Open Floor: SI's NBA Show
657 episodes - English - Latest episode: 1 day 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
NBA schedule proposals, cheating the game, Harden's double teams
November 26, 2019 18:00 - 1 hour - 71.7 MBOn today's show, Ben Golliver and Michael Pina vote up or down on the NBA's three major schedule proposals: reseeding the conference finals, adding a midseason tournament, and incorporating play-in games for the playoffs. From there, they dive into a wide-ranging debate about cheating in sports. Should honor be a bigger deal? What can be done to curb flopping and other acts that violate the spirit of the game? What crazy methods, like Deflate-Gate in football or sign-stealing in baseball, co...
LeBron James, Luka Doncic and the top 5 stories of the 2019-20 season so far
November 22, 2019 09:00 - 1 hour - 55.7 MBOn today's show, Ben Golliver and Michael Pina run through the top five basketball stories of the 2019-20 season so far, highlighted by LeBron James's resurgence and Luka Doncic's emergence as an MVP candidate. From there, they take questions from the Open Floor Globe. How did Kawhi Leonard and Paul George look in their first game together? If the Warriors had the "Death Lineup," do the Clippers have the "Coma Lineup"? How good of a shooter does a 5'6", 220-pound listener need to be to make ...
Celtics cruising, Sixers stumbling, Carmelo resurrected, Paul George shining
November 19, 2019 14:40 - 1 hour - 66.3 MBOn today's episode, Ben Golliver welcomes his new co-host: Michael Pina, NBA writer for SB Nation. With Open Floor's bi-coastal balance restored, Ben and Michael dig into two teams at the top of the Eastern Conference: the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers. Are the Celtics as good as their record indicates? Does their hot start, coupled with Brooklyn's challenges, shine a new light on Kyrie Irving? How does Philly fix its offense? Are Al Horford and Joel Embiid a fit? Is the clock tickin...
Knicks coaching crisis, Harden's place in the hierarchy, Shot quality vs. shot location
November 15, 2019 15:52 - 1 hour - 57.8 MBOn today's podcast, Ben Golliver and Rob Mahoney discuss the dilapidated state of the Knicks. Is there any coach, or person, alive who could replace David Fizdale and find success? Why did the front office shift its expectations between July and November? Which of New York's young building blocks are keepers? From there, Ben and Rob debate James Harden's place in the NBA hierarchy and dissect Russell Westbrook's dismissal of Patrick Beverley. After discussing the relative importance of shot ...
Siakam's soaring Raptors, Lillard's slumping Blazers, Rob Mahoney reflects on 7 years at SI
November 12, 2019 15:30 - 59 minutes - 54.7 MBOn today's show, Ben Golliver and Rob Mahoney open with extended comments on Pascal Siakam and the Toronto Raptors. Where does Siakam rank right now? Is he actually Giannis-like? Does Toronto's player development program get enough credit? From there, Ben and Rob shift gears to discuss Damian Lillard's MVP start, the Blazers' roster problems, Ja Morant's Rookie of the Year chances and the fan's perspective on load management. To close, Rob reflects on his favorite stories and games as he pre...
Giannis revenge mission, NBA statues, load management ethics
November 08, 2019 14:55 - 1 hour - 57.7 MBOn today's show, Ben Golliver and Rob Mahoney go deep on the Milwaukee Bucks after their recent win over the Los Angeles Clippers. They engage in comical Giannis Antetokounmpo hyperbole on the following topis: his revenge mission, MVP defense, pre-game grunting, winning plays and leadership intangibles. From there, they tackle pressing questions from the Open Floor Globe on everything from NYC marathon attire to the utility of the phrase "two-way player." Ben and Rob also debate the many eth...
Luka Luka Luka, Bucks check-in, sputtering Rockets
November 05, 2019 14:50 - 1 hour - 59.7 MBOn today's episode, Ben Golliver and Rob Mahoney discuss the mounting hype around Luka Doncic following his weekend duel with LeBron James and his multiple triple-doubles. Should Dallas be viewed as a legit playoff threat? What's Luka's long-term ceiling? Would you undo/redo the Trae Young trade from either side? From there, Ben and Rob discuss NBPA executive director Michele Roberts' comments on China before taking questions from the Open Floor Globe on the Rockets' dynamic duo, the Bucks' ...
Steph Curry’s injury, Kawhi Stockton, Team Jo or Team KAT?
