will he live up to the four-year "supermax" extension he just signed with Washington? Does that contract limit the Wizards' ceiling? How can they improve moving forward?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Sarah Cilea (@wildhorses65) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss al
#70 - Buy or sell: Carmelo to Houston rumors, Lonzo Ball hype
Is Carmelo Anthony eventually headed to the Houston Rockets? What should they be willing to give up to land him? Which other teams might be involved in this four-team trade? How will the latest free-agent signings fit in with their respective teams? Fresh off a dazzling summer league performance, is Lonzo Ball actually the greatest thing since sliced bread? Which other rookies have dazzled in Las Vegas?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Sarah Cilea (@wildhorses65) and Bryan T
#69 - Winners and losers of the 2017 NBA offseason
Which NBA teams made the smartest moves this offseason? Which managed to salvage bad situations? Which made the most regrettable decisions? (Here's looking at you, New York Knicks.)Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Sarah Cilea (@wildhorses65) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss all of that and more.Follow us on Twitter: @TheNBAPod
#68 - Did Gordon Hayward do the Utah Jazz wrong?
Does Gordon Hayward owe it to the Utah Jazz to orchestrate a sign-and-trade with the Boston Celtics for Jae Crowder? Are the Celtics a legitimate threat to the Cleveland Cavaliers or Golden State Warriors after signing Hayward? Will Paul Millsap make the Denver Nuggets a playoff team in the cutthroat Western Conference? How will Danilo Gallinari fare alongside Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan in L.A.? Were the Toronto Raptors right to re-sign Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka? Did the Philadelphia 76er
#67 - Evaluating the Paul George, Ricky Rubio trades
Did the Indiana Pacers get enough for Paul George? Why didn't they wait until free agency began? Will George's arrival convince Russell Westbrook to sign a "supermax" extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder? How will Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis fit with the Pacers? Will Jeff Teague be a good match with the Minnesota Timberwolves? How will Ricky Rubio fare on the Utah Jazz? Were the Los Angeles Clippers and New Orleans Pelicans right to retain Blake Griffin and Jrue Holiday, respectively
#66 - 2017 Western Conference free agency preview
After acquiring CP3, what's next for the Houston Rockets? What big moves do the San Antonio Spurs have up their sleeves? Should the New Orleans Pelicans give Jrue Holiday a five-year max deal? Should the Dallas Mavericks match a max offer sheet for Nerlens Noel? How much should the Los Angeles Clippers offer Blake Griffin to keep him around? Are the Golden State Warriors at real risk of losing Andre Iguodala? Should the Los Angeles Lakers go all-in to trade for Paul George? Can the Utah Jazz kee
#65 - 2017 Eastern Conference free agency preview
With Paul George likely to leave next year, should the Indiana Pacers allow Jeff Teague to walk in free agency? Should the Cleveland Cavaliers continue shopping Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love? Should the Detroit Pistons match any offer sheet Kentavious Caldwell-Pope receives? Can the Boston Celtics land both Gordon Hayward and Paul George? Should the Toronto Raptors blow up their core or attempt to bring back the band? How should the Philadelphia 76ers spend their $50-plus million in cap space? Wou
#64 - Reaction to the 2017 NBA draft & the Jimmy Butler trade
Did the Chicago Bulls get enough from the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Jimmy Butler trade? How will Jimmy Buckets fit in Minnesota? What's next for the Bulls? Who were the biggest winners and losers from the 2017 NBA draft? Did the Los Angeles Lakers give up too quickly on D'Angelo Russell? Is Brook Lopez a long-term fit with the Lakers? What does the Atlanta Hawks' decision to trade Dwight Howard mean for Paul Millsap's future with the team? How will the lower-than-expected 2017-18 salary cap
#63 - Breaking down Jimmy Butler, Paul George, Kristaps Porzingis trade rumors
Do the Indiana Pacers have to trade George this offseason? Should they do it by this Thursday's NBA draft? What should they expect in return? Is it time for the Chicago Bulls to trade Jimmy Butler? What is their long-term plan moving forward? Should the New York Knicks fire Phil Jackson before he can trade away Kristaps Porzingis? Should the Boston Celtics go all-in on acquiring KP? Why did the Cavaliers refuse to re-sign David Griffin? What does that mean for LeBron James' free agency in 2018?C
#62 - Evaluating the Markelle Fultz blockbuster trade
Did the Boston Celtics get enough to move down from No. 1 to No. 3? Should they keep the No. 3 pick or trade it for Jimmy Butler? What does the trade mean for Isaiah Thomas' future in Boston? How will Markelle Fultz fit alongside Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid? In the wake of this trade, who should the Philadelphia 76ers target in free agency? Does this deal justify The Process?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest James Holas (@snottiedr
#61 - Previewing the 2017 NBA draft with Sam Vecenie
Should the Cleveland Cavaliers roll back the same core, or should they shop Kevin Love and/or Kyrie Irving? Are the Golden State Warriors ruining the NBA by being too dominant? What makes Markelle Fultz the clear-cut No. 1 overall pick? Is Lonzo Ball a no-brainer for the Los Angeles Lakers at No. 2? Should the Philadelphia 76ers abandon the "best player available" mindset and consider fit at No. 3? Which non-Fultz prospects project as surefire All-Stars? Who should teams target in the middle of
#60 - Can the Cavaliers come back from a 3-1 Finals deficit again?
