Open Floor: SI's NBA Show
652 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 2.3K ratingsFrom the NBA draft to the playoffs and back again, Open Floor takes you on a ride across the NBA standings, laying out the latest news and rumors along the way and leaving no basketball conspiracy theory stone left unturned. Join hosts Chris Herring and Rohan Nadkarni as they let their imaginations run free up and down the court and around the world. Welcome to the Open Floor Globe.
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Episodes
MVP Race Tightens & MJ'S Hornet's Legacy
March 22, 2023 08:00 - 52 minutes - 47.7 MBREMINDER: Open Floor will be moving to the Crossover feed starting next week so please subscribe and join us there! Mannix is joined again by Rohan Nadkarni and Chris Herring to break down how the MVP race between Nikola Jokić & Joel Embiid has gotten even closer, if the Lakers are really a contender with Anthony Davis missing crucial games, the failure of Michael Jordan during his tenure as the owner of the Charlotte Hornets as he looks to sell the team, and what the Grizzlies will look li...
How The West Could Be Won
March 16, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 55.2 MBRohan and Chris and joined by Chris Mannix again on this week's Open Floor where we break down a wide open western conference and why the Kyrie Trade hasn't worked out so far in Dallas, how a once dead in the water Lakers team has become competitive with their retooled roster, the weaknesses of the Denver nuggets, and how the how far the Cavaliers defense could take them in the playoffs See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ja Morant's Consequences & The Surging Knicks
March 08, 2023 09:00 - 47 minutes - 43.4 MBChris Mannix joins Rohan & Herring to get into both the real life and basketball consequences that Ja Morant could face after his gun related IG live controversy. We also discuss the red hot NY Knicks and how the Celtics have slid in the standings after a tough post all star game schedule See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Are the Lakers’ Playoffs Hopes Done?
March 01, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 58.8 MBOn today’s show, Rohan and Chris react to the news of LeBron’s ankle injury and if the Lakers can still make the playoffs. Then they discuss a fun weekend of hoops, including Nikola Jokic’s 40-point triple double against the Clippers and his budding MVP case. After that, they hop around the league to marvel at the very fun Knicks, the depth of the Bucks, and the emergence of the Kings. And finally, Rohan closes the show with the return of the Love Island minute See omnystudio.com/listener f...
Previewing the Final Stretch of the Season
February 23, 2023 20:46 - 57 minutes - 52.3 MBOn today’s show, Rohan and Chris preview the final quarter of the NBA season. They run through their thoughts on the Warriors and Stephen Curry, the Clippers deciding to sign Russell Westbrook, Nikola Jokic’s MVP case, if anyone can compete with Boston and Milwaukee in the East, and much more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Trade Deadline Megapod Pt 2: Why Didn't They Make a Deal?
February 10, 2023 00:37 - 42 minutes - 39.2 MBRohan Nadkarni and Chris Herring are joined by the Crossover podcasts Chris Mannix and Howard Beck for part 2 of our trade deadline megapod to break down some of the biggest storylines from the trade deadline. In this episode, Rohan is attacked for his lukewarm feelings on the Lakers’ moves. Everyone is surprised by the lack of action from the Toronto Raptors. And the group wonders if the Warriors received enough in the James Wiseman trade. Also on the agenda: the Jae Crowder saga, the Bulls...
The Aftermath of the Kyrie Trade
February 07, 2023 20:44 - 1 hour - 58.8 MBOn today’s show, Rohan and Chris react to the Kyrie Irving trade. They discuss their skepticism about the trade on and off the court, whether it was worth the risk for the Mavericks, and if Dallas can make it further than it did in last year’s playoffs. Then they wonder what the Nets should do with Kevin Durant, and if Brooklyn potentially got better as a result of this trade. They also break down what the deal means for the Lakers. Finally, they state their appreciation for LeBron James as ...
Where Should OG Anunoby Go?