November 01, 2019 14:30 - 1 hour - 59.3 MBOn today's episode, Ben Golliver and Rob Mahoney discuss the grisly repercussions of Stephen Curry's broken hand for the Golden State Warriors. Should Golden State tank? Does this increase the urgency to trade D'Angelo Russell or Draymond Green? From there, they take questions on Kawhi Leonard's newfound passing ability, the Minnesota Timberwolves' impressive start and the longstanding rivalry between Karl-Anthony Towns and Joel Embiid. Are you team KAT or Team JoJo? Is a rivalry with Embiid...
Warriors' comeuppance, Trae Young's arrival, Suns' progress
October 29, 2019 09:00 - 1 hour - 57 MBOn today's show, Ben Golliver and Rob Mahoney consider the Golden State Warriors' slow start. Do their early struggles require a reputation revision for Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Steve Kerr? Is there any hope for their putrid defense? Should they consider trading D'Angelo Russell or Draymond Green? Should they tank? Then, Ben and Rob shift gears to answer questions from the Open Floor Globe on Trae Young's All-Star chances, the Phoenix Suns' sudden competence, Dwight Howard's promisi...
The New King of LA, Charles Barkley’s take summit, Opening week instant reactions
October 25, 2019 09:00 - 57 minutes - 52.4 MBOn today's episode, Ben Golliver and Rob Mahoney discuss TNT commentator Charles Barkley's latest take summit. Ben lays out Barkley's thoughts on why Kawhi Leonard has surpassed LeBron James after the Clippers' opening win over the Lakers. They also dissect two other Barkley ideas: that Anthony Davis needs to be the Lakers' best player if they're going to win the title, and that Paul George will face significant pressure in the 2020 playoffs. From there, Ben and Rob take questions from the O...
The NBA season is here! Finals predictions, Zion heartbreak & Jamal Murray's swag
October 22, 2019 09:00 - 1 hour - 60.3 MBOn today's show, Ben Golliver and Rob Mahoney gear up for the start of the 2019-20 NBA season by making their predictions. Which teams will make the conference finals? Who will win the title? What's the dream West match-up? Are there any spoilers looming in the East? Which teams will disappoint, which will surprise, and which will be downright awful? Then, Ben and Rob shift gears to reflect on the implications of Zion Williamson's knee surgery. How bad is this for the NBA as a whole? Will he...
LeBron takes on Morey over China, NBA award predictions, Buddy's threat and Beal's deal
October 18, 2019 09:00 - 1 hour - 57.9 MBOn Today's show, Ben Golliver and Rob Mahoney pick up their jaws after LeBron James's pointed criticism of Daryl Morey on the Hong Kong/China issue. Did LeBron have a point about Morey's bad timing? Should activism be convenient? What did this episode reveal about LeBron? Did the controversy prove that Kawhi Leonard made the right decision to join the Clippers rather than the Lakers? Then, Ben and Rob shift gears to make their picks for MVP, ROY, DPOY, COY, SMOY and MIP. The usual suspects (...
Harden and Westbrook deep dive, California vs. the World, the West's future powers
October 15, 2019 09:00 - 1 hour - 58.7 MBOn today's show, Ben Golliver and Rob Mahoney dive deep into Rob's Sports Illustrated NBA preview story on the Houston Rockets. How will James Harden and Russell Westbrook actually work together? Are the Rockets as unstable as they appear from the outside? Are they title contenders? Then, Ben and Rob take questions from the Open Floor Globe, assessing Tilman Fertitta's competence, fielding rosters for a "California vs. the rest of the world" showdown, and welcoming the coming galactic battle...
The NBA game goes on in China, Zion hype heats up, the next Jrue contract
October 11, 2019 09:00 - 1 hour - 60.3 MBOn today's show, Ben Golliver and Rob Mahoney detail the latest developments from the NBA's China crisis. What should James Harden make of Daryl Morey? Did Adam Silver let down the media by allowing the Lakers and Nets to play without conducting press conferences? Do Steve Kerr and Gregg Popovich deserve heat for sidestepping the controversy? Then, Ben and Rob field questions from the Open Floor Globe on Zion Williamson's debut week, which players have the chance to surprisingly live up to t...
