On the NBA Beat
192 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 months ago - ★★★★★ - 2 ratingsA show bringing you nuanced perspectives on the NBA's most important stories, hosted by USC alums Aaron Fischman, Joshua Jonah Fischman and Loren Lee Chen. Find us on our website at OnTheNBABeat.com or our Twitter page (@OnTheNBABeat).
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Episodes
On the NBA Beat Ep. 186: Jason Gallagher: Dallas "Has an Identity" Around Luka Again
November 18, 2023 22:06 - 44 minutes - 35.3 MBOn the heels of the Dallas Mavericks’ 9-3 start, Jason Gallagher returns, and you bet the head of production at The Old Man and the Three (and ThreeFourTwo Productions more broadly) comes ready with analysis of the Mavericks’ scalding start as Luka Doncic has led the way with 30.7 points per game, the second-most converted treys after Stephen Curry, and the lowest usage rate of his career other than his rookie season. Jason touches upon the improved fit between Doncic and Kyrie Irving now th...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 185: Alex Kennedy Winds Through the West
October 24, 2023 19:28 - 45 minutes - 36.7 MBAlex Kennedy, Chief Content Officer at BasketballNews.com and host of Running Up the Score, a biweekly live sports show airing every Tuesday and Friday night, stops by to wind through the Western Conference just as the league readies for tipoff. The Nuggets are Alex’s leading squad but far from the conference’s only contenders. Oh, and he has firmly taken a seat aboard the Wemby Train. Who’s coming with him? 2:44-4:03: “This is a [Nuggets] team that has been together, this core has been ...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 184: Jake Fischer Explores the East
October 20, 2023 19:52 - 24 minutes - 19.5 MBJake Fischer, Yahoo! Sports senior NBA reporter and the author of Built to Lose, makes his fourth appearance to break down the Eastern Conference's biggest storylines as the season approaches. Tune in to hear why he regards the Celtics as favorites, his thoughts on Evan Mobley's next leap, rookies you should keep an eye on, Jake's dark-horse team out East and so much more. 4:16-6:30: “I am pretty bullish on the Bucks. … but I think that Boston is the favorite. I’m not so certain that Milwa...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 183: Andy Liu on Warriors’ 2023-24: “This Thing Is Tenuous”
October 02, 2023 04:21 - 49 minutes - 39.7 MBAndy Liu of the Light Years podcast is back yet again; for a record ninth time, in fact. His task this time? Helping Aaron preview the Golden State Warriors as they attempt to bounce back from a 44-38 campaign in which just six games separated them from 11th-place Utah and they were eliminated by the Lakers in the second round. Andy and Aaron discuss last season’s challenges, summer acquisition Chris Paul’s fit, Draymond Green’s leadership, Andrew Wiggins’ value and Klay Thompson’s future, a...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 182: "Freedom to Win" Book Special With Ethan Scheiner
September 19, 2023 19:18 - 1 hour - 48.9 MBEnjoy Ethan Scheiner discussing his new book, "Freedom to Win." Here are some highlights: 3:23-6:23: “The thing that is so incredible about this story is that it is an unbelievable marriage of politics and sports. That really is the thing that jumps right out. … This communist country, Czechoslovakia, which had started to become free, suddenly got invaded by the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union said, ‘We’re not gonna allow this country to become free,’ and so all of a sudden the people of th...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 181: Sean Highkin: Portland Is "the Perfect Spot" for Jerami Grant
December 12, 2022 16:01 - 40 minutes - 37.5 MBIn a tightly packed Western Conference, where only a handful of games separate the first- and thirteenth-place teams, Sean Highkin of Rose Garden Report is encouraged by the Portland Trail Blazers’ start. Specifically, the Blazers have gotten All-Star-caliber, not to mention career-best, contributions from Jerami Grant and Anfernee Simons. Such stellar play from Portland’s secondary stars has enabled it to weather a difficult early schedule played about half of the time without franchise corn...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 180: Jason Gallagher: “Right Now, The Pieces Don’t Fit” for Mavericks