January 31, 2023 20:27 - 1 hour - 56.8 MBOn today’s show, Rohan and Chris start by discussing the OG Anunoby-mania surrounding the trade deadline. They break down whether he will be worth the seemingly high trade price, and which teams they would most like to see him play for. Then they praise Joel Embiid for his performance against Nikola Jokic, and wonder if it will be enough for him to win MVP. Also, are the Sixers now the Celtics’ biggest threat in the East? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A NBA Rivalry Week Recap
January 27, 2023 09:00 - 55 minutes - 51 MBOn today’s show, Rohan is joined by Sports Illustrated senior writer Chris Mannix. They begin by discussing some of the week’s rivalry games, including Nets-Sixers and Warriors-Grizzlies. Topics include the future of Ben Simmons and if the Grizzlies would be favored in a playoff rematch against the Dubs. Then they break down Anthony Davis’s return and what it means for the Lakers. Finally, the duo go through their All-Star rosters and who should or should not make the team See omnystudio.co...
What's Causing The Scoring Boom?
January 17, 2023 20:17 - 57 minutes - 53 MBOn today’s show, Rohan and Chris start by discussing some notable performances from MLK Day, including Walker Kessler’s big night against the Wolves. Then they ruminate on the league’s scoring boom and what it means for how players of this era will be judged. And finally, they dive in deep on the Knicks and what they expect from the team moving forward See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
NBA Season Halfway Point Surprises
January 13, 2023 19:03 - 1 hour - 60.6 MBOn today’s show, Rohan and Chris begin by discussing their observations from Thursday night’s games, including Luka’s minutes and the third-quarter Thunder. Then they break down some surprising trends from the first half of the NBA season, such as the Bucks’ struggling offense, the under .500 Raptors, the MVP race, and more See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Trae Young for Karl-Anthony Towns?
January 06, 2023 18:15 - 59 minutes - 54.2 MBOn today’s show, Rohan and Chris begin by discussing the Nuggets’ blowout win over the Clippers, if it holds any significance, and the experience of watching Kawhi Leonard. Then they break down how Zion Williamson’s absence may or may not affect the Pelicans before returning to Rohan’s hot take about Trae Young, which leads to some thoughts about the futures of the Hawks and Timberwolves See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
New Contenders in the New Year
January 03, 2023 18:36 - 49 minutes - 45.1 MBOn today’s show, Rohan and Chris run over Rohan’s list of contenders headed into 2023. Which of the Grizzlies, Clippers, Warriors and Nuggets is the best team in the West? Are the Cavaliers and Pelicans too young to make a title run, or are they ready now? Have the Nets overtaken Bucks as the second best team in the East? Rohan and Chris break down all of these questions and much more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Christmas Day NBA Preview
December 23, 2022 18:23 - 1 hour - 61.3 MBOn today’s show, Rohan and Chris look ahead to a few of the Christmas Day games, starting with the heavyweight tilt between Boston and Milwaukee. Is the Celtics’ recent slump any cause for concern? Then they discuss the emergence of the Knicks and their ceiling in the East, as well as Joel Embiid’s spectacular season. They also touch on their hangups with the Suns and Nuggets before reminiscing about the Tony Scott classic “Man on Fire.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What Happened to Kevin Arnovitz? featuring Kevin Arnovitz
December 16, 2022 18:47 - 1 hour - 58 MBOn today’s show, Rohan is joined by former ESPN NBA writer Kevin Arnovitz. They discuss Kevin’s experience of watching the NBA as a casual fan and the frustrating nature of the NBA regular season. Later, they wonder whether parity has actually hit the NBA and if current stars mean as much as they used to. Finally, they predict the battlegrounds of the ongoing CBA negotiations, and Kevin provides an update on his current career See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A Tribute to Grant Wahl
December 13, 2022 19:06 - 41 minutes - 38.1 MBOn today’s show, Rohan is joined by Sports Illustrated senior writer Jon Wertheim to celebrate the life of their friend, Grant Wahl. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Revisiting the Biggest Offseason Trades
December 09, 2022 18:04 - 54 minutes - 50.2 MBOn today’s show, Rohan and Chris begin by discussing the early returns of Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell, and Dejounte Murray trades from the summer. Which team is best positioned to go further in the playoffs than last season? Rohan hits Chris with one more nuclear take, this time regarding Karl-Anthony Towns. Chris makes a shocking discovery about the Beam in Sacramento. And then thanks to Mike Brown and Mike Budenholzer, Dick’s Last Resort gets dragged through the mud See omnystudio.com/l...