Daryl Morey's China crisis, AD's stellar debut, 2020 NBA style of play
October 08, 2019 13:52 - 1 hour - 56.9 MBOn today's show, Ben Golliver offers an Open Floor "State of the Union" address in light of Sports Illustrated's recent staffing changes. Ben is then joined by his new co-host, Rob Mahoney of Sports Illustrated, to discuss Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey's tweet about Hong Kong and the ensuing fallout in China. Should Morey have been fired? Could the NBA have handled its response differently? Are US politicians correct when they accuse the NBA of hypocrisy? From there, Ben and Rob discuss: An...
Meeting the Lakers and Sixers, Kyrie at Media Day, Rookie of the Year Projections
October 01, 2019 13:31 - 1 hourOn today's show Andrew Sharp and Ben Golliver begin by sharing some thoughts on the Sixers and Lakers after media days in L.A. and Philly. Then (20:00): The Clippers debut in L.A. and Kawhi gets booed at a Rams game. From there (30:00): Kyrie Irving opens up about his grief in Brooklyn, plus some thoughts on his comments regarding KD in the Finals. At the end (40:00): the wrong Bradley Beal trade, the right Bradley Beal trade, Zion Williamson concern trolling, contenders for the rookie of the...
The Fog of a Tampering War, Brown and Ingram Extensions, Chris Paul to the Bucks
September 27, 2019 09:00 - 1 hourOn today's show Andrew Sharp and Ben Golliver begin by celebrating the imminent return of the NBA before a wide-open season. Then (5:00): A look at the the NBA's recent passage of new tampering rules, whether enforcement is realistic, why the Bucks were fined, and how much this harms or helps the game. From there (25:00): Contract possibilities for Jaylen Brown and Brandon Ingram, and whether the Celtics and Pelicans should offer them max extensions before October 21st. Then (37:00): The Suns...
Team USA Is Missing The Hawaiian Sunrise, James Harden PR Advice, NBA Wedding Etiquette
September 20, 2019 09:00 - 1 hourOn today's show Andrew Sharp and Ben Golliver reconnect after Golliver's vacation. They begin with a guide to watching the sunrise in Hawaii and some belated thoughts on Team USA's downfall at the FIBA World Cup in China. How much blame do U.S. players deserve? How much of this lays at Popovich's feet? Then: what we learned about the NBA's next generation (20:00), Kemba Walker and Khris Middleton, Carmelo Anthony, and prospects for 2020. From there: thoughts on James Harden's MVP frustration ...
The Lakers Make No Sense, Giannis and Jokic MVP Odds, Finding the NBA's Andrew Luck
September 13, 2019 09:00 - 1 hourOn today's show Andrew Sharp and Ben Golliver examine the MVP odds for 2020. First: What do we make of the Lakers and the MVP possibilities for LeBron James and Anthony Davis? Then (20:00): Odds for the Clippers' Big Two, Lillard in Portland, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the biggest Bucks questions, and Nikola Jokic as a potential dark horse in Denver. At the end (50:00): Raptors fans have Siakam receipts, finding the NBA's answer to Andrew Luck, a Lakers fan and a license plate debate in Portla...
Team USA's FIBA Adventures, The Future of Young American Stars, Bradley Beal to the Nets
September 06, 2019 09:00 - 1 hourOn today's show Andrew Sharp and Ben Golliver reunite to get ready for a new year of basketball. They kick things off with an Instagram lecture, defending Taylor Swift, and a quick shoutout to Slovenia. Then (12:00): Surveying the field at the FIBA World Cup and talking through the current version of Team USA. Topics include: Kemba Walker's strengths and weaknesses, Jayson Tatum and Donovan Mitchell as preordained stars, the future on the wing, and Americans in the under-25 rankings. From the...
Top 100 NBA Players Extravaganza: 2019 review & 2020 preview
August 30, 2019 09:00 - 1 hourOn today's show, Ben Golliver welcomes Sports Illustrated writer Rob Mahoney for an expansive conversation about their Top 100 NBA Players lists. They start by taking a look back at last year. Who were the biggest hits (Curry, Kyrie) and the biggest misses (Kawhi, Jokic) in the top 25? Which breakout players (Pascal, Harrell) caused heartburn? Which snubs deserve apologies? Were they proven correct in the great debates over Devin Booker and Brandon Ingram? Then, they pivot to a preview of the...