Can the Cleveland Cavaliers come back from a 3-1 series deficit for the second straight year, or will the Golden State Warriors finish the deed this time? Does LeBron James belong in the GOAT conversation with Michael Jordan? Is LeBron a legitimate free-agent flight risk in 2018? Should the Boston Celtics consider shopping the No. 1 pick? Is Lonzo Ball the best fit for the Los Angeles Lakers at No. 2? Should the Sacramento Kings consider using the Nos. 5 and 10 picks to trade up?Check out the ep
#59 - Finals Game 1 reaction and NBA Draft preview
What were the big takeaways for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors from Game 1? What adjustments can the Cavaliers make heading into Game 2? Is this series already over? Should the Boston Celtics consider trading the No. 1 overall pick? Should LaVar Ball affect Lonzo Ball's draft stock? What should the Philadelphia 76ers do at No. 3? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the other top draft prospects? Which mid-first-round prospects could emerge as draft-day steals? Who are the
#58 - 2017 NBA Finals preview, postmortems for BOS and SAS
Can the San Antonio Spurs afford to stand pat at point guard this summer, or do they need to make a big splash in free agency? Should they be shopping LaMarcus Aldridge? What should the Boston Celtics do with Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart during the offseason, especially after landing the No. 1 overall pick? Is there any circumstance where the Celtics should consider trading that pick? What are the biggest keys to the NBA Finals? Who are the X-factors for each side? Would Chris P
#57 - 2017 draft lottery analysis, ECF preview and Zaza banter
Who were the biggest winners and losers from Tuesday's draft lottery? Is there any chance the Los Angeles Lakers don't select UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball at No. 2 overall? What should the Philadelphia 76ers do at No. 3? Did Zaza Pachulia intend to injure Kawhi Leonard? How can Gregg Popovich get the San Antonio Spurs back into their series against the Golden State Warriors? What changes should the Washington Wizards make to their roster this offseason? Do the Boston Celtics stand a chance agains
#56 - Previewing Spurs-Warriors and the NBA draft lottery
After running out of steam in their second-round series against the San Antonio Spurs, what's next for James Harden and the Houston Rockets? What are the major keys to Game 7 of the Boston Celtics-Washington Wizards series Monday? Are the Golden State Warriors ruining the playoffs by being too good? How much money should the Utah Jazz be willing to spend on Gordon Hayward and George Hill in free agency this summer? Should the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers embrace a rebuild? Do the Spu
#55 - Second-round playoff analysis and Eastern Conference overhauls
Did the Washington Wizards already blow their best shot of stealing their second-round series against the Boston Celtics? Can the San Antonio Spurs survive Tony Parker's season-ending injury? Do the Toronto Raptors and Utah Jazz have any chance of staving off elimination against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors, respectively? How will the Indiana Pacers and Atlanta Hawks' front office overhauls affect their offseason plans? Should the New York Knicks be listening to trade offers
#54 - First round wrap-up
Did LeBron dominate just to remind us of who he is? Will Toronto improve now that they don't have to match up against Octo-Giannis? Will Golden State sweep the second round, regardless of match-up? How good is Kawhi Leonard? Was dropping four straight, after winning the first two, the most 2017 Bulls thing ever?Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Sarah Cilea (@wildhorses65) discuss all of that and more.