The Anthony Davis Revival
December 06, 2022 22:01 - 58 minutes - 54 MBOn today’s show, Rohan and Chris hop around the league to discuss several teams. They start with Anthony Davis’s recent hot stretch and what it means for the Lakers. Then they wonder what’s going on with Trae Young and the Hawks, during which Rohan hits Chris with a nuclear take. The duo also sing the praises of two early season surprises, the Thunder and Pacers, before taking a trip down Pacers Memory Lane See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Checking In On The Heat & Nuggets
December 02, 2022 09:00 - 49 minutes - 45.4 MBOn today’s show, Rohan and Chris dive deep on a team they’ve both written about recently: the Miami Heat. They break down the team’s overwhelming use of zone, the breakout of Bam Adebayo, and what the roster’s ceiling is with Jimmy Butler. Then, they discuss the title prospects of the Denver Nuggets, and how they’ve reaped the benefits of the signings they made in the offseason See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our Quarter Season Awards
November 28, 2022 19:22 - 48 minutes - 44.4 MBOn today’s show, Rohan and John revisit Lakers trade rumors and a potential Kemba Walker signing before handing out their Quarter Season Awards. They debate whether there is an obvious MVP favorite, which postseason award Shai Gilgeous-Alexander most deserves, and Rohan is once again forced to confront the success of Daniel Ray Ainge See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Injuries Ravage the League Already
November 21, 2022 19:03 - 52 minutes - 47.7 MBOn today’s show, Rohan and John begin by discussing the returns of Kawhi Leonard and Kyrie Irving and what they mean for their respective teams. They also touch on Kyrie’s apology, and if the reasons for his suspension are truly behind him. The they highlight all the major injuries across the NBA and the impact they could have on various teams. Finally, they close with a breakdown of Laddergate, aka the incident between Giannis and some Philadelphia arena workers See omnystudio.com/listener...
Light the Sacramento Beam!
November 18, 2022 20:33 - 59 minutes - 54.4 MBOn today’s show, Rohan and Chris start with a spirited discussion about one of the most fun teams in the league, the Sacramento Kings, and what makes them so exciting. They also wonder whether or not the East has already become a two-team race, with Boston’s offense and Milwaukee’s defense separating themselves early in the season. The duo also try to fix the Warriors, respond to some emails, and more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Anthony Davis Fake Trade Machine
November 14, 2022 19:37 - 51 minutes - 47.5 MBOn today’s show, Rohan and John start by running through some Anthony Davis fake trades the Lakers may need to consider. They also briefly discuss the Nets’ recent success before wondering when the Wolves should pull the plug on Rudy Gobert and if anything is real from this NBA season. The duo are also forced to acknowledge the success of the Celtics before trying to figure out a new name for the Heat’s home arena See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What’s Wrong with the Wolves?
November 11, 2022 20:20 - 1 hour - 62.5 MBOn today’s show, Rohan and Chris start by discussing the continued success of the Utah Jazz. Should the front office keep the team together? And is Lauri Markkanen now definitively a part of the future? Later, they touch on the dispiriting start to the season from the Timberwolves, and how the Gobert-Towns experiment hasn’t worked well so far. The duo also lend their thoughts to the best NBA antics, why more players haven’t spoken up about Kyrie, and more! See omnystudio.com/listener for p...
Can Anyone Stop the Bucks (or Jazz)?