Los Angeles Lakers deep dive: Kobe's ping pong skills, LeBron clings to the throne, AD's burden
August 23, 2019 09:00 - 1 hourOn today's show, Ben Golliver welcomes longtime Los Angeles Lakers media whiz Mike Trudell, the Spectrum Sports sideline reporter, Lakers.com writer and ESPN LA radio personality. A Lakers deep dive commences. Is LeBron James still in the mix for the No. 1 spot on next year's Top 100? Can Anthony Davis carry a top-10 defense? Does Dwight Howard make sense as a DeMarcus Cousins replacement? What's up with Frank Vogel? How real are their title chances? Along the way, Mike tells stories about pi...
All-Decade team debates, United Spurs of America hit LA, buying stock in the Hawks & Kings
August 16, 2019 09:00 - 1 hourOn today's show, Ben Golliver welcomes Sekou Smith of NBA TV to discuss NBA.com's All-Decade teams. What makes the 2010-2019 era so fascinating? Who got snubbed? Who were the toughest cuts? Then, they shift gears to discuss the "United Spurs of America" and why USA Basketball played one of the weirdest public scrimmages in recent memory. They close by buying stock in the rising Sacramento Kings and Atlanta Hawks while taking questions from the Open Floor Globe. Note: Andrew Sharp is on vacat...
Coach Pop's Team USA revenge, Next Gen stars, KD's decisions & Wall's comeback
August 09, 2019 09:00 - 1 hourOn today's show, Ben Golliver welcomes Michael Lee, Senior NBA writer at The Athletic, to break down USA Basketball's training camp live from Las Vegas. Is coach Gregg Popovich motivated by patriotism, shame or both? Which next-generation stars are poised to make the leap in the FIBA World Cup? Then, they shift focus to Kevin Durant's free agency decisions, John Wall's comeback plans and a possible landing spot for Carmelo Anthony. Note: Andrew Sharp is on vacation. Learn more about your ad-...
Some Very Early Over/Unders, AD's New Nickname, An Important Fan Amnesty Ruling
August 02, 2019 09:00 - 1 hourOn today's show Andrew Sharp and Ben Golliver talk through the initial wins total numbers released in Las Vegas earlier this week. Topics include: the Wizards at 27.5, the Lakers and Warriors at 49.5, the wild cards for the Rockets and Clippers, the Jazz and Nuggets, the Heat, the Nets, the bet your mortgage lock of the 2019-20 season, the Suns, the Magic, and the Pelicans. From there: What to make of the Jazz and title chances in Salt Lake City, submissions for a new Anthony Davis nickname, ...
Introducing the New Clippers, The State of the Jordan Empire, How to Fix Team USA
July 25, 2019 17:31 - 1 hourOn today’s show Andrew Sharp and Ben Golliver are talking through the Kawhi Leonard and Paul George introductions in L.A. and the reasons to buy or sell what’s next for the Clippers. Topics include: living life like Steve Ballmer, whether Kawhi will ever top his final two months with the Raptors, Paul George’s twist on the OKC story, load management strategies in the West, and a looming war for Andre Iguodala. From there: Zion Williamson signed with Jordan Brand, is 56 year-old Michael Jordan...
The Wizards Go Outside the Box, Giannis Inc. Quarterly Meeting, Three Coaches with Impossible Jobs
July 23, 2019 09:00 - 1 hourOn today's show Andrew Sharp and Ben Golliver begin by celebrating America's bounty of natural wonders and imploring listeners to tip their tour guides on the way through National Parks. Then (5:00): The Bulls aren't the only team with a leadership committee, as the Wizards have officially entered a new era under Tommy Sheppard, Sashi Brown, John Thompson III and the rest of the management team that was introduced in D.C. on Monday afternoon. Topics include: Trusting Ted Leonsis, comparisons ...
Midsummer Saguaro Vision Quests, Best Case/Worst Case Out West, Kemba vs. Kyrie
July 19, 2019 09:00 - 1 hourOn today's show Andrew Sharp and Ben Golliver begin by talking through a road trip through the American Southwest and the 2021 rankings. From there (10:00): Running through some best and worst case scenarios for various contenders in the West, including a few more thoughts on the upside and downside in L.A., Portland, and Houston. Then (35:00): The Lakers and various alternate timelines over the past few years, the arrival of Kemba Walker in Boston, and how his career compares to Kyrie Irving...