November 29, 2022 23:26 - 53 minutes - 43.1 MBOn the heels of a 2022 Western Conference finals berth, the 9-10 Dallas Mavericks are mired in mediocrity despite receiving historically brilliant contributions from superstar point guard Luka Doncic. Emmy Award-winning director Jason Gallagher, now head of production at The Old Man and the Three, triumphantly returns to shed light on what exactly isn’t computing. 4:38-5:14: "I believe that the shooting will improve, but I believe that the Kemba [Walker] move is a result of not having a s...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 179: Justin Rowan: Donovan Mitchell Provides “Massive Boost for the Cavs”
November 15, 2022 01:00 - 46 minutes - 38 MBAfter an 8-1 start to the season that had some prognosticators pegging them as dark horse title contenders, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been hit with the On the NBA Beat curse and have lost their last four games. To help us get into the ins-and-outs of this enigmatic team, we've brought on Cavaliers expert and long-time friend of the show, Justin Rowan, host of The Chase Down Podcast. Justin takes us through what the off-season trade for Donovan Mitchell unlocks for Cleveland, the growth tra...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 178: Molly Morrison: "It's a New World for Grizzlies Fans"
November 01, 2022 15:54 - 44 minutes - 36.5 MBLast season's Memphis Grizzlies announced their arrival by earning the 2nd seed in the Western Conference and with the fifth-youngest roster in the NBA and proven success building through the draft and player development, there's no reason to believe their upward trajectory should not continue into this season. To discuss how this up-and-coming team can continue to bolster their franchise's history, we've brought on special guest, Molly Morrison, formerly of MadeInMemphis1, the most followed ...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 177: Derek James: "No Idea What [Anthony Edwards'] Ceiling Is"
October 18, 2022 13:00 - 36 minutes - 42.2 MBAfter their 2021-22 season ended with a first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Memphis Grizzlies, the Minnesota Timberwolves retooled by trading for three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert in what many called the most surprising and impactful move of the offseason. They also re-emphasized their commitment to franchise cornerstone Karl-Anthony Towns by offering him a super-max contract extension worth $224 million. To help us assess how Minnesota will fare in the crowded ...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 176: Law Murray: The Clippers Are "Pretty Injury-Proof"
October 03, 2022 13:00 - 45 minutes - 36.5 MBAfter a grueling, injury-marred 2021-22 season, in which the Los Angeles Clippers clawed their way into the play-in games but failed to advance any further, the Clips have returned for NBA preseason with a clean bill of health and championship expectations. We’ve brought back our friend Law Murray, Clippers beat reporter for The Athletic, to help us delve into the team some are calling the deepest in the NBA. He discusses the highly anticipated comeback of superstar Kawhi Leonard, what to exp...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 176: Law Murray: The Clippers Are "Pretty Injury-Proof"
October 03, 2022 13:00 - 47 minutesAfter a grueling, injury-marred 2021-22 season, in which the Los Angeles Clippers clawed their way into the play-in games but failed to advance any further, the Clips have returned for NBA preseason with a clean bill of health and championship expectations. We’ve brought back our friend Law Murray, Clippers beat reporter for The Athletic, to help us delve into the team some are calling the deepest in the NBA. He discusses the highly anticipated comeback of superstar Kawhi Leonard, what to exp...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 175: Andy Liu: “More Mature” Warriors “Come at You Without Shooting 3s”
May 22, 2022 18:35 - 43 minutes - 39.8 MBAfter two seasons of missing the playoffs, the Golden State Warriors are back on the main stage, making their sixth Western Conference finals appearance in the last eight years. Ahead of Sunday night's Game 3, they find themselves with a commanding 2-0 series lead over the Dallas Mavericks and are poised to make their return to the NBA Finals. Joining us for a record fifth episode is Andy Liu of the Light Years podcast, who never fails to bring both knowledge and passion to the show. 2:37-3:...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 174: Parish: Desmond Bane Is “Absolutely Key for the Grizzlies”
May 07, 2022 21:49 - 37 minutes - 29.9 MBWith the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors tied through two games of an intense Western Conference semifinal series, we're joined by Keith Parish, host of Grind City Media‘s Fastbreak Breakfast and Grits and Grinds podcasts, who provides insight from the Grizzlies' perspective. 3:47-4:17: “These Ja Morant highlights, 140 million people saw them, and that’s by far the most of any NBA player. So he’s becoming an absolute superstar. What he did in Game 2 was a little bit different. … T...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 173: John Karalis: Celtics "Cutting Durant's Legs Off"