#53 - Reaction to Week 1 of the 2017 NBA playoffs
Can the Boston Celtics overcome their rebounding woes to get back into their series against the Chicago Bulls? What's going wrong for the Indiana Pacers and Atlanta Hawks against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Washington Wizards, respectively? Do the Toronto Raptors have the personnel to slow down the Milwaukee Bucks? Should the Golden State Warriors rest Kevin Durant until the second round? How can the Memphis Grizzlies slow down Kawhi Leonard without Tony Allen? What adjustments should the Oklaho
#52 - Our 2017 NBA playoffs mega-preview
What are the keys to each first-round series in the 2017 NBA playoffs? Who are the X-factors for each team? How will each series play out? Will there be any major upsets? Can the Cleveland Cavaliers snap out of their late-season funk? Who will win the battle of the MVP candidates between Russell Westbrook and James Harden? Are the Toronto Raptors a dark-horse threat to make the Finals? Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Sarah Cilea (@wildhorses65) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek
#51 - Debating MVP, DPOY and other 2016-17 NBA awards
Is Russell Westbrook's historic season enough for him to defy precedent and win Most Valuable Player? Does Kawhi Leonard's claim as the league's best two-way player mean he should win the award? How much should preseason expectations factor in to the MVP debate? Who should be Defensive Player of the Year, Draymond Green or Rudy Gobert? Can Joel Embiid win Rookie of the Year despite playing only 31 games? Who deserves consideration for Sixth Man of the Year, Most Improved Player, Coach of the Yea
#50 - What's next for the Pelicans and the Pistons?
What should Golden State Warriors fans hope to see from Kevin Durant upon his return? Which Eastern Conference team poses the biggest threat to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the playoffs? How will Derrick Rose's latest knee injury affect his free-agent prospects? With the New Orleans Pelicans officially eliminated from playoff contention, how should they build around the DeMarcus Cousins-Anthony Davis tandem? Should the Detroit Pistons blow up their core this offseason? How will Patrick Ewing fare
#49 - Postmortems for Western Conference lottery teams
Is Tony Parker playable against the Golden State Warriors in a hypothetical playoff matchup? Is it officially time to sound the alarm about the slumping Cleveland Cavaliers? If the Los Angeles Lakers draft Lonzo Ball, how would he fit next to D'Angelo Russell? Should the Phoenix Suns trade Eric Bledsoe this offseason and build around Devin Booker? Is it fair to call Andrew Wiggins a draft bust? Should the Dallas Mavericks go all-in on one final playoff push for Dirk Nowitzki in 2017-18? Are the
#48 - Bidding adieu to Eastern Conference bottom-feeders
Should the Philadelphia 76ers sign Joel Embiid to an extension this summer? What characteristics should the Orlando Magic look for in a new general manager if they fire Rob Hennigan? Will the New York Knicks' obsession with the triangle offense continue to be their downfall? Do the Brooklyn Nets have any signs of hope for the future? Are the Charlotte Hornets destined for the treadmill of mediocrity? Is Tinder helping eliminate home-court advantage in the NBA? Check out the episode to hear Morte
#47 - Can the Suns out-tank the Lakers?
Has Dwyane Wade already played his final game with the Chicago Bulls? Do the Phoenix Suns have any chance of out-tanking the Los Angeles Lakers down the stretch? Are the Sacramento Kings less screwed post-Boogie trade than we thought? Which NBA prospects should we be watching during the NCAA tournament? Should the NBA intervene to prevent teams from resting players during marquee regular-season games? Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss all
#46 - How are the major trade-deadline splashes faring?
How are the biggest players moved at the trade deadline faring on their new squads? Which teams are going to win the No. 8 seed in their respective conferences? Is it too early to panic about Los Angeles Lakers rookie forward Brandon Ingram? Where does Dirk Nowitzki rank among the all-time great power forwards in his generation? Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Sarah Cilea (@wildhorses65) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) touch upon all of these topics and more.
#45 - How do Durant, Lowry injuries impact the playoff race?