The Universe Sends Westbrook to Houston, Ben Simmons Cashes Out, Final Summer League Thoughts
July 16, 2019 09:00 - 1 hourOn today's show Andrew Sharp and Ben Golliver begin by discussing Ben's new rental car and the final days of Vegas summer league. Then (5:00): Russell Westbrook is on the Houston Rockets after James Harden lobbied for the partnership, and the universe continues to rebuke the Golliver worldview. Topics include: Whether this plan can work, the limits of players as team arcitechts, Daryl Morey's future in Houston, regular season upside vs. playoff questions, where the Rockets rank in next year's...
Adam Silver Responds to Tamperpalooza, Spending Ballmer's Billions, Captain Accountability vs. The Universe
July 11, 2019 09:00 - 1 hourOn today's show Andrew Sharp and Ben Golliver begin by discussing the coach's challenge system set to be implemented in next year's NBA. Then: What to do about tampering? Topics include: Adam Silver's comments in Las Vegas this week, distinct categories of tampering that are conflated into one problem, the player power angst underlying all of this discussion, whether anyone under 30 cares about this, and what's in play going forward. From there: Pascal Siakam vs. Giannis, DeMarcus Cousins on ...
Finding a Home for Westbrook, Revisiting All the Kawhi Moves, Don't Forget that Anthony Davis Exists
July 09, 2019 09:00 - 1 hourOn today's show AndrewSharp and Ben Golliver begin by lamenting the state of summer league and shifting their focus to yet another offseason subplot: Where will Russell Westbrook land? Topics include: the state of Westbrook and why he should seek a trade, the contenders to land him, the Heat as favorites, a case for the Wizards, potential curveballs, and more. Then (27:00): Some thoughts on 9 minutes of Zion Williamson and the class of absentee rookies in Vegas. From there (38:00): Revisiting...
Kawhi and the Clippers Earthquake, Winners and Losers Around the NBA, Disaster for the Lakers
July 06, 2019 11:52 - 1 hourOn today's show Andrew Sharp and Ben Golliver are live in Las Vegas and processing the Kawhi Leonard/Paul George news as it happened Friday night. Topics include: a massive win for the Clippers, Kawhi as Calipari, OKC scrambling to recover after Paul George's trade demand, a win for NBA fans everywhere, LeBron James and what this week means for him, the state of Westbrook, increasingly disastrous free agent news for the Lakers, and at the end, an important tutorial in going viral on the sidel...
Kawhi Leonard Helicopter Surveillance, Reviewing the Rest of Free Agency, All the Good Wizards Play in Chicago Now
July 04, 2019 00:47 - 1 hourOn today's show Andrew Sharp and Ben Golliver begin with the state of the Kawhi Leonard pursuit and acknowledging that recording this podcast definitely means that Kawhi will announce his decision on Wednesday night. Then: Thoughts on the summer of the Kings (12:00), the Pelicans (20:00), and the Blazers (30:00). From there: the Nuggets and Jamal Murray (37:00), some breaking Suns news (42:00), and the Sixers betting the future on Ben Simmons (50:00). At the end (60:00): The Bulls and an earl...
Kyrie and Kevin Durant to Brooklyn, The Sixers Steal Horford, The NBA Goes Crazy for 24 Hours
July 01, 2019 18:28 - 1 hourOn today's show Andrew Sharp and Ben Golliver recap the first 12 hours of NBA free agency. First: Kyrie Irving is going to Brooklyn and he's bringing Kevin Durant with him (2:00). This is obviously a massive win for the Nets, but is it a good move for Durant? Topics include: a three year-old mailbag question, the IG rollout strategy for KD, a triumph for Brooklyn management, and an uncertain future on the court. Then (33:00): Knicks dreams did not end well, because of course they didn't. Wher...
The Lakers Get the Last Laugh, This Rockets Rumor Makes No Sense, Last-Minute Free Agency Notes
June 28, 2019 09:00 - 1 hourOn today’s show Andrew Sharp and Ben Golliver begin by discussing the Mo Wagner blockbuster and what it means for the future in DC. Then (5:00): The Lakers have max cap space, Pelinka is owed an apology, and it’s time to start getting serious about who the Lakers should target in free agency. From there (40:00): How Toronto fans should react to this week’s L.A. developments, Lakers internet and one of the best conspiracy theories of the year, and the best ways to spend an NBA owner’s dark mon...