April 25, 2022 19:42 - 45 minutes - 37 MBWith the Boston Celtics (arguably) improbably leading the Brooklyn Nets 3-0 in an opening-round 2-7 matchup, we're joined by John Karalis, host of Locked on Celtics, Celtics beat reporter for The Boston Sports Journal and author of The Boston Celtics All-Time All-Stars 5:07-5:45: Most importantly, defending at an extraordinarily high level; that’s what got them to this place. In this series, they are not letting Kevin Durant close out. They are not letting Durant get going and start to do all...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 173: John Karalis: Celtics "Cutting Durant's Legs Off"
April 25, 2022 19:42 - 47 minutesWith the Boston Celtics (arguably) improbably leading the Brooklyn Nets 3-0 in an opening-round 2-7 matchup, we're joined by John Karalis, host of Locked on Celtics, Celtics beat reporter for The Boston Sports Journal and author of The Boston Celtics All-Time All-Stars 5:07-5:45: Most importantly, defending at an extraordinarily high level; that’s what got them to this place. In this series, they are not letting Kevin Durant close out. They are not letting Durant get going and start to do all...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 172: Shamit Dua: “If You Had to Offer (Zion) the Max, You’d Do It”
March 12, 2022 16:00 - 35 minutes - 32.4 MBShamit Dua, host of the In the NO podcast, discusses the promising, young New Orleans Pelicans, whose vastly improved defense and deadline acquisition of guard CJ McCollum has them tentatively in a play-in spot. Shamit discusses McCollum's arrival, including what it's unlocked for star wing Brandon Ingram, before exploring New Orleans' new dual-big man starting lineup, Herb Jones' seismic impact on its defense and the team's prospects for the remainder of the season and beyond. Among other fo...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 171: Caitlin Cooper: “The Way [Haliburton] Can Freeze Defenders” Boosts Pacers
February 22, 2022 14:04 - 49 minutes - 40.3 MBCaitlin Cooper, contributing writer for SB Nation’s Indy Cornrows, has experienced quite a memorable 2021-22 Pacers season so far. Although the team stands at 20-40 at the All-Star break, well below expectations, it boldly traded 25-year-old two-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis, just days before the deadline, in a package that most notably returned super-talented second-year guard Tyrese Haliburton from the Kings. Caitlin discusses Indiana’s team-building process, why Sabonis was ultimately dea...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 170: Zach Weiss on Cavs: “We Are Real”
February 09, 2022 02:46 - 46 minutes - 42.5 MBZach Weiss, host of the “Across the Cavs” podcast, is back to provide Loren an update, and boy, is it an exciting one! As the Cavaliers ready to host the 2022 NBA All-Star game, they just received word that Darius Garland will be playing in the showcase event for the first time. On the heels of an 11-4 January, Cleveland is still playing excellent basketball, yet not satisfied with its roster. In fact, one-third of the way through this very interview, Zach learned in real time that Caris LeVe...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 169: NBA Power Rankings (1/19/22)
January 22, 2022 13:00 - 34 minutes - 40.3 MBWe have officially crossed the halfway point of the NBA's 1230-game regular season and to celebrate the occasion and welcome our show back from its hibernation, Aaron is excited to present a special solo episode of his (subjective) power rankings of the league's 30 teams, organized into five tiers. Along the way, Aaron will also share his thoughts on a select number of teams and offer other interesting nuggets about the season so far. Sponsor: Use code TBPN during sign-up at DraftKings.com to...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 168: Zach Weiss: Sexton’s Injury a “Mega, Mega Issue” for Cavs
November 22, 2021 16:00 - 40 minutes - 37.1 MBThe Cleveland Cavaliers outperformed everyone's expectations during a blistering start that saw them near the top of the Eastern Conference standings and rookie Evan Mobley as the odds-on favorite to win the Rookie of the Year Award. Recently though, they've fallen on harder times with six of their top eight scorers, including four of their opening day starters and the aforementioned Mobley, missing time with injury. During the recording of this episode, we received even more bad news for the...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 167: Nick Denning: LaMelo's Hornets "Worth the Price of Admission"