With Kevin Durant sidelined for the next four weeks (or longer), are the Golden State Warriors still the favorite to represent the Western Conference in the NBA Finals? How will Kyle Lowry's wrist surgery impact the playoff seeding in the Eastern Conference playoff bracket? Does Joel Embiid deserve to be Rookie of the Year despite playing only 31 games? Should the NBA tweak the way buyouts currently operate? Are the New York Knicks insane for attempting to reinstall the triangle offense? Check o
#44 - Recapping the 2017 NBA trade deadline
Is there any justification for the Philadelphia 76ers trading Nerlens Noel to the Dallas Mavericks for 25 cents on the dollar? Can Cameron Payne justify his high price with the Chicago Bulls? Did the acquisitions of P.J. Tucker and Serge Ibaka make the Toronto Raptors the Eastern Conference's second-best team? Will Lou Williams help the Houston Rockets make it to the Western Conference Finals? Should the Boston Celtics have cashed in their trade assets? Will the Indiana Pacers regret not trading
#43 - Breaking down the DeMarcus Cousins trade
How badly did the New Orleans Pelicans fleece the Sacramento Kings in their acquisition of DeMarcus Cousins? Will a frontline of Cousins and Anthony Davis work in New Orleans? What types of players should the Pelicans target to build around their Boogie-Brow frontcourt? Is there any silver lining for Sacramento in this trade? Should the Pelicans have made the deal without getting reassurance Cousins would re-sign with them in 2018? Was this deal an unintended consequence of the new collective ba
#42 - All-Star break award updates and WTF, Bryan Colangelo?
Do Philadelphia 76ers fans have any reason to trust team president Bryan Colangelo heading into the trade deadline? Is Carmelo Anthony a deserving All-Star Game replacement for Kevin Love? Why are we sleeping on the San Antonio Spurs as title contenders? Which players should be front-runners for the NBA's major awards heading into the All-Star break? What major shakeups could happen at the trade deadline? Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Sarah Cilea (@wildhorses65) and Brya
#41 - Reaction to Toronto's Serge Ibaka trade and the Nurkic-Plumlee swap
After acquiring Serge Ibaka from the Orlando Magic, are the Toronto Raptors a legitimate threat to topple the Cleveland Cavaliers in the playoffs? How does Ibaka fit in Toronto? Did the Raptors overpay for him? Should the Magic have held out for more? Who came out as the biggest winner in the Jusuf Nurkic-Mason Plumlee swap between the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers? Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss all of this and more.
#40 - Jabari Parker's Torn ACL, Jahill Okafor Trade Rumors and the Latest Knicks Dysfunction
Should the Milwaukee Bucks change course in the wake of Jabari Parker's second ACL tear? How would Jahlil Okafor fit on the New Orleans Pelicans? Is the New York Knicks' dysfunction jeopardizing their chances of ever landing a marquee free agent? Are the Washington Wizards a legitimate dark horse to make the NBA Finals? Would the Miami Heat have been better off without catching fire and reeling off a massive win streak? Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen (@msjnba), Sarah Cilea (@wildho
#38 - All-Star Reserve Snubs and Team Banana Boat Drama
Should NBA coaches have named Chris Paul, Mike Conley or Joel Embiid as All-Star Game reserves? What should the Chicago Bulls do in the wake of Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade criticizing their younger teammates? With LeBron James openly pining for a backup playmaker, do the Cleveland Cavaliers need to make a major move by the trade deadline? How low should the New York Knicks be willing to sell on Carmelo Anthony? Fresh off their worst loss in franchise history, should the Los Angeles Lakers embra
#37 - All-Star Starter Snubs and CP3, Rudy Gay Injury Analysis
Who was the bigger starting snub from the 2017 NBA All-Star Game, Russell Westbrook or Kyle Lowry? How should the Los Angeles Clippers proceed in the wake of Chris Paul's thumb injury? Should Rudy Gay opt in after tearing his Achilles tendon? What will the loss of Pau Gasol mean for the San Antonio Spurs? Which teams should be interested in Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio? Do the Philadelphia 76ers have a legitimate chance to make the playoffs? Check out the episode to hear Sarah
#36 - How should the Knicks proceed with Derrick Rose?
After Derrick Rose's mysterious disappearance on Monday, how should the New York Knicks proceed with him moving forward? Who won the Kyle Korver trade? Why would DeMarcus Cousins sign an extension with the Sacramento Kings? Should the Chicago Bulls be shopping Jimmy Butler? Which Western Conference contender poses the biggest threat to the Golden State Warriors? Check out the episode to hear Sarah Cilea and Bryan Toporek touch upon all of these topics and more.
#35 - Should the Atlanta Hawks Trade Paul Millsap?