November 07, 2022 19:48 - 50 minutes - 46.6 MBOn today’s show, Rohan and John start by discussing the remedial measures the Nets have laid out for Kyrie Irving while he’s suspended from basketball. They also wonder whether it’s already time for the Nets to end the KD-Kyrie experiment. Later, they check back in on the still struggling Warriors, ask themselves if the Jazz are legit, and try to figure out if any team in the East can challenge the Bucks See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A Rough But Also Great Start To The Season
November 04, 2022 18:34 - 1 hour - 57 MBOn today’s show, Rohan and Chris start by discussing the latest news regarding Kyrie Irving and Josh Primo. Then they open up the mailbag to get into some basketball talk, including their favorite teams to watch early in the season, and their thoughts on the returns of the Towns-Gobert experiment. The Rip City Royston Report also makes its long awaited return before Rohan and Chris close the show wondering if the Lakers are showing signs of life See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...
Warriors Temperature Check w/ Dan Devine
October 31, 2022 20:35 - 58 minutes - 53.4 MBOn today’s show, Rohan is joined by Yahoo Sports’s Dan Devine. They begin by discussing the mess with the Brooklyn Nets and Kyrie Irving, both on and off the court. Then they dive into the Warriors’ recent struggles, and whether the two-timeline approach will create problems for them. They also discuss the success of the Cavs and Donovan Mitchell, if the Suns are legit, if they want to change their Finals picks, and more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Let's Give Ben Simmons Some Time
October 28, 2022 18:05 - 58 minutes - 53.9 MBOn today’s show, Rohan and Chris start by discussing the slight improvements they’ve seen from Ben Simmons, and whether or not he can ultimately make a difference for the Nets. Then they open up the mailbag to determine their level of concern for the Clippers, and whether or not LeBron is a good stats-bad team guy. They also touch on the Suns, the Wizards, favorite Halloween costumes, and more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Adam Silver Hates Tanking & Teams To Worry About
October 24, 2022 19:28 - 47 minutes - 43.6 MBRohan & John discuss Adam Silver's comments about relegating bad teams to discourage tanking, the early struggles of the Sixers and Heat, and how the title contending Nuggets looked against the defending champs See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
First Week Breakdown & League Pass Draft w/ Ian Karmel
October 21, 2022 17:16 - 54 minutes - 50.4 MBJohn & Rohan break down the struggles of the Lakers and Sixers in their first two games before 'The Late Late Show' and 'All Fantasy Everything's' Ian Karmel joins the show to do a fantasy draft of NBA League Pass rankings See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
NBA Preview Roundtable: Eastern Conference
October 18, 2022 08:00 - 56 minutes - 52.1 MBRohan Nadkarni & Chris Herring are joined again by the Crossover podcast's Chris Mannix and Howard Beck as they switch sides and break down the major contenders and storylines in the eastern conference as the season gets underway See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
NBA Preview Roundtable: Western Conference
October 17, 2022 08:00 - 58 minutes - 53.5 MBRohan Nadkarni & Chris Herring are joined by the Crossover podcast's Chris Mannix and Howard Beck to break down the major contenders and storylines in the western conference as the season gets underway. Stay tuned for our eastern conference roundtable out tomorrow See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Five Big Questions with Ben Golliver
October 14, 2022 08:00 - 1 hour - 64.6 MBOn today’s show, Rohan is joined by former Open Floor host and Washington Post writer Ben Golliver. Rohan presents Ben with five big questions before the NBA season, touching on topics such as LeBron’s future, the lack of pressure on Nikola Jokic, if the Celtics are still contenders, and so much more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Top Ten Duos with Andrew Sharp
October 12, 2022 08:00 - 1 hour - 62.5 MBOn today’s show, Rohan is joined by GOAT podcast host Andrew Sharp for the annual ranking of top ten duos. First they start by discussing who didn’t make the list, including some surprising picks from Andrew. Then they run down their top tens, with many twists and turns along the way See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Top 100 Ranking: Part 2
October 07, 2022 08:00 - 51 minutes - 47.6 MBOn today’s show, Rohan is joined by Chris Herring. After a brief detour into their billion-dollar reality TV idea, they discuss the news of the Draymond Green-Jordan Poole fight, and what they expect regarding both players’ contract situations. Then, they break down the top ten of SI’s Top 100, including how they settled arguments, why Stephen Curry wasn’t ranked first, and much more See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Top 100 Ranking: Part 1
October 04, 2022 21:12 - 52 minutes - 47.6 MBOn today’s show, Rohan is joined by Jeremy Woo. The two dive deep into SI’s Top 100 list, revealing some of the behind-the-scenes work that goes into the project. They discuss how they came up with their lists, which players were the hardest to rank, and explain why who ended up where. They also talk about some players they expect to make the list in the future, why Russell Westbrook was left off, if Victor Wembanyama can be the first rookie to make the list next season, and much more! See...