November 17, 2021 13:50 - 45 minutesIn Year 2 of 20-year-old point guard LaMelo Ball’s NBA career, the Charlotte Hornets are playing with one of the league’s fastest paces while managing to score efficiently. Their successful high-octane offense has provided a breath of fresh air, although their defense ranks among the league worst and they’ve been plagued by long scoring droughts as well as other types of inconsistency. As a result, despite notable improvement from Ball and forward Miles Bridges and a healthy start from Gordon...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 167: Nick Denning: LaMelo's Hornets "Worth the Price of Admission"
November 17, 2021 13:50 - 43 minutes - 35 MBIn Year 2 of 20-year-old point guard LaMelo Ball’s NBA career, the Charlotte Hornets are playing with one of the league’s fastest paces while managing to score efficiently. Their successful high-octane offense has provided a breath of fresh air, although their defense ranks among the league worst and they’ve been plagued by long scoring droughts as well as other types of inconsistency. As a result, despite notable improvement from Ball and forward Miles Bridges and a healthy start from Gordon...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 166: Andy Liu on Warriors: “It's Safe Now to Love Steph" Curry
November 03, 2021 13:00 - 35 minutes - 33.1 MBThe Golden State Warriors have made their triumphant return to the upper echelon of the Western Conference behind an MVP-caliber start of the season from their star, Steph Curry. On this episode, Andy Liu of the Light Years podcast has made a similarly triumphant return to this podcast to discuss his expectations for the team this season. 2:55-4:16: "I think they could make the Western Conference Finals. I think that's their upside, and, you know, when you're in that one series to get into th...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 165: "Built to Lose" Book Special With Jake Fischer
October 28, 2021 12:08 - 36 minutes - 29.2 MBEnjoy Aaron's one-on-one conversation with Bleacher Report writer Jake Fischer on his debut book, "Built to Lose: How the NBA’s Tanking Era Changed the League Forever." 4:47-5:23: “There was a long Google doc of probably 600 names of people that were this player and his agent and the player’s college coach and every single guy who was ever rostered by that team, guys who were in training camp. And then as you get on the phone with other people, you start to ask also, like, ‘Hey, now that we’...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 164: Sarah Todd on Jazz: “It’s Not About the Regular Season Anymore”
October 12, 2021 14:00 - 39 minutes - 36.4 MBSarah Todd, Utah Jazz beat reporter for the Deseret News and host of the Unsalvageable podcast, sheds light on last season's best regular-season team. How can the Jazz take their pre-playoff success and parlay it into a deep postseason run? 4:48-6:28: “I think it all has to do with versatility and health. Because if Mike Conley is healthy through the Clippers series, if Donovan Mitchell doesn’t have a bum ankle, then maybe the Clippers’ offense isn’t able to break the point of attack as easil...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 163: Paul Garcia: The Young Spurs “Finally Get the Keys to the Car”
September 30, 2021 21:58 - 38 minutes - 31.3 MBGregg Popovich finds himself in an unfamiliar position after a quarter-century of coaching the San Antonio Spurs. For the first time, he’ll be tasked with leading a youthful group packed with promising but largely unproven players – a group projected by most to miss the playoffs by a landslide. In the offseason, the franchise parted with veteran mainstays DeMar DeRozan, Patty Mills and Rudy Gay, and months earlier, it bought out LaMarcus Aldridge’s contract. As a result, the youth movement is...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 162: Keith Parish: "There's a Lot Riding on Jaren Jackson Jr.”
September 13, 2021 12:00 - 41 minutesThe Memphis Grizzlies, particularly outside of franchise cornerstone Ja Morant, haven’t received much national attention in recent years, but they increasingly should. They’re a fascinating youthful team that’s kept quite busy this offseason. According to Keith Parish, host of Grind City Media's Fastbreak Breakfast and Grits and Grinds podcasts, Memphis’ flurry of moves were designed to enhance the quality of the young core around Morant and power forward Jaren Jackson Jr., who missed all but...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 162: Keith Parish: "There's a Lot Riding on Jaren Jackson Jr.”