How should the Chicago Bulls resolve their Rajon Rondo dilemma? Should the Atlanta Hawks trade Paul Millsap rather than risk losing him for nothing in free agency? Does Chicago head coach Fred Hoiberg deserve to be on the hot seat? What's ailing the Detroit Pistons since Reggie Jackson's return? With scoring on pace to set a new all-time high, should the NBA intervene and alter its rules? Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen, Sarah Cilea and Bryan Toporek touch upon all of these topics an
#34 - New CBA Analysis and Debating DNP-Rest
Who stands to benefit from the NBA's new collective bargaining agreement? Should teams be allowed to rest players on the road? What's behind the Spurs' defensive decline when Kawhi Leonard is on the court? Are the Indiana Pacers, Charlotte Hornets and Portland Trail Blazers legitimate threats to make noise in the playoffs? Check out the episode to hear Sarah Cilea and Bryan Toporek touch upon all of these topics and more.
#33 - Where Do the Magic Go From Here?
With ill-fitting pieces and young lottery picks playing out of position (or buried on the bench), how should the Orlando Magic proceed in their rebuild? Did Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks screw up in his structuring of Donatas Motiejuanas' offer sheet? Why aren't the Boston Celtics living up to preseason expectations? Should the Phoenix Suns go all-in on their youth movement? Which players would be favored for the major NBA awards one-quarter of the way through the 2016-17 campaign? Ch
#32 - How Screwed Are the Grizzlies Without Mike Conley?
With Mike Conley sidelined by a back injury for the next 6-8 weeks, are the Memphis Grizzlies' playoff hopes on life support? Should the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio Spurs be most afraid of the Utah Jazz compared to any other Western Conference team? Is Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban right to not pursue tanking? How should the Washington Wizards, Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets reshape their rosters over the coming months? Check out the episode to hear Morten Jens
#31 - Are the Knicks a Legit Playoff Contender?
After going 5-1 in their past six games, are the New York Knicks a serious playoff contender? Can Reggie Jackson transform the Detroit Pistons into a legitimate threat to the Cleveland Cavaliers once he returns? Do Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker work together long-term? What's ailing the Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves? Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen, Sarah Cilea and Bryan Toporek touch upon all of these topics and more.
#30 - The Lakers Rise Again
Can Jrue Holiday help the New Orleans Pelicans turn their season around? Who deserves the most credit for the surprising starts from the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets? How can the Portland Trail Blazers get Evan Turner going? Is it finally time for the Sacramento Kings to trade DeMarcus Cousins? Which teams have emerged as threats to the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers? Check out the episode to hear Morten Jensen, Sarah Cilea and Bryan Toporek touch upon all of these topics
#29 - The NBA Takes On The Election
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen, Bryan Toporek and special guest Mark Karantzoulis break down the biggest stories from the third week of the 2016-17 NBA season.What are the major takeaways from the Chicago Bulls' surprising start? Can Jrue Holiday help the New Orleans Pelicans turn their season around? How should the Orlando Magic proceed moving forward? Are the Los Angeles Clippers are the best team in the NBA thus far? They also delve into the NBA's reaction to the U.S. presi
#28 - Russell Westbrook's Revenge Tour Derails
Have the Golden State Warriors already found their groove after laying waste to the Portland Trail Blazers and Oklahoma City Thunder? What's most surprising about the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers? Are the Chicago Bulls actually... good? Is there any hope for the New York Knicks? Was Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy right to rail against coaches resting playings? Which extensions handed to rising fourth-year players were good values? Which could prove detrimental? Check out the episode
#27 - Opening Night Reaction
Morten, Sarah and Bryan recap a wild first few days of the 2016-17 NBA season, including the new-look Knicks starting off on the wrong foot against the defending-champion Cavaliers, the Spurs' demolition of the Warriors and Joel Embiid's regular-season debut. They also touch upon the Lakers and Kings looking shockingly competent this season, Blake Griffin's return and Dwyane Wade suddenly learning how to shoot three-pointers. They wrap up with the "My Crush" segment, highlighting lesser-known pl
#26 - Preseason Recap, Season Predictions
Morten, Sarah and Bryan recap their biggest takeaways from the 2016-17 preseason before diving into their season predictions. How will Michael Carter-Williams fit with the Chicago Bulls? What's behind the latest influx of LaMarcus Aldridge trade buzz? Which players surprised during the preseason? How will the playoff races shake out in each conference? Which players will walk away with the major hardware at the end of the regular season? Check out the episode to hear all of their picks.