Kemba in Boston and Other Free Agency Rumors, Bradley Beal's Future in DC, Projecting the West
June 26, 2019 09:00 - 1 hourOn today's show Andrew Sharp and Ben Golliver begin with a nod to NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and then move to the rumors swirling around the NBA this week. Topics include: Kemba Walker and the pros and cons of a potential move to Boston, the continued buzz surrounding Brooklyn's KD/Kyrie possibilities, a Knicks "what if?" scenario, a Clippers doomsday scenario, and what to make D'Angelo Russell Lakers rumors. Then (40:00): Bradley Beal says he's "definitely" open to an extension in D.C., s...
Draft Winners and Losers, Complicated Pelicans Emotions, Celtics and Lakers Updates
June 21, 2019 13:28 - 1 hourOn today’s show Andrew Sharp and Ben Golliver are live from New York City where they recap the 2019 NBA Draft. First: The Wizards and the dawn of the Rui Hachimura era, RJ Barrett landing in New York City, and the Suns once again wandering in the middle of nowhere. Then (22:00): The impact of Twitter and NBA moratoriums on draft night, examining the Pelicans and their post-Zion strategy, and talking through the new era with Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. in Memphis. At the end (55:00): What ...
The AD Trade 72 Hours Later, Parsing the Pelicans Options, How Chris Paul will be Remembered
June 19, 2019 09:00 - 1 hourOn today's show Andrew Sharp and Ben Golliver begin by talking through all angles of the Anthony Davis trade. How much does it change the outlook for the Lakers? How much still hinges on when the deal is executed? And where does this leave the Pelicans? Then (45:00): Look at the pressure on LeBron James next year and where it's better to add depth or chase a third star. At the end (55:00): The Celtics dreams have been reduced to rubble, Chris Paul and the chaos in Houston, fact-checking the F...
The Raptors are Champions, Golden State’s Future is Complicated, The East Rises from the Ashes
June 14, 2019 15:30 - 1 hourOn today's show Andrew Sharp and Ben Golliver talk through the end of the NBA Finals and a Raptors world championshp. First: The Warriors went out like champs, the Raptors had every answer they needed, Fred VanVleet played MVP-level basketball, and Golden State's future looks a lot more complicated after this week's awful injury news. Then: How much does this postseason change the way Kawhi's Spurs situation should be viewed? Will Load Management sweep the NBA? Does the league belong to Kawh...
Processing Kevin Durant's Injury and Recapping Game 5
June 11, 2019 15:08 - 45 minutesOn today's show Andrew Sharp and Ben Golliver are live in Toronto, where they talk through Kevin Durant's disastrous injury and the state of the NBA Finals after Game 5. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
The Raptors Respond with No Klay, Kawhi vs. LeBron in 2020, Exploring Kyrie to the Nets
June 06, 2019 14:43 - 1 hourOn today's show Andrew Sharp and Ben Golliver are live at the Finals recapping Game 3. Topics include: Did Golden State just punt a finals game?, the Raptors' insane shooting performance and the impressive response up and down the roster, Klay's injury timeline, KD's return, Steph's obscene night, a Fred VanVleet branded swag update, and rethinking Golden State's legacy (or not). Then (35:00): Kawhi Leonard vs. LeBron James next season: who ya got? At the end (45:00): Exploring Kyrie to the N...
The Warriors Play Like Giants Again, Cousins Comes Through, Hot T'Wolves Takes
June 03, 2019 18:51 - 1 hourOn today's show Andrew Sharp and Ben Golliver are live in Toronto and recapping Game 2 from Scotiabank Arena. First: Thoughts on a killer performance from the Warriors, DeMarcus Cousins coming up huge, and whether the Raptors deserve some blame as well. Then (18:00): Klay Thompson and the rest of the Warriors playing like champions, a reminder that it's crazy that no one knows whether KD is playing in this series, questions about Kawhi, and why the Raptors can still make this dramatic. From t...
The Raptors Take Game 1, KD and the Question of the Finals, Tillman Takes the Wheel in Houston
May 31, 2019 13:47 - 1 hourOn today's show Andrew Sharp and Ben Golliver check in live from Toronto to recap Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Topics include: Pascal Siakam's incredible Game 1 (32/8/5), the Raptors doing their best OKC impression, the scene on the ground in Toronto, the cost of Golden State turnovers, and the triumph of the East. Then (30:00): The Warriors will probably need Kevin Durant to win this series, but Charles Barkley has said he's not coming back, and all of this is the biggest wild card in recent Fi...