September 13, 2021 12:00 - 39 minutes - 32 MBThe Memphis Grizzlies, particularly outside of franchise cornerstone Ja Morant, haven’t received much national attention in recent years, but they increasingly should. They’re a fascinating youthful team that’s kept quite busy this offseason. According to Keith Parish, host of Grind City Media's Fastbreak Breakfast and Grits and Grinds podcasts, Memphis’ flurry of moves were designed to enhance the quality of the young core around Morant and power forward Jaren Jackson Jr., who missed all but...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 162: Keith Parish: There’s "a Lot Riding on Jaren Jackson Jr.” for Grizzlies
September 12, 2021 12:00 - 39 minutesThe Memphis Grizzlies, particularly outside of franchise cornerstone Ja Morant, haven’t received much national attention in recent years, but they increasingly should. They’re a fascinating youthful team that’s kept quite busy this offseason. According to Keith Parish, host of Grind City Media's Fastbreak Breakfast and Grits and Grinds podcasts, Memphis’ flurry of moves were designed to enhance the quality of the young core around Morant and power forward Jaren Jackson Jr., who missed all but...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 161: "From Hang Time to Prime Time" Book Special With Pete Croatto
August 24, 2021 12:00 - 55 minutes - 44.6 MBAuthor Pete Croatto, whose work has appeared in the New York Times, GQ and SportsIllustrated.com, among other places, discusses his debut book, "From Hang Time to Prime Time: Business, Entertainment, and the Birth of the Modern-Day NBA." Check out some of the highlights below: 5:13-5:45: “You know, I’ve been doing this for a long time – I’ve been a professional writer for 23 years; I’ve been a freelance writer for about 15. And one thing I’ve learned is that this is a job, and I don’t really ...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 160: Blake Murphy: "There's a Million Things to Say" About Kyle Lowry's Raptors Impact
August 16, 2021 16:40 - 44 minutes - 41 MBBlake Murphy of The Athletic joins the show to delve into the performance of the Toronto Raptors during Las Vegas Summer League, especially regarding the newly drafted Scottie Barnes. Additionally, we discuss the Kyle Lowry trade, what he meant to the city and the Raptors franchise, and how they will move forward next season and beyond. 9:10-10:08: "[For Scottie Barnes], the playmaking on the move is real. … Barnes' defense is gonna be his calling card early on. I think he's been pretty good...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 159: Schroeder Recaps Draft: "Evan Mobley Is Like Water"
August 02, 2021 17:21 - 40 minutesA couple days after the 2021 NBA Draft, independent draft analyst Brian Schroeder brought his insight and expertise as he ran through the most notable storylines surrounding this year's class. Among a slew of other topics, he addressed why Sharife Cooper fell precipitously, what makes the Cavaliers' Evan Mobley so adaptable defensively and why Brian's the "only person on the internet who likes and defends" a particular pick. 7:25-8:18: “[Scottie Barnes is] just cool. He's a really, really lik...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 159: Schroeder Recaps Draft: "Evan Mobley Is Like Water"
August 02, 2021 17:21 - 38 minutes - 31 MBA couple days after the 2021 NBA Draft, independent draft analyst Brian Schroeder brought his insight and expertise as he ran through the most notable storylines surrounding this year's class. Among a slew of other topics, he addressed why Sharife Cooper fell precipitously, what makes the Cavaliers' Evan Mobley so adaptable defensively and why Brian's the "only person on the internet who likes and defends" a particular pick. 7:25-8:18: “[Scottie Barnes is] just cool. He's a really, really lik...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 158: Madden: “Still Pinching Myself” After Bucks’ Title Feat. Jewell Graham
July 25, 2021 13:00 - 37 minutes - 30.5 MBIn honor of the Milwaukee Bucks’ 2020-21 NBA championship, the franchise’s first in 50 years, two longtime Bucks fans share their joyous feelings and thrilling experiences from the past week. First, Frank Madden, host of Locked on Bucks, details his long journey as a fan, including what it meant to witness his very first title alongside the man who introduced him to the Bucks 29 years earlier, his father. Then, Jewell Graham of Gimme a Buck podcast goes through his unforgettable time at the B...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 157: Frank Madden: Bucks Should “Use Their Size” in NBA Finals