Our Big Training Camp Takeaways (So Far)
September 30, 2022 17:06 - 1 hour - 55.6 MBOn today’s show, Rohan is joined by Chris, and after a brief detour into “Don’t Worry Darling” drama, they react to some early training camp storylines. Topics include Anthony Davis’s wrist and future MVP hopes, if Ben Simmons will really play the five, if Jimmy Butler really won’t play the four, James Wiseman’s preseason debut, and Zion Williamson running with the Pelicans’ starters See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Messy Media Day Roundup
September 27, 2022 18:22 - 50 minutes - 45.8 MBOn today’s show, Rohan is joined by John Gonzalez and the two react to various NBA Media Day happenings. They start in Boston, where the Celtics continue to offer few details regarding the suspension of Ime Udoka, apparently to their own players as well. Then, Rohan & John break down the drama in Brooklyn, wondering how Kevin Durant’s trade request, Kyrie Irving’s unreliability, Ben Simmons’s availability, and the calls for Steve Nash’s firing will affect the team. They also discuss issues w...
Ime Udoka Is Suspended & Anthony Edwards Apologizes
September 23, 2022 20:00 - 42 minutes - 38.9 MBOn today’s show, SI senior writer John Gonzalez is joined by Chris Herring. They react to the Boston Celtics suspending head coach Ime Udoka for the season, Phoenix Suns and Mercury owner Robert Sarver accepting offers to sell, and Anthony Edwards getting fined for his homophobic comments. Then, they discuss Ben Simmons’ recent appearance on JJ Redick’s podcast and what his candor reveals about the oft-critiqued Brooklyn Nets star. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Free Agent Matchmaker
September 19, 2022 18:03 - 51 minutes - 47 MBOn today’s show, Rohan is joined by SI senior writer John Gonzalez. The two first discuss the news regarding the NBA’s CBA, including the mental health injury designation, and why Rohan is concerned about potentially harsher luxury tax penalties. Then Rohan and John look over the dwindling list of free agents and assign them to new teams, or why we need to see Rajon Rondo on the Pelicans. Finally, Rohan reveals the latest bad movie he thoroughly enjoyed See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...
An Unfortunate Week for the NBA
September 16, 2022 18:25 - 34 minutes - 31.7 MBOn today’s show, Rohan is joined by SI Weekly host John Gonzalez. The two react to the NBA’s decision to only suspend Robert Sarver for one year, and discuss why his punishment wasn’t more severe. They then discuss the fallout of Adam Silver’s press conference regarding Sarver, particularly his revealing answer to a question from colleague Howard Beck. They also wonder if more public pressure will mount against Sarver, why he was treated differently than Donald Sterling, and more See omnyst...
Behind the LeBron Scenes w/ Chris Ballard
September 12, 2022 19:43 - 1 hour - 55.7 MBOn today’s show, Rohan is joined by Sports Illustrated contributor Chris Ballard. The pair dive deep into Chris’s latest cover story on LeBron James, and Rohan asks Chris why LeBron may have participated, about the process of interviewing LeBron and his two sons, and how LeBron as an interview subject has changed over the years. Chris also shares some of his favorite behind the scenes details of the story. Then, Rohan and Chris discuss some of his previous stories for SI, including his profi...