The Termites Go to the Finals, Giannis Inc. Addresses the Investment Community, Kawhi's Place in History
May 28, 2019 09:59 - 1 hourOn today's show Andrew Sharp and Ben Golliver talk through the triumph of the Raptors, Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Lowry, and millions of Toronto Termites who can now look down on legions of doubters. Topics include: the celebration in Toronto this weekend, the incredible performance of Lowry, Masai focusing on a title, various takes Sharp and Golliver got wrong, and whether this team is now playing with house money in the NBA Finals. Then (30:00): Official statementd on the health and future of Gian...
Kawhi and Fred VanVleet Against the World, More Supermax Fun, Magic Johnson Has Takes
May 24, 2019 14:31 - 1 hourOn today’s Andrew Sharp and Ben Golliver connect for a late night recap of Game 5 in the Eastern Conference Finals. Topics include: The shocking turnaround for Toronto, sobering performances across the board for the Bucks, Fred VanVleet coming through as predicted all along on Open Floor, Kawhi Leonard on another planet, Giannis looking mortal, and the suddenly uncertain future for Milwaukee. Then (47:00): The All-NBA teams, second-guessing all the Klay second-guessers, and the latest twists ...
The Warriors Sweep, Another Giannis Revelation, NBA Finals First Takes
May 21, 2019 13:04 - 1 hourOn today's show, Ben Golliver is joined by special guest Rob Mahoney of Sports Illustrated live in Portland after the Warriors swept the Blazers to reach their fifth straight Finals. Ben and Rob dig deep into the legacy implications of Stephen Curry's big series, Draymond Green's wrecking ball impact, The Meyers Leonard Game, and Steve Kerr's wacky 12-man rotation. From there, they bounce over to the Eastern Conference finals to discuss Ben's latest Giannis Revelation from his time in Milwauk...
The Bucks Look Like a Juggernaut, The Warriors as Test Takers, Way Too Early Offseason Ideas
May 17, 2019 09:00 - 1 hourOn today's show Andrew Sharp and Ben Golliver talk through the state of the Bucks. Topics include: how surreal this must be for actual Bucks fans, what learned in Game 1 against the Raptors, why this defense is so good, and what's possible from here. Then (30:00): The Warriors are not better without KD, but they may be more focused, and the Finals will bring another set of challenges. From there (40:00): Would the Pelicans trade for LeBron? How great can Zion be? And what about Kevin Love and...
Winners and Losers Live from the Lottery, Warriors-Rockets in Review, The Post-LeBron Playoffs
May 15, 2019 14:52 - 1 hourOn today's show Andrew Sharp and Ben Golliver talk through the NBA Lottery results, including Zion to New Orleans, a lottery room breach, a sidekick for "Jaren", the Knicks, the Lakers, and a close call for the Wizards. From there (36:00): Warriors-Rockets in review, including a legendary performance from Steph Curry, and a debate on what happened to James Harden. At the end (1:03): Kawhi Leonard's shot and a mind-blowing Game 7, the Nikola Jokic apology, the Blazers and a year of redemption,...
Availability is the Best Sixers Ability, Massive Stakes in Rockets/Warriors, The Lakers are Still the Lakers
May 10, 2019 15:17 - 1 hourOn today's show Andrew Sharp and Ben Golliver begin by recounting a lost episode and a hellish travel day before shifting to Sixers-Raptors in Game 6, Joel Embiid's strange playoff run, and where this series stands headed into Game 7. Then (25:00): Talking through Rockets-Warriors, Steph Curry, James Harden, the Kevin Durant injury, and everything in between. From there (55:00): Revisiting the thrilling playoff run of Coffee Shop Kyrie, one final attempt at diagnosing the problems with this y...
Rockets Resurrection, Celtics Takes Looking Absolutely Disastrous, Nuggets Growing Up
May 07, 2019 20:54 - 1 hourOn today's show Andrew Sharp and Ben Golliver begin by talking about Austin Rivers, PJ Tucker, James Harden, and the resurrected Houston Rockets who now go to the Bay with the West semis tied 2-2. Topics include: Harden's excellence as the cornerstone of a weekend in crisis for Sharp, Warriors depth, Rockets defense, Steph Curry's struggles and what they say about the future, both teams downplaying officiating, and how worried the Warriors should be. Then (30:00): The supporting cast is in sh...