July 11, 2021 20:42 - 41 minutes - 33.3 MBTwo-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Greek Freak, led his Milwaukee Bucks to the franchise’s first NBA Finals in 47 years. Along the way, he received critical help from talented teammates Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez, among others. But through the first two Finals games, the supporting cast hasn’t done enough. With the Bucks trailing the Phoenix Suns 2-0 and the series shifting to Milwaukee, Frank Madden of Locked on Bucks explores what must change as the team hopes to win...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 156: Espo: “There’s No Asterisk” on Suns’ Finals Berth
July 03, 2021 21:16 - 49 minutes - 40.3 MBThe Phoenix Suns are headed to the 2021 NBA Finals, and there absolutely should be no asterisk attached to their stellar run, according to guest Greg "Espo" Esposito, host of the Solar Panel Podcast. And why should there be? Phoenix bounced back from a 2-1 deficit to dethrone the defending champions before sweeping the MVP Jokic-led Nuggets. Then, the Suns took down a deep and resilient Clippers squad in a gritty series that could have gone either way. Espo breaks down how the Suns just keep ...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 155: Dan Morgan: “Ben Simmons” Will Be “the Guy Blamed" for 76ers' Exit
June 25, 2021 19:15 - 52 minutes - 42.6 MBDan Morgan of the Process Potables podcast joins Loren and Aaron to break down the Philadelphia 76ers’ heartbreaking Game 7 defeat at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks. From Ben Simmons’ offensive disappearing act to Joel Embiid playing through injury to Dan’s faith (or lack thereof) in head coach Doc Rivers to President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey’s offseason task ahead, this episode has everything. Enjoy some excerpts below: 15:02-16:26: “‘Can they [co]exist, Ben Simmons and Joel Embi...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 154: Mike Singer: Stopping Phoenix an “Impossible Equation” for Nuggets
June 13, 2021 21:44 - 47 minutes - 38.3 MBNikola Jokic earned 2020-21 MVP honors and was presented with his trophy before Denver’s home Game 3 against the Phoenix Suns. But an epic individual performance from the skilled center was not enough for the team to avoid another double-digit loss, its third in as many games of the series. Facing a 3-0 hole, the Nuggets will need a miracle in order to make NBA history and become the first ever team to come back from such a series deficit. Our guest, Mike Singer of the Denver Post, breaks dow...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 153: Pratik Patel: “This Is the Loosest the Bucks Have Been”
June 07, 2021 22:51 - 48 minutes - 39.2 MBDespite a dominant performance by reigning, two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nets star James Harden going down with a hamstring injury in the first minute of Game 1, the Milwaukee Bucks were not able to take advantage and secure the first victory in this highly anticipated second-round series. Pratik Patel of ESPN Wisconsin helps us digest that first game, the implications of the injury and what adjustments need to be made for the Bucks to advance. Specifically, he delves into how the B...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 152: Milholen: “Lethal” Nets Boast “Arguably Most Prolific Offense Ever”
June 01, 2021 20:01 - 42 minutes - 34.4 MBAs soon as eight-time All-Star James Harden was acquired by the Brooklyn Nets in January, "title" flashed on everyone's minds. The addition paired the talented lefty with fellow superstars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, forming one of the most talented Big 3s in NBA history. Only, the trio were able to log just eight regular-season games since then. How much of a problem will this lack of reps pose for the Nets, or are they just too darn talented for it to matter? Chris Milholen of SB Nation'...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 151: Law Murray: Clips Have “Not Enough Good” Options Vs. Doncic
May 27, 2021 19:58 - 54 minutes - 44 MBIn an opening-round rematch from the 2020 playoffs, the Mavericks have stunned many by stealing the first two games in Los Angeles. As the Clippers scramble for answers as to how to slow down Luka Doncic and company’s electric offense, The Athletic’s Law Murray breaks it all down. Is the series all but over? If not, how can the Clippers give themselves a fighting chance? If the Mavs do eliminate them, what’s the likelihood that franchise cornerstone Kawhi Leonard will leave in the offseason? ...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 150: Espo: Suns Registered a “Cinderella Story” Season