#25 - Northwest Division Preview
Morten, Sarah and Bryan finish their division-by-division preview of the 2016-17 NBA season with a look at the Northwest Division. Should the Denver Nuggets go all-in on their youth movement? Will Tom Thibodeau guide the Minnesota Timberwolves to the playoffs? How will the Oklahoma City Thunder fare in their first year sans Kevin Durant? Are the Portland Trail Blazers due for regression? Can the Utah Jazz emerge as a legitimate contender in the West? Check out the episode to hear discussion on a
#24 - Southwest Division Preview
Morten, Sarah and Bryan continue their division-by-division preview of the 2016-17 NBA season with a look at the Southwest Division. Will Harrison Barnes flourish in a bigger role with the Dallas Mavericks? How will James Harden fare as the Houston Rockets' full-time point guard? Are the Memphis Grizzlies a legitimate threat to contend in the Western Conference? Which New Orleans Pelicans player will emerge as Anthony Davis' sidekick? What will the San Antonio Spurs look like without Tim Duncan?
#23 - Pacific Division Preview
Morten, Sarah and Bryan preview the Pacific Division ahead of the 2016-17 NBA season. How can anyone stop the Golden State Warriors? Is this the last stand for the Los Angeles Clippers' Big Three era with Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan? What will the Los Angeles Lakers look like without Kobe Bryant? Should the Phoenix Suns go all-in on their youth movement? Will the Sacramento Kings stop being a tire fire? Check out the episode to hear discussion on all of those topics and more.
#22 - Southeast Division Preview
Morten, Sarah and Bryan preview the Southeast Division ahead of the 2016-17 NBA season. Can Dwight Howard replace Al Horford in Atlanta? How will the Miami Heat fare without Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh? How will the Charlotte Hornets build upon their success in 2015-16? Can new Orlando Magic head coach Frank Vogel sort through the crowded frontcourt he inherited? Will John Wall and Bradley Beal make it through the season without killing each other? Check out the episode to hear discussion on all
#21 - Central Division Preview
Morten, Sarah and Bryan preview the Central Division ahead of the 2016-17 NBA season. Can the Milwaukee Bucks bounce back after their disappointing 2015-16 campaign? How will Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo fit with the Chicago Bulls? Are the Indiana Pacers or Detroit Pistons legitimate challengers to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference? Check out the episode to hear discussion on all of those topics and more.
#20 - Atlantic Division Preview
Sarah, Morten and Bryan preview the Atlantic Division ahead of the 2016-17, touching upon the rebuilding Brooklyn Nets, the new-look New York Knicks, the debuts of Philadelphia 76ers rookies Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, and how Al Horford will fit with the Boston Celtics.
#19 - 2016 NBA Free Agency Update
Bryan Toporek, Sarah Cilea and Morten Jensen discuss the biggest storylines from the first week of free agency, touching upon Kevin Durant, Dwyane Wade, Al Horford, Pau Gasol and many others.
#18 - First Day of 2016 NBA Free Agency
Morten Jensen and Bryan Toporek react to a wild first few hours of NBA free agency, including analysis of Jeremy Lin to the Nets, Timofey Mozgov to the Lakers, Joakim Noah to the Knicks and a few late-breaking signings (Chandler Parsons, Evan Fournier and Evan Turner).
#17 - 2016 NBA Draft Reaction
BBALLBREAKDOWN draft expert Jeff Feyerer joins Morten Jensen and Bryan Toporek to recap the 2016 NBA draft. They discuss the Jimmy Butler trade rumors, the Oklahoma City Thunder-Orlando Magic megadeal and weigh in on the best and worst picks of the night.
#16 - 2016 NBA Finals Recap
Morten and Sarah share their thoughts on Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals and what the result means for the legacy of LeBron James and the Golden State Warriors.
#15 - Reaction to Wednesday's Tradepocalypse
Morten and Sarah share their reactions to the two big trades that went down Wednesday: Chicago sending Derrick Rose to the New York Knicks and the three-team swap between the Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers and Utah Jazz.
#14 - 2016 NBA Draft Preview
Jeff Feyerer of BBALLBREAKDOWN joins Bryan to preview the 2016 NBA draft, touching upon the Ben Simmons-Brandon Ingram debate, the biggest question marks among the top 10, mid- and late-first-round value picks and where this year's top prospects rank among the best NCAA players since 2002.