Ranking the Top Five Contenders in the West
September 09, 2022 18:47 - 58 minutes - 53.8 MBOn today’s show, Chris Herring makes his long awaited return. He and Rohan start by opening up the mailbag, discussing if the Donovan Mitchell trade put the Cavs in the title discussion and then what impact Rudy Gobert can have on the Wolves. Then the hosts rank their top five contenders in the West and explain why they are both high on the Clippers, why the Grizzlies could be in trouble, and how the Pelicans could possibly crash the party. Finally, they wonder if the Lakers and Blazers can ...
Ranking the Top Five Contenders in the East
September 06, 2022 19:01 - 52 minutes - 47.9 MBOn today’s show, Rohan is joined by SI Weekly host John Gonzalez. The duo first react to the Donovan Mitchell trade, discussing the fit between Mitchell and Darius Garland, if it was the right move for Cleveland, and if the Jazz should have taken the Knicks offer instead. Then Rohan and John rank their top five contenders in the Eastern Conference, assessing the new hierarchy in the East in the wake of the Mitchell trade. Finally, Rohan and John ask if anyone can contribute to the family of ...
Are We Headed for an Historic Tank Season? w/ Rob Mahoney
August 26, 2022 17:50 - 58 minutes - 53.9 MBOn today’s show, Rohan is joined by The Ringer’s (and former colleague) Rob Mahoney. The two start the show by discussing the fallout of Chet Holmgren’s season-ending injury, including if the Thunder are in an even better position long term. Then they react to the Lakers’ acquisition of Patrick Beverley, explaining why it was both the right move and a frustrating one. Finally, they answer a couple listener emails, debating whether the NBA would be better with more or less teams, and wonderin...
Durant to the Grizzlies & NBA Christmas Showdown
August 22, 2022 22:15 - 44 minutes - 41.1 MBOn today’s show, Rohan is reunited with SI Weekly host John Gonzalez. They open by discussing the report the Grizzlies may be interested in Kevin Durant. They weigh whether Memphis should make the trade, and who they should give up in a hypothetical deal. Then the pair react to the NBA’s schedule release, and offer thoughts on the impending Christmas showdown between the NBA and NFL. Finally, they close the show by paying respect to Udonis Haslem and looking back on the Mikal Bridges trade ...
Opening the Mailbag w/ Jeremy Woo
August 19, 2022 18:45 - 35 minutes - 32.9 MBOn today’s show, Rohan returns and is joined by Jeremy Woo to open open the mailbag to discuss NBA bromances, team theme songs, and how Shaq would be evaluated as a modern-day draft prospect. Rohan and Jeremy then close the episode with an early look at the Victor Wembanyana sweepstakes and their Top 100 thoughts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Over/Under of Wins For All 30 NBA Teams
August 15, 2022 08:00 - 47 minutes - 43.1 MBSI Weekly's John Gonzalez is joined again by The Ringer's Dan Devine to look at the Vegas odds for every team's win total. Hear why we're surprised by some, not surprised by others, and why we're always taking the under on the Knicks (and Kings). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Aftermath of More Durant Demands
August 12, 2022 19:43 - 33 minutes - 30.7 MBSI Weekly's John Gonzalez fills in for Rohan on this week's Friday edition of Open Floor as he welcomes The Ringers Dan Devine to look at Kevin Durant's meeting in London with Nets owner Joe Tsai where he reportedly asked him to choose between him and head coach Steve Nash. We then discuss where the Nets go from here and a not-so-true Ben Simmons rumor that floated around this week See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A New Round of Nets Drama
August 08, 2022 22:17 - 55 minutes - 50.7 MBOn today’s show, Rohan is joined by SI Weekly host John Gonzalez for an all-mailbag special. They start by discussing the merits of a fake Anthony Davis-for-Draymond Green trade before guessing which first-time All Stars won’t make the team again next season. Then, as the two prepare to answer an email about the Nets, the podcast is interrupted by the latest Kevin Durant report. Finally, Rohan & John reminisce on 2K greats of past and help a fan pick their favorite basketball team See omnys...