May 19, 2021 15:40 - 41 minutes - 95.2 MBThe 2020-21 NBA regular season has officially come to a close, and one of the most pleasant surprises was the year the Phoenix Suns recorded. Suns fans already had reason for optimism after an 8-0 performance in last year's Orlando bubble, but rarely does a team make the jump so quickly from outside of the playoffs all the way to the No. 2 seed, especially in the crowded Western Conference. We're joined this episode by Greg "Espo" Esposito of The Solar Panel, who attributes this growth to the...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 149: Seth Rosenthal: Randle’s “Rare” Turnaround Fuels Knicks’ “Dream of a Season”
May 11, 2021 20:11 - 44 minutes - 36.3 MBSeth Rosenthal, video producer for SB Nation’s Secret Base, makes his triumphant return to discuss his beloved Knicks’ superb season in the face of extremely low expectations coming into the year. They’ve done it through seismic shooting improvements from Julius Randle and second-year guard RJ Barrett, Derrick Rose's inspired bench play, new head coach Tom Thibodeau’s seamless fit and much more highlighted in the show. Also included: A discussion of where the franchise is headed and where it ...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 148: Kevin Cottrell: “Ball Don’t Lie” Reporting “Felt Like Therapy"
May 05, 2021 14:00 - 37 minutes - 30.7 MBNBA TV producer Kevin Cottrell Jr. joins the show to discuss his debut book, Ball Don’t Lie, a collection of detailed conversations with 10 legends of the game. 9:23-9:42: “I never wanted to be the forefront of the book. I wanted to be the writer, but I wanted to share other people’s stories that I thought were interesting. So I thought the quotes were very, very, very important. I didn’t want to really paraphrase anything. I wanted to you to feel what they feel. I wanted you to understand ...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 147: Sarah Spencer: Hawks Have “Caught Fire”
April 28, 2021 14:00 - 44 minutes - 30.8 MBGoing into the 2020-21 season, the Atlanta Hawks revamped their roster, hoping a few high-profile veteran additions would help their talented young core finally make the playoffs. The plan didn’t exactly work out as intended, as the team incurred a slew of key injuries and fell to 14-20, which triggered the firing of its head coach, Lloyd Pierce. Under Nate McMillan, however, the Hawks have completely turned it around, playing high-quality basketball that’s put them in prime position to achie...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 146: Jared Weiss: The Nets "Have a Giant Frickin' Laser Beam"
December 24, 2020 00:07 - 40 minutes - 32.5 MBJust in time for the start of the season, The Athletic’s Jared Weiss broke down the most striking storylines around the Eastern Conference with an emphasis on the Boston Celtics, whom he covers so closely. Among a slew of timely topics, Jared discusses his favorites to emerge out of the East, Jayson Tatum’s next expected leap, how good the Heat actually are and the new-and-improved Atlanta Hawks who seek to get back into the playoffs after a three-season absence. *Due to dynamic advertising,...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 145: Sekou Smith: “In the West, Everybody is Swinging for the Fences at All Times”
December 18, 2020 22:50 - 44 minutes - 35.9 MBSekou Smith of NBA TV, NBA.com and the Hang Time Podcast returns to the show to survey the ultra-competitive West, a conference replete with fascinating storylines ahead of the season’s start. For instance, should the Lakers be considered heavy favorites, what’s going on in Houston, which teams are best primed to squeeze into the postseason and what can we expect from the Warriors following a lost '19-20 season? Sekou tackles all these Western Conference questions and more, plus he offers a b...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 144: Melissa Isaacson on STATE: “We’re Gonna Remember This the Rest of Our Lives”
December 14, 2020 17:10 - 46 minutes - 37.7 MBLongtime journalist Melissa Isaacson, who spent years reporting at the Chicago Tribune and ESPN, among other outlets, appears On the NBA Beat for a discussion devoted to her third book, “State: A Team, a Triumph, a Transformation.” It’s an intensely personal tale documenting her and her team’s four years as bona fide high school basketball pioneers that culminated in a state title. Join Missy as she details the inspiring journey. *Due to dynamic advertising, time stamps may vary: 9:14-10:17 ...
On the NBA Beat Ep. 143: Drafting and Dynasties With Pesquera, Ibañez-Baldor
November 17, 2020 18:37 - 50 minutes - 41.1 MBJavier Pesquera, roving NBA draft analyst and occasional consultant for The Stepien, returns to break down the fast-approaching 2020 draft. Then, after the break, Agu Ibañez Baldor stops by to discuss his book, “Dynasty: The Rise and Fall of the Greatest Teams in NBA History.” *Due to dynamic advertising, time stamps may vary: Javier Pesquera at 7:28-7:39: “At No. 1, I do have LaMelo Ball in his own tier by himself, and I think LaMelo Ball is gonna go No. 1 unless Minnesota actually finds a...