#13 - Halfway Through the NBA Finals
Sarah, Morten and Bryan discuss Games 2 and 3 of the 2016 NBA Finals, including Cleveland's Kevin Love conundrum, what's wrong with Stephen Curry and whether J.R. Smith's Game 3 breakout is sustainable. They also give their Game 4 predictions and hear about Andre Drummond's recent trip to Denmark.
#12 - What Must the Sixers Do This Offseason?
Jeff McMenamin of Metro Philly joins Bryan to discuss the Nerlens Noel-for-Jeff Teague trade rumor, debate whether the Sixers should trade Noel or Jahlil Okafor this offseason, weigh Philly's draft options and preview Game 2 of the 2016 NBA Finals.
#11 - 2016 NBA Finals Preview
Sarah and Bryan bid farewell to the Oklahoma City Thunder before diving deep into a preview of the NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors. They also share their "Crushes" from the conference finals.
#10 - Eastern Conference Finals Recap
Morten, Sarah and Bryan discuss what's next for the Raptors, praise LeBron James for his sixth straight NBA Finals appearance, preview Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, and weigh in on Mike D'Antoni's fit in Houston, which big man the Sixers should trade, and whether Joakim Noah should re-sign with the Bulls this summer.
#9 - Post-Draft Lottery, Who Should Go No. 1?
Morten, Sarah and Bryan break down what the 76ers should do with the No. 1 overall pick, discuss the latest in the Warriors-Thunder and Cavaliers-Raptors conference finals, and weigh in on the Knicks hiring Jeff Hornacek and the Magic hiring Frank Vogel.
#8 - A Western Conference Finals Preview and a Spurs Eulogy
Sarah, Morten and Bryan eulogize the Spurs, preview the Western Conference Finals matchup between the Warriors and the Thunder, and break down some of the latest coaching moves across the Association.
#7(Part 2) - Awards Banter
In Part 2 of a special two-part episode, Morten and Bryan debate who should have finished second in this year's Most Valuable Player race, argue over whether Portland's Neil Olshey deserved Executive of the Year over San Antonio's R.C. Buford, and discuss Sam Hinkie receiving three Executive of the Year votes.
#7 (Part 1) - Bidding Farewell to the Hawks and the Blazers
In Part 1 of a two-part episode, Morten and Bryan discuss Stephen Curry's Game 4 heroics and touch upon whether the Trail Blazers are a free-agent destination, break down keys to Spurs-Thunder moving forward and weigh in on how the Hawks should navigate the offseason.
#6 - Can the Hawks Come Back Against Cleveland?
After beginning with an epic Spurs-Thunder Game 2 rant, Sarah and Bryan discuss whether the Hawks are dead in the water against Cleveland, detail big storylines to watch in the Heat-Raptors series and weigh in on the Pacers letting head coach Frank Vogel go.
#5 - Eastern Conference Semifinals Preview
Morten and Bryan discuss whether the Hawks have a chance against the Cavaliers, make their picks for the Heat-Raptors series and offer a look at what lies ahead for the Hornets, Celtics, Pacers and Pistons this offseason.
#4 - Western Conference Semifinals Preview
Morten, Sarah and Bryan discuss whether the Trail Blazers can upset the Warriors, suggest a path ahead for the Clippers, break down the Spurs-Thunder series and weigh in on Tom Thibodeau's fit in Minnesota and Luke Walton's fit with the Lakers.
#3 - Do the Bulls Need to Begin a Rebuild?
Morten, Bryan, and Sarah share their NBA awards ballots, discuss the Bradley Beal situation in Washington and provides answers as to why the Bulls need to rebuild.Hosts: Morten Jensen, Bryan Toporek, and Sarah Cilea.
#2 - Ding, Dong, The Process Is Dead
In Morten's absence, Bryan and Sarah discuss the current state of the Philadelphia 76ers after the resignation of Sam Hinkie, as well as which playoff match-ups the two wish to see this upcoming post-season.Hosts: Bryan Toporek, and Sarah Cilea
#1 - Can Anyone Stop the Warriors?
First-ever episode of The NBA Podcast, presented by BBALLBREAKDOWN. Topics include the dominance of the Golden State Warriors, the complicated state of the Oklahoma City Thunder, the scandal involving the Los Angeles Lakers and the introduction of the Depressed Fan Scale.Hosts: Bryan Toporek, Sarah Cilea, & Morten Stig Jensen